Where We Call Home (Faircloud #2)

Chapter 11

Eleven

W atching Theo in her element was fucking exhilarating. The moment we stepped into The Tequila Cowboy, she got straight to work. Without hesitation, she pulled out her camera, adjusting settings with practiced ease as she confidently directed people into position.

No one so much as blinked at the sight of a pregnant woman calling the shots, telling everyone where to stand and how to pose. At one point, she even quipped at Mac, “Would it kill you to at least pretend you’re having fun?”

For someone who had no background in events or marketing, Theo had adapted effortlessly.

She moved through the bar with purpose, testing angles and adjusting for the perfect lighting, her sharp gaze scanning for the ideal shot. The bar was shut down for a few hours to prep for tonight’s event. Lizzie had a videographer lined up to capture the action once the crowd rolled in.

Personally, I thought turning the bar into a production was overkill. Lizzie was determined to expand the bar’s reach, hoping to attract tourists and folks from nearby cities. The citizens of Faircloud wouldn’t be thrilled about that, though. I could already imagine the town hall meetings filled with bitching about how their quaint little town was being overrun by “city folk.” Honestly, I kind of agreed with them.

The Tequila Cowboy had been a low-profile staple in Faircloud for generations. That started to change when Mac’s sister, Lizzie, inherited it after their dad passed. The whole situation was a sore spot for Mac. Their dad had secretly updated his will, giving the business to Lizzie. Sure, Mac could be a bit reckless, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t capable of running the place.

“Jesus, fuck,” Mac muttered, leaning his forearms on the bar, a cigarette dangling from his lips, holding on by hope and a prayer. “This shit is stupid. The bar’s doing fine. I know because I’ve been managing it for years. Lizzie doesn’t know a damn thing.”

I adjusted on my stool and took a sip of my drink. “I don’t get why your old man thought she’d run the place better than you.”

“Right?” Mac exclaimed, standing up to his full height. He jabbed the cigarette in the air for emphasis. “I busted my ass in this place while he sat around drinking and betting on red three landing in the corner pocket. Lizzie’s got a degree in communications. How’s that supposed to help her run a bar in Faircloud?”

Mac was tall and wiry, his arms inked with tattoos. His perpetually messy brown hair added to his signature grungy bartender vibe. He’d always been the family’s black sheep, while Lizzie could seemingly do no wrong. Sometimes, I counted my blessings that I didn’t have siblings to rival with like that.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” I replied.

Across the room, Theo’s voice rang out. “Mac! Get your ass back over here, will you? I’m not done yet!” She stood with her hands on her hips, the camera dangling from her neck, exuding authority.

Mac shot me a look, cigarette now hanging from his fingers as he pointed it in my direction. “She means business,” he muttered, stubbing out the smoke in an ashtray before heading back to Theo.

I smirked and raised my drink in a mock toast. “Told you I knew someone who’d get the job done.”

When Mac mentioned his sister’s photographer had dropped out, Theo had been the first person I thought of. I’d made it my secret mission to keep her engaged. That day at Boone’s, I’d seen her retreating, and I couldn’t let her spiral. From the way Aspen talked about Theo, photography was her safe space—something she’d never say no to.

I understood what it was like to feel like an outsider, to watch everyone else move forward while you stood still. Knowing what I did about mental health, I knew she’d need support, whether she admitted it or not.

That’s why I’d downloaded Scrabble on my phone for her . It gave me a way to connect through something she enjoyed. Besides that, I liked toying with her. I’d taunt her over messages and edged her to keep going. After a close round, she would call and accuse me of letting her win. I’d turn an accusation into a conversation to spend a little more time getting to know her. That’d been my game over the last few weeks.

Sneaking a glance at Theo now, I smiled. She’d wrangled Mac and Dudley into posing with their backs to each other, each holding a bottle of tequila and pouring it into their mouths. The neon lights behind them cast sharp silhouettes. Wildlife photography might have been her specialty, but Theo had a natural, creative eye for everything she touched. She was an artist, through and through.

Theo pulled the camera away from her face and glanced at the screen, a smile spreading from ear to ear. If staying perched on this barstool meant I could see her smile like that, I’d gladly stay here all day.

She turned her head and caught me staring. The apples of her cheeks lifted as her joy was on full display. Something stirred in my stomach, and my heart thudded against my chest. A simple smile shouldn’t have this much power over me, but it did. I couldn’t look away.

Even the sound of the door opening wasn’t enough to pull my attention from Theo—until her smile faltered, replaced by an expression of pain. My focus snapped to the entrance, desperate to identify the source.

Paint me as fucking shocked when I saw Aspen and Penny come through the door. Were her two best friends really the reason for her change in mood?

My gaze returned to Theo. She pretended not to notice them, redirecting her focus to the guys she was photographing, moving them into different poses. I’d thought she’d be happy to see Aspen and Penny. After all, I’d asked them to come to the bar to support her. Clearly, that had been a mistake.

Taking a swig of my drink, I tried to swallow the lump forming in my throat.

“Hey, Rhodes!” Aspen called, sliding onto the barstool to my left. On my right, Penny mirrored her.

“What’s up, ladies?” I smiled, nodding and tipping my hat in acknowledgment.

“We decided to take you up on your offer,” Aspen said. “I wanted to see Theo in action.”

“I’ve never watched her work before,” Penny added.

I glanced at Theo, still engrossed in her task. She seemed determined to keep herself busy, her body language screamed avoidance. Mac and Dudley wandered back to the bar, leaving Theo alone with her thoughts.

The room closed in on me. The voices around me dulled, and my attention narrowed on Theo. Her face looked like she was about to cry.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, sliding off the barstool.

With one foot in front of the other, I approached Theo cautiously, just like I had that night a few months ago. This time, she sensed me. She sniffled but didn’t turn around. A soft sob escaped her lips as she tried to regain control.

Her features struck me: the tip of her nose red, her hazel eyes glassy, her pouty lips pressed into a tight line.

“There’s no way the wall is that interesting,” I teased, nodding toward the wooden paneling she was pretending to photograph. It held a few faded photos of patrons and old metal signs.

Theo scoffed, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. She looked up at the ceiling, drawing a deep breath.

I placed a gentle hand on her arm and guided her to a bench near the bathrooms. I didn’t say a word, waiting for her to speak first.

“It’s the hormones,” she mumbled, still refusing to meet my gaze.

“Okay. What are the ‘hormones’ saying?” I asked, adding air quotes for emphasis.

Her head snapped toward me. “It’s a pathetic story. It’s hard to explain.” Tears spilled down her cheeks, and her bottom lip quivered.

“Try me,” I said softly, bumping her shoulder with mine.

She exhaled, her words shaky. “I’ve been feeling lonely. When I told people I was pregnant, I thought I’d be fine on my own. But everyone got so excited, and I started to believe it too. I painted these pictures in my head, got my hopes up... instead, I feel like a burden. People don’t want me around because I can’t do the things they want to do.”

“By people, you mean…” I nodded toward Aspen and Penny, who were deep in conversation with Mac and Dudley.

Theo hummed in agreement. “I feel stupid even saying it, but… I can’t go out dancing or drinking. I can’t hike or stay up late. My body just can’t handle it. I feel like they don’t get that. I don’t want to hold them back.”

She’d been withdrawing, isolating herself because she felt misunderstood. Welcome to the club.

“Have you talked to them about it?” I asked, unsure if I should reach out to comfort her or keep my distance.

Theo let out a dry laugh. “No way. I’d sound crazy.”

“No, you wouldn’t. They love you. The people who care about you will never see you as a burden. They’ll help you through your lows—you just have to let them.” I didn’t know if I was overstepping but, it had to be said.

She didn’t respond, sitting in contemplative silence. I leaned back against the wall, mirroring her posture.

I knew the feeling all too well. When you go through something no one in your circle understands, it’s isolating. I’d been there. Trying to explain heartbreak to people who’d never experienced it felt impossible.

“I get it,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “I’ll spare you the details, but if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

Theo nodded, a small grin forming. I smiled back and placed a hand on her thigh. Her expression shifted, her gaze dropping to where my hand rested.

“Why don’t we get out of here?” I asked softly. “Say our goodbyes and leave. I’ll play sick.”

Theo sniffled, giggling. “I’d like that. Let’s blame you this time.”

We stood in unison, and she led the way back to the group. I put on my best performance to sell the story.

Theo took charge, offering a quick hello to Aspen and Penny before an even quicker goodbye to the whole crew. I nodded along, agreeing with the tale she spun about me being sick.

Apparently, I’d been so ill I was throwing up in the bathroom, and she had to rescue me. I then told her how amazing she was and that she was the queen coming to my rescue. Even though the story was extreme, I didn’t protest. For tonight, she could have the win.