Page 177 of Howlin’ For You

“I will not chase after him.” Stubborn resolve fills my belly as I stare her down. “I was right there. If he wanted to explain, he would have. If he wants to explain now, he knows where I am.”

She hangs her head, but nods. “Yeah, that’s fair.”

“And you knowing about this really drives the knife in, Georgie. I thought we were closer than this.”

Redness spreads on her cheeks, but she doesn’t say anything.

The walls that have protected me for my entire life build up around me in record time until I hold my head high. I’ve never been good enough for anyone, but I’ve always been good enough for myself.

And I will not embarrass myself.

“Thank you, Georgie,” I say, adopting my ‘work voice’. “I have an event to run.”

Without waiting for a reply, I snatch my clipboard from her booth to make sure everything is on schedule, despite my heart feeling like it’s trying to shatter into a million pieces.

Despite the tears threatening to fall over my cheeks.

I’ll get past this, just like I get past everything in my life. I’ll finish this job, go back to Seattle, and keep moving forward.

Just like I always do.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

NICK

I’m the biggest fucking idiot on the entire planet.

How have I let things get so entirely fucked in the span of a couple of hours?

I didn’t realize just how badly I was letting my fear of losing Izzy get in the way of my happiness—how much I was self-sabotaging.

I can’t do that again. I can’t fall into that place I did when my parents died, and my brother left. I’m going to fight like hell for her, and even if she never forgives me, I have to try.

I have to stop living in fear. It’s not enough to be a better person through the easy shit. I have to be better through the shit that scares me.

I make my way through the booths, looking for the one person I love more than anyone on this damn planet.

I find Georgie instead.

“That way,” she sighs, pointing. “You are in serious goddamn trouble.”

“I’m aware,” I growl back. I don’t need Georgie to pile on. I don’t have the strength for it.

“Well, are you aware of the fact that I am now also in trouble?”

I lift a questioning brow.

She huffs, pain in her eyes. “Isabella is mad at me, too, for not telling her. She now believes we’ve both lied to her and have been talking behind her back. Which, honestly, we have been. So, thanks for that.”

Fuck. I hadn’t even considered how this could affect their friendship. “I’m sorry, Georgie.”

“Just fix it.”

I stalk in the direction she pointed, toward the stage.

“Hi, Lunamois! How are we doin’ tonight?” A voice I don’t know filters through the speakers. The band must be starting.

“I can’t wait to rock out with you!” A cheer from the crowd is her answer, but I don’t care because I’ve zeroed in on Izzy.