Page 43 of Wrecked
Chapter 23
I rolled out from under Mr. Henderson's old Chevand wiped my hands on the rag hanging over the side-mirror. Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the window, I grimaced. I looked exactly how I felt.
Sleep had eluded me; every time I tried to close my eyes Kenzie's face mocked me. It might've been my imagination, but I could still smell her on my sheets. I dropped the old cloth and snatched my water from the bench. It was scorching out, and it was fitting considering I was living in my own version of hell.
My grip around the plastic tightened, and I tried to push aside the anger, which was trying to rise up. Logically, I knew I had no right to be angry with Kenzie. It had always been my decision to take the fall for her, and even with everything I knew now, I'd still do it again in a heartbeat.
You protected the ones you loved no matter what.
And I loved Kenzie with every cell in my body. Sure, I was angry, and my soul had taken a good beating, but that woman was the only one my heart would ever beat for. I'd realized a long time ago that I'd never be over her and the dead feeling inside of me was proof of that.
Like a caterpillar needed a cocoon to turn into a beautiful butterfly, I needed Kenzie to live.
I took a breath through my nose. It might've taken me years to get to a point where she wasn't my every thought, but I'd gotten there eventually, and I would get there again.
"Hey, man."
I glanced over my shoulder and spotted Eli coming toward me, thumbs hooked through his belt loops, his assessing gaze sweeping over the shop.
"What's up?" I greeted him with a lift of my chin.
The now familiar scowl on his face didn't faze me at all. I knew where it stemmed from and I sympathized. The guy had even worse luck than me when it came to love.
"Logan around?"
Leaning my hips against the bench, I crossed my ankles and folded my arms in front of me, "Nah, he went to pick up Dozer's food, but if you ask me he's over there kissing Harper silly in the kitchen."
Eli pulled a face, and something between a groan and a hum passed his lips. Not only was the guy not a fan of public displays of affection, but he was also still finding his way around Harper. They hadn't started off on the best foot. Being the suspicious guy that he was, Eli had completely misread her situation; it'd caused quite a stir between the brothers.
When he didn't leave, I asked, "Was there something you needed?"
He crossed his arms in front of him and widened his stance. With his head cocked to the side the way it was, I already knew what was coming. "So you know that Kenzie woman?"
I narrowed my eyes and hissed, "You know I know her, Chase gossips more than the old ladies at the hair salon."
Eli's lips twitched, which was about the closest thing to a smile the guy was willing to give. He cleared his throat, "Chase might've mentioned something, besides even a blind man could see the way you were undressing her with your eyes the other night." He pinched his nose, "I just don't need any more drama in my town. That thing with Harper's ex, had been enough."
I pushed off the bench and mirrored his stance. "What are you talking about?"
He raised an eyebrow, "If drinks are getting spiked, catfights are right behind it." His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, "And she has a boyfriend. Dean Mathis, I believe is his name." Eli, the thorough Sheriff that he was, made a point of running background checks on every Willow Creek newcomer. I did say he was suspicious.
His words registered and the bastard's name had me clenching my jaw. "Yeah, well, I'm drama free, my friend. She left town last night."
Eli nodded, and relief softened his features a bit. "I hate to say this, but it's for the best, man. Girls like that ain't good for the old ticker, ya know."
Too bad she's the only one it beats for.
"So, are we seeing you on Friday?" He held up his hand, "And before you decline, momma wanted me to tell you that she's about to put your face on a milk carton."
I couldn't help but smile. When I'd started over in Willow Creek, Logan's family had treated me like one of their own. They'd given me so much; essentially I'd gained back the family I'd lost and then some. Most days, I felt like an ungrateful idiot 'cause I'd trade it all to be able to spend my life with Kenzie.
I needed to stop thinking like that, it wasn't going to happen. My happily ever after belonged to Dean-asshole-Mathis.
"I'll be there."
Chapter 24
Having lunch with your parents shouldn't be nerve-wracking. And yet, as I stood in front of the imposing white door, my nerves were hanging on by the tiniest of threads. I glanced down at my outfit and just knew the sparks were going to fly the moment Diana Michaels laid eyes on me.
