“I really wish you’d come out so I could apologize.”
Slowly opening the door, I smile at her. “I’m fine. Just needed to use the restroom.” I go to the sink and wash my hands.
She stands beside me, her red lips turned down into a frown. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known, I never would’ve—”
“It’s okay. Really.” I yank a towel from the basket by the sink.
“How long has it been?” she asks, touching my arm.
“A couple weeks.”
“Weeks?” She gasps, then yanks me into her arms. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
I stand there, my arms stiff at my sides. I just met this woman. Why is she hugging me? It’s odd, but also kind of nice because she seems to genuinely care. Everybody else here has been pretending like it didn’t happen. I thought that’s what I wanted. For everyone to forget and not talk about it, but I’m finding that not talking about it is making me think about it even more.
Whitney steps back and grips my shoulders, staring at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” I give her a reassuring smile. “Really.” I back away, tossing my hand towel in the bin. “I should get back to the table.”
She watches as I leave.
Brock sees me approaching and stands up. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I sit down. “Just had to use the restroom.” I look down at my half-eaten dinner. “I can’t finish this. I’m gonna take it home.”
“You can just leave it,” Brock says. “I’ll get the check.” He waves the waitress over.
I feel Braden and Trystan staring at me.
“Whenever you’re ready,” the waitress says, setting the bill down.
Brock hands her his credit card, and she hurries off with the bill, almost running into Whitney, who’s walking back to her table.
“How do you know Whitney?” I ask Brock.
“He slept with her,” Braden casually answers.
“What did I say about discretion?” Brock scolds.
“I can’t remember.” He looks at his dad. “Please, Father, tell me again. What is it I should say when the women you fucked approach us at dinner?”
Trystan chuckles.
“Braden, that’s enough!” Brock stands up as the waitress returns with his credit card. He signs the slip. “Let’s go.”
He takes off before we’re even up from the table. When we’re outside, Braden and Brock walk in front, with Trystan and me trailing behind.
“Did you know that woman?” I quietly ask Trystan.
“She’s the school secretary.”
“At Twisted Pine?” I ask, shocked that Brock slept with someone from their school.
“She’s not there anymore. She quit last year. She only worked there to get her kids’ tuition for free. But they couldn’t survive. They’re back at Legion.”
“What do you mean they couldn’t survive?” I ask, stopping next to the car.
Trystan opens my door and smiles. “You’ll see.”
