UGLY (5 page)

Not wanting to make a scene but unwilling to go anywhere with him, she tried to pull away. He tightened his grip and ushered her out the door before stopping, “I have a twin brother who’s dating her. He…”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Prove it then.”

He hesitated, “I can’t right now. I have no idea where he is and we don’t really get along.”

Her eyes narrowed, “Rich, I heard everything she said. You lead women on and were trying to recruit me to suit your own purposes. You used me. It’s bad enough when everybody shuns me but you actually acted like you wanted to be my friend just to line your own pockets. That’s worse than avoiding me.”

“It didn’t happen like that. You’re assuming. She thought I was my twin brother.” He cursed before adding, “It’s complicated.”

She headed back into the store, “Bullshit! You’re making this up. Stay away from me.”

He didn’t follow her back inside but immediately sent a text;
I will prove it. I wasn’t using anyone. You’re a friend but I want more.

At her text alert, her uncle’s eyebrows flew up, “Richard Danton? Candice, he’s quite the catch.”

She growled back, “Yeah and he’s already been caught. I don’t want to talk about it.”

This time, her uncle wasn’t giving up, “Candice, he’s a public figure. Women will act like they know him or worse.”

“Uncle Mike, drop it. He used me. I want to get healthy on my own terms. I tried his way and it offered pain. Let the son of a bitch see me when I really get healthy.”

His eyes widened at her reddening cheeks, “Okay, okay. Let’s go make some juice.”

They quickly left the store, neither realizing that Rich discreetly followed them to find out where she was staying. For the next hour and a half, they learned how to operate the juicer and finally created a palatable combination. Frustrated, she shook her head, “He made it look so easy.”

“They’ve been in business for over five years, Candy. Write down what you made. This batch tastes really good.”

She quickly jotted it down, realizing she could blog about making juice instead of drinking theirs. After cleaning the mess up, she worked on her laptop for a while before he asked if she needed anything. She reluctantly said, “More fruits and veggies.”

Handing him the list, she told him she’d pay him back. He waved her off, grinning as she sank back into her work. About fifteen minutes after he left, a rap on the door distracted her. Thinking he’d forgotten something, she called out, “Hold on, Uncle Mike.”

Rushing to the door, she pulled it open to find Rich. She started to slam it in his face but his hand shot out to stop it, “Damn it, Candice. Listen to me.”

“How’d you find me and why are you here? There are plenty of women and sick people around. Go nag someone else.”

He suddenly jerked her to him, “I don’t want someone else. I want you.” Cursing, he said, “Screw healing. Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends. Why are you twisting this into something else?”

She pushed him away, “
Me?
Are you nuts? Look, Rich, I don’t appreciate being whored for my health!” Trying to hold back tears, she spat out, “You acted all friendly and then pulled that hostage crap with my cigarettes just to get your way. Well, your way hurts too much so I’m going to do it my way now.” Motioning to the computer, she shouted, “And I’ll let people know how you’ve been luring the sick into your fold just so you could use them to sell your shit.”

“You make us sound horrible. We want people healthy so, yeah…we offer employment to people we help. We also supply health insurance, free juice, and birthday parties. Shame on us!”

“Am I interrupting something?” They both jumped at her uncle’s voice before Rich thrust his hand out, “I’m Rich Danton.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve seen your commercials.” His gaze darted to Candice as he handed her a pack of cigarettes, “I couldn’t find kale.”

She glared at Rich, turning toward the door while silently thanking her uncle. Rich called out, “Nice to have met you,” before rushing after her. She lit a cigarette, blowing it out with attitude before pointing the smoldering tip at him, “I know that’s a good thing but not when you don’t tell someone that’s your intentions. You led me to believe you only wanted my friendship before luring me with your…
charisma
.”

His eyebrows flew up when she hissed the last word, “You know what, Candice? You act like you don’t rock a bit of charisma yourself but you do.”

She barked a derisive laugh, “No, Rich, that’s my skin slowly dying but thanks for noticing.”

“See, that’s what I mean. You adopt self-loathing like it’s a prize, slinging it around you so nobody will approach.”

Her eyes narrowed, “I didn’t ask for your help. You’re the one that dragged me to your shop so I’d
sample
your juice right before you offered me a job.” Rolling her eyes, she growled, “I am
so
glad I didn’t take you up on that offer.”

“Stop sabotaging us and come here.”

He plucked the cigarette out of her fingers, throwing it over her shoulder and pulled her to him in one smooth motion. She gasped, starting to fight and turned her cheek when he tried to kiss her. He rerouted lips and stubble to her neck, causing her to squeak in surprise as she pushed at him.

He backed off but pinned her with a heated gaze. Angrier now, she accused, “That’s all you wanted. Sex. I thought I’d found a friend but you discovered under the crocodile that I was a pretty female so you just had to…”

His jaw dropped at her description, “Bullshit. You’re not a damn croc, Candice, and you never were. Sure you had a bit of a butterfly rash on your face but any idiot could tell you’re gorgeous.”

She groaned in frustration, pulling the door open but he grabbed it and said, “You can keep running but I’ll keep chasing you, Candice. Ask any of my family. You’re the first woman that…”

He suddenly stopped, unwilling to admit that she was getting under his skin. Her eyes narrowed, “…was sick but you fucked anyway?”

“Ben, my twin brother, would do something like that but not me. Even though we’re identical on the outside, we’re nothing alike on the inside.”

Hurt and in retaliation mode while protecting herself, she snapped, “How convenient to have a twin to blame.”

Rushing inside, she slammed the door behind her. Refusing to believe a word he said, she leaned against it while fighting tears. She heard the juicer in the kitchen as she locked the door. Staying there until she heard Rich’s car leave, she slid down the door as she wiped her tears away.

When she finally walked into the kitchen, her uncle asked, “Is everything okay? Is Rich staying for juice?”

Scowling, she growled, “He’s not getting any of my juice.” Shoving her hand into her hair, she groaned at how that sounded before drinking a whole glass of what he’d just prepared. When her uncle’s mouth twitched with suppressed amusement, she tensed, “Okay just stop it.”

Chapter Five

Her uncle bit his lip, shaking with silent laughter until she turned and went to her room. He continued to prepare the raw juice, filling a container up while watching her through the open door. She’d paused in front of the mirror, brushing tears from her face which was now almost totally clear. He quickly looked away when she turned back, “Uncle Mike, I get paid tonight. If you go into town tomorrow, I want to come with you.”

He nodded, “I thought since we were juicing, we could also stop eating meat. I bought some veggie burgers if you want to try them.”

Slowly nodding, her mind went back to two weeks ago when she’d had chips for breakfast. She sighed, “Do you really think we can do it?”

“Candice, we can do anything we put our minds to. One thing quitting nicotine taught me was that I had more will power than I’d thought. You have no idea what that can do for your confidence.”

“Yeah, let’s stop eating meat. Thanks for the pack of cigarettes. I promise this is my last pack.”

He shook his head, “Don’t promise me. Stop smoking for yourself or it won’t stick.”

Just thinking about it made her want one but she denied the craving. Instead, she went and grabbed a glass of juice, “Are you hungry now?”

Tilting his head, he smiled, “Let’s do this.”

Breathing a sigh of relief at something to keep her busy, she grabbed a skillet and got to work. He washed lettuce and cut the tomatoes, juicing the remainder while chatting about the latest news. She made it through dinner but afterward had to go out and smoke.

When she returned, he patted her back, “It’s okay. After meals were always the hardest for me too.” With a wistful smile, he added, “That and…” His eyes widened, “Okay, you don’t want to hear about that.”

“Ewww!”

He laughed and slapped her back, “You’re doing good. That juice is something else. I’ve had more energy today than I’ve felt all year.”

She nodded, “Weird, huh.”

* * * *

The next day, she bought a bit of makeup and created a few appropriate headshots. That night, she created a website and placed her best work on it. Afterward, she wrote out a routine and estimated how long it would take before she stopped smoking. For the next week, she entered every cigarette she smoked into her journal and blogged about the juices she’d created.

Having amassed a few recipes, she put those on her site and wrote about their specific benefits. By Thursday, she’d landed two more clients at a higher pay. To celebrate, she and her uncle got a bottle of wine and spent the night creating different blends. She noted every ingredient, feeling better in body and spirit than she had in a while. After fighting tears off and on for the last week, she held a glass of wine up and tried to forget the last time she’d consumed it.

Her eyes widened when car lights pulled into his drive. Her uncle patted her back, “I forgot to tell you. Rich called earlier.”

Her eyes narrowed as she gasped, “You forgot to tell me? I don’t want to see…”

Grinning slyly, he nodded, “You need to get out of the house, though. Right?”

“What are you up to?”

Shaking his head, he feigned innocence on his way to the door. Her eyes widened when Rich stepped inside. His haggard and disheveled appearance was in such contrast that she forgot her anger and asked, “Jesus, Rich, what happened?”

“Cassie gave birth and…she’s having issues.”

Being an only child, she asked, “What do you mean by issues?”

Rich’s imploring glance flew to her uncle as if he thought wisdom was needed, “He won’t eat. She’s breastfeeding and…” His hand thrust into his hair, “…she’s tried everything.”

Uncle Mike’s eyes narrowed, “Her milk won’t flow. Have they tried hot compresses?”

At Rich’s nod, her uncle’s eyebrows flew up, “Well, I remember when Candice’s mother was trying. My brother…” Grinning sheepishly, he shifted from foot to foot before glancing at Candice.

She urged him on, “What did my dad do?”

“Um…” His eyes widened, “Well…he stimulated her.”

Candice’s jaw dropped before she stammered, “He…stim…what?”

Rich stared at him before his eyes widened, “OH!” His lip curled before he held a finger up, “I have to call Greg.”

He ducked back out the door as Candice breathed, “Wait a minute, Uncle Mike. Explain this to me.”

Shaking his head, he said, “I think he got the message.”

When Rich reappeared with a slight grin on his face, her uncle’s eyebrows flew up, “That was fast.”

Shrugging, Rich explained, “The doctor told him the same thing.” His cheeks reddened as he said, “It worked.”

Nodding while backing away, Uncle Mike eyed him on his way to the kitchen. With her anger momentarily forgotten, Candice hesitantly asked, “Are you okay?”

“It’s just been…I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

He was unwilling to admit that she’d occupied most of his thoughts. He was accustomed to people they’d helped showing appreciating and embracing their boosted health. Candice, on the other hand, had zeroed in on the selfishness displayed. Because of this very thing, Rich had meant to fully explain his intentions but couldn’t after he realized his intentions toward Candice were personal.

He didn’t look at her as a participant, even though he’d offered her a job. Instead, he’d viewed her as a potential friend before she’d continually invaded his thoughts. When her uncle reappeared with a glass of juice in hand, he gratefully took it.

He studied her over the rim of the glass as he drank, noting the irony of their flipped positions. She now appeared to be the epitome of health while he’d actually eaten potato chips for breakfast the last few days. Draining the glass, his eyebrows rose as he savored the flavor, “What did you put in this?”

Her hand shot up to stop her uncle’s, “A bit of…”

She barked, “You tell me.”

Amused, he nodded, “You added some spices. I detect cinnamon…” He ran his tongue over his teeth, “Pumpkin but not spice. Did you blend pumpkin seeds?”

A hint of a smile broke through, “What else?”

His eyes widened, “Ah hell, Candice. You used sunflower seeds, too. There’s an earthy flavor here that I can’t place…what the hell is that?”

Grinning from ear to ear but with a competitive vibe, she growled at her uncle, “Hush! Don’t you dare tell him.”

Rich snapped his fingers, “Your blog. Mushrooms…truffles!”

Her jaw dropped as she tilted her head, “You’ve been ready my blog?”

Nodding, he told her, “It’s a good read. Actually, I added a few items to the menu. Spinach pulp into the chick-pea spread. We try to use the pulp as much as possible. I just never thought to separate the pulp and individually use it.”

Feeling like an idiot, he frowned. She shrugged, “I used a drop of the oil from truffles. I can’t afford truffles so I went the next best route. Still nutritious and I don’t need much.”

His eyes widened, “Candice, please come with me. I’ll show you proof. My twin brother, Ben, is at the shop. This is driving me nuts.”

Her lip curled, still not believing he had a twin, “We already discussed this. I’m not one of your women or your lackeys.”

Shoving a hand into his hair, he shook his head, “You were never a lackey but always a friend.” When she opened her mouth, he quickly said, “I don’t like using people as you eloquently pointed out to me. You’re different, Candice. I didn’t outline any purpose because I didn’t look at you as a potential employee. When you turned me down for employment, it shocked the hell out of me. I’ve never heard someone turn down an opportunity like this.”

Uncle Mike appeared and swiftly said, “Can I be frank here?”

Hoping he’d provide some enlightening wisdom, Rich eagerly nodded but Candice glared at him, “Don’t encourage him.”

Placing an arm around her shoulders, her uncle’s understanding gaze fell on her for a minute before he told Rich, “Her parents died when she was young. My own wife died before they did. I wasn’t equipped to raise a girl. She went a little wild on me.”

Candice’s sound of frustration made him pause before he squeezed her shoulders, “Candy, it’s true. You wouldn’t have gotten toxic shock if I’d known what I was dealing with. You were left on your own to figure everything out.”

Addressing Rich once again, he desperately explained, “Every time she’d ask me a question, my answer was
go ask your friend’s mothers.
I was hurting from losing my brother, flailing when I suddenly had responsibility without a wife to help. My resentment toward the world rubbed off on her.”

Candice stared at him, “Uncle Mike, my resentment wasn’t from you. Do you remember Liz and her sister? Do you know that Liz was at the same party as the drunk driver who hit Mom’s car?”

Rich’s gaze flew to her. When she’d told him that her mother had passed when she was thirteen, she hadn’t mentioned any accident nor this new information about her neighbor. Mesmerized, he waited until she added, “She provided the alcohol, covered for him, and the stupid asshole that was behind the wheel asked me to the prom. When I caused a scene, accusing him of murder, he asked her sister just to spite me. Do you know who that asshole was? He works at the local grocers now.”

Emotion vibrated in her voice when she continued, “Liz and her sister along with him relish the fact that I’m an ugly mess. All because I busted him in high school.”

Shaking his head, her uncle said, “Candy, you were never an ugly mess. Don’t you see? They’re the ugly ones, not you. They protected someone that doesn’t care about humanity. You care too much about what people think.”

When Rich eagerly nodded at her uncle’s words, her vibrant gaze flew back to him. With narrowed eyes, she opened her mouth to remind him about him using health to line his pockets but snapped her mouth shut when he groaned in frustration, “Candice, I like seeing people happy and healthy. Your unhappiness presented a challenge. Forgive me for becoming your friend and wanting more!”

Staring at him, she huffed before whining, “You used me, Rich. I mean, I’m used to people’s sneers and avoidance but you blatantly…”

“I did not use you. Damn it, Candice, I saw you hiding and wanted you to emerge. Maybe my intentions were wrong in the first place but, when you shot me down, did I avoid and sneer at you? No! I care about
YOU
so I stuck around. Why can’t you accept that?”

“Because she’s not used to someone caring enough to stick around.” Their gazes shot to Uncle Mike. He shrugged, “I wasn’t exactly a great role model. I stuck my head in the sand and now she’s doing the same thing. But we’re changing, aren’t we?”

Staring at her uncle, she nodded as he added, “She needed a push but she also needs to change on her own.” Directing his words at Rich, he said, “I went through the same thing when she left here. I knew I screwed up. Hell, I promised my brother on his death bed that I’d care for her but dropped the ball.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that, Uncle Mike?”

He shook his head, “I didn’t know how to relate to a kid who’d lost their parents. I was an adult that had lost a wife and felt hopeless.”

In the face of their sorrows, Rich shifted from foot to foot. Having never experienced someone close to him passing away, he didn’t know what to offer so remained silent. Her uncle nudged her closer to Rich and said, “I can see that you two have some things to discuss. Now it’s my turn to push.”

Uncle Mike swiftly left as Candice noted Rich’s nervousness. Still angry but confused now at his obvious distress, she asked, “Is there anything else wrong with her baby?”

He shook his head, unwilling to admit that the child’s birth had made him think about having kids of his own. When he’d fantasized about how his and Candice’s children might look, he’d tried his best to stay away. Even drinking juice now reminded him of her.

When he’d eaten potato chips that morning, drinking coffee along with them, he’d almost had a nervous breakdown. Instead, he’d called her. Her uncle had told him to come right over. By the time he’d worked up the nerve, the sun was going down.

“I’ve missed you, Candice.”

Having worked to harden herself, she stubbornly stuck her chin out but the sincerity vibrating off him made her pause. Her stubborn stance made his lips twitch as he stepped closer. She started to back up but he grabbed her as he said, “I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.”