Still The One - Carrie Elks Page 0,44

door. “Come on, let’s go.”

She didn’t look back. Not when she was crossing the bar with her mom leaning heavily on her, and not when it took her three tries to push the door open before the warm evening air washed over them both.

It wasn’t until she’d managed to sit her mom in the passenger seat and climbed into the driver’s side and buckled them both in that she let the tears finally spill over.

They rolled down her cheeks as she steered the car toward their little bungalow a few streets down. As she parked, she wiped them away with the back of her hand, determined not to let Zoe see her crying.

Her mom hadn’t said a word for the short journey. Kim’s head was tipped back, her eyes closed, and she let out a little snore.

She was asleep, and maybe that was for the best. Van would get her to bed, make some popcorn, and hope Zoe would never feel the humiliation that Van just did.

Right now, that was the best she could do.

“Can you believe that?” Chrissie asked when Tanner brought over a new tray of drinks. “This is my favorite dress.” He passed her a cocktail and she took a large mouthful. “That family needs an intervention. Now both of them have assaulted me.”

Tanner said nothing, passing the drinks around. He hadn’t bothered buying himself one. He wasn’t planning on staying.

“They always were low key trash,” Natalie said, shaking her dark, shiny bob. “Remember the time Savannah stole my lunch?”

“She was eight years old and hungry,” Tanner said tightly. He glanced at Nate, who hadn’t said a word since he’d arrived back at the table. Maybe there was nothing to say. This whole evening had been a mistake. His stomach was churning like crazy. He wanted to get out of this poisonous atmosphere and breathe again.

“Yeah, well she wasn’t eight when she hit Chrissie. Like mother, like daughter.” Natalie smiled smugly. “I have no idea why she’s back in town. She should have stayed away.”

“And taken her mom with her.” Chrissie laughed. “You were right, though, Tanner. We should forget about it. Sit down, let’s talk about something good instead.” She patted the cushioned stool beside her.

“I’m going to head home. It’s been a long day.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his palm. “I’ll catch you all later.”

“But what about your drink?” Chrissie’s smile dissolved.

“I didn’t buy one for me.”

Her brows knitted together. “Why not?”

Because all he wanted to do was see Van. “I’m not thirsty,” he said, giving them a tight smile.

“Is it because of her?” Chrissie’s nose wrinkled. “I know you were friends at school, but I thought you’d grown out of that.”

His jaw tightened. “I haven’t grown out of anything. She’s always been a friend. And now we’re working together.” He hadn’t meant it to slip out, but Chrissie and her friends were so damn smug. He wanted to shake them up and let them see reality. “She’s the best person I know.”

Chrissie’s mouth opened and closed, as though she couldn’t think of how to respond. “Well…,” she said finally. “I guess you see her differently.”

“I guess I do. Good night, everybody.” He didn’t wait for them to reply. Grabbing his wallet and phone, he stuffed them into his pockets and walked with long strides out of the bar.

It had been a mistake to come here. He was a fool to think this town had changed. Everybody still saw Van the way they always did, making her pay for her mom’s mistakes.

Yeah, well this town could go fuck itself. He was sick and tired of the injustice of it all.

Leaving her mom in the car for a moment, Van ran to the front door, unlocking it and pushing it open. “Zoe?” she said softly. “Everything okay?”

For a moment, when she didn’t reply, Van felt her heart hammer against her ribcage. But then she stepped into the hallway and looked through the door at the end and saw her sister curled up on the sofa, her chest rising and falling as she slept.

Thankful for small mercies, Van half-carried their mom to bed, taking her high-heeled shoes off before pulling the blanket over her, not bothering to change her clothes.

Kim could do that herself in the morning.

Then she walked back into the living room and gently shook Zoe. “Hey, sweets. You okay?” she asked, when Zoe blinked her eyes open.

“What time is it?” Zoe asked, stretching her arms. “Is Mom home?”

“She’s fine. She’s