If that isn’t staking a claim, I don’t know what is.

“Dad, just let it be,” Baylor says. “He’s not worth it.”

My dad looks at Baylor and then back to me, his eyes full of what I think is remorse, but I’m unsure. I’ve never seen him upset or hurt by anything. He usually only looks pissed off, but right now, that’s not his expression and that confuses me.

“Thanks for the invite, son. I’ll be in touch.”

And then he is walking away, his whore on his arm.

Letting out a breath, my mom wraps her arm around my neck and kisses my shoulder. “See, that didn’t go badly at all.”

Coach scoffs while Jude and Jayden shake their heads. Lucy is hugging Angie close while my sisters-in-law stand by their husbands. Me, I look at Avery and I find she is staring at me with concern in those turquoise depths. I don’t want her to worry about me—I’m good. Hell, I’m not even embarrassed. This is my family, and I love them. But if she thought she was crazy, she doesn’t know crazy until Mark Sinc

lair comes around my family.

We put the crazy in crazy town.

Reading my mind, she says, “Hey, your family may be crazy, but my family would just ignore you.”

She shrugs and all I can do is grin.

I’d take my crazy, drama-filled family over that any day.

Well, that was interesting, for sure.

But I’m still in love with Jace’s family.

The way they all came together, the way they stood up to his dad, was just beautiful. Yeah, it was a bit crazy and I really thought a fight was going to break out, but it didn’t. They stood their ground, and while I adore Jace, I really do think I’m in love with his sister. She is amazing, and I strive to be just like her.

To rise from the ashes.

To be the best I can be.

And not to let anyone walk all over me.

It was awesome.

Sitting across from her, I watch as she tends to Angie, cutting up her steak and just loving on her. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to be her when I grow up. I really do—with Jace beside me. When his hand slides into mine, I look over at him and grin at his tired look. He played a rough game, and while I’m pretty sure his head might fall off from how big it’s getting, he really was excellent.

I’ve been watching hockey my whole life, and I know I have never seen anyone with game like him. It’s like he can read the play before the team even tries it. He is always in the right place at the right time. He had four breakaways tonight. That’s mind-blowing. Add in the fact that he was motivational and strong for his team and I was swooning. I really was, and I can’t believe this man is mine.

All mine.

Even after my crazy episode last night.

To be honest, I really don’t know why he is still standing beside me. I mean, I lost my shit, boohooing and snotting all over him, and all he did was hold me. Telling me that I’m better than my past and that I’m beautiful. I’m trying not to think too much about the fact that I sort of lied to him when I said it ended when Caleb and I ended. Because really, it isn’t like we’ll ever talk about that. The main reason I’m in therapy was for the cutting. I started therapy right after my mom discovered what I was doing. I was already a month into therapy when I tried to kill myself, so really, I don’t think that will ever come up.

And I’m okay with that.

I don’t want him knowing that part of me. I was in a dark place, and I allowed someone to take advantage of me. Stupid mistake, but I know damn well Jace would never do that to me. He isn’t that kind of man, but still I’m worried. Maybe I should be honest, tell him everything. But last night was really too much to handle. I still get this ache in my gut just remembering the look on his face. He didn’t understand. How could he? He’s Jace Sinclair, he loves life, and I hated it before I met him. He comes from a family that loves through thick and thin. When Matty found me, blood dripping from my wrists and high out of my mind, he shook his head and called for my mom. He didn’t even cry. Didn’t even care.

Mom, she did it again.

“You okay?” Jace asks, his lips at my ear.

Nodding my head, I look over at him, smiling. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He kisses my cheek. “You look hot tonight.”

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