Where One Goes(42)

“Why would I hide our friendship?”

“Maybe Misty would get pissed if she knew?”


He takes another bite of his burger and chews slowly, and I wonder if he’s buying some time before he responds. Finally, after he swallows and sucks some ketchup from his thumb, he says, “I know I must look pretty pathetic to you.”

My head rears slightly. That’s not at all what I think. “No. Not at all,” I tell him.

“I mean, hanging out with a girl that’s taken and the drugs. They’re not things I’m proud of.” His gaze lingers off somewhere, nit meeting mine. He’s ashamed.

“We all cope differently,” I admit. I’m the last person in the world that could judge George. Sure, he is doing some things I think poorly on, but I was about to kill myself a few days ago, so who am I to say anything? At least he was trying to survive his pain, I was ready to end it; period. Maybe I’m not the stronger one like I thought.

“The thing between Misty and I just kind of happened and seems to have snowballed from there. But we’re not together . . . we’re only friends.”

“But you still wouldn’t want her to see us together, right?” He cocks his head to the side, giving me a look that says he’s baffled by my question.

“Do you want to be seen with me, Charlotte?” he asks seriously and my brow furrows in confusion with his question.

“What do you mean?” I ask before biting into my food.

“I just thought you might not want others to see you with me. Apparently, it’s no secret I’ve been seeing Misty, and with you knowing about the drugs and all . . . Plus, I look like I’ve been beaten with a bat.”

Licking my lips, I shake my head. “You think I’d be ashamed to be seen with you?”

“Well, aren’t you?”

Leaning forward, I lay my hand on his leg. He stills as his gaze moves to my hand. “You’re my friend now, George. I’m not ashamed of that.”

When his coffee eyes meet mine again, his mouth quirks up on one side. “Yeah. You’re pretty lucky to have me as a friend,” he laughs.

Rolling my eyes, I take another bite of my burger. When I’m done chewing, I ask, “So, what the hell do people do around here for fun?”

“You mean other than attending epic dances at the dance hall?” he jests.

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “Other than that.”

“Hunt, fish, hike, and drink,” he answers simply.

“Sounds riveting,” I snort, but on some level, it sounds wonderful. It sounds peaceful and isn’t that what I’ve wanted more than anything the last few years?

“Well, it’s not for everyone,” George notes. “But it’s home. Why don’t I take you on a tour one day?”

“Oh my,” I say, in my best Southern drawl, placing a hand to my chest. “I get the grand tour of Bath county with George McDermott. It’s my lucky day.”

“Yeah, well, you’re growing on me. Kind of like a fungus.”

“You really know how to make a girl feel special, George,” I reply, tossing my crumpled up wrapper at him. “That burger was awesome, but I probably just gained a thousand pounds eating it.”

“You could stand to gain a few pounds,” he notes before shoving the rest of his burger in his mouth.

“Well, I think I just gained a third butt cheek.”

“God, I hope not, because that ass of yours is perfect,” he notes with a devilish smirk on his face. Heat crawls up my neck and onto my face, causing my cheeks to redden.

“I’m so suing you for sexual harassment,” I joke as I lie back and stare up at the sky. He laughs a genuine laugh and my chest tightens. Damn. I really like his laugh.

Looking down at me, he leans forward. “You have something right . . .” His thumb grazes the corner of mouth, wiping away a spot of ketchup. Sucking it off of his thumb, he smiles. “Lucky ketchup.”

Warmth, once again, inflames my cheeks as I dart my eyes away from him. Why was that so hot? George lies down beside me and when his arm rests against mine, tingles surge through me again. I shouldn’t be reacting this way to him. I’m only meant to help him so Ike can crossover, not to mention the feelings I’ve developed for Ike. I’m seriously messed up in the head. I mean, what kind of person develops a crush on a set of brothers, let alone with a dead one in the mix? But I can’t deny I’m drawn to the McDermott twins. In Ike, I crave his warmth and good heart. In George, I crave his likeness, the understanding we share. Glancing around for Ike once more and not seeing him, I try to relax even though I’m worried sick that he’s disappeared.

George and I fall into an easy conversation. We share stories about our childhoods, our brothers, and George fills me in on the town gossip, which is sad. His seeing Misty and getting beaten up by Roger is the most dramatic thing to happen in Warm Springs in years.

When he drops me off back at the motel, we stand awkwardly at my door. “Thanks for joining me today, and I’m sorry I was such a dick last night or . . . well, every day since we’ve met.”


I laugh. “I’m glad we’re friends now, George.” And it’s true. He’s a good guy once he lets his guard down, but the thought of us being true friends simmers in my mind. I’m lying to him about everything; about who I am, and how I came to be here. When the truth comes out, it won’t be pretty. Another awkward second slips by before he leans toward me, making my breath hitch. Is he going to kiss me? Oh God, no . . . but yes. Do I want him to? I think I do. Licking my lips, I prepare myself for his mouth to meet mine, closing my eyes. But when his warm mouth brushes gently across my cheek, my eyes fly open, embarrassment flooding me. Did it look obvious I wanted to kiss him? I am mortified.