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This completely explains why Mom fell for Dad when they were in college. They were both money driven, and she could see that Dad had the determination to make something of himself. Mom knew that successful men typically marry intelligent, beautiful women, so she made it a point to get a degree in business, even though she never really planned on using it, or at least that’s the way she put it to me when I was trying to decide on my own college major during my senior year of high school.
I turn my head and stare out the window. It’s hard for me to think about my mother because every time I do, I just get angry.
These roads feel like they take forever, and there are so many curves. Between Granny’s beat-up old truck and the fact Dad thinks we’re in the backwoods Indy 500, my stomach turns with a little carsickness. I feel like sticking my head out the window like a dog to lap up some fresh air to help ease my turning stomach. Instead, I close my eyes, and take a deep breath, while trying to get my mind off my mother.
Relief floods me when we slow down and drive onto the straight city streets. I sit up to inspect my new town. There’s nothing but a few fast-food joints and a local Walmart. Not only does there not seem to be anything to do in this town, but it appears that the job outlook around here isn’t very good either, considering there are not a lot of businesses.
I suddenly feel the urge to take back every mean thing I ever said about Columbus. Compared to Wellston, Columbus is a huge city with lots to do, even if most of the people I know there right now are complete assholes. I miss being there already.
Dad turns sharply into what appears to be the local lumber store parking lot. The building is old and dilapidated. If we were back home this place would have plywood nailed tightly over the windows to keep the crackheads out. However, here it’s an open business, proudly serving all the people of Wellston, according to the sign.
“Wow. A little rough, isn’t it?” I ask.
“Come on, Ave, it’ll be fine. Give this place a chance. The people here may not have much, but they’re friendly.” Dad smiles.
I sigh as I push open the heavy truck door and follow Dad. I can’t bring myself to be argumentative with him. When he worked all the time, he barely knew I was alive. It was easy then to snap at him with bitchy comments, because I truly thought he was a jerk. Now I know different. He stressed a lot over his job and now that that’s no longer in the way, we’ve really had the chance to reconnect and mend things between us.
I drag my feet aimlessly behind Dad through the lumber store. I’m not familiar with any of the things they sell, so none of it holds my interest, plus it smells weird in here. It has an aroma of musty wood and oil. My nose wrinkles up at every whiff I get.
I nearly jump for joy when he says it’s time to go check out because I’m completely out of my element in here. I’ve never been in a lumber store before, but it’s not high on my list of places to visit again anytime soon.
We walk outside away from the wretched stench of the store. I’m glad for a clean gulp of air. The more I get of this clear country air, the more I crave it. Normally I’m the biggest inside person you’d ever meet, but here it’s different. I like sitting outside every chance I get. There’s a peacefulness in being surrounded by nothing but country.
“Wait here,” Dad says while thrusting the lumber receipt into my hands. “I’ll go pull the truck up to the loading area.”
Standing there like an idiot, I watch him walk away. I hate being in public alone. It makes me feel like a total loser with no friends. I slide on my oversize Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, and gaze at my nails to appear preoccupied. People clamor in and out of the store. This place appears to be the central hub for all things construction.
“You waiting to get loaded?” a male voice asks.
“What?” I question. The word loaded to me only means two things: being rich, which I’m definitely not anymore, or getting high. No way do I need drugs. My life is screwed up enough without adding that to the mix.
I turn to confront my would-be dope dealer and my mouth drops open the moment my eyes land on the guy who asked the question. “Tyler?”
His eyes widen as soon as I mention his name. “Avery? I barely recognize you with those big glasses. It’s great to see you.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask, still amazed to see a familiar face.
My eyes trail up and down his body unabashedly because I know he won’t be able to tell that I’m checking out that sexy tattooed body of his while I have these shades on. I’m usually not attracted to the country-boy type, but Tyler looks absolutely tasty in his faded blue jeans and his tight T-shirt and baseball cap.
He smiles and it lights up his entire face, even causing his blue eyes to twinkle a bit. “I work here.”
“Here? I thought you lived in Columbus?” I ask, confused by why he works two hours away from where I met him.
“No. I’ve lived here my whole life. I only stay in Columbus on the weekend. My band’s lead singer, Jimmy, has a place there. It’s more convenient to do that since we play most of our gigs on the weekends. It’s too far for me to travel back and forth, especially since most of our gigs don’t end until late.”
I nod. “That makes sense. I just didn’t expect to ever see you again.”
His top teeth graze over his lower lip. “Likewise. But I’m glad you’re here.”
We stand there in silence, and I know he probably wants to mention the last time he saw me—the night I ran out of the frat house crying—but he doesn’t ask and I don’t bring it up. That was one of the most embarrassing nights of my life and I don’t look forward to rehashing the details of it anytime soon.
Finally, after some awkward silence, he clears his throat. “Can I see your receipt?”
“Oh, sorry.” I hand him the small piece of paper.
He takes the receipt as his mouth quirks into a little grin. “So I take it you know someone down here since you’re buying all this lumber.”
“Yeah, my grandmother doesn’t live too far from here, and my dad and I are staying with her for a while.”
