32. Clover
THIRTY-TWO
Clover
The outdoor patio of the bar and grill is somewhat packed, considering it’s lunchtime. But the sun is bright, the sky is clear, and it’s the perfect vibe for this wonderful afternoon.
Okay, I’m floating on cloud nine a bit. I’ll admit it.
I’m still thinking about last night, and if I’m honest, it’s hard not to since I’m reminded of it every time I take a step. I’m damn sore, but ugh, it was worth it.
“You’re certainly happy. You’ve been smiling since you got here.” Rosie grins back at me, and I have to laugh.
I knew I didn’t have much of a poker face, but damn.
“Yeah, yeah.” I wave her off. “I’m in a good mood. So sue me.”
Rosie giggles, sipping at her sweet tea. “I’m only teasing. I’m glad that you’re in such a good mood. I just have to wonder if it has anything to do with your performance.”
Nodding, I pop a fry into my mouth and finish chewing before saying, “It’s definitely part of it. I had a lot of fun last night.”
“I’m so glad!” She claps her hands together before taking a bite of her salad. “You did amazing, and you know I want you back.”
I finish a bite of my steak wrap. “Yeah, I had a feeling. I’ll definitely think about it. It was really fun.”
“That’s all I want for you, dude.” Rosie wobbles her head, rolling her eyes a little. “And you know, to have someone to sing for me during events and such.”
Laughing, I offer my glass for her to clink, and we each take a sip of our tea. “To good moods.”
“The best,” Rosie adds. “So, I take it you’re liking my little, old Red Lodge then.”
“I am. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure at first, but it’s been nice. It’s quiet and peaceful. I mean, aside from wrangling Darby, but he’s the best kid. I love him.”
Smiling, Rosie nods, her stare going nostalgic. “I’m going to miss him when he moves to the next grade. That’s the hardest thing about being a teacher here, really. Your kids all move on with their lives. It’s amazing to watch, but the good ones…well, you never want them to leave.”
Call me hormonal, which could definitely be the case, but Rosie’s words have me choking up a little. I’m supposed to be moving on, too. And…yeah.
I’m going to miss so much about this place.
“Are you really going to leave me too?”
I look up from my plate, a bit surprised that Rosie called me out like that. “Oh, well. Umm…I’m not sure. That’s supposed to be the plan.”
Rosie cocks her head, her brows furrowing. “Supposed to be? What’s that mean?”
“Well,” I sigh, “I do like it here. There’s a lot I don’t want to leave behind, and besides, there’s still this thing with my ex-boss in New York. That’s not resolved. It’s not really best for me to go back yet.”
Her brows raise to her hairline. “So, you’re going to stay?”
Shaking my head, I feel like I can’t find the right words. “I mean, maybe? I don’t know. I know I’m not leaving yet. But the future…is murky.”
“Well, I think you know my vote.” Rosie smiles, reaching across the table to take my hand and give it a squeeze.
“I do.” I smile back at her, letting her lay on the “please stay” vibes.
We chat a bit more, each of us devouring our delicious food, but in the back of my head, I can’t help but think about Kyle…and Brooks.
I have a life and job back in New York, one that is on a tenuous balance right now. Kyle’s been spreading talk about me, and thankfully, none of my clients is biting, but how long can that last?
I know he’s pissed at me, and that guy is like a dog with a bone.
Worse, I don’t know what he’s planning. It makes me undeniably nervous thinking about what he could be cooking up and what I could be walking into if I went back.
I like life, thank you very much.
There’s also Brooks.
Lying to myself isn’t working anymore. There’s something there. I know it, and even more, I think Brooks knows it, too.
The more I think about going back and leaving the life I’ve created here in this beautiful small town, the more my stomach twists into painful knots.
My chest tightens when the image of watching Brooks and Darby fade into the distance hits.
God, I hate this. I don’t want to leave them. But I can’t just…be his nanny forever. What would Brooks and I even tell Darby?
But am I putting them both in danger by staying? What would Kyle really do to me…to them?
Abruptly, my appetite is gone, but I force myself to eat enough so that it doesn’t look like anything is wrong.
“Alright, hun,” Rosie stands up from the table, our server having returned our cards after paying, “I have to get back to it. I’m sure you do, too.”
I wipe my mouth with my napkin and stand up. “That I do. Text me later.”
“Of course.” Rosie steps forward, and we hug, squeezing each other tightly before we both head our separate ways.
I have no idea where the last half of our lunch went, but I need to get back to the ranch anyway. I hike my purse up on my shoulder and head out the front of the bar to exit.
As I walk back to my car, my thoughts are still a mess, so I hardly notice it when my phone buzzes repeatedly in my pocket.
Oh, that’s an actual call.
Pulling the thing out, I don’t even look at the screen. I just swipe to answer. “Hello?”
“Well, look who finally fucking answered.”
My stomach drops into my feet, and I freeze in place on the sidewalk.
“Kyle.”
“That it is. And you’ve been dodging my fucking phone calls.”
Pulse through the roof, I shake as I look around the street. I have that disgusting feeling of eyes on the back of my head, but I can’t see anyone.
Panic is taking me, and before I can say anything, Kyle’s voice cuts through the line again.
“You’re supposed to be my partner, Clover. We’re not done.” I can hear something shuffle in the background, wind rustling over my skin as it does. “You cost me that fucking client, and you’re going to get me this new one.”
“New one? What are you talking about?”
I don’t know why I’m asking. It’s not important.
Kyle has threatened me. I’m not about to fucking work for him again. In fact, I’m supposed to be doing what I can to make sure that the guy is arrested for threats and hostility.
“Cicero Inc. called after you left. Assholes keep demanding to speak to both of us, so…” There’s a sucking sound like Kyle’s doing that thing he does to his teeth, and I grimace. “And you fucking owe me for messing up the last time.”
“Kyle, I’m not?—”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to turn me down, Clover.” My phone vibrates against my face. “Check your messages.”
If it’s possible to have my stomach drop further, it does. My hand is shaking when I pull my cell away from my cheek and look down.
I have to swipe open the message, but as soon as I do, I see it. I see exactly what Kyle wants me to see.
A somewhat blurred picture pops up in our text thread. While it takes a second for me to understand the context, I know who’s in that picture with me.
It’s Darby.
And it hits me that it’s from the day in the park. The one where he first told me to sing. The one where I felt…someone watching me and saw that glare.
Dammit.
“Awfully cute, aren’t you? Well, I’d hate to see a moment like that…destroyed. You don’t want that, do you, Clover?” Kyle’s voice is soft as it comes out of my phone still in my hands.
I’m shaking. My entire body is shaking, and I can’t take a single step. People are passing by me every so often, but my eyes are pinned to the image.
Darby. It’s fucking Darby, and despite what Kyle’s literally saying, I know what he’s implying. My eyes burn.
He can’t be serious. He wouldn’t really hurt a child…would he?
“If you don’t get back here and nail this collaboration for me…” Kyle pauses just long enough that my morbid curiosity forces me to put the phone to my ear. “I’ll get you here myself. Consequences be damned.”
Cicero is a huge client. He’s tried to land them for years, and they’ve always said no. They don’t like Kyle.
I don’t know what he promised them, but I do know that it will fail without me.
But I don’t want to help him. This guy is proving to be more unhinged with every moment. I can’t trust a deal made with him. I can’t trust him at all.
Darby’s sweet smile pops up in my mind, and my knees nearly buckle, a tear slipping free.
He’ll hurt him. God, Kyle will actually hurt him.
“Awfully quiet, Clover. I’m not patient on my best day. You should know that.” I hear a deep inhale, and I still can’t find my voice. “Get here. Help me. Or…I’ll drag you back here by the hair if I have to.”
It’s too much. It’s all too much, and I hang up. My heart is screaming.
I can’t do this. I can’t risk Darby. I can’t help Kyle. I…
“Dammit!” I squeeze my phone until it groans beneath my fingers.
Darby is an innocent child, and Brooks…it would kill me to hurt him. I want to tell Kyle to fuck off, but I’ve never been this scared of him in my life.
I’ve never been this scared of anyone in my life.
When I get moving again, hurrying to my car, I still have no answers, but I know the clock is ticking faster now. I need to make a decision. I need to do something—and fast.