“You were engaged to him?”
Tara’s lips curled in a knowing smile. “Miller’s Grove is a small town. Our families had it planned out since we shared a crib at church.” She rolled her eyes. “At least I think that’s when my drink was drugged. It’s the only time my drink wasn’t in my hand. I don’t remember another time. Funny the things I do remember. Chelsea Cole was hanging onto Wyatt when I came back to him. Her hand was up his shirt, and he seemed to be enjoying it. When I came back into the room, he brushed her off. He laughed and told her I was going to be jealous.”
Tara paused her story as a group of bicyclists peddled by. She chanced a glance in Josh’s direction, not surprised to see his brow furrowed deeply as he processed the story. “After that, everything started getting blurry. I thought I was coming down with something. He offered to take me back to my apartment. I must have fallen asleep in the car.”
She paused at the overlook next to the river. “I woke up, and it was dark. I was cold. I was in my bed, but I wasn’t wearing any clothes. Someone was holding me down. I thought it was a bad dream.” Trying to stop her lips from shaking, she covered her mouth with her hand. “The next morning, I knew what happened. It hurt … a lot. I peeled the blanket back and found the blood.” Her cheeks flushed. “It was my first time.” She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. “I rolled onto my stomach and started crying. Then I realized I could smell Wyatt’s cologne on the pillow. My roommate called the police. She said I looked like I’d lost a boxing match. I guess I still fought back. I don’t remember.”
Tara stopped talking, not sure if she could finish. “When they arrested Wyatt, he said it was consensual. I just liked it rough. My mom met me at the hospital. She refused to tell my dad what happened. I’d gone through all the tests and interviews with the police alone.
“I wish she’d stayed away. She stared me in the eyes and called me a whore. I had two black eyes and stitches in my lip. She had the nerve to say that if this scandal kept my dad from getting elected, it was my fault for shaming the family name. I think she may have actually made herself believe I made this happen so my dad wouldn’t be governor.”
For the first time while recounting the story, a tear fell from the corner of her eye. She wiped it away as she turned to face Josh. “My mom thought a little trip would do me good. They sent me to stay with David in Japan for a month. Dad happily kept campaigning. The story just went away.” She frowned and shook her head. “I wasn’t available to testify when they conducted the initial hearing, and somehow all the paperwork from the hospital got lost in a clerical error.
“When I came back, I found out my dad had pulled some strings and I was enrolled at UCLA for the last semester of my senior year. I still don’t know what story Mom told him about why I needed to transfer. But it was all settled. My apartment was all set up. I flew out to California, and I never spoke to either of my parents again. They died in a wreck not too long after that. Dad had been driving in a thunderstorm. A car came out of nowhere. Knocked them off the road and into the creek. They never found the car that hit them.”
Her story complete, Tara led the way back to her house in silence. As she mounted the stairs to her front porch, she shrugged her shoulders and stared down at Josh. “Thanks for listening. I think you’re the only one who made it all the way to the end, except for David, but he doesn’t really count.” She forced a smile.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Josh reached for her hands and held them in his. He casually ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “Nothing you just said changes anything for me. I like you, Tara. I want the chance to get to know you better.” He ducked his head to better look her in the eyes. The blue was so vibrant with the clear sky overhead; Tara felt she was being hypnotized. She’d agree to anything as long as he kept looking at her like that. “I’d like to take you to dinner tonight,” Josh said. “Consider it an apology for showing up on your doorstep unannounced.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.” Tara backed away, but he gripped her hands more firmly.
“Just give me the chance. Let me prove I’m not like all the other guys you’ve known.” Smiling her favorite twisted smile, he waited for her answer.
Tara took a breath, fully aware she was likely going to regret her next words. “Okay. I’ll go to dinner, but just as your friend.”
“That’s fine with me. Two friends. Eating dinner.” He looked down at his watch. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
Chapter Twelve
“And as you can see, the homecoming celebration is still going in full force. Mayor Higgins just lit the bonfire, and the festivities will be going on for two more hours tonight.” Tara laughed and turned to watch the participants at the street dance. “So, if you’re wanting some Friday night fun, come out and celebrate the team’s win!”
Tara smiled widely into the camera as she waited for the little red light to turn off. “Thanks, Lainey. Nice work.”
“You need anything else?” She untangled a black cord from the back of her neck. Lainey yawned into her hand as her eyes begged Tara to say no to the question.
Tara pressed her earpiece tighter against her ear in a feeble attempt to hear the news director above the pounding music coming from behind her. “Nope. Eric said that report came through just fine. We can call it a night.” Her lips turned up in a grin as Eric’s voice tapered off and Josh’s came through her earpiece. She’d planned on going home, but now she had reason to stay. Tara pulled the wires from the microphone out from under her shirt. “So, do you have big plans?”
Lainey yawned a second time. “I’m just hoping Casey lets us sleep past 7 in the morning. He doesn’t understand I’d like to wait for the sun to fully rise before I get up on Saturdays.”
“Your neighbor’s dog is still giving y’all fits?”
“They’re early risers.” Lainey shook her head sadly. “They just don’t understand the sanctity of a Saturday morning.” She knelt on the ground and put the camera in its case before she reached for Tara’s equipment. “I’ll take your stuff back tonight too. Somehow I have an idea that you have plans.”
“You don’t mind?”
“I drive by the station on my way.” She hoisted the case onto her hip. “Stay and have a good time.”
“Thanks!” Tara waved as she turned in the direction of the bonfire. She’d seen Meghan and David walking with a group of his students from school. One of the football players had Jaden on his shoulders. She craned her neck to see the group, but she wasn’t sure if they were still around somewhere. She had a few minutes to kill before Josh was expected to arrive. She ambled to the concession stand and bought a cup of apple cider to combat the chill of the night air before walking back to watch the bonfire. As the sparks curled and snapped above the fire, she wasn’t surprised when a hand rested on her shoulder. She leaned back into the embrace.
“Just like old times. Can you believe it’s been ten years? I wish you’d been on the float with me. Kelly was sad when I couldn’t persuade my Homecoming Queen to ride along.”
She jumped and dropped her cup at the sound of Wyatt’s voice. She spun around and rolled her shoulder to pull his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Definitely like old times.” He laughed deep in his throat.
“Leave me alone, Wyatt.”
“I just wanted to say you did a nice job tonight — nothing more.” He held his hands up in mock-surrender. “But when I saw you here in the glow of the fire, I couldn’t help thinking about the night at the bonfire our senior year.”
“That wasn’t a date.”
“Then why were you leaning against my chest?”
“Because Scott was drunk, and he shoved me into you.” Tara took a step back but came to a stop before she got too close to the fire.
“You have your version of the story. I have mine.” His cheeks fl
ushed pink with anger. “I don’t know why you keep denying it.” He reached out and trailed a finger under her chin.
Tara pulled his hand away. She was already fighting a losing battle with her stomach. If his hands stayed on her any longer, she was going to vomit on his shoes. Of course, that might be a good idea. “Wyatt, please.”
“Why don’t we see if I can make you say that tonight?” He winked at her.
“You’re disgusting.” She brought her arm back to slap him as hard as she could, but he caught her by the wrist.
He pointed to the people who’d turned to look at them. “Tara, you seem to be making a bit of a scene.”
“Get away from me.” She wasn’t worried about being quiet any longer. If she attracted a crowd, someone might realize he was unstable.
Studying the crowd around him, he smiled and laughed. “I can take a hint.” He pulled her against him one last time. “I’ll see you later.” He roughly pushed her away and waved at the head football coach in the distance.
• • •
Tara bent down and picked the paper cup up off the ground. She tried to still the pounding in her chest as she attempted to dry her shirt off with the single napkin she received with her drink. She was ready to go home. She’d call Josh on the way and let him know she wasn’t feeling well and decided not to stay.
A hand brushed across her back, and she jumped and dropped the cup a second time.
“Hey, it’s me.” Familiar hands enveloped her as they slid down her arms while Josh whispered into her ear. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He pulled her back into his chest and held her against him until he felt her muscles begin to relax. “Are you okay?” He couldn’t hide the concern in his voice.
Tara nodded. After a few minutes, she pulled away, but reached for his hand. Thankfully, her hands weren’t shaking as he entwined her fingers with his. Now that Josh was here walking hand in hand with her, she was determined to enjoy herself. She wasn’t going to let Wyatt spoil this night. “You just surprised me right after I’d spilled my drink.”
“Clumsy?”
“I guess.” She shrugged as she swung their linked hands. “You’re early. I thought you were just coming for the bonfire. The dance is still going.”
“And that’s what I was hoping. I seem to remember you saying it was only going for another hour. I couldn’t miss the chance to dance with you.” They walked to the edge of the crowded area roped off for the street dance.
“I’m not a very good dancer.” Tara frowned at the packed dance floor. “And I don’t think there’s room.”
“Are you just looking for excuses? I thought all Southern girls danced.”
“Not this one.”
“Humor me.” Josh studied the area at the foot of the town hall stairs. “We’ll make our own dance floor.” He led her to the edge of the parking lot. The clear white lights strung from the trees overhead gave off a soft glow.
The lead singer looked out at the crowd and addressed them, “All right everyone, hold your partner close. This is the last dance of the night. You can find us every Saturday night at Rowdy’s Grill.”
“The last dance. That’s too bad.” She shook her head in mock-sadness.
Josh placed his arm in the small of her back and pulled her unexpectedly close to him. “Then we’ll just have to make it count.”
Tara allowed herself to lean into his chest. She took in a breath and was filled with the scent she’d begun to associate with Josh — a mixture of the leather jacket he wore to the studio every day, his aftershave, and something else she couldn’t quite describe. Whatever it was, she was surprised to discover just how much it helped calm her … while stirring something else deep inside.
As the music sped up for a moment, Josh surprised her by twirling her in place.
Tara couldn’t stop laughing as she accidentally stepped on Josh’s foot. “What? I tried to warn you.” She rolled her eyes at the wide grin that had come over Josh’s face.
“That’s a sound I haven’t heard often enough.” He pulled her back into his arms but continued to look into her eyes. He let go of her hand and reached up to stroke her cheek. The music tapered off as the dance came to a close. “I really want to kiss you right now.” His voice was low and heavy with emotion. “Can I?”
Tara’s cheeks flushed as she nodded, not trusting her voice not to shake. Her heart began to pound, but in a good way — the way she remembered feeling when she snuck behind the gym with Scott when she was fifteen. But this wasn’t a high school kind of kiss.
When his lips met hers, they were soft and warm and exactly what she needed. His hand behind her back wasn’t just pulling her closer — it was also doing the majority of the work of keeping her on her feet.
His lips cracked open ever so slightly, and Tara could taste the traces of his last cup of coffee.
And then there was a flash. She knew the joke about seeing stars during a kiss, and Josh’s kiss had really been that good. However, the flash seemed more like something from a camera, and Josh had definitely seen it too.
“What was that?” Josh took a step back, studying their surroundings. Tara surveyed the thinning crowd around them. “A camera?” In the distance, thunder rumbled and a flash turned the sky purple. “Or maybe lightning.”
“Could be.”
He smiled down at her as he leaned over for one more short kiss. Another rumble of thunder pealed in the distance. The first few drops peppered down on them. “I have a feeling we’re not making it back to the bonfire.”
“That’s okay.” Tara surprised herself as she stood on her tiptoes for another kiss. She’d had enough of the bonfire for one night.
• • •
“Someone had a good time at homecoming.” Chuck looked up as Josh walked into the room. He tossed a magazine onto his son’s chair alongside the hospital bed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Josh hooked his sunglasses in the collar of his V-neck t-shirt. He’d planned to get to the hospital before they began the treatment, but he’d been held up by an unexpected phone call followed by a never-ending train at the end of the street leading to his condo. If staying in Miller’s Grove was even the slightest possibility, he seriously needed to consider moving.
Chuck pointed to the magazine. “Page ten. See for yourself.”
Josh eyed the IV bag as he approached his father’s bedside. “I called Susie and asked her to wait till I got here to start.”
“I’m a big boy.” His father’s lips curled into a tired grin. “I can take care of myself.” He leaned back on the bed and studied Josh’s face as his son paged through the magazine.
“Isn’t this next week’s edition?”
“I still have friends in the industry.” Chuck took a piece of crushed ice out of the plastic cup on the table at his bedside and crunched it between his teeth. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
Josh’s eyes widened as he looked at the headline. Is Television’s Sexiest Man Off the Market? He glanced at his father who sat barely concealing his amusement. “How did they get this picture?” He and Tara were standing beneath a string of clear lights hung between the oversized oak trees surrounding the courthouse. His hand was on the small of her back as he’d pulled her close against him. Even though their faces were partially in shadow, his smile as he kissed her was clearly in view.
“Miller’s Grove isn’t that small.” Chuck shook his head as he ate a second piece of ice. “Most folks around here know who you are and how much a picture like that’s worth.” Chuck laughed heartily. “I thought you two would get along.”
Josh tilted his head and studied his father’s expression. “You set us up.” Josh dropped the magazine on the ground next to his chair.
Chuck ignored his son’s comment. “I’ve known Tara for year
s. She worked for me in LA. When I came here and discovered she worked for the station … I hoped the two of you would have the opportunity to meet.” He clicked the button to raise the head of his bed to a higher position. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about the way I’ve lived my life.”
Josh held a hand up to silence his father. “You’re not getting all morbid on me, are you?”
“Just imparting some words of wisdom.” Chuck gave him an indulgent grin. “I made some mistakes along the way — including leaving your mother. Thankfully, she was a saint when I wised up and asked her to take me back. I missed a lot during those years. I didn’t see you score the winning run at the state championship.”
“That was Bryce.” Josh crossed his arms and leaned back in the reclining chair.
“Well, I missed the year you went to the debate finals.” He hesitated, waiting for confirmation.
“That was me.”
Chuck closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sigh. “I know what this business is like. Always pushing, trying to get ahead. Never content to stay in one place. There’s always a bigger station — a better network. I don’t want that for you.”
“I know what the real world’s like too, Dad. I was in New York before I came back here.”
Chuck shook his head and slowly opened his eyes. As the minutes passed, his skin took on an ashy color. Josh reached for the call button to summon a nurse. “Wait,” Chuck’s hand locked on Josh’s wrist as his son tried to stand. “I’ve seen the pictures of you — with a different girl every weekend. You made it to all the important parties.”
Small Town Secrets Page 12