“Well, ya know, can’t miss a chance to see Grandpa Boone.”
She leaves it at that, and I hate this. All the tiny fractures, the discourse.
It sucks.
Honestly, I feel kind of drained from it, which is why I glance down at my phone, trying to come up with an excuse to leave.
“I should probably take off,” I announce with a sigh.
“What?”
“It’s been so long since we did something like this.”
“How often do I have a sitter to hang out with you guys?”
I hear all their responses, but this is too hard. They know West and I are going through some things, but they have no idea how rough it’s been. And as I glance at him across the room, locking eyes with him becauseof coursehe’s watching me, I have to get some air.
“I’ll text you guys later. Maybe we can get together next weekend.
“You suck,” Scar grumbles, and I laugh as we stand and hug.
“I know. And I love you, too.”
“You’d better text,” Lexi warns, standing to hug me next, and as we embrace, I spot West again, lookingsuperconfused.
Which means I have to hurry before he stops me.
“Later,” is the last word I say before exiting through the diner doors.
I make it to my truck feeling winded and emotionally exhausted. Wanting to be apart of it all and away from it all at the same time. There was a brief window between periods of chaos when things felt easy, and if we’re lucky, we’ll have that again someday.
I start my engine, deciding I’ll hide out at the center to keep my mind off things. There’s some painting I can do, and I keep spare work clothes in the trunk for just such an occasion. So, that’s what I’ll do.
Paint, hide, and maybe cry a little.
I’ve barely backed out of my parking space when my phone chimes with Pandora’s notification, and on instinct, I glance toward the diner, knowing the rest of the crew just heard the same sound. On cue, they pull out their phones. I only tear my eyes away from them when their shocked expressions have me too curious not to see what’s happened for myself.
Only, nothing could’ve prepared me for the words my eyes land on.
When Pandora warned April that she’d lay her shit bare… she meant it.
Ho-ly shit.
*
@QweenPandora:
Listen up, peeps. I’ve got some juicy information, and I’m nothing if I’m not your most reliable source of local gossip. So, allow me to live up to that title.
It seems the wife of our former QB1 has a little habit she was hoping no one would find out about. That’s right, April Lawson has a pill addiction. Here she is getting her fix from a local dealer on the south side, seeming to think she’s above the law. One could argue that she’s been under a great deal of stress since her husband was savagely pushed out of position, but I have a different theory.
I think she’salwaysbeen a miserable bitch, and it wouldn’t have mattered if Reed held his spot or not. Momma’s gotta have her candy.
And speaking of guilty pleasures, check out this next image. That’s right. Looks like someone failed to fully close those curtains, and that sliver was enough to get a clear pic of our next scandal…Mrs. Lawson giving a little reverse cowgirl action to someone who definitely IS NOT her husband. And in a seedy, roadside motel at that.
Now, April, did you really think you could hide from us?
You of all people should know… I’ve got eyes everywhere.
