Page 78 of Claiming What's Mine

The coffee pot popped and spat as the hot liquid began to pour out from the spout. Beth had taken out two mugs while I was reliving that kiss, and had put them on the counter.

“Sugar?” she asked as she poured the coffee into the mugs.

“Yeah, and cream or milk if you have it.”

“I might, let me see.” Beth checked the fridge, then started going through the cupboard and pantry. “I have this.” Showing me a plastic bottle of powdered creamer, she read the back. “It says it expired four months ago though.”

“That's alright, I'll drink it black, it's fine.”

“Sorry, we haven't gone food shopping.” Beth brought the mugs over and handed me one. Taking the creamer off the counter, she threw it in the trash. “My father used to love that shit.”

Sipping the coffee, it was strong, but good. “My mother only ever drank tea when I was growing up, and my father didn't drink either one. My dad always said anything that gives you the jitters was the work of the devil. I was afraid to try anything that wasn't water for years.” Laughing, I took a big sip of the coffee, and swallowed it quickly before the bitterness hit my tongue.

“Your dad's the pastor at St. Rose, right?”

“Yeah, he was, not anymore though.”

Beth held her mug as she looked out the window. “My brother has been through a lot, you know that. Our father was an asshole, especially to Jay, he didn't deserve to be treated that way.”

“I know, your brother is amazing, I've always know that. What he went through, what you both went through, it wasn't right.”

Flicking her eyes to mine, her lips folded down into a thick grimace. “Then do what's right, don't let him learn things through rumors, Betty-Sue, it's not fair to him.”

What the hell is she talking about?

“Excuse me?”

Beth leaned forward, her expression stern as she arched her brows and flared her nostrils. “The whole town knows, Betty, everyone but my brother, and he's the only person who really matters.”

I felt my eyes as they welled up and the air around me grow hot. I had no words for her, because she was right.

All these years I had been a coward, afraid to speak the truth, afraid to take control and do what I knew was right.

I wish I had more options, but I didn't.

“It wasn't up to me, Beth.” My voice pleaded with her to understand where I was coming from. If she could understand anything, she could understand what it felt like to not be given a choice.

“It might not have been back then, but it is now.” Sitting back in her chair, she held the mug to her lips as she spoke. “You owe him the truth, we both know that.”

“I don't know how to say it.” Tears started to roll down my cheeks, dropping off my face and plopping onto the table. “There aren't any words.”

For years this secret was swept under the rug, and I was expected to act like I was the Virgin Mary or something. It wasn't fair to either of us, but what the hell was I supposed to do? I was just a kid.

“You need to find the words.” Beth stretched her arm across the table and gripped my wrist. “You can't hide it forever.”

The back door swung shut with a loud bang, making us both jump in our seats. Whipping my head over my shoulder, Jayden was standing in the doorway, holding a bag from the coffee shop in town.

“Hey, it looks like someone else just died.” Jayden glanced between us, a knowing look in his eyes. “What's going on?”

Pushing back from her seat, Beth smiled at me, then at her brother. “I'll leave you two to talk.”

Jayden crooked his chin, furrowing his brows as he watched her walk away. “Alright, this isn't awkward or anything.” Setting the bag on the counter, he side stepped around the shitty floor board and came to my side. Kissing the top of my head, he placed his hand on my back. “What time did you get here?”

Sniffling, I wiped my nose with the back of my arm. “A little bit ago.”

“Are you alright, Blue? What's wrong? Why are you crying?” His voice deepened as his eyes shot in the direction Beth had gone. “Did she say something to you? Beth—” he started to yell, but I stopped him with a single touch to his wrist.

“No, she didn't do or say anything.” Looking down at my hands, I picked at the cuticle on my thumb nail. “It's just a lot of lost years, that's all. So much time has come between us.”

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