She isn’t even my type. She has dark hair and eyes; I’m more into the blonde haired blue-eyed type. She’s a good foot shorter than I am when I could’ve sworn I liked my women super model tall and thin. This shit is way too confusing. I contemplated begging off but with Carrie’s doubts still fresh in my mind I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Who knows what Josh would do to me if he thought I was slighting his wife again? See my little brother knows that there’s no way in the world I’d ever hurt him so he’s been getting away with shit his whole life. Not that he’d ever really hurt me or anything but he knew I wouldn’t retaliate. That’s how deep the bond is between us, and why this shit had gutted me
He left me to rummage through my closet for something to wear. I was not about to dress to impress her but I needed to look good so I went with a summer sweater and slacks with loafers. The short cut Carrie had given me didn’t need anything more than a hand passed over it, a splash of cologne and I was set. Hopefully no one would notice the veneer of excitement I was trying hard to hide. I met them down in the foyer a few minutes later and had to cough to hide my laugh.
“How are you feeling lil sis? You look better.” She was also bundled up as if she was going on an expedition in the Himalayas, no doubt Josh’s doing. “I’m much better now thanks, and thanks for the flowers.”
“No problem.” I kissed her forehead before her husband dragged her away from me and headed for the door making me laugh. He was lecturing the poor girl to death about staying warm. She looked over her shoulder and mouthed the words ‘help me’ and I lost it.
Josh sat in back with his arms around her as I drove us to the diner. It was still early in the evening but the dinner crowd had already dispersed. That’s life in a small town; we’re closing up shop while other places are just getting the night started. There were a few cars parked in the parking lot but no one was in our corner booth when we walked in.
I didn’t see her and I felt disappointment rip through me, which only pissed me off. What does it matter if she’s here or not? I’ve been coming here for years without the sight of her. But if she wasn’t here where the hell was she? In the days that I’ve been tailing her I never saw her with anyone which led me to believe that she didn’t know anyone in this town.
“Looking for someone Matt?” Shit, I was casing the joint like I was about to rob it. Of course Josh would notice that shit. Even with his question as the three of us sat around the table I couldn’t help giving the place one more once over before getting settled. His stupid shit-eating grin made me want to punch him. “Shut up Josh.” He held his hands up in surrender before whispering something in his wife’s ear. The two of them looked at me with smarmy looks on their faces before picking up their menus. I pretended to do the same but I was covertly checking every corner for the sight of a tight ass. Just give it up Matt, she’s not here and it shouldn’t matter to you anyway. So why did I feel like someone had kicked my puppy?
“Good evening.”
“Shit, where’d you come from?” Now I was angry that she was here? What the fuck is wrong with my head? Whatever it is I’d better get it figured out quick because the looks my bother and his bride were giving me did not bode well for any more fuck ups. “Uh sorry, you startled me that’s all.”
“That’s okay, um do you guys need something to drink while you look over the menus?” Had she been this shy the last time we’d met? I couldn’t remember. In fact come to think of it I can never really remember much of anything after one of our encounters other than the fucked up way she makes me feel.
“We’re just having ice cream tonight. How are you Kadyn? You settling into our little town here?”
Carrie addressed her as though they were long lost friends.
“I’m fine thank you, Carrie is it? As to the town it’s okay I guess, just takes a little getting used to after living in a big city.”
“Oh really where is that?” I asked out loud before I could help myself. I wonder if the others noticed the slight withdrawal or the flinch of unease as she looked around as if searching for an escape. I got that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach again. “Um out West, so you guys are having ice cream you say?” Josh passed me a look of understanding. I’d let it slip to him that I thought she’d been hurt but we’d never had a real chance to go any farther than that after Carrie got sick. Now I guess he was picking up on her behavior as well. With everything that had gone on in our lives here lately the thought of what that could mean didn’t sit too well with me.