“We should at least go . . . freshen up,” I say, my voice a little high-pitched. Because hell.

He winks at me, and we’re halfway up the stairs when my phone buzzes. I almost ignore it except . . . except this is my sister’s weekend, and if she needs me or if my mom needs me to do something for her, she has to come first.

I pull it from my purse to look at the text. The picture there makes me freeze, one hand gripping the railing as the other grips my phone. Without thinking, I scan the faces in the lobby until I find Rich. He’s grinning at me, and the anticipation that was flip-flopping my stomach moments ago turns to dread. He must have gotten a new number if this was from him.

Carter grazes his knuckles over my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

No. I’m not okay. Why does Rich even have these pictures? “Excuse me,” I murmur.

I race up the stairs to our room, fumbling with the key at the door before closing myself in the bathroom. I slide down the wall, put my head in my hands, and try to remember how to breathe.

The soft rap of knuckles and then: “Teagan?” Carter’s voice. Soft. Soothing. Worried.

I flinch. “I’m okay. I think maybe I . . . maybe I had too much bar food today.” I bite my lip, hating the lie.

“Anything I can do?”

“No. I just need a minute. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” He sighs heavily, and I imagine him closing his eyes. He knows me well enough that I’m sure he’s not buying my lie. Hell, a few minutes ago, I was ready to come up here and jump him, and now I’m hiding in the bathroom.

I was an idiot to think Rich wouldn’t find a way to get to me this weekend. I was an idiot who convinced myself I wanted Carter to save me from Rich, when the real thing I need to be saved from is my own mistakes.

Carter

With the exception of those held in honor of my brothers, bachelor parties aren’t exactly my thing. A bachelor party full of strangers is high on my list of activities I’d rather avoid.

I was hoping I’d get a pass, but Liam found me after dinner and insisted I join them. With a broad smile and a smack on the back, he said he’d be disappointed if I didn’t go. I like the guy, so honestly, that would have been enough, but I also figured that if I were really Teagan’s boyfriend, I wouldn’t hesitate.

So here I am, at the back of Jackson Brews with a handful of strangers. Teagan’s dad joined us for a drink then excused himself—no doubt wanting to spare himself any inappropriate conversation that might include his daughter and future son-in-law. Liam’s dad is here, but he’s content to sit at the bar and grill Jake on the science behind the perfect IPA.