Page 73 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“You already ran off to the city. Like she did.”
“That was nothing to do with my designation and everything to do with my wedding,” I mumble. “Anyway, I’m going to be here for a while.”
“I’m glad. I missed you, Bea.”
“I missed you too.” I kiss her hand. “And I think you ought to make up with Aunt Julia. She wants to make things up with you.”
My mom squints at me. “Is that what she said?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Then maybe I’ll think about it.”
She stands back up and surveys all the clothes piled up on her bed. “Talking of forgiveness…”
I cringe. Has Serena been around here too?
“Yes?”
“Karl came to see me.”
I almost vomit.
“You let him in?”
“He brought flowers. Tulips. My favorite kind.”
I glare at her. “Dad wants to sever his brakes.”
“Your dad wasn’t home,” Mom says. “He wanted to know where you were. He said he wants to make things up with you.”
“Only because Serena has dumped his ass.”
“No, he said he realized he made a horrible mistake. That you’re the love of his life and always will be. Isn’t that sweet?”
“Ewww, no. Mom, Karl left me standing at the altar. He stole our honeymoon. He took Serena with him.”
“Yes, but he’s very sorry for all that. And he’s such a sweet boy. The two of you were so cute together.”
I stand up. “I’m going to take a shower.” It’s not just the grime and dirt of the journey I need to wash away. It’s the thought of Karl too.
“Did you want me to let him know you’re home? We could invite him around for dinner.”
“Mom, no! Do not do that. Urgh!” I spin around and storm off to the shower. Hoping for once in my life she listens to me. Hoping shitty McShithead won’t be waiting for me when I emerge out of the bathroom. Wondering if I really can spend the next six months working here in Naw Creek and avoiding my ex-fiancé.
* * *
Maybe the showergods were listening to my whinging, because the next morning, my dad knocks on my bedroom door with a cup of coffee and a concerned expression.
“There’s a man waiting on the doorstep for you.”
I tug the pillow from under my head and slam it over my face. “If it’s Karl, tell him I’ve contracted leprosy and it would be very foolish of him to see me.”
“It’s not Karl. This man is much taller. And bigger. And he’s wearing a watch I think I saw advertised once for $5,000.”
I sit up bolt right. “What does he look like?”
“Fair.”
