Real Sexy (Real Dirty Duet #2)(2)

"What?"

Aunt Laurelyn drained the glass and lowered it to the bar.

"She shoulda known better than to get mixed up with Gil. I warned her." Aunt Laurelyn huffed out a harsh sound. "I knew messin' around with that man wasn't gonna get her anywhere good. And see what it got her?" Tears spilled down her cheeks.

For the first time since I came out of the bathroom screaming, Esteban, my mama's parrot, piped up.

"Dirty whore. Dirty whore."

Aunt Laurelyn sagged against the bar. "The whole world's gonna say worse, so I guess we better prepare for it. Let's get the hell out of here."

Two hours later, we came back from McDonald's and I stared at the bathroom door. The police were gone, and Mama was too.

Aunt Laurelyn took the bottle of whiskey and disappeared upstairs. I swallowed back the bile as I remembered what Pop had said about making sure the mess was cleaned up. Aunt Laurelyn sure wasn't gonna do it.

When I closed my eyes and saw Mama in that pool of blood, my Happy Meal twisted in my stomach, threatening to land on the floor.

They can't make me do it. I won't.

But when Pop came back a few hours later and found it wasn't done, he started yelling. Aunt Laurelyn didn't wake up, and Brandy hid.

My tears landed like raindrops as I dunked the mop in the water, turning it red.

Good-bye, Mama.





2





Ripley





Present day

Alone in Boone's empty house, I listen to Esteban squawk in his cage.




       
         
       
        
"Shoulda known better."

The bird has the most uncanny knack for saying the exact wrong thing at the wrong time.

"Shut up!"

"Crackerhead," he says before rustling his wings and preening.

When Anthony came out to the pond on his ATV to let Boone know the cops were here, he didn't say why. Boone hustled down the dock and they talked. From where I sat, I could hear Boone curse before coming back to get me.

All the questions were on the tip of my tongue to ask, but I held them back. I figured he would tell me when we got back to the house, but once we got there, everything was a whirlwind.

Boone strode to the front door and stepped outside with Anthony on his heels. When they returned, it was for Boone to grab his wallet and press a hard kiss against my lips.

"Sit tight. I'll be back as soon as I can."

I couldn't hold my questions in any longer. "What the hell is going on, Boone? How could they have a warrant for your arrest? It doesn't make any sense."

"I'll take care of it. It's bullshit and an inconvenience, but it'll all be over soon."

That's when the thought struck me. "Oh shit. It's because of Esteban, isn't it? Did Brandy-"

"It'll be all right. Stay in the house, because guaranteed there are paps out front waiting to get a pic. Keep off that ankle."

Then he was gone, and I was left wondering if Boone is straight-up crazy.

Stay in the house. Don't worry about it. If that's what he really expects me to do, he's insane. He's been gone five minutes, and there's no way I'm going to sit here and wait.

This has to be because of Esteban, which means it's all my damn fault. If I didn't love that stupid parrot too much to let him starve under Pop and Brandy's care, none of this would have happened.

He's basically mine in every way that matters. You know, except legally.

Esteban belonged to Mama, and now Pop, but the only reason he's still alive to talk shit to me is because I've taken care of him for the last twenty years. Pop hasn't done anything but swear at him for as long as I can remember.

And I dragged Boone into this mess because I just had to rescue the bird.

Shit.

Is there anything I can't screw up? I shouldn't have asked for his help. I should have asked Hope for her truck and handled it myself.

I hobble over to my purse and pick up the phone to call my best friend. Hope has tonight off, and we were supposed to go out to dinner if I was back from Boone's in time.

I hate that I've only called her when I need a favor lately, but she knows I'd do anything for her, so that lessens the guilt somewhat. 

She answers on the second ring, a smile in her voice. "Hey, girl. What's happening? I keep seeing pictures of you and that sexy country boy online. I swear, the photographers are having a field day trying to outdo each other. You look so freaking cute together, though."

"Do you think you could come get me?"

A moment of silence hangs on the line before she replies. "Oh shit, did it already go south? I'm so sorry, honey. What did that jackass do?"

I laugh at the quick change in her attitude. That's what you call a true friend.

"Not in the way you think, but I need a ride, and my car is at your place."