Page 50 of Hold the Line

Blood rushed to my head in an instant, making my cheeks burn and my brain buzz. “Tilly…I don’t think there’s anything for us to talk about on that subject.”

Her eyes slid back and forth between mine, and she whispered, “He was happy.”

I couldn't stop from flinching. “I don’t—”

“Hear me out,please. Deke is a good man who’s been dealt a really rough hand. Chris and I have tried our hardest to help him build a new life since he got out, and on a professional front, that’s happening. But personally…you have to understand he’s never had a girlfriend, much less dated. Before he went in, he had so many family issues I don’t think he even considered it. You’re the first woman I’ve heard him talk about since high school, and you were theonlygirl he talked about back then.”

I swallowed hard, trying to take in what she was saying, even though it felt like there were razor blades in my throat. I’d assumed, after everything, he’d kept me a secret. To know he’d talked about me to his closest friends and still did what he had hurt even worse.

It didn’t seem Tilly knew what had happened last Friday. If she did, if she knew I’d spotted him on what had looked very much like a double date and he’d ignored me, she might not have been riding so hard for him. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her. Deacon might not have been mine, but that didn’t erase everything. Despite myself, I cared for him, and I refused to make him look bad in his friends’ eyes.

Tilly went on. “Whatever happened, if he pulled back from you or messed up in a way that made you end things, I’m asking you to be patient with him. Hold the line, Phoebe. He’ll return when he gets his head on straight. I know it. He was so excited about you, and Deke doesn’t show that emotion often. Maybe never.” Her hand darted out, grabbing mine. “He asked Chris and me to go dancing with you two. We were all supposed to go out last weekend. I don’t know why the plans got canceled, only that Chris said Deke had shown up to work on Monday looking like he’d died.”

“Dancing?” I whispered. That was news to me. I didn’t know how to feel about that, so I tucked it away for later when I was alone and could roll it around in my mind.

She laughed. A manic burst that faded as quickly as it had begun. “I know. I didn’t believe it when Chris told me, but it’s true. That’s how I know how real his feelings are for you. Deke dancing?” She shook her head. “I can’t even picture it.”

We danced in my kitchen. Every night, he spun me like a music box ballerina.

I didn’t tell her that. Those nights had been sweet, and they were mine to hold tight. I also didn’t figure Deacon would like me sharing them, not even with one of his good friends.

“I understand why you’re here, Tilly. You’re being a loyal friend…but this isn’t going to turn out how you want.”

She squeezed my hand tight. “I’m asking you to be open when he comes to you. Please, just let him have the chance to make it right.”

I withdrew my hand, balling it in my lap. “I don’t think he’ll be coming to me.” I hadn’t even seen him in almost a week. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” She straightened her spine and leveled me with a direct gaze. “He’ll come to you. Just hold the line until he does. He’s worth it.”

Long after she’d left, the shop had closed, and I’d gone home for the evening; I was still thinking about Deacon wanting to take me dancing. I would have loved that so much, even if it was too chilly to wear a sundress.

Something told me there might have been more to what had happened in that tavern. If he’d come to me like Tilly had assured me he would, I would have listened to his explanation.

But he’d stayed away.

There was nothing to forgive, even if I’d wanted to.

Chapter Twenty-two

Deacon

Ihadn’tlookedforwardto going home in a week, but today I was. I’d never been so tired in my life. Not even in prison, where I was lucky if I got four hours of consecutive sleep. Exhaustion ate at my bones like a crippling disease.

Chris looked over at me from the driver’s seat. “You look like shit. Are you feeling okay?” For once, luck had been on my side. Chris and I sometimes carpooled to jobsites, and most of the time, when we did, we took my truck. Today, he’d volunteered to drive. Good thing, too. I wasn’t sure I would have been able to safely get us home.

I rubbed my sweaty forehead, but it did nothing to relieve the ache behind my brow. “Pretty sure I’m coming down with something. Try not to breathe my air. Tilly’ll kill me if I get you sick.”

It’d come out of nowhere and hit me like a freight train. I’d barely been around anyone lately, but I must’ve picked up a bug during the few interactions I’d had.

“You need to stop to get some meds?”

I shook my head. We were nearly home. The thought of being in this truck for more than a few more minutes was almost unbearable.

“I’ve got what I need in my medicine cabinet.” I’d be lucky if I could find a Tylenol, but he didn’t need to know that. “I just need to sleep it off.”

“Good thing it’s the weekend. I see you working in the shed; I’m kicking you out. You need rest.”

My arm dropped to my lap, heavy and lethargic. “I’m not arguing that.” I didn’t know how I’d gotten through my workday. Pure adrenaline, probably, and I was experiencing the crash. My body said, “No more,” and I had no choice but to listen.

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