Home to Whiskey Creek (24 page)

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Just say it, okay? Please? That’s all you need to do.”

She heard him sigh.

“Maybe, maybe not,” he said, and hung up.

Addy sat on the edge of her bed, nibbling on her bottom lip as she agonized over what would happen if Clyde decided to be spiteful. She had to quit seeing Noah. She was being selfish, reckless, even foolish, to continue sleeping with him.

But no sooner did those thoughts go through her head than she heard a soft knock at her door. “Addy, it’s me.”

Noah. She told herself she’d find out how Baxter was doing and say goodbye. But Noah looked so emotionally strung out that she couldn’t turn him away, even after she learned that Baxter would recover. His best friend had almost died; Noah was still worried about what the future would hold. So when he slipped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her hair as if he’d reached his safe place, her resolve instantly crumbled.

She could tell him tomorrow that she wouldn’t see him again....

“I’m sorry if I woke you. I had to touch you,” he breathed, and a few seconds later all their clothes were on the floor and they were in her bed.

* * *

Noah made love to Addy slowly, gently. He didn’t want to wake her mother by causing the headboard to bang against the wall. This wasn’t about satisfying his physical desires. He just wanted to feel close to Addy, to take comfort in the warmth of her body. That was also the reason he didn’t leave immediately afterward. Curling around her, he stared into the blackness that cloaked her room as her breathing evened out.

He hadn’t told her that Baxter refused to see him at the hospital. Although he’d been relieved to hear the doctors say Bax was going to be okay, his rejection hit Noah hard. He’d never thought he’d see the day when his best friend wouldn’t want anything to do with him.

Baxter’s refusal to let Noah come into the room confused Mr. and Mrs. North, too. And it surprised the hell out of the rest of their friends—especially since no one else was banned. Noah had left the hospital feeling as if everyone thought he must be to blame for what Baxter had done.

As Addy shifted, he moved to allow her more room.

“You okay?” she murmured.

He kissed her temple. “Yeah.”

“Baxter will eventually come to terms with who he is and what he wants out of life. He’s just...having an identity crisis.”

“I know,” he said, but he also knew that whatever happened, he and Baxter would never be the same.

She covered a yawn, but didn’t go back to sleep. She roused enough to ask, “How did his father behave?”

“He’s stunned, hurt—and oblivious.”

“To Baxter’s sexuality.”

“Yes.”

“The pressure we put on people to be what
we
want them to be sometimes isn’t fair.”

He stroked her side. “Has someone put that kind of pressure on you?”

“Clyde.”

He lifted his head. “You’re using his name?”

“He called me tonight.”

“Do you hear from him very often?”

“Not anymore. He wanted to tell me you’ve been trying to reach him.”

He went silent because he wasn’t sure how she was going to react to that.

“He isn’t the one who hurt me, Noah. I promise.”

“Then why won’t you tell me who did?”

“Some things are better left as they are. Trust me on that.”

He hated not knowing, couldn’t imagine why she wouldn’t tell him. But that wasn’t what bothered him the most, not at the moment. He was trying to figure out how Clyde had known his call was connected to Adelaide. He hadn’t mentioned her—or even Whiskey Creek. He’d provided his name and number, which shouldn’t have been enough to give him away. His area code covered a wide section of Northern California.

“Would your ex have any reason to recognize my name?” he asked.

She stiffened. He could feel her reaction.

“Not really. I mean...I probably mentioned you once or twice. That’s all.”

“In connection with what?”

“Because I used to have a crush on you. That’s what I’m guessing.”

Noah tried to accept her answer. But he couldn’t believe that most men would remember the name of an old crush mentioned once or twice over a long period of time, not if they’d never met the guy. It wasn’t as if he’d ever dated Adelaide, or remained in touch. As far as he was concerned, Addy would’ve had
very
little reason to bring him up.

“Why don’t you want me to talk to him?” he asked.

“Because he’s my ex! Would you want me talking to anyone
you
used to date?”

Possibly not. He could see that side of it. But there was something about Adelaide that made him nervous. He liked her too much. Otherwise, maybe the fact that she was keeping secrets from him wouldn’t seem so threatening.

“Where are you going?” she asked as he got up.

“Home.”

She said nothing until he was dressed. “Are you upset?”

“A little.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m starting to care about you.”

Silence.

“The fact that you have nothing to say is not reassuring,” he said.

“I—I appreciate that you’re open to...feeling something.”

He frowned. “Again, not quite the reaction I was looking for.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m hoping we can remain friends.”

He rounded on her. “
Friends,
Addy? We’ve made love several times in the past week. Is that what you do with your
friends?
”

She spoke even more quietly. “You know I don’t.”

“So what is it? What’s standing between us? You don’t trust me? I don’t have a good track record? I’m not reliable? I hurt you before without realizing it?
What?
”

“Why are you trying to put this on me?” She was still whispering, but her words were harsher. “You’re the one who isn’t the type to settle down, to...to commit. You’ve
never
had a steady girlfriend. I’m just saying I understand and accept your limitations.”

“
My
limitations? Since when did I tell you I don’t want a commitment?”

“You haven’t. But you haven’t asked for one, either.”

“Because it’s too soon. That doesn’t mean I won’t.”

“You don’t have to. I’m not pressuring you.”

“I think that’s the problem. I’m the only one who wants more. So what do we have? An open relationship?”

She seemed flustered. “I guess...if that’s okay.”

“And if it’s not?” He stopped her before she could respond. “I know what you’re going to say. You tried to warn me. You agreed to be friends with benefits. Never mind that I assumed you were joking.”

She crossed the room, touched his arm. “I’m sorry, Noah. I...I was wrong to get involved with you. I never dreamed you’d want...more than I could give.”

This wasn’t going the way he’d thought it would. She was about to break off whatever they had. He could hear it in her voice. But that made no sense. They had a
great
time when they were together. He could feel the chemistry, could tell she liked being with him. So what was the problem?

“I’m not one to take things too fast. This is unlike me. I’ll give you that. But...I sense this odd resistance in you. I could wait, see what happens, except I get this really weird feeling that no matter how well it goes, you’ll back out in the end.”

She said nothing.

“
Why
have you been sleeping with me?” he asked.

“Because I haven’t been able to stop myself!” she admitted.

“But you would if you could.”

“Yes!”

He raked his fingers through his hair. “Great. Well,
I
feel something for
you.
That’s got to make a difference,” he said, and walked out.

He was getting into his truck when he realized someone was sitting across the street, watching the house. He tried to get a good look at the man’s face, but whoever it was didn’t relish the scrutiny. Snapping on his headlights, the other driver shot into the street.

But Noah knew that vehicle. It belonged to Kevin Colbert.

25

K
evin could see Noah’s headlights bearing down on him in the rearview mirror and cursed under his breath. He shouldn’t have gone to Addy’s. He’d given the others that big speech about lying low and staying away, but he couldn’t seem to abide by it himself. He wanted to believe he’d be fine if she spoke up, that he’d just refute any claim that he’d raped her. He doubted she’d be able to prove it, not at this late date. But he couldn’t stand the thought of having his reputation ruined. He was respected here in Whiskey Creek. The position he held as head coach of the football team meant more to him than anything, even his rocky marriage.

When he realized that Noah would follow him all the way home, he pulled over and waited for Cody’s brother to come to his window.

It was cold out and the wind was picking up. Noah wasn’t wearing a coat, but didn’t seem to feel the chill breeze that ruffled his hair and rippled his clothes. “What the hell were you doing at Addy’s?” he demanded.

Kevin had never seen him so angry. Noah had
always
been congenial. Of the two Rackham boys, Cody was the one who’d had the temper. “Nothing.”

“It’s three o’clock in the morning, Kevin. There has to be some reason you’re not home in bed with your wife.”

The excuse he’d planned to give suddenly seemed lame, but he couldn’t come up with a better one. “I was...curious about her. I mean...we haven’t had a scandal in Whiskey Creek for a long time, if you don’t count Noelle killing Kyle’s baby without telling him.” He attempted a laugh at the deliberate way he’d phrased that, but it fell flat. “I thought maybe I’d see if someone was skulking around.”

“Someone
was
skulking around,” Noah said.
“You!”

“But not because I mean her any harm. If you’re thinking I’m the one who dragged her to the mine, you’re wrong. She’s a beautiful woman and...and...”

“You’re married,” he stated flatly.

“Right, but—” his mind finally latched on to something that might be believable “—Audrey and I haven’t been getting along. We had an argument a few minutes ago—”

“In the middle of the night?”

Determined to convince him, he rushed to explain. “That’s right. I couldn’t sleep, so I woke her up for a little...you know what, and she wasn’t too happy about it. That brought up a whole bunch of other complaints. So, after I’d had enough of her bitching, I stormed out. But I didn’t have anywhere to go. So...I thought I’d drive by and see if anything strange was happening at the Davies’ house.”

Noah’s expression remained skeptical, but he didn’t say anything.

“I didn’t expect to see your truck,” Kevin continued. “You two aren’t dating, are you?” He’d known they were seeing each other, of course. He’d been making Addy’s business his business. But he’d been telling himself not to worry. Noah never lasted long in a relationship.

With a scowl, Cody’s brother shoved his hands in his pockets. “She’s scared of you. Why?”

“She’s not scared of me! She would have no reason to be.”

“I saw how she reacted to you at the coffee shop. And Ted mentioned that you were with her at the restaurant one night. That there was an argument.”

“Not really. She didn’t want to seat me at closing time, that’s all.”

Resting his forearms on top of the car, Noah leaned in, all but glaring at him.

“What?”
Kevin snapped.

“If anything happens to her—if she gets hurt again—I’m coming to you for answers. Do you understand?”

Kevin sat where he was for several minutes after Noah drove away. What the hell was going on? Obviously, Noah was sleeping with the girl he and his friends had raped. Noah didn’t know it, or he would’ve had very different words at finding Kevin outside her house. But...how long before Adelaide came clean?

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered, and punched the gas pedal. Things weren’t going the way he’d hoped, but if his wife noticed he was gone, they’d get even worse.

* * *

I
feel something for
you.
That’s got to make a difference.

Addy wished it could. She’d never wanted anything more. But she was keeping too many secrets. Those secrets would tear them apart eventually—which reminded her that she needed to drive by Stephen’s place to get a good look at his truck.

Going out into the dark and cold didn’t sound appealing, but this was the first chance she’d had since Friday. It wasn’t as if she’d be able to sleep. Not after the way Noah had left.

She pulled on some thick, warm sweats, a beanie to cover her ears and a pair of tennis shoes. Then she slipped out through her bedroom door and put the transmission of her 4-Runner in neutral so she could coast farther away from the house before starting the engine. Gran could sleep through anything, but she had her mother to worry about. She definitely didn’t want to explain to Helen why she was sneaking out of the house. Her mother would, no doubt, make a big deal of it:
Aha! See? You’re not so different from me.

Fortunately, her engine started right away. Considering how rough it had been running, she was hesitant to drive it, but she didn’t think this errand would take long.

She turned up the radio to distract herself while she drove. When Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” began to play, she quickly changed the station.

Stephen’s house came up on her right. Like before, it was dark, but chances were good that Stephen would be home and in bed. It was Sunday night; most people had to work on Monday.

This time the garage door was down. She guessed—hoped—she’d find his truck inside.

Careful not to veer into the ditch that ran parallel to the road, she parked some distance away and shut off her headlights. Then she sat there, staring at herself in the rearview mirror.

You can do this. Just run back, open the side door and take a peek.

But Stephen frightened her more than the rest of them. She’d never forget the expression on his face when they stripped off her jeans.

You’re here now. Do it.

Taking a calming breath, she slipped her phone in her pocket, found the flashlight she’d used when she was pretending to trick-or-treat and began to trudge to his place.

There weren’t any streetlights this far from town, so she was forced to turn on her flashlight before she really wanted to. She stopped walking as she did and listened.

She heard nothing except a few crickets and the hum of electricity passing through the transmission lines overhead. The house next to Stephen’s had the porch light on but was otherwise dark. She seemed to be out here all alone.

Make it fast and get it over with.

She jogged to the edge of Stephen’s property, where she stopped again to listen.

Nothing. Thank God. She was grateful that she could see the side door she planned to use. Most homes had fenced backyards, which would have limited her access, but Stephen’s had no improvements, no landscaping. He lived on a big piece of raw land.

Was he the one who’d slit open her screen door and threatened her with Aaron’s knife?

Maybe she was about to find out....

Since she didn’t have to approach the house from the front, she cut across the property at an angle. She was feeling braver now, more confident. There were no windows on this side of the house, or none that had any view of her. And he wouldn’t be expecting company.

The main door wasn’t shut all the way, but she had trouble getting it open far enough to fit through. There was too much junk behind it.

Stephen’s white Chevy was there, all right. She just couldn’t see the front of it. So she shoved the door, hoping it would give.

Something scraped and fell against the wall, but it didn’t make much sound and the door swung free.

Two more seconds and she’d be gone....

Stepping carefully to avoid tools, boxes and baskets of random articles, she went inside and around his vehicle. Then she crouched near his washer and dryer, raised her flashlight—and blinked in surprise. There was no damage.

“What the...” She lifted a hand to feel the smooth metal body. Not so much as a dent or a scratch marred the paint or the bumper. How could that be?

She stood, intending to walk around the rest of it, but tripped over an obstacle she hadn’t seen. It hit something, which fell against the door she’d used, and the resulting
thud...smack
seemed deafening. Afraid the noise would bring Stephen to the garage, she hurried to get out even though she’d wrenched her ankle. But a set of bedrails had fallen against the door and they were now wedged behind a freestanding cabinet. She was frantically shoving other stuff out of her way so she could hoist those rails straight up when the light snapped on.

“What are you doing here?”

Stephen stood shirtless in the doorway leading to the house, squinting against the brightness. From the marks on his face and the state of his hair, he’d been in bed. He was still attractive, however. Fit, too.

Addy pressed her back to the wall. Unfortunately, the button that raised the main garage door was on the other side, near him. Unless she could clear the path she’d used to get in, she wouldn’t be able to leave.

“I—I have my phone,” she warned. “You...you’d better stay where you are, or I’m calling the police.”

He rubbed a hand over his face as if he was half-asleep but trying to focus. “What do you want here?” His expression darkened. “Are you trying to get my DNA so you can take it to the police?”

“I just wanted to see your truck. That’s all.”

“Why?”

She didn’t say anything.

“Why?”

“To find out if you were the one who dragged me to the mine!”

Seeming to relax, he scowled and scratched his chest. “Wasn’t me.”

She eyed the vehicle in question. “You’re the only one with a white truck.”

“So? I didn’t do it.”

“You’re saying it was one of the others?”

“Maybe. Tom wouldn’t hurt you. Kevin would, if he thought it was in his best interest, but he’s asked
us
not to do anything, so I doubt he would. My guess would be Derek.”

“Now you’re trying to be helpful?”

He shrugged. “Why not? If you were going to come forward you would’ve done it by now. That begs the question, Why haven’t you?”

She wanted to lift those bedrails so she could escape his garage. But she knew unblocking that door would take both hands, and she wasn’t about to put her phone in her pocket. He could be on her in a matter of seconds. “A lot of reasons.”

“Is Cody’s death one of them?”

Her heart jumped into her throat. “I don’t—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do.” He studied her rather dispassionately. “You know opening your mouth about grad night will ruin your life as well as ours, and I’m betting you’re too smart for that. The others are all shitting their pants, wondering what you’ll do next, but...revealing the past isn’t the reason you came back to Whiskey Creek.”

She gripped her phone more tightly, even though she knew she’d never make a call, not after what he’d just said. “Then why did I come?”

“To help your grandmother, like you’ve been telling everyone. Having you back makes for an uncomfortable situation, because it puts us all in close proximity again. But I know Milly means that much to you. And I, for one, am willing to let sleeping dogs lie,” he said, and went inside.

* * *

Addy wasn’t feeling so good when she woke up the next morning. Rehashing various conversations—with Clyde, with Noah, with Stephen—had kept her up the few hours she might’ve slept. So she was none too pleased when her mother waltzed into her room bright and early and raised the blinds.

“Mom, it isn’t even eight o’clock,” she complained.

“Rise and shine!” Helen sang out.

“Because you’ve made breakfast?”

“Don’t be sarcastic.”

Addy let her fake smile wilt. “I didn’t think so.”

“It’s time to share all the juicy details from last night.” She perched on the edge of the bed. “Noah’s cute. I mean
really
cute. And he comes from money. So?”

Addy barely resisted pulling a pillow over her head. “So what?”

“How’d it go?”

“He’s nice. He showed me his bike shop, which is also...nice.”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “That’s
all
he showed you? I take you to get your hair and nails done and bring you home so gorgeous you could turn
Gandhi’s
head, and that’s all you’ve got to say? He’s
nice?
”

He was also good in bed. But she didn’t have a lot to compare him to, so she didn’t consider herself much of an expert. “What did you expect? We’re just friends.”

Her mother wagged a finger at her. “Oh, no, you don’t. You don’t get to play it both ways. You said you liked him.
Really
liked him. And I could tell by the way you looked at him last night that it’s true.”

Adelaide avoided her gaze. “He has commitment issues, Mom. Whatever is going on between us will be short-lived.” Even shorter than her mother thought, since she wasn’t sure she’d see Noah again.

“You never know where it might lead.”

“Actually, I do,” she said. That was what frightened her.

“What are your plans for the day?” Helen asked.

“I have to go to the restaurant.” And deal with Darlene, although she wasn’t looking forward to it.

Clearly not excited by her answer, her mother pursed her lips. “Work, huh?”

“That’s what most people do with their time, Mom.”

She clapped her hands. “Okay, I’ll go with you.”

Adelaide rose up on one elbow. “You’ll
what?
”

“I’ll go, too, and help out. You’re not the only one who ever worked in that two-bit diner, you know.”

“But...
why?
”

“I’ve got to have something to do, don’t I?” She shrugged as she stood, but the effort required to feign interest in an activity she’d never normally be interested in was a bit too obvious.

Adelaide kicked off the covers. “Oh, boy, you and Neal are splitting up.”

Suddenly deflated, her mother grimaced. “He kicked me out.”