Derailed (Clayton Falls #1)(5)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“This is the friend of Kelly’s I was telling you about,” Tom broke in.

“I see. You’re the maid of honor who’s been living in Boston.” Gavin checked me out as best he could with me sitting right there at the table. He evidently liked what he saw, as his perusal ended with a satisfied grin.

“Gavin’s been my partner for two years now,” Tom explained.

“So you’re a cop too.” I smiled, eyeing the bar, contemplating how long I needed to wait before it was socially acceptable to get another beer.

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” he asked flirtatiously, and I decided it was time to get up.

“My turn to buy; anyone want?” I stood up before Ronny could stop me again.

“I’ll go with you.” Ronny’s clinginess surprised me, but I didn’t mind it. It was just Ronny acting big brotherly.

“I’ll take another,” Tom called. “But no more for Kelly if she’s driving home.”

“Oh, so now you decide for me?” Kelly pouted.

“Honey, I’ve been deciding for you since before you were legal.”

“Fine. See, Molly, aren’t you glad you didn’t drive?”

“Sure.”

“You want anything, Gavin?” I asked.

“No, I’m fine.” He held up his beer as evidence.

Heading to the bar, Ronny pulled me close to him. “It’s good to have you home.”

“Thanks. It’s good to be home… I think.”

He laughed. “You haven’t been back long. Give it some time.”

A light voice pulled my attention. “Molly? I thought that was you.” So, Katie was bartending at Gill’s. Not too surprising.

“Yeah, I’m back.”

“So, can I see it?”

“See what?” I asked with confusion.

“The ring, dummy. I bet it’s a gorgeous rock.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t have it anymore.” I looked at the faint tan line on my left ring finger. I’d taken off the ring the night of Adam’s funeral. I couldn’t bear to look at it anymore, to think about the future we’d never have.

“Oh. I’m sorry. That must suck.” Good old Katie, she never did have a filter to stop her from putting her foot in her mouth.

“It’s fine. Could we get three Millers?”

“Sure, but we’ll have to get together sometime soon, okay? And don’t worry, you’ll find yourself a new man. Heck, Ben’s still single. Maybe the two of you can work things out.” Katie always meant well, but she also loved matchmaking. Throwing Ben’s name in the mix only stacked the cards against her if she actually wanted to catch up.

I slipped a ten on the bar and took a beer, leaving Ronny to take the other two.

Gavin started chatting me up again the second I returned to my seat. “So, is it nice to be out of the big city? I’m sure it was a little overwhelming for a small town girl like you.”

“Maybe when I first went, but I lived in Boston for almost five years.”

“True, but don’t they always say you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl?”

“Are you a country boy then?” I hoped the conversation would shift off of me.

“I’m from Georgia actually. Augusta.”

“Oh, what brought you to Clayton Falls?”

“Looking for a change and a beach.”

“Yeah, the water’s nice.” I smiled.

“We’ll have to head down to the beach together sometime.” It was a statement and not a question.

“Maybe.” I turned my attention to my beer, reaching the half-way point, drifting into my comfort zone.

“So, are you staying with your parents?” Gavin asked.

“At my mom’s house, but she’s living in Seattle with my sister and her family right now. My sister works long hours in her residency—as does her husband—so Mom’s helping with the kids.” I left out the part about my mom needing distance from the town as much as I did.

“Oh, all right. How does it feel to be back?”

“It’s weird to be here by myself, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Where are you living?”

“I’ve got a place over on Maple. It’s not much, just a two bedroom, but it’s fine because it’s only me.” There he went, trying to emphasize his availability. “It does have a fantastic view, though.”

“Great.” I hoped the one word responses let him know I wasn’t interested. He was an attractive guy, but I wasn’t in the state of mind to even play the dating game.

I drained the last of my beer and settled back in my seat. Part of me wanted another, but I knew it’d be getting into drunk territory, and I couldn’t do that at Gill’s. At least not yet.

“Kelly, is there any way you could give me a ride home?” I asked.

“Oh, sure. I’ll take you home and then swing back.”

“How about I take you home? I was thinking about leaving as well,” Gavin offered.

I shot a pleading look at Kelly, hoping she caught it.

She did. “It’s not a problem. On second thought, I might head home myself.”

“If you’re sure.” Gavin didn’t hide his disappointment, and I wondered if he actually thought something was going to happen between us.

“Good night, everyone.” I stood up and pushed in my chair.

“Night. Don’t be a stranger.” Ronny smiled.

“It was great meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you again real soon.” Gavin also stood.

“Bye, see you at home, Kelly.” Tom kissed her.

I caught a few words of conversation from the table as we headed to the door.

“Damn, you’re right; she’s gorgeous.”

I turned around to catch Gavin staring at my ass. Wonderful.

We got into the car and took off toward my house.

“Thanks for taking me home.”

“No problem, hon. I could tell you didn’t want a ride from Gavin.”

“Not a chance.”

“Yeah, he was coming on pretty strong. Tom’s convinced you two are going to hit it off and end up together. You know, his partner with my best friend. Maid of honor and best man, as cliché as it gets.”

“Fantastic.”

“Tom knows you probably aren’t ready to date yet, so I promise he didn’t set up tonight… but he probably would have done it soon anyway.”