“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“You are a regular comedian today,” she said between giggles. “If I cheated on you, I wouldn’t tell you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t tell you. Go home, Riley. It’s been over with us for a long time. And you weren’t giving me advice, you were putting me down that last few months so you wouldn’t feel guilty about cheating on me.”
“I want you back, Allie. I’ll treat you right this time. I’ll let you work,” he begged.
She shook her head slowly from side to side. “Sometimes it’s too late to do what you should’ve been doing all along. Door is closed, Riley. Let me work, indeed! Are you dumbass crazy?”
His face turned scarlet with rage. “Don’t you talk to me like that and don’t laugh at me.”
She brought the gun back up, only this time she aimed it at his crotch. “Give me a reason.”
The cowbell attached to the front door rang loudly. He took two steps back but she readjusted the gun, hoping her aim would put a hole through both balls with one shot.
Nadine stopped at the end of the counter. “What in the hell are you doing in town, Riley? And don’t be givin’ me that look. I heard that Bobby Ray holed up in your place last night. He’s back home now, but we’ve had a come-to-Jesus talk.” She turned to Allie and asked, “What’s he done that you’ve got a gun on his stuff?”
“He raised his fist at me,” Allie said.
“Then shoot him and I’ll be your witness,” Nadine said.
“He came to give me a second chance,” Allie said. “You want to spread the news so Suzanne knows what kind of man she’s quittin’ college for?”
“Are you crazy? She can damn sure do better than you.” Nadine got right into his personal space and poked him in the chest.
“I don’t know what gave her that idea. I’m a happily married man. I dropped by because I was in town. She’s lying. I would never hit a woman.” Riley pulled himself up to his full height of five feet eight inches. “I’ll be going now. I don’t have to take abuse from either of you.”
“No, but I reckon Greta and Suzanne might have some that you’ll have to take when they both hear you’ve been down here trying to get back with your ex,” Nadine told him.
He almost made it to the door when Irene rushed inside and stopped right in front of him. She stomped one foot on the wooden floor.
“You bastard. What in the hell are you doin’ in my store?” she demanded. “I hope God strikes you graveyard dead. And God hears the prayers of little children and crazy old women, so you’d best get on out of here.”
“I’m leaving.” He turned back to give Nadine an evil smile. “You ever tell her about us?” The slamming door echoed through the store like a shotgun blast.
“Did you screw him, too?” Irene turned on Nadine.
Nadine blushed and covered her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry, Allie.”
“Before or after we were married?” Allie asked.
The sobbing started.
“I asked a question,” Allie said loudly.
“After,” Nadine sobbed. “But only two times. He said that you couldn’t keep him happy, that you hated sex and wouldn’t even sleep with him. But I wasn’t the only one, Allie.”
“Sharlene?”
Nadine dropped her hands and nodded. “But before y’all were married.”
“And Mary Jo?”
“Right before Greta,” Nadine whimpered.
Irene threw up her hands in disgust and went straight back to the office where she sat down in the office chair and turned on the television. Allie could barely think straight, but she made a quick call to her mom to let her know Granny was safe and sound before turning toward Nadine.
Nadine froze in the spot where she’d been standing when Riley was still there. “I am so sorry. I came to town to ’fess up to you. Honest, I did. I heard you were runnin’ the store for Lizzy because she’s sick, and I came in here to tell you that I won’t be flirting with Blake Dawson anymore. I didn’t know you were interested in him and I feel so guilty for what I did with Riley, I’d never do that to you again, Allie. You deserve better.”
Allie should feel something other than indifference. Four women including Greta had slept with her husband either before or after she married him. One was standing right there within slapping distance. She should hate her but the only thing she felt for Nadine was pity. “Well, thank you for that but you should be thinkin’ about your wedding instead of my feelings.”
Nadine took a step toward the counter. “You have always been too nice. We were all so jealous of you in high school and then afterwards when you married Riley. Every girl in school was in love with him and he chose you. We all hated you for that.”