Dirty Game

“What’s going on? Why are you here?”

“To see Blake,” I answered.

“Uh-huh. And you just showed up here on a Tuesday night?”

“We need to talk. Ok? We left a lot of things unresolved at the end of the summer.”

“That’s what you call it?”

I felt the tingles of panic work through my body. “Why? Did he say something to you? Do you know something, Cole?”

He backed up. “I’m not getting in the middle of this again. I played my part when you left the first time. I watched the destruction of my cousin implode in front of my eyes.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you thought that about me.”

He hung his head. “I don’t, Sierra. But you two need to get your shit straight. You belong together, not apart. And the sooner you both figure it out, the sooner you can stop hurting each other.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I admitted.

“Good.” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Could you do something for me? A small favor?” I asked.

“Depends.”

“Could you give me time to get there? Please don’t tell him I’m here. I need to talk to him. It’s important.” I was suddenly more afraid than ever that if he knew I was on the way he might be the one to run this time.

“I can do that.” He grinned.

I looked at the clock on the wall. “I need to go if I’m going to catch him.”

“Aw, you’ll be fine. He’ll be there ’til closin’ time.” Cole winced as soon as the words were out of his mouth.

My smile changed quickly. “What are you saying? He planned to stay out all night?”

I tried to keep the jealousy and suspicions out of my voice, but it was hard to forget the fan girl groupies who were always waiting for Blake after his shows. Any one of them would be more than happy to go home with him, if he gave them the chance. A sour pit formed in my stomach.

“You’ve been gone almost two months, girl. I think you need to get down there and see for yourself.” Cole walked to the office and turned off the lights.

I fumbled with the doorknob and walked out, the briskness of October wrapping around my shoulders. Cole was right behind me. I looked at the rental car and thought of the twenty-minute drive to the Dock House. I wasn’t

sure I could make it there; my emotions were all over the place.

Cole patted me on the shoulder before walking to his Jeep. “Enjoy the show. It was good seeing you.” He climbed in and peeled onto the road before I could pepper him with more questions about Blake. I wasn’t prepared for what I was going to say to him. How did I tell him he was about to become a father?

Damn it. I better get this over with.. I sent the car into drive and made my way to Oakton, to Blake.

37

Sierra

Tuesday nights in October were a far cry from the crowded summer nights I was used to. I pulled into an empty parking space close to the Dock House sidewalk. Blake’s truck wasn’t here, but Cole had told me this was where he was for the night.

This was the last place I should be. The absolute last place. I’d woken up this morning in hot and dusty Dallas, and now I was standing outside of the Dock House while boats rocked in their slips.

My heel made a hollow sound as it hit the parking lot pavement. I slammed the car door behind me and inhaled, taking in this place and all the memories we had made.

The wind whipped through my hair. I hesitated. This was all wrong. I shouldn’t be here. But I had to know. I had to see him again.