Page 90 of Fall at Once

“I got you. I’ll just say you have a headache or something. Or your arm is still bothering you from when we saved the town from that burning dumpster.”

I shook my head as I laughed. “Perfect.”

“Stay here. Get something to eat. Quit thinking. I’ll grab you when it’s time to get on stage.”

“Great. Thanks. I can’t fucking wait.” I was attempting sarcasm, but the blood pounding in my temples as I inhaled deeply gave me away, and Tate softened his expression.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said. “You got this.”

“I really don’t,” I muttered. “I feel like an extra in a weird-ass rom-com.”

“If this is a rom-com, you’ll get the girl at the end because you’re no extra. You’re the star attraction tonight, Chief Sutter.”

“Oh god.”

He laughed and darted toward the bidding platform for the auction to talk to Monica. It was not quite a stage, but that didn’t make it any less intimidating.

“Hello there, Cole.” I looked up. Heather Hadley had sidled to my table to run her hand up my arm.

I flinched. It was my injured arm.

Her mother and daughter were at a table near the platform, but luckily, Ross was nowhere to be seen.

“I got, um, I have an injury. I burned my arm. Sorry.”

Why was I apologizing to her when I didn’t want her touching me?

“Oh, you poor baby.” She clicked her tongue. “Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”

“No thanks, I’ll be okay. Tate is waiting for me. I have to go. Have a fun night. Thank you for coming out.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” She bit her lip and fluttered her eyelashes. Subtlety was lost on her. “I hear you’re up for grabs tonight. I have plenty of money to spend.”

I turned back around to face her. “It’s not really a date. You know that right? Nothing romantic is intended. It’s for charity. For fun. Tomorrow night. Dinner at the station. That’s all it is.” I spelled it out. Clear. Concise. To the point.

“I know how to have fun, sugar. Don’t you worry about that. I’ll show you a real good time.”

Damn it.

My father had drilled it into me and my brothers since we were boys, always to be gentlemen. But Heather Hadley was making it complicated. I couldn’t deal with her like I’d done with Todd—no parking lot fisticuffs would be able to work this problem out.

I had to get away from her. Avoidance was the only way.

“I have to go.”

“But I?—”

“Bye, Mrs. Hadley.”

“It’s Heather, honey. Remember?”

I ignored her and all but ran across the space to hide out in the restroom, like a fucking adult or a man who was loath to beharsh with a woman.

I splashed cold water on my face at the sink and stared at my reflection. I had to get it together.

A few deep breaths later, I was back in the main room, heading toward the stage as if in a trance.

I made it up there with no time to spare. Monica shot me an encouraging smile as I tried not to vomit.

---