My shoulders slumped. “Sorry. I’m grumpy.”
The corner of Eddie’s mouth kicked up. “Trouble in paradise already?”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “No. I’m grumpy because my car is basically ash, and I don’t want to deal with insurance or getting a new one.”
“We can take you where you need to go until then,” Noel offered.
“Thanks,” I said, sliding into my chair.
The hinges on the screen door squeaked as it opened. When I looked up, I cringed. Rance strode inside and then handed me a bakery bag. “Thought you might need a pick-me-up.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”
I wanted to scream. Using the wordfriendsmeant I had no reason not to accept the gift when it was the last thing I wanted to do. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Rance’s expression grew earnest. “How are you holding up? I can hook up your SUV at my cousin’s shop.”
“Thanks, but I’m pretty sure it’s totaled.”
“I can go car shopping with you, then. I know that’s a pain.”
The bag crinkled as I gripped it tighter. “I’m good.”
Annoyance flickered in Rance’s eyes. “I’m just trying to help.”
“And she said she’s good,” Noel said, an edge to his voice.
Rance’s gaze snapped to him. “I’m her friend.”
Eddie leaned back in his chair, making an exaggerated show of being relaxed. “If that’s really the case, then you should listen to her. Stop bringing flowers. Stop bringing gifts. And fucking listen to her when she says no.”
Rance flushed. “This isn’t any of your business.”
“You make it our business when you do it in front of all of us,” Noel clipped. “It’s getting old.”
Rance’s jaw went hard, and he jerked his gaze to me. “I was just trying to help.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “And I appreciate it. But I’m good. I think what would help the most right now would be some space.”
Anger flashed in Rance’s dark eyes. “Message received.” He stormed out.
Why did I feel like this wasn’t over?
18
CADEN
My fingers tappedagainst the steering wheel as I drove toward Grae’s cottage. The twitchy sensation had been with me since the moment she’d stepped out of my SUV and disappeared into her office. It hadn’t left for a second. Jalen had asked if I’d had too much coffee that morning or picked up a cocaine habit he should be concerned about.
The truth was worse. I cared. I always had, but that care was rooting itself deep now, spreading and taking over. It was becoming dangerous. Yet here I was, driving toward my greatest temptation’s house.
I’d tried all day to rebuild the walls I knew were crumbling. To reinforce them with the strongest steel. As a reminder of why I needed to keep that emotional distance.
Clara’s face flashed in my mind. Her head tipped back in laughter, green eyes shining, so carefree. And then another image. Her in that damned hospital bed, so tiny and frail, fading away…
I pounded my fist against the steering wheel. Physical pain was the only thing that could fight off those images. The only thing that could keep them at bay.
