Beautifully Broken (9 page)

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Hours later I stood in front of my mirror, Dolly at my side and desperately tried to find something suitable for my first ever date. “I find it hard to believe you never had a date before darlin’” Dolly chuckled as she fluffed my hair. I readjusted my strapless bra for what had to be the millionth time. “Well believe it. I never did the dating thing. It didn’t fit into my lifestyle. Are you sure this isn’t too much?” When I had found my wardrobe lacking I ran next door to Dolly’s in a panic. I was now dressed in a strapless black dress that stopped about mid-thigh, half of my hair was pinned up and away from my face and soft black feather earrings hung from my ears. A bright silver sequins belt cinched around my waist and matched the silver shoes. “Not at all, you look like a million bucks.” She clapped her hands and pulled out what looked to be a suitcase. “What the hell is that?” I asked in surprise. She looked up at me like I just asked the dumbest question possible, “It’s my make-up bag.” I shook my head furiously causing my hair to fly around my shoulders. “No. No way. No make-up, this is enough.” I insisted. Before she could object a knock sounded on my front door and for some reason I found it hysterical considering how many times Cole just let himself in. I took a deep breath and smoothed down the front of my dress before making my way to the door. When I opened it I gasped, the man dressed up nice. He wore black cowboy boots, dark stone washed jeans, a white and black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and left open at the top to show off the gun metal gray t-shirt underneath and topped off with a black cowboy hat. “Hi…” I said a little bit breathless. He turned and looked at me the smile on his face fading and his mouth dropping open. I looked down at my outfit feeling panicked, “Is it too much?” I asked in a rush, “I can go change.” I spun quickly but before I could get too far he grabbed my wrist gently. “No…please. Don’t change a thing. It’s perfect.” He pulled a bouquet of daisies from behind his back and handed them to me. “I got these for you today.” I took them and brought them to my face, the soft petals brushing against my cheek. Before I could really enjoy them Dolly reached forward and snatched them away. I had almost forgotten she was here. “I’ll get these for y’all now go! Have a good time!” She urged as she not so gently pushed us out the door.

“Were going to have to drive.” Cole said quietly. I looked over and his face was down and his hands were stuffed in his pockets. “I’m guessing I’m driving?” I didn’t say it in a rude way but more of a curious one. He nodded solemnly, “Cole…why don’t you ever drive?” I asked as he opened my door. He sighed and tried to smile but it didn’t quite make it, “Because I can’t.” I slid down into my seat and watched as he closed my door before he made his way around the
car, his shoulders slumped and his hat pulled low nearly over his eyes. I wanted to pry, I really did but the way he was acting I didn’t think my questions would make the situation any better. What I didn’t understand was why he wanted me to fix up a truck he couldn’t drive.

He slid silently into his seat and I cleared my throat, smiling when he looked at me. “Are you ready?” His eyes cleared at my response and he took my hand. His simple touch sent those butterflies in my stomach into dance mode again.
“We are going to the bar just outside of town.” I nodded. I knew the one, it wasn’t so much a bar as it was a large barn decorated in mason jar lights and an abundant amount of alcohol. When I had just arrived in Oliver I was a frequent visitor. We made the trip in companionable silence. When we arrived Cole practically leapt out of the car before I could stop and rushed over to my side with a smile on his face that rivaled that of a kid on Christmas morning. He swung open my door and offered me a hand. Pulling me tightly against his chest he smiled and his eyes raked over my face, “I want to remember exactly what you look like at this very moment and I want to give you the best first date of your life.” He dipped down and captured my lips in the sweetest kiss I had ever experienced. “I want you to be happy.” He whispered, sweeping some hair from my face, “The reason most people find it so hard to be happy is because they see the past better than it really was. I want your present to be your happiness. I don’t ever want you to have to look at the past and think it’s better than the current day.” I was stunned and shocked. It was already the best night of my life.

Chapter Eleven

             
The second we walked into the bar Cole tugged me into his arms on the dance floor and began to move us with the music. I had never been one for dancing but I could get use to this. Cole had one hand resting on my waist and the other holding my hand against his heart. My head leaned on his shoulder and closed my eyes as he hummed the music into my ear. It was sweet and romantic and I was turning into a puddle at his feet. This is definitely a first for me. I never had the opportunity as I was running for my life. I sighed happily as he held me tightly against him and I realized that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Even the bar added to the romantic feel of the night. It was just an old barn with mason jars hanging by wire from the ceiling, light bulbs in each one, round barrel tables made with large wooden pieces as table tops, sticking with the country thing they had going on they made chairs from old wagon wheels. I loved every hill billy thing about this place.

             
“Do you want to get a drink?” Cole asked after we had danced a bit more. I nodded and smiled as I followed him to the bar. “Two waters please” He called over to the bartender. When he looked back at me I could hardly stand being so far apart. I felt like a magnetic to him and instantly moved closer, tucking myself under his arm. I reached up on my toes and kissed him hard. His lips parted and his tongue slipped inside my mouth and I let out a little groan, loving the taste of him. He wrapped an arm around my waste, urging me closer, almost like he couldn’t get close enough to me. I knew how he felt, that burning in the pit of my stomach was back and I wanted him as close as possible. I moaned again and this time he tore his mouth from mine, bringing his mouth to my ear, “Darlin’ if you keep that up I’m not going to be able to be very gentleman like.” His breath against my ear sent shivers down my spine.

“You waste no time moving on do you?” Cole jumped apart from me and looked over at the sweet as sugar voice. I turned and instantly the high that I was on moments ago dropped.
I could remember her voice from the store and still I felt sick. Her tall, tan legs that went on for miles were under the blue jean miniskirt that rested low on her waste, bearing her midriff and revealing a diamond belly ring. Her shirt was tied just below her obviously blessed upper half. She had long platinum blonde hair with stunningly vibrant green eyes and puffy pink lips. Everything about her screamed Barbie. Her eyes looked between Cole and I before landing on me and giving me a stare that was enough to turn me to ice. I wasn’t one to back down but her stare had me paralyzed. “Emma Jo. I thought you moved to California.” Cole asked, his voice cold and flat as we waited for our water. “I came because I heard you finally came back to town.” Emma Jo pushed me aside gently and leaned into his chest, batting her overly long eye lashes that I was pretty sure were fake. “Can you even see what you are here with?” She snarled as he backed away from her. His eyes darted to me before resting back on her. “Yes. I see exactly who I am with.” He growled back. “Emma what do you want?” He asked as the bartended brought over the two glasses of water. He took them both and set the money on the counter and returned his angry glare back to Emma. She smiled her perfect smile and took a glass of water from his hands. My glass of water and took a sip, leaving her cruddy slicked on pink globby mess on my glass. “I want my boyfriend back.” Emma answered in a baby voice. I wanted to hurl, right against that tramp stamp playing peek a boo out the back of her skirt. “Well I suggest you go find some other tool to play with because I’m taken.” I tried to hide the smile that struggled to break free but she spun on me fast. “Well then Cole. It is obvious that you are blind because this thing is nothing compared to me. She will never amount to anything but a small town slut.” The last of her words echoed in my ear, only it wasn’t her voice…it was my father’s. Before I knew what I was doing I slapped her across the face and the bar went silent. “You have no idea who I am and what I am capable of…” I growled angrily. She tilted her chin up and raised the gas of water before dumping it over my head. I had to give credit where credit was due, the girl had balls. I was going to hit her again but Cole caught me by the waist before I could. He pressed me firmly against him and whispered in my ear, “She isn’t worth it Marley. You’re better than her. Let’s just get out of here.” I nodded and stared at her seething. “Stay the hell away from me because I promise you, you won’t handle what I can do to you.” I threatened as Cole guided me out of the bar and away from sleeze bag Barbie.

Once outside the shaking began to slow down enough where I didn’t feel like I was jacked up on coffee, red bull, mountain dew and caffeine pills all at once. “I’m sorry about our date Marley.” He apologized sadly. I was standing dumb struck as I watched him unbutton his shirt, one button at a time. “It’s fine really.” We made it to my car and he pulled me around to the front and away from the bar before sliding his shirt off and lying it on the hood. “Turn around and let me unzip your dress.” I smiled widely, “I was going to say I wasn’t a sleep around on the first date kind of girl but hey if your offering.” I joked as I turned around and lifted my wet hair. Cole laughed but said nothing as his fingers slowly glided down my back, removing my
dress. The dress fell in a heap at my feet as I turned around slowly. My heart was beating out a wild rhythm that I could barely keep up with. I was standing before him in a strapless bra and lace panties. My eyes met his and instantly my cheeks flooded with crimson. “I-I….” He stuttered as he tried to stare at my face. Slowly he reached forward, his skin lightly brushing against my side as he reached for his shirt. The small area of skin that he touched was burning. He tugged the shirt from the hood and pulled it over my shoulders. I slipped my arms through the sleeves as he buttoned it up. His hands were trembling with each button and I could barely speak. Something about this moment felt strangely intimate and I felt like speaking, moving, or even breathing would ruin it. “Thank you…” I whispered as he finished. He nodded and his eyes raked over me again. “You look good in my clothes.” His voice was deep and husky, a sure sign that he wanted me as much as I wanted him. “Let’s go.” He said as he stepped towards my door.

I climbed in the car feeling more breathless than I have been before.
Cole climbed into the seat next to me and pulled off his hat. He ran a hand through his hair as I started up the car. “I’m really sorry about Emma Jo.” He said quietly. There was an edge to his voice and I could tell that he was nervous. I patted his leg, “its fine Cole. Seriously. She isn’t worth it.” I assured him as I pulled away from the bar. “I know this date didn’t go the way you planned but I can make it up to you.” I smiled, I loved the way that his eye brows knitted together as he spoke. He was fiddling with the brim of his had as we pulled up to my apartment. He jumped out of the car and rushed around to my door. “I’m sorry. Maybe I can take you out on a better one next weekend.” His hands were shoved deep into his pockets. I tugged his shirt until he stumbled forward, “Or…” I waited until his eyes connected with mine. “You can come up, we can make something for dessert, pick a movie and finish this date.” His perfectly sculpted lips slowly formed a smile. “That sounds great.” I laughed and tugged him up and into my front door. “Good because I think I have a box of brownies that are just dying to be made.” I looked up to the doorway and immediately stopped feeling completely frozen. Cole’s eyes followed mine and he let out a gasp. Before I could speak his arms were around me and his cell phone was up to his ear calling Sheriff Hansel.

Sherriff Hansel was an older man named Carl. His teeth were stained from years of using tobacco and drinking coffee and his fingers reminded me of pudgy sausages. He was a taller man with more of a beer gut than a round belly like Harry. He climbed out of his cruiser, spitting off to the side as he strolled lazily up to us. I could feel him, my father, watching me.
My eyes scanned the road and tree line. Red lights from the cruiser illuminated an area of trees and it was there that I seen the slightest shift of motion. “What’s goin’ on here folks?” Carl drawled as he looked around. “We just got back and saw her door open. We figured better safe than sorry.” Cole explained. I was more than happy to let him do the talking. I was feeling frozen and was just barely holding my panic at bay. Carl’s eyes slowly trailed over my body and I realized just how exposed I really was. Carefully Cole tucked me behind him a little but which prompted a disgusting chuckle from Carl. Carl was the town creep to say the least and having him leer at me made me feel dirty. “Well let’s head on up and take a looksee shall we?” He motioned for us to go ahead and Cole glared at him. Carl shook his head chuckling and unlatched his gun before strolling leisurely up the stairway. I had to suppress the urge to kick the man as I clung to Cole’s side. Carl gently kicked the door open with his toe and his eyes grew wide. He drew his gun and plunged inside.

Cole and I followed and immediately I screamed.
“What the hell!” Cole said as he grabbed me tightly around the waist and pulled me against him. I was fighting back the feeling that I was going to throw up and faint all at the same time. My entire body shook as I stared at the words painted on my walls. This couldn’t be happening. “Marley…Marley talk to me what the hell is going on?” They taunted me as I shook my head slowly. Carl made his through the apartment. I had to admit, when he needed to be the man could be focused. “This can’t be happening. It can’t be…” I whispered shakily as I watched Carl disappear down the hallway. Cole grabbed my face and forced my eyes from the room, his hands felt so warm compared to my now ice cold skin. “Marley. What the hell is going on?” I saw the worry in his eyes and knew I needed to say something. I pulled away and looked back at the words. ‘
I Found You Laynie’.
“My father…but that can’t be.” I whispered. “Why? Marley why can’t that be?” Cole asked in confusion. I looked at him again feeling like I was about to lose everything good. I bit my lip and took a breath, “He’s dead….because I killed him.” His eyes closed just as Carl made his way back inside the living room. “Marley, the apartments clear, doesn’t look like anything else was disturbed but do you know who Laynie is?” He asked as he secured his gun. Gone was the perverted cop and replaced him with the concerned sheriff. I glanced at Cole but his eyes were on the floor. I didn’t want to think about what was going through his mind right now. “No Sherriff. No idea.” Carl nodded and sighed, “Probably just some teenage prank. I’ll do a perimeter check, stop and check in with Dolly and have my deputy patrol the area tonight. If you hear or see anything tonight you call and let me know. Be sure to lock doors and windows.” Cole and I nodded as Cole guided him out the door, closing it softy behind him.  The room was silent with the exception of Carl’s retreating footsteps. Neither of us moved as Cole processed the situation. My eyes lingered on the red letters staining the wall and reminding me of a time I desperately wanted to forget.