Chapter 25 #2
George calls before we can do any planning. They’re waiting for us in the lobby. Once we’re in the family-owned diner—according to multiple signs—I’m surprised to find I’m hungry. It’s been a long day.
After we order, George clears his throat.
I’m immediately on edge. Bad news? About the van?
Or Mom? “I talked to the insurance company. They’re sending an adjuster out tomorrow to look at the van.
But given the age and condition, even if they could fix it, they probably won’t. Instead, they’ll total it out.”
“What does that mean?” I ask. It’s clear as my clay mud mask.
“They’ll write us a check for the value of the van minus the deductible. But it won’t cover a new vehicle.”
“How are we going to get home?” Jonah asks.
It’s the right question under the circumstances, but not the one I’m interested in. This was my chance to get out of Hopeview. My chance to move on from Cassandra’s Cut and Curl. And now, it’s gone?
“We do have some good news.” Mom smiles and pats my hand. “A rental car is included with our insurance.”
Relief floods through me. “Will they be able to set that up…soon?” Before Saturday?
“We’re hoping the adjuster can tell us more tomorrow. Sorry, Viv. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you trying.” I smile, but inside, I feel numb. Everything is falling apart. I can’t see a way to make this work. Even asking Frankie to come get me would take too long. We’re at least eight hours away.
Jonah and I go back to the room, and he lets me take a shower first. I slip into my bed, wishing I had a reason to stay in his. While he’s in the bathroom, my mind goes over the last few days and the futility of everything.
This thing with Jonah wasn’t meant to last. So why does it bother me that it seems to be over?
After the trip, Jonah will go back to Mule Creek.
I have no idea where I’ll be. Does it really matter?
Whether I’m in San Diego or Hopeview or, God forbid, New York with my father, it won’t be the right place. Not if Jonah isn’t there.
I press my palms against my eyes. Less than a week ago, I hated him. And now…I’m in love with him.
I’m in love with Jonah Baker.
My stepbrother.
The door opens, but I cover my face in an attempt to hold everything in.
“Vivian?”
I swallow. “Yes?”
“Can I…? I know you’re still upset, but I don’t want to sleep alone.”
I peer through my fingers. His head is down as if he’s preparing himself for my rejection. As if I could ever push him away. “Come on.”
His smile seems relieved as he slips in beside me. I wrap my arms around him and tuck my head under his chin. This is torture. Our families will never accept us. And even if by some miracle, they do, we’ll never last. We want different things.
But for tonight, I can pretend. I kiss Jonah. Needing this connection between us. Hoping like hell he won’t push me away. He doesn’t. Soon, kissing him isn’t enough. “I want you, Jonah. I’m so tired of thinking. Worrying. I need you to take over. Help me forget everything.”
And my beautiful, strong country boy, who’s so much more than his muscles, takes care of me like I’m the most important thing in the world.
And for a while, it’s enough. Following his commands. Giving him exactly what he needs. Loving him the only way I know how until we’re both spent. I sleep better than I expect, but in the morning, it’s all there waiting for us.
It starts with a summons from my mother.
We meet for coffee in the family restaurant.
“What’s this about?”
“Coffee first,” she says, leading me to the counter so we can order. She nods to me to go first. It’s her way of letting me know she’s paying. That’s fine. Karaoke night took a chunk of my money. When she gives her order, I stare at her. She touches her face. “What?”
“Since when do you drink decaf?”
“It’s easier on my stomach.” But she doesn’t look at me again until we’re settled at a table with our drinks. “What’s going on, Vivian?”
I laugh. “I should be asking you that, Mom.”
Her hands wrap around her coffee cup as if she’s seeking warmth. Comfort. “George and I need to talk to you boys about something. But I want to wait until…after.”
“Mom—”
“I’m fine, Vivian. I promise.” She smiles. “Now, tell me why you’re keeping secrets from me.”
I grip my iced coffee to keep my hands from shaking. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’m not talking about you and Jonah—”
Coffee splashes on my hands as my grip tightens on my drink. Shit. Grabbing napkins, I clean the mess. “Mom, there’s nothing going on.”
She sighs. “I watched the video. And I have so many questions. About you and Jonah, when you started singing again, why a pop star is sharing your video in the first place?”
“I can explain.” I can’t. Not really. “Does George know?”
“No. He has enough going on right now. I don’t want to add to it.” She places her hand over mine. “But that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”
“It isn’t?”
She makes a face as she sips her coffee and gives me a what-can-you-do smile. “Why are you so determined to get to San Diego?”
The usual reasons come to mind. Frankie. Pridefest. The competition. But I shake my head. “Doesn’t really matter now.”
“I think it does.”
But now doesn’t seem the best time to tell her I’m thinking about moving away. I stare into my coffee and ask the question that is foremost in my mind. “Do you think it’s wrong? What we’re doing?”
The change of subject doesn’t seem to faze her.
“As much as George and I wanted you and Jonah to be brothers, you never really were. You only lived together for a few months before you both graduated. And then Jonah went off to college. As long as you’re good to each other, that’s all I want.
And before you ask, I have no idea how George will react. ”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Your father is a different story.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m aware. He…saw the video.”
“Oh God. Well, I’m not surprised.”
I wipe my hands on my joggers. “He wasn’t happy.”
“Your father will probably never accept it. But, Vivian?” She waits until our eyes meet. “That has nothing to do with you. He doesn’t like the optics. And that’s honestly all he’s ever cared about.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m not sure where Jonah and I stand at the moment.”
“You’ll work it out.” Her words are said with such surety that it gives me a spark of hope. She laughs and pats my cheek. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
The insurance adjuster comes and goes. The bottom line is that everything takes time. At least a day or two. As if the difference between one or two days isn’t unreasonable. As if my future isn’t in the balance.
I’m fine until I get the call from Frankie.
Jonah and I are walking around town, just for something to do while we wait.
“Vivian?” Her voice is animated. Excited. “Where are you? Right this minute.”
“Some town in Arizona. Why?”
“How far away?”
I’m not sure. And the itinerary is no longer valid. I glance at Jonah. “How far away are we?”
“About eight or nine hours.”
I relay the information to her, and she groans. “Why?” I ask, tired of the drama. “What’s going on?”
“My boss, Mr. Rainey, saw your video. Damn boy—”
“Frankie, focus.”
“He’s interested. Really interested, Viv. He wants to meet with you tomorrow morning.”
“I can’t. We don’t have a vehicle.” I’m so close to my dreams coming true, yet not close at all.
Jonah takes the phone. “Frankie? This is Jonah. What time does he want to meet?” He nods, even though Frankie can’t see him. “Don’t worry. He’ll be there.” He hands the phone back to me.
Frankie screams in excitement as I tell her goodbye and end the call. I stare at Jonah the entire time. “It’s impossible. There’s no time to do anything.”
He kisses me, not even looking around first. “I know you hate it when I try to fix everything. But let me take care of this for you, okay?”
I touch his sweet face and nod. “Okay.”
The waiting is torture. I hang out with Mom, George, and Maisy in their hotel room, not wanting to be alone with my thoughts. Jonah does whatever he’s doing. Less than an hour later, he calls me to say it’s done.
“What’s done?”
“Come outside and see.”
We all rush outside, but I reach Jonah first. He’s standing at the curb in front of a beat-up pickup truck. “Jonah?” There’s a question in my voice, but I have more than one. And I’m not sure which one to ask first.
“Hey, cutie,” he says with a wide grin on his handsome face. Thankfully, his dad is too far away to hear. “Need a ride?”