Carson sensed his frustration. “You will. I hear your team’s the best at what you do.”
“And what is it you think we do?”
He knew Slade was testing him, trying to see if Carson was blowing hot air.
“You realize this is a small town, right? I know all about how Brantley and Reese came to head up the task force focused on missin’ people. I know it started when they found Travis’s daughter. And then when they found the governor’s daughter and Lauren Tyler, the girl who went missin’ years ago.” He leaned in. “I know that as soon as Brantley saw your resume, he wanted to hire you.”
Slade frowned. “Who said that?”
“Brantley. He’s my cousin, remember?”
Slade sat back and huffed. “Shit. I’m sorry, Carson. I don’t know how to do this.”
“Just for curiosity’s sake, what isthis?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
“I was hopin’ it was us startin’ over.”
One of Slade’s dark eyebrows shot skyward. “Startin’ over?”
“Yes.”
“Startin’ over with what?”
Carson had known this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. He’d prepared himself for the difficult questions, even. However, he’d mistakenly believed they might be able to catch up a little before Slade put him on the spot.
“Whatever you want it to be,” he answered, keeping his tone low. “I owe you more than an apology for how I treated you. I know that. I also know that sayin’ the words won’t mean shit to you. You don’t trust me. I don’t blame you. At the very least, I’d like us to be friends.”
Slade snorted. “Friends?”
“We were friends once.”
“We were,” Slade agreed, but when he leaned forward, his expression hardened. “That was before you broke my fuckin’ heart.”
Carson wouldn’t have been able to steel himself against those words if he’d had warning. There was so much vehemence in Slade’s tone. If he hadn’t been sitting down, there was a good chance he would’ve been knocked on his ass.
“You don’t deserve my friendship,” Slade seethed. “Or a second chance.”
Carson swallowed, feeling the impact of his hatred like a ten-pound hammer to his chest.
“And you damn sure don’t deserve Atticus.”
Before Carson could tell him he was wrong, Slade grabbed his hat and shot to his feet.
“I don’t know why the fuck I thought I could do this,” he muttered, glaring at Carson one more time before he turned and walked out of the restaurant.
Carson didn’t move. He wasn’t sure he could.
The sad part was he agreed with Slade. On everything.
***
Slade left the diner and made abeeline for Moonshiners.
“You don’t look so hot,” Rafe said when Slade sidled up to the bar.
“And that’s exactly how I feel. Can I get a shot of tequila?”
