Resisting my Roommate (Sycamore Falls #3)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

JUDE

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in tomorrow?” Dylan asks as I arm the security system in the taproom before stepping onto the sidewalk, holding the door for my sister to follow me.

“I’m positive, Dyl.” I slide my key into the lock, checking to make sure the door is secure. “Lindsey and Stacy are on the schedule. They can handle it.”

“I don’t mind helping if you need me.”

“I’ll be fine. You deserve some time off.”

“Thanks.”

I give her a nod, then fall into step beside her as we head toward the municipal parking lot a few blocks away. It’s in the opposite direction of my townhouse, but I always walk my female employees to their cars after their shift. Granted, not much crime happens in this small town, but I’d rather be safe than sorry, especially where my sister’s concerned.

She may be an adult now, but at twenty-five, she’s still the baby out of all of us. We may get on each other’s nerves, but I’ll always look out for her. Hell, I’ll look out for all my siblings.

“So tonight was pretty…eventful,” Dylan remarks, cutting through the relative silence.

A gentle breeze blows through the crisp night air, a reminder that summer has not yet arrived, even if the temperatures have started to climb during the day.

“How so?” I shove my hands into the pocket of my hoodie, praying she’s not about to use this as an opportunity to continue our unfinished conversation from earlier.

“The runaway bride.”

We pass a streetlamp, and its golden glow illuminates Dylan’s features — her blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. She looks so much like our mom, right down to her petite stature, the rest of us towering over her by over a foot.

“Everyone was talking about her, even after she left. Hell, I’m pretty sure that’s why we were busier than normal tonight. Everyone in town wanted to stop by and catch a glimpse of her.”

I roll my eyes. “People around here need something better to do than find joy in someone else’s misery.”

“You can’t say you weren’t intrigued. You spoke to her for a while. I saw you.”

“I asked what she wanted to drink, then I poured her a beer. That was the extent of our interaction,” I lie, in no mood to get into the details with my sister about the fact that this wasn’t the first time I’d met Abbey, although I didn’t know her name the other night.

“You’re no fun,” Dylan huffs. “I was talking to Mabel when she came in after closing up the diner. Apparently, she stopped by for something to eat and when she tried to pay, none of her cards would work.”

I falter in my steps, darting my eyes to my sister. “What?”

“Yeah. Everyone chipped in a few bucks to help her out, but talk about a bad day getting worse.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t make her feel any better knowing everyone’s probably talking about her,” I snarl, my words laced with bitterness.

I know what it’s like to be the subject of town gossip, everyone talking about you behind your back and finding joy in your misery.

“It’s bad enough she’s had a shit day, but for everyone to want a front-row seat, too? She’s been through enough. Leave the poor girl alone.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Dylan says apologetically. “Hell, I think she showed some serious guts by marching through downtown Sycamore Falls in her wedding dress and acting like it was completely normal. If I were in her shoes, I’d probably hide in a bathroom somewhere and cry until I had no tears left.”

“I just hate how some people in this town can be, putting their noses in your business and giving you advice you never asked for.”

“Is that why you brushed me off earlier? Because I was putting my nose in your business?”

“You’re my sister. You’re allowed to put your nose in my business.” I playfully nudge her as we come to a stop by her sedan. “Even if it pisses me off.”

“It comes from a place of love.” She clicks on her key fob to unlock her car.

“I know it does.” I wrap her in a tight hug. “Have a good night. And drive safe.”

“Always.”

Releasing her, I open the door for her, and she ducks in behind the wheel. “Enjoy your day off tomorrow.”

“I plan on it.” She cranks the engine, then backs out of her spot, giving me one last wave before driving away.

As I walk back through the downtown area, my footsteps echo against the empty streets, the only sounds that of an owl hooting or a frog croaking in the distance. This is my favorite time of day. Most of the downtown shops and restaurants have closed, the town peaceful and quiet now that no one else is around.

At least I thought no one else was around.

But as I cut through the park on the way to my townhouse, I notice a lone figure sitting on a bench by the pond. In the dim light, I can make out her familiar silhouette. Even if it was pitch black, I’d know who was sitting there. Hell, I’d know even if she wasn’t wearing that damn wedding dress.

Unlike earlier tonight, she’s not holding her head high. She’s not brimming with optimism, determined to make the best out of a bad situation.

Instead, there’s a subtle tremor in her shoulders that has nothing to do with the fact that she’s wearing a sleeveless dress in fifty-degree weather.

I don’t immediately make a move toward her, telling myself it’s not my problem. She’s not my problem. I can just pretend I didn’t see her and continue on my way.

Forget our paths ever crossed.

But I did see her.

As guarded and standoffish as I may be, I’m not completely heartless.

How would I feel if Dylan were in Abbey’s shoes? If she left her ex and he retaliated by reporting her car as stolen, leaving her stranded in the middle of nowhere? I’d hope someone would help my sister if she were in that position.

I may regret this tomorrow, but after the day Abbey’s had, she deserves a little humanity.

So against my better judgment, that’s exactly what I decide to do.

Show her some humanity.