“Hi, Raoul…” Kiera calls out in a sugary-sweet voice that carries across the table.
I smirk.
Raoul blinks at her, clearly caught off guard. “Umm… hello,” he replies carefully, looking mildly confused at being singled out.
Mercs slumps into his chair and tips his head back in exaggerated defeat. I slip my hand under the table and squeezehis thigh gently. He glances at me from the corner of his eye and gives a subtle shake of his head while I suppress a laugh.
“So what’s good to eat? I’m freaking starving,” Andi announces.
As the noise around the table picks up, a dull pressure forms behind my eyes. I tilt my head slightly, blinking fast to try to ease it.
Mercs notices instantly.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
I offer him a small smile. “Sure. Just a slight headache. Nothing a glass of iced water won’t fix.”
He studies me for half a second longer before nodding. His hand slides to my back, rubbing slowly up and down in steady, reassuring strokes. There aren’t many people here yet, which is a relief, but I know once the evening settles in, the pub will fill up and the noise will be overwhelming.
Mercs raises his hand to get the attention of a waitress, and she heads over quickly.
“Hey, Kaden. Long time no see,” she says warmly, batting her lashes in a way that makes me close my eyes briefly in protest rather than rolling them.
“Hey, Kassidy. How’s Mark? And the kids?” Mercs asks casually.
I open my eyes again.
She shrugs dramatically. “Mark’s Mark. You know what he’s like. Same as junior high. And the kids are little terrors. God love ‘em. I see you’re doing well for yourself, hanging with famous people now, you little rebel.”
Mercs laughs softly, his hand never leaving my back. The steady motion grounds me more than he probably realizes.
“You know me. Always living large,” he replies lightly. “Sorry to cut this short, Kass, but my girl here has a headache. Could we grab some ice water?”
“Of course. I’ll bring some for the whole table and take your orders when I come back, if you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Kass. We’re in town for a while. Eff and I should catch up with you and Mark. It’d be good to see him again.”
“Yes, I’d love that,” I add quickly, not wanting to look aloof. I want the people from his hometown to like me, not see me as some distant rock star girlfriend who thinks she’s above them.
Kassidy tilts her head as though she’s just been handed a trophy. “A real-life rocker coming to hang out with me? I’ll definitely be down for that. And you too, of course, Kaden.”
She giggles as Mercs rolls his eyes affectionately while she heads off.
“She was in my friend group in high school,” Mercs explains. “Her and Mark were inseparable. Everyone knew they’d end up together.”
I sigh softly. “That’s sweet. I love childhood sweetheart stories.”
Mercs’ jaw tightens just a fraction, and realization slides through me.
He had a childhood sweetheart.
And she liveshere.
I’d almost forgotten that while this town feels warm and welcoming, there’s one person tied to it who isn’t exactly a fond memory.
As I lift my gaze, my stomach twists sharply, the pressure behind my eyes flaring harder.
Because somehow, it’s like my thoughts have summoned her.
