Page 9 of Mountain Beast

There.

That's a good, non-interest-piquing answer.

“I checked on her before she accidentally hurt herself.”

Cormac's piercing eyes study me through two giant bites of pastrami on rye before accepting the story with a shrug.

Good.

It’s not like I’m lying. It just glosses over the fact that I wanted to talk to Autumn for more than professional concern about liability for some unknown reason.

But the stubborn man isn’t done yet. “I don't blame her for visiting your place. There's got to be a lot of frustration after her divorce,” he says, balancing Jesse in one hand and his sandwich in the other.

Something knots low in my stomach. I'd heard whispers through the grapevine that the new doctor was single, but I didn't realize it was a recent development.

“What happened?”

“I don't know all the details, but I could ask Davie.” He pins me with another inquisitive stare. “You seem awfully interested in the doctor.”

“Nothing more than morbid curiosity,” I lie.

“Right…” he acquiesces, but the threat of our conversation hangs in the air while he rubs soothing circles over Jesse's back when he starts to whimper. “Don’t forget you agreed to go to the street dance with us on Saturday night.”

Fuck, why did I say yes to that?

“You really want a third wheel on a date with your girl?”

Cormac spears him with a smug narrowing of his eyes. “More like a fifth or sixth wheel. Deacon and Connor are coming, along with whoever else they invite.”

“Perfect.” Just what I need for a relaxing weekend—to be surrounded by happy couples.

CHAPTER SIX

AUTUMN

Sweat drips down my back and between my breasts. My heavy-duty bra is soaked with underboob sweat, and if my mother saw me now—dancing in a crowded street with sticky clothes and reddened, gleaming skin—she'd have a conniption fit, but I don't care.

I'm tired of being my parents' perfect little doll.

Never a hair out of place.

Never a word out of line.

I want to be free.

Free to be messy. Imperfect. Maybe a little bit bad.

My mom called earlier tonight to berate me for not giving Jason another chance. Your father is very disappointed, and so am I.

Like I’m not building a successful life for myself in High Ridge.

My practice is thriving, and so are my friendships. People know my name around here.

I’m happy.

Mostly.

My gaze snags on the hulking man leaning against the brick of Fancy's Diner. Shadows flash over Briggs like a gothic lightshow, highlighting the glint of boredom in his dark eyes.