Page 98 of Unforgettable

“Sorry,” he mumbles. “I just…you…” He pulls me back in and pats my shoulder awkwardly.

“No one’s barky,” Theo says, sounding medium barky. “Just looking out for you. Holly said Danny was giving you shit the other night at The Emu and Regg was the biggest bastard on the planet—”

I look around, making sure no one is hearing this. “Keep it down.”

“It’s the truth, and if we know it, the rest of the town already knew it weeks ago,” Theo says. “You haven’t had the best track record with relationships, and you’ve been through a lot this year. We just want to be sure that you’re not rushing into anything and that he’s worthy of you…and I’m hurt you didn’t tell me… didn’t tell us,” he adds.

His phone buzzes and he glances at it as I lean my head against his shoulder.

“Shit,” he whispers.

“What is it?” I ask, frowning up at him. He’s pale. “Theo?”

“It’s…Sofie. She’s-I guess one of her horses needs help.”

“I’d heard she was back. Watch your heart, brother,” Wyatt says.

Theo shoots a dark look toward Wyatt and runs his hand through his hair. “I better go. Are you okay?” he asks me.

“I’ll be fine. Will you?”

His jaw clenches and he stalks away without answering me.

“So help me if she wrecks him again,” Wyatt mutters.

Growing up, I always adored Sofie, but when I heard she’d moved back after her father died, I didn’t know how to feel about it. Still don’t. She must be avoiding us since, as far as I know, none of us have seen her yet. An almost impossible feat to pull off in Landmark.

Discussing her is off-limits with Theo, so we’re all a little shaken as we look at each other.

“I’ll check on him in a while,” Callum says.

“I will too. And about Jamison—I’m still trying to figure it out myself. I know you guys care and I love you for it.”

I pull the three of them in for a hug.

“You really are the best brothers, despite being a little oblivious at times,” I tell them, laughing at their sheepish reactions. “I did try to get us all together while his family was here—when he comes back, we’ll have to make sure that happens. If this does end up being a thing, I need all of you to be on board. And I don’t mind if you give him the third degree…” I bite the inside of my cheek as my smile grows way too big. “But I think he can take it.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

DICKENS

JAMISON

By the time I say goodnight to my parents and Pappy that night, I’ve given up on Scarlett calling me.

Despite checking my phone more times than I’m comfortable admitting to myself, it was a good day.

Mom said it’s the best she’s felt since her surgery, and it was obvious. Her cheeks had more color and she had more energy.

I’m tired from not sleeping much but too wired to sleep, and tonight I refuse to go down the social media rabbit hole. I check email, sending out an email to everyone who participated in the Easter egg hunt, thanking them for all their hard work and stating again how much I wish I could’ve been there. And I opt to just go for it, clicking on Scarlett’s number. I can’t wait another second to know if she’s still mad at me.

She answers right before I expect it to go to her voice mail, sounding out of breath.

“Hey. Did I catch you at a bad time?” I ask.

“No. I just got home,” she says.

“You sound exhausted.”

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