28. Lark
LARK
I watched Wyatt sit in his car and look at the farmhouse from the kitchen window of his home.
Tootie had stolen Penny for an afternoon, reading to the animals at the Outtatowner animal rescue.
I’d spent my solo afternoon cleaning the apartment I now used only for sleep and tidied up the farmhouse.
It was amazing how many dishes and socks three college-aged boys could go through in a day or two.
When Wyatt still hadn’t come in, I snagged two beers from the fridge and walked out onto the front porch. The movement from the screen door caught his eye, and he climbed out of the car.
I dangled a bottle from my fingertips and held it up. “Looks like you could use one.”
He sauntered up, a playful smile on his lips, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I could use you.”
Wyatt’s arms wrapped around my waist, and he buried his nose in my neck. Big, giddy feelings bubbled up in my chest, and I did my best to calm them.
“Careful.” I laughed. “A girl could get used to a greeting like that.”
Wyatt pulled back, a frown on his face.
Shit.
With every day that passed, we were flirting with the end of summer, and so far we had been careful not to talk about what that meant for me.
For us.
I faked a bright smile and brought a bottle to my lips. I swallowed away the knot in my throat and handed Wyatt his beer. “Sit with me.”
I sank down on the top step, and he sat across from me. Wyatt’s long, thick legs stretched out in front of him. I wanted to crawl into the cradle of his embrace and smooth away the lines of worry that seemed permanently etched into his forehead.
Tonight was not the night for big, growing feelings or talks about how I was totally falling in love with him. He’d had a long day and needed someone to help brighten the mood.
A little sunshine.
“So, good news or bad news?”
Wyatt eyed me carefully. His jaw worked once, and he took a swig of his beer. “Might as well hit me with the bad news.”
“Penny isn’t home. She’s on a lady-date with Tootie until around dinnertime.”
A slow grin started on his face as his hand found my thigh. “That’s terrible news.”
I smiled back at him and scooted a little closer.
“So what’s the good news then?”
“Good news is Cheeto is no longer missing.”
He nearly choked on his beer. “ No longer missing?”
I lifted my shoulder and did my best not to laugh. “He may have gotten out of his cage today and spent the morning on a little adventure. Thankfully, Penny’s idea of crushed-up Cheetos—the snack, not the hamster—actually worked. Turns out he’s a big fan.”
Wyatt rubbed his eyes with one hand. “I think we need to work on your understanding of good news–bad news.”
When he laughed, the tightness in his shoulders eased. I liked being the one who could bring him a little humor after a long day. His wide palm rubbed up and down my leg, and warmth pooled low in my belly.
“So Penny is out having fun. And the boys?”
Excitement danced through me. I knew that primal look in his eyes. “Michael and Joey are working. Kevin promised to study at the library for at least an hour before meeting up with them.”
“So what you’re saying is...” Wyatt gripped the belt loop at my hip and pulled me onto his lap. “I get to have my way with you?”
I was breathless and loved being manhandled into his lap. I stared down at his lips. “What did you have in mind?”
His fingers tickled the skin above my jean shorts as he smoothed them over my hip and moved down to squeeze my ass. “I don’t want to be gentle.”
There was a roughness, barely contained, that I hoped he’d unleash on me. I knew he would never hurt me, but if after a long day he wanted me to be his release, I’d happily do it.
“That’s perfect, because I don’t want you to be gentle either.”
“That’s good.” Wyatt wound my legs around his hips so I was straddling him, my boobs pressed against him. “Real good because I want to watch your tits bounce while I fill this cunt.”
My whole body shivered as we tore at each other’s clothes and Wyatt made good on his promise.
* * *
“I want to tell Penny about us.” Wyatt carefully pushed a strand of my hair across my forehead and tucked it behind my ear.
After the entire population of Remington County heard me screaming his name from the front porch, we’d continued our fun inside.
Now tucked into his arms on top of his bed, Wyatt looked at me with a tenderness that made little sparkles of energy crackle under my skin.
“Us as in... special friends?”
Wyatt laughed. “I don’t care what you want to call it. I just don’t like being in the same room with you and feeling like I can’t touch you.”
“Oh.” My nerves were getting the best of me. These were the kinds of talks that made things real. Committed. Dangerous.
“Is that okay?” His fingers paused the lazy circles they had been making on my back.
“Yeah, no. Of course. I don’t like the secrets either. I just don’t, you know, want her to be confused is all.”
“Confused?”
“Well, like, Am I the nanny? Am I the personal assistant? Am I the fuck buddy? —not that that’s how you would phrase it. I just... I don’t know. You know what? It’s your kid. You know what’s best!” The fake cheeriness I tried to infuse in my words was hollow.
Wyatt saw right through it. “I was going to tell her that we were dating so that if I held your hand or kissed you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Yes. Great. That’s better.” Embarrassment stained my cheeks. Wyatt was being so sweet, and I’d made it awkward and uncomfortable.
I looked at the clock on the wall and found my exit strategy. “Oh shit. You know what? I have the Bluebirds tonight and haven’t even made something to bring to the book club. I should go.”
I untangled myself from Wyatt and gathered my clothes in my arms. I slipped on my underwear and jean shorts before pulling on my shirt. In two swift steps, I pressed a quick kiss on his lips before he could even get out of bed. I practically ran through his house and up to my apartment.
Way to go, Lark. That was handled spectacularly.
I groaned in frustration and looked out my kitchen window, down at the farmhouse. My heart pounded as I considered Wyatt saying that we were dating.
Were we dating? When did that happen?
As someone who had moved from town to town without a care, the idea of dating —being committed, making promises, expectations—felt big. Real.
I wanted it, especially with Wyatt, but I also knew that kind of love was for other people. Lucky girls who weren’t cursed at Renaissance festivals. My sad string of unfulfilling relationships proved that it never lasted.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. When I saw the text from Wyatt, I laughed in relief.
Wyatt
I’m going to try really hard to not take your graceful exit personally.
You mean that time you said we were dating and then I immediately bolted? Definitely not related.
Wyatt
Well that’s a relief. Have fun at book club.
Thanks.
Wyatt
Oh, and on the off chance you are Words of Affirmation—you make our lives better. I care about you.
Would have been nice to say that to your face before you ran out the door in a panic.
My heart clunked and I couldn’t breathe.
Wyatt had listened to my ramblings about love languages? Holy shit .
I care about you too. Next time I’ll try not to run.
Wyatt
It’s okay if you do. I’ll chase you down.
* * *
The Bluebirds were in rare form tonight. As soon as I’d walked into Bluebird Books, the chitter died down, and a sea of owl eyes stared at me. I wiped at my mouth, wondering if the remnants of my lemon blueberry scone were still stuck to my face.
Bug looked irate, and when she turned back to Tootie, the conversation picked right up again. I hustled in and set the bottle of wine I’d picked up on the table. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it when I saw Cass.
Cass lifted her hand in greeting, and I hurried to her side. “What’s going on? Why is everyone so mad?”
Cass grabbed my arm and lowered her voice. “Trouble.”
“What kind of trouble? Is everyone okay?”
Cass shook her head. “Some kids down at the Sand Dollar got into it. They were arrested for fighting on the beach. Kings and Sullivans. Again. ”
Worry swirled in my stomach. “What do you mean some kids at the Sand Dollar? What kids?”
Cass only shrugged, and I stood. “Excuse me, Tootie? What’s going on?”
She turned from the tense discussion she was having with Bug and a few other ladies.
“This is getting out of control.” Mrs. Fritz shook her head. “People are going to stop coming to Outtatowner if it becomes a town that isn’t safe. Where people are fighting on the beach where families are trying to enjoy our town!”
Tootie stepped forward and gripped my shoulders. “There was trouble at the beach. It may have been one of Wyatt’s boys, but I’m not certain.”
Oh no.
Dread pooled in my stomach, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. I needed to call him—warn him if one of the boys had gotten into trouble.
After I pulled my phone from my pocket, I saw a slew of missed texts from Joey.
Shit.
Joey
We need help.
Don’t tell Coach.
Kev and Mike got arrested. I don’t know what to do.
This wasn’t good. Double shit.
I grabbed my bag and headed straight for the door. “I have to go,” I called out to no one in particular.
Once there, I looked left and then right. I had no idea where the police station was. Across the road, I spotted Bootsy and called out to him.
I ran up, breathless.
“Is there a fire?” He looked concerned and his eyes darted around.
“No, I’m sorry. But there is an emergency. Where is the police station?”
Bootsy raised a weathered finger and pointed down the side street. “Head that way. I saw a mess of Kings arguing outside. You be careful, with you being a Sullivan and all.”
I took off running before I could let his words truly sink in. “I owe you! Tomorrow—lunch on me. You just pick the place!”
I raced down the sidewalk without looking back and headed the few blocks toward the police station. A small crowd was already gathering outside the entryway. I recognized Sylvie and a few of the King men, but no Sullivans.
Sylvie offered me a terse, sad smile, but she was tucked behind a wall of Kings.
When their accusing eyes raked over me, I straightened and calmed my breathing.
If I had to represent the Sullivans, I’d do it with my head held high.
Moving through them, I opened the door to the station and immediately saw Joey sitting in a brown leather chair, his shoulders slumped and one leg bobbing up and down.
After the bell on the door caught his attention, he looked at me and shot to his feet. “Lark.”
I ran to him, pulling him into an awkward hug. “I’m so sorry. I just got your messages. What happened?”
Joey shook his head. “We were working. Everything was fine. Then we saw Kevin shove some guy on the beach, and they started fighting. Michael stepped in. I would have jumped in there, but I couldn’t get hit in the face.”
I shook my head and couldn’t worry about Joey and his precious face.
I moved to the counter. “Excuse me? Can I speak with someone about Kevin Williams and Michael Thompson?”
The elderly receptionist nodded. “You kin?”
“Um... they are in my care.”
She pursed her lips and my heart sank. Both Kevin and Michael were adults. I wasn’t certain anyone would talk to me, especially given the fact that it seemed like they were in serious hot water with the Kings.
“I’ll send an officer out.”
After what felt like an eternity, a female police officer with long black hair and a smug smile called me back to her office.
“Stay here.” I pointed at the chair, and Joey sank into it. When I followed the officer and walked into her office, my eyes scanned down to her name plate.
Amy King.
Crap.
Her hard eyes held my worried ones. “Hi, I’m Lark Butler. Michael and Kevin have been staying with Wyatt Sullivan, and I’m his, um, personal assistant. The boys have kind of been in my care. Can I ask what happened?”
“You are aware they are adults, correct?”
I swallowed hard and tried to make light of the situation. “I mean, if you can call any nineteen or twenty-year-old boy an adult , then sure...” I laughed.
Officer Amy King did not find me amusing. She only lifted an eyebrow as the ice in her stare chilled my bones.
I cleared my throat. “Are they okay?”
“Miss Butler, those boys were involved in a physical altercation on public property. I have several witnesses that report Michael Thompson assaulted—”
“Assaulted?”
Her voice dripped with impatience. “Yes. Assault. That is the charge being brought against them.”
“Charges? Oh no. No no no. I’m sorry.” I smoothed my palms on her desk as I tried to wrap my head around the situation rapidly spiraling out of control “What is happening?”
“The boys in your care? They assaulted a man. Broke his nose and caused a very frightening scene on a very public beach.”
My breaths were helpless little pants.
This is bad. Really, really bad. “What can I do?”
Officer King let go of the folder she was holding, and it dropped to her desk with a plop. “Unless you can convince Lucian King, the guy with the mangled face, to not press charges? Nothing.”
I stood from the chair. “Thank you.”
I went straight to Joey. I grabbed his arm gently and lowered my voice. “Tell me what happens if anyone finds out about this.”
He looked around. “We have a code of conduct. This is big. They could be suspended from the team. Indefinitely.”
I worried the skin on my thumbnail. “I figured as much.” I gestured impatiently. “Tell me the worst-case scenario.”
“Kevin’s in position to be an early-round NFL draft pick if he gets his grades up. An arrest like this could ruin his entire life. And football is everything to Mike. He doesn’t really have a plan B yet. This is really bad. Do we have to tell Coach?”
“Are you kidding me?” I hissed. “In this town? Everyone already knows! ” I took a calming breath. “It’s fine. Everything is fine. I will take care of this.”
I clamped my teeth together, and with a nod, I left Joey behind to head straight outside and into the crowd of Kings. When I spotted Royal, I mustered my courage and pointed directly at him. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”
A cocky smirk flashed on his face, and he stood tall from where he was leaning against the brick planter. He let me lead him a few steps away so I could talk to him in private.
I swallowed hard and hoped this wasn’t the worst idea I’d ever had. “Royal, I need your help.”