She loops my arm in hers, and we walk toward the door. I pause for a second, look back at Zach, and mouth the words, “Thank you.”

He nods, and I pray he’ll keep my secret. The last thing I need is for people to find out what really happened. There are enough rumors and people talking now. If they know . . . there’s no way I can contain it.

G RACE DOES HER BEST TO get my mind off things. We dance, but my head spins with how easy it was for me to tell him. And how good it felt to be in his arms. It scares me because it would be effortless to let myself go back there. He’s the boy who taught me to love. He’s the boy I saw myself growing old with, having children with, and yet he destroyed me.

“You having fun?” Grace asks slightly out of breath.

“Tons.” I smile at her. The truth is . . . I want to go crawl in bed and cry. As much as I hate that I told Zach, it hurts more that I said it at all.

“Liar.”

“Little bit.”

She rests her head on my shoulder. “We can go.”

“No, it’s fine. We can stay a bit longer. Besides, your man is heading this way.”

The guy who Grace has been eyeing all night asks her to dance. She’s so funny. I know she doesn’t really like him, but I also know what trying to move on from a Hennington is like. God help her.

I look over at the dance floor where Zach has Felicia in his embrace. I imagine myself as her. The way his body feels, the ridges of his chest, the strength of his arms, and how he can make you forget all your pain. When we were young, he was able to take my worries away. I never felt scared. I loved that so much about him. I think that was the worst part of losing him—the uncertainty. Watching Felicia share that with him is difficult. Does she know the person he is? Does she know how much better he is than her?

My eyes open to see him watching me. My breathing stops as we share something in this stare. All I feel is his regret, and all I give him back is my forgiveness. I turn away, hoping to break the connection, but it feels as if my heart is no longer in my chest.

I can do this.

I’m not falling for him again. Nope. I’m drunk and not thinking straight.

Unable to stop myself, I look back at him. He gives me a smile, then looks at Felicia as she turns and glares at me. I get up and head to the bar. I don’t need to witness their lover’s quarrel.

“Looks like trouble in paradise.” The bartender smirks as he hands me my drink.

“I wouldn’t know.” I refuse to look over, but I’m sure he’s talking about Zach and Felicia.

He laughs. “I could give you the play by play. He doesn’t look happy to see us talking.” Brent grips my hand and leans in. “I’ll give him a little push.” His hand brushes across my lips, and I worry he’s going to kiss me. “Just go with it,” he murmurs.

I close my eyes and slightly turn my head so that he doesn’t actually kiss me. When I open them, Brent whispers, “He just pushed Felicia away.”

“I-I don’t.” There’s nothing that I can say to even express what I’m feeling. So many damn things go through my head. I glance at them and clearly Felicia is pissed.

I quickly turn my head, and Brent smirks. “That one’s on the house.”

Minutes go by, and I force myself not to look. He didn’t come over here, so Brent obviously knows nothing. And why am I even wanting him to come over?

“Pres.” A hand touches my shoulder, and I gasp. My stomach clenches at the feel of his touch.

I turn as Zach is staring at me.

I don’t know what to say.

“Presley, there’s a problem. We have to go.”

Confusion washes over me. “What do you mean?”

“I got a call from Wyatt.”

“Is he okay?” I jump up as panic sets in. “What’s wrong?”

Zach looks away and fear takes hold. “Wyatt’s okay,” he says quickly. “But something’s happened, and we need to get to the ranch.”

“You’re confusing me.”

He lets out a deep breath. “It’s Cayden.”

My mouth falls open as my body goes numb. “What?” I ask breathlessly. “Cayden? What about Cayden?” I practically scream.

I can’t handle anything happening to my sons. I can’t endure another loss. I will die with them. I won’t be able to recover from anything else. I’m already on the fringe of losing it.

“Trent and Cooper were working on the campsite and the boys took off on the horses. They went after them, but they can’t find Cayden. They’ve searched everywhere, and nothing.”

“Oh, my God!” I cry out. “We have to go! Now!” I scream and grab my purse. Here I was out drinking and one of my kids is lost in the woods. I sober up immediately. I can’t think of anything but finding my son. Panic and anger swirl together as my emotions conflict. This can’t be happening.

“Brent, get a bunch of guys together. We need as much help as we can get,” Zach instructs.

It’s one of those moments where it feels like nothing is moving. I’m paralyzed with fear. It’s as if my feet are stuck to the ground. I stand still while people move around me. Zach touches my shoulder and I flinch. “I’m leaving.” I snap out of my trance and blurt out.

“Let’s go. I’m coming with you,” he says as he follows behind me. I rush to get my car.

“Zach!” Felicia calls out. “What the hell are you doing?”

I don’t stop. I don’t have time. I burst through the door and realize I don’t have my car. “Fuck!”

I turn to go get Grace and see Zach pushing Felicia’s arms off him. She’s yelling at him as he tries to move toward me. “God damn it, Felicia!” he shouts. “I’m going. No one knows those woods like me. Get a ride with someone or walk. We’ll finish our conversation later.” He runs toward me and points to his truck. “Get in.”

I don’t hesitate. We both hop in, and Zach throws the truck in reverse. I don’t say anything as we fly down the dirt roads. All I can think is Cayden must be so scared. He’s alone in the dark, out in the woods. There are so many things that can go wrong. He’s never been camping and doesn’t know what to do if you get separated. There’s so much I should’ve told them before I agreed to this.