Page 135 of Shattered Melodies

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “You know what, Paul? Yeah, I do think people will come. Because unlike you two, most folks in this town have grown up since high school.”

Rio’s eyes narrowed. “Watch your mouth, Winchester. You might not like what happens if you don’t.”

“Is that a threat?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm. Inside, my heart was racing, but I’d be damned if I let these two see it. “Because I gotta say, it’s not a very good one. What are you gonna do, Rio? Beat me up? Call me names? Hate to break it to you, but I’ve heard it all before.”

Paul took a step forward, but Rio held him back. “You think you’re so tough now, huh? Just because you’ve got your little fairy boyfriend back in town?”

I felt a surge of anger, hot and fierce. My fists clenched at my sides, itching to connect with Rio’s smug face. But I forced myself to stay calm. Violence wouldn’t solve anything. It never had.

“If you’ve got a problem with that, well, that’s your issue to deal with, not mine,” I said, my voice steady. I turned back to the board, pinning up another poster. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.”

I could feel the tension in the air, thick as molasses. The Marley brothers weren’t known for backing down easy, and my skin prickled with the anticipation of a fight. From the corner of my eye, I saw Rio’s fist clench, muscles tensing as he prepared to throw a punch.

Shit, I thought, my own body instinctively shifting into a defensive stance. This is gonna hurt. But before either Marley could make a move, a familiar voice cut through the tension like a knife.

“Alright, boys. That’s enough.”

Jake seemed to materialize out of nowhere. His hand was already on Rio’s shoulder, firm but not quite forceful. Yet.

“Sheriff,” Rio spat, trying to shrug off Jake’s grip. “This ain’t your business.”

Jake’s eyebrows shot up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Two grown men about to assault someone in broad daylight? Pretty sure that’s exactly my business, Rio.”

Paul, never the brighter of the two, decided to chime in. “We weren’t doin’ nothin’. Just having a friendly chat with Winchester here.”

“Oh yeah?” Jake’s eyes flickered to me, then back to the brothers. “Looked real friendly from where I was standing. So friendly, in fact, that I think you boys ought to come down to the station with me. We can have our own little chat.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, quickly followed by a twinge of something. Gratitude? Confusion?

“Thanks, Jake,” I said, surprised by the sincerity in my own voice.

Jake nodded, but before he could respond, Rio’s face twisted into an ugly sneer.

“Well, would you look at that,” he drawled. “You like queers now too, Webster? What, you and Winchester here got something going on the side?”

For a split second, I saw a flash of the old Jake - the bully, the tormentor. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a cold, professional mask.

“That’s it,” Jake said, his voice eerily calm as he pulled out his handcuffs. “You’re both under arrest for attempted assault and hate speech.” Jake turned to him and said “I’ll be right back, I’ll just put these two in the patrol car.”

I nodded, watching as Jake loaded the Marleys into the back of his car. I could hear their muffled protests even from here.

A few minutes later, Jake returned, his face unreadable. “You alright?”

I shrugged, aiming for nonchalant but probably missing by a mile. “Yeah, fine. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Maybe. But that doesn’t make it okay.”

There was an awkward pause, years of unspoken history hanging between us. I scratched the back of my neck, unsure what to say. “Look, Jake, I appreciate you stepping in, but-”

“But nothing,” Jake cut me off. “It’s my job. And it’s the least I can do. After everything.” Jake cleared his throat, gesturing to the poster on the community board. “So, uh, what’s this about a fundraiser?”

For a moment, I considered lying. It would be easier, safer. But what was the point? If Jake really wanted to know, he’d find out anyway. And hadn’t he just proven himself by arresting the Marleys?

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s for the ranch,” I admitted. “We’re… well, we’re in a bit of trouble. Financially.”

Jake’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? I had no idea.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not exactly something we’ve been advertising,” I said with a wry smile. “But we’re hoping this fundraiser might help turn things around.”

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