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“I know just how that is,” Darby said softly. “I wish you didn’t, though.”
“Do you ever worry you’re too broken to be with someone?”
“All the time,” he said. “But it’s the lie they told us about ourselves that makes us think that. Being with Rob tonight, it all came back to me. The way both he and my dad chipped away at my confidence until there was nothing left of who I really was.”
“But they didn’t win.”
“Seems like they did,” Darby said. “Tonight, anyway.”
“You’re great just the way you are. Better than great.”
“Do you always do this? Make people feel better?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Maybe it depends on who I’m with. You make me feel good. Like I’m more than the sum of my parts.”
“Or bank accounts?” Darby asked.
“Yes, right.” In the distance, a pair of headlights appeared. “I bet that’s them.”
I was glad to be rescued, but at the same time knew that what had happened between us had made us closer. “Darby?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to stay over tonight?”
He stiffened and turned toward the front window. The headlights, nearly upon us, illuminated his face. A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Is that what you really want?”
“Yes, it’s what I want. Do you?”
Slowly, he twisted to look at me. “I don’t know that I’ve ever wanted anything more. At the same time, I don’t want to wreck anything.”
“We won’t.” I hoped I was right. Having Darby in my life was starting to feel just right.
* * *
We were soon sittingin the back seat of Huck’s car that smelled of new leather and mint gum.
“I think she’s a goner,” Huck said, referring to Darby’s poor car. “I’m afraid to say.”
“She’s been on borrowed time,” Darby said. “I need a truck anyway if I’m going to do construction. I’ve been borrowing Breck’s to haul stuff, but that can’t go on forever.”
“Let me know and I’ll go with you into Louisville to buy something new,” Huck said. “I love shopping for vehicles.”
“With nothing to trade in, I’m not going to be able to get much,” Darby said. “But thanks.”
“Do you want to borrow my car until you figure it out?” Stormi asked, turning back to look at us. “I don’t really need it since Huck and I drive into work together.”
Darby rested his head on the headpiece and shook his head. His hand reached out to find mine. “I have good friends,” he said under his breath. “I forget how good sometimes.”
“Yeah, we both do.”
“You guys want to stop at the grill and get a drink?” Huck asked.
We exchanged a look. “No, we’d like to get home,” Darby said. “Big day tomorrow.”
Big night, too, I thought.
* * *
