Page 111 of Save Me

Beside her, her best friend, Ryleigh Donovan, said, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”

In front of them was a massive brawl with about a dozen people hurling insults and throwing punches. There was no way of knowing what specifically started it, but it wouldn’t be long before the onlookers were going to end up getting drawn into the melee.

Ivy got on her tiptoes and tried to see if any cops were coming their way to try to break it up, but so far, all she saw were people just like her and Ryleigh helplessly watching. “Should we call the cops?”

Looking over her shoulder toward the pub, Ryleigh said, “I’m sure my dad already did.”

Ivy followed her friend’s gaze. “If all the wild arm gestures are anything to go by, then yeah. He’s on the phone with them now.” Turning back to the crowd, she heard glass break and said a silent prayer that someone was coming to break this up before anybody got hurt.

“You know what sucks about this?”

“The list is endless.”

“First, there’s a good chance you’re going to get called into work,” Ryleigh told her. “You know someone’s going to get hurt, and you’re gonna go and help out until the squad gets here…”

“Well, I am a paramedic…”

“I know, and it’s awesome, but I would hate for you to get dragged into this mess on the first night of your vacation.”

It had been a long time since Ivy had taken any time off and she desperately needed a break. Unfortunately, her friend was right. If anyone got hurt here tonight, she was going to jump in and do what she could until an ambulance arrived.

“This sort of thing is going to ruin a great tradition,” Ryleigh went on with a weary sigh. “You just know if the city even plans another Spring Fling, there are going to be so many rules and restrictions put in place that it won’t even resemble how awesome it’s been for like…ever.” She paused. “All because of these jerks.”

“You know two of your brothers are part of those jerks, right?”

“Figures.” They both fell into silence for a moment. “I expect it from Patrick and Jamie. They’re both ridiculously easy to get riled up. I just hate how they sucked Connor into it.”

For a second, Ivy was certain she misunderstood. But just to be sure…

“Connor? As in…”

“Connor Easton.” Turning, she gave Ivy a weak smile. “Sorry. I guess I should have mentioned that earlier, huh?”

Connor Easton was Ivy’s first boyfriend, first love, first…everything. He was a year older than her and they had dated through her last three years of high school. She’d had a crush on him long before that, but it wasn’t until they were both in high school that Connor had suddenly noticed her. They always said they would start planning their future once she had graduated. Ivy had been confident he would propose to her as soon as she tossed her cap in the air.

But…he didn’t.

A week after graduation, her entire world got turned upside down. She thought they were going to finally talk about their plans now that they were both done with school. Only…Connor had plans that didn’t include her.

Granted, enlisting in the Marines was an honorable thing to do and she was proud of him for it. But when he showed up at her house that last day and told her they were through and he didn’t want any distractions moving forward, he had pretty much destroyed her. He’d walked away as if he didn’t have a care in the world and it left her feeling as if the last three years had all been a lie.

“Ivy? Are you okay?”

“What? Oh, um…yeah. Sure.” She shrugged even as she scanned the crowd with new eyes. Connor was in there somewhere and…

“I really did mean to tell you he was home, but I didn’t want to ruin our day. This is our tradition—hanging out at the Fling and eating our way around the block.” Grasping Ivy’s shoulders, she gave her a slight shake. “Just yell at me and tell me I’m a terrible friend and get it over with.”

Frowning, Ivy knew she could say that and probably should, but…dammit, she was too concerned about what she was going to do when she saw Connor again after almost seven years. Before she could even give it some serious thought, a shot rang out and people took off running in all directions.

Ivy and Ryleigh jumped to their feet in a panic.

“Holy crap! Do you think…?”

It was total chaos for several moments before they spotted Patrick and Jamie Donovan.

But no sign of Connor.

“You two idiots!” Ryleigh cried. “What the hell was that all about?”

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