Page 47 of Collins
CHAPTER 26
collins
FIVE YEARS AGO | 2005
“Okay,Nan. Here are the groceries I promised you.”
She comes walking toward the kitchen from down the hall. Over the years we’ve gotten to the point where I just walk in, I don’t even need to knock anymore.
“Thank you, honey, did I give you enough money?”She didn’t, but I’d never tell her that.
“Absolutely. And I picked you up some lemon poppy seed muffins from the bakery on Main.”
“My favorite, just like you.” She pats my cheek and starts putting her things away.
“I think Crandall was your favorite yesterday.”
“That’s right. When you can’t choose, you just rotate. Plus, I warned him, if he gets one more tattoo, he loses the favorite status permanently.”
I start to help her grab some things, but suddenly my world feels like it’s about to end. My stomach bottoms out, and I thinkI might be sick. There, in plain sight on the counter, is a Save the Date. Johnnie’s name is joined with another—Greg Sherwood—in stylized script next to a photo of my soul and someone I don’t know, but very much holding her hand.
Engaged. She’s engaged. I only realize I’m standing here staring when Nan pipes up.
“Oh, Collins. I’m sorry, you know my old mind. I meant to put this out of sight.” She picks it up and tucks it in a drawer. The look on her face lets me know that there’s nothing wrong with her mind. She left that there intentionally. I don’t know what to make of that, but what I do know is my world just shattered, and it’s hard to breathe.
“Well, Nan, I would stick around but I’ve got to get back to work. There’s a house about twenty minutes outside of town we’ve been sprucing up for a realtor, and we’re about to run some outdoor lighting.”
“Okay, hon. Thanks again for grabbing me a few things, and for the muffins. Come by soon for some sweet tea.”
I give her a kiss on the cheek and head back out to my truck. As soon as I’m on the road I give Campbell a call, and he answers on the first ring.
“Tell me you’re on your way. This realtor is being a pain in the ass. We need to get things wrapped up quickly so we can get the hell out of this place.”
“I’m on my way, but I need a favor.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It is.”
“What’s going on, brother?”
“I’m flying out to Texas this weekend, can you handle everything around here until I get back?”
“Whoa, back the fuck up. Texas? The hell is going on?”
“Johnnie’s getting married, and I’m going to stop her.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
“No, but I’m going anyway.”
The sun shiningin through a little sliver in the curtains wakes me, and I squint, looking at the red numbers on the nightstand. The bedding smells like bleach and the local news is playing on the TV. I must have passed out as soon as I laid down; I’m still on top of the made bed, fully clothed. My flight was long, and the layover in Chicago ended up being eight hours instead of two. I hate flying. If I wasn’t trying to get here so damn fast, I sure as hell would have driven instead. I have no plan, I have no idea where to find her, but I’m here and I’m not leaving until I convince her that she belongs with me and not Gary. Or Greg. Whatever the fuck his name is.
My first thought was to just ask Nan about where to find Johnnie, but I decided Bea was the better option. According to Nan, Johnnie made her promise not to talk about me to her and vice versa. It kills me, but I want to respect her enough not to involve Nan. Problem is, I haven’t had the balls to get ahold of Bea yet. I don’t know if she’ll be helpful or just be a barricade in my plans.
I wipe my eyes and peel myself from the mattress. Walking to the window, I pull the curtains back and look out to the beautiful view below that I hadn’t been able to see when I arrived at midnight. I need a shower, but I grab my phone and shoot a text to my brother first. I’ve never had Bea’s phone number, but if anyone does, it’s Campbell.
By the time I step out of the shower, I have Bea’s number and decide to just give her a call. It will be easier to explain everything.
