It was awkward, but damn, I’d do it again. And again. And again. I didn’t want to let her go.

“Luke, my man,” Dustin called out when The Feast was over. Everyone was picking up their chairs and coolers, but paused and waited. He pointed at me, a wide grin on his face. “I know you have alcohol at your place, and I can get some kegs. What do you say? Should we end this night with a party to end all parties at your new place? You’re a rock god. Let’s party like rock gods!”

“Hey, yeah.” Candy perked up. “I’m game.”

Others joined in with the same sentiments.

I glanced at Braden, who shrugged. “Fine with me. We’re on vacation, right?”

I grunted. “Says you. It won’t be at your place.”

“Come on, Luke,” Candy taunted. “You can afford to hire cleaners. I don’t think you’re hurting for money.”

I didn’t want a party. I didn’t want strangers at my place. I wanted Brielle, and I wanted privacy. But…I took in all the looks. They wanted a party, and damn, I knew I was going to give in, even before I said the words, “Okay—”

Dustin let out a war whoop and smacked his girl’s ass. He pointed at me. “You won’t regret it. It’ll be awesome. A rock god party. Let’s do this!” His fist thrust in the air in triumph. “Who’s going with me to get the kegs?”

Others called out to him, and he motioned up the hill. “The cars! Let’s get this bitch going.” He took off, and his girl giggled, running after him up the hill.

Brielle had crawled off my lap, and I stood, waiting as she collected her chair and blanket. There was no going back. We would talk, even if I had to throw her over my shoulder and lock her away from everyone else.

“Bri?”

I stiffened. Callen’s lead singer was there. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, and his gaze lingered on me as he said further, “Can I get a ride home?”

What the—?

His shoulders tensed, reacting to my anger, but he added, “The others just left—”

“Hey, man.” Emerson clapped a hand on Wes’ shoulder. He jumped back, but Emerson tightened his hold on him. He added, “We’ll give you a ride home. I was just joking around before. I wouldn’t punch you.”

Bri frowned. “Emerson? What are you doing?”

He gestured to me. “I’m being a good buddy.” His hand tightened again on Wes’ shoulder. “I’m taking one for the team here. We’ll give your rocker a ride home. No sweat.”

“Uh.” Wes had gone pale. “I think I see a friend. She can give me a ride home. Never mind.”

He took off, and Emerson started laughing. “I think he just shit his pants.”

“Why are you always such an ass?”

He stopped laughing and glared at Bri. “For the record, I was going to give him a ride home.”

“You were?” Gunn had joined the conversation.

Emerson amended, “I was going to have Gunn give him a ride home, so you two lovebirds didn’t have to part.” He fixed me with a glare. “You’re welcome.”

Bri rolled her eyes. “You weren’t going to give him a ride home, and you know it. You just wanted to scare him, like you did before, so he wouldn’t sit with us.”

“Again,” Emerson bit out. His scowl deepened. “I did that shit for Luke. That prick just wants in your pants, and he’s using you for his band. You make that band. His band sucks. He sings off-pitch half the time and tries to cover it up, and the other two are hardly on beat. The only thing they have going for them is their hot drummer.”

“If you’re hoping to piss me off by insulting Callen, it’s not going to work. I’m not attached to them, so I don’t care what you say about them.”

“You’re right. We all know what band you’re attached to—”

“This isn’t happening.” I stepped between them and said to Emerson, “Walk.”

“I was trying to help you.”

“I know, but you’re not anymore. Walk away.”

“Luke—”

I lowered my voice. “Walk, Emerson.”

Gunn was waiting to the side, and I nodded my head at him. He took hold of Emerson’s arm and began to drag him away. I thought Emerson would protest, but he didn’t. He walked with him, his head hanging down. A defeated air settled over him.

I waited until they had disappeared over the hill and then turned to Brielle. She was still behind me, gripping her chair tightly in one hand. Her blanket had been thrown over her shoulder.

“Will he always hate me?” She sounded defeated, too.

I didn’t know, but I took the chair from her. “Can I get a ride to The Shack?”

She closed her eyes and drew in a breath. Pain flashed over her face, but she nodded. “Yeah.”

It was right. Being with her and sitting next to her felt right. Having her sit on my lap and holding her felt right, too.

“I was the one who robbed your dad. I took the money—it was my fault.”

“That’s why you went to Elijah?”

Her head moved up and down. She whispered, with tears streaming down her face, “I’m sorry, Luke. I’m so sorry.”

Three years.

That sat on the bottom of my stomach for a year, four months, two weeks, and one day. My hand curved around the door handle, and I held onto it tightly. Glancing at her as she drove, I watched as she bit her lip. She was always biting her lip. There were bags underneath her eyes, and her arm was rigid.