by C. A. Harms
Climbing inside, I refuse to look where I know he still stands. I can see his dark frame filling the lit doorway out of the corner of my eye. His arms stretch up over his head, gripping the header above. As if he is some dominator that just defeated his enemy.
And I'd given myself to him. Like I would be an exception. Like I'd be the one to make him want to change.
I’m the pathetic one.
Starting my car, I reach across and buckle my seatbelt. Then, putting the car in drive, I slowly pull away from the curb and glance up in my rearview mirror.
He walks out of the open doorway, placing his hand on his head, watching as I drive away.
He doesn't have to worry; I have no intention of coming back.
I've learned my lesson. Unfortunately, being carefree and spontaneous only got me one thing.
Fucked, or should I say fucked over.
Chapter Thirteen
Daxton
* * *
Excessive pounding on my door wakes me. Moving the pillow over my head, I notice the sunlight filtering into my place and immediately sit up in bed. Glancing at the clock, I see it reads twenty after eleven, and my stomach drops.
I'd been unable to fall asleep last night after Bree left. Or more like after I practically tossed her out. I'm not proud of the way I acted, but it's for the best. She may not think so, but I know I can't be the guy she deserves. Last night proved that.
I spent several hours after still tasting her on my lips and smelling her perfume on my shirt.
Then I spent hours talking myself out of going downstairs and looking up a copy of her credit card transaction and ID with her address from when she paid for her piercing. Finally, I had to let this go; it would turn into an even bigger disaster than it already has if I didn't.
More pounding reminds me of what woke me up in the first place.
I stand, hurrying toward the stairwell and trying not to fall as I descend. Unlocking the door, I pull it open and find Oliver standing outside. He looks me over as I stand before him in nothing more than my boxers.
"You sick?"
"No," I run my fingers through my hair. "Just an idiot."
He waits for me to explain, and I find that it's better I don't. "I'll be down in thirty minutes. I need to take a quick shower."
"Okay, but the angry brunette that Jace is occupying will probably find you before that."
"Angry brune—,"
Aurora, Bree's friend, comes out of the shop doors shooting daggers right at me. "Hey, prick," she places her hands on her hips. I've dealt with the psycho ex before; I guess this is the psycho best friend.
"Listen I—,"
Aurora holds up her hand to stop me. “I honestly don’t give a shit about what you have to say. After you screwed my best friend, then threw her out faster than her panties could dry, you’re lucky I haven’t cut you already.”
Oliver shoots me a look, and I know I'll have to fill him in now. I hoped I could just forget all about the entire shit storm I'd created. I guess not.
"I'm not here because she is crying over you and losing her shit. But what I am here for is the bracelet she lost inside your place. From what I've heard, it can't be too far since you didn't even make it up the steps."
I already feel like an ass, and this isn't helping. From the way Olly is looking at me, he thinks I'm an ass too.
"It was her mother's, so you better hope we find it."
Was?
I don't move, so Oliver steps inside and looks around at the foot of the stairs. I'm about to ask about her mother, even though it is none of my business when, she speaks again.
"Breanna is sweet, but she is not stupid." I look back to Aurora. "She tends to see the good in people that don't deserve it. You should've been the decent guy for once and kicked her to the curb before you screwed her."
"This it?" Oliver pauses at my side, and I look at what he is holding in his hand. A gold bracelet with some pendant hanging from it, I can't quite tell what it is.
"Thanks," Aurora takes it and steps back.
"Tell Luna I'll be in on Saturday so she can finish the shading." She is talking to Olly, and he says something in return, but I can't hear shit besides the ringing in my ears.
After she's gone, I can feel Oliver's stare burning a hole in my side, I finally look at him. "Seriously, man," he shakes his head in disappointment. "She's a sweet girl, not some crazy bitch like Autumn was, but a real sweet one."
"I know," but last night, she made it impossible to walk away.
"So why?"
"As I said, I'm an idiot." With that, I walk back inside my place and close the door behind me. It's the first time in the history of Deranged Ink that I don't go in. Instead, I crawl back in bed and fight the images and sounds in my mind. They are playing on repeat, constantly reminding me of my time with Bree.
It doesn't take me long to realize that no matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to forget what she felt like or what I felt like while I was with her.
Chapter Fourteen
Breanna
* * *
I change the backdrop from the original white to a pale blue. Then, moving the tiny wicker chair and other props to the center of the space, I begin positioning them exactly where I need them to be.
“Hey,” my entire body jerks in surprise when I hear Aurora behind me. “I got it.”
Looking back over my shoulder, I see my mother’s bracelet hanging from her finger, and a tremendous sense of relief washes over me. Then it hits me, and I am reminded that she had to see him in order to retrieve it. I want to ask how everything went down, but I don’t. I’m too proud or maybe embarrassed.
Only she knows.
“He wasn’t at the shop,” I look away, but she keeps going. “I’m sure everyone there thinks I’m a crazy person, but I don’t care. Oliver tried to sneak out and warn him or something, but I followed him. Do you know how hard it was for me not to nut-punch that prick?”
“I do because I wanted to do the same thing,” I tell her. “But by the time I got my pants on, the opportunity had passed.”
She said nothing for a few seconds until I felt her sit down next to me. Placing the bracelet in my hand, I wrap my finger around the metal and look down to see the small pendant peeking out from between my fingers. One single word engraved.
Mom.
It was the mother’s day gift I’d gotten my mother the year she died. She wore it daily and loved it. I’d bought it with my own money that I saved by doing little chores, and even my father knew nothing of it until she opened it that morning.
On the day of the accident, we went home after we’d left the hospital without my mother. I found this bracelet sitting on the vanity in the bathroom and immediately put it on. Somehow it makes me feel closer to her.
“I will say that his friend Oliver didn’t seem happy with him.”
Again, silence settles in. There is nothing to say; I can’t even hate Daxton. He tried to warn me, but I was persistent.
“Do you have time for coffee?” I lift my gaze away from the bracelet to find her watching me with caution. I wasn’t going to break. Hell, I barely know the guy. It was a poor judgment call on my end. It’s not the first time I saw something in someone that turned out to be the opposite of what I’d hoped.
“I’m fine, ya know,” I smile because I am fine.
“I know,” Aurora gives me a quick nod. “But I really want a Latte, and I don’t want to go by myself.”
Looking up at the clock, I see that I have over an hour before my next client is set to arrive. “I’ve got time.”
Standing, I slip the bracelet over my wrist and feel a little less lost than I had an hour ago. Mistakes and bad choices are made all the time; it’s what you learn from them that truly matters.
Maybe I could learn to love a hearts and flowers kind of guy. I know I’d be safer if I could.
Chapter Fifteen
Daxton
* * *
“What�
�s this shit?” Without looking up, I continue to pick up the shards of glass that cover the front lobby of the shop. Luna pauses at my side, and I don't react. “You know how to pick’em, but I must say I'm surprised that Bree had it in her. She didn't seem like an angry I'm going to terrorize you, kind of chick.”
“Autumn," one word, the continuous pain in my ass, but a mistake I have to live with and pay the ultimate repeated price. “Timing seems about right, though.” It's like the nut-bag has surveillance on my ass. Whenever I spend even an ounce of time with any woman, the crazy ex I can't shake reappears to create another round of a shitstorm.
"You catch her on camera?”
“I know it's her, but the cops say they can't identify her by the video. She’s wearing the same outfit as always, Baggy pants, Hooded sweatshirt, gloves, face wrap, so she’s completely covered.” But I'd recognize her from anywhere; no one could mimic her walk.
“I hate that girl.” Luna bends down next to me and starts picking up pieces. Her and me both, and every other close friend I have.
“I got it," after all, it's my fault it keeps happening anyway.
"Stop being a baby,” she shoves at my shoulder. “So,” I knew the questions would start. Everyone's been tiptoeing around me all week, looking at me as I pass but not saying anything. As I call it, the grace period is over, and it's time now for the interrogations to begin. “What happened with Bree anyway?”
I’m on edge, because Aurora is scheduled today so Luna can finish up her tattoo.
“Something I shouldn't have allowed to happen?” I stand and walk over to the garbage can to dump the broken glass inside.
“Which part? The dirty romp right inside your door, or the kicking her to the curb afterward?”
“Do you all sit around when I'm not here and talk about my life? I’m working with a bunch of damn girls.” The truth is, I’m pissed at myself for both scenarios Luna suggested.
“Your life is so much more interesting than any of the others. They hook up with a girl after girl and tell the same stories. You're the only one living some Jerry Springer shit in real life, so yeah, we talk.”
I glance over at her to find her smiling. “You all need to get your own lives.”
“But yours is so much more entertaining.”
Smartass.
“Life doesn't have to be as complicated as you make it Dax,” she leans against the door frame to the break room and crosses her arms over her chest. “You shouldn't let Autumn and the shit she's pulled stop you from being happy with someone else. Aurora says Bree is—”
“This sounds more like Dr. Phil than Jerry Springer. So, what are you and Aurora BFFs now?” Luna rolls her eyes at me but smiles. “I got enough to worry about in life. I don't need to add any more to my plate. I work with a bunch of horny adolescent boys, and then there's you.”
Leaning in, she grabs a loaf of bread tucked next to the microwave and tosses it at me. “I'm not even half of the mess the rest of you are.”
Luna is a private person. She doesn't ever share what happens outside of the shop. She never dates, never shows interest when guys flirt. It saves us guys from having to play big brother too often, but part of me often wonders what in the hell has happened in her life that she keeps so private.
“All I'm trying to say is Bree seems like a decent one. From what Aurora says, she is reserved but saw something in you that she thought was worth the chance.”
“She was wrong,” I was wrong.
“No, she wasn’t,” Luna responds quickly. “You are just too damn stubborn to admit that maybe you like her too. Because letting yourself live a little, is too scary. I get it; believe me, I do, but you can’t hide forever.”
“Not hiding,” I insist.
“Whatever,” she pushes off the doorway. “But girls like Bree don't stay single for long. Someone will snatch her up and treat her right.”
“I hope so,” but the thought makes my stomach ache, yet I hide my discomfort.
When it’s time for Aurora's appointment, I purposely slip out and say I have some calls to make.
The first one is to Drake, Autumn’s older brother. The guy hates me, but someone needs to get a hold of her, and he's the only family she's got.
“What the hell are you calling me for?”
“Autumn made another visit to my shop last night,” he remains quiet, and I find myself wondering if he already knew of her midnight vandalism. “This shit needs to stop, man; she's gonna get locked up.”
“She's smart enough not to get caught.” The guy is a piece of work, almost as bad as his sister.
“Enhanced my security, I have more coverage.” I already have the shit being installed. “One of these times, she’s gonna fuck up and land herself in jail. This shit with her is over; we’ve been over for a long fucking time. She needs to accept that and move on.”
“I’m not your messenger, boy.” As if there are years of distance between us. He's barely a year old and thinks he's some kind of gangster, but, in reality, all he's doing is pushing drugs on innocent teens. The guy is garbage. “Tell her yourself.” He knew I wouldn't because the bitch has a restraining order on me like I'm the one that's screwing with her life. “You fucked her over; she’s scorned." He chuckles, and I feel my anger rising. "Shit like that ain't gonna go away because I tell her to stop.”
I ended things because she's insane. A fact I found out much too late.
“You made your bed," he doesn't finish the sentence only hangs up, leaving me even more pissed than I was five minutes ago.
I lean back on my couch, and I get a whiff of lavender which only adds mountains to my level of irritation. I swear I can smell Bree everywhere, and she never even made it up the stairs.
Chapter Sixteen
Breanna
* * *
Climbing out of my car, I throw my bag over my shoulder and grab a box out of my passenger seat, holding it securely in my arms. Then, I push the door closed using my hip and hurry to press the lock button as I’m walking away.
Halfway up the sidewalk, my bag slips, and half of the contents inside fall to the ground near my feet. My schedule, my laptop charger, phone and half eaten bag of peanut M&M’s spill and begin rolling in several different directions and all I can do is hang my head and breathe in deep.
For days now, I’ve felt so out of sorts. Nothing has gone the way I need it to, and I’m desperate for something good to happen.
“Damn it,” I finish allowing the bag to slide down my arm and sit on the concrete sidewalk in defeat. Then, allowing my chin to fall and rest on my chest, I take in one slow deep breath after the other.
Maybe I should start meditating.
“Oh wow,” I look up to find a slender redhead walking toward me and crouching down at my side. “Let me help you. Did you fall?”
“No,” suddenly I feel like an idiot sitting in the middle of the path leading up to my apartment building with my scattered crap all around me. “Just having a terrible day, or week, maybe a month… I don’t know.” I look at her and find that she has a concerned look on her face. “And I am acting dramatic,” I laugh because honestly, what else is there to do in a situation like this one.
“I recently found my boyfriend having sex with another girl,” she shrugs. “Now I’m looking for a new place so I can start over new.”
“Oh my God,” now I feel like an ass for thinking my self-made issue was bad. “I’m sorry, what an ass.”
“Yeah,” she sits down on the ground next to me, and neither one of us considers how strange we must look. “We were together for more than a year. We talked about getting married and were even looking for a place to raise a family someday, possibly.”
“Did you find him cheating?” Not that it is any of my business, but now I’m invested.
“I went to his place to surprise him with dinner after his long shift, and,” she pauses, and I see the shimmering moisture in her eyes, and my heart breaks for this gorgeous stranger. “Let�
�s just say that he didn’t make sure the blinds were closed.”
“What an ass,” I never understood the need to cheat. Honestly, just end things already. If you feel the need to stray, then have a little compassion and allow the other person to find happiness elsewhere too.
“I should have known, once a bad boy, always a bad boy.”
“Bad boys are the worst.” But they seem to have a way about them that makes it so hard to resist.
“No more tattooed, cocky-smirking guys for me.”
“I hear ya,” lifting my hand, she high fives me, and we both laugh.
“Are you ladies okay?” An older man pauses a few feet away from us, and the stranger and I look at him and then back to each other before we both begin to laugh.
“We’re good,” I manage to get out, “but thank you.”
He seems confused and possibly concerned about our sanity but moves around us and continues. He only looks back one last time before disappearing inside the building.
I start to stand, and she, too, joins me as we gather my belongings and stuff them into my bag.
“So, were you looking at an apartment in this building?”
“Um yeah,” she looks back at the building.
I try to think of who may have moved out recently. “I wasn’t aware there was a vacancy.”
“It’s a big building,” she shrugs, which is true but not massive.
“My dad owns the building, so I hear all about things I honestly don’t care too much about, and he takes it personally when someone moves out.” I laugh, but honestly, he does.
“Well, now that I’ve occupied your time enough and told you things about me personally, things that you probably wish you didn’t have to listen to, I should get going.” She stands, and I do too, still holding a mostly empty bag of M&M’s in my hand.
