Chapter 36

At the sight of Joel's car, I stopped and changed direction, heading toward him now instead of the shed. When he got out of his car to greet me, I said, "I'm really sorry, but I have to cancel."

He glanced toward my house. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"No. Not at all." I gave him an apologetic smile. "It's just a yard thing. You're not going to believe this, but I've got to mow tonight."

He said nothing as he studied my face, and I felt color rise to my cheeks. Cripes, next I'd be telling him that I had to wash my hair or something equally stupid.

I tried to explain. "It's like a job, actually. And it's got to be done on a certain schedule. Unfortunately, I'm already late." I rolled my eyes. "As I was just reminded."

"Yeah? By who?"

Damn it. I probably shouldn't have said that. I gave a dismissive wave of my hand. "You know, the estate people."

Joel's gaze hardened. "You mean Derek?"

I hesitated. "Him and his dad, actually."

"Your lawyers."

Funny, he hadn't phrased it as a question. Still, I nodded. "Right. But with this, it's more of an estate thing."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah." I tried to act like this was no big deal. "And Derek just reminded me that I'd better get it done, or–" I shrugged. "–you know."

Joel gave me another long look. "Or what?"

"What do you mean?"

"Let's say you don't follow the schedule. What then?"

I won't get paid. That's what.

And heaven help me, I needed the money. The nagging, I could deal with. But the lack of funds, now that was a serious problem, and it was getting more serious every week.

But Joel didn't need to hear about my problems, so in the most casual voice I could muster, I said, "Maybe it won't take too long."

I considered the best-case scenario. Maybe the mower would work just fine, and maybe if I walked really fast, I could get it done before midnight. After all, back when there'd been an actual lawn service, it didn't take them five hours to do it.

Of course, they didn't have a finicky mower that stalled all the time.

Joel's voice, quieter now, pulled me to the present. "There's something you're not saying. What is it?"

"Nothing." I glanced around the yard. Derek was right. It did look overgrown. If his dad happened to drive by, we'd both be in trouble. I gave a resigned sigh. "I just need to get it done. That's all."

Joel's eyebrows furrowed. "You're serious."

Obviously, he didn't get it, and no doubt, he was irritated, not that I could blame him. "I'm really sorry," I said. "If I'd realized sooner, I would've called."

"That's not the issue."

There was an issue? I knew it. Reluctantly, I said, "So what is?"

"You look worried, and I don't like it."

"Oh." His words warmed my heart. But I didn't want my worries to become his worries. So I said, "Yeah, well, I'm only worried because I hate to cancel last-minute. It's kind of rude, you know?"

Joel gave me a look. "Nice try."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's more than that. I can tell."

Under his penetrating gaze, I started to squirm. If I didn't leave in like two seconds, I'd end up telling him everything. Hoping for a quick escape, I said, "I just need to get it done, alright? And the longer we talk about it, the longer I'll be mowing in the dark."

His jaw tightened. "You're gonna mow in the dark?"

"Not for sure. I mean, if I hurry, maybe I won't have to." I gave him a hopeful smile. "If you're not busy, maybe we can catch up tomorrow?"

"No. I've got a better idea."

"What?"

"I'll mow your lawn, and after, you'll tell me what kind of shit Derek's pulling on you."

I stared up at him. "I couldn't let you do that."

"Oh yeah?" He smiled. "Just try and stop me."

Suddenly, I almost wanted to smile, too. The offer was so sweet and unexpected. And yet, what I should tell him was that I didn't need any help, because everything was just hunky-dory.

But that wouldn’t be true. And, I had to accept reality. I liked him. I really liked him. And I hated the thought of pretending to be something I wasn't.

I bit my lip. Against all logic, I wanted to say yes. But it wasn't the only thing I wanted. Over the past few days, I'd come to realize that I wasn't the only one who was hiding something.

Suddenly inspired, I said, "Okay. On one condition. There's something I want to know, too."

"Yeah? What's that?"

I met his gaze head-on. "I want to know about the fights."