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her I’m sorry? She needs to hear it from me.”
    “No, she doesn’t because she won’t believe it. You need to do a lot more than tell her you’re sorry. Actions speak louder than words. And until you can show everyone you’ve changed, it’s best you stay away from her. It’ll only make things worse.”
    “What if I go in there anyway?” I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn’t want to fight Evan, but I was getting desperate. I needed her forgiveness, for her to know I never meant to hurt her.
    Evan huffed and closed his eyes. “You’ll have to go through me first. Lara doesn’t want to see you. She’s with someone else now.”
    It was as if someone had sucker punched me in the gut, the air being ripped out of my lungs as I took the hit. Summer groaned and I glared at her. “Is that true?”
    “Yes, but I don’t see how that is any of your business. She’s happy, so leave her be.”
    “Fuck that,” I shouted. “I’m going inside.” I tried to push past Evan, but he blocked me. We faced off with each other, the tension rising.
    Summer stepped between us with a hand on each of our chests. “Guys, this is stupid. You’re friends.”
    I scoffed and backed away. “That’s where I beg to differ,” I said, glaring at Evan. “If our situations were reversed and it was Summer inside, I’d let you go to her. I would give you the benefit of the doubt and accept that you’ve changed. But you’re not going to do that, are you?”
    Evan’s face softened and he sighed. “I would, brother, but this night is special for Summer and Lara. The last thing they need is you and Grayson battling it out. I have no doubt he’ll come after you if you go in there.”
    I faltered, the anger welling in my chest. “Fucking Grayson ? That’s who she’s with?”
    “Can you blame her? He was there for her, after everything you put her through,” Summer said.
    Peering down at her, I hoped she could see the determination in my face. “You tell her it’s not over. I’m not going to give up.” With those final words, I jumped in my truck and sped out of the parking lot. The thought of Grayson touching her made me so goddamn furious. I didn’t care if she was with him . . . I wasn’t going to give up.

 
     
     
     
     

One Year Later
    “Y ou have to stop this,” Evan warned.
    I could see Lara through the window, standing behind the bar of Carolina Tavern, with her golden blonde hair pulled back and her face just as beautiful as ever. Grayson stood beside her, drying off glasses, smiling like a cat that got the canary.
    I took a step forward. “I can’t. When I told you I wasn’t going to give up, I meant it.” Lara wasn’t going to push me away anymore. She’d managed to evade me time and again, but I refused to let anyone stand in my way.
    Grabbing my shoulder, Evan jerked me back. “Summer will never forgive me if I let you rush in there and cause a scene. It’s been over a year now. It’s time for you to move on.”
    Evan Townsend was my best friend, star wide receiver for the Carolina Cougars, and most importantly, he was now married to Lara’s twin sister, Summer. “Move on?” I growled, clenching my teeth together. “Would you be able to just walk away from Summer?”
    He stiffened. “Probably not, but I’m not the one who fucked shit up.” His words stung, but they were true. Releasing a heavy sigh, I backed away. Evan placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I’m sorry, brother. I shouldn’t have said it like that. But it’s just a little too late, you know?”
    I shook my head, my gaze still on Lara. Her head lifted and she spotted me through the window, her eyes telling me everything I needed to know. She glanced quickly at Grayson and then down at the bar. The second her head lifted and our eyes locked, my mind was set.
    “It’s never too late. I’m not giving up.” Pushing past Evan, I marched to the door. Even if I had to throw her over my shoulder and steal