Page 31 of Corrupt Idol

She immediately rejected that sentiment. God had abandoned her long ago. “Everything is happening too fast,” she rasped.

“That’s when you know God is taking over and carving out the right path for you.”

Both of her parents were devout Christians. She had no idea how they would have handled the truth about Jesse. Would they sweep it under the rug? Pray for him and think that would cure him? Would they call her a liar? She shook those thoughts away. “I’m beat.”

“I’m sure you are. It’s been a rough week for you. Get some rest and I want to hear your progress tomorrow.”

“Will do. I love you.”

“I love you more. God bless.”

She dropped back on the bed, crossed her arms over her chest, and wept.

Five

“Ma’am, your card’s been declined.”

Her fingers tingled with cold panic. “Are you sure?”

“I tried twice. Is there another card we can use?”

She fumbled in her wallet as her mind raced. She tried to remember how much she had available on each credit card. “Maybe we can divide the total onto three cards?”

“Here.” Jesse extended his own card. “Put it on this.”

She closed her eyes as mortification consumed her. “Thank you,” she said hoarsely.

“No problem,” he said easily.

“You have a stand-up guy,” the man across the counter said with a wink. “I think you better keep this one.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

“Add the trailer too,” Jesse said.

When she glanced at him, she found him watching her.

“We don’t want to get separated,” he said.

“Of course, you don’t,” the worker said jovially and added the trailer she had nixed to their total. “So, we’re doing a twenty-foot moving truck with a trailer to transport your car. Nice.”

Jesse took over as she sat there frozen in her seat. The men went over the contract and in short order, Jesse had a set of keys in hand. When he and the employee went outside to look over the truck and trailer, she ambled in their wake, arms crossed over her chest.

The day had been progressing nicely. She woke early and with Meg, Trent, and Jesse’s help, they were able to get everything sorted and packed. She was taking more shit home than she had ever dreamed, but she told herself it was worth it until she heard how much it would cost to rent the truck. She was indebted to Jesse, the last person on the planet she wanted to feel gratitude toward.

When Jesse waved her over, she climbed into the passenger seat. He made some minor adjustments to his seat before he drove off the lot.

“Thank you,” she said again, staring straight ahead.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I’ll pay you back.”

“I said, don’t worry about it.”

She clasped her hands in her lap. “I think I can still drive even with a trailer on the back. It shouldn’t be too hard, right? I mean, especially on the long stretches. I think we should take turns. I don’t want you to—”

“You’re rambling.”

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