Page 20

Chapter Twenty

“Unfortunate,” I muttered, unable to look away from him. Ryder was going to be fucking pissed off when he heard about this.

Kellan laughed, glancing around the diner with casual interest before waving to someone seated somewhere behind me. His smile never faltered as his attention returned to me.

“You should go,” I said, keeping my voice low. “My friend will be back any minute.”

He rested his clasped hands on the table. “It’ll only take a second. I just wanted to say hi before heading out.”

“Hi. Now go,” I said, my hands balled into fists under the table.

“Aw, don’t be like that,” Kellan said, his voice tinged with false charm. The predatory gleam in his eyes didn’t fool me. “We just got off on the wrong foot the other night. A misunderstanding, if you will.”

I shook my head as I leaned back, putting more distance between us. “There was no misunderstanding. I think it would be best if we just pretend the other doesn’t exist. You won’t come to my house, and I’ll continue to avoid you like the plague. How does that sound?”

“But I don’t want to pretend you don’t exist.” A smile spread across his face, revealing his perfectly straight white teeth. “We could be friends.”

“I don’t have time for friends,” I said, barely moving my mouth.

Kellan gestured toward Courtney.

“Any more friends, that is.”

“I don’t know what Ryder’s been telling you about me, but I’m not the bad guy here. It’s him. He doesn’t like me because his friends keep leaving to be with me.” Kellan shrugged. “He tries to turn everyone against me, and it’s not working. He’s always been like this. Big chip on his shoulder.”

I remained silent, watching him carefully.

“He’s not who he pretends to be, you know,” Kellan said, shaking his head. “But he does have the whole town thinking he’s some kind of saint. Those who know him, really know him, aren’t fooled. Are you going to be fooled too, Everly?”

My stomach twisted with each word. Not because I believed him, but because he was sitting so close, it made me feel violated. This man had cornered me on a dark road and wrapped his hand around my throat. Now he sat across from me in a public place, acting like we were old friends catching up.

“Please leave,” I said, forcing a smile onto my face.

Instead of complying, Kellan leaned even closer across the table. “I can smell him on you,” he whispered, his eyes flashing bright amber for just a second. “You should be more careful who you trust. He’s a dangerous man.”

I leaned forward, matching his aggression. “You tried to kill me.”

“That idiot Paul. You saw us,” he hissed, his eyes narrowing. “We have rules. They aren’t just my rules.”

“I don’t care about your rules,” I said, sneering. “I have rules, too.”

Kellan grunted as he gripped the edge of the table. “Ryder broke the rules by allowing you to know the truth. I can’t and won’t let him get away with it. He holds me to the rules, then he should be accountable as well, right?”

I opened my mouth but found no words.

“Oh my gosh, Kellan? Hi!” Courtney’s cheerful voice broke the tension as she stood at the edge of the table, looking down at him. Her smile widened, and her eyelashes fluttered. “I didn’t know you two knew each other. How have you been? It’s been forever since I’ve seen you around here. It would be nice to catch?—”

“Courtney,” he said, the menace vanishing from his entire body. He slid out of the booth and gave her a quick squeeze. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too,” she beamed. “Would you like to join us?”

He flashed her a smile that made her cheeks turn pink. “Damn, I wish I could, but I’m so busy down at the lumberyard. It was nice to see you again, Everly. Take care, Courtney. Ladies,” he said, rubbing his hands together, “enjoy your lunch.”

Kellan turned and strode through the diner before Courtney could open her mouth to say another word. She watched him go, her eyes following his every movement before she slid back into the booth with a heavy sigh.

“Sorry about that… the phone call took a bit longer than expected,” she said, tucking her phone into her purse. Her eyes darted to the parking lot through the window as if trying to catch another glimpse of Kellan. “How do you know Kellan?”

I gripped the coffee mug with both hands so she didn’t see them shaking. “We met once. Small towns are like that, I guess.”

“You can say that again,” Courtney said, tilting her head to both sides as she stared out the window. “Everyone knows everyone eventually.”

“Do you know him well?” I asked, taking a small sip of the steaming liquid. The bitterness and caffeine would hopefully settle my nerves.

Courtney turned back to me, a smile still on her face. “It was a long time ago, but we had a little fling.” She unfolded and refolded her napkin. “I didn’t want it to end, but it didn’t work out. I think he was interested in someone else at the time, and I just gave up trying to get his attention.”

My stomach knotted at the thought of sweet, chatty Courtney with Kellan — a man who’d threatened me just days ago. “That’s probably for the best.”

Courtney’s smile dropped. “What? How would you know if it was for the best?”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry,” I said, realizing how my comment must have sounded. “I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I just meant?—”

“Ready to order?” The waitress appeared at our table, looking back and forth between us.

Courtney pressed her fingers against her temple. “Actually, never mind. I have a headache and don’t feel well.” She grabbed her purse and slid out of the booth. “I’m going to drive you home, Everly. I need to lie down.”

“Courtney, I?—”

“It’s fine. I just get these migraines, and they hit fast. I’d like to be home before I throw up,” she said, already heading toward the door. “Let’s just go.”

I followed her out, leaving behind my mug of coffee. The drive back to the country was painfully quiet and felt extra long. Courtney kept her eyes fixed on the road, both hands gripping the steering wheel at exactly ten and two. I tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t make things worse, but nothing came to mind.

As we drew closer to my house, I spotted Ryder’s truck parked in my driveway. He was pacing back and forth across the front lawn, a phone pressed to his ear.

“I’ll let you out here,” she said, stopping at the end of the driveway and not pulling in.

“Uh, okay. Hope you feel better,” I said as I slid out of her car. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Sure,” she said, keeping her eyes forward.

I closed the door and watched as she pulled away without another word. I turned around, my eyes landing on Ryder as he walked toward me.

His body was tense and his hands balled into fists. “What the hell were you thinking?”