Page 76 of The Jellybean Dilemma

A curly haired guy in a greasy ball cap with a red-flannel shirt and a Carhartt vest stepped out of the tow truck. He paused to tap on the SUV window, where a similarly dressed man got out. They tromped up the steps onto the porch.

“That’s his boyfriend, Caleb.” Greg opened the door, leaving Joe’s hand suspended mid-knock. “Hey, man! Good to see you.” He pulled him in for a one-armed hug, complete with back slapping. Caleb got a firm handshake and a smile. Then Greg turned to introduce me. “This is my girlfriend, Rhonda.”

My grin grew wider as the word echoed through. Girlfriend. It was the first time he’d said it and meant it for real. I could have walked on water if he’d asked me to.

Joe stepped forward, gripping my hand firmly in his calloused one. His smile was genuine, and I liked him immediately. “Nice to meet ya. Heard ya had quite the scare the other day, glad yer both all right. This here is Caleb, my partner.”

I shook Caleb’s hand as well. He gave me a shy smile, which I returned, trying to make him feel at ease. I got the sense Joe was the talker of the pair. “You guys want some coffee or water or anything? Sit and chat for a few before we head on out?”

They looked at each other, a whole conversation passing between them, though, not a word was spoken. Joe shook his head. “Nah. You two got plenty of miles ahead of ya, and we’ve got work to do ourselves. We’ll just get on with it. But next time yer in the area, Greg, you owe us a fish dinner.”

Greg grinned at him. “Best deal I’ve made this year.” They shook on it, and we all went out of the door.

I wasn’t allowed to carry one bag, open my door or do anything for myself. They were so sweet. After Greg pointed out the heap of snow that was supposed to be our car, we hit the road. I watched the cabin disappear, sighing as I turned to face reality once more.

It had been nice to hide out in a little bubble away from the pressure of the world. It had been a welcome relief from wondering what I wanted to do with my life, who I wanted to be. Not to mention I’d loved having Greg all to myself.

Now we were headed home, and the questions pressed in once more. With each passing mile, I felt heavier. I still had to tell Avery about Kevin. Which meant I had to tell her and Derek about him harassing me. I wrinkled my nose, wishing I’d never kept it a secret in the first place. Ugh.

Greg’s hand brushed mine, startling me from my bleak thoughts. “You okay over there?”

I traced the outline of his profile with my gaze, then I turned my palm over to lace my fingers through his. “Just wishing we didn’t have to leave the cabin.”

He gave my hand a squeeze. “I know what you mean.”

It was a couple of hours before we came back into the range of cell service. As we drove merrily along US 2, my phone started dinging. Then Greg’s followed suit, and he grinned. “Must be nearing civilization again.”

Never would I have expected those words to not fill me with joy. Instead, the sinking feeling continued as I pulled out my phone to read through my messages. Most were from Derek, and they grew more concerned with each text. “I need to call my brother.”

Greg nodded. “Yeah, you do.” He showed me the screen of his phone where Derek’s name was plastered on it, with the number seventeen indicating the amount of messages from him.

Swiping to Derek’s contact info, I held the phone up to my ear and listened to the shrill ring.

“Rhonda?” He sounded out of breath.

“Hey, Derek.”

“Holy shit, you’re okay! Damn, you scared me. What the hell happened?” His tone went from terrified to furious in about three seconds flat.

I bit back a laugh, knowing it would only infuriate him more. But it was nice to be cared about. “Greg and I had a little accident. We got stranded at his cabin in a place with no cell service, and no way to contact anyone. But we’re on our way home. Actually, we’re almost to the bridge.” I saw its green towers in the distance, and longing pulsed in me. We were really leaving the U.P.

I cleared my throat, focusing once more on my conversation. “Can we come over tonight? I’ll fill you in on everything.

“Of course,” he said, then paused. “You sure you’re up for it? As much as I’d love to see you, it could wait till tomorrow.”

“No.” My chest tightened, and I hope my words weren’t strained as I forced myself to say, “No, it needs to be tonight. I’ll let you know when we get closer, okay?”

“Sure thing. Talk to you soon.”

After he’d hung up, I sighed, feeling as if a black cloud hovered over my head.

Greg’s deep voice sounded far away. “Hey, Jellybean, talk to me. What’s going on?”

I didn’t want to shut him out. I wasn’t trying to, but I didn’t know how to explain what I was feeling. “I don’t really know. It’s just the thought of telling Avery about Kevin and her mom, I guess. What if she somehow blames me, and I lose another friend?” My only real friend.

He frowned. “Avery’s not like Yolanda and Fawnda. She wouldn’t do that to you.”

I hoped not. “And telling her means I have to fill Derek in on this whole harassment thing with Kevin. He’s going to be upset that he didn’t know, that I kept it from him.”

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