Learn to Fly

by Heidi Hutchinson

  “That’s too bad.” Luke said tenderly and Lenny shot a frown his way but he missed it. “New Year’s Eve is always such a special night, I’m sorry he couldn’t be here with you.”

  Erin nodded emphatically, “I don’t know who the ex is but I guess she totally obliterated him. We’ve had to work through a lot of issues involving trust and honesty and stuff.” Erin noticed Lenny’s eyes narrow and she stammered. “I’m sorry, I'm talking too much.” She giggled nervously.

  “No, it’s fine.” Lenny forced a smile and put her hand on Erin’s arm. “Just keep in mind, there’s always two sides to every story.”

  “Sounds like the ex is a real bitch.” Luke interjected and Lenny felt her mouth fall open as she looked at him.

  Cody shimmied her way over to them and threw an overly friendly arm around Luke's waist. “Hey, whatcha talkin' bout?” Her face was flushed from the excessive alcohol in her system as well as the dancing.

  “Erin was just telling us about the guy she’s seeing…” Luke began not moving from away from Cody's side.

  “Yeah, Shane.” Cody nodded, “Bet you guys could compare notes.” She laughed as she winked at Lenny who only returned a slow subtle shake of her head. But it was too late. Even though Erin's faculties had been reduced due to her drinking, she wasn't completely brain dead. She turned towards Lenny, eyes wild.

  “Wait, you’re the ex?” Erin’s giggling was replaced by a a more heated expression.

  “Shane who?” Luke frowned, not following along.

  “Shane Brookings, my boyfriend!” Erin pointed at herself and took a step away from Lenny like she was afraid of her suddenly.

  “You told me that wasn’t serious.” Luke's voice was dark and he looked at the floor.

  “It...wasn’t.” Lenny looked from Luke to Cody to Erin. How was this happening? Her eyes settled on Cody who had the slightest of smirks on her face, arm firmly in place around Luke's waist.

  “Yeah, for you!” Erin exclaimed. “I’m the one who had to try and to pick up the pieces after you left him six months ago!”

  “Six months? You made it sound like you had been broken up for a lot longer than that.” Luke’s frown was deepening and he started to back away from them, pushing Cody's arm off of him.

  “I’ll talk to you in a minute.” Lenny said to Luke and then she turned to Erin. She needed to get this back under control. Too many things were unraveling at the same time and she wasn't prepared. “Please, try to understand that there is lot more to the story than what you know. I never meant to hurt Shane.”

  “I suppose you had this guy just waiting around for you.” Erin pointed at Luke. “You were probably seeing both of them at the same time.”

  Lenny looked at Cody who was watching everything unfold with a look of sadistic glee smeared across her face.

  “I need some air.” Luke said brusquely and stalked off.

  Lenny wanted to follow him but she needed to end this nightmare first. She turned back to Erin who was almost in tears.

  “Erin, I’m sorry for whatever hurt I’ve caused you by breaking up with Shane. I never cheated on him and if he has trust issues that’s not my fault.” Lenny's words were forced and clipped but she was too angry about what was happening to care.

  “Whatever, I’m going home.” Erin grabbed one of the girls off the dance floor and began to cry until the girl agreed to find her a ride home.

  Lenny glared at her Cody. “Wow, was that planned or what?”

  “I forgot she was seeing Shane-” Cody started to lie but Lenny cut her off.

  “Bullshit, Cody! That’s how you met, she already told me.” Lenny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “I put up with a lot of your shit because of Duke but I've about reached my limit.”

  “Don't get mad at me because Shane moved on.” Cody's face grew venomous.

  “This isn't about Shane!” Lenny was starting to shake. “This is about you being a horrible friend!”

  “Excuse me?” Cody raised her eyebrows aggressively. “You were the one who skipped town the day of one of the biggest meetings of my life! I needed your backing to land that sponsorship and you didn't even call!”

  “I'm sorry, I didn't know it was up to me to secure your future for you!” Lenny replied sarcastically. “Maybe you should have been a decent human being instead of alienating everyone around you.”

  “You're such a spoiled little bitch! You have always had every little thing handed to you and what wasn't given to you, you had no problem taking!” Cody's lips twisted savagely and Lenny stepped into a defensive stance. Cody had been drinking and Lenny knew that if she attacked it would be sudden and sloppy.

  “Ladies, how about we take a breather.” Nathan inserted himself into the confrontation. He nodded at one of his frat bros who came over and took Cody's elbow, leading her away. Lenny didn't break eye contact with her until they had rounded the corner.

  “What was that all about?” Nathan asked when they were finally alone.

  “Cody brought Shane's new girlfriend to the party. Did you know that he's telling people I cheated on him?” Lenny felt her eyebrows go up when Nathan nodded. “You don't believe it, do you?” How did I end up the villain in this?

  “No, I don't believe that you cheated on him. But he was really hurt by your leaving and I think he's just handling it badly.”

  “This is unbelievable.” Lenny's face was hot and she wished she could go outside for a break from this...insanity.

  Nathan took a breath and continued. “You have to remember the facts. You and Shane dated for over two years. He got your name tattooed on his arm, he moved to Wyoming to be closer to you, and I have it on pretty good authority that he was getting ready to propose to you before you dumped him…in a text message.”

  “Geez, Nate. You make me sound like a monster.” Lenny was really growing tired of how people assumed they knew what had happened between her and Shane.

  “I’m not trying to. I just think you need to realize someday that your actions have consequences. Just because you weren’t invested in the relationship didn’t mean he wasn’t. You kind of treated him like crap and he was a really great guy.”

  A really great guy? What-the-frick-ever. “What are you saying?” Lenny was trying hard to bite her tongue. Nathan had no idea what he was talking about.

  Nathan let out a heavy sigh. “If you weren't in love with him I don't understand why you waited two years to end it. And I have to wonder about the new guy.” Lenny shot him a glare and Nathan swallowed hard. “If you’re not in love, don’t lead him on. End it soon and be gentle.”

  ***

  Luke found himself on the back patio, without a coat in the cold mountain air. Someone approached him from behind and handed him a heavy jacket. Luke slipped it on and turned to thank the individual. It was Duke. Perfect.

  Duke nodded at him and gestured to a set of chairs off to the side of the patio. Luke followed him and sat down, not sure what to expect from this conversation. A lot had happened so far tonight and he hadn't processed any of it. So far, all he had gathered was, Lenny had a much more serious relationship with Shane than she had led him to believe. Oh, and she was living with a very attractive man who stank of testosterone in the backwoods of Wyoming.

  “Saw that little display in there,” Duke started.

  Luke grunted and looked up at the stars.

  “If you wanna be with Lenny you’re in for one hell of a ride.” Duke chuckled to himself. “She probably spent too much time on the mountain, never learned all the ‘girl stuff.’ Her mom was always after her to hang out with people her age doing regular teenage things like, go to the mall.” Duke shook his head, “But Lenny wouldn’t have it. Nope. Our Bird had to be free.” Duke nodded to the starlit mountain line. “Out there, the only place I’ve seen her truly happy.” His words hung in the silent cold for a while.

  “So you’re saying that it’s probably not gonna last.” Luke responded quietly, feeling his gut t
wist.

  “I didn’t say that.” Duke countered. “I said it would be one hell of a ride.” Duke gave a sly smile. “Don’t give up. You’re already loads better than that tool, Shane.”

  “I thought Shane was perfect.” Luke grumbled despondently.

  “Ha! Yeah, he sure was pretty.” Duke let out a dark chuckle. “He wasn’t all that. He was nice but he wasn’t any good for her.”

  “What makes me different?” Luke couldn't help but ask. Here he was, with someone who probably knew Lenny better than she knew herself. What made Luke the guy?

  “After her accident, a little piece of her died. I know that sounds macabre but it’s true. She left a chunk of herself out there. Shane tried to bring her back to life, I tried, her folks tried but it was no use. It was like talking to a walking corpse.” Duke breathed out through is nose. “But she’s suddenly back. I look in her eyes and I see her in there.” Duke’s voice grew thick with emotion. “You’re the one who found her.”

  Luke looked back up at the stars. He wanted badly for what Duke said to be true. He had never felt for anyone the way he felt for Lenny. But was that enough? She obviously had issues with commitment and an addiction to fight or flight.

  “It’s worth it.” Duke said into the darkness as if reading his thoughts. “Grab that light and don’t let go.”

  Chapter 12

  Magpies On Fire

  After several minutes outside with Duke, Sway came and got Luke, asking him to be his partner in the pool tournament. Luke had reluctantly agreed, wanting more to sulk in the cold.

  As the game got underway, Luke regretted even more that he'd agreed to this. For some reason, Cody was the only girl in the room and she was being very...vigilant. She kept finding reasons to stand very close to him. She hardly spoke to him, but he could feel eyes on him wherever he took a shot.

  He and Sway won the first round and moved on to the next. All Luke could think about was how he hadn't seen Lenny in over a week and he was playing pool with a bunch of dudes he didn't know with a drunken chick attached to his hip. It was not his ideal situation.

  Some of the guys cleared out to race snowmobiles and Luke and Sway went onto the next round.

  “You're really good at this game.” Cody leaned over and Luke caught a whiff of vodka off her words. She must have some stashed nearby, Luke hadn't seen any being served.

  “Thanks.” He responded tersely as he lined up his shot.

  Cody pressed her body against his side and he felt her hot breath in his ear. “After this game you want to go...somewhere?”

  Luke's stomach roiled inside and he clenched his teeth. He made his shot despite Cody's interference and he walked away from her to the other side of the room. Sway gave him a perplexed look and Luke ignored him.

  Cody was close behind, not deterred in the slightest. Luke wasn't sure how to deal with this. He was used to women pawing at him, but it had never been the best friend of the girl he was with. Wasn't this against girl code? Did girls have a code?

  Just then, Blake walked into the room. Shirtless. Luke could have kissed him.

  “Hey,” Luke handed him his cue, “play for me, I have to go do a thing.” He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder.

  Blake didn't hesitate, he grabbed the cue in one hand and Cody around the waist with the other. “Be my lucky charm?” He grinned down at her and she giggled.

  Luke was thankful for his brash and bold band mate as he booked it out of there. He needed to find Lenny. He knew a couple of hours had passed and he had to talk to her. This wasn't right.

  ***

  The snowmobile races wrapped up and Duke put the sleds away. Lenny watched from the patio, her hands shoved deep in her coat pockets. What a crappy New Year's. For her anyway. Everyone else seemed to be having a wonderful time. Did it bother her that she hadn't seen Luke in a while? Yes. Did it bother her that she also had not seen Cody during that time? More than she liked to admit.

  ***

  Luke didn't want to appear frantic. So he casually strolled through the huge Lodge that was packed with people. He smiled and chatted with those who recognized him but he was searching for Lenny.

  He glanced in what he assumed was some sort of den. It was fairly dark, lit only by a few candles artistically placed around the room. No one else was in the room and he took a few steps inside to see if there might be another room beyond a door or something. This house was massive and damn if he hadn't already gotten turned around a few times in it.

  “There you are.”

  Luke turned to see Cody closing the door and smiling at him seductively.

  “Hey, Cody. Have you seen Lenny?” Luke tried to remain polite but she was testing his patience.

  Cody curled a lip up, “Why do you care where Lenny is? She's not here, that's all that matters.” She began to step towards him and Luke shook his head in wonder. How were they even friends?

  “You can do to me all the things you want to do to her. She's never gonna love you. She only cares about herself.” Cody slid her hands up Luke's shoulders and pressed her body against him. Luke grabbed her hands and took a large step backwards.

  “You're drunk, Cody.” He tried to give her an excuse but he knew in his gut that this is who she really was. And it sickened him.

  “Cody, your ride is here.” A gruff voice interrupted them and Luke looked up, startled to see Duke standing in the doorway. Cody didn't even seem to notice. She leaned towards Luke again.

  Duke entered the room and grabbed Cody by the arm. “Your ride is here.” He repeated, his eyes flashing to Luke's. Cody struggled against him as he forced her out the door.

  “What's your problem, Duke?” She shrieked, wrestling out of his grasp.

  Duke scooped her up and flung her over his shoulder. He nodded at Luke, “Can you help me with the door?”

  Luke had no words; he just did as the man asked. The way to the front door was cleared of human presence and Luke wondered how that was even possible. But it would probably benefit Cody some if no one saw the degrading way she was being asked to leave.

  The limo driver waiting outside didn't even look surprised as Duke shoved his niece into the car. The rest of her friends were already inside and Luke heard a plethora of questions being hurled in Cody's direction. Duke slammed the car door and the driver made haste getting underway.

  Duke placed his hands on his hips and gave Luke a hard stare. “You want to tell me what that was?” His words coming out as white puffs in the cold air.

  “I was looking for Lenny.” Luke knew what it must have looked like when Duke had opened the door but he had to know the reality. Didn't he?

  Duke met him with silence. His frown deeper than Luke had seen it all night and he realized that with one word, Duke could turn Lenny against him. If Duke didn't want him around this was the perfect opportunity to make that happen.

  ***

  Lenny cruised through the Lodge reminding all the remaining guests that the countdown to midnight was happening in fifteen minutes. She had no explanation for why Blake and Sway were both playing pool in only their boxers and she didn't ask. She found Harrison and Mike had taken over the DJ's job and were playing a mix all their own. It seemed that Cody and the rest of her friends had vacated early and Lenny felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. She still hadn't seen Luke and her worst fear was that he had left with Cody. He wouldn't do that? Would he?

  “Nathan,” Lenny almost ran into her brother as he came in from the backyard. “have you seen Luke?”

  Nathan nodded over his shoulder, “He's out back with Duke. They're having some sort of heavy conversation.”

  Lenny frowned. What? She had just been back there and hadn't seen either one of them. She grabbed her coat and hat and went back out into the cold.

  ***

  The sound from the party got louder and then quieted again as someone came outside from the patio door. Soft footsteps on the granite came toward them and Luke looked up to see Lenny approach
ing slowly. She had put on a dark coat and a black stocking cap, making her blonde hair and creamy skin stand out. She shoved her hands in her coat pockets and stood in front of him.

  “I think we need to talk.” Her eyes flicked over to Duke momentarily and Luke had to wonder again at the extent of their friendship. He knew what Duke had told him but how could he be sure there wasn't more there?

  “I think so, too.” Luke agreed. He definitely had some questions.

  “Duke, could you give us a minute?” Lenny asked.

  Duke sighed as he slowly stood up. He grumbled something unintelligible to himself. He patted Luke on the shoulder. “Remember what I told you.”

  Luke nodded but didn’t reply.

  Lenny sat down in Duke’s vacated chair and frowned at his figure as he let himself into the house. “What did Duke tell you?”

  “Guy stuff,” Luke hedged. “What do you want to talk about?”

  Lenny closed her eyes like she was trying to get her thoughts in line before she spoke. “I’m sorry about what...Erin said in there. I had no idea…any of that was going to happen.”

  “Was it true?” Luke kept his voice flat.

  “What do you mean?” Lenny was playing too innocent, she was hiding again.

  “Were you and Shane more serious than you led me to believe?” Luke asked evenly, not wanting it to come out like he was threatened.

  “I don’t see how that matters,” she answered darkly.

  Really? “C’mon, Lenny.” Luke’s eyes bored into hers. “Was he in love with you?”