Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Laney
Ilet out a frustrated sigh and take a sip of my now lukewarm latte.
Could this day get any worse? With Dad away in Phoenix for a couple of nights, I thought I’d be able to sneak off to Prescott, find a decent shopping mall, and pick up a new outfit for my date tomorrow night.
It was supposed to be easy. What I didn’t count on was my car breaking down in the middle of nowhere…
and being stuck in this rundown Starbucks for hours.
When AAA told me the policy had lapsed, I knew I was in trouble.
I called everyone I could think of, which didn’t take long, hoping someone would bail me out.
No luck. Which meant I had to do the one thing I really didn’t want to do.
Call Dad. And of course, he was furious.
I’m already grounded from last time, and with the stunt I pulled recently, cancelling his date with Ashlyn, this is definitely not going to help.
I jump when my phone rings in my hand. My stomach twists as I glance at the screen. Dad. Great. Bracing myself for another lecture, I answer.
“Hello,” I say quietly, bringing the phone to my ear.
“It’s me.” His clipped tone makes my stomach clench tighter. “Ashlyn’s on her way to pick you up–”
“No!” I blurt out, cutting him off. “There has to be someone else who can come.”
He sighs, the frustration in his voice making me wince. “Like who, Laney? Who else do you expect me to call?”
“I’ll get an Uber,” I snap. “I don’t need her to come get me. I don’t want anything to do with her.”
“I’ve had enough of this crap,” he barks, making me flinch.
“Ash has kindly agreed to go out of her way, after working all day, to come get you. After how you treated her the other week, do you honestly think she wants to pick you up?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer.
“You will be polite. You will thank her. Ash is a part of my life now, and you need to get used to it. If she tells me you’ve been anything less than respectful, you’ll find out just how much worse things can get. Do you understand me?”
Anger boils inside me. I clench my teeth, refusing to answer, knowing full well that’s only going to make him angrier, but I can’t help it.
“Answer me, Laney,” he snaps again, his voice dangerously low. “Do. You. Understand?”
I squeeze my eyes shut, blinking back the sting of tears. I thought he was angry when I sent that message to Ashlyn, but that was nothing compared to the edge in his voice now. “Yes,” I murmur.
“Good. Ash is going to call me when she’s picked you up. Your car’s staying there. I’ll deal with getting it towed when I get home. I have to go. Call me if you need me.”
The line goes dead, and I toss my phone onto the table, groaning as I drop my head back against the booth. This day had already hit rock bottom, and now I’m supposed to make polite conversation with my dad’s girlfriend.
Knowing Ashlyn won’t be here for at least another thirty minutes, probably longer with traffic, I make my way back to the counter and order another latte. Once it’s in my hands, I return to the booth and drop into the seat with a heavy sigh.
I know I’m being unfair about Ashlyn and Dad’s relationship.
Deep down, I get it, even if I don’t want to acknowledge it.
I’ve only properly met Ashlyn once, and yeah, I was drunk, but even then, she seemed…
nice. The kind of person I’d probably be friends with under different circumstances.
But I can’t bring myself to let her in. Every time I even think about it, it feels like I’m betraying my mom.
And that thought alone is enough to make my chest ache.
I absentmindedly scroll through my phone while I wait for Ashlyn to get here.
Despite the bravado I’ve been clinging to, nerves twist in my stomach.
The last time I saw her, I was a total bitch.
And the time before that, Dad was with me, and I’d had enough vodka to take the edge off.
This time, it’s just me. And coffee definitely doesn’t have the same calming effect as alcohol.
I can’t help but wonder if she’s as nervous about seeing me as I am about seeing her.
I’m embarrassed that I used Dad’s phone to text her and cancel their date.
When I asked if we could go and visit Mom and he put me off, I saw red, and the decision was made in a split second.
I instantly regretted it. I knew I’d never get away with it.
I don’t even know why I did it in the first place.
About twenty minutes later, I’m pulled out of my scroll through social media by the sound of the door chime. I glance up and my eyes widen when I spot Ashlyn walking in. But it’s who’s behind her that throws me. Wyatt Brookes.
“Holy crap,” I mutter under my breath, wishing I hadn’t been sitting in this rundown coffee shop for hours in jeans and scuffed sneakers.
Ashlyn’s gaze finds mine, and she gives me a small wave. I take a steadying breath and lift my hand to return the gesture before pushing myself up from the table and heading toward them.
“Hey,” she says with a warm smile. “Your dad said you’ve had a rough day.”
“You could say that,” I reply, forcing a small smile of my own. His lecture is still playing on repeat in my head, but I push it aside.
“Thanks for coming all the way out here to get me,” I add.
She brushes it off easily. “Of course.”
I glance over her shoulder at Wyatt, who flashes me a grin that makes my stomach flip.
“I brought my brother along,” Ashlyn explains. “He knows his way around cars and offered to take a look.” She turns slightly toward him. “Wyatt, this is Laney. Laney, Wyatt.”
“Nice to meet you, Laney,” Wyatt says with a nod.
“You too,” I mumble, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks. Sure, I’ve seen him plenty of times on TV, but in person, he’s even more ridiculously good-looking.
“Do you have your keys?” he asks, holding my gaze. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Oh, yeah. Hang on.” I fumble through my purse, finally pulling them out and handing them over.
“Thanks,” he says with an easy smile.
Ashlyn and I follow him outside to where my beat-up Honda Civic is parked. “That’s mine,” I say, gesturing toward the car. “One of the warning lights came on and started flashing red. Dad always told me to pull over if it flashed red, so I did.”
Wyatt nods approvingly. “Smart move.” He unlocks the car, slides into the driver’s seat, and turns the key. After a few moments, he nods.
“It’s the engine coolant warning,” Wyatt says. “We can try adding some water to see if it helps.”
“I’ve got a bottle in the trunk,” I offer.
“I’ll grab it,” Ashlyn says, already heading to the back of the car.
Wyatt pops the hood and steps out just as Ashlyn returns, handing him the bottle. He unscrews the cap and carefully pours the water into the reservoir.
“Sometimes it’s just low coolant,” he explains, tossing the empty bottle to Ashlyn. “But other times, it can signal something more serious.”
He slides back behind the wheel and starts the engine again. “Let’s see if that did the trick.”
I hold my breath. If this works, Dad might be a little less pissed. At least he won’t have to worry about a tow truck.
Wyatt glances at the dashboard, then at me. His expression says it all. “Sorry, Laney. The light’s still on. I don’t think this car’s moving anywhere tonight.”
“Damn it,” I mutter, frustrated. “Thanks for trying.”
He shrugs as he steps out and closes the hood. “It was worth a shot.”
Ashlyn turns to me. “Do you have everything you need from the car?”
I hold up my purse. “This is it.”
“Okay, let’s get going then,” she says.
I trail after them across the parking lot to Ashlyn’s Audi.
“Nice car,” I comment as she unlocks the doors and Wyatt climbs into the back seat.
“Thanks. I love it,” she replies, sliding in behind the wheel.
“I would’ve taken the back,” I say as I settle into the front seat.
Wyatt waves me off. “I’m good.”
Once we’re all in, Ashlyn pulls out of the lot and heads back toward Hope Creek.
After a few minutes, she glances over at me. “Do you want me to call your dad, or would you rather text him?”
“I’ll text,” I sigh. “I’m not up for another lecture on speakerphone.”
She gives me a sympathetic look while I tap out a message, letting Dad know we’re on our way home.
Then I glance over my shoulder. “Thanks again for coming along, Wyatt, and for looking at my car.”
He gives a casual nod. “No problem.”
“How do you know so much about cars, anyway?” I ask.
“My dad,” he says. “He was always working on them when we were kids. I picked up a few things by hanging around.”
I grin. “Backup career if football didn’t work out?”
He chuckles. “Something like that.”
Ashlyn cuts in, “Have you eaten anything tonight, Laney?”
“Not really,” I admit. “I had a sandwich when I first got to Starbucks, but that was forever ago.”
Ashlyn frowns. “Forever? What do you mean?”
My cheeks heat. “I tried calling pretty much everyone I know before I gave in and called Dad. I was hoping I could get out of this without him finding out.”
From the back seat, Wyatt lets out a laugh.
Ashlyn glances at him in the rearview mirror. “What’s so funny?”
“Sounds exactly like something you would’ve done,” he says with a grin.
Her eyes widen in mock offense before she laughs too. “He’s not wrong,” she admits. “I totally would’ve done the same thing.”
I can’t help but join in their laughter.
Ashlyn glances over at me again. “So, what had you heading to Prescott anyway?”
I hesitate, then let out an awkward laugh. “I’m not sure I should say… I’m already in enough trouble as it is.”
She smiles warmly. “Whatever you tell me in this car stays in this car. I won’t say a word to your dad, but I get it if you’d rather keep it to yourself.”
Wyatt leans forward between the seat, and I glance back at him. “Ash is loyal,” he says. “If she promises something, she means it.”
Ashlyn waves him off with a playful roll of her eyes. “No pressure, Laney. It’s totally up to you.”
I pause, debating it for a moment. I don’t know Ashlyn, aside from what Dad’s told me, and I’m not sure if I can trust her yet, even with Wyatt’s reassurance. But as much as I hate to admit it, she seems… decent. And I’m already in so much trouble. What’s one more confession?
I sigh, giving in. “I’ve got a date tomorrow night.” I glance sideways at her. “Dad doesn’t know about it, by the way.”
Ashlyn gives me a nod, like she understands the gravity of that secret.
“I was hoping to pick up something new to wear,” I continue. “But River Falls doesn’t have any decent stores, so I figured Prescott was my best bet. Now, it doesn’t matter… no outfit, no car, no date.”
“Why do you need your car? Isn’t your date picking you up?” Wyatt asks from behind me.
I look over my shoulder. “We’re meeting at a bar. I’m an independent woman, Wyatt,” I tell him with a grin. He smiles, and I add, “Besides, if he turns out to be a total psycho, I want an easy escape.”
Ashlyn’s eyes go wide. “Why do you think he might be a psycho? Where did you meet this guy?”
I wince. “Uh… on a dating app.”
She arches a brow. “Which bar are you guys meeting at?”
“Eden,” I reply with a shrug. “Not exactly spoiled for choice around here.”
Wyatt chuckles from the backseat. “Fair point.”
“I’ll probably cancel anyway,” I admit with a sigh. “I’ve got nothing to wear now.”
Ashlyn glances over at me. “You know, I’ve got a closet full of clothes I hardly ever wear. We look about the same size. If you want, you could come by and take a look. I’m sure I have something you could borrow.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”
She nods, smiling. “Sure. And I could order us some pizza while you look.”
“You mean… come over now?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah, why not? You’re headed home to an empty house and so am I. We may as well eat together. I can drop you back later.”
A tangle of nerves twists in my stomach.
Part of me wants to say yes. I don’t have many close friends here, despite what I’ve let Dad believe.
Back in Phoenix, I had a good group, but moving schools senior year?
That’s not exactly a recipe for instant popularity.
Chelsea’s the only one I really talk to now, and…
we’re not that close. Even that girls’ weekend I went on was kind of a bust. Chelsea only invited me because they needed one more person to split the cost of the cabin.
It ended up being kind of awkward since I barely knew anyone.
Still, this is Ashlyn inviting me over. The same person I’ve spent weeks convincing myself I can’t stand.
But now… I’m not so sure. I can’t believe she’s asking me after how I’ve behaved.
Dad kept saying I’d like her if I just gave her a chance, and for the first time, I’m starting to think he might be right.