Page 92 of Wildflowers & Whiskey

“So, what can I get you boys?” the bartender says, stepping up to the bar, and as my eyes look up at her, I stop cold.

Gina Martinez.

After all these years, the resemblance to her brother is still there. My whole body locks up, and my fists tighten at my sides.

“Wade Carter,” she says carefully.

“Gina.” The name comes out flat, direct. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”

She hesitates before explaining. Her dad passed. Left her and Gino that run-down trailer park on the edge of town. She came back to see if it’s worth anything, while exploring another business venture in the meantime.

Not here to cause trouble.

That’s what she says.

I study her for a second. Trying to decide if I believe it. After all, she is a Martinez, and that family has never given me a reason to trust them.

“Gino with you?” I ask. Needing to know. I don’t know what I’d do if I see that man in town without a warning.

Gina’s face shows an array of emotions, not exactly landing on any of them for longer than a second. Concern, worry, apprehension, annoyance. All of them.

“No.” She shakes her head. “Been trying to reach him for weeks. You know what he’s like.”

Yeah. I do. And that’s the problem.

“Still using?” I ask, despite knowing the answer. But she lets out a humourless laugh.

“Most likely, but as I said, not had any contact with him. Could be dead for all I know.”

A knot tightens low in my stomach, my mind racing with what a return of the Martinez means. Because if Gina’s here, and their father gone, word will eventually get out. Especially if there’s money involved. Gino wouldn’t let that opportunity go.

And if he comes to town… Then there’s a possibility that Ruby will too.

I can’t deal with that right now. We can’t deal with that.

I’ve just told Colt the truth, let him choose if he wanted to see her or not. If she turns up, then it takes that away from him. The choice.

Or worse… If Gino knows the truth about Colt, then whatever relationship I have managed to salvage with my son would be over.

“Wade?”

Gina’s voice pulls me back, and I realise she’s been holding out our drinks. I go to take mine, but she doesn’t let go.

“I promise, I’m not my family. I ain’t here to cause trouble.”

I nod, not really having any words as the anxiety settles through me.

Do I believe her? I do… But that doesn’t mean that her being here isn’t going to be the catalyst of an impending shit show.

I stare at the bottle, my thumb circling the top of it.

Bryan leans in. “You alright?”

“Fine.”

The lie comes too quick, and I know Bryan clocks it with how his eyebrow lifted. Luckily for me, he lets it go.

It’s only a second later I feel it, before registering what it is, the lightest press of a hand across my lower back. There and gone in a second. I don't look at her, but I feel her eyes on the side of my face. I'm here.