Saint Sloan (Saint Sloan #1)(37)

Mackenzie looked hurt. “He didn’t help him. He just didn’t tell the police what he knew.”

It was then that Sloan realized Mackenzie still had feelings for him. She hadn’t gotten over him, even though he’d moved five months ago to who knows where. As far as Sloan knew, no one knew where he’d gone. His family had just moved and now here was another Blaylock. It wasn’t the most common last name ever.

“Are they related?”

“Cousins.”

“No!” Sloan said louder than she meant. She’d make a terrible spy.

“Shhh.” Mackenzie smiled. “She is. Kara Long in first period told me. Don’t you think it’s strange?”

“Very,” Sloan said, trying not to stare. “Who are her parents?”

“Travis’ mom’s sister or something. I’m not sure.”

Mackenzie looked longingly at the girl. She was so missing Travis.

“Have you asked her where Travis is?”

The question made Mackenzie take notice, and she sat up quickly. “No. Why? What would I want with that loser?”

“You liked him.”

“He hurt you.”

Sloan bit her lip, not believing what she was going to say next. “He didn’t. Boyd did. He was just being a good friend, I guess.” Good friend, right. But she wanted to make her friend feel better.

Mackenzie’s brow rose. “You don’t believe that.”

Sloan didn’t have to answer because Ray walked up with his tray. “Ready?” he asked Sloan.

Mackenzie looked from Sloan to Ray and back again. “Y’all eating somewhere else?”

“Outside today. Aaron’s coming.”

“Really? Why?”

Sloan didn’t want to get into it. She just wanted outside, and with Aaron… to know what he wanted to tell them.

“Just wanted to visit I guess. He didn’t get to have a senior year,” Ray reminded them. Aaron hadn’t finished high school because his mother had left him and Ray when Aaron was eighteen. Her age. He’d given up so much to take care of Ray, and she respected that. He’d gotten his GED, gotten a job, and had taken care of both of them since — except for the few days the police had mistakenly thought he had attacked and attempted to rape Sloan in her kitchen. Her body automatically shook. The thought of that night always made her tense up.

“Yeah, we’d better go see him before lunch is over.” Sloan overly smiled at Mackenzie. “You can come if you want.”

Please don’t let her come, Sloan thought to herself. She loved Mackenzie with her whole heart, but she needed to talk to Aaron and Ray alone. Mackenzie knew some things, but not all of them. She didn’t have time to go through the backstory with her before Aaron gave his news.

Mackenzie must have sensed her hesitation. “You go ahead. I think I’m going to talk to Miss Blaylock over there.”

“Blaylock?” Ray said. “Like…”

“Yeah,” Sloan answered, picking up her tray. “Thanks, Mackenzie. I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Okay. Call me.” She winked as they walked by.

Sloan had only eaten outside a few times since she’d been in high school. It had just never been that important to her. She was an indoor girl.

“Did he tell you anything?” she asked Ray. With every step toward the outside doors, she got more and more nervous.

“Not a thing. Just that he was here and waiting,” Ray answered. He had an edge to his voice that Sloan caught. This was going to be interesting. Ray obviously had feelings for her, and Aaron had kissed her. This could go all kinds of bad.

They made it outside and found Aaron sitting with his back against the big oak tree at the far end of the lawn. With every step, Sloan felt like she was walking to her execution: nervous, anxious, unsure of what was going to happen.

“Brother.” Aaron smiled when they got closer.

“Aaron,” Ray answered.

“Hi, Aaron,” she said as easily as she could, praying her voice didn’t quiver. To her relief, it didn’t.

“Sloan.” He looked up at her with eyes so intense her toes curled within a second. Her breath caught and everything else fell away. Ray. The world. The roses. Everything. More than anything, she wanted to jump into his arms and kiss him. It would be a very bad idea though.

Just as quickly as he’d looked at her that way, he averted his eyes and picked up a small twig lying next to him. “Sit. Eat.” He motioned toward the ground.

They complied, but Sloan didn’t think she had any appetite. “What did the florist say?” she blurted out.

“Just want to jump into that, eh?” Aaron broke the twig.

“It’s why you’re here,” she reminded him.

“I came to see you.” That look again. Oh that look. “And my little brother,” he added almost as an afterthought. Ray’s nose flared, and she didn’t think it would take much for him to haul off and punch Aaron.

“Nice of you to join us for lunch.” Ray’s voice was strained. “Especially since you’ve never done it before.”

“Had something to tell that I didn’t need to text.” Aaron’s posture matched Ray’s. Like two bulls challenging each other.