HAYDEN

The ballroom had quieted into softer music and low conversation. I had spent most of the last hour keeping one arm around Coleen, partly out of pride, partly because I didn’t trust my family or Jessica to keep their claws to themselves.

But eventually, Coleen excused herself to the restroom again, and I decided to get us both some drinks. I needed a breather anyway and my jaw still ached from how tightly I’d been clenching it all night.

I’d survived ...