“Okay, let’s go back inside. I’ll keep the details to a minimum until we get back to the yellow house. We can’t do anything tonight, and I don’t want to freak her out.”
The rumble of Dillon’s motor fills the air, and he pulls out of the lot and drives towards the garage. It’s a quick trip, so it won’t take him long to get back.
“What are you going to do about Braden?” Riot asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’d like to kick him in the teeth, but I don’t think Beck would approve.”
“Only because she wants to do it herself,” Carson mutters.
“You have to report it. Maybe there is video footage,” Riot says, glancing up at the camera on the side of the building.
“Nah.” Carson shakes his head quickly. “The cameras are only for show. They’ve never worked.” He would know. He’s been a bartender here on and off for as long as I’ve known him.
“Isn’t that convenient?” I say, rubbing my jaw.
“Even if Mason can’t do anything, at least there will be a record of it,” Riot says.
“I will, but I want to talk to Beck about it first and get her input. She won’t like it if I take over. Plus, I want to find out what he said when he texted her earlier.”
“Did Beck ever talk to Mason after the time Braden confronted you both at the bakery?”
“I don’t think so,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose. Fuck, I should have insisted she go into the station, but she was barely talking to me the week after, then I was away. It’s no excuse; I should have stayed on top of it.
“I know Braden is a piece of shit and treats her like trash, but why slash your tires? Jealousy?” Carson asks.
“That, and he’s losing control of her, and that pisses him off.” I check my watch and say, “We have been out here too long. We should head back inside so they don’t come looking.”
The second round of trivia has ended by the time we get back inside. We meet Hannah and Logan with teary-eyed Meg just inside the entrance.
“We are going to head out,” Logan says. “Hannah and Meg are going to have a sleepover at our place.”
“That sounds fun,” I say as I watch Meg’s chin quiver as she lowers it to her chest.
“Yep. We are going to watch some trashy reality TV and eat snacks, right, Meg?”
Carson bends his knees lower so he can get Meg’s attention. “Hey, pretty lady, look at me.”
Sniffling, she peeks up at him through her eyelashes.
Leaning closer, he whispers something in her ear—something none of us can hear. She nods her head, and the side of her mouth lifts.
To Hannah, she says, “I’m ready.”
As we watch the three of them walk away, Beck asks Carson, “What did you say to her?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says dismissively.
“We are heading out too,” Claire says with Riot by her side. “Erin called. Ben had a nightmare and wants his mom.”
“Go ahead; I can take Ryan and Beck home,” Carson volunteers.
Beck furrows her eyebrows. “Dillon couldn’t change your tire?”
Running my fingertips over the crease between her eyes, I say, “No, he’s towing it to the garage. He didn’t have what he needed to fix it here.”
“What do you think?” Carson interrupts. “Do you think we should form an alliance and finish the game?”
I’m ready to get out of here. I’m on edge about Braden. And Beck and I really need to talk, but the choice is hers.
