Page 77 of The Only Heart that Matters
“Why? What do you mean, why? If there are rumors about my mother cheating on my father, I think I have a right to know. What if it was your family?”
“I don’t take part in town gossip. You know me better than that.”
“I would rather hear it from you.”
From someone I trust.
“Are you sure?” He reaches across the console, lacing our fingers together. “The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
“Please.” I squeeze his hand, letting him know it’s okay.
“Fuck, I don’t want to be the one to tell you this.” He drops his gaze, as if he can’t stand to see my reaction. “Mayor Collins.”
“What?” I shriek.
He winces but doesn’t answer.
“My mother is sleeping with the mayor?”
“It’s a rumor, Mia.”
“The mayor and my mother?”
“I’m so sorry.”
Dad’s despondent face flashes in my mind. “Is this why they’re leaving?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, my God. I think I might be sick. How could she do this to him?” Releasing Angus’s hand, I throw open the door, needing fresh air. Angus is there before my feet hit the pavement.
Taking my face in his hands, he brings us eye to eye. “Mia, I work in a bar. People are drunk. They talk shit. All it takes is one look between a man and a woman, and this town will have everyone sleeping with each other before it’s over. Rumors are not the gospel. They’re just petty people talking shit.”
The below freezing air and his words loosen the grip my panic has on me, but it doesn't wipe it away. He’s right. A rumor doesn’t make it true. But what if it is?
“Do you think it’s true?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “I know your parents love each other very much.”
He also doesn’t answer my question.
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Maybe not, but it’s all I know for certain. I can’t imagine there is any truth to the rumors, but I can’t sit here and tell you I haven’t heard them. I respect you too much to lie to you.”
He places a kiss on my forehead, holding my hands until I give him a nod, letting him know I’m okay.
I’m not okay, but there’s nothing he can do to help to stop my anxiety from spinning out of control.
Like puzzle pieces fitting together, things that had seemed so out of character for my parents now make sense. The sudden move to the other side of the country. Mom’s tears about leaving and Dad’s somber demeanor.
Yes, my mother works with the mayor regularly in her role as a Goose Hollow council member. But sleeping with him? Seriously?
Angus jumps back into the truck and starts the engine, turning on the heat. We sit there in silence for who knows how long before he asks. “What are you going to do with the information?”
That is the question I am racking my brain with.
If I ask Mom and it’s not true, she may never forgive me for doubting her. If I ask her and it is true, then what? Will my relationship with her ever be the same again? Will it embarrass Dad if I know? If I don’t ask, will it always be in the back of my mind?
