Fine Line: An Enemies To Lovers Romance

by Rachel M Storm

  “You don't mean that,” she sniffs. She’s still just holding her clothes in her hands instead of getting a move on to wear them.

  “Get dressed and then get the fuck out of my house!” I tell her as I fish my phone out of my pocket.

  “Are you calling her?” I hear the tears in her voice as she asks. “She’ll never make you as happy as I did.” She continues, causing me to look up at her.

  “Actually, I’m calling the cops. I seem to be having a trespasser in my home.” I smirk when her eyes widen in shock.

  “You wouldn't,” she breathes.

  “Watch me,” I say as I start dialing. I’m not really calling the cops but I am trying to get a hold of Lori. “You have until the police answer to get the hell out,” I say as I put my phone to my ear.

  She doesn't bother with taking my shirt off to put on her own clothes. She runs and grabs her purse and shoes from the bed then sprints out.

  “Good riddance!” I say under my breath when I hear the front door slamming shut.

  Lori’s phone has now gone to voicemail so I end the call and try again. I need to talk to her, I need to explain what happened today. She needs to know that Jessica is just my ex and she doesn't mean anything to me. Most importantly, she needs to know that I never cheated on her, she is the only woman I’ve been with since the night of the party at her parents’ house.

  “Damn it all to fucking hell!” I curse when Lori’s phone goes straight to voicemail when I try calling her for the sixth time.

  This time I leave a voicemail. “Hey Lori, uhm it's me. I’m sorry about earlier. I promise it's not what it looked like. Please give me a chance to explain. I…” I end the call before finishing that last sentence. I wanted to tell her that I loved her but I doubt telling her that over the phone will score me any points and I’m sure she wouldn't even believe me.

  The next thing I need to do is call a locksmith to come change my locks but I feel that can wait for now, the most important thing I need to do right now is convince Lori that there is nothing happening between Jessica and I. With that resolve, I grab my car keys and make my way out of the house. If Lori wont answer my call then I’ll go to her.

  I’m about to put my car in drive when my cell phone starts ringing. Relief washes over me and I answer without checking the caller ID.

  “Lori, just hear me out.” I say.

  “Sorry, is this Mr. Gage Roberts?” An unfamiliar voice asks, bringing a frown to my face. God damn it, I really thought that it would be Lori calling me back.

  “Yeah, this is Gage,” I answer.

  “Sir, this is Doctor Smith from Netcare Hospital,” She says and my frown deepens. Why the hell would the hospital be calling me.

  “Uhm, okay?” I say, waiting for her to tell me why the hell she’s calling me. Right now of all times.

  “We need you to come to the hospital as soon as you can sir, it's your father,” My heart sinks at that.

  “What do you mean, what's wrong with him?” I ask, panic slowly rises in me. What the hell could be wrong? He was fine yesterday when I saw him.

  “I’m sorry, this is not something we can discuss over the phone. You need to get to the hospital as soon as you can.” The doctor says.

  “I’m on my way!” I say before ending the call then driving off in the opposite direction that I intended on.

  Can this day get any fucking worse? From losing the woman I love to finding out that my father, whom I recently got back is in the hospital.

  Less than thirty minutes later and I’m skidding to a stop in front of the hospital. Climbing out of the car I rush inside.

  “Hi, I’m looking for Dr Smith.” I ask the nurses seated at the reception area. “I’m here for Mr. Roberts, he was admitted today.” My voice is filled with panic.

  “Just a minute, sir.” One of the nurses say as she starts typing on the computer.

  “Gage, honey you’re here!” A familiar voice that’s filled with emotion says from behind me and I whip around.

  “Mrs. P, what’s going on?” I ask, my panic is rising by the second.

  “I’m so sorry honey, it’s your father.”

  “Are you Mr. Gage Roberts?” The nurse asks, bringing my attention back to her.

  “Yeah,” I say as my hand goes through my hair for the millionth time since I got the phone call from the doctor.

  “Please wait in the waiting room, the doctor will be with you in a few minutes.” She tells me.

  Lori’s mother follows me as I silently make my way toward the hospital waiting area. A thousand scenarios fleet through my head as I try to figure out what the hell is going on and none of them are good.

  “Mrs. P, please tell me what happened. I’m going to lose my mind trying to figure it out.” I sound defeated as I ask.

  “Oh honey,” she has tears forming in her eyes and that tells me that this is bad, really fucking bad. “Your father overdosed on heroin.” She tells me in a quiet voice.

  “What?” The disbelief is evident in my voice. “But he said…” I’m unable to finish my sentence as something in me breaks to a point of no return and the hope I had to form a bond with my father has been snatched away.

  This can’t be fucking happening. I was so sure that this time would be different. That he has truly changed and is trying to get his life back on track. Trying to fix things with me, his only son and only family he has left. The next emotion to hit me hard and unexpected is anger, anger at myself for letting myself hope that things between my father and I will finally be better, anger at my father for giving me that false hope then going back to his old ways not even a week later and last but not least anger at fucking Jessica who cost me the one person who I need in this moment.

  “Mr. Roberts, sorry to keep you waiting.” Someone says and I turn to see a short woman with black hair cut into a bob approaching us. Her green eyes are filled with an emotion I’m struggling to place.

  “You must be Doctor Smith,” I say as I clench and unclench my fists to try and keep calm and not lose my shit in front of everyone in this hospital.

  “Yes,” she answers, giving me a quick nod.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “Your father overdosed on heroin.” She sighs before continuing. “But we were able to pump the drugs out of his system, he’ll have a full recovery in no time.” She tells me and hearing it from the doctor’s lips makes the reality of things sink in more. Leaving me both relieved that my father will be okay and furious that he’s done this again after promising that he’s now on the right and narrow.

  “Right, thank you.” I say between clenched teeth, trying hard not to show how angry I am right now.

  “He is very lucky that Mrs. Parkinson here found him in time and knew to give him a dose of Narcan. If it wasn't for her, your father wouldn't have made it.” She tells me and my gaze goes to Mrs. P who is silently watching us a few feet away.

  “Yeah, she’s an angel.” I tell the doctor. The Parkinson’s really have been my rocks ever since mom died all those years ago.

  “You can go see your father now but I’ll need you to fill out a few forms before you leave,” She says.

  “Sure, thank you doctor.” I tell her and she nods before turning and leaving.

  Turning, I give my attention back to Mrs. Parkinson who’s now standing in front of me.

  “Thank you for always being there Mrs. P.” I say as I wrap her into my arms.

  “I’m just happy he’ll be okay, honey.” She says, hugging me back. “And it's a pleasure. You know I’ll always be there for you when I can.” She continues and her words bring tears to my eyes and make me forget about the anger that was trying to choke me earlier.

  Jesus fucking Christ. Can my day get any worse? First I lose the one woman who’s made me happy, even if it was for just a few days. Then my father OD’s on drugs at the same time taking away the hope I had of finally being able to have him back in my life.

  Fucking hell, I hate my life right n
ow!

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lorianne

  Obnoxious knocking on my door wakes me up the following afternoon. I got home this morning and was exhausted from the long, slow bus trip and crying all the way back so I crashed as soon as I got home.

  The knocking on my door doesn't stop so I climb out of bed, groaning from the headache that forms in my temple and cursing whoever it is at my door. I don't even know how the hell anyone would know that I'm back seeing that I'm only supposed to be back by the end of the week.

  “Baby!” Thomas says as soon as I open the door.

  Oh good grief! What the hell does he want?

  “I thought that was you I saw at the bus stop this morning,” he’s grinning like everything is still okay between us.

  “What is it that you want, Thomas?” I ask on an eye roll. I’m honestly too tired to deal with him right now.

  "I've been trying to call you but your number kept going straight to voicemail.” He says, taking a step forward to come in but I move and step in front of him, blocking his move to come into my home. He’s not welcome in my house.

  “First of all, that would be because I blocked your number on my phone,” I tell him, holding up one finger. “Secondly, you are not welcome in my home, Thomas.” I continue with a bored tone.

  “Oh come on Lori, don't be like that. Give us another chance, baby. We were always so good together,” he says and his pleading eyes has me rolling mine.

  I really am too freaking tired to be dealing with the likes of a cheating ex boyfriend right now.

  “Goodbye, Thomas.” I say before slamming the door in his face and locking it again.

  “Come on Lorianne. You know you want me. I was the fucking best you’ve ever had and you know it!” His words are followed by banging on the door and I just roll my eyes again.

  “Go fuck yourself, Thomas!” I shout back as I make my way back to my room because of course, I need to get the last word.

  I grab my phone from my bedside table before climbing back in bed, it's still switched off since last night. I contemplate switching it back on but decide against it. I don’t have the energy to deal with anyone right now because I’m both physically and emotionally exhausted. And I’m sure that there will be a million messages from my parents and brother because they are sure to be pissed that I just left without telling anyone. All I did was leave a little note telling them that I needed to come back home and that I was sorry I couldn’t spend more time with them. I’m sure they have questions, questions that I don’t have the energy to answer right now. My heart needs to heal from the betrayal Gage left before I can even attempt to talk about it.

  Tears prick my eyes and my heart aches that much more when I think back to the incident at Gage’s yesterday. The smug, fuck you look that Gage’s girlfriend gave me stings the most because it made me realize what an idiot I really was and how easy it was for Gage to play me. I also realize now that I was just a plaything to pass the time while his real girlfriend was away God knows where. I still can’t believe that I was that naive and stupid to let him into my heart after only a couple of days.

  Putting my phone back on the bedside table, I lay back down and close my watery eyes. I honestly and truly hate Gage and this time the fine line my parents were talking about is non-existent because there is no space for anything but hate for him left in my heart.

  ****

  It's been two days and my heart still aches. I’ve not left the house since I got back and I still haven't switched my phone back on. All I’ve done this past forty eight hours is to stuff my face with all the junk food I have in the house while sobbing every two minutes. I’ve cried so much in the past few days that I doubt that I will ever have enough tears to shed for anything else.

  I’m about to put in another hopelessly romantic chick flick when someone raps at my door. I scowl at the door from my living room hoping that whoever is on the other side of the door is psychic and can feel my death glare and decide to leave me the hell alone.

  “Lorianne, open the fucking door!” I frown when I hear my brother’s voice at the other side of the door. What the hell is he doing here?

  “Lorianne!” He says again and this time I stand from my couch and slowly make my way over to the door.

  “Yes, Jonathan. What do you want?” I say as soon as I open the door but I don't wait for his answer, I leave the door open for him then return back to the couch.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” He’s still yelling as he follows me inside. “You know how worried we’ve all been about you? Lori you can't just pack up and go without telling anyone.” He continues.

  “Oh,” is all I say as I sit back down on the couch.

  “What the hell Lori, why is this place such a mess?” He says when he finally takes in the state of my apartment.

  “I’ve just not been in the mood to clean, I guess.” I tell him with a shrug. My voice is hoarse from all the crying I’ve been doing and lack of talking for two days.

  “Lori…” Johnny’s voice is softer as he comes to sit next to me. “What the hell is wrong? Have you been fucking crying?” He asks when he finally has a clear view of my face.

  “I really hate him!” I finally crack and start sobbing hard again. He takes me into his arms and just holds me for the longest time, letting me cry it all out.

  “Who do you really hate?” He asks when I’ve finally calmed down. “Jesus sis, what the hell happened?” He’s still holding me as he asks in a gentle voice.

  “I fell in love with him,” I sniff.

  “Okay…” He sounds confused as he lets the one word hang in the air.

  “I was stupid,” I tell him.

  “I’m sorry sis, I’m lost. Who did you fall in love with and why were you stupid?” He asks, confusion evident in his voice.

  “Gage,” I finally say and his name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

  “Okay, so you’ve finally figured out that you’re in love with Gage and now you feel stupid?” Johnny asks, sounding genuinely confused by my babblings.

  “Yes,” I say, sniffing again.

  “That’s why you left so suddenly?” I look up at him and see that there's a frown on his face. “But Lori-”

  “I caught him cheating, Johnny.” The words tumble out of my mouth and with them comes a fresh wave of tears.

  “You what?” Anger flashes in his eyes as he stares at me.

  “Yeah, I went over to his place and found his girlfriend there dressed in nothing but his shirt.” I tell my brother who’s suddenly looking murderous.

  “Do you know her name?” Johnny asks.

  “I think she said her name was Jessica,” I reply. Just the mention of her name brings another wave of tears and I inwardly curse myself for crying so much over a man who cheated, a man who doesn't care about me.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Johnny says through clenched teeth. “That fucker! I don’t care if he’s still hurting about his father, I’m going to fucking kill him!” He says, making my ears perk up.

  “His father, what about his father?” I ask, deep down I know what my brother is about to tell me and I’m honestly dreading it.

  “His father OD’d two days ago. But he’s okay, got out of the hospital yesterday.” he tells me dismissively.

  “That fucker!” This time the crude words come from me but they’re not directed at Gage but at his good for nothing father. I knew that this would happen. Hot rage takes me over, momentarily making me forget about my broken heart. Although Gage is an ass, he doesn’t deserve this, he doesn't deserve to be given hope just to have it snatched away in a matter of days! I know for a fact from that night we had our momentary truce after his mother died that he wants nothing more than to have a bond with his father. He told me himself that it's what he wants because those were the last words his mother told him before she passed away.

  It angered me back then that his father chose alcohol and drugs rather than his son and it's p
issing me off even more now that I know he briefly had the hope of fulfilling his mother’s last words but couldn't because again, drugs and alcohol were more important than he was.

  “Is he okay?” I ask quietly, trying my best to hide the fact that I’m furious.

  “Mr. Roberts is recovering just fine,” he answers, misunderstanding my question.

  “I meant is Gage okay?” I repeat my question, this time making it clear who it is I’m asking about.

  “After what he did to you and you’re worried about him?” He asks, that confusion back on his face.

  I stop to think about that for a few seconds. Yes, even after he ripped my heart out I still care because whether I like it or not, I’m still in love with him and it truly pisses me off that his father has hurt him again. It's one thing to lose one parent but to lose a second while he or she is still alive is a horrible thing and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

  “Yes,” I softly tell him.

  “You really do love him, don't you sis?” He asks.

  “Yes…” I say again in the same soft voice.

  “He might be my best friend but he’s a jerk and doesn't deserve your love sis,” his words bring back the tears.

  “I know,” I say as I lie back on his shoulder.

  My brother is right, Gage doesn't deserve my love but unfortunately there is nothing I can do about my feelings. At this moment, I wish it was possible to choose who to love because if I could. I wouldn't choose Gage Roberts.

  “Right, now how about we get this place cleaned up?” He says and I slowly lift my head from his shoulder.

  “Aww, right now? But I was about to watch a movie.” I complain.

  “Clean up first and then we can watch the movie,” he says, already standing up and tidying some of the empty pizza boxes from the coffee table.

  “You’re staying?” The hope in my voice is evident. Although I decided to come wallow in my sorrows on my own. I really don't want to be alone right now. I need a friend, well in this case my brother to stay with me and help me take my mind off things.