Torn Away (The Torn Series Book 1)

by Vincent Morrone

  She grinned. “Good to know.”

  Drew moved so he could see her. It was a mistake, because he wanted to pick up where they’d just left off, but he resisted. “Anything else I need to know?”

  “Yeah,” Sam said. Her eyes looked towards the road. “My Nana’s home.”

  Drew followed her gaze and saw an old, beat up VW Bug pulling into the driveway next to them. The woman who got out was younger than he expected. Her hair was red and her eyes were quick and sharp. Something about her seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place her.

  Rose Henry came over, smiling at first. Happy from a night of dancing and thrilled to see her granddaughter spending time with what appeared to be an extraordinarily attractive man. Samantha had been in town for nearly a year now, and with the exception of her partner, she hadn’t spent any time with any guy. Samantha insisted she just ‘wasn’t there yet’ and Rose hadn’t wanted to push her.

  And she hadn’t pushed. Much. But she was thrilled to see that maybe her lovely granddaughter finally was there.

  She took a good, hard look at the man standing next to her granddaughter. One word came to mind. Wowzer.

  Then Rose’s eyes settled on his face and her smile faltered.

  Drew saw it. That moment of recognition. He hadn’t quite placed where he knew Sam’s Nana from, but she placed him. She wasn’t pleased to see her granddaughter with the likes of him.

  “Did you enjoy your dance, Nana?”

  “It was lovely,” Rose said. “But I was getting a little bored. Most of the people show up in couples and the only singles are either women or old fogeys. But it's better than sitting here, night after night, knitting.”

  “Nana, you couldn’t knit to save your life,” Sam said. “Let me introduce you to Drew.”

  Drew held out his hand, wondering if Sam’s Nana would refuse to take it. Instead, she gripped it firmly and stepped right up to him.

  “I recognized you,” Rose said. “I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. She was a lovely girl. I remember how much you loved both of your sisters.”

  Shaken, he didn’t know how to respond as the tall woman leaned in and hugged him.

  Rose stepped back and offered a sad smile. “You don’t remember me, I’m sure. I can see the blank look on your face.”

  Drew shook his head. “No, I’m sorry.”

  She waved her hand. “Don’t be. It was a long time ago. And I wore a different shade of red back then.” She patted her hair. “I worked in the school you and your sisters went to. Administrative office. I also knew your mother, although that was a long time ago.”

  “Yeah,” Drew said. “I guess it was.” He studied her face again. She seemed familiar the moment she’d gotten out of her car. He pushed his mind to remember her. Her eyes, the line of her jaw, the red hair. It was sharper in his memory.

  “You were there the day I…” The memory clicked into place. So did the lies. “Ms. Henry. I remember you now. I had to go to the office when the rest of my class had gym because I’d fallen. You used to give me a lollipop.”

  Rose’s eyes narrowed. “Right. You told me you had fallen off the swing at home.”

  “Yeah,” Drew said. “I should go. I’ve got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.”

  “I imagine so,” Rose said. “Planning these things is never easy. I don’t envy you. I’m glad you’re back. Are you just in town a few days?”

  Drew shook his head. “No.”

  Rose smiled. “Doesn’t surprise me. I expect you’ll stay for your sister’s boy. My heart breaks for him. I want you to promise me something,” Rose said as she opened up her purse and started to look around inside. “If there’s anything I can do to help you or your family, please let me know. It would mean a lot to me to be able to do something for you.”

  “Thank you,” Drew said. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  Rose found what she was looking for in her purse. “You were no stranger to trouble back then. Had a temper and a mouth on you as I recall. You got sent to that office on more than one occasion for mouthing off or getting into a fight. But underneath it all, I knew you were your mother’s son. I never believed that nonsense about the Winter’s girl. I’m glad you didn’t let that keep you away. Now you go on and get home. You’re going to need some rest. But take these.”

  From her purse, she pulled out three lollipops. “One of them is bound to be a cherry. I seem to recall you liking those best. Give one to your sister and one to your nephew. I hope to see you around. I’ll let you say goodnight to my granddaughter.”

  She kissed his cheek again, pressing the lollipops into his hand before heading to the house, sending Sam a quick grin as she went.

  Drew stared down at the lollipops in his hand. His mind went in a million different directions. How well did she know mom? Were there others in town who didn’t believe he’d hurt Molly Winters? He was holding three lollipops—two cherry and one lemon. He wondered which kind Cole would like.

  “I really should go,” Drew said. He looked up at Sam and smiled. “You have no idea how lucky you are to have her.”

  Sam looked towards the house. “Actually, I’ve got a pretty good idea.”

  He reached out and gently pulled her into a hug. “Thanks for the coffee and the talk. I guess I needed it.”

  Sam returned the embrace, wishing it could be more, but grateful it wasn’t at the same time. “I’m always up for a cup of coffee. I’ll see you soon.”

  Drew nodded and stepped back. He should leave and let her get inside. He probably should steer clear. He doubted he was any good for her.

  But one look at her and he knew that wasn’t going to happen. “Ah, screw it.” He moved in, pressed his body against hers and kissed her. This time, he didn’t hesitate. He just needed one last taste before he left.

  When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead on hers. “You will see me. I hope you decide you’re ready, because ready or not, I want to pick this back up.”

  She felt weak in the knees as she stepped away and watched him get into his car and drive off into the night.

  Chapter 8

  Fathers Knows Best vs. Mama’s Boys

  “That was an awfully yummy man you had in our driveway last night.”

  Rose sat out on the back porch, sipping her coffee and enjoying the view.

  “That man has a lot going on in his life,” Sam said. “I’m not sure he needs the distraction of a romance.”

  “Maybe.” Rose wiggled her shoulders and shrugged. “Or maybe he could use a little distraction.” She grinned.

  Sam frowned as she sat down next to her. She was dressed in her uniform, ready for work, but she could spare a few moments without being late. “I don’t know if I need that in my life right now. My partner thinks he’s trouble.”

  “Does he?” Rose nodded, took a sip of coffee and cocked an eyebrow. “Good. I know you can use a little trouble in your life.”

  “Nana!”

  “What? It’s true. You haven’t been out on a single date since you moved here. I go out more than you do. And you’re starting to cramp my style.”

  Sam shook her head. “You’re incorrigible.” She got up to leave.

  Rose raised her coffee cup in salute. “Damn right I am. It’s okay to have a life. They would want you to.”

  Sam sighed. “I know. I’m still working through it all. And Drew is just starting.”

  Rose nodded, the smile faded from her face. “I know. It’s been a rough road for you. It’ll be a rough road for him. Might be rougher for everything else he’s been through. That poor boy, I…” Rose turned away.

  Sam almost didn’t see it. The tear rolling down her face.

  “Nana? What’s going on?” Sam moved over to her grandmother, crouched down near her. She reached out, took her hand, despite her grandmother shaking her head.

  “Oh sweetie,” Rose said. “I did something horrible.”

  Sam gave her grandmother a hug, and then pulled a chair around. “Tell
me.”

  Sam was going to be late for work.

  “You made breakfast for everyone,” Ashley said as she came into the kitchen to put away the orange juice. “But you didn’t eat a bite.”

  “Not hungry,” Drew said. “I just figured with all he’s going through, Cole deserved not to eat eggs with burnt pieces of shells in them.”

  Ashley snarled. “Ha, ha. I’ve managed to give him breakfast without poisoning him yet.”

  Drew lifted an eyebrow.

  “Okay,” Ashley admitted. “So Lilly cooks. I can still pour him a bowl of cereal.”

  Cole finished his bacon, eggs and toast and had gone back to his book. Kid liked to lose himself in stories, just like his mother. He’d been very quiet this morning, but for all Drew knew, that was normal for him. Drew felt like something was off, as if after the progress they’d made yesterday, they’d taken a step back.

  “He must love the bookstore,” Drew said. “He’s always got a book in his hands.”

  Ashley stood next to her brother. “Yeah, just like Kelli. He needs to make friends. Get outside more. But I suppose there’s nothing wrong with reading.”

  “No, nothing at all.” Drew took a sip of coffee, looked at his watch.

  “You don’t have to rush over there,” Ashley said. “It’s not like you have an appointment.”

  “No,” Drew said. “But the earlier the better. Less chance he’ll be fall down drunk.”

  “Have you decided what you’re going to say to him?”

  “Not yet. I really want him to just stay away. He hasn’t made any effort to contact you for years. No reason why that has to change. We’re done with him. That’s the bottom line.”

  The General came into the room. “You ready?”

  “Yeah,” Drew said. “Let’s get this over with.”

  They passed by Cole who was lost in some world with dragons and magic. He didn’t say goodbye. As Drew headed for the door, Ashley grabbed his hand. “Drew. He can’t hurt us anymore. Remember that.”

  Drew looked in her eyes, filled with the emotion she was barely holding back. She was still angry at him and that anger spilled out plenty. But she still loved him. Knowing that, seeing that in her eyes, gave him strength.

  “I will.” He leaned in, before she had a chance to protest, and kissed her cheek. “I won’t let him hurt you. And I swear I won’t let him make me hurt you again.”

  “You got your head on straight, Marine?” The General said as they pulled up in front of the house Drew grew up in. He was steadier than he had been yesterday, but if you knew him, you could still see the terror in his eyes.

  “I’m fine,” Drew said. He stared at the house he hadn’t seen in years. Memories flooded back to him, each more painful than the last. He could almost hear the secrets pouring out of that place. “You sure you want to come in?”

  The General smiled. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. You think I’m going to hear anything in there that’s going to shock me? You should have realized by now I’ve looked at you six ways to Sunday. There’s nothing I’m going to learn in there that’s going to change the way I see you. You’ll be the same pain in my ass when we leave as when we go in.”

  Drew didn’t make eye contact. “You might be surprised. Whatever does happen, I’m grateful for everything. And, I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry,” the General asked. “You think I need an apology for the fact you’re planning on resigning your position with McAlister Securities?”

  Drew finally looked at him.

  “I know you,” the General said. “You have a family that needs you here. You’re going to put that little boy first. That’s the way it should be. That’s the way it has to be. If you didn’t put him first, you wouldn’t be the man I believe you to be.”

  Drew was stunned, but wasn’t surprised. “I am. And I am sorry for that, but I’m really hoping my not working for you isn’t the end of us being in each other’s lives. Cole could use a grandfather. He couldn’t ask for a better one than you. But that wasn’t what I was saying I’m sorry for.”

  The General frowned. “Then, what exactly?”

  Drew blew out a breath and looked back to the house. “You’re about to see a very ugly part of me. I know you think you know me, but there are secrets in that house that a man like you, a good and decent man, should never have to come face to face with.”

  The General glanced to the house, imagined a young Drew coming out through the door for school with all of these secrets bounding in his head.

  “We all have secrets,” the General said. “Maybe I haven’t figured out every nook and cranny of your childhood, but I’ve figured you out. So let’s you and I go in there and take care of what we have to take care of. And when we’re done, I’ll buy you a beer and you can tell me about the girl that kept you out so late last night.”

  Drew found himself blinking rapidly as he turned to look at the General. “What are you? Psychic?”

  The General simply smiled and reached for the door. “Running my ass.”

  They walked up to the front door. Drew stared at it long enough that the General wondered if he was losing his nerve.

  “Seems strange,” Drew said. “Ringing the doorbell of my home.”

  He didn’t wait for a response before he pressed the small button to the side. He could hear the familiar buzz from inside. They waited and heard nothing else.

  “Maybe he’s not home,” the General offered. “No car in the driveway.”

  Drew shook his head. “Dad keeps his truck in the garage. He’s here. I can feel it. He’d have nowhere to be this time of day.”

  Drew pressed the doorbell again, this time holding it in for a few seconds.

  The General listened, heard nothing and thought about heading over to the garage to see if he could at least spot a vehicle inside. Before he could move, there was a crash of some sort from inside, followed by a curse. There was more noise. It sounded like whatever had dropped was now being kicked around.

  Drew sighed. “Third time’s the charm.” He rang the doorbell again.

  “What the fuck?” Said a horse sounding voice from inside. There was more noise, not crashing this time, but more like someone slamming doors.

  “Shit,” Drew said under his breath. He stepped aside so he wasn’t in front of the door. “He’s armed.”

  The General didn’t question, he simply slid to the side as well so if a bullet came through the door, he wouldn’t be in the direct line of fire. He now understood why Drew told him to have his sidearm this morning.

  There were footsteps, heavy and uneven… angry. The door jostled and finally swung open. The General got his first look at Drew Duncan’s father.

  Frank Duncan was a huge man. From his research on Drew, the General knew Drew’s father was ex-military. Army, not Marines. He’d never been an officer, served in the first gulf war, as did the General himself, but while the General earned a chest full of medals, Frank had been accused of sexual harassment of both civilian and female soldiers alike. None of the charges stuck, but he’d gotten into several brawls, again with both army and civilians. Eventually, he’d gotten an ‘Other Than Honorable’ discharge. Meaning they wanted him out.

  He had blonde hair, which although not long, was badly in need of a comb, not to mention a washing. He had hazel eyes red from drinking and although he looked ragged and his pallor was jaundiced, he still seemed solid enough.

  The General tried to imagine him as he appeared when Drew and his sisters were just kids, the enormity of this man versus scared children. The General had no trouble picturing a drunken Frank Duncan towering over his entire family, taking delight in how he outmatched them. The idea of it made the General seethe and there was a part of him that wished he would make an aggressive move on Drew. Drew wasn’t a small, little boy anymore.

  Frank Duncan squinted into the sunlight, putting his hand up to shield his eyes as he stared at his son. His other hand was propped on the doorway. No gun was vi
sible. “Never thought I’d see you on my doorstep again.”

  “I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here,” Drew said. “But I need to talk with you. You want to let me in, or you want to do this on the porch.”

  Frank ground his teeth as he saw one of his neighbors across the street going for his mail, while a lady from around the block walked her dog.

  As he thought it through, his bloodshot eyes found the General. “Who’s your boyfriend?”

  The General cocked an eyebrow, but refused to be baited. “A friend.” This man, he decided, did not deserve the courtesy of an introduction.

  “In or out, Dad,” Drew said. “Make your choice.”

  Frank looked back and forth a few times, shrugged, and walked back inside. Both Drew and The General spotted the bulge in the back of his jeans.

  With one last look to the General, Drew stepped inside. He followed his father, who was barefoot and bare-chested, into the kitchen. He went for a bottle of Jack Daniels that was open on the counter, took a swig and leaned against the counter.

  The place reeked of cigarettes, and was a filthy mess. There were beer cans and empty bottles of booze on the counters and floors. In the living room to the side, there was an expensive flat screen TV hooked up to eh giant satellite on the roof.

  Big money items in a shit hole.

  “Gotta wonder what you’re doin’ back here,” Frank said as he grabbed a pack of Marlboros. “I thought we had a deal.”

  The General stepped forward. “Deal?”

  Drew ignored him. “We did and I was keeping my end of it. Did you keep yours?”

  Frank lit a cigarette, and then shoved the pack into his back pocket. Smoke escaped from his mouth as he laughed. He took another swig, and smiled. “You think I’m the one who killed your sister?”

  The General watched both father and son. He hadn’t seen this coming, and that annoyed him.

  “It crossed my mind,” Drew said.

  Frank sneered. “You can rest easy, I’m not the one that did her.”