Page 27 of Under My Skin
That subtle squint quickly disappears as he looks past me, and before I can even turn around, I hear exactly what he’s looking at.
“Lucy?”
My mother.
I pinch my eyes shut, my fists clenching at my sides. I’ve never had this type of physical response to seeing either of my parents, but I had almost forgotten why I was here. Everett has a way of pulling me in and keeping me focused on what’s directly in front of me. And thirty seconds ago, my mother was not one of those things.
“And that’s my cue,” Everett says as he flips down his face shield. I shoot him a glare, like abandoning me with my own parents is the worst thing he could do right now, but he was never supposed to hold my hand through this. He was supposed to drop me off and leave me to face this myself. “You’re okay?”
I nod even though the answer to that question is most certainly,no.
Everett gives a friendly wave to my mother before revving the bike and driving off down the street. I’ve seen him leave our house on a bike countless times, but I’ve never hated to see him go so much.
Spinning around, my mother is halfway down the driveway, her hands still clasped in excitement. Her graying blonde hair is tied back with a bandana, and she’s wearing overalls that might make you think she’s been painting.
Despite knowing it’s a staple item in her wardrobe, my eyes jump to the upstairs window that used to be mine. Are my purple walls still there? Or did they finally cover them with something more palatable for prospective buyers?
Forcing a smile, I sheepishly wave from the bottom of the driveway. I should walk to meet her, but my feet are stuck. I look down the road, like catching one last glimpse of Everett might ground me, but he’s already turned out of sight. By the time I look back at my mother, she’s directly in front of me, going in for a hug that I clumsily accept at the last minute.
Her voice rambles in my ear with all the things I’d expect her to say under normal circumstances.
I didn’t know you were coming.
This is such a wonderful surprise.
Your dad will be so excited to see you.
It isn’t until she goes to release me that I realize I’ve held the same painful, frozen smile since I turned around. Now I feel like I match the gloating picture of the realtor, and it only makes me despise her more.
Chapter Sixteen
EVERETT
My original planwas to go straight to the shop after dropping off Lucy, but I head back to the overlook. I park the bike near the edge of the fence and take off my helmet, the cool mountain air crisp against my skin.
The overlook is crowded, but I stopped anyway. The heat of summer has broken, and fall is in full swing, so everything is more crowded lately. This is the time of year that our winding mountain roads fill with rental cars slowing at every turn in case they get the chance to photograph a bear.
A family of five gathers near the fence not too far from me, the dad doing his best to extend his arm and take a photo that fits them all. He must sense my staring, because he glances at me with a pained smile, like he’s worried he might not be able to get it back if he lets it slip.
I offer to take the photo for him with a gesture of my hand, but he quickly scans me up and down before shaking his head, still holding his smile the entire time.
With a sigh, I get off my bike and head to the corner of the lookout where I’ll be mostly alone. I glance at the family again, andone of the kids complains about their mom wanting to capture “just one more” for the third time.
It’s not often I get judged for riding a bike and being covered in tattoos, but it’s bound to happen. Around here, the art culture is present enough that most people don’t blink twice, but it doesn’t take a genius to see this family isn’t from Copper Ridge. I should have known by his freshly ironed khakis he’d assume I’d have malicious intent.
I’m not even sure why I pulled over. I should have kept going. I’d get to the shop earlier than I need to, but that’s not anything new. Plus, it would give me some time to stare at those damn paint swatches before we open.
Pulling out my phone, I have the urge to text Lucy. Even if it’s just to send her a vote of confidence. Her entire body was practically shaking when she got off my bike, and by the way her face paled as soon as she heard Leslie’s voice, I know she was a wreck.
I could have stayed. Hell, I’ve known her parents for as long as I can remember, but I’m always with Simon. It’s never been just Lucy and me alone with them, and as much as she was panicking, I panicked too.
Everett:
Hey, what’s Lucy’s number?
Simon:
Why?
