Page 45 of Steeped In Problems

Tanner stepped forward just enough to block Mark’s line of sight. “That’s enough,” he growled, voice low. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Go home.”

But Mark had found his audience. He sidestepped around Tanner, zeroing in on Kristy now. “You’re not even trying to hide it, are you? I mean, pretending to date a cop? Is that supposedto make your mom proud, or are you just desperate to get a rise out of me?”

Kristy’s hands shook, but she didn’t back down. “Please leave, Mark. You’re drunk. Go home.”

He mimicked her, voice falsetto. “Please leave, Mark. You’re drunk. Go home.” Then he laughed—hard, ugly, and mean. “You’re even more fun when you’re playing pretend. How long do you think this’ll last? Until you get bored and leave him like you left me?”

Tanner could feel every eye on them now. He had to end it, fast, before the whole fundraiser dissolved into disaster.

But Mark wasn’t finished. He stalked past the auction table, grabbing at one of the flyers advertising the “Brave the Bean” campaign. He crumpled it in his fist, waving it at the crowd. “It’s all a lie. All of it. None of you people have the guts to say it, so I will. Kristy’s just using this place as a crutch, and the rest of you are suckers for coming here and thinking it means anything.”

He started tearing down the flyers, one after another, making a show of it. The guests at the nearest table scooted their chairs back, half in horror, half in anticipation of what would happen next.

Tanner moved fast, sidestepping between Mark and the nearest group of onlookers. He kept his voice measured. “You’re done. If you don’t leave, I’ll have you escorted out.”

Mark sneered. “Yeah? Who’s going to do it? You and your band of has-beens?” He jerked his chin at Aiden, who was already crossing the room with Zach, and Connor, who had his phone out and was calling someone—probably the Chief.

Mark’s bottle slipped out of his hand, clattering across the floor and leaking whiskey all over. He staggered and tried to grab the edge of a table but only managed to tip over another auction basket. This one shattered, and the glassware inside went everywhere.

At that, Emily stood up from her post near the thermometer board. Her voice, crisp and clear, cut across the bedlam: “Event security will call the sheriff if you don’t leave right now.”

Mark shot her a look of pure loathing. “Oh, good. The fun police.”

Aiden and Zach reached him at the same time. Zach, all smiles, put a hand on Mark’s arm, saying, “Hey man, let’s get some air, okay?” Aiden’s grip was less gentle—he herded Mark toward the door with the unspoken promise of what would happen if he resisted.

Mark wasn’t done putting on his show, though. He twisted in their grasp, pointing at Kristy one last time. “You think you’re so much better than the rest of us? Go ahead. Hide behind your ex-cop boyfriend. See how long that keeps you warm at night.”

Kristy didn’t say a word, but the hurt in her eyes was impossible to miss. Tanner wanted to gather her into his arms, to say something, anything, that would make this better. But now wasn’t the time.

Aiden and Zach hauled Mark through the barn doors and out into the parking lot. The second he was gone, the whole room let out a collective breath—relief, embarrassment, and maybe a little bit of disappointment from those who’d hoped for a fight.

The music started up again, but it was half-hearted. Nobody danced. People made excuses to leave. Even the teenagers stopped filming and retreated to the far end of the barn, away from the broken glass and spilled whiskey and wine.

Tanner stayed where he was, glancing around the room, taking in the ruined auction table, the toppled decorations, the faces of the guests—most of them looking anywhere but at Kristy or him.

He finally turned to her. She was picking up shards of glass with her bare hands, shoulders hunched, jaw clenched so hard he thought her teeth might break.

He crouched down beside her, reaching for the bigger pieces. “Let me,” he gently whispered.

She didn’t look at him. “I’ve got it.”

He waited, hands steady until she finally set the glass down and wiped her eyes with the heel of her palm.

“He always does this,” she murmured.

“I know, but he’s gone now.”

She snorted. “Until next time.”

He didn’t argue. There would be a next time; he was sure of it.

They finished cleaning in silence. Rhonda brought over a roll of paper towels, her face tight with anger. “You want me to call the sheriff and have him do a drive-by around your house? Just in case?”

Kristy shook her head. “No. He’s so drunk, only thing he’s going to do is go home and sleep this off.”

Tanner wasn’t so sure, but he let it go. Instead, he helped Rhonda re-stack what was left of the auction items. He could feel the eyes on him, every guest in the barn measuring him up, waiting to see if he’d lose it like Mark had.

He didn’t. He just kept cleaning, kept busy, kept his mouth shut.

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