Page 7 of Only Everything
Emmett’s head tilted as he seemed to think. A grin appeared and he nodded. “That actually sounds like a great idea.”
I did smile, then, but it was more out of relief.
“There we go. There’s the store. Better take a bathroom break while you still can.”
Nodding, I grabbed my crossover bag, waiting as he parked the truck. The convenience store wasn’t very big, but thankfully it was clean. I took advantage of the empty restroom first, heading for the snacks after I finished.
“I’ll take you.” I grabbed some gummies, adding it to the hand with my soda and the bug spray, moving over just to snatch a bag of plain potato chips. “And you. And…” I smiled at the chocolate candy bar. “Definitely you.”
I hurried to the cashier, eyeing the restroom as I waited for Emmett to finish. He wasn’t going to like my selection. He wanted me structured and healthy, despite what I wanted. Just like with his pressure to go to college, for a while I went along with it. I’d sneak my goodies when I could, but that ended over the last year. I was past the point of denying myself simple pleasures. I wasn’t a damn kid anymore. I didn’t need a parent.
Paying, I took the bag of snacks, keeping them low, down by my leg as he finally emerged. Emmett headed to the drinks, grabbing a coconut water and stopping to get a bag of trail mix. The look he gave me as he headed to the register wasn’t one I liked. He was angry. Probably mad that I didn’t wait for him to pay. I kept doing this, and without thinking. I knew better. I was separating myself from old ways.His ways. I had to stop doing that until I was free. Otherwise, these next few days were going to be a lot more miserable than sweating and using muscles that didn’t exist for me.
The clerk rang him up, and the moment Emmett made it to my side, I apologized.
“I’m sorry. I should have asked what you wantedbefore I paid or waited until you were finished. I wasn’t thinking. I’m really feeling a little…off today.”
Emmett’s demeanor changed as he paused us next to the doors. “Is that why you’re acting so strange? Do you think you’re getting sick?” His hand flattened over my forehead.
“Not sick. I don’t think…I…don’t know…maybe?”
I was a horrible person and a fucking liar, but it didn’t get me out of what I knew I couldn’t escape.
“We’ll take it slow. I’ll keep an eye on you, and we can take breaks if you need it.”
The soft caring tone had my lips parting. Emmett wrapped his arm over my shoulders pulling me into his side as he pushed open the door, leading us back to the truck. For a moment, I could almost imagine he cared. And maybe he did in his own twisted way, but I couldn’t push away the feeling that something was off.
“Hey, what snacks did you get?”
Emmett led me to my door, throwing me off even more. I paused as he opened it, studying his face for an answer I knew I wouldn’t find.
“Candy, chips, and chocolate. And bug spray.”
He genuinely laughed. “Of course that’s what you bought. Hop up.”
I obeyed, waiting. The change would come soon. The explosion or snide comment was on the horizon. When the door shut behind me and he walked around, starting the truck, my brow creased in confusion. Flashes blinded me. Emmett’s voice assaulted my brain.
Keep eating. Why don’t you have another? Let me guess, you want more? Are you seriously eating that shit, Tauren? Yourjeans are looking a little tight. Give it another week and we’ll have to buy you new ones…again.
I waited for the comments. And waited.
A few miles passed before I turned more in his direction.
“You’re not mad that I got junk food?”
Again, he laughed.
“This is a vacation, Tauren. Besides, I’m not worried about it. You’ll burn it off on the trail.”
My lips pursed, and I nodded.
There it was.
Home.
The shitshow that I had allowed to become my life.
I opened the plastic bag, pulling out the chocolate and not even looking at him as I opened it and began eating. Let him think badly of my body. I didn’t, and isn’t that what mattered? Asshole. No…I was being positive. I was staying in a good mood.
