“I was just on my way out, Billy. Good to see you, you guys let me know how he likes his treats.”
Billy squeaks a “thank you” and settles back down on his spot on the floor and starts the game up again.
“He’s a beautiful boy.” She says those words with sincerity, but they’re also laced with something else. Sorrow, maybe?
Then it hits me like a freight train, and I can’t help but smirk.
“What’s so funny,” Johnnie says, eyeing me suspiciously.
“You think Billy is my son, don’t you?”
“Umm, he’s not?”
“No, Johnnie, he’s not.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just assumed?—”
“Assumed what, exactly? That Lou and I are together, living here, raising our son?”
I can’t help it, I’m full on laughing now, and she doesn’t look the slightest bit amused, which nearly brings me to hysterics.
Johnnie crosses her arms and scowls at me like a child.
“Maybe you’d be aware of the actual situation around here, had you not disappeared for the last, I don’t know how many years.”I absolutely fucking know.
She’s still scowling. “Hilarious. Can you please explain this situation then?”
“Lou moved to town about a year ago. She actually ran into Crandall before any of us. They were both up at Houdini’s her first night in town. Long story short, she has a crazy ex, Billy’s dad. She needed a place to live and we still own this trailer. Crandall set her up here, gave her an accounting job at Combs Landscaping, and she and Billy have sort of become like family. We look out for them, especially Crandall. He’s in love with her, and she’s in love with him. They just haven’t admitted it yet.”
“So, wait a minute. You don’t live here? But I’ve seen your truck here every single day.” She gives me a look of suspicion and I try really hard not to find it adorable.
“I have a place outside of town. I built it shortly after the business took off, but I’m having some renovations done so Louinsisted I come stay with them while it’s getting completed. I could have just stayed with my brothers, but I knew it would get under Crandall’s skin being here, and I couldn’t resist the chance to piss him off.
That brings a smile to her face.
“You boys haven’t changed a bit, have you? The same old brotherly love disguised as harassment.” She bites her bottom lip, with a grin.
“We bond through constant jabs and emotional damage,” I quip.
“Well, I better get back to work over here.” Throwing a thumb over her shoulder, she’s halfway back to her own front door before I manage to find any more words.
Sticking my head out the door, I yell, “Nan was the best, I really am sorry for your loss.” That sounds so damn lame, but I don’t know what else to say.
When she turns and glances over her shoulder. “Thank you, Collins. I’m sorry this is so awkward. I’m sorry you hate me, but I understand.”
“I have a lot of feelings when it comes to you, Johnnie. But none of them are hate.”
I slam the door harder than necessary and stomp back into the living room, throwing myself on the couch beside Billy and running a hand down my face.
I really need to know why this woman left my heart in pieces all those years ago. Because she’s the embodiment of every memory I haven’t been able to outrun, no matter how hard I try.
CHAPTER 11
johnnie
THEN
Tim McGraw’ssinging about barbecue stains on a white T-shirt when I get interrupted by a splash of cold water and jerk up from my position on a towel at the front of the boat.