I couldn’t remember what Stone’s living room looked like or how much of his alcohol we drank. When I could move again I needed to clean up and restock his bar. Leaving here was inevitable, but I wouldn’t leave without making sure it was just as he left it. The ache in my chest was there under all the awful sickness. Now it was just worse. I was sick and broken. Feeling broken only was definitely easier.

“Ouch, you look worse than me,” Chantel said. “And I thought I was in bad shape.” I tried to tilt my head back to look up at her, but even that was too much movement. I grunted instead.

“It was fun. Worth the pain. Might not feel like it right now, but you’ll appreciate it once you are up and living again. I’ve got to go workout. See you later.”

I attempted to nod and listened as her footsteps faded. The idea of her morning workout made me want to throw up again. How could she do anything physical after last night? I must have drunk more than she did.

Footsteps approached. Shay called out to Chantel about taking the trash with her.

“Sit up and drink this.” Shay squatted beside me and handed over a glass of water.

“I can’t,” I moaned.

“You need water to feel better. Come on you can do this.”

I disagreed. I know I couldn’t stay on the bathroom floor all day either. I had to get up and move on with my life. That was the one thing we all agreed on last night. It was also one of the last things I remembered clearly. No, the three of us dancing on the balcony was the last thing I remembered. Groaning loudly, I got on all fours and managed to shift into a sitting position.

“You remind me of a zombie on The Walking Dead,” Shay said laughing.

I felt like a zombie too. Reaching for the glass of water I took a small sip. And another. I had to close my eyes to ease the pounding in my head.

“Why?” I asked. “Why did I do this?”

“Because it was fun. And for a small window of time you forgot. You laughed and danced. We worked out your plans for the future. Although I’m rethinking the move to Spain to nanny for a wealthy widower. That sounded good when we were drinking, but now not so much. Language barrier could be your first problem.”

I had forgotten that conversation. “Why did we pick Spain?” I asked wincing from the sound of my voice.

“I think you said the men there were better looking than French men. I had suggested France.”

“Oh.” That must have made sense last night—not so much now.

“I can show you the apartment complex where I lived for a year. It is affordable and you’ll feel safe there.” I vaguely remembered Shay mentioning her previous apartment last night.

“I need to clean up here and restock the bar. You can show me the complex afterward if you are available then.” I drank more attempting to get myself together. An all-day hangover was not an option.

“Our party arena is already cleaned up. We can buy replacement alcohol while we’re out.”

“Okay,” I nodded. “Thanks for cleaning up.”

She shrugged. “It was my idea to drink and eat here. I’m heading to my apartment to take a shower and get dressed. If you feel like eating, I left you snacks in the kitchen. We didn’t eat everything last night. Eat something, you’ll feel better.”

I wasn’t sure I believed that but I nodded. Wait. Heidi. I’d forgotten. I was supposed to bring her pancakes today. Due to my hangover from hell I was already late getting going today. And I was running out of time.

“I have to make pancakes for my sister. I need to do that first.” It took all my strength, but I stood up. I had too much to do and I needed to snap out of it fast.

“There are enough pastries and crap left over in the kitchen. You want to take that to her?”

I dismissed her suggestion. “No. She wants special pancakes. I’ll have to make them.” I shuffled out of the bathroom and made my way to the kitchen to force a sandwich down my throat in hopes it would magically cure me.

Before I reached the kitchen, the front door opened and I froze. I knew before I looked back toward the entrance that it was him. I didn’t expect him back so soon. Our awkwardness with Shay here to witness was the last thing I wanted to face this morning.

When I turned finally, our eyes locked. Seeing him so soon hurt, but it also made me warm when all I had felt was cold without him. Seeing him made it easier to breathe.

“Are you sick?” He studied me closely.

“Nope. Hungover thanks to me.” Shay waltzed down the hallway toward him.

Stone barely glanced at Shay before returning his focus on me. “Where did you go?”

“Chill. Jesus,” Shay drawled. “I didn’t take her out partying. We drank right here in your humble abode. It should be noted she was forced. I had to call in an assist from Chantel to talk her into it. She wouldn’t even sit on your damn furniture to eat until she was too smashed to remember.”

Stone looked relieved instead of angry.

“I’ll leave you two alone. Looks like you have shit you need to say.” Shay stood in front of him and put one hand on her hip. “I think you’re a bastard. Just so you know.”

I paled. I didn’t like her calling him that, but I never imagined she would say it to his face. “And I owe you a bottle of Makers Mark and Goose.” On that last note, she walked out.

After the door closed behind Shay, Stone didn’t move. He was watching me and didn’t say a word.

“I was going to get dressed and move my things out today. I didn’t know you’d be back.”

“We need to talk,” he replied.

Yes, we needed to talk. We needed to talk the other night when he walked away without a word.

My throat and mouth were frozen. I had no response. I could only stand there waiting for him to say more.

“Where did you plan to go?” He sounded stoic.

My new home wasn’t his business. I wanted to shrug and walk away, but I also wanted to stay close to him a little longer. I wanted to absorb every detail of his face, memorize him.

He sighed when I said nothing. I fought the urge to tell him my plans and stood my ground.

I realized Stone was a mystery and that I would never really know him. It didn’t stop me from fearing he’d always be in my head, my heart, and my soul.

Beulah

“DO YOU TRUST ME?”

His question sounded simple and immensely complicated at the same time. He had secrets. There was so much he kept hidden. How could I trust him when wouldn’t share all of himself?

His eyes reflected his sincerity and pain. He was pleading with me.

At that moment, I realized I trusted him fully. Maybe giving him my trust was stupid or naïve. Even if Wills was his son, I knew there was a reason he allowed his father to raise him. Stone was always responsible when he wasn’t required to be.

“Yes.” My voice was confident and held no doubt. Admitting I trusted him allowed me to let go of my fears. I wasn’t afraid of any of the darkness that lurked inside him. And I knew without a doubt that Stone wasn’t like his father.

Stone’s rigid body relaxed and he sighed. His steely gaze locked on me with intensity. “I should have asked you that before. I needed time to think after seeing the accusation in your eyes . . . it was difficult for me to handle. Having some space helped me see I didn’t give you a chance. I assumed you believed Jasper’s word over mine. That . . . Well, that fucking killed me.”