Page 38 of Sugar Coated Lies
“Oh, right. I forgot about that. Are you coming?” He perks up.
“Can’t. I’ve got too much to do here.”
“You’ve never had that much to do at the farm. What gives?”
Damn him and his suspicious nature. “My dad’s just giving me more work—all the work. It’s like he’s retired already.”
“Well, if we can’t get back to Atlanta, maybe I need to come to you. I hear Tennie’s staying with you guys.”
My stomach clenches with a thick knot. “Tennie’s leaving soon.”
“Is she coming to golf?”
“Don’t know.” If he thinks so, it might deter him from coming here.
“You don’t care if I tap that ass, do you? I know she wasn’t for you, but I like my girls feisty.”
“Nope. She’s all yours.”
Tennie is too high maintenance and too self-centered for me. My dad thought our dating was a win, but I couldn’t bring myself to sleep with her after that one time. That’s how much of a turn-off her personality is for me. If anything, she’s more like a younger sister, and you should never date a girl who gives you that vibe.
“Maybe I’ll stick around here to see if she joins us next week.” His tone darkens with the mischievousness that often gets him or his friends in trouble.
I suppose that’s why I respond the way I do—to protect her. “I think she and Easton are hooking up.”
“Damn. For rural living, your bro gets a lot of hot pussy.”
There was a time, not that long ago, idle shit-talking like this did it for me. Now, it has the opposite effect. “Listen, man. I have work to do. Have a fun time golfing next week. I’ll put in a good word for you with Tennie,” I lie.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re blowing me off?” he asks.
“Because I am. It’s called work.” I laugh.
“I don’t like this new way of life. I miss our college days.”
My phone beeps with an incoming call. “Gotta go, man. My dad’s calling.”
“All right. Later.”
“What’s up, Dad?”
“Your mom wants to have a dinner at the house for the employees Friday night.”
It’s not uncommon for Mom to do this. She loves to entertain and is damn good at throwing parties.
“She wants to meet the new girl,” he adds. “You know how she is. She likes to know what’s going on with the farm.”
“I do, but I’m not sure about Everleigh attending. She lives with her sick grandfather and can’t leave him without proper care.”
“That’s a heavy burden to bear. Your mother will understand, but I do wish we could find a way to make it work. She’s awfully young to have that kind of responsibility. Does she not have family around?”
“They’re all… They passed away. It’s just her and her grandfather.”
In a dumpy house that would be better off torn down so a new one could be built in its place. I think it only has one bedroom, which has me assuming she sleeps on the couch.
For the life of me, I can’t stop thinking about ways to help her out. Employee housing? Employee nurse-care for her dad?
I need to stop. She’s a strong, proud, independent woman who would get offended if I offered her help. That much is obvious. Still, it doesn’t keep me from wanting more for her.
