~*~

Hushed conversation permeated the bustle of the coffee shop as James walked through the glass doors. The frigid air that wafted in with him immediately warmed, and he felt a moment of fleeting hominess. He unzipped his jacket and shrugged out of it.

“Just the one of you?”

The young, dark-haired hostess didn’t look familiar, and it hit him just how long he’d been away this time. He smiled. “Yes. Thank you.”

He followed her across the worn and dingy tile flooring and then pulled out a red vinyl chair at the table she indicated. He took in the laminate wood wall paneling and the cracked Venetian blinds. This place hadn’t changed since he was here last, hadn’t changed much since high school as far as he could tell.

“Coffee?”

“Please,” he answered. “Thank you.

She plopped the menu on the table and left.

James scanned the restaurant, his gaze resting on an older man and woman who were staring at him from across the way. He nodded, and they returned the gesture. Cordial enough, but James noticed the covert glances in his direction as the couple resumed their conversation. He didn’t allow the scrutiny to bother him. This was a small town, he’d been gone a long time—and not because he was off playing pro ball and bringing glory to the town that had supported him through his high school career. A little gossip was bound to blossom, especially now, considering it was common knowledge that he and Travis were best friends. Just one more item to fuel the scandal pyre.

His gaze traveled to some of the other tables. Tentative nods, fleeting smiles, and furtive looks greeted him. Giving a mental shrug, he willed himself not to feel uncomfortable and then lifted the menu to study the selection.

Suddenly, a strong arm captured James in a headlock. “Guess who.”

He couldn’t think. The affected deep voice didn’t sound familiar, although, it had to be someone James knew; he could still breathe, so whoever it was, wasn’t trying to strangle him in the middle of the KMI for all to witness. “I don’t know,” James answered.

The chokehold pressure increased. “Come on, guess! Feel that muscle closing down on your throat. Who could that be?”

“I don’t…seriously, I can’t breathe…”

The grip cinched a little tighter. “And you’re gonna blackout in about two seconds unless you make a guess.”

The guy was right. The pressure building in his head made his brain feel like a squeezed orange. Stars were beginning to form in his eyes. Maybe if he could focus, he’d be able to make a—

“Let him go, Duane, before he passes out.”

“Duane?” James choked out as he looked to Loretta. His old friend wielded a carafe of coffee and a satirically stern expression.

The pressure on his head released and a rush of blood made him momentarily dizzy. Duane Jack slid around the table and sat opposite James, a huge grin spread across his face.