Page 118 of Truck Me
Although with the way this town refuses to let me forget what happened, alone with my thoughts is probably safer.
“Charlotte, dear. Ruth is ready for you,” Mrs. Engle says. She’s taken to calling me dear ever since the incident. She says it in a way that sounds like she’s afraid I’ll break. But that doesn’t stop her from gossiping and hounding me with questions.
I slide my phone into my back pocket, choosing not to respond to Garret just yet. Truth be told, I don’t know what to say. Responding with a simple okay or we’ll be there doesn’t feel like enough. There are things we need to talk about, but my heart hurts too much to even start that conversation.
“Alright, Ruth.” I turn to her and smile. “What are we doing today?”
“Just a wash and set.” Her voice is overly sweet, and I know that means she’s about to hit me with a ton of questions. I also know she was just in here on Friday and shouldn’t be scheduled for another visit for a few more days.
She’s one of those women who comes in once a week to get her hair done. We curl and tease it and spray it with so much hair spray that nothing will move it until her next visit.
“Sure thing.” I drape the cape over her chest and snap it in place. “Let’s get you to the sink.”
As soon as she’s situated, the questions start coming. “I heard about Jim. How is he doing?”
“Better, but he’s had to stay in a facility for now.” What I don’t say is that it’s permanent. I made the decision as his power of attorney. Dad will stay in the facility. He feels better about that, but Mom is still struggling with my decision.
But it’s what’s best for everyone, including Dad.
“That must be so hard on your mother. Please send her my regards.”
I give her a tight smile. “Will do. I know she’ll appreciate that.”
“And how is Rayne?” she asks with a little more caution than she did about my dad.
“She’s great.” I keep my response short.
“Oh.” She presses a hand to her chest like that shocks her. I start up the water and wet her hair, hoping that will stop this line of questioning, but no such luck. She doesn’t miss a beat and talks over the spray. “I’m surprised to hear that. I’d think that little girl would be devastated to find out who her father might be after all this time.”
“Not at all. Turns out she’s known for quite some time.”
“And you, dear?” She looks up at me with a raised brow. “How are you handling the news?”
Translation: How are you handling the news that you’ve been secretly—though not so secretly, apparently—sleeping with the man that may have impregnated your baby sister?
That’s the question everyone wants to ask me but keeps tiptoeing around it rather than getting to the point.
“I’m also great.” I lie. There’s no way in hell I’m going to be honest and open up to these ladies. It’s bad enough that my breakup with Brad was splashed all over the tabloids for the world to read. It sucks even more that he had to make an appearance at the first public event I attended since moving home.
My life sucks.
She continues babbling on about what happened as if I wasn’t there to live through it. It’s how they all talk to me.
I tune her out along with the next three women who come in and ask me the same questions. By the time my shift is over and I’m sitting in my car, I’m completely exhausted and ready to scream.
I also really want to see Garret. I miss him.
Fighting back the tears, I open up the message app on my phone and stare at his name. I really want to message him back and ask if I can come over.
I want to feel his strong arms around me and breathe in his earthy scent.
I want to feel his body flush against mine.
I want to hear him whisper dirty words in my ear as he slowly moves inside me.
I want him to make all this go away so we can return to how we were before.
But most importantly, I want to pretend he never slept with my sister and that Rayne isn’t his daughter.