Page 15 of Bull Rush

I shrug. “It’s true.”

A beat passes, and then a curious look crosses her face. “Did you really snap his neck?”

I nod and there’s a sharp intake of breath before she considers it further.

“I couldn’t believe it when they showed you handcuffed on the TV. I mean, we didn’t exactly play by the rules around here. Your family less than the rest, but…”

Murder in the middle of the day with people watching is a bridge too far. That’s what she means.

“He tried to kill Bea. Shot Cooper. I just saw red, and it was what it was after.” I look out the window. I don’t remember snapping his neck, but I’d seen the video in court enough times to know it happened.

“Is Bea… someone to you?”

“Coop’s girl. Not mine. But she’s some of the best people I’ve ever known. Coop doesn’t love anyone easy. I couldn’t stand there and watch him lose her like that.” They’re one of the biggest parts of my life back in Cincinnati that I miss. They’d gotten me through the trial and the prison sentence.

“I see. I’m sorry that all of that happened. To your friends and you.”

“I did what had to be done. It ended well. That’s all thatmatters.” I hate talking about this, but I didn’t imagine I was going to get out of the conversation. Might as well have it now.

“Do you have someone back in Cincinnati?” She asks the question quietly, like she doesn’t really want the answer.

“You think I’d be here if I did?”

There’s a wince on her face, and she pulls back. I realize how she’s taken it, and I shake my head.

“I don’t mean it like that. Just… you know me. I’m a lot of fucking things, Haze, but I’m not a cheater.”

“But you’re asking me to be one.”

“Nah. I’m asking younotto cheat. I’m the one you’re married to, remember? Besides, I thought you just said old boy agreed to it.”

Her eyes narrow again, but she doesn’t disagree with me on the merits of my argument. The uncomfortable silence returns and when her knee starts to jiggle, I know it’s my turn to fill it.

“So we’re pretending to be a happy family for my parole officer? Is that what we’re telling them then?” I ask.

“Yes. It seems the easiest explanation. It’s not entirely untrue. I assume that’s part of your motivation.” Her eyes search my face.

“Are you asking my motivation?”

“I don’t think I want to know.” She looks out the window, staring into the distance where a couple of her rescue horses are grazing.

“Well, if you ever do, all you have to do is ask.”

She glances down at the table, her fingers running over a small dent in the surface that my brother made when he used it as a racetrack for his toy car when we were kids.

“What are we telling the rest of the town?” I ask when I think about my brothers and the gossip mill beyond our friend circle.

“Curtis is leaving. I’ll just… let everyone think we broke up when we found out we were married again. He won’t care. He doesn’t put much stock in what the people here think about him anyway. Beyond that, let them think what they want. I don’t care either.”

“So the rest of the town thinks we’re making things work, and your family is in on half our secret? Sounds like quite the web you’re weaving.”

“You want me to tell them the truth and let Bo and Anson beat you to a bloody pulp?”

“Unless Anson’s right hook has improved, I think I might have a fighting chance,” I joke, but she just presses her lips together until they flatten.

“You can move your things into the guest room this afternoon. I’ll get it ready and make some space in the fridge if you have any food you want to bring in.”

“He already gone?” I’m surprised he left so quickly. I thought he’d draw this out a bit.

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