The older woman looks the reporter over with much scorn. “Do I seem like the sort of person who socializes with drug-addled sex pests and wanton hussies?”
The reporter’s brows rise high. “No, ma’am.”
“I should think not. Who taught you manners?” she snaps. “They did a terrible job. As if I would associate with such tawdry people.”
“Wait a minute,” says the reporter. “Does that mean you’ve met them?”
Bernie marches right past me toward the meat section with her gourd in hand. “No comment!”
And there’s no way she didn’t know it was me standing there. She doesn’t sell me out, however, which is sort of a surprise. I thought, given her general dislike of us, she of all people would be keen to sell our secrets. You never know, the influx of media might encourage us to leave town. She keeps her nose high and her mouth shut though.
Rose wanders past with a bottle of soda. Before anyone can ask, they raise their hand and say, “I already told you, I don’t know anything. The town population is like twelve and a half people. We’d notice if a rockstar was hanging around. I hate to be harsh, but your behavior is giving such desperation, dude.”
And the reporter seems so dejected, standing there with his shoulders slumped. It would seem The Bend has beaten him. No one is willing to sell us out for his promises of cold hard cash.
This knowledge makes my eyes feel hot and swollen. But I am not going cry at the grocery store. It’s just that, as justifiably upset as they are at us for lying, they’re still protecting us from the media. And it’s giving me big feelings. I really do love this small town.
“You get what you needed?” asks Rose, taking a sip of her soda as casually as possible. Like no one here is currently the subject of intense online scrutiny, and hiding from same.
“Yeah.” I smile. “Just a few more things on the list.”
“Let’s get you sorted then.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Our apology tour starts that night at the bar. Which makes sense, since it’s where this all began. Standing guard at the door is Mac, turning away anyone he doesn’t recognize. This is not a place welcome to the media. It was Nash’s idea to throw a Please Forgive Us party and honestly, it’s a solid one. Especially since the citizens of The Bend are willing to cover for us after everything we’ve done, they deserve a big heartfelt statement from the both of us. And care of an open bar and Carmen and her husband handing out tacos, most everyone we know in town has made an appearance.
“Go on then,” says Sabrina, sidling up to me with a cocktail in hand. She narrows her gaze to show she’s all about business. “What have you got to say to me?”
“I’m sorry we did such a dick thing.”
“And the dick thing in question was?”
“Lying about Nash’s identity and our relationship status and the imaginary progeny.”
“Are you ever going to do it again?”
“Absolutely not,” I say. “It was not only stressful as fuck, but I hurt people such as yourself, who I would really like to call my friend. So I’m hoping you can find it in yourself to forgive me.”
She nods. “I need some time to think it over. But given how good these bramble vodkas are, there’s a very good chance you’re fine with me.”
“They’re great, right?”
“What’s Bernadette doing here?” Sabrina frowns. “There’s no way that woman is ever going to forgive or accept you. You know she’s still trying to get people to sign a petition to have you two run out of town.”
“I imagine she’s here for the free food and booze.”
“Yeah,” she says. “So, what’s the actual tea between you and the rockstar? Heard he bought the place next to your grandma.”
“We’re living there together.” I think it over. “He hasn’t sent me the nondisclosure yet, but I assume I can say that much.”
“Dating someone with an NDA…” She shakes her head. “That’s wild.”
“It is.”
“His brother’s cute too. Guess it comes with the whole twin territory. I like the longer hair on him.” She nods toward where Angus is standing by the bar talking to Wade. In all likelihood, Angus is receiving an impromptu induction into the local yarn scene. Wade is a man who takes his crafting seriously.
“No idea if he’s single or what,” I say.
