I looked up, my gaze meeting a face barely containing its laughter. The guy appeared as if he’d be more at home in LA, surfing in Venice before grabbing his acai bowl from some organic juice bar. But he had a burger and an empty beer in front of him. “Was that your beer that ended up on my head?”

His lips twitched. “I think it’s a pretty safe guess.”

“Guinness?”

“Yup.”

I grabbed a glass and poured him a beer. “On the house.”

“Thanks, man. I’m Crosby. You new?”

“More like old.” I glanced over my shoulder and caught sight of Isabelle wrapped in my brother’s arms as he rubbed a hand up and down her back. The couple of steps I took towards the open doorway were instinctive, some damn invisible pull. I could just catch their muted words.

“I’m sorry, Bell. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Ford’s gonna be back for a while to help out.” Hunter leaned forward and pressed his lips to her hair. When the hell did that happen? “I should’ve told you sooner, but I honestly wasn’t sure he’d show. He just texted and said he’d made it to the island, I didn’t think he’d come straight here.”

Isabelle shoved at his chest, creating just a bit of distance between them. “I deserved better than this. Especially from you. You know better than anyone what he put me through.” Her green eyes, sparking with anger, caught mine over Hunter’s shoulder. She didn’t look away. She opened herself to me. Let me see the true depth of her pain. It was raw and ragged, and it wrecked me in a heartbeat. Just like I knew it would.

It was why I’d stayed away for so long. Sure, it was all the memories this place held, but more than anything, it was her. I’d missed her like a lost limb, ghost pains and longing for something that no longer existed plaguing me daily. But I’d been behind the wheel that night, and there was no way she didn’t hate me for what happened. I’d known the second I came to in the emergency room and they’d told me that Violet was gone. I’d known Isabelle would hate me forever. But knowing and seeing it were two very different things. Seeing it might strike me down where I stood.

Isabelle slipped out of my brother’s hold. “I’m taking a break. You or your lap dog can cover for me.”

“Fuck.” Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long breath as he headed in my direction.

“What part of you thought it was a good plan to not warn either of us?”