The Inquirer by Jaclyn Dawn

Author:Jaclyn Dawn
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988732688
Publisher: NeWest Press
Published: 2019-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?”

My eyes popped open and my heart started hammering in my chest. My bedroom was flooded with light. Curled up to Nathan, I had slept better than I had in weeks. We had overslept, and now Mike stood in the doorway glaring at me and the strange man in my childhood bed.

“Well, good morning,” Nathan said in a groggy voice.

Mike threw a bouquet of wildflowers on the floor and stormed out. We could hear him hit the wall in the hallway and slam the front door on his way out of the house. I crawled over Nathan, who was playing with the curly blond hairs on his chest that matched the curly blond hairs on his head. I made it to the window to see Mike kick his truck tire and reef open the driver’s door.

“Who was the handsome rooster with the wake-up call?”

“Mike.”

“The Mike?” Nathan’s blue eyes widened. “Dang, he’s one fine-looking country boy.”

Mike didn’t get into his truck. Instead he slammed the door closed and went stomping back toward the house.

“Oh, he’s coming back! Get up, get up!” I shrieked, borderline frantic.

“Why is he coming back? He won’t try to fight me, will he?” Nathan was on his feet, spinning in circles in search of something. I was hoping pants since all he had on was a pair of snug boxer shorts. “I’m a lover, not a fighter!”

Mike reappeared at the bedroom door. Nathan and I froze, side by side, half naked.

“You’ve been playing me for a fool. You’re the fool, Miah. I’m sick of your bullshit, and I’m sick of this farm,” Mike shouted. “You have until the end of the month to get your shit together or I’m out of here and Travis is out of here. I’ve been nice up to this point.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“It’s not what it looks like,” Nathan said.

“One more word from you and I’ll break your neck,” Mike said. He stormed out of the room again, leaving behind muddy boot prints and crushed flowers. Nathan and I both stood at the window as Mike’s truck spit up gravel in the driveway, but I was almost two years away.

I squeezed Mike’s truck keys in my hand so hard the teeth bit into my palm. Part of me wanted him to tell me he loved me. Another part wanted him to give me the clear reason I needed to leave.

“Give me the keys,” he said. He was close enough that I could smell the whisky on his breath.

“It’s late, and we both have work tomorrow. Stay home with me.”

“I said no. Give me the keys.”

Mike shoved me hard. I hit the back of my head against the wall. Taking advantage of my shock, Mike grabbed the keys and left. He had never pushed me like that before. I knew he would be back in a few hours, or at least in the morning, depending on where he went tonight. I never really knew where he went.

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