Back to my Roots

by Tessa Elaine

  “I love you too, Lucas.” He hums and we start kissing again. We have been laying in the back of his truck talking for hours, he leans up on his elbow and runs his fingers through my hair.

  “I should get you home.”

  “Do we have too?” I ask, and he laughs.

  “If you want to see me tomorrow.” I laugh with him.

  “Yeah, you're probably right.” We dress and pack up the truck, stealing shy glances at each other with cheesy smiles. I think I could float away with how I'm feeling. When everything is cleaned up we climb in to head home. My phone rings the minute we pull away from the lake, shit how late is it?

  “Hello” I answer

  “Elena, this is sheriff Drew. Your parents have been in a really bad car accident.” My whole world stops, the phone slips from my hand. I can here Lucas calling my name asking what's wrong but I can't respond. He picks up the phone and starts talking. I can only process bits and pieces, like him asking how bad and telling the sheriff we are on our way.

  His face is pale and his eyes are wide, I want to ask him what sheriff Drew said but I'm to scared. He calls his parents and tells them to meet us there. When we get to the hospital I'm so numb I can't move. Lucas has to practically carry me inside. When we finally find the sheriff, my head is spinning. Lucas hasn't left my side, he has been holding me up this whole time. The sheriff explains what happened.

  “I'm so sorry Elena, your mom passed away at the scene of the accident and your father is in surgery. They are trying to get the internal bleeding to stop, but they're saying it doesn't look good.”

  I don't know if my body gives out first or if I faint but everything goes black. When I come to I hear this horrible scream, I realize it's coming from me. I hear a familiar voice talking to me.

  “I'm so sorry baby, I'm so sorry.” It's Lucas, he's still holding me in the middle of the hospital floor rocking me back and forth. I look up to ask him what I'm supposed to do without them and see him crying. I can't do this, it's too much.

  I pitch forward in bed, my stomach in knots. I jump up and run to the bathroom and I barely make it to the toilet. Everything in my stomach comes up, which isn't much. I'm leaning over the toilet for twenty minutes dry heaving and sobbing. It hurts so bad, the dream felt so real. It's like I relived that whole night over. I'm shaking so bad and holding on to the toilet.

  I strip down and crawl to the tub. I turn the shower on cold and sit under the water crying. I can't do this anymore, the nightmares, the loneliness. It's too painful. My crying gets louder and I know someone might hear it but I don't give a shit. All the sudden the curtain is ripped back, I jump and look up to see Lucas standing there. He looks pissed for a second until he sees me. He drops to his knees with a hard thud next to the tub.

  “Laney, what’s wrong?” I hear the panic in his voice but the only thing I can think about is not wanting him to see me like this. I wish he would have just stayed away.

  “Just leave Lucas, I don't need you.” I tell him.

  “Elena, you're scaring me. Please tell me what's wrong, your lips are turning blue.”

  My teeth are chattering and I can't stop the tears. He reaches over to touch my face but jumps back.

  “Shit this water is freezing.” He turns the knob in the shower and I feel the water slowly start to heat up. When my teeth finally stop chattering he turns the water off and wraps a towel around me. I feel one of his arms slide under my knees and the other behind my back when he picks me up, like I weigh nothing.

  He carries my limp body back to the bed. Leaning down he moves the blankets out of the way, gently laying me on the bed and covering me up. I'm curled up on my side facing him and he kneels down brushing the hair out of my face.

  “Darlin’, please tell me what's wrong.” He says looking concerned and scared. I don't say anything I just close my eyes hoping he won't be here when I open them.

  “Lucas, just please leave.” I say in a small voice

  “I'm not going anywhere until you talk to me, Elena.” Well then, he will be here for a while because I'm not ready to talk. My teeth start to chatter again.

  “Shit!” Lucas says jumping up. He walks to the other side of the bed. If I wanted to see him I would have to roll over and I don't have the energy for that. I hear the rustling of clothes and feel the bed dip. He pulls my back to his chest and wraps his warm body around mine. The heat coming off his body feel so good.

  “What are you doing?” I ask trying to pull away, but he just holds me tighter.

  “Just sleep baby, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. We can talk in the morning.”

  Chapter 15

  Lucas

  “Dorian Graham, Elena Brighton's fiancé.” It just pisses me off to think she was never really mine. After leaving I just drove, unsure where I'm going but needing to clear my head. I end up dropping the donation boxes off we packed up and taking the trash to the dump. After cleaning out the back of my truck I head to Mac's bar. I need to have a drink or maybe a few.

  When I'm seated at the bar I order two shots. Mac gives me a strange look, I'm sure he is wondering why I'm here in the middle of the day throwing back whiskey. To my relief he doesn't ask, he just continues whipping out a glass. I toss back both shots and the burn is welcomed. I signal Mac for another and he just nods and fills my shot glasses. I can't figure out if I'm more angry at Elena or hurt by all of this.

  I can't believe she would make me the other man. What was I, one last fling before she ties herself to one man forever? I wish I would have gone with my brain and not my heart. My brain was telling me to stay away or I was going to get hurt. My heart on the other hand was telling me to take what I could get until she had to go home. I thought we could keep in touch, stay close, maybe I could go see her or she could come here every once in a while. Little did I know she never had any intent on staying in contact or coming back.

  I'm starting to feel really stupid right now and that just irritates me more. I want answers, but I don't think I can talk to her right now without blowing up. I down my next two shots that are sitting in front of me and signal Mac for two more.

  He shakes his head like he wants to tell me no but does it anyways. My mind goes back to Monday night with Elena in my bed. I can still feel her legs wrapped around me, my dick buried in her warmth. Damn, I'm getting hard just thinking about being inside her. I really need to stop. I was just a fuck before she got married.

  I'm still having a hard time thinking Elena could do something like that. She's not that kind of girl, at least she wasn't when I knew her. Like she said, she has changed. To my surprise not for the best. What will I tell Sarah? She's going to be pissed. Elena and her just started talking again, she will not be so forgiving for her lying to us all. The more I sit here thinking about all of it the more it hurts.

  I take one of the two shots in front of me and wonder where Elena's ring was. I never seen an engagement ring on her finger and a rich guy like, what's his face, would probably buy a huge rock. The guy has to be overcompensating for something.

  I never thought Elena would be the type to go for money, unless she really loves this guy. That thought makes my stomach clench. I down the last shot and bury my head in my hands. Six shots in and I'm starting to feel it, maybe day drinking wasn't such a good idea. I'm deep in thought about Elena when the door to the bar opens and closes, I don't even bother to look up. I feel someone sit down next to me and lift my head.

  “What do you want?” I ask my best friend, he just shakes his head and signals Mac for a beer. When his beer arrives, he takes a long drink and sits there silently. “How did you find me?” He just looks over at Mac and I know who told him I was here.

  “Mac called and said you were on your way to getting wasted and you might need a ride.”

  “Well I don't, I'm still drinking.” I wave at Mac for two more shots but Wyatt holds up a hand to stop him. Asshole.

  “What the hell man, I don't need a babysitter.”

&n
bsp; “No, you just need to get drunk before dark?” Yes, I do need to get drunk right now and I really don't need to get any shit from anyone about it. I'm not in the mood to talk right now, I just need to get lost. Maybe I should take off work for a few weeks. Get away from this town and all these people. She will be in town until Tuesday and I could use a vacation. That should give me time to get my shit together. I will head to Kootenai National Forest and do some camping maybe even some hiking. That should keep me busy until she and her “fiancé” leave, because all I want to do right now is beat his ass.

  Who the fuck does that little bastard think he is “let the hillbilly go” I'll show him hillbilly. God what does she see in that guy? I don't get it. While I try to talk myself out of finding Elena's fiancé and ringing his neck, Wyatt still sits there silently waiting for me to explain.

  “So, you're not going to tell me what has you drinking in the middle of the day?”

  There's nothing to say so I just shake my head.

  “Fine at least give me your truck keys and I will drive you home.” If that will keep him from asking questions then fine, I reach in my pocket pulling out my keys and slide them across the bar to him. Wyatt just nods his head and sits there drinking his beer in silence. I'm not sure how long we sit there not saying a word. He just stares at the wall behind the bar while I look down at my empty shot glass. His phone starts to ring and when he answers it I know immediately who it is.

  “Hello,” Wyatt answers looking over at me. “Yes, he is.” These two really talk way too much. “We are at Mac's and Lucas thought it would be fun to get drunk.” Damn him and his big mouth. “No, I have his keys.” I swear they think they are my parents. “Oh really?” He says to my sister on the other end of the phone. “No, he hasn't said a word about it, he's just sitting here sulking and drinking in silence.” Wow really, he's just going to talk about me like I'm not even here? “Whatever you say princess.”

  My head snaps up, I narrow my eyes at him and mouth “Princess?” He just shrugs his shoulders and hands me the phone. I take Wyatt's phone and take a breath before I answer it. One of two things are going to happen, one Sarah is going to tell me I told you so about getting to close to Elena, because that's the only reason I would be getting drunk in the middle of the week. Or two she's calling to yell at me for getting drunk in the middle of the day. Either way I'm not in the mood to listen to one of her lectures. I put the phone to my ear and cut off whatever she might have to say.

  “Sarah, I don't want to hear what you have to say right now. Wyatt is driving me home I will talk to you tomorrow.” Or so I thought, I cut her off.

  “Are you stupid? Lucas Wayne, did our mother and father teach you any manners. I swear sometimes I think all their efforts were lost on you and Logan. Now you're going to listen and listen good, do you understand?” I just sigh into the phone, it's the only response I have to Sarah's rant. I look over at Wyatt and he has a stupid smirk on his face because he knows exactly what is happening. I'm getting my ass chewed by my sister.

  “Thanks man” I whisper to him and cover the phone so Sarah can't hear me.

  He just laughs, “Better you than me.” And goes right back to his beer. Asshole is no help, I will remember that shit.

  Sarah is still ranting in my ear about my attitude and my manners, the way mom and dad raised me. I'm only catching bits and pieces as I signal Mac for two more shots. He looks at Wyatt for permission. What is he, my father? I glare at Wyatt and he nods his head at Mac, good call.

  I'm about to get pissed, I'm a grown ass man. I don't need my best friend and the local bartender telling me how much I can drink.

  I'm still barely listening to a word Sarah is saying until I hear Elena's name. “I can't believe you would leave Elena stranded like that, what kind of man does that? I don't know what has gotten into you lately, Lucas.” I cut her off there.

  “How did you know I left Elena at the ranch.”

  “She called me for a ride jerk. Who else was she supposed to call in this town? You know if you planned on ditching her you could have let her take her own car. I mean really.” That's why she's pissed at me, she thinks I just stranded Elena. Where was her fiancé?

  “I didn't leave Elena without a ride, her fiancé showed up at the ranch so I left.” Wyatt spits out the drink of beer he just took and looks at me, I don't say anything to him I just take another shot. Sarah's quite for a minute, I don't think I have ever shocked her to silence.

  “Fiancé?” She finally says.

  “Yes Sarah, some rich sweater vest wearing douche bag. He came to the ranch and said he was Elena's fiancé.”

  “Huh, did Elena say they were engaged?” What the hell does that mean? Of course, she didn't tell me I was her fuck buddy.

  “She didn't have to.”

  “Lucas, I haven't seen a ring on Elena's finger the whole time she's been back.”

  “Sarah, she probably took it off when she came to town.” Why would she wear a wedding ring when she planned to sow her wild oats before she tied herself down? I just happen to be the poor bastard to get caught in this mess. Why would she use me of all people? We have such a crazy past, there is so much heartache and loss. I really thought she loved me.

  “Lucas, I don't think that's what she did. There was no fiancé when I went to pick her up.”

  “You went to pick her up at the ranch?” Why would she call my sister when Oxford was there?

  “Yes, she was stuck there without a car so I took her back to the Inn.” What the hell? Did the prick leave her there by herself? No, you're the prick.

  “She's leaving tomorrow,” she whispers.

  “Maybe she's just going back home with her fiancé.”

  “You're not listening to me. There was no fiancé around when I went to pick her up. She looked really upset, but I couldn't get her to talk. The only thing she would say is she will be out of here tomorrow.” Well yeah, she had been caught, of course she is leaving town.

  “I don't know what you want from me Sarah, let her go.” That hurts to say, but it's for the best.

  “God, sometimes I don't know if you have any brains at all.” What the hell is that supposed to mean?

  “Elena said you thought she was someone she's not, someone she has never been. What did she mean by that?” I don't have a fucking clue and it's not my problem. She's not who I thought she was.

  “Sarah, I don't know. All I do know is she is leaving and I can go back to my life.” Sarah growls into the phone.

  “Let me talk to Wyatt.” I hand the phone back to my Wyatt and smile.

  “Thanks dick, piss her off and give the phone back to me.” Wyatt says and then answers.

  “Hello.” I can hear the muffled yells on the other end. Wyatt winces and pulls the phone from his ear and shakes his head. When Sarah's done he pulls the phone back to him.

  “Feel better?” I don't hear what she says so she must be done yelling. Wyatt has a stupid smile on his face the whole time he's talking to my sister. What is with those two?

  “I will do my best,” he says, and I know it has something to do with me. When he gets off the phone with my sister he downs the rest of his beer and turns to me.

  “You're going to sober up and go talk to her. It’s the only way you will know for sure what’s going on.”

  “Well just jump right into it. No build up, no asking my side of the story, just you're going to do this. You don't have to do everything my sister says.” I tell him

  “I do if I don't want my ass kicked.” He can't really be afraid of my sister. “Let's go to the diner and get some food, that should help.” Yeah, he's probably right. I should sober up, but I don't think there is anything to talk to Elena about. We head to the diner and order our food, we don't talk about Sarah or Elena again. For that, I am grateful.

  We bullshit and have our normal conversation. We talk about work and the football season. When I finally look at my phone it's ten o'clock. Damn, we have been here awhile. I have on
e missed call from Elena and three from Sarah. That must be why she called Wyatt while we were at Mac's. She knows he usually knows where I am. Lucky for her he was sitting right next to me. I go back to the one missed call from Elena and hover over the button to return her call. If she wanted to talk to me she would have at least left a voicemail. Something, anything explaining what had happened today. Don't I at least deserve that much.

  I decide to call her back but not in front of Wyatt. I excuse myself from the table and tell him I will be right back. When I get to the back of the diner I call her back, but it just rings until finally going to voicemail. I don't leave a message I just head back to the table. Wyatt stares at me with a sympathetic look in his eyes. I don't know what he could be sympathetic about, the guy has a parade of women after him.

  I almost tell Wyatt to take me to my house and I will pick my truck up tomorrow, but something feels off. I feel almost as if Elena needs me, I know that sounds crazy but something is telling me to go check on her. I don't know why or how but something is telling me to go to her. I stand and grab the check at the end of the table.

  “What are you doing?” Wyatt asked and stands with me.

  “I got this man, thanks for everything. I'm going to walk the rest of this off and check on Elena at the Inn.”

  “You sure?” He asks.

  “Yeah go ahead, I'll be fine. I can walk back and grab my truck.” I tell him

  “Okay, if you’re sure.” He says while I pay for our food.

  I head out of the diner and start walking to the Inn. I try to call her one more time but there's still no answer. I walk around a little more trying to think things through and to sober up a little more. When I finally think I’m, level headed enough to go in there, I walk up the steps to the Inn and reach for the door. It's locked. There's a buzzer to call the owner of the Inn so I push it. I really hope Mrs. Johnson doesn't kill me.

  She finally answers “Yes, how can I help you?”

  “Mrs. Johnson it's Lucas Wayne, I was coming by to check on Elena. My sister called me and said Elena was upset.” There's a pause on the other end, then she’s back.