Page 91 of Embracing Trust

I’m in such a daze at the steering wheel, I realize I missed the turn to Patrick’s. The truck windows are rolled down, I have some tunes playing on the radio and the salty ocean air clears my mind. I drive to Beach City—the next town over and park near the beach.

When I step out of my truck, the wind swirls around and wraps me in its cool confines. I take a deep breath that soothes me.

I walk onto the sand and it’s peaceful with only a few people meandering around me. A young couple who pack up their picnic basket, two girls wrapped in towels headed for the parking lot and, a group of runners pass me as I make my way to the water. I plunk down on the beach. My cell phone rings in my pocket.

“Hey.”

Patrick clears his throat. “Ryan? You okay? Gram called and she was worried. Where are you?”

“I drove down to Beach City. I’m just sitting out here on the sand. It’s quiet.”

There’s a hesitation in my brother’s voice. “You want me to drive down there? You know, pick you up?”

I smile. My brother and I have had some knock-down drag-outs, but he still has that soft center. “I’m okay. Honest, Paddy.”

Paddy? Where’d that come from? I haven’t called my brother that since I was about eight years old.

“I could drive down. We could get a motel and talk. Hang out. You know, like we used to.”

“Honestly, I know you’re just trying to help, and I appreciate it, but I feel like being alone right now. I’m not drinking. I’m just sitting on the beach and clearing my head. I’m going to drive back to your place soon—probably within an hour.”

“Do you care if I wait up? We could talk.”

I chuckle. “That sounds good.”

Chapter Thirty-nine

Julia

I stare into the early morning sky and marvel at the sun as it crests the horizon and sets Texas up for another warm day. I’ve been out here since a little after four. I couldn’t sleep. The events at the McCormick’s house continue to play in my head over and over again. No matter what I do, the glee of Aubree as she rises from the kitchen chair with her protruding baby bump crushes my soul. And then Ryan coming after me and insisting I listen to his explanation.

What excuse could he possibly have?

This is no misunderstanding on my part. His mother spoke the truth. To my face. Introduced her as Ryan’s fiancé and that she and Ryan are expecting a baby.

My stomach churns and grumbles. At least the sobbing has subsided. For now. I don’t think I could shed another tear even if I tried. Crying for a solid six hours will do that.

I’m exhausted, but the minute my eyes close, she’s there. She’s there with the belly carrying the baby my boyfriend put into her.

Also explains why he didn’t want to stay at his parent’s house or have me over there. Even the girlfriend acted like she knew about me. And then things were so awkward with Kate. Finn came flying out the door and the look on Kate’s face. I’m not even convinced she knew I was coming over. And then with her whole, ‘She and Ryan are engaged. Did he mention that?’ I wanted to scream, ‘No, he never mentioned that when Isleptwith him two days ago.’

And the one thing that still gets to me is his text. Inviting me over to his parents’ house for dinner? Now that I think about it, Kate seemed surprised to see me. I have to admit that even Ryan seemed surprised to see me at the house. If this was all part of a plan to hurt me, why’d he chase me out and follow me to my house?

I pad inside and get a pot of coffee started. My cell phone is on the counter—where I left it last night. I pick the phone up and swipe across the screen. Four new text messages and one voicemail.

Might as well get this over with.

I dial my voicemail and listen to the message.

“Julia. It’s Ryan. Please. I have to talk to you. I swear that everything that happened tonight isn’t what you think. Please call me when you get this message.”

I immediately erase it and move onto my text messages.

Merilee: Hey, I know it’s late. I’m sure you’re in bed banging your boyfriend. Just wondering what your Saturday looks like. Call me.

More scrolling.

Mom: Can you forward me the recipe for your spaghetti sauce? Thanks.

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