Page 12 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“Yes, tomorrow morning,” Charly said.
“Goodie,” Poppy said. “I’ll send that list over to you tonight.”
As they gathered their things, Aubrey took a deep breath, reeling in her emotions. She’d have to do better if she was going to survive this wedding—and Gunner’s presence in Timber Falls.
Once they all said their goodbyes to Poppy, the bell above the door chimed as Aubrey stepped out onto the snow-covered sidewalk. She inhaled deeply, the crisp mountain air helping to clear her head. But the reprieve was short-lived.
Charly’s gentle voice broke the silence as she turned to face Aubrey. “What in the world is going on with you?” she asked. “You looked like you were about to combust in there every time Gunner’s name came up.”
Aubrey’s stomach clenched. She forced a laugh, but it sounded hollow even to her own ears. “It’s nothing.”
Willow nibbled her lip, glancing down.
Charly’s eyes narrowed, her arms folding across her chest. “Bull. I’ve seen you handle a kitchen full of demanding customers without breaking a sweat. This is about him, isn’t it?”
Aubrey’s fingers tightened around the strap of her purse. She glanced around, relieved to see the street was relatively empty. “Can we not do this here?”
“Tell me what is going on, Aubrey,” Charly insisted. She set her gaze on Willow. “What do you two know that I don’t? Stop keeping secrets. Weneverdo that.”
Aubrey took a deep breath, her eyes darting between her friends. There was no avoiding this anymore. The words tumbled out in a rush. “We had an incredible week together a couple years ago after one of his concerts.” Her cheeks burned with the admission.
Charly’s eyes widened, but she remained silent, waiting for Aubrey to continue.
“Willow heard Gunner and I talking about it, so that’s why she knows about it,” Aubrey explained.
“Well, to be exact,” Willow interjected quietly. “I heard Gunner talking about it, and you denying that it was you that was with him for that week.”
“I thought we had something special.” Aubrey’s voice cracked. “But then he left one morning. I woke up alone, and he was gone. No note, no explanation. Nothing.” She swallowed hard, fighting back the sting of tears. “And that’s all I need to know about Gunner Woods.”
Willow’s face darkened with anger, but Charly’s expression remained thoughtful. “Oh, Aubrey,” Charly said softly, squeezing Aubrey’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Aubrey shook her head, swallowing back the emotion. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. It happened. He showed me how he treats a woman in a relationship, and because of that, I refuse to let him in again.”
Charly nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. “Of course, I can understand that. Hell, I’m a bit surprised how nice you’ve been to him.”
Aubrey shrugged. “At this point, he’s not even sure it was me, because he likely wasn’t even sober then. It’s just better if we let this be. I can forget all about it. I’ve moved on, and I’m mature enough to be friendly with him.”
“I totally get not wanting to open that door again,” Willow said softly.
Snow began falling in big flakes as Charly cocked her head. “Would you be okay working alongside him on wedding things?”
Aubrey straightened her shoulders, forcing a smile that she was sure didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Like I said, don’t worry about me, Char. I can handle Gunner Woods. And I can certainly be just friends with him. It’s ancient history.”
But as she said the words, Aubrey couldn’t quite silence the small voice in her heart that whispered,Liar.
Four
Long after the dinner rush had ended, the bar hummed with anticipation. Surrounding her, a handful of early customers lounged on the plush leather stools, nursing the Smirking Ballerina cocktail she’d created as this week’s feature.
She strode forward, a tray of beers in her hands, her heart quickening as she approached the stage where Gunner and his band were setting up for tonight’s performance. His presence still affected her, no matter how much she tried to deny it, and that just annoyed her to hell.
“Here you go, boys,” she said, distributing the drinks to the band members. Her voice caught as she turned to Gunner, extending a cold beer. “And for you.” She’d used to hesitate to hand him a beer, knowing his struggle with past addiction. But his vice wasn’t booze, it was pills. Once she knew that, she treated him like everyone else, knowing she’d want the same if it were her.
Gunner’s fingers brushed hers as he took the bottle, sending a jolt through her. “Thanks, darlin’,” he drawled, his blue eyes all but smoldering. “Appreciate it.”
Aubrey forced a smile, trying to ignore the way his low voice made her knees weak. “Just doing my job,” she told him, which only made him grin.
As she turned to leave, a man who appeared to be in his fifties approached. He had graying hair, round glasses and kind brown eyes that exuded warmth.
