Say You'll Stay (9 page)

“I’m gonna rip something off!” I glare at him.

He shrugs. “Would you rather it be now so they can all stop their bullshit speculating or wait for it to get worse?”

Like I give a shit what they all think. I ball my hands and ignore him.

“We can sit out here and let people talk too. I’m all for steaming up the windows. I have a rep to protect.” Wyatt leans back in the seat and puts his hat over his face.

If I weren’t me and he weren’t him, I wouldn’t mind that either. To let myself get lost in the arms of another for just a moment. To feel not so completely alone. Wyatt always has been hot, and when he flashes that smile, girls fawn over him. But Zach was always where my heart was. We had it all, or so I thought. Zach would walk in a room and every part of me would awaken. He was everything, and I was everything to him. Our souls touched when we were around each other. I couldn’t see anything but him, which put a damper on any chance Wyatt ever had.

“Fine,” I finally say as the windows start to fog. “Let’s go.”

He grabs my hand. “I’m with you the whole time. But I think you’ll be fine.”

“Who’s going to be here?”

“Just invited some friends.” He winks and opens the door.

The entire damn town is here. When I walk in, there are hoots and hollers all around the bar. I smile and duck my head at the unwanted attention. Nothing like being famous in this place. I glare at Wyatt. He’s dead meat.

People approach me with arms open as we all reunite. I can’t stop smiling at the first to reach me. “If it isn’t the town troublemaker!” Trent Hennington jerks me into his arms and spins me around.

“I’m still in shock they let you have a gun,” I say, laughing.

He puts me down and cups my face. “You should be scared.”

“Oh, I am.”

We both grin. Trent is two years older than Zach. He was always that annoying older brother who thrived on making my life hell. He would sneak in on me and Zach and mess with us. It was his mission to embarrass me, and he often succeeded.

“I won’t monopolize you, darlin’. You better stop by this week so you can test out my cuffs.”

I snort. “You’re still a moron.”

“One you love.”

“You damn Henningtons need to learn humility,” I say. Trent and Wyatt are so full of themselves. It’s a wonder anyone talks to them. “Married?”

“Hell no, woman. Chicks dig a badge.”

I start to reply but my best friend from high school squeals and looks like she’s going to cry. Trent steps back at the sound. “You didn’t call!” Grace says as she rushes forward. “I didn’t know you were back until Cooper said something.” She pulls me close, squeezing as she continues on. “I’ve missed you so much. It was like you disappeared.”

I lean back and smile. “I did. I needed to. I’m sorry though, I should’ve kept in touch.”

“Honey, if I could’ve done it . . . I would’ve. But you know how it goes for most of us.” I do know. There’s safety in staying, and sometimes people can’t cut the cord that’s holding them. “Tell me why in the hell you came back.”

Before I can respond my eyes look toward the bar. Everything stops. My heart. My breathing. My entire world stands still. Zachary Hennington stands there staring at me. He doesn’t move and neither do I. A tsunami of memories floods the room. Our first kiss, the first time we made love, the promises, the proposal, the love that filled our lives, and the pain when he left me. Not a muscle on him moves as he looks at me. I can see the questions pass between us.

Is that really you?

How are you?

Why are you here?

Why didn’t you call?

Why did you leave me?

Why didn’t you come with me?

Where have you been?

Do you feel this?

What does it mean?

Grace shakes my arm, and I want to scream. She must see the panic in my eyes and realizes what’s holding my attention. “Did you know?” she asks.

“Know?”

“That he lives here?”

My head is light as I try to comprehend her words. “What do you mean?”

She turns me so I can’t see him and loops her arm around mine. “He’s been back here for a while now. Probably about eight years or so. He took over his family’s business.”

“I don’t—” I look over and this time he’s not alone. A woman with long black hair hangs on his arm. She runs a finger down his cheek and then looks right at me. I nearly choke when I realize who she is—Felicia Hayes. She gives a self-satisfied smile before returning her attention to Zach.

Grace lets a puff out her nose. “She sunk her talons in quickly.”

“They’re together?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Of all of the people in the world, it had to be her. Although I don’t have a right to care. She’s the devil, and in some small recess of my heart—he’s still mine.

“About five years now. They’re not married though, which of course keeps us all talkin’. After that long why wouldn’t you? My guess is there’s someone else he’s still pining for.”

I look back over, and he’s not there. My heart beats erratically as I look for him. Instead, I see Felicia heading our way.

“Shit. The witch is coming,” Grace says as Felicia approaches.

I turn and look at the girl I never wanted to lay eyes on again. She’s aged but is still pretty. We both appraise each other in an instant. Her hair is almost jet black and hangs down right past her shoulders, bangs frame her emerald eyes, and she’s definitely had implants.

“Hello, Presley.” Her sweet Southern voice does nothing to cover the bitch in her.

“Hello, Felicia.” The smile on her face is fake, but then again, so is mine.

She looks over at Grace with a scowl. “Grace.”

“Bitch,” Grace replies without hesitation.

This is another reason I vowed never to return. Felicia Hayes is the devil. I swear the girl has horns. Her life’s mission is to make people miserable. If anyone is happy, they are a target. I can’t imagine living with a black heart.

She steps forward with a smug grin. “I heard you were back in town, and I couldn’t believe it. Bell Buckle hasn’t been the same without you here.”

“It was tough staying away so long. I mean, living in the city with so much to do.” I shrug. She always talked about wanting to leave too. She planned to marry her way out of here, preferably with my then fiancé. I never understood her need for rivalry when it came to Zach.

“I bet you were just lovin’ your perfect life. Which brings me back to wondering why you’re here now. Things not work out for you?”

It takes every ounce of control I have not to slap her. She’s always been so high and mighty. She spent our entire childhoods trying to bring someone down. I never understood why she was so hateful. It seems that time has only intensified that trait. “I guess you could say not.”

Her shoulder lifts as she turns her head to the side in a shrug. “So sad.”

I could tell her that my husband died. But she wouldn’t care. Her fake sympathy is the last thing I want or need. I won’t give her ammunition to use against me later.

“Well, Grace and I have some catching up to do,” I say dismissively.

“Oh.” She looks over at the bar where Zach is standing. “I’m sure you do. Zach and I were saying a few weeks ago how much we’ve missed you.”

“Bless your heart.” I clutch my chest. “I’m so honored you all were thinkin’ of me,” I reply with heavy sarcasm.

“I bet you were.” Felicia turns and walks away.

Looks like some people never change, although I didn’t expect much from a heartless wench. The thing about this town is that trying to avoid someone is like trying to dodge the rain—it’s impossible.

Grace and I chat a little, a lot of people come say hello, and I begin to relax. Trent gets me to dance with him for a slow song, but I spend half the time looking over his shoulder at Zach. I can’t believe he’s here. If I’d known, I would’ve never come back, which is probably why no one told me.

I head back to the table where Grace is sitting. Wyatt is flirting with some bimbo from another town—typical.

“So why aren’t you married?” I ask, noticing she has no ring.

She shrugs and holds up her left hand. “I’m picky.”

We laugh and she tells me all about the guy she has been talking to. I can almost pretend that my life isn’t a mess right now. The atmosphere of the bar allows me to forget for a bit.

“Is he from here?” I ask.

“Pres.” Grace’s eyes nearly bug out of her head.

“What?” Her gaze is locked on something behind me, and I can see it in her eyes. He’s here.

“Presley.” His deep voice slides my name out like silk. I fight my body from responding like it wants to. He can’t have this control. I won’t let him.

“Zachary.” I turn and struggle to keep it together.

He’s the same boy I fell in love with at twelve. His eyes still hold the same intensity when he looks at me. My fingers tingle as Zach stands before me. He’s paralyzed me with one look. His light brown hair is a little shorter, his five o’clock shadow makes him more rugged, and his body is so much more filled out. Age has only made him better than I remember.

Grace clears her throat. “I’ll let you two catch up.”

I try to grab her arm, but she moves too quickly.

“You look great, Pres.” He smiles, and I fight the urge to slap him. I don’t look great. I don’t feel great. I’m a mess, and I’m trying to find a way to get up in the mornings. But there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell I’m telling him that. The Zach I knew would’ve already seen that. “How are you?” he asks.

I have a voice somewhere, but I can’t seem to get it to cooperate. “Okay,” I murmur. Damn it.
Pull it together, Presley. You’re a grown ass woman who doesn’t need or want to ever be hurt like that again.
“You?” Great. One word is all I can manage.

“I’m doing good. Wyatt said you were back in town, but I didn’t believe him. You were pretty clear about never coming back.”

Wyatt. That son of a bitch. He knew this was going to happen. “I sure was. Wonder why?”

“Right.” He’s thrown off by something. Probably my hostility. But he continues our very uncomfortable conversation. “I thought about stopping by the ranch. I didn’t think you wanted to see me, though.”

I let out a heavy breath. “I didn’t know you were here, Zach. He failed to mention that, as did everyone else. If I had known . . .” I trail off while I collect myself a little more. “I don’t know. I’m kind of surprised right now. I didn’t expect to see you.”

I didn’t want to see him either. I never wanted to lay my eyes on him again. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he’d affect me this way. It’s always been like this for me. I’ve never been able to control my heart where Zach is concerned. He has some kind of special hold on me.

“We should talk.”

There’s nothing to talk about.

“Why are you in Bell Buckle?” I ask with an edge to my voice.

“Blew out my shoulder,” he says, and I want to laugh. I literally want to laugh in his face. He broke my heart. He left me in Maine to go play pro baseball and winds up back here. “I came back to rehab it, but ended up settling here when my dad had a stroke.”

Felicia slithers behind him, the whole time watching me. “There you are, baby.” Her fingers slowly glide up his arm before reaching his shoulder. “I was hoping we’d get to talk to you together, Presley. I was telling Zach how long it’s been since the three of us were in the same room. Of course the dynamic has changed a little now.”

I let out a short laugh. “Yup. It has.”

Zach’s eyes stay on me. He doesn’t even acknowledge her. “There’s a lot that’s changed.”

Felicia rests her head on his arm. He looks at her and then back to me. She perks right up. “I would love to have lunch or something. Wouldn’t that be fun, Presley? We could talk all about your life and how Zach and I are doing.”

“You know.” I let out a dramatic sigh. “I’m really busy these days.”

“I’m sure you are.”

I clench my fists, ready to let out months of hostility, but Zach interjects. “Felicia.”

She, of course, doesn’t take well to him defending me. “Really, Zachary?” She rips her arm away before raking her fingers through her hair.

Wyatt comes to stand next to me and tosses his arm over my shoulder, hauling me against his side. “There you are, Cowgirl. I need to put one of those tracking things on you.”

Felicia snorts. “Like one of the cows.”

I want to claw her eyes out. Wyatt must sense it because his hand clasps my shoulder. “I meant to ask you, Felicia,” he says with indifference. “Did you get what you wanted for your anniversary? You know, the day after Presley got back in town?”

“Why don’t you grab us a few beers?” Zach urges Felicia.

She shoots daggers at him. I have a feeling I’m missing something. “What?” she whines. “You’re kidding me?”

Wyatt tugs me closer. “Grab us one too, would you?”

“Fuck you,” she snips before turning to Zach. “Babe, let’s go back to the bar.”

I glance at Zach, whose eyes are zeroed in on Wyatt’s hand. He rubs up and down, and I turn into him a little more. I’m being infantile. I’m fully aware of this. I’m nothing to Zach, and he’s nothing to me. We’re just two old lovers who are now face to face. Of course, the history between us could fill a library, but he’s moved on. I’ve moved on. I have two boys and a life to get back to. I wish he weren’t here, though, and I wish more than anything I didn’t feel this pit in my stomach.

Wyatt coughs and waves his hand in front of his brother’s face. “Earth to Zach.”

“What?”

Felicia’s lips slant down, and I fight back a smile. She’s pissed. “I said let’s go. But you were staring off into space.”

Zach looks at her and then back to Wyatt and me.

“You should go, Zach.” Wyatt smiles and kisses my cheek. “Presley is my hot date, and I need a dance before someone else tries to swoop on in.”

My eyes widen when he says date. Zach zeroes in on that too. “Date?” he asks.

“Well, yeah. She’s single. I’m single. That doesn’t bother you, does it, brother?” Wyatt goads him.

He looks at me and shakes his head. “Of course not. All I’ve ever wanted is for her to be happy.”