At the Stars(36)

Besides, I wouldn’t be getting this intel about Jake if I’d gone home. Part of me is morbidly curious. Okay, a lot of me is curious.

We pull into the lot of a small, silver-paneled building with windows and cheerful lighting. Very old school. A handful of cars and trucks are sprinkled around the lot, and Dante swings in right up front like he owns the place. Now that we’re out of the church, he seems to have his groove back.

Dante turns in his seat, the lighting from the diner making his grin look a little maniacal. “He doesn’t want you, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have you. It’s a guy thing.”

Frustration seethes through me. “Are you kidding me? It’s messed up, is what it is.”

“Sure. It’s good, though.”

I can’t keep my mouth closed. “You’re gonna need to explain this one to me.”

“Look, Evergreen is a quiet place. Jake and I had some bad shit go down with this boxing commissioner, and we needed a place to get away from all the bullshit. That was the upside. The downside is in a town so small, you so much as sneeze and five people offer you a tissue.”

I know that much. I can relate. “Yeah. So what’s that got to do with Jake and his assholery?”

Dante smiles and gives me a pretend punch to the arm. “Jake’s never so much as sneezed, you feel me? We’re only friendly because we went through some of the same shit on the fight circuit. He doesn’t have friends, really. If you got under his skin enough that he wanted me to think you were taken, that’s big.”

“What I feel is it’s a big pain in the ass,” I grumble. “I don’t know why I even care. I’m supposed to be leaving town soon anyway.”

“That’s too bad,” Dante says softly. “You’re easy to talk to. And I guess I’m a little like Jake. I don’t got too many buddies either.”

I sigh, conflicted. “I’m only here because my car broke down. The repairs are expensive and I haven’t decided what to do.”

“Hmm.” Quiet settles over Dante. “Well, if it looks like you’ll still be here next week, let me know. Maybe I’d like to try going to that meeting again.”

My chest tightens. I should leave Evergreen Grove. I should get a bus ticket. I should get away from Jake. Find a place to settle down and start my future. I don’t have anybody waiting for me though, and if I can help someone like Dante who’s been through the things I have, then maybe waiting a measly seven more days is worthwhile.

“If I stay until next week, you’ll go?”

He nods. “I’d really appreciate it.”

“Okay,” I say. “Next week. I’ll be there.”





12. THE FUCKING MILKSHAKE


Jake

I tell myself I’m only here to offer an olive branch. Why then, am I showing up at Cassie’s room so late at night? I could have waited till tomorrow. Gone by the coffee shop at a decent hour. Except it was my night to help clean up the garage, and in the midst of racking tires and storing pry bars, I thought of a way to smooth things over with Cassie. No time like the present.

I needed any excuse to lie low, anyway. There was a guy hanging out on my street tonight in a car I didn’t recognize. Could’ve been some neighbor’s friend out for a smoke, but pulling into the driveway didn’t immediately seem like the best plan.

When I knock on Cassie’s door, there’s no answer. It’s after nine. I guess she could be in bed, but it still seems early for her to have already hit the sack. I try again, louder. Still no answer.

Wherever she is, it’s none of my business. None of my business.

I beat my brain mushy with that reminder while I stand there at her door. Jamming my hands into my pockets, I turn around and lean my back against the wall. The night is cooling down. The crickets and fireflies have come out. This sort of night would be nice for a walk or a picnic outside with someone you cared about¸ but I don’t have that sort of person.

So why am I here? I guess I know. I’m here because a pretty twenty-one-year-old keeps pushing her lips against mine, and I’m a red-blooded guy. She says she doesn’t mind that I don’t want serious. She’s leaving town soon. Gun to my head, I guess I figured... I figured it might be okay to give in.

When I’m in a rational state of mind, I know better. There’s no such thing as “simple” and “no strings” when it comes to sex. I’ve seen it go wrong too many ways. When I’m alone, though, and I can’t get that kiss out of my mind, and—okay, fine—I’ve gotten the fiftieth call from home that I can’t answer, the idea of some company from this girl doesn’t seem so bad.