Page 61 of Engaging with Her Enemy

“Oh. Just repeat it back to him like a statement, and he'll think you’ve answered him. I used to do that when we were young. Still works sometimes.”

Juliana smiled a little. “I don't think that would work. He asked me a question about you. I don't know how to ask you, though.”

Becky put her hand on her hip. “Spit it out, Jules. Hudson will be here soon.”

“Did you just graduate from college?”

Becky froze. “What?”

“Cameron asked if I knew that you'd been going to college and just earned your degree.” She sucked in a deep breath. “And if I knew you had a learning disability.”

“Where did he hear that?”

Hudson. He had to have heard it from Hudson. Why? Her hands turned cold. She gripped them together out of instinct. Or restraint. She'd told him she didn't want to let anyone know. Not yet. She wasn't ready.

“Becky? Are you alright?”

“No. I'm not.” And Hudson was sure as hell not going to be alright. The coldness disappeared, and a raging heat replaced it.

Again. The asshole had done it again. Told everyone about her problem. And this time she didn't care if it was an accident.

Did he not learn the first time around to keep his big mouth shut?

“Is it true?”

“Oh, no. I can't deal with both you and Hudson right now.”

“Deal with Hudson? Cameron said he's supposed to be here in a couple minutes, but can we talk about what Cameron said? We're best friends. You know you can tell me anything. Is it true?”

Becky started walking across the street to the Sheriff's Office. She spotted Hudson's truck parked around back. Good. She could chew out Hudson and Cameron at the same time. Maybe she hadn't been clear enough before with her message.

“Becky wait—”

“Aunt Jules?” Juliana picked Carrie up and carried her across the street to keep up.

Becky didn’t slow down. Now wasn’t the time to explain things to Juliana. She needed to verbally pound on Hudson, first.

Juliana disappeared inside the Sheriff’s Office, and a moment later, she came out of the building empty-handed. Must have passed her off to her Uncle Jimmy. Now, Becky could really let it loose when Hudson came back from spreading her gossip all over Georgia.

She ran her hand through her hair, not caring any longer what it looked like. What was she going to do? Her future with Hudson had evaporated before her eyes. It hurt. Deep. Like her stomach would never stop cramping.

Focus on the anger. On the stupidity of trusting someone with her darkest secret. Again.

“I don't know what's got you so pissed, but you're going to talk to me. I fly out tomorrow with Grayson, but I will skip my flight if I need to stay here and fix this. Help you.”

“I don't need your help!” She shouted at Juliana. “I don't need anyone.” She tasted the lie on her tongue as the words left her lips. But her friend didn't budge.

Juliana’s eyes narrowed into cat-like slits. “I’m calling bullshit on that. Yes, you do need me. I'll be here. When you figure out, you're ready to talk. I'll be here.”

“Leave, Juliana.”

“No. Two can play the part of a stubborn, angry female. I learned from the best.” Juliana turned and walked back into the Sheriff's Office.

Becky couldn't focus on her right now.

Dewey's patrol car pulled into the station.

Becky set her hands on her hips, zeroing in on the asshole in the back seat. What the hell was he doing in the back of the car?

---