I was a moody, grumpy beast, and everyone knew it. No matter how much I wanted to pretend that Sadie liked me, I was pretty sure she didn’t.
“That’s really nice of you.” Holly’s voice drew my attention over.
I ignored the way she grinned at me and batted her eyelashes. She had something in her eye, that was all.
“Anytime. I needed to get out of there. Life is much better outside.”
“Oh my gosh,” Holly said, drawing out every syllable, as she emphasized her shock with her hand on my arm. “I legit have that as a bumper sticker.”
My gaze dropped down to her hand and then back up as a pit began to grow in my stomach. Holly was touching me. My ability to pretend that I wasn’t seeing things was slipping. I parted my lips to say something but then stopped myself. No good would come from confronting her. Instead, I quickened my pace even though I had no idea where this cat was.
“That slogan, life is better outside,” she said as she hurried after me. “That’s so funny that you live by that motto as well.”
I glanced over my shoulder and had every intention of telling her that she’d misread me, but then I zeroed in on Sadie sitting at a little black table outside of the small coffee shop, smiling at Camden Owens. My entire world turned hazy. I stopped, and Holly ran into me. She yelped and stumbled to regain her footing.
“Mason,” she said.
But I wasn’t paying attention to her. The only thing I could see was Sadie’s effortless smile as she flung her hair over her shoulder and laughed as something that jerk Owens said. My blood began to boil as I recalled how he’d cheated on Sadie with Tiffany, the head cheerleader. Sadie had been brokenhearted at his betrayal. Sure, she eventually moved on and found Adam, but how could she forgive that prick? Had she forgotten how he’d made her cry?
Because I hadn’t. The image of her tears was burned into my memory.
“Are you okay?”
Holly frantically waved her hand in my line of sight, bringing me back to the present. I cleared my throat and blinked a few times, trying as hard as I could to get the image of Sadie from my mind. It didn’t work. All I could see was her flirting.
Flirting!
“You just stopped walking.” Holly furrowed her brow. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I needed to get a grip. After all, Sadie was a full-grown woman. If she wanted to make a huge mistake like this, who was I to stop her?
Just the guy who’d promised to watch out for her.
Only…I couldn’t. It wasn’t right to storm over there and demand she never speak to Sleazeball Owens again. I was powerless.
I hated feeling powerless.
It felt as if a vice were wrapped around my heart, squeezing it. Flashes of Adam’s death sparked in my mind like fireworks at a Fourth of July celebration.
I took in a deep breath and focused on Holly. We were here for a reason, and that reason needed my attention—not my stunned reaction to Sadie’s situation.
“Let’s get this done,” I growled as I headed off to the tree at the other end of the coffee shop’s patio. I’d heard a pathetic mew from that direction and figured the cat was that way. A woman with worrying lips and a furrowed brow hurried over.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” she said as she moved to stand inches from me.
I wanted to push her away—I was a man who enjoyed his personal space—but I didn’t. I hoped if I kept her close, my focus wouldn’t drift where it shouldn’t.
“Where’s the cat?” I asked.
She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers for us to follow. When we got to the tree, I heard faint meows, and when I glanced up, I saw an orange fluff ball clinging for dear life to one of the upper branches. I moved to set the ladder up as Holly got the information from the woman.
Once I was ready, I didn’t hesitate to climb up the ladder and into the tree. After a few minutes and a few scratches, I descended with the kitten firmly tucked into my arm like a football. There was a cheer of approval from the few people who’d gathered around, but I didn’t bother to react. Instead, I handed the kitten over to the woman and then stepped back.
People congratulated me, shaking my hand and slapping me on the shoulder. It made me feel uncomfortable. Why were they thanking me? This was my job. I didn’t go to their place of work and cheer them on when they finished a proposal or landed a large account. I chose to go into this field, and it was my responsibility to make sure that all animals and people in Evergreen Hollow were safe.
I wasn’t a hero. I would never be a hero.
“Well, if it isn’t Mason “the bull” McKnight.” Camden’s voice rose up over the crowd’s chatter.
The air around us shifted as I sucked in my breath. Of course, the crowd must have gotten their attention, and it was only natural that Camden and Sadie would come out to see what was going on. I counted down from three and then turned to see Camden’s wide smile and his extended hand. Sadie was standing next to him, attempting to avoid my gaze.
Good. She should. Owens had treated her horribly, and if there was anyone around here who knew that, it was me. I studied her for a moment to see if she was going to look up at me, but she didn’t. Camden was moving toward me like he was attempting to grab my attention.
“It’s been so long. How have you been?” Camden asked as he kept his hand extended.
I didn’t want to touch him, but I also wasn’t a jerk. So I met his gesture for a second before I dropped my hand. “Great,” I growled.
Camden didn't seem interested in moving. Instead, he folded his arms across his chest. “I didn’t know you joined the department,” he said, nodding to my badge.
“Yep.” I gave him a look that I hoped said, anything else?
He cleared his throat. “How crazy is it that I run into two high school classmates in one day?” He reached out and wrapped his arm around Sadie’s shoulder.
Rage coursed through me, but I held it in. I was in uniform. I was a professional. I’d let this go for now, but if he ever tried manhandling Sadie again when I was off duty, it would be a different story.
“Yeah,” I said, low and in control.
“Oh wow. You guys all went to school together?” Holly piped up from behind me.
“Oh yeah. Go Bulldogs,” Camden shouted and followed his words with a barking sound. He chuckled and lowered his voice as he studied me. “We should do something together. How about a double?” He glanced over at Sadie as if he were trying to gauge her reaction.
I kept my stare on him as he kept his arm around her shoulders. I was pretty sure I knew what he was asking, but I wanted to clarify.
“Double as in…double date?” I hoped he could feel my tone. There was no way I was going to spend my Friday evening with Camden any more than I was going to let him spend time with Sadie.
“Yeah. Doesn’t that sound fun?” He tightened his grip on Sadie, and my hand instantly fisted.
“Umm…” Sadie said as she pinched her lips together.
Sadie glanced up at me, and my stomach sank. She looked so…lost. It made me upset that Camden was pushing her into this. Adam had only been KIA for a year now. For Camden to think she was ready to move on caused a protective surge to go through me.