She stormed off to the guest room and slammed the door behind her. Mike gave me a tight smile before excusing himself to go check on her.
“Ugh!” I stood up from the table. “Can you believe her?! She’s just so…dramatic!”
Tristan snickered.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. It’s just…”
“Just? Just what?”
He laughed again. “It’s just that you are so much like your mother.”
“I am nothing like my mother!” I screeched, maybe a hair too loud, maybe a hair too dramatic.
He continued laughing. “The way your nose flares when you’re pissed off, or how you bite your bottom lip when you’re embarrassed.”
I stared at him with disgust. “I’m not going to listen to this. I’m going to get dressed.” Storming off, I paused halfway. “And I am NOT storming off like she did!”
Though perhaps I did slam my door.
Within seconds, my door was opened, and Tristan leaned against the doorframe, calm as ever. “Almost identical.”
“My mother uses men to forget her own issues. She’s a mess. Mike is just another man who’s going to be let down. She’s unable to commit to anything or anyone because she never truly got over my dad dying. Watch, she’ll probably walk down the aisle and have that poor guy thinking he actually has a shot at a happily ever after, when in all reality, happily ever afters don’t exist. Life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a Greek tragedy.”
Tristan ran his fingers against the back of his neck. “But isn’t that what we did? Didn’t we use each other because we missed Steven and Jamie?”
“It’s nothing like that,” I said, my fingers tapping against my sides. “I’m nothing like her. And it’s really rude of you to even think something like that.”
“You’re right. What would I know anyway?” He frowned and brushed his thumb against his jaw. “I’m just the neighbor.”
Oh, Tristan.
“I…I didn’t mean it like that when I said it earlier.” I was the worst person alive, I was certain of that much.
“No, it’s fine. And it’s true. I mean, it was stupid of me to think…” He cleared his throat and stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. “Look, Lizzie. We’re both still mourning. We probably went at this thing—whatever this is between us—in completely the wrong way. And I hold nothing against you for just wanting to be my neighbor. Hell…” He laughed nervously and stared straight into my eyes. “If all I’ll ever be to you is your neighbor, then that’s good enough for me. That’ll be enough. It’s a fucking honor to be your neighbor. But seeing as how I accidentally fell in love with you, I think it might be best if I clear my head and skip the birthday get-together tonight.”
“Tristan, no.”
He shook his head. “It’s fine. Really, it is. I’m just going to say goodnight to Emma and then head home.”
“Tristan,” I said once more, but he walked out of the room. I hurried into the hallway. “Tristan! Stop!” I jumped up and down like a child, pounding my feet against the ground. “Stop, stop, stop!” He turned back to me, and I saw the pained expression that I’d caused to exist within his eyes. I walked to him and took his hands in mine. “I’m a mess. Each day, every day, I’m a complete mess. I say stupid things like I did today. I make mistakes as if ‘mistakes’ is my middle name. I’m hard to handle, and sometimes I hate my mother because deep down inside I know I am my mother. And just like everything else in my life, that’s hard for me to deal with.” I held his hands against my chest. “And I’m sorry you had to witness the broken Elizabeth during dinner, but you are the one thing that makes sense to me. You are the one thing I don’t want to mess up. And you are so, so much more than just my neighbor.”
He placed his lips against my forehead. “Are you sure?” he questioned.
“I’m sure.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’ll get there.” He hugged me, and I felt a little better already. “I should go get dressed.” I sighed against him.
“Okay.”
“And you should come help me.”
So he did.
“Just for future reference, when I have a breakdown about my mother, you’re supposed to agree with me no matter how much logic I am missing.” I smirked, pulling my shirt over my head and sliding out of my jeans.
“Sorry, I missed that memo. Yes! Gah! Your mother, she’s such a monster!” Tristan made a grossed out face.
My lips curved up as I stepped into my dress. “Thank you! Now can you zip me?”
“Of course.” His hands landed on my hips before his fingers moved up and zipped my red, curve-hugging dress. “And what’s up with all that perfume she wears? Way too much Chanel.”
“Exactly!” I swung around to him and playfully slapped his chest. “Wait. How did you know what kind of perfume she wears?”
His lips found my neck, and he softly kissed me. “Because her daughter wears the same kind.”
I smiled. Maybe parts of me were extremely like Mama. “I should probably apologize to her for my freak-out, huh?”
He cocked a brow. “Is this a trick question?”
I laughed. “No.”
“Then yes, I think you should, but not until after you have an awesome birthday tonight. Your mom loves you and you love her. I think you’ll both be okay.”
I sighed, kissed his lips, and nodded once. “Okay.”
28
Tristan
“I should let you go in first,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “It’s your party, and I think you should have your moment.” I stood tall in my dark blue button-down shirt and dark jeans.
“We can go in together,” she said.
I hesitated. “People will think we’re a couple.”
She held her hand out toward me with the most beautiful smile on her lips. “Aren’t we?”
Man. With those two words from her mouth, I felt like such a damn giddy asshole.
God, I love her.
Even though we both were sure about each other, it didn’t mean everyone else in Meadows Creek would be as okay with the idea. As we walked into the bar, everyone shouted ‘Happy birthday!’ to Elizabeth, and I stepped to the side to allow all the hugs to begin.
She looked so happy from the love she was receiving.
Those were my favorite moments to take in.
It didn’t take long for the music to turn loud and the drinking to begin. Shots were being taken left and right, and the gossiping ladies of Meadows Creek were growing louder and louder as they watched Elizabeth and my every move.
After taking another shot of some nasty alcohol with her, I leaned in and whispered against her hair, “Are you okay? With the looks from people? Because if you’re not comfortable, I can stop touching you.”
“I love when you touch me. Don’t stop touching me. It’s just…hard. Everyone’s judging us,” she whispered with a frown. “Everyone’s watching us.”
“Good,” I replied. My fingers touched her lower back and her body relaxed, curving into mine. “Let them watch.”
She smiled wide and looked at me as if I was all she could see. “Kiss me?” she asked.
My lips against hers were my answer.
The night went from a calm beginning to a quick trip down drunken lane. I knew Elizabeth was going to be pretty intoxicated, so I made sure to stop drinking hours before we were going to leave. I was quick to sober up, and one of the most annoying things about being sober was dealing with the drunk people. Every now and then, Elizabeth would get pulled into conversations with the book club ladies—who she hated. I overheard them talking to her, making her feel guilty about us.
“I can’t believe you are actually with him. It seems way too soon,” one judged.
“I wouldn’t be able to date for years if I lost my husband,” another echoed.
“It’s just weird, that’s all. You don’t even know him. I would never bring another man around my kid,” the last on
e explained.
Elizabeth handled it like a champ. Maybe because she could hardly stand up straight and was in a happy-drunk bubble. Even so, every now and then, she would look my way and give me the biggest eye roll followed up by her smile.
“So wh-wh-what’s the deal with Liz and you?” Tanner said, plopping down on the bar stool beside me, slurring his words. He’d been drinking more than most, and it hadn’t gone unnoticed that he’d spent most of the night staring at Elizabeth.
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, man, everyone in town can tell you two have something going on. I can’t blame you, though. Liz has one of the best set of tits I’ve ever seen.”
“Knock it off,” I said, growing annoyed with drunken Tanner. He had a way of getting under my skin, and ever since I’d found out that he’d had a thing for Elizabeth, I couldn’t stand him that much more.
“I’m just saying…” He smiled, shoving me in the shoulder before he reached into his pocket, pulled out a quarter, and started flipping it between his fingers. “Back in college, Steven and I flipped a coin for her. I called heads, he called tails. I won, but the asshole went after her anyway. I guess she was too good in bed for him to pass up.”
My eyes moved over to Elizabeth, who was wrapped up in a conversation with women I knew she hated. When she glanced my way, we exchanged the same ‘save me’ facial expressions.
“Don’t talk about Lizzie like that,” I said. “I know you’re drunk, dude, but don’t talk about her like that.”
Tanner rolled his eyes. “Take it easy. We’re just having some good manly talk.”
I didn’t reply.
“So did you? Have you slept with her?”
“Fuck off, Tanner,” I said, my fingers slowly forming fists.
“You sonofabitch, you screwed her, didn’t you?” He shook his head. “Realistically, though, how do you see this unfolding, Tristan? Let’s be honest. She’s having a fun getaway with you, but a woman wouldn’t want to stay with someone like you. One day, she won’t be sad anymore. One day, she’ll be the same Liz she used to, and she won’t need the asshole neighbor to lose herself. She’ll find someone better.”
“Let me guess…someone like you?”
He shrugged. “It’s an option. Besides, I know her. We have a history together. Plus, she’s too good for you. I mean, I have my own auto shop. I have a way to provide for her. But you? You work for Crazy Henson.”
“Say one more word about Mr. Henson and you’ll regret it.”
He held his hands up in defeat. “Easy, slugger. That vein in your neck is popping out. You wouldn’t want Liz to see that temper of yours, now would you? Like I said, she’s too good for you.”
I tried to ignore his words, but they were finding a way inside my head.
What was I thinking?
She’s too good for me.
Tanner slammed his hands against my shoulders, rotated me around on the stool to face the dance floor, and pointed toward Elizabeth laughing with Faye. “What do you say? What if we do show her your temper? I think it’s only right that she sees the true monster inside of you. You shouldn’t be anywhere near Liz or Emma. You’re a fucking beast.”
“This is where I walk away,” I said, pushing myself up from the stool.
“Hell, you probably should stay away from all people actually. Didn’t you have a wife and a child? What happened to them?”
“Don’t, Tanner,” I warned, my hands forming fist.
“What happened? Did you hurt them? Are you the reason they’re dead? Shit. I bet you are.” He laughed. “Are they buried in a ditch somewhere? Did you fucking murder your family? You’re a psychopath and I don’t see why no one else can see it. Especially Liz. She’s normally smart.”
I huffed and turned to face him. “It must kill you that she’s with me.”
He was taken aback by my words. “What?”
“You stare at her as if she’s your world and she looks past you every time. I mean, it’s actually funny.” I laughed. “Because here you are pretty much throwing yourself at her, fixing her cars, showing up to have dinner with her, pretty much begging her to look your way, and she just doesn’t see you, dude. And not only does she not see you, she chooses me, the town recluse, the one person you can’t stand. It must be eating at you inside,” I mocked. I was being mean, and cold, but he’d brought my family into it. He’d made it personal. “It must be killing you to know it’s my bed she’s crawling into, and it’s my name she’s moaning.”
“Fuck you,” he said with narrow eyes.
“Trust me,” I replied with a wolfish grin. “She is.”
“Do you not know who I am?” he said, pounding his finger against my chest. “Dude. I get what I want. I always get what I want. So enjoy the time you have with Liz, because I’m getting her. And enjoy your time with Mr. Henson’s shop, because I’m taking that, too.” He patted me on the back. “Nice talking to you, psycho. Make sure to tell your wife and son I said hi.” He paused and laughed. “Oh wait, never mind.”
Everything in my head started to spin. Without hesitation I swung around and slammed my fist into Tanner’s jaw. He stumbled backward. I shook my head a few times. No. I felt Tanner’s fist meet my eye before he sent me to the ground and started slamming his fists into me over and over again. I could hear everyone around us screaming, and I thought I saw Faye trying to pull Tanner off me, but I flipped him over and slammed him against the ground.
He wanted this. He wanted the beast to be unleashed, and he said all the right things to bring the beast to life. He had brought Jamie and Charlie into it. He’d gone too far, and had taken me to the darkness. I slammed my fist into his face. I slammed my fist into his stomach. Over and over again. I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. Everyone was screaming around me, but I couldn’t hear them anymore.
I fucking snapped.
29
Elizabeth
“Oh my God!” I screamed. My eyes fell to Tristan as he stood over Tanner, slamming his fists into his face over and over again. His eyes were hard, his stare as cold as Tanner’s, and he kept swinging. “Tristan,” I said, walking over to him. Tanner was almost passed out, but Tristan wouldn’t stop. He couldn’t stop. “Tristan,” I said louder, reaching for his arm as it flew up in the air. The speed his arm was swinging at made me stumble backward and when he saw me, he stopped. His chest was rising and falling, and I could see the anger in his eyes. I slowly approached him and placed my hands around his face. “It’s over,” I said. “It’s over.” Come back to me.
I watched his breathing slow as he climbed off Tanner, and he stared at his bloody hands. “Shit,” he exhaled, crawling away from Tanner.
Tristan stood up, and as I reached for his hold, he yanked his body away from mine. His eyes were wild, untamed, and I could see how far away from me he was.
What did Tanner do to you?
When I turned to Tanner, I felt awful for even thinking that it was somehow his fault. Tristan had almost knocked him out, and my gut was tangled up with guilt and confusion. Tristan stormed off, not turning around once to look back at me.
“Jesus,” Tanner muttered. Faye rushed over to him to help him up. “I’m fine,” he said, standing.
“What did you…” My voice shook. “What did you say to him?”
Faye’s brow furrowed. “Liz. Seriously?”
“I just…he wouldn’t just snap like that. He wouldn’t just attack you. Tanner, what did you say to him?”
He huffed sarcastically and spit out blood. “Un-fucking-believable. I can hardly open my right eye and you are asking me what I said to him?”
My throat was tight, tears burning at the back of my throat. “Sorry. I’m sorry. It’s just, he’s not one to just snap like that.”
“Didn’t he push you down a hill, Liz?” Faye frowned.
“It was an accident. I tripped. He would never hurt me.” How could she even think something like that? Tristan had been there for her when she needed
him! How could she turn on him so fast? Everyone stood around us, fear in their eyes. All of the ladies from the book club were whispering about Tristan, calling him a monster. Everyone was judging me for loving such a beast.
“Yeah. I’m sure this was an accident too,” Tanner said, gesturing toward his bruised face. “He’s a monster and he’s dangerous, Liz. It’s only a matter of time before he snaps on you too—or worse, on Emma. I’m going to show you, Liz. I’m going to find out the truth about that guy and show you his secrets. Then maybe you’ll trust me.”
I sighed. “I have to go.”
“Go? Go where?” Tanner asked.
To find him.
To see what happened.
To make sure he’s okay.
“I just have to go.”
30
Tristan
April 6th, 2014.
Two Days Until Goodbye.
“You haven’t eaten in days. Please, Tristan. Just take a few bites of a sandwich,” Mom begged, sitting across from me. The sound of her voice annoyed me more and more each day. She slid the plate in front of me and asked me to eat again.
“Not hungry,” I replied, pushing the sandwich back toward her.
She nodded once. “Your father and I are worried about you, Tris. You’re not talking to us. You’re not letting us in. You can’t just keep all your emotions bottled up like this. You have to talk to us. Let me know what you’re thinking.”
“You don’t want to know what I’m thinking.”
“I do.”
“Trust me, you don’t.”
“No. I do, honey.” She reached out, placing her hand over mine, almost to comfort me.
I didn’t want her comfort.
I wanted her to leave me alone.
“Okay. Well, if you can’t talk to us, at least talk to some of your friends. They’ve been calling and stopping by every day, and you haven’t spoken one word to them.”
The Elements Series Complete Box Set Page 18
