Meeting The Unpredictable (27 page)

I walk over to Jodi’s to clean up. I dread going to the hospital, but knowing today is my last day and that Tyler will be waiting for me when I’m done makes the idea of going a lot easier.

I WORKED AROUND THE CLOCK
for close to six years. In that time, I saved a lot of money, to the point that I’ve drastically cut back the clients I’m working with. The harsh reminder I was given when we arrived home from Galveston was enough for me to know that with Lennie around, I want to take life a little easier. At least until I know for certain that Lennie’s not going to up and disappear on me.

This makes our roles feel reversed. She’s the one who has to be somewhere while I have all the time in the world. It’s with that thought in mind that I head down to the animal shelter. Maybe if I help her walk a few dogs I’ll be able to drag her out of there faster. Selfish, I know, but where Lennie is concerned, I want her all to myself.

I push the front door open, and like normal, Carla is behind the front desk.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Beefcake himself.” Carla’s comment causes me to laugh. “What are you up to today? Are you here to borrow a cat to propose with?” Carla busts out laughing.

“Nope, I’m hoping if I give my girl a hand I’ll be able to steal her away faster.”

Carla stops laughing and gives me a strange look. “You must have your days mixed up. Lennie isn’t scheduled to work today.”

My eyes narrow. “No, she said she was volunteering today.” She left me to come here when I practically begged her not to.

“Sorry, kiddo. She specifically said she couldn’t come in today.”

My heart speeds up wondering where the hell she’s at. “You’re right. I must have mixed up the days.”

“No problem, sweetheart. If you don’t see her tonight, I believe she said she would be in tomorrow.” I take a deep breath before nodding my head. I grab my phone as I turn and walk back out to my vehicle. I quickly send a text asking Lennie where she’s at.

Seconds later, my world stills.

Lennie: I’m volunteering. I should be done in a couple of hours. I’ll meet you at your place.

I pocket my phone and head home.

With Amber, I didn’t pay attention to even one single warning sign. I’m sure if I was even a little in tuned to my fiancée I would have noticed the changes in her. But I know now that I didn’t care enough to pay attention.

The way I feel right now, knowing Lennie lied to me, is beyond anything I’ve felt with Amber. I’m frustrated. I’m pissed, and if I’m being honest...I’m scared.

I’m scared if I call her out, she’ll do the only thing she knows, which is run, but at the same time, how can I sit back and knowingly allow her to lie to me?

Not to mention, where the hell is she? What is she doing that she had to lie in the first place?

As my frustration takes over, I grab a beer and sit down at my computer. A couple of hours and five beers later, Lennie walks in. “I’m so glad to be done,” she groans before taking a seat on my couch. Her hair is wet, like she recently showered.

“How was your day?”

Her eyes wander over to my beer bottle. “You started drinking without me?” Lennie jumps up, walks over to the fridge, and grabs her own beer. “If you don’t mind, I had a rough day. A couple of beers and I’ll be ready for bed.”

She gives me a sad smile before sitting back down. “You’re more quiet than normal. What’s going on?”

I shrug and grab my beer.

“Nothing is the matter or you don’t know what’s wrong?”

I run my finger over the top of my lip, thinking of what I should say. I hate that I’m always worrying I’ll say the wrong thing to her.

“I was wondering where you were today.”

Lennie’s nose scrunches. “I told you. I volunteered.” Her head tilts to the side. “Why, did something happen?” Her voice perks up with concern as she closely watches me.

“Nothing happened. Nothing at all.” I grab my beer and down the rest. I can feel the alcohol running through my veins.

“Then why are you acting strange.”

“Strange?” I shake my head. “That’s rich coming from you.”

I walk over and grab another beer out of the fridge. I can’t remember the last meal I ate, and after stewing about where Lennie has been, how much I’ve drank really starts to hit me.

“What’s rich coming from me?” Lennie’s voice drops as she repeats my comment.

“Oh, I don’t know...maybe the fact that I’m busting my balls trying to make a relationship work with you when I know better.”

Lennie’s mouth drops open but she doesn’t say anything. Several long moments pass before she stands up and takes a step towards the door. “I think I’m going to crash at Jodi’s. I’m tired.”

“What exactly did you do all day that made you so tired, huh?”

Lennie’s eyes narrow. “What are you trying to say, Tyler?”

A sarcastic laugh works its way out. “That you lied. Are you pulling the same crap on me that Amber did? Did you spend the day whoring yourself around Dallas?”

The corners of Lennie’s mouth turn up in a sad smile. “Get a goodnight’s rest and we’ll talk in the morning.”

My stomach coils. She didn’t deny my claims. “No. Tell me where you were all day,” I practically shout.

“Now is not the time to talk. You’re drunk or damn near it. Tomorrow, when you’re sober, we’ll talk.”

It feels like my entire life women have been telling me what to do or how to feel, and now Lennie is just another one that expects me not to be mad when she’s been caught sneaking around.

“Fuck that. You’re a liar, just like the rest of them.” Lennie doesn’t react to my comment like I was hoping she would. I want her as pissed off as I am, but instead, she walks over to the door. “Really? You’re just going to leave?”

“Tyler...you’re mad. We’ll talk when you’ve cooled off.” Again, everything is on her terms.

“Maybe I don’t want to talk to you later. Have you thought about that? I want to talk about it right now.” Lennie reaches for the door. “If you leave, that’s it.”

Finally, she turns around and studies me.

“If you leave now, I’m done.” My stomach starts turning the second the words leave my mouth. I’m full of shit and I know it, but when Lennie opens my door and leaves, my only wish is that she knows I’m full of shit too because in the morning, no matter how foolish I might look, I plan on begging her to forgive me.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK?”
Jodi questions the second I walk into her apartment.

“I think Tyler needs some Lennie-free time.” I try my best to smile, but it’s almost impossible.

After spending all day at the hospital, my mood is usually shot. I do whatever I can to avoid people, but tonight, knowing I didn’t have plans to go back—outside of my own appointment—I was excited to see Tyler. I don’t do it often, at least not around humans, but I gave my time to those who needed it, which means I’ve kept my word to Maddy.

What I wasn’t expecting was Tyler to know I wasn’t at the animal shelter. I’m not necessarily keeping my time at the hospital a secret, but it brings out memories I’d rather not talk about, and if I told Tyler what I was doing, that’s exactly what would happen. Jodi knows better than to ask me about it, but Tyler doesn’t. He’s still getting to know me, and that means asking questions that normal people ask. But no one considers me normal, and I hate talking about my past with anyone.

Tonight, however, with Tyler on the verge of drunk, I really wasn’t going to discuss it. His comment when I left was bittersweet. Tyler needs to stay far away from me, and I haven’t figured out how to make that happen without hurting him, and tonight it unintentionally happened.

I know this is for the best, but it doesn’t change the way my heart feels at the moment.

“Tyler wants Lennie-free time?” Jodi laughs. “Oh no. What did you do?” Jodi’s smile disappears when she notices I’m serious.

“Oh shit. Did you guys break up?”

I shrug. “Yes? Maybe? Hell if I know.”

Again, Jodi knows me well enough to let the conversation drop. “Do you want to go out? Just you and me?”

My eyes narrow, waiting for the catch. Jodi has never volunteered to go out with me before. “To be honest, I was planning on calling it an early night, but if you want to go out then I’m game.”

Jodi rubs her hands together. “Then let’s do this.”

There’s a sparkle in Jodi’s eyes, one I can’t remember seeing before, and I’m not about to question it. “I’m ready if you are.”

Jodi gives me a goofy grin. “Of course you are.” I have no makeup on and my hair is pulled up high on my head, but I don’t give a shit.

***

“I’LL TAKE A MERLOT.” I
wave the bartender off. “No, we’ll take two shots of tequila and two Bud Lights.”

“Lennie, I have to work tomorrow,” Jodi huffs next to me.

The sparkle in her eyes starts to fade when I give her a stern look. “I didn’t say you had to get drunk, but we’re not at the type of bar where you drink wine.” Jodi looks around before she finally nods her head.

“I’m not complaining. I’m really not, but why tonight?”

Jodi winces before looking over at me. “I’ve done a shitty job standing up for you. You’re right. I don’t have a clue what it’s been like for you, and I can’t believe I’ve taken up for Dad all these years.”

I open my mouth but then I’m hit with the realization that something’s happened. “What’s going on? Did Dad say something?”

Jodi gestures towards our shots before she downs hers. Her face twists up in disgust. “Wow, that’s awful.”

“Okay, stop avoiding my question and answer me.”

“Dad is looking into treatments.”

My pulse quickens. “You told him?”

“No.” Her voice was loud enough that people stop to look at us. “No, he figured it out for himself.” I straighten on my barstool and look away. I can’t do this. If my Dad is involved, it really will feel like my past is repeating itself.

“I’m sorry. I told him to butt out and let you take care of things, but he won’t listen to me. Mom said he’s already looking into treatments overseas.”

I give Jodi a disapproving look. “The good news is that medicines and treatments have really improved in the last ten years.”

“Oh, yeah, and how do you know that? Have you been staying up to date with the latest treatments?” I feel a twinge of regret the moment I see her face drop.

“I’m just saying maybe it will be different this time.”

“It’s my choice, Jodi.” Everything inside of me coils as my mind flashes back to a time I’ve forced myself to forget.

Needles, doctors, constantly getting sick, and more importantly...watching my friend die.

“I know that,” she snaps. “And I’m on your side. I just think that Dad’s heart is in the right place, that’s all.”

As my body starts to relax, the pain in my side increases. I take a deep breath before placing my hand above my hip.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I ignore Jodi’s worried expression and grab my beer.

“They’re concerned. I understand that, but I also get that anything that happens is your choice.”

I pause for a moment. Outside of her surgery, this is the closest Jodi has ever come to siding with me, and the realization that I should have seen a doctor sooner hits me harder than I expected.

“No more talk about Dad or doctors or treatments. Tonight we’re going to cut loose and have some fun.”

Jodi smiles. “Okay, but not too much fun. I have court tomorrow afternoon.”

I tilt my head and laugh before motioning to the bartender for another round.

“Do you want to talk about what happened with Tyler?”

I shake my head no and grab my shot. “What I want to do is get drunk and dance.”

***

MY EYES SLOWLY OPEN. MY
head is killing me, and I’m about to double over in pain. “Jodi,” I squeak, but she doesn’t come. I push my feet out of the bed but they give out and I end up on the floor. “Jodi,” I try again. Apparently, I should have skipped the dancing part of the evening.

My eyes water as pain takes over. I open my mouth again but I can’t get my voice to work. I just need to find some damn pain pills because it feels like someone is inside my body stabbing me with a knife. I push up on my hands and knees and start crawling towards the door, but I don’t make it far before the pain takes over and the room goes dark.