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I can’t imagine the way they must be worrying with me gone. I didn’t even leave a note. But my logic catches on that. Someone sent Whitlock and Stolls, and they don’t look like they’re on a friendly search. Anderson will assume the worst. So will Charlene. My only hope for an advocate at this point is Tucker. Only a few years older than me, we’ve always been closest.
A waitress sets a couple plates down on our little table. “Crispy spicy tuna and dragon roll.” She winks at Rhett before she reverses to leave. Completely oblivious to her flirting, Rhett pokes at the dragon roll with one of his chopsticks.
“Should I ask what’s in it? I recognized tuna, but I’m thinking it’s not like the sandwich.”
I start laughing again but hold my stomach because I’m still not recovered from the last time. Rhett watches me for a few seconds, obviously pleased by my reaction.
“I could watch you laugh all night.”
I never have to doubt his sincerity. It’s written across his face. It’s not like he’s coming on to me either, it’s a statement of fact. Rhett says what he means, possibly one of the most authentic people I’ve ever met.
“Stop stalling.” Using my chopsticks, I transfer one of each of the rolls onto his small plate. “I’ve answered a ton of questions. It’s time for you to try something new.”
“Can I at least skip the chopsticks?” He doesn’t wait for my permission, pinching the dragon roll between his fingers and popping it in his mouth. Rhett’s eyes bulge. I try not to laugh and slide a few onto my own plate.
“What do you think?”
“I think I’m starving, and this might be torture. Do you think we can get a burger after this? Or maybe raid the fridge in the bunkhouse?”
I shove his leg with my foot. “Come on, try the other one. It’s one of my favorites.”
Sighing, he takes the crispy spicy tuna roll in his fingers and pretends to pray. I roll my eyes as he plugs his nose and takes the plunge so to speak. His eyes pop open, but for once he doesn’t look green.
“Hey,” he says with his mouth still full of food, “that’s not bad.”
I smile at the deep-fried sushi. Dad was right again. Everything tastes better fried.
We eat for awhile, talking about ranch work, the horses, the staff, everything that’s familiar and easy until both plates are empty.
“You think they have milkshakes here?” Rhett frowns deeply like he already knows the truth. “I could really go for a chocolate milkshake.”
I’m about to remind him that it’s a sushi bar, not the local diner, but commotion breaks out near the entry. A couple women squeal. I turn in time to see them throwing their arms around someone. Shifting to get a better look, I recognize him about the same time as everyone else in the bar. I swear, with one voice the crowd seems to call out to him like an old friend.
“Carl!”
It works through the crowd, an excited rumble declaring that their favorite singer has finally arrived. Everyone that is, except for Rhett. His jaw tightens. His body follows suit. All the tension he abandoned over the last hour seeps back into his demeanor.
Carl spots us within seconds, but nothing in his face says surprise. This feels calculated. Whether it was against me or Rhett, I can’t be sure, but it’s clear he’s on a mission. Every step toward us seems to tighten Rhett until he’s close to snapping.
“Hey party people.” Carl looks at me, but his gaze rests on his brother. “I guess my invite got lost, huh Bro?”
“Yeah,” Rhett straightens where he’s sitting, “you know how it is, all of us working together, we thought we’d blow off some steam.”
It’s a dig at the fact that Carl doesn’t help with the ranch, and from the way his jaw tightens, I don’t doubt that he caught it.
“It was last minute,” I say, trying to keep them from fighting. “It wasn’t anything personal.”
“I’m sure that’s it.” Carl starts to say more but shakes his head and stalks away. “I got people to see.”
Rhett’s eyes fall shut the second Carl turns away. It’s only then that I notice his hands on the bench, both clasped into fists, slowly unballing as Carl gives us a little space.
“Hey, how about I get us a couple more drinks?” Rhett doesn’t wait for my answer, just grabs my glass and leaves for the bar on the other side of the room. With me drinking iced tea and him drinking water, I’m not sure the bar is where he’s supposed to be, but since he’s already admitted that he’s prone to running, I suppose I should be happy he’s still in the building.
Weight on the bench draws my attention back around. Carl slips in beside me, smiling like he’s got a secret I don’t know. In my world, that’s trouble.
“I thought he’d never leave.”
“I didn’t know he needed to.” I brace myself for whatever comes next. After all, last time I saw him, he was debating whether to kick me off the ranch or not. Whether he wields that kind of power, I’m not sure, but I don’t really want to find out.
