Chapter 24 Honey
HONEY
“Can I refill your coffee, Honey?” my waitress asks.
“Thanks, Peggy. I need all the caffeine I can get.” I hold up my cup.
I’m sitting in the corner of the Blackbird Coffee House a few hours after I left Beau’s cabin. I’ve been staring at this essay for at least twenty minutes, but all I can think about is my night with Beau. I’ve been on a sex high all morning. Even my ankle feels better.
Peggy squints at me and points to my neck. “You have a little rash right here.”
I slap my hand over my throat. Is that from Beau’s beard? “Th-thanks. I wore some costume jewelry last night, and I think I’m allergic.”
“Do you need some Benadryl? I have some in my purse.”
“That’s okay. Thank you, though.”
When she walks away, I pull out the compact in my purse. Sure enough, there’s a bright red rash on my neck. For some sick reason, it makes me smile. Because it feels like Beau marked me.
“Whatcha smilin’ about?” My brother Trig drops down into the seat across from me.
I love Trig, but he’s not who I want to see this morning. I turn away slightly so he can’t see the mark on my neck. “This essay was funny. How are you?” I stack my papers, eager to make an escape.
I don’t know why I ask. His bloodshot eyes tell me everything I need to know. He’s been drinking again.
He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Not great. Dad’s been extra pissy lately, and he’s always out of town. Then he jumps down my throat when he doesn’t like how I did something.”
“That’s probably my fault. He was trying to set me up with this guy Ian, but I think he’s a jerk.”
His brows lift. “Ian Fairchild? Diamondback Ranch?”
“Yeah, but I don’t like him. He’s rude.”
“Most women seem to love him.”
“I’m not most women. Besides, there’s a difference between partying with someone and marrying them.”
“Whoa. He proposed?”
“No. But Dad wants me to marry him for some business deal.”
Shaking his head, Trig steals my coffee. “Unbelievable.” After he takes a sip, he leans forward and lowers his voice. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. Cash and I have your back. We’ll never hang you out to dry. You’re our baby sister, and we look out for what’s ours.”
The vehemence in his voice makes my eyes sting. “Thanks, Trig. That means a lot to me.”
“Someday, the ranch will be ours. We just have to be patient. Dad won’t run our lives forever. If you don’t wanna marry that douchebag, don’t. I can float you some money if old Vernon cuts you off.”
I pat his rough hand. How could my beautiful brother hate Beau so much? “I already pay all of my bills, but thank you. If I ever get in a tight spot, I’ll let you know.”
He flags down the waitress and puts in a to-go order. While he’s waiting, I decide to broach another sensitive subject. “I’m really glad we bumped into each other today. I’ve been meaning to call you. I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m fine. Just tired of getting dicked around by this girl I used to date.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But can I offer a suggestion? Can you lay off the booze? It’s so bad for you.” My brother’s anger issues get out of control when he drinks.
He sucks down another gulp of my coffee. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
I lift a brow. “I heard you almost ran over Beau Walker at the car wash yesterday. Was that because of the alcohol or do you really hate him that much?” I brace myself for his answer.
Trig laughs coldly. “Would anyone really miss him if I did?”
Feeling brave, I give him my best no-nonsense teacher face. “Do you feel like going to prison for killing someone?”
“Pretty sure Dad has some judges on his payroll.”
“Trig, seriously? What did Beau ever do to you? I’m genuinely curious. Besides whatever lifelong grudge our families have, did he do something?”
His eyes narrow on me. “I thought you hated him too. What’s your sudden interest in that fuckface?”
“I’ve decided this feud is stupid. Maybe it’s because I’ve been teaching Romeo and Juliet.”
He snorts. “Never read it.”
“Newsflash, bro. Everyone dies in that story because of a dumb family feud. The worst part is no one even remembers how it started.”
“Don’t you know your history, schoolteacher? This started in the 1880s when Mathias Walker stole Annie McAllister. Wild Heart does reenactments on the first Saturday of every month.”
“But he married her, right? Did our great-great-great-whatever really need to shoot him dead in retribution?”
He rubs his chin. “What about that parcel of land our grandfather bought from Augustus Walker? Gus sold it knowing full well it was gonna have problems with the EPA because of diesel leaks.”
Internally I cringe. I was never fond of Beau’s father Gus either, but should we really hold Beau accountable for the sins of his father?
“Grandpa knew it had been a gas station. It’s not unreasonable to think there might be some environmental issues moving forward.
Didn’t he get it for a steal?” Beau’s family might have a lot of land, but they’ve struggled to keep it.
“It cost us tens of thousands to clean it up.”
“But neither Beau nor his brothers had anything to do with that.”
Side-eyeing me, he scratches his chin. “Why do you care so much?”
“I care that you lose your mind whenever you’re around Beau. Can’t we let bygones be bygones?”
“Did you forget he broke my nose last month?”
I shake my head. “Don’t act like you didn’t give him a shiner. Pretty sure you gave as good as you got.”
“You’ve been hanging out too much with the Walker women. Paige and that other one.”
“Baylee. So what? They were my friends before they got with the Walker brothers.”
The waitress drops off Trig’s food.
“Thanks, darlin’.” He stands and shakes his head at me. “Figure out where your loyalties lie, Honey. You don’t wanna be on the wrong side of this. Because that’s one thing our father won’t forgive.”
My heart sinks as I watch him stalk off.
Because he’s right. My father will never forgive me for dating a Walker.
I’ve just gotten home from the coffee shop when my phone starts blowing up with calls from my father. I briefly wonder if Trig told him something, but dismiss it because my brother isn’t a snitch.
When I pick up, my father’s pissed. “Ian says you blew him off last night.” There’s no hello or greeting. He just dives into business.
“He’s an asshole, Dad. I’m not going out with him again, much less marrying him.”
“He says you’ve been dating someone else.”
“I only said that because I was upset.” Besides, Beau and I weren’t really an item until last night, so I’m not exactly lying. “Did Ian tell you he was setting up a booty call with another woman right in my face while we ate dinner? That he ignored me the entire night to text her?”
My father sighs. “Look, a man like that has needs.”
What the hell? “Like you, right? That’s why you cheated on Mom. Because you had needs.” Ew.
“Watch your mouth.”
“If you like him so much, you marry him.” Click.
Shocked I hung up on my father, I stare at the phone. He calls back, but I turn off the ringer and put it face down. Mature, I know.
I’m too stressed out to concentrate after that, so I watch Poldark on Netflix. After a few hours of historical romance therapy, I sigh. I love that Ross Poldark marries his scullery maid, Demelza. And I love that she has fire and stands up to her father.
Because I’m having a tough time doing that at the moment.
If I know my dad, it’s going to take more than a few firm words to convince him I shouldn’t marry Ian.
By Monday morning, I’ve missed five more calls from my irate parent, but I’m not ready to talk to him after what he said.
Pretty sure I have a permanent frown affixed to my face until I get Beau’s texts.
Beau: Hey, gorgeous. Missed having you in my bed this morning.
Me: I’m always happy to be your little spoon.
Beau: Maybe this weekend, you could stay over after our date? For some more spooning? ;) We’ll lock the door this time so we don’t get any more intruders.
Me: I’m all yours, handsome.
I grin at the screen, excitement buzzing through me at the thought of spending another night with Beau.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Trish says as she pauses by my desk.
I put my phone away, hoping she didn’t read my texts. “How was your weekend?”
“Not bad. Since I’m on the holiday committee, I thought I’d get a head start, so I got some decorations for the front office.”
“That’s nice of you. I’m sure the principal will appreciate it.” I gather my things for the next class. Thankfully, the rash on my neck has faded.
Leaning closer, Trish whispers, “Did you hear about the pooper?”
“Um. What?”
“The pooper?” She glances around the office like she’s afraid someone will overhear. “Someone’s been pooping in the stairwells. One of the teachers in the science department calls him the Mad Crapper. They’re going to set up a sting operation to catch him.”
“Okay.” That seems a little extreme, but what do I know? “Frankly, I’ll take turds over a fire.” The whole school smells like an ashtray. The administration left all the doors open and fans to air out the fire in the teachers’ lounge, but it’s going to take a while before the smell goes away.
Her nose wrinkles. “Poop carries diseases.” She starts to list them, and I shake my head. I’m not discussing poop-transmittable cooties with this woman.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to be late to my class. Gotta go.” I’m heading down the long hallway to the other side of the building when I see a familiar redhead. “Hey, Paige.”
When she sees me, her face lights up. “Hi, Honey.”
I hug her with my free arm. “How’s cheerleading going?”
“So great. I love it.”
“Your squad looked amazing at the last home game.”
“Thank you. We had fun. I’m so glad we ran into each other. I wanted to ask if you’ll be able to make the dress fitting this Friday evening for Baylee’s wedding.”
“I’m so sorry for not responding to your text this weekend.” It came in between all of those calls from my father. “But yes, I can make it.”
“Perfect.” She tells me what time to meet the wedding party at the Texas Rose Bridal Shop. “The guys are getting fitted for their tuxes across the street, and then we’re hoping to go to dinner.”
Another night where I get to see Beau? Count me in.