One Of The Guys

by Johnson, Ashley

  “Why don’t you go try to catch Sam before she leaves and talk to her and then come back tomorrow and you and I can get this room set up for Wendy. She would love it and it would take some stress off her shoulders.”

  “Yeah man, sounds good.” I stood up making my way out the yellowish painted room and as my eyes met with Sam’s, she hurried out the door. As badly as I wanted to run out and talk to her, I simply sat beside Wendy and talked to her and my niece or nephew. I told them all kinds of stories about their mom and uncle. Stories from when we were younger playing in our tree house dad had built and getting to go camping at the lake. Wendy had tears in her eyes from laughing but her tears soon turned for the worse when I told the baby how much their grandparents would have loved to meet them.

  I held her as she cried on my shoulder. Times like this, we missed our parents so much. The advice, the love, we missed all of it. Wendy wouldn’t talk about it but I know she missed them, especially Mom so much right now. Every girl needs her mom around when she’s getting ready to have her first baby and possibly get married one day and my sister would never know that. “They would be so proud of you Wendy.”

  “Yeah, I know. They would also tell you to fight for what you want.” Touché. Her words hit me and I knew she was right. Rocky came out and saw her crying and asked if everything was alright.

  “Yeah babe, I was just missing Mom and Dad. I’m good though, I have you and Cole. I love ya’ll so much.”

  Rocky sat beside her cradling her in his lap and I took that as my cue to go ahead and leave. “I love you too sis, Rock, I’ll be back tomorrow to help set all that up. Ya’ll have a good night.”

  Driving home seemed to last forever because Sam was still on my mind. I wish my Mom were alive to give me advice about her but Wendy was right. Mom would tell me to fight for what I want and dammit, I want Sam. No more excuses, no more backing down. I’m Cole fucking Johnson and I don’t back down for anything. I’ll fight until the ends of the Earth for her. I, Cole Johnson am in love with Sam Montgomery and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that.

  Chapter 24

  Sam

  Things could have been handled in a much better way but running was the only thing I could figure to do. It’s all I know to do. Exhausted is not the word for right now. The baby shower went fairly well considering I’ve never planned or attended one in my life. Wendy got so much for the baby and it looked like Cole bought out the entire diaper section from Wal-Mart. This baby was set and no doubt has a wonderful set of parents who will love him or her unconditionally. Unfortunately the baby also has an ass for an uncle but I won’t tell them that until they are old enough to understand what an ass is. All jokes aside, I know that Cole will be an amazing uncle to this baby. He was so excited during the shower, it was pretty cute.

  I catch myself yawning on the way home and all I can think about is lying across my soft bed, pulling the alternative down comforter over my head and succumbing to a peaceful sleep. I could probably sleep until morning and that would be perfectly fine with me. All that keeps playing in my head is maybe I should have spoken a little more to Cole but really, Trey did screw that up. Way to freaking go.

  The house seems quiet as I walk in, you could literally hear a pin drop and all I could think about was my bed. Just a few more feet until my room, almost there…I can smell the cotton sheets begging me to rest. My eyelids were beginning to get heavy, I’m so exhausted. Who knew a baby shower could literally drain everything out of you? I guess that makes sense because don’t babies already drain your energy?

  “Where the hell have you been?” Fuck. Dad scared the shit out of me. His voice came from behind me and I turned to face him.

  “A friend of mine had a baby shower.” Short answers. Keep it short, turn around Sam and just go to your room. Lock the door and pretend he isn’t here.

  “How long were you going to hide this from me? What are you doing, working the street corner? Selling your body like some cheap whore? You were raised better than that.”

  My jaw dropped as I recognized the shoe box from my closet. The shoe box that contained every single penny I’ve saved from the fights. The money that was going to release me from this hell. Before I could answer, he opened the front door and threw the box into the yard. The wind carried the money like a pile of leaves all over the neighborhood and I stood there in shock trying to process what was happening. The money was gone; there was no way I was getting it back. Tears streamed down my face and surprisingly I just stood there but once my hands balled into fists at my side, I knew I wouldn’t be keeping my cool for very long.

  “What the hell did you do that for?” I screeched. He didn’t even flinch, it’s like he was waiting for this moment. Waiting for me to snap at him. Waiting for me to explode. “That’s MY money, not yours you bastard!”

  He lunged forward attempting to tackle me, I swept his legs from underneath him and once he hit the ground, I climbed on top of him connecting my fist with his face and anything else I could get to. He tried to fight back and he may have gotten a hit in, I’m not sure. The adrenaline was pumping through my veins like an IV. I tried to stop, no I’m absolutely lying. I didn’t try to stop at all. He deserved this and so much more.

  “You’re trash do you hear me? You’re no daughter of mine.” He pulled at my hair causing me to scream in pain. Before my face could smack into the ground, I turned to push the brunt of the hit into my shoulder. I winced in pain as I swung my fist towards his face yet again. Just when I was getting ready to hit him, a strong arm caught me yanking me off him like I was some sort of rag doll.

  My body landed on the ground with a thud as I tried to control my breathing. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and I spit trying to get it out. My eyes caught the blue police lights and I cursed under my breath. Who the hell called the police? Faintly I could hear Dad’s voice but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. It all became very clear to me whenever I heard the steel cuffs open. He was being arrested. Thank you God.

  A distinct voice came from behind me. No, it can’t be. No way in hell. Marsh? I turned slightly to see him in an officer’s uniform. When did he join the force? By the way the other officer was talking to him, he was obviously in training. I’d almost rather them just shoot me now and put me out of my misery but now that Marsh is here, he knows what Dad has done; surely he will take my side. He has to.

  “Sir, are you sure you want to do this?” I heard the other officer ask.

  “I’m sure. She attacked me. Arrest her.” Fucking unbelievable. My cold eyes met his and the bastard had the nerve to smile at me. He thinks this is a game. No way will Marsh put handcuffs on me, he knows better. He knows everything.

  “You heard him Brice, cuff her and let’s get this over with. Our shift is almost over, I’m not working over tonight I have a wife to get home to.” Bastard.

  Tears fell silently down my cheeks as Marsh leaned down beside me. He grabbed my hands pulling them behind my back attaching the silver cuffs to them. As he clicked them in place he leaned in a little closer, “I’m so sorry. Sam.”

  As he began reading my Miranda rights and leading me to the car, I couldn’t even look back at my Dad, I was sure to be spending more than just a night or however long. Marsh opened the car door for me to climb in. No joke, the back seats of these cars are hella uncomfortable. I looked up at him with a tear stained face. “You don’t have to do this Marsh, please. You know what he’s done! Who’s side are you on?”

  “This is my job Sam. I’m not picking any sides. You had your chance to get away and you stayed, I tried. You pushed me away.”

  “I screwed up is that what you want me to say? Not that you care, you’ve obviously moved on. Do you love her?” I asked trying to steady my breathing and not completely lose it in front of him. I’ve been weak enough and I refuse to let him see me hurting at the lowest possible point in my life.

  The dreaded answer fell from his lips in a whisper, “Yeah Sam, I
do love her. I didn’t think I could love again after you. I still love you too you know, I always will. You’re the first girl I ever loved. I don’t think he would press charges on you so everything should be fine. I don’t think he would really do that to you.”

  I couldn’t talk, there was nothing to say. He loved her, he just admitted it and everything inside me was screaming. I knew this would happen when I let him go, I knew he would eventually move on but with her? I just can’t shake that feeling. I knew we would never be again, that relationship burned the minute I walked out. There would be no going back no matter how much either one of us wanted. The other officer was making his way back to the car and Marsh had to hurry and shut the door and get in. Before he shut the door he looked at me with sympathy in his eyes. I didn’t want or need his sympathy. “I am sorry Sam, you have no idea. I wish this wasn’t happening.”

  I wanted to say me too! I wanted to say so much more like maybe I shouldn’t have screwed up things with him but he was in love. He was in love and I was alone and lusting over a guy who I pushed away more than anything in this world. Geez, what started off as a somewhat fun and decent day with the baby shower turned into the worst night of my life. All my money was gone, dad provoked me to fight him like a grown man and my ex arrested me. Life sure as hell used to be much simpler.

  The ride to the station was long and excruciatingly painful. My legs were cramping from sitting in the small backseat and the cuffs felt like they were slicing into my wrists. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Marsh was who had to remove me from the car and bring me in to be booked. I’ve never in my life been more embarrassed but I held my head high and any time he tried to look at me, I turned my head away. After I was printed and they took my lovely mugshot, I was handed an orange top and pants to wear. I kept waiting for the chance to make my phone call but no one offered it. I was just placed in a cell alone with no one to talk to. I laid down on the hard cot tossing and turning trying to find some level of comfort.

  As exhausted as I was, sleep was no longer an option tonight. Who the hell am I supposed to call whenever I’m finally allowed a phone call? I can’t call Brenda or can I?

  There’s a small window in the cell. A small glimmer of hope, a small reminder of what is on the outside of this small jail cell. Cole, Rocky, Wendy….Brenda. Oh god, Brenda. She would be pissed beyond belief about this but I know deep down I can’t call her. I suppose sitting here waiting would just be better.

  Hours pass and the sun begins to rise. The shuffling of feet down the concrete hallway stirs me from the small nap I eventually took as the officers come do a morning check after shift change. I stand there numb, lost to the world as they check to make sure I’ve made my cot to their expectations. And I have. The thin, frayed cream colored blanket is folded to their standards and I’ve managed to not turn my toothbrush I was given into a shank. Breakfast is a joke, nothing but two pieces of toast and some eggs that look fake. I have to survive this.

  “Montgomery?” I looked up to see an older woman standing beside me in her uniform. She must be the supervisor on duty. Her navy uniform is pressed a little more professionally than all the others and she carries herself at a whole other level. Her salt and pepper hair is pulled back into a bun. Her kind smiling eyes reveal little wrinkles around them and for the first time since I’ve been in here it seems I can smile back.

  “Yes ma’am, that’s me.”

  “I see you didn’t get your phone call last night. Would you like to make one this morning? You are entitled to one.”

  Once again I found myself wondering who I was supposed to call. Just then, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I know who to call. “Yes ma’am I would like to.”

  She kindly smiled as she led me towards an office with nothing but a desk with a phone sitting on it and a chair. She stepped out for a second giving me a little privacy. I didn’t even sit as I dialed the number praying someone would answer. A lone tear slid down my cheek as I listened to the phone ring over and over and over again.

  Chapter 25

  Cole

  I really have grown to hate how quiet this house is without Wendy. Mornings suck because I’m forced to make my own coffee which really isn’t that bad. Wendy got me stuck on flavored creamer so here I am nursing a cup much like she did that morning she told me she was moving out. Except I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself and my situation with Sam. If only I hadn’t been a complete ass from the beginning, we may be in a whole different place.

  This morning I’m supposed to go help Rocky get all the baby stuff put together as a surprise for Wendy. After the cup of coffee, I throw on some black shorts and a dark gray shirt. To top it off, grabbed the black hat Wendy bought me last Christmas and placed it backwards on my head. The way to their house, I couldn’t help but listen to ‘Absolutely (Story of A Girl)’ and think about Sam the whole time. If she showed at the gym today and I know she will, I was going to talk to her. Today was the day I decided I would lay it all on the line for her. I would bare my soul and pray she would do the same. Then we could finally be together. This is the day I ask her on the date I’ve been wanting to and she’ll say yes. I’m not stupid. I know she’s as into me as I am into her. I’ve noticed how her breathing changes when we’re standing a few mere feet away from each other. I’ve practically felt her emotions when she’s kissed me.

  There’s no point in knocking on the door but I almost wish I had when I stumble upon Rocky and Wendy making out against the stainless steel refrigerator. They pulled away the minute I cleared my throat and Wendy shot me a look from hell. I threw my hands up and told her, “I didn’t mean to interrupt don’t kill me.”

  She scowled and stomped into the living room and plopped down on the couch. Rocky rolled his eyes and walked to the baby’s room. “She’ll get over it when she sees this room put together trust me.”

  “I really didn’t mean to man. I should have knocked.”

  He handed me a screwdriver and sat in front of a few pieces of what may be the crib and got to work. “You’re good Cole, no big deal. Did you get to talk to Sam yesterday after the shower?”

  Frustration is all I felt as I let out a long exasperated breath. She was gone by the time I walked out the door. “No. She was already gone so I’m going to talk to her today.”

  “She’s a good girl Cole. I know you weren’t happy she wanted to fight a guy and I had no idea it would be you. Wendy told me you were pissed. I’m sorry but there was a reason I did what I did.”

  One leg was attached, now we had three more to go. I immediately stopped at his comment though. “What was the reason?”

  He studied my face for a minute before he replied, “I can’t tell you. It’s not my business to tell.”

  Silence. You could hear a pin drop if it weren’t for us fumbling around with screws and all these attachments. Why’d he bring her up like that if he wasn’t going to talk? I want to ask him but his phone rings and he looks at the number for a second as if he’s debating whether to answer it or not.

  “You gonna get that man?” I asked mainly because I was tired of hearing that ring tone drone on and on.

  “Yeah, hold on a second.” He answered the phone and after a minute or so he gave a quick yes and whenever the person on the other end began speaking his face turned bright red and his knuckles turned white as he balled his free hand into a fist. Oh shit this can’t be good. I hear him tell them he will be right there and he hangs up the phone.

  “Shit.” He mumbles under his breath. He runs his hands through his hair as he stands to his feet. Immediately I’m beside him wanting to know what the hell is going on. “I’ll be right back; I’ve got to take care of something.”

  “What’s going on? I can go with you if you need help.”

  “I wish I could tell you but it’s not my business. I’m sorry Cole, you can’t come.”

  The screwdriver flew out my hand onto the beige carpet. He was in the living room talking to Wendy and I heard her
gasp before the front door shut. I pulled myself together and walked to meet Wendy. She had a tear running down her face. “What’s going on? Why won’t anyone tell me anything?”

  “I’d tell you if I could Cole, I swear but I promised Rocky and Sam I wouldn’t say anything it’s not my place.”

  So it is about Sam and these assholes aren’t telling me anything. Well neither is she but she’s no asshole. “So it’s about Sam and you can’t tell me? I’ve only been trying to get her to open up to me all this time and here ya’ll are knowing everything what the hell?”

  “Cole, have you ever thought that none of this is easy for her? Have you ever thought that she may want to open up to you but she’s scared of what you may think? It’s not always about you, why are you so damn insensitive?” With that she burst into tears. Damn pregnancy hormones. I ran my mouth and upset her.

  “Shit, I’m sorry Wendy. Please stop crying.” I pulled her into me kissing her head as she sobbed into my chest.

  “If I tell you, you have to swear to God no one knows I told you.” She sniffled wiping her eyes on my shirt.