And all I keep wondering is why Collin would have anything to do with this situation, but the nagging feeling I have in the back of my mind tells me the answer.
They were together.
He’s mentioned a difficult past, a break-up that almost killed him, and now I can’t help but feel like it all revolves around this woman.
Sadly, I can’t even ask him about her. He started his shift today, and they got called out on a big fire earlier this afternoon. At least that’s what he texted moments before it went radio silent. I know their job doesn’t end when the trucks pull back into the station, so there’s no telling when I’ll be able to speak to him again. Not to mention this feels like a face-to-face conversation, not something you ask via text.
“Why don’t you go join the table and catch up?”
She narrows her eyes at Whitney, as if shooting invisible daggers all the way across the room. “I hate her.”
I reach up and place my hand on her arm, grabbing her attention. “Thank you.”
She looks at me confused. “For what?”
“For being…you. For being a friend.”
She pulls me into a huge hug. “I’ve got you, girl. And I’ll be the one kicking my brother’s ass all the way to the state line and back if he ever fucks this up with you.”
I bark out a laugh. “Something tells me you will.”
“Oh, I will. And he knows it.”
I nod to where my sister is waving Charli over, so she doesn’t fall too far behind on her painting. “Go. Have fun. Don’t get blood on my freshly refinished floor.”
She laughs hard and grins somewhat evilly. “I make no promises.”
I watch her walk away, taking the long way to her seat and making a trip past Whitney and her friends. As expected, she says something to her I can’t hear, causing Whitney to gasp and glare back at the woman strolling past. She replies, but there’s no way I can hear it over the noise. Charli just laughs, a maniacal sound that filters all the way back to where I stand. She looks completely satisfied, as if whatever she said to Whitney had the exact result she was looking for.
Remind me to never get on Charli’s bad side.
Choosing to not speculate any further over what Whitney means to Collin, I return to the food table and straighten what’s been picked over and refill what I can. Jani is easily able to handle the bar, so there’s no need for me to go back there and just get in her way. Instead, I keep myself busy with the food, inviting the regulars to grab another plate and checking on my mom and sister whenever I can.
They’re doing great, both of their paintings resembling the one Anita is doing at the front of the room, and they’re having so much fun. I make a mental note to try to take one of the classes with them this summer before Em heads off for school. As long as the bar is covered, I should be able to paint and keep up with the food, since that doesn’t require as much attention once the painting starts.
As the night starts to wind down and everyone is adding the final touches to their pieces, I return to the food table to make sure what’s left is out and ready for the ladies. I stir the meatballs and put the last tray of pastries out on the table, waiting for tonight’s attendees to get one last plate of snacks.
“He’s still in love with me, you know.”
My hands pause and my heart hammers in my chest. I school my features and slowly turn to face the woman beside me. “Whitney, hi. Enjoying your evening?” I ask, pasting a smile on my face.
Ignoring my question, she places her hands on her hips and narrows her eyes. “You can try all you want, but it’ll never go past a few months. He’s been in love with me forever. It’s why he rarely dates and won’t commit.”
My smile falters but only for a moment. “Thank you for coming tonight. I hope your friends and you had a good time.” With that, I move around her and head behind the bar.
My brain is swimming with her words on constant repeat.
He’s still in love with me.
It’s why he rarely dates and won’t commit.
I move behind the bar, needing to keep myself busy. I note what needs to be restocked and make a quick trip to the cooler to grab what I can. “What did she say to you?”
No need to turn around to confirm who joined me in the small, cold space. “It doesn’t matter,” I state, digging up every ounce of gumption I can grab and pasting on a fake smile.
“Bullshit it doesn’t!” Her words are loud, echoing throughout the cold storage, but she doesn’t notice. “That woman is…terrible. Everywhere she goes is a trail of hurt. Don’t believe her, whatever she said. She’s scum.”
I crack a little, real smile. “She seems very full of herself.”
