The Broken Road

by Melissa Huie

  “Good morning,” I said cautiously.

  “Good morning,” Alex said, giving me a sheepish grin. “Um. I hope you don’t mind, but I figured I’d, you know, make breakfast since you made such a great dinner last night and all.”

  I let Penny outside and laughed. “Can I help you with anything?” I said as I wiped up some of the nutmeg from the counter.

  Alex hurriedly took away the sponge and led me to the kitchen table. “Nope. Here’s your coffee. I wasn’t sure how you took it, but I got out the creamer. Just relax. I got this.” He quickly leaned over and brushed my lips with his. I glanced around him and realized that he was making French toast. I loved French toast.

  I ignored the mess and sat down at the table. “So, do you normally cook like this?” I teased.

  He chuckled. “I’m normally a quick bagel or breakfast burrito type of guy. My mornings are hectic, so I don’t get a chance to go all out like this. But when the weekends come around, it’s my time to shine.”

  I thought he told me that he lived alone. I tried to remember if he’d had a roommate or family living with him back in North Carolina, but I couldn’t. “I bet your housemates appreciate that.”

  He paused for the slightest beat and chuckled again. “I didn’t have any housemates back home. I lived with my parents, helped them out for a while. I tried the roommate thing but that didn’t work out. I always ended up being the one to clean up.”

  Okay, that makes sense, I thought. I got the plates out of the cabinet and set the table. Alex brought a large stack of golden slices of French toast, the carton of orange juice, and the syrup.

  “This looks great. I’m normally a small breakfast kind of girl myself. You can’t make a lot of food like this when you live alone,” I said as I handed him the syrup. With his mouth full, he nodded. The food tasted amazing.

  The familiar drone of the snowplow cut through our conversation as we finished breakfast. It was the unspoken cue that it was time for him to go home. After all, going slow meant giving each other space, not being in each other’s faces right off the bat.

  Alex got up to change into his warmer clothes. I pulled on my winter gear and we shoveled our way from the carport to the street along with the front walkway and the sidewalk. Without a word, he continued shoveling to my next-door neighbor’s front door, clearing the steps as well. When I gave him a quizzical look, he just chuckled.

  “There was an old guy sitting on the front porch smoking his pipe when I drove up last night. He reminded me of my Dad.”

  Seriously? The guy was a saint to animals, was a decent cook, had a hot body, and was thoughtful toward the elderly. Is he for real? His compassion and sincerity amazed me. Maybe I’ve found a good one after all, I thought.

  After a quick trip inside to grab his bag, it was time for him to leave. “Thanks for letting me crash here and for a wonderful dinner. I’m really glad you asked me over. It feels good to talk to you,” Alex said as we walked to his car.

  “Yeah, same here.”

  Alex leaned in and gave me a slow, lingering, syrupy kiss. I reluctantly pulled myself away. I didn’t want to show him too much too soon.

  “Drive safely,” I murmured against his lips.

  “Of course. I’ll give you a call later,” he said softly. With a grin, he got into his Porsche and drove away.

  I walked into the mudroom, locked the door behind me, and did the happy dance. Alex was a great guy. Not what I had expected and far better than had I dreamed.

  * * *

  Penny and I lay around the house for most of the day cleaning and doing laundry, only venturing outside for a quick walk around the block. We ate Mom’s leftovers for dinner and, by the time I switched on a rerun of “Glee,” I still hadn’t heard from Alex. It’s not like I was a clingy person—I was very much about space and personal freedom—but I was a worrier. It was in my genes. The temperature had dropped and who knew where he had gone after he left here. For all I knew he was dead in a ditch somewhere. I figured a quick text wouldn’t hurt and it would relive my anxiety. He said that he would call me later that night so I was just making the first move.

  “Hope you got home safely.”

  There. Short and simple. I’m such a dork, I thought. I heard tires crunching on the packed snow. Out of the window, I saw a green SUV creep down the street and my nerves went on high alert. My stomach dropped. There was something strange about this SUV. Especially since it seemed to slow down even more once it got to my house. It was the same Expedition I had seen three days ago. If it had been any other car, I would have attributed the slowness to the driver being careful on the icy roads and wouldn’t think anything more about it. I quickly locked both mudroom doors, set the motion detector and the alarm, and hustled Penny into my room. I couldn’t stand being so afraid, so paranoid. There was probably a very logical reason behind that Expedition’s slow crawl. It was probably someone new to the area or a visitor. Nothing to freak out about. A quick thought passed through my mind about sending a text to Shane but I nixed that idea. He was up in Trenton, and it wasn’t like he could get home in twenty minutes like usual. No, I can do this. I’m not some wimpy girl who is going to be scared of her freaking shadow. I patted the mattress for Penny to join me. I waited for sleep to take hold and after looking out of the window at nothing for the umpteenth time, it finally did.

  Chapter 8

  I WOKE UP TO A TEXT from Alex telling me that he had gotten home fine but his phone had died. He also said that he had a great time and that we should do it again. I was relieved to hear from him; the endless possibilities of things we could do together were running through my mind. I pushed my dirty thoughts aside so I could focus on getting ready for work. I let Penny outside while the coffee brewed and pulled on my snow boots. The boots looked ridiculous with my brown suede skirt, but I didn’t care. Heels and ice were never a good combination and I was klutzy enough that I didn’t need another reason to fall.

  The next few days went by in a blur and before I knew it, it was Thursday. The federal case that Uncle Bob was reluctant to take on actually came to fruition. A major player in a drug cartel had been arrested and the Assistant U.S. Attorney requested my uncle’s firm to help. This case became the firm’s highest priority, and most of the partners and paralegals were assigned to it. Everyone picked up the slack, including me. It entailed late nights and working meals. Because of the late nights, I didn’t get to see Alex. We texted and emailed, but that was the extent of our communication. I hoped I could see him at some point during the weekend. Friday was going to be Valentine’s Day and I wondered if he would be my “valentine.” I could do without the lingerie, dying flowers and boxed candy. However, being a sentimental romantic dingdong, I couldn’t help but get wrapped up in the romance of the holiday.

  I also couldn’t wait to hear Sarah squeal in my ear after Kyle’s proposal on Friday. I was happy for both of them, but couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous. Alex had potential, but there was that small pang of bitterness that always creeped up when I was smacked with the realization that I was the last in our group to have a relationship. It was pathetic really.

  Friday came and no word from Alex. I wasn’t surprised, just slightly disappointed. I kept telling myself that I was exhausted anyway and really should just go home and sleep. Most of the preliminary legwork on the case had been completed and Uncle Bob let everyone out at a normal hour. Of course, I believed that our being able to go home on time also had something to do with Aunt Karen coming into the office and giving Uncle Bob the look. The “we had plans, don’t you DARE change them again or you will not make it out of here alive” look. I didn’t argue and hightailed it out of the office. The week had been draining and it felt so good to leave work before eight o’clock. I headed to my mom’s house, looking forward to a home-cooked meal after a week of nothing but pizza, deli sandwiches, and Chinese food. I would be happy if I never had to see another cardboard container again.

  * * *

>   Mom didn’t fail me and had meatloaf waiting. She’d been watching Penny, who greeted me at the door with a new woobie clenched in her jaw. “Hi Penny! Grandma is already spoiling you, huh?” I said to my wiggly fur-child.

  “I’m not spoiling her. She didn’t have any toys here. I couldn’t let her be bored could I?” Mom asked, as she kissed my cheek.

  I headed into the small kitchen where Mom was making a pot of mashed potatoes. “Apparently, your brother is up in Boston. Do you know anything about that?”

  I gave Mom the wide-eyed innocent look. “He told you that he was going up there. It’s Valentine’s weekend, after all.” I grabbed the plates from the cabinet and busied myself with setting the table.

  “You forget, Megan; I know you. I know when you’re hiding something,” she retorted as she put the pot on the table. She hated being kept out of the loop and I hated keeping secrets from her, but I knew that Kyle wanted the proposal to be a surprise. I struggled between good and evil for a quick second and was saved by my phone ringing. I checked the caller ID and saw my long lost roommate’s number. I hadn’t seen him since the day after the burglary.

  “What’s up, Shane?” I answered. I brought over the corn and green beans from the counter while Mom filled the water glasses.

  “Nothing much, I’m back in town and there’s nothing in the fridge. What’s for dinner?” Shane replied. The assumption that I would feed him and make sure the fridge was fully stocked annoyed me. He’s a big boy; he could go grocery shopping. I rolled my eyes.

  “I’m having dinner at Mom’s. I’ve been working late and haven’t had time to shop. There are some chicken nuggets in the freezer,” I offered, as I shooed away Mom’s gestures. I knew she was offering to have him over but, truth be told, I didn’t want him there. I didn’t want to hear about his trip with Allison or think about what they did. I reminded myself I didn’t care but, of course, a small piece of me did. Mom, on the other hand, did not like to hear about anyone being hungry. She grabbed the phone from my ear.

  “Shane, its Mom. Come on over. We have plenty.” She ignored my looks of protest while she chatted with Shane. Shane and my mom had always gotten along. They had a similar sarcastic sense of humor and he always sided with her during our many debates. I sat down at the table with a huff as Mom hung up the phone.

  “Don’t act like that. He’s practically family,” she chided me. She placed another plate at the table, across from mine. She was right. I was acting childish. But I’d had a long week at work and was cranky. I deserved some spoiling from my own mother.

  Ten minutes later I heard the truck in the driveway. Shane let himself in and greeted my mom with a big hug. My heart skipped a beat as usual, but it wasn’t as difficult having him around as I thought. It also wasn’t easy to look away; faded jeans hung on his hips and his green shirt played off the green in his eyes. He looked gorgeous. As usual, Mom fretted and fussed over him like he was her son or something. Whatever, I thought, as I gave him a small smile. Where was my love and fuss?

  “Shane, you don’t look like you feel well,” Mom said, putting a soda in front of him.

  Shane nodded. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks. I’m drained.” He took a small helping of meatloaf and started eating. She was right; Shane looked like he was coming down with something but maybe he was just tired. I scooted my chair slightly; I didn’t want his cooties. I had big plans for the weekend. Okay, maybe not, but I was hoping.

  “How was Jersey?” I asked. I wasn’t curious. Much. I didn’t want to hear details of whatever they had done. I was just trying to make conversation.

  “Jersey was good. Busy.” Simple answers. Par for the course with Shane. He wasn’t one for details and obviously nothing exciting had gone on. I was grateful, until my mother started digging deeper.

  “Why did you go to Jersey?”

  “Oh. I had to work on Adrian’s brother’s bike. Then a couple other bikes came in, so I helped him with those.”

  “That’s such a long drive for just you. Did Adrian go with you?” My mom knew damn well that he went with Allison. What is she doing? I shot her a look of annoyance.

  “No, Allison went with me. We stopped by her folks’ place on the way home and had a visit with them. We had a good time. She ended up staying there this weekend. Her brother will drive her back Sunday,” Shane replied nonchalantly. He helped himself to more potatoes. I tried to ignore their conversation about Allison and her family. Not that I was jealous, mind you. It was just that I was more concerned with my own life. I didn’t need to hear what I was missing or lacking.

  Finally, the conversation and dinner came to an end. I declined dessert, not wanting to stay longer than necessary. I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to take Penny home, take a hot shower, and watch mind-numbing TV. I gathered up my coat and Penny’s overnight bag and gave Mom a hug.

  “Thanks for everything, Mom,” I said, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Anytime, baby. Shane, wait a minute. You look really bad. Come here.” She went over to Shane and did the whole cheek-to-forehead routine. Shane was a good foot taller than she was, so she made him bend over. Shane did look bad. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were glassy.

  “Yep. You feel hot. Megs, go get the thermometer.” With an internal groan, I set my bags down. I knew it was selfish, but I just wanted to go home. I grabbed the digital reader and brought it back into the kitchen. I felt bad for him; he looked like garbage, and I cheerfully told him so. He just gave me the finger.

  “Yep. A hundred and three. Megs, drive him home. He can’t drive like this. Do you have ibuprofen at home?” My mother had a well-stocked medicine cabinet and didn’t wait for my response. I started my car with the remote and loaded Penny in the backseat while Mom packed a get-well bag for Shane. In it was a fresh carton of OJ, her homemade chicken soup from the freezer, and a bottle of Advil.

  “If he doesn’t get better in a couple of days, make him go to the doctor,” she murmured, as Shane made his way to my car. Now I knew he was sick; I didn’t hear a peep out of him as he climbed into the passenger seat.

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take care of your boy,” I teased her.

  She laughed and kissed my cheek. “Be safe driving home. Love you.”

  Shane reclined his seat and was asleep before I even made it out of the driveway.

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, I had to shake him to wake up. “Shane, I’m not carrying your butt inside. You have to wake up,” I said gently. I had already opened the door and brought everything in. I opened his door and helped him out.

  He groaned and swung his arm over my shoulders. “I feel like a Mack truck hit me,” he muttered as we walked inside. He went upstairs without a word. I grabbed the Advil and orange juice and brought it up to him. When I got into his room, I felt a pang of pity for the poor guy. Shane had fallen face first halfway onto his bed.

  “Come on, you big baby. Get up and get in the shower. It’ll make you feel better,” I urged, pulling at his arm. He grudgingly got up and walked into the bathroom, shedding his clothes as he went. I tried to ignore the taut, clearly defined muscles in his back and arms, but I couldn’t help but admire him. I turned on the water for him and averted my eyes as he got in. As he showered, I put a pair of sweats on the sink. My mother always said to sweat out a fever so I grabbed my heaviest quilt and put it on his bed. After about fifteen minutes in the shower, I knocked on the door. I didn’t want him to pass out and drown in the shower.

  “Shane? Are you okay?” I asked, opening the door. He grunted out an okay and turned off the water. I quickly shut the door again, telling myself he needed his privacy. In reality, I was fending off the hot flashes. I pictured Alex’s arms and abs, but to be honest, it was hard to compare Shane and Alex. Alex had a nice body, but Shane had spent his entire youth as a jock. He had lifted weights every afternoon, played hockey, football, and lacrosse every year in high school and it was obvious that he had kept up with the w
orkouts. Ten minutes later, Shane slowly emerged from the bathroom in just the pants. Good gracious, this man is beautiful. I pulled back the covers on the bed and handed him the Advil and juice.

  “Take this. You’ll feel better soon.”

  “Thanks, Megs. I knew I loved you for a reason,” he mumbled, as he climbed into bed. Loved me? Right. As a sister. I ignored the wistful angst that suddenly surfaced in me as I pulled the blankets over him.

  “Go to sleep. Feel better in the morning,” I muttered, as I turned out the lights. I grabbed my pajamas from the bedroom and took a long shower myself. Mentally and physically drained, I thought about having a glass of wine but decided to have tea instead. I took some vitamin C to help fight off whatever Shane had brought home, and took my phone and tea upstairs. After some debate, I sent a quick message to Alex.

  “Happy Valentine’s day.” Maybe that will jog his memory, I thought.

  I had turned on a repeat of Gone with the Wind when my phone startled me. It’s eleven at night. Who in the hell is calling me at this hour?

  “Hello?”

  “EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!” A shrill squeal came through. What in the world? Then I recognized the squeal as Sarah.

  “Hi, Sarah!” I exclaimed. I so desperately wanted to congratulate her but I wanted her to tell me first. I didn’t want to ruin anything if Kyle had a big elaborate proposal planned. I didn’t have to wait long.