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“I’d marry her today,” I say, feeling an urgency to prove myself. “Call a priest. Or get Uncle Phillip here. He’s the mayor.”
“No.”
Rory almost shouts it.
My head spins toward her. “What?”
She stands up abruptly, the chair bouncing backward and nearly falling over. “I don’t want this. I don’t want to marry you. I can take care of this family. Logan, Dean, let’s go.” When they don’t immediately get to their feet, she screams, “Now!”
“What’s going on, Rory?”
But she doesn’t answer me. She’s running toward the door like the devil is chasing her. Logan stuffs a biscuit in his pocket and grabs Dean’s hand and follows his sister out the door.
Sheila’s wearing a shocked expression. She didn’t expect this outcome.
I guess I should’ve. Rory’s feeling backed into a corner, like my proposal was forced. It should’ve been done with flowers and candles and maybe a prop jet writing letters in the sky.
“Excuse me,” I tell my mom, who waves me off.
I hurry after Rory. She’s got the boys in her Jeep and is about to take off, so I do what any other desperate man in my situation would do. I plant myself in front of the headlights, stretch my arms out, and yell, “You’re only leaving over my dead body.”
eighteen
RORY
I’mon the verge of tears. I have been since my mother showed up here. It’s the story of my life when dealing with her. The second I start to settle in or think I’m getting my footing, she’s there blowing it all to hell for me. I should be used to it by now. But for a little while, I thought just maybe I could finally have something that made me happy.
I felt normal when I was with Tyson’s mom. She didn’t look at me like I was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She seemed to even like me. That was until Sheila showed up and put everyone on edge.
“Rory, I’m not moving. You’ll have to mow me down to get out of here.” I can see the determination in his eyes. He wasn’t lying when he said over his dead body. And damn is it too good of a body to go to waste.
“Don’t do it. This isn’t Grand Theft Auto. If you run him over, he won’t come back,” Logan says from the back seat.
“Who’s been letting you play that game?”
“He just likes to drive the cars and stuff. He doesn’t do the missions or anything or engage in any of the other stuff. I swear.” Dean tries to come in quick for the save.
“Babe, get out of the car. We need to talk.” Tyson rests his hand on the hood of my Jeep. I see his parents standing in the doorway watching us. Where is my mother? She’s probably inside stealing the silver or something. She’s an opportunist and would have no problem taking advantage of the Carters being distracted. It’s a shame that my mind immediately wanders to think the worst of her.
“If you marry him, do we get to move in here?” Logan asks. My heart flutters at the reminder that Tyson declared to everyone he is going to marry me. The truth is I would marry Tyson in a heartbeat if I weren’t carrying all of this baggage. I just don’t want him to marry me out of pity.
“You left Shelia in the house alone,” I point out as I open the door to my Jeep, knowing I'm not going anywhere until Tyson moves. I have no doubt in my mind that he will lie down and sleep there if he has to. I more than anyone know Tyson never gives up when he wants something.
Tyson is in front of me before my feet even hit the ground. “You’ve got to stop running from me.” His hand comes to my face, holding me in place as he brings his mouth down onto mine. I let him kiss me, relaxing into him. Some of the tension starts to leave my body. I might be mad at him, but the truth is I love him. I have for a long time, but I was afraid to admit it.
“Are you done with your dramatics?” My whole body goes stiff at the sound of Sheila's voice.
“I think it’s time for you to go, Sheila,” Cherie says. Tyson lifts his head. We both know his mom’s words are going to piss Sheila off. I hold my breath, waiting for her reaction, praying she doesn’t embarrass me more than she already has.
“Fine, but I’ll be taking my boys with me.” Tyson takes my hand, leading me back around my Jeep.
“You’re not going to do that. Not tonight,” Rick tells her.
“Excuse me! Those are my children!” she screeches. A rush of anger fills me, so intense that I fight not to burst into tears.
“If you try to take them tonight, I’ll call the police. They’re not getting into a vehicle with you, and I think we both know why.” Rick’s voice is eerily calm. Sheila’s back straightens. Normally when she’s using, I can spot it, but sometimes it’s hard because she’s always high.
“Don’t think this is done,” she hisses before stomping off toward her car. It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that there’s a new dent in the side of it. I don’t know how that thing still runs, to be honest. She pulls out of the driveway, making a whole show out of it. Her tires spin out in the process, leaving marks on their pretty stone.
