Page 76 of Tricked in October
Illuminated by street lamps and string lights on each vendor booth, Main Street brought its own warmth to the chilly night. Pineridge had a festival for every single holiday and season. But Davis wasn’t big on attending. They were always too crowded. And why would he willingly wait in a long line for an overpriced autumn beer?
Though he hated to admit, as he strolled down Main Street, the glowing lights, the happy faces of the locals, music humming from the stage, and all the fall decorations, it wasn’t so bad. A warmth spread through his body. There was something about the community coming together that made him feel blessed to be a part of it. As much as he grumbled about everyone knowing him in town, it really wasn’t all that different than before the show aired. In a town this small, everyone pretty much knew each other even if you weren’t on tv.
“Hey, that you, Davis?” someone called from behind him.
He spun around. “Hey, Joey. How’ve ya been?” He backtracked, hurrying to shake his old pal’s hand so Joey wouldn’t have to maneuver his wheelchair over.
“I’m good. Can’t complain. You?” Joey quirked a brow at him.
“Good.” Best to keep it short. There was no telling what Joey had heard since he was married to Vanessa who worked with Hannah, the barista at The Daily Grind.
“Man, I loved the work you did on the last episode. Though ever since we watched it, Vanessa has been bugging me for a built-in bookcase in our family room. You ever consider quitting the show with HGTV and running your own business again? I have lots of things on my honey-do-list.” Joey waggled his brows.
Davis chuckled. “Sadly, I think my contract says something about quitting.”
“I don’t know why that’s sad. Who in their right mind would give up a tv show with HGTV?” Joey shook his head.
“Yeah, right…I know.” Davis glanced away, tugging his beanie hat down further. When he did, he spotted Isabella and Leo at the wood carving booth.
“Can I buy you a beer?” Joey asked.
“Um…how about another time,” Davis answered, distractedly. “I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, see ya.”
He jogged over to Isabella and Leo. “Hey, guys. Have you seen Kelsey?”
“Oh, hey, Davis.” Isabella eyed him skeptically.
He could only imagine what Kelsey had told her about the night before. Unless Kelsey had thought she slept with Garrett. Then he supposed he didn’t really have anything to worry about.
“We just saw her near the stage. She and the kids were eating dinner with Rita,” Leo provided.
“Thanks,” Davis said, taking off in the direction of the stage.
“Davis, wait,” Isabella called.
He turned and walked backward.
“Is everything okay?”
“I hope so,” he said.
One conversation—alone—would clear everything up.
After finding the stage, a local band playing a cover of a Vance Joy song, Davis scanned the tables of people watching and listening, some eating. He spotted Kelsey with her kids and Rita. He weaved through the tables until he reached her. Still unsure what he would say. He still hadn’t heard from her all day.
“Hey,” he said, sounding out of breath even though he wasn’t.
Kelsey cranked her neck, peering up at him. The blue of her eyes shimmered in the gleam of the lights and unease sat heavy in his gut. With one look, he should know the truth. But he didn’t.
“Davis,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Davis!” June yelled.
“Did you come to eat desert with us?” Zach asked. “Mama said we can have another deep-fried Twinkie before we go home.”
“Wow, another one? Aren’t you a lucky duck?” Davis smiled.
