Carter steps closer. “I advise you to back off.”
“Or what, pretty boy? You gonna take us all?”
Carter’s jaw ticks and he’s looking ready to go for the kill.
Another voice breaks through the tension. It’s not hard to recognize him even without the uniform and badge. Our new Sheriff might be the youngest in the history of the town to get the job, but you’d have to be insane to cross him. He’s a tall, bearded man, with tattoos all over his brawny arms. And right now, he’s sporting a murderous glare, knuckles white from gripping a baseball bat.
Sheriff Walker looms over the table. “Get out now,” he snarls, glaring at the men surrounding us.
The men snicker but one of them spots something through the large windows. Two officers in uniform stare back with their hands on their holsters.
“Whatever, you can have these frigid bitches,” the older one says, pushing his way through the crowd and I go slack with relief. The officers outside trace their movements until loud revving and backfire roars reach us.
Quinn shakes herself. “What’re you doing here?” Her tone is cold, glowering at the Sheriff with pure contempt. He might be close to our age but her tone stuns me.
“You know I find out when you get yourself in trouble,” he says softly, not in the least offended. I’m taken aback by the worry creasing his features and the subtle way his body leans toward my friend.
Confusion and trembling legs keep me glued to the bench until Carter touches my elbow lightly and he takes us to his car.
He shakes hands with Sheriff Walker and the two officers while we’re huddled together in the backseat. Quinn has her arms around me, and I realize I’m shaking when she squeezes harder.
“What’s the deal with hunky Sheriff over there?” I ask her, trying to fill the silence.
She nearly bit his head off when he offered to take her home.
Quinn’s face goes blank. “Nothing important.”
If my oversharing friend wants to put a lid on the subject, I’ll let her. Who knows what would’ve happened if she wasn’t with me? Or Carter, who’s driving silently. I catch his eyes checking on us in the rear-view mirror.
He opens the door to the passenger side once we drop off Quinn. “Come on. Keep me company.”
In the silence, a knot of shame tightens in my stomach. He had to come all the way to save me because I couldn’t handle some drunks on a night out.
“I’m sorry. I panicked and texted you. I never drink more than a glass of wine, but…” Guilt amplifies. I wanted to relax and have some carefree fun. “I’m so embarrassed.”
He takes my hand, tracing my knuckles with his thumb. “I’m glad you did. You don’t have to be ashamed to call for help.”
“Yeah, but you’re not…” What did I want to say? Responsible for me? You’re not somebody who cares?
“I would have hated it more if you didn’t text and something happened to you.”
Back in the safety of the cabin, the wave of sadness is overwhelming, and I dive into the soft couch. Can’t I have anything nice?
Instead of going to his bedroom, Carter looms over me and sighs deeply before cocooning me in the fluffy throw blanket resting on the back of the couch. He’s nicer than he should be considering the trouble I’m causing him.
The couch dips under his weight.
“You don’t have to stay with me.” My voice comes out muffled. “I’ll drag my ass to bed as soon as I finish feeling sorry for myself.”
“Your ass looks comfortable here,” he chuckles, patting my bottom then sliding his hand over my back in calming circles. Exhaustion drags me down; I can barely keep my eyes open.
“How did you get to the pub so fast?” The question slips out throughthe sleepy daze.
Silence. Maybe he didn’t hear me.
“I was getting some ingredients for a new recipe. Was on my way to the store,” he says without a trace of hesitation, still rubbing my back.
My heart swells with a dangerous emotion. There’s no 24/7 store in Silver Lake Falls.
