Trouble in Hell (Hell Night 1)

She pockets the notepad in her apron and sticks the pen behind her ear, not needing to write my order down. “One water coming up.”

“I want to… uh, thank you for helping me the other day,” I say before she can walk off.

Her cheeks wrinkle when she smiles. “It was no problem. I’m just glad I was leaving for the day and spotted you.” She stops for a moment before asking, “How are you doin’?”

“Better. I was just a bit dehydrated.” I grimace when I admit, “My AC went out, and I ran out of water and had no way of getting more. I didn’t know towns were so infrequent in Texas.”

She laughs. “Depends on what part of Texas you’re in. These parts, there’s not much unless you go farther south closer to San Antonio.”

“I’ll definitely keep that I mind for when I leave.”

“Glad you’re doing better.”

“Thanks.” I tip my lips. It’s amazing how different some of the people are here. Some look as though I’m encroaching on some kind of religious ground, bringing evil with me, while some are as friendly as can be.

Doris walks away to get my water, and my phone starts playing So What by P!nk. I grimace, because it seems really loud and the low murmurs of other patrons’ quiet down. I look around to find several pairs of eyes on me. So, maybe they don’t like my choice of music. Do people in these parts only listen to country, or is that just another stereotypical thought, just like the cowboy hat and boots?

With a flaming red face, I look at the screen then groan inwardly when I see the name. Guilt fills my stomach as I hit the ‘ignore’ button. I love Lynn like she’s the sister I never had, but I’m not ready to talk to her yet. Deep down, I know what happened to her father wasn’t my fault—he had us all fooled, more so Lynn and her mother—but I still hold a huge amount of guilt. If only I hadn’t gone to her house that day….

I shake my head to rid it of the images trying to surface. Had I not gone to the house that day, I wouldn’t have been directly affected by her father’s actions, but there’s no telling how many more girls would have been. My ordeal was horrible and painful, but I’m glad something good came out of it. Feeling a bump against my ribs, I amend my thought. Two good things.

My head jerks up from looking at my phone when someone clears their throat. The man who was staring at me from the bar stands by my table.

“Hey there, darlin’. You mind if I sit?” He uses the tip of his beer bottle to point to the seat across from me.

“Uhh….”

He’s in the seat before I can answer, and I sit back farther in mine, feeling uncomfortable.

“Where ya from?” he asks, grinning while loudly smacking his gum. Now that he’s closer, he looks older than I originally thought. He’s got to be in his early forties, at least.

I don’t really want to talk to him, but I hate being rude.

“Mississippi.”

He whistles low. “That’s a right long way from home. What brings ya to these parts?”

My eyes dart to the bar, hoping Doris will hurry with my drink. Maybe she’ll rescue me a second time.

Still not wanting to be rude, I answer. “I had some car problems.”

He nods, like he already knew the answer. It wouldn’t surprise me since the town is so small. I’m sure word travels fast around here.

“Where ya headed?”

I bite my lip, not liking all these questions. I haven’t felt any weird vibes coming from the guy. His eyes hold open curiosity and he hasn’t leered at me creepily, but he’s being kind of invasive and it’s still making me feel uncomfortable.

“I’m going to my brother’s to stay for a while.”

His eyes move to my stomach before lifting them back to me. “And where’s that?”

I’ve had enough. I understand people may be curious, and even cautious, but I feel like I’m under interrogation or something. My gaze darts around the room to find every eye on me now. Like they’ve all selected the man in front of me to get the scoop and they’re just waiting for him to report back.

“Listen,” I start, putting a smile in place, hoping to soften my words. “I don’t really—”

I’m cut short and my mouth snaps shut when his next question hits my ears.

“You married?”