Where Love Lies, page 15
“What?”
Dropping my hand, I sit up on my elbows and look at him.
“I don’t like the idea of getting married right now. It’s too soon. We have so much to learn about each other. And besides, it’s just a piece of paper. It doesn’t change anything between us.” He swallows, looking at anything but me.
“You’re saying you don’t want to be with me anymore, Rain?”
“No, I’m not saying that. I just don’t want to marry you. I mean—look at us!” My voice rises, along with the pounding in my temple. Adrenaline shoots through my veins at such a high rate, my heart can’t keep up.
He slides his hand through his hair, slicking it back. His eyes cast down to the floor, and I bite my bottom lip.
“You aren’t even going to give my going to therapy a chance?” His words hit me in the chest, and I feel bad. “After you have been going for a while, let’s see where we are. Maybe without the added pressure, we can get back to where we were and move forward.”
Without another word, he opens the dresser drawer, pulls out the ring box, and tosses it on the bed next to me, before walking out of the room.
Pulling the ring off my hand, I take one last look before placing it snugly back inside. Why do I feel like the jackass here?
25
Drying my hair from the shower, I walk into the living room. The TV is on, the blinds open, and Heston is standing at the kitchen island with a piece of toast. He glances at me, tension and fresh-cut pain filling the space between us. I sit on the couch and pull my legs up beneath me. I want to say something, to try to smooth things over, but it’s a weight hovering above me I can’t get out from under. Maybe this is it for us. And if it is, I definitely chose the right path. If we truly love each other, this shouldn’t set us back that much.
Cam’s muffler sounds from the driveway, and I stand up. My eyes lock with Heston’s for a split second before I look away and go to open the door. I lean against the jamb, crossing my arms, watching Paige get out of her dad’s truck. Her eyes are red-rimmed like she’s been crying. When she sees me, she quickly looks down. Her usual happy-to-see-me look isn’t there, instead it’s replaced with one of sorrow. Instantly, I look at Cam for an explanation. He doesn’t look any better. His face is red, shoulders tense, hands clenched in fists.
“What is going on?” I finally ask.
“Where is he?” Cam barks, stomping up the walkway.
“What is going—?”
“Who the fuck does he think he is putting his hands on my daughter!” he yells loud enough for Heston to hear. I press my hands against his chest, pushing him back, playing referee once again.
“Do you mind?” I hiss. He finally looks down at me, that look of darkness I know so well deeper than ever.
“I heard you’re marrying this prick. What do you even know about him?” Cam tries to push past me again, and I grab his arm, trying to keep him from barreling through me but he’s stronger than I remember.
“Will you please knock it off!”
“Did he hit you? Has he put his hands on you, Rain?” Cam’s eyes widen, his sudden urge to protect me baffling. I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out.
“What’s going on?” Heston asks, walking out to stand beside me.
I become rigid, my muscles tensing. “Heston, I have it handled.”
“You put your hands on my daughter again, I’ll fucking kill you!” Cam jabs his index finger in the air as if shooting a bullet.
Heston juts his chin, making direct eye contact with Cam, as if he’s ready for a challenge. And that look alone stirs something in me that makes my stomach feel sour.
“She needed discipline—something this family lacks because there’s been no man to take care of them.”
My mouth drops open at Heston’s words.
“You motherfuck—” Cam pushes past me, throwing himself at Heston, fists first. The sound of knuckles hitting bone is so loud, I’m sure the whole neighborhood heard it.
Snapping out of my shock, I run after them, both now on the floor in the house, throwing punch after punch.
“You guys, stop!” Paige hollers, tears streaming down her face.
Stepping over Cam’s legs, I grab him by the hair and pull him back before he kills Heston.
Cam roars and falls back on his ass, causing me to fall into the doorway. Frustration and pain squeeze at my chest, making me feel like I can’t breathe. I’m fed up with this shit. I can’t take it anymore!
“Get out, Cam,” I heave, out of breath. He stands on wobbly legs and points to Heston.
“Something ain’t right with him, and I’m going to find out what it is,” he promises, his tone wrapped in thorns.
“Cam, go!” I scream, my eyes swollen from tears.
Glancing at me one last time, he turns and stomps back to his truck. His motor revs, and he acts like a jackass pulling out onto the street.
Heston stands, dusts off his hands from the dirt, and turns his attention to Paige.
“You’re stepping on the flowers.” His tone is light and airy, instead of irritable and angry. It’s completely abnormal, considering what just happened.
Her face pulls down, tears streaming down her cheeks. She turns red, trying to keep it together, but sobs wrack her chest. Heston thumbs his bleeding lip and walks into the kitchen. He’s calm and quiet, like what just took place didn’t happen. It’s scaring the shit out of me. Is he bipolar?
I push myself up and straighten my shirt. Heston is…off.
Whistling, he walks around the island and grabs his briefcase by the couch. Paige shuffles back as he walks toward us, and I just stare, like I’m watching a monster climb out from under my bed and make himself at home. Stopping in front of me before he walks out, he kisses me on the forehead.
“I’ll be home soon.”
After he leaves, I look at Paige. She stands frozen. I can’t possibly yell at her for telling her dad what happened. He deserved to know. I didn’t tell him because I knew this would happen.
“Come on, honey. Let’s get you settled.” With my hand on her lower back, I usher her to upstairs.
Stepping into her room, she sits on her bed, her eyes swollen and red.
“Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know Dad was going to do that!”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I got in trouble and Heston grabbed my face and told me not to disgrace the family.”
Sighing, I sit next to her, placing my hand on my cheekbone. I wonder what Cam would have done if he knew what happened yesterday. Wait, why do I care about that?
He and I may not see eye to eye, but we share something that pulls us together and makes us care about one another to a point, I suppose. We may not be together, but he will always see Paige and me as his; he always has and always will. When we were together and someone disrespected me, he would make a scene and even hurt whoever said or did something, which made him a hypocrite because he hit me behind closed doors.
After talking with Paige, I walk back outside to inspect my flowers that got trampled. They look rough, the bright pink petals already dark and trying to close. Squatting down, I hold one in my hand. Poor things. Something moves out of the corner of my eye and my head snaps upright. It’s Tenly. She’s wearing a white summer dress and sandals, and her is hair down. I don’t think I’ve seen her wear anything outside of athletic gear. I notice she’s carrying a pan of food in her hands, walking down the road in the direction of our new neighbor. I squat back down, like I’m looking at my flowers, but I keep a watchful eye. She’s now at his door knocking. When he opens the door, my eyes widen in awe. He’s shirtless, wearing shorts that sit just below his hips, showing off that V thing healthy men have. His big frame fills the doorway.
He smiles and nods, taking the plate. Tenly twirls her hair around a finger and looks down at her feet. That’s a first. Shoving his door open wider, Tenly walks past him into the house. As he moves to close it behind her, his head snaps up, and our eyes meet. I hold my breath, snapping my attention back to my flowers. I’m breathless, flustered even, not knowing if I should play with my flowers, go inside, or text Owen. The man has moved into the house of horror and has every woman on the block ready to sin.
26
Three days later
Laying in my bed, I look at the dark ceiling, the moon blanketing the room in a low light. Heston sleeps beside me, letting out a little snore every few minutes. Things have changed drastically between us the last three days. I don’t know if it’s because I called off the engagement or because I suggested therapy, but we haven’t had sex or held hands, and there’s a negative energy hanging between us. The kind that brews in the sky right before a hurricane. I don’t know what we’re trying to salvage at this point; it’s clear we’re done. This is over and one of us is going to have to admit it. Knowing him, it’ll have to be me. Huffing, I stand up and walk to the window, my eyes sweep the moon and the houses that sleep at four in the morning. The murder house lights turn on, catching my attention, so I cross my arms and watch. A woman with dark hair rushes out the front door in a small top and jean shorts. Getting into a yellow beetle, she leaves with the headlights turned off. That car looks familiar. I’ve seen it in the neighborhood. He’s been here days and already sleeping his way through the neighborhood. I can’t help but wonder how he’s living in that house? Maybe I should introduce myself? I’m drawn to this man, curious about him more than I should be. I’ve come to notice an increase in my pulse just thinking about him. I want, no, I need, to know more about him.
Next Morning
Grabbing my robe, I throw it around me and go in search of coffee. Feet stomping down the stairs causes me to stop and look up. Paige is coming down with her phone in hand, not paying any attention. Sensing me, she finally picks her head up. “Hey, Mom, Layla’s brother just got home from college and their family is having a BBQ. Can I go?”
“Uh…you’re grounded—and you and Layla can’t be alone together.” I pull my robe tighter.
She rolls her eyes.
“Oh my God, please! I’m so bored!” Her right foot does a light stomp. “Her parents are going to be there.”
Biting my bottom lip, I stare at her, thinking. It has been really rough around here lately, and her getting out would be good for her, but Layla is a kid on the road to self-destruction and Paige is riding shotgun. And I can’t let that happen.
“I need to talk to Layla’s mother and make sure she’s okay with babysitting you.”
Paige texts Layla, asking for her mother’s number and reads it off to me.
“No, I want to meet her, Paige,” I clarify and she snaps her head up with a pale color taking over her glowing face.
“Mom, no.” Her voice is soft and filled with embarrassment.
“Yes, I haven’t met her and would like to.” I turn around to get dressed, leaving Paige staring at me with a gaping mouth.
Dressing in a simple shirt and shorts, I walk over to their house with Paige in tow.
Pointing at her, I say, “I swear Paige if you do anything stupid!”
“I won’t!” She groans.
Their front yard is bare of any character or personality, a sun-faded basketball lying next to a small tree that has no leaves.
Stepping up to their house, it’s quiet, no sounds of kids playing or the TV blaring. The smell of bacon still fills the air from what I can only guess was for breakfast. Knocking, I step back and cross my arms. I glance over at Paige, who purses her lips, not thrilled with me coming over.
The door swings open and there she is, Melanie Grady. She’s wearing a loose shirt and sweatpants, her dark hair pulled into a messy ponytail. Despite her lazy attire, she’s pretty, her face clear of any blemishes, her eyes wide and beautiful.
“Hello?” She acts as if she doesn’t know me, which I find odd, seeing as how the whole block is always peeking out of their blinds. Maybe she’s just putting on a front and acting like she hasn’t seen me walking around because it would come off creepy.
“Hi, I’m Rain, Paige’s mom.” Smiling, I look to my daughter and then back to her.
“Oh, hello!” Her face brightens, a smile that hits her eyes. She goes quiet, which I find slightly awkward. I can tell she’s not used to talking to people or entertaining guests.
“Paige said something about a BBQ?” I press for her to talk to me.
“Oh yes, we would love to have her!” She nods, crossing her arms, not saying anything else.
“Just make sure to keep an eye on her, she can be trouble sometimes.” I laugh, trying to imply I’m joking, but I’m not.
“If she’s anything like our Layla, I bet, but she’ll be in good hands.” She tucks a stray hair from her face behind her ear, and shifts her weight onto her left leg, clearing a space for me to see into the house. It’s a mess with toys, juice boxes and furniture covered in kid blankets.
“Perfect,” I reply. Hopefully my threat to Paige will keep her ass in check, because I’m not sure Melanie can handle her rogue moments.
“Come dear, the twins are almost up from their nap.” She waves Paige inside, and I get the feeling she’s ready to end this conversation. This is way more socializing than she’s used to if Tenly is right about Melanie never leaving her house.
“Alright, have fun!”
Going back home, I rub the sleep from my eyes, remembering I haven’t had my coffee yet. Inside, I find Heston standing in the kitchen. I thought he was long gone for work; I didn’t even notice his truck.
“Are we really going to let her go over there?” he asks, without looking up. Something bitter inside me wants to say, “We? You mean, am I? She’s my daughter,” but I don’t.
“I know it’s probably not the smartest thing, but she’ll be with Layla’s parents, how much trouble can they get in?” I’m just trying to pick my battles with her at this point. All the fighting and anger is exhausting.
“Has Cam followed up with his detective work to figure out who I am?” The sarcasm is clear in his voice.
“Not today,” I mutter. “Last I heard, he was talking to one of his cop buddies about looking you up.” Cam is serious about finding skeletons in Heston’s closet, but luckily, he’s found none so far.
“The man’s insane,” he casually implies, not seeming affected by the fact Cam is trying to tear him apart any way he can. Speaking of insane.
“How’s it going looking for a therapist?”
“I gotta go show a house, be home for dinner,” he says, ignoring my question and pouring out the rest of his coffee. I can’t help the sigh that leaves my body. I really wanted to talk about our relationship today, but of course, he’s leaving. It’s like he knows what I’m going to say and is avoiding it as much as he can. He doesn’t stop to tell me he loves me or give me a kiss on his way out the door. We’re practically roommates at this point. My phone dings in my hand, with a text from Owen.
Owen: Met the new neighbor. Tenly beat us there, of course. He is BIG, girl. I haven’t seen anything like him around here.
Biting my bottom lip, I can’t help the longing inside me, whispering for me to go see what the big deal is with this guy. I know Heston would get jealous if he found out; he doesn’t seem to have a high regard for the man. But he’s not home, and I could use some fresh conversation. I never got to invite someone to a neighborhood before, and I’d like to do just that. I’m also curious why he’s living in a place known as the Murder House. Where’s his family? What’s his name? He’s just not the type of person you’d expect to see in such a place. He definitely stands out in this picture-perfect suburbs. But what should I bring him, everyone brings something when someone moves in.
Texting Owen, I ask what he brought.
Owen: A plant. We were out of wine.
With a smile on my face, I put my phone back down and turn around to look through the cabinets. A fluttery feeling in my stomach just thinking about going over there. A feeling in my heart, telling me not to go over there, but my head is telling me something else. I’m riding on impulse and tingles, which often means this is risky or not the right thing to do, but somewhere inside of me I just don’t care.
Chewing on my inner cheek, I search through the kitchen for something nice to give him. I’m definitely not cooking, so I need to see what else I have around here. Surfing through another shelf, I find a mason jar with a yellow ribbon tied around the top: a jar of honey. I got it at the farmers’ market last week, from a local farm. A chunk of comb swims in a thick golden nectar, and just looking at it makes my mouth water.
Settled on what to bring, I go in search for something to wear. I don’t want to show up in my robe. I mean, I’m not going to dress up or anything, just something casual because I’m just being a nosey and welcoming neighbor, nothing more.
I change into jean shorts, a maroon blouse, and my brown slip sandals to complete the outfit. My head fantasies about what could happen when I show up at his door with a jar of honey. Closing my eyes, I will myself to calm down. I don’t understand why I’m so caught up in this guy, pulled to him like a demon is to the devil. Shaking my head of the thought, I grab the jar of honey and head out.
Walking across the street, I feel eyes on me, my neighbors watching and probably wondering why Heston isn’t with me. I haven’t told anyone about our troubles, so with my head down, I take a deep breath and trudge forward. To my surprise, he’s not inside. He’s crouched down on a blue milk crate working on his bike. His hair is pulled back and anyone would take notice of his shirtless chest, allowing him to display an array of tattoos all over his upper body. He’s extremely attractive already but something about the board shorts and brown sandals he has on makes him that much sweeter. I catch him sneak a glimpse of me, but then act as if he doesn’t see me coming.
