AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I had no doubts about that.” She pauses, and I wait for her to drop the bomb I can tell she wants to deliver. “I heard something today in town from Mrs. Ethel.”
I shake my head. “Of course you did. She’s a one-woman gossip magazine.”
“Daphne is back.” The bomb detonates and explodes, throwing shrapnel into my battered heart.
I tense at the thought of my childhood best friend. She’s avoided this place like the plague for years with good reason. Expecting that to change now would be foolish. Even after all this time, I miss her. “Sounds like speculation.”
“No, she spoke with her.”
“Huh.” I lick my lips to combat the dryness of my mouth. “I can’t say I blame Daph after everything that asshole put her through.” My fingers itch to wrap around his neck. Daph deserved so much better than she got from that preppy asshole with soft hands, expensive clothing, and a weak jaw. Had I still been a part of her life, I would’ve put him in his place.But you don’t have that right anymore.We’d drifted apart my last two years of high school, but that didn’t mean I stopped caring or keeping tabs on her. I inhale the ever-present scent of apple cinnamon candles and the apple carpet powder my mother mixes herself and uses religiously on the expensive rugs she insisted on using in the store to add character and coziness. Like always, Dad had caved to her desires and spent the additional money.
It was the right call, mom never asked for much, and I can’t imagine Pages without the turquoise-themed oriental rugs.
“This is the best place for her to be now that the court case is settled.” We’re a tight-knit community that operates like a family. While we might talk trash to each other, no one else is allowed to. After that kind of upheaval, familiarity and support are the two main things you need.I’d know.
“I didn’t realize you were keeping track of it,” Mom grins.
“Impossible not to since it as all everyone wanted to talk about,” I mumble, refusing to look at her. I can practically hear the wheels in her head turning a mile a minute.
“Huh. Here I thought you might still care for her—.”
“You know I do.”
“Then why haven’t you apologized? You didn’t have time for anyone when Laurel came on the scene. Especially not the young girl who thought you hung the moon.”
I bow my head. “I know, Mom. It’s not something I’m proud of.”
“So, make it right. I never understood why the two of you were so stubborn. People make mistakes. It’s not insurmountable.” Mom shakes her head. “I miss seeing you two side by side laughing and plotting. I think you could both use some extra happiness in your lives.”
“I’m sure my face is the last she wants to see,” I mumble.”
“I-.” The bell chimes.
“Mimi!” Brax’s voice instantly brings a smile to my face and rescues me from the darkness that had threatened to surround me.
“Is that my Braxton?” Mom asks cheerfully. The two have a close bond.
“Not so loud, Brax,” Laurel scolds. Her sultry voice makes my right eye twitch. It’s amazing what a thin line exists between love and hate. Tamping down the lid on my anger and hurt, I bottle up the negativity. I don’t want the darkness to spill over to my son. It wouldn’t do Brax any good to see the discord and contempt. It would only harm his psyche.
I’ll be damned if I do anything that makes this transition harder. He’d been thrust into a two-home, parent and step-parent situation with someone he’d always known as his uncle. It was a lot for me to wrap my head around. I can’t blame him for the way he acts out.
From the age of eight to nine, he experienced complete chaos. We downgraded from a two-story home to an apartment, and he’s split his time between us. Putting on my best manager dealing with an irate customer face, I walk out of the stock room. Brax and Mom are already in the story nook in the back of the store, discussing their current read. This place holds a special kind of magic for Brax. It’s become a refuge for both of us in the face of humiliation and turmoil Laurel brought down around us. Walking behind the counter, I stare at Laurel, who smiles like she didn’t gut me and rip my heart out.
“New. How’ve you been?”
“Fine.”Like you care.“Anything I need to know about Brax?”
“Are we going to continue like this?” She tilts her head.
“If it’s not about Brax, there’s nothing we need to say to each other.”
She sighs. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“What? Living with the consequences of your actions?” I raise an eyebrow. “How sad for you.”
“Are you getting off on this?” She crosses her arms.
“No. I’m setting my boundaries and sticking with them. It’s not my job to care about your needs or feelings anymore, Laurel.”
