Trust in Me by Beth Cornelison

Author:Beth Cornelison [Cornelison, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kevin popped open a cola, lifted the can to his lips and washed down three aspirin, hoping to dull the pain throbbing at his temples. If there were a pill that would ease the ache in his heart, he'd swallow a few of those, too. Since no such remedy existed, tonight he was stuck rehashing the miserable afternoon and nursing a heart full of regret.

After Claire left, clearly shell-shocked by what she’d witnessed, all Kevin had wanted was quiet time alone to brood. But Sam had hung around, his instincts for reading Kevin's moods particularly acute. The questions had started with Claire and progressed from there.

"That purty little gal is someone special to you, ain't she?" Sam asked as soon as he stepped out of the bathroom, freshly showered and in clean clothes.

His pulse quickening, wary of broaching this topic, Kevin nodded. He'd never lied to Sam and wouldn't start now.

"But that long face of yours tells me you're not too happy that she came to see ya today. What gives?"

"It was awkward. I hadn't been expecting her."

"Awkward? Why?" Sam's gaze narrowed, the clarity of his eyes indicating he understood far more than Kevin was comfortable with revealing. Kevin had to wonder how much reality his godfather intentionally blocked out.

"It's complicated."

"Why?"

Kevin flopped on the sofa, a broken spring poking his backside. "It's just…she comes from a wealthy family and—"

"Lord have mercy! You were embarrassed to have her see where you live, weren't you?"

Kevin wanted to deny it, but he couldn't. One pregnant second followed another. Sam's face grew dark.

"And me? Did I embarrass you, boy?"

"No!"

But Sam looked skeptical. Guilt slammed through Kevin, and he turned away from his parents' friend.

"I see." Sam headed for the door. "Well, I'll just get out of your hair—"

"Sam, wait! Don't go. At least have something to eat."

"No, I'll leave you be. I don't mean to be a burden—"

"You're not a burden. Sam, I'm sorry. You're not the problem. It's me. I guess I haven't forgotten what happened with Robin, and I don't want to make the same mistakes with Claire."

"What mistakes?" His godfather lumbered closer and aimed a finger at him. "You loved Robin. Lovin' someone ain't never a mistake. Even when it hurts."

Kevin saw the flash of pain in Sam's eyes, knew he was remembering Kevin's mother, and sharp-edged grief slashed through Kevin as well.

Dredging up the past was the last thing he wanted, but he couldn't deter Sam.

"Tell me what you think you did wrong with Robin."

"I don't know. But my love wasn't enough for her. She made it clear she didn't think I could provide for her. She thought marrying me would keep her from achieving her dreams."

"What kind of dreams?"

Kevin sighed and traced the faded stripes in the sofa cushion with his thumb. "Ones that had nothing to do with small town life or sacrificing creature comforts to get by each month. I can't ask someone like Claire to give up everything she has to live in this run-down trailer with me.

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