“I wouldn’t choose anyone over you,” my brother snips, unable to disguise his pain at my admission.
“Can we table this for now? I already said I’d sleep here this weekend. We can discuss it later after I’ve had some food.”
My brother disengages from his wife and takes my dog’s leash. “I’ll take her to the bathroom and find a place to grab us a meal.”
His offer stems less from generosity and more the need to get his feelings under control. I don’t fault him. Rather, I envy his ability to take space. I doubt Eric or Caiti plan to let me out of their sight for the foreseeable future.
“You can go too. Get a glimpse of the town.” I pick at my cuticle.
Caiti plops on the bed beside me and cheers the drink warming in my hand. “Nuh-uh. Already drove through it. You and I are going to catch up.”
Seemingly satisfied with his wife’s declaration to essentially babysit me, Eric takes Ghost and leaves.
“Now that he’s gone, give it to me straight. You sounded so well on the phone. Why did you turn down all our offers to help?”
I stand and take a drink of my beer to stall for time. The condensation dampens my hand. “This is the part I’m not ready to share. You have to trust that I’m doing what I can to take care of it.”
“I don’t know if I’d call living out of your car taking care of it.” She looks out the window and takes a drink of her own.
“Look.” I sigh. I need to give an inch, or they won’t let up. “It’s not as bad as it sounds at first glance. I’m making friends here. Real friends. Not like the kind I had back home who chose Tate over me. And I met someone who spends most nights in the parking lot too, so I’m not alone.”
“Oh, that makes me feel loads better that you found someone else living out of their car to commiserate with. A match made in heaven.” Her skepticism is blatant.
I want to snarl. “You’re being judgmental.”
“I—” Her face falls. She wipes a strand of hair sticking to her lip. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Where I come from, the types who live out of their cars aren’t exactly who I’d pick for dating material.”
I slam my beer on the dresser. “That’s exactly it. Maybe you need to take a step back and realize sometimes normal people fall into hard situations. Over half the population in this country is one major medical event away from being homeless. I fell into a hard situation, and rather than have your judgment, I could use your support.”
“Evie, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know you didn’t. It’s easy to make exceptions for the people we love.” I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Ugh, the bird’s nest that is my hair might explain why they don’t believe I’m faring well. “Do you have a comb? Mine’s in my car.” I catch her eyes through the reflection.
She nods and retrieves it from her carry-on. I get to work picking through the tangled curls.
“And if you’re judging even more, this is sex hair, not homeless hair, thank you very fucking much.”
Caiti looks at her bare feet. “I’ve offended you.”
“Yep.”
“Sex hair?” She rolls her lips between her teeth to stifle a giggle. I let mine free.
“Uh-huh.”
“Judging by the hair, I’d say good sex?”
“Fucking fantastic sex.” I smile.
“Now that’s a look I haven’t seen on your face in a while. You’re happy here?”
I face her before returning to the mirror. “I’m happier than I’ve been in a long while, Cait. It wasn’t all lies.” I lower my arms to my sides. “I’m starting my business. I’ve made some friends. I really like it here. I can take you and Eric on this beautiful hiking trail after work tomorrow.”
She returns my genuine grin. “I’d like that.”
Once I finish picking through my hair, I set the comb down. I drain the remainder of my beer and point the neck of the empty bottle at her. “You realize you’re on my side now, right? None of this forcing me to go home once Eric returns.”
“Can I at least leave you with some money?”