Page 23 of Everything I Desire

“Well, Son, I got some news here for ya.”

I take a breath, trying to ready myself for his news.

“One of our patrolmen found Maura trying to get into the trailer at the park. She ran when she saw him, and we haven’t been able to find her, but she is back in town. Thought you’d need to know. I’d keep an eye out because she knows now that her home has been taken from her along with her child.”

I throw my truck in park a little harder than I needed to but the rage that is flowing through my body is too much to handle.

“Right,” I scoff, “because she really cares about her child.” I clench my jaw, and flex my fingers. The need to to hit my punching bag is growing. “Well, thanks for letting me know. I’ll call you if she reaches out.”

“Sounds good, Son. I’ll do the same.”

I slam my way into the shop, flipping on lights and slamming my stuff down.

“FUCK!” I yell out to no one. I pick up the tool closest to me and throw it at the concrete wall. I’ve never been so grateful to be alone in the shop.

Maura is back in town. What the fuck did she think was going to happen? She could just disappearfor months on end and her teenager would handle it?

I need to tell Addy what is going on. Maura could show up at the school. And then what? Will Kayla want to go home with her? But, home where? Before I spiral into the what ifs, I need to text Addy.

I grab my phone off the tool box hoping I didn’t shatter the screen when I slammed it down.

Me:Got a call from the sheriff. Can we talk when you get home tonight? Alone?

Addy:Of course, did they find Maura?

Me:Yup. We’ll talk later. Don’t want to ruin the day for you.

I toss my phone into my toolbox again, not waiting for her answer, and blare my playlist. Putting all my anger at Maura into this car that has a rusted on wheel.

At least something productive can come of the fury coursing through my system.

Chapter Nine

Adelaide

Porter’s text has me nervous, but I won’t let it show to Kayla.

I want her to enjoy this experience of shopping for a dress. So I put my phone away and make sure I plaster on the well rehearsed smile I usually give to my students when I’m trying to hide a tough day.

While the Spring Fling isn’t exactly prom, it’s still her first high school formal, and the first time she’s able to go have a day all about her to shop for a fancy dress.

My sisters are prying Kayla for information on Porter. And I need to be ready to stop them at a moment’s notice. I know exactly what they’re trying to do with Porter. They’re trying to get me to snap and tell them what is going on between us. They don’t believe me when I say we’re just friends, rightfully so, but I’m not spilling. Especially with Kayla in the car!

Besides, what is there to tell? He's still running scared from me? He still believes he isn’tgood enough for poor old Adelaide Harper, the naive town sweetheart that never left?

I park the car in front of the first dress shop and look back to Kayla. “So princess, are you ready to find your dress for the ball?”

Kayla laughs, “That was so cheesy Ms. Har- Addy,” she smiles.

“She is the worst. I bet your uncle has some bad jokes too. These two were cheeseballs when they were dating, bad jokes, and constantly confessing their love to each other.” Lacey pretends to gag at the thought.

I shoot her a look ofshut the hell up.

“Oh yea! I just found out they dated. But Addy wouldn’t give me any of the juicy information on them.” Kayla loops arms with Lacey like they’re going to be besties over my past with Porter.

“Girl, let it go!” Scarlett sidles up next to me. “You know Lacey likes to gossip. And you’ve been miserable about missing this guy for ten years. Let her do her thing to get you two back together.”

“He left me, Scarlett. He left me without so much as a glance back on his way out of town. Why would I want that back?” I pretend to be angry so I can hide the fact he’s still rejecting me.

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