The Truck Driver

Darling, Oh Darling

The next day arrived and Kayla and Miss Sherri were out in the garden per usual. Kayla wiped the sweat from her brow, standing up straight as she glanced toward the unfamiliar women making their way onto the land. They were dressed in some of the fanciest clothes she had ever seen, their heels sinking slightly into the dirt as they walked with an elegance that didn't belong out here. Their presence alone made Kayla uneasy.

She turned to Miss Sherri, who had paused beside her, arms crossed over her chest as she let out a low sigh.

"Who are those women?" Kayla asked, curiosity and a slight edge of nervousness creeping into her tone.

Miss Sherri didn't answer right away, just shook her head like she already knew today was about to be filled with drama. "Those are the Washingtons," she finally said. "That girl in the middle? That's Dina, Tanya's childhood best friend. And that one to the left of her?" Miss Sherri exhaled through her nose. "That's Darling Washington. Tank's ex-girlfriend. And their mama, Dominique."

The moment Miss Sherri said Tank's ex-girlfriend, Kayla's stomach dropped.

Her eyes flickered back to Darling, really taking her in this time. The woman was stunning; skin like golden honey, long silky hair pressed straight down her back, a body that looked like it had never known struggle. She carried herself like a woman who had never been told no, like she was used to getting exactly what she wanted.

Kayla suddenly felt small.

She wasn't insecure by nature, but something about seeing Darling in the flesh made her insides twist. Even though Tank was obsessed with her, even though just last night he told her he loves her. Kayla couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't good enough for him. Not when someone like Darling had come before her.

As if sensing her thoughts, Darling's eyes landed on Kayla.

And in that moment, Kayla felt like she was being sized up.

Darling, Dina, and Dominique Washington walked up like they owned the damn place. Their heels clicking against the dirt, their perfume thick in the air, their presence loud without them even speaking. Kayla kept her chin up, but inside, she felt like she was shrinking.

Miss Sherri stood firm beside her, arms still crossed, face unreadable, but Kayla could feel the tension rolling off her.

"Well," Dominique started, looking around like the land was beneath her. "Same old country shit, I see."

Dina rolled her eyes. "Mama, don't be mean."

Darling didn't say anything at first, just let her sharp eyes rake over Kayla from head to toe, slowly, like she was taking inventory of every flaw she could find. Then she smirked. "I see Tank's got himself a little country pet."

Kayla's jaw tightened, but she didn't let the words cut too deep. She had grown up around women like this—ones who looked down on other women just because they thought they were better.

"Where is Tank?" Dominique asked, completely ignoring Kayla now. "We came all this way, and he's nowhere to be found?"

"He's on the road," Miss Sherri said flatly, clearly unimpressed with the visit. "So whatever it is you came here for, you can take it right back where you came from."

"Tanya said we should come by." Dina said trying to diffuse the tension.

Miss Sherri scoffed. "Tanya don't run shit around here."

Darling, who still hadn't taken her eyes off Kayla, let out a soft laugh. "So, what's your name?" she asked, fake sweet.

Kayla didn't answer right away, didn't like the way Darling was looking at her like she was something to play with.