Page 16 of Falls County

LUKE

I stopped at the end of the field when I saw his pickup pull in. Jumping the corn stalks he made his way over with a cooler in hand. Drake hopped in the combine tossing me a beer.

“Thanks man.”

“Here, I got us pizza too.”

Grabbing a slice, I took a bite. “Hell yeah. Thanks man.”

“Dude I heard Kaci’s back.” He mumbled through the food in his mouth.

My heart began to race. “Don’t even fuck with me like that.”

“I don’t know except my Aunt Kay told my mom she saw her at the store in the town over yesterday.” He chuckled before drinking some of his beer. “She said Kaci thought she was Kim. She didn’t realize they were twins.”

“Why didn’t she know Kim had a twin?” I swear I’ve told her before.

“How the fuck should I know?”

I turned the combine around starting the next pass and swung the auger out.

“That doesn’t mean she’s back.” Pressing the unload button I watched the corn flow into the grain cart. I cracked my beer and took a long pull. “Does it?”

My mind drifted to the first few months she was gone.

One Year Ago

The whiskey warmed my body. I was so close to being numb. I would never forget her but I could try. I could try to fill this hole in my chest. I could try to numb the pain.

The door to the bar slammed open. Glancing back, I noticed the group of guys stumbling in were douche bags. They were when we were in high school. Not much has changed since then. I didn’t consider the two of them friends anymore. Ever since they fucked with Kaci. They were more acquaintances maybe. They were on the football team with me so we had to all hang out.

The stool beside me pulled out before a hand clapped me on the back. “How the hell are you man?” Collins asked.

“Living the fucking dream.” I downed the rest of my drink and signaled for another.

“Dude I heard about you and Sanders.”

I tried to keep my scowl from showing. My blood boiled at the way her last name rolled off his tongue.

“Yeah what the fuck man. Weren’t you guys engaged or something?” Leeman chimed in sitting on the other side of me.

“Shut the fuck up Lee.” I always hated this guy. He was always cocky in high school. Not to mention all the times he fucked Gracey over. Who knew all Quarterbacks were assholes.

“I’m just saying. A piece of ass like that… I would never let that get away.” His and Collins hands fists met in front of my face. Thy expected me to fist bump over my almost wife who left me not to long ago? Rage coursed through my veins. “Just imagine how many guys are trying to hit that right now.”

Slamming my drink down on the bar the glass shattered in my hand. Shards of glass and whiskey coated the bar. I kicked back my stool hauling Leeman out of his. Gripping his shirt, I didn’t stop pushing him until his back met the wall. My fist flew across his cheek. I could hear Kim and Collins yelling my name but I didn’t give a fuck.

“Wanna say some more shit about Kaci?” I pressed him up harder against the wall before turning my scowl to Collins. “What about you Collins?”

“Sorry man I didn’t…” Lee started before I let go of his shirt dropping him. He scrambled up off the floor away from me. Blood dripped from his nose.

“Both of you out!” Kim yelled as I went behind the bar to grab a rag.

“But Luke…” Collins began before I cut him off.

“This is her bar and she said to get the fuck out!” I spat. Grabbing the trash can I began to wipe the glass off the bar into it. I rinsed out the rag before spraying down the bar and cleaning up the rest of the whiskey.

“I’m really sorry about that Kim.”

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