Page 88 of The Runaway and the Rugged
“Don’t know if that’ll help,” he confessed. “Don’t know if I want that either.”
His arms were unbelievably stiff at his sides until I felt the firm, scraping touch of his fingertips against my hip bone. All the words died on my tongue.
“Causin’ all kinds of trouble for me, you and that mouth, that face, that sunshine.”
My eyes all but begged for him to kiss me already. He was close enough to lower his mouth, to at least graze his mustache along my upper lip and give me something instead of this torture.
And just when I thought our curiosity would be satisfied, our wants fulfilled, the faint hum of chatter just beyond the door had us both stiffening. In a matter of seconds, Garth had steppedback, removing himself entirely from my space, leaving me even more confused and unsure than before.
He refused to acknowledge me, his gaze now on the door that was opening, revealing a showered Grace and Greta in tow.
“Hey, did you… Dad? What are you doing here?” she asked, throwing her dirty clothes into a hamper before settling in close to me.
“Nothin’, just wanted to see if you were awake.” He coughed into his palm, completely severing the moment we shared. Though it was probably for the best.
“Well, I’m awake.” She sent him a strange glance. “Can you maybe leave so it can be just girls in here? I’ll come downstairs in a little bit.”
All I wanted to do was leave, but I had a feeling Grace wouldn’t want that or let me.
“Sure, yeah, I’ll, uh, leave.” He all but stomped from her room and closed the door behind himself. Even Greta noticed something was off as she shot me a glance.
“Why’s he actin’ all weird?” she asked, but I couldn’t tell if her question was directed at me or if she was asking it out loud.
For someone with a hangover, she looked a million times better than I did. Though she was in a different outfit, her hair was a mess and smudged makeup still lingered on her face.
“Huh, must still be upset about last night.” She sighed and dropped down onto Grace’s bed. “Speaking of last night, I’m sorry about, well, everything.”
I wasn’t expecting Greta to apologize, but I appreciated it.
“I shouldn’t have let it get that far with drinking, and I hope you don’t think any less of me. Honestly, it’s just been my way of coping and I let that screw up our night.” Her eyes almost looked misty with her confession. “I’m really, truly sorry, Emelia.”
It was her sincere honesty that had me jumping onto the bed beside her. She didn’t appear weirded out or anything, but instead shifted to the side to give me room.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. If you need to talk or anything, just know that I’m here for you.”
Like you were there for me.
She nodded, her silence speaking volumes, and I could tell she truly appreciated what I said without having to speak.
“Uh, move over, I want to lay with you guys too,” Grace announced, causing both Greta and me to giggle, and soon a cascade of dark wet curls came flying at us, the carefree, genuine moment simultaneously curing all my hangover symptoms until they eventually disappeared altogether.
Aside from what had happened with Garth, the weight of it was still there.
And whatever came of it, I hoped I’d have the strength to face it again.
26
EMELIA
It had been three days since Garth and I had almost kissed. And for the three long, torturous days, Garth had barely spoken fifteen words to me. He made every effort to avoid me and when I was invited over to dinner by Winnie, he came up with the “very believable” excuse that he was going to visit an old buddy. I was tempted to call him out right then and there. Demand why he was making this much more awkward and painful than it needed to be.
Was he guilty about what could have happened? Embarrassed? Mad? Whatever it was, I deserved to know. And tonight was the perfect day to confront him about it. Garth called it an early day to go run some errands and Grace pleaded with him to stay here with me.
He very reluctantly agreed, but agreed nonetheless.
Even Grace knew something was up with him, but couldn’t figure it out.
Thankfully.
