Page 82 of Cinderella Screwed Me Over
He put his hand on my thigh. “No worries. I got you now, babe.”
Warmth filled me, that peace and security I got around Jake—especially when he said things like that—and then I was rethinking this plan all over again.
Better to find out now than when I truly can’t pull away, right?Before there’s talk of the future and houses and kids and things that made my blood pressure rise, even when they were only hypothetical.
Five miles later, we pulled off the main road. The change in my ashtray clanged together as we drove down the bumpy dirt road leading to the ranch. I slowed to a stop in front of the house and waited for the cloud of dirt around us to settle before getting out.
“So, here we are.” I exited the car and took a deep breath of dust-and manure-tinged air.
Ah. Smells like home.
On the way to the trunk to grab the groceries, amewcaught my attention. “Hi, Swampthing.” I squatted down and ran my hand down the cat’s back. She had long multicolored hair that was matted in places, sticking straight up in others. Even her purr sounded rattley. Which was why Drew had named her Swampthing.
Mom and Dwight came out of the house to greet us. “Hello,” Mom said to Jake, positively beaming at him. I’d been blunt about my relationship stance, but I could tell by the way she looked at Jake that she hoped I’d changed my mind.
I introduced everyone, and Dwight gave Jake a firm handshake.
Mom was a hugger, so she went for one. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She turned and threw her arms around me. I was several inches taller, even without my heels, so I had to hunch over.
“We’d better get the ice cream in.” I used my keychain to pop the trunk and everyone pitched in to take the groceries into the house.
Drew and Devin walked into the kitchen as we were putting the last of the food away.
“Hey,” Drew said to me, then turned to Jake, hand extended. “I’m… Have we met? You look kind of familiar.”
Jake shook Drew’s hand. “I live in Darby’s building. I ran into you two in the elevator one night.”
Drew furrowed his brow. “I guess Darby forgot to introduce us. She thinks I’m embarrassing.”
“You were telling the story about how I slapped Ralph at Devin and Anne’s wedding. Youareembarrassing.” I pointed to Drew. “This is Drew, and that’s Devin. Guys, this is Jake.”
Jake looked from Devin to Drew. “It might take me a little while to get names straight.” I never thought they looked that much alike. Not like most twins I’d seen.
Drew gave Jake a firm pat on the back. “Let us show you around, Jake. We’ll leave Darby here to do girl stuff.”
I shot Drew a dirty look. “If you don’t watch it, I’m going to pop you one, then we’ll see who’s crying like a girl.”
“Which reminds me,” Drew said as he and Devin led Jake out of the room, “we do have the footage of Darby slapping that guy if you want to see it later.”
They insisted on doing the tour—the tour they gave to all “city boys”—alone. The few times my brothers and I had fought about it, my boyfriend at the time always insisted he’d be fine without me there. So I’d stopped fighting. I probably should’ve done a better job warning Jake what he was in for, but then again, I might as well see if he could handle it now. Then I wouldn’t have a big what-if hanging over me.
Mom pulled vegetables out of the fridge and placed them on the counter. I sat on a stool opposite her. “Need help?”
Mom slid the cutting board, carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce toward me. “You can make the salad.”
Noticing how quiet the house was, I asked, “Where are Anne and the kids?”
“They’ll be up in a few. Ava was napping and Anne didn’t want to wake her. Devin was excited to come down and show Jake around, though.” Mom glanced out the window. “I hope they’re nice to him. He seems like a good guy.”
“Don’t they all in the beginning.” I headed to the sink to wash my hands.
“I worry about you, sweetheart. You used to be all about love and romance. Somewhere along the way you got so down on it, and I don’t want you to live like that. Finding someone you love is really great.”
I dried my hands on a dishtowel. “I’m glad you have Dwight. But didn’t you feel that way at first about Dad, too?”
Mom sighed. “Your father and I, we were young, and I didn’t realize how much work marriage takes. I can look back now and see all the mistakes I made, but hindsight is always twenty-twenty.”
I grabbed the lettuce and knife and sat back down.
