“What did Dave say to that?”
“He told me to mind my own business.” She frowns. “What will you do if he comes back?”
“I don’t know yet. I need another job, and so do you. This place isn’t safe the way Dave runs it. If Nathan comes back ora situation gets heated for any reason, promise me you’ll leave. Just walk out. You don’t need anyone’s permission. I should’ve put a stop to this sooner.”
“Will DC be outside tonight just in case?” she asks.
“He’s out of town,” I admit quietly, careful not to let the information travel.
“Oh,” she mouths. “Anyone else?”
“I think we’ll be okay. Nathan should be at work tonight. We’ll walk out together.”
Before I leave, I try to ask Dave about Nathan, but I can’t make him understand why I need to know if he’ll be on the premises.
“How’s heabusiveif you cheated on him and broke up?” He crosses his arms, scowling.
It's so hard to explain, which is why it took so long to walk away. I couldn't even explain it to myself in way that made sense.
“Dave, I didn’t cheat on him. Nathan ignored me. He wouldn’t even answer when I called half the time. I learned who I could count on, and it wasn’t him. He doesn’t want anything to do with me except to tell me what I’m doing wrong or that I’m not good enough, and he—he screams at me. He calls me names and accuses me of things.”
“Like things you actually did?” He laughs. “So sad.”
“He gets violent, Dave. I don’t want him near me or Lainey.”
Dave narrows his eyes, challenging me. “Has he hit you?”
“Not exactly. He backs me into walls or throws things sort of at me. It’s intimidation.” I try to make him understand, but he’s already chosen a side.
“Then why didn’t you just break up?” He laughs at me, shaking his head. “If he’s so terrible, then why did you stick around?”
“I—I don’t know. I thought he loved me and was just going through a hard time. And I was scared—”
“Of someone who doesn’t hit you. Got it.” Dave rolls his eyes.
“You don’t have to believe me, but we’re done and he’s still sending hateful messages. I won’t be around him.” I hold my head up and attempt to stand my ground. “I’m not going to be yelled at or humiliated anymore.”
“Well, it’s a free country,” Dave says with annoyance. “If he wants to stop by and say hi or pick up a shift, it has nothing to do with you. Maybe you should stop causing drama everywhere you go.”
Our village is quiet other than the hum of the street lights when I park snugly between Jace’s truck and Sammy’s car. Jace is still sitting in his, probably waiting for me.
I appreciate it, but I’m a little nervous to hear his special brand of commentary regarding the weekend events.
He exits his vehicle as I do and falls into step beside me, his snark uncharacteristically mild and eyes weary as he takes my backpack. “I heard you pissed someone off this weekend,” he says, beeping the lock on his truck. “Nice work, Cupcake. It’s about time.”
“Guess I did. Nathan was looking for me at the diner yesterday. Well, I assume he was looking for me. He was there, and I’m afraid he’ll come back.”
“Time to get a new job, you little troublemaker.” Jace lightly tugs my ponytail but doesn’t look at me. “You don’t need to go back there. Make sure you tell Danny. None of thatI don’t want to worry himstuff,” he says in a high-pitched whine. “We always want to know.”
Does he expect me to quit my job? I’ll look for a new one, but it takes time.
I examine my favorite frenemy. He’s dragging. “Are you okay?”
I know he’s tired, but something’s off.
“Long day.” He keeps talking to change the subject. “Let’s check the house. I circled the parking lot twice. Nothing unusual out here.”
“You miss Annie?” I ask, taunting him to lean into our typical snark.
