Page 5 of When Autumn Arrives

“Yeah.” Shane nodded, his deep voice doing things to my insides. “Miller lite, please. And I need some dinner. What’s good to eat?”

“How about a cheesesteak?” I asked.

He nodded while I poured his beer and handed it to him. Then I hurried toward Hank.

I offered him a bright smile, placing my hands on my hips. “Another round, Hank?”

“Just the check, darling. I need to get home to the wife.”

I nodded, taking the empty glass, and hurried to print his bill. The bar wasn’t as packed as the evening before, but still too busy to sit around and chat with Shane.

An hour went by of me refilling his water, stealing glances his way, of pretending that whenever I caught him staring at me, my heartbeat wasn’t going haywire.

He didn’t talk much, but stayed even after his plate was cleared, playing a game on his phone. I wasn’t sure why, but I thought maybe he was just tired of being alone. He lived by himself while the boys were in a house together, and there weren’t many places in the area to grab a bite to eat, save for going into the next town. Being right next to the shop also meant he didn’t have to worry about driving, so maybe he was just feeling the ability to have a few drinks without worrying about how he was getting home.

Either way, I was glad he chose to stay. That was until Calder came in looking for him. The hatred I had for that man battled with the attraction and lust, and I didn’t enjoy the way it made me feel.

Plus, things with Hen and Parker were still a little rocky. Parker had left me feeling like we were on good terms, that nothing between us changed, and that we’d be fine. Hendrix was stiff, and unhappy with me. He truly believed that there was no excuse to condone the lies. And I wouldn’t keep apologizing. I didn’t believe I had anything to apologize for. Not when he went snooping into my past and dug up the one thing I was trying desperately to erase from memory.

I didn’t want to admit what Kyle had done, ever. I never wanted to talk about it again. In fact, I wanted to forget it ever happened. Because remembering what the father of my child had done to me while our daughter slept inside and I was a sobbing mess on the lawn was something I couldn’t bear to admit. Hendrix made me, and maybe I would forgive him for that down the road. Maybe I would thank him for it later. But right now, I was angry.

Calder sat beside Shane, a smug smirk on his face as he eyed me.

“What would you like?” I asked, offering him a genuine smile. I refused to let him bother me. It’s what he wanted, so I wouldn’t give in to him. I was turning over a new leaf. No toxic assholes would get to me, and that meant keeping my carefree attitude while pretending they didn’t bother me.

“Beer,” Calder said gruffly. “Where are your boy toys?” he asked, glancing around the tavern.

I quirked a brow, pouring him the expensive craft beer since he didn’t specify, and I was an opportunist. So of course, I’d give him the expensive crap.

“My boy toys?” I asked, setting the glass on a coaster in front of him.

He swiped the glass and took a swig before responding. “Yeah. You know? The fuckers that follow you around with their tongues out and tails wagging. Where are they?”

I shrugged. I wouldn’t be telling Shane and Calder about yesterday, even if they grilled me. I was too embarrassed by our fight.

“Hendrix left early this morning. Parker never made it home last night. Haven’t seen them. Or heard from them,” Calder said when I didn’t give him the response he wanted.

Shane hummed. “That’s unusual.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t heard from them since the awkward run in. Parker was the one to message me when we were apart. It was unusual for both of them to be so off the radar. Between the three of us, Parker or Hendrix would have been in touch with someone by now.

I shrugged. “They dropped me off at the trailer yesterday, and I drove back here with the minivan.”

“Probably out hiking with no service,” Shane decided.

Calder seemed satisfied with his suggestion. He turned his body toward Shane, giving me his shoulder. He’d gotten what he needed from me and was done with the conversation.

I turned to Shane. “Any luck on the part for the Stingray?”

He shook his head. “None. Something will pop up. Don’t worry.”

I wasn’t as optimistic as he was.

“We can take a ride into Bolten Falls later this month and check out the junkyard there. Levi usually keeps a good lot of cars.”

I nodded, forcing a smile this time, because I didn’t feel happy, and I wanted to be. The gesture was sweet, and I hated that I couldn’t be positive. My gut told me we wouldn’t find the part.

Chapter four

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