Page 61 of Small Town Sizzle

I don’t even think. My feet carry me up the steps, and my arms are around her. She stiffens at first, but I hold her tighter, resting my chin on the top of her head.

“Maya,” I murmur. “Are you okay?”

Her hands push lightly against my chest, and I step back immediately, letting her go. She looks up at me with a guarded expression, her emerald eyes sharp but tired.

“I’m fine, Garrett. It’s… it’s nothing.”

I arch a brow, gesturing toward the street where the last police cruiser pulls away. “Three police cars outside your house is notnothing.Did Devon show up here?”

Her reaction is subtle but telling: the quick glance away, the way her fingers tighten around her arms. She doesn’t answer, and my stomach twists. She turns to go inside.

“Maya,” I say softly, stepping closer but keeping my hands at my sides. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t feel comfortable. But I need you to know that I’m here. If you need to talk—or anything—I’m here.”

She stops but doesn’t turn around. I can see her body tighten, and her eyes are focused on something distant, like she’s trying to will herself into a different moment.

“Do you want me to pick the kids up from school?” I offer gently. “Or grab dinner for you guys? Whatever you need, just say the word.”

She shakes her head quickly and turns around. “No. I’m fine. I don’t need to be babied, Garrett.”

I tilt my head and meet her gaze directly. “I’m not babying you. I’m trying to support you. There’s a difference.”

“There isn’t a difference.”

“There’s nothing wrong with accepting help. And there’s nothing wrong with letting someone be there for you. Iwantto be here for you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Her lips part as if she’s going to say something, but no words come. For a second, we just stand there, the space between us heavy with things unsaid.

Finally, she exhales sharply, her shoulders sagging slightly. “Garrett, I… I just don’t want to talk about it right now. Okay?”

I nod, taking a step back to give her some space. “Okay. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“I do. Thank you.”

She hurries back inside the house.

Well, she’s not going to ask for help, but it doesn’t mean that I can’t do something for her anyway.

I leave and go back to the youth center to finish things up on the job site. Later that evening, I’m standing outside Miss Betty’s Diner, staring at the front of it as if I’m seventeen years old and it’s all boarded up again.

“Garrett McAllister?” I hear a soft voice ask behind me.

I turn around to see Miss Betty grinning back at me. She envelops me in a tight hug. I am not expecting this.

“Hey, Miss Betty, how are you?”

“Sweet boy, I’m great. I heard that you were back home. It’s so good to see you.”

“Thanks, it’s…it’s weird to be back here.”

“Your mama…rest her soul, was so proud of you. This entire town is. I hope you know that.”

Tears prick at my eyes as I nod.

“Thanks, that means a lot,” I reply. I chuckle and shake my head. “I thought you hated me.”

“Hated you?” she laughs as she pulls me in for another hug. “I hated the front of the building back then. I hate that Nate got hurt, but I was able to get the insurance to pay for renovations. Besides, we all do things we regret in life, especially as teenagers. I’m not perfect, Garrett, so I’ll never hate someone for not being perfect either.”

All this time, I stayed away because I couldn’t handle seeing the disappointment in my mom’s face or even anyone in this town, and…one of the people who should have been the angriest at me, isn’t? The realization is a lot to take in, and I can feel that familiar pull of guilt.

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