COLE

The reunion wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. Half an hour after arriving, the knot in my stomach eased. Max stayed by my side, which earned us quite a few looks. If he noticed, he didn’t acknowledge it. Whenever my glass was empty, he fetched me drinks until I asked him if it was his nefarious plan to get me drunk so he could take advantage of me. He grinned and whispered back he didn’t need to get me drunk to take advantage.

As I mingled with my classmates, I was shocked so many of them remembered me. Not the me that was bullied and ridiculed throughout senior year, but the one who gave the memorable valedictorian speech. Who knew they’d actually paid attention? They remembered I got a full scholarship to Georgia Tech.

Although there was a live band, Max Around the Bend was down to perform a few of their songs. The familiar chords and melodies filled the room, evoking a wave of nostalgia sweeping through the attendees. Couples flooded the dance floor, having the time of their lives. I gave in and danced with Ashlee once but then became the wallflower I was used to being.

This time it didn’t bother me, though. It gave me a chance to watch Max perform. God, but he could sing.

A hand touched my shoulder. “Troy? Troy Hartford?”

The guy didn’t look familiar, more than likely because a beard covered half his face, though the way he said my name meant he recognized me.

“It’s me. Kevin Letterman.”

“No way.” Laughing, I embraced the guy. He felt like a big, cuddly bear. Kevin and I had been on the debate team. He was the man for rebuttals. “You beefed up.”

“You too.” He grinned. “I hit my growth spurt in college. Almost scared me, but then I realized guys liked me this big.”

“Guys? You’re gay?” We’d spent a lot of time together in high school, and I’d never suspected.

He nodded. “Figured it out two years into my marriage to my wife.”

“Ouch.”

“It’s okay. We’re friends now, and she’s happily married to her soulmate. What about you?”

Kevin and I moved to an empty table and sat. Time faded away as we caught up, sharing stories and experiences we’d had over the last ten years.

“We should meet up before you leave,” Kevin said. “Why don’t we take my boat out, and we go sailing?”

“Hey, you’re missing all the fun.” Max appeared and sank in the seat next to us. He didn’t look too happy despite the way the crowd had been responding to his performance. I’d been paying attention, even while talking to Kevin.

“I needed a break,” I said. “You remember Kevin, right? He and I were on the debate team together.”

“We had some fun times.” Kevin flicked his finger between me and Max. “Wait a minute. You two talk?”

“We came here together,” Max said. “What of it?”

“Oh shit. Really?” Kevin laughed. “Isn’t this ironic?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Just that you—”

“It’s fine, Kevin.” I placed my hand on his arm. “We’ve moved past all that.”

“That’s very big of you,” Kevin said. “But then again, it’s not so hard to do when you escaped this town and made a name for yourself.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Max scowled. “He couldn’t have made a name for himself here? What’s wrong with Rosewood Pines?”

“I don’t mean there’s anything wrong with this town.” Kevin leaned in closer to Max. “You wouldn’t get it. Just that this guy’s a fucking big deal, but you’re a mechanic. What would you understand?”

“I’m not that big of a deal.” I frowned, not liking the way Kevin addressed Max.

“According to everything you just told me? Hell yes, you are. You’re just coming from a fucking conference in Madrid, where you were a presenter. He’s never even been outside of Minnesota.”

Max’s nostrils flared, and he curled his hands into fists. He pushed away from the table and strode off.

“Max!”

But he kept walking.

“What the hell, man?” I rounded in on Kevin.

“What? Just giving the prick a taste of his own medicine. Remember the way he used to ridicule you?”

“That was ten years ago. I wasn’t lying when I said I got over it.”

I jumped to my feet and ran after Max, but he’d already left the room. I went to the closest bathroom, shoved the door open, and came face-to-face with Evan Chambers.

“Just the man I was hoping to see,” he said.

I stepped back. “What do you want?”

“I’ve been meaning to come to see you, man. To apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“Yeah.” He scratched the back of his neck. “You know, for being a good-for-nothing prick who used to make your life a living hell.”

“Oh.” Was he serious? “Did Maxxy put you up to this?”

“Maxxy?”

“Max?”

“You call him Maxxy?”

“Did he?”

“No. I’m a better person than the asshole I used to be. Figured I should apologize. So we cool?”

Bewildered, I nodded but only some of what he said penetrated. I had to find Max. “Uh, yeah?”

“My man!” He pulled me into a rough embrace, slapping my back twice, then releasing me. “You looking for Max? He ain’t in there.”

“Where is he?”

“The bleachers.”