Page 8 of Axe Marks the Spot

“I was about to text you when you didn’t show up on time,” Nathan says.

I meet his eyes and take a sip of the hoppy liquid. “Sorry, my dress was in the dryer.” It’s true that it was, but I was also waffling between playing sick and following through on my promise to come.

“I’m glad you came.” He smiles while leaning into Fox.

“I am, too!” Morgan chirps. “It feels like we haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Sorry, work has been so crazy. Especially with the games in town.”

“Big baby-men coming to get splinters removed from their fingers?” she asks.

I laugh. “Funnily enough, yes. A guy came in last night complaining that he was in so much pain he needed to be seen right away. When I removed the splinter, you would have thought I was cutting off his finger.”

Nathan and Morgan laugh along with me while Fox’s chest shakes.

Morgan clears her throat. “Speaking of overreacting men, I’m surprised you didn’t get called in to help with Levi. He can be a bit of a handful.”

“You can say that again,” Fox grumbles.

“Levi?” I ask.

“Yeah, the competitor who broke his leg today at the speed pole competition. It’s the first time we’ve ever had an injury like that while hosting the games, but I can’t say I’m shocked. He works for us as a logger. I told him he wasn’t ready to go up against men like Dane. He should have done the forty-foot climb instead of the ninety.”

My stomach flips, and my eyes skirt to Nathan’s. He’s watching me carefully, and I know I do a crap job of hiding the fear on my face. Fear because I know I’m caught.

“You went home after Kas and I went to the obstacle course, didn’t you?” Nathan asks.

I’m busted.

I pull the pitcher of beer toward me and refill my glass, taking a sip.

“Linds—”

“Don’t be mad,” I cut Nathan off. “I got a lot done and did exactly what you told me to do. I had an afternoon to myself.”

“Did you rest at least?”

“Define rest.”

Nathan sighs, his face visibly tense with disappointment. It reminds me of Dad, even though I know he doesn’t mean it in the way Dad did. Nathan loves me, and I know he’s not disappointed in me, just that I didn’t do what he hoped I would do.

“You know what, I think we need that shot,” Morgan says.

“I’ll get them,” Fox adds, standing.

“I’ll come with you, baby.” She scoots out of the booth but not before shooting a “behave” look at Nathan.

With the couple gone, Nathan and I are left alone. I take another sip of my beer before I meet my brother’s eyes. They’re the same earthy-brown color as mine and Kas’s.

“You lied to me.”

I stare down at the wood grain of the table we’re sitting at, tracing one of the knots with my finger. “I didn’t want you to get angry that I left.”

Nathan reaches across the table and tugs my hand into his. “I’m not angry. I just—you’re starting to freak me out.”

I pull my hand back and sit straighter in the booth. “Freak you out?”

“You’re different. Not just tired, sadder. Is something going on with Jeremy that you’re not telling me?”