Page 18 of Jack of Hearts

I step out of my garage workshop to head back to the house and there’s a strange woman in my yard. I wipe my hands on my overalls and step into the yard.

“Can I help you?”

She turns to face me and she’s beautiful. Like model pretty. Tall and curvy with either a very good bra, or bought and paid for tits that defy gravity. She’s got straight blond hair and an Instagram-worthy smile.

“You must be Lucy. Jack told me all about you.” Her tone is sweet, but there’s something underlying that puts me on edge. She comes forward, her gaze taking in my appearance in a way that makes me aware of every flaw I’ve ever seen in myself and thought I’d made peace with.

My stomach caves in on itself and I want to turn and run. This is Angie.

The closer she gets to me, the more perfect I see that she is. She and Jack must have been the star couple in their hometown. His classic quarterback good looks and she could definitely have been the head cheerleader. I would have been the weirdo in the corner wearing black nail-polish and combat boots.

I swallow and force myself to smile. “And you are?” Because even though I know, I won’t give her that pleasure. I’m petty like that.

“Angie.” She releases a fairy-like laugh. “Didn’t Jack tell you I was coming?”

Uh, no, he sure the fuck did not. I shake my head because I’m unable to form words that won’t sound like ‘get the fuck off my lawn!’

“That silly man.” She tsks her tongue. “Well I am a little early, but since it’s Valentine’s Day, I wanted to surprise him. Is he here now?”

Valentine’s Day? How did I miss that? Because I never have a valentine and it’s just another day for me.

“Hardware store.” The words feels as rough of metal shavings in my mouth.

She nods. “Well, listen, Lucy, I want to be honest with you because that’s the fair thing to do. Jack and I have a lot of history together.” She reaches out and pats my arm. I fight the urge to punch her in the throat. “I know he slept with you. It’s okay. I’m not upset with you. I can understand that a woman like yourself would jump at a chance to sleep with a man like Jack. He’s so sexy.”

Oh God, I’m going to be sick. I’m going to vomit all over this pretty woman who looks like she teaches Sunday School while I look like a, well, I don’t even know what I look like.

But Angie keeps on talking, ignoring the fact that I’m about to throw up on her shoes. “I forgive him because I know this little tryst between the two of you was nothing more than revenge because I strayed a few times while he was away. But it’s time for him to come home now.” She pats me again. “I’m sure you understand.”

“Can you stop fucking touching me,” I say.

Her eyes widen and she takes a step back. “Well, you don’t have to be a bitch about it. I was just trying to be friendly. And frankly I wanted to let you down gently. I mean surely you know that men like Jack don’t end up with big girls like you.” Her hand goes to her chest and she feigns sympathy. “You didn’t really think he’d have feelings for you, did you?” Then the shake of the head.

What. A. Bitch.

I’m still debating if I want to drop kick her or just call Sheriff Burton to have her hauled out of my yard for trespassing, when Jack’s truck pulls up and he’s barely got it in park before he’s out of the truck and running towards us. “Angie.”

She turns and she’s all gentle smiles. “Jackie, I’ve missed you so much.” She runs and jumps in his arms and I’ve seen enough.

So I just turn around and head to the house.

“Lucy, wait,” he calls.

I stop walking, but I can’t make myself turn and face them. I don’t want to see what they look like as a couple. I can already imagine it, but if I see it, I think it might break me.”

Jack tugs on my arm and tries to turn me but I won’t budge. “What’s the matter, Pocket?” He comes around and bends down to look into my face.

I’m pretty sure I’m crying now, but who cares. He’s going to leave and I’ll just go inside and cry alone. Maybe I should adopt a cat. Or ten. Then at least I’d have someone to talk to.

Jack pulls me into his arms. “Please don’t cry. You’re my brown-eyed girl.”

“I can’t do this,” I whisper. I really don’t want that woman to see me fall apart.

“You just stay right here with me. I’ve got you.” He pulls me to his chest. “Angie, what the actual fuck are you doing here?”

“Don’t be like that, Jackie,” Even though I don’t look at her, I can hear the sexy pout in her voice. "You told me to come.”

“I did not and you know that. I told you to stop contacting me.”