Be My Reason

by Brooklyn Taylor

  Unlike Emma, who has always been a hopeless romantic, I was not naïve enough to think there was “someone” waiting for me. I had high expectations and of course wanted that, but I wasn’t sure it would ever happen. Honestly, after much debate with myself, I was okay with that. For now, anyway.

  After a few minutes, I could tell he felt like he should make conversation. Emma and his brother were dancing, and I watched between them moving on the dance floor and Wyatt’s fingers as he tapped to the song the band was playing. His hands looked like they had stains on them, a man who had clearly done manual labor. That was always a quality I liked on a man, unlike his brother. Can you imagine me asking before engaging with a man; can I see your hands?

  “Do you live in Hilltop?” Wyatt started to make conversation and I responded casually. I certainly was not going to be rude, but I was not going to act overly talkative either.

  “Yeah, I do. You?”

  “Yes. Started at the Sheriff’s department about ten months ago.”

  “That’s nice.” Then silence.

  We both looked up and locked eyes. His green eyes mesmerized me and made me want to never look away. They looked like they had a story to tell, a story I wished I didn't have an interest in. A story I wouldn't let him know I was piqued by.

  Something about him looked honest and endearing. I wished we had met before I had had my heart broken so terribly so I wouldn't be so guarded, even with just a simple conversation. I was negative and I hated that.

  His dirty blond hair was a little longer on the top, and cut short around the back and sides. His sideburns were shaved neatly but his face showed the perfect five o’clock shadow. I made myself stop staring as Mr. Full of Himself strolled up with Emma and they took a seat. He moved a chair close to her so he could get sidle up to her. She handed me a water, followed by a beer, knowing which one I would take first.

  That was nice of her. Other than the fact she abandoned me for a man. “Thank you.”

  She nodded but didn't remove her eyes from Cash.

  A couple of sips of my beer, followed by some water, and I was sick of watching the little couple act like they were in love. It had gotten on my last nerve, and I decide I was ready to go. Didn't anyone else have to work around here?

  “Cash, I’ve got to get going, actually. Is there anything you need to talk about before I leave?” Wyatt pushed his chair back, preparing to stand up. He was just as frustrated as I was from the look of it, and I was pleased I wasn't the only one feeling perturbed.

  “I just wanted to spend some time with my brother is all.”

  “Not buying it,” Wyatt said with a growl.

  I could peg that as a lie the second he said it, and I knew nothing about this guy. Emma wasn't getting the same vibe clearly.

  I watched as Wyatt stood up and waited for a minute for Mr. Full of Himself to follow. He did and they started to walk off.

  Good time for me to talk to my friend. “Emma, I thought we came out for some girl time. Not to meet guys.”

  “Sometimes people are just meant to meet.” She smiled and acted like a teenager.

  “That guy was hunting tonight… and you fell right into his hands. Pathetic, actually. This is exactly what neither of us need.”

  “Speak for yourself. You really should have, at the very least, had a conversation with that guy. He was cute. It wouldn't have killed you!” She was angry for my comments and I wished I cared. I didn’t.

  “Yes, he was good-looking… and? What part of I’m not looking isn't clear?”

  “It’s just because you haven't found the right person. You can’t find him if you aren't looking.”

  “I’m not looking for the intention of not finding. I have no interest. How many other languages do I need to say that in? Not to mention this is my FIRST night out!”

  “Okay, okay… I get it. I’ll make you a deal. One dance with the brother, and I’ll dance one more time with Cash and then we can go.”

  I stood with my hands on my hips, frustrated and ready to tell her to go straight to hell. It was actually funny, because growing up I was the trouble…not Emma. I was the one who could never take no for an answer.

  “This is ridiculous. We are grown women. I can leave if I want to… plus, unlike you, I have to work tomorrow. I have bills to pay and people who count on me.” Emma made up her own schedule so could go when she wanted to go in.

  “Just one. You might even thank me later,” Emma commented with confidence that annoyed me.

  I turned around, pissed and ready to get this over with. I said a quick prayer to make this fast and then marched up to where the two brothers were talking, determined.

  Before asking the brother to dance, the thought crossed my mind… Am I doing this for me or for Emma?

  EMMA! Sure, tell yourself that.

  As I stood in front Wyatt, both brothers were staring at me. Cash grinned and winked, intrigued. Wyatt looked like he was interested in what I was going to say. And I didn't really even know the guys.

  Lord, help me.

  WYATT

  As I was arguing with Cash about why he would ask me to meet him when he had no intentions of actually speaking to me, we were interrupted by Breigh standing before us. Her face was flushed pink and she was biting her lower lip just enough to show her annoyance. She was beautiful.

  “Soo… Emma, my friend, is asking that I dance with you one time, before she’ll leave.” I looked down at her, my height of six foot one had a good couple inches on her.

  I smiled. She looked nervous as hell, pissed, and beautiful all at the same time. She was like a piece of glass, clearly transparent. I could see right through her without any effort. Her friend was playing a game with her, and instead of resisting, I was intrigued.

  “I actually was just about to leave but…”

  “One dance… and then I can get her to leave with me. It would be doing me a huge favor since I have to work tomorrow and am ready to get out of here.” She smiled, showing her polished teeth. She slightly puckered her lips as she bit the inside of her cheek. She wasn't liking this in the least.

  I, on the other hand, was loving it. Not exactly sure why, but I was. In fact, this was going to make my night.

  Emma had already walked around to Cash and he walked with her, making their way to the dance floor.

  “Sure, I’ll dance with you… let the torture begin.” I laughed and she shook her head with a grin.

  Breigh looked up at me, showing our height difference. Her head came to my shoulders. She was ready to explode.

  She put out her hand and I took it with a cocky smile. She had a slight tremble, but I wasn't going to call her out on it. Breigh seemed miserable and although I should take pity, she was a beautiful woman asking me to dance.

  I was going to enjoy every minute.

  Three songs later, I knew Breigh was special. I quietly hummed the words to the songs we danced to thinking of how I would remember this time with her. Not only was her scent keeping me in a trance, holding her close to my body was the best thing I had felt in a very long time. She fit perfectly in my arms and we moved together to the music, fast or slow, in perfect unison.

  Not one time did she pull away. She stayed tucked in my arms, moving with my body as I led her. When we met eye to eye she didn't turn away and acted as if she trusted me, a feeling I didn't take lightly. I had never held a woman who didn't pull away from me at some time or the other.

  Her breathing at first was rapid and almost panicked, but now had transitioned to slow and steady.

  “I thought you had to leave after one dance?” I asked her, as she leaned on my right shoulder at peace.

  Her blue eyes looked up at me and she smirked. “I thought you had to leave after one dance?”

  We stopped swaying to the music and froze. People were dancing around us on the dance floor as if we didn’t exist.

  “I don’t have anywhere to be,” she said, and laid her head back down on my shoulder.


  I smiled, fully aware she couldn't see me, and took the chance to take in the scent on her hair.

  Her blonde hair smelled like suntan lotion, a smell I knew well through my summers growing up, coconut and a mixture of flowers. A smell, I could definitely get used to smelling other than in the summer. She smelled like an angel.

  “You gave the chick a kiss on the forehead? What, are you her uncle?” Cash splurged out, almost spitting his drink everywhere.

  “We walked out at the same time and I walked her to her car. What did you expect me to do? Throw her on her car and start ripping her clothes off?”

  “No, douchebag. I expected you to actually take her home… actually… not your dump… take her to her place or a hotel or something acceptable.”

  “That is not what I want right now. I don't have the time or patience to…”

  “You’re a wimp, man. You have gotten your heartbroken and cheated on and want to blame that on every woman. Get the hell over it and man up.”

  “Cash, I’m not you… I’m not Dad… I live my life a certain way, which is why I moved to get away from y’all. I do my own thing… always have.”

  “You’ve walked away from something that you really have no…”

  “I’m not asking your opinion. I don't want it nor do I give a crap about it. One, I love my job. I’m not going to live off the Galloway name, and two, what I have been through with women has nothing to do with you. Except for April, that is. You don't have a clue what it is like to really love someone and have them tear your heart out. Thanks for that, by the way. I have to find someone who has a reason for being in my life. And until that happens, I have no interest in someone who just wants to take up my time.”

  “You know, Wyatt, we could not be more different. And you are welcome about April. I did you a favor. I’d kill myself if I had to listen to myself say the trash you say. But whatever, you do whatever you want to do. I couldn't care less. You are only hurting yourself, and the way I see it, the less you want; the more I get…”

  I rolled my eyes… my brother was exactly like my father. And I couldn't be more thankful I was nothing like them.

  “But for the woman… Breigh… the hot item you could have had tonight… that is a real unfortunate situation. You need to stop thinking so much, Bro, or your life is going to be nothin’ but a headache. Stop looking for ‘a reason’ and just have fun. It won’t kill you… I promise.”

  “What about the girl you were with? You’re standing here with me instead of taking her home.”

  “By choice, I needed to talk to you…besides I have enough girls to juggle.”

  Finally, now he’s going to tell me what he wanted. He thought about himself first, always and foremost.

  I took another sip of my drink. “I would have liked to have had this conversation a couple hours ago.”

  “I think Mom is going to leave Dad,” he finally said.

  “She has been saying that for years.” I wasn't surprised. I don't think Mom had ever been happy. I wasn't blind.

  “I had gone by two different times and she and Dad were really going at it. Details really aren't important but… I was just going to warn you, but also ask…”

  “There it is, that is what I was waiting for… how is this going to affect Cash? That is the real question.”

  “Has Aunt Rhonda said anything to you about it?”

  “If you are concerned about it, why don't you call and ask her? Or better yet, talk to Mom yourself.”

  “You know as well as I do, Mom doesn't confide in me like she does you… and of course, with Rhonda, she tells everything to her.”

  If my mom decided to leave Dad, that was between them. He had never treated her right in the first place and the way Dad “worked.” I was hoping that would get the point across. Mom wasn't stupid, and she was the reason the marriage was still together in the first place.

  “You’re no help…”

  “Why does this interest you so much? It’s none of your business.” With his questions, he had to be looking out for his own interests. He had always put himself first.

  “Just because you don’t live in Houston anymore, and you have given up your inheritance and tried to write us off, doesn't mean the family doesn't need you. Especially if…”

  “I didn't give up anything. When I said I wasn't going to live the way Dad and you did, and signed up for the academy, he said I was an embarrassment to the family. Get your facts straight.”

  I paused.

  “He was the one who said if I walked out the door, he would make sure I had nothing… not me.” I paused. “I will support Mom in any way I can. If you have something to ask her, you ask her.”

  “Thanks for the help, Bro,” Cash said, before standing up and walking away as he shook his head.

  Complete and utter waste of my time tonight.

  Well, except for the woman I met tonight, Breigh.

  3

  WYATT

  Already in a rush walking into the Hilltop Sheriff’s office, my sergeant walked up to me and asked if I would do him a favor. I was barely keeping my head above water performing a juggling act. Being the corporal, which I don't take lightly, I ended up doing a lot of the incomplete work. One of the pitfalls of trying to work my way up, but hard work had never veered me from my goals. I lived to work right now.

  “I would really appreciate it if you could run over to this address, and deliver this eviction notice.” He handed me an envelope with a name and address written on it.

  “Is this really something I need to do? Can’t you have another deputy take care of this? I am sure my…”

  “Yes, I need you to do it.” Sergeant Kevin’s voice was stern and the equivalent to him pointing to the stripes on his uniform, revealing his rank.

  “I thought Constable Richards served evictions?”

  He shook his head. “And? I need you to do it today.”

  “All right.” I looked down at the envelope, surrendering.

  “Thanks. When you get back, come talk to me. I need to speak with you about something.”

  “Do I need to give this only to him or anyone who is at the address?”

  “He won’t be there… and if he is, he will be out cold. Just put the notice up on the door. This guy has had more eviction notices, and disturbance calls, than I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. I know him so well, you would think he was family.” Sergeant rolled his eyes and walked off agitated, hollering at someone else in the office.

  A twenty-minute drive in my patrol car brought me to the address that I was playing delivery boy for. Greg Foster. I’d been working my tail off, putting my time in, apparently to run errands. I was always the guy who did anything that was asked, thinking it would be what helped me move up the ladder, along with my hard work. Sometimes it felt like I was just the guy who got stuck with crap no one else wanted to do. Sergeant warned me when I first moved here, “The hardest working officer will work the most, so don’t be overly eager.” I realized sitting in my car; that was advice I should have taken to heart.

  The trailer park had seen better days, and I meant better, probably a couple of decades ago. It was in horrible shape and I wondered why it wasn't condemned.

  Greg’s house wasn't as bad as some of the others, but it was bad. The door looked like it had been kicked down a good handful of times, but that was probably the best part of the house. It didn't appear to have locks on the door any longer.

  Foil lined the windows, the ones that weren’t broken anyway, were blocked by plywood.

  I knocked, irritated and angry I was getting stuck doing this. First, the crap Cash pulled last night and now this.

  I knocked a few more times and waited tapping my foot.

  “Hilltop Sheriff’s Office.”

  The door swung open with a face I was familiar with. “Is it really necessary to knock that many… oh… sorry. I thought it was my … that gets… never mind.” She paused. “Wyatt…”

  Her eye
s looked just as beautiful as they did last night, but they looked stressed. She had lacked sleep.

  I glanced down at the envelope and saw the name typed; then stepped back to look at the number on the side of the falling apart mobile home.

  “Does a Mr. Greg Foster live here at this address?”

  She smiles at me weakly, hesitant to answer. “Yes, he does.”

  “Is he here?”

  “No, I don't know where he is.”

  Damn she was gorgeous. I knew she was pretty when I saw her last night, but not like this. Her blonde hair sat on her shoulder, holding down her T-shirt in a low ponytail. The T-shirt had been broken in and looked older than her.

  “Thank you. I’ll give it to him when… if he gets home.”

  “Your…?” Knowing she could very well tell me to mind my own business, I asked and then looked down at my work boots, wanting to kick myself for asking a question that was none of my business. But I wanted to know.

  “My dad.”

  And she shut the door. The look on her face before she closed the door spoke volumes. I had a feeling this wasn't the first or the last time he would be served. What I couldn't understand was if I lived in this dump, I would light it up, sit, and watch it burn.

  Breigh living in this place made zero sense and made me wonder even more about her.

  BREIGH

  How damn embarrassing! Of all things, I cannot believe Wyatt showed up at the door, delivering my dad’s eviction notice.

  It wasn’t lost on me that the guy I had met last night showed up on the front doorstep. Why? What kind of joke was being played on me? Not only did I look like I had been hit by a Mack truck in my ugly ACDC shirt, but also being served an eviction notice. Again. My phone rang and I was thankful the thought was taken from my mind.

  “Breigh… I had the best time last night… Cash was such a sweetheart.”