Page 37 of Driftwood Daffodil

Much better.

If I was going to drive around with a slur sprawled across my truck then it sure as hell was going to be spelt right.

Opening the door, I climbed in my truck and stuck the key in. It was a little disappointing that no one was around to dive in a bush, but I guess I’d have to get that entertainment tomorrow. Because I was coming back, despite Gio’s threats.

I was looking forward to seeing his reaction. Unlike everyone else in this town, I wasn’t scared of the Mancini’s. What more could they do to me?

That thought should’ve comforted me on my way home. Instead it caused my imagination to run wild. Every possible nightmare scenario played through my mind. And Gio was there in each and every one, laughing in the background. Decapitatingme, stabbing me in a dark alley, and of course burning me alive. That one sent a shiver up my spine.

By the time I parked in front of our trailer, I’d come to one conclusion. I watched way too many horror movies. Tonight might be a good night to dive into some feel good cartoons with Knox.

Two steps out of my truck made me reconsider the horror movie thing. One could get a lot of murder ideas from a horror movie, which was exactly what I wanted to do to the driver in the red car, pulling up behind my truck.

Maybe I could make it in the house before he saw me?

“Nova.” Simon called.

Apparently not. Fuck my life.

I didn’t bother closing the little plastic gate behind me when I headed up to the front door.

“We need to talk.”

The only thing I needed to do was get inside. Why did Maw Maw insist on locking up? We didn’t have anything worth stealing.

“You can’t keep ignoring me.”

I begged to differ. I was doing a fabulous job so far.If only I could get this damn door open.

“I know you can hear me.”

There was no proof of that. Maybe I had earbuds in, or maybe I wasn’t paying attention. It was quite common for people to be distracted. For instance, I didn’t see Cindy running her hand down Simon’s arm that night. Nor did I hear her annoying as fuck giggle. I was too busy sucking back alcohol.

“Come on Nova,” He walked up behind me and whispered in my ear, “the silent treatment is a little childish, even for you.”

I wasn’t childish. His stupid red sneakers were childish.

“Sorry,” I sang while continuing to fight with the lock. “I didn’t recognize you without the girl on your dick.”

He let out a frustrated sigh, “Look, we both did things we aren’t proud of.”

Seriously? That was the excuse he was going with?

“You looked pretty proud to me.” Or did he forget about the smile he gave when he saw me standing in the doorway?

I didn’t.

I saw it every time he sent me a text.Nova, answer me. Nova stop hiding. Nova answer the damn phone. Ugh, give a girl some space, and by space, I meant move away, never talk to her again, and possibly die in a car crash on the way out of town.

Okay, that might be taking things a little too far, but would the world really miss someone like him?

“We’ve been dating for three months.”

Wrong.“It’s been three months and four days.”

Trust me that extra bit counted. Every day with Simon felt like a year. Was I surprised that someone I invested my time in betrayed me? No. But I could still be pissed off about it. And I had a right to be.

“What did you think would happen? Guys have needs, Nova. It’s not my fault you’re sexually anorexic.”

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