Page 16 of Wandering in Love
The piece of scum stands as I walk toward him. How the hell could he cheat on her?
“Sorry for that misunderstanding. Have a nice day.”
“You have a place I can rent a tow trailer?”
“Nope.” The ‘p’ pops at the end of the word. “You can try the next town up. Feel free to leave the car here until you find something.”
With an aggravated huff, he leaves the office and climbs into a big, white Ford truck. He peels out of the parking lot while Stacey, Will, and I watch him.
“Afternoon, Will,” Stacey says sweetly to my brother, the blush on her cheeks telling me things I don’t want to know.
“Afternoon, Stacey.” He winks at her, deepening the blush on her cheeks.
“Alright, Romeo, get out.” I shove my brother towards the door. “Stacey, forward me any calls. I’m taking him home.”
“Yes, Sheriff.”
Grabbing my jacket from the peg by the door, I shove my arms through the sleeves. The wind bites into any exposed flesh, like icicles lacing into your skin.
I get the SUV started and wait for the heat to kick on. It takes longer than it should. I need to use the remote start more often.
“I wouldn’t confront her right now, if I were you,” Will says, blowing into his hands.
“You aren’t me.”
He shakes his head, but doesn’t say anything else. The drive out to the ranch is quick. Will hops out, heading straight for the barn with me on his heels.
“You ain’t taking her time right now.” He spins on me, forcing me to stop. “She’s working, and I’m not paying her to fight with you.”
“I ain’t fighting with anybody. I got some questions is all.”
“I’ll throw you out of here. I mean it. You’ve got ten minutes.” He storms away toward his office next to the tack room.
Walking down the aisle, I check each stall I pass for the lavender hair and sassy mouth I’m craving. With each step I take, my frustration with her grows.
Why the hell did she give that man my last name when she’s the one who left? Two years she was with that man who looks like me. Two. Years.
At the very last stall, she steps out with a pitchfork.
Her cheeks flush when she sees me, but her spine straightens.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Rojas.”
She clenches her jaw, but she doesn’t respond.
“I find it interesting that you gave him my last name. Why is that?”
Her eyes meet mine for a second before she pushes past me. “I’m busy.”
I grip her arm to stop her, taking the pitchfork from her. “Your boss gave me ten minutes. I’m using every second.”
“I didn’t trust him with my real name.” Her words are quiet.
“Then why did you stay with him?”
“Why do you think I’m back?” She shakes her head, looking past me.
“You stayed for six months. What’s the deal?” I lean closer, invading her space. “You gave him my name, and he looks like he could be my brother.”