Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(3)
“Says who? What gives you the impression that I’d be interested in someone as cocky and arrogant as you are?”
I shrug. “Everyone is. I can’t help who I am.”
“We should head back,” she insists. “I’m interested in dating you as much as you’re actually wanting to buy this car. Let’s not waste anymore of our time today.”
My jaw clenches as I make a turn and begin heading back to the dealership. I’m not giving up, but this one is going to take a lot more than a smart mouth to convince her otherwise. I’ll let her stew for a while. She’ll come around, and when it happens she’ll kick herself for playing hard to get.
Chapter 2
Tamsyn
It’s been four days since my ex-boyfriend Shaun has tried to get in touch with me. It was devastating finding out he didn’t want to be with me after three years being together. I want to believe it isn’t because of someone else, but my gut is telling me it’s true. My heart hurts, like it aches to no end. I get up each morning, put on some makeup to hide my swollen eyes, do my hair to keep people from asking what’s wrong, because let’s face it, I never leave the house without looking as perfect as possible. I’m not conceited, albeit I love to look my best. I’m kind of a nerd, or maybe a tomboy. I love to hunt, fish, and play sports. Maybe it’s a country thing, but it’s something Shaun never understood.
As far as telling people about my relationship woes, I’ve decided to keep busy by trying my hands at selling cars when I don’t have class.
College has become a nightmare considering I have to sit in the same room as Shaun and wonder where it all went wrong. One day we seemed happy, and the next he was starting a huge fight and telling me he was done. I’ve spent countless hours wondering what could have possibly set him off with no result.
My first day on the job and I’m already getting hit on. He’s older than me, at least by a year, well known in these parts for being a player. I knew I’d seen his face before, but couldn’t place him until I saw the license. Everyone knows where the Mitchell-Healy Ranch is. They own half of the town’s outer limits, and probably more I’m unaware of.
He’d be the perfect distraction if it weren’t for his past. I’ve always had this thing for bad boys, but also a sense of reason when it came to guys my friends have been involved with. I can’t change my mind just because he’s sexy and wanting to bide my time. He’s trouble. The end.
It’s half past three when I’m able to check my phone for the first time, since I’m desperately trying to impress my father. There’s a message from my friend Kara, so I step out of the building to call her back.
“Tamsyn, it took you long enough. Have you heard?”
“Heard what?” She always seems to have some kind of gossip she wants to share.
“Are you sitting down?” She asks.
“No. I’m standing outside. Why?”
“It’s about Shaun.”
“Is he okay?” My first thought is that he’s been in an accident.
“No. Well, physically he is, I guess, but when you hear this he probably won’t be anymore.”
Now I’m worried. Something bad is about to happen, and my stomach knots up as I await the news. “Just tell me.”
“When is the last time you saw Chrissy?”
Chrissy is my roommate. We’re not exactly friends. We share the same space. She’s in college with a soccer scholarship, keeps to herself, and hangs in a different crowd of people. “Why? What does she have to do with this?”
“She’s pregnant, Tam.”
“Oh my god. She’s going to lose her scholarship if she can’t play. How did you find out?” It takes a few seconds for it all to sink in. “Wait. What does this have to do with…” She doesn’t let me finish the question.
“I heard it’s Shaun’s. I overheard it, I mean.”
I’m frozen in place, unable to speak, believe, or even blink.
“Tamsyn. Say something. Oh my god are you still there?”
“I’m here,” I manage to get out. I feel dizzy, as if I’m about to lose my footing and collapse onto the sidewalk beneath me. “It’s not true. Whoever said that is a liar. Shaun would never do that. He doesn’t like her at all.” I’m in disbelief. We’re together too much for him to have the time to cheat on me. It’s not possible. He couldn’t.
While all the notions run through my mind like a freight train about to plummet through a car stuck on the rails, I can feel the bile rising to my throat.
“You’ve been sick over this break up for days. If it’s true, you know why he did it. Look, I understand it’s a lot to take in, but maybe you should confront him. Straight up ask him if he’s involved with her. If you won’t do it, I’m damn sure going to seek him out and get to the bottom of it. I won’t have my best friend trampled on because some douche couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.”
As much as I appreciate her coming to me, and having my back, I’m too disgusted to consider what needs to be done. At this point I need to hang up and breathe. “I have to go.”
She’s trying to talk when I end the call and shove my phone back in my pocket. The tears overcome me, until I sink down on the curb and stop trying to fight them. I’m emotionally exhausted from the breakup, so this news destroys me. I can’t begin to comprehend how I’m to go about asking Shaun if this is true. Could he have been unfaithful right in front of my face and I not notice? What does that say about me?