My insides went squishy in a way that only happened when Roan looked out for my girl. “She has to learn her limits.”
I glanced around the park for the tenth time, checking for any sign of reporters. There was nothing. I’d tucked Cady’s red hair up in a beanie, and I had mine woven tightly in a bun and covered with a ski cap.
Caden chuckled as he glanced at Roan. “I’m pretty sure you gave your parents daily heart attacks at that age.”
Roan just grunted in response, and I couldn’t hold back my smile.
“I’m pretty sure that means yes,” I said.
Grae grinned. “It’s impressive that you’re already becoming fluent in his grunts.”
I patted Roan’s chest. “It’d be hard to have a conversation otherwise.”
Grae burst out laughing.
Roan glared at both of us. “Stop ganging up on me.”
I bit back my giggle. “Come on, big man. You can take it.”
Roan leaned in close, whispering in my ear. “There’s gonna be punishment for that later.”
I shivered. “God, I hope so.”
He growled low, the sound washing over me.
Grae groaned, and I quickly looked up, following her line of sight. Katelyn was heading toward the park with two other moms, their daughters in tow.
“What?” Caden asked, confused.
Grae glanced at him. “Don’t you remember Katelyn from high school?”
Caden shuddered. “I think I tried to block out any memories of her. She’s ruthless.”
Katelyn’s gaze narrowed on the four of us as she sat on a nearby bench with her friends. She tossed her blond hair over her shoulder and began whispering to her cohorts.
I didn’t give a damn about her; I was worried about her daughter picking on Cady. Heather glared at Cady but then glanced in Roan’s direction, swallowing hard. Instead of starting anything, she tugged her friends toward the other side of the playground. I let out the breath I’d been holding.
Grae turned to me. “Did you let Roan threaten that little mean-girl-in-training? You knew I wanted to, but you wouldn’t let me.”
Caden choked on a laugh. “You want to go toe-to-toe with a six-year-old, Gigi?”
Grae let out a huff. “If she’s being mean to Cady, I do.”
“Roan might’ve taken Cady to dance one day and been his usual brooding self,” I told her.
Grae grinned at her brother and held out a hand for a high-five. Roan smacked her palm.
“You’re both incorrigible,” I muttered.
Katelyn’s voice raised. “She’s been lying to everyone for years. It’s shocking that Lawson even lets Charlie go with her.”
My molars ground together, but I ignored her.
Grae started to get up, but I grabbed her arm. “Don’t,” I whispered. “She’s not worth it.”
“She shouldn’t be allowed to spew her bullshit,” Grae growled.
“It’ll only make her do it more if you say something.”
Grae’s mouth pulled down in a frown, but she nodded.
“You know, that podcast said she might have lied about the whole thing,” Katelyn said louder. “Maybe she’s the one who did it.”
I glanced at Cady to see if she could hear Katelyn, but she was happily playing with Charlie, oblivious to it all.
Roan took my hand, squeezing it. “Want me to go over there?”
I shook my head. “No, let’s just ignore her.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Katelyn’s gaze narrow on our joined hands.
“It’s sad, really, Roan ending up with her. He’s already been through so much. The whole experience must have twisted him, everyone thinking he was the murderer. He’s clearly unstable now. He definitely shouldn’t be around children. But it’s no surprise Aspen doesn’t care. She just sees dollar signs.”
Roan’s jaw went hard as granite. But it was more than that. There was defeat in his gaze. An acceptance that this was how some of this town would always see him.
I was on my feet before I could stop myself. Roan called my name, but I didn’t listen. I strode toward the three women on the bench.
Katelyn smiled triumphantly. “Aspen, how nice to see you.”
“Sadly, I can’t say the same. It’s funny the bullshit that streams out of your mouth because, really, the only person who’s sad here is you. If you had a shred of decency, I’d actually feel bad for you. I’ve tried to be kind, even in the face of your ugliness. Tried to ignore you. But sometimes a bully needs to be hit with the cold, hard truth, and that’s what you are: a bully.”