Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

" W hat are you doing here?" Josie demanded with a distinctly accusatory tone.

In answer to her question Corey held up a keychain.

The colorful crocheted loop on which the key ring hung should make it clear to Josie the keys were his mother's. His mom was on the board of the historical society. She'd made the arrangements with Josie to get inside on a day the library was closed. And she was the one who loved to crochet.

He'd been nice enough to run the keys over so his mother didn't have to and this was the thanks he got. A scowl from Josie Baldwin as she glared at him like he was some sort of stalker.

"I thought you needed these," Corey said still holding the keys.

"I do… I just thought, I don't know, the librarian would let me upstairs."

"Library's closed today. She's off."

"I didn't know that," she mumbled.

"A geek like you doesn't know when the library is open? Shocking." He only knew himself because his mother had told him, but he wasn't about to miss a jab at Josie.

It paid off. Her cheeks got adorably pink at the insult and her frown deepened. "I usually go to the Sidney Library. It's bigger. And closer."

The perfection of her quintessential nerdy answer, combined with the indignation of her tone, had him smiling. "Of course. Forgive me."

She donned a smile of her own. "You're forgiven. I wouldn't expect a jock who only graduated thanks to his Phys Ed score would know anything about libraries."

It seemed they'd entered into a verbal sparring match. He might be on medical leave but he was more than well enough for this battle against her.

"Ouch. I'm wounded." He pressed one hand to his heart in mock pain.

Actually, he was a little bit hurt. She'd basically just called him stupid.

Sure, he wasn't a brainiac like she was. His grades hadn't been the best, but that was because he put in just enough effort to keep them over the threshold to remain on the hockey team.

He was too busy with practice and games—and yeah, partying too—to do more than the bare minimum required, even if he was capable of more.

Besides, he knew he didn't want to go to college. Joining the Navy was always his plan. Just like his grandpa.

However, given the fact he was seriously worried he might have lost a good amount of brain function in the explosion, the insult hit a bit too close to home.

Josie always had been a cocky smart ass but still, the comment seemed harsh, even for her.

Why did she hate him so much? He still hadn't figured out what the hell he had done.

They'd gotten along really well that summer she graduated high school and he'd been home on leave.

Something had obviously happened between then and now. Something that even his rescuing her kittens and fixing her wall and delivering the keys she needed didn't make up for.

"Why exactly do you hate me so much?" he asked, tired of wondering.

Guessing was taking up too much unnecessary mental energy when he was supposed to be resting his brain.

Her eyes widened as she drew back. A crease formed above her brow and she shook her head slowly. "You really don't know?"

"No. Obviously." He threw his hands into the air. "What don't I know? Why don't you just tell me?"

She let out a huff and shook her head again.

Mumbling something that sounded like, "Typical," she walked past him and stood next to the door. "Can I get inside? Please. I have a lot of work to do."

Shaking his head he said, "Sure."

If this was how she wanted to play it, then so be it. He had bigger things to worry about.

Shame though. He really did like her—when she wasn't hating him.

They went in through the main entrance, which he unlocked, then bypassed the library door to instead climb the stairs. At the top, he navigated to another key on the ring and unlocked the door.

The heat of the second-floor space hit him in the face, carried on a wave of hot dry air. He drew back as much to try to get a gasp of the slightly less tepid air out in the hall, as from memories of his time spent in the heat of Djibouti.

His mother had told him that they controlled the humidity to protect the objects inside the room, but apparently heat was another matter. A dehumidifier chugged away in one corner but there was obviously no air conditioning up there.

"You can go," Josie said, seemingly not bothered by the conditions. "I'm fine here alone."

If she could take it, so could he. No way was he going to let her think she was tougher than he was.

"I don't mind staying. Some of this stuff looks pretty interesting."

It wasn't a lie. There was a lot of cool shit he'd noticed as he glanced around the stuffed room. He drew his gaze away from the ancient-looking artifacts laid out on one wall of shelves to glance at Josie.

Looking horrified at the idea he might stay, she rushed to say, "I can drop the keys off at your mom's later when I'm done."

Of course. She didn't even want him in the same room with her. And in light of how viciously she seemed to hate him, the idea of staying just to annoy her didn't seem fun any longer. Not in the face of her undeniable overt loathing.

"Fine. Have fun all by yourself." There was a bite to his tone he hadn't intended. She was getting to him in spite of himself.

"Oh, I will," she returned with an equal bite.

The funny thing was, he was pretty sure she would. Have fun all alone up in that hot room filled with old books.

A part of him was impressed by that. Another part of him, still stinging from her insults, was glad he hadn't pointed out the air conditioner he'd spotted in the back window, partially hidden behind the desk.

She was smart. Let her find it herself.

With that childish thought, he said, "Here you go."

He tossed the keys at her… and watched them land on the floor with a jingle after she fumbled the catch.

"Hmm, maybe someone should have paid a little more attention in Phys Ed." With a snort of a laugh he turned and left her alone. Just like she wanted.