Fate In Pieces, page 2
I looked at her curiously. “You just want it to work so you could live through me for once since your…whatever you have going on with Lincoln didn't work.”
“Ouch, burn,” she joked. She grabbed my hand. “I just want you to be open to it. That’s all.”
“I know.” I winced. “Sorry for the burn. You know I get mean when I feel awkward.”
She knocked my shoulder with hers. “Not a problem. You just owe me now.”
“Oh yeah?” I laughed. “How so?”
She stood. “You will figure it out.”
I knew she was kind of joking, but I wanted to do something for her anyway. I could tell how hesitant she still was about being excited to be in Tennessee, almost as if she thought I would be mad that this new family made her happy.
I wanted to do my best to fit into her time here, so I suggested we go to a bar. I never go out, but I knew she liked to. Like I said, trying.
She fell hard for her dad’s foster son, Lincoln, but I guess that was over as quickly as it started. Since he lives in Tennessee and she lives in Connecticut, I guess they didn’t even want to try to make it work.
We walked into the karaoke bar, and Aubrey’s face immediately fell as a very handsome man approached us.
“Looking good, girl,” the hot stranger said to Aubrey as he put his arm around her shoulder. With a shit-eating grin on his face, his gaze traveled to me.
I regretted not spending more time getting ready the moment he looked my way. My long, dark hair was in a sleek ponytail because I didn’t want to do anything with it, and I didn’t bother putting on much makeup, only mascara. I wore a crop top T-shirt that was Aubrey’s because I wanted it to be baggy, and a pair of jeans.
The hot stranger looked me up and down, then stood straight and took his arm off Aubrey. “Who’s your cute friend?”
My sister poked him in the ribs. “My baby sister.” Another poke. “So, hands off, Casanova.”
He raised his hands in defense with a smirk. Then he let out the loudest, most resounding laugh I’ve ever heard. “Yes, Mom…I apologize…now let me buy your drinks.”
I stuck my hand out for him to shake. I wasn’t usually that bold, but I also wasn’t usually in a bar since I was only twenty and didn't drink. “My name is Brielle. Please call me Brie, and I’ll take a Coke.”
“No alcohol…I can dig it. I love a woman who knows what she wants.” He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. It made me flinch. Even though I hoped he didn’t notice, the eyebrow quirk told me he most definitely did.
“My name is Elijah. You can call me Eli.”
Aubrey slapped Elijah's chest with the back of her hand. “Why was I never told to call you Eli? Wait. Lincoln doesn’t even call you Eli.”
“It’s reserved for special ladies.” He raised his eyebrows.
She poked him in the ribs again. “Okay, Casanova, we get it. By the way, she’s twenty, so she’s way too young for you, and I’ll have a margarita.”
“Coming right up, ladies. Aubrey, go join everyone over there.”
He bowed as he walked away. I’m not sure if he was just being funny or if he was being chivalrous.
I nudged Aubrey’s shoulder the moment he left. “He’s definitely a player…too bad, because he’s so fucking hot.”
She laughed. “Yes, he’s very handsome, but he is way too old for you, so don’t even think about it. He’s Lincoln’s best friend, if you can even call him that. He’s in that band I was telling you about that I want to see in June.”
“Don’t worry about it. I am not dating anyone anytime soon,” I said.
“What about Josh? Thought he was a maybe?”
I grinned at her. “Shut the fuck up.” I looked back at him and his perfect ass standing at the bar. “Well, maybe I can just flirt a little,” I added. “He lives all the way out here. What’s the harm, right?”
She gave me her signature death glare, and I rolled my eyes with a smile.
We waited for Elijah to return with our drinks and told him we would sit near the stage. He nodded without commenting. I realized quickly that Aubrey was trying to avoid Lincoln. I almost felt bad for the poor guy. He knows he fucked up and made it very clear to me the first night we spoke that he had all intention of fixing it, but so far, no luck. I had a feeling that things would get better, but it had to be on Aubrey’s terms, so for now, I would mind my business.
“See you around, Brie. I hope,” he said as he moved away from us.
“See ya, Eli,” I replied with a laugh.
A moment later, we were walking toward Lincoln. I knew she would cave, like I said, on her terms. When we got over there, almost everyone began asking me about Aubrey. Everyone here seemed to love her.
Elijah had moved to the seat next to me while chatting with someone else. I honestly wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t seen my sister glaring at him in my peripheral.
We had a fun night, mostly making small talk. I strangely enjoyed Eli’s company. He had this confidence about him that I hadn’t seen in many people.
“So what do you do for fun?” he asked.
I didn’t realize he was talking to me at first, so I stupidly choked on my drink while trying to swallow.
“Me?”
He nodded with a smirk.
“Oh, well, I like to read. My books take me to different worlds where I can live the lives I could only dream of.” I looked over at him, thinking he was going to be looking elsewhere, but his eyes were trained on me with his eyebrows raised like he was actually invested in what I was saying. He had one hand leaning on the back of the chair and his fingers resting on his lower lip.
My face flushed, and I cleared my throat. “But I, uh, I mostly paint, and I am recently getting into photography. I think I just like being creative in some way.”
He looked almost impressed. “That’s deep.”
“Is it?” I asked jokingly.
“Well, the book thing. It’s pretty cool that you think of reading that way. Is there a reason you want to live in a different world? What’s wrong with this one?”
I shrugged, not knowing how to respond.
“Fair. Don’t sweat it. I’ll get the answer out of you eventually.” His cocky demeanor fell back into place.
Aubrey went to the bathroom and texted me a few minutes later that she was walking home. I tried to get her to let me drive her, but she insisted on walking. There was no way I was staying here without her, so I left. Lincoln ran after me the moment I walked out the door.
The first few minutes of the ride back to his house were quiet. I knew something had transpired between Lincoln and my sister, but I also knew she would tell me if it was something I needed to know.
He broke the silence and put his hand out to me. “Give me your phone.”
Without looking away from the road, I said, “For what?”
“Eli wants me to give you his number,” he said with an attitude.
A flutter erupted in my stomach. “Why would he want me to have it? I don't know him.”
Lincoln chuckled. “That’s kinda the point. He clearly wants to change that.” His voice was laced with annoyance.
I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat. “You don’t sound too keen on him getting to know me. Is there a reason why?”
He thought for a second before answering. “Elijah is…Elijah is a fuckboy.” He paused and turned toward me. “And though I don't know you that well, you don’t seem like someone who cares to be messed with.”
“Then why even give it to me?”
“Well, I know what it’s like to be a fuckboy and meet someone who starts to change that.”
He looked down at his hands and back at me. I couldn’t help the small smile that formed when it clicked that he was talking about my sister.
“My phone is in the bag in front of you.”
He grabbed the bag and let me reach into it for the phone. As he typed the numbers in, he looked up at me. “Don’t let him fuck with you, okay?”
I smiled. “I won’t. Honestly, I probably won't even use it.”
Lincoln laughed again. “One can only hope.”
I didn’t respond to that since I knew he didn't mean it in a bad way, but my mind started buzzing. I still didn't understand why Elijah wanted me to have his number. When he wasn’t talking to me, he was busy chatting up some of the waitresses and other women. I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if he forgot he had met me altogether.
I didn’t plan on using Elijah’s number, but it was the thought that counted. I could never be with someone so…free and open. After going through what I have, it’s hard to trust. I sometimes wondered if it would always be that way or if I might one day meet someone who could be patient enough with me.
I sat on my sister’s bed after doing some meditation and showering. I was scrolling through my phone when I got two texts. One was from Josh, and the other from Aubrey. Seeing Josh’s name made those same butterflies return that I’d been trying to suppress every time I talked to him. He asked me to call him, so I did.
“Hey. How are you?” His voice was sweet and quiet. It was a pleasant change from all the boisterous personalities I always had around me.
“Hi. I’m good. How are you doing? Did you make it home okay?”
“Yeah. My brother and I flew home this morning.”
“Nice,” I said way too eagerly. Nice? Why the hell did I say that? “I mean, that’s cool. Shit. Sorry, I'm nervous.” I let out a laugh that was not attractive at all, which was totally not helping the loser vibe I was giving off.
He chuckled. “Brielle, it’s okay. This is weird, right?”
“A little. It’s been a while since I was comfortable talking to a guy. I’m sorry.”
He was quiet for a moment. The silence scared me a bit. After what felt like forever, but was probably only a few seconds, he spoke again.
“I can wait.”
“What do you mean?” I asked hesitantly.
“Well, we don’t live near each other anyway, so let’s be real here; we probably won’t be able to get close in person for a while, so I’m willing to wait and get close in other ways.”
A pit formed in my stomach. I couldn't tell if it was more fear or excitement. Maybe a little bit of both? “I can’t promise anything other than friends. As long as you are okay with that, I don’t see why that wouldn’t be okay.”
“I am more than okay with that.” He chuckled. “So, friend, what is your favorite color?”
We talked for over an hour just getting to know each other. When he asked why I was in Tennessee, I remembered Aubrey had texted me, so I put him on speaker and read it.
Aubrey
I’m staying at Lincoln’s, and no, not for that. He just wants to talk, so I am hearing him out. Please pack our stuff. We will be leaving early in the morning.
I didn’t ask her why. My sister is the kind of person who, once she has made up her mind, she won’t change it.
I talked with Josh while I packed to prolong the conversation, but it only took me fifteen minutes. “Josh, I should go and get some sleep. My sister wants to leave early tomorrow, and I need to check some emails. I am still waiting to see if I got a placement for this spring semester.”
He was quiet for a second. I thought maybe he had fallen asleep. “Brielle, I meant what I said.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll wait.”
Chapter two
Brielle
Connecticut
Afew days after settling back at home, I got the news I was hoping for. Amani’s mom was able to help get me into the dorm, and as Amani’s roommate at that. Plus, my advisor got me into an apprenticeship at a local gallery.
The first day walking into my internship was nerve-wracking. Before getting there, I was excited, but once I walked in, the thoughts of the past took over.
I got my GED at seventeen because I couldn’t bear to go back to my high school after my rapist got off scot-free. Once I left high school, I fell into a deep depression. Therapy wasn’t working; I was spiraling.
One day, the bad thoughts just got too loud. I made a stupid decision and tried to overdose on my mom’s sleeping pills. What I didn’t know was that my sister was bringing me lunch as a surprise. She saved my life that day. She found me almost passed out with the bottle next to me and called an ambulance immediately.
When it was time for college, I decided to live at home and commute. I was going to school for art at first. My dream was to own a gallery someday. I switched to general studies after a semester because I couldn't handle that Ellory was in all my art classes. We always were interested in the same things…even my boyfriend.
Luckily, I already knew someone working there. An acquaintance of mine, Shane, worked as an assistant. I was almost scared of him at first because he was very forward in trying to be friendly with me. Then he and I bonded over a hot guy at a coffee shop last year, and we realized we knew some of the same people. We clicked.
Shane told me to look around while I waited for the boss to come in. He was running a little late. As I walked around, I ran into a few patrons, and unsure exactly what to do yet, I just politely smiled and nodded.
The gallery was filled with all kinds of art, including sculptures and impressionist pieces. Impressionism wasn’t exactly my favorite type of art, but I was learning to appreciate all art forms lately. As I turned the corner into one of the sculpture rooms, my body froze when I heard an uncomfortably familiar voice.
“Baby, stop. We can’t do that here. I am working.” I heard a giggle that I had heard a million times since I could walk. I turned just to be sure, but I knew it was Ellory.
What I didn't expect though, was to see she was still very clearly dating my asshole of an ex, Caleb. My rapist Caleb.
Sweat formed on my forehead, and goosebumps traveled across my skin. My body was going into fight-or-flight mode.
I had nowhere to hide in the wide-open room. I turned my back to face the wall, hoping they were walking the other way.
“Come on, baby. Your boss isn’t here yet. Let’s go have some fun in the back room.”
Ellory shushed him. Caleb’s voice sent uncomfortable shivers down my spine. I don’t know what possessed me, but I started recording video on my phone and put it in my pocket.
I knew the moment she saw me.
“Brielle?” she asked hesitantly.
He looked at her in question. “Why would you bring up—”
Shit.
I turned and backed away the moment his eyes hit mine. I didn’t know whether I should cry or scream.
“I…um… I. Shit.” Caleb was stumbling over his words. He rubbed his hand over his five o'clock shadow.
Ellory turned to him. “Maybe you should go. I will see you later.” She gave him a nudge.
He ran his fingers through his hair and nodded. Then left without saying another word.
Ellory walked toward me slowly. “Hey,” she finally said, breaking the silence.
The only thing I could think to say went furiously flying out of my mouth, “He fucking raped me.”
“Brielle, please,” she whispered, looking around. “Don’t do this. I work here.”
I looked her right in the eye. “So do I as of today.”
I think she was hoping I would back down, but I didn’t.
“If I ever see him again, I will tell the world what he did, again. I don’t care if the law says it didn’t happen. It did, and you fucking know it.”
“Brie, there was no proof that—”
I stormed into the bathroom to give myself a moment to calm down. I wasn’t going to listen to her say anything else. She knew what had happened. She is the one who found me crying in the bathroom after he left me lying there.
It was obvious when she walked in that night that she was looking for Caleb and not me. She opened the door and found me lying there with my dress all rumpled. I was staring into space, and once I saw her, I broke down. My hatred toward her dissipated. I was uncontrollably crying and gasping for air. She leaned down to help me up and only asked me what happened once I got to my feet.
“Caleb…he…I was raped,” I managed to get out.
She pulled away from me in an instant, as if I burned her. “Brielle, don’t say things like that; that could ruin his life. He would never cheat on me, let alone hurt someone like that.”
I stared at her in utter disbelief. “GET. OUT.” I yelled. I fell back to the ground and cried until Amani found me.
A knock on the bathroom door pulled me from my thoughts. I checked myself in the mirror and left. I nodded at the older woman who had knocked and moved toward the main gallery. Shane was sitting at the front desk. He knew something was off the moment he saw me.
“Brielle, what happened?” He stood and pulled me into a hug. I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't believe that once again, Caleb was ruining something good for me.
Will I ever be free of him?
After I told my boss, Dax, what transpired and why I was so upset when Caleb confronted me, he informed Ellory that Caleb was not to set foot on the premises while I was working or the cops would be called. Thankfully, he put her and me on opposite days to work when he could. The only days I would see her were when there were gallery exhibits and other scheduled events.
A day that unfortunately came not even a month into working together. Aubrey and Amani insisted on attending the opening as backup, even though I told them they didn’t need to. I was secretly glad they didn’t listen.
As I entered the main space, I saw Ellory walking toward my sister, and anger flooded me. Aubrey looked up and saw her about two seconds before Ellory reached her. She immediately went on the defensive.
Ellory’s voice was just above a whisper in the calm gallery. I moved closer so I could hear them.
“Tell your sister she has to talk to me soon. I told our boss I wouldn’t keep trying, but I need to talk to her and get her to let me explain.”
Aubrey looked at her with disdain. It almost made me smile…almost. She took a step toward Ellory, but I wasn’t worried. I knew that the last thing Aubrey would want was to make me look bad. She would never put her hands on someone, so I had nothing to worry about. She kept her voice calm and lowered so only those nearby would hear. She’s a classy bitch like that.
