Page 31 of When Sky Breaks
I glance away and study the names of the rows of fence pickets stacked all the way to the top of the store while I feel Benny’s gaze.
Finally, I woman up and face him. “Not yet. Please don’t tell him.”
He scratches the side of his nice, straight nose and sighs. He’s probably remembering that time I came to him the summer August left and was a blubbering mess. Benny is loyal to August, and I get it. He and I weren’t close, but it still stung when I got no actual information out of him, except that August was indeed out in Cali.
It was probably for the best. What was I planning on doing, anyway? Hitchhiking out west with nothing but revenge on my mind and a broken heart?
“I won’t. But you can’t hide from him for too long. Word travels fast. And if you’re helping with the haunted house? The beloved prodigal daughter of Foster in Maizeville? It will travel faster.”
“I know. I just—” I don’t even know what to say.
My feelings are all over the place. I want to hate August so much for what he did. The one person who promised to protect me broke my heart. He was my very best friend first, my lover second, and now? Fear dictates my every move. What if I see him and I’m not strong anymore? The anger buoyed me for so long, carrying me through the years. But faced with the inevitable reunion, I’m so tired. I’ve always been the one to forgive easily, but this is the one thing I can’t truly let go of. Can I?
“I get it, Sky. He did you dirty, and honestly, if you never want to talk to him again, I wouldn’t fault you for it. But for what it’s worth, I think you two had something special. You don’t see it too often.”
“Well, he should’ve thought of that before he left me without a goodbye,” I snarl at Benny and clench my fists to temper the internal war I’m waging. August did leave me without a goodbye, but I was the catalyst. I said I hated him and I never wanted to see him again. My wish was granted, but not without damning consequences and shattered hearts.
However, Benny clearly doesn’t know the whole story. No one does, and that’s what makes this so much harder to handle. The only ones who know the truth are me, Trek, and August. It’s lonely here on the battlefield, but there’s too much at stake for something like this to come to light. It was always going to stay between us three. But the solid unit we all could’ve had broke, possibly beyond repair. It was broken the moment Trek and August hid the truth. Then August crushed it even more with his betrayal. Yet still. My heart wants peace.
Benny’s expression is understanding, and I wilt, curling my fingers over the handle of my cart.
“You’re right. He should’ve done a lot of things differently. There’s still time if that’s what you two want.”
That’s the thing. I don’t know what I really want. Or I do, but I’m refusing to acknowledge it.
Benny gives me a soft smile, a knowing one, and I’m not sure what to think of it. “Well, I better get back to work, but it was good seeing you. I hope we see you around. I know Kayla would too.”
“Congratulations on getting married. The same Kayla we went to school with?”
The same old lady who gave me the stink eye earlier rolls between Benny and me. Is it bad I want to stick my tongue out at her?
Benny’s infectious grin widens as he lets her pass. “Yep, same Kayla. After years of hounding, she finally gave in and gave me a chance.”
That’s cute. And depressing.
Everyone is living their lives—happy and fulfilled—and I’m here spiraling.
Enough, I’ve had enough.
Straightening my back, I tell Benny goodbye and maneuver to the checkout.
It’s time to quit waffling and get some closure on this chapter of my life so I can open a new one.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
sky
“Do you want to get lunch today? I’m sure we can find something around here we like or head into the next town.” Johnny hands me a to-go cup of coffee as he stands on my front porch all suited up for a day at the hospital.
I guess the place couldn’t pass on a chance to prod the mind of Dr. Johnny Hawk while he’s still in town. Makes me wonder just how long he plans on staying. Him being here should make me happy, not confused.
I lean against the door frame, picking at the warm lid of my cup. “I’m going to hang out with Foster today so Trek can finish some work,” I say, dodging the invitation.
He bobs his head and shoves a hand into the pocket of his charcoal dress pants. He’s really good-looking in his expensive, crisp dress shirt, hair slicked back, reflecting the morning sun in an array of rich browns and subtle reds. It’s almost intimidating.
Before I chicken out, I blurt, “There’s something I need to tell you. Do you have a minute before you go?”
Johnny’s hooded eyes narrow slightly as he reclines against the beam holding up our front porch, sipping his coffee in silence. His gaze is calculating, and sweat slicks my palms. Sometimes, it’s like he already knows he won’t like what I have to say before I even say it. He can be hot and cold, and today’s forecast is chilly.