Dream Gone Wild

by Lucia Ashta

  “Wow. It must’ve been killing her not to tell you.”

  “You know how she is when it comes to Rae.”

  “Yeah, she treats her like she’s the devil.”

  “Something like that.” I finished making the cut and got busy stashing everything away. “How long was she in a coma?” I asked like the thought of Rae hurt and in a coma wasn’t killing me. Like I didn’t care anymore. Because I didn’t.

  “Weeks. I don’t know exactly how long. It didn’t come up last night after they called me. They were too pissed off about this Todd guy.”

  “That’s the name of her fiancé?”

  “Ex-fiancé. And yeah.”

  “Why’d they call you?”

  “Because the asshole grabbed Rae and wouldn’t let her go, in front of Jack, and Jack tried to take him down, and the guy punched Jack in the jaw when his back was turned—when he wasn’t looking.”

  “Rae chose herself a quality guy.” I sat on the couch and plopped my plate on the coffee table, but didn’t move to take a bite of my sandwich.

  “It’s not a joke, man. Not only did the guy push Rae into the wall, making her hit her head, but then he pretended to be some hero for calling 911 before her brain could swell any more and kill her. He pretended he was some dutiful fiancé who just showed up to visit her and came across her right after the accident.”

  My body went rigid. I rolled my neck to try to release some of the tension.

  Luke ran a hand over his head. Since he’d joined the force, he wore his hair military-short. “He must’ve about shit his pants in relief when he found out Rae didn’t remember what happened. It’s wild, man, she didn’t remember him at all. Like not even a little bit.”

  “But she still planned on marrying him?”

  “According to Sam, she’d been about to dump his ass when she remembered that he’d been the one to push her into the wall.”

  “So they’re pressing charges, right? They’re bringing this fucker down?”

  “That’s the problem. Guy’s some kind of high and mighty criminal lawyer. He already told them he planned to fight them hard on any charges, that he’d make them regret it.”

  “So they’re not gonna do anything?”

  He shrugged. “For now. But Jack was talking about going to the shooting range to get some practice in.”

  “Good,” I said, tearing into my sandwich like it was this Todd guy.

  “Anyway, just thought you’d want to know.”

  I swallowed. “And why’d you think that?”

  He smiled broadly, but his eyes lacked their usual mischief. “‘Cause it’s Rae, man.”

  “So?”

  “So you and her were perfect together.”

  I tossed my sandwich down. “No, bro, we weren’t. And she made that clear.” In words that still haunted me when I let my guard down or when I’d had too much to drink. “She changed her life, and I’m not a part of it. I don’t wanna be.”

  “She’s back to being the same Rae as before, the same Rae who was crazy about you. It’s all she remembers now.”

  “It doesn’t change what she did to us.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I sank back into the couch. “There is no us anymore. There hasn’t been for a really long time.”

  “I guess I shouldn’t have come here, then.”

  “You’re always welcome here. You’re my cousin. But if it’s about Rae, yeah, I don’t want to hear it. It’s none of my business anymore.”

  Luke stared at me; I glared back. “I don’t care about her anymore,” I added, in case he wasn’t getting the message I was putting off loud and clear.

  “I can see that.” He stood. “All right. I’m off, then. I don’t want to make Annabelle wait. I like this one. I might keep her.”

  I stood to walk him to the door. “If she treats you right, keep her for sure. That’s what matters.”

  He met my stare for a bit too long before finally nodding and stalking through the door. “See ya, bro.”

  “Later.” I shut the door and sank back into the couch, leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

  Fucking Rae. I wasn’t supposed to care that some guy hurt her. I shouldn’t give a shit that he manhandled her, used her, and lied to her about it.

  But I did. And that was a giant problem I couldn’t allow myself to have.

  Chapter Eleven

  ~ Rae ~

  The very next day, Sam and I pulled up in her Jeep to the security gate at some luxury condominium complex I’d lived in for the last five years. It was on the opposite end of Ivy Vale from the law firm I worked at.

  “What the hell do they have so much security for?” I asked, taking in the tall fence surrounding the community, which looked about as homey as a shopping complex. “It’s Ivy Vale. There can’t be that much serious crime here.”

  “I guess money pays for security, whether you need it or not.”

  A guard ambled out of a gatehouse and stopped at Sam’s window. She rolled it down.

  “Good morning. Who are you here to see?” he asked, bending down to peer into the car just as Dad pulled up behind us in his work truck. “Oh. Hi there, Miss Cantrell. I didn’t realize you were in there. I’ll buzz you right in.” He started to stand, then bent back down. “I was very sorry to hear about the accident. Mister Samuels told me all about it.”

  “I’ll bet he did. I’m sorry I don’t remember you.” I smiled tightly at him. Todd was the jerk here, not this guy. “Will you please also buzz in the car behind us? It’s my parents. They’re here to help me move out.”

  “Oh.” The young guard didn’t manage to conceal his surprise. “You’ll be leaving?”

  “Yes. I ended things with Mister Samuels yesterday and I’m here to get my things.”

  His look contained a hint of pity, as if I couldn’t possibly be glad to do without Todd. “I’m sorry to hear about the breakup.”

  “Thanks, but I’m not,” I said, before quickly deliberating and adding, “I don’t want to involve you in my drama, but just … be careful with Todd. Don’t trust him.”

  Surprised again, he said, “Oh, okay,” though I doubted he believed me. He nodded and returned to his gatehouse. A few seconds later, the gate swung open inward on silent wheels.

  “Fancy pantsy,” Sam said as she rolled through with Dad right behind us. “It doesn’t even squeak.”

  “Apparently money also buys WD-40.”

  I watched the gatehouse to see if the guard waved at me or something, but he didn’t make eye contact. No doubt he thought I was the unhinged, crazy one here, not Todd.

  Sighing, I sank back in my seat, suddenly exhausted.

  “Don’t worry,” Sam said. “You’ll start feeling loads better once we get you moved out and you start putting Todd in the past, where he belongs.”

  “Actually, he probably belongs in prison.”

  “Not probably, definitely. That man deserves all he has coming to him.”

  I chortled bitterly. “You mean like loads of money and a snazzy condo that’s about to become a snazzy bachelor pad?”

  “He might not get to enjoy all of that.” Sam glanced in the rearview mirror. “Dad might kill him for what he did to you.”

  “Dad won’t get back at him because Dad isn’t stupid. Besides, I don’t want him to do anything, not even punch him back.”

  “Are you serious? That asshole deserves a good punch to the face.”

  “I’m sure he deserves several, but he’ll get Dad in trouble if Dad does anything, and I don’t want that. Our family isn’t a match for a narcissistic criminal defense attorney.”

  Sam backed into one of the two parking spaces reserved for unit number twenty-three and cut the engine. Her thoughtful gaze skimmed me, but I was busy studying the place that I’d lived in for years and didn’t remember at all. So weird.

  “You know,” Sam said in a soft voice, “it’s really strange. I can tell the wild, happy Rae I grew up with is in there somewhere now, but you sound so adu
lty. Like … you forgot what happened during the last twelve years of your life, but you didn’t forget how the lawyer-you spoke. I mean, narcissistic? That’s a big word for a seventeen-year-old.”

  I snorted. “I’ve never been an ignoramus, Sammy. I knew what narcissistic meant even at seventeen.”

  “Maybe. You sound … refined now, when I keep waiting for you to let loose with some major F bombs.”

  I chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do to meet your expectations.”

  Sam reached over and grabbed my hand before I could step out. “You don’t need to do anything for me. All I want is for you to be happy again, to be the real you.”

  “Now who’s sounding adulty?” I smiled sadly. If I’d really pushed Sam out of my life, then I’d missed out on a great sister. Even when we fought, she was still one of my favorite people in the world.

  Dad pulled open my door. “You ready to get this over with?”

  “Sure am. The sooner Todd is out of my life, the better.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Dad’s mouth was pursed into a furious line. I had no doubt that if Todd were here, he’d punch him straight in the face no matter what I’d just finished saying. Which was why I’d texted Todd early this morning to warn him I was stopping by to get my things and that I didn’t want him here. Either way, Todd would be at work; it was the middle of the week.

  “Honey, the key,” Dad said to Mom, and she fished my keychain out of her purse. The keychain was a plain brown Coach leather strap emblazoned with the name brand. I couldn’t have been more boring if I’d tried.

  Dad clutched my keys and headed toward the entrance to my unit—to Todd’s unit. “We’ll take your car home too.”

  “What kind of car do I have?” I asked, experiencing the full absurdity of my question. I had so little idea of who I’d become.

  “You drive a two-door Honda Accord,” Sam said.

  “Okay, good. That’s not too over the top.”

  “It’s black on the outside and black leather on the inside. I’m pretty sure you got all the upgrades too, and it’s brand new. You traded your car in every two years.”

  “Oh,” I said, not knowing what else to say. How many people were strangers to themselves?

  The flowerbeds along the walkway were perfectly manicured, and when we arrived at the front door to my place, Todd had left us a note pinned to the door.

  Don’t come in! I’ve informed the condominium manager you’ll be arriving at ten as you specified. Wait for her to arrive. She will escort you in and supervise your time here. You are not allowed inside without her present.

  He didn’t bother signing the note, but there was no need. I was learning to recognize his brand of jerkhood.

  Dad ripped the note from the door, crumpled it into a ball, and stuffed it roughly into the pocket of his jeans. “Like hell we’re waiting. This is your place too.”

  A situation I’d have to deal with soon. Todd and I were co-owners of the condo, which meant I wasn’t going to be getting rid of Todd as easily as I wanted. I’d been the one to rent the place first. When Todd moved in with me, we purchased it together. We’d have to involve an attorney, at least to separate ownership.

  Dad shoved my key in the lock and opened the door, revealing an entryway so pristine and immaculate that I couldn’t have possibly lived here.

  The four of us stood there in evident awe, taking in the unmarred walls and cream-colored carpet.

  “Who even uses light carpeting?” Mom asked. “It’s impossible to keep clean.”

  “Clearly it isn’t,” I said.

  “Yeah, if you’re anal retentive,” Sam said. “Which you used to be. Really glad you aren’t anymore. This place is giving me the willies.”

  “Me too.”

  My current level of freaked-outness must have shown in my voice. They all turned to look at me, concern dripping across their faces, and Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

  She started to lead me over to a charcoal gray couch that was as immaculate as the rest of the apartment. “Why don’t you take a seat, Rae? We’ll be able to figure out what’s yours and what isn’t.”

  “Look.” Sam pointed to a rack of shoes, some of them my size. “No shoes allowed on in the house. That’s how come the carpet looks like it’s new.”

  “Well, then it’ll make me very happy to leave my shoes on.” Dad smiled evilly. He was wearing his work boots and they had a thick, clompy tread.

  Mom kept her shoes on too but walked gingerly on the carpet. “Sit, honey.” She tried to nudge me onto the couch.

  But I snapped out of my daze, shaking my head. “No. I’ve got to do this. I want your help so we can get out of here fast, but I have to see what I was like.”

  “Okay, sweetie.” But Mom studied me like she feared I’d break.

  “I’ll go get the boxes,” Dad announced before stomping hard across the carpet and leaving a trail of fine dirt marking out his paces.

  “Where do you want to start?” Sam asked me.

  “Maybe I should just forget about all of it. It’s not like it’ll be stuff I like anyway. I don’t care what happens to it.”

  “We already talked about this. You can’t do that. You made good money, and from what I saw, you spent it. Which means you’ve got valuable stuff in here, and if you don’t get it back, Todd will keep it. Let’s get it out of here and then you can pawn it or whatever you want, but don’t leave it for him. He’s already taken enough from you.”

  “She’s right,” Mom said. “You may as well get some money out of it.”

  Money. I sighed. They were right. I couldn’t go back to working as a lawyer, which meant I’d need money.

  Dad passed us some boxes just as a woman in a dress suit and heels knocked on the ajar door and let herself in. She took in the scene and pursed her lips. “You aren’t supposed to be in here without my supervision.”

  Squaring my shoulders, I stepped out from in between my family. “I co-own this place, which means I have as much right to be here as Todd.”

  “That’s not what he said.”

  “Then he lied.”

  The woman’s hair was twisted up into a tight chignon, and sparkly cubic zirconium shone from her ears and fingers. Her nails were freshly manicured, and she drummed them over her crossed forearms as she scanned me up and down. This complex was probably crazy expensive if this was how the staff that managed it dressed.

  “I can’t assume that he lied,” she said. “For all I know, you could be lying to me now.”

  “I could be lying to you, but I’m not, I assure you.”

  She didn’t appear moved.

  “I’m on the deed to this place as co-owner. Surely you have a record of who owns the place in your office. We can start packing up my stuff while you go check. But we’re not going anywhere. This is my place as much as his. I even moved into it first. It was my place before it was his.” I’d confirmed all these details with Mom before heading over here, so for once I was sure I was getting it right.

  When she looked on the fence about things, and the desperation to get my things and get the hell out of here mounted, I added, “Look, I like to keep my business private, but in this case I’m going to let you in on a bit of what’s going on. You know I was injured?”

  She nodded.

  “Well Todd’s the one who pushed me into the wall I hit my head on.”

  “And then he lied about it,” Mom interjected. “He let us believe he’d been the hero for saving our girl when he’d been the one to hurt her. My daughter almost died because of him.”

  The woman looked between Mom and me, and then at Dad and Sam, who wore identical fierce expressions.

  “Todd isn’t who he makes people think he is,” I said, and waited. When the woman still appeared to be considering, I sighed. “Look, I don’t want problems. I just want to get my stuff and get the hell out of here before I have to see him again. He punched my dad in the face—when his back was turned—the last time we saw h
im, and all my dad was doing was defending me from him.”

  “Okay. Fine,” she said. “But I could lose my job over this. I’m going to have to tell Mister Samuels that you refused to leave when I asked you to.”

  “That’s fine with us,” Dad said. “That prick doesn’t deserve any consideration from us.”

  She nodded. “I’ll have to remain in the apartment though to make sure there’s no damage to the place while you’re here.”

  I smiled tightly. Bitch didn’t believe us—or at least not fully. Todd probably had her wrapped around his little finger, just like he’d had me.

  “Whatever,” I said to her, then turned to my family. “In and out in an hour?”

  “Let’s do it,” Sam said.

  But as we set off to sever my life from Todd’s, we discovered it wasn’t as easy as we’d hoped. For one, I had no idea what was mine and what was his. It was all so … bland. The decorations were obviously high-end and expensive, but there wasn’t a thing in there that was me. That I liked.

  We’d decorated the place in a minimalistic style. Most everything was white, off-white, black, or in tones of gray. What wasn’t was a carefully placed and brightly colored accent, a shiny royal blue vase or a burnt orange lamp. Paintings hung on either side of the ginormous entertainment system; they served as abstract splashes of color.

  In the end, we gathered my clothes, jewelry, and other personal items and left behind the rest. Nothing else seemed mine. Maybe the attorney I’d have to hire to separate our co-ownership could get me some money for all the furniture and art I was leaving behind. I wouldn’t pay ten dollars for any one of the paintings in here, but for all I knew they could be worth thousands.

  I did my best to avoid looking at the king-sized bed in the master bedroom, but I had little success. I couldn’t stand the thought that this was where I’d slept—and had sex, probably lots of it—with Todd. Sam caught me staring at the bed and steered me away, clutching a hand-carved wooden jewelry box. Sam had been right. I found some flashy rings, necklaces, and earrings in there that probably cost more than a car.

  “Don’t go there,” she said as she led me away from the bedroom and back down the padded stairs toward the entryway. “You weren’t the same person, remember?”