Page 97 of Debts and Desires
Day Fifty-Six
198 Hours to Go
“Ineed to stop leaving you alone here,” Carter grumbled after a while, taking a drink from the bottle in his hand.
“Apparently,” I snorted. “Best if you don’t ever leave me alone again.” I paused, realizing what I said. But before I could backpedal and correct myself, Carter spoke.
“I won’t,” he said. His eyes were still wild, like he was a man possessed.
“Good,” I said, owning it. I so badly wanted to kiss him, but I didn’t. He had told me a while ago that this town thrived on its rumors and he didn’t want to feed the fire.
A few people came up, asking about the two of us, and both of us shrugged it off in tandem. I wanted more, but I didn’t want to say anything and risk messing up whatever it was we had between us. I did, however, want to tell him about the hours. I had thought about it earlier—and the night after the fair—and wanted to talk about it, to see how he felt about it. I was so glad Ty had interrupted me earlier, before I could embarrass myself.
After a bit, Carter and I ordered some food to split. Thecrowd had died down and there was a slightly awkward tension between us. Maybe it was because of my nerves. I’d gone back and forth debating whether or not I should talk to him about it, and the opportunity had seemingly presented itself.
“So, um…” I started, finally brave enough to bring it up. “I was thinking. I don’t?—”
The door to the bar opened. It became eerily quiet, minus the music playing from the digital jukebox. I looked over my shoulder to see an older man, maybe fifties or sixties, in a police uniform, his badge glinting in the soft light. He looked around a moment before his gaze focused on Carter. He headed our way. Carter let out a long sigh, chugging the rest of his drink. He sat the bottle down and turned himself on the stool to face the approaching cop.
“Black,” he nodded to Carter.
“Officer Jameson,” Carter greeted back. I could hear the hint of disrespect in his tone.
“Got a call about a brawl that happened not long ago. You know anythin’ about that?” Officer Jameson asked, looking down his nose at Carter. I felt protective of Carter. No one got to talk to him like that.
“Nope,” Carter answered.Good. But I knew if I didn’t speak up, then Sawyer would win.
“I have some information,” I said, drawing the cop’s attention to me. “Sawyer was harassing me.” The cop didn’t seem bothered. He looked back over at Carter.
“Alright Black, let’s go,” the officer said. Carter went to stand, but I stopped him, taking his place.
“Why does Carter have to go?” I asked.
“Because, according to Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Black was the one that had started it.”
“Did you not hear me?! Carter didn’t start anything. He was defending me.” My hands moved wildly as I spoke. “Sawyer came over to me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He put his hands on me, tried to drag me out of here to his home. Carter stopped him.”
“You have witnesses that can back that up?” Officer Ass-for-brains asked. I wanted to pop him one.
“I can,” Tyler chimed in immediately.
“Me, too,” one of the guys at the bar said, then another, and another. Carter looked at each one when they answered, as if shocked that they were defending him. And with what he had told me, I was, too.
“As a matter of fact,” I added. “I’d like to file a report myself with these gentlemen as my witnesses.” I looked around at the men. “If they’re okay with that.” A resounding chorus of, “Absolutely,” and, “Yes,” came from around. I looked back at the officer, crossing my arms. “Should I give you my statement now or come to the station first thing in the morning?” The cop’s cheeks were red, his expression irritated. Good. Fuck him and his accusatoryeverything. Carter wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“You can stop by the station in the mornin’, Miss…?”
“Brighton. I’ll be there first thing. Thank you,” I spoke with candy coated venom. After another quick assessment, the officer finally left.
“What time do you want us there, Miss Emmy?” one of the men, Tommy I think, asked a few moments later. I looked at Carter.
“Ten?” I asked. Carter nodded. I turned back to the man. “Ten.” He gave a nod.
“I’ll be there.” And a few of the men agreed with him, stating the same.
“How ‘bout a round on the house?” Tyler called from back behind the bar now, causing a massive response of cheers.
I took my place on the stool next to Carter again. This time, his arm came behind me on the barstool as he leaned in.
