Page 38 of Wait in the Truck
And then, an ominous cloud throws everything I know into shadow before violently unleashing upon me all the things that transpired last night. The memories crash down, and all I want to do is hide while they threaten to drown me. Hands on my body that shouldn’t be. Thedeafening crack of marble on bone. And the sick metallic odor that’d scented the air. I shudder hard.
Through it all, my heart is pummeled—my very soul, too—with the meaning and weight of what I’d been forced to do. All the air heaves from my lungs, and I cover my face with two trembling hands as utter devastation shrieks inside my skull.
No. I lamely shake my head back and forth. A sob rips up my throat as I choke on the truth.
I killed my father. He’s… gone. And I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about that. In fact, the relief that floods my veins has grief swamping me, on the verge of dragging me under its murky depths. My heart thuds, the impact on my rib cage bruising and harsh. I work a swallow past the hard knot of tears in my throat. Unless by some miracle my mother shows her face, my only blood tie in the world isgone. I’m twenty years old and all alone.
Raw panic surges through every cell of my body, and my mind scrambles, twisting in on itself. Oh my god. What do I do? He’s?—
I wrench myself from the chaos in my head. That’s why I’m here. My hand comes up involuntarily, covering my parted lips. Kade. And Rhett.They know.That’s why I’m here.
As I draw my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them, more and more details from last night come back. My stomach gives a violent lurch as shame coats mefrom head to toe. Do Kade and Rhett understand what Dad did? I remember them showing up, but I must have been in shock—and maybe I still am—because I can’t recall what I said to them, if anything at all. What they must have seen is damning.
I wish Kade were here. It’s gotta be—What time is it?I glance out the window on the far side of the room, facing the barn. It’s light enough out there, he must already be up and at ’em. The entire ranch will be rising soon, and as I sit there contemplating what to do next, I pause. From the sounds of it, someone is in the kitchen cooking.Scrubbing a hand over my face, I wince.Oh, hell, Sage.
Unless Kade or one of his brothers prepares breakfast, that can only mean one thing: Josephine Rivers is downstairs.
I’ve seen her in passing out on the gravel road our homes are situated on, and possibly a few times at school events. But I’ve never spoken to her. Not once. My father always told me not to have anything to do with the Rivers family. I wince, rubbing a hand over my forehead. He can’t possibly have anything to say about this now. And I can’t even find it in me to care what he would think.
One time, Jonah confided in me that he wished our families got along. Of course, that would’ve made it easier for him and Lucy. Instead, they’d been forced to keep their relationship a secret from our parents. I take several deep breaths and slowly sit up, glancing down at my attire.
I’m dressed in a soft pair of joggers that have seen better days and an old T-shirt that’s probably two sizes too small.Crap. Kade—or maybe Rhett—must have pulled these out of my dresser for me to wear after… After I…
I give myself a shake, knowing I can’t go there right now. On quiet feet, I creep across the room, then pause and listen with my hand on the knob. Much to my relief, when I turn it, the door opens silently, and I slip out to stand on the landing.
There’s only one thing to be done—face last night’s horror in the stark light of day and hope like hell I don’t crumble when I’m confronted by the reality of what I’ve done. Of whatheforced me to do.
But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to join the matriarch of the Rivers family, who I’m certain is downstairs. How do I explain myself? Does she know I’m here? Exhaling hard, I peek around the corner, down the rustic staircase.
My body jolts in surprise when Josephine’s sunny face peers up at me from the kitchen where she’s scooping eggs from a pan into a serving dish. She studies me for a moment before a smile twitches her lips. Then, giving me a knowing nod, she lifts a hand and beckons to me.
“Get your sweet little peach down these stairs. Daylight’s burning, honey.”
A surprised gasp leaves my lips before I cautiously return her smile. “Yes, ma’am.” I don’t waste time because she’s watching with keen eyes, so I jog down the stairs tojoin her. I pause at the bottom, taking her in. I’ve always thought she had a kind face, and I can only hope it’s not simply for show.
I have my answer a moment later when she gives me a quick no-nonsense nod. “Good. Now, there’ll be none of that ‘ma’am’ business,” she admonishes with a quirk of her lips. Walking over to me, she hooks a hand at my elbow before steering me into the airy kitchen. “Ms. Josie will be fine.” Before I can even respond, she gives me a stern look, the kind grandmothers must come by naturally, before gently scolding me. “You gotta eat.”
“Oh.” I press a hand over my stomach. “I’m not really hungry.”
The older woman huffs. “Don’t be silly. You need some meat on those bones, girl. Besides, I’ve got waffles, eggs, and bacon almost ready, and I’m not shy about saying I’m a good cook. How do you think my grandsons are built the way they are?” Her eyes twinkle with mirth, catching me in her gaze.
I let out a surprised laugh, and I’m positive there’s simply no way she’ll let this slide, so I may as well go along with her well-meaning demand.
Once we reach the island, the scent of bacon frying has my stomach rumbling audibly.
“See? A girl’s gotta eat. Have a seat. A fresh waffle will be done in another minute or so.” She pauses, giving me a wry smile before continuing. “Oh, and count yourselflucky that I’m not asking what’s going on between you and my grandson.”
Damn, Ms. Josie is sharp as a tack. Before I can say a word, she turns away, bustling over to the waffle iron that has seen plenty of use this morning judging by the huge pile of golden-brown waffles on a platter.
She glances at me, a grin twitching to her lips as she takes in my expression. Her bony shoulders bounce as a laugh spills from her, and she huffs, “May as well not deny what’s as plain as day to this old woman.”
My cheeks heat as I wonder what exactly she knows. As she glances over her shoulder at me to wink, a slow smile emerges on my lips. “Oh. Okay.” Ms. Josie, as she told me to call her, brings a large bowl of scrambled eggs and a platter of bacon over to me.
The woman is back at the waffle maker before I can blink, and I call out, “Can I help with anything?”
“Oh no, honey.” She deftly collects another platter and shakes her head, smiling in my direction. “Just make yourself at home. Tuck into some of this food. The twins’ll be down in a minute, and if you don’t take your share, they’ll descend like a couple of hungry hogs and devour it faster than you can blink.”
My lips twitch in amusement as an image of Cole and Jace Rivers scarfing down the breakfast before us floats through my mind. Those two rowdy cowboys were a year behind me in school, and while I don’t know them thatwell, I could easily imagine what Josie is claiming to be true.
