Page 8 of Finding Tane
I couldn’t do it.
There was nothing in my head but white noise and a voice shouting ‘no!’
I put the guitar back in its case. I shouldn’t have even brought it with me.
Lying back on the bed I flicked the TV on some melodramatic made-for-TV movie and tried to forget about everything.
Taking care of my basic needs: food, water, rest... those would be what I spent my energy on for the foreseeable future.
Chapter Five
Dillon
When I saw Tane come into the shop the next day and head straight for the refrigerated foods I felt my shoulders relax. Some part of me had been worried I’d scared Tane off for good, and seeing him again eased that stress.
I was busy serving Evelyn, and trying to maintain my conversation with her, but my attention was on Tane.
“All those young men moving in,” she said. “That gaming company, Queen’s Ransom or whatever it is, I don’t know what it’ll do to the town.”
“Queen Gaming,” I said. “It’ll be nice to have some new blood, don’t you think?”
Evelyn pursed her lips, a sparkle in her eyes. “You're eyeing some of them up, aren't you? It’s about time you settled down with someone, you know. Had some kids maybe, now that you’ve taken over the family business.”
This was such a turn in the conversation that my cheeks flamed hot. “Evelyn, I don’t think—”
“Now, don’t be shy with me,” she said. “I’ve known you since you were a baby, and I know your parents want grandchildren.”
I swallowed, my throat dry. My gaze skittered from her and around the shop. The worst would be if some of the guys working for Queen Gaming were in right now, hearing this. Evelyn would probably try and get us married on the spot. Thankfully it was quiet, just me, Evelyn and of course... Tane.
He was so obviously listening to this conversation, a smile playing around his mouth. He caught me looking and ducked behind a display of steel-cut oats.
“Uh, well... of course, I’d like to someday...” I managed to stutter. “I’m waiting for mister right.”
“Well, maybe you could get on that Flamer app and see if any of them are the right one.”
“Flamer?”
Evelyn paid and hefted her bag on one hip. “That app for gay men.”
She seemed to be speaking louder and louder. The last two words echoed through the store.
“Uh... Tinder?” my voice was barely a gasp.
“That’s the one!”
I heard a muffled giggle from the breakfast foods.
“Maybe.” I cleared my throat. “Thanks, Evelyn, it’s always a pleasure.”
She nodded, catching sight of someone walking past outside. “Oh, there’s Sheriff Clay, I did mean to talk to him about —”
I didn’t hear what she wanted to talk to the sheriff about, as she hurried out the shop to flag him down.
Tane sidled up to the counter, setting an armful of food down on the counter. “She was a hard case, eh?”
Tane’s New Zealand accent threw me for a moment, but then I worked out what he was saying.
“Yeah, Evelyn knows everything about everyone.”
