“Is there a problem with being at the lake? Are visitors not welcome in Rosewood?” I asked quietly, trying not to draw attention to myself, but there was no way in hell I was telling this kid why I was here.
His eyes narrowed into slits as he stared at me. “I don’t like you.”
I don’t really like me either, kid.
“Cameron!”
I looked up and saw a beautiful woman holding a baby, glaring at the kid.
“That wasn’t nice.”
“He’s a stranger, Sissy.” Cameron pleaded his case, but the woman wasn’t budging.
“Apologize now. Or I’ll tell Beth you’re being rude to her customers.”
“Sissy,” the kid whined.
“Now.”
Cameron huffed, and I wanted to laugh. I guess Romeo wasn’t completely right. Because there was one person this kid took shit from, and unless I missed my guess, the woman was his older sister.
Cameron turned back to me, his glare icy, promising retribution as he ground out, “I’m sorry.” Then he leaned forward and whispered his warning, “I’m watching you.”
His feet shuffled against the floor as he walked to the counter and beyond, heading into the back of the café.
“I’m sorry about my little brother. He doesn’t realize he isn’t the club president yet.”
I smiled then. “No harm done. The kid’s looking out for his town. Gotta respect that.”
The woman snorted but held out her hand. “I’m Skylar Montclair.”
The name didn’t go unnoticed, and the look in her eye told me it was intentional. My smile widened as I shook her hand.
“Jude,” I greeted, leaving off my last name.
“Welcome to Rosewood.”
I nodded, and Skylar moved to the counter and placed an order before sitting on the other side of the room. My eyes went back to the large picture window, and I wondered how long I could stay hidden in this small town where everyone knew everyone.
Morgan was right; Rosewood was a bit like Mayberry.
I sat in the café, drinking coffee and watching the town. The café began to fill up with women, and when I saw Morgan walking down the street heading this way, I quickly grabbed my trash and slipped out the door before she was close enough to see me.
I jogged across the street and sat on a bench, my eyes trained on the café window. Morgan walked to the counter and placed an order the same way the others did, then sat at the table with the women.
I watched her as she talked with her friends. Her head fell back as she laughed at something one of them said, and I knew the moment Skylar told the group about meeting the stranger in town.
I knew the moment she heard my name.
Morgan’s body stiffened. Her eyes closed, and her hand tightened around the coffee cup. It was all subtle. Her closed eyes were easily mistaken for a long blink. The way she shuffled her body in the chair, trying to ease the tension.
And her deep breath as she set the cup on the table, then rubbed her hands on her thighs as she tried to hold it together. I smiled at the effect my name had on her. But it wasn’t a satisfied grin. It was pain. It was guilt.
Seven years had passed; she should have moved on. She should be married by now. Had more kids.
You’re glad she hasn’t moved on.
I was glad, but I shouldn’t be. I should want her to be happy, but the selfish bastard in me wanted her to suffer the way I wassuffering. The cold, dead part of my heart wanted her to miss me the way I missed her.