Thank fuck...
Chapter Seven
Fallon
“Titus.” I peek my head into the open doorway of the large building behind the cabin. The workshop as the guys refer to it.
His head pops up from behind a black motorcycle, and like yesterday, the moment I see him my body zings to life.
“What’s up?” He stands, his shirt wet with sweat and his hands black with grease.
I never dreamed I’d find sweat and grime so appealing, but on Titus, let’s just say it works.
“Sorry to bother you. Link said he could give me a ride into town to pick up a few things. I wanted to see if you needed anything.”
“Link’s taking you?” He seems agitated.
“Yeah, well, he said he would. Is that not okay?”
“No, it’s fine. He just has a lot of work he needs to get done and as usual, he’s blowing it off to do something else.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize.” I shuffle my feet. “I can wait until later.”
“What are you needing?”
“Just a few toiletries and stuff.” I blush slightly, not wanting to say that I didn’t pack any tampons and I’m pretty sure I’m due to start in the next few days. Not knowing where I’m going next or how long I’ll be here for that matter, it’s one of those things I need to make sure I have in tow.
“I can take you,” he offers, snagging a towel off the top of his work cart before proceeding to wipe his hands on it.
“You’re busy. You don’t have to do that.”
“I need to go to town anyway. Besides, this way Link doesn’t have any excuses not to get some fucking work done.” He tosses the towel down. “Give me a few minutes to finish up here. I’ll come get you when I’m ready.”
“Okay.” I hesitate in the doorway. “Thanks.”
Turning, I head back to the cabin, a nervous knot tugging at my insides.
“There you are.” Link is standing in the kitchen when I re-enter the house. “You about ready?”
“Actually, Titus said he’s going to take me.”
“He did, did he?” A look I can’t quite pinpoint passes over his face.
“I guess he needs to go to town for something.” I shrug, crossing the room before sliding into one of the stools at the breakfast bar.
“Of course he does.” He smirks, shaking his head.
“And he said you have work to do,” I tack on.
“Of course he did.” He rolls his eyes.
“You’re okay if he takes me, right? I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“Don’t you worry that pretty little head of yours, puppet. It’s completely fine. Besides, he’s right. I do have a lot of work to get done. Truth be told, I was hoping if I put if off long enough he would pick up my slack.” He gives me a wide smile, scratching his beard.
“Sorry I ruined your plans,” I offer jokingly.
“Nah, you didn’t ruin anything. I had a feeling he would want to take you.”
He twists the cap off of a bottle of water and takes a long pull.
“Is there anything you need while we’re there? I’d be happy to pick you up whatever.”
“I think I’m good. But thanks.”
Both of our gazes turn toward the door when Titus pushes his way inside.
“You know, that bike isn’t going to work on itself,” he grumbles at Link as he enters the kitchen, stopping at the sink to wash his hands.
“I still have time. It’s not like the dude is coming to get it tomorrow.”
“But we have another bike coming in, so turning out the ones we already have is kind of necessary.”
“What kind this time?”
“A ’75 Ducati. The guy is supposed to be here this afternoon to drop it off.”
“Damn, that’s the second Ducati we’ve gotten in the last couple of months.”
“Yep.” Titus dries his hands and turns, leaning his back against the counter. “I’ve got a couple more hours to put in on the Kawasaki before it’s ready. Cliff is coming to pick it up tomorrow.”
“So I guess that means I should go get my ass to work then, huh?” Link huffs, playfully knocking his elbow against mine as he passes me. “If the guy gets here to drop the Ducati off before you get back, is there any information you need me to get from him?”
“I’ve already got his work order ready to go. Just have him sign the paperwork and that should be all we need for now.”
“You got it, boss.” He pushes open the screen door. “You two kids have fun,” he calls over his shoulder as he disappears outside.
“Have you ever considered getting air conditioning?” I ask, turning back toward Titus.
I didn’t realize when I arrived here that there’s no A.C. That is until I woke up in a pile of sweat and ended up having to take a shower, despite the fact that I just took one the night I arrived.
It’s not bad in the evening. They have all the windows open and the cool night air keeps the cabin comfortable. But once the sun pops up it feels like a sauna inside.
“Nope.” He shakes his head. “I like having everything open to the outside. If I had air conditioning then I’d have to keep all the doors and windows closed.”
“And what about in the winter? Certainly you have heat.”
“We have a fireplace.” He gestures to the large wood burning fireplace that sits at the far end of the living room.
“But there’s no way that keeps the entire house warm.”
“Well, it’s not like we live in the north. It doesn’t get that cold. And on the off chance the fireplace isn’t enough, we have space heaters we can use.” He pushes away from the counter. “I take it you’ve never experienced life without central heat and air.”
“That would be a no.” I shake my head.
“Princess,” he murmurs, kicking off his boots next to the front door before making his way back into the kitchen.
“I am not a princess,” I balk at him.
“You sure?” His eyes do a quick sweep of the light pink sun dress and white strappy sandals I have on. “Because you kind of look like one.”
“Shut up.” I laugh, realizing he’s just teasing me. “I never had the luxury of picking out my own clothes. In my household there’s a dress code.”
“A dress code?” He cocks a brow. “What the hell kind of house did you grow up in?”
“Let’s just say a strict and controlling one.”
“Sounds like it.”
“And who are you calling a princess, anyway?” I question in hopes of steering the conversation away from where I’m from, which I’m surprise he still hasn’t asked. In fact, there’s very little he’s asked about me. I’m not sure if it’s because he simply doesn’t care or because somehow he knows I don’t want to talk about it. “Pretty sure you grew up in a mansion ten times the size of where I grew up. I bet you even had people to cook and clean for you.”
“That may be so, but I didn’t have a choice in the matter. And once I did,” he pauses, gesturing around the room, “well, you see how I live now.”
“Do you ever regret it?” I can’t help but ask.
“Not for a single second.” His answer is instant.
I think on that for a moment, wondering if I’ll ever be as sure of myself and my decisions as he seems to be.
Unlike Titus did, I don’t have anywhere to go once I leave here. No house lined up. No useful talents that will provide me with a sustainable income. I have absolutely no plan whatsoever. And I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t terrified.
“I’m going to go change really quick and then we can head into town.”
“Okay.” I nod, my eyes following him as he exits the kitchen and disappears down the hallway.
——
Leary is almost exactly as I pictured it would be. Small. Quaint. Quiet. Very different from what I’m used to.
There really isn’t much to the small town. A gas station on the corner. A rundown strip mall with a hardware store,
preschool, post office, and a small little market, all crammed together. On the opposite side, a bank that looks like it’s a hundred years old, and a little privately owned boutique, which given the looks of it is more like a consignment shop. If I had to guess, I’d say this is where Titus got the jersey shorts and tank he brought home to me yesterday morning.
It’s hard to believe that was only yesterday. It feels like I’ve been here weeks, not two days. It’s strange how at home I feel in that little cabin, especially given that I’m staying with two men that I know nothing about. Well, that’s not entirely true. I’ve learned quite a lot about both of them over the last couple of days. But that doesn’t mean I know them. It just means I know where they’ve come from. Which are two very different things.
Titus drives further up the sloped road; a pharmacy and the little pizza place we ate from last night coming into view.
“You should be able to get what you need at Jack’s Pharmacy,” he says, flipping on his turn signal. “They have the basics. Shampoo, body wash, makeup. That kind of thing.” He pulls up to the entrance instead of parking.
“You’re not coming in?” I ask, relieved. I really didn’t want to have to buy tampons in front of him. I know it’s a normal thing and that there’s nothing to be embarrassed by, but that doesn’t mean I want to do it.
“No, I’m going to make a quick run to the hardware store. Do you need money or anything?” It’s sweet of him to ask but also makes me feel a little pathetic at the same time.
“No, I’ve got it covered.”
“Okay. Take your time and I’ll pick you up back here in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” I nod, pushing open the truck door before quickly slipping out, careful not to let my sundress ride up as I do.
I throw Titus a small wave before I head into the store, able to hear the roar of his truck as he drives away.
I grab a shopping basket and slowly make my way down each aisle. Even though I only really need the one thing, by the time I make it to the register I have several items in the basket. A mud mask, nail clippers, tweezers. The little things I know I’ll need but didn’t think I’d be gone long enough to pack.
When I exit the store about twenty minutes later, Titus is waiting for me at the curb.
Climbing into the truck, I drop the two shopping bags on the floor by my feet before securing my seatbelt.
“Get everything you need?” he asks, popping the truck into gear.
“And then some.” I smile.
“Good.” He pulls out of the parking lot and back onto the road. “It’s getting close to lunchtime. You hungry?”
“Why? Are you going to feed me pizza again?” I ask, assuming that’s the only restaurant in town. Well, as far as I have seen it is.
“Not unless you want pizza again,” he retorts.
“What else is there?”
“There’s a little café on the edge of town. They have sandwiches and stuff.”
“I could eat.” I nod.
“Okay then. Claire’s it is.”
“Sounds good.” I settle back into the seat, closing my eyes as the warm air hits my face through the open window.
It feels amazing; the sun, the breeze, the freedom. I didn’t realize just how free I would feel. And it’s a feeling I never want to lose.
I may be scared about what the future holds, about how I’m going to live and what my next steps are going to be, but I’m also really, really excited. To branch out. To be my own person. To pave my own path.
“Fallon.”
I open my eyes, having not realized that we had stopped.
“We’re here already?” I ask, straightening in my seat.
“Yep.” Titus kills the engine and climbs out, waiting for me to join him at the front of the truck before leading us up to the small café. It kind of looks like a shotgun style house from the outside. A small wooden sign staked into the front lawn, reads Claire’s Café.
“After you.” Titus holds the door open, his hand falling to the small of my back as he ushers me inside. I flinch at the contact. Not because I don’t like it, but because I do. “This used to be a house,” he says, confirming my original thought as he leads me to the back counter where a younger brunette is helping an older couple in front of us. “Claire, the owner, converted it into a café a few years back.”
“She did a good job,” I remark, looking up at the menu that’s handwritten on a long, rectangular chalkboard mounted on the wall behind the counter. “What do you recommend?” I ask, glancing to where Titus is standing next to me.
“Depends on what you like. The turkey club is good. I usually get that or the Rueben. Though you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.”
We step up to the register once the older couple is finished ordering.
I decide on the loaded grilled cheese with a cup of tomato soup. Titus orders the Rueben and chips. Even though I insist on paying for myself, Titus pays for us both. After getting our drinks from the self-serve fountain machine, we head to a small two-person table tucked in the corner by the front window. It gives us a perfect view of the street outside.
“This is so much different than Raleigh. I’ve heard about towns like this but I’ve never actually been to one.”
“It’s a different way of life, that’s for sure. Everything out here is slower, more relaxed.”
“I can see that.” I look up. When Titus’ gray eyes meet mine, my stomach dips.
“Have you lived in Raleigh your whole life?”
“Yep.” I pop my lips.
“Think you’ll end up going back?”
“Not if I can help it.” I blow out a slow breath. “Think you’ll ever go back to Atlanta?”
“That would be a hard no.” He chuckles. “I burned way too many bridges when I left.”
“But don’t you miss your family? Your friends?”
“Not really.” He shakes his head, a chunk of sandy blonde hair falling over one of his eyes.
“Really? There’s no one there that you miss?”
“Only my sister. But I see her here and there. I lost touch with most of my friends when I moved. It was easier for me to make a clean break and start over.”
“At least you have Link,” I offer, realizing that when I finally branch out on my own I won’t have a single person to fall back on.
“Sometimes I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.” He leans further back into his seat.
“You two are like an old married couple.” I smile, fidgeting with the straw wrapper in front of me.
“What about you? Surely you’ve got tons of friends and family back in Raleigh.”
“Actually, I don’t,” I admit, leaving out the part where most of my friends are friends of convenience. There’s not a single one I can think of that I could pick up the phone and call today.
It’s kind of pathetic. The only real friend I had growing up was Liz, and she moved to California our sophomore year of high school. We stayed in touch for a while, but eventually we grew apart. It’s hard to maintain a solid friendship when you live on opposite ends of the country.
“No boyfriend then?” He lifts his cup up and takes a drink from his straw.
“Nope.”
“Certainly you must have had boyfriends though, right?”
“Not really.”
Okay, so that’s not entirely true. There was one guy. Harvey. Our fathers were old friends and growing up we were forced to attend a lot of the same social events. I had the biggest crush on him. I used to watch him from across the room, hoping he would come over and talk to me.
And one night he did. It was the middle of my junior year. We were at some charity gala and literally ran into each other in the hallway after I turned a corner without looking where I was going. We ended up talking the entire night, and when he asked me out on a date I was over the moon.
Unfortunately, what I didn’t know was that he was only really interested in one thing. And I, being the stupid, atte
ntion starved teenager I was, gave it to him on our first date. I’m still not sure if I had sex with him because I wanted to or because I was so desperate for affection that I never questioned his motives.
I learned the hard way that sex can’t fill a void, no matter how much you want it to.
But of course, that didn’t stop me from doing pretty much the exact same thing less than six months later with Tyler Perkins. At least with Tyler I knew what it was and I wasn’t hurt when it was all over.
“What about you? Any serious ladies in your life?” I ask, forcing myself back to the present without elaborating on my vague response.
He shakes his head.
“No one?” I ask again. “Because the way Link talks, you’re quite the ladies’ man.” I ignore the tiny pang of jealousy in my chest.
“Hookups and relationships are not the same thing.”
“So you like to hook up then? What exactly does that entail? You just bring her home, pound one out, and send her on her way?”
“Pound one out?” He snorts out a laugh.
“What? Would you rather I say fuck?”
His gaze darkens as he leans forward, dropping his elbows onto the table.
“Why does that word sound so damn dirty coming out of your mouth?” he asks, his voice low.
Little prickles break out across my skin as a flash of heat creeps up my neck.
I’m at a loss. I honestly have no idea how to respond, so I say the first thing that pops into my head.
“Where does one go to pick up someone in a town like this? Seems to me your options are rather limited.”
“I’ve never actually hooked up with anyone from Leary.”
“And why is that?”
He shrugs. “Ever heard the phrase don’t shit where you eat?”
I crinkle my nose. “Poor choice of words considering.” I gesture around the room.
“Still.” He chuckles. “You get my point.”
“So then, where do you find all these available women?” I take a sip of my soda.
“Usually in the next town over, if you must know.”
“Which is?”
“Harrisburg.”
“And that’s where?”
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