“Hey, baby girl, you have a man here for you.”
Riley walked up to the door, and was very shocked to see me—just about as shocked, as I was when this man answered the door. “These are for you. But I guess I’m too late. Have a wonderful dinner.” I sunk my head down and turned around and walked away quickly. I didn’t want to cause a scene, and I definitely didn’t want to get into it with whoever this man was in Riley’s apartment. She yelled my name, but I kept walking. Once I got down the stairs, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was feeling heartbreak. I wanted Riley in my life so bad, but I guess I was just too late. I should have come sooner.
I was halfway across the courtyard when I heard Riley screaming my name behind me. I decided to stop. I turned around and just as I turned, she flew and jumped into my arms wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. I stumbled back a bit by her surprise, but kept my balance wrapping my arms around her. You can tell she just threw on some clothes fast because they didn’t even match.
But wow, did she look so hot.
“What are you doing, Riley?” I asked surprised to be holding her.
“Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful. You’re beautiful. I’m sorry.” She let her feet fall to the ground and backed away from me.
“I don’t understand. It’s clear you already moved on, Riley.” I shook my head confused.
“What? That’s just Seth. He’s a friend of mine, well, best friend from back home.”
I wasn’t sure what to believe, but I wanted to believe her. Did she just forget about our date tonight? Or did she just think it wasn’t going to happen because of my stupidity over the weekend.
“So, you’re not with Seth?”
“No! He’s just a friend. What are you doing here, anyway?” She asked curiously.
“Riley, I want to apologize to you. I couldn’t take the fact that you were avoiding me. I had to see you and try to make things right.” I let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I have no reason to have snapped at you. It was wrong, and I won’t ever let it happen again. I was just really upset, and I should have never taken it out on you. I like you, Riley. I don’t want to lose you when I barely even had you.”
“I’m sorry I snapped. I just... I don’t let people treat me the way they want. I’ve been walked on in the past, and it made me into the strong person I am today. I accept your apology.”
She had just made my night.
Riley
I didn’t know if I wanted to run after him, but Seth pushed me to go. The flowers were a really sweet gesture, yet I am not going to let my guard down on Dustin. He needed to know that. He made the butterfly effect seem like tornados going off in my stomach. It’s more than a tingling feeling; it’s like a heart attack waiting to happen! He makes my heart palpitate, and even though that may sound like a bad thing, he made it feel right. I’m scared of moving forward, but I knew this was right. Mark would have wanted this for me. He would have wanted me to be happy. Dustin did that for me.
“It’s ok. I deserved to be snapped at. You had every right to go off on me.” Dustin took my hand and squeezed it. “Let me make it up to you.”
How could I say no to the one person that I felt I needed in my life right now?
“Can I ask you something?”
I wanted his complete honesty.
“What’s that?” He smirked.
“Why do you like me so much?” My eyes ran up and down his body, taking it all in.
“Because you’re worth it. The second I laid eyes on you, I wanted to know you. So here I am, not giving up.”
“Don’t give up, yet. I may be a tough girl, but you still have to walk in my shoes, and dig through my past in order to uncover what really lead me here. Hopefully that might led you to my future.” I nodded to the floor showing my place.
“I plan to do just that.” Dustin leaned down wrapping his arms around me and pressed his lips to mine softly. He was gentle with me, the way he brushed his lips to mine barely pressing as if he were teasing me with a genuine taste of him.
I so wanted to take him right then. I wanted to peel his shirt off and make love to him, right on the grass in the middle of the courtyard because that’s just how I felt.. I was almost proud of myself for slowly letting him in my heart. I just hoped he would never break it.
I decided to take the evening with Seth. I knew how bad Dustin wanted to spend the evening with me, I know I was supposed to, but Seth wasn’t going to be here very long. I needed to make sure that I was able to spend some quality time with him while he was here. I reassured Dustin that Seth was just a friend. In fact, he has a boyfriend, so he really shouldn’t have any concerns. We ended up at Eddie’s because he wanted to see where I worked. I showed him around and introduced him to some co-workers.
I didn’t recognize a man that was in Eddie’s waiting tables. After Seth and I devoured our dinner, I headed over to Kate, our hostess, to stick my nose in the gossip that I had clearly missed. Kate was a sweet girl in high school, and graduating this year. Her parents wanted her to have a job, and we were happy to have her here. She was petite and brunette with heavy blonde streaks flowing through her hair. She wears glasses that really accentuate her eyes, making her eyes appear to be an even more fabulous shade of green.
“Kate, who is that?” I nonchalantly pointed in the direction of said unknown man.
“That is the newbie, Efren!” She smiled wickedly. “Isn’t he cute?” She rubbed her shoulder against mine taking in our new view.
“Wow! I didn’t realize we were hiring.” I smirked.
“Neither did I. Who is the guy you’re with, boyfriend?”
“Best friend.” We both stared at Efren as he maneuvered about the kitchen getting his orders together. He clearly had been a server before. The way he moved about effortlessly had us watching in awe.
I knew I didn’t want to bring up Dustin to my co-workers yet because I didn’t want them to think I got the job because of him. Everybody knew Abby played a role in getting me hired, yet they weren’t aware Dustin was best friends with Abby’s boyfriend. Then again, I didn’t care what they thought. I just don’t want it to interfere with my job.
Seth and I said our goodbyes, as today wasn’t the day for me to be introduced to Efren. He was busy and Larry, our main boss, was focusing his attention on him and getting him settled. Seth and I headed back to the apartment to relax for the evening when I checked my phone and noticed there was a text message.
Dustin: ‘Hey baby, I hope you had a good evening. I’m glad we finally made up. If you’re interested, I’ll be up late tonight if you want to talk.’
Well that was strange. Dustin and I never spoke on the phone before really. I wonder if he is just missing me. Maybe Dustin is one lonely man and hopes that I fill that void. Who was I kidding? Without Cooper, I’d be one lonely girl, too! I decided to text him back.
Me: I’ll try to give you a call later. <3
I cuddled next to Seth on the couch and propped my head on his shoulder. I missed having Seth around. He was my go-to man and an all around great friend.
“So, are you ever going to talk to me about that man at your door, who obviously adores you?” He took his hand and slapped my leg lightly, playfully.
I gave him an ‘ouch’ look. “His name is Dustin.” I plainly said hoping he wouldn’t make me go into details.
“Girl, I don’t care if his name is Dustin, or shit head, I want to know ABOUT him.” He sighed. “I take that back, I would definitely care if his name were shit head. You get what I’m saying.” He rolled his eyes at me, and stared at me waiting for more information.
“Well, I thought this guy was a shit head recently until he came to my front door tonight. I met Dustin through Abby and her boyfriend Evan.” I looked at the TV, again hoping the interrogation would stop.
“Riley Miller, getting details out of you is like pulling teeth! Come on! I’m your best friend; tell me what’s going on!�
�� He slapped my leg harder gaining my attention.
“Why the abuse!” I laughed loudly sneaking in a snort. “Fine, fine, fine! We’re seeing one another. Sort of. We haven’t gone on an official date yet, we just had sex.” I rambled on the ‘just had sex’ real soft and fast as I was hoping he wouldn’t hear that part.
I did see Seth as my best friend, but it’s been a long time since I’ve confided in him. It’s almost like starting over with him because he’s missed so much that’s gone on since I’ve been in Cape Cod.
“You just had sex? How does that work? Riley, that’s so not like you.” He wrapped his arm around me and expected me to explain more.
“Seth, I know it’s not like me, but it felt damn good. I have come out of my shell out here, thanks to Abby. She’s made my attractive side, and playful side, come out.” I stood up and wandered into the kitchen. I grabbed two sodas and brought them back to the couch.
“As long as you’re happy baby girl, I won’t have a problem with him.” Seth approached.
“Thank you, that means a lot actually.”
“Actually, I have some news for you.” Seth turned to me with the biggest smile on his face.
“Oh?” My eyes grew wide, and my nose crinkled with question.
“I got an internship in Boston, I’m moving out this way with Jermaine!”
My mouth fell open, as I couldn’t believe what I just heard. I ran and jumped in his lap.
“Ahhh!” I screamed. “That’s so exciting, congrats, why did you wait so long to tell me!” I yelled at him in excitement.
“I wanted to surprise you and wanted the moment to be perfect. So you make sure you go and tell your shithead boyfriend that I’m watching his back for good now!” He laughed embracing me in a hug.
I was so ecstatic that Seth was moving out here I almost couldn’t contain myself. I knew moving away from home was going to be hard, but I never knew that moving away from my best friend would be densely strenuous. I’m glad that I didn’t have to wait much longer for Seth to be close to me again. I finally will have my best friend back!
The rest of the night went smoothly, and we celebrated with a few glasses of wine, which then turned into two bottles. Seth passed out on the couch, and I passed out in the bed half naked with Cooper cuddled up in my side taking up over half the bed. I knew Cooper was a bed hog, but damn. He is not the tiniest of dogs and sometimes he just overtakes the bed to where I should practically sleep on the floor! They say dogs are stupid, ha!
** CHAPTER 7 **
Riley
After an extremely long, excruciating morning, I decided to take my break.
“Bob, I’m going on break!” I yelled into the kitchen.
I headed outside with my smokes in hand, and decided to give Dustin a call since I wasn’t able to last night. I wanted to let him know my exciting news.
“Riley?” He answered rather quietly, but enough to where I could still hear him.
“Hey!” I responded overly excited.
“Hey, I kind of can’t talk, I’m at work. Can we meet up later?”
Man his voice sounded sexy!
“I’m so sorry. It so didn’t cross my mind. I’ll call you later.” I giggled, and ended the call feeling bad I interrupted at work.
I lit my cigarette and started to enjoy a few drags. I glanced at my watch, and still had a few minutes left on my break. I noticed the newbie walking up the sidewalk in black pants and a sexy blue V-neck shirt. His soft blue eyes matched his blonde wavy hair that flowed in the breeze. He was average height with a powerfully lean build. You could tell he spent a lot of spare time at the gym. Maybe he needed to work here to support his gym membership! Ok, enough being mean!
I stepped up to him right before he made it to the door. “I’m Riley, you’re new, right?”
He looked down my body then back up to meet my eyes just as I sneered at him. “Efren.” He shook my hand firmly. “Nice to meet you, Riley. Yes, I’m new.”
My first impression of Efren was truly sexy. Not only did he check me out right in front of me, but also I actually thought it was hot that he did it!
The day continued to drag on just as the morning had until finally, I had my last table appointed to me. “Thanks, Kate, no more tables for me, and my shifts over after this one.”
“Ok! Have a great evening if I don’t see you!” Her voice shrieked.
I moseyed over to the table with my pad in hand. There was a beautiful older woman, probably in her mid-fifties, sitting alone. She had a Fascinator type hat on and, from what I could tell, a modern and very expensive name brand dress.
“Hello, my name is Riley. Can I get you something to drink?” I smiled my sweetest smile.
“Riley, is it?”
“Yes, Riley.” I reassured her. Please, lady, I just want to go home, order already!
“Have a seat, Riley. There’s something I need to discuss with you.” She eyed me intently.
“I’m sorry? Do I know you?” I looked at her suspiciously. I didn’t recognize her at all.
“I’m Lori Boyd. I’m afraid I haven’t been given the pleasure of meeting you.”
I had a seat in the booth, a little bewildered, for sure. I didn’t understand what was happening. Her stoic attitude had me a little dazed, especially with her intense stare.
“Listen, Riley, I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to stop by to inform you of a few things.” She stared intently at me. “I know who you are Riley Miller and exactly where you’re from. Your trailer park trash doesn’t belong in my family. I really hope you reconsider going to the gala. I think it’s out of your league coming from a woman with the atrocious background you have. Make sure you let him down easy so he can continue to search for a more...” she paused, thinking of the right word, “appropriate woman to socialize with, who also has the same kind of upbringing.” She smiled an evil kind of smile.
Reality hit. Dustin’s mother! I sat there, in a kind of shock. How did she even know about me? Was I really out of my league on this one? What gala? Does she have the wrong person? Apparently not, if she knew my name and who I was! Trailer park trash? I was ready to wrestle this bitch to the ground, but instead I politely responded, keeping the image of Dustin in the forefront of my mind.
“I’ll take your advice into consideration after I discuss it with your son.” I was enraged. If there were a way I could punch this woman and not have a lawsuit, or the loss of my job hanging over my head, I happily would. Wait, I should have known. Dustin was the son of my boss. Of course, they couldn’t see their son with a waitress! Had she done a background check on me? Of course not, the company did when they hired me. I couldn’t believe this was happening. So, did I leave Dustin now, before we become too intertwined with one another and as she said, let him down easy? If I were to stay with Dustin, would I lose my job regardless? I’m screwed. I was not going to let this lady think she had a hold over me, even though I knew very well that she did.
“It won’t be necessary to discuss this with Dustin. He already knows my intentions. After all, how do you think I discovered who you were, honey? Just remember, let him down easy.” She said. “Have a nice evening.” She scooted out of the booth, sneered at me, and then walked away.
My face went from trying to be brave and strong, to a wreck in less than sixty seconds, the amount of time it took that woman to leave the restaurant. I needed air, I needed to breathe, and I need to get out of there. I grabbed my purse as I hightailed it out of there.
I immediately dialed Seth. He was meeting with his boss in Boston today to set up the specifications of the internship. Thankfully, he answered, and I filled him in on what just happened. He knew just the right words to calm me down, usually, but it wasn’t working. I was so confused, and distraught I didn’t know what to do. Seth told me to go home and take a bath and try to relax, but that wasn’t going to happen. Deciding a trip to the beach to run off my anger, I took off in a sprint and couldn’t wait to sink my feet in the sand. J
ust then, Dustin’s mustang pulled out in front of me and screeched to a halt. And with the biggest grin on his face.
“I got here just in time! I was hoping to make it before you left!” He shoved his car in park and got out.
Tears ran down my cheeks, and I couldn’t look at him. Did he really know what his mother’s intentions were? I didn’t want to talk to him right now, so I turned and began jogging down the beach.
“Riley, where are you going? What’s the matter? Stop!” He yelled. I shook my head as he neared me. “I can’t be with you Dustin, I’m sorry. Things are just too complicated. I can’t risk my job.”
“Risk your job? Riley, stop!” He softly grabbed my hand pleading to me stop. I finally gave in.
“Don’t you get it? I knew your family wouldn’t approve of me the second I knew you were my boss’s son.”
“Why would my family not approve of you, Riley? They haven’t even met you! Hell, I didn’t even tell my family about you, yet!” Dustin had the look of a confused man etched on his face, yet I didn’t know if I believed it.
“Don’t act stupid, Dustin. You knew your mother was coming here to talk to me and tell me my upbringing isn’t what she had in mind for her son’s future.”
“What?” He exaggerated the word. He looked as if he were about to scream.
“Yup, Mrs. Lori Boyd stopped briefly into Eddie’s, just about ten minutes ago, to let me know where I stand.” Tears ran down my face uncontrollably. A part of me wished he would have just turned and walked away, but at the same time, I craved his strong, genuine hug. I wanted him to make things better. I needed him to make things better. The question is, would he be able to? My less than chaotic life had just become deranged.
“I can’t believe this. Don’t listen to her, Riley. I haven’t told my parents about you, I promise.”
“Then how the hell does she know about me and my ‘trailer park trash life’” I quoted her. “Why did she walk into the place I work to tell me to walk away from you—and not to go to this gala—this gala I’ve never even heard about until the words passed from her mouth—as if it would be a sin for me to be invited?”
A Tattered Love Page 6
