Tutu's & Cowboy Boots (Part 1)

by Casey Peeler

  Chapter 35

  Cadence

  I go home with Lauren after the party but we still don’t say much. The tension between us is ridiculous. I think about going to Dad’s, but veto the idea when I look at the time. I’m not taking the subway alone at this time of night.

  Lying in bed, my mind begins to work overtime. It’s like it’s on repeat of Lauren being a greedy little bitch, her bad mouthing Jade and Barrick, and then Barrick calling tonight. I feel like I’m pulled between two different worlds. I toss and turn until my mind finally gives in and I drift off to sleep.

  When the sun peers through the window, I’m wide-awake and of course Lauren is still snoozing. I get out of bed, shower, and get ready. As I walk out of the bathroom, she asks me what the hell I’m doing.

  “I think I’m going to go home,” I say to her and she looks at me like I’m crazy.

  “Look I don’t know what your deal was last night, but we’ve never argued and you moped around there like you hated every minute of it. You used to love parties. You have one more day before you fly out, don’t waste it being mad at me.” She’s right. I’m not mad anymore. I’m over it.

  “I’m not mad at you. I’m just going to Dad’s. I probably should visit before I leave, and I’ve got a few things to do.”

  “Whatever,” she says as she falls back in bed and in that moment I realize exactly what Barrick meant by how unattractive that word truly is.

  “So you want to go to the bakery for breakfast before I go?” I ask and she shakes her head no. “Okay, well I guess I’m going to go.”

  “You’re seriously leaving?” she asks me, slowly sitting up.

  “Yeah. I’ve got a few things to do before I leave tomorrow. You want to hang out later?” I ask her.

  “I can’t. I’ve got practice, and a date with Jack.”

  “Oh, okay. Call me later,” I say as I take my shopping bags and walk toward the subway. I’m almost positive she’s not going to call.

  On the way I decide to stop at the bakery anyway and order a croissant and coffee. The croissant melts in my mouth and I can’t resist sending Barrick a picture of the flakey goodness. Within seconds my phone rings.

  “So you’re saving me a bite, right?” he questions without a hello.

  “Doubtful.” I laugh. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, but I think Ms. Mae would be okay with me taking a break for you.” My heart flutters.

  “Yeah right. You know she’d get all over your ass,” I say.

  “It would be worth it. Since it’s now tomorrow, do you want to tell me what’s really going on?” he asks.

  “Let’s just say that coming home hasn’t been as much fun as I expected. Oh, guess what. They sell those jeans Jade wears at our mall,” I state.

  “Surely not,” he says and I can feel his smile. “Jade and I were talking. How would you like for us to pick you up tomorrow?”

  I want to say yes, but know that Mom and I need to talk. “I don’t want you to have to do that,” I say.

  “It’s not that big of a deal. Plus, I think Jade has this crazy plan she’s wanting to put in action.”

  “I’ll check with Mom and get back to you. I know she’ll want to know about everything that happened.”

  “That’s perfectly fine. Well, I better get back to work.”

  We disconnect and I take a moment to finish eating before going back to Dad’s. I’m caught off guard when I see that he’s at home.

  “Everything okay?” I ask.

  “Actually, yes. We need to talk.” Oh Lord. He’s about to start when Bimbo walks into the room. “Mindy, can you give us a minute.” She smirks and walks back out of the room “I’ve got a job offer in Sweden. Mindy and I are going to be moving there at the first of the year.” He states it like it’s going to affect me.

  “Okay,” I respond, staring at him.

  “You’re not upset?” he questions, almost looking hurt.

  I shrug my shoulders. “Dad, this is the first time I’ve seen you since I left four months ago. You’ve barely spent any time with me since I’ve been here, and it’s obvious the two of you want to be one little happy family without a reminder of your past. I’m fine,” I say but my hands begin to shake as the anger rises in my veins. I clasp them together because I refuse to let it show. “You’re my dad and I love you,” I say with a fake smile.

  “It’s not like that at all!” he yells. “I have given you everything you’ve wanted and made sure you had the best of the best. I don’t know why trying to further my career is such an issue,” he states.

  “Nothing is wrong with furthering your career but what happened to the dad who would come and pick me up from the studio, who would let me paint his fingernails, and call me his favorite girl? I haven’t seen him in a long time, and I miss him.” My emotions take over and I start to cry.

  Dad doesn’t know what to say, and I don’t want to discuss it anymore. “I’m going out,” I say as I grab my purse and head for the mall. It’s time for a little retail therapy.

  When I get to the mall, I bypass all stores that would normally make me stop and look. I’m on a mission. If I’m going to spend my dad’s money, it’s going to be for some awesome gifts for others.

  My first stop is the Miss Me section. I quickly text Jade to see what size she and Barrick wear. I grab two or three pairs without looking at the price then I find a top that is like nothing she would be able to find in North Carolina. After paying, I continue to walk through the mall. I’ve seen things that I like, but nothing that strikes me as Barrick’s style.

  I shop until I can’t shop anymore. My arms are loaded down and I’m physically exhausted as I walk into Dad’s apartment. I’m surprised when I hear Dad’s voice.

  “Cadence, we need to finish our talk.”

  “Fine, I’ll be right back,” I say as I walk to my room to put my bags down. Taking a deep breath I walk back to him. “Yes?”

  “I’ve thought about what you’ve said, and I want you to know that I’m sorry you feel that way. I never meant to hurt you, but sometimes life has a different path for each of us.” Is he trying to say that he can’t help it?

  “Did you really just tell me that things change and life moves on?” I am appalled that he has no regard for my feelings.

  “Cadence, why do you have to be so difficult?”

  “Me? Why do you have to be so damn selfish?”

  “That’s enough, young lady!” he says and I don’t listen to another word as I storm off to my room, and pack my things. Fuck this. I’m not staying here any longer.

  As I begin to roll my things into the entranceway, Bimbo stops me. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to him,” she smarts.

  “Oh please! You’re so ready for me to get out of here so you can live your wannabe Barbie life. I hope you two enjoy Sweden,” I say like a smartass.

  “Oh, you mean the three of us,” she states. Excuse me.

  “I’m not going with you,” I seethe.

  “I know,” she says as she touches her stomach. That can’t be. There’s no way. Please no. She smiles and I want to scream as Dad appears.

  “She’s lying. Please tell me she’s lying,” I plead with my dad as he shakes his head. “I hate you!” As I start to walk out the door, he grabs my arms and pleads for me to stay. There’s no way I’m staying here tonight. I grab a taxi for the airport, and as soon as I walk into the airport I use his credit card to switch my flight for one that leaves tonight.

  Barrick

  I worked my ass off today on the farm trying to get ahead for tomorrow. I want to spend as much time with Cadence as possible when she gets home. I want to make this date a night to remember. Before leaving, I check on Daisy. She seems to be doing well, and in a few months a new calf will be here. Stopping by the house, I ask Regina if I need to pick Cadence up tomorrow, and she says that she would like to. I ca
n’t blame her.

  Getting in my truck, I turn the ignition and make my way home. As I kill the engine my phone begins to ring, and I see Cadence’s name.

  “Hey!” I say with excitement, but that quickly fades when I hear her voice.

  “I need you to come and get me,” she says and I can tell she’s trying to hold back tears.

  “Where are you?” I question.

  “I’m at the airport.”

  “In Charlotte?”

  “No. My flight is boarding now. It will land in less than two hours.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I will be. Please just promise you’ll be there.”

  “Of course.”

  We hang up and I have no idea what to do. Do I call her mom and Ms. Mae? Do I take Jade with me? I look at my clock and realize I’ve got about twenty minutes to decide before I need to get on the road. Jade isn’t home, but my parents are. I walk in and briefly tell them what is going on and they suggest I call Ms. Mae and Regina.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Mae, it’s Barrick.”

  “Is everything okay?” she questions.

  “I’m not sure. Cadence just called and said she’s boarding a plane to come home tonight. She wants me to pick her up, but there’s something wrong with her.”

  “Regina!” she yells away from the phone. “Barrick is on the phone. Did you know Cadence is coming home?”

  I hear the shuffle of the phone as Regina takes it. “Barrick, what do you mean she’s on her way home?”

  “She called a few minutes ago and was upset. She said she would be okay, and asked if I’d pick her up. I’m on my way now.”

  “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll find out. Please text me and let me know when she’s landed and that she is physically okay.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say as I hang up and quickly call Jade. She’s a mess and begging me to turn around and wait for her. There’s no way. I won’t risk not being there when she lands.

  I put my truck in the wind and I make it to the airport with time to kill. I hurry to the baggage claim and scan the crowd. I don’t see her. I glance at my phone for the time. I check the arrival board and scan for any flight coming from New Jersey or New York within the next fifteen minutes. Bingo! I hurry to baggage claim four and wait for what feels like an eternity. When I can’t stand still any longer, I walk toward the escalator and look for her. Nothing. Finally, I see her descend but I don’t see my little spitfire, I see a hollow shell. Even with a designer outfit, makeup, and all the superficial stuff, I can see that something is terribly wrong.

  Stepping off the escalator she looks at me and I can see tears start to form. Why does she have to cry on me? She quickly pushes them back as we walk in silence to get her luggage. I don’t say anything because frankly I’m not sure if she will cuss me out or cry. When her suitcase arrives, I grab it and walk her to my truck.

  “Where to?” I ask.

  “Anywhere but Gran’s,” she says as I quickly text Jade to let her know she’s okay and for her to call Regina.

  “You need to call your mom,” I say quietly.

  “Fine,” she says, taking her phone from her purse.

  I glance at her and see that she’s trying so hard to be strong, but I think she’s about to crumble.

  “Here,” she says bluntly, handing me the phone.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say to Regina.

  “It’s her father. Give her some time and bring her home. For you to be the one she called, says a lot. Get my baby home safe.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say as I hang up and hand Cadence her phone. She doesn’t say anything, but as she leans her head against the glass I want to have her in my arms. I flip up the console, and tell her to come here. Without a word, she slides next to me and quietly wipes away the silent tears.

  Arriving back in Delight, I only have a few places I can take her. Deciding that she’s probably better off in the middle of nowhere, I turn onto a dirt road and pull into a field near a set of pine trees. She lifts her head from my shoulder to look around.

  “You said you didn’t want to go to Ms. Mae’s.”

  “Thanks.”

  We sit in silence and I run my fingers through her hair to let her know it’s okay.

  “Can you tell me what’s goin’ on?” I finally ask. She pulls away from my chest and I brace myself for a good tongue-lashing from her.

  “Let’s just say that my visit didn’t go as I had hoped.”

  “Okay, but why did you decide to leave without telling anyone?”

  “I got in an argument with my dad.”

  “Why didn’t you go to Lauren’s?”

  I see her breathing increase. “That wouldn’t have worked out,” she says as her eyes fill with tears as she continues. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you. I’m so stupid.”

  “No, I’m glad you called, and I’m sorry if I’m asking too many questions. I can see that you are hurting so just talk to me. Please,” I practically beg.

  She doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, but pulls her legs into her chest. “I thought going home would be easy. Barrick, they are all selfish bitches and assholes,” she says, looking me in the eyes. “You know what’s worse?” I don’t say anything, I just wait for her response. “My dad is the biggest one yet. I hate him.” Tears begin to stream down her face. “I don’t want to cry. I want to forget I even went.” I have no idea what happened with her father or Lauren for that matter, but whatever it was has completely broken her. I take her in my arms, pull her onto my lap, and hold her while she cries on my shoulder.

  When she seems to have stopped, I turn her chin toward me. “Cadence, whatever happened up there you can get beyond it. I promise I’ll help you. You can depend on me.” I want her to know I’ll do anything to make her happy and feel loved.

  “Thank you, Barrick. Can you take me home now?”

  She just called her Gran’s house home. I really like the sound of that.

  To be continued…

  .

  About the Author

  Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.

  Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.  That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.

  When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.

  Connect with Casey

  Website: https://authorcaseypeeler.com

  Shop: https://squareup.com/market/author-casey-peeler

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/caseypeeler

  facebook: www.facebook.com/caseypeelerauthor

  twitter: www.twitter.com/AuthorCasey

  tumblr: https://caseypeelerauthor.tumblr.com

  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorcasey/

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7106874.Casey_Peeler

  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0lmpt4hErNau1woOOsJOnw

  Also by Casey Peeler

  Full Circle Series (Losing Charley, Finding Charley & Loving Charley)

  Full Circle Series Box Set

  Southern Perfection

  Crashing Tides

  Covering the Carolinas

  Our Song