Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(5)
He tries his best to change my mind. “We need to talk. Now that you know the truth we can try to fix this. I don’t want Chrissy.”
“I don’t care what you want, Shaun. You betrayed me. You slept with my roommate. You told me you hated her.”
“Because she was blackmailing me,” he defends.
“There isn’t an excuse in this world that would make me forgive you. I can’t look at you right now, much less deal with the repercussions of your actions. I need you to go.”
He begins to speak, but is distracted by a raised Ford truck pulling into the parking lot with loud country music blaring from the speakers. The vehicle makes a fast turn and stops right in front of where we’re standing. The passenger window rolls down and that’s when I see him.
“Hi. It’s seven,” he says with an uncertain grimace. “You got somewhere else to be?”
I glance at Shaun and then back to Josh, and I don’t know what makes me do it, but I push my cheating ex to the side and put my foot on the side step in order to open the door and climb inside of the four-by-four. I don’t look at Shaun when I make the order for Josh. “Get me out of here.”
Chapter 3
Joshua
There was some time during my afternoon where I considered not showing up to see this female again. The chances of me getting laid are pretty slim, especially knowing she’s friends with Liv. I can’t expect for it to come easily, and I’m not sure the work will be worthwhile. How good can she be? Comparable to Liv, no one has ever gotten close. Nonetheless, I prefer not to miss an opportunity to get my dick wet, no matter how selfish I may be.
Wes and I had a late lunch, and several bottles of beer before we parted ways, him driving away in his new vehicle. Afterwards, I stopped home and got involved in a long conversation with my good old dad about where I want to be in the next five years. If he’d get off my back for a second, maybe I’d be able to give him some sort of answer. Like other times, I stormed off in my truck, while determined to put some distance between us.
It’s not that I hate my dad. I get it. I’m in my twenties, didn’t go to college, and haven’t made an ounce of effort when it comes to being independent. I rely on my parents for everything. I don’t know the first thing about cooking, keeping up with a house, or doing my own laundry. It’s not that I’m incapable, I just prefer to let everyone else keep doing it for me. I’m spoiled, and they all know it. As far as I’m concerned, they made me the way I am.
When I arrive at the dealership, I’m surprised to find Tamsyn outside. I assume she’s waiting for me to pick her up, so I pull to the curb where she’s standing. She proceeds to scream something at a guy I recognize from our family church. His name is Shaun, and he’s from a prominent family on the other side of town from where I reside. I haven’t seen him since high school, not that he’s changed much, all except for a bit more facial hair. We were never friends, so I don’t offer a wave. Tamsyn climbs into the passenger side of the truck like her ass is literally on fire. She slams the door, and lets out something like a wail. I’m unsure what to think.
She’s in my truck, but disturbed about something that is going down, or was before I showed up.
She doesn’t have a clue what she’s about to get into. By simply allowing me to pick her up, she’s involved me in whatever this is. We’re pulling out of the lot, she’s turning around watching out the window, staring at the guy who still remains where she left him. “You know him?” I don’t lead on that I’m familiar with the person.
“He’s my boyfriend,” she exclaims. “My ex.”
I can sense hostility in her voice, and it says a lot since I know nothing about the woman. I chuckle at the way it comes out of her pretty little mouth. “Is he going to come after you? Should I watch my back?”
“If he knows what’s good for him, no. Just keep driving. Please.” She’s starting to cry. There’s nothing more annoying than hearing a woman sob, especially about a man. If I’m not the cause, I don’t want to be involved. “You need me to drop you somewhere?”
She turns to me with makeup running down her cute cheeks. “No. I can’t go back to the dorm. Take me anywhere you want, just not there.”
I pull the truck over into the closest parking lot and turn to face her. “Look, lady, I can tell you’re having a hard time. I’m getting the feeling I rolled up on something I’ve got no business being apart of. If you don’t mind, I’d rather not make this any harder for you than it already is.”
Her pained eyes widen. “No.” She’s wiping her face, her pleads making me strain to be able to comprehend what she’s saying. “I need to keep busy.”
“Keep busy? I can think of some ways that can happen, but I don’t think you’re up for that.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and glares out the window. “Wow. You’re admitting it only minutes after picking me up? You’ve got nerve.”
“I thought I made it clear earlier. I have no reason to hold back. I’m almost always looking for a booty call. There’s no harm if it’s cordial, right?”
“Just stop talking.” She scrunches her face and rubs her frustrations away. “I can’t …”