Page 105 of Sundown Somewhere

I move toward her, trying to take her hand again to pull her close, thinking that a kiss will help calm her. But apparently I’m off the mark. She pushes me away, shaking her head even more.

“Just…no.”

“Dolly, tell me what’s wrong. What’s the matter?”

“I can’t lose you. And I can’t risk you changing your mind. I love you too much.”

She loves me…

“I lo⁠—”

“No, don’t say it. Just let me go.”

She turns, picking up the pace and heading for the door. I’m paralyzed, unable to do anything but watch her go. My feet feel like cinder blocks, my legs like they are strapped to wooden beams, preventing me from breaking free. My heart shatters as the door slams, a million little pieces skittering across the floor.

Fuck!

Turning around, I pace, trying to figure out where I went wrong. What I could have said different. If I could have done something differently.

Or was this the moment that Dolly realized that I’m not worthy?

I suck in a breath, trying to make the stabbing pain subside. I don’t have time to dwell. I don’t even have time to try and piece any of it together. I have to go show off these plans to the town.

All while pretending that my heart isn’t breaking.

27

HUX

“Did you check her apartment?”

Of all the stupid questions Anton could ask, that is right up there.

I turn my head, looking down the long rough-cut bar at Pour Decisions toward my brother. Gus sits in between us, and right now that’s probably the only thing stopping me from reaching over and smacking him upside the head.

“Shit,” I say, letting the sarcasm flow freely. “Why didn’t I think of that? Milo, why didn’t I think to go see if Dolly went back to her place after she ran away from me pouring my heart out to her and showing her the playground I designed for her?”

I’d rushed through presenting Neverland Park to the town, leaping off the stage before anyone could stop and ask me questions. First place I stopped was the diner, immediately followed by her apartment, and then a last-ditch effort at her parents’. No sign of her anywhere.

Dolly didn’t just run away from me in that moment. She ran away from Hickory Hills.

Milo raises an eyebrow, his expression unmoving as he places a beer in front of me, ignoring my comment. “I went with preference over occasion.”

Good man…

I grab the pint glass, taking a sip and letting the tart taste linger for a second. Of all of Southern Brothers’ brews, the Silver Lining Sour is hands down my favorite. And absolutely the right call for the moment. Although Sob Story, one of the two original beers—which is undoubtedly what Milo was referring to when he said occasion—certainly fits the overall mood better.

Because if a stranger were to walk in and find the five of us Hayes men lined up, solidly perched on the stools, with Milo on the other side, they would certainly pick up on a very specific vibe.

Melancholy.

“Just sayin’…” Anton continues. “Only so many places one can go in Hickory Hills. One more thing to rule out before asking if she was abducted by aliens.”

Okay, I take it back. That’s the stupidest thing he could suggest.

“Pretty sure right now Hux is wishing you were abducted by aliens…” Ewan mutters to my right.

And ten points for baby brother…