Page 59 of Savage Heart

I swallow, watching the way he can turn it off and on. The way I can still feel the heat under the frost when he looks at me again—guarded now, distant, walls slammed firmly back into place.

Linc and I follow the other parents and kids to the round barn for dinner. I watch for Jennifer, but I don’t think she’s here. Evelyn pauses when she sees me and nods slightly before taking a tray of food to the large table. Alex calls Linc over, and Linc looks at me as if asking permission to go.

“I’m fine,” I tell him.

“I’ll be right back,” he says.

“Hey.”

I look up and am surprised to see Lincoln’s brother, Brandon, standing there.

He looks older than the last time I saw him. He has the same light hair as Lincoln, same mouth, but he’s developing a paunch, and his eyes are sadder than Lincoln’s ever were.

“Hey,” I say.

My chest tightens with the memories associated with Brandon. There were good memories with him, growing up, but it was all undone the night Lincoln died. I accept responsibility for my part in that, but . . . well, here we are so many years later, and it’s turned into this mountain that feels impossible to cross over.

“You got the money?” His question lands flat.

“Yep,” I say evenly. “Thanks.”

He nods once, relieved. “Good.”

Silence stretches.

Brandon shoves his hands into his pockets. “He looks healthy . . . happy.”

I almost laugh. Or cry.

“He’s happy here, a happy kid in general. Smart and kind and loving.”

“Yeah.” Brandon clears his throat. “That’s . . . good.”

“You’d like him, you know . . . if you got to know him.”

He shifts his weight, uncomfortable. “I don’t know how to . . .” He trails off, gesturing vaguely toward Linc.

“You don’t have to,” I say. “You’re under no obligation.”

He gives me a pained look. “It’s too hard, Iris. I’m sorry.”

Then he does what he’s always done best—turns and walks away.

Some debts can’t be paid in money.

I watch him go, my pulse uneven. And then I see Jennifer hurrying toward us. She moves past Brandon and gets in my face.

“I told you to stay away!” A vein pops out on her forehead, and I stumble back.

“Mom!” Brandon runs and puts his arm on her shoulder, pulling her away. “You’re causing a scene. Come on.”

He drags her away, but Jennifer doesn’t stop glaring at me. I don’t see the woman I knew and loved anymore.

I look around wildly for Linc and nearly collapse in relief when I see him laughing with his friends, oblivious.

But across the room, Maverick is watching, his expression unreadable. I lift my chin and meet his gaze, then turn to watch Brandon and Jennifer leave the barn.

“You’re gonna love the stars,” Linc says, still buzzing with energy as we spread out our sleeping bags. “They’re better out here than at home. Like—way better.”