Dirty Roomie

by Alycia Taylor

  He was slowly starting to get back to normal, and every day he seemed to improve. The worst was having to go to the ranch without Harold around, but we went a little every day just to make sure that things were being run smoothly. That was all we could do. I woke up early that morning, earlier than Brady. It was starting to become a habit. I had a feeling that he battled to sleep at night because every morning he slept in late and looked exhausted. I climbed slowly out of bed and made my way downstairs. I decided to send Victoria a message and asked her to let me know when I could call her. I’d messaged her to let her know that I wasn’t coming back the Monday as promised and that I’d get back to her, but with everything that had been happening, I hadn’t gotten around to it. I was surprised when she messaged back to say that she was free to talk.

  I made my way outside and closed the door so that I wouldn’t wake up Brady. Victoria answered after a few rings.

  “Hey, Vic,” I said.

  “Sloan. Man, it’s good to hear your voice. I’ve been so worried about you. I thought you were coming back? It’s been over two weeks, and I haven’t heard a thing.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry. Vic. I owe you an explanation as well as an apology.”

  “Tell me everything.”

  I sighed. I decided that it was time to test our friendship by telling Victoria everything there was about me. If she didn’t want to be friends with me afterward then I would simply walk away. But I owed it to her to at least try. I took a deep breath and told her everything that I had told Brady. About growing up poor, about my father leaving, and my mother having no money. About working hard, and how I’d thrown it all away to make some quick money for my sick mother. It was the second time I was recounting the story, and it still wasn’t an easy thing to say out loud.

  “Oh, Sloan, you should’ve told me.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I . . . I mean . . . we only really went shopping and stuff. I think of you as my best friend, and yet sometimes I feel like we don’t even know each other. I didn’t know how you were going to react.”

  She sighed. “I’m going to tell you a little story about me,” she said. “A story I haven’t told anyone before.”

  I listened as Victoria told me all about how her father used to abuse her, and how she had turned to drugs and alcohol when she was younger. She told me that she’d been in rehab for two years and had been clean now for eight years. She told me how messed up she was and how she’d done things that she would never dream of doing now.

  “It was the worst time, Sloan. I did all those things. But I’m not that person anymore. I regret all the things I did, but I don’t want them to define who I am now. I can’t. If I do, then I will never be happy, and I will never move past from that time in my life. I’m a different person now. I guess you and I had sort of a superficial relationship, because we were both scared of letting each other in. I don’t want to be like that with you anymore.”

  I started crying. “Same here. I love you, Vic.”

  “I love you too, Sloan. You’re not coming back, are you?”

  I wasn’t sure how she knew. I’d never even told her about Brady. “I don’t think so. How did you know?”

  “I don’t know. I just do. You met someone, didn’t you?”

  I laughed. “You’re psychic.”

  “It’s called best friend syndrome. So, tell me all about him.”

  I sighed happily. This was a topic I was more than comfortable to talk about. “He’s amazing, Vic. His name is Brady Maxwell, and he’s a cowboy.”

  She chuckled. “A real cowboy! Hey, is he the one from the ranch? The one that taught you how to ride a horse and all that?”

  “The very one. He’s also teaching me how to drive a car.”

  “Wow, he’s teaching you a lot. What’s he like in the sack?” she asked bluntly.

  I giggled. “The sack, the barn, the field, the bed, the living room. Yeah, he’s amazing.”

  “Wow! No wonder you don’t want to leave. You know what, Sloan? You sound happy. In fact, this is the happiest I’ve ever heard you sound.”

  I smiled. “I am happy.”

  “Then stay. You’ll figure things out. Right now, it sounds like you need him.”

  “I do.”

  Then I thought of Harold. And he needs me too.

  We said our goodbyes and I walked back up to see if Brady was still sleeping. I opened the door and sat on the bed, just watching him. He looked so peaceful. When he woke up, he jumped.

  “Are you watching me sleep?”

  I giggled. “Yeah.”

  “Such a creep,” he teased.

  “I can’t help it. You’re just so beautiful.”

  “I thought it was only my legs you liked.”

  “Your face isn’t bad either.”

  “Well, that’s a good thing. I mean, you probably see my face more than you see my legs.”

  “That’s what you think,” I said and laughed. “Come on; you need to get up.”

  “Why?”

  “First, we’re going to the ranch today. I want to help you work. Second, I’m desperate for some coffee.”

  We made our way to the ranch, with Brady making me drive the whole way. I stalled once, but otherwise I didn’t do too badly. He was right; this was the best place to learn how to drive. Especially since it was one straight road from his house to the ranch. When we arrived, we made our way through the ranch, making notes of everything that had to be done.

  “I can’t believe you’re making notes. I don’t know why I’ve never done that before,” he said as he looked at my notepad.

  I chuckled. “You see, you need a woman around here.”

  “I think I do.”

  “Hey, Brady,” I said softly. “How are you doing?”

  He sighed and nodded. “I’m okay. It’s strange not having Harold around. I mean, one minute he was here and the next he was gone. I sometimes feel like the whole thing is just a dream and I’m going to wake up and see him again. But I’m okay. I’m getting better.”

  “Yeah, it’s so weird. But you’re doing well. I can’t believe he left you the ranch. I knew he would, but it’s crazy isn’t it? I mean, the whole ranch. It’s all yours.”

  I looked around the ranch at the vast expanse of land. We’d gotten the call from the lawyers a few days ago. Apparently Harold had put Brady’s name down about two years ago. He left absolutely everything to him.

  “And yet, I’d give back every cent that I’m going to make or that I already have just to have Harold back again.”

  “I know. But you’re going to do so well with this ranch. I know you are.”

  “I’m going to make him proud,” Brady said.

  “I think you did that long ago.”

  “So, what’s on the agenda for today?” he asked me.

  I looked down at my notes and told him everything that needed to be done. “It’s a long list. I think we need to call in your friend Trace to help and maybe look at getting someone else in. I don’t mind helping you with all this admin, Brady. I don’t have a job at the moment, and I’m happy to help.”

  “Are you sure? That would be amazing. I’m not so good at that kinda stuff.”

  I smiled. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, it will be nice to have something to do. And I’d like to feel like I’m helping. I want to do it for you. And for Harold.”

  “Thanks, Sloan.”

  We spent the rest of the day figuring out the logistics and doing what we could for the day. I helped Brady with the horses, as that was the part I enjoyed doing the most, and at the end of the day, we took them for a ride. This time I let him have Betty.

  When we finished up, I drove us home slowly, and he chuckled at my atrocious parking skills.

  “We need to work on that next,” he said.

  “What do you mean? I’m an amazing parker,” I said. I got out the car and laughed when I saw how badly I had parked. I hadn’t actually realized how bad it was until I was seeing it from the outsi
de. Brady was chuckling at me, but I refused to admit it. I looked at it again and smiled. “Yes, this is perfect. This is exactly what I intended to do.”

  “You’re so stubborn, you know that?” he said.

  I chuckled. “And you’re not?”

  “Two peas in a pod, then. Come on; I’m ordering pizza.”

  The pizza delivery man came an hour later, and we made a little picnic outside on the grass. I was hoping to invite Grant and Emily, whom I still hadn’t met, but they were away for the week. So we had the whole place to ourselves. We sat outside on picnic blankets with pizza and a glass of wine. The sky was absolutely incredible. I kept stopping just to look up and admire the view. Other than the sound of a few birds or the occasional car, there was nobody else around. It was the most peaceful evening ever.

  “Brady, have you ever thought of speaking to your father again?” I asked suddenly. I knew it was a touchy subject to bring up, but it had been on my mind ever since he had told me the story. I’d thought about it even more after Harold had passed away. I’d been wanting to bring it up all evening, but I hadn’t had the courage until then.

  “Harold was my father,” he said defiantly. I didn’t say anything, and after a while, he sighed and shrugged. “Yeah, I do think about it sometimes.”

  “I know Harold was like a father to you. And I know your father did some awful things to you. It’s up to you whether you want to forgive him or not. But Brady, I also did some terrible things once upon a time. And I’m not sure what I would do if you only saw that side of me without realizing that I’ve changed. Your father probably regrets what he did and wants nothing more than to have you back in his life again. I just want you to think about it. I don’t want you to one day look back and regret not doing this. But of course, this is your life, and it’s up to you. So, whatever you decide to do, I will support you.”

  Brady didn’t say anything for a while, and I hoped that I hadn’t overstepped the mark. But eventually, he nodded. “I’ll think about it. I promise.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Brady

  “I can’t believe it’s been a month since Harold died. It feels unreal still. You know, I still get to the ranch sometimes and think I’m going to see him.”

  Sloan sighed. “I feel the same way. For a man that didn’t say much, he had quite a presence about him. And you know, he never asked me about what was going on. I knew that he knew. I could just tell that he had figured it out. I mean, you just had to go on the internet and it was all over the place. But he didn’t once ask me about it. He was so much like you in that regard. In fact, he was so good to me despite what had happened.”

  I nodded. “Harold was a man that didn’t judge anyone. He got to know everyone despite what other people said.”

  “I’m still so glad I got to meet him. So, how are you feeling about today?”

  Today was a day I had been dreading for the past week. Ever since Sloan and I had that conversation about my father, it had been playing on my mind. She had been kind enough not to bring it up again, but it hadn’t stopped me from thinking about it. And so, a week ago, I plucked up the courage to call Ian. I wasn’t ready to speak to my father just yet, but talking to Ian was a big jump for me already. He’d been so surprised to hear from me, and even though it was awkward at first, soon we were laughing like brothers again. We chatted for a long time. I couldn’t believe how much he had changed in the past few years. It seemed that meeting a girl had done him good. He was easy to talk to, and a lot more accepting of things. He’s the one that convinced me to come and see my father.

  “I’m nervous,” I admitted to Sloan.

  “Well, that’s natural.”

  “And a part of me feels bad. I mean, Harold is the one that was there for me these past few years. I feel like I’m betraying him.”

  “Are you crazy? Harold would’ve been so happy to know that you were doing this. You know what he was like. He loved you, Brady, but he would’ve wanted this for you.”

  “You’re right. Thanks for coming with me by the way.”

  “Anytime,” she smiled.

  I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. If she wasn’t coming along, I knew that I would’ve back out already. The whole morning I’d been thinking of not going, but she wouldn’t hear it.

  “Okay,” I said. “Are you ready? I think it’s time we hit the road.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “You really think this is a good idea? What if we fight? What if we can’t stand to be around each other?”

  “Then we turn around and come back home. I’m here for you, Brady, no matter what.”

  “Okay, then let’s go before I change my mind.”

  When we arrived in Arizona, it was just before lunch the following day. We’d stayed over at a motel on the way just to get a few hours’ sleep and it was good to finally arrive. I’d spoken to Ian on the way and he’d assured me that our father was in his office. I parked the car and saw that my hands were trembling.

  “You can do this, Brady,” Sloan said.

  “It is so strange to be back here.”

  “You grew up here, didn’t you?”

  I nodded. “I did. But I haven’t been back for years. I haven’t seen my father since I was eighteen. That feels like a lifetime ago.”

  “Come on, let’s go in. Sometimes it’s better not to even think about it. Want me to stay in the car while you see him?”

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to do this without Sloan. “No, I want you with me. If you don’t mind?”

  “Of course I don’t mind.”

  We got out of the car, and Sloan immediately took my hand. I saw someone give her a strange look and I quickly ushered her inside. I forgot that people would probably recognize her and that the media would be on her back if they caught wind of where she was. I hadn’t actually realized how much she was risking just to be there for me. I squeezed her hand and smiled at her.

  I saw my father’s office in the distance and stopped short just before going in. I had to compose myself and take a few breaths before carrying on. Then I looked at Sloan and nodded. “Let’s do this,” I said.

  I walked into my father’s office and couldn’t help but smile at the figure that was hunched over the desk. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and for a few seconds he didn’t even notice that we had walked in. When he looked up, I was shocked at how much older he was. In my mind, I still thought of him as he was the last time that we had seen each other.

  “Brady? Brady is that you?” he said.

  I nodded. “Hey, Pop.”

  “Oh, Brady. I can’t believe my eyes. What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is fine. I . . . well, I just wanted to see you again.”

  My father stood up, walked around his desk, and took me in his arms. He was thinner than I remembered but I wasn’t sure if that was because of his age or because of the cancer. It felt strange being in his arms. I couldn’t remember the last time that he’d even hugged me. Not since my mother was still alive. When we pulled away, I saw that he was crying. And I realized, so was I.

  “Brady, my boy. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” my father whispered over and over again.

  “I’m sorry too, Pop,” I said. I hadn’t expected to hear myself apologizing, so it took me by surprise.

  “Don’t you dare apologize to me. I owe you the world of apologies. It’s so good to see you. Wow, you’ve grown so much. You . . . oh, Brady, you look just like your mother.”

  I smiled. It was true; I looked a lot like her. Sloan had told me the same thing. It was then that I remembered that Sloan was standing next to me. She looked tearful when I looked at her.

  “Pop, I’d like you to meet Sloan. She’s . . . uh . . . .” I trailed off. Sloan and I still hadn’t discussed what we were to each other.

  Sloan walked forward and took his hand. “I’m his girlfriend,” she said and flashed me a smile.

  My fa
ther looked at Sloan and grinned. “His girlfriend? Wow, it’s great to meet you. You’re beautiful. Sorry, I hope that’s not too forward. But you really are beautiful. Brady, you did well here.”

  I beamed. “Oh, trust me, Pop, I know. I tell myself that every day. Are you free for lunch?”

  “Of course I am.”

  We went to say hello to Ian, who was working hard next door on a client’s bike. It was good to see him again, and it was even better introducing Sloan to him. I was proud to have a girlfriend like her to show off to my family. Afterward, we made our way out to lunch where my father and I spent a good portion of the time talking through our problems. It was mostly due to Sloan who seemed adamant that we needed to talk it out before the two of us headed back to Wyoming.

  “I still can’t believe that you’re here,” my father said.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t visit you in the hospital. Are you okay now? What’s going on?”

  “Don’t be sorry. When you wouldn’t accept my apology all those years ago, I became so angry at you. I shut you off completely. But deep down, I was always just so upset with myself for what I did. Not seeing you was almost a way to ignore what happened. I’m not like that anymore, Brady. I was so messed up when your mother died. I drank to make myself feel nothing. But really, all I felt was rage. And I loved you boys more than you think. But sometimes, you were too much of a reminder of the fact that she was gone. I’m so sorry. I don’t blame you for not visiting me in the hospital. I really don’t. And I’m okay, Brady. It was a long process, and I’m not completely fine. But I’m getting stronger every day.”

  “I’m glad to hear of it.”

  “How’s Grant, by the way? I was so angry when he left. But he sounds so happy. And he’s come to visit a few times. I cannot believe how well he fits in your town. He’s not a city boy at heart, that’s for sure.”

  I laughed. “He’s not. Will you come and visit us, Pop? Grant and I live right next door to each other, and I have plenty space.”