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“Just explain to me what you’re thinking with her. I have to know.”
“My relationship is none of your business.”
“Bullshit!” I feel heat creeping up on my cheeks like a hot summer’s day. Any prior notion I had of remaining calm flies right out the window. “You made it my business by bringing her here!”
“This is my house too.”
“So?”
“So,” he repeats in a sing-song voice, mocking me like we’re children again.
“She lied about something as basic as her name. What else do you think she’s lying about?”
“Lots of people go by names that aren’t theirs. It’s a nickname.” He shakes his head slowly from side to side and then meets my eye. “Why do you care so much, anyway? You’re not the one marrying her.”
“You don’t even know anything about her.”
“How do you know what I know?”
I want to drop-kick him. He sounds like such an entitled brat. Come to think of it, he always has been. “Do you know where she went to college? If she went to college? Do you know that she’s not actually a teacher?”
He laughs angrily. “You’re so sure of yourself, Ruth.”
“And you’re avoiding the question.”
“I’m not avoiding it. It’s just that I don’t owe you an answer. In fact, I don’t owe you anything.”
“You’re engaged to someone you don’t even know, Davis.” I sigh heavily. “What the fuck?”
“I have nothing more to say to you, Ruth.” His tone is dripping with venom. “I’m not defending—I’m not discussing my life choices with you. Anything to do with me and my future wife—it doesn’t concern you.”
“Why are you in such a rush to get married? I don’t get it. What’s wrong with dating? Maybe live together for longer than five seconds. You just met and suddenly you’re ready to make a lifelong commitment.”
He gives me a look and suddenly something snaps into place and a lot of thoughts come through at once. It’s like a download from the universe. And then, in that instant, I get it. Finally an answer that makes sense. “Wait a minute…”
“Ruth. Stop.” My brother knows me well enough to know where this is going. He can see it in my eyes. I’m on to him.
“Not only do you not know her, you haven’t even had sex with her.”
I’m half-expecting him to deny it. But when I see his expression, and the way he sets his shoulders, I know he can’t. “Not everyone has loose morals, Ruth.”
“Oh, my God.” I throw up my hands. “You are so fucking stupid.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ruth
After my conversation with Davis, not much happens. The days pass in a hazy blur. They all seem to fold in on one another, blending together, until it truly feels like it might actually be an endless summer.
With Julia in the hospital, things around Magnolia House are particularly hectic but also quiet in a way that makes me sad. She’s always been like my right arm, and the more time that passes without her, the harder time I have managing. While I haven’t quite figured out Ashley’s con, I do at least have a sense of the game she’s playing, and my initial enthusiasm for figuring out her motives starts to fizzle.
If Davis wants to be an idiot, he deserves what he gets. That’s what Johnny said. If only I could get fully on board with that sentiment.
Even so, the fight drains out of me some. I revert back to not wanting to get out of bed. I don’t feel like working. I don’t feel like doing much of anything. The days drag and the nights seem to expand out forever. Grief settles deep and heavy in my bones. It feels like the fog will never lift, that it may never leave. There are some days I cannot sleep and some days that’s all I want to do—some days it’s all I can do.
I hire a temp from the small agency in town. She picks up some of the slack. Johnny helps with the rest, although I do my best not to let my mood affect my work. And when I can’t help it, tequila helps me get through the day.
