Page 111 of Don't Go Faking My Heart

Arlo startles. Is that the years of alcoholism messing up his nervous system, or is he really that shocked? "You can't take a break during fruit season. It's our busiest time!"

My knuckles burn. "That's why I hired help. I have two guys filling in for me at the farm and another?—"

"So you're paying three people to do your job? You're throwing away money so you can play fancy businessman?"

"Why do you care, anyhow? It ain't yours," I say.

"I care because I taught you better than that."

"You? What did you teach me, Arlo?"

"Show your father some respect," Mom says.

"I clearly didn't teach you enough, boy." Arlo adjusts his waistband in a way that highlights his belt.

The blood rushing in my ears makes it hard for me to hear. My breath saws between my teeth. All of my fear and rage resurface from a graveyard of memories I thought I’d moved past long ago.

I hate him. I want to end him.

"Arlo, don't," Mom says, grabbing his arm the way she did when I was growing up.

"It's fine," Arlo says, shrugging off her arm forcefully enough that I’m on high alert. "I shouldn't be surprised he'd make such a stupid decision."

"Watch it, Arlo," I say, the words coming out in a growl.

"Why, you gonna take a swing at me again? I ain’t drunk this time, boy. Want to settle this once and for all?"

Ash lets go of me, and panic stabs my gut. I forgot she was here. For an instant, I think she's going to run. But to my shock, she stomps the six feet between us, plants her hands on his chest, and shoves with all her might.

"How dare you?" she cries and pushes him again. "HOW DARE YOU?"

Arlo backs up, snickering at Ash like she's unhinged, but she keeps pushing him until I get between them. I step in front of her with my arm out, but she screams and points at him around me.

"You stay away from him, you pathetic piece of crap! If you ever taunt him again, I will destroy you. You wouldn't even have a job if it weren't for him! Do you think the whole town doesn't know he's your boss? Do you actually think he's the small one everyone whispers about in disgusted tones? You would have nothing without him! He has every reason to beat your face into pulp, yet he stands here and lets you belittle him because he is good. He is kind and selfless and good. Unlike you."

That vicious glint in Arlo's eye sparks into a wildfire. "Oh, you think he's so good, do you? Sweet Rusty would never hurt a fly, would he? Ask him what happened the day of his sister's funeral." He leans forward. "And then we'll see how good you think he really is."

"Get out of my face," she growls.

Mom is crying and pulling on Arlo's arm, trying to say Ash doesn't understand, and Ash turns on her. "I don’t know how hard you've had it all these years, but he is your son, and the fact that you're taking Arlo's side over Rusty's breaks my heart for you. I'm sorry you've been so beat down that every maternal instinct in you has revolted. But you two are toxic, and I will not let you poison the man I love. Stay. Away."

She pulls my arm, her face shining with righteous fury that almost hurts my eyes. "Let's go. We're done here."

Arlo laughs at our backs as we climb into the truck. "I'm your future, boy. I couldn't escape being just like my daddy, and neither can you. Don't you forget it!"

Ash tells him exactly where to shove his reminder, and then we go.

I should keep my eyes on the road, but I look back at them in the rearview mirror as we drive. And I hate myself for it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ASH

Idon't see Rusty at all Monday.

We have until Friday to present to the chamber of commerce, and yesterday, we made a plan to visit every store and check in with the owners to make sure we have their support. But he's nowhere to be seen.

In fairness, he texted me in the pre-dawn to say that Matt is still down with a stomach bug and he has to be at the farm. And because that's his actual job, I don't protest. Much.

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