“I think you’re seeing things that aren’t there. Brody and I are simply friends.”
“Yeah, right. I might buy that if I wasn’t sitting in the middle of your entire wardrobe, with you trying to find the perfect outfit to wear on your date.” Tessa lightly fingered the edge of a knit top, the vibrant red color striking against the majority of pastels that made up the mainstay of Beth’s wardrobe. Never one to stand out, she tended to wear the more subtle, subdued palate. Along with a couple pair of black pants and a black skirt, that comprised the extent of her wardrobe. That brilliant red top had been her one splurge, but she’d never had the nerve to wear it.
“I’m right, though. You’re going out with Brody?”
Beth drew in a deep breath before answering. “Yes. I called him this morning.”
Tessa bounced on the mattress. “You actually called him? That’s kinda awesome, Sis. It’s about time you put that jackass Evan behind you and got on with your life. You deserve the best, and Brody is definitely one of the good guys.”
“Look, Sis, don’t make more of this than what it is, dinner between two friends. I don’t know if I’m ready for anything more than that. It’s too soon. Think about it, the ink is barely dry on the divorce papers—”
“Don’t hand me that bull hockey. We both know Evan is a ratfink, no good louse, and you shouldn’t waste another minute thinking otherwise. Notice I’m using my polite words here, instead of cursing him, which truth be told, I’ve done many, many times. He’s the one who cheated, practically the whole time you were married. Then he planned to kill you. Shoot, tried to kill me and Rafe.” Tessa rose from the bed and wrapped her arms around Beth. “Please, Beth, don’t let him steal your happiness. You and Jamie have started over. It’s a brand-new life. A new beginning. Be open to new experiences. Be brave. Be the sister I remember, the one who looked life in the eye and smiled. I want to see your smile again.”
She sniffled, fighting back the tears that threatened. Tessa had been there for her through the horrendous aftermath of Evan’s betrayal. There were times, she was convinced, she’d never have made it through without her. Plus, she was right, she couldn’t allow Evan to steal one more moment of her joy. Jamie deserved better. She deserved better, too. Evan made his choices, and now he could deal with the consequences, but that didn’t mean she had to bury herself in regret or shame. What happened rested squarely on his shoulders.
Realizing she’d been carrying around a gigantic burden from Evan’s perfidious behavior, it felt like an epiphany, the shedding of the weight of guilt and remorse for not realizing sooner what he’d been doing to her and her family. No more. Today, she started living again.
“I promise things will be different. I’m done hiding. Done paying for something I didn’t do and had no control over. How about you help me choose an outfit for tonight?”
Tessa smiled and cupped her sister’s cheek. “There she is, the sister I remember. The fighter.” She turned to the bed. “Where are you going tonight?”
Beth shrugged. “I have no idea. I suggested Daisy’s, but Brody wanted someplace else. He’s going to pick me up at seven.”
Tessa tapped a finger against her lips. “Hmm, since we don’t know formal or casual, wear the red top and the black pencil skirt. It’s classy, but not too fussy. Perfect for dressing up or down.”
“The red one? Are you sure it’s not too…I don’t know…flashy?”
“Nonsense. You’ll look gorgeous in it, and knock Brody on his keister. Here,” she picked up the skirt and the top and shoved them into Beth’s hands. “Pair this with your black boots, and you’ll look amazeballs, Sis. Go get changed, and I’ll help you with your makeup. I’ll check on Jamie while you dress.”
Beth hugged Tessa tight. “You are the best sister in the world.”
Tessa chuckled. “I know. Get dressed.” She left the bedroom, and Beth smiled at her bellowed call for Jamie. Turning, she headed for the bathroom to change, anticipation swirling inside along with excitement, feelings she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Too long. She couldn’t wait to see Brody.
Brody cursed for what had to be the dozenth time since he’d left Austin. Everything that could possibly go wrong did, until he’d been ready to shoot the next person who complained, questioned, or delayed his leaving town. All through the morning, he’d replayed his conversation with Beth in his head. Finally—finally—his patience was about to pay off, because they had a date. He’d handled her with kid gloves, because he knew after the traumatic turn her life took, she wasn’t ready to deal with anybody coming on too strong. Instead, he’d taken things slow and easy, had become her friend. Now, he was hoping she might be ready for more.
A loud pop sounded, and his truck yanked hard to the side. Tightening his hands on the steering wheel, he maneuvered to the shoulder of the road and climbed out. Cursed when he saw the shredded left front tire, the rim resting on the gravely dirt beside the two-lane road.
“Perfect. Just freaking perfect.”
Reaching behind the driver’s seat, he felt around for the spare tire kit, his fingers fumbling around, and finding nothing. Tilting the seat forward, he banged his fist on the seat, because it was easy to see the kit and jack were missing. I’m going to kill Ridge. When he’d been home, Ridge had a flat, and asked to borrow his jack, and promised to put it back when he finished. Apparently the jackass hadn’t, and now Brody was stuck thirty minutes from home.
Whipping
