Paper Thin

As I continued toward my childhood home, my stomach knotted. While I might not care what those living here thought of me, I could only imagine the things they would say behind my back the entire time I was here. Gossiping was about the only pastime the majority of the townspeople had, especially the women. When I came to town, they all seemed to kick it into full gear. Our story was as tragic a story as Parish Cove had seen in a while. Dad left when we were little, abandoning our gorgeous mother and forcing her to work outside the home. Then about two years ago, Mom had gotten sick, adding more heartbreaking chapters to our story. I knew they had to have gossiped until their lips were numb when I left for school at the same time, leaving Emma behind to carry the weight of taking care of our mom alone.

Things might make me look bad, but that wasn’t how they were. When I was finished with school, I pla

At least that’s what I told myself. It was what I told Emma also. But we both knew it would never happen. The only difference in our opinion on the matter was the reasons why. To her, I was selfish, inconsiderate, and cold when it came to our mom. To me, I was weak and scared. I wanted my big sister to take care of it all. It was what she was good at. It was what she had always done. I would only screw something up.

I pulled into the station on the corner of Clyde Street and Main. My car was almost on E, not to mention, seven hours of driving had my legs feeling like noodles and my butt so numb it hurt. I smoothed my hands over my rear, hoping to bring circulation back to the area faster.

“Charlotte, is that you?” a familiar voice called to me. My teeth clicked together, because it wasn’t someone I cared to see. Ever.

I straightened my shoulders and turned to face Millie Green, the biggest bitch in all of Parish Cove. At least that was how I remembered her from high school. From the tone of her voice, I was willing to bet she hadn’t lost the title yet. How I had managed to miss seeing her the last few times I was in town I wasn’t sure, but it looked as though my luck had run out. Here she was, calling out my name again in her nasally voice.

“Hi, Millie.” I didn’t bother to plaster a fake smile on my face as I turned to face her. She knew I didn’t care for her, and I knew the feeling was mutual. Which had me wondering why she’d even bothered to say hi. “How are you?” I didn’t care, but figured I would be polite and ask. That was about all she was going to get from me.

My jaw dropped when my eyes landed on her. It wasn’t that she didn’t look drop-dead gorgeous still, because she did. Her hair was done up in a high bun and her makeup was perfect. She had gained a few pounds since high school, but not enough to be considered fat. If anything, the added weight made her even more attractive. It was the fact that she was holding a baby on her hip and the hand of a tiny little girl as well.

Millie Green was a mom. At least I thought she was. The kids looked just like her.

“Are they yours?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. Was that even a question someone asked? It didn’t sound right. Who referred to kids as though they were inanimate objects? Me, apparently.

“Of course they are.” Millie laughed. She wasn’t offended like I thought she would be. Instead, she found my question fu

“This is Mallory, and this little chunk—” She bounced the baby on her hip. “—is Mathew.”

Not only was Millie a mom—to two kids mind you—she had given them both names that started with the letter M, just like her name. Cute.

“They’re adorable.” Wasn’t that what I was supposed to say, even if they weren’t, even if I was so shocked to learn she was a mom I couldn’t breathe?

“Thank you.” Millie smiled wide. She was proud of them. My thoughts softened. Maybe she was a good mom. My eyes skimmed over her kids again, taking in their appearance this time now that the shock of their existence had worn off some. They were well-dressed and groomed. Her daughter’s golden locks had been braided into a crazy pattern that made her hair look like little bows. I wondered how long it had taken to do such a thing, and if it had hurt. It looked like it had hurt like hell. “What about you? Any kids?” Millie asked.

I lifted my gaze back to her. She was giving me a onceover, obviously trying to gauge my answer based off my hip size. I hadn’t gained a pound since high school. Thanks to my mother’s good genes. “Nope. Not me. No kids.” The words were laced with a tinge of relief even I could hear. Kids were not on my radar. I could barely take care of myself; there was no way in hell I could raise a kid.

But here Millie was with two.

This was what Parish Cove did to you. It forced you to pop out babies at a young age, because there was nothing better to do, and settle. Thank God, Emma was smart enough to not settle like this.

What if she was pregnant? What if that was why she was suddenly getting married?

Oh my God, what if I was going to be an aunt?

I needed to get home. I had to know what the hell was going on in my sister’s life. Suddenly, it was dire.

“Well, it was good catching up with you. You look like you’re doing great. Cute kids.” I turned, and reached into my car for my wallet. “I should get going. I’ve got to get home in time to change for Emma’s engagement party.”

“Right. I nearly forgot about her engagement.”

“Yup. She’s getting married.” An awkward chuckle made its way past my lips. I hoped she couldn’t tell she most likely knew more about who Emma was marrying than I did. My heart picked up pace. I did not want to learn who Emma had said yes to from Millie Green.

A glimmer lit Millie’s blue eyes, letting me know she was nearly on to me. “So are you okay with her marrying—” Someone blared their horn, interrupting what she was about to say. They had pulled up behind my car, waiting to use the pump next.

Thank goodness there were still impatient assholes in Parish Cove.

Mathew started crying then, obviously startled from the noise, and it was the perfect excuse to cut our conversation short.

“It’s okay, sugar,” Millie cooed to him. “I should get going. It’s time for his nap.”

“Okay. I should probably pay for my gas. This place is filling up, and it looks like this pump is needed.”

“Right.” Millie tipped her head to the side as she bounced up and down, soothing the screaming baby on her hip. “I’ll tell Miles you said hello.”

Miles. Millie had married Miles Harmon, her high school sweetheart. They became a family of M’s. Miles, Millie, Mallory, and Mathew. Gag.

“You do that.” I smiled. Judging from her stare, she was trying to get a reaction out of me. Unfortunately for her, I couldn’t care less who she had married. “I’m sure I’ll run into you again at some point while I’m here.”

“Sure.” A kilowatt smile plastered itself on her face. It was the same one I remembered from high school. It was fake, big, and held a creepy quality to it that put me on edge. “Be sure to tell your sister I said congratulations. And don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll make a great bridesmaid. Someone will come along for you one day. You’re still so adorable.” Her eyes skimmed over me once more.

Was that a backhanded compliment? Did she not think I was attractive enough to land someone to marry? What a bitch. “Thanks.” I started toward the station, ready to put some space between myself and Millie, as well as her screaming kid. How could she be so calm with that wailing happening right in her ear?

I pulled a crumpled ten from my wallet as I found a place in line. All I needed was a little gas to get me to my mom’s house. I would fill up before I left town again on Sunday.

“Charlotte Rose Montgomery, look at you.” Goose bumps erupted across my skin at the same time my heart picked up its pace. I remembered that voice, even though it was a little deeper, a little older now. How could I ever forget it?