Page 64 of Love Me Fearless

“How long you been out here?”

He shrugs like he’s going to keep it all inside, but then he says, “Since last night.”

I don’t want to scold him when he’s clearly working through something, but are people worried about him? “You need company?”

He shrugs again.

I sit on the edge of the merry-go-round, facing away from him. The hard metal is freezing cold on my butt.

“They’re saying Marin was…involved with someone. Some weirdo.”

Keeping my feet on the ground, I lay back, keeping my abs engaged so I can get in some core strengthening. “You two were close. Did she ever talk about it?”

“No.”

I relax to my back and inhale a full breath, then curl up again, lifting my knees to make it burn. “Can you think why she’d keep it to herself?”

Troy huffs a hard breath. “Probably because I threatened to beat up that piece of shit camp counselor who broke her heart.”

I’m starting to think Troy and I have a few things in common. “What happened isn’t your fault.”

He releases a slow sigh. “She should have been with me.”

I roll up and glance over my shoulder. “Was it like that between you two?”

His face twists in a grimace. “I thought I had more time.”

Is he saying what I think he’s saying? Because…damn. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry isn’t going to bring her back.”

“Truth, but it’s sometimes helpful to know you’re not alone.”

“Her service is today,” he says in a soft tone. “Do you think her killer will be there?”

My empty stomach knots. “I don’t know.”

The sun breaks over the mountains, the soft rays lighting up the tiny beads of dew coating the grass.

“Maybe it’s time to head home, get some rest before the service,” I say.

With another soft sigh, Troy rolls up. “I guess you’re right.”

“I’ll walk with you.” I reach for his hand.

He takes it, his grip firm, and lets me haul him to his feet. His rumpled clothing hangs loosely off his lean frame and his eyes look hollow. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

“I live just over there.” He nods at the row of houses across from the grassy end of the park.

We walk side by side through the wet grass, the heavy dew soaking through my sneakers.

“Did you learn how to do all that rescue stuff in the Air Force?” he asks.

“Most of it, yeah.”

“I’m in school to be a radiology tech, but…now…I don’t know.” He glances my way. “I won’t be able to catch Marin’s killer, but maybe I can be of service somehow in the future.”

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