Page 27 of Read Me, Baby
Let them all listen and know this girl is mine.
We’ve collapsed onto the floor where we came together just minutes ago and I make no move to leave her. We’re both spent and the room is silent. No one is coming and so I take the moment to hold her, feeling I’ve found my forever. I pull her bra and shirt down and right her skirt then I pull my boxers and jeans up but don't bother buttoning. We lay together in a tangle of legs, her head on my chest as I play with her long red hair.
“So how come everyone in this town knows everything about you, except for the books? You're pretty open with everything else you do.”
“People are harsh critics. They judge what they don’t understand and like to make generalizations. I’ve told you, I’m open with a lot but it’s nice to have one thing that's just for me.” I pause, considering my words carefully before continuing. “Even though it was years ago, my ex and I were the hometown couple. We were homecoming king and queen and in a small town like this, they fell in love with our story. There wasn’t really a story, but the town was going to make one for us. They had our lives planned out and were all expecting wedding invites. We were just kids, and though I was fine with being that small town couple, she wasn’t. She thought I would get tired of the quiet life and leave with her.” I laugh to myself. “I never planned to leave here. I love it here. And I never told her differently.”
She turns her head, leaning her chin on my chest and traces her finger around my lips. I kiss the tip of her finger.
“It was right after graduation. The town was gathered for my parents' twenty-fifth anniversary party. We were all having a great night until my dad got up to thank everyone for coming. He announced my cousin Wes and I would be taking over the Parker & Sons HVAC company. I was so proud that he was publicly naming me, but Christina wasn’t happy one bit. I really don’t remember every name she called me or the awful things she said about living in a small town, but I do remember her saying she wouldn't be the wife of a blue-collar worker. Hearing that stung more than anything. It was like she was personally attacking my dad. He and my uncle worked their asses off to give us everything we ever needed.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It hurt, but she only embarrassed herself. The town let her know it too, and it was shortly after that, her and her family moved.”
“The power of a small town.” I nod and she laughs. “I get it. People judge me too. I was constantly teased about loving books and not fitting into my football town back in Georgia. I was the weird girl for wanting to sit quietly and not be out raising hell in town. It's not my scene to be a party animal.“
She takes a breath and continues. “It’s funny how life comes full circle. I wanted to introduce a reading club to our local library back home, but the town was only focused on football. Even teachers and coaches didn’t care much about the learning aspect. I did what I could to instill a love of reading into the young kids but it was always overshadowed by the game.
“I was dating a football coach and going to college at night, trying to work the library and get a club off the ground. He humored me but never supported me. At my opening night, he sat in the back essentially heckling me with a couple other coaches. I was so embarrassed I swore I'd never read another romance again.“
“Don’t ever let someone steal something you love from you.”
“I know. Once we broke up, I tried dating, but the men after that were a joke. I became the queen of a thousand first dates, never to have a repeat. I was the sexy librarian who loved romance novels yet couldn’t find her own love. Then I was the boring librarian who ended my romance club because I hated the books. It was the furthest thing from the truth, but It was just one more rumor that guy started about me to keep me as an even bigger oddball in town. So coming here, learning I’d have to run a romance book club and read aloud? It was a shock that I wasn’t ready for.”
“You’ll find your soft spot. Balance is a good thing.”
“Yes, like the other night. You’re the mayor walking through that restaurant and I was dodging people at all costs. “
“I think we’re different in that sense, yes. I’ve been placed in the spotlight for quite some time that I just adapted differently. It doesn't make one way wrong or right, or better than the other. And it’s ok for you to not enjoy that. It’s really great to enjoy your own space and use it for what you need to make yourself feel good.” I squeeze her ass. “I also enjoy using my own space to make you feel good.”
She giggles. “I still have to get up in front of this town though and be more like anyone but myself in order to do so. There's a reason I became a librarian and not a public speaker.”
“I think you're going to do just fine.”
“With a little more practice from you, right?”
“Now you’re catching on.” I laugh. “From a young age, my personal life was out for everyone to see and they still talk about it. So for me, keeping books to myself and how I like to read or act them out with my girl, is just that. Our secret.”
“Your girl?”
“Yea, Nina. I want you to be my girl.” She smiles, her eyes lighting at my words. “And that I won’t keep a secret.”
CHAPTER 17
NINA
The weeks have flown by and we’re now in the home stretch.
National Read a Book Day is this Friday and I’m both nervous and excited. Reading in front of a crowd has become easier each time I do it, but I feel it’s only because Jay is there, hiding in the shadows, being my support system.
But Jay, Wes and Maverick completed the job at the library yesterday and are moving on to their next big job at the local diner. I feel empty knowing he’s not in the same building with me anymore, and I also feel afraid and alone and I hate that I’ve grown dependent upon him.
The entire town is talking about it and at my latest romance book club, they couldn’t stop falling over the idea of seeing me read in front of everyone.
Everyone.
Mrs. Holly approaches me as the last of the women leave the room for the night.