The Leaving Road, page 16
“So, I stuck it out; I tried to make things work with Cassie, but it was terrible. We spent our entire relationship fighting, getting back together, and drinking all weekend because I couldn’t stand her when sober. Eventually, I was doing everything I could to avoid her—working endlessly, basically trying to find a way out of a relationship but being too much of a coward to end it. Then, I had the idea to start my new place.”
He gave me a sheepish look, and I shot him a knowing one.
“Yulianas,” I said, and he nodded.
“Yes. I explained it to my dad, and he was totally on board, but he explained that it would be my place. I needed to talk to the bank, I needed to get the funding. This was my rodeo, and sure, he would help, but if it was something I wanted, then I had to make it happen.”
I did my best to hide my smile, but I was unsure if I succeeded. I was proud of what he accomplished. Clearly, he built it from the ground up, and regardless of what his muse was, that place was all his.
“That’s when things really started to unravel. I was under the impression that Cassie was working for her dad—and that was what she did all day. She ended up dropping out of college, telling me it was because her dad offered her a position she couldn’t refuse. I should have questioned it because her dad never would have let her drop out, but in all honesty, I just really didn’t care. Our relationship was a joke at that point; she knew it, I knew it. I was just too cowardly to end it, and well… I realized she was using me—not that it was shocking, or at least, it shouldn’t have been.”
“Using you how?” I murmured. It was easy to see the shame that was written all over his face.
“She’d taken out credit cards in the bar’s name, then proceeded to rack up thousands and thousands of dollars in debt. I’d only found out because my loan to open Yulianas was declined due to the outstanding debt to income stacked up against the bar, which didn’t make any sense. My dad had paid off our loans years ago, and we were very much in the green, which was how we could afford to pay our employees’ health care and PTO, and a good benefits package, even though stuff like that isn’t normally offered at restaurants and bars.”
I couldn’t hide my shocked gasp. She stole from him. From his family?
“What?”
“Yup. All for shoes and purses and not having to work. She was spending her time wining and dining with friends and footing the bill. She only wore designer clothes and handbags. She had no idea how much money she was spending, or what she was racking up in interest. She’d been paying the card’s minimum payment required, yet continually got other cards or increased her limits. By the time the truth came out, we were talking numbers that would take me years to pay off.”
“How could she do that? Didn’t she need a signature or something?”
His head dipped. “Yeah, it had gotten so bad the last year or so we were together that I usually did my best to avoid her. When I did see her, it was easier to give her what she wanted instead of causing an argument. She asked me to sign something she told me was to do with the apartment we shared—something about adding some new restrictions to the lease. I…I didn’t even give it a second glance; I just signed.”
“And your parents?”
“They were furious. Mom wanted to take out an ad in the paper, letting the town know what she’d done. Dad’s reaction was the worst; he wasn’t mad, just…sad. Everything he worked for was at risk of being taken away. All it would take is one bad tourist season and we wouldn’t be able to pay our employees’ health benefits anymore. He wanted to go to the police.
“Why didn’t you?”
“When I confronted her, she called daddy dearest, and if we agreed to keep it between us, he would pay her debts. Not only would it hurt his chances for re-election, but he’d never be able to marry Cassie off to a suitable husband, and he’d be stuck supporting her, and once again, risk his career. The condition was we tell no one who didn’t already know.”
I could tell he was ashamed that they had taken Cassie’s family’s money, but I thought putting the needs of their employees before their own took courage.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you and your family, Sloan.”
I wanted to tell him I couldn’t imagine what that kind of betrayal felt like, but I did. I knew what it was like to have someone you trusted betray you.
“I knew what she was capable of, and when it came down to it, I wasn’t all that shocked. The look on my parents’ faces…that’s what hurt the most. I vowed I’d never be the one who brought it to them again…and well, I’ve already failed that.”
I cocked my head at him, not understanding.
“They had that same disappointed look when I told them about what happened at our graduation party… Truthfully, it was even worse.”
Now he didn’t even bother trying to eat any more of his pizza; he just threw his plate away.
The devastated look on his face was heartbreaking. I had to curl my nails into my palms to prevent from offering him a hug. “And now?”
“And now nothing. Cassie kicked and screamed, begging for forgiveness. She tried to justify her actions, claiming she was trying to build us the best life possible, cried that she didn’t realize how much money she was taking. When I didn’t fall for it, she turned nasty, telling me she knew I didn’t love her and that she was just a placeholder. She started throwing the glassware at me, so I left and never looked back.”
“So, the other night at the bar?”
“The other night at the bar was her knowing I wouldn’t…couldn’t call her out in front of all our mutual friends. We have no relationship whatsoever. She tries to call and text, but I block the numbers. Occasionally, there will be a run-in at the store, but she keeps the dramatics to a minimum in public, thankfully.”
I shook my head in mild disbelief. “This just all seems so…Jerry Springer.”
“Tell me about it. It’s a nightmare I’d like to wake up from.”
Our eyes met and we both couldn’t hold back our smiles at one another.
“I…I need some time to process this, okay?” I whispered.
“Take all the time you need.”
Chapter 35
Magnolia
The tension was a little thick, and Sloan was trying to give me time to process all that he told me, but we were still stuck here together tonight. I knew neither of us would be willing to leave the animals overnight, and Sloan would not be okay with leaving Peaches, and I wasn’t about to ask him to. I went to round on the patients in the clinic while Sloan finished cleaning up dinner, which meant throwing out my paper plate and storing the pizza in the fridge.
Being able to throw myself into my job helped me sort my thoughts. I sighed.
I was tired of being angry about it, and it seemed karma had helped me out a bit—not that I would ever wish that on anyone. I understood where he was coming from, even if I didn’t agree with it. I made the decision to leave without an explanation, and I was wrong for leaving the way I did. But now I’m ready to move on.
I finished my tasks, and of course, ended up back where Sloan was, sitting on the recliner, but the sofa was left free. I got to the task of taking off the cushions to set up the bed.
“Uh…Magnolia? Usually those are more comfortable with the cushions left on.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I threw one of the pillows I’d grabbed at him. “It turns into a bed, genius.”
Realizing he hadn’t hit me back with a smart remark, I found myself looking up at him, only to be met with an intense stare. There was absolutely no mistaking the heat behind his gaze.
“Bed…right.” He licked his lips while looking me over, and I couldn’t help but wonder what those lips would taste like.
I shook my head, breaking me out of my stupor. “Nice try, Sloan. We have enough pillows for a wall.”
Now it was his turn to burst out in laughter. “Are we twelve again, Magnolia?” Try as I may, I couldn’t help the fact that my body was breaking out in goosebumps over the husky tone in his voice.
“If you don’t want to spend the night in that recliner or the floor, pillow wall it will have to be.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “I solemnly swear that I’m not up to no good.” He winked at me; of course he would quote one of my all-time favorite movies. I shouldn’t have been secretly happy at the fact that he remembered it since it was such a stupid, small detail, but still, my heart did a little flip inside my chest.
He pointed at the side closest to the outside door. “I’m sleeping on that side, no debates.”
“Uh actually, that’s the side I was going to be on. It’s just closer to the animals,” I protested.
“No, it’s closer to the outside door.” He shot me a look, letting me know this was one thing he would not be negotiating.
And once again my heart did a stupid little flip.
“Fine, you win…this time.” I pointed at him, letting him know I was watching him, and he just stood there, smiling at me almost dreamily while I climbed into bed.
“You going to get in?” I questioned.
He shook his head as if my voice brought him back from somewhere, and he gave me a lazy grin which I’d forgotten about.
Flip, flip, flip.
He settled in, the pillow wall making it feel like he was too close but also too far at the same time.
“Do you still snore?” he teased me.
“I. Do. Not. Snore,” I ground out at him.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, love.”
I turned the light off, thinking it would take me hours to fall asleep, but I think I fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
<------>
I was warm, so warm and comfy, and I felt like I was floating.
Something smelled so good, like musk, and woods, pine, manly.
I sighed in content; this was the best dream.
A clearing of a throat pulled me from my happy dream-like state, and I was about to whine about it until I heard a sterner clearing of a throat.
“Five more minutes, Lex, please,” I whispered and snuggled even deeper into the warmness and yummy smells.
“Magnolia.” Louise’s whisper made me jerk up in surprise, and I shook my head and hair out as my eyes adjusted to the light.
I took in the scene around me. Apparently, at some point during the night, either Sloan or I—possibly both—said fuck it to the pillow wall and we were laying completely intertwined. He had my legs all but pinned in between his thighs, and while we were both facing the same way, he had his one arm completely under my body to pull me close to him. I was finding warmth and smelly goodness because I was laying on his chest.
“Louise, you scared me.”
“Mmm…” She looked at me over her cup of coffee.
I was slowly trying to disengage my body from Sloan’s, but he had what appeared to be a death grip on me, which made me question if he was even still asleep.
“How long have you been here?” I asked while trying not to huff and puff my way out of Sloan’s crazy octopus tentacle-like hands.
“Long enough to make a pot of coffee and a grown woman blush.”
Even though her voice was stern like usual, I noticed the smile behind her mug. Finally prying myself from Sloan, I wiggled out of the bed. “Pretend you didn’t see this.”
“See what, dear?” She slanted a brow at me, gave me a wink, and walked away.
Turning my attention to Sloan, I walked over and poked him awake. “Sloan, we have to get up now. The clinic is going to open soon.”
No response.
“Sloan.” I jabbed him in the ribs.
Before I knew what was happening, he had reached out and grabbed me, effectively pinning me under him. He held my hands above my head and placed just enough body weight on me that I could feel his weight as he placed his head in my neck and took a few deep breaths in.
“Uh, Sloan.”
“Shh… Magnolia. This is the best way to wake up; just give me thirty more seconds.”
He continued breathing me in, and goddamnit, there goes my heart. Flip. Flip. Flip.
“Sloan,” I grunted when it had been at least a minute.
“Okay, okay, you win.” He slowly removed the weight of his body from mine, and I had to stop the whimper that was about to escape.
I quickly popped off the bed, making damn sure no one else had made it to the clinic yet. Breathing a sigh of relief knowing we were safe—and knowing that Louise always showed up significantly earlier than the rest of us sometimes.
“What’s on the docket today?” Sloan asked me with a yawn, making it obvious he still wasn’t ready to wake up.
“I don’t know about you, but Jace is supposed to come over today and start on some home repairs.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I’m sorry… Did you hallucinate the part where you were invited?”
He advanced on me and grinned. “Did you miss the part where you could be in danger? I thought I made it perfectly clear that I’d be following you around.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“As. A. Heart. Attack.”
I sputtered at him. “Absolutely not.”
“Get used to it, love.”
He turned his back on me and made his way out to the treatment area, and of course, zoned in on Peaches. I felt a presence from behind me and I almost jumped.
“Doc!” I exclaimed.
“Good morning.” He gave me an almost knowing grin.
“Good morning.”
He tilted his head at Sloan. “You like him.”
“Pfft. I hardly know him anymore.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“It’s been years,” I muttered
“You forget, I watched you two grow up together.”
“A long time ago.” I tried to make my point again.
“It could be decades, Magnolia, but your soul would still recognize his.”
Not bothering to elaborate on what the hell he meant by that, he just took a sip of his coffee and left me to decipher that ticket of wisdom on my own.
Thanks, Doc.
“Why don’t you both take off?” Doc hollered behind him. “Sloan, get ready for Peaches and her puppies; they can go home tonight.”
Sloan’s face lit up like a kid in a candy store. “Yeah, Doc, you got it.” Then he turned to me. “Feel like shopping real quick?”
He knew damn well I would never say no to shopping for Peaches and her puppies, but I shoot him a wary glance. “Lead the way, Sloan.”
I couldn’t help but feel like I was putting my heart on the line after accepting his invite.
Chapter 36
Magnolia
Shopping with Sloan went off without a hitch, and I’m pretty positive he spent way too much money. Anything I told him that could possibly be useful, or they might need, or they might like, went into the cart. Sloan bought no less than four different beds in case Peaches didn’t like one, and he got one for every room he thought she might like to nap in.
And don’t even get me started on the number of toys or puppy enrichment games he got for the puppies, who were only days old. I found it better to stop trying to argue with him and just let the man spend the money. The rest of the ride was spent in an easy silence, and I spent it thinking about what a shockingly good time I had out with Sloan. He made me laugh and the conversation was always easy, and I never felt uncomfortable. Even after all this time, even after all he had done, I felt safe. On the drive back to the clinic to get my truck before I headed home, I couldn’t help but ask Sloan, “You act like you’re going to keep all the puppies.”
He shrugged. “I’m hoping to find homes for them, but if that takes months, or years, well…it is what it is.”
Why did I have a feeling those three little puppies were going absolutely nowhere.
“I’m going to drop this stuff off at my place and grab a quick shower, then I’ll meet you back at yours.”
“Sloan…really, that’s not necessary.”
“It absolutely is. The only reason I'm not demanding you come over to my place is because Jace and Lex are at your place.”
“How do you know Jace is there already?”
“I texted him.”
“You texted him?”
“Yeah, he’s also going to be keeping an eye out on you and Lex.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re taking this protection detail very seriously.”
“No. I take what happens to you very seriously. Don’t forget that.” His eyes met mine and I felt the air around us sizzle. Suddenly, my mouth was bone dry.
“I’d ask you to text me when you make it home, but you still haven’t put my number to use.”
“You still haven’t earned that right.” I shot him a wink, opened the door, and hopped out before he could protest. The sound of his laugh trailed behind me, and I couldn’t help my own smile.
I tried really hard to bring out some of the rage and anger I had felt toward Sloan on the drive home, and if I were being honest with myself, I didn’t feel any.
There were layers of scar tissue over my heart that still held a dull throbbing ache, but I thought more of that had to do with losing my mom and never making things right with my dad when I had the chance than it had to do with Sloan.
In fact, part of me couldn’t help but blame myself for the way things went down. What if I had demanded answers? What if I had stuck around for a conversation, what then? The truth was, I’d never know, and I could either wallow in the past or move forward.
I was moving forward.
I was choosing to move forward.
I was choosing to get to know who Sloan was now.
I wasn’t an idiot, like Rome, trust couldn’t be built in a day, but it could be built.
Trust could be built.
With that thought, a sense of peace spread through me, and I knew I was making the right decision, despite what anyone else would think about it.
Walking through my front door, I heard Lexie and Jace’s laughter from the kitchen and followed it, trying my best not to show my shock at their closeness. He had her halfway caged up against the kitchen counter and was looking at her with such a look of adoration, I felt my heart melt at the sight of it.
