Page 36 of Midnight Lessons
But no. This is Matthew Crane I’m dealing with, and his dented ego won’t allow for a mature resolution.
He smirks, looking so damned sure of himself. “You think you’re the big love of her life?” He grabs his crotch. “Maybe you should ask her why she stayed with me for so long.
I see red. I tried the moral high ground, and it didn’t work. Time to talk to him in a language he understands.
Grabbing his arm, I drag him behind the nearby jewelry store, out of sight from the street and, more importantly, out of Willow’s line of vision. I slam him against the rough brick wall, my grip tight enough to bruise. “I did ask her, fuckwit. She stayed with you to keep me at arm’s length. She used you to push me away when I fucked up. But trust me, she doesn’t need you. She never did. You’re pissed because she dumped your sorry ass when you wanted more than she could give you, and it gets right up your entitled crack to see her happy with someone else.”
I know I’ve hit a nerve when his face flushes a deep, angry red. Good. Let him feel a fraction of what he’s put Willow through.
“You always were a hothead, Owen. But you’ve got it wrong. I’m not the bad guy here.”
“Not the bad guy, huh? I know you’re behind that disgusting betting pool,” I growl. “And if you think for one second I’m going to let you hurt her, you’re even dumber than I thought.”
Matthew’s eyes flash with something unhinged before he schools his expression. He glances around, clearly looking for an escape as he works through his options.
“Get out of here. Leave town, and don’t come back,” I bite out. I release him and step back, my fists clenching at my sides to keep from decking him.
“Fine. You win. But then, people like you always do,” he says bitterly.
I sigh heavily. “That’s just it, Matthew. It’s not about winning. It’s about letting go of the past and doing what’s right. So grow the fuck up and put a stop to this betting pool.” I hold up a hand as he opens his mouth to deny his involvement again. “Don’t insult me or yourself. Pull your head out of your ass and move on with your life.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks as he glares at me for a moment before he finally turns sharplyand stalks away. I watch him until he rounds the corner, my chest heaving with the effort it takes not to go after him.
When I’m sure he’s gone, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. I make my way around the building and glance inside the bakery, ensuring Willow’s still inside and hasn’t seen any of this. The last thing she needs is more stress.
Satisfied that she’s safe, I consider the next steps. Mark’s close to getting proof, but I don’t need proof to know the truth. I saw it in Matthew Crane’s eyes.
If he’s got any sense left in his thick skull after our little chat, he’ll give Willow the peace she deserves. If he doesn’t, well, let’s just say I’m not above getting my hands dirty.
Willow is all about handling things her way, with that sassy confidence and a smile that could disarm the grumpiest old-timer in town. Willow’s world is sugar-dusted cookies and laughter that rings clear as a bell, not whispered threats behind an appliance store. She’s not one to shy away from standing up for herself, but sometimes, the worldworks on a different level. A darker, uglier level where guys like Matthew only get the message when it’s spelled out with fists instead of words.
Still, I’d do it in a heartbeat because when it comes to Willow, there’s no battle I won’t fight.
Chapter 13
Willow
I stand there, toes chilling in the October breeze, staring at the patchwork of pumpkins sprawling before me. They’re all shapes and sizes, some as round as beach balls, others long and lopsided like they’ve been stretched out for a laugh. The sky is fading from a bright blue to the soft purple of twilight, and I’m caught somewhere between wanting to dive into this evening with Owen and the nagging worry nibbling at the edges of my mind.
It's been two days since Owen told me about his confrontation with Matthew outside the bakery. There’s been no sign of Matthew since, and the whole betting pool thing seems to have died adeath. I can only hope that Matthew realized the error of his ways and has done the right thing at last. Not that it forgives his actions, but at least Owen and I can move on without it hanging over us.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Owen’s voice is like a warm blanket over my shoulders, pulling me from my thoughts. He stands next to me, hands in his pockets, looking every bit the laid-back high school biology teacher who’s swapped city chaos for our quaint Midnight Falls.
I nod, taking in a deep breath of crisp air mixed with the sweet scent of hay and earth. “Yeah, it’s amazing.”
“Come on.” He nudges me gently forward, leading me toward an old tractor hitched to a wagon filled with hay bales. It’s all ours for the night at Twilight Trails Pumpkin Farm at the edge of town. He’s planned this down to the last detail, thinking of everything.
“Surprise,” he says, handing me a bunch of sunflowers,my favorites.
It’s so Owen, so thoughtful. Their bright yellow faces echo his smile, genuine but still with a little of that cockiness that drew me to him all those years ago. Only now, it’s tempered with wisdom and love. He’s proven himself to me in a million different ways since he returned to Midnight Falls, and my heart almost bursts with my love for him. I haven’t given him the words… yet. But I plan to tell him tonight.
“Thank you, O,” I manage, the warmth of the blooms seeping into my palms. “These are beautiful.”
“Nothing but the best for my favorite cookie artist,” he teases, his brown eyes glinting with familiar charm. It disarms me in so many ways, this man of mine.
We climb onto the hayride, and he offers me his hand, strong and steady. I take it, allowing his fingers to wrap around mine, and his touch sends a now-familiar jolt up my arm. Yeah, that never gets old.
As the tractor starts, I lean into the moment, into Owen. The pumpkins blur into streaks of orange and green as we move, and the stars begin theirnightly show above, sprinkling the dark canvas of the sky with points of light.