The Middle Road

by K. G. Reuss

  Glen doesn’t need to say a word. His answer is in his eyes. I think it’s important to look into someone’s eyes to learn all I need to know. And Glen Andrews’s eyes have dollar signs dancing in them.

  “You are truly incredible, Mr. Boyd. We’d love to work with you.”

  Luke’s eyes are the size of saucers as he glances between me and Glen.

  “Are you shittin’ me?” he chokes out, causing me to snort, but I cover it with a cough.

  Glen grins at him and offers him a nod. “I’m absolutely serious, Mr. Boyd. We could make you a star. Although, with talent like that, I’d say you’re already one. You just need the backing. Do you have an agent?”

  “Uh,” Luke looks over at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

  “I’m representing Mr. Boyd until other arrangements are made,” I say. Relief washes over Luke’s face at my words.

  “Carter George.” Glen drums his fingers on his desk. “I didn’t ask before, but are you the same real estate tycoon Carter George out of New York? The billionaire?”

  If I thought Luke’s eyes were wide before, they’re nothing compared to the size they are now after hearing Glen’s words.

  “This isn’t a dick measuring contest,” I say.

  Glen chuckles at me and nods. “I thought it was you. You’re a ruthless man, Mr. George.”

  “We’re both in the business of making dreams come true, Glen,” I say with a wide smile. “Most of the time, they’re my dreams I’m concerned with, but I know talent when I see it. Luke deserves to be given a chance. I’m here to ensure he gets it.”

  Glen looks to Luke. “How the hell did you, a country boy from nowhere West Virginia, meet up with the likes of Mr. George?”

  “Fate,” Luke answers, cradling his guitar. “And Wal-Mart.”

  Glen lets out a laugh. The man isn’t a bad guy. He’s fair and to the point. I like that about him.

  “So, what’s the deal going to be, Glen? You going to hook my friend Luke up with that contract?”

  “You know what,” Glen says, shuffling some papers. “I think I am.”

  Luke jumps into the air, whooping his joy with tears streaming down his face. Before I react, his arms are around me, and he’s clinging to me.

  “Thank you,” he chokes out into my neck as he hugs me tighter.

  I give him a quick hug, laughing as he pulls away. I’ve never seen such joy in my life. It lights my heart up. Glen is grinning just as widely as we are.

  “Do I even need to ask if you’re interested in signing with us?” Glen asks, a twinkle in his dark eyes.

  “Oh, I’m interested,” Luke says, finally settling down.

  “I think it’s time to talk numbers.” I’ve gone from excited fairy fucking godmother to cutthroat businessman.

  “Let’s talk numbers.” Glen sits back in his seat as I lean forward in mine.

  If I wanted to, I could own his record company in thirty seconds. We both know who’s really in charge.

  But I smile and give the man a chance to wow me.

  “Carter George, did my mama send you down from heaven to do this?” Luke asks in a choked-up voice as we sit in the Beastmaster later that night, celebrating the incredible deal I’d just gotten for Luke. There were so many zeros Luke had to ask me how much money it really was.

  I give Luke a smile, my heart warming knowing I’ve helped him. Whenever I’d tear down a company, I was filled with an emptiness. I’d drink to it and fuck my way to feeling good. But now, in this moment, my heart is full. I’m happy. It’s a feeling I’m not familiar with so I sit with a glass of whiskey in my hand, a shit-eating grin on my face, and enjoy Luke’s excitement.

  “Carter can talk his way into anything,” Derek proclaims, grabbing his glass. “He’s your man for all trade deals.”

  “A man I’ll be forever grateful to,” Luke says, raising his glass in my name. “To Carter George.”

  Derek follows suit, saying my name, and my fucking eyes get misty.

  “Don’t cry, ya big baby,” Derek teases. I flip him off with one hand while I dry my eyes with the other.

  The laughter dies down for a moment, and I’m able to pull myself together. Luke has grown quiet.

  “You OK?” I ask him as he stares into his drink.

  “I don’t think I can do this.”

  “What?” Derek and I say in unison.

  “Why can’t you? It’s your dream—” I start, but he shakes his head and looks to Molly who’s enjoying a new chew toy. Sensing his eyes on her, she cocks her head, her tongue lolling out.

  “I can’t leave Molly. I don’t have a home for her. It’s the same situation as it was back home. It’ll be too busy for me to care for her the way I should. I can’t just up and walk out on her.”

  I look between Molly and Luke. I don’t even need to think twice about it. “We’ll keep her for you. When you’re ready, you’ll know where to find her. Right, Derek?”

  Derek grins, nodding his head.

  “See? It’s settled. Molly stays with us, and you go make those dreams happen.”

  It’s Luke’s turn to get misty-eyed. “Are you serious?”

  “Do you even need to ask that?”

  “Thank you, Carter.” He moves to me and wraps me in a one-armed hug. “Thank you.”

  I give his back a pat. “What are friends for?”

  We break apart, and I discretely wipe at my eyes again. Friends. Real friends. It’s certainly nice to be able to say I’m starting to actually make some. The rest of the evening is spent in laughter and comfort with my two friends. It’s the last night we’ll be together like this. I sit back and watch as the guys chuckle and talk about their exes. Luke jots notes in his notebook, no doubt a song brewing in his heart over our tales. I chime in every now and then with a story of my own, stories that seem unbelievable but are absolutely true.

  The feeling hits me hard. I’ve never actually loved like my friends have. I’ve screwed many women, but love? Hell, I don’t even know if I love my own mother.

  My eyes drift across the dark church parking lot, my mind on the green-eyed angel I’d only briefly exchanged words with. Wherever she is, I hope she’s safe. Not knowing is eating me up inside. Since it’s our last night here before we bid Luke farewell, my heart is heavy. There’s something about Teddy that has me feeling things like butterflies and…hope?

  I’m not sure what the feeling is.

  But damn, what I wouldn’t give to find out.

  Nine

  Carter

  After setting Luke up in a hotel for a few nights and leaving him some cash to survive on until everything comes through from the record company, we bid him farewell amid hugs and manly tears. We exchange numbers, so at least we’ll be able to keep in touch.

  “That was awesome,” Derek says as we pull away from the Hermitage Hotel where we left Luke. “You’re a good guy, Carter.”

  “Not really.” I smile sadly as we pass through the city. “But I’m working on it.”

  Derek shoots a grin at me before focusing on the road. My mind wanders to Teddy, my eyes scouring the passersby, wondering where she is. I frown as fat raindrops begin pelting the window of the Beastmaster.

  Derek turns the wipers on high and leans forward in his seat a little more. As we travel out of Nashville, the rain starts pounding harder, making it near impossible to see.

  “Shit,” Derek hisses as we slow down.

  We’re getting close to the highway. In front of us is a woman in a short white sundress and brown cowboy boots with a guitar case slung over a shoulder and a suitcase in the other hand. She’s walking with her head down. As we drive closer to her, I turn so I can see her, knowing that walk even though I’ve only seen it a handful of times. The way her ass moves in a dress has been carved into my mind for eternity.

  Teddy.

  “Pull over!” I shout at Derek.

  He looks at me like I’m a crazy man but does as I say. I rush to the door and throw it open just
as Teddy nears us.

  “Teddy!” I shout into the wet, gray world, a veil of rain cascading down between us. Her head snaps up, and she looks in my direction. She hesitates for just a moment before she approaches the Beastmaster and peers up at me, her dark hair and clothes drenched, mascara running down her cheeks.

  “Need a ride?” I ask, reaching my hand out for her to take. She studies it for a moment before her lips part, uncertainty in her eyes.

  “I’ll take you wherever you want to go,” I continue, silently begging her to take my hand. “Where you headed?”

  “Anywhere but here,” she says in that sweet voice of hers, sending goosebumps straight to my heart, causing it to jolt in my chest.

  “You’re in luck, sweetheart. We’re on our way to Nowhere, USA, and we have room for one more.” I take a step down so we’re closer, my hand still extended.

  A tiny smile quirks up on her plump lips before she places her hand in mine. I tug her up the step. We’re so close I can feel the chill from the rain on her.

  “Sounds like you’re heading in the right direction,” she says, shivering.

  I grin and lead up her up into the Beastmaster. Then I take her bag and guitar from her.

  “That’s the plan.” Derek throws some kitchen towels down on the floor to soak up the rain dripping from her clothes, while I get some towels from the bathroom for her hair. Molly barks at Teddy, not comfortable yet with the new stranger in her space.

  “Come back here and change out of those clothes. We have an extra bedroom you can use,” I say, waving for her to come to the back of the bus. She walks warily toward me, her eyes shifting left and right, looking for God only knows what.

  “Come on. We’re not going to kidnap or murder you. I promise. We’re just on a vacation, going across the country to see the sights. We mean no harm.”

  I slide the door back into the pocket wall and flip on the light to the room. She finally arrives, craning her neck around the corner to look into the empty room. Her gaze takes in a loft bunk with a built-in desk underneath it, a chest of drawers, and a mirror.

  “It’s pretty sparse, but you can unpack your things and make yourself at home. Luke stayed in here. The sheets were washed yesterday, after we left him at the Hermitage Hotel.”

  “I don’t have much. Richie burned most of my stuff when he kicked me out. This is all I’ve got.”

  I toss her bag on the bunk. She takes the towel from my hand, patting her hair and dress. Then she kicks her boots off, the carpet soaking up the rain that spills from them.

  I stare, mesmerized as perfectly, pedicured purple toes wiggle into the gray carpet. I’ve never had a foot fetish, but I may have one now. My dick tightens in my pants, and I turn away. My hand finds the door pull.

  “I’ll leave you to change and dry off. There’s a washer/dryer combo in the bathroom if you need them. Bathroom is right across the hall here.” I flip that light on, so she knows I’m not lying. Her neck stretches and looks over my shoulder until she sees the shower reflected in the mirror.

  A small “thanks” escapes her lips as she grabs for the door and tugs it closed. I wait to hear the lock grip the wall latch before stepping away.

  I stride back to the front of the bus and take a seat next to Derek, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. Not that I’ve known her for weeks, but for some reason, all my focus goes to her, making my own problems seem less. She’s here, and she’s okay. That’s all I need to know. For now.

  Derek studies the weather map. “This rain is coming in from the north. Do you want to head west through Texas or make our way up north to Route 66? Either is fine with me.”

  He hands me his phone, and I enlarge and decrease the map, moving it around on the screen, weighing my options. “Let’s head towards New Orleans. I’ve never been there, believe it or not. I’d like to experience Bourbon Street.”

  “NOLA, get ready, ‘cause here we come,” Derek high-fives me for my spectacular decision-making skills, and plugs our new route into the GPS. He flips the blinker and guides us back onto the road. When movement comes from the back of the bus, he looks over at me. “New person, new adventure?”

  “God, I hope so.” I settle into the massive captain’s chair, kick my feet up onto the dashboard, and enjoy the big picture view as we leave Church Street and head onto I-40.

  The soft swaying of the bus lulls me to sleep within a few minutes.

  “Carter, wake up.” Derek taps my shoulder softly. I open my eyes and see nothing but fenced in hanging flowers and an expanse of bright red geraniums with bumble bees buzzing. This can’t be New Orleans. It’s supposed to be swampy and muggy. Although, I can feel the heat coming through the windows.

  “Where are we?” I sit up straight in the chair and rub the sleep from my eyes.

  We’re in some kind of parking lot. I lower my legs from the dashboard, and that pins-and-needles feeling shoots through them to my feet.

  “Ouch, damn it.” I shake my legs, trying to get the blood to flow to them faster. Why in the hell did I think falling asleep like that would be comfortable?

  “We’re hungry, and we’re out of snacks. And there’s a bonus because we’re at your favorite shopping place… Walmart Supercenter.”

  I groan, not knowing how one trip constitutes it being my favorite place.

  He bends low and whispers into my ear, “Plus, it’s time to take your meds, or you’re going to be miserable later. C’mon, go take your meds, then we’ll run inside to get some food. We’ll be outside waiting for you.”

  We? Who the fuck is we?

  I stand up and bounce on the balls of my feet, testing them to make sure they’re going to hold me when I look up to see the other half of the ‘we’ Derek is talking about. She’s sitting in the living area, petting Molly. Teddy. She wasn’t a figment of my imagination. She really got on the bus.

  I straighten my shirt and run my fingers through my hair, pushing down on its long length to flatten it. I blow my own breath into the palm of my hand and smell it while she isn’t looking. Great. I need to brush my teeth too.

  I fill a cup of water and take it back to my room, swallowing down my pills as fast as I can. One of the caps gets stuck. I twist and turn it without much success, until I finally twist it so hard, I force it back into the right grooves. But now I have an indentation of the cap in my palm. Jesus Christ. Why do they make these things so hard for sick people?

  After hiding my pills away, I head into the bathroom and brush my teeth quickly, while checking out my hair in the mirror. Yep, it’s time for a haircut too. Maybe in NOLA, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get a new look for Carter 2.0. The possibilities are endless it seems.

  I swing the door open to a partly cloudy day, and Molly runs out. Shit. She’s not on her leash, and I freak the fuck out, running after her and hollering her name, “Molly. Molly!”

  Derek starts chasing after her too, running in circles between the parked cars. She’s fucking with him, thinking he’s playing, and I burst out laughing.

  Of this funny little side-show we have going on, the only sensible one is Teddy. She goes back inside the RV and grabs Molly’s obscenely large chew bone and leash. She stands on the top step like the Queen Dogmaster she truly is and whistles one of those high-decibel ear-piercing screeches that makes me want to cover my ears. I swear, everyone in the whole parking lot stops whatever they’re doing and looks at her. She hoists the dog bone high in the air and waves it like a flag while hollering in the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard, “Molly. C’mere pretty girl. Molly, I’ve got your bone. C’mon, Molly.” She wiggles her ass, doing a little dance with the bone, slaps her thighs with her hands then claps them to gain her attention while repeating her name over and over.

  I almost wish my name was Molly, because I’d run toward that booty shake too.

  And I’ll be damned. Molly finally spots her bone in the air and runs full throttle at Teddy to get to it. Teddy throws the bone inside the RV just as Molly reaches
her, and quickly slams the door shut. Whew! Crisis averted.

  Teddy starts strutting toward us, brushing the bone dust from her hands with a smug smile on her face.

  My God, she’s gorgeous. The wind whips her hair up and off her slender shoulders, while the sun shines brightly on her green eyes, making them sparkle. She’s proud of herself, and I think I just fell in love. My heart is beating a thousand miles a minute, and it has nothing to do with the dog chase. The sweet vixen walking in slow motion toward me just stole my heart.

  I look over at Derek, and his mouth is open as he takes in the same view. I lean over and whisper into his ear, “Dibs.”

  “Aww, fuuuck,” is all he says before turning and grabbing a cart from the corral.

  Ten

  Teddy

  I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into with these lunatics. They can’t even control their own dog. The art of distraction is like Doggy 101, so why don’t they know this rule?

  They seem nice, but then again my character judging skills have declined since I moved to Nashville.

  I remember when I thought Richie was a nice guy too. Asshole.

  Manipulative, abusive asshole, if I’m being accurate.

  Derek, the driver, seems quiet and defers to Carter a lot. Derek keeps checking his watch. He must be the organized one of the two, and it’s Derek’s responsibility to make sure they stick to their destination schedule.

  Which makes me think Carter isn’t organized, or he isn’t great with responsibility. Either way, they’re both pretty smokin’ hot, and I’ve won the lottery for great views to look at on this trip.

  They both throw food into the cart like money is no object. Name brand this, name brand that. Had I known I’d be grocery shopping today, I would’ve packed my coupons.

  “You know, the Great Value corn chips taste the same as name brand and cost a $1.49 less,” I say, fighting the urge to replace them. I lift up the aisle tag hanging under the chips and look at the SALE going on. “Or even better, you can get two of the Great Value bags for only ten cents more than one of these.” I pick up the bag of chips from the cart and shake it, enticing them with the offer of a better deal.