Page 12 of The Leaving Road

She kept asking what I knew about Jace all afternoon, and much to her dismay, it wasn’t much. The last time I had seen him was at graduation, and we didn’t keep in touch afterward. I had been under the impression he was going to go away to college, and he had spoken about leaving town in the rearview mirror like I had. Clearly, his plans had changed.

Lexie entered first, with me doing my best to hide behind her taller frame. I swear, every single person turned to look at us. I felt the heat reach my cheeks. I was ready to go home.

“You made it!” a boisterous voice hollered from across the bar.Jace.

Lexie grabbed my hand and started walking over to where their table was. I kept my eyes focused on the table for fear of who else I might see. When we approached the table, Jace started making introductions to the guys who sat with him.

“This is Matt, Leo, and Dexter, and to the right of Dexter is Lydia, Dexter’s lady.”

“It’s nice to meet you all,” I said with a slight wave as Lexie nodded.

“I’m not surprised you don’t remember me, but we went to school together,” Matt said and extended his hand. “I was two grades above you.” He did look vaguely familiar. He was handsome, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a dark complexion that made me briefly wonder what his heritage was.

“I’m sorry, you look somewhat familiar, but that’s about it.”

He shrugged. “I’ll forgive you if you let me buy you a beer.”

“I think it’s me who should be buying you one,” I teased.

“My kind of girl.”

Lexie and I sat down, and as we all started talking, I couldn’t help but see the side glances from Lydia. She isn’t rude, per se, just not talking much.

Jace leaned over and whispered, “Incoming.”

I felt him before I saw him.

“Magnolia,” a gravelly voice said from behind me as goosebumps rose over my flesh.

I turned around. “Sloan.” I steeled my gaze so he couldn’t see any of my emotions. I thought it would hurt to see him, but instead I feltenraged.

Magnolia,I mocked internally.Like he wasn’t the biggest waste of eighteen years.

“I’m surprised to see you here…in my bar.”

I shrugged, deciding to act uninterested in anything he had to say. Unfortunately for me, he sat next to me and engrossed himself in the conversation with the rest of the table. He introduced himself to Lexie, only to be met with an eye roll that caused me to chuckle. He shook it off like a pro, though.

“So, what brings you back to town then, Magnolia? Not that I’m complaining; I’d like to get to know you more.”

I felt Sloan bristle beside me.

“I came back to settle up some of my dad’s estate.”

Matt’s easy going smile turned into a frown. “Oh, does that mean you’re not sticking around?” His unhappiness was almost cute.

“That was the plan, however, things just became a bit more complicated.”

“Complicated?” His eyebrows rose in interest. “Do tell?”

Before I could, Lexie chimed in, “Her dad decided he knew what was best, and for Magnolia to get the house or anything, she must live in Rockland and stay here for two years. So, I guess you could say she’s here for at least two years.”

“Wow, Lex, just come right out with it, why don’t you?” Definitely not bothering to hide my annoyance that she told them.

Her lazy smile was her only response.

Matt was positively beaming, and I couldn’t help the smile that built over my face looking at them both. An over-dramatic snort came from next to me, and I couldn’t help but snap back.

“Problem, Sloan?”

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