He moved towards the counter and scooped up the wrapped packages. As he stepped towards the door, he called out, “You know where the police station is?”
I nodded.
“I’m the house next door. You’ll see the car out the front. Grab your food and come on over. I’ll dig out a couple of cold ones.”
“Sounds good,” I lied.
It wasn’t that I wanted to live a friendless, lonely life, but the truth was I didn’t want to get close to anyone, either. Getting close meant opening up. Opening up meant revealing secrets. Revealing secrets meant the truth coming out, something I wasn’t sure I would ever be ready to deal with. I certainly wasn’t yet. Not wanting to be an asshole, or at least keep hidden the asshole I really was, I collected my burger and headed out the door.
Two hours later I was feeling fantastic! Derek and I were having a great night. After scarfing down the greasy burger and chips, I’d kicked back with a few cold ones. And in those few hours I’d gotten a glimpse into Derek’s life. He’d grown up here and knew everyone and everything. Basically he was the complete opposite of me. He’d been able to give me some very interesting insights into the town and its people. When I mentioned some of the issues I’d been having, Derek had just laughed, like it was the most hilarious thing he’d ever heard.
“Surely you’re loving all that attention.”
“Hell no!” I protested as I drained the last from my beer.
“Come on, Nate. They’re not that bad.”
“Not that bad?”
“They can’t be. Can they?”
His face was a mask of amusement and disbelief. “Let’s just say, be very thankful you aren’t the shiny new boy in town.”
“Need another?”
“Thanks.”
Derek headed inside to get more beer and leant back in the chair. We’d been sitting outside on the patio enjoying the breeze that had come through earlier, cooling everything off. Derek seemed to be a cool guy. Laid back, takes no bullshit. A straight shooter. My sort of guy.
“Here you go.”
Derek handed me another beer and I cracked the cap. The moment I went to take a sip, the bottle was snatched from my fingers, “Thank fuck! I need a drink!”
Before I knew what was happening, a body dropped into the seat beside me and a pair of boots landed with a thunk on the table in front of me as my drink vanished.
“Josie!” Derek admonished. “You just stole Nate’s drink. Do you even know him?”
I chuckled.
“Yes,” she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. She glanced over at me and winked. The witchy woman winked at me and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do things to me. Things it shouldn’t.
I couldn’t contain the grin that tugged at my lips. This chick was all types of sassy. And that ass in those jeans, well, I knew that was something I’d definitely be thinking about later on tonight when I was alone.
“Where’s Mia?” I heard her ask, snapping me out of my X-rated fantasy.
“In bed. She had a headache so crashed out early.”
“Sounds like she had the right idea. I might do the same,” Josie announced before slamming the empty beer bottle down on the table and rising to her feet.
A moment later she was gone. She was a bit like a hurricane, that one. Stride in, turn the world on its head, and leave before you really had a chance to know what hit you. I shook off the thought and chased it away. The last thing I needed to do right now was get caught up in women. I’d had enough of that to last me a lifetime. I couldn’t imagine ever going there again. Not the relationship route, anyway. And for some reason, I don’t think Derek would look too kindly on me starting something fun and casual with Josie.
“Josie’s not mine.” Derek’s firm voice cut through the silence.
“What?”
“Josie. She isn’t with me…”
“I never thought…”
