Chapter 10 #2
Ethan had recommended Rob last night, and the mechanic had texted back this morning, letting him know he’d send someone out for the car as soon as possible.
Connor wanted to know what the hell had happened to her car, and he wanted to know now. Smoke like that didn’t just come out of nowhere.
A truck pulled up behind his as he climbed out.
“Do we know if he’s here?” Ryan asked, as he joined Connor.
“Nope. But he works a lot, so I’m counting on him opening with Dusty.”
Ethan had also confirmed days ago that the car parked outside the community center the night of the paint-and-sip was Nathaniel’s.
And he wanted to know why.
“Let’s go then.” Ryan shot him a glance as they walked. “Did Raven stay with you last night?”
“Yeah. She finally agreed. But she actually thought I’d let her go back to the community center tonight.” That wasn’t happening. No way in hell.
They knocked on the door and waited a couple of seconds. When no one answered, he tried the handle. Unlocked.
Inside, lights were on but no one was in sight.
They headed toward the bar as footsteps sounded from the kitchen.
Dusty walked out, only to stop at the sight of them. “Connor. Ryan. Wasn’t expecting to see you boys so early.”
Ryan leaned against the bar. “Sorry. We knocked but—”
“I don’t hear shit from the back room. You here for a drink?”
“Actually, we’re here to see Nathaniel,” Connor said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Is he around?”
Dusty’s brows shot up. “Nathaniel? No. I mean, he should be. He’s due to start now, but he’s always late. Can’t find good help these days. I’d get rid of him, especially after that incident with your woman, but he’s a damn good bartender and they’re hard to come by in this small town.”
“I get it.” Ryan scanned the room. “You know much about him?”
As the guys spoke, Connor moved through the bar. He passed the pool table. The bathrooms. As he neared an office, a hushed voice sounded from the other side of the door.
“Yeah. I can’t believe she’s still here. No one wants her around, except those fuckers who are running around town playing heroes.”
Nathaniel. Was he talking about Connor’s team and Raven?
“I can’t do that.” Nathaniel paused. “Look. My shift is starting. I need to go.”
The door suddenly opened.
Nathaniel froze at the sight of Connor. Then his eyes narrowed. “Were you listening in on my conversation?”
“I heard snippets. Who were you talking to?”
Nathaniel inched forward. “Stay the fuck away from me.”
Connor didn’t move a muscle. He looked the guy dead in the eye. “Can’t do that until you leave Raven alone.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw your car outside the community center last week. What the fuck were you doing there?”
Something flashed in his eyes. Surprise. Because Connor knew?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nathaniel finally answered.
“Oh, don’t do that, Nathaniel. No one likes a liar.”
“Luckily, I don’t have to tell you shit.”
“You’re right, you don’t. But if I see you or your car anywhere near her again, you won’t like what happens next.”
The guy’s hands fisted, his chest moving a bit faster.
“Do it,” Connor said softly. “Take a swing. See what happens.”
Nathaniel’s throat bobbed. He wanted to.
A second passed. Then another. Finally, the guy stepped back.
He was smarter than he looked.
“I’m going to work.” He squeezed by Connor.
He’d gotten one step away before Connor asked, “Have you been to the old firehouse lately?”
Nathaniel turned, a scowl on his face. “What?”
Connor took a moment to study him. His confusion looked genuine. But was it?
Ryan appeared at the end of the hall. “Everything okay here?”
Without a word, Nathaniel stormed toward the bar.
“Come on, let’s go.” Connor led the way, saying a quick goodbye to Dusty before leaving.
Ryan waited until they were outside to ask, “What happened back there?”
“I overheard Nathaniel on the phone. He said he couldn’t believe she was still here.”
Ryan frowned. “Who?”
“My guess is Raven. I believe we were referred to as ‘fuckers running around playing heroes.’”
“Playing heroes?” Ryan scoffed. “Like the shit that’s been going on in this town is a game?”
“Yeah.” He crossed the sidewalk to his truck. “He wouldn’t tell me what his car was doing outside the community center that night.”
“You think he’d actually hurt Raven?”
“I think for her safety, it’s a good thing she’s staying with me.”
Ryan stopped beside his truck. “You need to find out what happened between Raven and her ex. Sounds like it might be connected to what’s going on now.”
Connor ran his fingers through his hair. “I know. I just…I don’t want to rush her.”
Time. That’s what he needed. To get close to her. To earn her trust.
He checked his watch. “I might grab her some lunch from The Pancake Bar and take it to the community center.”
“Do you know if she likes pancakes?”
“I’ll find out.”
Ryan chuckled. “I’ll see you later.”
Instead of jumping into his truck, Connor decided to walk. Another good thing about this town—being able to get to most places by foot.
Once there, it didn’t take Basil long to make the order. When Connor reached the community center less than fifteen minutes later, the place was quiet.
He headed toward the office. The door was open, and when he stepped inside, he found it just as empty as the rest of the building.
Was she not here?
After setting the pancakes down on the desk, he headed back into the hall. Unless she was in the bathroom, the only place he hadn’t checked was the storage room.
He crossed over to it. The door was ajar, and he was about to push inside when he heard Raven’s voice.
“Can’t you just do a welfare check on him?”
He froze. This was the second phone conversation he’d overheard today, but unlike Nathaniel’s, he felt like an ass for eavesdropping on Raven’s.
“I’m not being irrational. I’m scared that he’s—” She stopped. “I’m scared that he’s been hurt.”
He? He who?
He stepped into the room.
Raven’s eyes widened, and she quickly hung up and turned toward him. “Hey.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Of course. I was just calling my dad to check in.”
She was lying. And it hurt.
Maybe it shouldn’t. They hadn’t known each other for long. But she’d slept in his house last night, they’d kissed…and fuck if he hadn’t hoped that had earned him some honesty.
He’d been in a relationship filled with lies before. He didn’t want to do that again.