A Long Goodbye (19 page)

Jason cleared his throat.

“No problem,” I told him. I wanted to pound this shit out of him, but instead I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down.

“So what kind of trouble did they get into? I’d love to hear some stories, seeing how Lu likes a good party.”

Jason stood, his chair scratching against the wooden floor. “Owens, you know he can’t give you any information. All our work is confidential. You want to know, ask Ashton herself.”

He glanced at Jason, but never took the smirk off his face. “I’ll do that, Woods. See you boys around.” I followed him until he turned the corner and headed out the front door and then retreated inside.

Once he was gone, I slammed my fist into the wall needing to punch something. Or someone. There was no way I could live here and watch the two of them happen.

The next morning after spending the time helping mama with her garden, I hopped into my faithful truck and headed up North. It wasn’t a ton of money, but I wanted that baby to have something.

The need to get out of town was for my benefit only. Deep down I knew if I stayed here, I’d find a way to see Ashton and spill my guts. The only logical thing for me to do was skip town so I couldn’t ruin everything my family had worked so hard for.

CHAPTER 35

ASHTON

Three weeks had past and I was beginning to lose faith in Woody. I’d sell my soul to the devil if I could see his face, hear his voice, or feel his touch one more time. I wore my heart on my sleeve when it came to him and part of me wondered if that was all too much for him to handle. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him that I loved him. Maybe I was wrong about how he felt for me.

It was time to admit Lu was right all along; all men walked away—even the good ones.

I hadn’t gotten the call back from the one interview I had gone on, so I spent some time combing the internet and checking over my resume before sending a few more out to areas outside of Charleston. I even sent one to the town next to Sutton, West Virginia. Deep down I knew it was the stupidest thing I’d probably ever done, and I wouldn’t go, but I still sent it regardless.

Once the first week passed and no call came through, I buried myself in volunteering at the local pet shelter, where I’d also adopted a four-year-old German shepherd who I named, Nash after our trip to Nashville. Daddy wasn’t too fond of him so I kept him in the barn during the day and then sneaked him in at night to sleep with me. He seemed to like it out there with the horses and chickens anyway.

Every morning before I even had my eyes open, tears already filled them, and every evening, I ended them the same way. I held onto Nash and let my tears spill all over his soft fur. Thank the Lord for good make-up and Visine, otherwise people around here would worry and then they’d start up on their small town gossiping. And that was last thing I needed.

Lu was coming over tonight to cheer me up. She was convinced I was never coming out of my room. I did all the time; she just hadn’t been around to witness it yet.

I had just stepped into my cowboy boots when she rolled in like a bad storm. Lu was on a mission. It showed all over her face. “Good, you’re already dressed.”

“What are we doing?”

“Honey you look H. O. T. hot tonight, therefore we’re going out to find you a man hotter than that salsa we ate in Miami, and you my friend, will have a one-night stand that will make you forget all about you know who.”

“That’s the same advice you gave me in Nashville and look how that worked out? I have a broken heart that’s never going to be the same again.”

“You had an orgasm every night, so no complaining. It’s only been a few weeks, maybe he’s busy.”

“Or maybe he didn’t tell me his real name for a reason, or maybe he had a wife and kids I don’t know about, or maybe he’s lying somewhere in a ditch because he tried to phone me from his cell and ran off a cliff. Or, maybe they sent him back to war.” I really hoped I was wrong on all counts, but I was beyond baffled at this point. I really thought we’d connected and we were heading somewhere greater than my own expectations.

“Sweetie, I told you. Men, leave plain and simple. If you don’t open your heart, it won’t get cracked in half. You need to listen to me more and not think with that damn fragile sweet heart of yours.

I sat on the edge of my bed and buried my head in my hands. “I miss him so much, Lu,” I confessed.

“I know you do,” she said as she sat down next to me. “But, honey, if you don’t find someone else your Daddy is going to sick Trevor on you like a tick takes to a dog.”

“He hasn’t mentioned Trevor once since I’ve been home.”

“Yeah well,” Lu gently swiped under my eye. “I’m pretty sure when, and if, Trevor gets a hold of you, he’ll have you knocked up before he can pull those twenty dollar panties off of you. And you love those panties, baby girl, and I’m afraid you won’t be wanting to wear them after all those babies he’s going to make you have.” She laughed and it brought a smile to my face. “So, let’s go find someone who can appreciate those fancy silk undies of yours.”

I shook my head. “Lu, I don’t think I’m ready.”

“Trust me, Ash a couple shots of that Patron and you’ll be ready. Now get that fabulous ass up and let’s move out.”

I took several deep breaths and stood up. Looked like my girl and I were getting drunk tonight whether I was up for it or not. The one nightstand was still up for debate.

Instead of heading into the city like I thought we would, Lu wanted to stay closer to home so we didn’t have to worry about drinking and driving. We were going to cab it home.

By the time we were on our fourth Vodka and Pineapple, Lu and I were singing loudly, rocking back and forth on the stools. We had put at least two-hours worth of quarters in the jukebox. 

“Where the hell are all the good looking guys tonight? Is it too much to ask for a pair of men to walk in?” Lu questioned.

I held up my finger since I had gotten an idea. “I got it, Lu.”

She rubbed her hands together, excitedly. “Where we going?”

“I could hire someone to find Woody. We could get one of those handsome P.I.’s and tell them what we know, and then I’ll find him.”

“Oh, sugar, that is the worst idea you’ve ever had. I’m putting my foot down on this one.” She turned back around to wave down the bartender and ordered another round.

Quickly, I yelled out, “Can you make mine a beer.” I turned back to Lu. “My teeth feel like they’re rotting away as we speak.”

She rolled her eyes, but her mouth dropped open a second later. “Lordy be, look at what just walked in.” Lu adjusted her shirt to reveal a little more cleavage and spun around so he could check her out. Only, that was short-lived seeing Trevor walked in a heartbeat later.

As soon as his eyes landed on me, he smiled. I made a gagging gesture to Lu, and she agreed. “I’ve been looking for you all night, Ashton. I’ve been blowing up your phone.”

I snatched it off the bar and looked at it. I’d missed eight calls. I scanned through the numbers only to recognize Trevor’s, and one call from my home. I sighed in relief that I hadn’t missed a call from Woody and then tucked in my bag.

“Why the hell are you looking for Ashton? She wants nothing to do with you,” Lu put on her sassy voice and was downright annoyed at his presence.

He tipped his chin and the guy Lu had checked out walked over to us. “Relax, LuLu I brought you a present. This is Tyler. He works with me.”

Her eyes roamed over Tyler, but I smacked her on her knee to get her attention. I shook my head trying to get her to say no, because if Lu said yes, I’d be stuck with Trevor.  Unfortunately, Lu didn’t feel my knee banging into hers, or most likely, she chose to ignore it, since she was too busy gawking and flirting with Tyler.

Trevor held up his hand and held up four fingers. “I need four shots of Tequila and a round of beers,” he rattled off and then took the stool next to mine. His eyes scanned my body but settled on my chest. “Looking good tonight, Ash. Real, real good.”

The bartender lined the shots up and placed a beer behind them. Trevor lifted his up and looked dead in my eyes. “To our future,” he winked and then downed it. Lu was already facing the opposite way and turned into Tyler’s legs. She leaned in and whispered something, which made Tyler laugh. I could only imagine what he was thinking. I knew Trevor probably promised him a steamy night of sex with one infamous, LuLuBelle Trainor, but I was not allowing that to happen.

I grabbed my shot and tossed it back because I was not prepared to face this night sober.

By the time midnight rolled around Lu was in the corner of the bar necking with Tyler and refused to leave. My head was spinning from the alcohol, and I just wanted to go home and sleep it off.

Trevor watched me as I fumbled with my handbag as I dug around for my phone. “What are you doing?”

“I’m calling a cab.”

His hand came down on, covering mine. “Don’t be ridiculous, I’ll take you back. Let me just tell Tyler that he’s on his own for the rest of the night.”

He had already gotten off his stool before I could stop him. “Could you ask Lu if she wants to leave?” I yelled.

He turned, nodded his head, and then approached them. A few minutes later, he was leading me to his car without Lu. He tried to hold my hand, but I shook him off. “Trevor, I’m kind of seeing someone. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but, well, you know how it is.”

He stopped dead in his tracks, his hand gripping the passenger door handle. “Who you seeing? And does your Daddy know?”

He opened the door and I slid inside. Once he was inside, he cranked on the engine, and then turned to address me. “So who’s the lucky fella?”

I shook my head. “Oh, you wouldn’t know him. He’s from West Virginia. We met down in Nashville.”

Trevor looked deep in thought, but then ran his tongue over his bottom lip. His eyes were fixed on mine and I could see the jealousy brewing in them. “What’s his name?”

“I’m not telling you,” I said bitterly. I crossed my arms and stared out the passenger window hoping he’d give in and just drive.

Ten minutes later we were pulling up to my driveway when he slammed on his breaks, making me smack my head against the headrest. “Ouch! What did you do that for?” I yelled, rubbing the back of my head.

“Ashton, I don’t know who it is you are supposedly seeing, but I spoke with your father while you were gone. I’d like to take this to the next level with you, and he happily agreed.”

I gasped. “Are you crazy? I’m not taking anything up a level with you, and as far my father goes, he cannot tell me who to take to my bed.”

“You saying you slept with this man?” He grabbed my wrist, forcing me to face him.

“That is none of your business,” I shouted.

“Oh, but it’s something your Daddy would love to hear. I’ll be sure to tell him.”

I flung my wrist until he relented. “What the hell is wrong with you? My Daddy doesn’t want to know about my sex life.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure he sent you away thinking you were going to be careful and protected. It appears someone didn’t do what he was paid to do.”

I was ready to open the door, bolt, and run until I was safely inside my house, but in one second, my world came crashing all around me. “What are you talking about?” I whispered.

“I think I’ve said too much already.” Trevor drove the rest of the way and then got out. He walked around, and opened my door and held out his hand for me to take it. I stepped out without his help and ran up the porch steps away from him. I had someone I needed to confront and I didn’t give a rat’s ass how late it was. How could he?

Storming through the house and clamoring up the staircase, I flung open his bedroom door ready to scream and yell. I had to find out why he did it, why he didn’t trust me to go off on my own. Only when I threw open his door, his bed was empty and hadn’t looked slept in. Which left me with other questions, but at the time, I couldn’t care less where he was.

I ran to my room and called Lu twenty times to come over and cry with me, but she never answered. I threw my phone across the room watching it slam hard onto my bed, like it was shattering into pieces along with my heart. The only two men I loved. Both took it and threw it away like my feelings and trust meant nothing.

CHAPTER 36

DANE

The one thing I wasn’t expecting, or ready to find was Trevor Owens sitting in my office, with his feet up on my desk when I got to work. He looked up and smirked when he heard me come in. I walked over and swiped his feet off and then circled around my desk and sat.

“What can I help you with, Trevor?”

He kept the grin on his face, and he leaned in, resting his arms of the edge of my desk. “You were paid to be discreet when it came to Ashton.”

“Who says I wasn’t?” I threw my poker face on not wanting to give anything away.

“I was on a date with Ashton last night and she said something, and then I remembered how you didn’t look too comfortable when I mentioned me and Ashton getting together. In fact, you looked like you were ready to take a swing at me a few weeks ago. So, I was just wondering if Bill Winslow knew that you not only fucked up the job, but we’re fucking his little, stuck-up princess, too?”

Oh, hell no.

Quicker than lightning, I was over my desk and had his fancy shirt balled in my fist. “You talk about her like that one more time, I’ll end you,” I warned, anger pouring off of me.

Trevor just laughed in my face. He shook his head and yanked my hands off of him. “I had a feeling, but thanks for the confirmation. I’m sure Bill will want that bonus back once I tell him everything.”

I sat back down trying to compose myself. I leaned back in my chair, and put my hands behind my head. “You do what you need to do, but just a fair warning, I know all about Toby.” It was my turn to grin and laugh in his face. He turned whiter than cotton, but it stopped him from making his threats.

“You tell anyone about him and you’ll pay, Woods.”

“If that’s all you wanted, feel free to see yourself out.” I flipped open my laptop and punched in a quick message to Jason what just went down. Trevor grunted, pissed off about my threat, but I was positive he’d keep his mouth shut. At least for now.