The Truth She Knew (4 page)

Walker pulled his car into the only parking spot available, slid the gearshift into first gear, turned the engine off, and released the clutch. He made it seem so easy. His little brown Nissan radiated character. I wondered if he would teach me to drive it. I’d never driven a stick shift and it would be a good excuse to spend more time with him if I wanted too, but the jury was still out.

We ordered and the waitress brought our food. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the aroma of french fries filled his car.

“
So, where did you graduate?” Walker asked between french fries.

“
Lake Hamilton, home of the wolves,” I said and grinned. “You?”

“
Fountain Lake.”

“
Wow, you live way out in the sticks, huh?”

“
It’s not too bad. I’m closer to town than you are.” He laughed.

“
Yeah, I guess so.”

“
Besides, I work at the country club so it’s close,” he said as he took another french fry.

“
Oh? What do you do at the club?”

A slow grin crept across his face. “I’m a lifeguard.”

“
Oh,” I said, not hiding my surprise. My mind drifted to him sitting in the lifeguard’s chair with no shirt on, ready to dive in at any given moment.

“
Well, it’s good to know that if we ever swim together I’ll be in good hands,” I said and grinned.

I took my seat belt off and turned to face him. His blue eyes captivated me. I could lose myself in them forever and never care. A soft patch of hair shadowed his upper lip. My gaze lingered as I wondered what his lips would feel like against mine.

“
What are you thinking?” he asked and trailed his finger lightly across my cheek.

I blushed and silently cursed my pale skin as I reached for his hand. His fingers intertwined with mine. They were strong, rough, and soft all at the same time.

“
I’m not good for you, Walker.” I glanced down, embarrassed that those words had slipped out of my mouth. No way had I intended to say anything like that, but my mouth had a mind of its own. My plan had included ending the night with a thank-you and letting Walker go, but instead, it was turning into a tug-of-war between my heart and my brain.

“
Lacey, I highly doubt that,” he replied and squeezed my hand.

“
How would you know? We just met.” I dared to glance at him. If he knew what I meant he would kick me out of his car right then, leave, and never look back.

Walker leaned his head against his seat as he ran his free hand through his hair. His eyes settled on my face.

“
If we date, you’re going to hear things about me and my ex-girlfriend. You and I share some mutual friends and enemies.”

“
You have enemies? What the hell, Walker, you’re only nineteen,” I said as I dropped his hand. Maybe I wasn’t the worst of us after all.

“
No, that’s not what I meant,” he said, laughing.

“
What’s so funny?” I asked and folded my arms across my chest.

“
Not enemies in that way, but there are grudges and rumors. You know what high school was like.”

I nodded. I remembered all too well what it was like being caught in the crossfire and rumors. I’d managed to piss off a few mean girls myself.

“
Well, what do you mean exactly?” I let my hands fall back into my lap.

“
My ex, her name is Brittany. We dated for three years. She . . . how do I say this?” He paused and shook his head. “She was a handful. I didn’t realize it for a long time, though. I even asked her to marry me.”

“
What? Seriously?” My eyes grew wide with the realization of how serious they had been.

“
Yeah, I was crazy about her. It wasn’t until we got into a fight and she threw the engagement ring into the lake that I finally saw who she really was. When we worked out the fight the next day, she demanded I buy her not only another one, but a bigger one.”

“
Shit, Walker. That’s just rude!”

“
I agree. So, I doubt you saying you’re not good for me is true. I have a feeling you’re exactly what I need.”

He reached over and took my hand again. My face flushed with the warmth of his skin.

“
I would never do anything like that even if I were pissed at someone. You don’t treat people that way.”

“
Yeah, she didn’t understand that. I broke things off with her about four months ago.”

“
Do you still love her?” I asked.

Walker paused for a minute and stared out the car window. I held my breath as he processed the question.

“
Lacey, I was with her for three years. She was my first and I was hers. I’ll always care about her, care what happens to her, but I’m not in love with her. If I had been honest with myself I would’ve realized that I hadn’t been in love with her for over a year. I don’t want that kind of relationship. We fought all the time. I don’t want to be with her. Go out with me again, Lacey—give us a chance to find out who’s not good for whom.”

The expression on his face said he was telling me the truth, or maybe I just wanted so badly to believe that there really was an amazing guy sitting across from me. And, even more than that, that I could do this; that I could keep things under control and work really hard to get better. There was only one way to find out.

“
I’d like that too, but I need to get your full name. I’ve already been on one date with you, and I don’t even know your name. I certainly can’t make a case with Mama if I don’t present all the information.”

His warm laugh filled the car. “It’s Walker Tate Farren. What’s yours?”

“
Lacey Anne Beaumont.”

“
Well, Lacey Anne Beaumont, do you have plans tomorrow?”

“
No, it’s my day off.”

“
You do now,” he said and squeezed my hand.

The morning sun peered through my bedroom window as I kicked and untangled myself from my blankets. I’d agreed to a second date with Walker before he drove me back to my car. That’s what I wanted, but I also didn’t want Mama to find out.

The constantly looming question in the back of my mind was, what if Walker found out how messed up I was? My decision was selfish. However, I was eighteen and what was the harm in going out with him again to find out if he might be a good guy?

I’m not sure I struggled with that as much as with telling Mama. Maybe if I prepared a case to present to her after a few dates, she’d realize I was capable of making good decisions.

I tossed the blankets off and glanced at the clock: it glowed 8:30
a.m
. Late enough to call Joss and fill her in.

“
This better be important for you to call me this early in the morning,” Joss muttered.

“
I woke you—I’m sorry.”

“
Don’t be because I bet you’re gonna tell me something juicy,” she said, not bothering to hide her yawn.

“
Well, I can always call back if it’s too early.”

“
Oh hell no, spit it out. I’m awake now, so fess up.”

Joss didn’t care what time I called her, but if I did, I made sure I had a good reason.

“
I have a second date with Walker later today,” I blurted.

“
Oh my God, Lacey, that’s great! But you said
second
date.”

“
It wasn’t any big deal, just dinner after work.”

“
Wait, you need to fill me in on the first date. You can’t leave me hangin’ like that, Lacey. Did you call him?”

“
I didn’t call him, he showed up at work.”

“
What? How did he find out where you worked?”

“
Tammy and I were in the kitchen when the group of guys came in and then Patsy called. My guess is that she saw Walker and me talking and when I left she thought she’d speak to him herself. Walker said she started flirting with him. He was polite, but he shut her down and asked for my phone number. She assured him it was okay to call my house after nine last night.”

“
Oh, shit.”

“
Oh, shit is right. She knew not to give my number to anyone, and Mama doesn’t allow calls after nine unless someone’s dying. Anyway, Mama gave me hell this morning and demanded to know why I would give a strange guy our unlisted phone number. That took forever to explain. And, right after I’d won the tug-of-war inside me and decided I should
not
date him, he showed up at work. I turned around and there he was. I about hit the flippin’ floor.”

“
Wait, back up a minute. How did he find out where you worked?”

“
Tammy! Joss, he was so sweet trying to make sure I was okay last night, and then he realized, after speaking to Mama on the phone, that it wasn’t the best idea he’d ever had. He apologized for calling too late, but it was Tammy who told him it was okay and where I worked. She frustrates the crap out of me.”

“
Yeah, me too,” Joss sighed. “She does some stupid stuff, but when it comes down to it, she will back you up in a heartbeat. Between us, she thinks she’s the third wheel in the group.”

“
Okay, okay. I’ll let it go and not slap the shit out of her, but she has no idea what trouble she caused. No one does.”

Joss was silent for a moment. “Lacey, I realize your mom is difficult. She’s too strict and controlling. You know I still like her, but when are you going to move out? You don’t need to stay.”

“
You don’t understand.”

“
I do understand. You’ve told me before that she has a special relationship with God. I get it, but are you sure she doesn’t say those things to manipulate you?”

“
Forget it. Forget I called.” I flopped back on my bed and rubbed my head.

“
Lacey! Don’t you dare hang up on me. You called to talk to
me
, remember? We can leave Mama alone for now. Let’s talk about Walker.”

I paused for a moment and brushed my irritation away.

“
Joss, what am I going to do?” I groaned.

“
What do you mean what are you going to do? You’re going to get up and eat breakfast. Then you’re going to take a hot bubble bath and shave your pits, legs, and the Garden of Eden. After that, you’re going to go on a date with the hottest guy I’ve ever met. Lacey, I’m serious: put on your big-girl panties and go out with this guy!”

We broke into massive giggles. I held the phone away from my ear and struggled to pull air into my lungs.

“
Joss, stop! I can’t breathe!” I gasped as tears ran down my face.

“
Take a breath, you’ll be okay.” A moment of silence filled the phone line as we regained our composure.

“
I’m scared,” I muttered.

“
Why? I get being nervous, but what’s up?”

I sighed and stared at my bedroom ceiling.

“
What if going out with him is a mistake? What if I fall for him and he’s a huge asshole?”

“
Then he’s a huge asshole. You learn from it and move on.”

“
Why is everything so simple for you, Joss?”

“
It’s not. You know I take care of David and mom. It’s a matter of breaking things down and keeping it simple. Try and keep that in mind. You’re going on a date with a gorgeous guy. When was the last time you went out with anyone? Go on a date, kiss him, laugh, live for a few minutes and leave your mom, school, and work behind for a little while.”

“
Okay, okay, you’re right. It’s just a date, right?”

“
Yes, have some fun!”

“
Joss?”

“
Yes?”

“
Did you see his eyes?”

“
They were hard to miss. I told you, if you don’t want him, I’ll take him. Between that dark hair, those blue eyes, and that incredible ass I wouldn’t think twice about it.”

“
You’re such a liar—you’d never do that to me.”

“
Nope, I wouldn’t, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun giving you shit.”

“
Okay, I’m going to make some breakfast. Thanks for listening.”

“
Anytime, and I expect full details tomorrow.”

Her laugh hung in the air as we ended the call.

Three hours later, I pulled my car into the Kmart parking lot. Kmart was an old store, and even though I’d never stepped foot in it, the parking lot was usually full. Today, however, there were only a few cars. My shoulders tensed; someone could easily spot me and tell Mama.

My nerves sent a flush across my cheeks. I rolled down my window and hoped the fresh air would help. My heart pounded as I glanced at my watch—I’d arrived fifteen minutes early. I hated waiting, but I didn’t want Mama asking any more questions than she normally did. She’d seemed content when I told her I would be with Joss at the mall. I prayed I could pull it off and not get caught. The likelihood of anyone recognizing me once we got to Lake DeGray was slim, but I was still worried.

I glanced at my watch again. Only two minutes had crept by. I stepped out of my car and paced back and forth. What if he didn’t show? What if this was a joke? What if we spend the day together and he doesn’t like me? I sighed as I heard Joss’s voice in my head: “Then you’ll get over it and move on.”

I pulled my hair back and put it in a ponytail. It was still warm and muggy. I hoped it would be nice at the lake today and not too crowded.

I paced around my car, leaned on the bumper, and then brushed off my butt. It was impossible to keep dirt off a car this time of year, and the last thing I wanted was a big dust print on my backside for our second date.