“Why are you walking past my house at this hour?”
“Been at the Howler for a few, saw Katie and had a few more.”
“How’s she doing?” Cubby said, just stopping himself from asking who she was with.
“She looks better, still not 100 percent is my guess, but on the mend.”
“She’s got a few things going on.”
“Yeah, we talked, and reading between the lines I think she was hung up on failing in the eyes of her family or some BS, but she’s getting a handle on it some, now.”
“She did not tell you that.” Cubby snorted.
“No, but I got a few things out of her in my usual persuasive, skillful way, and filled in the blanks.”
Cubby remembered the conversations he’d had with her, about wanting her family to take her seriously and how she’d failed. “Yeah, I think you’re right there.”
“She was drinking soda, so you don’t have to worry about her driving under the influence, Sheriff.”
Relieved that she had kept her word, Cubby grunted something about Newman heating up their meals while he took a shower. When he got out, his friend was seated at his table eating.
“Beer?”
“Hmmm.” Newman hummed when he was enjoying his food.
“So who else was in the Howler? Pretty somber mood, I’m guessing.”
“Katie had a meal with her parents, then they left and I arrived, plus Brady and Rick. When I left she was sitting with them and this other guy called Kurt Sinclair. Apparently they work together in LA.”
“No fucking way is that creep here!” Cubby felt his temper spike as he remembered the way Sinclair had treated Katie in LA.
“Walked in while we were having a drink, and have to say Katie wasn’t too happy to see him, but that changed after they’d talked.”
“Did you hear him say he was sorry to her, because believe me, he owes her an apology.”
“Not the details, but watched them have their reunion, and heard Katie call him a jerk, then they talked, and the entire incident ended with her shaking his hand.”
“Once a dickhead, always a dickhead,” Cubby muttered happy she shook his hand and didn’t hug the asshole. He would be watching Sinclair, there was no way he was getting close to Katie again.
“Have to admit the guy won’t be on my Christmas card list. He’s to slick if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, he’s fake.”
“Exactly,” Newman pointed his beer at Cubby. “He’s staying at the Howler if that makes you sleep easier tonight.”
Cubby ignored that comment, concentrating on his meal. The thought of that asshole in Katie’s bed made his food taste bitter.
“So what’s the deal with you and her? You bringing Katie to Tex’s birthday?”
Cubby pushed his plate aside and picked up his beer. “It was my understanding the party was postponed, and there is no deal with Katie and me.”
“They have moved it to the Howler, and invited anyone who wants to come. Annabelle said she thought Melanie and Jilly would want them to carry on with it and not stop living.”
Annabelle had a point, Cubby thought, and some of the townspeople could certainly use something to lighten their mood, if only for a brief time.
“It’s sixties themed, so dig around in your wardrobe, I’m sure you’ll find something.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my wardrobe. Just because yours is full of designer suits, pretty-boy Italian loafers, and mauve dress shirts, doesn’t mean we all got to dress the same.”
