Hay Season

Chapter 30

Rylan

I left that day with a clean heart even though it hurt inside so bad, but I was also at peace. ~ Susan Sanford ~

I only wanted to be seen. I wanted to be the girl he saw in her. I don't want to be who I am anymore, but I've made a grave mistake—a mistake I'm not sure I can fix. What have I done?

~Our Hometown of Dewbridge/Journal Entry by Ladonna Miller

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It's late afternoon when I roll my truck into Mattie's driveway. Ladonna expertly maneuvered a project that kept our football team in her clutches to help decorate the gym for prom. It would have been easy to sneak out of if my mother, who happens to be on the committee, and Ladonna hadn't kept tabs on me the entire time. I've been texting Mattie all afternoon but received no replies. She was supposed to text me, but it has yet to arrive. Trying to shake off this feeling of unease, I get out and head toward the door. Surely, they're home by now.

"Playing stalker boy again!" Tad shouts from down the street. He's finishing a run, and I note when he reaches me that he's not even out of breath. The fucker. I'm at the top when it comes to physical training and health, but even I have to bow down to Mattie's brother, whose numbers surpass mine. If only he were interested in football, I'd know exactly what position he'd be perfect for.

"Arriving to take my girl out is not stalker material. That's only if the girl wants nothing to do with you, and I sure hope that's not the case here."

"I should probably have a smart-ass remark for you, be in protective bro mode and all, but I got nothing. It's not like it's obvious she's your fucking soul mate."

Pride swells in my chest but quickly dissipates when he tries to give me that narrowed-eyed look that says there's a but coming.

"But if you ever hurt her, I'll take your ass down."

Amusement takes my unease away momentarily, and I raise my eyebrow in his direction. He gets the message.

"Or die trying."

I chuckle before patting him on the back in my show of brotherly affection.

"It's good that you won't ever have to worry about that. I've never loved anyone as much as I love your sister. I tried once, and we see how that turned out."

We head up the stairs and through the screen door to the main entrance. I let Tad turn the knob. He's had an open-door invite to come into this house whenever he wants since it was revealed he and Mattie are twins. Both men are trying their best to see them remain close. A frown crosses his face, and that feeling of fear hits my gut again.

"It's locked."

"Don't you have a key?"

"Yeah, but Mattie and Levi would have been back by now."

"Back from where?"

We both turn at the sound of Levi's voice. He's smiling when we meet his gaze, but it quickly vanishes when he notices the look on our faces.

"What's wrong?"

"You sent Mattie a text at lunch to meet her. Something about picking out a suit." I state this like it's obvious. When his frown deepens, I know something's wrong.

"I never sent Mattie a message. That's all planned for tomorrow."

Damn. My mind goes back to the cafeteria, and I know exactly what about today seemed off. I share a look with Tad, and I know he remembers.

"Ladonna."

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"I'm pretty sure you'll want to talk immediately."

When she opens the door, she's met with a group of angry faces on her doorstep. It's incredible how fast a cell phone can bring people together. Mayor Miller stands behind Ladonna and surveys the small crowd that's gathered.

"What's the meaning of this?"

His voice booms at its usual high capacity. I don't think his voice has any other volume, but I'm not concentrating on him at the moment. Instead, I'm watching the sweat on Ladonna's forehead and the tears forming in her eyes. She knows exactly what I want to hear.

"I made a grave mistake," she whispers.