Stepping into Jack’s room was like stepping into a high-school yearbook. It took Luanne a moment to process the space. His trophies sat on shelves, pictures of him and his buddies were pinned to a corkboard above his desk, and black and gold pom-poms stuck out of a vase on a shelf. The centerpiece of it all was Jack’s letterman jacket, framed and hung above his bed.

Next to the bed was a photo of Jack in a white tuxedo, with a pretty blonde with jewels in her hair and a flowy pink dress. Rosemary. Her back was to his front and his arms were wrapped around her, while her hands rested on his arms. It was the classic prom pose. There was another picture of him and Rosemary facing each other, standing in front of a horse stall, laughing their heads off.

But the picture that caused a knot to form in Luanne’s throat was of Jack in his graduation regalia, hugging his mom. They both had their eyes closed like they were trying to memorize the moment. Could a man who obviously loved his mom this much be all bad? That was a question for another day. She had way bigger fish to fry today.

She pulled up the contacts on Jack’s phone and dialed Gavin’s number.

Gavin picked up on the first ring. “Hey, dickhead.”

“Hey, good-lookin’.”

“Luanne?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you have Jack’s phone?”

In the background she heard Scarlett say, “Is that Lou? Give me the phone.”

“Yeah, it’s her—”

“Lou, where are you?” Scarlett’s tone was frantic.

“In Beauchamp, Louisiana, with Jack.”

“What? How did you end up with Jack? That’s the last person I expected you to be with.”

“He offered me a ride and I took it.”

“He offered me a ride is not an answer. You better start talkin’, sister.”

“I saw Doug with another woman right before I ran.”

“That piece of—”

“It’s not about Doug. I not in love with him.”

“Yes, I know. I believe I told you not to marry him.”

“Well, turns out you were right, but not because he isn’t the love of my life. I don’t do love and you know why. But my father…” Could she tell Scarlett, actually say the words out loud? She had to tell someone—it was eating her alive. “I was hiding in one of the rooms in the back of the event center trying to clear my head—”

“Because you were making the biggest mistake of your life.”

“Noted. Do you want to hear this, or not?”

“Sorry, yes.”

“Anyway, Doug and his girlfriend were in the hall makin’ out when my dad caught them.”

Scarlett sucked in a breath. “Oh, crap. I bet Marcus nearly killed Doug.”

Misery crisscrossed her heart. “Yeah, that’s what I thought would happen too.”

A moment of hesitation. “It didn’t?”

“Oh, my father tore Doug a new one, but it wasn’t because he was cheating on me, it was because his cheating might stop the wedding and ruin their deal.”

“I don’t understand.”

She wished she didn’t understand either, but unfortunately this pain was all too familiar. “The long and short of it is my dad needs the Divan’s business. Doug needs a respectable wife to appease his family and take over his father’s company. I was the solution to both their problems. Once Doug was running the company, he and my dad would do the deal of the century and make tons of money.” Humiliation oozed over her. That part of the tale was bad, but it was the rest of the story that tore her heart from her chest. “He told Doug he could have all the affairs he wanted after we were married, Scarlett. It’s just so…”

“Disrespectful. Hurtful. Callus.”

“Yes.” Her legs refused to hold her anymore, and she sat down hard on the bed.

“Hot shit-fire! I hate that man.”

As miserable as Luanne was, she bit back a laugh. Scarlett was learning the fine art of cussing from her rock star husband, and she hadn’t quite gotten the hang of it. “Yeah…well…we’ve never been close, but I did think he had my best interests at heart when he proposed the idea of marrying Doug, and I do love my father. Did…I did love father.”

“Oh, Lou, I’m so sorry.”

Luanne swiped another irritating tear. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. You deserve better than this.”

The tenderness in her friend’s voice was her undoing. The floodgates opened and the tears fell unchecked down her face. “He sent Tank to my house to bring me back to the wedding. The idiot threw my house key into the storm drain then got physical when I said I was calling the cops. That’s when Jack jumped him and they fought, and Tank pulled a Taser on Jack. I jumped on Tank’s back to distract him, then Jack knocked him out and we ran. Jack had to be in his hometown for a ceremony for his mom, so we took off for Louisiana.”

“I heard about Tank. The whole town has heard about Tank. I can’t believe your father did that.”

She wiped her face. “Believe it. Jack was taking me to my house so I could get some money and clothes, then I was going to rent a car and get out of town. But because of what happened with Tank, plus the fact that my dad was on his way to get me, we got the hell out of there without any of my things. I have nothing with me. I traded my wedding dress for some clothes at Charity Mart, so at least I’m out of that ridiculous thing.”

“You’re wearing second-hand clothing?”

“Desperate times, my friend, desperate times. Anyway, do you think you could wire me money tomorrow?”

“Sure. Where do I send it?”

She laughed. “I have no idea. I’ll ask Jack and call you in the morning.”

“What’s your plan?”

“I don’t really have one. I can’t rent a car or catch a plane because I don’t have a driver’s license, so I’m sort of stuck with Jack for now. I think he plans to stay here for a few days, then…”

“Why don’t you get him to take you to our cabin on the lake—it’s on his way back to Austin. Let me know when you’ll be there and I’ll get the caretaker to meet you and give you the key.”

Relief poured over her. She had a solution and she wouldn’t have to rely on Jack for anything but a ride. “Can you meet me there?”

“Oh, honey, I’d love to, but we leave for our trip tomorrow, remember?”

“I forgot.”

“Yeah, we’re taking Aiden to that place with the mouse.”

“Is he in the room?”

“Yes.” Scarlett lowered her voice to a whisper. “We can’t say the name in front of him or he loses his mind. There’s no telling what he’s going to do when we get there. I’ll call when I get back and if you’re still there I’ll come then. Wait, how will I get in touch with you?”

“I’ll buy a cheap phone after you send the money and text you the number.”

“Okay. How are things with Jack? I’m surprised you haven’t killed him yet.”

“They’re fine, but I’m really pissed at him.”

“Shocker.”

She laughed. “Yeah, well, he’s saved me twice, and that really screws with my plans to hate him forever.”

“Shame.”

“I know.”

“What are you going to do about your father? He was furious, but in that smarmy Marcus Price kind of way. He and Gavin almost got into it, because he thought I knew where you were and tried to bully the info out of me.”

She picked at lose string on the bedspread. “I can imagine Gavin’s response to that.”

“Yeah, well, let’s just say that your dad got up close and personal with The Delinquent, and he backed off quick.”

“I bet he did.” The thought of Gavin ‘The Delinquent’ Bain ripping her father a new one brought her a sick sense of satisfaction.

“Um…Lou, there’s something else you should know.”

There was more? “Tell me.”

“It appears there’s a chance that Tank could lose a testicle due to the Taser shot.”

“What?” She couldn’t stand Tank, but she hadn’t meant to do permanent damage.

“Yes, and…well, the Zachsville Raiders Booster Club is out for blood. They’re sure if Tank loses a testicle, then he won’t be able to have kids, and you know what they always say about his unborn spawn.”

“Those kids are the future of Zachsville’s athletic program,” they said together.

“They’re pressuring Will Sinclair to press charges.”

“What does Will say to that?”

Scarlett snorted. “Will told them he wanted the whole story before he made any kind of decision. Will’s the best DA Blister County’s ever had. He’s not going to kowtow to a bunch of overzealous sports fans. I wouldn’t worry about any kind of legal repercussion, but the public backlash is another thing. I’d lay low for a while if I were you.”

She nibbled her fingernail. “How was Gigi?”

“Your grandmother was flitting around your father trying to calm him down.”

“I should call her.” Mutant butterflies began to duke it out in Luanne’s belly at the thought of that conversation.

“Yes, you should.”

“Can you text me her number?”

“You don’t know your grandmother’s phone number?”

“She got rid of her landline, and I don’t have her cell number memorized. Do you know Floyd or Honey’s cell numbers?”

“Um…”

“Exactly. No one memorizes numbers anymore. They’re all programmed into our phones.”

“Have you and Jack talked about what happened after our wedding?”

Mortification shot up her neck, prickling and stinging. “He tried to, but I shut him down.”

“Don’t you think you should clear the air between you?”

She jumped up from the bed. “And say what, Scarlett? Hey, Jack, remember that time I got drunk at my best friend’s wedding, sucked your face, then lost my freakin’ mind while we were on our way to my house to get it on? Yeah…well…sorry about that. ’Kay?” She paced around the room. “I mean how do you come back from that? And how do I explain it, without telling way too much about myself? No thank you. He already has enough ammunition to bury me.”

“Did he try to rub your nose in what happened? I’ll kick his mother-lovin’ ass.”

She picked up a cologne bottle from the top of the dresser and sniffed. It smelled musky and old, like it hadn’t been used in a very long time. “No. He was actually pretty nice about it, but who knows when he’ll try to use it against me. It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.”

“Okay, but for the record, I think you’re wrong.”

She replaced the cologne bottle and picked up a leather bracelet with flowers burned into the band. When she turned it over, she saw the name Valerie written in black sharpie. Interesting. “So, noted.”

“I’ll text you your grandmother’s number.”

“Thanks, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Once they disconnected she stared at the phone. She needed to call her grandmother, but it was the absolute last thing she wanted to do.

The phone vibrated in her hand and her grandmother’s number popped onto the screen along with a message from Scarlett.

BTW, be careful around Jack, he can charm the pants off a saint.

A snort escaped her. Yeah, she’d almost found that out in the dressing room of the Charity Mart.

She tapped the screen to make the call. Her grandmother answered on the first ring.

“Hello.”

The bedsprings squeaked when she plopped down on it this time. “Gigi, it’s Luanne.”

“Luanne, your father is fit to be tied.”

“I bet he is.” Of course her grandmother would be more concerned about her baby boy’s welfare as opposed to her well-being. No matter that Marcus Price was a fifty-year-old man.

“What does that—”

“Luanne, this is your father.”

Damn.

“Yeah, so?”

“So? I’m worried sick about you and all you can say is so?”

Don’t fall for it, don’t fall for it, don’t fall for it.

But it was so hard. Something about her father acting all concerned about her turned her to mush.

That’s how you got into this situation.

She hardened her heart against his endearing tone. “I’m sorry you’re worried, Marcus, but I assure you there’s no need.”

“Marcus? What is heaven’s name is going on, Luanne?” Her father actually sounded hurt. Give the man an Academy Award.

“Stop! Just stop.”

“I—”

“I heard you, Dad. I heard you with Doug and his girlfriend in the hallway. You remember, when you were selling me to the higher bidder?” She hated the tears in her voice.

There was a long pause, and then she heard her grandmother’s screen door open and close. He must’ve gone outside.

“Sweetheart, I don’t know what you think you heard, but that never happened.” His assertive, soothing tone lapped through the phone line.

“I heard you. You told him that he could cheat with whoever he wanted after we were married, but that he better not screw up this deal for you.” She wished she sounded as confident as he had. That was what she’d heard. Right?

“Luanne, honey, what kind of father would say that? Certainly not one who took you in after your mother died, who paid for your excellent college education, and who set you up with your own law practice right out of law school. You simply misinterpreted what I meant.”

“But…” She rubbed at her forehead. Her head dictated what she knew to be true, but her stupid heart wanted to believe she had misunderstood. He always confused her. And despite everything, she loved him.

“Truth be told, I’m glad you ran out on Doug. That boy needs to be taught a lesson, and I think he’s learned it. So you can come on home to the people who love you, so we can work this out.”

The caress of his words chased her anger away, and all she wanted to do was please him.

“You’re right—”

“Besides, your grandmother depends on you so much. You’re our one true connection.”

“Dad, I’ll get Jack to take me to the bus station tomorrow. I should be home in the afternoon, but we need to talk.”

“No. No daughter of mine is going to ride the bus. I have someone on the way to Mr. Avery’s parents’ home as we speak. They’ll see you safely home, doodlebug.”

That melty feeling in her chest was her heart going all gooey over the nickname. “Okay, but I’m not marrying Doug. Maybe I don’t understand what I heard, but I know what I saw. I’m not anyone’s sloppy seconds.”

“That’s my girl. He’s already gotten rid of that bimbo, and I’ve had a come-to-Jesus meeting with the boy. We’ll take it one day at a time. I only want you home where I can take care of you. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

She disconnected the call with joy in her heart. A warm glow snuggled around her. Her father did care about her.

Jack’s room was like a cozy cocoon around her moment of contentment. She flopped back on the bed. Her father’s conversation rewound in her brain, and she sifted through the words to find every morsel of affection. Each one soothed the desperate places in her heart that longed for his approval.

She relished his concern for her, but with every replay, the sour notes behind his sweet tone broke through her happy haze. She wanted to ignore them. She was being too sensitive, too needy. That’s what he’d always told her.

Stop your crying, Luanne. Why do you have to be so sensitive? You’re too needy, just like your mother.

Never mind that she’d just lost her mother, or that he hadn’t shown up for Christmas, even though he’d promised. Never mind the million other promises he’d made and broken. Never mind, never mind.

Unease prickled the underside of her skin. She flipped to her side to try to get more comfortable. But no matter how she lay, the unease in her belly wouldn’t go away.

Clarity fought its way to the surface.

And truth kicked down the friggin’ door to her mind.

“Son of a bitch.” One of the pillows from Jack’s bed sailed across the room.

He’d done it again. Totally sweet-talked her into believing something that wasn’t true. When would she ever be able to see through his bullshit? It didn’t matter that she was a grown woman, the little girl heart inside her was destined to believe every corrupt word out of his mouth.

Nausea roiled in her belly. He’d used all the things he’d ever done for her against her. Again. She grabbed the remaining pillow to muffle the frustrated scream that clawed its way out of her throat.

Played.

She’d been played.

The images on the far wall blurred as she tried to wrap her mind around what had just happened. People would be shocked to see badass Luanne Price reduced to a blubbering fool, a mass of ignorant devotion, with only a few words from the last man in the world she should ever trust.

He’d said he sent someone to get her. He would find her. She had no doubt. What to do? What to do? Her overwrought brain chased for solutions that all led to one place.

Jack.

* * *

The old cypress floorboards creaked as she approached the lump on the floral sofa. Jack was sprawled with an empty Jack Daniels bottle dangling from the fingers of one hand and a half-full bottle of the same poison in the other.

“Hey, Jack.” She kept her voice down, not wanting to disturb the older Avery.

Jack didn’t say anything, only rolled his head to meet her gaze. His eyes were red and glassy.

“You alright, Jack?” She could tell he wasn’t but she needed to give him an out if he didn’t want to confide anything to her.

“I’m dandy. How are you, Thumbaweena?” He cracked up laughing. “Thumbaweena. Get it? Cause you’re a wee, little thing.”

Indecision froze her. She’d never seen Jack so undone. Most of the time he seemed to skate through life as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Yeah, I get it. Good one.”

“I know, right? You never laugh at my jokes. Why is that, Lulu? Are you missin’ your funny bone? Want me to help you find it?” He waggled his eyebrows and then snorted.

She sat on the coffee table in front of him. “Hey, buddy, why don’t you give me that? I think you’ve had enough.” She reached for the bottle, but he clutched it to his chest.

“I’m not done yet.” His words were slurring more by the minute. “It still hurts.”

Alarmed by the pain in his voice, she placed her hand on his knee. “What hurts, Jack?”

Had he and his father physically fought? She did a quick search for injuries. He looked fine, except for his flushed face and red eyes.

“My heart hurts.” He took a big swig and then made a face like it was the worst thing he’d ever tasted.

“Why does your heart hurt?” Seeing him in this much pain made did something unfamiliar to her chest.

He dropped the empty bottle, then picked up a piece of paper and shoved it at her. “Here.”

It was a letter addressed to his mother. She skimmed the page and her breath caught. Her gaze jerked up to him. “Jack,” she whispered.

“She lied. She lied to me my whole life.” Another swig. Another scowl.

“I’m sorry.”

He looked at her like he’d forgotten she was there, then let his head fall back on the sofa. “Fuuuuuck.”

“Is this why your father was drinking? Did he know?”

“Yes. No.” He shook his head. “I mean yes, this is why he was drinking, great idea by the way. And no, he didn’t know.” He took another long pull from the bottle and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “He wants me gone, told me not to be here in the morning. He can’t stand to even look at me.” The pauses in his speech lengthened. His lids kept dropping and staying closed, then he’d try and blink them open, only to close them again.

Taking her life into her own hands, she again tried to pry the bottle from his grip. This time she was able to take it with no problem. He slumped to the side so that his head was resting on the arm of the sofa. She pulled an afghan from a nearby chair and covered him. “Rest, Jack. We’ll sort this out in the morning.”

When she stood to leave he grabbed her hand. “I’m glad you’re here, Luanne.”

She pushed his hair from his forehead. “I’m glad I’m here too, Jack.” She could admit that to him now, because judging by the amount of alcohol missing from those bottles he wouldn’t remember this conversation in the morning.

Long minutes passed as she stood there making sure he fell asleep and didn’t try to go for the whiskey again. So much for Counselor Avery coming up with a plan. He was in no condition to do anything and his problems were as big as hers. Apparently, the combo of alcohol and heartbreak caused snoring. Jack was done. She’d have to figure something out in the morning.

But she knew the morning would be too late. Her father’s man was probably only hours away already. Jack’s car keys on a small table just inside the room caught her eye.

Her gaze went to Jack.

To the keys.

Back to Jack.

How mad would he be? Did she care? His father said he didn’t want Jack here in the morning, and what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t try to help him? Right?

She snatched up the keys and looked back at the sleeping man on the sofa. “We’re going on a road trip, Jack. I hear Vermont’s nice this time of year.”