The ride home was a blur. By the time I got back to town, the sun had dipped low and the temperature with it. I parked at my place, killed the engine, and sat there for a long time watching the sky fade to indigo.
Was I really going to let them decide for me? The parents. The whispers. The people who didn’t even know him? Or was I protecting myself because, deep down, I was still afraid?
I didn’t have the answers, but I was going to have to find them fast.
CHAPTER 8
KINGSTON
The cabin was too damnquiet without her. I let the fire burn low and stared at nothing while I tried to figure out my next move. After I’d been sitting in darkness for who the hell knew how long, I finally got up and headed into the bedroom. I hadn’t changed the sheets since she left. The covers were still rumpled and carried the faintest trace of her scent. I held a pillow to my nose. Vanilla and cinnamon. It made my chest ache.
Scarlett Monroe had never just been a girl I loved. She was the anchor that kept me from drifting too far into the darkness. And now she was gone again. Not because I left this time, but because she chose to walk away. I didn’t blame her one bit.
The wind howled through the trees outside, rattling branches against the roof. Another storm was building, and I was looking forward to this one. It matched my mood.
I moved through the cabin slowly, grabbing the throw blanket she’d used, folding it carefully like somehow that would restore the balance we’d lost. The coffee mug she’d used still sat on the counter. I didn’t touch it. Maybe if I left it there, she’d come back. My rationale was flawed but I didn’t give a fuck.
Mustang Mountain didn’t want me. Worse than that, Scarlett didn’t want me either. I should have known better than to comeback and try to make amends. The past couple of days had given me hope. With Scarlett back in my arms, I’d been able to forget who I was and what I’d done. But folks around here had long memories. They might be able to understand why I’d taken the blame for my brother in the first place, but they’d never forget that I’d served time.
It was after ten when tires crunched up the drive. Every muscle in my body tensed. I didn’t want to see anyone, and I sure as hell didn’t want anyone seeing me. Not in this condition.
I peeked out the front window to find Kacen on the porch. He knew I was here and wouldn’t leave without having a chance to talk, so I reluctantly pulled open the door.
“Hey,” he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invite. “You look like shit.”
“I feel worse.”
He nodded like he understood. “Scarlett make it back okay?”
I nodded. “She texted when she got home.”
“That’s something.” He studied me. “You gonna tell me what happened?”
“She needed space. That’s all there is.”
“Kingston,” he said, crossing his arms. “I don’t think she left because she stopped caring.”
“She left because I dragged her into something she didn’t ask for. Again.”
He let out a slow breath. “I came to tell you something. Along with that petition going around town, people are saying an ex-con shouldn’t be investing in so many businesses. That the town’s economy shouldn’t be tied to…”
“To someone like me,” I finished for him as I turned and headed to the kitchen.
Kacen followed. “Not everyone. The people you helped, the ones whose businesses you financed, they’re pushing back hard.”
“Doesn’t matter. The damage is done.” I grabbed a tumbler from the cabinet and poured an inch of whiskey into the glass. When I glanced up at Kacen, he shook his head. Fine. I didn’t mind drinking alone, though a shot of whiskey wouldn’t come close to drowning my sorrows.
“Like hell it doesn’t.” Kacen moved to the window. “You put half this town back on its feet. You saved me from a life I never would’ve escaped. You sacrificed your future so I could have one.”
“That was my choice.”
“Yeah,” he said. “But you don’t get to erase everything good you’ve done because some people are scared of your past.”
I looked away and lifted the glass to my lips. The sharp tang of rye cut through the numbness, and I swallowed a sip.
“Scarlett didn’t leave because she was scared of you. She left because she’s scared of how much this could cost you.”
His words hit too close to the truth. Before I could answer, a low howl echoed from the tree line.
