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“And I’d do it again, brother.” Tyler hugs me before we part ways.
I decide to walk to the grocery store before I head home so I can make Everleigh dinner. She has a few hours left of work, and I’d like to surprise her.
On the way there, I think about my conversation with Tyler and then send Annie a text.
Archer: Things going okay? Notice anything weird again?
Annie: No, not since that one time. Don’t worry, I’m keeping an eye out.
I grin because she knew what I was going to say next.
Archer: Okay, good. Can’t be too safe. I wish we lived closer.
Annie: Me too. Maybe someday.
I make my way into the store and grab a basket. Next, I find the potatoes, then head toward the meat.
“Oh my gosh, Archer, Hi!” I turn and see Dana standing inches from me.
“Hey, how are ya?” I ask politely.
“Great! How ’bout yourself?”
“Can’t complain,” I say, lowering my eyes to the steaks. “Just grabbing a few things.”
“Ooh, meat and potatoes. Yum.” She places her hand on my arm. “Everleigh’s a lucky woman.”
“Uh, thanks.” I step back, creating space between us until her hand drops. She ignores my unease.
“So what have you been up to? Training lots of people?”
“Yep, staying busy.” I place two ribeyes in my basket.
“It’s a real shame Everleigh took you off the market so fast.” She inches closer. “But can’t say I blame her.” She smirks, and I’m immediately uncomfortable.
Considering this is a small town, people will speculate if we’re standing too close. It’s enough for me to want to get my ass out of here and away from her.
“Well, I better go if I’m gonna have time to cook. See ya later.” I walk away before she says anything else. Not sure what the hell that was about, but I wasn’t staying to find out.
When I’m only a few minutes from the house, I get a text. My heart races when I see it’s from an unknown number.
I click on it and find a picture of Everleigh with Gemma and Katie. They’re sitting together at the deli, and though there’s no date on it, I remember the outfit. Everleigh was wearing it the day Natasha nearly ran her over. That was a month ago, so why is Krystal just sending this now?
And does that mean Krystal was here, or is someone else watching her? Were Natasha and Krystal somehow working together?
A dozen questions run through my mind as I unlock the front door. Sassy greets me, then follows me to the back, where I let her outside. After I set the bag of groceries on the counter, I stare at my phone.
I realize she sent it with a message.
Unknown: It’d be a shame if all three of them got hurt because of something you did.
My blood boils, and I grind my teeth as my finger hovers over the keyboard. I’m tempted as hell to tell her to fuck off, but I don’t want her to get pleasure from knowing she gets under my skin. Instead, I pocket my phone and try to breathe.
Not only has she threatened Everleigh and me but now she’s bringing our friends into this, and it makes me even more mad. I take a screenshot, email it to my parole officer and the detective, then block the number. If I can show solid proof, then building a case for harassment will be easier if she shows up.
Once I let Sassy back in, I clean up the house a little, then start preparing dinner. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t hear Everleigh come in. It’s not until she wraps her arms around my waist from behind that I notice.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I admit, spinning around to face her.
“You were pretty focused,” she says, pressing her lips to mine. “Smells delicious. And I don’t just mean the food.”
“I was.” I grip her hips and pull her in closer. “How was your day?”
“Great. Pretty busy actually. How about you?”
I release her and finish wrapping the potatoes in foil. When the oven beeps, I place them inside.
“Not bad. Was done by three,” I tell her. “I also ran into Dana at the store.”
“Yeah?” Everleigh opens the fridge and pulls out the butter, sour cream, and steak sauce.
“She acted a little…weird.”
Everleigh narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?”
I explain what happened, down to her touching my arm and being in my personal space. I even mentioned what she said about me no longer being single. Everleigh grinds her teeth like she’s ready to take her steak knife and find Dana.
“She’s been so damn sketchy lately, but this is her final straw. I’m firing her ass tomorrow,” she scoffs.
“Babe, don’t make any rash decisions. Maybe she was just being friendly and I took it the wrong way. I’m not Southern bred.”
