Page 28

But before she can remind me of that, I rush out, “If you want to sit in silence, that’s okay, too. I get it. I just⁠—”

“I’m leaving Wyatt.”

Her statement knocks the wind from me.

I sensed there was more to her sudden reappearance in town than wanting to see her family. But I honestly thought they were happy. Whenever I caught glimpses of Wyatt and Wynter together on TV, they looked like the perfect couple.

Bennett mentioned something like this, but I figured he was talking out of his ass because of his contempt for Wyatt.

“W-what happened?” I finally ask.

“He’s been cheating on me.” She reaches for her glass and takes a sip, grimacing as she swallows.

“Wynter, I⁠—”

“Do you want to know what hurts the most?”

“What’s that?” I turn toward her, studying her profile against the dim bar lighting.

“When I told my dad, he took Wyatt’s side. Questioned whether I’m overreacting. Suggested there might be a perfectly innocent explanation for why Wyatt would buy earrings that cost over ten thousand dollars for his goddamn assistant.”

My grip tightens around my beer, my jaw clenching. Not because Wyatt cheated, although that’s part of it. Because her father questioned her decision instead of supporting her.

I may not make the kind of money Wyatt Patterson does, but I can only think of one reason any man drops ten grand on a pair of earrings for his assistant, and it’s not to show his appreciation for her work ethic.

“I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this,” I say softly. “Both with Wyatt and your father. You don’t deserve that.”

“Just once, I thought he’d be on my side.” She takes another swallow of her drink, this one much larger. Her face scrunches up, but she gulps down the liquor anyway. “Stop being Coach Hayes for one fucking minute and be my father.” She barks out a humorless laugh. “Guess that was too much to ask.”

She lifts her drink to her mouth, draining it before slamming the empty glass on the bar. Then she pushes off her stool to stand, but wavers.

I jump to my feet, catching her elbow to steady her. “Easy there.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re definitely not fine.”

She attempts to turn from me, but she stumbles again. “Maybe I am a little…”

“Tipsy?”

“Just a little.” She holds her thumb and forefinger a sliver apart. “But I’ll be fine. I always am.” She slings her purse over her shoulder and tries to push away, but I keep a steadying hand on her elbow.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home.” She laughs bitterly. “Although I’m not quite sure where that is anymore.”

“You can’t drive, Wynter.”

“I don’t plan on it, Joshua. I don’t have my car. I walked here.”

My eyes widen. “You walked all the way here? That’s over a mile.” I glance at her bare hands, the thin knit of her dress, the lack of any coat. “It’s freezing out there.”

She shrugs. “I needed to clear my head.”

“How are you getting home?”

She opens her mouth, then stops short, her expression faltering. “I didn’t plan that far ahead. Guess I should have grabbed my phone so I could order an Uber or Lyft. But I⁠—”