I hear a gasp behind me at the same time the chatter in the bakery dies. Instantly, like a needle being pulled from a record.
"Get the fuck out," MaryLou growls angrily. After not so gently ushering Hamhock to the door, MaryLou yells after her, "And swines aren't welcome unless you want to be on the menu."
When she mumbles, "Pig-nosed fat ass," under her breath, a snicker of laughter runs through the small bistro.
"She's just a jealous cow," Elda Hansen, an eighty-year-old regular announces. Several others join in agreement. Elda smiles sympathetically when my eyes swing her way. I muster a weak smile back, trying to hold my head up while shame threatens to drag me down.
MaryLou then insisted she take over in the front while I remained in the back until we closed at 2:00 p.m. She has a better eye in the kitchen and I'm better with customers, but after that run-in, I was so shaken up there was no way I could muster up any more happy lies.
All I kept thinking for the next several hours was how right Elda was. Jess was jealous. But sadly, Jess was right, too. I married a good, honest man while I'm still in love with another. She just had enough balls to call me out on it. As much as I don't like her, I have a whole different respect for her now. And at least I know what half the town actually thinks.
After we closed for the day, MaryLou pulled out her emergency stash of Jim Beam, practically forcing two shots of that swill down my throat. Jim, Jack, or Johnny may not solve the world's problems, but they do a fine fucking job burying the ugly truth for a while.
Two hours and a bottle of wine later, we now sit at my kitchen table, and MaryLou says the harshest, most candid words she's said to me yet. Her bluntness is both what I adore and loathe about her.
"You're a married woman now, April. You made the choice to be Jordan's Knight's wife."
"I know."
"He's crazy about you. That man has been by your side your entire life, not Jon. Jon is a dickless, gutless prick."
"Once again, I know this," I say, my tone holding a slight bite. Could she make me feel any worse about myself?
She stares at me for a few beats. "If you didn't think you could fall in love with Jordan, you shouldn't have married him. If you don't think you have that ability now, you should do the right thing and end this before you do any more damage."
"Ouch." Apparently so.
"Truth hurts like a bedsore, doesn't it?"
I nod my agreement because my throat is too clogged with emotion. My teeth dig into my cheek so hard I'll probably have a canker sore tomorrow.
She reaches across the table, gripping my hand in hers. It's hard to see her through the water now glassing over my pupils.
"It's not such a bad thing to fall in love with your husband, April."
"How do you do that when you're in love with someone else?" I whisper, desperately wanting someone—anyone—to give me that answer. If I was handed the key to falling out of love with a man who's nothing but destruction, I'd use it. In a heartbeat. Then I'd throw that fucker in the Keg River so I wouldn't be tempted to undo it.
"Simple. You have to let him go first."
"It's not that simple, ML. If it was, I would have done it already." Only a woman who isn't hopelessly pining away for a man she can't have would think in such naïve terms.
"It is that simple, April. Know what I think?"
"No. But that won't stop you from telling me anyway."
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The Knight Brothers
फैनफिक्शनI've loved him as long as I can remember. The gangly boy with big brown eyes and unruly hair who grew up into an intoxicating man. He wears scruff like he invented it and ambles with a swagger that makes panties drop. Jon Knight. We grew up togethe...
