“I saw you when you left the house,” Drew said. “Show me your hands.”
Slowly, Cole held up his hands for his uncle, wondering if he’d get away with just getting his knuckle smacked. Instead, Drew held out the same sort of binding he’d used on himself, only smaller. “I got a pair in your size, thought you’d might like a go.” Hooking Cole’s thumb inside the loop, he carefully started to wrap his small hand, gently, but tightly. Once fully wrapped, he used the Velcro tip to secure them. “Too tight?”
Quickly, Cole shook his head, but in reality he knew he wouldn’t have complained even if they had been strangling his hands. Drew inspected them to satisfy himself they were both secure and safe before moving on to Cole’s other hand.
“You’ve never come up here to see me before,” Drew said as he continued to wrap Cole’s left hand. “I figured maybe you were just getting comfortable. I’m aware I’m a big guy and I make you nervous. I’m sorry for that, and I wish I knew a magic way to prove to you you’ll never have to be afraid of me, but I’m hoping you’ll figure it out in your own time. You’re smart.” Drew checked both hands one last time. “You’re smarter than I was at your age. I know you understand it’s more than just you learning you can trust me, it’s adjusting to it. Has there ever been a man in your life that hasn’t hurt you?”
Cole froze, looked down at his hands, but managed to give a small shake of his head. “For a long time, I could say the same. It wasn’t strictly true. I had teachers, other guys I’d meet that were adults that didn’t do anything bad, but they weren’t a part of the nightmare of my life. For a long time, I thought that’s just what men did, hurt women and children.
“I didn’t like it, I didn’t want to become it, but a part of me figured I’d get to be old enough and even that would change. It’s like how you know boys like to kiss girls but you think it’s icky and then something pops and you can’t think of anything else but planting your lips on one. I hated myself for thinking someday I’d be violent like that, swore I wouldn’t.”
Cole wanted to ask if he ever had, but his mouth was too dry.
“I’ve never hurt anyone who was weaker than I was just for my own enjoyment or to make myself feel powerful,” Drew said, answering Cole’s unasked question.
“But you’ve hurt people,” Cole snapped.
Drew looked surprised, but he didn’t get angry. Instead he nodded. “I was at war. I was in plenty of fights for my life and for the lives of my buddies and anger can be a funny thing. Once you let it out, it’s hard to pull it back in.”
Cole clenched his fists, opened them, and tested the feel of the tape. “Did you ever lose control?”
Drew sighed and nodded. “A few times.” Drew put his finger under Cole’s chin, gently pushing his head up so the boy was looking the man in the eye. “I can only promise you I’ll never hurt you like that. I’m not perfect. I’ve screwed up. Back when I was younger, I’d lose control easier. Punched my best friend in the face once.”
“Why?” Cole said, unable to stop himself.
Drew leaned back on the couch. “He’d hurt someone I loved, someone I always thought of as being sweet and innocent. He didn’t hit her. He just… broke her heart.”
Cole blinked. “What did he do? Did he hit you back?”
Drew shook his head. “No, and I wanted him to so I’d be clear to pound him. He would have let me. I think, in a way, he wanted me to, but I realized whatever happened between them, he was just as hurt as she was.”
Cole scrunched his face up in confusion. “Why’d they hurt each other?”
Drew shrugged as he started to put a smaller pair of boxing gloves on Cole. “I don’t know. Sometimes people do. And it’s usually to people they love the most. The trick is to forgive, to move on and forget the hurt and pain. It’s hard. Sometimes the hardest part is forgiving yourself. All family will hurt you in some way. Like I told you Cole, I’m not perfect. Someday I’ll upset you and you should always tell me if I do. It won’t change the fact I love you and I’ll always be there for you. You’re family and nothing is ever going to get in the way of that.”
Stunned, Cole looked down at his hands to avoid looking his uncle in the eye. It was the first time his uncle had told him he loved him. The first time any man had said it to him. And he knew he should say it back, but he couldn’t. The words were just stuck in his throat where they burned.
“C’mon,” Drew said, getting up off the couch and directing Cole towards the punching bag. “Like this.” Slowly, carefully, he showed Cole how to stand, how to position his hands, guided him on how to make a fist and the proper way to throw a punch. “The power comes not just from your arm.”
“You use your body,” Cole answered, feeling oddly at ease with his uncle touching him so closely. “I watched how you did it.”
Drew grinned, shaking his head. “Like I said, you’re smarter than I was at your age. Of course, I was a moron, so that’s not saying too much.”
Cole laughed. After a few minutes of slowly punching the bag, Drew stepped back and let Cole have a go of it on his own. Drew moved to the opposite side of the bag in place to hold it in place, gave small instructions, even moving back around to help correct posture and guide his progress, but for the most part, he just allowed Cole to continue to hit.
Pausing for a moment, Cole looked up at his uncle. “You were angry when you came in here.”
Drew nodded. “Yes. I imagine you’re pretty good at picking up when someone’s pissed off. Comes with living with someone whose bad moods meant you’re going to have a nightmare of a day. Maybe someday there’ll be some kid in our family who won’t have that instinct.”
Cole took a few more shots, changing his stance as his uncle showed him. “You’re not as angry now. Did hitting this thing help?”
Drew smiled. “A little. It’s a good thing when you feel the need to take your anger out on something in a physical way, to choose an inanimate object. You helped more.”
Cole stopped mid-punch. “Me? I didn’t do anything.”
Drew stepped to the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water— the one he’d started earlier and a brand new one. He signaled Cole to follow him back to the couch. “That’s enough for today, or you’ll get sore.”
Drew placed the bottles of water on a small table near the couch as he sat down. This time Cole presented his hands without prompting for his uncle to remove the gloves and wraps. “It’s hard to understand, but you’re a source of joy for me. I like being around you. Seeing you come up to see me meant you were accepting me into your life a little more. I liked that. I want that.”
Cole nodded. “You’re okay too.”
Drew laughed and presented his fist for his nephew to bump, which Cole did with a grin. He grabbed the full bottle of water, twisted the top and presented it to Cole. “Always drink a lot of water, especially when you’re exercising.”
Cole accepted the bottle, took a drink and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. “Why were you angry?” Cole said. “You seemed to get angry at something Ollie said, but not at him.”
Drew shifted over so Cole could sit beside him. Cole slid into place, still wary, but not nearly as afraid as when he’d come up here.
“You know Ollie’s partner?” Drew said, as he picked up his own water bottle and prepared to drink. “Officer Rossi?”
Cole nodded as he sipped more water just like his uncle did. “Yeah, Sam. Aunt Ash said you want to get in her pants.”
Drew spit out water, which made Cole giggle.
“Oh my God,” Drew said as he wiped his mouth. “Ashley said that to you?”
Cole kept giggling as he answered. “No, she was telling Lilly and Ollie. They both thought it was gross and told her to stop. I don’t get why you’d want to. I don’t think Sam’s pants would fit you.”
“God,” Drew said, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back as Cole continued to laugh. “I’ll explain it another time. I’ve got to have a talk wit
h Ash.”
Shaking his head and drinking more water, Drew was grateful Cole didn’t quote anything else from his sister as he swallowed. “That’s a very crass term and it’s not polite. I happen to really like Sam and I want to get to know her better.”
Cole managed, with much effort, to stop laughing. “But you’re mad at Sam? Why?”
Drew sighed and settled back on the couch. “With everything that happened today, Sam heard a few things and I think she misinterpreted them. She got upset with me, and when I wanted to see her tonight, she told me she couldn’t. But I’m thinking she lied just so I wouldn’t come over.”
Cole scrunched his nose and sat back into the crook of Drew’s arm. “And you’re mad because she lied?
Drew, who was thrilled Cole seemed comfortable to initiate any type of physical contact, considered his answer carefully. “I’m angry because she didn’t talk to me, and… Well… It’s hard to explain.”
Cole bit his lower lip. “Sounds stupid.”
Drew laughed. “Which part?”
“The whole thing,” Cole said. “She shouldn’t get mad at you without letting you explain. And she shouldn’t lie. It’s not nice. But if you know she’s just not understanding something, why get mad. Go talk to her. If you like her, isn’t that better that being mad?”
Drew groaned. “You really are one smart kid. I better go shower.”
“Maybe I should stay home,” Rose said, even though she was standing in the living room already decked out in her best cowboy boots, a long denim dress with a checkered white shirt, and a rhinestone-studded vest. On top of her head was a white, ten-gallon Stetson hat. “You’re upset.”
Sam put on her best smile. “No, you go to your dance, Nana. You love dancing. I’m fine. I’m just going to sit down, have a glass of wine and read a book. It’s been a long day and I just want to relax.”
That earned a big ‘Hmph’ from Rose as she crossed her arms and gave her granddaughter a stern look. “It’s a Friday night. You should be out getting into trouble, not sitting at home reading a book.”
“I’m a cop,” Sam said. “I should never be out causing trouble.”
“All the more reason, you ask me.” Rose sat down beside Sam. “Why don’t you call that young man of yours and go do something.” She leaned in and nudged Sam with her shoulder, sending her granddaughter a wicked grin. “Or better yet, have him come over, stay in, and do something.”
Sam’s eyes widening. “Nana!”
Rose pouted. “Don’t you ‘Nana’ me. You’re a beautiful young lady and you should be enjoying yourself, not sitting at home moping. Seriously, I’m going to be home very late tonight myself. Unless of course I decide to let Mitch Simmons score tonight in which case I’ll text you to let you know I won’t be coming home until morning.”
“Oh, God,” Sam said. “Nana, please.”
Nana shrugged, unapologetically. “I saw the two of you together last night when I came home. You two looked awfully snug under the stars together.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “I don’t know that I want to be snug with Drew Duncan, but I’ll let you know if that changes. Now go to your dance and be a good girl.”
Rose kissed Sam on the forehead and got up. “A good girl, huh?” She said as she moved towards the door. “Where’s the fun in that? I’m leaving.”
Sam frowned. “Isn’t it your friends turn to drive? What’s her name?” Sam said, watching Rose saunter across the room. “Beverly, right?”
Rose shook her head. “I told her not to come, I’d rather drive myself so if I want to leave with someone else, I can. Ta-ta sweetie.” With one last wiggle of her fingers, Rose walked through the door, leaving Sam sitting on her couch alone, shaking her head.
With a sigh, Sam reached to the side and picked up the novel she’d borrowed from her Nana’s collection. On the cover was a young couple, the man playfully nibbling at the girl’s neck. The male cover model was rugged with a broad chest, well-defined muscles and a face that was square jawed. The girl was busty, with long dark hair and a look of ecstasy on her face as she seemed to quiver from the slightest touch of her would-be lover. While the guy was naked from the waist up, the girl wore a dress that was practically falling off of her.
With a wince, she opened up the novel and scanned the first few lines.
He ripped off her bra, allowing her lily-white bosom to spill freely into the night air as she moaned his name in his ear, “Marco, I need to feel you deep within me.”
He grinned as his hands grabbed at her supple breasts, thrusting his pelvis into hers, making her moan even more. “Hot diggity, let’s do this thing.”
Sam groaned.
Hot diggity?
If she ever had a man say that to her in the opening throws of passion, she’d probably kick him out of bed laughing. She put the book down and rose from the sofa, heading over to a bookshelf in the corner. She quickly scanned the tittles. ‘The Love Rocket’, ‘A Little to the Left, My Lassie’, and ‘Hot Bum Full of Love’ were among some of the less ridiculous ones. Wasn’t there anything here without a cover of some girl with crazy big boobs ready to fall out of her dress or corset, or a man who wore a shirt and didn’t have pecs like the Hulk, only not green?
Sam wasn’t even that big of a romance fan. Give her a good horror book, or a mystery or something that made her think or laugh or anything but roll her eyes.
She gave up on the getting lost in a book and headed to the kitchen. She really wasn’t in the mood for anything, but she had no idea what else to do. She’d spent an hour while Nana was getting ready scrolling through the TV channels, but there was nothing on that she hadn’t seen a dozen times already. She thought about pouring herself that glass of wine, but without a book to read it just seemed too much like drinking alone, and she wasn’t quite that desperate. Yet.
Her eyes settled on the bottle of Pinot Grigio Drew brought with him the other night. She told him to take it home, but he insisted on leaving it here so they could share it the next time he came over.
At the time, she smiled at the thought. He wanted a relationship, not just a quick bang and then move on to the next girl. She was tempted to ask him to spend the night. She’d gone to bed thinking of him. Drew appeared in her dreams, naked and wanting her, chased her through the night. There, in the safety of her unconscious mind, she’d taken him into her bed.
Then Sam had seen the way he held Stephanie. So protective of the beautiful woman who he’d sent flowers to, and Sam didn’t want to invite Drew into her bed and be sent flowers while he was off flirting with his next conquest.
She picked up the bottle, considered pouring herself a glass, but put it down again. After all, Drew left it for them to drink together and if they weren’t going to do that, then she should return in.
There was a rumble of thunder and the night lit up. Sam went to retrieve her cell phone from her pocket and send her Nana a text, telling her to let her know she made it to the dance alright.
She moved back to the living room so as not to give into temptation. Sam was honest with herself even if Drew hadn’t been honest with her. She wanted Drew. She was attracted to him, felt for him. She admired the way he’d come back to this town he not only hated, but held terrifying memories for him, to care for his nephew.
And of course, it was simply thrilling to think she’d get to bring her school girl crush fantasy to life.
Was it wrong to admit she wanted Drew? He was a very attractive man. A real man, not one of those flawless male models with the long hair that looked like it came out of a shampoo and conditioner ad for women, and pecs and abs that were clearly photo shopped to perfection.
Sam imagined Drew was quite fit under his shirt, and she looked forward to exploring his body for herself, just as she pictured him exploring hers.
Maybe she was being too hard on him. After all, Drew said he was staying in Ember Falls. Maybe he’d ended it with Stephanie and he was trying to move on? But Stephanie hadn’t acted like
someone broken hearted over a breakup and Sam didn’t want to be the transitional girl who helped him get over the last girlfriend with a sympathetic ear and a good lay.
It could be Stephanie wasn’t that broken up. Maybe it was casual. But Sam made it clear she wasn’t into casual hookups. She had no problem with people who were, but it just wasn’t for her.
It’s not like she expected Drew to propose to her after spending one night in her bed, but she wanted to know he was looking for something more, that their time together meant something.
Just as the sky finally opened up and started to pour, Sam’s cell buzzed. Nana was safe at the dance, where she’d be safe until the storm passed. If it got too bad, she could always stay at one of her girlfriends homes. Both Sybil and Avery lived very close to the hall where the dance was held. Satisfied Nana was out of the rain, enjoying her ho-down, and safe from the storm, Sam reached for the remote which had somehow fallen between the cushions of the sofa.
Flipping through the TV, she saw one lame romantic comedy after another. Was everything about couples? She even came across a reality show where people went on dates without any clothes on. Yikes.
The doorbell rang and Sam groaned. Great, that’s probably Beverly and all of Nana’s friends. Probably forgot Nana planned to drive herself. Now they’ll all see her home on a Friday night and have their own two cents to put in.
Sam decided to shut off the TV and not just mute it. She didn’t want to have to explain to a bunch of old women why she had a bunch of naked people on the TV with their private’s pixilated.
She tossed the remote on the sofa and went to answer the door.
The moment Sam saw Drew, she was hit with a flurry of emotions. A silent thrill made her insides tremble, a little annoyance he showed up when she told him she was busy, a feeling of guilt for being caught in a lie that was like a weight in her stomach and a sudden urge to grab him, kiss… no, not kiss, bite him, and drag him to her bedroom.
“Drew,” she said. “Um… what…”
Torn Away (The Torn Series Book 1) Page 23
