Love Her - Andrea Johnston Page 0,45

tense in posture but the way he was clenching his jaw, I doubt he’ll be dining on steak anytime soon.

Watching the woman who has captured my attention walk toward her car, head high as Jacob chatters away by her side, I feel a sense of protectiveness start in my feet and work its way up to my mouth. Slowly turning to my friend, I start to speak when I notice Owen’s eyes on Lis as well. His expression hasn’t changed but he’s released his arms, hands set on his hips. Feeling my stare, he looks my way and sighs.

“Care to explain what just happened?”

“Nothing to explain, Connor. I should—”

“Not so fast. You obviously have something on your mind. An opinion on Lis. We might as well have this conversation now.”

Snorting, he tilts his head staring up to the now dark sky. Seconds tick by slowly before he looks my way.

“I’ve never really had an issue with Felicity. She was a few grades below us in school. Like a lot of girls, her attention was usually focused on Ben.”

“Is this about some unrequited crush you had as a kid or something?”

Barking out a laugh, he shakes his head. I’m glad he finds this so amusing. “Felicity isn’t exactly the most liked person in town. She was our own real-life mean girl.”

I let his words marinate and compare that statement to the woman I’ve started getting to know. It seems almost impossible to reconcile that anyone would dislike Lis.

“So,” I say, running a hand down my face, “you’re telling me some small-town reputation cast upon her as a teenager is why you stood here like you’re protecting the town from an evil force?”

“I wasn’t—” My look cuts him off and he almost looks embarrassed. Good.

“Look, I know I didn’t grow up here, and there are probably a ton of town politics I’m not privy to, but what I do know is everyone in town has been nothing but kind and welcoming to me. But to that woman? If the way you just acted is anything close to how she’s treated, you all kind of suck.”

Reaching down, I pick up my duffle. “I’m outta here. See you at Thursday’s practice.”

I take off in a light jog to my truck. Tossing the bag in the back, I slide behind the wheel and crank the engine. Letting the music fill the cab a little louder than normal, I contemplate where to go now. Home for a shower and the half-full bottle of whiskey? To Country Road for a burger and a few beers? Neither sound appealing.

Instead of considering the consequences, I turn out of the parking lot with one destination in mind. Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I let the beat of the music distract me from the scene I just sat through. No sense in getting myself worked up over something I don’t understand. Town politics, reputations, and expectations were set long before I became a resident of Lexington, but it doesn’t make them right.

Parking in front of the brick house, I see it all lit up and bustling with activity. I should turn around and head home. I should but I don’t. Instead, I kill the engine and tap out a text.

Me: Are you okay?

Patience has never been part of my DNA. It’s probably why I pushed boundaries and challenged authority as a kid. Chasing a high by jumping into a situation with both feet and never considering the consequences. While it isn’t the same, sitting here watching the screen of my phone, waiting for three dots to bounce across the screen makes me impatient. Wondering if I should give up on the phone and make my presence known by knocking on the door.

Thankfully, my impatience is subdued by a quick response.

Lis: I’m fine.

Me: Feel like taking a walk?

Lis: Now?

Me: Yeah. Come on. We’ll be quick.

I’m as surprised as Lis by my offer. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a walk in my life. I mean, I’ve walked places but not just for the hell of it. Yet, the need to make sure she’s okay is more important than questioning why I’m suddenly the guy who strolls down the sidewalk of a neighborhood.

When she doesn’t respond, I glance at the house and see a figure peeking between the blinds on the front window.

Me: I see you. Come take a walk with me.

Still no response but in less than a minute, the front door opens and then closes quickly. Exiting my truck,