At exactly noon tomorrow, you’ll drop the money in that trash can and walk away. Alone. No cops. Don’t bring your hick boyfriend.
If you break my rules, the deal is off and you’ll be seeing your crime spree hot off thepress.
Me
I’ll be there.
A quick online search shows me that the mall isn’t far from our motel. I’m already planning an excuse why I have to go there alone when something touches my shoulder. I jump. The phone drops from my hand and bounces on the mattress, landing screen down. I crumple from relief. I don’t wanna keep secrets from Rust, but in this case it’s the lesser of two evils.
His brow creases as he studies my face. “Somethin’ the matter?”
I blink dumbly. “Uh, sorry. Were you talking to me?”
Worry plays in his brown eyes as his head tilts. “Yeah, I asked if you wanna go for a drive and see if we can find some ice cream? I’m in the mood for dessert.”
I give a hasty nod. Too hasty. “Sure!” I swing my legs off the bed and grab my phone, but Rust catches my wrist.
“Not so fast, Trouble.”
“What? Let’s go already!” I force a laugh.
“No, ma’am. I ain’t goin’ nowhere until you tell me what’s wrong.”
My mouth gapes. “T-taxes.”
“Everybody knows you don’t mess with the IRS, but I don’t believe the tax man got you quakin’ in your boots right about now.” He slowly reaches for my phone. “Something on there got you this upset?”
Traitorous tears well in my eyes. “No?” I lie weakly. It sounds like a question. An invitation.
He takes it.
Rust gently pries the phone from my hand and I sob. On stage, I can fool the whole world, but I can’t lie to him—not even for five fucking minutes. Not even to protect him.
Maybe in a way, that’s good. Because as much as it scares me, it feels good to be seen. To be truly known.
Rust’s eyes turn to slits as he scrolls through themessages and pics. “The angle of that shot in front of the honky-tonk makes my forehead look like an airfield. It’s gigantic!”
I sputter. “Huh?”
“I mean, Christ!” He waves the phone around. “If you wanna commit blackmail, at least take good photos! What a loser.”
“That’s all you have to say? If these pictures get out, my career isover.And much worse, you’ll go to prison—probablyfor life!” I press my palms to my temples. “Oh God, we’llbothget arrested and you’re cracking fucking jokes!”
Rust’s large, warm hand finds my back. “Sorry. Don’t be mad. I wanted to make you laugh.”
“No, you’re fine! I’m not mad. It’s me…” Tears spill from my eyes, the force of my emotions cutting off my voice.
He leans his forehead against mine. “Don’t worry. You know I’ll fix this. I’ll protect you.”
“But this ismyfault! You’re only in this shit situationbecauseof me! It ain’t fair to make you clean up my mess again. You shouldn’t have to keep saving me. I already owe you.”
His lips brush mine in the softest, lightest kiss. The hairs on my arms rise and my skin prickles.
“Nobody’s keepin’ score, Trouble. You don’t owe me a damn thing.”
“But it feels like I do,” I whisper.
“Then maybe you don’t know the difference between a debt and somebody actually giving a shit about you.”
