Page 42 of Tethered

“Huh?”

“I asked if you were okay?”

“Oh yeah, I’m great.” I paste on a smile.

“Good, you want me to grab the package?”

I whimper and let my eyes slip closed so I don’t have to see his knowing smirk. “Please.”

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m so okay.”

“Great. And just out of curiosity, how wet are your panties?”

“Soaked. Dammit, Austin.” I stomp my foot and walk around to the back of the truck to get the damn package myself, ignoring his laughter. “Sneaky bastard.”

I grab the box and head to where Jackie stands with her arms crossed. Her once-black hair is now a beautiful silver. It hangs down her back, accentuating her slim waist and overall trim figure. The years have been kind to Jackie. Even though her face shows signs of aging, she wears it really well. I can only hope I look half as good as she does when I get to her age.

“Goodness, Calliope, I wasn’t expecting to see you in person. You look stunning. I see ranch life agrees with you.”

“I don’t know about that, but it is good to be back. I’m sorry to hear about your husband.”

She shakes her head. “You always were a good girl. I loved Mike once. Hell, I loved him my whole life. That doesn’t mean I always liked him. I’m proud that he was my first and my last, and he gave me two beautiful children. But by the end, I barely recognized the man he’d become.”

“You don’t have to say that.”

“I know. But it’s the truth, so why wouldn’t I? He failed you. The whole town did, but Mike more than most because he had the power to change your life. And instead, he took the payout so he could change his own.”

I jerk back at the confirmation that he was getting paid to look the other way, the knowledge hurting my chest even though I always knew it deep down. There is something inherently worse about a person in power, a person we teach our kids not just to look up to but to trust, and have them throw you to the wolves.

“I don’t know how much you heard, or if you’d even care. I’m not sure I would if the shoe were on the other foot. But after you were arrested, I kicked Mike out. I filed for divorce, which he contested every step of the way. He really thought I’d get over it. But I couldn’t look at him, not without picturing you in handcuffs when we all know it should have been Martin wearing them.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I admit. I suspect I now know why her son hates me.

I can’t tell her it’s okay because it’s not. I’m learning that not everything that happened was black and white. But knowing that more was going on behind the scenes doesn’t grant people my forgiveness. I’ve spent too many years cultivating my anger toward this place and the people in it, to get soft now.

“Would you like a glass of lemonade?”

I open my mouth to decline but then remember how good Austin’s mouth felt against mine. Cooling off is definitely the best idea right now. “That would be great, thank you.”

I don’t bother waving to Austin. It won’t hurt him to sit in his feelings for a minute. I don’t know what his endgame is here, but I can’t say I’m all that eager to find out.

I follow Jackie inside as she leads me to her kitchen, which is painted a cheerful yellow. The cupboards and countertops are bright white, and the appliances are cream-colored, giving the kitchen a retro vibe. I like it. It’s warm and inviting.

She points to the table with the yellow seat pads and the vase in the center filled with crocheted sunflowers. “Take a seat, and I’ll grab us both a drink.”

I do as she asks and watch her putter around the kitchen, pulling out glasses, filling them with ice, then with lemonade and lemon slices. She walks over and hands me a glass before taking the seat across from mine.

“So how are you finding things now you’re back?”

“They’ve been…interesting.”

Her lips twitch at my evasive answer. “People aren’t still giving you trouble, surely.”

“People have long memories, and I was never popular.”

She gives a sigh—one filled with sadness. “We all messed up with you. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a village to fail one, too. And we failed you in the worst possible way. You weren’t alone. I know it must have seemed like it over the years, but other people had been scorned and shunned for things they didn’t deserve too. This town has been my home my whole life , and yet, I can’t say I like it here all that much anymore.”