Free Grave Matters by Jana Oliver

words. “I don’t understand what’s wrong now, but something is.”
    Hell! She turned me down. She let me make a fool of myself.
    His ego told him it wasn’t his fault. In the past, when he’d been some loser, he could have seen her refusing him, but now he was doing good things, making something of himself. He had a future and he’d thought she wanted to share it with him.
    What the hell is goin’ on in yer head? Have ya just been playin’ me all along?
    Lurching to his feet, he moved away from her, pointedly putting space between them. When he jammed his hands in his pockets, his fingers touched the box that held the ring — the one she’d seen at the street market. It was why he was being so secretive on the phone the other day, eager to surprise her.
    Not now.
    He resisted the urge to toss it off the side of the mountain.
    She was on her feet now. “Den, I’m—”
    He raised his hand for silence. “No need to explain. Ya don’t wanna get married to me. I got it. Don’t say stuff just to try to make me feel better.”
    The tears were rolling down her cheeks now. “I’m so sorry.”
    Not as much as I am.
    ~ - ~ - ~
     
    It had been incredibly somber in the taxi back to the hotel, and even worse in their room. Whatever they’d shared between them was damaged now, perhaps destroyed forever.
    Why did I turn him down? She’d been dreaming about this for months, ever since he said he’d wanted her to come to Scotland for her birthday.
    What is wrong with me?
    Sullen, Beck pulled the extra blankets and a pillow out of the wardrobe and claimed the couch, actions that told her he wouldn’t be sharing her bed tonight. Or any night in the future.
    Hands shaking, Riley treated her wounds again, letting the Holy Water burn into her flesh. As the liquid cleansed the demon taint, her horror at what she’d done began to fade.
    She had a right to say “no” if she wanted. Beck could just deal. It wasn’t like he really cared.
    But I still love him, don’t I?
    If so, why did she feel the need to run, to get away from him?
    As Riley went through the motions, putting on fresh bandages, tears trickled like a slow leak. She curled up in the bed, alone.
    An hour later, unable to sleep, she sat up and looked over at the couch. Beck was still lying there, fully clothed, his hands behind his back as he glowered at the ceiling. When he realized she was watching him, he rose, collected his cell phone, heading for the door.
    “Den—”
    He halted and did a slow turn, his eyes burning in fury. “Is there some other guy, Riley? Is that what’s gonna on here?”
    “What? No! How could you even think that?”
    “I don’t know. How could I possibly think ya’d be wantin’ to marry me? Silly old Beck, stupid as ever.”
    “Den—”
    “Just go to sleep,” he snarled. “There’s nothin’ ya can say that’ll make it any better.”
    The door slammed behind him, leaving Riley alone in the dark.
    ~ - ~ - ~
     
    Beck was on his third pint of beer and tempted to just keep drinking. He hadn’t felt this empty since the night Paul had died.
    Yeah, old friend, yer little girl just kicked me right in the balls.
    He sure as hell hadn’t seen that coming. Or had he? He sorted back through his memories — Riley all eager and happy, counting down the days before she could see him. Riley upset, but coping right after the demon incident. Even though she’d been injured, she’d been doing okay.
    He frowned in thought. When did she change?
    “Another one, mate?” the hotel bartender asked, gesturing at Beck’s empty pint.
    “No, thanks,” he replied. He had enough of a buzz on as it was. “Got any coffee?”
    The man nodded and headed off to fill the order. Beck stared down at the box holding the engagement ring where it sat next to the empty glass of beer. Maybe he could return it and...
    Was it just his ego that had taken a hit, or was something else going on?
    He checked the time — just a little after eleven. Though