“Water,” she rasps, taking her hair from me.
I grab a cold bottle from the fridge, open it, and slide it under her face.
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry, Darby. I’ve never in my life spewed the gory details of Connie before, and I shouldn’t have started with you.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m okay, just give me a minute.”
“I’m going to get a washcloth. Be right back.”
She nods as more tears spill down her cheeks. I reluctantly leave her standing there crying and take the short walk to my room. I take a few minutes to mentally piece back together my control.
When I think it’s been long enough for both of us to breathe easier, I return. And I’m alone. There’s no sign of Darby anywhere. Her water bottle sits next to the sink, which is washed out.
I race to the door and see her truck’s gone. She even repositioned the pillows on the swing cushion in their normal spots.
Anger rears up again, and I haul back, tossing the washcloth with all my strength. “Goddammit!” I scream into the night.
Chapter 10
Pierce
The waitress comes over, waving the coffee pot with a smile. I flick my hand, not even glancing her way, and keep my eyes on the door of the diner. I check my watch and see it’s been exactly ten minutes since Dad and Miller texted to say they were on their way.
When the door opens, my mom walks through first, followed by my dad. He steps up next to her, possessively wrapping his arm around her waist in a simple gesture I’ve seen a million times in my life, but never did I understand the importance of it until this moment. It’s not only about being proud to be by her side; it’s about wanting to hold her—the feeling of having the woman you love nearby, and even the smallest touch from her can bring you to your knees.
Mom catches sight of me, and her steps falter, her mouth dropping open. Then I see it, the awareness that glazes in her eyes. She knows… She’s been keeping the truth from me for all these years. Dad urges her forward, his own expression turning grim.
“Pierce, maybe this isn’t the best place to have this conversation,” she starts.
“Sit down. Miller is on his way.”
They do as I ask, Dad ordering coffee for them but declining a menu. Mom fidgets, staring at the door with the look of a mother who will do anything to stop what is about to happen between her sons.
I don’t have to see him to know he’s here because she gives it away.
“Anyone want to tell me why we need to meet at a diner this early when we all saw each other last night?” Miller brushes past me, taking the chair to my left. “And why didn’t we get a booth?”
“Because I’m not going to be here long, and I didn’t want to have to throw your ass out of it when I get up to leave.”
“Pierce, we should have this conversation somewhere else. Let’s go to your place.” Mom frets.
“My place isn’t an option, considering there’s more than one hole in the wall I already have to repair.”
“Whoa, what the hell is going on here?” Miller picks up on the tension and looks between us.
“Twelve years ago, Darby arrived at the house for dinner and overheard a conversation where the three of you openly discussed her trapping me into marriage, insinuated she got pregnant on purpose, and rounded it out with comments about her going after my money.”
“Son, that’s not exactly how it went,” Dad says.
“Really? You want to tell me how it went? What about you, Miller? Want to explain to me how you thought I’d picked up jailbait at seventeen and, even after four years together, still thought we weren’t going to make it the distance.”
“I didn’t say that, man.”
“What did you say?”
“It was twelve years ago. I don’t remember exactly what I said.”
“Well, twelve years pass by, and you’ve lived your life. I can understand how a short and simple conversation could fade from your mind. But not Darby. She’s lived with those words scarring her to the point of believing them.”
“She probably shouldn’t have been eavesdropping then,” he barks, and my hand jets out to wrap around his throat before he can react.
“Boys! Stop it right now!” Mom screeches, and the restaurant goes quiet.
Dad is out of his chair and has us both by the arms, hauling us out while Mom apologizes to the crowd as she follows behind. When he gets us to the parking lot, he steps in between and shoves us an arm’s length apart.
“I knew her coming back would cause nothing but trouble. Look at you! You’re acting like a lunatic,” Miller seethes.
“That’s because the woman I love came to me last night and bared her soul. You have no idea the seeds of doubt you planted in her mind that night.”