The last thing Faith wanted to do was talk.
“We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Inwardly, she winced. Being put into the friendzone felt like shit, but how did she get out of this without showing her cards?Without Gus finding out she’d fallen in love with him? The only thing more humiliating than being put into the friendzone was if that happened. She needed to make sure it didn’t.
“Sure. Yes.” She smiled widely. “We’re friends. Give me five minutes.”
“Taco?”
“He’s not here. He’s with Candy.”
“I’ll grab your bike and load it in my truck.”
He left, and she hurried to the back to grab her purse and left early with Samantha’s blessing. She made her way through the bar, hating the lingering glances and hushed words that followed her, and inhaled deeply when she was away from everyone. It would blow over. She knew that. But still, it wasn’t fun being the object of speculation and gossip. Not in this town. Fire Lake had been her haven, and she hated that her past and shame had breached its sanctity.
Faith found Gus parked at the far end of the lot. The radio was on low, and he said nothing when she jumped in. They headed down the road and the trip back to town was made in silence. By the time they reached Lawson House, her nerves were strung so tight, she was having trouble breathing. She hopped out of the truck and practically ran for the house, taking the stairs as if the devil were on her tail.
Her breaths fell in quick, shorts spurts, and she paused in front of her apartment. Gus was right behind her.
He followed her inside, then stood by the door, eyes watchful as she tossed her key onto the counter.
“Can I get you anything? A beer?”
“I’m good.”
I’m not.
Faith grabbed a cold Bud Light and cracked it open, then leaned against the counter. “So, let’s talk.”
“I don’t want things to be weird between us.”
“Of course it’s going to be weird. We’ve been having sex for weeks now. We’ve been hanging out talking about stuff that doesn’t matter because we’re not in a relationship. We’re the kind of pals that get notes under their door that are exactly one sentence long.”
“I knew that fucking note was a mistake.”
“Then why’d you leave it?”
“I felt bad about . . .”
“Leaving?” Faith interrupted. “There’s that lack of a relationship thing to keep you from feeling bad. We knew what this was when we got involved. I knew you weren’t staying in Fire Lake.” Something in his face changed. A subtle shift, and despite herself, Faith felt hope. “You’re not, right?”
Gus slowly shook his head. “No. I’ll be gone by the end of the week. When the job at the lake is done.”
Okay. That was a little sooner than she thought, but maybe it was for the best. “Where were you?” she asked softly.
“DC. Family business.” He wandered over and sat on the edge of the chair. He was so close that she felt his warmth and it took everything in Faith not to melt into a puddle of need and want.
“I saw my mother and brothers.” He glanced away.
“Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that question.” He turned back to her, and she saw the concern on his face.
“You know then.”
“Walker filled me in. That took some kind of courage to do what you did.”
“It was the right thing.”
