The Worst Best Friend: A Small Town Romance
Page 174
The best laid plans I made when West made me promise him I’d get out of here.
That’s why I did it. For him. Because he asked, and I couldn’t break that promise.
Because I loved him.
Because I wanted him.
Because I still flipping do.
But apparently, he still wants me to leave, just like years ago.
He still thinks the idea of us is radioactive, even if it’s for very different reasons now.
I rub at the tension in my neck.
God, I hope Faye comes home okay.
And I wish she hadn’t gone home early thanks to my latest round of heart-fencing with West. If she’d stayed, maybe her fall never would’ve happened.
I sigh, knowing I’ve caused nothing but trouble since the day I came home.
Weston is probably counting down the days until I’m gone.
I walk into the kitchen, wondering if I should brew tea or just sit down at the counter and allow myself a good cry, mourning my shitshow of a life.
Never one to give in that easily, I go for the tea, then rummage around the cabinets for honey.
The tea is still brewing when an odd noise rings in my ears. Almost like...a big truck pulling in?
Maybe the guests are here and they’re hauling a camper or boat or something. Walking into the lobby, I look at the TV. The Western keeps playing, but the sound is so low I wouldn’t have heard it in the kitchen.
Back in the kitchen, I hear the truck again. A diesel engine growling, idling.
I walk to the back door, and the noise gets louder as I open it and step outside.
My heart drops out when I see the barn door open, several dark figures milling around a hulking freight truck with its lights off.
I don’t even hesitate.
I go running, and just as I round the door, I see him.
A tall figure, turning toward me with a surprised look as he stuffs one of those rancid nuts in his mouth and crushes it between his teeth loudly.
“Carson? What the hell are you doing?”
22
Broken Piggy Bank (Weston)
I hate hospitals.
They stink. Echo. Sweat despair from the walls.
Mostly, they’re just so damn...clinical.
Luckily, the ambulance driver, LeRoy Swells, also has a monster truck, and he reminded me to grab Faye’s purse because I’ll need her info.
As the large glass double doors slide open and I step inside, I beeline for the front desk.