Betty opened her eyes, flicking them toward me. “That’s not really a topic of conversation I’m interested in discussing.”
I had a feeling she wouldn’t tell me what really happened. These people were full of secrets, and it seemed they intended on keeping it that way. I shut the water off and put the pan in the drying rack.
“Sorry,” I muttered.
“No need to apologize. Just know your place,” Betty said matter-of-factly.
The sliding door opened, and Calvin popped in. “Food’s ready, ladies.” He walked to the counter and leaned over the honey cake. “It looks as good as it smells, Betty.”
“Thanks, Calvin. Only the best for the birthday boy.” She smiled.
He strolled to me and slung an arm around my shoulder. “Your dish looks great too,” he whispered, planting a kiss on my forehead. I knew he was lying.
Charlotte’s eyes darkened. “Calvin, can you help carry some of this?” She collected the containers of potato salad and coleslaw.
Her eyes brightened when he glanced in her direction, always changing colors like a mood ring. Calvin couldn’t see it but I could. I knew what she was doing. She was the type of woman who would do whatever it took to get what she wanted. And what she wanted was Calvin. But I was in the way.
30.
Calvin
Carrying in empty serving bowls and a bag of trash, I found Grace at the sink washing dishes with her back turned to me. The barbecue had gone well, and it was actually nice getting everyone together again. I think Grace enjoyed herself too, which was all that mattered. I stopped in my tracks and observed her. I could watch her all day. The outline of her body curved in and out in all the right places. Her long blond hair was tied up in a high ponytail, giving me a glimpse of her slender neck. I wanted my lips on it, on every part of her, leaving no inch of her skin untouched or unmarked by me. She must have sensed me standing there because she snapped her head in my direction. Her shoulders tensed.
“Hey,” I said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s fine.” She relaxed her face and exhaled deeply. “I’m just a little jumpy.”
I wasted no time strolling over to her, wrapping my arms around her waist, leaving a trail of kisses along her neck and jawline.
Grace pushed into me and laughed. “Did everyone leave?”
“Yeah.”
She turned, facing me. Her teeth sunk into her lower lip. “Good.” Those blue, blue eyes seemed to double in size.
I leaned down and kissed her again. Wet, soapy hands wrapped around my neck but I didn’t mind. Grace kissed me back like she was hungry.
The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted us. Damn it. Grace and I immediately pulled away from one another. Char stood in the entryway, holding a wire basket with less than a dozen eggs in it. Grace turned toward the sink and submerged her hands in the dishwater.
“Hey Char, thought you left,” I said nonchalantly.
She looked angry—actually, more hurt than anything. Her eyes were shiny and red, which could have been from drinking beers all afternoon, but I hadn’t noticed them like that when she was leaving earlier.
“Yeah, I was but decided I may as well gather the eggs before I left.” She tossed the basket onto the floor. A couple eggs fell out and splattered against the tile.
“Jesus, Charlotte.” I threw my hands up.
Without another word, Charlotte stomped out the back door. Grace glanced over her shoulder and raised her brows.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, letting out a sigh.
I caught up with Charlotte just as she was getting into her car. My hand blocked her from closing the door, and I grabbed it, pulling it open. Tears streamed down her face while she scrambled with her keys.
“What is your problem?”
Char looked up with narrowed eyes and leapt out of her seat at me. “Me? Me? What’s wrong with you?” She shoved a finger into my chest.
“Nothing.” I took a step back, putting my hands up.
“What are you doing with Grace?” She seethed.
“It’s none of your business.” I shook my head and stared off at the setting sun. That’s how I felt. Half here, half gone. I’d felt that way for a long time.
“It is my business.” Her voice cracked. More tears escaped her eyes.
“Char, are you drunk? I can take you home.”
“No, I’m not fucking drunk, Calvin!” She kicked at the gravel and peered up at me. “Can’t you see it?”
A blank look came over me. “See what?”
“Grace. There’s something not right about her.” Char’s eyes widened as she spoke. “Why is she here? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“She’s on vacation. How many times do I have to say that?”
“A million because it doesn’t make any sense.” She took a small step toward me and put her hand on my forearm. “Please, tell me you see that.”
I sighed. “I don’t.”
Char pulled her hand away and folded her arms in front of her chest. “Is that it then? Are you with her now?”
“If I say yes, are you going to stop all of this?” I gestured to her with my hands. I was tired of Charlotte. She was walking a fine line.
“What about us?”
“There is no us.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “But . . . we slept together.”
“One time. I’m sorry, Charlotte, but that’s all it was for me—one time.” She just didn’t understand no matter how much I told her. She even broke up with Wyatt, thinking there was a chance with me. I regretted sleeping with her right after I finished. It was a moment of weakness, and my one moment of weakness had left her permanently weak. I knew I had to be mean to get Charlotte to understand that she and I were never going to be anything other than friends. I let out a deep breath and stared directly into her eyes.
“Charlotte, I want every night with Grace, but with you, one night was enough.”
In her weakened state, she immediately broke. Her face crumpled and tears poured out of her eyes like a faucet in her brain just turned on. When an animal was suffering, the most humane thing you could do was put it out of its misery. I hoped this was enough for Charlotte.
Without saying a word, she got into her car, turned on the engine, and slammed on the gas. Her tires did the rest of the talking as they spit up dirt and gravel.
I let out a sigh of relief as I watched her car disappear down the road. I wouldn’t be made to feel guilty for liking Grace. I had four days left with her, and I wanted to make them the best four days of her life. I didn’t care what Char thought, or Joe, or Betty, or any of them. This town wasn’t good to outsiders. They didn’t like people that were different than them. But I did. I’d always been much more welcoming to strangers. Perhaps because I knew what it felt like to be different, and I myself felt like an outsider sometimes.
Back inside, Grace was finishing up by wiping down the counters. She took care of everything, and it was my turn to take care of her.
“How’d it go?” she asked, wringing out the dishrag over the sink. She looked back at me, waiting for me to speak, but I was just in awe over her.