Page 52 of Smoky Mountain K-9

“I do. But I’ll hush now. You talk.” Brooke shrugged out of her coat and looked around for a waitress so she could order a drink.

Letting out a sigh, Mara picked at the label on her beer bottle. “I think Carter and I broke up.”

“You don’t know?” Brooke’s attention returned to Mara. She put her forearms on the table and leaned closer, listening.

“Not really, no. He thinks being around me is putting me in danger. Because of all the stuff that’s been happening. He’s convinced he’s at the center of it and that distancing himself from me will keep me safe.”

“So he broke up with you?”

“He said we needed to not see each other until they catch whoever’s behind the vandalism attacks. But that we can call and text.” She let out a snort. “I’ve gotten one phone call and two text messages since Wednesday morning.” She shook her head. “He didn’t leave on the best terms Tuesday night. I was pretty upset and thought he was making a terrible decision. And I was angry that he was making decisions for me. It’s my life he’s worried about. Shouldn’t my opinion matter?”

“Yes, absolutely. But you also can’t discount his concerns.”

“I know. And I didn’t plan to, but he didn’t give me a choice in the matter. It was, ‘We can’t see each other while this is going on, and that’s final.’ I had no input.” Just thinking about it made her angry all over again.

“Men are dumb.”

“Agreed.” Mara tipped her beer bottle up and took another drink.

“At least his heart was in the right place, though.”

“Huh?” Mara lowered the bottle.

“He wouldn’t have pushed you away if he didn’t care about you.”

She’d considered that, but it didn’t change the fact that he took the choice away from her. If he wanted back in her good graces, he needed to do some serious groveling. And promise not to do it again. She refused to be in a relationship where she wasn’t an equal partner. No matter how much she loved him.

“It still doesn’t make it okay.”

“No, but I also don’t think this is the end for you guys. You need to talk to him.”

A grimace scrunched up Mara’s face. “I know. I’ve been waiting until I can do it without losing my temper. So far, I haven’t been able to even think about it without getting pissed off again.”

Brooke giggled. “Well, how about we see if we can loosen you up a bit?” She stood up and took Mara’s beer, setting it on the table before she grabbed her hand and dragged her from her seat. “Maybe if we can get you to relax, you can let some of that anger go.”

“Oh, God. What are you doing?”

“Making you dance.” Brooke pulled her into the throng of people two-stepping to the beat.

Mara groaned.

“Oh, come on.” Brooke laughed and pulled her into line with several other people. “I know you know how to do this.”

She did, but it had been a long time since she line-danced. Knowing Brooke would bug her until she caved, Mara gave in. “Fine.” Tuning into the music, she let muscle-memory take over and joined in with the crowd.

The rhythm filled her. With each stomp of her boots and clap of her hands, some of the tension lining her shoulders faded. By the third song, she was a sweaty mess, but smiling freely. When the band switched to a slow number, they went back to their table.

“I’m going to find myself a drink. You want a new beer or a soda?” Brooke pointed to the beer bottle Mara had been nursing before they danced. They both knew better than to drink from an unattended bottle.

“A soda is fine.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Brooke spun away.

Mara swiped at her face and fanned herself. She’d worked up a sweat, dancing in the hot bar. But it had been fun. Her friend was right. It loosened her up. And cleared her mind. She was still angry, but it didn’t burn white-hot now.

Brooke returned with their drinks, handing Mara a clear glass filled with dark liquid as she sat down.

“Thanks.” Mara pulled what was left of the paper wrapper off the top of the straw and took a big gulp. “Oh, that’s good. I’m warm.”