Page 34 of Silver Player

“I wanted to impress both of you.” I hear Roxie gasp—crap—so I try to cover my tracks. “I didn’t want to be rude.”

“You don’t need to impress me, William.” Her tone softens my name. It’s not so edgy and condescending, and I swallow before I admit, “I want you to stop thinking I’m a manslut.”

Roxie laughs again, and my stomach flips a little. It’s a nice sound from her.

“I don’t think you’re a manslut.”

“You do.” I inhale. Exhale. “And I don’t like it because it’s not true. I don’t know what you think you saw, but it wasn’t me. Not like that, not outside against the wall of my building. Give me a little credit, Roxanne. Please.”

I hate the whine to my voice, the plea. I don’t care what others think, but for some reason, I don’t want Roxie thinking these things of me, especially as I’m trying to build something with Sadie. Silence fills the line for a second.

“You’re doing a good job, Billy. With Sadie.” The use of my name in a softer and more tender tone widens my eyes in surprise, and then I smile. It’s a start.

“I’m sorry I didn’t show up or even call her.”

“It’s okay. Well, not really, but I understand. She will, too.”

“I sent her a text, but she didn’t answer me.”

“She’s probably reading.” Roxanne chuckles, and I like the sound too much. Strangely, I feel so much better now that I’ve spoken with her, unleashed my frustration with the fest, fears about my father, and even my irritation at her opinion of me.

I just want Roxanne to accept me for who I am and not who she thinks I am.

And I want my father to accept me as a successful son.

It makes me think of Sadie, but she has nothing to prove to me. I already accept her as mine.

“Yeah. Lots of words,” I joke. Silence falls between us again, and I realize I could just lie here listening to Roxie breathe, which is weird and creepy but so comforting. I miss a woman in my bed for more than a few hours.

“Billy,” she whispers.

“Huh?” I moan, drifting into a heaviness of relaxation.

“Time for sleep.” I imagine her calling me honey or baby like she calls Sadie, and I lazily smile to myself.

“Okay,” I mutter. “And Roxie? Thanks for listening to me tonight.”

“Anytime, Billy,” she says, and I’m certain she’s forgotten who she’s speaking to. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

13

Oktoberfest

[Roxanne]

I almost hate to give Billy credit, but he knows how to throw an event, and this is a huge party.

Third Avenue is covered by a massive tent that I’m not sure is legal to place on a side street, but when your brother is the mayor, I suppose you get away with these things. It still stings that I moved my permit request to another date but after seeing this setup, I couldn’t have competed. I’m hosting my own small-scale sales event during the following week leading up to Halloween and emphasizing the boo part of Booktober.

The fest is in full party mode with beer flowing and music thumping, and for the first time, I might enjoy myself being here if for no other reason than to watch Billy Harrington work his butt off. And unfortunately for me, I find my eyes wandering too often to his backside, which is snug in tight-fitting jeans. I hate that I’m attracted to him when I shouldn’t be. He’s barking orders and laughing uncontrollably, and his entire demeanor says, I like to have a good time. I wish I could be that easygoing, but I’m a little self-conscious as I mingle among community members who remember me as a teenager more than a businesswoman. I make small talk with many customers I recognize but excuse myself when I can and eventually find myself hanging near Grace.

As far as people go, I’d consider Grace one of my best friends in this town, even if she isn’t from here originally. Her husband brought her to Blue Ridge on a visit, and she claims she fell in love with the place. When he died, she decided it would be the best place to raise five unruly boys without a father. She’s counting on the saying it takes a village or, in her case, a ridge to raise her clan to good men. Grace and I don’t have to chatter, so we remain near one another, smiling at townspeople we recognize and soaking up the atmosphere. Grace is simply happy to be among adults for a few hours.

A playlist of country hits played by a disc jockey, but rumor has it from Billy the musical entertainment will be a real treat. Unfortunately, Billy hasn’t paid me much attention this evening other than a hand wave over a sea of people. A strange sensation tells me he doesn’t want people to realize we share a connection since he still hasn’t told anyone about Sadie, but I dismiss those thoughts, deciding he’s just busy tonight. Clyde’s the one who offered Grace and me our first beers. Somehow, we make our way to the back section of the tent and linger near the bar, where Giant Harrington pushes his way through the crowd with a girl by his side. I don’t personally know Giant as I’m almost ten years younger than him, but everyone knows who he is, and he’s another devastatingly handsome sight for the eyes, if you like men large and lumbersexual, which I do.

“This is Letty,” he shouts to his bartending brother who immediately offers her a smile and wipes his hands on a rag before coming to our end of the bar. Billy reaches out for the woman who has sleek dark hair with a tall stature and an amazing body. I hate that I notice her physique, but Billy’s embracing her and holding on a little longer than necessary. He mutters something to her that causes Giant to glare at him. When Billy pulls back, he claps his hands good naturedly and grins at his brother.