by Piper Frost
The next time I leave the room, it's to see if I can find anything to eat. I'm really starting to feel like a prisoner. It's my own fault though. Tommy is my oldest friend, I should be able to walk up to him and talk all of this out, but I'm just not ready to talk. I don't want to relive everything and then try to figure out a plan with a man that shouldn't be involved. I'm throwing a fit; caught in disbelief that my life has continued to spiral so out of control. I'm not really sure what he wants from me. I know he wants me better, my mind to go back to the Affton I once was, but he's not seeing the bigger picture. He says he'll protect me, and I know he will, but he's not fully comprehending what he's protecting me from. Right now, to him, I need protection from myself. I need to be kept away from technology so I don’t contact my husband. He's not realizing contacting Corey is the last thing on my mind. I want to know if he filed the papers. I want to know if I'm still employed through Trenton or if I've burned the biggest bridge I have in the fashion industry. I want to know if Cultured Relief has even considered my proposal.
It's going on a few days of avoiding him, and I'm realizing he's avoiding me too. He probably doesn't know what to say at this point. His plan ended once he got me here. He probably came to his senses after the deed was done and he's realizing he made a huge mistake. I'm not the girl he remembers. I'm not the strong, take-no-shit Affton he liked spending time with. I put up a good front, but I'm mentally broken down, possibly beyond repair.
Bored out of my mind, I fall asleep just after nine but I'm woken before midnight from a dream that felt too real. Real enough that I'm shaking so hard my body hurts, and I'm pouring sweat while panting heavily. When my eyes adjust to the dark, I can see Corey isn't waiting by to drive a knife through my chest like I was dreaming, but I can't calm down.
The tremors in my body won't stop and going back to sleep isn't an option because the image of Corey is haunting me now. Pulling my sweat dampened hair back, I pull my robe closed tight and stumble out of the bedroom. In the bathroom I wash my face, brush my teeth, and try to tell myself that it was just a dream, but it doesn’t seem to matter. There's one person that I know will take this feeling away and he's the one guy that probably regrets ever knowing me.
I softly knock on his closed bedroom door feeling guilty it's almost midnight but I just need...to talk. I need his comfort. That's why he dragged me here, right? To comfort me. Protect me.
“Tommy?” I knock again but he doesn't open the door. I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the wood before making my way to the kitchen for hopefully a strong drink. Maybe it'll help me sleep.
In the kitchen I see him on the back deck with his goat and I hesitantly make my way out the door. He's got a drink in his hand, looking like we had the same idea tonight.
“Hey,” I whisper, sitting in the chair next to his.
“What're you doin' up?” With his eyes fixed on the horizon, he won't even look over at me.
The reason I'm up hits me full force again and tears fill my eyes. I bend my legs and rest my elbows on my knees so I can cover my face. I open my mouth to answer him three times but I don't want to break up the lump in my throat and start bawling. My head shakes while I try to muffle my tears with my hands.
“I’m sorry I did this to you,” he finally says. “I didn't think through what would come of all this. I never thought you'd hate me for it, Affton.”
My sob escapes and I drop my legs, quickly getting up to push myself into his arms and bury my face in his shoulder. “I don’t hate you,” I cry, holding him tight. “I'm sorry. I don't hate you.”
“I...” He clears his throat, wrapping his arms around me. “I don't know how to make this better.” Taking a deep breath, he gently grabs my face to look at me. His hands push back the wild strands of hair that have fallen out of my ponytail and his eyebrows push together. “I never meant for it to be like this, Affton.”
“I understand why—” I hiccup. “You did this, but he'll find me.” I shudder and move from standing over him while crying. “I don't want to th-think about him. I had a bad dream about it all.” Wiping at my face, I look toward the kitchen door not sure if I should just go back in and battle this alone like I always have.
He pushes out of his chair and opens his arms for a hug, giving me the smallest hint of a grin. “Come on. These always used to do the trick back in the day.”
With a chuckle, I shake my head but move in for the comfort, pushing my face against his chest. The longer we stand here, the more emotional I get and I break down in heavier tears.
He steps back, his hand trailing down my arm until his fingers link in mine. Without words, he turns and walks into the house, not letting go of my hand and forcing me to follow him. Leaving the lights on. Leaving his drink on the back porch, he heads for his bedroom.
“I haven't slept in four days,” he murmurs, pulling his shirt over his head then shoving the covers back on the bed. “Come on then.”
I stare at the man and think back to when we were younger. He's still my Tommy, but there's so much more to him and I don't want to fight the feelings I have for him, but I'm not ready to pretend the past seven years haven't happened. I just can't see us going back to good friends with awesome benefits.
I clear my throat and move toward his bed. If there's any chance of me sleeping tonight, it's going to be in this bed with him because I'm still shaken from my dream. I slide my robe off and put it on the end of the bed, but when his eyes drop to the fading bruises, I freeze.
He grabs my hand and pulls me to the mattress, silently wrapping his arms around me as tight as he can. “I'm not hurting you, am I?” His tone says everything he won't right now.
“No.” I push against him, hating I haven't had this for years. I've always deserved this, so why did I settle for less?
*
I wake up alone and it explains my uneasy feeling. I slept hard, only waking up periodically in a panic, but with Tommy close, it was easy to fall back asleep.
Tommy seems angrier toward me and he has reason to be but I don't know how long we can go back and forth like this.
As I head for the shower in my robe and towel in hand, I see the back of a black head of hair and there's only one cowboy I know around here with hair that dark. Grant Matthews.
“Tommy?” I call out walking toward the kitchen.
“He's at work,” Grant calls from the living room. “You're with me today.” He hops over the back of the couch and grins, walking toward the kitchen. “So, what's on the agenda?” His casual lean against the doorframe pisses me off.
“With you today? You're babysitting.” I clamp my jaw and grip my towel tight against my chest.
“I'm here to make sure your every need is met.” He does a dramatic bow then grins and wiggles his eyebrows. “Need me to start your shower?”
I push past him and storm into the bathroom. I'd call and bitch Tommy out, except I have no phone. I'm not allowed a fucking phone!
A hot shower calms my fraying nerves and then I spend an hour on my makeup. As I'm making something to eat, basking in anger again because Grant’s still here, I hear him moving around behind me.
“Making early lunch?” He sits at the kitchen table. “Can we have eggs? I've been here since five a.m., I'm starving.”
I drop the loaf of bread, still holding my butter knife and turn around to glare at him. “I am a thirty-five year old woman and you're all treating me like a goddamn child! What is wrong with you guys?” I shout at him.
“Think of it more like grandma day camp. You're old enough for AARP, right?” He laughs but the look I give him makes it abruptly stop. “Listen,” he says, sighing. “You're the closest thing I've ever had to a real sister. Strangely...” He pauses like he's deep in thought then shudders. “Anyway. What happened to you makes my blood boil. As with all the other guys, and girls, in town that care for you. And until this little brainwashing scheme he pulled dies down, yeah, we're gonna keep tabs on you. Just to make sure you don't ru
n back to that asshole.” With a shrug, he smugly bites into an apple.
This is unbelievable!
“Plus, just get used to seeing me around. I practically live here. I have a room here.” His teeth crunch into the apple again and the sound reverberates in my head.
I’m going to lose it.
“Take me to my brother's,” I say calmly, but when he cocks his eyebrow, I grip the butter knife tighter. “Take me to his house! Fucking now! Now!” I storm to the front door. I'll fucking walk!
“Whoa! Affton, stop!” Grant blurts, running after me. “Jesus!” He laughs, practically falling on me as I reach the door. “Can't we just hang out? Like we all used to? Come on, let's go play pool, or head to the creek. I got the good shit from a guy Chase knows. It'll take all those worries in that pretty head away.” He taps my head and I jerk away from him.
I storm out the door and start marching down the gravel road. It's miles to Bo's, I'd hit the farm first, but it's miles to the farm too. I need to ask my brother, or Tommy, or both of them, what the hell they think they're doing! This is my fucking business they've made so public and it's ruining my life even more.
“You're in sandals, Affton.” Grant keeps pace with me. “Those are going to leave nasty blisters.” He chuckles when I don't respond. “So where are we headin'?”
I glance over at him and my eyes catch the carabiner hanging off his belt loop with his keys on it. Moving quickly, I grab the clip and unlatch it, dashing back to his truck. I jump in and shove the key in the ignition, but he grabs the door before I can slam it closed.
“You're still fuckin' nuts!” He laughs. “At least let me drive. You probably forgot how to drive somethin' this country.” He pauses and smirks at me. “Unless you and Tommy...” He wiggles his eyebrows and I groan, scooting over to the passenger seat.
“Take me to my brother's house,” I say in a low tone that's anything but calm.
“I'll take you to the Walmart. I'll even take ya a town over. Maybe even to the ranch. But there's no way in hell I'm taking you to your brother's. I'm being paid to keep you here. And your brother scares the shit out of me.”
“What?” I shriek and glare at him. “You're being paid! Take me to the fucking ranch! You're all dead for this, Grant Matthews. Remember when you pissed on Mindy Cedars' leg because you were so drunk you couldn't get up? I'm fucking telling everyone!”
He gets in and puts the truck in reverse. The drive is silent until we can see the ranch in the distance. “I'm sure people already know I pissed on her,” he mumbles. “We're just tryin' to keep you safe, Affy. No need to get so nasty with us.” He turns into the driveway and doesn't say another word as he parks the truck.
“Fuck you, Grant. I hope I'm a good paycheck for ya.” I jump out and look around, not sure where anyone is until I see the redhead in the field on a horse. I storm that way, hoping she can help but then I hear laughter that chills my already cold blood. My fucking brother is laughing it up in the barn with Kenshaw. Oh, and low and behold, Tommy's having a gay ole time too.
I storm through the open door. “Brandt stole your bullfrog when you were in the tenth grade and accidentally killed it,” I spout at Bo. “And Bo bent the rim on your favorite dirt bike and let you get your ass whooped for it,” I snarl at Brandt. “And you!” I spin and glare at Tommy. “Grant and Tommy had sex in an airplane!” Damn that felt good. And I don't know if that last one is entirely true. I may have spun that one a little.
“I did what?” Tommy laughs.
“You broke my bike?” Brandt blurts, turning toward Bo. “I couldn't walk for a week after that!”
“I loved that frog,” Bo mumbles, staring at Brandt with so much hurt I roll my eyes.
“We never fucked!” Grant yells from behind me. “Tommy, what the fuck!”
“I didn't tell her that.” Tommy laughs. “Glad you've got it back though, Affton. And, Grant, fuckin’ great job makin' sure she don't leave the house.”
“Fuck you four. And Chase.” I turn in a circle but he's not here. “Is he around? 'Cause fuck him too,” I hiss. “All five of you. I bet you all go home to your beautiful wives every night and pity Affton for her fucked up life. I'm glad I'm the source of your fucking entertainment. I'm the reason you count your blessings because you have a good life.” I look at Tommy feeling nothing but humiliation that this has spread so widely. “You fucking lied to me. And you told everyone. Everyone I don't even know. Do you all feel good about yourselves now that I've got more problems than the rest of you?” I look around at each of them, shaking with anger and sadness while they stare with pity and disrespect.
“Affton.” Tommy moves toward me. “I did what I thought was best. I'm sorry you can't see that. Maybe one day you'll see we only had your best interest at heart.” He glances at Bo. “We're family here. All of us. Who cares who knows what. What matters is we're all here for whatever's comin' your way. Hell or high water, we're all a team here. And no one's happy you got problems. Hell, we've all got 'em. No one here's in any position to judge.”
“I married my step sister. How's that for making livin’ in this small town awkward?” Brandt laughs.
“Ooookay.” The petite girl with black hair walks around us and stands in the middle of the circle. “Really, Brandt?” She glares at him a minute before looking at me. “I don't think we properly met. I’m Brandt's step sister.” She throws him a shitty glance. “And wife. Jo. Those are our inbred kids runnin' 'round out there, y'all. Let's keep our voices down.”
I can't hold back when she puts on the hick accent and tears roll down my cheek with my laughter because the thought of Brandt Kenshaw marrying his step sister is hilarious.
“Baby, they ain't inbred.” He looks like a deer caught in headlights. “You don't really think that, do you? They're healthy football players!” he boasts, motioning toward the field. “We're not related!”
“Shut up, Brandt,” she snarls at him then reaches out and takes my hand. “I think the four of you idiots have done enough to this girl.” Before Jo can pull me out of the barn, Bo reaches for me, making me flinch back.
He takes a step away and quickly drops his hands he had raised in surrender. “Affton, I want to talk to you.”
I want to scream in his face, asking if he thinks he's done enough yet.
I follow him toward the corner and he slowly moves to put his arm on my shoulders and bends down. “I'm not embarrassed of you or anything that's happened to you. You make me proud and I'm happy I tried to live up to your standards my whole life. We didn't do this to humiliate you. We did this to show you we're your family. Not that asshole.”
My tears are steady so I just nod, not wanting to let on to everyone I'm crying, then I pull away and follow Jo out of the barn.
Jo takes me to her house and minutes later the redhead's walking through the back door. She's bubbly as hell and Jo keeps making fun of her, but they're best friends, and I feel like a third wheel. Especially when they scheme up a grand plan of taking a girls' trip. Me included. Jo calls Bo's wife to come over, and until she gets here, I silently eat the food Jo pushes on me.
“I gotta shit and Donna's maid is cleaning her bathroom so I'm going up to yours!” Kinlee barges in the back door. “Fuck, it's hot out there!”
I pick at the first real meal I've had in a week. Avoiding Tommy the past few days means I've been eating toast because the man doesn't cook. At least he hasn't since I've been here. Not that I would have eaten with him anyway.
“After she shits, we'll run the idea by her. We have to make her the ring leader because your brother's afraid of her,” Jo says.
I chuckle and keep my head down. I'd love to make friends out of these girls, but not out of sympathy like I have a feeling this is.
“Kin, your tits are looking huge today. Push up?” Jo asks when Kinlee comes waltzing into the kitchen, one arm holding her breasts up and the other hand fanning underneath them.
She stops in her tracks when she sees me. Slowly, s
he lowers her boobs and her eyes go wide.
“Hey, Affton,” she says, stunned. “I uh...” Her eyes flick to Jo who's trying not to laugh then back to me. “I didn’t know you were here. I had to use the restroom. It's pretty warm out there.” She bites her lips between her teeth, trying not to laugh but when I snort out a laugh, the other three start in.
“Don't stop fanning your lady parts on my account.” I wave her on.
“What's goin' on in here?” She walks over to the freezer and pops it open, practically shoving her head inside. “Why's it look like you three are having a pow-wow without me?”
“We were. Which is why I texted you to come over. Where's Little Bo?” Jo asks and my ears perk up.
The nephew I wasn't even allowed to hold. I wonder if Bo will let me interact with him now that he's holding me captive.
“Donna stole him the minute I pulled in the drive. She's got baby fever again, Jo.” She smirks at Jo and grabs an ice pack, shoving it down the front of her shirt and sighing. “So. Why the emergency meeting? The boys not behaving?” She sits at the table with an ice pack shoved between her boobs and Jo and Kaydence act like this is normal for Kinlee.
“They mean well,” Kaydence speaks up and gives me a meek smile. “But they're boys.” She giggles. “So...” Looking at Jo, she encourages her to take the reins.
“I think me, you, Kay, and Affton need a girls' trip to the spa. Just a day or two away from those idiots so Affton can unwind. This is probably the worst vacation she's ever taken.” She smiles over at me apologetically and I play along that this is a vacation and not an abduction. “We just need you to break it to her brother.”