I awaken to the sight of Brooke hovering above me. Confusion floods my mind—I can't remember anything beyond packing... and then Brooke—

"Oh god, Brooke, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you! You're my best friend. I should have told you!" Her voice trembles with emotion as she rushes forward and embraces me. My arms instinctively wrap around her.

"It's okay, Avery. It's okay... Teagan told me everything."

I immediately scan the room for Teagan, but she's nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she?" I ask, sitting up.

"We finished packing and got everything together. She took everything in your truck so you wouldn't have to worry about it."

I glance around, taking in the emptiness of the house. The walls, once lined with framed photos, now feel cold and barren. The home that once held so many memories has been reduced to an empty shell.

"So... who was that guy? And please, don't pass out again." Brooke's attempt at lightheartedness makes me chuckle. I rub my hands over my face, exhaling.

"I don't know," I admit, standing up and searching for the brown envelope. Spotting it on the kitchen island, I feel Brooke following closely behind me. Without hesitation, I open it.

My brow furrows.

"Well? What is it?" she asks, peering over my shoulder.

"Divorce papers," I whisper, the words barely escaping my lips. My mind races. Is this some kind of cruel joke, or is this real?

"That's a good thing, right?" she offers hesitantly.

I sigh, slipping the papers back into the envelope.

"Yeah... well, we'll see."

I take one last look around the house. Letting it go feels like the right choice. Even if my parents were still here, I wouldn't be staying. I had already planned on moving—for myself and Everest.

The realtor I contacted had been eager to list the house. I've been waiting to get this house on the market for a long time, she'd said. My response? A simple You're welcome.

Brooke shifts her box in her arms. "Well, I'm gonna head out. We have recruitment coming up, so I need to start prepping for that—on top of studying."

At the front door, I pull her into a hug before watching her walk to her car, now packed with garbage bags of clothes and donation boxes. Her sorority is big on charitable work, so she didn't hesitate to contribute.

For the rest of the night, I settle onto the couch, watching TV until sleep overtakes me.

——————————————-

One Week Later

A week has passed, and I had my interview at the hospital for the ER nurse position. I think it went well—Bonnie even joked that they had no choice but to hire me because everyone's afraid of her.

Now, it's Saturday, nearing 9 PM. I've been apartment hunting, but with the influx of college students, everything is considered off-campus housing, and rent prices are absurd.

I made a point to visit my grandparents every day this week and even stopped by Everest's grandparents' house to take Selena for a ride.

Mrs. Johnson isn't doing well. I fear she doesn't have much time left. Mr. Johnson told me her doctor estimated a year, but seeing her bedridden and heavily medicated, it feels more like hospice care. I worry for Mr. Johnson, too. He's older than her, and dying of a broken heart isn't just a phrase—it's a medical reality.

And then there's Everest and Austin. Besides the Sons, this is their only remaining family. I asked Mr. Johnson what would happen to the farm and the horses if the worst happened, and he assured me that the horses already have prospective owners. Everything else is left to the boys.

I haven't heard from Everest since the last time he was here. Honestly, I'm relieved—no stress, no worries. Just peace. Well, except for the brown envelope that remains untouched on the counter, haunting me.

I'm ready to call it a night when my phone screen lights up.

"You awake?" – Brooke

"Yes, what's up? Everything good?" – Me

"Ya um do you think you could pick me up from the clubhouse. I'm drink and beep u..." – Brooke

She's definitely drunk. Brooke is the type to correct your to you're in texts—now, she's a grammatical disaster.

I groan, throwing my phone across the couch and dragging my hands over my face. My hair is a mess, I'm in a stained t-shirt and shorts, and the last thing I want to do is step foot in that place.

Just thinking about it—this could have been my life if things had gone differently with Everest.

I've spent the past week getting up early, going for walks downtown, and people-watching. And, apparently, people are watching me, too.

The dirty looks from my new neighbors haven't gone unnoticed. I live in a decent area, but it's filled with unfamiliar faces now.

Regardless, I know Brooke. She's drunk, and she probably saw Austin doing something with someone who isn't her—yet instead of walking away, she'll either scream at him, punch him, or sleep with him.

It's chillier tonight, so I swap my oversized tee for a hoodie but keep my black plaid pajama shorts that read STOP LOOKING AT ME across the back.

The clubhouse is too packed for me to drive up, so I park at the end of the driveway and walk to the gate.

Why the hell are there so many people here? I know I haven't been around in a while, but this is insane. Too chaotic. Too sober for this.

The entrance is heavily guarded by at least ten bikers on their motorcycles.

"Well, well, boys... look at this pretty little thing showing up," one sneers, revealing a mouth full of missing teeth.

Disgust twists my face.

"I'm here to pick up a friend," I say flatly.

They laugh.

"I'd say you're here looking for a good time, honey."

I fold my arms, unimpressed. One of them steps closer.

"I can definitely help you with that, girly."

"Look." I jab my finger into his chest. "I'm just here to pick someone up. I'm tired, and I'm not in the mood for this."

For a moment, he looks genuinely surprised that I dared to push him. But then, his expression darkens. He grabs my wrist.

"Get the fuck off me!" I yell, struggling.

The laughter behind him ceases. Silence.

"I suggest you let her go. If you want to live, that is."

The voice sends a shiver down my spine.

The man's face drains of color as Austin presses a gun to the back of his head.

"Next time, remember her face—or I'll be digging your grave myself," Austin warns.

The biker instantly releases me, hands raised in surrender.

"I wasn't gonna hurt her, man. Just having a little fun."

My breath catches. My heart pounds. Seeing Austin with that gun sends me spiraling into memories—the very ones that made me leave in the first place.

Austin steps closer. "You okay, babe?"

I nod quickly. "Uh, yeah—thank you."

I just want to get Brooke and leave.

"She's definitely hammered," he says, leading me inside. If I'd come alone, I wouldn't have made it past the entrance. With Austin, people step aside instantly.

"You want a drink?" Texas appears, already handing us beers. I take one but barely sip.

"So, what's going on?" I motion to the chaos.

Austin hesitates. "Just... a celebration."

I narrow my eyes. "Celebrating what?"

He pauses. "Taking care of business."

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. I'm not getting anything more out of him.

I check my phone—almost 11:30 PM.

"Can you help me find Brooke? I have to be up early," I plead.

"Yeah, I got you."

And then—he's gone.

With no other option, I climb onto a barstool, scanning the sea of drunken, high bodies.

An hour passes.

1 AM.

I force myself upstairs, ready to search every room if I have to.

I already know I'm about to witness things I really don't want to see.

Wish me luck.

In the dark

I'm hiding behind this smile

And lately

Chaos has found its way

Into my heart

There's a shade of grey

That covers my day to day

And fills me with the type

Of sadness

Difficult to define with words

The darkness hovers over me

Like vultures awaiting supper

Ever so patiently

As life takes a toll on my soul