Page 15 of Clashing

Chapter ten

Overprotective

Scarlett

S eeing Dan had always warmed my soul. This was the first time my shoulders lifted from tension, and my stomach knotted.

Dan being here meant I couldn’t get distracted ogling Ryker.

I couldn’t make eyes or tease or really acknowledge his presence because I didn’t trust myself not to give it away.

Difficult before, but even worse now that I knew what he felt like.

Sex with Ryker was an otherworldly experience.

Dan would freak if he found out. Especially since Ryker wasn’t only a regular, he also helped Dan out.

A friend was worse than a regular. Dan never let anyone help with anything, so it spoke volumes that Ryker found a way around his stubbornness.

I was shocked when Dan let him fix my sink.

Then, when the light went out and a new lightbulb didn’t do the trick, Tammy said Ryker would take care of it as if it was normal.

He did take care of it. Add “make Ryker teach me how to do handy tasks” to the list of things I want from him. As if that list wasn’t long enough.

Dan sat at the bar and made small talk about his gun show. After I brought him a burger, my nerves heightened. His stern expression dredged up memories of me as a young girl, awaiting a scolding I probably deserved.

Dan ignored the burger. “You got something you wanna tell me, Scar?”

Oh God, he can’t already know. I glanced at Ryker, but he wore a similar disapproving frown. My gaze returned to Dan, and my brows furrowed, unsure where the sudden animosity from both of them had developed from.

“Uh, I have another art show coming up?” I tried.

Dan hmphed. “What’d you do this weekend?”

Ryker. Several times. Guilt kept that information at the forefront of my mind. Dan couldn’t know. Ryker didn’t seem nervous—more tense, like Dan.

“I worked and . . . Okay, for fuck’s sake, tell me what you’re trying to get out of me.” I threw my arms up. “Because I don’t know what it is, and you’re making me nervous.”

Dan released a doubtful huff. “You don’t know what it is?”

“I truly don’t. Spit it out. What’s wrong?”

Gaze assessing, he sat up straighter. “Who called for you today?”

Oh, fuck. Tammy, that traitor, must’ve told him. To be fair, I didn’t tell her not to say anything. Still, though. I curled my arms around myself. “Your tone implies you know.”

“Were you not going to tell me?” Whether he was more annoyed or hurt, I couldn’t tell.

“No. I wasn’t going to tell you. What are you going to do?”

He ground his teeth. “There’s plenty I could do.”

“It’s not like anything happened. He called, I blocked the number, that’s it.”

“I thought he didn’t know where you were.”

“I didn’t think he did, but so what? He’s not going to cross two states to find me.”

“Then why’s he bothering you?”

“I don’t know. Because he gets off on fucking with people?”

“You’re too nonchalant about this.” Dan wagged a finger at me. “Is this the first you’ve heard from him, or has he contacted you already?”

I opened my mouth to say no, then slammed it shut. The letter. The text. Dan’s eyes sharpened, and I cursed myself for not being more stoic. Now I had to tell him, and I couldn’t put into words how much I didn’t want to ever talk about Todd again.

I gnawed on my lip. “It’s not a big deal.”

“How did he contact you?”

“He sent me a letter and a text, but I blocked the number.”

“A letter and a text? Jesus, Scarlett. What did he say? Where’s the letter?”

“Burned. I don’t know what it said because I burned it without opening it.”

Dan scowled. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Would you please chill?” I snapped. I couldn’t talk about this anymore, or I’d tear up. “He lives almost a thousand miles away. He’s not going to come all the way over here to mess with me.” He won’t come find me. If I said it enough, maybe I’d believe it. “You worry too much.”

“I worry enough,” Dan said, standing. “We’re not done talking about this. I just have to use the bathroom.”

Dan stalked off, and I rolled my eyes. Turning to serve another customer, I was interrupted by Ryker grabbing my arm. I arched a brow. His clenched jaw implied he was as pissed off as Dan, if not more.

“Last night you were going through your mail and I asked you what was wrong, and you said nothing . Why the fuck did you lie to me?”

“Seriously?” I yanked out of his grip. “You too?”

“Why did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t lie to you. Nothing was wrong because nothing happened. It’s just a letter.” Let it go. The more we discussed it, the heavier that weight on my chest suffocated me.

“Bullshit, Scarlett.” He stretched over the bar and lowered his voice. “Danny’s right. You shouldn’t have burned that letter. You could use it against him. Don’t you have a restraining order? He’s violating that by contacting you.”

“I’m not an idiot, Ryker. I took a picture of the envelope and sent it to the police. His parole officer said he’d deal with it. Not that it’s any of your fucking business.”

On my retreat this time, I dodged his attempt to stop me. Now I had two overprotective freaks to deal with. Wonderful. I served the other customers at the bar and was making a drink when Tammy sidled up beside me and scooped ice into a glass.

I dropped my third lemon, and Tammy nudged me with her elbow. “Are you okay?”

“Why did you tell Dan about my call?” The words came out clipped. “That’s my business. You don’t need to tell him.”

“Whoa.” Tammy held up her hands. “I’m sorry, Scarlett. I got worried. You seemed really scared when you got on the phone.”

I massaged my temples. Being a bitch to Tammy wasn’t the answer. I smoothed my ponytail and offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry I snapped, but you have no idea how overprotective he is.” As I said it, I spotted Ryker and Dan whispering to each other out of the corner of my eye. Fantastic.

“He as in Danny , or he as in Ryker ?” Tammy asked. I gaped, and she laughed. “Next time, close the door. Or, like I told Ryker, don’t do it on shift.”

“Oh, God.” I buried my face in my hands. “I’m sorry. Please don’t say anything to Dan.”

“I wasn’t going to.” She finished making a drink, then pivoted toward me.

“Look, I’m sorry I told Danny about the phone call.

I’m not a nark. I won’t tell him about you and Ryker.

I just worried because you went white as a ghost on the phone, then clammed up and wouldn’t say anything when I asked about it. ”

I made a face and finally finished making the drink without dropping another lemon. “I get it. But, for future reference, don’t say anything to him, okay? I can take care of myself despite what Dan’s told you.”

“Danny’s never said you can’t take care of yourself.” Tammy set her completed drinks on a tray. “All he ever talks about is how proud he is of you and how strong you are. He’s not protective because he thinks you can’t handle yourself. He loves you.”

She left, and a new kind of guilt swirled in my stomach. Overprotective or not, Dan cared a lot. I served a couple more customers, then returned to peck him on the cheek. His burger was practically gone, and I didn’t want him going home with awkwardness between us.

“You don’t need to treat me like a child, but I’m sorry for not telling you, okay?”

He stiffened but relented. “Okay. You’ll tell me if he tries again?”

I didn’t miss the vulnerability and concern there. “I’ll tell you.”

“Good.” He wiped his hands with a napkin and stood. “I’m tired. It was a long drive. Come over for breakfast?”

“Sure.” I nodded. “Not too early, though.”

“I’ve known you long enough to realize you’re not a morning person.” He chuckled and circled the bar, then pulled me into an embrace and lowered his lips to my head. “You know I love you, don’t you?”

“I know.” I squeezed him tight. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“All right, honey. Sleep good.” He nodded to Ryker. “See you, Ryker.”

“See you, Danny.”

Dan disappeared around the corner, and I turned my attention to the register. Prickling on the nape of my neck alerted me to Ryker’s relentless stare.

I tore my eyes away from the register. “What?”

“You know what. I don’t appreciate you lying to me.”

“What does it matter to you?”

The glower on his face would become permanent if he wasn’t careful. “Next time he bothers you, tell me.”

“Or what?” I scoffed.

“Don’t fuck with me, Scarlett. Next time he bothers you, tell me.”

“You’re being ridiculous. He lives hours away. He’s not motivated enough to come all the way here.”

“Never underestimate assholes like that, Scarlett. They don’t know boundaries.”

The sarcastic retort I had planned died on my lips at the frown marring his face. He’s actually worried. Pissed, but concerned. “It’s fine. Seriously. Don’t worry about it.”

“Promise me you’ll tell me if he bothers you again.”

“What are you going to do if he does? He doesn’t live here.”

“Trust me, baby. You don’t wanna know.” A humorless smile replaced the glower. “State lines have never stopped me, and they’re not about to start, so don’t you dare keep it from me if he bothers you.”

His predatory look elicited a gulp. Tammy had informed me that Ryker bounty hunted for a living. When I first moved here, I was concerned about Dan’s reaction to Todd but Dan was getting older and, with his knees, could only do so much if Todd showed up.

Ryker, on the other hand . . . That dark smile? Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end. Curiosity mingled with trepidation. What lengths would he go to if Todd contacted me again?