Richard doesn’t seem to like it, though. “Well, you don’t live with her every day, so you can’t see it.”
My stomach knots. This is why I don’t get Richard. Last night, he made dinner for me, we played a game together, and then he snuggled me on the couch for like two hours while we ate Christmas cookies and watched the finale of a baking competition. As we laid down for the night, he kissed me before bed and told me how thankful he is for me and how beautiful I am. I went to bed convinced I was stupid for ever thinking anything bad about him. I went to bed thinking I’d made a mistake messaging Tex.
Then, he says something like this. Something that totally undercuts me. Later, if I show any hurt about what he’s said, I’m sure he’ll play dumb, or tell me it was a joke, then be all super sweet again, further messing with my head.
“I had my share of time with Marley,” Tex says, voice deep and confident. “She’s got a good sense about her. She’s smart, and that’s why her grandpa trusted her with the place.”
Richard nods and glances toward me. “On that note, I should get to work.”
“What do you do for work?” Tex asks, still on the defense.
“I work the bar out on the other side of the mountain.The Barnyard.You ever heard of it?”
“Heard of the place, but it’s not my scene.” Tex puffs like he’s auditioning for the cover of a comic book cover, chin lifted, feet planted wide.
I can sense some tension brewing between them, and I know I’ll hear about this all night if I don’t deflect somehow.
“Yeah, The Barnyard isn’t for everyone, but Richard really loves the music there.”
The music. I could’ve said anything. I said the music.
What the hell?
It doesn’t seem to faze him, and I think maybe I’ve dodged a bullet as he nods and kisses me on the cheek before heading out the door. “Be good, babe. Don’t forget, I’m bowling with the guys tonight.”
“I know. I’m headed up to see Kit.”
He glances toward Tex with a flat expression then back toward me. “Be good.”
“Will do,” I say, stomach tight as I watch him go, the door clicking shut behind him. The room feels heavier now and silence ensues.
Tex grabs a book off a nearby shelf and pretends to care about whatever’s on the pages as he flips through, though his look is rather superior. I’ve seen it so many times before that, even all these years later, I still know exactly what it means.
“Just say it,” I finally blurt.
“Say what, honey?”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest, pretending I don’t like the way that sounds. “Honey? Really? Nice. Why don’t you tell me what you’re thinking and get it out of the way.”
He stares into my eyes, steady and unblinking. “You don’t want to know what I’m thinking.”
“I’m asking.”
“Okay,” he sets the book back on the shelf then scrubs his massive hands together like sandpaper, “what do you see in that guy?”
“I see a lot of things in him.”
“Like what?”
“He’s…” I really try but suddenly I’m getting crickets. “I’ve never been good at thinking on the spot, but he’s not that bad. We have a lot of fun together.”
“Sorry, all I heard washe’s not that bad.”
“Oh my God.” I take a sip of coffee as this conversation starts spinning out of control.
“You know you could’ve called me, right? I’d have come back. You didn’t have to accept absolute shit. What the hell?”
“Tex,” I glance away then down at the dark wood on the counter, “stop.”
