Page 67 of Hero Unbound

“It definitely seemed to get your attention.”

Eva froze. Was that what Theo was going to think, that she’d done it so she could get him to focus on her?

“That’s bullshit, Callum. Don’t go there.”

“Maybe she didn’t even mean to do it on purpose. Maybe it was like some of that other stuff you mentioned—not remembering how she got some scars and having holes in her memory.”

“That’s not the same.”

“Fine. But hell, Theo, we all know how overdeveloped your sense of responsibility is. Me more than most. You’re basically my unpaid deputy. Every time I need someone for backup in this town, I call you.”

Eva began backing away. She’d heard enough. Theo would continue to defend her, but Sheriff Webb had brought up the one point for which she couldn’t offer a defense.

Was it possible in any way that she’d done this herself? Switched wires or something on purpose, subconsciously knowing what might happen?

It wouldn’t be the first time she’d self-sabotaged—the very thing she’d wanted to talk to Becky about tonight.

Would Theo be so quick to defend her if he knew the full truth? Probably not, and she wouldn’t blame him at all.

She had no recollection of doing anything to her car that would cause it to catch fire. But then again, a lot of memories tended to be clouded in her mind.

Suddenly telling Theo she’d stood up to Gareth in one conversation didn’t feel veryimportant. She glanced over at one of the many windows in his house and caught her reflection.

There was the woman she recognized: afraid, confused.

Alone.

21

Eva didn’t want to be here. The Eagle’s Nest was always crowded on a Friday night, and even though she and Becky were here early and the band and dancing hadn’t started yet, there were still too many people around.

Especially when she was about to tell her friend that she’d lied to her from the beginning.

They were supposed to have hung out at Becky’s house—quiet meal, a chance to talk—but Becky had changed the plans at the last minute.

“See?” Becky held out her phone in front of Eva’s face but then snatched it back before Eva could read the text and read it out loud herself. “You’re not going to want to miss what happens at the Eagle’s Nest tonight.”

“And you don’t recognize the number?”

“No.” Becky frowned at her phone. “It came up as unknown.”

“Maybe it’s some sort of marketing. Get people intrigued.”

“If it is, it worked like a charm, because here we are.”

Here they were, and Eva wished she were anywhere else. She was still feeling sick from what she’d overheard at Theo’s house earlier today, and now things were about to get even worse. In some ways, they’d come full circle. They were back at that booth where Becky had first offered her a job almost a month ago.

At that time, Eva had never planned to stay in Oak Creek so long. Now, she wanted to stay longer but was afraid that wasn’t going to be an option after tonight.

“Are you okay?” Becky finally set her phone to the side and looked at Eva. “Are things going all right with Theo? He seemed awfully protective of you last week with the car fire.”

“Yeah, he’s good.” At least for right now.

Becky raised an eyebrow at that.Eva could feel herself flush. “I mean, we’re good. I really like him. But also, we’re taking it sort of slow.”

“You mean you haven’t…” Becky did an obnoxious little dance in her seat.

Now it was Eva who raised her eyebrow. “We haven’t squirmed around on a booth, if that’s what you were suggesting. But yes, we have had sex.”

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