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Thatch got out of the truck and trudged into the restaurant behind Kyra. Silas and Tess were now seated across from Aiden.
“Where’s Lyric?” His mom stood. “Is she all right?”
“She’s fine.” He deflated into his chair and looked right through everyone. “She’s not coming. And I think she broke up with me.” He might as well just put it all out there and stanch the flow of questions right now. “I’d rather not talk about it. We can just eat, if that’s okay.” And they could all sit there and feel sorry for him. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Sure.” His dad cleared his throat. “Yes, let’s eat.” He signaled a passing server. “We’re ready for our food now.”
“And wine,” his mom added. “We’ll need more wine.”
A hushed conversation was going on down at the end of the table where his friends sat. Kyra was likely filling them in on everything he’d told her.
Great.All he wanted to do was get in his truck, go home, and be alone. He’d fooled himself in this relationship with Lyric as much as he’d fooled everyone else.
“Tess and I have to run an errand.” Kyra stood up abruptly. “So sorry we won’t be able to stay for dinner.”
An errand? Thatch shook his head at them. They were obviously going to track down Lyric. Not that it would do any good. She didn’t want him. The words wouldn’t stop echoing around his brain.
“Yes, so sorry.” Tess staggered to her feet. “But it was lovely to see you all again. Hopefully we can chat more tomorrow at the party after the rodeo.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay for some food?” his mom asked. If there was one thing she loved, it was a good party, and this one was quickly dying.
“Unfortunately, this can’t wait.” Kyra winked at Thatch. “We have something very important to take care of.”
Thatch didn’t try to stop them. He appreciated their effort, but he also didn’t expect Lyric to change her mind after a pep talk from her friends. He’d meant what he said. He loved her. He’d been falling in love with her for a while now. But he also wanted to be with someone who could love him back. He wanted to be with someone who would choose him, even when things were hard. He wanted to be with someone who would give him the same loyalty he would offer them.
But Lyric had walked away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Lyric woke up with a serious crick in her neck and a debilitating ache in her heart. She shifted in the chair she must’ve fallen asleep in, the bright sunshine pouring down on her through the glass door that looked out onto the deck of the cabin she’d shared with Thatch.
She hadn’t thought it would be so hard to come back here. When the owner had told her this was the only cabin she had left, Lyric didn’t hesitate to take it, hoping for refuge. But all evening, memories of Thatch had closed in on her, reminding her of what she’d walked away from.
A heartsick sigh slipped out, and Amos nudged her leg with his nose from where he lay sprawled at her feet. Yes, she was a mess. She hadn’t eaten dinner. She hadn’t even changed into pajamas. She’d simply sat in this chair staring out at the deck, remembering the magical night under the stars.
Amos let out a low rumbling bark, prompting her to move. “You’re probably hungry, aren’t you, boy?” In herhaste to leave, she’d forgotten his food but had stopped at a grocery store on the way here and picked up some of that gourmet canned food he loved.
She should be hungry, too, but she couldn’t stomach the thought of eating one of the granola bars she’d bought. How had dinner gone last night after she’d disappeared? She could only imagine how disappointed Mrs. Hearst had been. The dullness in Thatch’s voice during their confrontation still haunted her. She’d never heard him sound like that. Hollow. Like she was now.
Tears spilled down her cheeks again as she found a bowl and a can opener in the kitchenette. “Here, buddy.” She set the food in front of her dog, but he simply gazed up at her, whining.
“I’ll be all right.” She lowered herself to the floor next to his food dish so he’d eat something.
Lying on the floor, Lyric tried to do some of her yoga breathing. It always worked when she found herself worried or anxious. But even deep, cleansing inhales and exhales weren’t enough to soothe her heart.
Amos took a few tentative bites of the food, but her dog had always sensed her emotions. After looking back and forth between his food and her a few more times, he lay down protectively right next to her, resting his head on her leg.
“I’ll eat too,” she promised. “In a few minutes.” She would have to eat. She didn’t do this. She didn’t fall apart and run away and hide. Not anymore. Yet here she was, lying on the floor of a cabin where she knew no one would find her.
Amos rumbled off another bark, this time sitting up with his ears perked. “Bwoof, bwoof.” Her dog had alwaysbeen a polite barker—not too loud and sharp. Now his tail started to sweep the floor.
Lyric slowly sat up too. “What?”
A knock sounded on the door, flooding her with hope and panic at the same time.
“Lyric?” Tess yelled. “We know you’re in there! Your car is out here, and I heard Amos.”
“So you might as well let us in right now,” Kyra added. “Or I’ll have to break down the door.”
