Am I okay with just being used?
For now.
Except I actually enjoy all those times when we are alone.
She has a wicked sense of humor that keeps me on my toes, and we work really well together. It’s like we share the same brain sometimes when things really get busy.
Yet she wants to keep me at arm’s length.
My stomach is a coiled knot when I turn off my truck. The engine pings in the cold November air as it cools, almost a metronome to the twinge in my gut.
Is she still going to want me after she’s ignored me?
Taking a deep breath, I let it out into a cloud of steam as I crawl out of my truck.
There’s a few cars parked, so it won’t be just her and I.
I don’t know if that’s better.
“Sawyer, I’ve been waiting for you.” Sheriff Rowland is half sitting, half leaning against one of the stools at the bar.
Only two other tables have people, and they’re all the way across the room.
Val’s green eyes lift to settle on me and a small smile tilts up the corner of her red mouth.
Seeing that tiny sign makes my nuts twitch.
“I hope I didn’t do anything wrong?” I try to plaster an easy-going grin on, yet he’s intimidating as hell.
“No, son. I just need to get your statement from Halloween.” He pats the bench next to him.
Val twirls on her heel and disappears into the back.
Why does the room feel emptier without her?
Sliding into the seat, I nervously pick up one of the small napkins to fidget with.
“I pretty much know most of what happened. I just really need to know if you saw anyone else with Max that night.” Wade slides a sheet towards me that’s nearly filled with an account of how I tackled that guy down.
Skimming it quickly, what he has written down makes me sound like some sort of hero.
I’m not.
“Am I supposed to sign this?” I’d feel like a liar.
“If you agree with it.” Wade’s dark eyes flick from me to the paper and back. “Is it wrong?”
Shaking my head, I pick up the pen. “Just makes me out to be like I’m some Special Forces badass.”
He chuckles and slaps my shoulder. “But you were, kid. Like the angel of death, streaking out of the shadows.”
Val reappears with a steaming to-go container. “The devil in disguise, huh?” She winks at me as she slides Wade’s food into a bag.
Heat rushes through me and gathers behind the zipper of my jeans.
“Back to the original question. Did you see anyone else?” Wade’s laughter fades fast into a serious tone.
All I want to do is stare at Val.
