Page 10 of Say I'm Yours
Unsure of what to say, I shake my head. I think this is going to be a disaster. My mind spins with all the things that could go bad, and there’s a hefty list. But as I look at Cooper, I see how excited he is. So maybe I’m wrong. Maybe there’s a possibility of something between us, and I really was wasting my time with Trent.
Maybe Cooper has been in front of me, but I was too blind to see him.
There’s no way to know unless we try.
Cooper’s grin grows as if he can read my mind.
“I’ll see you soon for that date.”
He nods, and I walk out the door, hoping I didn’t make the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter 3
Istandat the counter inside my family’s general store. I thought I could run in and grab a few things for the weekend, but Mama is here with a basket of bones to pick. Thankfully, none of them are for me, but I still have to listen.
My best friend, Emily Young, arrived in town after her last music tour. She’s visiting her parents, and instead of heading to the local bar, we’ve decided to swear off any chance of seeing Cooper or Trent. My house is the only safe place.
After scouring my kitchen for supplies, I realized I was all out of junk food, and that won’t do. I need all the saturated fat and calories I can get to deal with my life.
However, Mama doesn’t appear to be running out of steam regarding her issues with the clan of meddling women in our town.
“Are you even listenin’?” she asks as I watch the clock ticking.
“I heard you. Mrs. Hennington didn’t call you back, and Mrs. Townsend picked an awful hymn for church on Sunday.”
“Good.” She sighs.
I start making a plan of the fastest way to get what I need and get home within fifteen minutes as my mother prattles on about Mrs. Kannan cheating during their last game of cards. I don’t know why Mama’s surprised by this, she does it every week. “And then, she had the nerve to tell me that I cheated at Bingo. How do you even claim such blasphemy?”
“I don’t know, Ma.” I try to move away to get what I came for, but she doesn’t let up.
“You know, I have half a mind to go over there and demand she gives us our money back.” She nods once in agreement with herself. “And after that, I’ll let Vivienne know that her singin’ needs to be louder when we’re rehearsing. The Lord can’t understand her mumblin’.”
Oh, yeah, that’ll work out great.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Y’all have been friends a long time, but tellin’ Mrs. Townsend her singin’ isn’t good enough for the Lord isn’t going to go over well. Now, what really has you upset?”
My mother loves those women more than she loves my father or me. There’s no way she’s going in there with guns blazing over a few bucks. Mrs. Kannan cheats, Mrs. Hennington bakes, Mrs. Townsend runs the music, and Mama is the trip planner. All of them have their place and each is very passionate about what they do.
She sits back in her chair and huffs.
“Mama?” I push her.
“Your father has lost his damn mind!” She stands and throws her hands in the air. “I’ve had it with that man. If I didn’t think he’d starve to death, I would’ve thrown his sorry behind out of my house a long time ago.” Daddy is always on her list, but he must’ve really upset her this time. “He told me that if I wanted to lose weight, I should stop eatin’ pie. Can you believe that? Maybe he’d look like he did when I married him if he stopped eatin’ everything in my house.”
Maybe my father has become suicidal, because no man should ever say something like that. Especially, when my father could be Santa’s less gray haired brother. His belly is filled with more jelly than a donut.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that.”
“Always takin’ his side.” Her eyes narrow on me. “By the way, what is this I hear about you and Cooper? There’s a rumor goin’ around that you’re going out with him soon?”
That’s my cue to get the hell out of here. “Emily should be at the house in a few. I need to get back, we’ll talk more later.”
“Avoidin’ it now doesn’t mean it won’t come up later!” she yells as I move to the back of the store.
“Okay,” I reply and get to work putting different things in my basket. I need to be out of here in two minutes if I want a chance of not having to talk about this.
Chips.
