Stone
After a full day of questioning and rounds with different detectives, I was allowed to post bail and leave, pending I return for my court date. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but for some reason I never really thought of the consequences if we were to get caught. While in custody I leaned that the gym had been raided and Jason was arrested and taken in as well.
“Excuse me mam, but can I post bail for Seven Mayfield please?”
“Let me check” as the lady taps something into her computer. “Another party has already posted her bail yesterday” the lady offers me a smile.
“Did she use a bondsman?”
“No, Mayfield Inc. took care of her bond in full.”
“Thank you” as I grab the paperwork and my phone off the counter.
Stepping outside I quickly turn on my phone and hit the call button for Seven. It instantly goes to voicemail. Fuck, I mutter to myself as I dial Hunter’s number to come pick me up and take me home. I just prayed I would find her at the apartment and not packing all her shit.
The ride to my place was silent, I didn’t know what to say to Hunter and he sensed that I really wasn’t ready to talk either. Glancing around the parking lot I look for Seven’s car, only to remember that we left it at the gym the night before last. “Thanks man” I say to Hunter as I climb out of his car. “Call me later dude” he says quietly as I shut the door.
Quickly I race up the steps to the apartment, fumbling with my keys as I try and stuff them into the lock. I quickly open the door and notice the lights are off, “Seven” I yell into the quiet apartment. I don’t waste time waiting for her answer as I tear off down the hall to our bedroom.
The room was pitch black as I reached for the light switch praying she was just asleep. The bright lights had confirmed my terror, her stuff was gone. Dropping to my knees I cry out in pain, I knew it was over. I lost the only woman I would ever love.
I had tried to call for several weeks, finally finding out from my sister that she had moved back into the dorms. I didn’t want us to be over, so I refused to believe it till I heard it from her. I figured I would give her some space, let her see that I didn’t mean for this to happen, that I wasn’t a bad guy after all. But days turned into weeks and I had yet to hear from my love.
My lawyer did his job in court; he got me out on several minor counts and no felonies. I didn’t even realize what would happen if I had to do time for this, but luckily Jason took the wrath of the job, unfortunately going to jail for several years just for running the operation. I heard Seven had all the charges she was facing dropped; as Jason and I were adamant she didn’t know anything and was just in the wrong place that day. But it didn’t bring her back to me; she still avoided me like the plague.
I had taken over operations at the gym for Jason, it was the least I could do and in reality I didn’t go anywhere but here and the apartment anymore anyways. Walking down to the coffee shop one morning to feed my rather large addiction I noticed a redhead at the counter ordering, the love of my life was inside with my sister. My heart started to race and my palms became sweaty, there she was my beautiful and illusive Seven.
I pause at the door for a moment, contemplating on if I should go in or not when they turn to leave the store. Seven’s face instantly turned white as she gazed into my eyes. There was no sparkle to those stunning green eyes of her, just hallow sockets of darkness placed on her face. Tammy instantly steps in front of Seven and pushes the door open, wrapping her free arm around Seven’s shoulder as she tries to shield her from my presence. “Seven” I say as they turn and walk away from me. “Seven please wait” I beg as I follow in their direction. “Stone don’t” Tammy says as she glances over her shoulder and pleads. “I can’t Tammy, I love her” as my voice cracks in pain.
“Love Stone, you wouldn’t have kept that big of a secret from me if you really loved me” Seven turns around and shouts at me. “Baby I’m so sorry, please you have to believe me” as I search her eyes for a hint of compassion. “Don’t lie to me Stone, I’m sick of the lies” she snaps as takes a step closer to me. “You are a fucking liar Stone! You lied to me the entire time we were together, and I’m betting you cheated on me the whole time too. A tiger can’t change his stripes so who’s to believe a man-whore can keep his dick in his pants” she screams just inches from my face.
“I’ve never been more truthful with somebody in my entire life then when I was with you Seven” as I try to keep my cool, but she was telling me what I felt for her wasn’t real. “Don’t fucking talk to me Stone, I don’t want to see your face ever again” as she turns to walk away. “What about all the lies you told me” I yell back at her. Seven stops dead in her tracks, you can see the tension in her body come to a peak. “What did I lie about Stone, enlighten me because I sure as hell don’t know!”
“Who the hell bailed you out of jail Seven, because it wasn’t me?”
“My parents you jerk, I called my parents” she screams as tears start to trail down her face. “You said your parents were dead Seven, a fucking lie right there!”
“I never said they were dead you idiot, I just never talked about them.”
“Yeah just like you didn’t kill Anderson by fucking around with Trent” my rage was in full force now; this woman would not place the entire blame on our relationship combusting on me. “You’re a jerk Stone, I’m glad we are done” she says with a whimper as she turns around and quickly storms off. “That was low Stone” Tammy says while shaking her head before turning to run and catch up with Seven.
I couldn’t see anything other than hatred at the moment, how did I ever fall in love with someone so hurtful and cruel. I quickly turn and storm back to the gym, I almost felt bad for the fucker who I was going to drag into the cage, nothing like pounding in some faces to help deal with a little heartbreak.
Seven
Waking back up in the dorms was a painful experience. For the last couple of months I had the comfort of Stone’s arms around me at night, making the everyday problems seem to disappear when we had each other. This had been the hardest thing I’ve ever failed at in my entire life. It was traumatic when I woke up and found out Anderson had passed but nothing could top the feeling knowing the most important man in my life was gone. The incident at the coffee shop just finalized the reality that it was really over; I was going to be alone forever.
The first week was the roughest, as I had to delete the text messages and voice mails before I gave myself the chance to read or listen to them. Every time my phone went off my body started to shake and a panic attack set in to control my world. It took everything in me not to break down in tears over every little thing in life; my clothing would set me off in the morning, walking to class alone caused havoc in the afternoon, and crawling in bed at night ruined my sleep for weeks.
I finally smashed my phone into a million and one piece so I wouldn’t have to hear the ping from a text all day long and night, my world had become a painful thing for me to deal with.
The night of our coffee house encounter I couldn’t bring myself to pull my body off the floor, letting the sobs carry my devastated self further into the depths of despair. Tammy sat with me on the floor that night for hours, carefully stroking my hair while whispering it would be okay over and over. “Seven you are the strongest person I know, you are going to make it through this. You just have to believe in yourself again.”
“What if I made a mistake Tammy? What if he is gone forever” I moan into the old carpet. “You have faced your past Seven, don’t run away from it again” she says as I continue to sob my eyes out until tears are no longer able to fall freely from my eyes.
I wrote down a saying several weeks after the incident on a piece of paper that I stuck in my wallet. “The first day is always the hardest, the second day blows, and so does the fiftieth. It hurts no matter the length of time when your heart is ripped from your chest by the one you love. Time will heal your pain bullshit is a lie that others tell yo
u to help you move on. But what really helps is picking your ass up off the floor and dealing with your emotions. It’s going to hurt and it will feel raw for a long time, but that’s life reminding you it will all be okay.”
Maybe the perfect ending wasn’t going to happen for my story, but my life was going to turn out okay. Stone had taught me to love myself again, that I was capable of feeling that emotion and giving it away. Life wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, there were bound to be stormy days, but believing in yourself was crucial to carrying on. I was the survivor in my story and I ultimately controlled how it was going to be written.
The End
Five years Later…………………….
My head was buzzing from the lack of caffeine today, I had spent way too much time on the computer booking the next fight that fueling my addiction to caffeine seemed to be put on the back burner. Opening the door to the little coffee shop on the corner I flash a smile at the barista behind the counter. Glancing over at the tables in the small place is the most beautiful women I’ve ever known.
Sitting there sipping her cup of coffee with her head in a book is Seven, my heart literally skips a beat at the sight of her. “The usual Stone” the lady at the counter asks. “Yes please” as I smile and hand her my card while keeping my eyes on the stunning lady sitting by the window. Grabbing my cup I remind myself to breathe as I walk over to her.
“Well good afternoon gorgeous” as I take the seat across from her. Seven’s face lights up as I sit down; this woman could melt the polar icecaps with just one glance from her. Her eyes sparkle when they connect with mine, after all these years this woman could still bring me to my knees. “How’s it going” she asks while taking another sip of the warm liquid in her cup. “Oh the same old thing, different day you know” as I fiddle with the paper holder on my coffee. “I’ve missed you” I manage to say without sounding like too much of a loser. “I’ve missed you too” comes those magical four words from Seven’s lips. It didn’t matter how long we spent apart, I was going to love this girl forever.
The years have done wonders for Seven, keeping her red hair now in a sharp bob under her chin. But those green eyes never change; they can still keep you captivated with just a glance. Seven suddenly sets her cup down, “Um I think it’s time to go.” Panic has taken ahold of her face, something was wrong and I desperately wanted to make it right for her.
“Really like now?”
“Um yeah, like now” her voice laced with urgency as she stood quickly to leave the little shop. I knew this would happen, yet with all the time I’ve had to prepare it still felt like a kick to the gut. I couldn’t let her leave again.
Later That Evening
Pacing up and down the halls I wait for my sister to arrive, I swear I called her like an hour ago. Grabbing my phone out of my pocket I look at the time once again, realizing it's only been ten minutes since I talked to Tammy and I’m about ready to chuck this damn thing against the wall. Grasping that my stress level is about to combust I take a quick walk outside in hopes that the cool air will calm my erratic nerves.
Punching the number for Hunter into my cell I grab a seat on a bench and wait for him to answer. “Double S MMA Hunter speaking.” I’m so thankful I have that bastard to help me with the gym. He may still have a couple of screws loose but I can always count on him when I need it. “Hey it’s me. I’m not coming back today” as I impatiently tap my feet on the concrete. “Really man all ready” Hunter questions. “Yeah, can you finish up with the booking?”
“Yeah no problem man let me know and I’ll head down when we lock up.”
“Thanks buddy, I’ll send you a text” as I notice my sister walking through the parking lot. “Hey Stone, love ya man” Hunter says. “Love you too” as I snap the phone shut and jog out to meet Tammy.
“What are you doing out here” Tammy shrieks at me once I meet up with her. “I was going crazy in there Tam, I just had to get out” as we walk back into the building. “You’re an idiot Stone” as she shakes her head and pushes the elevator button. “Did you call dad” giving me the all knowing look of hers. “He was the second person I called” as I smash my finger into the fourth floor button. “Okay slow down there, breaking it isn’t going to make it go any faster” as she rolls her eyes at me. Glaring at my sister I watch the doors close and the numbers start to light up on the digital screen. I can feel my body shaking, I had no control over this and it scared the living shit out of me. “Come on Stone, let’s get this done” Tammy says with a grin as she steps out of the elevator door.
Walking into the room I notice there are several new people now, all busy doing god knows what. I don’t know where I should stand in this commotion as I nervously glance around the room. “How about you stand right up there” a nice lady directs me to the other side of the room. Walking over there I can’t help but look like a doped idiot, this was it. It was a moment I was waiting for my entire life, and I can’t even begin to think how different everything is going to be so soon. Looking over at the door a tall man walks in, “You ready to meet your daughter” he says with a smile. Looking down at Seven laying in the bed I couldn’t imagine my life without this women. “You up for this” she asks while wincing from a contraction. Grabbing her hand I give her a wink “I’ve been waiting for this moment since our wedding day little one.”
Watch for Tammy and Trent’s story in:
“Life Shattering Beautiful”
Coming Winter of 2014
About the Author
T.A. Hardenbrook currently resides in Spokane Washington with her husband and two young boys. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education as well as her license in Cosmetology in which she still works part time, for great company.
Her days include being the family chauffer and referee, all while trying to become the perfect domestic goddess one strives for. Her family of four also includes a very loving American pit bull terrier, a wirehaired dachshund, a corn snake, and an American cavy (Which her oldest son shows at ARBA/ACBA events).
Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013, life became a struggle and she found learning to adapt was not an easy task. Luckily with the help of daily medication, life is slowly returning back to normal. Having the opportunity to write a novel at this time was a huge boost of confidence in dealing with the disorder, being able to use her hands and type, was therapy for the soul.
Please remember to never let anything stand in front of your dreams.
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