Page 43 of Just Let Go

“You okay, Quinn?”

Walker sometimes acted like he was her big brother, though she had absolutely never given him a reason to think of himself that way. He seemed to feel like he owed it to her dad to watch out for her. When would both of them learn she could take care of herself? She glanced at Grady—she couldn’t be sure, but she thought if it weren’t for the shelf he was propped up on, he might fall over. He blinked—slowly—then bobbed his head in her direction.

For the briefest moment, she almost felt sorry for the guy. He was clearly miserable and trying to cover it up with bad behavior and alcohol, and while she couldn’t relate because she covered her misery with hard work and a neatly checked-off to-do list, she supposed she could muster a bit of empathy for him. From somewhere down deep. Down very, very deep.

Besides, she had Jaden to think about. She’d made Carly a promise, and she’d never be able to ask Grady for her favor if she got on his bad side now.

“I’m fine, Walker.”

The deputy’s eyes darted from her to Grady and back again. “You sure?”

“She said she’s fine.” Grady’s slur had gotten more pronounced. For the love. This guy had terrible timing.

“I didn’t ask you, Benson.” Walker sauntered over to Grady, who didn’t move. “Heard you were making quite the commotion at the Lucky Lady a little while ago. Got a call about you disturbing the peace.”

“Why do you think I left?” Grady’s words were sharp and staccato. A short pause between each one, as if he was working overtime to sound, well, not drunk.

It wasn’t helping.

Walker stuck his thumbs in his belt loops and squared off with athletic, intoxicated Grady. “You planning to drive home in that condition? See your car’s out on the street.”

“I don’t plan on going home for a long, long time, for your information,” Grady said.

“He wasn’t going to drive, Walker,” Quinn heard herself say.

“How do you know?” Walker faced her.

“I was just about to get my keys and give him a ride back to Cedar Grove.”

Walker watched as she pulled her purse out from behind the counter. “I’ll just take him then.”

“No,” Grady said. “I want her.”

Quinn felt her eyes widen, but she quickly recovered. “I’ve got it, Walker. I’ll be fine.”

Walker watched Quinn for a long moment, then turned toward Grady. “If you lay a finger on her...”

Grady’s scoff cut him off. “Her? She can’t stand me. She’s. Driving. Me. Home. That’s. It.” Again with the overpronounced words.

“He’s not wrong. I can’t stand him,” Quinn said. “But my dad would want me to run him home.” She leaned toward Walker. “I think he might actually need a friend.”

She’d made up that last part, though she had no idea why.

“Fine, but you call me if he gets out of line.” Walker started for the door.

Grady waved a hand up over his head. “So long, Texas Ranger!”

Walker slowed his pace but didn’t turn around.

“You really don’t know when to quit, do you?” Quinn asked after Walker had gone.

Grady laughed. “That guy is like a cartoon character.”

“Maybe, but he can throw you straight in jail if you’re not careful, and I’m pretty sure he can’t stand you either, so you should probably knock it off.” She slung her purse over her shoulder. “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“For me to drive you back to Cedar Grove?”

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