Page 39 of Saving Grace

“Thought you should know,” Kyra said. “Everyone’s keeping deLamar away from you to clear the way for Matt, but I think the whole town’s being unfair.”

Clear the way for her, she meant, I thought bitterly. And why was I bitter? Didn’t I shut Matt down at every opportunity and convinced myself that he was bad for me. He tried to get me to sleep with him again, but apparently if I didn’t put out, I was easily replaceable. I should be thankful I wasn’t re-notched on his bedpost.

“Fucking idiot,” Roger muttered.

“So, Matt and Kyra?” I ventured, pushing through the lump in my throat.

Both Cassie and Roger shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

“Matt doesn’t do relationships,” Cassie offered.

“Doesn’t matter. Didn’t take him long to move on,” I said lightly, but deep inside the same hurt and inadequacy reared its ugly head.

“Kyra’s been after Matt for a while,” Roger said.

“Shut up, Roger!” Cassie snapped.

“Why? Grace deserves better even if it is her fault Matt’s acting like a moron.”

“How is it my fault? I just wanted to talk to Troy.”

“You threw the man in his face.”

“You didn’t tell me that.” Cassie’s eyes narrowed at me.

“He was preventing me from speaking to him. Kyra said that Troy and I had a thing.”

“Aha.” Roger’s brow shot up. “The plot thickens. She played you both.”

“I’m seeing that now, but I also see how interchangeable women are to Matt.”

“What has Matt done this time?” a familiar voice spoke beside us as Roger’s beer landed on the table.

Great! Now I was the pathetic woman scorned in front of Millie too. Although, technically I rejected Matt first. Did it really matter? After my talk with Troy, I was leaving Misty Grove. For where, I wasn’t sure yet.

“He’s hooked up with Kyra again,” Roger volunteered.

Again?

Millie sighed. “I’ve told Kyra so many times Matt isn’t the type to commit.” She looked at me. “But I think you’re the unicorn in his story.”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed. “Millie, if you’re suggesting I’m the one to change Matt’s commitment-phobic ways, you’re mistaken. Besides, I’m leaving tonight.”

“Where are you going?” Millie demanded.

“You can’t leave,” Roger stated firmly. “The Reaper is after you.”

Ah, El Segador.

“Depending on how my talk with Troy goes, and if he can convince me with his side of the story, I believe he can hide me from The Reaper.”

Millie and Cassie spoke simultaneously, the latter offering the ranch as an alternative haven.

Roger was quiet, but a smile played on the edges of his lips. When the two women stopped talking, he took a swig of his beer. “I see the old Ms. Levinson coming back.”

Millie glared at Roger. “You. Quiet.”

Matt’s mechanic shrugged and drank more beer.

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