Separated

by Jessica Frances

  I shake my head, forcing myself to walk away.

  Conner is well-protected tonight and doesn’t need me creeping around.

  I walk along the street, down the strip where many of the businesses are already closed up for the night, if not in the process of closing down.

  Most of the town shuts down by six. The Midsummer Bar and Grill remains livelier later on, but on weeknights, even that dies down early.

  I get many waves and head nods as I walk past residents. I resist the urge to keep questioning everyone about the threats to Conner. I can’t interview every single person in Midsummer. Well, I could, but it would likely be a waste of time.

  If someone knew something, they would have come forward by now. Besides, my best assumption is that he’s being threatened by an overzealous fan of Henry Prince’s.

  I’ve spoken with Angus Thom’s head of security about any known threats. He’s always in constant contact with his actors’ assistants to be kept in the loop of the likelihood of trouble. He assured me that any fan mail that Prince has received lately has been benign. I asked if he could send me a copy of any mail that could even be constituted as creepy or weird, but that request is apparently still being considered.

  Given that Prince would have no reason to keep this from me or Conner, I have to assume that he’s not lying and that he hasn’t received any threats. If the person is focused on Conner, it stands to reason that they’ve focused their attention on him for now, leaving Prince alone.

  Stepping into Read or Die, which is almost empty, I spot Mia and River in the young adult section, both with their heads stuffed in books. Mia’s mother, Isabella, is at the front counter where she serves her last customer of the day. She’s already placed the closed sign on the door, so I know as soon as River and I leave, she’ll be locking that door behind us.

  “Hey, Bell,” I greet, leaning forward to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Rocky!” she warmly greets me with a smile. “Are you eating enough? You’re looking …” She glances down at me, narrowing her eyes. “Um … pale?”

  I laugh, aware of how Bell is with almost everyone she sees. She was born to be a mother and tends to do this to everyone she knows. No one eats enough, gets enough sleep, or is stress-free enough not to share some of their burden with her.

  Handing out food is second nature to her. I’ve often seen people come out of this shop with a book and a takeout container full of food.

  Bell had been friends with Sophie, my ex-wife, throughout school. Even though they were different in many ways, they both fulfilled something for each other. Sophie was in desperate need of a mother figure, or someone to care for her and fawn over her, and Bell naturally needs to do that for other people.

  If I’m being honest, I’m not sure how her husband can stand it. In short bouts, it’s sweet and warm. Full-time, I would likely be driven out of my mind. However it works, though, it does for them.

  Tyson and I have been best friends since high school, and he hasn’t complained about it once. Either she dims it a little for him or he likes it. I’ve never asked, and I definitely don’t want to know.

  When both Bell and Sophie were pregnant, only months apart, it had seemed like a dream come true. At least, it was for Bell. Now, looking back, I can see the panic and wariness that stayed with Sophie from the first moment she peed on that stick until the day she walked out on us.

  The very day she left me, Bell came over with Mia and said Sophie had called her and told her of her plans. Me? I didn’t even get that courtesy. Just a bullshit note left on the kitchen counter.

  It didn’t matter, though. What did matter was that I was suddenly a single parent.

  Bell came over that first night, cooked us dinner, and helped me with a moody four-year-old. Mia was with her, equally as moody and demanding. And she did this every day for weeks. I ended up taking a leave of absence so I could get my head around my new life.

  Then, one day, Bell told me that I was ready and that I would be fine. That was when she stopped coming around.

  It turned out that I was fine. Well, fine-ish. I did make some mistakes, but River was worth every bit of the sleepless, stressed, and overworked dad I was.

  She is worth it all.

  Besides, Bell never did leave me alone. She still helped out when I needed it and continues to do so now. She was even able to facilitate getting Sophie back here to sign forms that meant Sophie gave up any rights to River.

  “I’m pale? You do realize I spend almost all day outside in the sun.” I’m well-aware that I’m more tanned than pale. The only pale part of me is my ass, and I have a sock line I can’t seem to get rid of. I spend enough time outside my own house, gardening in just shorts and shoes, to mean the rest of me is covered in a golden tan.

  “Fine, but just take this anyway.” She shoves a takeout container at me.

  I turn the clear box to the side and see the large slice of chocolate cake inside. “You spoil me.” I give her a wide smile. Bell’s chocolate cake is a favorite.

  She leans closer to me, dropping her voice. “Actually, I’m trying to save Ty. He’s getting a gut, and you eating that is one less slice he’s eating.” She gives me a wink.

  I laugh because Tyson is a hearty beast of a guy who not only runs his own construction business but also helps out on several farms. He’s fit, large, and full of muscle. Any sort of gut on him will be surrounded by well-defined abs.

  “Then feel free to give me more slices if it helps your husband keep your attention. I will sacrifice my own body for that noble cause.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Where do you even store your fat? I know you work hard, but how the hell do you keep this body?”

  I glance back at the kids, seeing them both pointing to different books and excitedly chatting to each other, not paying either of us any attention. Then, lowering my voice and matching her stance as I lean closer to her, I speak so only she can hear my answer. “Lots of sex.”

  She rolls her eyes at me. “You need to grow up. Speaking of …” She grins at me, and I instinctively have the urge to run away from whatever topic she is about to start up. “I hear a certain someone might have caught the eye of our bachelor sheriff. Any truth in that?”

  “Bell …” I growl, not willing to go into this with her.

  “He was in your office the other day, wasn’t he? I thought you guys looked cozy. River has brought him up several times. She likes him.”

  I don’t like the idea that River has brought him up. I don’t want her to get attached to someone who I can’t guarantee won’t leave and break her heart. It’s one thing for her to bring him up with me, but for her to be talking about him to others means she clearly likes him a lot.

  “Shall I put out an extra plate for the next time you guys come around for dinner?”

  Just the idea of it sends me into a panic.

  Since my mom doesn’t even know who I am anymore, Reed is in jail, and Rian is who knows where around the world, Bell and Tyson are the closest people I have to family. I’ve never brought anyone around to have dinner with them. A step that huge is just … I can’t even imagine it. It would mean too much. It would mean I can’t keep telling myself that my feelings for Conner will fade.

  “No, and now we’re dropping this. I have a date tonight with my daughter.”

  “Right.” She gives me a knowing smirk. “You keep your little secrets for now, but don’t forget, Rocky Green, I always find out in the end.” It’s a threat wrapped up in a sweet smile. I’m certain killers wouldn’t be able to hold up under a Bell interrogation. “Let me know if you ever change your mind about that extra plate. You’re an excellent father, Rocky, but that doesn’t mean you and River both don’t deserve someone else in your life.”

  “Thanks for looking after River.”

  “Anytime. And the advice is on the house.”

  I roll my eyes at her before I lean over the counter and give her cheek another quick kiss. Then I swipe my s
lice of cake and move over to the girls, who are more like sisters than just friends.

  “Time to go, River,” I tell her as I lean over and mess up Mia’s hair.

  “Hey!” she grumbles, poking her tongue out at me as she quickly straightens it.

  “Can I have this one, please, Daddy?” River hugs a book protectively in her arms.

  “Don’t you think you have enough books at home?” I ask, already pulling out my wallet from the back of my pants, unable to even deny her this while she’s supposed to be grounded and is still in trouble. But books are educational, right? Hence, they don’t count.

  “Never! I want my own library one day.”

  And that isn’t all that unlikely to happen given the amount of books she already owns. If we didn’t donate the ones she outgrew once a year, then I would need more than the spare bedroom we use for her overflow of toys and books.

  “Well, Midsummer could use a library,” I say as I hand her the money to give to Bell.

  “I’m not going to let anyone else in it! It will be all mine!” River evilly cackles.

  “Hey!” Mia cries. “What about me?”

  “You can visit me … sometimes,” River magnanimously offers, which does not appease Mia at all.

  “I’ll give you a key to the building. You’ll probably be the only one who can get her to leave this library,” I tell Mia who seems to find this response satisfactory.

  “Okay!” She moves back to her book, looking so much like River with how the world melts away as she gets lost in the story she’s reading.

  I’m always so surprised by how much reading means to these girls. At their age, I couldn’t sit still to save my life. I was full of energy and spent most of it outside. I can appreciate a book nowadays, not that I have much time to read for pleasure. River, on the other hand, as soon as she could do basic reading, she had her nose in a book. It’s what brought her and Mia even closer together, since we spend a lot of time in here and so does Mia. They were friendly because they saw each other since they were babies and I’m friends with Bell and Tyson. As soon as they both discovered they loved to read, however, only then did they become inseparable.

  “Thanks, Daddy!” River singsongs on her way back from the counter where I notice Bell shaking her head at me.

  I’m definitely her best customer. She knows how River has me twisted around her little finger.

  River gives Mia a quick hug and the promise to call her later tonight.

  I hold the door open for her and glance down at the small head that passes me by. “But you guys just spent all day together,” I point out. What more could they want to talk about?

  River responds by rolling her eyes at me, acting as though I’m so clueless. To which I give her a shrug, because I apparently am.

  “What’s for dinner?” she asks, skipping along next to me, perhaps still a little full of energy, like I was at her age.

  Thinking back to the frozen hamburger I took out this morning to thaw, I have vague ideas of cooking up some pasta or making tacos, but this idea suddenly appeals very little to me.

  “Feel like getting some takeout from Rock My Taste Buds then staying in and watching a movie?” I ask, knowing it will take zero arm twisting to get her to agree.

  “Pizza!” she gasps excitedly, clapping her hands.

  I steer her across the road and over to the restaurant that Conner and Prince entered not even thirty minutes ago. It’s one of the few we have in Midsummer. Mostly, the locals use it for takeout. It has an excellent menu and probably the majority of the town celebrates anniversaries and other special occasions inside. It’s also the host to probably every first date in town. I had my first date with Sophie here all those years ago.

  You might get a few going into Paxton or other neighboring towns to go out to eat, but Rock My Taste Buds is delicious and the owner is always friendly. There is no need to go elsewhere.

  When we enter, I purposely keep my gaze on the front counter as we wait behind two other people. It’s torture to not peek into the seated area to search for Conner and Prince.

  “Will you read to me tonight before bed again?” River asks, and I risk glancing down at her, though my eyes almost lead me astray and shift to the left instead.

  “You want me to read to you?”

  “Yeah.” She smiles up at me, and I return her smile with a warm one of my own.

  “Anything you want, sweetheart,” I easily agree, loving how happy this clearly makes her.

  “Hey, there’s Connie!” River exclaims, finally noticing Conner in the back, seated with Prince.

  I allow myself to look over and take him in again. And damn, he looks good.

  He and Prince look to be deep in conversation while the bodyguard stands off to the side, his eyes drifting from the two talking to roving his gaze back over the restaurant.

  When the last person who was ordering moves to the side, I step up to place our order, grateful for the reprieve of staring at Conner.

  Why does he have to look so damn good? And why is he here with Prince? Is this their first date?

  I never took Conner on a date, and now I’m wondering what would have happened if I had. It probably wouldn’t have made a difference …

  But what if it had?

  “Evening, Sheriff! How are you tonight?” Tate Cross, the owner, asks me cheerfully.

  “I’m doing great, Tate. Business looks to be good,” I point out, noting the several others waiting for orders to the side and the half dozen tables full of people.

  “It’s been very good. That new fella, the one with the camera”—he nods toward Conner—“he came in here last week and recorded some stuff. He talked to me for a little while, and he and young Love Fuller went crazy, ordering different meals and recording themselves stuffing their faces. I didn’t really get it, but boy, oh boy, has there been plenty of folks who have commented on seeing it. Apparently, I got a burger worth the visit to have,” he says with a toothy grin.

  “That you do,” I agree.

  “He’s a good kid.” He sounds dead serious, and everyone knows that, if you get Tate’s approval, then you’ve won over half the town instantly. Tate also believes in calling everyone under forty a kid. “Wasn’t sure about him at first, but I like him. Would be nice if he stuck around.” He gives me a pointed look that I don’t exactly understand.

  “Sure,” I say noncommittedly. “Can I get your southern special pizza? Extra cheese. And can you add pepperoni?”

  “Sure thing, Sheriff.” Tate rings up my order.

  Apparently, we’ve taken too long to keep River’s attention, because she tells me, “I’m going to go say hello!” then rushes off before I can grip her arm and hold her back.

  “River!” I growl after her, waiting to collect my change from Tate before I shove it into the tip jar beside the register.

  I barely spare Tate a glance as I race through the tables and over to River, who has been pulled up short by the bodyguard. He hasn’t touched her, but I’m ready to punch the asshole in the face, even if he’s just doing his job.

  “Connie?” River calls out behind the man who is too large and wide for her to see around.

  “Hey, River. It’s okay. She’s a friend,” Conner tells the bodyguard just as I arrive.

  River beams at being called his friend.

  The bodyguard shifts his wary gaze to me now, before taking in my uniform and conceding I likely don’t mean trouble.

  “Connie?” Prince asks with a chuckle.

  “You’re that actor man that a lot of girls at my school like,” River fearlessly says to Prince, not seeming fazed by him in the least. I think I’ll love her forever for sounding so unimpressed. Even Prince seems a little surprised to not have her fawning over him.

  “I sure am. You have something for me to sign? That book perhaps?” he offers.

  She holds the book to her chest like she will protect it with her life. “No way! You can’t scribble on a book!” she lectures before
she shifts her attention to Conner. “I got this today. Daddy bought it for me,” she tells him, entrusting Conner with it when he holds his hand out.

  “Cool. I think I noticed you had a lot from this author in your collection.”

  “She’s my favorite. And Daddy is going to read for me later tonight, too.” There is a smugness in her voice, but I think she’s just excited. It makes my heart swell to know I can do something that makes her so happy.

  “That’s awesome!” Conner leans in close to her, though his voice doesn’t lower so we all still hear him. “You better make sure he does the voices. That’s what makes a story great.” He then smirks up at me, finally acknowledging me for the first time.

  When our eyes connect, for a moment, I feel the world melt away. Though, I don’t lose myself. I’m aware of the dark bags under his eyes, the way his hair looks as though he’s been running his fingers through it, and the slight crease to his clothes that are usually immaculate.

  He had looked perfect before, but was I imagining it? Or just too far away to see the true state of him?

  The problem is that I don’t know whether this is due to the stress of what’s going on with the threats, or because he just came out of a vehicle with Henry fucking Prince. Maybe Prince has been keeping Conner up late? Maybe he’s been running his fingers through Conner’s hair? Maybe the clothes he’s wearing are the ones he picked up off the floor after they fucked?

  I barely hold in a growl, not sure I’ve ever felt jealousy like this, or the bitter taste in my mouth of serious regret.

  “Oh, he’s terrible at the voices!” River interrupts with a laugh, breaking our gaze. I think we both take a deep breath to be finally free of each other.

  “I didn’t realize kids still cared about books. These days, there’s a movie for all the decent ones.”

  Both River and Conner share looks of outraged surprise. I have to cover my laugh with a cough at how insulted they both are over Prince’s words.

  “Movies are never as good as the books,” River tells him, sounding matter-of-fact.

  “But they are much easier to enjoy.”