Page 63 of Burning Skies
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 teachingRomeo 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.
