She, the Kingdom (She #1)(50)

He walked toward me, pulling up his ball cap quickly before pulling it low over his eyes. His shaggy hair was still wet from a recent shower, and he smelled like body wash and cheap cologne.

“Hey,” he said, his eyes bright. He hesitated before leaning down to kiss my cheek. The harvesters cheered again.

Michelle set a dark bottle in front of Colton, and nodded toward the rowdy bunch at the end of the bar.

“From the boys,” she said over the music.

Colton held up the beer, nodded to them, and sat on the stool. They bellowed their support even louder.

“You have a fan club,” I said.

He shook his head. “They’re good guys.”

“How do you know them?”

He shrugged, glancing over. “Some of them come in every year. Some work for my uncle. I stop by sometimes and make sure they have what they need.”

“That’s nice of you.”

Something sparked in his eyes. “I try. I haven’t heard from you all week. I was starting to worry.” He leaned forward, touching the tip of the bill of his hat to acknowledge Amelia. “Evening.”

Amelia managed a smile and nodded, still on the edge of tears.

“We were actually just…” I glanced at my friend. “We’re having a talk.”

“Oh,” Colton said, grabbing his beer. “I’ll just be over there.”

“No, it’s fine,” Amelia said, standing.

I grabbed her hand. “Where are you going?”

“I should go.”

“We’re talking,” I said, looking up at her. She was my only friend. Everyone else had moved away or changed so much we had nothing in common anymore. Amelia was my one constant besides my kids.

Colton excused himself to stand with the harvesters, and Amelia sat, wringing her napkin again.

“Are you seeing Colton, then?”

“Well, that depends. You didn’t think I should since I’m contractually obligated to the Kingstons. Are you going to stop being my friend for dating Colton, or just on the assumption I’m having an affair with Max?”

Amelia leaned in. “That’s not fair. All I can do is assume. Max and Sophie had a huge fight at the Fourth of July bar-b-que. He stormed out. John said he tried to stop him, tried to talk to him, but Max said the only one who could make him feel better was you.”

“It’s true,” I said.

Amelia shot me a look.

“Sophie pushed this, Amelia. It’s not an affair.”

“Pushed what?”

“Whatever this is. The contract, the friendship Max and I have. It’s all been on her terms. If they’re fighting, it’s not because of me.”

“Oh.”

I could see she was unconvinced. I put cash on the bar and grabbed Amelia’s hand. “Let’s talk outside.”

Amelia followed me out, wary. She wasn’t any surer of what I might say than I was.

When our feet hit the gravel parking lot, I turned to her, hoping to God she would believe me.

“Colton and I went out that night. We had a picnic in a field just outside of town and watched the fireworks. It was great, and he’s great. When he dropped me off, Max was there. He was upset. I’ve signed an NDA, so I can’t tell you everything, but I can tell you it’s not an affair. Sophie structured all of this, Amelia. Everything that’s happened was Sophie’s plan from the beginning.”

“Then why were they fighting?”

“I’m not sure. They haven’t been doing very well. I have my suspicions that she’s filing for divorce.”

Amelia’s eyes widened. “What makes you think that?”

“This stays between us, okay? Not even John.” I said. Amelia nodded. I glanced around to make sure no one was close. “I saw her. Sophie. At my attorney’s office. She was with another guy. They got in her car, and she touched his face. I got the distinct impression they were more than friends. Then, I went inside. On Ann’s desk was a file that said Kingston v. Kingston.”

Amelia gasped.

“I can’t tell you the truth, and I don’t want to lie to you, but I can promise I would never do anything to come between you and John. You love him, and I would never try to hurt you that way.”

Amelia sniffed, and then threw her arms around me. “Thank you.”

“You ladies all right?” Colton asked, passing by. He pointed to his truck, still walking. “Forgot my wallet.”

“We’re good,” Amelia said, relieved. She wiped her eyes. “I should probably…”

“You’re leaving?” I said, disappointed.

“John didn’t want me to come out at all. I think if I come home early, he won’t pitch such a fit next time.”

“Why not bring him?”

She made a face. “You know he doesn’t like the VFW. Or any bar. I don’t know, he just never has.”

“He prefers partying at the Kingstons.”

She smiled. “Yeah. Sorry about earlier.”

“Nothing to apologize for,” I said. We hugged again, and I watched Amelia navigate the gravel in her sky-high wedges. She waved to Colton as her brake lights blinked when she unlocked the car doors.

He approached me, his hands in his pockets.