Chapter 29
“Where the hell you goin’?”
Corbin has been helping me for the last three hours with this repair, keeping the counter lifted up so I can fit underneath, but he just started packing his shit as if I don’t have another few things to wrap up.
“Brother, you know I love ya, right?”
I clench my jaw. Instead of looking at him, I keep my eyes on my task in front of me. “Yeah, which means you shouldn’t be takin’ off on me. With all that love you got.”
“That! Right there!” he shouts, pointing toward me. “What the fuck is up your ass? You’ve been pissin’ and moanin’ for practically a week. Got your period or somethin’? ‘Cuz I gotta say, I love the women in my life, but when they’re pmsing, they’re just like you are right now. So, you know what I do when I’m sufferin’ the consequences of somethin’ that’s got fuck all to do with me? I leave.”
I want to ignore him and let him leave on principle so I can sit here and stew, but when he snorts out a humorless chuckle like I’ve just proved him right, I sit up straight. “Fuck! Goddamnit!” I shout, banging my head on a pipe before sliding out quickly. “Corb, just stay. I really do need your help. I’ll stop bein’ pissy.”
He doesn’t believe me, but drops his shit and comes back over. “You say anythin’ other than please and thank you for the next forty-five minutes, I’m droppin’ this on your dick and leavin’ you to clean up your puke. Got me?”
“Got ya,” I mumble, then add, “Thank you.”
It was sarcastic as fuck, but I catch the tick of a smile he does his best to fight off. We work quietly, the only time words are exchanged are requests to hand me something or shift something out of the way. I haven’t missed a please or thank you, not even one time.
Finally, he asks, “So, what is it?”
“What’s what?” I’m concentrating on a tricky part, so I’m only half listening.
“What’s got you in a shit mood?”
I pause, considering if I should say anything. It’s not like he has to know who I’m talking about. “You gonna give me crap for talkin’ about my feelings?”
“Probably.”
I laugh, genuinely this time, and crawl out of the tiny space I’ve been tucked in for far too long. “Well, this is particularly soft, but I really could use some advice.”
Corbin lowers the counter, brushes his hands on his pants, and crosses his arms across his chest to wait me out. “Just get on with it.”
Bringing my knees up so I can rest my arms over them, I mess with my gloves and debate how to fill him in without meeting his eyes. I can’t see what he thinks as I struggle to get it out. Trying to come up with the best way to explain, Corbin interrupts my thoughts.
“Fuck, Fin. Would you just tell me already? Jesus, man.”
“Would ya give me a damn second? It’s... I might’ve fucked up pretty bad.”
His arms fall to the side, and he actually looks a bit panicked. “Like, with the law or somethin’? How fucked up are we talkin’ here?”
I scowl at him. “Would you stop it? Of course not like that. Just morally, I guess. As a man, for sure. Okay, so I’ll tell ya, but I’m not givin’ names because it’s her privacy, too.” My brother’s brows hit his hairline, shocked about my “her” comment, but he keeps his mouth shut.
“Alright, so, I know this gal, and only recently have we sort of started the whole flirtin’ shit, and I’ll admit, I really like her. Quite a bit, if I’m being honest. Thing is, she’s younger than me and pretty new to relationship shit.”
“New... like new?” he asks, stressing it to imply exactly what I’m not saying.
“Yes,” I bite out. “That kind of new. She’s not real comfortable with people seein’ us together, but that’s not so much the issue, or it wasn’t until it was.”
I pause, gathering my thoughts when Corbin kicks my foot. “Would you just tell me? I’m not gonna judge you, man.”
“I fucked her.” I blurt it out and immediately feel relief at getting this off my chest, then I just pour out the rest. “I took her virginity, and it was a pretty great night. The thing is, the next mornin’, I got the impression she regretted it and wanted nothin’ to do with me when it came time for lettin’ someone know. So, to save her the awkwardness of layin’ out expectations, I jumped the gun and gave her the out I assumed she wanted.”
“Sooo... you fucked a virgin, then said ‘hey thanks, had a great time, I’ll see ya around’?”
Well, when you put it like that...
“It wasn’t exactly like that, but in general, yeah. But now that I’m thinking back on it, I’m pretty positive I misread the situation. Then on the flip side, that concern of hers is still gonna be a concern, so I don’t see how there’s a possibility for a different outcome.”
Corbin scratches his head while studying me as I stay seated on the floor. “I don’t know, man. Are you asking me for advice or just my thoughts?”
Shrugging, I wave my hand at him. “Whatever you’re feelin’.”
“I think you shouldn’t have fucked a virgin if you weren’t gonna stick around. No matter the situation, that shit means somethin’ to people. I don’t know what you ought to do goin’ forward with her, but you should make a decision. If she’s not in a place where ya’ll could make it work, then even if you were a dick about it, you should just stay away. Let her save some face.”
I’m not sure I like that, but I’ll definitely think about it. For now, maybe giving her some space is the smartest thing to do. Especially with her not wanting her dad to know. “I guess. I’ll figure it out. Let’s finish this shit up. Sorry for bein’ a dick today.”
“Sorry you’re such a pansy ass motherfucker. Now we can move on with the day.”
Laughing, I slide back under, and we work together to finish up the job. As we’re cleaning our mess, Corbin’s phone buzzes, and once he’s done reading his text, he looks over at me.
“Think you could swing by and grab Jennice from work? Apparently, the wife dropped her off this mornin’ and forgot about an appointment. I have to head out with the boss for a pick up.”
Shouldering my bag, I nod. “Yeah. I’ll grab her.”
He smacks my shoulder in thanks, and I send out a text letting my supervisor know I’m done for the day, then head over to Thorton’s place where my niece has been working for a bit now.
With my truck idling, I head inside and come face to face with Jaxon. He always had beef with Clayborn since I was young, and I know it surrounds his sister. Throw in that he and Edith are friends, I kind of want to get in his face about everything, but I won’t embarrass my family like that. I definitely won’t do it in his place of business.
Lifting my chin, I step to the side. He’s keeping an eye on me like he’s not sure what the hell I’m doing here, so I make it easy for all of us. “Just pickin’ up Jennice.”
He looks over his shoulder and frowns. “Somethin’ wrong with your car, Jennice?”
My niece lifts her head and looks confused, then her face lights up with pleasure when she sees me. “Uncle Finny!” I roll my eyes at her use of that ridiculous nickname, but smile anyway. “And yeah, beater didn’t want to start up this morning, so my mom dropped me off. Am I good to go?”
He waves her off and at least has a friendly smile for one of us. “Have a good night and thanks for your help again today.”
Aannddd fuck you Jaxon for makin’ her happy. She lights up with pleasure from his compliment and I have to admit, she seems to be incredibly happy with her job.
Quickly shoving her things into her bag, she joins us by the door and asks, “You headed back out to the church thing? Want me to forward the calls?”
“That’s right, you’re headin’ that up, aren’t you? Got a friend volunteerin’ over there.”
Jaxon just flicks his eyes toward me and doesn’t elaborate. Not sure what I was looking for, but I wouldn’t have minded dropping Edith’s name just to see his reaction. Since they’re friends and all.
Turning to Jennice, he smiles. “Already done. I’ll be there for a short while, but I’ve got plans, so I’m cutting out early. Have a good night.” He includes me in his dismissal and not having anything else to say, I head out and wait for my niece to hop in.
Once we’re on the road, I let her ramble for the bulk of the drive about nonsense and shit her friends are getting up to, along with rumor after rumor. I don’t even know who half these people are, but I recognize a few of the last names.
I make all the appropriate gasps and “no ways” that keep her happy until she says something which catches my attention.
“...and I don’t know, but I’d bet anything my boss has got a girlfriend. He’s had “plans” like once a week lately. Never did before, but I haven’t seen him with anyone. Oh! Maybe it’s that girl he brought by a couple weeks ago, but she seemed awfully young, so probably not.”
Keeping my question as if I’m not terribly interested, I ask, “Yeah? Who’d he bring by?”
Jennice shrugs and stares out the window. “Don’t remember her name. She was real pretty though. Hasn’t been by since, so it’s probably not her.”
I remind myself there’s no way Edith is seeing Jaxon on the side. Not while she and I were together, and definitely not with how much Clayborn hates the guy. Corbin did tell him about seeing them together, but that was at the job site. Blowing out a breath in relief, I ignore the sting of jealousy and push it away as I realize that if Jennice is talking about Edith, she most likely was there because of the barn build.
After dropping her off at home, I get back to my place shortly after where I now find myself pacing. I’m tempted to call Clayborn and see if he’s up for a visit because I really need to check in on her. Even after talking with Corbin, I still don’t like this feeling, and my gut is telling me I’ve fucked up somehow.
Finally giving in, I call him, but it goes to voicemail. Scowling, I hang up without leaving a message, then grab my keys and head out to the only bar we have in town.
Finding a seat toward the end, I order a beer, then look around the room to see if I know anyone in tonight. They aren’t busy, but there is one patron facing me from the other end of the counter.
Mason Cooper.
He seems as if he’s already a couple of beers in. Neither of us have really been around each other, but I just know he’s trying to fuck with Clayborn through Edith and that doesn’t sit right with me.
Narrowing my eyes at him, he mimics me, then downs the rest of his beer, only to hold it up for another.
And that’s how I spend the rest of my evening. Matching Mason drink for drink and glare for glare across a bar.
Both of us apparently doing our best to drink away a problem.