Chapter Three
“Just go easy on me…please. Lord knows you could cause someone to go into shock with your mad shopping skills. This is supposed to be relaxing.” Maria pulled me along to the next store. I swore the girl wasn’t satisfied unless she bought one item from each place.
After about two weeks of my parents pushing and Maria’s continuing visits, I caved. I decided to allow her to drag me along while she shopped. Now here I was, going into the twentieth store with my one small purchase. She lugged along at least ten bags of her own. Things hadn’t changed even a little. She always had more clothes than our entire graduating class, and now I thought she was in competition with the entire county.
“After this store we’re getting something to eat. I need sustenance, girl, and these damn Jelly Belly’s aren’t cutting it.” I smiled as Maria rolled her eyes. Three stores ago she got tired of me complaining about being hungry, so she bought a box of Assorted Jelly Belly’s. Normally they would satisfy me, but she had been at it now for three hours.
“Okay, whiney ass, let’s go eat.” It was the funniest thing to see her attempt to pout and be disappointed. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed her until now. Growing up as an only child, Maria was like the sister I had always wanted. She came from a family of five. Yes, I said five, and they’re all brothers. She was more than happy to hide away at my house when we were younger. It always gave her a much needed break from all the testosterone floating around. Her brothers were all older, and she was never really that close to them. Her daddy ran off when she was three, and by that time her brothers were old enough to go along with him. Maria was the surprise that shocked both of her parents. There were fourteen years between her and her youngest brother. The saddest thing was that her daddy had been inactive in her life. The man had no idea how badly he was missing out.
Once we were seated and placed our orders, the silence set in. It was almost uncomfortable. I knew she wanted to ask, I could tell she had concerns. I could also tell she was a little uneasy thinking she may bring up a hard topic.
I smiled politely as the waitress sat our drinks on the table in front of us. After she stepped away I decided to break the silence. “Just ask me…I won’t break, Maria.”
I could see the glossiness of her eyes as she looked down at her hands, toying with the napkin surrounding her silverware. After a moment of further silence, her eyes met mine.
“I know you’ve had a really hard time since you moved back here. I just really miss you. I’ve missed my best friend since you left for Boston.” She swiped at a lone tear. “I know that Reed broke your heart, but I just wish his mistake hadn’t cost me. The closeness we used to have kinda disappeared with time, and I hate that. I just want to be here for you. I want you to know that I am here no matter what. I don’t care what time it is, day or night…I’m here.”
“Thank you. I’ve missed you too.”
“Okay, enough of the sappy shit, we need to plan a night out.”
“Oh no, I think I’ll stick to the random shopping trips for now. I’m not ready yet for all the town’s drama.” I laughed as she crinkled up her nose. “Oh seriously, don’t act like I’m lying. This place is just nipping at the bit to get inside my head. The moment I step out and people from school see me, they’ll be like god damn vultures swarming their prey. And I refuse to get eaten alive.”
“Come on, I need a reason to wear my killer red boots I just bought. Besides, if anyone runs at the mouth, I’ll drop kick the bitches.” She laughed.
There were mainly two people I was trying to avoid—Reed and Kimberly. I wasn’t sure I was ready for either one of them, and I told her so.
“Don’t hide away because of them. Kim’s known around here as the town whore, so no worries there.” She paused as the waitress sat our food down on the table. “Have you seen him since you’ve been back in town?” I could only shake my head no. Handling a run-in with Reed right now was definitely not on my To Do list. I wasn’t actually sure I would ever be properly prepared for that encounter. I had been tucked away on my daddy’s farm or inside with my little man, safe from Reed.
***
Later that night after I put Rhett to bed, I pulled out my old album of Blake and me. Pulling a beer from the fridge, I made my way to the swing on the front porch and leisurely flipped through our memories.
He had the most amazing smile. One that always made my insides melt into a puddle of lovesick girl. He was such a happy guy. In fact, I had rarely seen him upset or angry. He was the guy everyone loved to be around. The guy who would give anyone the shirt off his back. He was the kind of man I always dreamed of spending my life with.
I was lucky enough to fall in love twice in my life, and most people wished for it to happen at least once. After Reed broke my heart, I vowed to never let another man get that close. The moment Blake kissed me for the first time…hell, that battle was lost, because he consumed me.
I only wished I had thought of ways to create lasting memories while he was alive, so I could share them with Rhett and give him a better idea of who his daddy really was.
I was now left feeling as if I were only failing my son. I had nothing to give him of his father’s. I had no idea how to teach him what kind of man his daddy was. The thought of Rhett never knowing the loving man who helped create him was crippling, and I felt numb with agony.