Misunderstandings (Woodfalls Girls 2)

“That makes two of us,” I lied as my weakly mended heart broke into pieces.

10.

November 2010

“So, this is your rodeo. Where to?” Justin asked as we climbed into his jeep.

“Well, since this is a second date and I’m not entirely sure how those are supposed to go, I thought we’d hit one of my favorite places.”

“Puget Sound?” he asked, merging into traffic.

“You definitely win brownie points for paying attention,” I commented. “No wonder all the girls like you.”

“You can thank my mom for that. I think she was afraid I’d turn out like my dad, so she preached the whole respecting-women thing. She has nothing to fear, though. Travis and I would never turn out like him. Travis is too soft-spoken to ever raise his voice to anyone, let alone a girl. And, me—I don’t know, I think maybe growing up and seeing the way my dad treated my mom, I always felt in my gut it was wrong. That girls shouldn’t be treated that way. Does that sound weird?”

“What if the girl was a total bitch?” I inquired, messing with him.

“I wouldn’t rise to the bait. I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

“What if she keyed your jeep and slept with your best friend?”

“You have a thing for Rob?” he asked, raising his eyebrow suggestively.

“Are you avoiding the question?”

“Truth? I’d probably pound my friend for sleeping with my woman, but if she’s going to cheat, she’s not the girl for me. As for keying this beauty, it would probably add character,” he said, patting the dashboard of his jeep. “What about you?”

“I don’t go out with guys long enough to cheat, so you should be safe.”

He laughed at my words as he searched for a parking spot. “Food first, or would you rather walk?”

“How about we walk for a while? Once the sun goes down it might be too chilly outside for a stroll.”

Nodding his approval, Justin laced his fingers through mine as we made our way to a path that ran along the water. He kept up a steady stream of questions as we walked. At first I felt weird divulging so much about myself, but he steadily chipped away at my defenses. He asked me all kinds of questions about Woodfalls, intrigued by the dynamics of such a small town. I thought he was going to pass out when he heard the closest art museum and Starbucks were forty-five minutes away. For whatever reason, I found it difficult to open up about my mom. I did confess how much it bothered me that she was considered the town busybody and was often ridiculed for it.

“I think we’re both natural people-watchers, but she takes it a step further. I’ve tried to explain it to her, but she laughs it off and reassures me that everyone likes that about her. I don’t have the heart to tell her how I really feel. It’s now a game in Woodfalls to see how long everyone can keep Pam from finding out something,” I sighed. “Despite what I think her flaws are, I know she loves me and I love her. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.” >“Justin. He’s a player. He uses and moves on. Just thought you should know,” she said, fluffing her hair.

“Thanks for the news flash. Don’t you have a ‘woe is me’ Facebook status update to make or a picture to upload on Instagram?” I asked.

“You don’t have to be a bitch. I never would have pegged you as the type to go out with a playboy. I was just trying to help. Trust me. I know from personal experience what a bastard he can be.”

“Yeah, well go ‘help’ someone else. Any so-called advice you have to offer is neither needed nor asked for. Got me?” I said, making my point clear.

“We’ll see if you’re still saying that when he leaves you high and dry for the next set of tits that catches his eye,” she snipped, all honey gone from her voice.

“Duly noted,” I muttered, taking the steps two at a time to the second floor. My kiss-induced elation had dissipated by the time I made my way to my room.

“Crap, it was that bad?” Melissa asked, looking up from her nails she was painting.

Without answering, I threw myself back on my bed, mulling Kara’s venomous words through my head. It wasn’t like she had delivered earth-shattering news. I knew he had a colorful dating track record, but playing sloppy seconds to that bitch Kara made me want to dry-heave. Anyone else I could overlook, but a hookup with that twat was a different story.

“Brittni, tell me. Was he a complete dud?” Melissa asked, throwing the stuffed turtle she kept on her bed at me.

“No. He was effing great, but I can’t see him anymore,” I said, feeling sick as I uttered the words aloud.

“Why not? If he was so fantastic, why can’t you see him anymore?” Melissa demanded, throwing a pillow at me this time when I didn’t answer her right away.

“Because, he went out with Twat-Waffle Kara,” I moaned against her pillow that I had pulled over my face. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to scream or smother myself.