Page 25 of Rival

Her huff of annoyance has me chuckling and we both get back to work as she thinks. With furrowed brows, she takes her time to come up with her truths and lie.

“Okay. So, umm… I was homeschooled until ninth grade, which was the first year I went to an actual school with people. I got my first job so I could take care of a kitten. And I didn’t ride a horse until I was eighteen years old.”

Her first one is so specific, and she seems fairly introverted, so I actually believe that’s true. The second and third both sound so outlandish that I’m not sure which one is the lie, so I take a guess. “I think the second one is a lie. No way you got a job for a kitten.”

The way she beams with pride literally takes my breath away. “Wrong! I’ve actually never ridden a horse! I really did just get my very first job for a kitten. I found him outside under a bush in my backyard. I knew I couldn’t bring him inside, so I found a farm that would only take him if I promised to work and take care of the kitten while he lived there.”

The story of how she got her job is pretty cute, but I’m actually fixated on the fact the last one wasn’t the lie. “Wait a minute, you’ve never ridden a horse before? Never once in your life?”

Edith bites her lip and shakes her head. “No. We have one, but it’s my father’s horse, and he’s real particular about who rides him. I’ve never had an opportunity.”

“Edith, sweetheart. Weneedto get you on the back of a horse. There’s really nothing like it.” My mind whirls, wondering if it would be appropriate to offer her to come to my parents’ place and get her on the back of mine. “I could arrange it, if you’d like.”

The smile she had falls away, and she looks at me like I’m teasing her. “Don’t play with me. Are you serious?”

“Very. Everyone should have a chance to experience it. I can’t believe you’ve never once gotten on the back of your dad’s.”There’s some sort of emotion emanating from her eyes, but I don’t know if it’s disbelief or thankfulness. Almost as quickly, it disappears just as she looks away.

Waving me off, she picks up her pencil and measures out the next piece of wood. “It’s your turn,” she says over her shoulder, without looking at me.

“Edith. I’m serious. I’d love to take you so you can experience it.”

When she turns her head, her smile is brittle, and she nods once. “Maybe we can set that up sometime. I’m ready for your truths and lie.” It’s a brush off, but I don’t think it’s because she doesn’t want to do it. There’s something holding her back, and I’m determined to get her out to my parents’ place by week’s end.

“Let me think,” I say, getting back to work.

She and I spend the next few hours playing our game, only pausing when I have to turn on the saw. Again, Ruth corners me just as Edith sneaks out of the barn, leaving for the evening. This time, I at least get a fast wave goodbye before her head disappears around the corner and I’m roped into walking Ruth to her car.

Tapping my hand on the roof in a farewell, I watch as she drives off and wonder if I shouldn’t follow again to see if Edith needs a ride home. I’m sure she’s on foot again, but tonight I decide against it.

I’ll be sure to offer her a ride before she leaves tomorrow.

Chapter Twelve

Edith

I’ve barely shut the back door before my hair is fisted and my face slammed into the wall. Crying out, I try to turn my head to the side, my eyes immediately watering from the pain in my nose, radiating out through my head.

Sour whiskey swarms me as my father’s heavy breath beats down on my cheek. “I heard a little rumor today,daughter.”

I know not to answer him. He never wants me to answer, but his fingers tighten, and I can feel my hair being pulled out by the roots.

“Answer me, you little bitch!” he screams, spit spraying against my face. “Don’t you want to know what I fuckin’ heard?”

“W-What?” I choke out, bracing my hands on the wall he has me pinned against.

He releases my hair and spins me around, only to slam my back to the wall now, hands bruising my shoulders. “I fuckin’ heard you’re workin’ with Jaxon Thorton over at the church. Gettin’ really fuckin’ cozy with him, too. I told him there’s no fuckin’ way my daughter is out whorin’ herself for that worthless scumbag, but he swore up and down he saw the two of you together. Wanna explain that to me?”

Who ishe?“I’mnot!He’s—”

My head whips to the side when he backhands me, my cheek screaming for me to cup it and ease the pain, but I keep my hands fisted at my sides.

“I don’t want to hear your bullshit excuses! Yes or no, are you workin’ with Jaxon at the church?”

I wince, knowing that I can’t explain, and he’ll hate my answer. Why he cares about Jaxon, I have no idea, but I tell him the truth, whispering my answer. “Yes.”

My head smacks against the wall with the force of his next backhand, but I bite my cheek to stop from crying out, tasting the metallic flavor of my blood as my teeth sink into the soft tissue.

His fist connects with my stomach, and I double over, gasping for air. I’m so shocked by his strike that it takes a few moments before the pain spreads throughout my abdomen. My father steps away from me, hissing in annoyance as he stomps to the fridge, yanking the door open and pulling out a beer.