Lily changed the subject, not wanting to hear the rumors about The Last Riders. They had been kind to her, and Beth wouldn’t let herself become involved in anything that was illegal. Lily didn’t want to be disloyal to Beth by discussing them.
They went to a movie afterward, which everyone enjoyed, deciding to go to the diner for coffee and dessert once it was through. They were sitting there, laughing over the movie, when the door opened and The Last Riders came in, taking several large tables. Beth and Razer came in the door last with Razer’s arm wrapped around Beth’s shoulders and her hair windblown. They sat down at the large table. Lily noticed that Beth lost her smile when she saw her, but she still came to their table.
Lily noticed that Shade was missing from the group.
“Did you have fun at the movies?”
“Yes, it was good. I see you guys went for a ride.” Lily wondered at her sister’s bright flush.
“Yes.”
“Enjoy it while you can, winter will be here soon,” Lily said as Charles paid the waitress their ticket.
“Where’s Kaley? Didn’t she go on the ride?” Miranda questioned Beth.
“No, she stayed at the clubhouse,” Beth spoke as she turned to go to her own table. “See you in the morning, Lily.”
“Okay.”
Lily could tell that Miranda wasn’t happy with Beth’s answer.
Following Charles out the door, she waved at the members sitting at the table, seeing Rider was also missing from the group.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Charles said on the drive back to her home, sending her a questioning glance.
“I guess I’m just tired,” Lily replied, laying her head back against the headrest.
“Lily, is everything all right? I try not to pry, but you know that you can talk to me.”
“I know, Charles. You’ve always been a good friend to me. I’m glad you’re back in town,” Lily said, looking out the window.
“Where are we going?” she asked Charles as they drove past her house, instantly alert.
“It’s still early; I thought we would take a walk.”
Lily was ready to go home. Her hand went to her wrist. “I have to be up early in the morning, Charles. I volunteered to help at the church.”
“I won’t keep you out too late, Lily. I missed you while I was gone, I thought we would be able to spend the summer together. Dad’s restaurant took longer to get situated than I thought. Didn’t you miss me at all?”
Lily looked at his handsome face as he drove. “I missed our friendship, Charles. I don’t really have anyone to talk to since Penni left school.”
His lips tightened. Lily knew it wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear.
She watched the road, wondering where they were going. They drove out of town, going toward the lake. Lily wasn’t frightened. She had dated Charles since high school, so his actions didn’t raise any alarms.
Ten minutes later he pulled into a spot within walking distance of the lake. Charles got out of the car, coming to open the door for her. Lily emerged, letting him take her hand.
He searched her eyes. “Do you remember when we used to do this in high school? We would walk for an hour and just talk.”
“I remember, Charles.” Lily walked next to his tall figure, knowing he was reaching out to her, and trying to reconnect after being away for most of the summer. However, Lily had felt the loss of closeness before he had left when he had tried to deepen their relationship, and she had to tell him she didn’t return his feelings. She thought maybe he had hoped being away would have changed her mind, that missing him would have shown her she cared about him after all.
Lily watched her feet as they walked. She could have told him before he left that she wouldn’t change her mind about him. He didn’t attract her in that way. No man did.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, a picture of Shade appeared to replace it.
“Is something wrong?” Charles paused next to her.
“No, I guess someone walked over my grave.” She shivered again. Charles placed his arm over her shoulder as they walked further along, losing sight of the car.
*
Shade sat in the darkness of Cash’s borrowed truck, watching Lily as she walked next to the fucker that was courting a death wish if he didn’t move his arm. He relaxed when he saw Lily move slightly away, keeping a few inches between them. He didn’t like them holding hands, but he could handle it.
He had planned to come up with another lame-ass excuse to spend the evening with her, but Razer had told him that Charles had beaten him to the punch. He hadn’t had to deal with him before now because he had been out of town, but now he was back and thought he and Lily would continue dating.