by Green, Vicki
I look up when his hand covers mine, stopping me from fidgeting. “It’ll all come in time, Prie. I know this is all really hard on you.” I nod as he puts his hand back on the wheel. A few minutes pass as I watch the scenery fly by. He’d gotten on the highway, leading out of town. Not sure I remember any of this but then I was younger the last time I was here. I’m not sure I’ve been this way before. Soon another town comes into view. He pulls off the highway and turns onto a street. He pulls into a parking lot and finds a space in front of a small white building. ‘Daisy’s’ displays on a revolving sign on the roof.
He gets out and runs over to my door, helping me out. I follow him inside, the place clean and homey. He takes my hand and takes me to the back, sitting in a corner booth. There’s not many people in here, mostly up front. A waitress walks over and takes our drink orders, smiling at both of us, and sets down menus on the table then leaves us alone.
The silence isn’t uncomfortable, nice actually. I pick up a menu and study it. I look up just as the waitress brings our drinks, telling us she’ll give us a few more minutes before she takes our orders. “So….” My eyes snap to him, my breath catching a little at his smile. “I just want you to know, I’m not a stalker or anything.” A laugh escapes me, not able to stop it. He lets out a chuckle, the sound reminding me of someone else. “No really. I mean, I don’t make it a habit of coming over to client’s houses or taking them out to eat.”
I swallow hard, trying to take his words for what they mean. “Why me?” I ask, trying to sound cheery, not at all how I’m feeling.
He looks down at his menu in hand then back into my eyes. “Well, our dads knew each other, were friends. I guess that makes me feel like we should be. Or I’d like us to be. I feel like I kinda know your family from what Dad told me over the years. I’d like to help out, if that’s okay. No ulterior motive. I promise.” He winks and I feel myself relax a bit.
“I’d like that. I could use a friend.”
The waitress comes back and we order, laughing at how we hadn’t even really looked at our menus that well yet. She leaves, giving us a smile, and I take another drink of my Coke. “So,” I say, letting out a deep breath. “Tell me about you. I didn’t notice your limo today, so you must be sort of normal.”
He lets out a laugh. It feels good just to relax for a moment, not feeling pushed into something, and get lost in someone else. He takes a drink and then starts talking. “Well, not much to tell really. I started working for Dad a few years ago and then when cancer came on him, I started working harder to take over his business. I wanted to make him proud.” I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. My brows lower, knowing the feeling all too well, losing someone you love.
I reach over and cover his hand with mine. “I’m so sorry, Grant.”
He covers our hands with his other one. “Thank you. I know it’s not the same loss you’ve had, not anywhere near.”
I leave my hand there, liking the warmth of his. “It’s loss, Grant. I hope he didn’t suffer for long.”
The waitress takes that moment to bring our food. We release hands and move back as she sets down our plates in front of us then she leaves us. I pick up my napkin and place it on my lap, but suddenly my appetite vanishes. “After they found your parents’ bodies, I read in the newspaper they thought it must have been a mugging, never able to find the person or persons who killed them.” I swallow hard and look up into his eyes. No pity is shown, just empathy. “They had a missing persons ad out on you, flashing it on headlines on the news all day and night. They had search parties out for weeks but obviously never found you.” Tears form in my eyes. What everyone must have gone through, thought had happened. Little did they know. “I’m sorry. Here I am drudging up bad and hurtful memories again.” I focus onto his eyes and give a small smile. “Anyway. This, my friend, is the best burger you will ever eat in your life,” he laughs and winks as he picks up his hamburger.
Trevor’s face enters my mind. The burgers he cooked out for us once tasted the best I’d ever had. My heart hurts, missing those baby blue eyes that bore into my soul, his touch, the feel of his skin against mine. That sexy grin of his that is even sexier because it’s just him, no barriers, nothing fake or phony, just the way he is. My strength renewed, I pick up my burger and take a huge bite, closing my eyes with the taste hitting my tongue. I look at him and smile, giving him my approval.
No more talking after that, just the sounds of dishes clattering around us, other people’s chatter, and our eating. It’s been nice, once we’d gotten all the heavy stuff out of the way. We talk about others things on the way back to my house, movies, music, normal stuff. He opens my door for me after parking in the driveway, taking my hand to help me out. We start towards the short walkway to the front porch, my eyes snap to Hattie’s covered mustang. I turn around, stopping him. “How about tomorrow we take a drive,” I say, tilting my head towards the tarp. “I’ll even pack a picnic lunch.”
His eyes light up as his brows lift. “You’re on!”
I can’t help but smile. “So.” I rock up on my toes then back onto the ground. “Thank you for today. It felt good to get out and get away for a bit. I….” His eyes sparkle as the sun hits them, looking hopeful. “I had a good time.”
He smiles. “Me too. I’m glad I could get you away for a little bit.” And then he did something that surprised me, took my breath away for a moment. He leans over and kisses my cheek. Quick. Soft. Tenderly. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me what time and I’ll be here with bells on,” he says smiling as he walks backwards to his car.
I watch him turn and walk around the front of his SUV. He climbs inside and starts the engine. Looking over his shoulder, his arm laying across the back of the seat, he pulls out and onto the street. He starts to drive slowly, sticking his arm out the window and giving me a wave. I smile, waving back. I watch until I can’t see the tail lights on his car anymore, turn, and walk to the door. Once I’m inside, I lean back on the front door, closing it with a click, and sigh. I feel like I can get through the rest of the night now, not feeling so alone here anymore.
`*` `*` `*` `*` `*`
A month and a half has slipped by. It’s strange to walk through the bedrooms, all empty except for the furniture, even my room. The family room is mostly packed, the living room is done. I’ve been working room by room, everything I seem to touch bringing back memories. I’ve left the kitchen for last, since I’m staying here and need a place to cook and eat, but today, I’m tackling the basement and not looking forward to it. The vast area filled with things, like a catch all. Boxes upon boxes in the storage area to go through, things no one has probably seen in a decade or so. Just when I thought I was cried out, having done that so many times, tears fill my eyes as I open the first box. “Grandma’s china.” I can’t believe some of the things I’ve found but this box I need to keep. She’d started china painting in her sixties, finding she had a knack for it. I didn’t really know her, only knew her by the pictures Mom and Dad had, family photos of when I was a baby, and her holding me. But her painting is beautiful, something I can showcase. My mom’s mother, something I can hand down someday.
I hear a knock on the door upstairs along with footsteps. “Prie?”
I look up at the ceiling. “Down here!”
Grant’s become a fixture in my life, one I couldn’t do without. We’ve become great friends and he’s always been there for me, keeping me sane. My heart stops as I think of Nash. I love our texting every night. I miss him. I never ask him about Trevor and he never offers any information. It’s the same with Sadie and Shiloh. I either talk to them texting or on IM chat on my computer. Shiloh told me the other night that my book is almost done. She sent me the two chapters she finished and said she only has the epilogue left, saying she can’t finish it until I do. I’m not sure how to do that yet, not knowing where it will end. She’s always wanted me
to approve everything she’s written, told me it needs to be to my liking. She’s done such a great job. I’ve also kept up my appointments with Kathy, talking to her twice a week, sometimes more if I’m having a hard time. That’s been off and on depending on what’s happened that day.
“There you are. Are you ready?”
I nod, placing the dish back into the box. He called earlier today, wanting to take me to a movie, something I haven’t done in a long time. He seems to always know when I’m going to have a rough day and wants to help free myself for a little while. Our friendship grew even more a few nights ago when I had him over for dinner and he confessed that he’s gay. I told him it didn’t change anything to me or our friendship. He’s harbored the hurt inside, not ever telling his Dad before he died, thinking he would ruin their relationship but he’s glad he didn’t tell him. He told me not many know but he no longer feels ashamed. It gave me some relief just because in no way could I return any affection had he cared for me more than friendship yet I told him that people are people and as long as they are loving, caring, and treat others right then there’s nothing wrong with that. Of course that made him pick me up and swing me around, telling me he loved me.
“Just going to run upstairs and get my shoes on. I’ll be right back.” I lean up and kiss his cheek and run upstairs.
He takes me to a drive in. I let him drive Hattie’s car with the top down. I took a few blankets in case it turned a little cool, packed a picnic basket full of goodies. Of course he pouted and told me that was no fun. “You have to go to the concession stand. It’s not a movie without their popcorn and candy.” I laughed and we went, our arms full of food and drinks. I settled against his side, my head laying on his shoulder as the movie played. My mind drifted to Trevor so many times, wondering what he’s been doing, if he’s finally at peace with himself. I barely saw any of the movie. I was distracted all the way home, wondering if I should ask Sadie or Shiloh, the decision warring on my mind.
“Penny for your thoughts.” I feel his shoulder shove mine and look up at him. We’re almost home and I haven’t said a word, lost in my head. I try to smile but I don’t think it was very convincing. “Come on. Out with it. I’ve told you my secrets, time for you to tell me yours.” He pulls into my driveway, parks, and cuts the engine.
I let out a deep sigh and look into his eyes. “Got about twenty-four hours or so?” He winks, getting out of the car and coming over to open mine. Always the gentleman. We get inside and I get us a drink and sit down on the couch.
We talk all night. Well, I do most of the talking, crying, yelling, and crying some more. I tell him everything from Hattie’s accident up to the night before I left to come here. Now, I’m sitting at the kitchen table, my head hurts, and I’m cried out. He’s standing at the stove, making us a breakfast/lunch combination since it’s almost noon. I don’t think I can ever get through telling anyone else all that has happened. Even though I’m at better terms with it, I don’t like reliving it. Grant’s been such a great friend, always there when I need him, doesn’t judge me as I don’t judge him.
“So, are you going back?” he asks as he sets a plate down in front of me.
I sit up, having been holding up my head with my hand as I lean on the table. I pick up my fork, ready to dive into the eggs and bacon. “I don’t know yet. I need to be in a better place before I decide. I still have the basement to finish packing up and then we’ll see how easy it is to sell the house.”
“Trust me,” he says between bites. “Shirley will have your house sold quickly. It’s in great shape and she’s a real estate wizard.” He smiles then takes another bite.
“Thanks to you it’s in such great shape.” I give him a wink. “But either way, I at least have to go back in another month. I can’t miss Sadie and Memphis’ wedding. I’m a bridesmaid!” My heart begins to speed up in my excitement. “I can’t wait to see everyone again.” My brows raise as my eyes widen. Trevor. I’ll be seeing Trevor. Suddenly panic sets in. My fork drops from my hand, clanging against the plate. I turn and look at Grant, fear rising and strangling me.
He reaches across the table and covers my hand. “Do you want me to go with you? I will.” Such a great friend. I don’t know where I’d be right now without him. I squeeze his hand and give him a smile.
“No. Thank you though. You don’t need to take the time off work. I’ll be fine. Maybe in the next month, I’ll give my big girl panties a try.” He lets out a laugh, changing the tension in the room.
He releases my hand and starts to eat again. “Well, if you need help with that….” I play smack his arm and we both start laughing. I start eating again but all the while, my stomach is in knots. I’m excited yet nervous at the thought of seeing Trevor again.
Chapter Eleven
Trevor
The last couple of months have been the longest in my entire life. The feelin’ that I’ve lost Prie, weighs on my mind constantly. Shiloh’s been keepin’ me updated about her, in a nonchalant kind of way. I guess from what I’m hearin’, she’s doing okay for herself. That part I’m glad about. I just miss her in the worst way. I’ve got several horses boarded now, spendin’ time trainin’ them, their owners comin’ by to ride almost daily. Got myself a few cows now too and more chickens, although Clarice still thinks she rules the roost. I built that small buildin’ and over time I’ve outfitted it with a treadmill, a real punchin’ bag, gloves, some weights, and a weight machine. I get up extra early and work out, take a shower, and then tend to my chores. Shiloh thinks I’ve lost too much weight. Gotta say I agree with her, for once. Haven’t been eatin’ very well and the nightmares have been my only companion at night. Oh, I’m still seein’ Kathy regularly, puttin’ some of the horrific things that have happened to me to rest but still have so much to get through, deal with. Can’t push it away anymore. There’s nothin’ I won’t do to make sure if Prie comes back that I’m the man she deserves, one who can make her happy, if she’ll have me.
“Yo, Trev!”
Nash. He comes by regularly, even worked out with me a few times. Gotta say his build is somethin’ to see. Impressive. We’ve become really good friends. His guys even helped me with my workout buildin’. ‘Course I told them they could use it when they wanted. It’s separate from the house, to the right, but quite a ways off and has a separate drive. They were all pretty excited since the town doesn’t have a gym and the closest one is in the next town over. Told Nash he should just build one, with as much land that he’s got. He just chuckled at me and said, “Why, when you have one right here.” Funny guy.
Memphis and Sadie’s wedding is comin’ up in a couple of weeks. I sure hope they hurry up ‘cos she looks like she’s about to pop those babies out. She just laughs at me, tellin’ me she’s not due for another month and a half. Sure hope those babies know that. ‘Course it wouldn’t matter if they were here or not, Memphis and Sadie would still get married. They have the kind of love that every man wants, just like Colby and Shiloh do. I envy them.
Once Nash and I part ways, I go about finishin’ up some chores. Nothin’ like a good workout but by the time I’m done at night with my chores, I’m plum tuckered out. Nights are the worst. All I do is ache for Prie, lonely for her, then if I’m lucky I dream of her. But after havin’ another session today with Kathy, not sure I’ll be that lucky. Damn, if talkin’ to her don’t bring out those nasty nightmares, bringin’ shit up that I swore I wouldn’t even think about again. I’ll be glad when that’s all over. I just wanna get back to bein’ me. I lost myself so long ago. Another night of takin’ care of my needs in the shower. Another night layin’ on my back wishin’ Prie was here. God, I’d give anythin’ for her to come back. My eyes finally grow heavy, my body worn out. Come to me, Prie. Be there for me tonight.
“Hold still!”
My wrists are sore from the ropes that bind them to the bedposts, my legs
spread, strainin’ as my ankles are tied to the footboard. I close my eyes, my head tilted back, and my chest heavin’ as I struggle.
“Dammit, boy. Hold the fuck still.”
His mouth goes down on me, lickin’, suckin’, and makin’ me want to throw up. Fifteen minutes. I’ll be free. He tugs at my balls while his teeth scrape the tender and sore skin on my cock. I’ve been beaten, sexually assaulted, and forced to do things no man would ever do. They’d rather die first. Fifteen damn minutes.
“Lila! Come get me off. I wanna cum with him. C’mon!”
He makes me sick. I can’t even look at him. I’d have beaten him within an inch of his life along time ago but I gotta have that three thousand dollars they promised me. I have to have it to get on my feet, get my pride back, and be a man again. If that’s even possible after this.
“That’s it, baby. Fuck! That’s so good.” He starts suckin’ me off again. I’d try to blow my load ‘cept they might think of somethin’ else to do with the time they have left so I’m holdin’ back. I open my eye a slit and look over at the clock. Eight minutes.
“Oomph,” I moan as he slaps my sore cock hard. “Open them eyes, pretty boy. Let me see those baby blues when I make you cum.”
I open my eyes and look straight at her. She’s suckin’ him off, kneelin’ on the floor beside him. She looks up at him and sneers. “Hurry up and get him off, will ya? I want another turn before our time’s up.” She huffs then goes back to suckin’ him.
“I’m workin’ on it, bitch. Shut up and let me concentrate!”
I’d think they were funny but they’re not. Nothin’ about this is funny. He grabs my balls so tight it’s painful as he takes me to the back of his throat. I’m beyond disgusted, beyond feelin’ like I can ever stomach to look at myself in the mirror again. “Come on, boy.” The vibration of his words makes my balls tighten, the buildup coming on fast. I chance a peek at the clock. Four minutes. I have to hang on, not let go just yet. He’s workin’ me hard while she continues to work on him.
