When the Night Comes

by Teegan Loy

  Grocery Store

  Oil change

  Tyler’s ring size 10 1/2

  Paint samples for kitchen

  I sank to the floor and reread the note several times. He had my ring size. I was surprised I was still able to breathe because I certainly couldn’t move.

  “Joey,” I shouted. “Joey!”

  “Quit yelling. Unless you’re dying or something.” He appeared in my doorway and stared at me. “Are you dying?”

  I thrust the note toward him. He took it and smoothed out the crumpled paper. His eyes widened when he finished reading it.

  “Where did you get this?” he asked.

  “These are Skye’s jeans. I must have packed them by mistake.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know?”

  He groaned. “You’re going to Middleton Lake.”

  “Middleton Lake?”

  He pulled me to my feet and shook me. “Do you love him?”

  “I . . . I . . .”

  “Quit using your brain. It doesn’t work that way.” He palmed my dick. “What do you feel here?”

  “Joey!” I shouted.

  “Sorry, things are too intense. What do you feel here?” He placed his hand over my heart. The heat from his hand burned, and I could feel every beat as I thought about Skye.

  “I love him.”

  “Is he worth it?”

  “Always.”

  “Then go home.”

  “Come with me,” I said. “I can’t do this alone. And seriously, what do we have here?”

  “You want me to come to Middleton Lake with you?”

  “I need a solid backup. Everyone is going to be pissed, and you can tell them how stupid I am. You love doing that.”

  He smiled. “I do love that.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t take you home with me.”

  Home. I’d just referred to Middleton Lake as home.

  “So you’ll come back with me?”

  “What the hell? Yes. I’ll get the ball rolling. I need to call work and quit. I’m assuming we’re putting in our notice with the landlord?”

  He headed toward the door, but I grabbed his arm and hugged him. “Thanks. I mean it. You’ve put up with a lot of shit and I appreciate it.”

  A week later, we’d cleaned out our apartment, packed our meager belongings, and took a cab to the airport. My knee bounced like I was amped on caffeine, and I kept running my hands through my hair. If I continued, I’d be bald by the time we boarded the plane.

  “Tyler. You need to chill. You’re freaking me out,” Joey snapped.

  “I’m nervous,” I admitted.

  “Really? I couldn’t tell.”

  “Shut up,” I grumbled.

  “Did you tell anyone you were coming back?”

  I shook my head, and Joey stared at me like I was bat-shit crazy. “I didn’t know what to say.”

  “Oh jeesh. You better have a full liquor cabinet and possibly a joint or two available to me.”

  The plane was two hours late. I had chewed my fingernails down to nothing and almost wore a hole in the terminal carpet.

  Joey successfully ignored me until we were seated and in the air. He signaled for a couple of drinks and furrowed his brow.

  “If you don’t chill, I’m going to punch you in that pretty face and knock you out.”

  The flight attendant set our drinks down, but Joey grabbed mine and downed it before I could protest. I was about to take his, but he cracked his knuckles and gave me a crazy look. I sank down in my seat and stared at the no smoking sign until I fell asleep.

  The next thing I knew, Joey smacked my knee.

  “Wake up, blondie, we’re home.”

  I rubbed my eyes. “I changed my mind. Let’s go back to Chicago.”

  “So, bright and mighty one, how are we getting to your house?”

  “Uh, fuck,” I grumbled. “I guess I’ll rent a car.”

  We stood waiting for our bags as I dug around for a credit card.

  Joey talked my ear off on the way to Middleton Lake. I tried turning the radio up, but it didn’t deter him. He finally quieted when I told him we were fifteen minutes away.

  The house was dark, and I said a short prayer that my key would still work.

  Although the place was technically mine, they could’ve changed the locks. I couldn’t even say I’d blame them. But the key fit and the door swung open. I warily stepped into the entryway. My chest constricted and my throat closed up. Joey placed his hand on my shoulder, and I collapsed back into him.

  “You okay?”

  “Not really,” I said.

  “I can’t pretend to understand any of this shit, but I’m here for you,” he said as we walked into the kitchen.

  “Fuck.” I stared at a the pair of dirty coffee mugs still sitting on the table, along with the crumpled note I’d left him. Guilt flooded my body. What a shitty way to leave someone.

  Joey yawned. “I need sleep.”

  “You can sleep with me or in another bed.”

  “Tonight we share,” he said as I led him downstairs.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Although it helped having Joey close to me, I barely slept. I tried not to disturb him as I rolled around. I envied him. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring, and I was nervous as hell.

  I finally gave up, leaving Joey snoring softly. With coffee in hand, I stared out the window into the backyard as the sun slowly came over the horizon. I wasn’t sure how to approach this day. I picked up my phone and clicked over to the photo Lindy had sent me.

  “Fuck it.” I dialed Skye’s number.

  I was trembling when the phone started ringing, but it was all for nothing because his voicemail picked up. My paranoia kicked in and I wondered if he wasn’t answering because it was me calling or because it was the crack of dawn.

  “Morning, Tyler,” Joey whispered in my ear. He put his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder.

  “I tried to call Skye, but he didn’t answer.”

  “We’ll find him,” Joey said. “But first I need coffee.”

  I gestured toward the counter. “I think I’ll go for a walk. I’ll bring back some breakfast if you’d like.”

  “Hmm, I’d rather have a joint or someone to jerk me off.”

  “The joint I can help you with. The jerking off will have to wait.”

  I left him on the couch in a cloud of smoke.

  “Make yourself at home, Joey. I’ll be back.”

  I walked for a long time, thinking about everything that had happened since I came back here. I was a bit surprised when I found myself staring at Mama’s headstone.

  “Hey, Mama. I know you aren’t really here. I’m sure you’re hanging out some place much cooler, but I didn’t know where else to go. I fucked up again. I left him because I freaked out, and instead of talking, I ran away.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I wish you were here to help me figure this out.”

  The wind suddenly picked up and the sky filled with dark clouds. A few fat raindrops splattered on my head.

  “I know you’re pissed, but this isn’t helping. I’m just getting wet.”

  “Tyler?” I turned around and saw Lindy walking toward me carrying a small bouquet of flowers. “What are you doing here?”

  She clutched the stems so tightly I thought they were going to turn to mush. I braced myself for the onslaught of questions, cursing, and the possibility of a slap across the face.

  “Hi,” I said.

  “You left.”

  “I came back.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I forgot something.”

  “Fuck you, Tyler.” She turned away from me and set the flowers on the stone. “Susan, please give me the strength not to kill him.”

  “I have no excuse, but I need to talk to him.”

  “No,” she snapped.

  “What do you mean? I need to talk to him.”

  “I said no. I
’m not telling you where he is. For the longest time, I thought you deserved better, but I was wrong. It’s him who deserves better.”

  Before I could respond to her angry words, she’d run to her car and driven away. Maybe this whole thing had been a giant mistake and Joey and I should hit the road again.

  I put my hood up and lifted the corner of my shirt to reveal my tattoo. I didn’t want to be lost anymore. I wanted to be found, and that meant speaking with Skye. I’d accept whatever he chose, but I needed to hear it from him.

  The wind blew again, and I shivered. I looked up to the gray sky, letting the rain splatter on my face. Something about the way the water felt on my skin brought a memory flooding into my mind.

  “Thanks, Mama. I didn’t need that,” I muttered. Joey was probably wondering where I wandered off to, and I was sure he was hungry. I was wet and uncomfortable.

  I tightened the strings of my hood, shoved my hands in my pocket, and headed toward the bakery to buy a variety of muffins.

  The food smelled so good I inhaled a muffin before I left the shop.

  “Need a ride?”

  Fuck. I looked up at a very angry Gavin and Ashley.

  “No, I’m good. Need the exercise,” I said.

  “Get in the fucking car, Tyler,” Ashley snarled.

  For one second I thought about bolting, but Gavin would probably take the opportunity to run me down. Ashley shot a glare at me that would melt the polar ice caps, so I climbed into the car and folded my arms over my chest.

  When we pulled into the driveway, I jumped out with the bag of muffins tucked under my arm.

  “Is that you, darling?” Joey shouted.

  “Yes, dear. I brought food and the firing squad.”

  “Oh, goody,” he said. “Death and destruction seem to follow you.”

  I dumped the muffins on the table and gave Joey the signal to behave. Ashley and Gavin walked into the kitchen and joined Joey at the table.

  “You must be the brother-in-law,” Joey said. “And you must be the beautiful sister. I dare say, your brother does not do you justice.”

  Joey stood, grasped Ashley’s hand, and bowed like a total moron.

  “And you must be Joey,” she said.

  Gavin grunted and took the opportunity to steal one of my muffins.

  “Coffee?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Gavin said through a mouthful of muffin.

  I brought the cups to the table along with a bottle of juice for Ashley.

  “You have five seconds to talk before I reach down and pull your balls out your mouth,” Ashley said.

  “Fair enough,” I mumbled. “What do you want to know?”

  “Why? I want to know why you left again?” She stood and put her hands on her hips, hovering over me. I think in another life, Ashley interrogated people.

  “I was scared. I jumped to a conclusion and then didn’t talk to him. If it makes you happy, Lindy already tore me a new one.”

  “Where did you see Lindy?” Ashley asked.

  “I went to see Mama. I hoped she’d offer some advice. Instead, Lindy chewed me out, and it rained on me.”

  “Why come back?”

  “I forgot something,” I said.

  “What sort of answer is that?” She frowned.

  I shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “I need to talk to Skye.”

  “I don’t know, Tyler,” she said. “What do you think, Gavin?”

  I gaped at her. She never deferred to anyone.

  “What?” Gavin stopped chewing as crumbs dropped down his shirtfront.

  “I’m asking what you think?”

  “You never do that.” Gavin looked stunned.

  She tapped her nails on the table.

  “Let’s go to Sam’s tonight and talk. I’m sure a few drinks would help,” Gavin said.

  Ashley’s lips thinned. “Sam’s tonight. I suppose we could go there.”

  Sam’s was a bar on the outskirts of town. I had no idea why the hell they would want to drive out there to drink, but if it would get them off my back for a few hours, I’d agree to go.

  “We’ll pick you guys up at nine,” Ashley said as she started toward the door. “Let’s go, Gavin.”

  “Nice meeting you, Joey. See you tonight.” Gavin scooped another muffin from the table.

  I stayed still until the door closed. “Holy shit.” I sighed and laid my head on the table.

  “Wow, your sister is hot and scary,” Joey said.

  “Also married and pregnant.”

  Joey reached into his pocket and pulled out the joint we’d been smoking earlier. “Shall we light it up?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  We spent the rest of the day smoking, napping, and snacking. Around seven we ordered pizza and then decided to get ready to go to the bar. I tried to call Lindy but she wasn’t answering.

  “Lindy, I’m sorry,” I shouted into my phone.

  Joey found me sitting in Mama’s room flipping through her photo albums.

  “Can I see?” he asked.

  I sighed and put the book into his hands. It fell open to the picture of Skye and me in the backyard.

  Joey traced the image. “You guys are beautiful, and I never say shit like that. Is he still not answering?”

  “No, it goes straight to voicemail. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to talk to me.”

  “We’ll find him. This town isn’t big enough to hide from us.” Joey rolled off the bed and tugged on my arm. “Time to get ready. You think there’ll be anything for me to look at besides your sister at this bar?”

  “Doubt it,” I said.

  “God, that sucks,” he said.

  “You need to get laid.”

  “You offering?” he teased.

  I snorted. “I thought you were looking for a Ms. Right.”

  He fiddled with my hair. “Maybe I’m looking for new experiences.”

  “I’m not what you want,” I mumbled.

  He sighed and hugged me. I clung to him until I heard the distinct sound of Gavin hammering on the door and then the shrill scream of my sister.

  “Coming,” I shouted.

  We piled into the truck and took off for Sam’s. Joey and Ashley chatted about Chicago and music. She asked him for details about my life, which Joey readily shared. I punched him a few times, but he ignored me and told her some of my deep, dark secrets.

  I was shocked when we strolled into Sam’s and the place was packed. Ashley waved at one of the bartenders, and he gestured toward an open table with a reserved sign on it.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, but Ashley ignored me in favor of placing our drink order.

  A spotlight lit up the small stage. “Is this fucking thing on?” A guy tapped on the microphone.

  “Yes,” the crowd shouted back.

  “We’ll be starting in a bit, but I just wanted you to know that our opening act isn’t here tonight. If anyone wants to fill in, now’s your chance.”

  Joey poked me. “Fuck, Ty. You should sing.”

  I tried to kick him because singing was the last thing on my mind.

  “I don’t have a guitar, and I’m not singing a cappella,” I grumbled.

  “I bet I could find you a guitar,” Gavin said.

  “I’m not fucking singing.”

  “Did I hear you say this guy could sing?” the man who’d been on stage asked.

  “No,” I mumbled as Ashley was saying, “Sam, this is my dumb brother, Tyler, and yes, he sings.”

  “No guitar. No singing,” I growled again.

  “Hey, I’m sure Ole would lend ya his guitar.”

  “Ole?”

  “Yeah, c’mon, let’s get ya hooked up.”

  Before I could protest, Sam was dragging me across the bar and leading me behind the small stage.

  “Hey, Ole,” Sam shouted.

  “Goddamn, quit calling me that.” Skye froze and stared at me. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “I forgot something,” I s
aid quietly.

  “Er, you two know each other?” Sam asked.

  “Not really,” Skye said.

  I winced as his words cut into me. Skye turned away. “What were you screaming about, Sam?”

  “Oh, Ash volunteered him to sing to keep the people happy, but never mind,” Sam said, dismissing him with a wave.

  Skye shook his head. “He can use my guitar.”

  I thought about dashing back to the table and downing my drink before leaving this fucking town far behind, but if I was going to become a new man, I had to face this shit head-on.

  “Fuck it. I’ll sing.” I grabbed the guitar from Skye’s hand. My fingers brushed against his knuckles and I heard a sharp intake of breath. It was better than a punch to the face.

  Sam did a quick intro for me, and I took my place at center stage. I pulled the stool closer to the microphone and looked out at the sizable audience gathered.

  “Hey, I’m Tyler. I’d like to first thank my sister and her asshole husband for forcing me to take this gig.”

  “You’re welcome,” Gavin shouted.

  “Love you, my brother,” Ashley shouted and blew me kisses. I flipped them off.

  “I hate you both,” I said.

  The crowd went crazy as I tuned the guitar.

  “I’m just gonna sing a couple songs, and then I’ll get out of your hair.”

  “Rock our world, blondie,” Joey yelled.

  “I’m not feeling so great tonight, so I’m going to keep it mellow. I fucked something up. Anyway, it’s a long story that I won’t bore you with.”

  I plucked the strings of the guitar, closed my eyes, and launched into a song I’d written a few years ago. It told the story of losing everything. I wasn’t sure how I made it through that stupid song, but the place went crazy. They finally settled when I tapped the mic and whistled.

  “Thanks. I’ve got one last depressing song, and then I’m out of here.” I sighed and mouthed the words “For you, Skye.”

  I sang about wishing things were different, about how I wanted a life with him, but only if he wanted me.