Page 40 of The Last Goodbye

Briar

The cute Airbnb that I’d rented was delightful. It was a one-bedroom house, with endless character and old-world charm. The place was a refreshing change from the corporate apartment I lived in back in the city. My father owned it, and my stepmother, Tabitha, had chosen the décor, which meant it was cold as hell.

I was relaxing on the Adirondack chair out in the backyard, right on the edge of Blue Sky Lake. Water splashed up against the shore, and I just sat there waiting for my heart to stop racing.

Being called out by Bass for things that weren’t true felt like a slap in the face. I’d stepped out on a limb to help that man, and he’d acted like I’d done it all for my own benefit.

The irony was not lost on me. When I was at the office or at my father’s house, or in the presence of my stepmother, I was fighting to prove my worth. To convince everyone that I was smart enough, talented enough, and capable enough.

It was exhausting.

But being here in Blue Sky Bay and trying to do the right thing—I was fighting to prove to Bass Bennett that I was a decent human being.

That was never something I’d had to fight for.

And it was far more offensive than proving I was worthy of being part of the Winchester family.

I wasn’t driven by the almighty dollar like Bass thought I was. I actually despised that mentality.

At the end of the day, I was just striving for acceptance.

It appeared to be what I wanted most. From my father. From my stepmother, my brother, and my coworkers.

And apparently, from the pompous chef who thought I was the devil just because he thought I was a Winchester.

A family I was eager to be accepted by, even though I didn’t fit in at all.

Yet, I still tried hard to pull it off.

Bass had no idea how wrong he was about me.

I pulled myself up and walked inside the house, ready to sink into a nice hot bath. It had been a long day.

My phone vibrated, and I kicked off my shoes and glanced at the screen. It was the group chat with Gracie and Tatum. We texted often now, and I really liked them both so much. They made me feel at ease, and they brought out a lighter side of me that I liked.

Gracie

Hey, are we meeting for line dancing tomorrow?

I told you, it will be a disaster. I don’t know how to line dance.

Tatum

Trust me. After you have one cocktail, you’ll be able to line dance.

Where do you do it?

Tatum

That’s what she said.

Tatum

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Gracie

She set you up perfectly. And it’s every Friday at the Four Clovers.