Page 94 of The Rebound
“But it’s the truth. I didn’t know. If I had, I would have talked to her. Is that why you stopped that night?”
“You mean before I kneed you in the groin?”
“Please,” he says. “I want to know.” And then: “I need to know.”
I don’t respond, staring straight ahead, and after a moment he puts the car in gear, pulling back onto the road.
“She’s been so nice to me since I got back,” I say eventually. “The nicest anyone’s been to me and I couldn’t do that to her. I couldn’t be with you when she… and I’m sorry I let you think I was playing hot and cold. I’m sorry I didn’t think up a better excuse. But she asked me not to say anything to you and I told her I wouldn’t. She’d be so embarrassed if she knew about this. I mean, if I were in her shoes, I’d…” I trail off at the expression on his face. “Are you smiling?”
“No,” he says quickly.
“You are! I’m telling you I’m a terrible person and you’re smiling.”
“I’m sorry,” he says, not sounding sorry at all. “I guess I’m relieved.”
“You’re relieved I’m someone who goes around kissing other people’s crushes?”
“I’m relieved we’re finally starting to get somewhere. I’m relieved that horrified look on your face was because of Beth and not because of me.” He straightens, looking determined. “It’s good that you told me.’
“No, it’s not.”
“It is. I can talk to her. Clear the air.”
“No! No talking! Did you hear a word of what I just said? You can’t say anything. She can’t know I said anything.”
“I can’t keep secrets, Abby.”
“But it’s bad enough that I told you about it in the first place. Do you know how many friends I have? Like real ones? Two. Two and a half if you count Rory. One is Jess and the other is Beth and I am not going to hurt her any more than I already have.”
“You’ve got to trust me on this. I know her and no matter how badly you think she’s going to—”
“Cow.”
“What?”
“Cow!” I yell, pointing out the windshield. Luke curses, braking hard to avoid the animal standing in the middle of the road, and we’re both thrust forward, straining against our seat belts.
“Shit.” The coffee does what it’s been threatening to do and spills over the lid of the cup, going all down the front of my blouse.
“Christ.” Luke pulls over again, the bushes scraping against the side of the car. “Are you okay? Did it burn you?”
“I’m fine. It’s warm.”
Luke takes the cup from me and gets out, tipping the remains into the bushes before trying to herd the unimpressed cow back into a neighboring field. I stare down at my ruined outfit. My punishment.
Cow successfully diverted, Luke hurries back to the car. “There’s a shopping center a few miles up ahead,” he says, getting in. “We can be in and out in no time.”
“We don’t need to,” I say, reaching for my bag. “I’ve got another dress.”
“You brought a spare change of clothes with you?”
“Of course I did. I’m a professional.”
“Well, that’s great,” he says, relieved. “We’ll just… what are you doing?”
He leans out of the way as I wiggle into the back seat. “Changing.”
“Now? We can stop at a petrol station.”
