14
Frankie
Forty-eight hourssince Joey dropped yet another bomb on Colette that she wouldn’t be coming home, and the anger and hurt were as fresh as ever. If I broke down how her selfish behavior impacted so many people, I would drown in a sea of directionless frustration. It was easier to plow on and compartmentalize the pain.
“She hasn’t returned any of my texts or calls,” I added after filling Brooks in on the unprompted pizza night and how Harrison swept in and saved the day. If I brushed over the details quickly, I thought she wouldn’t see the surging affection I was trying to tamp down.
The following morning, I had woken to find myself tucked in a blanket still on the couch, with my legs sprawled in his lap where he slept head back but arm holding me protectively even in sleep. When I tried to pull my legs away, he woke instantly and mumbled about needing to finish the movie.
We ended up watching the following night. I needed closure on the happily ever after, even though secretly, I’d read the book many years ago. Harrison didn’t need to know that. Plus, movies and books were so different that I couldn’t risk not knowing.
“Unreal,” Brooks said, referring to Joey and not my thoughts drifting back to my movie night.
I came into the shop for the day to help her load up boxes for the Sandia Watermelon Wine Festival the next day. Brooks was asked to be a vendor for the first time, and it was a big deal. Harrison volunteered to host Collette and two of her “besties” from her class for an afternoon playdate.
“How could she tell Collette and not me?” I asked.
“She’s a coward,” Brooks said easily. It was getting harder and harder to defend my sister. Before I could say anything, she added, “I know. I know she’s had her challenges. But damn, it kills me that she messes with Collette like this.”
“It’s hard.”
“At what point do things escalate? It’s been what, half a year since she’s seen her?” I had shared with Brooks once that I looked up the state laws for child abandonment. I felt guilty about it now, in the light of day. I couldn’t even let myself go down that road. Not when she still called.
“About. But she calls when she can.”
I felt guilty for unloading on Brooks. My mood permeated to her. I should have kept my worry to myself. Brooks opened her mouth to say something more, but I spoke first. “And you are sure you have enough help for the festival tomorrow?”
Brooks held my gaze for a moment before answering. “Yes. I’m good. But I still think you should go.”
“Blah,” I said. “I don’t really like the watermelon wine.”
“Shh. Lower your voice. You don’t want to get kicked out of town.” She looked around dramatically. “You know this town that built its entire financial structure on our watermelons. It’s literally in our name.”
“Yes. I know. I got the ‘Sandia means watermelon’ spiel on my first week here.”
“Then you understand it’s important to the town’s heritage. Plus, it would be good for you to get out and meet people.”
I hadn’t been to any of the fests since I had stopped here. I didn’t plan on starting now. I didn’t want to make any more roots or connections here. I was already too entangled but didn’t want Brooks to take that the wrong way. Not that there was a great way to take that. “I already know too many people,” I said.
“Do you hear yourself when you say stuff like that or …” Brooks teased.
“It’s just a lot of people getting wasted.” There was a time when I would have gone just for free samples and an excuse to get hammered, but now I couldn’t afford the time off or the day-long hangover the next day. “Harrison was really pushing for us to go too,” I added without thinking. Harrison happened to slip into conversation a lot lately without meaning to.
“And you said no?” she asked.
“It was hard. The man can really use those eyes to his advantage.” I imagined him this morning when he saw the flyer for the festival from Collette’s school. He pouted so expertly I had been seconds from giving in. “He really is ridiculously powerful when he yields those eyes as a weapon.” I shivered with the sudden chill that went down my neck.
“Poor you. Hot uber celebrity wants to spend the day with you.”
“It’s not that. It’s not really great to take George to crowds or in the heat of the sun. Plus, Collette couldn’t even get in.” And also, yes, the idea of spending time with Harrison and copious amounts of alcohol felt like risky behavior.
She nodded like she didn’t buy my excuse either. “Okay, I gave it a shot. I have everything packed that I can. Why don’t you go help with the cupcake party?” Brooks thankfully changed the subject.
I checked the door but hesitated.
“What’s wrong? Is Harrison not the Mr. Mom we all want him to be?” she asked.
“What is this reference? Because this is the second time I heard it.”
