You Make Me Weak (The Blackwells of Crystal Lake 1)

“Don’t tell me nothing.” Violet pulled into a parking spot and cut the engine. “I can feel you looking at me, and you’re wearing Hot Spice.”

“What?”

“Your lips. Isn’t that Hot Spice?”

Her fingers touched her bottom lip. Shoot. Violet saw everything. “Hudson’s back in town.” The words fell out of her, and then silence filled the vehicle. It wasn’t often her girlfriend was speechless. But right now, her mouth hung open and no words came out. The redhead shook her head, hands still gripping the steering wheel.

“What? When?”

“Since Monday.”

Violet looked as if her eyes were going to pop right out of her head. “He’s been home for nearly a week and this is the first time you’ve said anything to me?”

“I’m sorry. I…”

“It’s like a thing now? Him being home?”

“No.” Rebecca fell back against her seat. “It’s not a thing. We’re not a thing. I just…” Chest tight, she clamped down her mouth. She didn’t know what she felt, and that was the problem. There was anger there—even after all these years. But seeing him again stirred up a lot more than just anger. And it was the other stuff that confused and scared the hell out of her.

“You weren’t expecting to see him.” Violet’s voice was gentle. She’d been there, back in the day when things had gone bad. She’d seen what he’d left behind. The mess Rebecca had been.

“No. He’s the last person I thought I’d ever see back here.” Her voice dropped. “That last night… He said he was never coming back.”

Outside, the sounds of music drifted on the air, mingled with the happy shouts and merriment from the crowd inside. Rebecca glanced over at the barn, the windows ablaze with light, the people milling about outside, and suddenly, her heart felt so heavy, it hurt.

“Do you think he’ll be here?” Violet prodded gently.

Rebecca glanced at her friend. The Hudson she’d seen wasn’t small town anymore. “I doubt it. If Adam didn’t say anything to you, he’s not reached out to any of his old friends, and really, a dorky barn dance doesn’t seem his style.”

“Do you want me to text Adam and ask if he’s heard from him?”

Yes.

“No. God. No. I don’t care either way.”

Violet made a face, and Rebecca knew her friend didn’t believe a word she was saying. Probably because of the whole Hot Spice thing. Why oh why hadn’t she chosen a more subtle hue? Pink Punch would have been fine.

“I told Nadine I’d help out, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Okay.” Violet reached for the door handle. “Let’s do our duty. But more importantly, let’s have fun.”

The barn was pretty much at capacity by the time ten o’clock rolled around. The beer flowed, the band was a local favorite and kept the dance floor hopping. Of course the rumors that Crystal Lake’s own bona fide rock star, Cain Black, would appear most likely helped. By the time Rebecca’s shift was over, her nerves had long since settled and she was enjoying herself.

Everywhere she looked, there were people she knew. People she cared about. People who mattered to her. People who’d made coming back here and leaving an abusive husband behind so much easier than it could have been.

She was right where she wanted to be and yet…

“And yet, nothing,” she muttered, tossing her apron to the next shift recruit. She grabbed herself a cold beer and decided it was time to have some fun. Violet nodded toward the dance floor just as the band swung into a rousing version of an old Eagles classic. It had been ages since she’d let her hair down and had fun, and as the music took over, Rebecca let go. She danced until sweat made her hair stick to the back of her neck. Until her cheeks were sore from laughing. Until Adam appeared and claimed his wife. Until the band slowed down and played a slow song that burned right through her.

Adam kissed his wife, uncaring of the crowd, and his hands moved down Violet’s body until he cupped her butt and drew her as close as two people could be. He whispered something in her ear, and Violet laughed, wrapping her arms around the man she loved. It was a beautiful thing to see, that kind of love between a man and a woman, but Rebecca didn’t want to see it anymore.

Smile slowly fading, she moved away from the crowd until the shadows that clung to the corner of the room covered her. It felt safe here, and she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, letting the music and melody wash over her. God, she loved this song. And she hated it.

It was a dark song about desire and hot summer nights. About things forbidden and dangers unseen. About pleasure and regret and consequence.

The crowd erupted in cheers as a crisp, clear voice sailed over all of them. She knew Cain Black was in the house, and as he nailed every note of the classic, Rebecca slipped farther into the shadows and sang along, her voice soft and sad.

When the guitar solo sliced through the night, she smiled at the simple artistry that Cain possessed. He made his guitar cry, and it touched her soul, so much so she felt the hot spring of tears sting the corners of her eyes. That thing inside her, the empty space she tried not to think about, it ached. It expanded and grew and stretched so damn tight, it was hard for her to breathe.