Free Beyond (BOOK 1.5) by Melissa Pearl Page A

think about what my mom said. "I know this might be hard to understand, but there's more than one way to say, I love you . When your dad resigned to cover your ass, I think that's what he was trying to tell you. Even when he wanted to bury me so that you wouldn't get in trouble. No matter how strict or scary he's been to live with, deep down, beneath all his bullshit, I think he really loves you, Adam."
    Where the hell is this coming from?
    I don't even know how I manage to keep my voice so calm and sincere. The Sheriff is such a jerk. But no matter how much of a jerk he has been, I still can't deny the fact that I really think he did all this for Adam. He wants his son to have the best...because he loves him.
    "Thanks, Nicky," Adam mumbles, lightly slapping me on the head with the papers.
    I chuckle. "Now go become the best damn Navy SEAL there is, and prove to your dad how much you love him back."
    I think he likes that I said that, because his blue eyes sparkle and the side of his mouth jerks with a little smile. "Get out of here, Tepper. Stop bossing me around."
    With a cheeky grin, I turn and walk to the end of the aisle. Just before I duck out of sight, I turn one last time. I can't help myself. Clearing my throat, I stand to attention and give him a salute. Before he can throw anything at me, I nip back to my desk, but I'm sure I hear him chuckle.
    Dale's at the table, looking at my stuff and scanning the library, no doubt wondering why I'd left all my stuff sprawled across the table.
    "Where'd you go?"
    "Oh," I glance over my shoulder. "I was just looking for a book."
    He looks at my empty hands with a frown.
    I rub my fingers together and smile at him.
    His frown takes a while to dissipate. Things haven't been the same between us since I lied to him at city hall. I can't put my finger on what it is. Dale's been edgy, I've been nervous and neither of us can talk about it. He was away all weekend which didn't help and the times we've been spending together recently have been of the silent type.
    This worries me. I'm scared he wants to break up with me before he heads off to college, but doesn't want to hurt me. The thought is like a butcher's knife through my stomach, so I block it out and continue smiling. "What are you doing here?"
    "Mr. Attley let us out early, so I thought I'd come find you...walk you to lunch." He would usually grab my hand at this point, or give me a kiss. Today he does neither. His hands are in his pockets, which tarnishes his sweet sentiment. I wish he'd tell me why this silent distance seems to be growing between us. I know I could ask, but I'm not sure I want to hear the answer. It's not like I'm doing much to fill the silence with anything.
    My hands are shaking as I pack away my stuff. I'm sure my cheeks are flushed from lying to him. I keep my eyes down, feeling his steady gaze on the back of my head.
    Adam walks past us as I lift my bag onto my shoulder. Our eyes connect for a brief moment, but he quickly glances away. Dale's frown is marked as we silently follow him. I thread my fingers through his and give them a squeeze. He kind of squeezes back, but then his hand goes limp in mine. It's the longest walk out of the library ever.
    As soon as we're in the corridor, Dale pulls me into a quiet classroom.
    "I can't do this anymore," he mutters.
    "What?" My voice is breathy and pathetic. He's breaking up with me now?
    "Nicky, what's going on?" Dale's scar looks red as his cheeks go taut. "I know something's up. You're lying to me."
    "I—"
    "Don't say you're not." He sighs and runs a hand over his short hair. "Is—is something going on with you and Adam? I heard someone say they saw you getting into his car last week...the day you bailed on me." He grips the back of his neck, looking pained and frustrated. "Are you...are you guys..." He's struggling to form the words because I think he's about to accuse me of cheating.
    I blanch and grip the strap of my bag. "No. What are you talking about?