Page 10 of Truck Off

I sigh as I set the plates down next to the pizza. After taking a quick glance around my new apartment, I relax when I realize no one else is listening to us. I don’t have to look at Christian to know he’s watching me closely.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I whisper. “Just know that there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Don’t want to talk about what?” I cringe at the sound of Liam’s voice.

When I turn around, I find him and Garret standing right next to us. Then I turn my glare on Christian. There’s no way he missed seeing them walk up to us.

Christian doesn’t smile—he rarely ever does—but there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Rather than bring attention to the conversation I don’t want to have, I plaster a smile on my face and attempt to use my usual charm on my brothers. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Let’s hope today is a good day.

“Hey, is the bathroom done? I hope that faucet didn’t give you too much trouble.” My smile is so big my face hurts.

Liam eyes me cautiously, and then he nods. He’s picking up that I don’t want to talk about it. He and Garret are the only ones of my brothers who I have a chance in hell of letting this go.

“Yep. All set. And Garret fixed that loose step out back.” He nods behind him, where Garret is leaning against the counter opposite me.

“Thanks, man. Where’s Charlotte?” I ask, looking to further direct this conversation far away from me and my mistake.

“Took Rayne dress shopping. She’s got a spring performance coming up.”

My grin turns genuine. Garret may not pick on me, but I can’t say the same thing about myself. “You didn’t want to join them? Dress shopping is right up your alley.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, matching Christian’s stance, and lifts a brow in challenge. That’s my cue to shut the fuck up or else he’ll push me to share my issue.

And I am not ready to share.

He of all people should respect that. Especially after how the secret he kept for ten years just imploded on him recently. The dust hasn’t even settled yet from that news. To be honest, I’m surprised he’s here. He just won Charlotte back.

The news that Garret is Rayne’s father just might be the biggest secret anyone in this town has ever kept.

At least he still got the girl when it was all said and done.

Fingers crossed, I can say the same thing when Lina finds out the truth about my true identity.

Chapter 3

Judgment and struggles I can do without, and a date I can’t wait for

Lina

I should have stopped for groceries in Chillicothe. At least there, no one knows who I am.

But no.

Like a dumbass, I waited until I returned to Beaver to do my shopping at the local family market.

Foolishly, I thought it’d be safe since it’s late on a Sunday night. Shouldn’t all the judgment zone people be at evening Church service or at home enjoying time with their family?

Apparently not.

Because they’re here, sneering at me and whispering about me like I can’t hear them. I hear every single word.

She’s so pretty. Too bad she’s a child of that bad club.

Beautiful but evil. All those club members are.

She’s not good for much, but she sure has a pretty face.

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