“Sweetie, wait for me!” Abby yelled heading in my direction, shooting Dustin a nasty look. I knew damn well that Abby, Evan, and the guys heard me have my little spat at Dustin. Right then, I didn’t care one bit.
“I’m going home, Abby. I’m sorry. It was a mistake I came.” I kept walking.
“Riley, slow down, talk to me.”
“The best thing you can do for me right now is take me home.”
I can hear another voice yelling. It was Dustin. “Riley, wait up, please!” Dustin yelled from a distance.
“I suggest you tell Dustin to back the fuck off right now, Abby. I’m not dealing with it. Take me home, or I’m walking home.”
I watched as Abby backed away from me, heading toward Dustin. “Dustin, just leave her alone right now. I’m taking her home.”
Dustin flew his hands up in the air in frustration, putting his hands over his face as he shook his head. Then he and Evan walked into the diner.
Abby pulled up alongside me in the Durango and hollered, “Ry, get in the car. I’ll take you home. What happened girl?” Abby asked with concern sketched in her voice.
“I went to kiss him, and he jerked me away. Then he said it’s not a good time.”
“Ouch.” She said softly.
“Look, there is nothing to talk about. I have zero tolerance for assholes, and I’m not about to let somebody treat me like that. I’m the one who tried to ease the tension, and I’m the one who is disrespected. So I want to go home and be alone. Besides, I have work in the morning. I open.”
“I open, too, Hun. I’m sure Dustin is sorry. He’s just upset about his car, I’m sure.” She tried to sympathize with him.
“Abby, there is no excuse in my book—you want me in your life you show it and prove it to me. You don’t disrespect me—especially, when I barely know you.”
“Ok, ok girl, don’t bite my head off, I hear you.” Abby continued to drive.
Shortly, we arrived in the complex, and she stopped closest to my entrance. “Thank you for the ride.” I said.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetie. Don’t hesitate to call if you need to talk.” Abby grinned and leaned her hand over and squeezed mine for support.
“See you tomorrow.” I jumped out of the Durango and ran to the building sprinting up the stairs in a hurry to get inside my door and see Cooper’s face. Cooper always made me smile no matter what the circumstances.
I unlocked my apartment door and slammed it shut. Running over to Cooper, I collapsed on the carpeted floor just as a tear fell down my cheek. Cooper licked my face and my wet tears trying to make me feel better. I knew that I was brash, and probably over reacted, but I wasn’t going to let my guard down. It was unacceptable, and I can’t let a man walk all over me. I reached in my purse as I felt the vibration of my phone, and it had been going off continually for a while. I looked at the caller display, and it was Dustin, so I just ignored the call. I had fifteen missed calls from him and six unread messages. This was going to be a long night. This whole trying to act strong thing wasn’t that easy.
Dustin: ‘Please call me back Riley, I’m sorry.’
Dustin: ‘Riley Please’
Abby: ‘Dustin wants to talk, he’s upset over here, Hun, he’s really sorry. Call me.’
Dustin: ‘Sweetheart, give me another chance.’
Evan: ‘Riley smiley, Dustin’s pretty upset, I’m here, too, if you want to talk.’
Seth: ‘Hey gorgeous, I miss you. I’m actually desperate to come up for a visit. You interested? I could leave tomorrow. Got some news to tell you but would rather tell you in person.’
I definitely didn’t expect to read that last message from Seth. Truth is I really missed Seth, too. What better timing would it be for him to visit? I need him. I need our talks. I need comfortable company. I texted Seth back immediately.
Me: ‘Seth, come out here, leave now! LOL I miss you too honey! Of course, you can stay at my place.’
Dustin could choke on it for now. I didn’t want to talk to him. I didn’t even want to talk to Abby or Evan because they’re only going to try to convince me forgive him. They don’t know what I’ve been through. They don’t know why I feel it’s unacceptable to be spoken to and treated like that. My phone vibrated again. One unread message.
Seth: ‘I’ll leave tonight then. I’ll call you once I’m close.’
I wrote back, ‘No, Seth, leave tomorrow as you planned. I have to work in the morning and by the time I get home, you should be out this way. Don’t rush and drive safe.’
Seth: ‘Ok, see you tomorrow Riley!’
I couldn’t shake my excitement knowing Seth was coming here. Maybe he’d even move here if I convinced him. Seth was my best friend back home. He knew my family situation and helped talk me into moving. He was always there for me, yet since I’ve moved out here we had lost touch. It’s hard keeping in touch with people that you don’t live around. I was ecstatic he was coming now.
** CHAPTER 5 **
Dustin
My cell phone went off, and when I looked, it wasn’t Riley. It was Carla calling me.
“Carla, hey.” I answered.
“So you just ignore your sister now?”
“No, no. I’ve just been busy.” I reassured.
“Whatever. I’m calling you to remind you about the gala next week. You have to go, Dustin.”
Shit! I forgot all about the damn Gala! I hoped Riley would forgive me by then because I needed a date!
“Yeah, I know, I didn’t forget. Who you taking?” I asked.
“I’m taking Tyler. Who are you taking?” She asked inquisitively.
I paused before answering, “Just this girl I’ve been seeing.”
“You don’t bring this girl home for us to meet and approve?”
“No. Carla, I have to go. I have to get to work. Some people have jobs, you know.” I teased her.
“Screw you, D. See ya.” Carla ended the call.
Ugh, I couldn’t believe I had forgotten. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Riley wouldn’t speak to me. It’s not as if I could bring Abby! I didn’t want to resort to my old friends. I wanted to take Riley, and somehow, I had to convince her.
There was something about Riley I just couldn’t put my finger on. She was sexy, charming, sweet, and strong willed, with an attitude. All of which, I wanted in a woman. Every time I would be around her, things always seemed to be better. She brightens up my day. Why had I snapped at her like that? I wasn’t thinking. I was upset and took it out on her when I shouldn’t have.
Riley
Work went by slower than usual. It was only noon, and I still had about five hours to go. I hadn’t heard from Seth yet, but I planned to contact him on my break. Abby was here, but she kept to herself. I really didn’t want this to affect our friendship because she was my best friend here. I didn’t want to act coy with her, either. She knows how I am, though.
Abby whizzed by me to the kitchen to place an order. I walked over to the computer she was standing at and leaned my arm on the wall above it.
“Abby, I don’t want this to affect our friendship. I didn’t ask anybody to get involved. I wish for this to be just between Dustin and me. If I decide to talk to him again.” I surrendered the awkwardness.
“Riley, it isn’t bothering our friendship. It is just somewhat difficult when it’s my boyfriend’s best friend.” Abby kept looking directly at the screen, never making eye contact.
“It is, because you can’t even look at me and talk to me.” I stared at her, and Abby looked up.
“I’m busy, I’m working. If you want to talk, you know where I live. This is not the place, Riley.”
I knew she was right. I just didn’t want her to get in the middle of it. This was between Dustin and me. We have to decide what would be best for our relationship. I walked away from Abby to check on one of my tables. Somehow, some way, I needed to stay perky for my customers to get through this day. I needed all the tips I could get.
The clock struck three, and the last of the afternoon rush shooed out the door. Finally, I can take my break. I let the cook know I was going on break, and that I’d be back in a half hour. I hurried to the door and headed outside for some fresh air. I walked close to the pier and sat on a bench overlooking the ocean. I decided to call Seth.
“Hello?” He answered.
“Hey, Seth, how’s the drive going?”
“It’s going honey, how are you?” I could hear the wind seeping in through his car window causing a loud whistle noise through the phone.
“We’ll talk more once you get here. How much further do you have to drive?”
“Just about five more hours, kiddo.” Seth sighed into the phone.
“I know it’s a long drive. Call me once you’re in the state. I’m on break at work right now, and I get off at five.”
“Ok, baby girl. I’ll see you around eight.”
“Bye!” I hung up the phone.
I decided to walk as I grabbed a smoke out of my cigarette pack. I needed one. I headed down the walkway until I noticed a Mustang pull into Eddie’s. Shit, you’ve got to be kidding me! I quickly hid, leaning into a small tree and sliding my sunglasses over my face. I saw Dustin walk into Eddie’s. He must have just gotten off work because he’s wearing khaki pants and a black button up shirt tucked in. His hair is wind tossed from the window being open in the Mustang. Speaking of the Mustang, it looks fixed. He’s probably going to talk to Abby, and she’s probably going to tell him I’m on break. I really hope he doesn’t come out here looking for me. Before I could have thought any more scenarios up in my head, he walked out of Eddie’s, got in his car, and took off.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I received a text message as I started to head back into the pub.
Dustin: ‘I’m sorry sweetheart. I’ll make it up to you. Please forgive me. I miss you. I want to see you…’
I can’t lie I slightly missed him, too. I missed his touch; I missed how he always managed to make me feel good around him. I missed feeling whole. I haven’t felt that way since Mark. Dustin started to make me feel that way, and as soon as he did one thing to mess with my head, I panicked. I wasn’t looking for anybody to love, and Dustin just kind of fell into the boat and kept it rocking. I had given up men, especially ones like Mark. Dustin came along though, and my idea of being hopeless had started to fade.
I walked back into Eddie’s, put my apron back on, and busied myself with work and busted my ass off for the early dinner crowd. Time, in return, flew by because of it. Thankfully, it was time I could go home. Abby got her things together at the same time as me, and we walked out the door.
“You going home?” Abby asked.
“Yeah, I am going to make myself some dinner and clean my apartment.”
“All right. Evan’s game is tonight at eight if you want to join me.” She added.
“Not tonight, Abs. I’m just not feeling it. Have a good night.” I waved at her as I climbed in my car. I put the key in the ignition and turned. Nothing. Not a click, not a chug, no turn over whatsoever. SHIT! I knew this inevitable moment would happen soon. I immediately got on the phone with a towing company. Time to buy a new car. I had Steve’s Towing tow my car to the junkyard. Since I knew this day was coming sooner than later, I already made sure nothing was in my car worth keeping. It was empty except for here and there garbage. I got a whopping five hundred dollars for my vehicle, and it was all scrap now. I needed a car, it was impossible for me to go without.
Steve’s Towing hitched me a ride to the local Chevrolet dealership. I got out of the tow truck, and a salesman swarmed at me. He was tall, handsome and had tattoos everywhere. “Can I help you miss?”
I looked at him and took a cigarette out of my purse and lit it. “Well, ya see, you’re in luck. I’m in the market for a new car.” I eyed him putting on my ‘professional you’re not going to scam me I know more than you think’ look.
“That’s great news! I’m Trevor Anderson, and your name is?” He reached his hand out to shake mine.
I swung my hand over to meet his. “I’m Riley, Riley Miller.”
“Nice to meet you, Riley. What kind of car are you interested in?”
“Something that runs, gets me from point a to point b, and has a decent backseat for my dog.” I smiled a witty smile.
“Well, have you seen the new Sonics? They’re pretty nice and have a nice backseat with room for a dog.”
“Awesome, let’s take a look at them.”
“Any particular color that suits your interest?”
“White.”
“We have a beautiful summit white. Let’s take it for a test drive. I’ll need your license so I can make a copy.”
I handed him my license and stood patiently waiting. I started to roam the lot and noticed many sharp looking cars. I spotted the Sonic and began looking at them waiting for Mr. Anderson to get back. I peered in the windows of a couple of different cars while I waited.
“Miss Miller! Over here!” Trevor waved, and he already had a Sonic ready to take out for a test drive.
I ran over there to get a look, and take her out for a drive. Once I got a good feel of the road and shut the big mouth salesman out of my mind, I was comfortable. I liked the car. I drove it back to the lot, and I could tell Trevor wasn’t happy that I was ignoring him. I headed directly inside with Trevor on my heels, to figure out the paperwork.
To my shocking astonishment, Dustin stood right there, dressed just how I had seen him at Eddie’s.
“Riley? What are you doing here?” He looked at me puzzled.
Great! He’s going to think I came here for him!
“I’m buying a car, mine officially died.” I looked away as this was an awkward situation.
“Wait, you’re the Riley?” Trevor looked at Dustin, “This is the Riley you wouldn’t shut up about?” Trevor looked confused.
Great! I’m the talk of the town! Pretty sure my face just flushed red.
Dustin shot Trevor a look and then glanced back at me.
“Make sure you get her a good deal, Trev, she deserves it.” Dustin turned and walked away before I could say anything.
“Well, Riley, right this way into my office.” Trevor started to walk.
I followed him into his office, and he began to explain how Dustin is his best friend and they’ve been friends for years. He reassured me he wasn’t going to tell me what to do, but that I should give him another chance.
I walked out of the dealer with my keys in hand to my brand new Chevy Sonic. It may have put the biggest dent in my pocket financially, but I knew that this was the right option for me. I won’t have to worry about any repairs for a long time, and hopefully, by a long time, I mean years!
Strangely, all I could think about was Dustin. After I had been ignoring him, he saw me at the dealership and he still made sure they gave me a good deal. They definitely did! I guess I may owe him some sort of explanation.
** CHAPTER 6 **
Dustin
I knew I had to give Riley space. I figured my best option was to just walk away when I saw her. It wasn’t the right time or place to talk to her. Not while I was at work. I would just have to wait for her to come to me. If I can’t, I would try again later this week. I really wanted her to go with me to the gala. It would mean a lot to me. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Carla.
“Yes, Carla?”
“What’s this chick’s name that you’re seeing?”
“Excuse me?” I questioned confused.
“You heard me, D. I’m making the place cards for the gala. I need to know her name.”
I didn’t want Carla to know yet because I hadn’t even asked Riley to go!
“Her name is Riley Miller.”
Carla paused, “Wait, the same Riley Miller that Rob hired at the pub?” she snickered with laughter.
“Yeah, what’s it to you, Carla?”
“You’re dating a waitress? Come on, Dustin, we raised y
ou better than that!”
“Goodbye, Carla.” I ended the call.
How did my sister know Rob hired Riley. Whatever. I didn’t care where Riley worked. I just cared about getting her to talk to me again!
The next few days went by in a blur. I got a whole lot of shit from Trevor at work, which made me constantly think about Riley. I still haven’t heard from her, and it’s now Wednesday. Today was supposed to be our official date. I really wanted to just show up with some flowers, and hope she would accept them. Actually, I decided that would be my plan.
I dressed in a nice pair of jeans and a black snug t-shirt. I combed my hair so it wouldn’t be such a mess like it usually was. I put on my Nikes and charged out the door to my Mustang. I’m glad I was able to have it fixed through my insurance, and I am going to leave Peter Brent alone for now. For now.
I hopped in the car and took off to Riley’s. I stopped at the florist and picked up some lilies for her. I didn’t know what her favorite flower was, but I did know I had never met anyone that didn’t like lilies. With flowers in hand, I knocked on her door and heard a dog bark, and then a pair of feet stomping to the entrance.
The door opened, and a man appeared. “Can I help you?”
I was surprised by seeing another man in her apartment. I checked the number to make sure it was apartment 209. Was this her new fling? Wow, I suddenly felt as if I had been slapped in the face. “I’m looking for Riley.” I said flatly.
“She’s in the shower right now. We’re heading to dinner soon.”
I just stood there, speechless, not knowing what to say, or just what was going on. I heard a door close inside the apartment. Then I saw her—Riley walking out in nothing but her towel. When she saw me, her mouth dropped immediately.
A Tattered Love Page 5
