Page 16 of Needing Your Love
His gaze flitted over my face as though seeking out the inner self I kept hidden from everyone. “A man can’t change and grow? Become a better person?” he asked.
I had done that very thing, but my past had soiled me beyond the worm that used to crawl through the dirt of poverty and abuse. I couldn’t begin to imagine what Sutton would think if he knew the truth about what I’d done since leaving here.
As though hearing my thoughts, Sutton finally turned, his gaze going straight for me like he’d been aware of my eyes on him.
The bustle and noise of Frenchie’s muffled to white noise as we stared at each other. I swallowed hard, hating how he seemed to see past the facade of confidence I wrapped around myself where the self-conscious, hurting little boy was still hidden from the world.
As though hell-bent on making me see the error of my ways, Sutton excused himself from the crowd around him and moved toward me, gaze locked on my face and unwavering in determination.
Dexter snickered for whatever reason, but Sutton ensnared me so I didn’t care where his best friend’s mind had gone.
I grew feverish, my insides fluttering.
The chief paused in front of me, eyes searching, his looming presence as intimidating and mouthwatering as when I’d been a teen. I had to tip my head back slightly to hold his gaze.
“What have you been doing with yourself since leaving Pippen Creek, Jimmy?” he inquired in his chief’s voice, expectation of my reply being a lie in his tone.
The man was in law enforcement for fuck’s sake and probably always asked about people’s business like they were under investigation, so I had no right to feel called out—or prematurely judged.
Something inside me longed to be honest and spill the truth of my shit from the previous nine years while gone from his town, but doing so would definitely ruin whatever minuscule chance I might have with him.
Pipe dreams were hard to give up.
“Keeping busy. Making money. Trying to leave my past and Pippen Creek behind,” I answered, hoping he wouldn’t pick up on the hidden truths I refused to admit to.
A muscle ticked in Sutton’s jaw as he glanced away, lips in a thin line of disappointment.
So much for gaining a smidgen of his trust and weaseling my way beneath his clothing.
My shoulders slumped, heart seeming to shrivel up. I couldn’t stomach guessing what his thoughts might be. I’d cried wolf one too many times as a kid for Sutton to suddenly believe a word I said simply because I’d grown into a man.
“How long will you be hanging around town?” Dexter asked to fill the sudden tension between his friend and I.
I wish I knew his angle or what he attempted to do but came up empty. “Until my dad’s house is sold, Gram makes a decision about retiring from her store, and I feel ready to move on with my life.”Thatwas the absolute truth, shared as my stare remained on Sutton’s strong profile, hoping he believed me.
“And what if that life is best served out here within city limits?” Dexter suggested.
I met his dark eyes, wondering what game he played. “Why do you care?”
He shrugged, shooting Sutton a quick glance before giving me a piercing stare. “Just having my friend’s back.”
What the hell was going on?
“Here are your wings, good-looking.”
I turned to find Frenchie holding a plate of steaming wings slathered in sauce. My mouth watered, but no way could I chow down on those messy things and expect to appear polished enough for Sutton Forrester. He would, without a doubt, be reminded of the filthy kid who’d sucked dirt-crusted fingers free from chocolate, and that wouldnotbe sexy.
“Can I get them to go?” I asked with an apologetic smile, grabbing another twenty from the front pocket of my too-tight jeans and laying it on the bar top.
“Sure. Give me a sec—and keep the extra tip. I’d rather see you in here another day when you have time to tell me all about your shenanigans down in the big city.”
Warmth filled me, not caring the gossip of where I’d been since leaving town had reached her ears. “Deal.”
She disappeared into the kitchen, and I glanced in the mirror behind the bar while shoving the cash into my pocket.
Sutton’s gaze glued to my backside, pupils large and dark.
Heat rushed through me, causing my heart to race. I arched slightly, swallowing the last of my wine as Frenchie returned with my to-go box.
