Page 65 of No One But You

I sloshed the ice in my glass, and my mind wandered to Kora and me and our last conversation. I don’t know why I said I wasn’t good enough for her. We worked well together in every way. Yes, she was from a different background than me, and I didn’t understand what a family unit was meant to be like, but I knew what I wanted. I always wanted what Kora had.

“Kai.”

It was Patrick. The last time I talked to him he irritated the fuck out of me. With how things ended with Kora last night, it probably wasn’t a great time to talk with him now, but as he walked to the other side of the counter and helped himself to a beer, it didn’t seem like I was going to have a choice.

Patrick leaned on the counter. “Can I get you anything?”

“Do you work here now?” I finished my water and continued to pick at the fries as I eyed Patrick.

“I don’t necessarily work here, but I am part owner.” He popped the top off a beer and placed the bottle on the bar.

“Thanks.” I took a sip. One beer wouldn’t hurt.

Trevor joined us and pounded Patrick on the back in greeting. “Your dad is settled in, and he and Nico are getting along well,” he said to me. “Just so you know, Nico attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the church on Sunday nights. He’d be a perfect sponsor.”

I laughed. That was a joke. To go to AA, you needed to admit first that you had a problem. Terry didn’t think he did. AA wouldn’t happen. People have tried many times over the years, and it did nothing. “It would take a miracle. Terry’s been told to go to AA multiple times in his life, but he has yet to step foot into a meeting. He doesn’t think he has a drinking problem. He thinks everyone else is the problem.” I took a sip of beer, then set it down. Nothing like talking about my alcoholic father to have me do a double-take at my own habits.

I pushed the beer away. “How about a Coke instead?”

Trevor filled a glass and pushed it toward me.

“So.” Patrick leaned back and crossed his legs in front of him. “Why aren’t you at the beginning of summer bash held by the book club every year? I figured with you and Kora an item, you’d be there as her date.”

The beginning of summer bash was today. I totally forgot. With everything I was doing yesterday and this morning, it totally slipped my mind. Tonya and Kaye invited me, and it was almost two o’clock.

Patrick watched me, and there was something in the man’s gaze which wasn’t just pure interest. It was something else, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

I dipped a fry in ketchup and chewed before talking. “Is there something I need to know?”

Patrick nodded. “She’s a great person. Loved by the community. Everyone’s favorite third-grade teacher. I don’t want to see her hurt.”

I cocked my head to the side and felt my blood pressure rise a notch. Be careful. Choose your words wisely, and don’t jump to conclusions. “Why the interest? You’re not dating her anymore.”

There was a noticeable tick in Patrick’s jaw, and his face grew red. Seemed as if I wasn’t the only one with blood pressure issues.

“Okay, guys,” Trevor interrupted. “I think all of us are concerned about Kora’s well-being. In case you forgot, I did date her in high school. Like you both, I care for her also, but now she’s one of my best friends. But . . .” Trevor laid a hand on Patrick’s shoulder. “Patrick here is still getting over her.”

The glare Patrick shot in Trevor’s direction was classic. I chuckled.

“And, Kai, you’re her recent interest. And from what I’ve noticed when you’ve both been here, there is definitely something going on between you two. I haven’t seen her give anyone that much attention probably ever.” He shrugged at Patrick. “Sorry, man, you haven’t seen them together.”

Patrick held up his hand. “Believe it or not, I’m over Kora. She’s a sweet girl and a friend, but like I was saying, I don’t want to see her hurt. I thought you and her had something going, and I’m just curious as to why you’re here and not at the book club summer gathering. I’m even going later. Bryson’s best friend and all. I’m still part of the family.”

I puffed out a breath. My issue wasn’t with Patrick or Trevor. This small town loved Kora. Heck, they’d taken me in, and I’d only been there a month.

I couldn’t deny my feelings for Kora, yet sometimes feelings weren’t enough. “Yes, there’s something between us. What, exactly, I don’t know. I came to Orlinda Valley to get away from my past life. Once things with me got straightened out, my brother was situated in his first duty station, and my sister was in her job and happy in South Dakota, it was my turn to get away from Terry and focus on me. I got a job, found Orlinda Valley, purchased land, and hoped to start my life and set down roots, far from Georgia and the misery that was my past.”

I swirled the ice around in my glass. “I thought it would work out. Terry didn’t know where I was, my siblings were finally happy, and I had a plan to build my house by the Red River and start over. Then, out of nowhere, I pulled over on my way to town and met this auburn-haired spitfire, fell in . . . well, something . . . and things seemed to be going amazingly well with us. Until Terry showed up, and shit’s been going downhill since then. And to make matters worse, here I am talking with you two instead of being with Kora at the book club summer party.”

I sighed. Would shit ever work out? “Terry made me remember who I am and that you can’t run away and hide from your past no matter how much you may want to. So, now I’m double guessing if Kora needs to be with someone like me.” I shrugged and watched the ice slide around my glass. “One thing I’ve noticed is exactly what you said, Patrick. She loves this town, and this town loves her. She belongs here and has a home and a family. Something I’ve never had.”

I gestured toward the kitchen. “That loser in there’s my father, and if you didn’t notice, I call him by his first name. He’s never been a father to me or my siblings. The only family I’ve ever had are now living their lives far away, and I’m glad.” I stood and grabbed my wallet to pay my bill. I needed to go somewhere, but not here. “I guess what I’m saying is Kora needs better than me. She can have anyone, and . . .”

“And you are being stupid.” Bryson placed his arm over my shoulders.

“Where did you come from?” I asked. I didn’t hear anyone walk in the pub.

“From the front door. You were wallowing in self-pity too much to hear me enter. Are the wings and jalapeño poppers ready?” Bryson asked Patrick.

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