The Wrong Side of Midnight

by Terri Marie

  “Are you seriously going over there?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well now’s your chance. He’s walking across the grass to a ratty truck.”

  Chloe took off running down the long driveway. By the time she hit the middle of the lawn, the roofer was driving away in his truck. She slowly walked back to the pool and sat on the chair.

  “You know what? That’s a big roof,” began Chloe as she brightened up. They aren’t finished with it yet. Tomorrow, throw on some more sunscreen. We’re going to sit out here all day if we have to.”

  “….And Edmund?”

  “I’ll take care of it. He needs to be with a woman who prioritizes like he does. Did you know that he doesn’t even want children? He thinks they’re dirty. I can’t be with him. You’re my best friend, Becky. You have to stand behind me and not tell another soul about this.”

  “I got your back, chica, don’t you worry.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  She walked inside the house and stared at Edmund’s cocky smile. Is this what I want? Chloe knew the answer but didn’t know if she was capable of following through with the ball she was getting ready to start rolling. She would have given anything to have had the courage to stand up for herself when the relationship with Edmund was arranged. But she was so hungry for love and approval it was pathetic. Even though Chloe despised the entire situation she was forced into, she went along with it without a peep when she saw the potential for her to get what she wanted. Her parents would have to show up at her wedding, so maybe they’d find her to be a beautiful bride and would want to stay. If they hated me so badly, why did they have me? An accident…I must have been an accident. Maybe they wanted a boy. She was the sole heiress of Burlington Enterprises and couldn’t despise the business any more than she already did. The business was their baby, I never was. Later that evening, after Chloe got her courage, she picked up the phone and called Edmund.

  “Hello, my future Mrs. Edmund Lauer.”

  Chloe could hear the tall, very thin, perfectly groomed pig, rubbing his palms together like he was getting ready to roll the dice. “We need to talk. Can you come by?”

  “I’m happy you phoned me. I was going to tell you to put on that black dress. I’m taking you out for drinks. I ran into some old classmates I’d like you to meet.”

  “I don’t have to wear that black dress. I have lots of clothes. Why do you always want me dressing like that?”

  “Because it’s sexy and turns every man’s head. You are always the sexiest thing in the room. I’ll pick you up at nine.”

  “Thing…I’m not a thing! I’m not only going to not wear the black dress, I’m not going to go anywhere with you. I’m sorry, Edmund, but I can’t be in an arranged relationship, and that’s what this is. I think it’s best if we go our separate ways. I’ll have the ring delivered back to you. Hell, you can even have the black dress and wear it yourself!” Chloe wasn’t aware of how loudly she was talking.

  “We can talk about it over drinks, my bride. Don’t forget, nine o’clock, and wear that little black dress! The guys will fall out of their chairs!”

  Wiping the tears off her face, Chloe reached up, removed the large photograph from the wall, carefully removed it from its frame…then shredded it. His cocky smile was now torn in half. Picking up her purse and keys, she went out the front door. She walked right by her Mercedes and hopped in her Jeep. Her parents bought the car for her birthday and even had it delivered. But what she really wanted was a phone call on her special day. Chloe knew that wouldn’t happen, so it wasn’t a surprise when the keys were handed to her by the security staff, along with a birthday card from Earl and Sylvia Burlington of Burlington Enterprises. Chloe’s name wasn’t even on the card. Not only was it mailed from the business, it was the same printed ones they had the secretary mail to everyone. Unfortunately, it was the identical card she always received.

  Chloe and her parents were basically strangers. They didn’t even know she bought the red Jeep. Sylvia and Earl knew as much about her as Edmund did. As she sped down the driveway, security stopped her like she knew they would.

  “Miss Burlington, where are you headed so late in the evening?”

  “Look, I’m going out to buy tampons because Lois isn’t around. I won’t be gone long and I have cash. No ID required!” Chloe smiled, knowing if security found her to be upset, they wouldn’t open the gates. Thankfully her parents hadn’t been in the news and no reporters were outside, or she definitely wouldn’t be going anywhere.

  “Very well,” the guard replied, then looked at his watch and wrote the time on a clipboard.

  Chloe slowly let out the breath she’d been holding and waved while she calmly left the estate.

  I’m done with all this!

  Chapter 2

  Matthew tossed the box of shingles over his shoulder as if it was weightless. The bright June sun was bearing down on the small crew and showing no mercy. Michigan’s gross humidity was adding to their misery, and he didn’t look forward to the long twelve hour days. He cringed at the thought of burning up on this hot roof over the next week laying shingles on a guesthouse. The forecast predictions warned of an unbearable summer, and they were right. Ninety degrees in the shade, and God knows how hot it was on these black shingles. I should stop complaining. It is what it is.

  The guesthouse was huge, and they’d only just begun on this project. It was the first contract he’d ever landed in the rich community of Berkshire. He had to bid low in order to get it and, unfortunately, after covering all his overhead, his paycheck wasn’t going to be that great. Matthew knew it’d be a cold day in hell before he dug himself out of the financial hole he was in.

  He couldn’t help but feel bitterness. How do people afford a house like this? Hell, today I’d be happy just to be able to afford another man on the crew. Getting stuck in his father’s roofing business wasn’t exactly what he had planned for himself. There were no siblings or other relatives to share the burden. Matthew was an only child, and his mother walked out three weeks after his birth. She left the apartment to go to the store and never came back. A note was later found with the words “I’m sorry”.

  His father’s health was failing from emphysema. He was, and still is, a heavy smoker. It frustrates Matthew beyond belief, but he loves his dad and didn’t have the heart to let the company fold. I wish I could have gone to college and done something different instead of being baked to death on the roof of these rich people.

  Matthew saw the bright sun reflecting off a large in-ground pool on the estate next door. Two women dressed in tiny bikinis were soaking up the sun and sipping cute drinks through straws. He couldn’t help but stare at their tanned, perfect bodies, while his bitterness grew greater. I bet they never worked a single day in their lives. Daddy’s girls. Matthew laughed as his buddy John made a soft whistle sound.

  “Don’t get too attracted to those ladies. They’re far out of our league.”

  “Matt, it never hurts to look. Hell, it makes me forget this sun.”

  “Yeah, dipping in that pool would be pretty good right about now,” replied Matthew as he pounded some more nails.

  John Cook and Matthew Sharp had been best friends since they were kids. They grew up in the same apartment building, where each family had seen their share of hard times.

  Roofing was a seasonal job, so Matthew didn’t see a steady cash flow. He did some snow removal work in the winter, but not every snowfall in Michigan was deep enough to give him regular work. I’m never going to get ahead in life. I’ve become my father.

  “Only a couple more hours up on this roof, then we can go grab a beer. I think the crew is going down to Cars. You up for it, Matt?” John could tell that his friend was falling into one of his slumps.

  “A cold brew sounds good,” he answered loudly over the banging of the hammers. "I won't be there until I get my dad settled for the night."

  Matthew looked back over at the pool in the next yard. The girls h
ad gotten up and were walking toward the water. He couldn’t stop staring at the long-haired blonde in the red bikini. There’s one hell of a lucky bastard running around.

  Matthew hadn’t dated in over a year. He swore off women when his relationship with Josie ended. She was sweet, but she couldn’t be happy with a man who couldn’t give her all the material things she wanted in life. When she stood there and explained the way she honestly felt to Matthew, the guy who’d given her everything he possibly could, he walked away and hasn’t spoken to her since.

  By the time the workday ended, Matthew was both physically and mentally exhausted. Trying to maintain any kind of balance between work and taking care of his father was one big blur. He didn’t have enough money to help his dad get the medical care he needed, and it was breaking Matthew. He’d slowly watched that strong man decompensate, and it ate at him every day.

  John ordered another round of beers for the crew and then turned to Matthew. “You need a woman.”

  “Yeah, like I need another hole in my head.”

  “Not all women are like Josie.”

  “I think I’ll pass.”

  “Some woman will come along and sweep you off your feet, and then I can say I told you so.”

  Matthew chuckled as he stood. “It's a little after one, and I still have to go home and shower. We have to be to work at sunrise.” He reached inside the pocket of his dirty jeans and pulled out money. He tossed it on the table in front of John and said he’d see him bright and early.

  “Yeah, I'll head out soon. This job will suck. We’ll be up there for most of the week, and it’s only going to get hotter.”

  Matthew nodded in agreement and then headed out to the parking lot. His old pickup truck was on its last leg, even the bumper was holding on by a bungee cord or two. At least, on most days that is, it got him back and forth to work. But this evening, it had no intentions of cooperating. Sighing heavily, Matthew got back out of the spewing pickup and lifted the hood. He got the container out of the back and walked to the side of the building to fill it with water. He’d love a new vehicle but the last thing he needed was another bill. For only being twenty-six, he owed more than most. He didn’t have student loans, a mortgage, or car payments. It was his father’s medical bills that were sinking him.

  As he was pouring water into the radiator, a bright red Jeep caught his eye. A very beautiful blonde sat behind the wheel looking up at the sign of the bar. Sweet cheeks, you’re on the wrong side of midnight, Matthew laughed to himself. She got out and walked inside the dim, dusty bar. Those guys in there will eat her alive. She should come running out any second now. Matthew couldn’t resist. He replaced the radiator cap, closed the hood and walked back towards the bar entrance, and sure enough, the cute blonde came barreling out the door in utter panic and ran right smack into Matthew’s arms. She must have met my work crew…

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Chloe drove absentmindedly while trying not to start crying again. She didn’t care where she ended up. All Chloe knew was there wasn’t any way she could bring herself to drive back to that house. There was nothing there for her besides her best friend, and she knew Becky was just a phone call away. Slowly she headed past the rest of the estates and wealthy suburbs. Kids were running and laughing across front yards, and the adults were out there with them. Small children drew chalk pictures on sidewalks, a father was teaching a young child how to ride a bike, birthday and graduation parties…Chloe stepped on the accelerator.

  The sun had gone down and she didn't realize how far she’d driven. She snapped out of daze when she crossed a set of very bumpy railroad tracks on a poorly maintained road. Houses became closer together, and windblown garbage clustered around curbs and bushes. The roads seemed to run in circles, bums and prostitutes walked freely. Crap, I’m lost. Her fear didn't last. Chloe smiled at being normal for once. She’d never seen a bum in real life, let alone a prostitute, nor gone far enough to get lost.

  The abandoned buildings scattered around felt strangely like they could be siblings to her. Abandoned. All it would take is a crew of workers to fix up that house and make it pretty, and then someone might want it. Chloe frowned at the thought.

  She continued on until she spotted an old Chevy parked underneath the lights in a parking lot. The rear bumper was rusted and bent, holding onto its last rubber bungee cord; she was positive this was the same vehicle. The hood was up, but she didn’t see anyone working on it. Chloe cautiously pulled into an empty spot and looked up at the sign. "Cars". She wasn’t afraid at first. Shutting the door behind her and making sure it was locked, Chloe took a deep breath, ran her hands through her hair and then headed inside the small bar. Oh God, what do I say if he's in here? It took her a minute to adjust to the dim smoky surroundings, and what she saw and heard made her afraid to sit down.

  “Hey, sugar! I got a seat right here for ya!” yelled a drunken man while he patted his lap.

  She tried to ignore him so she could briefly scan the small bar. Quickly, the cat calls came flying at Chloe. Another drunk tried to wrap his arm around her. Shoving him away, she ran as fast as she could right out the door, only to be stopped by the thick chest of a man. Chloe quickly backed up so she could focus underneath the flickering light of the bar sign.

  “You seem to be in a hurry. Is anything wrong?” Matthew asked while trying to keep a straight face.

  “I’m so sorry!”

  “It’s alright. Did you hurt yourself? You plowed right into me, and I’m kind of like a brick wall.”

  Finally, Chloe saw exactly who he was. The roofer was even taller than she thought. He had to be well over six feet, with dark brown hair, blue eyes, tanned skin, and a perfect five o’clock shadow on his strong jaws. Chloe continued to stare.

  “Do I have something on my face?” Matthew was thoroughly entertained.

  “What? Oh, I’m fine. Sorry, I was just letting my eyes adjust.” Chloe could hear the weakness in her voice.

  “You came running out of the bar like you were on fire.”

  “Well, I…um…”

  “My name is Matthew.”

  “Hi, Matthew." God, now what? Chloe swallowed hard, her palms a sweaty mess.

  “Do you have a name?”

  “...Yes. I’m Chloe.”

  Matthew stuck out his hand, which totally engulfed hers. Then he realized something. The rich daddy’s girl. “I think I saw you today. You were out by the pool with a friend, while I was roofing the house next door.”

  “Yeah, that would be me.”

  Matthew began backing up toward his truck, his voice tone drastically changed. “Aren’t you a little out of your way? Rich people don’t normally hang out down here. We’re beneath them.” Matthew chuckled while shaking his head. “I’ll be on my way, you have a nice day.” He had noticed her cut offs and t-shirt, short but clean nails, and her hair didn’t appear to be dyed. She doesn’t look like a spoiled rich brat, but who knows. Matthew refused to allow himself to become attracted to someone he could never have. He turned and began to walk off.

  “I’m not rich!” Oh God.

  “It’s pretty sad, I know, when poor folk have to live in mansions and hang out by a pool all day. I hate when that happens to me.” He continued across the parking lot.

  Without even thinking, Chloe began to ramble. “That was my friend’s house. I don’t have much money, and as a matter of fact, this is her Jeep. I’m just visiting and don’t know my way around. I got lost and stopped here to use the phone.”

  “Where do you live?” Matthew eyed her suspiciously.

  “I’m looking for an apartment around here. It can’t be expensive, because I want to start taking some classes. A job too…Yes, I need to find a job.” Chloe wanted to smack herself. She’d never worked a day in her life, not even housework. She’d been privately tutored and had always been kept secluded from the outside world. She was never allowed off the estate without endless hassle. Chloe almost vomited over thoughts of her shelte
red life. I shouldn’t have to lie to blend in.

  “What kind of work are you looking for?”

  “Anything really.” What the hell am I doing?!

  “The apartment building I live at is looking for a housekeeper. Probably minimum wage, but I’m pretty sure you get to live there for free or dirt cheap.”

  “Okay, I’ll have to check it out tomorrow.” There’s no way I’m doing that. "Thank you."

  As Matthew turned, a pang of compassion conflicted with his urge to maintain a safe distance. There she was; lost, nervous…in need. After a few steps he stopped and turned back around to face the beautiful young woman. His instinct to fix the problem would win this time. “I’m on my way home. Why don’t you follow me, and I can take you to the manager. She usually stays up late, but I'll call on the way to make sure.”

  “Okay, that sounds great!” Kill me now…

  Chloe sat in her Jeep and waited while Matthew got his truck started. She drove close behind the old rusted pickup. The further they drove the worse the area was looking. She didn’t dare stray in this part of town. I’m out of my mind. Feeling both frightened and exhilarated, Chloe picked up her cell phone and dialed her best friend. She tried to keep the phone hidden underneath her hair.

  “So, like your ex has called me twice looking for you. Did you even call Edmund?”

  “Yes, I called him. I tried to explain and was even direct about ending things, but he wouldn’t listen to what I was saying. I’m totally done with him. But there’s something interesting that’s happened, and if I don’t come home, I’ve been killed in Detroit.”

  “You’re in Detroit?!?!” Becky gasped loudly.

  “Yeah, I was driving around, got lost, and then ran into that roofer’s pickup truck at some dive bar. His name is Matthew, and he’s—“