Page 14 of Make Me Trust Again
The bell chimes, drawing our attention as two women enter. “I’m free now. I’m waiting for my truck to be done at Darrow’s.”
“Sounds like a plan. C’mon back.” She turns her attention to the chatting women and smiles at them. “Hi, ladies. What can we get for you?”
I try to stay out of the way as Rebecca moves behind the counter and works on orders, showing me how the machines work and where I can find everything. There is a lot, all the different ingredients and recipes make my head spin. But I’mdetermined to learn. I will not be blowing this chance she’s given me.
In between customers, Rebecca and I go over my terms and paycheck, and I give her my information for the contract.
“There, you’re all set.”
I take the contract and just stare at it.
I have a job.
An actual job.
My throat goes tight as some of the weight I’ve been carrying for the last few months falls off my shoulders.
“Thank you so much,” I croak out, my words coming out raspy. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Don’t stress about it.” Rebecca smiles at me, her hazel eyes crinkling at the corners.
Another pair of hazel eyes pops into my mind, these more serious, hiding so much darkness and pain behind them—something a part of me recognized all too well.
It seems that the Williams’ siblings keep saving me these days.
“I don’t know how to repay you. I was such a bitch to you in high school, and now you’re giving me a job…”
“Oh, please. I gave it as good as I got.” Rebecca shrugs. “We’re not those girls any longer. Besides, I need an employee, and you’re looking for a job. It’s a win-win in my book. But I’m warning you, now that you work here, you won’t be able to avoid coming to our monthly book club sessions.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “I think I’ll survive.”
Grabbing my things, I make my way to the mechanic, where my truck is waiting for me with brand new tires. I chat for a bit with Mrs. Darrow at the checkout before slipping into the truck. I still have enough time to stop by my house and take a quick shower before I have to pick Kyle up from school and take him to speech therapy.
I’m just about to pull in front of my parents’ house when I spot the shiny sports car parked in my spot, and any excitement and relief I was feeling dissipates immediately.
“You’ve gotta be shitting me,” I mutter as I come to a sudden stop, my fingers curling around the steering wheel to the point my knuckles have turned white.
So much for my luck.
Parking on the street, I grab my things and go inside. For a moment, I’m hoping to sneak past them, but my mom lifts her head just as I slip into the hallway.
“Rose.” Mom smiles at me as she waves me over. “Good, you’re here; we were just talking about you.”
“You don’t say,” I mutter dryly, not even trying to hide my annoyance. I don’t want them talking about me. Hell, I don’t want to see John at all.
“Yes, John here stopped by just a little?—”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I shift my attention from my mom to my ex.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss at John, who just smiles sheepishly.
“I don’t know what you mean. I’m just drinking some sweet tea with my mother-in-law.”
“Ex-mother-in-law,” I grit through my clenched teeth. I don’t have it in me to play his games.
Something dark gleams in his eyes, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Rose!” Mom chastises, glaring at me. “Language, young lady. I raised you better than that.”
