Page 9 of Scar Tissue

“Okay, okay, don’t inflate her ego too much,” Dylan teases, swatting at Fletcher’s arm before turning her attention to him. Her gaze sharpens slightly, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. “You don’t look too shabby either, but she’s clearly winning tonight. Sorry, boys.”

I don’t dare glance at Nathan, but I can feel his tension beside me. He clearly doesn’t want to be involved in this. His silence says enough. Fletcher pops the locks, and Dylan pushes open her door, stepping out with a playful flourish. It’s so good to see this side of her again, I wasn’t sure we ever would. But she said something a number of weeks back that stuck with me.“I don’t want to be the person they tried to make me into.”It broke my heart then, for her and all the abuse she endured, and it breaks my heart now, but for myself. Because I realize I’ve been doing the same thing—letting others shape me into someone I don’t recognize. My grief over Hallie is one thing, something that will never fully heal, but what Lucas did to me, and what I’ve been through with Nathan? Only I have control over my reactions to it.

“I’m making Fletcher drive,” she announces, slipping her arm through mine as she pulls me toward the car. “You’re riding with me in the back. Girl talk.” She throws a mischievous look over hershoulder at him. “You two can sit up front and bond. Or brood. Whatever it is you do.”

“I was driving anyway, little viper, considering it’s my car and all.” He rolls his eyes.

“Glad to see I’m getting assigned roles,” Nathan mutters under his breath, his tone laced

with dry humor. But I catch the way his hand runs over the back of his neck as he heads for the front passenger seat.

Dylan squeezes my arm lightly as we settle into the back seat, her smile softening. “You good?” she asks under breath, her voice just for me.

I nod, though I can feel the tension still coiled in my chest, the argument I had with Nathan this morning replaying over in my head. “Yeah,” I whisper back, forcing a small smile. “Just…ready to get through tonight.” She still doesn’t know the exact details behind how Nathan and I know each other. I haven’t figured out the best way to approach the subject, so any time she’s asked, I’ve told her it’s complicated and promised to explain when the time was right. She doesn’t push—much—she’s good like that, but her curious looks have certainly gotten sharper. She knows I had a brother who died in an accident, but she doesn’t know the full details. Nobody does, not really. Because even though it was labeled an accident, I know there was more to it than that. I’ve just never been able to figure out why and when Nathan vanished. It left me with more questions than answers, not that I’ve ever thought his involvement was malicious.

The rest of the car ride to the club is quiet, the low hum of music from the radio filling the silence. The men have clearly opted for the brooding option. When we pull up outside of the club, a place calledIgnite,it’s exactly what I expected it to be—loud music, people filtering in and out, and a bright neon sign indicating we’ve arrived at the right place. Dylan grabs my hand as we step out of the car, her grip grounding me as we start to walk to the entrance, leaving the guys behind. “You’re with me,” she says firmly, her smile brighter now. “No stress tonight, okay?”

I nod, inhaling deeply and holding it before letting it go. That peace lasts for all of two seconds though as a shrill whistle pierces through the air and Dylan stops us in place. “Let me guess?”

She gives me her best side eye as she nods. “Unfortunately.”

I chuckle. “He’s just as insufferable as ever.” We turn around from where we were about to cross the street from the parking lot to see Fletcher and Nathan striding toward us. The look on Fletcher’s face is one full of quiet concern and a hint of frustration.

“Next time, don’t just walk off like that. You could’ve andshould’vewaited for us.” The words are more pointed than I expected, but also not.

“We’re fine, Fletcher. We don’t need a babysitter every time we go out,” Dylan snaps at him, her brow furrowed.

“Yeah?” Fletcher’s voice crops even further, almost like a growl. “You remember what happened last time I let you wander off on your own? Or have you forgotten what it feels like to be kidnapped?” His eyes flash with the weight of the past, the protective instinct clear in his gaze. I feel like this is not a conversation I should be present for and try to pull out of Dylan’s grip but she holds onto my arm. Never mind.

Dylan’s eyes soften for a fraction of a second, and though she doesn’t show it outwardly, I can tell the memory still stings. Progress or not, it likely always would. “I haven’t forgotten, Fletcher. But I’m not going to hide from the world just because of what happened.”

I can see the moment he relents as he exhales slowly and takes a step closer. “I get that. I really do. But I can’t help it. I almost lost you once, I won’t let it happen again.”

She smiles, letting go of me finally and going to him. “We will stay close and stay together, promise.”

I roll my eyes and continue to walk toward the entrance, leaving them behind. But not before I hear footsteps approaching from behind me. Footsteps that I have seemingly memorized who they belong to. “Didn’t Fletcher just say something about not walking off on your own?” Nathan asks, his voice smooth but with an edge to it. Ican feel his eyes on me as he catches up when I finally cross the street. I don’t slow my pace.

“I can handle myself.”

He sighs, matching my pace. “Of that I have no doubt.”

I ignore his response as we approach the door and are asked for our IDs. The bouncer eyes me for a second longer than necessary, like he’s sizing me up before allowing us through and I really don’t want to look too deep at the underlying reason. The music swells around us, pulsing with energy as we step deeper into the club, trying to find a booth to retreat to when we need a break. As soon as we do, we set our purses down and Dylan drags me to the bar before tugging me to the dance floor shortly thereafter. It takes a few minutes amongst all of the bodies to feel comfortable with moving on my own. It almost feels like too much and I think that maybe they’ve taken too much from me to be able to come back after all.No.I won’t allow that. I look at Dylan, where she’s already lost in the rhythm, her body swaying effortlessly as she laughs along with the music.

She spins and pulls me into it and I let go. No thoughts, just us in this moment. I match her movements, my awkwardness fading as the beat draws me in. I can feel someone approach me from behind and while it should bother me more than it is, I choose to embrace the feeling of body heat behind me. As I dance with the stranger I feel eyes on me from across the room. Nathan’s standing there, leaning against the edge of our booth with his arms crossed. His gaze is intense, his lips pressed into a thin line, almost in a way that makes him lookjealous.I turn away quickly, refocusing on Dylan who’s pulling me toward the center of the dance floor. “Forget about them,” she yells over the music. “Tonight’s about you!”

But try as I might I can’t shake the feeling that Nathan’s eyes are still on me, sharp and dangerous. I bite my lip and try to push the thought out of my head, but it’s harder than I want to admit. “I need something to drink, do you want anything?” She shakes her head no and I leave the dance floor to head for the bar, knowing it’s likely to piss the men off, but come on, it isn’t like they haven’t had their eyeson us and our surroundings all night. I squeeze between two people at the bar and ask for water.

While I wait, I feel someone squeeze in next to me. I glance to my right and find a stranger standing a little too close. His smile is confident, bordering on cocky, and there’s a glint in his eyes. He’s handsome, I’ll give him that. But I’m not looking for handsome, let aloneanyone,not for a while yet. I need to find myself again before I can even explore other options. Lucas was all I had ever known… “Not here to dance, huh?” he says, his voice smooth as honey. He leans down until his mouth is hovering over my ear. “I don’t blame you. Sometimes, it’s the people who stand on the sidelines who are the most interesting.” If only he knew…My eyes drift subtly back to our booth but I’m unable to see through the bodies.

I force a polite smile, but something about the way he’s looking at me makes me feel a little uneasy. “Just getting some water,” I reply, keeping my voice neutral.

“Ah, the responsible type. I like that. But you know, water is overrated when you could be enjoying something a little more exciting.” He gestures toward the bar’s selection, his eyes never leaving mine. “I can get you something…something with a little more kick?”

I can feel my guard going up, but I try not to let it show. “I’m good for now, thanks.”

But he doesn’t seem to appreciate the hint. “It’s just a drink,” he presses. “I promise, I don’t bite…unless you want me to.”Gross.

I shift away from him, giving him a polite but firm smile. “I’m not interested.”