Page 86 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

I wake up on Lee’s couch to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and a note on my chest.

Hey Lush,

I love you, but some of us have to get up and go to work. You sleep like the dead. And don’t think I forgot about our talk last night.

There’s coffee, but if you eat the last of my Lucky Charms, I will end you, sister.

Xx

-Lee

I smile, crumpling the paper and stretching out my sore muscles. Her couch is super uncomfortable, and I’m a bit hungover from the wine I guzzled. I trudge my way into Lee’s kitchen, grabbing one of her to-go mugs and pouring myself a hot cup of coffee. Glancing at the clock, I realize I barely have time to run home for a quick shower before I’m supposed to meet Sarah at the florist.

Something sinks in my stomach.

There’s not much I want to do less than be the helping hand for Eli’s marriage to another woman. But the money to leave town is a temptation I can’t refuse.

Betsy’s Secret Garden is the only floral shop in town, but Betsy’s got the best green thumb in all of Tennessee. Too bad she can’t tend to her idiot son, Jason, the way she does to her flowers.

Walking in the front door of the shop, I send up a quick prayer that Jason isn’t here. We used to fool around in high school, but when he wanted to get serious, I cut him loose. He’s never forgiven me, making it his personal mission to antagonize me, and every time I see him it’s a little slice of hell.

The smell of fresh cut flowers tingles my nose as I walk by the register. Sarah’s perusing a binder on the counter, and Eli’s standing behind her, looking like he owns the whole damn town.

“You just gonna walk on by and ignore me like that, Rebecca Jean?”

I cringe, Jason’s voice grating my eardrums. Damn. Just my luck he’d be here—icing on the cake to this already fucked-up situation. Eli straightens, his eyes hardening as he looks behind me. Sarah pops her head up, catching my gaze and offering me a small smile.

Sighing, I spin around. “Hiya, Jason. I honestly didn’t even realize you were standin’ there. How’s the wife?”

He taps his short, stubby fingers on the Formica countertop. “Oh, she’s just fine. You know how Amy is, happy to be mine, and beggin’ for a kid. She’ll be pleased you asked.”

I force a grin. “Happy to be of service, Jason.”

“Just like you always have been.” He smirks.

I’m no stranger to the things people in this town say about me. I’ve been called worse by better, but still, my chest burns, and I clench my fists to keep myself from punching that disgusting smile off his slimy face.

Eli stiffens and Sarah glances up from the binder.

Jason’s eyes flick to Eli before settling back on me. “You here for Elliot Carson?” He rubs his chin. “Makes sense, he’s probably one of the only guys you haven’t serviced yet.”

I force a lazy smile, one side of my mouth pulling up. “Oh, Jason. You afraid he’ll be able to handle things you were too much of a pussy to hold on to?”

Jason’s lips flatten, his eyes narrowing into slits. “Please. Ma would disown me. She’d never let me settle down with a whore. You’re lucky she ain’t here… she wouldn’t even let you in the store with your filth.”

The hole in my stomach grows. I’m not ashamed of who I am, but when so many people see you as less than, it chips away at even the strongest person’s soul.

A whip of air brushes against my side, and before I can turn, Eli has Jason’s orange polo crushed in his fists, pulling him until half his body hangs over the counter.

Jason’s cheeks grow splotchy, his eyes big and round. “What the hell, man?”

“If your momma were here,” Eli starts. “I’d make sure to show her the proper way to whoop some manners into your disrespectful ass. You should be honored Becca’s even graced you with her attention.” He stops, his fists clenching tighter, the collar of Jason’s polo wringing tight around his neck. “If you ever talk to her like that again. If you ever look at her again, I’ll make sure you can never service anyone. You hear me, you piece of shit?”

Jason sputters and nods, clawing at Eli’s hands.

Sarah is gripping my forearm, her nails indenting my skin. I wonder if it’s Eli’s outburst or his sudden accent that has her in shock?

My heart slams against my ribs so hard I’m convinced it’s trying to break free, wanting to dive into Eli’s chest and live there for a while.

---