I pushed open the door and stepped outside, feeling a tug somewhere deep. I didn’t want to leave Wren. Even knowing she was in the safest place in town, it still felt wrong.
It didn’t help that I knew I was leaving her in the vicinity of Amber’s venom. I’d seen the way Wren had gone pale at Amber’s words. How her hands had tightened into fists as she struggled to stay in the here and now. And I’d wanted to throttle Amber for it.
I cracked my neck, trying to alleviate some of the tension there. It didn’t work. Instead of heading to my SUV, I moved toward the coffee shop down the block. It had obviously changed hands since I’d left. The sign above it now was painted in whimsical letters: The Brew.
The inside of the place had the same fanciful look like Alice in Wonderland. But the smattering of people inside told me they must have decent coffee.
As I opened the door, a tiny bell jingled overhead. A red-haired woman behind the counter smiled widely at me. “Welcome to The Brew. What can I get for you?”
“Can I get a drip? Black with one sugar?”
She visibly deflated at the unoriginal order.
“And, uh, I’ll have one of those scones.” I pointed to something in the bakery case.
Her face lit up again. “Those orange-cranberry ones are amazing. You won’t regret it.”
“Thanks.” I handed her a bill. “Keep the change.”
“Coming right up.” The woman bustled around to ready my order.
I turned to fully take in the space, and my gaze caught on the occupants of a corner table. Jude and Chris sat with what looked like breakfast burritos and large mugs of coffee.
Jude waved me over.
I made a motion for him to give me a minute, but I didn’t miss the hard set of Chris’s jaw. I wasn’t welcome.
“Here you go, sir. I hope you have a wonderful day.”
“Thank you. You, too.”
I took the to-go cup and bakery bag and moved in the direction of some of my oldest friends. No more running. If Chris was pissed at me, he could let that out to my face, and I’d take whatever he had to say.
“Hey, guys. Late start?”
Construction was usually up and going before nine.
Jude grinned. “Just killing a little time before a client meeting. What are you doing in town?”
“Just dropping Wren at the station.”
Chris’s expression hardened, but he didn’t say a word.
I lowered myself into the empty chair without asking, turning to face him. “Look, I get that you were here for Wren when I wasn’t. I’ll never be able to repay you for that. Never.”
Chris grunted.
“I know I hurt you.” I glanced at Jude. “Both of you. I’m so damn sorry. And I’ll do what I can to make it right. You want to tell me what a shit friend I was? I’ll listen to every word you have to say. You want to deck me? I’ll give you one free punch.”
Chris’s jaw worked back and forth, but he wasn’t telling me to get lost. So, I kept pushing on.
“I love Wren. Never stopped. It killed me every single day to be away from her. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll fight with everything I have for her. And she’s giving me a shot. So, I’m taking it.”
Pain flashed across Chris’s face. I’d hurt him again. But the truth was, if Wren had been interested in him, they’d be together now. I wasn’t angry that he’d developed feelings for her. She was a living, breathing miracle and impossible not to love. But they weren’t meant to be.
“You’re sticking around?” Jude asked.
“I’m staying. Need to figure out what that looks like, but I’m not going anywhere.”
A grin stretched across Jude’s mouth. “I’m damn glad to hear it. Cedar Ridge hasn’t been the same without you.”
“Thanks, man.” I turned back to Chris. “I’d like for us to find a way back to our friendship.”
His jaw clenched. “It’s not about me. You didn’t see her, Holt. I’m not trying to be an ass, but you need to know. You wrecked that girl. And I’m worried you’re gonna do the same thing all over again if things get too hard.”
Chris’s intention might not have been to hurt me, but he’d succeeded just the same. The idea of how much pain Wren had been in after I left was something I’d never forgive myself for. “I didn’t leave because things were hard. I left because I thought I didn’t deserve her. That she needed someone better.”
It was the first time I’d stated it that plainly. Something about it was freeing.
Chris’s gaze met mine. “What makes you think you deserve her now?”
“Oh, I don’t. There’s no question. She deserves so much better than me. But I’m going to do everything I can to be that man.”
Chris studied me, looking for something. “I guess we’ll see.”
The words weren’t exactly full of confidence. But I’d take them anyway. “You will.”
Because I had a feeling that proving I could stick would go a long way to smoothing over some of Chris’s resentments.
Jude rubbed his hands together. “Gang’s all back together now.”
Chris let out another grunt.
Maybe we weren’t quite back to three-musketeers status. I got to my feet, grabbing my coffee and scone. “I gotta get back to the cabin. Hope you guys have a good meeting.”
A little of the humor fled from Jude’s face. “Any updates on things?”
I instantly knew what he meant and shook my head. “Nothing yet. But I hope like hell they get something soon.”
“Let us know if you hear anything,” Chris said.
“I will.”
I maneuvered around the tables and headed out into the morning sunshine. It was going to be a beautiful day—perfect weather for working with Shadow on a little training.
My steps faltered as I turned to head back to the station and my SUV. Joe Sullivan stood across the street, staring at me, his eyes blazing. And he was wearing a black hoodie.
