Gage

Chapter 4

Wren

“Are you sure it's okay if I go out? There's so much to do here.” I mumbled, and Anderson shot me a look.

“Darlin, I may be old, but I can handle bringing the animals in for the night. Plus, remember what we talked about. We have help. That's what the guys are for. You don't have to do everything on your own.” he said with softening eyes.

It was the weekend. I had finished my first week on the farm here and god I needed to relax. I needed a drink. I needed to just have a moment to think.

I had been working myself to the bone and don't get me wrong, I enjoy the work. After not being allowed to work for years, I am embracing the tasks that I have now. Being able to put my degree to good use has been a big ego boost for me. Though I hate to say there isn't much for me to correct. Mom and Dad ran a tight ship. The accounts are balanced, the shop is flourishing, the horses are in tip top shape, and everything is flowing with such ease that I'm nervous about messing it up. I'm nervous about how they left it all to me. What if I ruin everything?

I grabbed my jacket not even bothering to get ready and hopped in Dad's old Silverado and headed into town. It was nice not having to wear high heels and my best clothes to go out anymore. It was nice to be able to just breathe in the fresh air and enjoy a drink without having people to entertain and images to keep up with.

The truck's tires rumbled against the pavement as I pulled into the parking lot of the bar. It was pretty crowded for a Friday night, even though it was a small town. The music was flowing through the air as people filtered in and out of the old brick building.

“Well if it isn't little miss Wren?” a familiar voice said as I took my seat on a barstool. I looked up and my eyes were met with familiar green orbs.

“Cody?” I asked and he gave me his famous smile.

“It's been a long time.” he said and I nodded and bowed my head a bit ashamed.

“Yeah…It has. Can I get a beer?” he nodded and slid a beer bottle down the bar towards me. “How have you been?” I asked, trying to make conversation. That was what I was supposed to do right? God, has it been so long since I've had a normal interaction with an adult? The past starts flowing through my mind about how I was supposed to be seen and not heard, how I wasn't allowed to talk to any men because it would have driven James crazy. But James isn't here. He can't hurt me right now.

“Good. Busy, but good.” he said with a wistful smile on his face. He started twirling the ring on his finger and smiled bigger. “Congratulations. Last I saw you, you were captain of the football team and vowing to never settle down.” he smirked. “Some things change.” he said and then frowned. “I'm sorry about your family. But for what it's worth, I'm glad you're back. The whole town is.”

I internally flinched because it was never my intention to shut out my family, to shut the whole town out. I can't tell if he's being genuine or if he's just bullshitting me to make me feel better.

There was a scoff down at the end of the bar and my eyes landed on a figure leaning up against it. Well, two figures. One of which was the one man in town who was always getting under my skin.

Damn Gage Tyree. How such a sweet girl as Marley has such a grinch of a father is beyond me.

“Got something to say, officer?” I growl out and the man sitting beside him smirks. They both are in plain clothes today which I'm thankful for because Gage, though he's an ass, is a gorgeous man and in the uniform and he's instantly a panty melter.

I still don't understand why the man hates me so much. Sure, he voiced his displeasure about how I left and never came back but he has never once tried to understand things from my point of view. Not that I would ever tell him. I haven't told a soul and I never plan to. But he doesn't get to judge me, not for something that was not any of his damn business anyway.

“Nope. No problem at all.” he said, holding up his beer bottle as if inspecting it. The guy beside him, I think his partner, keeps bouncing his eyes between him and I. he smirked and shook his head.

“Don't pay him any mind. He's just a broody asshole.” Cody said and turned back to me. He gave me another beer. “This ones on the house.” he said and walked off to wipe the countertops. The man that was standing next to Gage approached me next.

“Hi.” he said with a smile on his face. He was pretty cute. He had brown hair, brown eyes and a jawline that was sharp enough that I thought it could slice through paper.

“Hi.” I mumbled back over the rim of my bottle.

“Cody's right. Gage is a broody asshole. I however am not. The name is Noah.” he said with a hint of flirtatiousness in his voice.

“Wren.” I offered and he smiled again. Butterflies filled my stomach at sight.

“Oh, I know who you are sweetness. Mind if I join you?” I don't know why but when he asked my eyes drifted to Gage and was shocked to see him glaring. Not at me but at Noah. His fists were clenched and his jaw was ticking.

“I don't think that's such a good idea.” I said and turned away.

I didn't want to cause drama and I wasn't going to be the source of any fights. I tossed some cash on the bar and left a little extra for a tip for Cody and made my way to the exit.

Eyes met me on my way out. Some were happy, some held pity, but none held anger. Non held the fire that Gages had when he looked at me. If The rest of the town could forgive me then why the hell couldn't he? He doesn't even know me.

“I know you're not going to drive.” a gravelly voice behind me said. I turned and was met with Ice blue eyes. His eyes held concern but anger as well.

“I'm not stupid. Officer.” I said with as much sass as I could. “Why would I be stupid enough to get behind the wheel of a car when I've been drinking? Especially after what happened. I may have only had a few beers but even a sip is too much to drive. Now please get out of my way.” His eyes changed and a flash of hurt came over his face. Briefly, but it was there.

“Where are you going then?” he asked and I gaped at him.

“Not that it's any of your concern, but I was just going for a walk. It's a nice night and I'd rather not waste it inside a stuffy building.”

He nodded but then followed me out of the door. “What are you doing?” I asked him and he shrugged.

“You made a good point. It is a nice night and I'd rather not be cooped up inside."

“Look.” I said as we stepped out the door and the night air acted like a refreshing cloak over my skin. “I don't like you, and you definitely don't like me. Let's not spend any more time together than we have to.”

“What makes you think I don't like you?” he asked.

“Oh, I don't know, the fact that you've been glaring at me since you met me, you take ‘Pop shots’ at me every chance you get, you told me you couldn't stand me the first time you met me and have since made sure to make me feel unwelcome wherever I am, and you happen to be in the same vicinity.”

“Fair enough. But what the hell are pop shots?”

“My dad called them pop shots. It was something along the lines of someone saying something they know will hurt the other person and not bothering to shield them or hold their tongue. The words are meant to wound, they are meant to do damage without any regard for the person they are used against.”

He recoiled a bit at my words as if taking in all the hurtful things he's said to me this week. Every lesson Marley had, Every time he picked her up when he got off, every time he saw me around town, he had at least one or two hurtful things to say and when he didn't say anything at all, the look on his face spoke enough wordless sentences to last a lifetime.

“Where's Marley tonight?” I asked, trying to change the subject and his softened at the mention of his daughter.

“She's spending the weekend with my parents.” his eyes went to the night sky. There wasn't a single cloud and the stars were so visible it was almost like looking through the hubble telescope.

“She's a good kid. Thank you for letting her keep up her routine. Coming to the farm after school. I know my mom loved it and I can see how much Marley loves it too.”

“She's always loved animals and she had a bond with your mom. I may not get along with you Wren, but I don't hate you. I don't know you well enough to hate you.”

“If you don't hate me and this is how you treat me, I would hate to be on the receiving end of someone you did actually hate.” we stopped walking at one of the stoplights that were flashing red. His face was illuminated with the moonlight and the red glow of the blinking streetlight.

“I suppose you're right. That would be a shitty end of the stick. You can ask my father how that position feels.” he said and then his eyes widened as if he didn't mean to divulge that information to me.

“Why did you do it?” he asked me, “Do what?”

“Why did you abandon them?” he asked and I froze. I looked around to make sure no one else was there as if there would be anyone. It was well past midnight, but it didn't mean anything to me. I could feel my throat tightening up. I never told anyone for fear of how they would view me but also because James had told me if I ever told anyone he would kill me. I knew logically he wasn't here but it was as if he was listening. He was always there. It was as if he could read my thoughts.

Gage was looking at me expectantly waiting on an answer. I could feel my heart start to race and sweat bead on my lower back. I opened and closed my mouth a few times trying to force words out.

His stance changed and he held a glimmer of concern on his face. He reached for me and I couldn't help it. I flinched and backed away.

“I need to go. Have a good night officer.” I said and turned on my heel and jogged away. I ignored his calls after me. I ignored the pang in my chest. We were having a good conversation. We weren't at each other's throats. And what did I do? I was a chicken s**t and I ran as per usual.