6. Lila

6

LILA

With most of the town clustered on one long road, Kelly Lakes didn't seem so small. It was still nothing like Philly, especially after one of our teams won a big game and everyone would flood the streets, flanked by enough cops to keep them contained.

Still, this festival crowd was dense enough to unnerve me as I approached. The booths had already been set up on the street when I'd left work, but I hadn't expected it to be so packed.

I guessed Mike was right. Kelly Lakes liked to party.

I made my way through the crowd to the entrance of The Pour House. I hoped Claudia was inside since I'd never be able to find her on the street, but I'd go inside for a breather and start looking for her there.

I was just another body trying to make their way through a crowd, but being alone amid all these people I didn't know made me feel very exposed and vulnerable, something I hadn't had an inkling of since I'd moved. I gave a tentative smile to the puzzled faces searching my gaze as I pushed past them.

The day hadn't cooled off much as the sun dimmed, and I welcomed the blast of cold air as I stepped inside the bar. As I scanned the space, Claudia's unmistakable cackle wafted across the floor. I let go of a long, relieved exhale and set out to find her, sifting through the crowd and wedging myself into an opening at the counter wide enough for me to lean over.

Her eyes lit up when she spotted me and rushed over.

"You came!" She leaned over and roped her arms around me.

"Yes, I came," I said as I eased back. "I was told by two people that if I didn't show up tonight, they would come get me. So, here I am." I splayed my arms out at my sides.

"Two people, huh?" Claudia arched a dark brow. "Making an impression already. See? I knew you'd be great here." She beamed and squeezed my hand.

"I don't know about an impression. I can still count the people I know in this town on one hand."

"And that will all change tonight," Claudia said, nodding to the crowd behind me.

"Right," I said, glancing over my shoulder, my social battery already draining as I took in more unfamiliar faces.

"What's a Kelly Lakes festival like?" I asked as I set my purse on the bartop. "Judging by the crowd, it seems like a big thing."

"Oh, it is," Claudia said with a slow nod. "The band doesn't come on until dark. That's when the older residents clear out. I don't think they're thrilled about the noise, but in the spirit of celebration, they let me get away with it for a night."

"Celebration?"

"Oh yes, we celebrate all seasons. It's overwhelming at first, but it's nice once you get used to it. We had street fairs in Brooklyn, but nothing like this. Even when it gets to be a little much, the sense of community here is something special. There is literally nowhere else to be tonight but here."

"That's…pressure." I winced before I could help it.

"It is," Claudia said with a shrug. "But good for business and good for you too, even though it feels a little terrifying right now. How about a nice margarita to cool you off? It's my drink special of the night."

"That would be wonderful," I said, my reply laced with embarrassing desperation.

"I got you, girl." Claudia waved to someone at the end of the bar. "Amber! Come give my cousin a margarita. On the house," Claudia whispered.

"Claudia," I groaned. "You don't have to do that."

"It's my bar, so I can do anything I want. And you're family."

"Hi, I'm Amber," the bartender said in a squeaky voice and held out her hand. She was tiny enough for me to almost tower over her while I was sitting down. I was tempted to lean forward to see if she was kneeling on something.

Her raven hair was styled in a pixie cut, and her voice had a fairylike lilt. Maybe Claudia had hired college students for the summer. She looked barely old enough to drink, never mind be behind the bar.

"You're her cousin?" she asked, squinting at me as she reached under the bar and poured a glass.

"Yes, by marriage. I'm Lila." I smiled and nodded a thank-you when she set the glass in front of me. I understood her possible confusion as Claudia and I didn't look related. Claudia was Chinese American and tall with lean curves. I was average height with brown hair and hazel eyes that changed colors in the right light. But my curves were fuller, something Ted had liked to point out whenever I wore a tight dress or skinny jeans.

The first time he'd made a comment about my being too full-figured to wear something, I'd laughed in his face, truly thinking he'd been kidding. I had never been what I'd describe as skinny, but I kept myself healthy for the most part and liked the way I looked.

Looking back, it had been his first attempt to get into my head and control me, and when that didn't work, it caused a domino effect of rage and frustration, all aimed at me.

"Are you from Brooklyn too?"

"Philly," I replied as I lifted the glass to my mouth. The sweet and sour hit my tongue just right as the tequila warmed my throat and chest, taking the edge off my nerves for the moment.

"Wow, this must be like a different world to you," Amber said, her eyes wide. "The festival is a good way to meet everyone."

"Seems like it," I said, trying not to tense up at the idea of meeting the whole town at once. "I work at Russo's Contracting, so I've met some of the residents, but not this many."

"Wait, you're the Lila who works for Jake." Amber pointed at me. "Mike told me about you. You've only been here a few weeks, right?"

"That's right," I said, taking another gulp, the liquor not relaxing me as much on the second swallow.

Mike and I had never really had a conversation about each other's personal life, other than the night he'd come to my apartment and opened up about his parents.

I had no idea what his relationship was with Amber, and any relationship he had with anyone wasn't any of my business.

We were only friends and I didn't know if he had a girlfriend, but a sleazy feeling washed over me anyway, recalling the not -friendly thoughts I'd had about Mike when he was in my bedroom.

"Mike is actually sort of my neighbor. He lives around the corner from me on Grove Street and was the first person I met when I came here."

Amber's brows pinched together as she nodded. Why did I say that? If she was seeing Mike, the last thing she needed to know was how I almost fainted on top of her boyfriend and then clutched on to him for dear life because it had felt too good to let go.

As I scrambled to think of what else to say, a tap on my shoulder made me jump.

"Hey, I didn't mean to scare you," Mike said, settling on the stool next to me. The bar lights were dim, but those blue eyes were still striking enough to trap me. He wore a pair of cargo shorts and a black T-shirt that seemed almost as tight as his uniform shirt.

Or maybe I just fixated on his muscles no matter what he wore. That was an issue I was going to have to work harder to get over, especially if he was taken.

"I came in earlier to look for you. Was about to text you to make sure you didn't chicken out."

I glared when his lips twitched.

"Sorry for being late, Officer. I went home to change first. I wouldn't miss this lovely seasonal festival."

I'd tried on three different dresses before I'd finally pushed myself to leave my apartment. It had taken almost an hour to pick something that made me look good, but not like I was trying too hard. I'd settled on a green sundress I'd named Old Faithful since it always looked great no matter what side of ten pounds I happened to be on when I wore it.

"I see you've met Amber," Mike said, tipping his chin to where she was still standing behind the bar.

"Yeah, we were just getting acquainted." Amber leaned over the counter to give Mike a friendly kiss hello on the cheek. "I better get over to the other end of the bar before chaos ensues." She reached out to grab my arm. "It was so nice to meet you. Come back to chat when it's not so crowded." She smiled, darting her eyes between us for a quick second before she jogged to the other end of the bar.

"She seems nice," I said, no clue what else to say and not give away the shame and jealousy that had washed over me.

"She is. Amber and I went to high school together," Mike explained. "She moved out of Kelly Lakes with her husband a few years ago. She came back after her divorce last year and tends bar for Claudia most nights while she takes classes at the state college part time."

"Oh, that's too bad," I mused. "Good thing she has you."

"We've been friends for a long time. Long enough to live through each other's painful history." His lips curved as he held my gaze.

I wished for Ally tonight, who would poke fun at this crowded festival and make me laugh enough to forget my new-girl nerves.

Mike nodded. "We've always been close enough friends to make people think we're together over the years, which gives us a good laugh since she's like my sister."

"I'm sure it was hard for her to adjust."

"She's okay now, better since she went back to school." He tipped his chin to where she took orders at the other end of the bar. "It's tough to move back in with your parents after something like that. When I moved back, I was a kid. Living with my father was expected."

Knowing they were just friends gave me a little relief that I hadn't possibly drooled over anyone's boyfriend. But I needed to stop drooling over Mike, period.

"So, how are you liking your first festival?" Mike asked. "Even though you just got here."

"It's interesting," I told him, letting out a relieved breath at the change in subject. "It's big for such a little town."

"Wait until later. The older crowd will fade out once the band comes on." He nodded to my glass. "Finish your drink, and I'll take you around and introduce you to some people. Well, you've already met one person. Amber doesn't count." He smirked as his gaze drifted over my shoulder. "She's the bartender, so you would have had to speak to her anyway."

"Thanks, Mike," Amber said, giving him a playful eye roll as she leaned in toward me. "I've known Mike for most of my life. He's a good guy, if a little annoying. He'll be a great tour guide for tonight," she whispered, patting my arm before she went back to the bar tap.

"Are you sure you want to spend the whole night taking me around?" I took the last gulp, trying to slurp the final drops of alcohol before I attempted to socialize, and slid off the stool. "You worked all day."

"Of course I don't mind." Mike's smile was wide enough to light up his handsome face. The liquor was working against me, making me notice it more and not less.

"Come with me." He draped his hand over the small of my back and led me outside. A jolt ran from his palm down to my heels and zinged up my spine. I straightened, stepping quicker to shake it off.

I followed Mike through the sea of more faces I'd never seen before as he approached a tall girl leaning against the brick wall outside.

"Lila, this is my cousin Chloe," Mike said, looping an arm around her neck. "Nice to see you out of scrubs."

She rolled her bright-green eyes and shook her head. Other than the same color hair and striking eyes in different and unusual hues, I didn't see a resemblance. The playful disdain between them reminded me of my friends with siblings.

But not of my own brother, who'd always had a pure and more direct contempt for me.

"It's great to meet you, Lila. It's nice to put a face with the name."

I blinked as I took her extended hand.

"All good things, I promise." She squeezed my hand when she probably noted the confusion in my features. "My uncle stopped by the other day and gushed how you were his lifesaver the past few weeks at the office." She flicked her eyes to Mike. "So, how did you end up with him tonight?"

"I told her I'd introduce her to some of the people she may have invoiced over the last couple of weeks," Mike said, sneaking me a smile.

She cringed and swept her gaze over the crowd. "This is certainly one way to do it. You can meet basically everyone in town between tonight and tomorrow."

I smiled as my stomach coiled. The notion of meeting everyone at once was already daunting, but Chloe's comment triggered a wave of nausea.

"Why did you have to scare her like that?" Mike glared at Chloe before draping his arm over my shoulder. "Everyone is harmless. Mostly. I promise I'll keep the number of introductions low and just point to everyone else, okay?"

Mike dipped his head to meet my gaze, distracting me from the new-girl-in-town nerves. The crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled were adorable enough to make me forget other things too.

If he'd only dial back a little on the sweet and sexy… But the more I got to know him, the more I learned that was just who he was.

I'd thought Ted was sweet and sexy at one time, but it had turned out to be an act. Still, I couldn't recall this many full-body reactions simply from being close to Ted. Maybe it was the line I knew I couldn't—or shouldn't—cross that made Mike so irresistible.

I wasn't supposed to date Ted either and had enjoyed pissing my brother off when I'd finally agreed to go out with him. Maybe in the back of my mind, I'd been with Ted out of spite, at least at the beginning.

But I had been into Ted enough to stay with him for a few months before our relationship had taken a weird and creepy turn.

"Come on," Mike said, crooking his elbow. "You can hold on so I don't lose you in the crowd."

"The festival is that dangerous?" I joked, slipping my hand over his hard bicep as we headed away from his cousin.

"Think of me as your guide and off-duty police escort." He glanced back, smiling widely enough for the crinkles at the corners of his eyes to pop out again.

"As long as you're off duty. I'd hate to waste taxpayer money."

Mike smiled, and I couldn't tell if it was him, my nerves, or the hot evening air making me dizzy. I'd guess a little of all three.

Mike pulled us away from the bar and down the street, waving to everyone and introducing me to whoever stopped to talk to him. I bit back a smile when a few of the older residents called him Mikey.

He'd explain how I was working for Jake and new in town, but I'd caught a few curious stares when we'd walk away.

By the time we made it to the end of the street, the smells from all the hot food at the restaurant booths mingled together. I hadn't eaten dinner, and my stomach had started to settle enough to remember it was empty.

"Could we stop to get something to eat? I skipped dinner after work."

"Sure, we could stop anywhere you want. What's calling you the most?"

"I think that one has pizza." I pointed to the booth at the far end of the street with what appeared to be an outdoor brick oven.

"That's Dino's. If you like Italian, they're awesome. My grandparents were friends with the owners."

"Of course they were," I said, arching a brow when Mike turned his head. "How about we find a slice and a table."

"Works for me," Mike said, his voice dipping low as he stepped in front of me. "See? This isn't so bad, right?"

I shook my head, my heart kicking up a couple of beats when Mike's smile faded but his eyes stayed on mine. The heat rising up my neck and charging between us had nothing to do with the temperature.

"No, this is nice," I managed.

Foolish and dangerous, but nice.

"I thought I'd seen you by the bar earlier," a familiar voice said behind us. "I turned around, and you were gone."

"Yeah, everyone is by the bar," Mike said. "That's why we needed some distance."

Aaron, Mike's mechanic best friend, stood next to a beautiful woman with olive skin and long, wavy black hair, petite enough to not even reach Aaron's shoulders.

"Hey, Lila. Tire working okay?" Aaron asked.

"Yes, thank you. I told Mike it was lucky that he knew the mechanic in town."

"He's known me since freshman year of high school." Aaron snickered at Mike. "The shop was originally owned by my uncle. I worked there all through school, and he gifted it to me after I graduated college."

"Wow, that's great," I said, genuinely impressed.

"Thanks. We expanded and added a body shop a couple of years ago, but my father always comments how he didn't think I'd want to be in town forever." He shook his head and jabbed Mike's arm. "Our parents had such high hopes, but we threw them all away to stay here."

I laughed at Aaron's exaggerated sigh.

"My father was happy that I settled here. Becoming a cop, now that's a different story."

Mike's frustrated exhale reminded me of my conversation with Jake earlier this afternoon. What went on here to make Jake worry so much in what seemed like a very wholesome, safe small town?

"This is my wife, Selena," Aaron said, drawing her into his side.

"Very nice to meet you," she said, draping her arm around Aaron's waist while extending a hand.

"Nice to meet you too."

"They've been together since freshman year of high school," Mike said, nodding toward them.

"Oh wow," I said. "That's very sweet."

"Thank you," Selena said, burrowing into Aaron's side. "Most people tell us we're boring since we've more or less only dated each other."

"More or less, huh?" Aaron said, scowling down at his wife. "We said hello to who we had to, and now we're ready to step away and get something to eat."

"We were about to do the same thing. You could join us if you want," Mike said before turning to me. "As long as you don't mind."

"Of course not," I said, happy and relieved to both eat and get away from the crowd for at least a little while.

"The festivals are nice here, but a lot," Selena said as we settled at a table. "Even when you live here. I guess it's because you rarely see so many of us out at once."

I'd lost track of most of my friends from high school and college, aside from Ally, and while it was great to share my total history with someone, I wasn't sure how I'd like sharing it with everyone I met, all the time.

"So, how are you liking Kelly Lakes so far? And how many times have people asked you that question?" Aaron snickered.

"It's good. And maybe a few times." I smiled, so much more relaxed with food in my stomach and most of the crowd behind us. "Mike introduced me to a few people tonight, so I now know a few outside the Russo circle." I shot a quick smile at Mike.

"The Russo circle is pretty large," Aaron quipped. "In fact, I think you guys are like the town nucleus," he said, pointing at Mike before tipping back his drink. "Like, there's your dad, your aunt, and your cousins, and then everybody kind of branches out from you guys."

"You're ridiculous," Mike said, rolling his eyes at him. "We are not the nucleus. This town is all kinds of connected." Mike nudged my side with his elbow. "You'll see."

"Well hey, guys. Fancy seeing you where everybody else is."

A tall man with inky black hair approached our table, dragging his gaze over us until his eyes landed on me.

"Hey, Jared," Mike said, his smile fading as Jared came closer.

"Jared, this is Lila. Jared went to high school with us too."

"Nice to meet someone new in town," Jared said, a slow smile creeping over his lips. "What brings you here?"

"She works with my father," Mike said before I could reply.

"Ah, I see. Well, welcome."

Something about him made me uneasy. He seemed a little older than Mike and Aaron and was tall with a stocky build. He kept his gaze on me as he stuffed his hands into his jean pockets, flexing his thick forearms.

"If you guys are staying for the band, I guess I'll see you all later." He did a quick sweep of the table before his gaze landed back on me. I darted my eyes away, pretending to tip back my empty cup of sangria.

I'd managed to relax enough over the past couple of hours to almost forget the messy past that had brought me here. Jared's lingering stare had made me uncomfortable enough to remember.

I wanted to stay for the band for Claudia's sake, but I had to fight the urge to tell everyone good night and head back to my car and the safe solitude of my apartment.

And what had he really done? Stare at me for too long? Men did that, and while some had more finesse about it than others, none of them had scared me.

Before.

But I wasn't alone. I was with Mike for the rest of the night, and I was still safe.

I hoped there would come a day when I wouldn't have to keep reminding myself of that.

"Fucking asshole," Aaron mumbled at Jared's departure.

Mike's expression was tight, his eyes thinned to slits as he watched Jared go.

"Yeah, that will never change. Unfortunately, he stayed in town after graduation too," Mike told me as he tossed his crumpled napkin onto his plate. "He's forward when it comes to women. And a douche about it. Sorry if he made you uncomfortable."

"It's fine," I said, smiling wide to not give away the tremble in my hands. "Besides, I have a police escort tonight, right?"

Mike's slow smile triggered enough warmth through my chest to steady myself.

"Yes, you do." Mike bumped his shoulder against mine. "He's just one of those jerks who peaked in high school but still thinks he owns every place he steps into."

"Yep. And on that note, we are going to skip the band." Aaron pushed off the bench. "Very nice to see you again, Lila. I hope Mike brings you around again soon."

"Oh, I will." Mike turned toward me, raising his brow when he met my gaze.

"Glad to hear it. Enjoy the rest of tonight, Lila." Selena said, smiling as she linked her arm through Aaron's and shifted to leave.

"We can go too if you want. I don't want to bombard you too much."

"No, it's fine. I don't know if I'll stay to see the band, but we can hang out for a little while longer. Don't hold yourself back on my account."

"I'll be here tomorrow. And I've been to enough of these things that there's really nothing new about them to me. How about we head back to the bar for a while?"

"Sure. And thank you. I know you said you didn't mind, but I appreciate you sticking by me all night."

"Of course," he said, standing from the bench and offering me his arm again. "What are friends for?"

"Exactly," I croaked out as I let Mike lead me back to The Pour House. The crowd had dispersed for the most part, aside from who had congregated next to the band setup.

"Mike!' A tall man in a police uniform approached Mike as we headed to the tables. His hair and beard were mostly gray, his dark eyes dancing as he looked between us. "This lucky bastard doesn't have to be in uniform tonight." He gave Mike a playful pat on the cheek.

"Lila, this is Keith. He's our police chief and my father's best friend, so you'll be seeing him a lot."

"So you're Keith McGrath," I said, taking Keith's extended hand. "I have heard a lot about you."

"Whatever they told you, they exaggerated," Keith said, patting the top of my hand. "I meant to come by Russo's to meet you, but summer has us a little nuts at the station. The heat brings out the crazy in town. But welcome to Kelly Lakes, even though you already live here."

I laughed as Mike shook his head.

Keith glanced at Mike. "I came in for some air conditioning before I have to go back out in the heat. Have a good time for me."

He smiled before he headed for the door.

"So that was Chief McGrath," I whispered to Mike. "I was starting to think he was just a legend."

"Oh, he is," Mike said. "It's weird that he's my boss—or one of them anyway—when I grew up with him and his family. He's a great man and an awesome chief."

"I've heard," I said, watching as he stopped to talk with a cluster of people by the door. "I could see how that must be weird."

"It is, but I've gotten used to it. He's just the chief when I'm in uniform, and I'm just one of his officers." Mike's grin was wistful as he watched Keith leave.

We found one table with two chairs in the corner, the rest of the crowd lining the back where the band was setting up.

"Stay here. I'll get us a drink, so we don't lose the table."

"Okay, another margarita would be great."

"Sure thing," he said with a low rasp I felt in my toes.

I had a lot to unpack once I got home tonight. I wanted to keep seeing Mike, but this attraction or whatever we had between us would only get worse if we spent more time together. I couldn't see him all the time, but I didn't know how to tell him no the next time he asked. Especially when I didn't want to.

I fell back in the seat and let go of a long exhale. Tomorrow Lila would worry about that. This one would enjoy the moment and the rest of the evening.

"Come in to beat the heat?" Jared asked before he sat in the vacant seat across from me.

"Mike is just getting our drinks."

"He can bring over another chair," he said, crossing his ankle over his knee as he flicked his eyes up and down my body.

Mike was right. Jared was a forward jerk who didn't have manners or any of the game he obviously thought he did.

"So what's your story?"

"My story?" I asked, squinting at Jared's slimy smile.

"You're new in town. I'm guessing Russo took you around tonight since you work for his father."

"Mike took me around because we're friends."

"Ah, friends, huh?" He scooted closer to the table. "You're single, then. I can take you around town. There are more interesting places to see, better than anything he could show you."

Was this guy for real? If he'd come up to Ally and me in a bar back in Philly, the both of us would have laughed in his face and told him to fuck off. But eyes were on me, and I didn't want to call any kind of attention to myself.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm not interested."

"Oh, come on. Give me a chance."

"Again, thanks for the offer, but no." I pushed off the seat, scanning the bar to find Mike and make an escape. "Have a good night."

He grabbed my wrist when I stood. My arm went stiff at the contact.

"Don't rush off so fast."

"I said, I'm not interested," I emphasized with enough force to make Jared flinch back.

"Come on," he said, his hand still circling my wrist. "I just want to talk."

I just want to talk.

Ted ended every call, every note, every text with "I just want to talk."

And I just wanted to be left alone. Why was no such a hard word for some to understand? It was as if I couldn't say it loud enough for it to sink in.

" Let me go! " I yelled at a high-enough pitch to see all the heads turn in my periphery. "I'm not interested, and I don't want to talk to you. Get the fuck away from me."

"Get your hands off her!"

Mike stepped in front of me and yanked Jared's hand away from my wrist.

"I was just making conversation with your friend ." He glared at me over Mike's shoulder.

"You should just take a fucking hint." My words shook as my body quivered from head to toe, paralyzed once again, and Ted wasn't anywhere to be found. This pushy jerk poked at the damage I'd managed to forget for a couple of hours.

"It's okay," Mike whispered, reaching behind me to take my hand.

"Dramatic much?" Jared laughed, and my vision clouded with angry tears. But he had a point. While he was being arrogant and rude, my rage toward him came from a deep, unresolved anger toward someone else.

Someone who was still in my head, no matter how many miles I'd tried to put between us.

"Stay away from her, or I'll bring you in for assault."

"Assault," Jared said, coughing out a laugh. "Isn't that reaching a little, Russo? For touching a woman's wrist."

"You grabbed her wrist and wouldn't let go, even when she said stop. I had to push you off her. I don't want to go in on my night off, but to bring you in, I'd be fucking happy to. Stay on the other end of the bar for the rest of the night, or I'll throw you out myself."

"No need," he said, holding up his hands and looking me over like I'd just lost my mind. "Enjoy the band."

"Mike, I'm so s-sorry," I stammered, draping my hand over my eyes. If only I could sink into the bar floor and disappear. I felt my cheeks heat with humiliation and white-hot rage, but not at Jared or even at Ted.

Another trigger had set me off, and I didn't know how to stop it from happening or calm down when it did.

"Stop that. Look at me." Mike took my face in his hands. "I've got you. No apologies or explanations needed. Let me take you home."

"You don't have to leave. I can manage to drive home."

"I'll follow you and walk you inside. I'm not leaving you alone like this. So, don't fight me on it, okay?" He drifted his thumbs over my cheekbones as he eased in close, almost touching his forehead to mine. I clutched on to his wrists, not caring how close we were and letting Mike's touch and soft words soothe me enough to calm my thumping heart.

Douchebags in bars happened and had never bothered me before. Just like flat tires, something that would have just annoyed me now set off a full-body panic I couldn't control.

It all made me so angry, I wanted to scream.

How could I run from chaos when it dwelled inside my head?