Covered in Coal

by Silla Webb

  “You’re okay,” he states, and the worry slides from his face.

  “I’m fine, Luke. Just been really busy. MSHA investigators have been swarming the place since the accident.” I lie. There hasn’t been an MSHA investigator here since Monday, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  “Carly, I know that you were upset when you woke up in my arms. I’m sorry for that, but I’m not sorry for what we shared. I’ve always thought you were beautiful, and now that I know the real Carly, I want more of you. But, I have to be honest with myself. I know as long as Weston is in the picture, I don’t stand a chance.”

  And here he is, tearing at my heartstrings.

  “Luke, I’m so sorry. We shouldn’t have happened. I won’t deny that I feel a connection to you, just like I feel so protected and safe when I’m with you. But we can’t be more than friends.”

  “I know, that’s why I’m bein’ honest with myself. But, just because you won’t give me more, doesn’t mean I still don’t wanna be a part of your life. I want to protect you from all of the pain you don’t deserve. Even if I can only do that as a friend, I’m willing to deal with that, just to have you in my life.”

  “Luke, you’ll always be a part of my life. You’re my best friend.”

  “So you ain’t been ignorin’ me all week, sendin’ my calls to voicemail?”

  “I told you I was busy.” I laugh, trying to hide behind my lie.

  “I know, beauts. But remember, I see right through you.” He grins wide, peering his mesmerizing icy blue gaze through me.

  “Sorry,” I whisper, with a small smile.

  “It’s okay. Don’t make me come hunt your ass down again, okay. Talk to me, I’m always here.”

  “I know, I just didn’t know what to expect after I kicked your ass out.”

  “Won’t know ‘til you ask. I gotta get going. Can I get a hug?” I stand, meeting him at the side of the desk, where he wraps me up in a tight embrace. I inhale his deep woodsy scent, as if it’s the last time he’ll ever hold me close. “Listen to me honey, and hear me out. You deserve some happiness. Stop being so damn bull headed, and let Weston in. Talk to him, like you talk to me. It ain’t that hard. He loves you, Carly.” I raise my head from his chest, and look up at him with questioning eyes.

  “Luke, it ain’t that easy.”

  “It is. Just try.” He kisses my forehead, and says goodbye.

  He’s right. I need to stop pushing Colton away, but how do I open myself up to him, after I have betrayed him. We weren’t together when I slept with Luke, but my heart still belongs to him. So I still harbor a freight train full of guilt for sleeping with someone other than him. I shouldn’t have had another man in my bed. No. I should have been at the hospital, comforting and caring for my man. I don’t even know how to look at him now, after what I did.

  Just as my thoughts are taking over, there is a knock at the door that distracts my emotions.

  Colton

  Screwed over, that’s what I get for tryin’ to be a good guy. In the process, I get injured, nearly losin’ my arm, and I’m sure I’ve lost the love of my life. I never dreamed Carly Jo would react so hasty, but she did. Now all I’m left with is a mangled arm, and an empty heart.

  After bein’ laid up in the hospital for three agonizin’ days, the doctor finally released me to go home. I’d been home the day after my surgery, but my blood pressure was through the roof. The doctor told me they could control my blood pressure easier if I’d just take my pain medication, but there ain’t no damn way in hell I’m puttin’ that poison in my body.

  Givin’ up on the debate, he gives me aftercare instructions for my arm, a follow up appointment and the number to the physical therapist I’ll be seein’ soon. Momma assures him that she’ll see to it that my home care is up to his standards. Great, now I get my momma breathin’ down my damn neck while I’m not only sufferin’ physically, but emotionally too. Eh well, Heidi Jo will be tickled to get to spend all of Christmas break with her old man, and not cooped up at her mamaw’s house.

  When I get home, I see that everything is just as Carly Jo left it. Her car is still in the driveway, her ratty UK sweats are crumpled on the floor at the end of my bed, and her makeup is scattered all across the bathroom vanity. Damn woman ain’t even here and she’s crushin’ my heart more and more. I just leave it. I can’t bring myself to cleanin’ it up, because then, I’ll be acceptin’ that it’s over. And I can tell ya now, it’s far from over.

  I’ve called her cell phone time after time, but it goes straight to voicemail. I call the office, but Shelly tells me that she ain’t takin’ any calls. I’ll be damned. Well, I need to get my truck from the mines anyways, so I’ll just pay her a little visit.

  Grabbin’ her car keys and purse, I head out the door. I slide in the car and start the engine, the rowdy V-8 engine rumblin’ loudly. My girl always had the finest taste in cars and trucks. Thank God it’s a Chevrolet. This is gonna be one hell of a drive. Reachin’ across my body, I grip the gearshift with my left hand, and slide it from PARK to REVERSE, before backin’ up and pullin’ out of the driveway.

  When I get to the mines, Shelly tells me that Carly Jo has a visitor and that I’ll need to wait. So I tell her to just call me in my office when she’s done. I walk down the hallway, meetin’ Mack before I reach my office.

  “Damn son of a bitch, I knew they couldn’t keep your ass away from the frickin’ mines. How ya feelin’? He chuckles, slappin’ me across my shoulder.

  “I’m good. Just need to get my truck, and check in with Carly Jo.”

  “Son, you better be kissin’ ass, hard. She wants you pushed back underground and she wants you sent to one of the other mines. I’m tryin’ to talk her out of it, but she’s a stubborn girl, I tell ya. By the way, I need to give ya your leave paperwork. Come on to my office and let me get ‘em, I got ‘em ready for ya.”

  “Don’t need ‘em. I’ll be back after shut down. Don’t worry with Carly Jo. She’s just pissed at me, and I don’t blame her, but she’ll calm her sweet ass down soon enough.”

  “Alright son, if you’re sure you know what you’re doin’.” Mack chuckles, as he walks to his office.

  I walk back towards the lobby to ask Shelly if Carly Jo is still busy, and just as I reach her desk, the door to her office swings open and out walks that damn bastard, Luke Ashton. I immediately tense up as rage boils deep through my blood. Luke’s head is dropped, his chin in his chest as he approaches me. When he sees me, he nods, “Weston.”

  “Ashton.” I nod back, spittin’ his name between gritted teeth.

  “Listen, you got a second?”

  You gotta be frickin’ kiddin’ me. This dick’s been makin’ sly moves on my woman for God knows how long, and here he is, in her frickin’ office, and he wants me to give him the time of day? Stupid ass. I just peer at him through slit eyes.

  “Weston, I ain’t startin’ shit with ya. But you need to hear me out.

  Just give me a minute of your time, and I’ll leave it at that.” He pleads. I nod my head and turn back towards my office. I fall back into the leather chair, proppin’ my legs up on the desk. Luke stands with his hands shoved in his pockets by the door.

  “Listen man, I know what you think. Yeah, I think Carly is gorgeous and would love to have the chance to make her happy. But I’m not the man for her and I know it. I ain’t got no business tellin’ you what to do with her, but you gotta fight for her. Regardless of how hard she fights back, fight for her, Weston. She loves you, she’s just scared to let you in.”

  Takin’ a deep breath, I pull in the rage that’s teeterin’ on the edge of my already stripped nerves. “Ashton, I don’t know what pisses me off more. The fact that you think you know my woman, or the fact that you think you even stood a chance.”

  “I know Carly better than you wanna know, I can promise ya that.”

  “Ashton, I may have my damn arm pinned up, but I’ll still beat your ass talkin’ ‘bout my woman like that.
So you best keep your tongue in check.”

  “Man, I didn’t come in here to fight with ya, but I’ll promise ya this. You may have beat my ass in high school, more than I ever deserved, and I’d never fight with a disabled man. But if you hurt her, any more than you already have, havin’ damn pins in your arm will be the last of your frickin’ worries.”

  Luke spits, then stalks out of my office leavin’ me dazed. Little shit actually had the balls to stand up to me. I think about what he said, and wonder just how close is he and Carly Jo? She told me they had lunch from time to time, but Carly Jo doesn’t even open up to me, so why the hell would she open up to him. He don’t know her like I do. Ain’t no damn body does.

  I stow my buildin’ anger, and go to talk to Carly Jo. I knock on her office door, only enterin’ after she invites me in. When our eyes meet, her eyes grow wide, then soften, fillin’ with defeat.

  “What are you doing here, Colton?” She whispers, turnin’ her face back to the computer.

  “Brought your car to ya, need to get my truck.”

  “Thanks. You can take as much time off as you need.”

  “Don’t worry ‘bout me, I’ll be back after shut down’s over.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Talked to Luke.” I smirk.

  Her eyes flicker up, meetin’ mine as her face pales. “Colton, you and I aren’t together. It’s none of your damn business what happens with Luke and me.”

  “Ya know, baby, it’s funny you say that, ‘cause Luke told me that he knows he ain’t the man for you, and that I should fight for you, regardless of how hard you keep pushin’ me away. So don’t be tryin’ to make me jealous of Luke. I know there’s nothin’ there.” I chuckle. “Now, are you still plannin’ on spendin’ Christmas with Heidi Jo and me?”

  “I’ll come by on Christmas Eve and see Heidi Jo for a little while before heading to Savannah’s. Is that okay?”

  “Whatever you wanna do, sweetheart. I ain’t pushin’ no more, Carly Jo. I’ve spent these last four months tryin’ to make you see how much I love you, and that you can trust me. I know I screwed up with

  Eric, but that ain’t got a damn thing to do with us. But push me away. I ain’t goin’ anywhere. I’ll still be here, whether it takes you a week, month or a damn year. Just like I’ve waited the last seven damn years, I’ll still be waitin’ for ya.” I press my body up from the chair, lay her keys on the desk and turn to leave. I can’t look at her, or I’ll lose my strength.

  “Colton, I’m sorry.” I hear her whisper, but I don’t even acknowledge her apology with a look, I simply walk away.

  Chapter 36

  Carly

  Over the last five weeks, I’ve tried picking up the pieces of my shattered heart, but I don’t even know where to begin.

  I spent Christmas Eve with Colton and Heidi Jo, but the tension between us was undeniable. Every time he tried to offer me even the simplest touch, I pulled away. I could see the hurt in his eyes. We’ve pulled each other through the trenches of hell, and yet, here we are like two love struck fools, refusing to let go.

  After Heidi Jo opened her presents that I had put under their tree, I got ready to leave. As I was walking out the door, Colton stopped me, and slid a small wrapped present in my hand. He asked me not to open it until Christmas night. I promised him I wouldn’t, then left.

  From Colton’s, I went to Savannah’s to spend the rest of Christmas with her and the kids. Braden, Brailee, Savannah and I all baked cookies for Santa, before reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

  We tucked them into bed, then hurried down the stairs. First, we had to move that silly little elf. Savannah placed him by the fireplace with a skewer topped off with a marshmallow in his hand. She is so over the top! After laughing at her antics, she explained the story line behind this little guy, Dexter, they call him. It’s a cute, fun-filled way to keep the spirit of Santa, alive.

  Next, we started assembling the Barbie Dream House and Tool Shop Santa would be leaving under the tree for the twins. Josh came straggling in after midnight, drunk off of his ass. I could smell the stench of alcohol as soon as he walked through the front door. Damn dick.

  He stumbled into the living room, cussing about the wrapping paper that was scattered all about the living room floor. Then, grabbing a beer from the fridge, he stalked off to his man cave, slamming the door behind him.

  I asked Savannah if things were okay between the two of them, but she plastered her perfect little smile on her gorgeous face and acted as if everything was okay. I could tell that she was hurting, but she refused to let him ruin such a wonderful holiday for her kids. There wasn’t much I could offer her.

  We both hurt the same way, and rather than dealing with our issues, we always bottle them up tightly, until the bottle is full and the cap burst off. I just wonder how long before her cap will burst, setting her emotions free? If she’s anything like me, it could be any day now.

  After I got home from Savannah’s on Christmas, I piled up on the couch with some hot chocolate and a stack of old movies. Half way through The Christmas Story, I remembered the gift Colton gave me when I left. I pulled it from my purse, and contemplated opening it. Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted it? I removed the card, then peeled the paper back, revealing a hot pink jewelry box. I lifted the lid, revealing a gorgeous white gold infinity loop necklace, lined with small glistening diamonds. I rubbed my fingers across the cold metal, admiring its beauty, before putting the necklace on. I opened the card and lost my breath at the message inside.

  ~Carly Jo,

  When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, no one can ever tear them apart.

  You are my infinity, my always, my forever.

  Merry Christmas,

  Colton

  It was the most heart-felt present I have ever received, I just wish he would have asked me to open it when I was with him.

  The rest of the holiday was pretty quiet. The mines was shut down from running any coal for the week, so I laid on the couch, watching old movies, sulking in my own agony. I wanted to go to Colton, and thank him for the necklace, but the shame I carry for betraying him, rips at me. I don’t deserve him, but I just don’t know how to let him go.

  Since the mines opened back up, I haven’t had a moment to think. MSHA has visited all five of the mines, slamming us hard with violations. Everything from torn curtains, to exposed wiring, everyday shit that should be handled, but obviously ain’t been.

  Then, the big D9 bull dozer at the Black Ridge mines was sabotaged. The equipment was operating just fine, and then when the night shift crew came on duty, it wouldn’t start. After the mechanic broke the bull dozer down, he found that sugar had been poured into the gas tank. So, there went nine hundred thousand dollars into new equipment. I nearly stopped breathing as I signed my name to that damn check.

  In the mix of dealing with this bullshit, I’m coming down with a stomach virus. It’s been floating around lately, I remember Heidi Jo having it a couple times before Christmas. I haven’t been running a fever, just really nauseous, dizzy, and weak. I’d take a few days off to rest, but there is no rest for a CEO. Not when my work is the only distraction that is shielding my broken heart.

  I’ve just sat back down at my desk, from spewing the contents of my breakfast into the toilet when Shelly knocks on the door, then enters.

  “Ms. Simon, I’m sorry to bother you, but Mr. Varney is here to see you again.”

  I nod to Shelly with a polite smile as she steps aside, making room for Drew to enter, before she closes the door behind her.

  “Mr. Varney, to what do I owe the displeasure of your visit this afternoon? You obviously didn’t hear me loud enough on your last visit when I told you to make an appointment the next time you wished to see me.” I smile, poker face in place, refusing to give away the nervous flutters he sends coursing through me. Maybe it’s just the nausea.

  Drew takes a seat across from me, crossi
ng his long leg over his knee. Damn even the way he sits, he looks like Daddy. “Ms. Simon, I told you once, it’s Drew. I’m here about the offer I made you a few weeks back, about buying your contract with Dalton Trucking. Have you taken that into consideration?” He smirks. Jackass.

  “I haven’t and I don’t plan to. Have you considered my offer to buy your partnership in Dalton Trucking?”

  Drew tosses his head back and laughs, grabbing his stomach for show. “You know it seems that a woman who is drowning in her own company would just give up, and walk away. After the accident with your Superintendent, and then your equipment being destroyed at Black Ridge, how is it your still willing to work in the coal business? Must be that tough Simon skin, I guess.” He chuckles.

  “How do you know about the equipment at Black Ridge?”

  “Keep my ear to the ground. Now, how about it. Sell your contract with Dalton Trucking.”

  “Not gonna happen. Now, please, I’m busy, and don’t have time for your bullshit. See yourself out, and don’t let the door hit you in the ass.” I sneer at him, turning my attention back to my work.

  “You’re really such a stubborn woman.”

  “Much like you’re a greedy bastard, ready to sink your filthy claws into any struggling company you can, just for personal gain?”

  He leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, a sly, sinister smile covering his face. “Is that really any way to speak to your dear brother?”

  I bite down on the inside of my lip, and take a deep breath. Did he really just ask that? How the hell does he know? “Brother? YOU, Mr. Varney, are anything but. And I’ll speak to ruthless bastards any damn way I please.”

  “Cut the shit, you stupid bitch. I’ve been screwed up, over and every which way but sideways for damn too long by you frickin’ Simons. I’m here, and I’m staking my claim on the Simon Energy empire.”

  “And what claim do you think you have, exactly, Mr. Varney?”