Page 27 of Property of Player

“We shouldn’t have brought him in here. I thought food would sober him up.”

“She’s the one who’s owed the apology. Bring him back tomorrow to give her one,” Player growls, pointing a finger in the guy’s face.

“That’s not necessary,” I say. “Really.”

“Yeah, Taylor, it is,” Player snaps.

I roll my eyes, wanting them just to be gone.

After they leave, I twist to Player. “I could have handled that. He’s not the first drunk I’ve dealt with, you know.”

“The point is, you shouldn’t have to handle that. You shouldn’t be subjected to it at all.”

Kayla walks over, obviously having seen the whole thing, and looking pleased with Player. “Why don’t you knock off for the night, honey? Hal and I have got it covered.”

A bus boy is already clearing the table for me.

“Good idea,” Player says. “I’ll walk you out.”

Before I know it, Kayla is shoving my purse at me and taking my apron, and I’m being herded out the door.

“I don’t like you here late at night,” Player says as we move toward the parking lot.

“This is a tourist town, a beach town. Kids get drunk, but bad things don’t happen here.”

“Don’t kid yourself. Evil is everywhere.”

I don’t want to believe that, but I know he’s right. Even where you least expect it.

“Take a walk with me.”

I frown and drop my shoulders. “Why? To talk?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re not going to leave me alone until we do, are you?”

“Nope.”

I sigh. “Fine.”

He takes my hand and threads his fingers with mine, and we cross the street. There’s a side street that has a beach access at the end of it. It’s just a short block, and he leads me that way. It’s almost nine, but it’s much warmer than it was the day I saw him at the cemetery.

I’m wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and I’m not cold at all. I can feel the heat of the day radiating from the pavement.

I always loved this time of night when I was in high school. Just after dusk had fallen, but still early enough that the town was still alive.

There’s a narrow wooden boardwalk leading from the end of the street over the dunes to the beach. We pass another couple exiting, and a man with fishing gear following them.

When we get to the beach, there are several bonfires lit up and down the sand. A group to our left all sit on low chairs around one, and a family off to our right is toasting marshmallows.

A couple walks along the surf with a golden lab on a leash. The moon is low on the horizon, reflecting a glittering path across the water. The sound of the surf is soothing, and we come to stand at the water’s edge.

“Tell me about your mom. What’s wrong with her?” Player asks softly.

“Cervical cancer.” I hate saying the words out loud. Somehow it makes it more real.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure it’s been hard on you. Is there anything I can do to help?”