Page 84 of Mustang Summer

She spilled her heart and he threw the truck into and gear and eased back on the road.

He either believed her or he didn’t.That was the way Brock worked.

She pinched the bridge of her nose.For having sat around for three days, she was exhausted.

Lush green dips and valleys cruised by, interspersed with golden fields of wheat and sunflowers.Broad, yellow heads followed the sun to the west.A soothing picture that quenched the worst of the turmoil in her head.

She’d need a new job.A new place to live.Oh shit, would she need legal representation?Worst case scenario, Bill would go to jail and high-five Jesse in prison, and Josie would be on her own.The business would get sold.Hell, she’d give it away.Gage could have it and square all the debt with his uncle.The money owed was as much his fault as Bill’s.

Her personal life had crumbled, too.The house was under Bill’s name; she was basically a roommate.At some point, she’d have to go back and gather the rest of her stuff and if she could, Jesse’s and what was left of her mother’s.What would Bill do if she left it?Give it all away or burn it?

She didn’t even have a car to use to go back and collect anything.

Hot tears streamed down her cheeks.She wanted to scream at the unfairness, but it was all her own undoing.She’d let the people in her life back her into a corner.The only person who hadn’t wasn’t acting like he wanted her in his life.

A sob caught in her throat and she couldn’t hold it back.She burst into tears and covered her face.

Brock kept driving.She cried harder.

A few minutes passed and she was dimly aware of the pickup slowing down, but she didn’t bother to look.

She sobbed for herself, for her dad, and for her brother.And God, she missed her mom.Bless her soul.Gone less than a year and the rest of them had fallen apart.

The vehicle stopped and a moment later, a warm hand stroked her back.

Startled, she glanced up.Brock’s brows were pulled together and streetlights glowed in the fading light.He’d parked at a gas station.

“Wait here.”He pulled his hand away and got out to jog into the store.

She collapsed back into her arms, only her seatbelt held her up.

She didn’t know how long Brock was gone, but he returned, filling the cab with his unique scent of soap, laundry detergent, and faint undertones of engine grease.A bag rustled and piqued her curiosity.

He nudged her shoulder.A banana was shoved in her face.

She stared at it blankly.

“You said you were hungry,” he explained.“I thought this would make you feel better.”He rifled through the bag.“I also picked up some nuts and water.And chocolate.It always made my mom feel better.”

A giggled escaped, followed by a hiccup.She hastily wiped her eyes and a smile tugged at her lips when a perplexed look crossed his handsome face.

“Did you think I was crying because I was hungry?”

He inclined his head and a muscle leapt in his jaw.“You said you hadn’t been eating well.I was wrong?”

“No.Well, yes, but your heart was in the right place.”She sighed and sank back.“I’m crying because I’ve lost everything, including you.”

“I’m right here.”He offered the banana again.

She looked from him to the banana.Hope flickered, but she didn’t want to read too much into it.No, she wanted to read a ton into it, but Brock was very literal.Throughout the whole car ordeal, the most pressing fear, even more than her concern for Bill’s future, was that she and Brock were done.But he’d rammed the door down when he thought she was in danger.He’d followed her directions and hadn’t kicked her out, but was taking her home.

He was right.Hewashere—with her.

She accepted it with a small smile and tugged the peel down.She offered him half, but he selected a pack of seasoned almonds instead.

They ate in the vehicle.It reminded her of the last time they’d shared a meal, before their relationship had started.They’d been through a lot in their short time together, and he was just as thoughtful as before.

They ate in silence and in place of cleaning the dishes when they were done, he picked up all the wrappers and peels and empty bottles.

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