The Forever Girl (Wildstone, #6)(68)

They all pulled on their shirts, tying them at the waist so they fit better.

“Now we’re ready,” Heather said.

“Yeah.” Maze nodded. “The question is for what?”





Chapter 19


Maze’s maid of honor to-do list:

—Keep the gas tank full just in case Caitlin needs a getaway car.

Maze led the way into the Whiskey River Bar and Grill holding Cat’s hand.

“Thanks for not listening to me about no bachelorette party,” Cat said. “But I’m not really feeling the whole social thing.”

“No worries. It’s just me and Heather.”

“God, I love you,” Cat said with feeling.

A back corner booth had been decorated with streamers, balloons, and a string of lights that, up close and personal, Maze could see were shaped like little penises. She slid a look at Heather, who just laughed and said, “You’re welcome.”

They were served by the owner of the bar himself, Boomer Nichols. He brought a large pitcher of strawberry daiquiris to their booth, smiling when Maze pointed to the string of lit penises with a raised eyebrow.

“Standard bachelorette party decorations,” he said, hugging Caitlin. “We keep them handy for just such events. Wait until you see the cock cookies.”

“Oh my God,” Caitlin muttered, turning beet red. “Seriously?”

“Double grande, babe,” he said. “Just for you.”

Heather raised her hand.

Maze laughed. “What?”

“If I ever get married, I want double grande chocolate cock cookies at my bachelorette party.”

Maze took ahold of the pitcher of daiquiris. “Before I pour, we need a quick game of Truth or Dare.”

Caitlin shook her head. “I definitely need alcohol before that game.”

“Just play along for a second,” Heather said, knowing she and Maze needed a truth from Caitlin, a very specific truth.

“Fine,” Caitlin said. “Dare.”

“Are you sure?” Maze asked. “A truth will be easier, trust me.”

Heather nodded sagely.

“Nope,” Caitlin said, shaking her head. “I want a dare.”

That was curious enough on its own, but given what Maze had found back at the house in Cat’s bathroom trash, she was going to press the issue. “Fine. I dare you to get up on the bar and do stand-up comedy.”

“But I’m not funny.”

“Then you should take truth.”

“Oh my God, truth then.”

Heather leaned in. “Tell us a secret.”

Maze nearly laughed, because seriously, Heather and her secrets. But she didn’t laugh because Caitlin was holding a secret and it was scaring Maze.

Caitlin looked down at her diamond engagement ring. “Okay, truth.” She drew a deep breath. “I wish I’d given this more thought, which I can’t believe I just said out loud.” She thunked her head on the table a few times.

“Careful,” Maze said. “You’ll knock something loose.”

“I wouldn’t mind knocking myself into another life. Hey, is it considered premeditated if you drink yourself into a coma on purpose?”

“So you do wish you weren’t getting married,” Maze said softly.

“Moving on,” Cat said tightly. “Your turn, Maze. Truth or dare? And pour the damn drinks.”

“Not quite yet,” Maze said, holding on to the pitcher. “You’ve got a bigger secret. You have to tell us the biggest one.”

Caitlin squeezed her eyes shut. “Okay, fine, so I had a little, teeny-tiny thing happen last year. And yes, maybe my doctor called it a breakdown, but I prefer the word exhaustion . . .”

Maze and Heather stared at each other because that was so not the secret they’d been expecting.

“You had a breakdown? A year ago?” Heather asked.

Maze reached for Cat’s hand. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.”

“Cat,” Maze said softly.

“Look, it was just me holding everything in as always, and I finally burst. And Dillon . . .” She gave a small smile. “I know you won’t believe this, but he was amazing. He got me through it. He took me to a therapist and I got on some meds, and I’m good now.” She nodded earnestly to their faces. “Totally good.”

Maze put a hand on her chest. “I’m so sorry. We didn’t know, but that’s no excuse. You were all alone.”

“I wasn’t alone. I had Dillon. And I know you guys aren’t crazy about him, but he’s really been very good to me.” She paused, then cocked her head. “And why do I have the feeling that’s not the secret you were expecting either?”

Again Maze and Heather looked at each other, Maze still holding on to the pitcher.

“Oh my God,” Cat said. “I’m not a fragile little snowflake. Just tell me!”

“Right before your 911 text, we found a pregnancy test kit in the bathroom trash,” Heather said, and then clapped her hands over her mouth.

Maze gave her a long look.

“Right,” Heather said from between her fingers. “Let Caitlin tell us. I always forget the important parts.”