Unpredictable Love Page 10

  “Nan said I should ask.”

  “Don’t be silly. It’s fine with me.”

  “Good. Cause I already invited him!” Amber giggled.

  Jory drove over the night before so she could be in on the dinner with Troy. He was an amazingly good-looking young man with hair almost as blond as Amber’s. Tall, maybe six three, with broad shoulders. He gushed on about Amber. He accomplished the impossible—he impressed Jory. This guy seemed to truly love her crazy sister. The older sibling silently chided herself for being shocked.

  The next morning, the entire town buzzed, the old and young, alike, scurried around, dusting off basement treasures and arguing about the best way to arrange their used goods. Couples set up tables in front of their houses, displaying their stuff. Children destroyed kitchens preparing lemonade and cookies to sell to thirsty shoppers. The women’s club had a spot by the firehouse. Even the Sheriff’s office gave space in their parking lot to a group of retired cops and firemen to make a few bucks.

  Mismatched plates, incomplete sets of dishes, old bikes, radios with a slight crack in the case, hard cover and paperback books by the dozens, kitchen appliances, tools, well-loved toys, board games missing a piece, jigsaw puzzles, and newly-washed clothing filled card tables, folding tables, driveways, front porches, and lawns. Pine Grove was decked out for the sale of the year. Folks were already deciding how to spend the large amounts of cash they hoped to rake in.

  Amber and Nan had gone through the attic to select things from their parents’ house to dump. They added artwork, barely-worn clothing, books, Uncle Ben’s old pipes, and other items Nan had saved over the years. Jory agreed to part with the things they had selected and added two boxes of second-hand stuff she’d left in her room for the sale.

  She reminisced for an hour or two upstairs. Happy memories of her parents and her early life with them warmed her, bringing a smile to her lips. She dusted off the small, china animals she and her mother had collected together. A few pictures, a famous saying needlepointed by her mom, and framed by her dad, were still there. Parking her rear on an old piano stool, Jory flipped through the snapshots, stopping to recall the adventures she’d shared with her folks and beloved friends.

  These memories were hers alone. Amber had been either a baby or not even born when some of the photos had been taken. Jory had enjoyed a period of seven years of being the only child. Her time with her parents was memorialized here. With her heart still hurting, she needed this time with them, even if it was only on paper. The images of their smiling faces soothed her spirit. She sensed their presence.

  By the time she descended the steep attic steps, the sun was beating down bright and hot on the front lawn. Nan had busied herself making three gallons of sweet tea while the young women set up the table. Jory bowed to Amber’s artistic sense of what should go where and which tablecloths they should use.

  “We don’t have enough tags. Dammit.” Amber crossed her arms over her chest.

  “We need tape, and this tablecloth has seen better days. It belongs in the garbage. Let’s head down to The Country Store,” Jory said.

  Amber made a face.

  “Come on. We’ll get ice cream at the Frosty Freeze too. My treat.”

  “You’re paying? I want a hot fudge sundae.”

  Jory laughed. “You got it.”

  They piled into Jory’s old car and toddled down the road. Unfortunately, The Country Store was sold out of all the things they needed. They had their ice cream, and Jory persuaded her sister to go to the big dollar store two towns away. As they rode, Amber talked about Troy.

  “He’s doing real well at the hardware store. Someday, he’s gonna be a manager.”

  “He’s a hard worker?”

  Cookie nodded. “Oh, yes. He works more overtime than anyone. That’s how he got the money to buy me this watch.” Her sister flashed the beautiful timepiece on her wrist.

  “Teach him to save his money. Then, he can buy you a house, and you can get married.”

  “Don’t worry about me. It’s you we’ve got to worry about. You need a man. And not some broken one who breaks your heart, either. A whole guy. Nice. Who appreciates you. You’re one in a million, Jory.”

  Her eyes watered. “Thanks, Cookie.”

  Saturday mornings, the dollar store was busy. The women divided up their list of items and each went her way. Jory picked up a basket and headed for the craft aisle. Amber joined her a few minutes later with everything but two must-haves.

  “You get the tape and pick out a tablecloth. I’ll get on line.”

  Amber agreed. Jory selected the first line she saw. It didn’t matter if it was longer than the others, her sister would have more time to find the last necessities. Humming Julian Lennon’s song, she almost passed out when she glanced at the doorway. There, leaning against a cane and wearing sunglasses, stood SSGT Trent Stevens.

  * * * *

  Jory’s mouth fell open. She sucked in air while her heartrate doubled. She tightened her grip on the basket. Glancing around for an escape route, like a rabbit cornered by a fox, the young woman didn’t know where to go. She froze, staring at the young man. He filled out a snug T-shirt and jeans. Tall and lean, he looked as handsome and sexy as his picture.

  Jory had never seen him in street clothes. She couldn’t tear her gaze from him. He removed the dark glasses. His eyes connected with hers, and her heart stopped completely. She held her breath, her mouth as dry as a wad of cotton, as discovery loomed.

  But there was no acknowledgment in his look. As if she was a total stranger to him, he shot her a cold glare before turning away. Realization that he didn’t know who she was washed over her, making her weak. Of course, he wouldn’t recognize her. He had never seen her before. Jory didn’t know whether to cheer or sob.

  She leaned against a display for support. The pain of being non-existent to him was worse than she could have imagined. She froze. The man behind her nudged her to go forward. Jory stepped out of the line. Turning to him, she murmured, “Forgot something.”

  Trent moved steadily. His limp didn’t appear to slow him down much. He was headed for the sale rack in front. A familiar voice grabbed Jory’s attention. Amber was talking as she walked down the aisle toward the check out.

  Panic seized Jory by the throat. With shallow breathing, she waved at her sister and shook her head furiously to get her to stop where she was. Amber glanced up, gave her a quizzical look, then resumed her path toward disaster.

  The moment she came into view, Jory closed her eyes, but couldn’t shut out Trent’s greeting.

  “Jory!” he called, moving toward Amber.

  Jory’s eyes flew open.

  The younger woman looked up, confused. Jory shook her head again and brought her finger to her lips. Amber got the message and turned to face her pen pal quickly approaching. The older girl muttered a quick prayer that her sister would play along and not expose her.

  “Wait! Jory. I want to talk to you.”

  Amber tapped her foot, watching Jory sneak up closer, pretending to be studying a box of laundry detergent. Jory focused her eyes on some fabric softener on a shelf in the aisle where Amber awaited her doom. When he got close, Jory held her breath, her ears tuned to every syllable.

  “It’s me, Trent. Hasn’t been that long. I’d think you’d remember.”

  “Oh, yes. I do, I do.” Amber nodded, but there was confusion in her eyes.

  “Just want you to know that I know all about you.”

  “You do?” was her feeble, pleading reply.

  “Yeah. I saw you get in that convertible, and kiss some guy.”

  “Guy? You must mean Troy.”

  “I don’t give a fuck what his name was. I saw you. You kissed him. After telling me you weren’t seeing anyone. You lied. You led me on. Slept with me. Was that a pity fuck?”

  “Please, keep your voice down.” Amber’s face reddened. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s j
ust what I thought you’d say. Liar. Bitch.”

  Jory closed her eyes. Maybe it was justified for Amber to get the grief for her sister’s action. Wait. No one had been unfaithful. Jory’s heart sank. What had started as a simple deception, a little white lie, had become a tangled web of deceit.

  Jory’s heart hurt for Trent. And now, the hole she was in simply got deeper and darker. He thought her a liar, deceiver, a two-timer. Would a confession of the truth fix that or make it worse? Would he call her a liar and a bitch too? She shuddered.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Amber said.

  “Oh, really?” He shifted his weight.

  “Really. Now, if you’d get out of my way, I’ll pay and leave.”

  “Of course,” he said, taking a step to the side. “I’d never stand in your way. I’m sure men are lined up to take you out. Why would you bother with a washed up Marine? I sure as hell wouldn’t if I were you. Do you sleep with every guy you feel sorry for?”

  “If you weren’t injured, I’d slap your face. This wasn’t meant to hurt you. Look, I can’t explain anymore. I’m sorry things turned out this way. Please excuse me. I have to go. I wish you a happy life.” Amber lowered her gaze to the floor and made a beeline for the checkout. After shooting a hostile glare at her sister, she accepted the spot in line the man who had been behind Jory offered.

  Jory stood so close to Trent, she could smell his aftershave.

  He turned to face her. His eyes were a beautiful hazel. But the cold look of disgust in them froze her blood. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s rude to stare? Haven’t you ever seen a man with a cane before?” His brusque, glacial tone sliced through her guts, hurting almost as much as having him look upon her as a stranger. The shock of the encounter left her trembling as he strode out of the store.

  In her wildest dreams, she’d never imagined their next meeting would be like this. Humiliation and regret washed over her as she took in what he’d said. Jory handed the basket to her sister and fished some money out of her purse.

  “I’ll wait outside,” she whispered, shoving the bills in Amber’s fist.

  “You’ll stay right here with me! You’re the reason that man humiliated me in public.”

  “I don’t feel well. I’m going to the car.” Dizzy, Jory clutched her sister’s forearm.

  “You okay?” Amber touched her sibling’s forehead.

  Jory’s mind swirled. She took a deep breath, patted her sister, and managed to get to the parking lot. She eased into the passenger side, as she was in no shape to drive, and shut the door with a shaking hand. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

  In a few moments, Amber opened the door. “You want me to drive?”

  “Yes.”

  “You hate my driving.”

  “Today, you drive.” Jory didn’t open her eyes.

  “I’ve never seen you like this. Are you all right?”

  “How did he see you with Troy? At McDonald’s? Maybe he came by the house. Did you see him?”

  Amber shook her head as she put the car in reverse. “Nope.”

  “Maybe you were preoccupied or something. Obviously, he saw you kissing Troy and thought you were me.”

  “I guess.”

  “Thought you were two-timing him. That’s why he hasn’t been around. Not because he was dumping me. But because you broke his heart.”

  “Not me. I didn’t break his heart, you did.”

  “This is very confusing,” Jory said.

  “Did you sleep with him? In the hospital?”

  “None of your business.”

  “He announced it to the whole store. That makes it my business. Did you see the looks some of those old ladies gave me? Could freeze Hell.”

  Jory laughed. “That sex embarrasses you is hilarious.”

  “You’re just lucky I didn’t tell him it was you. What are you going to do now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What did he say to you before he left?”

  “Told me off for staring. Thought it was because he had a cane. He said I was rude. It was awful, Cookie.” Her voice quavered. “The cold way he looked at me. Like he didn’t know me. Like I was some stranger. The first time I see his eyes and they’re hateful. I don’t know what to do.” Tears wetted Jory’s cheeks.

  Her sister patted her arm. “Don’t worry, sis. You’ll figure it out. I must say I have new respect for you.”

  “You do?” Jory rummaged through her purse, looking for a tissue.

  “Sex in the hospital. That’s pretty awesome. Even I’ve never done that.”

  “Probably the only place you haven’t.”

  “Shut up, girl!” Amber gave her a playful smack on the thigh.

  When they returned home, Jory trudged up the stairs, all the way to the attic, and shut the door. She fingered a large portrait of her parents. “Mom, Dad, I’ve done something bad. I really screwed up this time. What should I do? I need your advice. Please, help me,” she whispered.

  She clasped the wooden frame to her chest and cried.

  A few minutes later, Amber knocked. Jory lay on the sofa, where she had nodded off, still clutching the photo.

  “Hey, sis. Open up.”

  “It’s not locked,” Jory said in a sleepy voice.

  Amber entered and joined her sister on the couch. The two girls stared at the ceiling, like they had done in the past. It was their spot for serious talks. All the important ones had taken place in the attic. This would be added to the list.

  “You have to come to the sale today.”

  “Nope. Don’t feel like it.”

  “I’ve got everything set up. Come on. People are asking for you.”

  “Yeah, right. Like who?”

  “Laura Dailey, for one.”

  Jory snorted. “So?”

  “You’re moping. This isn’t going to help you. Stop your pity party and get downstairs.”

  “After that encounter, I’m entitled to a pity party.”

  “Look, why don’t we write this off as a little mistake, forget it, and move on.”

  “It’s hard for me. I was in love with him.”

  “I know. You were. Not anymore.”

  “I don’t know now. After today, well, it was a game changer.”

  “So forget him. He’s forgotten you. Move on. Come on, Jory. I need your help.”

  Jory blew out a breath, frowned, and sat up. “You always need my help.”

  “You’re not around much anymore. So, I’ve got to get it when I can.”

  Jory chuckled. “You never change, Cookie.”

  “And neither do you. You’re still the best sister that ever was.”

  The women hugged and pushed up to their feet.

  “We’ve got some junk to sell. Let’s get this show started,” Amber said, patting some blush and powder over Jory’s face.

  Chapter Eight

  Trent got behind the wheel and drove to Dan’s. He thought he’d feel better after telling Jory off, but he didn’t. Part of him had wanted her to say she’d made a mistake with that other guy, and it was really Trent she loved. But it hadn’t happened. He chided himself for being a baby, a naïve, stupid jerk, for wishing her back in his life.

  Dan was outside watering the shrubs when Trent returned. He raised his gaze. “Hey, where’s the stuff you were going to get?”

  “Oh, shit! I can’t believe I forgot that.”

  “What the hell? Something happen?”

  Trent could feel heat in his cheeks. “You might say that.” He rubbed his neck.

  The older man turned off the hose, and they went inside. Dan sank down on the sofa. “Wanna tell me?”

  “No. But I will anyway. I ran into that bitch, Jory. I couldn’t believe it—there she was, skipping down the aisle, like she wasn’t leaving destroyed men in her wake. Smiling. Happy. If she’d been a man, I’d have decked her.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. Jory. Told her off too. Told her off good.”

>   Dan smacked his palm into his forehead. “You didn’t.”

  “I did. She had it coming. I don’t see the problem.”

  “You got so wrapped up in humiliating her, that you forgot our list of supplies.”

  “That’s about it.”

  The phone rang, and Dan answered. “It’s for you.”

  “Me?”

  “It’s Jory.”

  “That bitch? Forget it,” Trent said, turning away.

  “Take it. Take it. You should listen. There are some things you don’t know.”

  “I know she’s a liar and a two-timer. What else do I need to know?”

  “Give her one more chance. You might be surprised.”

  “Really?” Trent cocked an eyebrow.

  “For me?” Dan held the phone out and wiggled it.

  “Okay, okay. But I’m not going to believe some bullshit,” Trent said, taking the receiver.

  “Trent?” The voice was familiar, but shaky.

  “Yeah. What the fuck do you want?”

  Dan slipped out, giving Trent privacy.

  “I want you to let me explain. In person. One more time. Please.”

  “Why should I?”

  “There are things you don’t know.”

  “I’ve seen the truth. What else is there to say? I get it. You’ve got a ton of guys after you. Why should you pick a clunker like me? I got that loud and clear. So, what’s the point of rehashing it?” He reached for the phone base.

  “Wait! Wait. Please! Give me one more chance.”

  He put the receiver back to his ear. “Why?”

  “Because I want to tell you the truth. I need to. It’s not fair to you. I have to do it in person.”

  “So, there’s something I don’t know?”

  “Yes. That’s it. Please.”

  “Where?”

  “You know where I live, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Meet me in the backyard, by the bird feeders.”

  “When?”

  “An hour?”

  “Done.” He hung up.

  Dan returned to the room. “What happened?”

  “I’m an asshole, a sucker. I agreed to meet her. Says she had some truth to tell me.”