No Perfect Hero(53)

It’s an easy lie. It’s the most sensible, and he’s practically feeding it to me.

So I grunt, nodding. I can’t make myself say yes out loud, not when I don’t like deceiving people, much less a friend. A silent lie by omission will have to do.

Stew frowns. “You think your mark’s the one who threatened Little Ms. Mustang with that messy Halloween paint trick?”

“Yeah. Gotta be.” That, at least, is the truth.

Considering Bress is my mark.

Looking past me and through the window of the diner, Stewart arches a brow. “I see you’ve got a bit of company, on that subject. How're things getting on with her, man?”

“They’re not because there’s nothing to get on,” I growl, and he smirks.

“So you’re just stepping in as a surrogate daddy figure for fun?”

“I’m not.” I smack his arm lightly. “Look, I’m just worried the mark will target her to get to me. It’s easier to keep her safe if she’s in my sights, since she’s putting down roots here for a bit.”

“She’s really popular at Brody’s. All the boys are howling like wolves after her.”

I eye him. “You’ve been seeing her at work?”

“A man’s gotta eat, and Brody’s is the best game in town. Me and the crew go over there a few times a week for lunch.”

“We have a grocery store. Use it.” Sighing, I know I'm being crazy. So I settle myself more heavily against his truck, folding my arms over my chest. “So your advice is to get over my shit with Bress, finish the job I came here to do, and get out of town again?”

“It’s what you do best.” He settles companionably next to me, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Face it, War. You’re a drifter at heart. You don’t just settle down nowhere. Hell, I’m half afraid to goad you to take your shot with Little Ms. Mustang, when you’re probably just going to break her poor heart when you run off again.”

“Already done. And it wasn't fucking me,” I snarl. “Don't worry. I doubt she’d give me enough of the pieces to break them more.”

“So you have thought about it.”

Goddamn. This isn't getting better.

“I can’t think about it,” I admit. “Too much on my plate. Grandma's thinking about going into a business deal with Bress. Says she needs someone to take over Charming Inn when she’s ready to retire, and Flynn’s not even half the man.”

Stewart chuckles. “You know that was a hint for you. Probably about as subtle as a damn baseball bat to the face. I know your granny.”

“Yeah, but...like you said, I’m a drifter. Can’t stay in one place. Spokane's the closest I've got to home.”

It is. Even though I've never bothered to even hook more than a month-to-month rental there, ever since I left Heart's Edge after my honorable discharge.

Though I’m really starting to wonder if this restlessness is choice. Or if Hay’s right about me.

Maybe I move from town to town because I’m running from something I can’t face.

Jenna.

I glance over my shoulder. Her and Tara are watching us through the diner's window, and when I catch their eyes, Hay immediately looks away while Tara grins and waves. I manage a smile for the girl and raise a hand, only to turn back to find Stew watching me knowingly.

“What,” I bite off.

“Nothing. Just haven’t seen you smile like that in a while.”

“Enough with the hints.” I push away from Stewart’s truck, straightening. “Look, thanks for the heads up.”

“Just tell me you’ll listen this time,” he says quietly. “Promise me you’ll put this bullshit with Bress to bed before it gets messier than you can handle, War. Do the job you came to do and get out.”

A slow, strained sigh hisses out of me. “I can’t, Stew. Wish like hell I could promise you that.”

I don’t know why I can’t tell him the job I came to do is Bress.

He’s a smart man. He has to realize it, but maybe he’s letting me have my safety lies.

“Well, you'll do some thinking, and I bet you'll come to your senses. With Bress and with Ms. Mustang.” He gives me a nod.

We part with a clap of hands. A soldier’s grasp, a warrior’s hold, palms to wrists, gripped tight, before he lets go with a wave, and I head back inside.

Stew's right about one thing – if I don't do something this shitshow with Bress is going to eat me alive.

Hay watches me with a thousand questions in her eyes, but I just force a smile and slide back into the booth across from them.

“If you’re done eating, feel like a hike?”

Tara erupts into crowing enthusiasm. Haley groans, bowing her head and sagging. “You want me to do this day-walker crap when I have to go to the bar tonight?”

“Promise I’ll get you back in time for some solid sleep and a shower before your shift.” I raise my hand, signaling for the check. “C’mon, Hay. Since you like painting Heart’s Edge so much, I want to show you the real beauty around here.”





*



The hiking trip was an impulse to deflect questions and my own boiling rage.