Page 62 of Trust My Bodyguard

My head kicks up. It’s not Sera striding toward me. Nick leads the way with Zane right behind him.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask. “Thought you went home.”

“Thought you managed to finish your report.” Nick picks up the latest page I’m struggling through. “Hey, are you doodling?” He laughs and hands the paper to Zane.

I rub my forehead. “You guys should go away.”

“Are you drawing a girl?” Zane gives me a look.

Another wasted paper. I snatch the paper, crumple it, and throw it in the trashcan. The evidence of my failures have piled so high they’re nearly spilling out.

“If you keep going this way, we’ll need a special budget for paper,” Nick says.

“I agree.” I plop back in my seat and make a shooing gesture. “That’s why you both need to get out so I can focus and finish up.”

“We are not your problem, Dum-Dum.” Nick attempts to smack the back of my head. I grab his hand just in time and give him a warning look. He chuckles. “We are your solution. You’re coming line dancing with us.”

I groan. “No.”

“Did I forget to say no isn’t an option? It’s either a yes or I’ll be happy to.”

“Not tonight.”

Letting loose on the weekends at The Tavern is one of my favorite things about coming back to Pine Peaks. It takes me back to our teen years when we spent our weekends dancing through the night until our moms dragged us out by our ears. Those were the days. Nothing is easier than getting lost in the already familiar steps, the music flowing through me.

I’m just not up for it tonight. I want to wallow in my unease, letting it eat at me until nothing remains.

“You drew hearts, too?” Zane picks up another paper from the table.

I dive for it. I don’t remember drawing hearts, but I don’t remember much of anything. I’ve been in a daze.

I shake out the paper to look at it but it’s plain. “There are no hearts.”

Zane shrugs. “I was just kidding.”

Nick laughs so loudly my ears ring. “Come with us or I’ll let Zane keep messing with you.”

I eyeball both men. “How could I say no to such a pleasant offer?” I snatch my jacket off the coat hanger and head out.

“Doodling and drawing hearts,” Nick sing-songs. “Does Brody have a girlfriend?”

I turn around so he runs into my hard chest.

He falls back, one hand around his midriff and the other held out. I hate the sound of his jolly laughter. “Fine. I’ll stop.”

Even Zane has a smile on his face.

I can’t believe they think this is funny. I also can’t believe they’re not mad at me for my sour mood. I wish they were. Then maybe they’d leave me alone.

The Tavern buzzes with an excited crowd. It’s a barn-shaped bar that hosts Saturday line dances for the people of Pine Peaks. The hum of many voices speaking over the loud music vibrates the air.

I feel like turning around and leaving the moment we walk in. I don’t want to be around all these people. I start to but Nick catches me in the act.

He thumps my back, turning me back around. “No. Stay for fifteen minutes at least. If you don’t like it, then you’re free to leave.”

My shoulders drop and I head for the bar. Fifteen minutes. I set a timer on my watch.

The bartender slides beer bottles our way. We grab them and turn around to watch the dance floor. The participants move in step to the music blaring from the speakers. The smiles on their faces and the brightness of their eyes nauseate me. I swallow a drink of the cold, bitter liquid, and look away.

---