The only problem in my hasty escape, I had no way to actually leave having ridden with Tim to the bar. Not willing to go back in there to look for a ride, I continued to stomp over the gravel parking lot to where it met the road. As I reached the highway, a pair of headlights beamed, blinding me. The car slowed as it came to a stop in front of me. Relief washed over me when I saw the Sheriff emblem, and Roger’s familiar, kind face.
He rolled down the window as I stepped closer. “Conley? Everything all right?”
I swiped at my tears and shook my head. “No. Can you give me a ride to Tim’s? I need to get my car.”
Roger looked past me toward Dudley’s for a beat. “Tim here now?”
“Yes.” I nodded.
He sighed. “Jump in,” he said, nodding to the passenger seat.
I’d spent the last three days sequestered in my apartment, refusing to show my face in town. The only person I’d let through the door was Ricky. The things he’d heard around town were enough to send him to my doorstep to check up on me. He’d hung with me all day Saturday, giving me the quiet support I needed. The two of us found some camaraderie from our broken hearts. He hadn’t made me talk about it, only bringing up the subject once.
“I don’t understand why you can’t just tell everyone what really happened,” he’d said.
“It’s not that easy,” I’d responded, and he dropped the subject completely. I was thankful to have him on my side and that he hadn’t pushed me to say more.
Unfortunately, I had nobody to blame but myself for everything that had transpired. Of course, I could’ve blamed it all on Bobby. But I had plenty of time to think once I’d made it home Wednesday night and holed myself up. I knew things probably wouldn’t have exploded between Tim and me, if I’d just told him about the interview before we’d arrived. But I didn’t know what to say at the time. I’d barely had a moment to process it all before we were at Dudley’s that night. I’d found out for the first time about the interview announcement when I’d picked up my phone to read my messages. Immediately after, Tim told me Bobby was at Dudley’s. I’d been in shock. From there it all spun out of control. Despite how ugly it got, Tim and I had been honest with each other. And though the truth hurt, it needed to be aired out.
It wasn’t until Sunday morning I was forced out of my safe haven and out in front of all the busybodies of Billingsley. In my parent’s eyes, there was no excuse for missing Sunday service. At least, not where their children were concerned. I’d shown up early, taking my seat in the front pew where my family had sat since before I was born. I avoided everyone I possibly could, only talking to people when approached by them first, forcing smiles and pleasantries as expected. And when the service had ended, I didn’t bother moving to bid anyone farewell other than my mother and brother. No matter how hard the wooden bench seat was or how numb my bottom felt, I had no desire to leave anytime soon and risk running into someone who would expect a conversation from me.
Once the church had cleared out and all remaining stragglers had left, my father joined me, silently taking the seat beside me. He draped his arm across the back of the pew behind me. I leaned in, resting my head against him as we both stared forward at the cross hanging high in front of us.
“Dad?” I finally said, after a seemingly interminable stretch of quietness and reflection.
“Yes?”
“You can’t die from a broken heart, can you?”
Instead of answering my question, he pulled me into his arms, wrapping me in comfort and safety. “Life is tough, baby girl, but so are you.” After holding me for another long, silent moment, he added, “Would you be willing to take an old man’s advice?”
“Depends who the old man is.”
His chest vibrated with his muffled chuckle, and I felt the tug of my lips, cracking into what would be the first semblance of a smile in days. “Maybe it’s time to put yourself first for a little while. Figure out what you want. Find happiness for yourself.”
“You don’t think I’d been happy with Tim?” I asked, idly tracing my finger over the floral tattoo on my arm as I took in his advice.
“Not saying that at all. I like Tim. He’s a good man with a kind heart.”
I silently agreed with him. I couldn’t deny I saw the same in Tim, no matter how much it hurt that he didn’t want to hear the truth, or how much it hurt that he’d put his job before me the way Bobby always had. Somehow, it still felt different than it did when Bobby did it. But I couldn’t deny that he’d done it. I knew it wasn’t fair to be constantly comparing the two, or punishing Tim for past problems with Bobby. Which is why I didn’t have faith in my own judgement anymore. The only thing for certain was, I knew it was time to walk away, time to break the cycle I seemed to fall into with the men I fell for. Time to stand up for myself.
“It’s hard to have a long-lasting, healthy relationship when one person isn’t whole or being true to themselves. You’ve always been such a giver, kiddo. You put others’ wants and needs before your own. I love that quality in you, but I still want to see you thrive and be happy. And with time, whether that be weeks, or months, or even years, I have faith things will eventually fall into place for the two of you. The time just may not be now.”
As much as it pained me to admit it, my dad was right. It was time I got my life in order and figured out what I wanted for me. “You’re a smart old man. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“Not often. Could you let your mother know?”
A small chuckle escaped as I gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. “Consider it done.”
“Thanks, Ms. Debbie,” I said as she refilled my cup of coffee and I reached for two sugar packets. I flicked them between my fingers before tearing them open and pouring them into the cup.
“Of course, hon. You still waiting to order?”
“Yes. He should be here soon.” I stirred the coffee around, the spoon clinking melodically against the white porcelain cup covered in local business advertisements.
“I won’t hold my breath,” she muttered to herself as she walked away.
I wasn’t sure if the jab was meant for me or him, but I ignored it either way and instead checked the time on my watch. He was late.
It was another ten minutes before the door to Kathy’s diner swung open, the bell chiming, drawing the attention of half the restaurant as Bobby strutted through. Hushed murmurs broke out as he strode my direction, smoothly removing the aviators that covered his handsome face to place them on his head. A few of the younger females gawked from a distance, their eyes filled with excitement and cheeks blushing. Bobby bent down, kissing my cheek before sliding into the booth across from me.
“Thanks for meeting me,” I said, once he’d settled in his seat.
“I’m glad you called.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table and reaching for my hands. I snatched them back, placing both in my lap.
“I didn’t call because I changed my mind, Bobby.”
The carefree confidence he’d shown up with slipped. He pulled both his arms back, tugging at the neck of his black T-shirt, and cleared his throat. The muscles in his arms flexed with restrained annoyance. If there was one thing I could guarantee, it was that Bobby wouldn’t make a scene in public if he could help it. It’s why I invited him to breakfast at Kathy’s to talk instead of my apartment. It was neutral ground and wouldn’t give him the wrong idea that inviting him to my home would’ve.
“Then why did you call?”
“Because it’s time we talked, and I need you to truly listen to what I have to say.”
“Let’s have it then, Con.” He crossed his arms, pinning me with his stare. He was battling his urge to lash out.
I took a deep breath, praying this didn’t all backfire. “I’ll always care for you. And I want the best for you. But I also want what’s best for me. And I don’t think us being together is good for either of us.”
“And what is best for you? Tim?”
“No— I d
on’t know,” I stumbled through my thoughts at his mention of Tim. “That’s not what I’m saying. This isn’t about Tim. It’s about me. I’m not happy. I haven’t been in a really long time. I need to finally do something for myself.”
“Like what?”
“Like… I don’t know. Like going back to school. I want to finish my degrees. I want to work on my art and maybe open a studio someday.”
“I don’t see why you can’t do that and us still get married.”
“I could…but that’s not what I want.”
“Because you want Tim.”
“Please stop making this about Tim...”
“Are you saying nothing happened with you two?”
“Something happened. But that’s not the point. I’m not going to be running into his arms when you leave here. Things between Tim and me are over, also.” Saying those words pained me more than anything. But it was the truth, and if it made Bobby realize this had nothing to do with Tim, then I’d say them again and again just to get him to understand and let me go.
“This doesn’t make sense. I thought you wanted to get married. It’s why you got pissed off and packed your bags in the first place. I’m giving you what you wanted.”
“I know—I know it’s confusing and I’m sorry to put you through all this. I appreciate the grand gesture. But it was a little too late. And I’m not placing blame, because I believe it was never in the cards for us. We will always want different things.”
Ms. Debbie appeared at the table, giving me a momentary reprieve from the tension radiating off Bobby. He’d switched to his public persona, plastering on the smile that tended to make all the girls squeal in his presence. Ms. Debbie obviously wasn’t a squealer. Her only response was for her gray eyebrows to shoot upward and pinch together with the deep wrinkles carving in her forehead.
“Well, hell must be freezing over,” she said as she plopped an empty mug on the table and filled it with coffee. She didn’t even bother to ask him if he wanted any.
“Did you miss me, Ms. Debbie?” Bobby asked.
“Not one bit,” she said with a straight face and without skipping a beat.
Bobby chuckled anyway. “Oh, come on now, Ms. Debbie. You had to miss me a little. Either that or you’ve been getting your fix by listening to me on the radio.”
“Unless your name is George Straight, I haven’t heard a single one of your songs. Now, are you two gonna be ordering food, or just taking up real estate all morning?”
“I’ll have my usual,” I answered quickly.
“Just the coffee for me. Gotta keep this figure in shape,” Bobby said, rubbing his hand over his abs.
Ms. Debbie harrumphed and walked away.
“She loves me,” Bobby said, pleased with himself, as he leaned back, stretching his arms across the top of the booth and giving me a wink.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. “I’m sure.”
“Well, at least that’s one person.” His face fell somber.
“Bobby…” I said on a sigh, the tension between us returning.
“I wasn’t saying that to be an ass, Con. I just…This came out of nowhere.”
“I know,” I said, even though I wanted to bang my head against the table. I’d been telling him this for months now. I told him the day I left. How he could believe that, I had no idea.
His phone rang in his pocket, and he answered it immediately, greeting his agent. I’d never been so thankful in my life for the interruption. In the past, it would’ve upset me that he’d answered in the middle of a serious conversation between us. But now, I prayed that whatever his agent needed, it would take him away from here.
“Hold on a sec,” Bobby said to him, then covered the phone to speak to me. “I gotta handle this. Can we talk more later?”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t have any more to say.”
At my response, Bobby spoke into the phone again. “Hey, Richard, I’m gonna have to call you back.” He hung up the phone with his agent still rambling on in the background.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” I said. In all the years, he’d never once hung up on his team to finish a conversation with me. Unfortunately, it was a little too late.
He shrugged, slipping the phone back in his pocket. “I want to work on things, Conley. I heard what you were saying. But I think we can get through this. The way we always have.”
“I don’t. This isn’t the same. Things are different now.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then I’m sorry you don’t. But I’m not changing my mind.”
“I have to head back to L.A. tonight. Come with me. Once you’re home, things will be better. Like they used to be.”
“I am home. And I don’t want things to be like they used to be.”
“You’re being ridiculous. You’re throwing years away for what? A waitressing job at a podunk bar in the middle of fucking nowhere, Texas.”
And there was the Bobby I knew. The one who thought he could fix everything with the smallest gesture and charm. When I didn’t fall for his act this time, he was quick to transform back to his usual condescending self.
“If that’s what you think, then all the more reason for me not to leave with you.”
He slid from the booth, shaking his head. I closed my eyes, taking a deep inhale, bracing myself for his final blow.
“I gave you everything. And this is how you repay me. Good luck finding your happiness, Con. Because from where I’m standing, nothing will make you happy.”
A retort was on the tip of my tongue, but not wanting to prolong this conversation any more than needed, I kept my mouth closed. He was gone in a blink of an eye, slamming through the door and turning even more heads with his dramatic departure than his entrance.
“That boy ain’t right,” Miss Debbie said, slipping my plate of food in front of me. “Never did understand what you saw in him.”
“He wasn’t all bad,” I replied. There had been good moments with Bobby, as fleeting as they were. I just hadn’t realized how much I’d desperately held onto the few in order to overlook the bad.
“I’m guessing from the way he left here in a huff, the wedding is off.”
“It was never on,” I admitted, not sure why I felt the urge for Ms. Debbie of all people to know the truth. “I didn’t cheat on him with Tim.”
“Darlin’, your business is your business. Ain’t nobody need to know the details but the people involved. Everyone else can go suck on a lemon if they don’t like it.”
And with that last sound piece of advice, she sauntered away, busying herself with the rest of her tables. As the relief that Bobby was gone relaxed me, I turned my attention to my breakfast, taking a few bites. While I chewed, I dug through my bag and pulled out my new sketch book to make plans for my life. Staring at the clean pages of the book made my thoughts immediately go to Tim. Not that it took much for them to go there. It was more like I couldn’t get thoughts of him to leave my mind.
A commotion in the restaurant had me looking up from the white pages. People one by one were rotating to stare toward the front of the diner. A few had jumped from their seats, pulling out their phones in a hurry as they pressed up against the large glass storefront.
“What’s going on?” I asked a younger guy, rushing past my booth.
“Things are about to get real,” he said, and hurried to squeeze into the gathering crowd.
My stomach sank and my hair prickled at the back of my neck. Bobby. There was no doubt this had something to do with him. I hesitated only a moment before joining all the other spectators. As soon as I saw what everyone was watching, I darted for the door, only to be stopped with a hand clamping down on my wrist.
I glanced back to find Ms. Debbie with a firm hold on me.
She shook her head, her expression a mixture of sympathy and warning. “Ain’t no good will come from you going out there. You’ll only make things worse.”
“But—”
/>
“Trust me, hon. This ain’t your battle. You going out there will be about as helpful as tits on a bull.”
20
Tim
The fast tempo of Muse’s Starlight drowned out the world through the air pods plugging my ears as my feet pounded the pavement. After my failed attempt at a relaxing morning of fishing, I went for a run. It was the only thing I figured would release some anxious energy and clear my head.
The crisp morning air, my favorite playlist, the burn in my muscles, and the demand to focus on my breathing always seemed to work. Except for this time. I hadn’t been able to get my fight with Conley out of my head. She’d been right about everything she said. Though, I’d never thought of myself as a coward. It was more I didn’t want to make waves and tried to keep the peace. I hadn’t fought to be the lead singer of the band, because I didn’t want to be in the spotlight. I wanted to write and play the music I loved. Bobby had wanted it, needed it, more than I ever did, so I didn’t see the point of arguing.
With Conley, well…okay, maybe I was a coward when it came to her.
She’d always been the one that got away. Now that we had a second chance, and I knew what it was like to feel her love in return, I didn’t want things to end. I wasn’t sure if I had a choice in the matter any longer, though. She’d been fired up and madder than I’d ever seen her. Rightfully so. I hadn’t given her a chance to explain. And that part was on me as much as it was on her for not telling me in the first place. But I’d also said some things in the heat of the moment that I regretted and needed to apologize for.
I rounded the street corner, turning onto Main Street, heading back toward my house. My steps faltered slightly, my pace slowing when I saw Bobby on the sidewalk ahead of me just outside of Kathy’s. His phone was glued to his ear as he paced. It was evident something had him worked up as he spoke into the phone.
Tempting Tim: A Small Town Friends to Lovers Romance (Billingsley Book 4) Page 18