“Yes, my sister. Are you always this distrustful?”
“No, but with your reputation I’m just trying to stay on my toes.”
“What reputation?” he asked, popping open the glove compartment and pulling out a skullcap. “You’ve got some pretty funked-up views about me.”
“Please. Melissa told me you’ve dated enough girls to fill a sorority house.”
“Whatever. Talk about people in glass houses.”
“Are you insinuating that I’ve gone out with as many people as you?” I sputtered indignantly.
“Insinuating? Hell no. I’m stating a fact. You’re no different than me, sister.”
“It’s not the same thing,” I replied.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he said loudly over the wind that was whipping through the vehicle.
I fought the childish urge to stick out my tongue at him. His dating life and mine were worlds apart, considering the fact that I didn’t fall into bed with every guy I dated. I kept that piece of information to myself, though. No reason to discuss my sex life with someone I hardly knew. Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if loose-lips Melissa had already filled him in on my stats in that category. Her ass was mine when I got back to the dorm. Revenge would be swift and just.
We drove in silence for close to thirty minutes and despite my misgivings about the blanket on my lap, I ended up burrowing my face in it when the wind became almost painful. With the warm fleece against my sore face, the ride was bearable and I could enjoy it despite my watery eyes.
I began to have misgivings about more than the blanket as the city and businesses faded behind us and were replaced by suburbs. Justin made a left turn, and a right, and a left again. Not that it mattered. All the house-lined streets looked the same. There were no restaurants in sight, which left me with only one sadistic thought. Please don’t let him be a weirdo who is dragging me to his dungeon or something.
My heart sank when he pulled into a circular driveway and parked behind an oversized SUV that screamed family vehicle.
“Please, for the love of all things holy, tell me you’re not some crazy stalker. That this isn’t your secret residence and you plan on chaining me up in your basement or something,” I said, eyeing the brightly lit house with trepidation.
He looked at me like I had sprung an extra head before laughing loudly. “Sorry. I’m fresh out of chains. This is my mom’s house.”
“Fuck me,” I mumbled as he jumped down from the vehicle.
He laughed at my colorful choice of words, but I could have sworn I heard him mutter something along the lines that he’d like to do just that.
7.
Present Day
12:14 PM
“This is bullshit,” Justin ranted. He surged to his feet after twenty minutes of uncomfortable silence in our stalled-out tomb.
I remained silent as he paced back and forth, swearing with each step. His outburst was unexpected. The entire time we’d dated he’d always been so laid back, except for the end, of course. I watched him with a heavy heart, wondering where the boy I had fallen in love with had gone. The man pacing in front of me showed little resemblance to the person I once knew. Was this my fault? Did the lies and secrets lead to this?
After a few minutes of watching him tick like a bomb waiting to go off, I finally broke into his rant. “How’s your family?” I asked quietly.
The words instantly had the effect I knew they would. Above all else, Justin loved his family. The first night I met them I would have gladly swum with a tank full of hungry flesh-eating piranhas rather than walk into their house. It had taken Justin a full five minutes to talk me out of his jeep. I remember how he had laughed at my apprehension as we made our way up the lighted path to the front door. It was obvious he thought I might bolt, which was completely possible.
“They’re all the same,” he sighed against the elevator wall. “Crazy, loud, obnoxious at times, but I guess some would call it lovable,” he answered with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Some things never change,” I mused. I had to admit I missed them.
“They still ask about you,” he admitted, studying his knuckles.
“They do?” I asked, although I wasn’t surprised. They were sweet people who had welcomed me from the beginning.
“I never told them what happened.”
“You didn’t?” I asked in a strained voice.