Shade's Fall by Jamie Begley

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.
    Shade got out of the truck as soon as they walked far enough away that they couldn’t see their car. Keeping to the shadows in case they doubled back, Shade made it quickly to Charles’ car, kneeling down by the back tire. He slipped his knife out of his boot, and thrust it into the tire before moving to the front and doing the same. As soon as he heard the hissing air, he returned to the truck, sliding back behind the wheel.
    Taking out his cell phone, he gave Rider a call to give him a head’s up that Razer would be calling him shortly, so he needed to finish his business with Kaley.  He wanted his ass ready to roll when Razer called to give Lily a ride home.
    Shade sat back and patiently waited for the couple to return.
    *  *  *
    Lily couldn’t hide her yawn as Charles talked about his father’s new restaurant.
    “Let’s head back; I can tell you’re tired,” Charles broke off.
    “I’m sorry, Charles. It’s been a long day.” She squeezed his hand, relieved when he gave her a smile.
    When they got to the car, he opened the door, letting her slide inside. Lily watched as he walked around the front of the car, seeing Charles bend down by the front tire then stand with a frown on his face. She turned as he walked to the back tire and stood, staring down for a minute before getting inside the car.
    “I have some bad news. We have two flat tires,” Charles said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his cell phone.
    “Don’t you have a spare?” Lily asked then felt stupid at the look he gave her.
    “I do, but not two. Dad’s still in Lexington, so I can’t call him. I’m going to try Lyle, but it’s Friday, so the chances aren’t good that he’ll actually answer.”
    Lyle was the town drunk. Lily hated to refer to him that way; however, he was drunk more often than he was sober. She really didn’t want to be stuck in the tow truck with him after he had been drinking most of the night.
    “I’ll call Razer,” Lily offered when Charles had no luck reaching Lyle. She pulled out her own cell phone, calling her brother-in-law. He answered on the third ring, and Lily quickly explained their predicament. He offered to send Rider.
    “Thanks, Razer.” She disconnected the call, turning back to Charles. She could tell he wasn’t happy she had called Razer, but the problem with living in a town the size of Treepoint was that your options were limited.
    “I wanted to spend some more time with you. I guess I got my wish,” Charles said wryly.
    Lily laughed. Reaching over the console, she kissed his cheek. “I really missed you, Charles.”
    The tension faded from his face and he relaxed back against his seat. They started talking about the