It seems she’s about to claim otherwise, but she nods instead. “I see your point. Then try to read something funny; it will brighten your mood.”
He’s left alone in the library, looking for something light to read, but nothing catches his eye, so he ends up sitting behind the desk and staring into space. Some people do show up, mostly parents with their children. They act polite, at least, but maybe it’s because they haven’t yet heard that their librarian is a sinner.
Toward the end of his shift, when Owen is about to clean up for the day, the door opens. His heart drops to the floor.Shit.
The sheriff comes over, his uniform tight around his gut. His expression is sober, and Owen wishes there were other people here but the two of them.
“Evening,” the sheriff says and stops in front of the circulation desk.
Owen swallows, but there’s still a lump in his throat. “Evening, sir.”
“Is it always so busy here?”
“Not really.”
The sheriff gives him a knowing look. “I wonder why that is.”
Owen reminds himself he’s done nothing wrong, and despite his bleak history with the law, hehashelpedthe law around here. “Maybe if people were less driven by wrong information, things would have been different.”
The sheriff’s glare is chilling, but Owen doesn’t look away. If Joel hadn’t been the sheriff’s son, Will wouldn’t have been so scared to leave him. Hell, he would have likely gotten him arrested.
“You’re a good kid,” the sheriff says, though it doesn’t come across as a compliment. “You found yourself—or rather, put yourself—in a very problematic situation. I can understand that Will Thomas can be seductive. He did the same to my Joel.”
Owen bites the inside of his cheek. He would have laughed at the sheriff’s face if he didn’t fear a slap or an arrest. Truth and lies don’t matter when it’s your own flesh and blood.
“You came here to leave your troubles behind, and I know that your aunt is very proud of you. It will be unwise to throw it all away.”
“I don’t feel like I’m doing that, sir.”
“If enough good people tell you that you’re wrong, maybe you should listen.”
“Even good people can be wrong. And if I am making a mistake, it’s for me to handle.”
“It might end up being too much for you to handle. In fact, I guarantee it will be.”
And there it is—the threat. Owen has expected it, but it still angers him to be in this situation with a man he respects, or used to respect. “I appreciate the warning, sir, but if that is all, I need to start closing the library now. And… I won’t be doing any more of that undercover work. Turns out this isn’t the kind of community I wish to risk my neck for.” It hurts him to say it, but it’s the truth.
The sheriff sighs. “History always repeats itself, it seems.”
Once he’s alone, Owen leans back in his chair, drained and agitated. At least he’ll be going to see Will soon, where he could find some peace after this shitty day. He deserves that much at least.
*
He finishes cleaning the library, then steps outside to lock the doors. It’s relatively late, and the town center is all but deserted. That is, except for Nate, who is leaning against his police car.
Owen grips the straps of his backpack, looking around him to check if someone else is close by, but they’re alone.
“Hi there, Owen.”
He takes a breath and walks to face Nate, unable to hide how he feels. He never viewed him as a friend, but they were friendly.
“What do you want?”
Nate raises an eyebrow. “Someone’s in a mood.”
“I’ll give you three guesses why.”
“Forgive me for trying to be a friend.”
