by K B Cinder
My eyes turned skyward as the agony grew, Ed Roberts appearing outside the door where Josie stood.
Ed was furious, red in the face and shouting, though I couldn’t make out the words. Hopefully he was ripping the pair new assholes over our treatment.
But then he looked toward me with disgust, like I was nothing, the lowest of the low. Like I wasn’t someone who kept my mouth shut, falling right in line with the Roberts way.
But that wasn’t what got me.
It wasn’t what set me ablaze.
He unleashed a cruel slap, the back of his hand almost knocking Josie off her feet. The officers looked on without a care in the world, letting him grab her by the arms and shake her and scream in her face, brutalizing the woman I loved.
She was sobbing.
I was sobbing.
Regardless of the pain, I pulled myself upright, ramming against the door with everything I had, desperate to make it stop. But the metal held firm, a baton held in warning by Reed on the other side of the glass.
I ignored the threats and pain, battering the door as I watched Ed haul Josie away screaming.
It was hell on Earth, but it would only get worse.
Josie
I tried to come up with every excuse not to go to the opening, but Linc obliterated any resistance. He hadn't stopped talking about barbecue food or Luke's dog, and taking him to a restaurant was better than stepping foot on Luke's property again.
Liv didn't say a word in front of Linc, but she blew up my phone with texts when she left, asking everything from how good Luke was in the sack to what I was thinking. No amount of water I threw on the conversation doused it, but luckily the texts stopped when she went to work.
Linc and I pulled into the packed lot of the brewery around five but had to park along the road after circling a few times and finding every slot taken. Hiking up a hill in wedges wasn't fun, but it was a small price to pay for my son's happiness.
Linc chattered nonstop about the yummy food he would eat with Luke on the ride over, a funny flip in attitude since he'd clutched at me for dear life when he met the tattooed giant.
"I'm going to eat lots of sauces, Mom!" he exclaimed, crunching the loose river rock beneath his sneakers that lined the roadway.
"Oh yeah, bud?" My heart hurt a little at mom, reluctant to give up my mommy title just yet. "You need to eat more than sauces, babe."
"Okay. But I'll put sauces on everything."
He likely thought barbecue just meant barbecue sauce, but I didn't ruin his excitement. "Are you excited?"
He nodded wildly, looking grown up in his T-Rex tee and shorts, seeming to sprout overnight from a toddler to a child. It made me wish time would freeze to hold on to his baby cheeks a little longer. It felt like it was only yesterday that I was riding home from the hospital with my preemie peanut.
"Are you excited, Mommy?" he asked, slipping back into my happy-name territory.
"Sure, buddy." Luke or not, I loved introducing him to new experiences, his genuine thrill making everything better.
We stopped at the end of the line that stretched beyond the parking lot. All around townsfolk babbled away, mostly casual in shorts, flip-flops, and tees, making my sundress seem over the top. I wasn't being fancy, really, having not unpacked most of my clothes yet. It was the lucky winner in container number one.
Luke stood like a lighthouse of steel in the distance, shaking hands with a group of patrons, fully clothed thankfully. His dark blue button-down was tucked into jeans, keeping Luke flair despite the occasion. The wild man was tamed ever so slightly, his long dark locks slicked back and his beard trimmed.
Despite the subdued look, danger teetered beneath its facade. Even before all the ink and hair, Luke was a bucking bronco raring to go, never one to play it safe. It drew me in and wrapped me up so tight I'd barely escaped.
I dreaded dealing with him, still on edge from our one-on-one. My heart hadn't recovered, pounding at the thought of him, his presence sending it haywire despite the distance. I hoped he'd head inside before he saw us. I needed a Luke cleansing, not a second helping.
"Hey! There's Luke!" Linc pointed his way and springboarded up and down.
Lord, give me strength.
"Yup. He's talking to his friends, honey."
I turned my attention to the crowd, recognizing a few faces. A classmate. A former teacher. My childhood doctor. As Luke said, pretty much everyone in town made time for the opening. Even my parents planned on stopping in, and Dad wanted no parts of anything Barrett.
"He's waving at us, Mommy," Linc chirped, tugging my arm.
"What?" I asked, glancing back at Luke to see him beckoning us over with an arm. I spun, looking for anyone behind us, sure he was waving at someone else. When I looked back, he was shaking his head, eyes locked on us.
"Come on, Mommy!"
Linc dragged me by grouchy-faced folk, all waiting patiently for their turn. I didn't want to line jump, but Linc didn't waste the chance, pulling me along like a tiny tugboat.
I followed, ready to rip the bandaid off. I couldn't avoid Luke forever, and as my neighbor, I'd have to build up an immunity to him and his hulking body.
Either that or I'd crumble.
The first test came as we approached, crashing through a brick wall of his scent, followed by a roadblock of good looks when he flashed a smile, eyes twinkling.
"Hey, Little Dude," Luke greeted, offering a handshake Linc eagerly accepted, every bit of fear gone, not even flinching at the bearded behemoth.
Luke turned and smiled at a woman who appeared at his side, a heavily pregnant brunette in a flowing top and skinny jeans. Adorable as can be, she barely reached his chest, looking up at him with nothing but admiration.
Tally.
No wonder he straightened out.
He had a kid on the way.
My heart dropped, followed by a twist of guilt. Did she know her man flirted with other women? That he invited them inside while practically naked?
What a pig.
"Abby, can you make sure these two have a table upstairs?" Luke asked, his eyes bouncing between Linc and I. "Everything is on the house."
My shoulders slumped at her name.
Thank God.
"Absolutely sir," she replied, smiling wide, her black-rimmed glasses sliding up as she did.
"This is Abby," Luke introduced. "She's the general manager. If you need anything, ask her."
"Thank you." I meant each word, grateful for a night to unwind outside of the cottage.
"Anytime." He grinned down at Linc before meeting my eyes. "Have fun. Catch you inside."
* * *
I felt awful for Abby as we climbed the stairs, wishing she would have taken the elevator as I'd insisted. Scott and I lived in a second-story apartment before we bought our house, and I barely left it during the third trimester to avoid the stairs. But Abby was a damn trooper, climbing so fast I looked like a weakling.
All around, the brewery boomed with life, people enjoying the newest apple of Briar's eye, and rightfully so. The place was amazing; the restaurant surrounding a sprawling bar made of logs and machinery. Saw blades and beer bottles made up a massive chandelier that dangled above. The furniture was similarly styled, with dark woods and metals sticking to the industrial vibe, unlike anything else in our quaint sea village of shiplap and shingles. Like Luke, it bucked traditional, standing apart without apology.
As we trudged up the staircase, I got a better look at things over the railing, a mural covering the rear wall of the restaurant. It mixed women, beer paraphernalia, and brew names in a swirl of shapes and colors. I had no clue where they found an artist like that locally, but whoever they were, they'd make a killing with the exposure.
The ambiance upstairs shifted, the event space sleeker, the brick walls bare. Plenty of tables dotted the room, though they were more upscale than the casual setting below, adorned with linens and fresh floral centerpieces.
"Are you family?" Abby
asked as we approached a table for two in front of a window.
"Old friends," I replied, smiling.
We'd been friends at some point, and we were both old. Well, older.
"Aw, that's sweet. It seems like everyone is in Briar." She gestured at the table, an adorable wooden vase in its center. "This is the best seat in the house."
I glanced around, surprised, and sure enough, our table had the best view by far, looking straight down into the brooks behind the mill. "We can sit somewhere simple," I insisted, uncomfortable hogging such seats.
"This is your table," she declared, a smirk emerging. "Boss's orders."
My eyes flicked to the other tables, noticing their centerpieces held sunflowers. Ours was the only one adorned with peonies and daisies -my favorites. He'd planned it, knowing I'd give in. Knowing I couldn't resist.
I ignored the urge to run, to flee the storm on the horizon. It'd been years since he'd had me under his spell. I wouldn't fall for it again. I didn't know what game he was playing, but I wouldn't lose.
"You new in town?" I asked, shoving worries aside.
"Is it that obvious?" she laughed, handing us menus. "Yes, I live in Portland."
"I never thought I'd see the day when people drove from Portland to Briar for work."
"Yeah, this place was too special to pass up." She smiled, scanning the room. "I've never worked anywhere like this. Luke did an incredible job."
I nodded in agreement. Luke pulled out a miracle reviving the dilapidated building that long served as an eyesore, not a landmark. At one point, it was slated for demolition, but like so many things, plans fell through.
She left in a flash, and before long, Linc tried his first barbecue from a sample platter of smoked meats and sides we shared. I didn't want to take advantage of Luke's hospitality, and there was no way Linc could finish a plate from their children's menu judging by the pictures.
Everything was as amazing as Luke promised, Linc falling in love with brisket while I happily ate the pulled pork he wanted no part of. Despite it being a brewery, I stuck to water, letting Luke try sweet tea for the first time, his entire face scrunching up in horror with one sip.
After we were stuffed, we set out to mix and mingle with the crowds upstairs. I spied a few people from school, including Marsh. He stood by the bar with a curly-haired woman rocking the hell out of a plunging maxi dress.
I took the opportunity to give him a proper greeting, still uneasy about our brief run-in at Greg's. It wasn't his fault that Luke was an ass, and we'd been good friends back in the day. He deserved more than a quick wave.
"Hey," I greeted, smiling.
"Hi!" Marsh beamed, pulling me in for a quick hug, a cold tumbler of whiskey touching my arm. The woman immediately scowled at his side, but Marsh was still smiling when he turned his attention to Linc. "Who's this little guy?"
"This is my son, Lincoln. Lincoln, this is my friend, Marsh."
Linc offered a hand, catching Marsh by surprise as he'd done to Luke. It was a move I taught him alongside please and thank you, knowing the importance of a proper handshake.
He turned to the beauty by his side. "Alanna, this is Josie. We grew up together. Josie, this is Alanna… my friend."
I smirked at his explanation of their status, knowing all too well what that meant in Marsh speak. He was always with a new "friend" when we were younger.
"Josie?" Her glossed lips pulled into a snarl. "Luke's Josie?"
I glanced at Marsh, surprised she knew of me and referred to me as Luke's Josie. After so long, it seemed like most had forgotten we'd dated. How did a stranger know?
"Yeah," he muttered, blushing. "Nice to see you again, Josie."
I kept a smile on my face despite the churning in my guts. They weren't acting like Luke was the bad guy in our situation, but it wasn't the time to ask questions. Not with Linc at my side. "You too. See you around, I guess."
It didn't take a genius to figure out I wasn't welcome, and I wouldn't stick around with his date shooting daggers my way with each glance. Marsh had once been a friend, but it seemed like that was shot to hell.
I wandered from the bar, keeping Linc close, scanning the room for someone else from the past. But no matter who I locked eyes with, they turned their attention away, treating me like a social pariah. Classmates. Former friends. Enemies.
Why would he stick my son and me in a hornet's nest? What did he tell people?
Or did they feel bad that I'd had to flee his sins? That I'd been humiliated to the worst degree, stripped from my family and my life?
After a quick walk around the room with more averted eyes, I decided we'd fair better elsewhere. We weaved through the crowd, and I accidentally bumped a man, turning to apologize, only to meet blue eyes.
Barrett eyes.
A tall man with dark hair and cut features stood tall, a more cutthroat version of Luke with an entirely different ferocity. It had to be Jason, the eldest brother. There was a beauty at his side, a petite brunette with a smile that could melt even the coldest hearts, even Jason's apparently.
"I'm sorry." I hoped my voice didn't shake, emotions running rampant in my chest.
He was always the big brother I never had, offering words of wisdom in his own gloomy way before heading off to college, leaving broken hearts in his wake with nearly every girl in Briar wishing he'd stay for them.
His smile widened. "Hi, Sorry; I'm Jason."
I groaned inside at his lame dad joke, wondering if he had kids at the same time. Maybe that's why Luke seemed comfortable around Linc. "I know who you are," I replied.
He raised a brow, studying me carefully. "Unfortunately, I'm drawing a blank," he admitted, glancing at his lady friend, who shrugged.
Rather, his fiancée. The huge rock on her hand declared it as it caught the light when she took a sip of beer.
She was revealed as his fiancee when she lifted a beer to her lips, a huge rock catching the light.
"Josie," I declared, bracing for the firing squad. "This is my son, Lincoln."
As expected, he paled, looking not so playful. "Hi. This is my fiancee, Elena. Elena, this is one of Luke's old friends, Josie."
"He invited me," I informed. "I didn't crash the party."
His eyes widened. "He did?"
I nodded, and Linc chirped, "He said I can play with his dog."
Jason laughed, turning his attention to Linc, seeming grateful for the middle man. "She's a good dog. You'll like her."
"It was great seeing you." I felt terrible cutting their little moment short, but I couldn't take the awkwardness any longer.
As much as a part of me dreaded running into his brothers, I'd secretly hoped I would, wanting to reconnect with the men who helped shape my teenage years. I loved them both, and Jason's reaction gutted me. I thought they'd be apologetic for what Luke had done, but somehow I was in the wrong in their eyes.
"Absolutely." He gave me a stiff hug and met Lincoln's handshake without missing a beat, a wave of spiced cologne offering more warmth than the embrace of a long-lost friend.
My heart hurt, but I kept it together, pulling Linc toward the stairs. I wished it was still socially acceptable or even possible to hold him on my hip like a toddler. It'd be a lot easier than tugging him along with his feet shuffling as he looked around the room.
Another face caught my eye to the right — the youngest Barrett, Ethan. Like Luke, he'd taken the wild road, shunning short hair for a tousled style. He was gorgeous as ever, the only brother one could call pretty without being offensive. Sculpted cheekbones made him seem otherworldly, his deep olive skin highlighting his blue eyes.
Unlike Jason, he knew who I was as soon as his eyes met mine, narrowing them harshly. His hand clenched around the bottle in his hand, and he turned from the woman speaking to him to glower my way.
I pulled Linc closer, not stopping for small talk, hurrying down the steps. I knew where I was welcome, and so far, three of Luke's closest confidants seemed to want my he
ad on a spike. I didn't know why, and I didn't care to. He could badmouth me all he wanted, but it didn't change what he'd done.
At the bottom, I knew I made a critical mistake, walking into Pete flanked by two redheads, both wearing lace dresses barely containing silicone mountains.
"Josie!" he boomed, pulling me into a hug before I could escape. "Who is this little fella?"
I pushed against his chest to freedom, his cologne harsh on the nose. "My son, Lincoln."
Unlike the other times, Linc didn't offer a hand, keeping it at his side, bunched in a fist.
Pete crouched down, his gaudy diamond necklace swinging close to Linc's face. "Hey there, buddy. I'm your mommy's best friend, Pete."
Barf.
Linc didn't say a word, and I didn't force him to. He knew stranger danger when he saw it.
"We were just heading out." I was desperate to get away, his presence making my skin crawl more than the awkward air upstairs.
"Hey, Lynette mentioned you work in graphic arts. I might have a project if you're interested." He reached into his pocket, plucking out a business card. "Shoot me an email, and I'll send you the details."
"Thanks," I muttered, having no intention of calling him but slipping it in my bag, anyway. "Have a good night."
I didn't stick around, rushing into the crowds fluttering in the entryway, grateful to see my parents sitting in a booth a few feet away. Mom was dressed to the nines like any good political wife with her pearls, while Dad was casual in comparison in khakis and a button-down. "Grams and Grandpa are here!"
Linc dashed to their booth, sliding in the seat beside Mom to give her a hug.
"Hey, love birds," I greeted once I reached the table.
"What are you doing here?" Dad barked, his lips pulled in a hard scowl.
"Ed!" Mom squawked, smacking the table. "Knock it off!"
"Why wouldn't I come?" I shot him a look, not in the mood for his crap. I still needed to rip him a new one over the angel comment.
"It's not a good idea," he grumbled, stabbing at his coleslaw.
"You're here," I pointed out, setting a hand on my hip.
