Page 119 of Truck Me
That’s the truth I struggle with the most. I can almost handle the knowledge that he had a relationship with Carol before me. We’re not the first siblings to fall for the same man. But can I handle it if Rayne is his? That’s the question I can’t answer.
I want to say yes, but there’s a voice deep inside me that keeps screaming no. I’m not sure I know how I’ll really feel until we have an answer.
So instead, I reply to his text with a single word answer.
Charlotte
Okay.
* * *
While I’ve been dreading this day all week, Rayne hasn’t been able to stop bouncing on her feet. Even as I pull up outside the family services office, she can’t sit still. It’s not until I toss the car in park that I see Garret leaning against the brick wall of the building, staring right at me.
It’s warmer out now that spring is right around the corner. He’s in tattered jeans and a snug black t-shirt, showing off his firm biceps and arm tattoos. His hair is neatly combed, and his beard is trimmed short. He looks so sexy and grumpy.
My heart immediately lurches in my chest. I ache to touch him, hug, hold him, and do whatever it takes to put a smile on his face.
But that honor goes to Rayne.
She jumps out of the car before I even cut off the engine and runs right up to Garret. They don’t hesitate to embrace in a tight, familiar hug. Garret whispers something to her, and she nods emphatically.
The closeness they share sends a pang of jealousy through me. Regardless of the outcome of the paternity test, something tells me Garret and Rayne will be just fine. I can’t say the same thing about him and me.
And that breaks my heart a little more.
I grab my purse and force myself out of the car. I’d tried to get Mom to bring Rayne to this appointment, but she insisted she needed to spend the entire day with Dad at the facility. I couldn’t take that away from her. Not since I’m the reason he’ll never come home.
“Hey,” I say when I stop next to him.
Garret lifts his hand like he’s going to touch me but jerks it back. His eyes flick over me nervously. All I see is longing in his gaze.
He clears his throat and stands up straight. “Shall we go in? This shouldn’t take too long.”
“Lead the way.” I wave toward the door.
He opens the door and holds it so Rayne and I can enter first. The young woman at the counter smiles up at us. “How can I help you?”
“Mutter and Weber,” Garret says. “We’re here for a paternity test.”
The woman checks the schedule and nods. “I’ll let them know you’re here. Just take a seat anywhere in the waiting room. We’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
Rayne sits first, and I take a seat beside her next to an end table. I don’t think I can handle sitting right next to Garret right now. My feelings are too strong and too confusing.
He sits opposite us. That’s not much better because now I can’t help but stare at him. Our eyes meet a few times, but I can’t bring myself to hold his gaze. He looks too much like a wounded puppy, and it’s breaking my heart.
My big, strong, grumpy, dirty talking Garret is broken. And I think it’s because of me.
Feeling a sudden urge to make him feel a little better, I blurt out, “I never accepted Brad’s proposal.”
Garret’s eyes hold mine before he leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. He clasps his hands together and hangs his head low. I feel Rayne shift next to me, but I don’t let that stop me from continuing.
“I was so stunned to see him. It didn’t even register to me that he’d put the ring on my finger until after I’d gotten home, and he showed up there. No matter what happens, I will never marry Brad. I just want you to know that.”
“Good.” His voice is rough and gravelly. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
I watch him for a moment. My gut is screaming at me that there’s more to be said, but I can’t seem to find the words. I want to tell him that it’s him I think about when I wake up in the morning and that he’s the last person I picture before I fall asleep at night.
Instead, I say, “No, he doesn’t. He proved that to me months ago.”