“There are people out there.”
I looked out the window, seeing a few townsfolk walking around. Most of them I’d interacted with in the Facebook group in some way.
“That’s not too bad.”
“It’s not?” Joey asked.
“Not really. It’s always like this when the farmers market is happening. If we stick to the sidewalks, it’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Mitch asked. “We dropped in on you and you didn’t seem to have plans today.”
“I did have plans today, which I’ll have to move, but this is fine.”
“There’s no way?—”
“Joey,” I said firmly. “I’m fine.”
“Is what happened last time still affecting you?”
I stared at him. “What? What happened last time?”
“The person you thought was from your past.”
For a second, I had no idea what he was talking about. Then I remembered when I’d called in a panic. “You thinkthatis still affecting me?”
“It would make sense.”
I laughed. “No, it doesn’t. I moved on from that a while ago.”
Joey narrowed his eyes at me and I stared right back.
“Okay,” Mitch said. “I’m sensing some tension. So why don’t we all take a breath?”
I did what I was told. Joey didn’t.
It only annoyed me more.
“Why are you so determined to prove that I’m miserable here?” I asked slowly.
Joey blinked, obviously not expecting the question. “I-I’m not.”
“You are. Do you realize you’re not listening to me at all?”
“Iamlistening to you. I just don’t believe you. There’s no way you’re happy here.”
“Joey,” Mitch hissed.
My fists clenched and an anger flooded me that almost made me tell him to leave. I would be justified, but I did want Joey to see my life.
I just couldn’t handle him acting likethis.
Crossing my arms, I watched as he looked in between us, eyes wide as he realized what he had said.
“Sorry,” he eventually apologized. “It’s just weird not knowing what’s going on.”
“I’m trying to show you. You’re the one who’s not listening.”
“But why here? Why not with us? Were we that bad to live with?”
