Page 81 of Forever in the Country

“I need you to get dressed. I need,”—I swallow hard—“I need you. My parents are on their way here.”

“What? Oh my God, why didn’t you tell me?”

SORREN: Don’t go outside I’m coming over

MARLEE: Why? What’s wrong?

SORREN: I’ll explain when I get there—5 minutes

“Sorren.”Rhea’s voice is sharp as I throw my shirt over my head and yank my jeans up over my boxer briefs.

“I had Cullen look into them. I’ve been keeping an eye on them just…for peace of mind and—”

“And how’s that working out?” she says around a mouthful of toothpaste.

“It’s not,” I say, grabbing my own from the counter. “I know I fucked up. I just didn’t want it to get to this point.”

She stalks out of the room while I tap out a text to Hank.

SORREN: I need you and Isla to meet me at Marlee’s

HANK: I’ll have Mama come stay with the babies

Exiting the bathroom,I barely catch the car keys Rhea launches at my head. I can’t even hope for the best because I know, even if I’m lucky, shit is about to hit the fan.

35

SORREN

Islam my fist against the steering wheel as we pull down the dirt road that leads to both of our childhood homes. Gran and Pop might have left their house to Marlee and me, but I’d signed it over to her outright when Waylon told me he was going to propose.

It was a house that deserved a family, and while I knew I’d have my own someday, I couldn’t imagine my sister and hers anywhere else.

My thoughts come to a screeching halt when a car with out-of-state plates comes into view. It’s flashy and out of place with two very out of place people standing next to it.

Fuck.

I jump out of the car just in time to see a flash of blonde hair out of the corner of my eye.

“Oh, hell no.” My sister’s voice echoes from somewhere to my left, followed by the screen door slamming, and I’m wholly unprepared for this moment.

“You need to leave,” I say firmly as their eyes ping-pong between me and my sister. Marlee’s small frame slides in front of me like I’m the one needing protection.

“You donotget to come here. You arenotpart of this family and you are not welcome here. Get off my property before I call the sheriff.” Marlee’s voice is deadly, and I can’t remember another time I’ve ever heard her like this.

Vivian Mackay straightens and scoffs. She’s everything and nothing like I remember. Her hair is dyed blonde instead of Marlee’s natural coloring. She’s had more than a few injections. What startles me the most, though, is how expressionless her eyes are. I’d made excuses for her disconnect, but maybe I’d just been too young to see her for what she really was.

“This is my parents’ house we have—”

“It isnotyour anything. Are we clear? This house, my childhood home, belongs to me and my husband,” Marlee snaps.

“You best be goin’. You’re makin’ my wife upset.” Vivian’s eyes bounce from Waylon to Marlee and back again as he takes her hand.

“We just wanted to come and talk. It’s been a long time.” I snort, and every set of eyes turns to look at me. Rhea’s hand slips into mine and she squeezes it. She tries to let go but I hold on tighter.

“Oh, good, I love a party.” Isla’s voice rises over the silence that seems to be suffocating everyone in our general proximity. “Mr. and Mrs. Mackay, I think that’s twice now you’ve been asked to leave.” She makes a shooing motion with her hand, and Hank’s lips twitch as he crosses his arms over his chest behind her.

“You have no right to talk to us like that. This is our land and we have every right to be here.”

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