by Tessa Elaine
I send Mr. Breck an email telling him how sorry I am for the change of mind, I'm just not sure he is right for the ranch. I'm a little heartbroken Lucas didn't call one time. I guess that's to be expected when I left him for a second time. I send Sarah a quick text telling her how sorry I am for leaving and I really want to stay in touch. She just sends a quick text telling me I can count on it. I hope she's not joking I really did miss her.
I'm half tempted to call Lucas up and see how he is doing, but I think I should leave well enough alone. Why pour gas on the fire? I will call in a month or two when he has cooled down. The rest of the day flies by as usual.
Monday comes early and work is the same, nothing has changed. I can't seem to concentrate though. All day I feel like something is missing. I just can't quite put my finger on it. I just go through the motions the rest of the week. Up early for work, work all day, home for dinner and off to bed. I thought for sure by Friday I would be good, but no such luck. Maybe I'm coming down with something. Perhaps the flu, a stomach bug? That has to be it.
“Come on hooker, you have been gone forever. We haven't hung out since you've been home. Go out with me.” She sure knows how to play the guilt card.
“For one, I was gone a week and for two, we hung out Saturday night.” She just rolls her eyes at me.
“Well it felt longer than a week. And Saturday does not count, you sulking and me trying to comfort you is not a night out.”
“I was not sulking.” Aubrey just gives me an ‘oh yea, what do you call it then?’ look. Okay, maybe I was sulking, but in my defense last week sucked. Okay, maybe not all of last week sucked.
Those few days with Lucas were amazing. I haven't felt that loved and that alive in years. Well not since I was last in Eureka with him. He’s like the purest oxygen, I can breathe when he's around, I feel safe like no matter what he will always be there for me. That was just a childish thought. We are not kids anymore and he doesn't trust me. Just thinking that has me wanting to crawl back in bed and cry, but I have done enough crying.
“Earth to Elena, are you there?” Aubrey sounds irritated, I must have zoned out.
“Sorry, lost in my own head.”
“I was saying, your birthday is next week and we have to celebrate. I know how much you hate that day, and with good reason, but we can celebrate tonight instead.” My gut instantly knots and I think I might be sick. My 25th birthday is next Friday and it is also the seven-year anniversary of my parent’s death. Every year on that day I lock myself in my room and cry until my head hurts and I pass out. This year will be no different. I shake my head and clear my thoughts.
“Can we just stay in, I'm not feeling so good.” Aubrey looks a little disappointed, but she shrugs it off.
“Whatever you want, chica.” I love this girl. She knows when to push me to make me live my life and she knows when not to push. These next few weeks are definitely not push weeks.
We decide on takeout and beer, Aubrey rents a couple movies and we stay in for the night. The first movie is scary and I spend most of it hiding behind my blanket. I'm not a big fan of scary movies. The second is a comedy, Aubrey always watches something funny after a scary movie. It's The Rock and Kevin Harts new movie, and it has us laughing so hard we’re crying.
After a twelve pack of beer and a good movie I am beat. I stand and kiss her on her cheek and tell her thank you. When I get back to my room I see my phone is flashing on my desk. When I open it to see who it is it's a voice mail from Mr. Breck. It's a nasty voice mail.
“Look here little girl, I have waited years for this property. I will not let some brat with mommy and daddy issues stand in my way. I have had it with this town and their backwoods thinking. None of these rednecks can see what bringing tourist into their shit hole of a town could do for them. Well I'm telling you, I will own that ranch and all the surrounding property. You and those damn Wayne's will not ruin my hard work. Do you understand Ms. Brighton? It won't happen.”
Wow, that dude is scary. I am so glad I decided not to do business with him. I feel like I should call Lucas or Sarah to give them a heads up, but it's too late tonight. I save the voice mail and decided to call them in the morning.
I wake up Saturday morning and pick up the phone to call and warn Lucas about Mr. Breck, but I can't bring myself to make the phone call. So, I call my Aunt Grace and ask for Eva and Barrett's phone number. When I call the number my aunt gave me, Eva answers.
“Hello” I miss her already.
“Mrs. Wayne, this is Elena. I was needing to speak with Mr. Wayne about Sebastian Breck. Is he around by chance?” There's a pause on the other end before she answers.
“Elena, what did I say? There is no need for that Mr. and Mrs. stuff, we are family sweet girl.”
“Yes ma'am” I say back, but it is hard to think of myself as family.
“Let me go get him. You doing okay dear?” Eva asks.
“Yes ma'am.” I lie, I am far from okay.
“Before I hand the phone over to Barrett, I need to give you a little advice.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly.
“Men are not the smartest creatures on this earth. They jump to conclusions and say stupid stuff, it's in their DNA. Let me just say the good ones are worth looking past all the dumb stuff they do. When you find that one, fight for what you want my dear girl. Don't let foolishness take away something that could be magical. We all make mistakes, but the easiest ones to forgive are made by those we truly love. Do you understand?”
My heart stops and I'm pretty sure she's talking about Lucas and I. She wants me to fight for us. She wants me to forgive him. I'm not sure if she knows the whole story, but I can guess Sarah told her most of it. I swallow the lump in my throat, everything she said hits home. And it would be so easy to forgive him.
“I understand Eva.” I finally say.
“Good, you know we love you and you always have a place in this family. Here is Barrett my dear.”
“I love you guys too.” I say choking up. I love Eva and Barrett so much and it hurts to be away from them. Dinner with them had been amazing, I truly felt like I had got something back I had been missing.
When Mr. Wayne gets on the phone I explain why I’m calling. I tell him about making my decision not to sell to Sebastian Breck. His advice helped make things clearer. I can't let my parents ranch be destroyed for a tourist destination. I don't think I could ever live it down.
“I'm sorry, I know you wanted to sell the ranch. I think you're making the right decision though.” Mr. Wayne says.
“I think I did too, thank you. It just didn't feel right.”
“I understand, that ranch meant the world to your mom and dad. I use to watch your eyes light up when Joseph would ask you to help with the horses.” My eyes start to water remembering all the time spent with my dad on that ranch. There's nothing I loved more. It would make my day when I would get home from school and he would ask me to help with the horses. I have to pull myself back from the thought before I crumble on the phone.
“I wanted to let you hear the voice mail Mr. Breck left on my phone last night.” After playing it for him he starts to laugh. I have no idea what is so funny, I start to get a little worried.
“You okay Mr. Wayne?” I ask, wondering what’s going on.
“I'm great dear, that crazy bastard is slipping. Is there any way you can send that to me? I will send it to some friends that are keeping an eye on old Sebastian for me.” Well that's not what I was expecting.
“Yes sir, I can do that right now. Should I be worried?”
“No, we would never let anything happen to you or your ranch. We will keep an eye on the place until you know what you want to do with it. We are family dear girl and family sticks together.”
I didn't know what to say so I just thanked him and sent the voicemail. I make sure he gets it and we say our goodbyes. He tells me he and Eva expects to see me more. I wish I could say that was something that was going to happen, but I d
on't know if coming back there is an option anytime soon. I do miss them already. I'm just not sure if that's where I belong anymore.
I thought going back to the ranch would make me feel pain and lose, it just felt empty. The sound of the horses, the laughter of my family, it's all gone. Could I keep the ranch? If I did could I carry on the Brighton name? My father breeds the best stock, and sold to great people. His customer base was loyal to him and the Brighton ranch. Could I get the same respect? I don't even know why I'm having these thoughts, I have no intention of going down that road.
I spend the rest of my day cleaning, doing laundry, and reading a good book. After Aubrey gets home we settle in to watch one of our favorite shows, “The Walking Dead”. I DVR every episode so we watch last week's episode before we watch the new one on Sunday. Yes, this is what we are doing with our Saturday night. Cute, single, in our mid 20's, and we sit at home eating takeout, drinking beer, watching Zombies. That's a great night.
Her phone beeps and she gets lost in her text, I'm sure it’s one of her many suitors. The poor guys have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. Aubrey loves to have fun and does not take men serious at all. Her trust issues run deep. I think I'm the only serious relationship she has ever had. I can't complain, especially on nights like this. She keeps my mind off of Eureka, until her nose is buried in that phone.
I guess some of us still have a life. Mine has consisted of being home, then work, then back home with the occasional park visit. I like to run when things get to be too much, no pun intended. Running just takes the stress away helping me wind down. I can clear my head and wear myself out so I sleep like a rock.
I get tired of watching Aubrey text her booty call of the week so I head to bed. It's still a little early, but what could I possibly miss. I get ready for bed and kick back to read more of this book. I bought it while I was in Eureka at my favorite book store. There's nothing like holding a book in your hand while you read. Everything has gone digital. Don't get me wrong I love my digital books, I have quit a few saved on my tablet and I can take them everywhere with me. It's a lot easier than traveling with a bunch of paperbacks and a lot lighter.
I start to get into the book when I hear a knock at the door. I don't even bother to see who it is, I'm sure Aubrey has company now. I'm really surprised when I hear her yell.
“Hey Elena, did you order a stripper gram?” What is she talking about? I slip my sandals on and make my way to the door. She starts to yell again.
“Elena, you need to get your ass out here. This stripper is all yours.” I don't want a stripper, has she lost her damn mind.
“I'm coming, I'm coming!” I yell back.
“That's what she said.” I hear her say, I smile and shake my head at her joke as I make my way down the hall.
I look up once I'm at the end of the hall with a perfect view of the door. I stop dead in my tracks at the sight of him. My feet are glued to the floor, my mind and my heart are racing. What is he doing here? How did he find me? I have a thousand questions, but my mouth and my brain are not working together. I'm dumbfounded and I am sure the expression on my face says it all. He just stands there looking at me, not saying a word.
“Well isn't this awkward.” I hear Aubrey say. “Lucas, it was nice to finally meet you, but I should be going.” She looks over at me and mouths “He's hot” while fanning her face. I give her a look that was supposed to say “don't you dare leave me”, but Aubrey ignores it. “Love you chica, don't wait up.” And she's out the door. Damn her, I will so get her back for this.
Lucas and I just stand there looking at each other not saying anything. I can't take it anymore, I wish he would just say something. I can feel the tension in the room and it's suffocating me. I know if I try to speak it will come out sounding crazy. I don't even know if I could string a coherent sentence together if I tried.
It has been more than a week since I’ve seen him. Ten days, fifteen hours, and twenty-three minutes, but who's counting? Wow, I really am crazy. He looks tired and rough, his beard is longer like he hasn't shaved in days, but he looks good standing in my apartment. He's in dark jeans, a white shirt, and of course his cowboy boots. His hands are in his pocket and his stiff arms are shoving his jeans down. I can see his perfect “V” and the hair that leads down into his jeans. I look up at his face and blush, he caught me staring. Damn, he smirks and takes a step towards me, I panic and clear my throat.
“Want a beer?” I ask needing something to do. If I let him get to close or touch me, my walls will crumble.
Chapter 17
Lucas
Friday rolls around and I'm ready for this week to be over with. This has been the longest week of my life, I haven't gotten shit done. The crew is closing up the last two jobs we took on before winter gets here. We are still a little ways out from the snow so I'm thinking we can take one more. I should probably talk it over with Wyatt.
I catch myself looking at the picture on my desk for the one hundredth time today. Every time I see that smile I miss her even more.
It has been ten days since she walked out on me again. This is twice now that she has left me, this last time she left me a letter and a picture. I keep the letter and the picture in my wallet, but today I took the picture out and set it on my desk. I couldn't go another day without looking at her. She said it used to make her smile when she looked at it and I could really use a smile today, but the only thing it has done is make me ache for her.
I miss her smile, her laugh, her sense of humor, I even miss her smell. My pillow no longer holds that intoxicating scent of vanilla and jasmine, it's a scent that's all Elena. She doesn't know this yet, but I'm not letting her go this time. I will give her some time to cool off, I know I fucked up. I should have given her a chance to explain. This makes me think of a quote by my mom's favorite poet Robert Frost “It takes one woman twenty years to make a man of her son, and another woman twenty minutes to turn him into a fool.”
I definitely made a fool out of myself, I can't imagine how she feels. I practically told her she can't be trusted and accused her of being a cheater. The Elena I used to know would never do something like that. She's still that same person.
Today feels like it's dragging on, I need to get out of here and work on a plan to get Elena back. It would help if I knew where she lived at in Seattle. I plan on heading there next Friday, I have a lot to do here before I go. I have no idea how long it will take me to convince her we belong together, but I won't give up. She may not want to even speak to me, I don't blame her though. The way I acted was uncalled for.
I finish up the rest of my work and then close up the office. I haven't been anywhere except to work, I didn't even go to dinner Wednesday at mom and dads. They didn't fight me when I called to cancel so I'm assuming Sarah's big mouth already told them the mess I made.
My sister hasn't said a word to me since Elena left and Wyatt hasn't talk to me unless it concerns work. We have had a few phone calls, but that's about it. What did I do to piss him off? It's like he's avoiding me. Fuck it. I really don't want to be around anyone right now, they don't need to see me moping around like a sad sack of shit.
I feel like such a chick, but I don't even care. I miss the shit out of her. When I get home, I change my clothes and go to work on my car. My ‘67 Chevy Impala is coming together real nice. I have buried myself under the hood every day this week. It's a good distraction. I'm trying everything I can to keep my mind clear.
Working on cars is second nature to me, it's something I love to do. I got the heads and the block back Tuesday and started putting the underside of the motor together first. I insert the main bearings making sure all the oil ports are in line as well as the front and rear main seals. I insert the crank and after getting the crank all buttoned up I insert the piston. Tapping the piston gently to guide the connecting rod down so I don't scratch the cylinder. After inserting all eight pistons I tighten the rod caps and I feel like I've done enough for the day. I can barely
keep my eyes open. This is a good time to pass out.
Washing up and heading to bed, I'm just going through the motions. I pull the photo she left me from my wallet and run my thumb over her face, wishing she was really here for me to caress and hold. Getting her back and losing her all in the same week has me slowly going out of my mind. I have to keep telling myself I can get her back, maybe not as a lover but at least as a friend. I will take what I can get. Having Elena as a friend is better than not having her at all.
I wake up to my phone ringing. I passed out clutching the photo she left me. I guess unconsciously I was keeping her close to my heart, or at least a part of her. Shaking my head to clear the sleep from my mind I reach for my phone, answering without looking.
“Lucas here.”
“Son, I need you to come to the house, there's something I need to talk to you about.” I hear my father say. He doesn't sound panicked or upset, just stern.
“Yes sir, is everything okay?” I hope this isn't about his health. I hold my breath waiting for his answer.
“Everything is fine son, I just got a phone call from Elena today...” I cut him off before he can finish.
“Is she okay? What did she say?” I'm panicking and throwing questions at him.
“She's fine boy and I will talk to you as soon as you get here.” I'm pulling clothes on as fast as I can. Him telling me she's okay does nothing for the panic I feel.
“I'm on my way.” I hang up before he responds and make it to their house in half the time. They only live on the other side of the creek, I can see their house from mine. I'm running up the front porch when Logan comes out. I run by him and hear him call out “where's the fire?” I don't have time to talk to him right now. I make a straight line for my dad's office and walk right in. I'm out of breath and wide eyed. He talked to her.
