It all happened so fast it’s a whirlwind, even thinking about it now. For the first time, I didn’t care that I was back in my old town. I didn’t care that people were probably sitting there just to see how I would react. I didn’t care that tomorrow my mother’s phone would be ringing off the hook with stories about tonight.

I got on that dance floor and left all my problems at the door. I kicked up my cowboy boots and loved every single minute of it. Knowing deep inside I was pushing things, but I didn’t think anything of it. Nothing happens in this town, but oh, how I was wrong.

The whole night, Casey was right there beside us, making sure we were okay, his jaw clenching each time Olivia would swing her hips. His eyes were glaring when someone would get too close. I snickered to myself more than once and then all hell broke loose.

I was almost pushed to the side, but then suddenly I felt hands around my waist, and for the first time tonight, fear set in. That is, until I looked over my shoulder and saw Jacob.

My heart sped up, and it wasn’t because I heard a brawl right behind me. No, it was speeding up because Jacob was touching me, and there was nothing I could do about it. My head hated him, yet my heart loved him. The warm air hit me right away when we got outside, and I thought for sure he would let me go. I was banking on it, but he didn’t. All he did was mumble to himself.

“What the hell, Jacob?” Words finally come out, and I curse at him.

“You could have gotten hurt in there.” Stopping, he puts me down right next to his truck and opens the door. In the darkness of the night, the lights from the stars and full moon shine on his face, and I see the anger. Anger and a mix of something else. Something I’m not sure I want to know. “But did you stop and think of that?”

“It’s none of your business,” I hiss; the nerve of him.

Apparently, in the eight years I’ve been away, Jacob’s patience was cut thin. “Get in the truck, Kallie.” He advances on me, not giving me enough room to do anything but get in the truck. I try to waste time, thinking Casey is going to come out any minute now with Olivia over his shoulder, and he’ll save me.

“No fucking way.” Shaking my head, I look around.