Losing Romeo (16 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Since Dafne’s truck was scrap metal now, she was driving Winslow’s beat-up work truck that he used to haul hay. The seats were cracked, and a layer of dust lined the dashboard. The truck roared as Dafne accelerated out of the driveway. “Mrs. Coleman has already called me twice, wondering when I’m going to get there.”

“I asked Bryson to go to the dance,” Rosaline blurted out.

Dafne glanced at her, brows raised.

“He said no. Said he wouldn’t go to Lowell.”

“Well, the Mercers and the people of Lowell have a long, strange history. They’re always gossiping about Winslow and Bryson, and I don’t think Bryson’s stepped a foot inside the town since he was in the hospital.”

It made sense, but she still wanted him to go. She wanted being with her to be enough motivation to forget about everyone else.

Dafne turned onto the road, a cloud of dirt trailing behind them. “He might’ve said no to the dance, but you know he’s crazy about you. I worried he was going to get hurt, getting so attached to you, but lately I get the feeling you feel the same way.”

Rosaline glanced back at the house getting smaller and smaller in the distance, wishing she could see inside of it to what Bryson was doing right now. “I tried to keep it a friends thing because I don’t want to lose him, but I can’t help it. I like him. He’s just so dang frustrating sometimes.”

Dafne laughed. “Must run in the family. Although, I will say things between Winslow and I have finally…” She squirmed in her seat. “He kissed me last night. Then he followed it up by telling me he loved me. That he’d loved me for a long time.”

“And you didn’t wake me up to tell me the second you got home?” Rosaline smiled, Dafne’s obvious joy contagious. “I’m so happy for you! You told him you loved him back, right?”

She nodded. “Once I was sure I wasn’t going to start crying like a baby. Oh, Rosaline, I never thought I’d feel like this again.” She beamed, happiness radiating off her. “Just saying that makes me feel like a teenager. I’m way too old to be acting like this.”

“No, you’re in love. You should enjoy it.” After that kiss Bryson had given her, she was starting to think she was in love, too. Her lips burned with the memory. She didn’t want to overanalyze—definitely didn’t want to think about how guys avoided her after kissing her.“It’s because of you,” Dafne said, and it took her a second to realize she was talking about her relationship with Winslow. “You pushed me when I needed it. I’m so glad you came to live with me, Rosaline.” Dafne flashed her a love-filled smile that made all the ups and downs that got her shipped to Arkansas seem worth it. “I know your father talked about having you move back to Verona. I won’t stop you if you want to go back, and I completely understand if you do. But if you want stay here and do your senior year in Lowell, I’d not only be happy to have you, but I’d also help you convince your parents to let you stay.”

The truck rounded the final curve that would take them into Lowell. A place Rosaline was seriously considering making home.

“You don’t have to decide now, but it’s something to think about,” Dafne said.

“I’m definitely thinking about it.” And if Bryson gave her a reason to stay, she’d do whatever it took to make it happen.

***

Rosaline picked up the pricelist off the table and fanned her face. “I’m melting out here.”

The sun caught the jewelry on the table in front of her and Leanne, making it sparkle. Leanne scooted her chair further into the shade of the canopy. “Thank you so much for hanging here with me. It makes it way more fun.”

“I’m having fun, too. I just wish a few clouds would come cool down the day a bit.”

Leanne hadn’t exaggerated the amount of people who came to town for Mudtown Days. There were so many people she could hardly move without bumping into someone. Booths lined the streets, and a stage near the park hosted a local band that was more polka than rock. The whole town was in celebration mode.

“Oh, crap,” Rosaline muttered when she saw Sam coming toward them. She still needed to thank him for the flowers, but she wasn’t sure what else to say to him. Now that she and Bryson had crossed over into…something anyway, she knew she was going to have to tell Sam that their almost relationship wasn’t ever going to be anything more.

“Here’s where you’ve been hiding,” Sam said.

“Yes, out in the open for all to see. Apparently, I’m not a very good hider.”

His brow wrinkled; then he seemed to get she was being sarcastic. He came around the table and grabbed her hand. “Come walk with me.”

“I promised Leanne I’d help sell her jewelry.”

Leanne made a shooing gesture. “Take a break. I’ll be fine for a while.”

Out of excuses, Rosaline let Sam pull her to her feet. Holding hands with him made her feel like a traitor to Bryson. She tugged her hand free, acting like she needed to check her pockets for something. Then remembered her skirt didn’t have pockets. “I’ve been meaning to thank you for the flowers. That was really nice of you to send them.”

“I wanted to come see you. You’ve been hard to reach this past week, and I didn’t want to keep calling your aunt.”

“I’m hoping to get a phone of my own soon.” She thought of the pink toy phone on her dresser that Bryson had gotten her. Her entire body ached with how badly she wanted him to change his mind and come.

Don’t get your hopes up. He said he wouldn’t come. Dafne said he wouldn’t come.

She glanced at the Ferris wheel that’d been set up overnight. She’d always wanted to ride one with a guy who would hold her hand and kiss her at the top.

“Rosaline?”

She jerked her attention back to Sam, who had an expectant look on his face. He must’ve been saying something. “Sorry. All the commotion and I’m having total ADD.” She caught sight of Dafne, struggling with a big box. “I’ll catch you later. I think my aunt needs some help.”

She sprinted over, happy for an excuse to not have to figure out what to say to Sam.

Only good Samaritan that he was, he came to help. He picked up the box, grinning like an actor in a toothpaste commercial. “Where do you want it?”

Dafne pointed him to a table a couple of booths down.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Rosaline clamped on to Dafne’s arm. “I don’t know what to do about him. I need to say something, but I don’t know what. The whole town’s going to freak out when I tell him I can’t date him anymore. He’s like their mascot, and they’re all going to hate me.”

“It’s a good thing you’re not dramatic.” Dafne readjusted her sunglasses. “We’re in a small town. Avoidance is impossible. I suggest you talk to him and get it over with.”

Sam came back toward them, wiping his palms together.

Dafne pushed Rosaline toward him and said, “Good luck.”

She’d been the one avoided in the past, and it didn’t feel good. But would it really feel better for the person you like to tell you she’s into someone who’s so amazing he makes it impossible to think about anyone else?

Sam wrapped his arms around her waist.

Rosaline stepped out of his grasp and took a deep breath. “Sam, we need to talk…”

***

Bryson spun his truck keys around his finger. He’d gotten dressed in his nicest jeans, a black button down, and his DC shoes. All dressed up. Trying to decide whether to go. He wouldn’t even think about it if it weren’t for Rosaline. That kiss today.

He groaned, running a hand through his hair. No question he wanted to see her. The thought of another guy’s hands on her set his blood boiling. But going into Lowell, where all the people who’d talked about him his whole life…?

First about Mom. All the talk, the disgusted looks. Like she was trash, which of course made him trash. No doubt they’d had a hay day talking up how he’d been beat up. How they’d always known he wasn’t any good. Probably blamed the old Mercer Curse.

There for a while, he’d almost believed he was cursed.

Then Rosaline came along. Now he wanted to believe he wasn’t.

He gripped his cane. “I’m going.”

He made it to the door, put his hand on the knob. And froze. His lungs felt too heavy, and his limbs went numb. Could he really spend an evening in Lowell? The place where the people had shaken their heads when Mom died, saying they’d seen it coming. Like he hadn’t. No doubt they’d shaken their heads over his shattered knee and cut-short riding career as well. Probably said they’d seen that coming, too. They’d all be looking at him with either smugness or pity. Either would make him want to hit them. And Rosaline would see those looks, too.

She probably thought she’d seen him at his worst—she’d seen the bad and the ugly, that was for sure. She hadn’t seen fully unhinged, though, and he didn’t want her to. If he went, he’d have to constantly work to control his temper.

He’d never been good at controlling his temper.

His fingers twitched around the doorknob. He dropped his hand and shook his head
. It’s better for everyone if I just stay home.

He walked back to the living room, tossed his keys on the coffee table, and sat on the couch. The TV blared to life, the station already on the sports channel.

Rosaline had friends in town. She’d have fun with or without him.

She didn’t need him.

***

Even after Rosaline had “the talk” with Sam, Leanne insisted she hang out with her, Billy, and the rest of their group for the evening. Sam kept as much distance between them as he could manage, things nice and awkward now.

“I should go,” Rosaline said to Leanne—she was the outsider and the dumper. Sam shouldn’t be forced to spend time with her when it was clearly the last thing he wanted to do.

Leanne gave her a sympathetic smile. “This is the curse of small town romances. But the upside is, you get over it fast. Because you have to.”

“It wasn’t even a romance. It was like an almost romance.” Rosaline kicked the dirt with her fancy cowboy boots. “At least you’re not mad at me.”

“Mad, no. Surprised, for sure. I mean, Bryson Mercer? I didn’t think he went anywhere anymore or even talked to any—”

“Hey, Sam and I are going to grab some food,” Billy said, draping his arm over Leanne’s shoulders. “You ladies want anything?”

Rosaline glanced at Sam. He quickly looked away.

Yeah. I need Bryson to come. Like now.

Food transitioned into a couple carnival rides, which Rosaline skipped since she made the group odd numbered and there was no way she was hopping on a ride with Sam, and then they’d ended up at the dance.

The odd-numbered thing balanced out when the other girls in the group met guys from a town over and a few of the guys met girls they’d apparently met before at ballgames. Only that made the group infinitely smaller, which meant when Leanne went to dance with Billy, Rosaline and Sam were left standing alone near the wooden dance floor, not talking. She’d walk away, but that might hurt his feelings, and she’d already done enough of that today.

I wish Bryson were here
, she thought for the hundredth time. She constantly scanned the area, hoping he’d show up, dance with her, and help her forget about everything else.

Instead she got twangy music and watching others dancing and laughing, while the guy next to her sent loathing vibes her way. Not how she pictured her first Mudtown Days dance.

After three long songs Rosaline was sure would never end, Leanne and Billy came off the floor, faces flushed.

Finally. I thought I was going to have to fake passing out to get out of this situation.

Leanne glanced between her and Sam, clearly noticing the thick tension in the air between them. She shot Rosaline a grimace, and then determination ticked up her chin. “Billy, go spin Rosaline around the floor.” Leanne hooked her arm through Sam’s. “It’s been way too long since I danced with Sam.”

They made their way to the floor. Billy stumbled for a moment with hand placement, but then they were off spinning with the rest of the couples. At least Sam was smiling as he danced with Leanne—the girl had a way of pulling it out of you, even when you tried to resist. She was like Clara that way.

A dark figure near the edge of the dance-floor caught Rosaline’s eye. Bryson’s height. Same color of hair. Her pulse sped up as anticipation churned through her stomach.

And then the guy turned around.

Nope, not Bryson.
All the tingly hope fell in a puddle at her feet, nearly tripping her up.

Needing a distraction, she asked Billy about football and what position he played. She didn’t understand half of what he said, but at least it gave her something to think about besides the fact that Bryson wasn’t coming.

After Billy, a guy from Rogers, the next town over, asked her to dance. It was a slow song, and he kept sliding his hand dangerously low on her back. No matter how she tried to maneuver away, he seemed to find a way to pull her close and test the boundaries again.

Once the song ended, he asked for another dance, but Rosaline spotted Dafne and Winslow and made an excuse about having to go check in with her strict aunt.