They’re still assholes in my opinion.
I hated the way they left her when she was still a teen. She says things are a lot better between them now, but it’s gonna take more convincing on my end. Letting their daughter fly across the country to arrange a funeral and figure out every single detail surrounding her grandmother’s death all alone? I don’t like it.
When she lets out a quiet sigh, shifting in the seat, the sound slackens any anger within me a little more. Each moment feels like I’m losing grasp of any resentment I’ve been harboring.
I glance back at her, sleeping beside me in my truck, just like she used to.
I shouldn’t feel grateful that she trusts me enough to close her eyes here after everything. I shouldn’t let it matter.
But it does.
I can physically feel the shift happening between us, within me. Something hotter, deeper, starts erupting. Sparking a slow burn right in the center of my chest that I’ve spent ten years trying to put out.
All I have to do is catch a glimpse of the light reflecting in her eyes, see that rogue hair by her left ear she gets so irritated with, and any anger I’ve housed for so long dissipates. I want to slam on the brakes, wake her up, and demand answers. But more than that, I just want to wrap my arms around her, breathe her in deep enough to fill my lungs with ten years of deprived oxygen, and just?—
Love her.
But I don’t have the heart to wake her. I drive up and down every back road in this town for hours, just letting her be.
When I finally pull in to the park, she starts to rouse, rubbing her eyes and looking around.
“Oh my gosh, the sun is going down? How long did you let me sleep?”
“Long enough for me to want a beer. Want to come in and join me? You’ve earned it after a day like today, and Lou and Billy are home. We can just chill and try to forget about all the heavy stuff. Sound good?”
“That actually sounds like a pretty decent idea, let’s do it.”
JOHNNIE
Back at Lou and Billy’s trailer, Lou and I sit at the counter, each with a glass of wine, looking out the screen door every now and then at Collins, Billy, and Bolt—that’s the name Billy settled on for the puppy. They’re currently involved in a game of football. Bolt is the monkey in the middle of their tossing back and forth, and it’s hilarious.
“I’m not normally a wine drinker, but you’re right, Lou. This red is dangerously sweet. I tilt the stemless glass to my lips and smile at her over the rim.
Now that I know her and Collins aren’t a thing, I think her and I could really get along. She’s cool. Her tattoos, dark lashes, and black clothing present a sharp exterior—one that her inner heart contradicts.
“Can I tell you a secret?” My cheeks are warm and my brain is starting to feel slightly fuzzy.
“Of course! Spill the tea,” Lou says, leaning in closer to me.
“I kind of hated you the first time I saw you.”
Lou doesn’t miss a beat, she just smiles and waggles her eyebrows. “And what changed your mind?”
“I found out you weren’t screwing Collins.”
She nearly spits her wine out, laughing and coughing at once, making me nearly choke on my own laugh.
“Oh, this is good.” She points at me. “You sound territorial. Trust me, I know you peed on him first. Plus, no worries. While Collins is fucking adorable, I may or may not have my sights set on a different Combs boy.” She can’t hide her girly giggle. The wine is doing a number on both of us.
“Who told you we have history?”
“He did!”
“What did he say?”
All of a sudden, the screen door whines and the boys come barreling in. A cool breeze of fall evening air follows behind them, cooling my flushed face.
“All right, kiddo, I think it’s about time to brush your teeth.” Collins looks at Lou. “Isn’t it that time?”