Page 5 of Under Rusted Stars

“Not sure,” Kate answers. “Obviously, it was bad enough that she finally left, but she hasn’t said what.”

“But she’s back, and she’s safe,” Luke says. “I’m going to need you two to make up, though. She doesn’t know we are friends.”

“It’s not up to me, Luke,” I say.

“She’s going to the reunion,” Kate says. “Talk to her there.”

“Ah, in the same room that I took her dress off her in front of all our peers. That’s a good idea,” I say sarcastically. “I’m gonna go. I’ll catch y’all later.”

“Bodhi, come on, man,” Rhett sighs.

“I’m good,” I say. Daisy hands me my bag. “What do I owe you, Ms. Daisy?”

“Nothing, baby. You just be real slow about helping him if he chokes,” Ms. Daisy says, and I smile at her.

She really fucking hates my Dad, but so do I. I still make sure he eats because he will try to survive on liquor instead. He’s better now than when I was a kid, but he also doesn’t beat the shit out of me anymore.

I set the bag in the passenger seat and turn the key. The engine roars to life. When I look over, Olivia is in her car next to me. She doesn’t notice me watching her, but she’s crying. I wonder, is she reliving what I put her through, or Jason?

I force myself to put the truck in gear and drive out of the lot. I can’t sit here and watch her cry, knowing I can’t help her.

I was so goddamn mean to her, and I’ve rightfully lived with the guilt of it all since prom. It wasn’t until that moment when her dress hit the floor that I realized I had gone way too far. She tried for years to smooth things over and get along with me, but I pushed back every single time. I will never get the look on her face out of my head.

When I get to Dad’s trailer, I hop out with the bag and make sure to lock my doors. Last time, some random chick was trying to steal it. I hate coming here, but he refuses to move. I don’t know why I even try, honestly. Most people tell me I’m too nice to him, considering everything he’s done, but I guess I feel obligated.

I knock on the door before pushing it open. Dad glances up at me from the TV and grunts. “You’re late,” he says, taking the last sip of his beer.

“Hey to you, too, Dad,” I say as I walk in. This is the place I grew up, and it’s hard to believe this place once held so much light. Before Mom died, this place was pretty decent. Now? Well, let’s just say I never sit down when I’m here. If I do, I risk bringing roaches with me.

I pull the to-go container out of the bag and set it down on his TV table. “Hand me a beer, will ya?” he says, waving me off.

“You could say please, old man,” I say as I walk to the fridge.

“You could kiss my ass,” he barks back with a mouth full of food. “What kept you?”

“Just chatting with people at the diner,” I say. “Olivia Monroe is back in town.”

“She still fat?” he mumbles, his mouth still full.

“Dad,” I sigh.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he laughs.

“She was never fat, first of all,” I quip. “But she looks good.”

“Mhmm,” he says, smirking.

“Jesus. What?” I ask.

“Didn’t you have a thing for that girl?”

“You gonna let me draw blood?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Fuck no, you ain’t stickin’ me with no needle,” he says. “Just let a man die in peace. Damn.”

You could tell that man he would die tomorrow, and he still wouldn’t stop drinking to save himself.

“Fine. Buried or cremated?” I ask, and he scoffs at me. “I’m serious. I can’t help you if you don’t let me. So… Cremated or buried?”