The Vincent Boys 01 - The Vincent Boys

at three o’clock in the afternoon. The curtains were drawn, letting sunlight inside, and the windows were open, allowing a fresh, cool breeze to waft through the place. Almost taking away the stench of stale beer and cigarettes . . . almost.
    “He left yesterday. Ain’t been home, neither. You messed those two boys up good, girl.” Honey shook her head as she went to wiping glasses off and hanging them back up above the bar.
    “I know. I need to fix it.”
    She shook her head and let out a hard laugh.
    “I reckon that would be nice but the damage is done. Those boys about beat the shit outta each other in here yesterday. You’ve made them both crazy. Never thought I’d see a girl come between them two but then I never figured you’d ever look Beau’s way either. Once you started showing him some interest I knew this was all going to hell in a hand basket real quick. You’ve always been my boy’s weakness.”
    I sank down onto a stool across the bar from her. My stomach churned with guilt. What had I done to Beau? How could I say I love him and hurt him so badly? Love wasn’t selfish.
    “I’m an awful person. I’d take it all away if I could. I can’t believe I’ve done this to him.”
    Honey paused and raised an artfully sculpted brow. “Him who?”
    “Beau,” I replied, frowning. A sad smile touched her lips and she shook her head.
    “Well I guess he ain’t as stupid as I thought he was. I figured the boy’d thrown everything away for some little gal looking to have a good time. I didn’t think you’d actually care about him too.”
    I wanted to get mad, but how could I? I’d done nothing to prove I cared anything about him. Love didn’t screw up your life.
    “Do you know where he is? I just want to talk to him. I need to fix this.”
    Honey sighed and slid the glass in her hand on the rack above her head before meeting my gaze.
    “No Ashton, I don’t. He left here after beating his cousin’s face in. He was hurt and angry. I figure he needs some time and then he’ll come out of hiding. For right now, you just worry about fixing your problems with Sawyer.”
    I shook my head. “There is no fixing my problems with Sawyer. He hates me. All I can hope is one day he understands, but I don’t have time to deal with him.”
    Honey leaned both her elbows on the bar and studied me a moment.
    “You mean to tell me you ain’t getting back with Sawyer at all? You ain’t even worried about losing that fine future he planned on giving you?”
    There was never a future with Sawyer. I’d known that all along.
    “I love Sawyer but I’m not in love with him. I never intended on forever with Sawyer. I just need to see Beau. The only dealings I want to have with Sawyer is getting him to forgive Beau.”
    Honey nodded and reached out and patted my arm.
    “I think I could like you, gal. Go figure. Me liking the preacher’s daughter. Crazier shit has happened.”
    A smile tugged at my lips for the first time all day. She reminded me of Beau just now. Her amused expression and the same hazel eyes.
    “I need to talk to him. Please, as soon as you see him tell him to call me.”
    Honey nodded and went back to wiping the glasses. I stood up and started for the door. The letter I’d written him during Literature, apologizing and begging him to please talk to me, was in my pocket. The plan had been to slip it in his locker but he never showed up at school. I pulled it out and turned and walked back to Honey.
    “Could you give this to him when you see him?” I asked, sliding the folded paper across the bar toward her. She reached out and picked it up, meeting my eyes.
    “Sure, darlin’. I’ll make sure he gets it.”
    Both my parents’ cars were in the drive when I finally pulled in well after five o’clock. It was time to face the music. No one met me at the door, which was a good thing. I stepped inside and I was leveled with my father’s penetrating stare. He was sitting in the recliner with the Bible open in his lap as he peered at me over his reading glasses. He was angry, hurt, and disappointed. I could see it all in his eyes. I dropped my purse on the coffee table and sank down onto the couch facing him.
    “Glad you could finally make it home. Your brief text message telling me you were fine and staying the night at Leann’s wasn’t exactly comforting. Your mother has gone to bed with a headache from the worry.”
    “I’m sorry, Dad,” I replied. I truly was sorry I’d upset