"Whatever happened to your other friend? The one who was at the bar with you the night we met?"
"Brittni? She's at a teaching conference in Seattle until Monday."
"Really? I wouldn't have pegged her for a teacher."
"I said the same thing when I first found out, but supposedly, she's like the kid whisperer or something. Personally, I think she scares them into listening," I joked. "She's definitely different. I think she was burned by some guy a few years back. Ironically, it was when she was in school in Seattle. Tressa did tell me she wound up transferring here at the end of her sophomore year. She's a bit intense, but still awesome," I said, suddenly feeling awkward at the way he was studying me. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No, nothing like that. I just like how your face lights up when you talk about your friends. You obviously like them a lot," he answered as our waitress returned to the table with our dinner.
"I do. They both welcomed me with open arms," I said, digging into my dinner while he continued to study me. "Aren't you hungry?" I asked.
"I have something I need to tell you first," he said, looking more serious than I had ever seen him.
"Okay? Should I be worried?"
"First, I need to tell you what this week has meant to me," he said just as my phone rang.
Talk about saved by the bell. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear what he had to say. I answered my phone without taking my eyes from Nathan's. I had to swallow a sudden lump in my throat before I could speak.
"Hello," I finally managed.
"I need you to come now," Tressa whispered in the receiver.
"What?" I asked, not sure I heard her right.
"You have to come now. The date is a complete disaster. I need you to come smooth it over," she pleaded.
"Seriously? What have you done to my confident friend who's not afraid of anything?" I asked her as Nathan's lips quirked at my question.
"She's gone," she hissed into the receiver. "Hurry, please," she demanded before abruptly hanging up on me.
"What was that about?" Nathan asked.
"Tressa. She's totally freaking out. She wants us to come now. Do you mind?" I asked, trying to ignore where our conversation had been going before my phone had interrupted it.
"Nah. I still owe her for the other night," he said, signaling our waitress for the check.
The waitress brought us to-go boxes with the check, not commenting on the sudden departure. Whatever Nathan had been about to say was forgotten as we headed to the small club where we were supposed to meet Tressa and her date. I certainly wasn't going to bring it up. I just wanted to put it out of my mind as we made our way through the smoky room looking for Tressa.
"Ashton, over here," a voice called out to our left as we were halfway to the bar.
"I'm so glad you made it," she said, giving me an exuberant hug that seemed a little too forced.
"You okay?" I whispered in her ear.
"No. I'm a complete wreck. I'm sure he thinks I'm a total assface," she whispered before releasing me. "Ashton, I'd like you to meet Travis. Travis goes to school with me. Travis, this is my friend, Ashton and her friend, Nathan," Tressa said in a rush, trying to get all the introductions out in one breath.
"Nice to meet you, man," Nathan said, reaching past me to shake Travis's hand.
"Same here," Travis answered, pumping Nathan's hand before releasing it and reaching for mine. "Ashton, I've heard all about you," Travis said, sliding back in the booth next to Tressa after running his eyes down my frame before settling on my breasts. I rolled my eyes.
"Really?" I asked, sliding in across from Tressa.
"Yeah, I was telling him about your bucket list," Tressa said, biting back a yelp when I kicked her under the table. She clammed up immediately. Travis, unfortunately, who was oblivious to my silent insistence, took up where she'd left off.
"It's seems pretty fucked up to me," he said, taking a drink. I resisted the urge to kick him also. "I expected you to be all decked out in black, all morbid-like. Don't get me wrong, some Goth chicks are hot," he added.
"Your list is a bucket list?" Nathan asked, looking confused.
"It's for a paper I plan on writing," I lied, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me.
"Yeah, some kind of thesis thing," Tressa interjected, trying to be helpful, knowing she'd put her foot in her mouth. "So, what movie did you guys see?" she asked as Nathan continued to study me.
Keeping my eyes averted from his, I went into a lengthy discussion about the movie, hoping to keep the conversation from returning to my list. I doubted he would figure out the true nature of the significance of the list, but a nagging voice in my head kept taunting me, reminding me he was a reporter. If he tried hard enough, he'd be able to connect all the dots. I would have to tell him the truth before he figured it out.
"Shit, I guess we don't need to go see it," Travis quipped after I finished describing the movie.
"Oops, sorry. I guess I went a little overboard," I apologized, even though I really wasn't sorry. As long as the conversation was far from my list, I was happy.
"It's all good. We probably wouldn't have seen it anyway. It sounds boring. More of an older people flick. No offense," he said, turning toward Nathan.
"None taken," Nathan said dryly, signaling the waitress for a drink as I stifled a laugh.
"So, Travis, what's your major?" I asked, changing the subject.
"I'm a psych major. My dad's been a shrink forever, and that's where the bucks are. The money almost makes up for having to hear people whine all day long," he answered, downing the rest of his beer. "Hey babe, can I get another brewski?" he interrupted the waitress as she was taking Nathan's drink order.
"No problem," she said, shooting him a "you're a total douchebag" look. I couldn't have agreed with her more. I couldn't believe that Tressa had somehow managed to find a bigger asshole than Jackson.
As the evening dragged on, it became clear my instincts about Travis were dead on. He was the typical loudmouth, thinking everything he said was either witty or insightful words of wisdom. He was way off target on both. He was like the thing that wouldn't shut up. By the time we were on our third drink, I had decided that a Brazilian bikini wax while I had electric shock treatments to the eyes would have been less painful.
"I need to go to the bathroom," I told Nathan, shooting Tressa a meaningful look.
"Oh, me too," she said, catching my hint.
Travis said something derogatory under his breath as he slid out of the booth so Tressa could get out.
We weaved our way through the crowd, around a bunch a frat boys who were already past the toasted stage. Several of them called after us, but we ignored them as we made our way to the bathroom.
"What the hell?" I whirled around on Tressa who looked a faint shade of green. "I thought when you called we were rushing over to make sure your date was running smoothly. What a complete dick."
"I know," she wailed. "Seriously, he's never been an asshole like this in class. I swear, I must have a welcome mat for jerk offs tattooed on my forehead. I only seem to attract these kinds of guys. Maybe this is the best I'll ever do," she said, sounding close to tears.
"Are you kidding? You can do way better. Okay, I'm not going to lie. You seem to have a way of finding guys who don't match your personality, but we just need to change that. First things first: Your date with Captain Jackass out there is over."
She looked at me incredulously.
"What?" I asked, wondering if I'd stepped over the invisible friendship line and pissed her off.
"Nothing. I've just never seen you like this. Usually you seem so even-tempered. You're almost a badass."
"When it comes to my friends, you should know, I can be a complete bitch. It was all I could do to bite my tongue when you were with Jackson, but I knew there was a history there. You don't owe this monkey-ball-licker out there anything. I—"
My next words were cut off as she threw her arms aro
und my neck. "I seriously love you. I'm so glad you moved here," she said, giving me a smacking kiss on the cheek.
"I love you too, but I don't swing from that tree," I teased, linking my elbow through hers. "Let's go get you out of this date from hell."
Neither of the guys were talking by the time we reached the table. I had the distinct impression that wasn't the case the whole time we were gone. Judging by the scowl on Travis's face and the smirk of satisfaction on Nathan, something had gone down in our absence.
"We have to go," I said to Nathan, keeping my arm linked through Tressa's. "Tressa's not feeling good," I lied. Nathan jumped up without hesitation, obviously eager to leave.
"What the fuck? Your friends show up and you're suddenly ready to bail," Travis said, reaching out to snag her wrist. "I'm not ready for the night to be over."
"I am. This was a joke," she said with some of the fire I was used to seeing as she jerked her wrist from his hand.
Tressa and I grabbed our purses and turned to leave with Nathan trailing behind us.
"I'm proud of you," I said, giving her a one-armed hug as we headed across the dance floor toward the exit.
"Yeah, but now I have to face him twice a week in class. That ought to be fun," she said sarcastically.
"He'll probably ignore you," I said as someone stepped in front of us, abruptly cutting us off. I was startled to see that it was Travis.
"Babe, don't leave. We were just starting to have fun before your friends showed up," he cajoled, shooting a disdainful look my way. "Stay for a while," he pleaded, grabbing her hand again.
"Look, Travis, you're a nice enough guy, but I just don't see things working for us," Tressa said, tugging on her hand.
"Why, because your morbid bitch friend shows up and convinces you to leave," he snarled, tightening his hold on her wrist.
His comment seemed to start a ripple effect. Tressa may allow guys to treat her like a doormat, but she was obviously over it. She thrust her knee up into the poor bastard's groin, just as a fist streaked out from behind us, connecting with his jaw. Travis dropped at our feet in a matter of seconds after the confrontation had started.
The funny thing is no one around us seemed to miss a beat as they continued to dance around Travis lying on the ground. We didn't stick around for questions as Nathan propelled Tressa and me out of the club.
"Dude, your fist came out of nowhere," Tressa crowed as we stepped out into the brisk night.
Nathan merely nodded his head, not saying anything. It was hard for me to get a read on whether he was mad at Travis for his comment or at himself for hitting him.
"You both were pretty awesome coming to my defense like that," I said, trying to smooth things over.
"As if I'd let some dick talk smack about one of my besties," Tressa said, glancing at Nathan who was walking several paces ahead of us. She sent me a questioning look, but I shrugged my shoulders. This brooding side of him was something new to me.
"You just have to remember that attitude if he tries to give you any shit at school," I said, acting like everything was fine.
"I will. Something in there made me snap. I'm not going to be a doormat anymore. I want a relationship where the guy is willing to punch some dude in the face to defend my honor," she said, making it clear that Nathan could do no wrong in her eyes now.
It was on the edge of my tongue to tell her Nathan and I weren't in a relationship, that what we had was nothing but sexual. I could have set her straight, but even I was unsure what we suddenly were now. We'd been inseparable for the last five days, sharing stories, discovering each other's bodies and most of all, forming a bond I don't think either of us was expecting. I wanted him to forget his past history with love, but also, I didn't want to be sick, so we could have a chance at a real relationship.
"I think we should follow you to Woodfalls," Nathan told Tressa, opening her car door for her. "I don't think Travis will be going anywhere soon, but I'd rather you were out of Dodge if he tries to retaliate."
"I don't think he will, but it makes me feel better knowing you guys will be following me," she said as he closed the car door and led me across the lot to where we had parked.
"That was sweet of you," I said, climbing into the vehicle.
"I'm just trying to clear my conscience since I'm the one who punched him," he said regretfully.
I waited until he started the vehicle and was merging onto the highway before I acknowledged his comment. At first, I debated not bringing it up since he was tightly clutching the steering wheel. "So, I'm glad you were there to help us with that asshole," I finally said. "I'm sure he still doesn't know what hit him," I added, remembering the dazed expression on Travis's face.
"I shouldn't have hit him. He's nothing but a punk-ass kid. I'm past this kind of shit," he muttered more to himself than to me. "And yet, I wish I would have hauled his ass outside and kicked it," Nathan answered, closing the gap between Tressa's car and us.
"I'm sure Tressa appreciates your chivalry."
"I didn't punch that sniveling shit for Tressa," he said, finally looking over at me.
"You didn't?" I asked as he reached over and grasped my hand.
"No, sweets. I punched him because of what he said to you. To tell you the truth, I wanted to knock his fucking teeth down his throat. I had to remind myself he's nothing but a stupid kid," he said with the same edge in his voice. It was hard for me to gauge if he was still mad at Travis or if something else was bothering him.
"He's not much younger than me," I reminded him.
"Believe me, I realize that, but the maturity level isn't even close. Sometimes you act like you're older than even Fran, like you've got one foot in the grave. Of course, I think Fran is more honest," he said with bitterness, not looking at me. At that moment, I knew he had figured out my secret.
I turned away from him, glancing out the window, willing myself not to cry. This wasn't a breakup. In order to be a breakup we had to be something that we weren't. This was nothing but a parting of ways.
We drove in silence for several more miles before he asked the question I'd been dreading the most. "Your list is a bucket list?"
"Yeah," I answered, still looking at the window so I wouldn't have to see what he was thinking.
"You're sick?" he asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Cancer? Like your mom?"
"Yes. When I was seventeen I had ovarian cancer. They went in and removed both ovaries in the first surgery. Then, a few months later, they went in and removed my uterus. I was in remission up until four months ago," I answered in a dead voice.
"Are you dying?" he asked, sounding strained.
"Most likely," I said as a hot tear streaked down my face.
"What are your doctors saying?"
"They don't know. I left without telling anyone. Cancer ripped my mom away from my father, and then seven years later it threatened to take me too. We fought it. I lost my hair and nearly my life from the poisonous toxins they were pumping into my body to fight it. It took a toll on my father. I couldn't do it to him again, so I left," I said as he turned the vehicle down the narrow dirt road leading to my house.
I jumped out of the vehicle as soon as he put it in park. I couldn't stand the oppressiveness a second longer. I couldn't and wouldn't have this conversation closed up in a space I couldn't get out of.
I was halfway to my front door when he snagged my hand. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, putting his hands on my shoulders to hold me in place.
"I didn't want your pity," I whispered, looking up into his face for the first time.
"Pity? Sweetheart, I don't pity you. I'm too scared to feel anything. You have to go to a doctor. What if you're wrong and it's not back?"
"It's back. I feel it."
"Even more reason for you to go to a doctor," he pleaded. "Why would you run away?"
"Because, I knew I couldn't fight it again. It swooped in and snatched my mom right before my eyes and tried to do the sa
me to me. It won't rest until it takes what it wanted all along. Why fight something I was never going to win?"
"You act like it's a living, breathing thing that's out to get you. It's a disease that can be fought," he said, shaking my shoulders slightly for emphasis. "You have to fight it."
"Why?" I asked, waiting for the words that only he could utter that would make me at least try.
"Because I—"
Whatever he had been about to say was cut off as we both took in the black sedan that pulled into my driveway and came to a stop. My heart jumped to my throat as I saw the slightly rumpled, disheveled-looking gentleman step from the vehicle.
Nathan muttered something beside me, but I was focused on the familiar person in front of me.
"Hello, baby," the man greeted me.
"Hi, Daddy," I said as he turned to Nathan. "Perhaps you'd like to tell me what you're doing by seducing the person I hired you to find," he said with contempt in his voice.
Chapter 24: The Truth is Out
Nathan
"You were hired to find me?" Ashton asked.
"Yes. I'm a private investigator," I answered, ignoring her father. "I was hired a month ago to locate you and report your whereabouts."
"He took his sweet time to contact me though, since according to the motel attendant, he's been in town more than a week," her dad blustered.
She held up her hand to silence her father. Her father, the client. That was a fact I didn't know until tonight. When I took a job, I didn't ask and didn't care who the client was or why he or she wanted someone found. I completed the task because that's all it ever was. The details didn't matter. I'd figured it out earlier while we sat across from the mouthy pissant at the bar, but I wasn't completely sure until Ashton finally told me her whole secret. Everything suddenly made sense. Of course it had to be her father who hired me. It was never a jilted ex-lover like I had assumed.
"You were hired to find me?" she repeated. "And yet, you waited to tell my father. Why?"
I knew the moment she figured it out when her eyes clouded over with hurt and her shoulders slumped in defeat.
No Attachments Page 16
