Page 68 of The Choices I've Made
People I’d grown up with.
And then, as my vision cleared, I saw him.
Macon Green. The kid who loved to mess with everyone, including me.
He had his hands wrapped around himself, a shiny gun hanging from the holster, as he grinned a sinister smile in our direction.
“Macon,” I said darkly.
He tipped his hat toward me as my chest heaved.
“Heard there was a bit of a disturbance in the area. Should have figured it involved you, Doctor.”
The way he’d saiddoctorsounded more like an insult than a greeting. I chose to ignore it, placing a casual arm around Molly. She went rigid, her mind probably spiraling with possibilities.
How long would it take for this to make it around town? To Dottie and the rest of the Sutherlands?
What about Dean?
What would he say?
How much would it hurt him?
I knew because it was exactly what was going through my own mind.
I’d been stupid. Careless.
And, in the process, I might have ruined everything for Molly.
“Nope,” I replied, my arm still firmly wrapped around Molly. “We were just leaving. Weren’t we, Millie?”
Molly’s sister’s bright blue eyes met mine in surprise. I gave her a look that could stop traffic. Her gaze darted from the guy next to her and back to me. Finally, she relented, giving me the win in our mini staring contest.
“Right,” she replied hesitantly even though I knew she was silently damning me to hell for crashing her evening plans. “Heading back to the inn,” she explained. “Long day tomorrow.”
Taking Molly’s hand, I headed for the exit. She struggled until I let go of her grip. Once the three of us were out of earshot, both women were on full attack.
“How dare you!” Millie shouted.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Molly yelled.
I ignored them all the way to the car, yanking the door handle so hard, it groaned under my touch. “Get in,” I instructed.
I could see the doubt in their eyes. “Do you want to explain to Macon why you decided to drive home drunk?”
“I’m not—” Molly protested.
“I’m not talking to you.” I leaned into Millie, watching as she stepped up, ready to battle.
“I’m not your girlfriend or your little sister, Jake. You can’t order me around like some naive child.”
“Then, stop acting like one, especially when it involves Molly.”
“Hey!” Molly piped in. “I can stick up for myself.”
“Then, do it!” I barked, as both of them took their places in my car. “You were clearly uncomfortable with your surroundings, but did you do anything about it? Would you have just let that random stranger with his hands all over you take you to bed before you had the courage to walk away?”
I saw her eyes widen as she sat in the passenger seat next to me. “You make me sound weak.”
