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“Is there someone we can call for you, sir?” she asks, as they place him on a stretcher and into the back of the ambulance. I shake my head no and climb in after him.
Too many bridges have been burned. I have no one if Layton dies.
Four
Carson
“Girl are you almost ready? The guys will be here soon, and you know how much they hate waiting!” Sassy yells at me from outside my bedroom door. I roll my eyes and apply some more blush.
“They will wait, Sassafras. It takes time to look so good,” I shout back with a giggle. I want to look perfect for tonight. The guys have been dropping some hints, and I can only imagine what they came up with for our first official Valentine’s together. A stabbing pain hits my chest when I think about how not all of my guys will be there. I rub the pain away and give myself another once over in the mirror. My tummy churns with nerves, but I’m so excited. Things have been good between us lately. Really good.
A knock on the door brings my nerves rushing to the front line. I step out of my room and Sassy whistles, before her cheeks turn beet red.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” I ask her, running my fingers down the silk blood-red dress we found on sale. She clears her throat and shakes her head.
A bump jolts me and I pop my eyes open, before shutting them once more.
I’m relaxing in the back of a limo with my guys when Xavier pops open a bottle of champagne. He takes a sip before pouring me a glass.
“This is incredible guys. I feel like Cinderella on her way to the ball. I hope my carriage doesn’t turn into a pumpkin at the end of the night, though,” I tease and Connor laughs, bending over to kiss me. I get lost in his lips, until Xavier makes some comment about my gown disappearing, making me laugh. These guys are always such jokesters.
We arrive at the restaurant and the guys climb out, leaving me alone with Jase. He looks nervous. Why is he so nervous? Something eats at the back of my mind, pushing me to remember, but when his lips touch mine, all thoughts disappear.
The bus suddenly stopping wakes me from my restless sleep, pulling me from a dream, or is it a nightmare? It definitely ended in a nightmare. I sit up and rub my sore eyes, grimacing at the pain. I can only imagine my appearance right now. Eyes red and bloodshot from the constant tears, and my nose is most likely raw. I glance out the window and smile for the first time in two days. I’m home. Heather—a nice woman, who reminds me of a mom—gives me a wink when I glance her way. She’s been a peach, trying to keep my mind busy and to stop me crying. She taught me to knit, and listened to all my heartache and woes.
We should have made it to Kansas last night but we had some bus troubles, and I guess that’s what you get with a last minute transport. I power on my phone for the first time since Valentine’s night, not surprised to find a mass amount of messages, and my social media is going crazy. I take a deep breath and watch as the bus starts to unload. A warm hand pats my head, before following the people off the bus. “Thank you,” I call to her back, and she shoots me a smile, with a wink over her shoulder, as she leaves. I power my phone off once more and grab my bags. My stomach turns and my head is pounding—I really need some home cooked food and a good sleep. The woozieness worsens as I stand, but gripping the back of the seat in front of me for a moment helps it to pass. I take a deep breath, then shuffle down the aisle.
When I reach the driver, I thank him kindly, then take the four steps down to the dark parking lot. I should have told someone I was coming, but I need some more time to get a story straight. I have no clue what that is yet, but I pray my family hasn’t seen the tape. I know that’s wishful thinking. I’m probably already the talk of the town. Tears blur my eyes once more and I blink, keeping them at bay. I just need to get home and to my bed before I end up making a scene. Then I really will be the town gossip on Sunday morning.
I take a deep breath in and release it slowly. You would think by now I’d be numb, but I feel as if my heart has been cut from my chest, stabbed repeatedly, then tossed in a blender to boot. How could they do this to me? Yeah, a sex tape these days seems to be a right of passage, just look at Memphis and Dolly’s a few months ago. But for them to lie to me, and switch places during a moment that was so sacred. How many times did they swap? Just tricking the dumb country girl. Was it always a joke? Was anything real?
I give up on holding back the tears and wipe my eyes then head into the bus terminal. It’s not very big, since it’s such a small town, but they do have a nice seating area and usually someone is around to call you a car home. I guess I could just call one myself, but I don’t want to risk turning my phone on again, and I will need to let Sassy know I have arrived safely or she may just show up here. Thankfully, she made me learn her number by heart after we heard of a girl getting robbed and assaulted at a party. She didn’t know anyone’s numbers and had to sign into her social media just to contact her roommate. It’s crazy how much we depend on media sites these days. I think taking a permanent break from them is a good idea. Plus, I can only imagine what's being said on mine right now.
I move towards the bathroom in the corner and drop my bags on the floor, locking the door and taking a minute for myself. Breathing in and out until the tears slow and the nausea is gone, I shuffle towards the sink and splash my face with cool water. A girl with dead eyes and a scowl on her lips stares at me in the mirror, making me step back and gasp. What happened to the happy carefree girl?
Did Texas really change me so much? That the girl reflecting back at me is someone I don’t recognize. No this can’t be me. I move my hand and touch my cheek, watching as she does the same.Fuck! No Carson, you do not have time for this right now. Just get home, then you can break down.
I dry my cheeks with the scratchy brown paper towels, then grab my bags. I need to call a car to come get me. It's not a very long walk, but I’m exhausted, and at this hour, a ride would be best.
“Carson,” someone says, from behind me and I freeze, before slowly glancing over my shoulder. Oh thank heavens. I thought it was one of my guys. I bite my lip at that thought and blink once more. I turn completely and give Billy—a boy I know from school—a small smile. “Hi Billy,” I say softly. He gives me a beaming grin, then takes his ball cap off, bending the rim nervously.
“I thought that was you. Do you need a ride?” he asks me, pointing out his car sitting by the curb idly. I take in the silver BMW and wince.
“Oh, I appreciate the offer, but I can just order a car,” I tell him gently. I don’t want to offend him, but I'm not in the mood to catch up. He grimaces and looks off, not meeting my eyes, before chuckling under his breath.
“So yeah. I’m an Uber driver now. I sit here some nights hoping to get some extra customers. Money is tight and college is expensive, even with my scholarships. I had to leave Princeton and come back here.”
My eyes bug and I hurry to mask my surprise, cutting him off, because I honestly don’t need him to confess all his secrets. “A ride would be great Billy. Thank you, and I’m sorry to hear that, but I get it. I don’t think college is for me much either,” I tell him with a shaky smile and he steps closer, taking my bag.
I climb in the passenger seat and gaze out the window as he places my luggage on the back seat. The door closes and the car starts. We don’t chat, and I’m thankful for the silence. Even if it is a bit awkward. The drive is short, and soon we’re pulling down the long driveway.
I haven’t told anyone that I was coming, so it’s no surprise that the house is dark. I sigh and glance at the plantation home I’ve known all my life. My heart is broken, but this brings me some peace.
“Welcome home, Carson,” Billy says, putting the car in park. I never thought he would be an Uber driver. He was our class president, but things happen I guess. I pass him some cash, ignoring his change and give him a small smile, then open the door. He hops out and grabs my bags, passing them over.
“Do you need some help to the door? I don’t mind.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it. I’ll see you around, BIlly.” I give him a small wave after he climbs back in and takes off, and walk up the stone pathway to the side door. It’s unlocked, which is no surprise as well. I don’t think many people lock anything around here.
