Page 9 of Love Me, I Dare You

Reminded of how much what he did influenced the changes I made, I put back into place the walls he nearly tore down with the sweetness in his tone and reinforce them with the pain his betrayal caused.

“Time, Nash. Ten years of it,” I say, and immediately his smile drops. “It broke the stupid girl's spirit and showed her the harsh reality of the world. She took off her rose-colored lenses and started seeing life for what it was. You say you don’trecognize the girl you knew, but I’ve spent more time being her than anyone else. You just weren’t here to see it.”

I leave him with that, not bothering to serve him up a drink or waste any more of my time and energy trying to kick him out. No, it's not worth the trouble or rumors that would surely spread through town and get back to my mama.

The day Nash left, it was like everyone in Crossroads, except me, was better for it. Mama and my daddy were relieved he was no longer around to influence Jase and get him into trouble. Not to mention after they found out how I felt about him, given the months I spent crying myself to sleep after his departure, they were relieved he left before he could taint their precious daughter.

Little did they know, he already had.

It took me six months to give up on begging my brother to tell me where he’d gone. Jase seemed angry with him, and couldn't care less where he’d disappeared to. It was odd, but deep down, I knew it was my fault. Something must have happened that night after Nash admitted it was a mistake and stalked out of his room like I’d just killed his puppy.

I ran out of there faster than I thought possible and for months remained too distraught to pay any attention to the rumors circulating around town after he left.

Some said he’d gotten arrested. Others claimed he ran off with a band of outlaws, while few blamed it on the rivalry between his father and mine.

That last theory was almost proved correct after, little by little, the Bishops nearly all left Crossroads, with only Monty and Monroe staying behind. Franklin Bishop, the patriarch of the Bishop Clan, was a recluse who kept to himself and never left his property, while Monty was the one and only Bishop the town could stand being around. Maybe it was because he was adecent guy and was always around to lend a helping hand where needed.

As for Monroe, after her mother Delia left, I think the town just felt sorry for her. Though, I’m slightly afraid how her pregnancy, once the rumors circulate, will affect that reputation. Not that it matters or any of us care about it. We love Monroe, but she’s the kind of girl to let something like that bring her down.

I decide now’s the time to head back into the kitchen and check on Parker to make sure everything’s set for the dinner rush we’re about to have when my phone rings. Without looking down, I already know it’s going to be Billie. News travels fast in this town and I don't doubt she’s already heard that Nash walked into my bar.

“Hello,” I answer in greeting.

“Bailey King, please tell me what they say is true? You know I hate to gossip,” I laugh at the absurdity of my best friend, who is the number one gossip queen, at least maybe second behind Abilene down at the convenience store. “But I just couldn’t sit still once Abilene told me she saw Nash Bishop stop in at the shop earlier today.”

Well, that proves my point.

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Bills. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll call you later when I’m not working.”

Billie shrieks, the sound so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear to not burst an eardrum. “Don’t you dare hang up on me, woman! Not without confirming Nash Bishop is, in fact, back from the dead.”

Laughter echoes in the small hallway I’ve walked into. “Quit the dramatics Billie. He wasn’t dead. Just because no one in Crossroads had heard from him, doesn’t mean we didn’t know he was alive.”

After all, Monroe is Nash’s little sister. Although she has spoken little to him since he left and has seen him as many times as I have in the last ten years, she’s kept in touch with Beau and Theo, who seemed to be the only ones who’ve regularly seen him.

“Well, there was that time in college when, for like two months, Monroe thought something horrible had happened to him. Remember? Beau made a comment about how last he’d heard he was in California during that crazy wildfire that lasted nearly three weeks till they finally could put it out?”

The woman isn’t only the queen of the gossip mill, but she has a memory that would give the most distinguished historians a run for their money. “I’m hanging up now, Billie. Sunday dinner rush is about to start and apparently my dear brother and co-owner decided to take the next few days off without consulting me.”

“Wait, I thought you had tomorrow off?”

“Yeah, so did I. Though Penny said Jase told her he’d be gone for a few days. I’m about to call him and give him hell for not telling me anything about his trip, and hopefully get Leo to come in tomorrow and run the inventory, or I’ll be working again.”

At least with the bar closed, I’ll only need someone to come in and do some organizing and restocking, and help Penny with inventory.

“That brother of yours needs to own up to some of the responsibility this business requires from him. Your mama spoiled the boy for too long, turning him into a man who, at thirty, has a lot left until he reaches maturity.”

“Research shows a man’s brain isn’t fully developed until thirty-two so, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for another year or two before I call it.”

Feeling like I’m being watched, I chance a glance over my shoulder toward the bar where I left Nash, and find his eyes glued to me. He’s got a beer in his hands now, one Kellie probably gave him once I walked away, and has made himself way too comfortable on one of the bar stools.

Noticing he has no intention of leaving, I hang up the phone with Billie and head back into the kitchen.

Hopefully, after tonight, I never have to look Nash Bishop in the eyes again.

Chapter Four

Nash

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