Page 60 of The Jellybean Dilemma

Avery had to know right away. This wasn’t the sort of info one should get in a text. I wouldn’t even know what to say, and I definitely couldn’t send the picture. I tried to imagine explaining Kevin’s message to Avery via text, and my stomach sank. I needed to tell her in person.

After stuffing my phone into my purse, I hurried to find Greg, who was not happy to see me.

“I know, Greg. I’m sorry, but all this,” I said, gesturing between us, “doesn’t matter right now. There’s something more urgent that I have to take care of immediately.” I sucked in a deep breath, then blurted out, “I have to go home.”

He gaped at me, disbelief written all over his face. “Rhonda, not only is it New Year’s Eve, and my sister’s wedding, but there’s a blizzard outside.”

All his diva comments ran through my head at his disdainful tone, but I pushed the mute button on my inner commentary. Whatever he thought of me, I didn’t care at this point. My friend needed to know the truth, and I was sitting on a ticking time bomb.

I glared at him. “You promised you’d stop jumping to conclusions about me. I swear this is important. I know what I’m asking of you, and if I could drive myself, I would.” Damn that champagne. “Greg, please.”

He sighed. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I think I deserve an explanation.”

“You do,” I said, and he raised his chin, waiting. “But I can’t give it to you here. It’s sensitive. I promise I will explain, though.” I held my breath, hoping it would be enough.

His gaze softened. “All right, Rhonda. Just let me say goodbye.”

Relief crashed over me like a tsunami, my knees almost buckling from the force of it. We hurried through our goodbyes. Mandy and Peter exclaimed in concern but wished us luck. When we got outside, I had to cling to Greg’s arm out of necessity.

We were halfway to the car when he asked, “Okay, now can you tell me what’s going on?”

I wished we could wait till we were in the car, but I stopped, making sure my feet were firmly planted before I dug out my phone. “Kevin is with Avery’s mom, that’s what. If anyone gets wind that my ex-fiancé is hooking up with Mabel Milbourne, how’s that going to look? The press will have a field day, not to mention what will happen with Mabel’s career. And who would suffer in all that? Avery’s dad.”

The frown on his face deepened as he swiped through the pictures. “We can’t just send her a text or call her?”

I gaped at him. “Is that the kind of news you’d want to hear over the phone? Plus, neither Avery nor Derek know about any of the situation with Kevin. I can’t explain that in a text message.” His mouth tightened as I hurried on, “And no, it can’t wait. I know Kevin. The sooner he can leverage this situation to his advantage he will, either for money or fame or something. Avery needs to know ASAP.”

Greg still didn’t move.

“Look,” I said, annoyed and freezing. “Avery is my first real girl friend. Ever. And this could easily blow up into a crisis of major proportions for her. Because of me.” I stared down at the snow swirling around my frigid feet. “I want to be there for her. I don’t want her to find out because her mom sends her a shitty postcard, or the tabloids run some grainy picture. I want to tell her. And if you don’t want to drive me, I’ll start calling until I find someone who can.”

With a sigh, he handed me back my phone. “No, I’ll drive you. At least send that to Officer Wayne.”

I did as he asked with no argument, emailing the photo and a short explanation. Greg walked me the rest of the way to the car. Just before he opened the door, movement made me freeze, a glint of light and a shifting of shadows. Had someone been watching us? Had they overheard our conversation?

“What now?”

“I thought I saw something.” I peered into the darkness, squinting through the flurrying snow when I heard the door open behind me.

“There’s nothing there. Just get in.” He sounded more than exasperated.

I sighed and turned to find him holding open the back door of the car. If he had taken a knife and stabbed it into my heart, it would have hurt less. Our façade was truly over then, this game was very much done. I choked on a sob, diving into the car and locking the door behind me.

Greg’s muffled voice sounded, separated once more by a barrier, just like it should be. His fist met the window as he called my name.

But I buried my face in my hands. I heard his car door open, heard him climb in the front.

“Rhonda, I didn’t mean to. It was a mistake, I swear.”

“Just go.” I kept my face hidden as the tears poured out, watering the tree of doubt that choked out the flowers of hope.

His voice was strained when we stopped at his parents’ place. “I have to get extra supplies since it’s New Year’s Eve. We should have plenty of gas, food, and water, since not much will be open, especially up here. Plus, we need to pack. Wear your warmest clothes and your boots.”

His tone held no room for argument. I stumbled out of the car, not bothering to wait for assistance. And promptly fell on my ass.

His jaw clenched as he helped me up, and his touch scalded me even through my coat. As soon as we were inside, I wrenched away from him, tearing off my heels before I ran up the stairs. I packed in record time. My bags bumped as I dragged them down the staircase where I waited on the bottom step.

“Rhonda—” He tried again.

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