Page 50

Iwould argue if it weren’t for that last point.Hemay not practice, but he’ll know what to look for.

“Gimmea call if you need anything, okay?”ItellShannonasIgrab my things.

Henods, knocking back the rest of his beer and staring blankly into space.

Adriansilently walks in front of me to his truck, not saying a word as we pull away from the house.Normally,Iwouldn’t mind, but it leaves me squirming in my seat.

“Whyare you ignoring me?”Ifinally ask when he turns onto my road.

“Thoughtthat’s what you wanted.”

Ilaugh incredulously. “Youdon’t do whatIwant.Youdon’tcarewhatIwant.”

Silence.Hepauses at the gate to punch in the code and waits for the black iron to open before rumbling across the first cattle guard.

Shadowsplay between the brush and trees.

“Whatdoes he look like?”Iask quietly.

“Hmm?”

Iwhisper softly, paranoid that it’ll somehow garner his attention, “Thedevil.”

Adrianpulls around the pecan tree, parks, and shuts off the engine. “Idon’t know.EverytimeI’veseen him, he’s always been in the shadows.”

Iswallow hard. “Dree,IthinkI’veseen him.”

“You’relookin’ at him now.”

Myeyes widen, panic immediately crashing through my system like a wall of death in a mosh pit.

ButthenIcatch his smirk.

Ismack his arm hard enough for him to yelp and grab it. “Ow, damn.”

“Fucker,I’mserious!”

Herubs whereIhit him. “Iknow.Justtryna lighten the mood.”Hepoints at the orangeJeepparked by my car. “Who’sthat?”

“Idunno,”Ireply asIunbuckle my seatbelt. “GuessI’llgo find out.”

“I’mgonna look around,”Adriansays as we walk side by side to the front door.BeforeIcan respond, he’s already heading to the right and sweeping the perimeter.

Islip into a blissfully cold house.Mybrows furrow asIset down my purse and hang up my keys, hearing my parents’ laughter alongside another man’s voice.

Iknow that voice.

WhenIenter the kitchen, the voice comes from a familiar person sitting at the table, someone with curly reddish-brown hair cascading down one side of his head under a whiteBravesbaseball cap.Frecklesdot his limestone cheeks and nose over a toothy grin.

Thosebrown eyes focus on me and his beam brightens a thousand watts.

Cloudsgather in my eyes. “Ty?”

“Theone and only,” he smarts.

Idash over to him, and he quickly rises to catch me whenIleap into his arms.

Hechuckles softly and nuzzles my neck. “Imissed you, too.”