Unpredictable Love Read online

  “And you don’t believe her?”

  “Would you?”

  “Don’t drag me into this.”

  “You know, don’t you?”

  Dan held up his palms. “I plead the fifth.”

  “All this time?”

  “Don’t ask me.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  “While you’re out, you might swing by the store and pick up the stuff you forgot.”

  “Good idea. At least the trip won’t be a total waste.”

  “I’m sure it won’t,” Dan said, a smile playing with his lips.

  “There you go. Hinting that you know what’s going on.”

  “Me?”

  “You. And if you don’t stop, I’ll make you tell me.” Trent poked a finger in his friend’s chest.

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “I’m going, before I do something we’ll both regret.” Trent gave Dan a playful slap on the back and headed for his car.

  While he did his shopping, he couldn’t help but wonder what his two-timing girlfriend was going to tell him. He ran through a dozen scenarios in his mind waiting on line at the checkout. He put music on the radio, but didn’t hear it until “Too Late for Goodbyes” came on.

  Was it too late for goodbye? Was his heart so captivated he couldn’t bear to part from her forever? His head warred with his emotions. No sane man would stay with a woman who couldn’t be faithful. He’d wanted to sweep her from his life, but her pleading tone on the phone touched him. He wanted to believe it was all a mistake, but that was like adding one and one and ending up with twelve. It simply didn’t make sense.

  ****

  The minute Jory hung up the phone, she plopped down into a chair.

  Nan came in the kitchen. “What’s up, kitten?”

  “I called Trent. He’s coming over.”

  “Oh my God! Really?”

  “Yes. I’m going to tell him. I didn’t want to do it on the phone. I think it’s only fair to do it in person.”

  Nan put an arm around her niece’s shoulders. “That’s very brave of you.”

  Jory buried her face in her hands, sobbing. “I can’t just run away and leave him. He thinks I’ve been unfaithful. How horrible! He thinks I don’t love him, that I cheated on him. He probably feels like shit.” She stopped to take a breath. “I can’t leave him like that.”

  “You realize he might be a bit ticked off?”

  She nodded. “I know. I expect that. But I love him, and I can’t do that to him, just leave him like that.”

  “He might break it off after you tell him. Are you prepared for that?”

  She shook her head. “Not really. I mean, I know he probably will. Dump me. But I have to do it. I should have done it a long time ago. Before the hospital, even. And when we had that time alone. Oh, God. Why didn’t I do it then?” Another bout of tears stole her words.

  Nan rubbed her back. “Maybe because you didn’t want to upset a guy who was in such bad shape? Maybe ’cause you were looking out for him?”

  “Maybe. But now it seems so selfish.”

  “It wasn’t. There isn’t a selfish bone in your body.”

  “The time has come,” Jory said, glancing at her watch. “He’ll be here in forty-five minutes.”

  “I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed.”

  “Aren’t disturbed about what?” Amber bounced into the kitchen, carrying a shopping bag. “I picked up a few kitchen things from Laura Dailey’s table.” When no one responded to her, Amber looked around. “What’s going on? Who died?” Amber dropped her bag on the table and sat down.

  “Trent Stevens is coming over.”

  “That shithead! What the hell for? If I never see him again…” The younger sibling jumped up and paced.

  “Jory’s going to tell him the truth.”

  Amber stopped. “You are?”

  Jory nodded.

  “Good! Then, he can apologize to me. Boy, he owes me one ginormous sorry.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  Nan rose from her chair. “I don’t think so,” she said, putting her hands on Amber’s shoulders and turning the young woman around. “You’re not going to be anywhere near these two when they have their, uh, conversation. Come with me, Cookie. We have stuff to sell,” Nan said, peeking through the window. “Look, folks are at our table already.”

  Jory climbed the stairs to her bathroom and washed her face. She dabbed on some make-up, combed her hair, and took a deep breath. Time to head out back. She filled a large can with birdseed from the garage and hiked to the feeders.

  Jory took down the biggest and filled that first, then returned it to the stand. She hummed the Julian Lennon tune as she finished. With her back to the house, she didn’t see Trent approaching, but the crunch of twigs under his feet alerted her to his presence.

  Her stomach did a somersault, her hands started to sweat, and her pulse kicked up. She wiped her palms on her jeans shorts, took another breath.

  “Jory?” came the question in a deep voice.

  She turned to face him, squinting for a second when she heard his exclamation.

  “You?”

  She opened wide to see his face redden and him step back.

  “You? You’re Jory? The woman I yelled at in the store this morning?”

  She nodded.

  “You can’t be,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Guilty as charged.” Pain sliced through her as old, hurtful comments from her childhood resurfaced in her head. “You’re Amber’s big sister? I’d never have guessed.”

  “Then who was the one I called a bitch?”

  “Amber. My sister. She’s the one who sent you the first letter. That’s her picture. Well, of course, you know that.”

  “So, you’ve been lying to me the whole time?”

  Jory glanced at the ground while she nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” Trent raised his eyebrows, his expression stormy. “Why are you telling me now?”

  “Because of the look on your face, in the store. When you thought Amber was cheating on you. You were hurt, betrayed. I couldn’t leave you like that. I just couldn’t. It was my fault you felt that way.”

  “Damn right, it’s your fault. And now, you’re sorry?”

  “Yes. Amber signed up for the pen pal thing, but she signed the letter to you with my name. She always does that to me. But you don’t care about that. So, I wrote you, fully intending to stop corresponding…”

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  She shrugged. “I guess I liked getting your letters. You were interesting.”

  “Just interesting?”

  Heat flooded Jory’s face. “Before I knew it, we’d become friends, kinda close.”

  “And you figured lying about who you were was the way to keep us together?”

  “I figured you had another year and a half over there, and who knew, by that time, maybe you’d have found someone else, and I wouldn’t have to tell you.”

  “Come on, Jory. If you’re telling the truth, make it the whole truth.” He leaned on his cane.

  “Total truth?” She dropped her gaze to the ground again, and her voice lowered. “I didn’t want to lose you.”

  There was silence.

  “I knew once you knew the truth, well, you wouldn’t want to continue.”

  “Why not?”

  “I mean, you were expecting someone who looks like Miss America, like Amber. You know? Not me. I’m not in her league. Far from it. I know it. It’s okay to say so.” She blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay as she struggled to get through her confession.

  His gaze roamed over her, bringing the warmth of humiliation to her cheeks. All her life, people had pitied her because she wasn’t as pretty as Amber. She should be used to it, but it hurt to feel his frank assessment, knowing he was disappointed. Of course, she’d come up wanting.

  “I even wrote a letter, telling you the truth, but Nan didn’t mail it. Then, you were in the hospital, an
d I thought maybe you needed me. And it never seemed the right time to tell you. So, I didn’t. I know it was selfish of me. But I wanted, I wanted—” She stopped, taking a gulp of air, trying to slow her pulse, rein in her emotions.

  “What did you want?” His eyes narrowed, his face became a mask.

  “I wanted to be with you. Maybe you’d never get new corneas, and you’d never have to know. I know that’s hateful. But I couldn’t help it. I was in love with you.” Staring at the grass, her courage melted in the hot sun. Pain seared through her body as she sensed his anger and rejection. Losing him was harder than she had imagined.

  “You were in love with me?”

  She nodded, unable to face him.

  “And now?”

  “I don’t fall in love easily. Or out of it, either. I know you want to move on. Who can blame you? Not me, that’s for sure. But my feelings are the same.” She struggled to keep her voice steady.

  “You had sex with me. Was that a mercy fuck?”

  “Oh, no. That was the real thing. I felt awful doing it without telling you first. Then after, I just didn’t have the courage.”

  “Why?”

  “You were all banged up. And I didn’t want to hurt you. But most of all, I wasn’t ready to lose you.”

  “And now?”

  “Well, now that you’ve seen me… I mean, I’m no prize. I wouldn’t expect you’d still be interested. Not when you were expecting Amber. I’ve got a job in Oak Bend and an apartment there. So, you don’t have to be embarrassed to face me in Pine Grove. I won’t be here much.” She looked up for a moment. “You’re angry. I deserve whatever I get from you. I understand.”

  She glanced up once more to see his face was still pink, but not the bright red it had been at first. She let out a breath. It was time to leave before he started yelling and calling her names. She didn’t have the guts to stomach his fury. She’d already accepted being the lowest of the low.

  “So, that’s that. I felt you had the right to know. I wish you well. I’m glad you’re in such good shape now. Again, I apologize for lying to you. And now you know Amber wasn’t cheating on you. That should make you feel better too.”

  He took a step toward her. Her last, little shred of bravery dissolved completely. Jory turned on her heel and ran out of the yard. Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision.

  “Wait!” he called.

  But Jory had no intention of suffering his wrath. She knew when she’d reached the end of her rope.

  She rounded the corner, only to run smack dab into a group of men and women rummaging through the items on Nan’s and Amber’s table. Jory snatched a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her face. She covered her mouth with her hand, but couldn’t stifle a sob.

  After a quick scan of the crowd, she continued, running up the front steps, and slammed into the house. She made it up to her old room and flung herself on the bed, scrunching a pillow under her chest, and cried.

  ****

  A small voice followed a knock. “Jory. Jory? Come out, sis. The table is hopping. It’s fun. Come on down.”

  “No. Go away.”

  “I’m sorry, Jory. Sorry I got you involved with Trent.”

  “It’s not your fault, Amber. It’s mine.”

  Another knock was followed by a different voice. “Can I come in?” It was Nan.

  “Okay.”

  “Amber, please man the table. Let me talk to your sister.”

  The older woman entered the room, closing the door softly behind her. Jory lay on the bed, pillows propped under her, gazing out the window. Nan sat down next to her.

  “Was it bad?”

  Jory nodded.

  “Did he yell at you?”

  “I spilled my guts and took off before he could.”

  “Wise idea.”

  Jory sat up. Her face was puffy, and a tissue was crumpled in one hand.

  “He wanted to come in and talk to you, but I told him to wait a day or two.”

  “Oh, thank God. Don’t let him in, please, Nan.” Jory shivered and hugged herself.

  “He didn’t look mad. He looked concerned.”

  “He looked mad when I last saw him. Damn mad.”

  “Maybe when he returns, you’ll feel like talking to him.”

  “Doubt it.”

  “Please keep an open mind.”

  “There’s nothing to think about. I lied to him. He’s damn pissed about it and doesn’t want to hang around a girl he can’t trust. I get it. Don’t blame him one bit.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

  “I did a bad thing. Can’t erase that. I took my lumps. Now, I want to leave it all behind.”

  “Do you really?”

  “I’ll stay for the garage sale, but tomorrow night, I’m going back to Oak Bend.”

  Nan patted her niece’s shoulder. “If you’re sure that’s what you want.”

  “I have my job there. I’ll get over him. Eventually.”

  “Why don’t you fight for him?”

  “There’s nothing to fight for. He’s done with me. I said as much, and he didn’t deny it. All he did was ask questions.”

  “That’s all?”

  Fresh tears threatened. “Even when I said I was no prize, he didn’t argue. When I said I wasn’t in Amber’s league, he didn’t correct me. I’ve never been so sorry to be right before in my life.” Jory rubbed her chest over her heart, as if her hand could erase the ache.

  “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Amber feels terrible.”

  “For once, it’s not her fault. I did it to myself,” Jory said, with a small smile.

  “Amber and I decided to go to Frosty Freeze for a burger tonight, after the sale is over.”

  “You guys go ahead. I’m not very hungry.”

  “Laura Dailey traded us six of her delicious devil’s food cupcakes for your scarf.”

  “Fine. I’ll have a little soup and a cupcake.”

  “Suit yourself,” Nan said, rising from the bed.

  Jory stretched out and picked up a book she’d been reading. One more day to get through, and then she could escape to her place in Oak Bend. After an hour, relief washed through her. She’d done the right thing, the one thing she’d been dreading for months.

  Sure, her love affair with SSGT Trent Stevens was over, but time would heal that. Yes, her dream had been almost within her grasp. Now, it had been washed away by the tide of truth. She sighed. At least she didn’t have to dread telling him anymore, or continue to live a lie.

  Sunday morning, she was the first one out on the front porch. She set out the leftover items from the first day of the sale. While her sister and aunt were finishing their eggs, Jory was arranging and rearranging. She brought out the cash box, a pitcher of sweet tea, and plastic cups.

  Her mother had told her that keeping busy was the best way to deal with sadness of any sort. Jory had believed her at the time. Today, the diversion only served to keep her from being aware how much her heart hurt.

  The sun beat down, heating the air to a pleasant warmth. Jory sat back in the wicker rocker and watched the trickle of people, spilling from church services and others, who didn’t attend, making their way down the street.

  The Sheriff had closed off three streets to create a giant mall feeling and people wandered freely from house to house with no worry about cars. The occasional vehicle was permitted through to pick up large items, like overstuffed chairs, sofas, and bedframes. Jory nodded to the folks she knew who passed by.

  It wasn’t long before their table had a full crowd. Nan and Amber joined her. The young beauty hugged her sister before she volunteered to wrap some china items in newspaper. Jory kept busy enough not to see Archie Peabody and Marla approaching.

  “Where’s your boyfriend?” a familiar voice asked.

  Jory looked up. “Oh, Archie. It’s you. Hi.”

  “Where is he?”

  “What?”

/>   “That military guy. The one you’re so gaga over.” His eyes stared straight at her, his expression unpleasant.

  “What’s it to you? Why are you here?”

  “My girl, Marla, wanted to see if you were going to sell any of those drawings he made for you.”

  “What do you know about those?” Jory put a hand on her hip.

  “Seems he’s some artist. Probably gay.”

  “He’s a great artist, and he’s not gay.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You should know. You slept with him.”

  Jory stopped. She handed the cashbox to her sister, who threw a nasty glance at Archie.

  “I think you should go, Archie.”

  “Why? I’m just speaking the truth. You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you in the ass.”

  “What do you know about it?”

  “Everyone knows you were masquerading as Amber to get this guy.”

  Jory shot a hostile look at Amber, who shrugged and looked away.

  “This is none of your business. Please leave, Archie.”

  “Wouldn’t sleep with me, but slept with a guy you barely knew. Know what they call that? They call it slut,” he hissed.

  Anger mixed with tears. Jory was glad they weren’t selling any knives, as she would gladly have sunk one into Archie’s heart—if he had one.

  Jory turned to leave, but he was beside her. He grabbed her arm and squeezed.

  “Ouch! Let go.”

  He spun her around. “You were his slut, and then, he dropped you. Dumped you. How does that feel?”

  “No, he didn’t. Watch the way you talk to her,” a deep voice piped up.

  The small crowd forming turned to see Trent place a large hand on Archie’s shoulder. The Marine pulled him back until he released Jory, who stared at him for a second. Tears started, and she headed for the front steps.

  “I can’t do this now,” she muttered as a buzz of whispered comments met her ears.

  While she climbed the stairs, the group quieted down. People turned to stare at Archie and Trent. Jory slammed the screen door shut and went to the window. Ducking behind a curtain, she watched the action on the lawn.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you were through with her.”