I turned and looked in the bed of the truck. All I saw were pads and tampons everywhere. I snapped my head back to Courtney, and we both busted out laughing.
“Oh. My. God! My pads and tampons were flying out of the truck!”
After we laughed for a good fifteen minutes, she started driving again. As Court pulled back out into traffic, the only thing she could say was, “That has to be a good sign of the happier times to come!”
We both lost it again and laughed practically all the way to upstate New York.
Chapter Six: Layton
I pulled up and parked a little ways down from Joe’s. I wasn’t sure how I felt about seeing Kevin. He would just be a reminder of what happened to Mike. I put my head on the steering wheel and just sat there for a minute.
Fuck, Mike. Why did you leave me? You promised me you’d be okay. You promised me, Mike.
I sat back and took in a deep breath. I regretted telling Reed I would come out tonight. I looked up and
saw two girls walking, one in a short white dress and the other in jeans. I couldn’t really see who they were because it was already dark, but one kind of looked familiar.
I jumped when someone started banging on my window. I turned and saw Bill Bishop standing outside my truck. I grabbed my hat and opened the door.
“Shit, dude. You scared the piss out of me,” I said as I reached out for his hand.
“Layton fucking Morris. How in the hell have you been?”
I laughed as he grabbed me around the neck and pulled me closer.
Jesus, he’s drunk already.
“How’s Austin, Bill? You ready to move back to Llano?” I asked as we headed toward Joe’s.
He shook his head and laughed. “Hell no, I don’t want to move back. God, Layton, how do you take it? I’d want to leave and start a new life in a new town. ”
My smile faded for just a second. “Nah, I love it here. I love the country living, and I made a promise to my brother. I won’t ever break that promise. ”
Bill looked over at me, and then he slapped the shit out of me on my back. “You’re a stand-up guy, Layton. Now, come on, I need to get laid tonight. Please tell me this town has some new damn girls. I heard two knock-out beauties just moved here a few weeks ago. ”
I grabbed his arm and made him stop. “What? Who in the hell told you that? Who are they?”
Bill looked shocked when I started playing twenty questions.
“Um…Richard. He said they were new in town…city girls from…ah hell, where was it?”
“New York?”
Bill smiled and pointed his finger at me. “That’s it. Richard said he’s bound and determined to get in the pants of the one he has set his sights on. Guess she’s been coming into the bank a lot. Richard just keeps talking about getting a piece. ”
The anger I was feeling was about to boil over. I grabbed Bill by the shirt and got in his face. “Don’t fucking talk about her like that. ”
Bill glared at me and then pushed me away. “Jesus, Layton. What in the hell? Do you know this girl or something? If you got dibs, take it the fuck up with him. ”
I shook my head. Motherfucker, what is wrong with me? I don’t even like Whitley that way.
“Ah hell, Bill, I’m sorry. My emotions are running crazy. I think I’m just nervous to see Kevin, and you know…all those memories. ”
Bill gave me a weak smile. “Dude, you need to get drunk and then get laid. Forget about all of it. Forget about Olivia. You don’t need that shit. ”
“Yeah…I just need a drink. Let’s go. ”
The closer we got to the bar, the more my heart started pounding. If I’d been walking alone, I would’ve turned and left.