The Wright Mistake(44)

In my experience, if something seemed to make perfect sense, like Maggie and Austin, then it was usually true. But he had been so sincere that he’d used Maggie as an excuse. There had been no waver in his eyes. No flick off to the right. No shifting of his feet.

He had explained the situation in such a calm and collected manner that it seemed as if it was a huge relief to him. That maybe he had been waiting a long time to tell me the truth. Why he had concealed it all in the first place was a mystery to me. I didn’t usually piss off and push away the people I cared about. And he’d claimed no excuse for his actions.

Had he really caught feelings for me and scared himself off?

Either way, I felt stupid for leaving. Heidi would have barged back into that place and put the smackdown on Maggie. I just didn’t want to deal.

So, I drove home and crashed down on the couch after carefully locking the door back up. A text dinged on my phone from Heidi.

Where the hell did you go?

I never told Heidi about what had happened with Austin two years ago. She probably wouldn’t even know who Maggie was. And, if I told her the truth, she might actually find Maggie and do exactly what I’d envisioned.

Austin and I got into a fight.

Again?

Yeah. I think we’re okay. Just…shit with our last breakup.

And that is?

I really don’t want to talk about it.

Okay. Girl time. Emery and I will be there in ten.

Heidi, you don’t have to!

Want to. See you in a minute.

I walked into my room and stripped out of the black dress I’d put on for the event. I was hanging it back up on a hanger when my eyes snagged on olive green amid the layers of black. I grabbed the bomber jacket I’d been looking for, for weeks.

“What the hell?” I grumbled.

Had I overlooked it this whole time? That pissed me off. I couldn’t believe it was here all along. I shook my head. I was seriously losing my mind.

Replacing the jacket, I changed into shorts and an oversize T-shirt. Then, I pulled my hair up into a high pony. Heidi and Emery were prompt. It only took ten minutes to get across town, but they must have booked it.

“Hey,” I said, unlocking the door and letting them inside.

“What the hell happened?” Heidi asked.

Emery patted me on the shoulder, and Heidi pulled me into a hug.

I methodically locked the place back up before turning to face them. I knew it was time. I had to tell them what had happened. And they were going to hate Austin as much as I had for the last two years. Though I was more confused than ever.

So, I spilled the beans. I started at the beginning and didn’t leave anything out. Heidi and Emery were rapt listeners. Both angry and disgusted in the right parts. Both agreeing to go find this Maggie girl and make her regret her decision.

“Okay. So, all this time, you thought that Austin had used you for sex until Maggie got home? Then, he’d cheated on you as soon as she was back?” Heidi asked.

“Yep. Pretty much.”

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me this? We could have hated on him together.”

“I hardly knew you at the time,” I finally said, sinking into the chair opposite where Heidi and Emery sat on the couch.

“That’s true, Heidi,” Emery cut in. “Even you said you liked to wait a year to make serious friends because so many people leave Lubbock.”

Heidi waved her off. “Okay, fine. But then later?”

“I don’t know. I was embarrassed.” I shrugged off their looks filled with pity. “Do you think he’s telling the truth about Maggie now? That he lied about what had happened and only let me believe that something had happened because he was basically scared of his feelings?”

“That actually sounds like Austin,” Heidi said.

Emery nodded. “Classic Wright behavior.”

“Well, what do I do? I cannot deal with Maggie again.”

“Honestly? I know it’s hard, considering what he put you through in the past, but maybe you should trust him,” Heidi said. “I know; I’m the worst to give this kind of advice. I didn’t trust anything Landon said. I didn’t ever believe he’d divorce Miranda. Not until the evidence was directly in my face. But Austin’s bachelor life is pretty legendary. If he’s willing to try to be with you, I think it’s worth it.”

“To be honest, Julia,” Emery said, “the reason we’ve been so excited about this is because Austin has never really dated. He has flings. And he’s not treating you like a passing dalliance.”

“I want to believe that. I do.” I tilted my head back onto the cushion and stared up at the ceiling. “My life hasn’t always been easy. Trusting people is really difficult for me. After Austin hurt me, it confirmed everything that I’d thought I knew about him. Giving him a second chance was unfathomable.”