Page 45 of Hold the Line

As if I needed to add something else to my plate.

As the class neared the end, everyone made plans to head to a bar for dinner and drinks. I decided to check in with Deacon first to see what he was up to. We’d been spending most of our free time together, and it surprised me how much I could miss him after twenty-four hours apart. Being with him was so sweet and cozy, with all the excitement of something brand new and sparkly.

I sent him a text, hoping he was free.

Me:Hey. Class is almost done. We’re going to grab dinner. Would you care to join us?

Deacon:Thanks for asking. I’m going to work in the shed tonight. Hope you have fun.

Me:You too. Don’t work too hard!

Deacon:Will do. Drive safely.

I put my phone down and looked out a nearby window. A prickly feeling crawled along my neck at his short and curt responses. Not that we texted often, but something seemed off. It could have been that he hadn’t asked how my class had gone or when I’d be home. Hadn’t tried to make plans for later or even called me “sugar.” It might not have been any of those things but something else I couldn’t pinpoint.

Or maybe I was imagining things.

That was probably it.

“All right, you guys. I should hit the road.” I pushed back from the table amid groans from my classmates. I’d tried to be present but hadn’t been in a social mood. I wasn’t too certain I’d be missed, but at least they were putting on a good show of being sorry to see me go.

We were in the back of an Old West–style tavern. The crowd seemed to lean older and a little on the rough side, but despite basically being a dive, the food had been good, and the half a beer I’d drunk had been icy cold.

I’d have to come back another time when I could really enjoy it.

Once I’d said goodbye to everyone and grabbed my bag, I stopped to use the restroom then wandered toward the exit. I took a different route, checking out the rest of the rustic tavern. The wood floors were beaten up and creaky, and the animal heads mounted on the walls looked like they had a thick layer of dust on them.

Distracted by the decor, I didn’t notice the people sitting at the table near the door until I was almost upon them. I stopped in my tracks, his hair catching my attention first. The overhead lights glinted off the fine strawberry-blond highlights, making them brighter. Then I caught his smile, rare and lovely as it was, tugging the corners of the lips I’d come to know so well.

What was Deacon doing here?

My heart lifted like it always did when I saw him. Without a second thought, I raised my hand to wave. His gaze met mine, but just as quickly, it was as if he were looking right through me, lodging my breath in my throat. It was like I was a stranger. For a split second, I might have convinced myself he hadn’t recognized me in the crowded bar, but then his eyes flicked back, a glimmer of something unreadable crossing his face before he shook his head.

It was subtle, but there was no denying he had just told me no.

No, I don’t want to see you.

No, do not come over here.

No, we’re in public, which means I don’t know you.

No. Just…no.

I staggered back a step as my breath blew out of me.What…?

This wasn’t happening. Deacon wasn’t at a bar when he’d explicitly told me he’d be working in his shed. He wasn’t sitting at a table with Richie Slater and two women I did not know.Smilingat them.

Thisreallywasn’t happening.

But it was.

Fortunately, my self-preservation got me out of there and into my car. I sat there in the dark, waiting out the pounding of my heart. When I felt it was safe for me to drive, I got going, putting distance between me and whatever the hell that had been.

I was so damn disappointed, I could have screamed. Technically, I guessed he hadn’t done anything wrong by going out tonight. Except…he’dlied. I could forgive and understand a lot, but lying was my line in the sand.

I didn’t abide by liars.

The ride home had given me ample opportunity to think. By the time I flopped on my couch with a groan, I’d sorted myself out.

---