Page 56 of Recklessly Rogue

“Andleave himwhen I got bored?”

“Or leave him when you realized he’s an asshole,” April says, her voice still calm. “Or after he cheated on you.Again.”

Crystal’s face is pink now.

“Are you saying Christopher cheated on you?” Kelly demands. “I don’t believe it.”

“No,” April says. “He hit me. And I wasnotgoing to let him hit my son.”

Kelly scowls. “I’m sure it was a mistake or an accident. Christopher is a good man.”

“I suppose we may have different definitions of good,” April says. “But mine doesn’t include physical or verbal abuse. SoIam going to leavemymarriage when those things start happening. You do you.”

She starts to push our cart forward, obviously done with the conversation, but Crystal steps in front of it. “No one will believe you. Everyone here has known Christopher his whole life. You’re not from here.”

“I don’t care,” April says.

I can see the tension in her shoulders, but I’m impressed with how steady her voice is.

“I don’t need anyone to believe me other than the people I care about. And you don’t make that list.”

“But when you try to get custody, or another job, or make new friends, everyone will just know you as the lying bitch who tried to ruin a good man who is a steady part of our community,” Crystal informs her.

I feel like she just slapped me.

This isn’t about me, I know that. And that sentiment shouldn’t surprise me. That’s the way this town, and so many like it, are. If you’re from here, you belong more than ‘outsiders’. And even some of us born and raised here are still outcasts if we don’t conform.

I’m fine with that. I’ve always been fine. Being my father’s daughter has always put me in a precarious position in the community, but my mom didn’t let him define us. We foundour people, we lived our lives, we did good things for the right reasons, and let our actions speak for themselves.

But how can I leave April when this is what she’ll be facing?

She’s got everyone out at Dick’s, but they’re not exactly her peer group. I’m not as worried about her job, because I know Henry will look out for her, but he’s not going to be her girlfriend. Her call-me-up-if-you-ever-just-need-to-talk-or-vent person. Her I-don’t-even-know-why-I’m-sad-but-can-you-come-over-and-make-me-feel-better person. Her it’s-a-random-Tuesday-but-let’s-get-nachos-and-watch-trash-tv-and-do-mani-pedis-like-it’s-Friday-night person.

Everyone needs that person.

My person just married a prince and we’ll be getting nachos less often when I live in another city in another state.

But I don’t want to think about that.

Right now, I’m worried about April. Can I leaveherwhen she’s likely to be ostracized by this damned town she’s so intent on staying in?

“Ooh, honey, that color of green doesnotgo with what you’re wearing.”

I catch the narrowing of Crystal’s eyes just before April and I turn.

Amber Connors has just strolled up behind us, a plastic shopping basket swinging from her arm. She looks amazing, as always. She owns the salon downtown and her hair, makeup, nails, and clothes are always perfect. But she also comes off as genuine, kind, and accepting of everyone.

I adore her. She’s gone out with me and Scarlett a few times. Scarlett often helps her out with little things like making treats for her daughter’s class or grabbing last-minute items for a class project because Amber and her husband Tony both work long hours and Scarlett knows how much an extra hand can help.

But Amber and Tony are new-ish to Emerald and Amber has tried not to take any “sides” in town rivalries. Especially between those who attend my father’s church and those who don’t. It’s important for her business, which is vital for her family, that she has clients from all over town.

Scarlett and I understand, and we’ve worked hard not to put her in the middle of anything.

But now, she walks right up to us, her eyes on Crystal.

“She’s not wearing green,” Kelly says.

Amber doesn’t take her gaze from Crystal. “Her jealousy is obvious andbrightgreen. And it’s quite ugly.”

---