Page 127 of Wild Card
“Of course.”
He glanced down at his clothes and cringed. “I should go home and change out of this uniform. I need to call the mayor and tell him the news. The sooner, the better, I think. Oh, and I should call Chloe and Ava. They’ll want to know too. And my family!” He gave a laugh. “I’ve been dragging my feet, so unsure, but you’ve made it so much easier. I feel so relieved now that I’ve decided to go ahead. It’s the right thing to do. I feel it in my gut.”
I nodded, feeling numb.
“Thanks, darlin’.” He kissed me again, this one fast but joyful. It was as if a huge weight had sloughed off him. Had I really done that? If I had, I’d taken that weight and put it across my shoulders, because my knees were about to buckle.
“I could come back over later?” Dalton suggested.
“No,” I said quickly, still reeling from the quick turn of events. “Focus on what you need to do. I’ve got plans with my brothers, anyway.”
“Okay, I’ll give you an update soon.” He turned and jogged down the steps to his car. He turned, gazing at me over the roof. “You know, Ax, you have everyone fooled.”
“Do I?”
“You care about right and wrong a lot more than you pretend,” he said. “Tonight, I’m a better man because of you.”
He got in the car and drove off. I stood on the porch, watching him, wondering when the hellrightandwronghad started mattering to me.
Probably somewhere around the time I’d gotten involved with a fucking lawman.
I went inside, and my face must have said it all because Gray and Bailey jumped to their feet.
“What happened?”
I slumped against the wall, then slowly slid toward the floor. Sugar and Taz both climbed into my lap, whining and licking my chin. I should soothe them, but I couldn’t seem to focus.
“I’ve lost him.”
“What?” Emory said. “That can’t be right. I’ve seen how he looks at you.”
Bailey ran into the hall. “Holden! Axel needs us!”
Gray crouched in front of me, and damn, if he dared to get this close to Taz, then I must have looked like shit.
Emory hovered at the edge of the room, stepping aside when Holden arrived. “What happened?”
“Axel says Dalton left him,” Gray said tightly. “I just can’t believe it.”
“There’s no way,” Holden said flatly. “What did he say?”
“He’s running for sheriff.” I swallowed. “He wanted my blessing, I guess. Because things would have to change.”
“But that doesn’t mean he’sleavingyou,” Bailey said.
“Same as,” I mumbled.
“Did he say what would need to change?” Gray pressed.
I shook my head. “It’s obvious, though, right? I’m not the guy a sheriff wants on his arm. I’d just be trouble for him.”
“So, don’t be trouble,” Holden said.
I scoffed. “Have you met me? I drink too much. I get in fights. I organize illegal gambling nights for shits and giggles.”
“That’s your choice,” Holden said. “You can choose whether you want those to do those things. They’re notwhoyou are.”
“He’s right,” Emory said. “You’re a good guy. You’ve got a good heart. Dalton would be lucky to have you.”
