Pieces of You (7 page)

Chapter 7

"Did you hear me cheering as you stumbled out of the bar grabbing her behind? I was howling. WHOOOOO HOOOOOOO!" He licks the corner of his thumb and steers with one hand. "'Bout TIME you got back into the driver's seat partner." Tim's calloused hand drops down on my shoulder. "At least Sasha's not going to fall in love and want you to call her every waking moment. She'll probably leave you alone now." He continues laughing while I sit back and take it. He's just giving me what I gave him all those months ago. My arm rests along the window, and my fingers tap out in tune to the song on the radio.

"Well, I don't remember any of it so it's not a huge deal."

"Not a huge deal?! Are you kidding me? You are moving forward my friend, and it's about goddamn time!" His hand comes down hard on the steering wheel as we continue across town. I can't be mad at him, not even a little.

"I don't think I'm moving on. I think I was drunk. Worse than drunk almost comatose. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time." I look out the window as I trace the frame of the glass with my fingertips. "I was really messed up." I don't know who I'm trying to convince, Tim or myself. But it most definitely sounds like a pile of crap.

"What happened with Riley?" he asks as we pass Sue's. There are a few cars parked outside much different from this morning when I walked past the vacant parking lot.

"Nothing. I told her about Mel and well, I don't think I was able to express anything right."

"Really? Because you have such a way with words." He teases. "I hear you're a cunning-linguist." He starts laughing at his little joke, and I am getting further and further from impressed. "Look I'm sorry it didn't go the way you were hoping, but I sure as hell am glad Ty is coming back. I missed him."

I get it. Of course I get it, but that doesn't mean it pisses me off any less.

We pass the tree that still bears the scars of the accident even all these years later. In my sober state of mind, I think back to that night and remember I was supposed to leave with him. It could have been me. Scrubbing my face with my hand, I turn my attention back to the road and see my truck up ahead.

"I'm going to see Mom and Dad later. Probably be gone a week. Can you keep an eye on the place? You know. Water my plants?" I chuckle under my breath.

Tim parks his car, and I undo my seatbelt. No response is needed. He nods and I climb out, taking my keys from my pocket. I walk to my truck and climb in the driver's seat. Shaking my head as I back away from Sasha's place, I throw her into gear and head to Widow Crawley's house.

***

Slowing as I near, Riley's car is nowhere to be seen so I am free to park anywhere I want. I take the tote bag from under the seat and climb out looking around one last time before I walk up to the little white fence to claim some items from the garden. Widow Crawley would pull my ear and give me a tongue lashing, but she honestly would give away everything in her garden to the families around town.

Opening the gate, I step on the dry soil and start pulling carrots and picking peas, but before I can start digging for potatoes, I hear a tiny throat clear. I know I'm caught before I even turn around. Continuing to pull.

"I believe you're trespassing, Mr. Lorey."

"I don't think any of the townsfolk would see it as that," I respond and pick up my full bag. "I'm just taking what's not going to be used, taking them to my parents for supper."

Her manicured hands rest on her hips, tapping just her pointer finger as she eyes me disapprovingly. Her eyes are shielded by her large sunglasses. I can imagine her eyebrow raised as she watches me.

Slowly, I approach her, with my bag over my shoulder. My eyes travel the length of her body. Her chestnut hair in a knot on the back of her head. A blue cotton blouse and a long gray skirt. She's in business mode again, which probably means she will be meeting with either a realtor or people interested in buying the house.

"I hope they like the house," I state as my shoulder brushes hers when I pass her on the way to my truck. Throwing the bag inside, I turn to say goodbye and she's facing me, her sunglasses on the top of her head and her eyes full of remorse? Or is that regret?

"Look, Ty. It was nice knowing you. You're a hard worker, and I will be sure to tell the new tenants about your services. But you really shouldn't have come." I slam my truck door and walk towards her with determination.

"Stop, Ty," she demands as she holds up a finger. "Stop right there."

"Why? Why? So you can continue controlling this without even hearing me out? So you can wash your hands free of me and never look back? Why, Riley? Why?"

Confusion washes over her face, and her head sways side to side before she tips it down. "Just go, Ty. I'll be out of here in a few days, and we never have to see each other again."

"You know that's not going to work." I storm up to her tucking my hand behind her head, tipping it up and looking into her eyes. "You won't get out of my head. You are what makes me want to move on, move forward. Until you ... Nothing."

She rolls her eyes and tries to take her head out of my hands. "That's not fair, Ty. To tell me what you want and take it away from me before even seeing what I want? This isn't the Ty Lorey show, not all the time. It's not just about you." Her hand comes up and brushes mine from the back of her head as she turns and walks away from me. I let my hands fall to the sides, and I watch her as she climbs onto the porch and into the house. Away from me.

No.

This is not okay. She isn't going to walk away from me. I follow her into the house. Running the whole time. Up the three steps and pushing open the front door, causing her to startle and turn around grabbing her chest.

"Why are you walking away from me, Riley? Why? I've laid every single thing out for you on a fricking platter. And you are the one running." I stare at her from the welcome mat that I stand on. Breathing heavy, my chest rises and falls while my heart throbs in my chest.

She doesn't answer me. She covers her face and sniffles into her palms. "Please go, Ty. Just go."

"Ri-"

"JUST GO! TY LOREY! LEAVE!" she yells and charges at me. Her tiny fists pounding my chest. I grab her small wrists and gently restrain her, stopping her unwarranted assault on me. She struggles for a moment, and finally stops and slowly lowers herself to the floor at my feet. "Please, Ty." She looks up at me begging me to leave, and now seeing her tears, there is no way I'm leaving her.

Lowering myself to her level, I reach out and rub her arms gently. "What's going on, Riley? You aren't going to make me run."

"I'm am very attracted to you, Ty. I love working with you. We have so much fun together. I was starting to have feelings for you. But those were mine. Something just for me. I was never going to act on them. I knew you carried baggage."

Her hand comes up and brushes my knuckles.

"And then you told me that story the other night, and I realized that I was jealous of Mel." She laughs. "I'm jealous of your dead girlfriend because she will always carry your heart, and I didn't realize until just then, that I wanted your heart to myself." She wipes her nose with the heel of her hand.

I wasn't expecting the confession and she takes me by surprise. I stand and turn away from her. I don't want to see her like this. I hate knowing that I caused this, yet another regret to add to my forty-eight hour regret marathon.

"I have to go." It's my turn to run, just like it was hers before. She whimpers in agreement. "But before I do, I need you to know that if I can ever give my whole heart to someone again, I wanted her to be you."

Opening the door, I step outside and walk to my truck. Climbing in the driver's seat I look up and see her watching me sadly from the front door as I pull into traffic and away from the one that made me feel again.

This is probably the one thing I never thought I would have to do. Choose Mel over living.

Chapter 8

It's been three months since I saw Riley. Since I last stepped foot in Widow Crawley's house. I have no need to be there anymore, the new owners paved over the garden just like I thought they would. Pavement. There's no need for a paved yard out here, you need a place to be a family and the pavement doesn't let you get close to nature.

I've been doing my monthly maintenance checks on the local businesses. They pay me to come and change lightbulbs, fix the tile, plumbing ... anything that's needed. It was nice to get back to what I was doing before she turned my life upside down with that flip property.

Tonight Tim and I are hanging out at The Shake. The Band is doing much better now than it was and people are actually driving here from the city to see them. We're expecting a big crowd tonight, so I'm going to help Princess at the door with security. I get to give them a stamp to enter. It's their only way in and out.

The line is long, and I love watching Princess interact with the crowd. He's a completely different person with them than with me. All the girls are 'sugar' or 'sweetie.' All the guys are 'man' or 'bro'  to him. It's rather amusing.

"So you never told me what went on between you and that Riley chick?" he asks as I place my stamp on the next patron. Looking up I shake my head, I knew he was going to ask at some point today.

I nod at the next guy coming through and place the stamp on his hand. "Ah man, nothing. She was my boss and we worked together well. Job ended and we were done."

"That's bullshit!" Princess swears catching me off guard and startling the next girl in line behind the velvet ropes. I apologize to the tiny little woman standing there. Leaning forward I see the line is going all the way down the side of the building, possibly even around the corner down at the end by the gas station.

"I don't know what you're thinking, Hoss, but there was nothing there."

"Damn. Because I could have sworn that day with the tub there was something. For the most part, it just felt like I was the third wheel on a date."

I break out in a chorus of laughter.

"Why are you just asking me this now? I mean, you've had months. Every Wednesday for the past two months I've been here, and you're just asking me now." I shake my head.

Princess shrugs his ginormous shoulders. They look like ham bones, big and meaty. "Gotta talk about something to pass the time."

I guess he's right. He continues to ask for ID, and I continue stamping the hands of the young and immortal. The line begins to dwindle as most of the people are allowed in. Capacity is seven hundred fifty three and for the first time ever, The Shake is filled to the brim.

"You okay turning the rest away on your own? I want to go watch the set, or what's left of it." I ask Princess as I open the door and hear The Band hammering out one of their best covers. Tim is really on tonight. He's cut back on the drinking, and his talent is showing it.

I shoulder my way through the sea of people watching The Band from where ever they may be in the bar. Dancing against their partners, swaying side to side. Singing along when they know the words. Sasha is in hog heaven right now, all these new boys in her scope. She's on the prowl, but at least she's started leaving me alone.

Finally making my way to the bar, I have an ice cold beer put down in front of me by the new bartender they recently hired. She winks at me and I smile back at her, tipping my hat as I do. I watch her as she walks away in those tiny shorts and tinier tank top. She has a slim waist, fantastic legs, and perfectly perfect pert breasts. Not much bigger than what would fit in my hand, but anything more than that is a waste now isn't it?

She looks back over her shoulder and smiles bashfully at me. Her blonde braid shifting over her shoulder and her teeth biting gently into her lip. Turning back to the customer she is serving, I turn around and Tim is standing behind me smiling widely.

"What?" I ask bringing the bottle to my lips and tipping it back while scanning the crowd.

"I saw you." His expression not changing in the slightest. Stepping forward he leans over the bar and shakes his head. "Mmm, that is nice." He groans and pulls away from the bar.

"I have no clue what you're talking about." I take another drink and turn away from him again.

"Then you won't mind if I go after her." He taunts and breathes on his knuckles, as if polishing them. I can't tell if he's serious or ribbing me.

"If you want to. Whatever." I try to remain calm, aloof even. But I can tell he sees right through it. His hand comes down on my shoulder and he leans in.

"Don't worry, man, she's looking at you. Not me." He glances in her direction and points with his chin, turning around I notice her smiling at me again.

"You think I can go there?" I ask my best friend, not believing that he may have actually changed. He may not be challenging me, and it's somewhat disconcerning.

"If you don't, you know someone else will."

"Would that someone be you?"

"Could very well be." He teases and sniffs, tugging his shirt into place, spiffying himself up.

I take a deep breath and nod. "Yeah, I think I'll ask her out. Take her to Sue's for a pie."

"Take her to your place, or go to hers. Don't take her to Sue's it's not exactly a prime date location with all those old farts drinking down her coffee and slamming back her apple pie."

"I'm definitely not ready for that yet, but thanks for the tip." I tip back my beer and look back at the girl standing on the other side of the bar pouring drinks for others but trying to look in my direction every chance she gets.

Some of the crowd heads toward the door to leave for the night, which means we have to start letting some of the people from the line in. Slamming back the rest of my beer, I nod at the bartender and push off the bar.

"I'm going to go back and help Princess for a while." I bring my hand down on Tim's shoulder. "If you need a ride home tonight, I'll be the sober one out front next to the big guy with the chick's nickname."

I walk through the crowd bumping shoulders with every Tom, Dick, Harry and Susan. Princess is standing out front with his giant arms crossed over his chest, shaking his head back and forth. Since I can only see the back of him, I can only assume someone is trying to talk him into letting them in when we're at capacity once again.

"Go take your break." I suggest to him as I come up from behind. "I can watch the door for a bit."

"You got it, no one in, unless some come out." He points his finger at me and tries his best to look mean for the people wanting to come in. It doesn't work for any of us as we all laugh a little at his expense as he enters the building.

"So come on. Just the two of us." The dark haired girl whines bending over slightly, showing off her cleavage.

"Look how tiny we are, we barely take up any room." The other one joins in, swinging back and forth chewing on her fingernail. She's attempting to look innocent, but I highly doubt purity is one of her virtues.

"Sorry, ladies, not until we clear out some. I'll let know when that is. Just hang tight." I turn my back and walk to a position closer to the door. Scanning the crowd on occasion, watching for fights. It's very low key considering the amount of people that are actually vying to get inside. The women start whispering between each other behind their hands, looking in my direction. I try not to pay attention, but it's very distracting and it is somewhat flattering.

A handful of people leave, and I wish them a goodnight, hoping that one of them is sober enough to drive and the girls in the line look at me expectantly. Slowly, I saunter over to them and check their ID. They both check out, and I lift the velvet rope granting them and four others into The Shake.

People are starting to get the hint that they aren't going to make it in before The Band stops playing, so they slowly begin leaving and head back to their vehicles in the parking lot. Throngs of people are starting to leave the club, I assume to try to find some food. The loud voices carry through the parking lot as they climb into their vehicles, tires chirp on the pavement as the cars drive away.

"Cool it, Fonzie." I mutter as I watch the red taillights get smaller into the night. I shake my head at their antics and clear my throat.

"Anything interesting happen while I was gone?" Princess asks as he steps back outside into the chilly night. "Brr. Got a little brisk out here?" He shivers and rubs his arms. "If the line were shorter we could do this from inside but there's still too many damn people in this line," Princess whines, so I tease him and wiggle my finger through my pouty lips, causing him to roll his eyes and wave his hand at me.

"Nah, nothing much happened. People left, others went in. Ebb and flow." I yawn and stretch my arms. My eyes travel into the club as the door opens, and I see the new bartender as she pokes her head out smiling in my direction. I nod and offer a small smile, which she returns and steps back inside.

"So you getting much work?" Princess asks, distracting me from the closing door. I know he's hinting at me offering him something since he made some really good money that one time with me. Riley made sure of it.

Riley.

Hmm.

Wonder what she's doing now. This is the first time I've thought about her in a little while. I used to think about her all the time. She made me so mad, I couldn't get her out of my head. But then one day, she wasn't there as much. And now, barely at all.

"Gettin' some, but if I ever need a hand you'll be the one I call for sure. The jobs I normally do are small. Not all of them are moving cast iron tubs from a bathroom." I promise him.

Another group of people leaves, and it happens so quickly. One moment they are all chatting and the next minute, two of the guys are throwing fists at each other. Princess runs over and I man the line, keeping my eye on the fight while we wait for backup. Standing between them, Princess tries to hold them apart and winds up taking a fist to the chin. I jump the velvet rope and pull his assailant off, as he takes the other in a headlock away from the fight.

"What the hell?" I demand. "You need to get in your car and leave. This is NOT the place for this crap. Take it somewhere else." I raise my voice to an authoritative level, hoping this guy will back off and walk away. He struggles in my arms, determined to strike at his enemy in Princess's arms.

I hear a woman screaming on the other side of the parking lot. "Get your hands off my fiancé." She's shrieking now, raising a lot of havoc slapping at my gigantic partner, trying to make Princess let go of him. Suddenly two more staff members come rushing out, holding back the crowd as it forms around us, just in time to witness the one I've just let go of grab a bottle from a bystander and bring it down over my head.

The pain is excruciating and it drops me to the ground instantly, the world around me goes black.

***

I hear distant voices talking. I can't tell where they are, and I can't see them. I barely hear them, but I know they are there. The pain coming from my head is reminiscent of the pain I had the day of the accident when I lost my world. Beeping. An annoying beep sounds once every second, it never changes tone but the speed changes when I try to move.

"Shhh, don't move. You're okay. We've just got you in here under observation." A calm voice tells me, which causes slight panic to set it. I open my eyes and see a nurse looking back at me. She's an older lady, but she seems friendly enough. I swallow a few times and take a few deep breaths. I suddenly feel immense pain in the back of my head, winching I reach up to touch it, but instead of hair, I find a gauze bandage instead.

"Finally awake!" Tim calls as he comes into view. "Glad you're okay, buddy."

The nurse walks away and leaves me to hang with my friend. "We're in the ER. They wanted to make sure you woke up and didn't slip into a concussion or anything. The police want to speak to you when you wake up."

I'm confused. "Why do they want to talk with me?"

"So you can press charges against the guy who smoked you with a bottle. Princess pinned him faster than Sasha did you that night."

I roll my eyes and groan at the memory.

"I'll go tell 'em you're awake. The faster they talk with you, the sooner we can get you home."

He pulls the curtain back and steps outside, I hate hospitals. The sooner I can get out of here the better. Slowly dropping my head back on the pillow, I close my eyes and try to remember what happened, when Tim returns with an officer.

"Glad you're awake, Mr. Lorey. I'm Officer Parkes and I would like to take your statement please."

"I'll try. My head is kinda fuzzy."

"Just do your best."

"I was helping to break up a fight outside The Shake. Princess, I mean Danny, took one, and I took the other guy. I had called into the door before I helped separate them. Then Princess got jumped and all hell broke loose. I don't remember much after that."

"Do you know what the fight was about?"

"They were drunk guys. One of them could have smiled wrong at the other guy. Anything I say would clearly be speculation and not what I know for certain."

"Charges will be pressed against him for assault. You will be notified of your next steps if we require you further, but otherwise we will let you know what the full charges and punishment is."