Perfect Bastard (Mason Creek)

“His father stole my girl, stole my ranch. He would have taught his boys the same. And Nate has proved himself to be just like him. You’ve seen the headlines. How could you be so stupid?”

“You know what? I’m not going to stand here and take this. I am not a child. I’m an adult and not everything’s about you. If you realized that sooner, Mom would still be married to you and not someone else.”

I covered my mouth as I realized what I’d just said. Dad went from shocked to devastated. As much as I hated seeing him hurt, I might as well finish the hard truths.

“Whatever Nate’s dad did to you, you should have let it go instead of pining over a woman you couldn’t have and ignoring the woman right in front of you. Now you want to push me away too because you don’t trust that I know what I’m doing. I stayed in this stupid town for you. Don’t make me regret it.”

I stormed out of the office, on the verge of tears. Though I’d been able to maintain an air of strength in front of him, I was breaking down with every step. I’d said things I’d kept quiet all my life. And I’d defended a man who I had no idea if he deserved to be defended.

The air outside was crisp, a definite difference from the stifling feeling I’d had inside the shop. The bell rang overhead, and Tugboat stepped out beside me.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know anyone can recognize me and tell a reporter. I’m not blaming you. The only person to blame is myself.” I finally peeked over to see his concern written on his face.

“I don’t think he’s a bad guy.” Tugboat shrugged. “I mostly watch life, and he likes you. You like him. I never felt that before until you forced me to meet Maddy. It’s nice to be liked when you like that person back. I don’t see anything bad about that.”

A small smile played on my lips. “I’m really happy for you, Barnes. You deserve it. My situation is more complicated. I won’t bore you with the details, but Nate and I can never happen.”

“Never say never,” Tugboat said and patted my back. “I’m rooting for you.”

He stepped back inside, and I took a cleansing breath before getting to work.

Later that day when I was about to clock out, Dad announced I wasn’t done. “Casey called out. I need you to be on call for tows. Tonight’s storm will pack a punch and we’ll likely get called by county to help clear snow or pileups.” We were a county subcontractor to help with such things.

As that had been the first thing he’d said to me since our blowup earlier that morning, it was likely his way of punishing me. Lucky me, I didn’t have a life outside of working. These past few weeks had been unusual. Most weekends, I hung out with Haley and Zoe, watching movies, or going to the park.

I drove home and flopped on my bed, knowing it would be a long night. Towing shifts during storms were like that. I should probably get something to eat while I could. Plus, Dad would be home soon. He wouldn’t eat if I didn’t cook. He’d fill himself up with beer.

My phone rang, and I snagged it. “Haley,” I said.

“What’s up, girl?” Her cheerfulness rankled when I felt as pissy as I did.

“I’m on call tonight. So yay for me.”

“Aww,” she said.

“It’s not like my social life is bursting at the seams.”

“I told you I would ask Agan if he had any single friends.”

“Please don’t. Nothing worse than being that friend who can’t get a date on her own.”

“That’s just because your standards are too high.”

“Breathing, has a job, isn’t a jerk,” I ticked off. “Not a lot to ask.”

She giggled as one would who wasn’t dateless. “Come on. You went to college and with all those boys, and came home with zero.”

I covered my eyes with my forearm. “Apparently that ‘no jerk’ part is a high standard most can’t maintain.”

Sure, I’d dated in college. I’d come close to falling in love and he’d realized one girl wasn’t enough for him.

“Nate can’t,” Haley said.

“I know. I got an earful from my dad. I don’t need you to keep throwing it in my face.”

“He saw the video?” she asked.

“He did and isn’t happy about it.”

“Agan thinks I should let go of the past and encourage you to go out with Nate. He thinks the video proves that there’s something between you two.”

“Now you’re telling Agan about my business?” Annoyance coated every word I spoke.

“He saw the video and asked me about it. I wasn’t giving him trade secrets.”

She was right. “I know how Agan feels. What do you think?” Her answer could change everything.