Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 42745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
“I figured,” she says.
“We’ll work it out,” I say quickly because I need it to be true. “Every couple goes through things, right?”
“Right.” Lindsey nods, but she doesn’t look convinced. “But that doesn’t mean you have to go through it alone.”
I swallow hard and start sweeping again. “I’m not alone.”
“You’re acting like you are. I know I’m sort of new to the family, but I love you. You’re one of my best friends, and I hate to see you sad like this.”
The words hit harder than I expect, but I don’t say anything. I’m afraid if I do, the tears will start to fall.
Lindsey sighs. “I’m not trying to push. I just want you to know that if you need to talk, I’ll listen.”
I nod and whisper, “Thank you.”
The room goes quiet except for the broom moving across the floor, then Lindsey says, “You know Penn would never cheat on you.”
My head comes up fast. “What makes you say that?”
She gives me a look. “Aria, this is Whiskey Run. Everyone talks.”
Heat rushes into my face. I knew people at the hospital have been talking about Penn and Nurse Jenner’s lunch, but I had no idea that everyone is talking about it. Heck, that my sister-in-law would hear about it.
“I heard about Penn eating lunch with some nurse,” she says. “I’m not saying I know the details, and I’m not saying it didn’t hurt to hear it, because I’m sure it did. But it doesn’t mean anything.”
I let out a breath that sounds shaky even to me. Last night convinced me that he wouldn’t cheat on me, but now this morning, I’m second-guessing everything again. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
I stare at her.
Lindsey folds her arms over her chest. “Anyone and everyone knows Penn Brody loves you.”
My eyes sting, and I hate it. “Love isn’t always enough,” I whisper.
Her face falls a little. “No, it’s not. But it matters.”
I look toward the window, even though I can’t see the barn from here. “He’s hiding something from me.”
I wait for Lindsey to say something, but when she doesn’t, I keep going before I lose my nerve. “He admitted it. He actually told me that there’s something, but he won’t tell me what it is. So I’ve been left to guess.” I laugh once, but there’s nothing funny about it. “And when your husband won’t tell you what he’s hiding, your mind goes to some pretty awful places.”
“I get that,” she says quietly.
“I don’t want to think he’d cheat on me. I really don’t. But what else am I supposed to think when he keeps pulling away from me and won’t tell me why?”
Lindsey walks over and takes the broom from my hands before I can argue.
Then she hugs me. I stand here stiff for about two seconds before I fall into her arms.
“I’m scared,” I whisper.
“I know.”
“I don’t know what’s happening to us.”
Lindsey rubs my back. “Then make him tell you.”
I close my eyes. “I’ve tried.”
“Try again.”
I pull back and wipe under my eyes. “What if I don’t want to know?”
Her expression softens. “Then you probably already know it’s something big.”
I look away because she’s right. She hands the broom back to me and gives me a small smile. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Penn is trying to hurt you.”
“That almost makes it worse,” I admit.
“Yeah,” she says. “Sometimes it does.”
I take a deep breath and force myself to nod. “Okay. Enough about me. We’re supposed to be cleaning.”
Lindsey smiles, but the worry doesn’t leave her face. “Fine. But I’m watching you with that broom.”
I laugh, even though it comes out weak. “Probably smart.”
She picks up the duster again, and for a few minutes, we work in silence.
But my mind is nowhere near Ozzy’s house. It’s with Penn in the barn, and whatever he’s hiding from me.
After this morning, I know it’s something big. Big enough that I’m questioning if I should stay or go. By the time Lindsey and I finish wiping down the kitchen, the house smells like lemon cleaner.
Ozzy’s house wasn’t dirty, so it didn’t take that long.
Lindsey and I carry the cleaning supplies back to the hall closet, and when we step onto the porch, Skyler is still on the swing with her feet propped up, looking annoyed about it.
Bree is sitting beside her and looking way too proud of herself.
Skyler points at her. “She threatened to call Zach three times.”
Bree shrugs. “And it worked.”
I laugh, and for the first time today, it’s a real laugh.
Before Skyler can argue, the sound of male voices comes from the barn. I look out across the yard and see the men walking toward us. Guy is wiping sweat from his forehead, Logan is laughing at something Miller said, and Zach is already looking straight at Skyler like he needs to make sure she hasn’t moved an inch.