Play Me_A Standalone Romance

by Cary Hart

  “Hey! That’s mine.” I reach for it, but he jerks away and takes out all my cards and the cash I had saved up.

  “Correction. These cards were for your living expenses while you were in school.” He counts the cash. “And this, I’m pretty sure, is from

  the bank account we provide for you.”

  “Nate.” My mother is quickly beside him, placing a hand on his wrist, begging. “You can’t send her out in this world without anything. She’s our daughter.”

  At that, he throws his head back and laughs. “That is where you are mistaken, Anna. No daughter of mine would be so stupid.”

  “Nate!” She releases his wrist and comes to stand beside me.

  Too late, Mother.

  “Now we are getting somewhere. You see…” I can’t stop what is about to come out of my mouth. A confession my mother entrusted to me. I know the truth, but I’m not sure if he does. “Maybe I’m not your daughter and that is what scares you. Keeping me locked up so you won’t have to face the reality of your past.” I walk over and pluck a couple hundred-dollar bills from his hand. “You can have the car and you can have the money because I don’t want anything that has to do with you.” I hold up the cash as I grab my things with the other hand. “And this is mine, from doing what I love. What I was born to do. No thanks to you!”

  I storm out of the house, tears streaming down my face. My mother screams after me, but my father holds her back. In this moment, I should be worried about where I’m going to go or what I’m going to do. Instead I hold my head high because I know, in my heart of hearts, that I was born to be heard and today, I raised my voice!

  This is only the beginning of Ellie Thorne!

  Chapter Four

  Ellie

  Vision—blurred. Feet—tired. This isn’t exactly how I imagined my grand exit, but it will have to do. I walk along the sidewalk, admiring the pristine lawns, in a neighborhood where the upkeep for landscaping is more than most families pay for their house. Kind of ridiculous if you ask me.

  I pass house after house. Neighbors are staring, dogs are growling, and I have no idea what I’m going to do. With each block I leave behind, fear begins to creep in. The past month I have stayed with the Bowens. Actually, I was rooming with Rain, one of my closest friends, in her parents’ pool house without their permission.

  Her father inherited a small fortune from his father, but instead of just living a comfortable life, he decided to invest all his money in small Internet companies which just so happened to explode, making the man billions of dollars. Afterward, Jerry and Cheryl became Big Jer & Cher, quit their jobs, and became self-proclaimed hippies.

  Everything seemed to be going fine at the Bowens’ until I ran into Big Jer while he was tending to his organic herbs. I kept my head down and pretended I was just visiting, but he must have caught on and let

  the cat out of the bag when my mother went for one of her daily runs, causing this series of events to unfold.

  Lucky me.

  It crosses my mind to ask one of the neighbors for a ride to the bus stop and take the first bus out to Nashville, but what’s the point? I don’t even have my guitar. I left it in the back of Malcolm’s car, just in case my dad was in one of his moods.

  Besides not having a guitar, my phone had all my contacts. I had everything stored on my cell. Even a few songs I wrote while waiting in line, or at the coffee shop. If I had an idea, I jotted it down in my journal or on my phone. Now, I literally have nothing but two hundred dollars to my name and thirty days’ worth of clothes.

  With my feet screaming for me to stop, I set everything down and take a rest on top of the suitcase, looking forward, never looking back. I may not know where I’m going, but…

  “Is that?” I stand, hearing a loud, familiar noise coming from around the corner.

  It is!

  Picking up my belongings, I wave frantically at the beat-up Honda Accord that is coming down the road. Bass pumping, windows down and the girl behind the wheel singing at the top of her lungs without a care in the world.

  “Raaaaain!” I shout as she drives right past. “Raaaaain!” I scream again, causing a few homeowners to peer out their windows and Rain to slow to a stop, put the car in park and throw open her door.

  “El, streetwalking doesn’t suit you.” She begins to walk toward me as I notice her car starting to roll down the road.

  “Rain!” I point. “Your car.”

  “Shit!” She quickly turns, running to dive into her car and put on the emergency brake. “That was a close one.” She pushes herself up and out. “So, where were we?” Rain looks around and notices my suitcase. “Oh yeah, you hookin’!”

  “Shut up! I need a ride.” I pick up my things and walk her way.

  “Why didn’t you say something?” She waves me on. “Get in.”

  Rounding the car, I throw what little I have in the back and climb in the front.

  “You going to tell me what’s going on?” She starts up the old beater and puts it into gear.

  “Father.” I give her the only word she needs to fill her in.

  Rain looks at me out of the corner of her eye. “For good?” she questions as she turns to mess with the gears again. “Dammit! It’s stuck again.”

  “Emergency brake.” I point out. “And yes. For good.”

  “Thanks.” She releases it and steps on the gas. “You wanna stay with me?”

  “I can’t. This isn’t like all the other times.” I stick my hand out the rolled-down window and weave my hand through the air as I tell her what happened. “Phone, money, car…all of it—gone.”

  “You don’t need it anyway.” She does a U-turn at the next stop.

  “Where you taking us?”

  “We are going to get me a burger and you an apartment.” She looks over to me and grins.

  “Rain! Weren’t you listening? I have literally two hundred-dollar bills to my name. That’s it. Credit cards are gone.”

  “Don’t you worry that pretty little face of yours.” She reaches over and pinches my cheek.

  “Stop!” I laugh, slapping her hand away. “I can’t help but worry. You aren’t sending me to a whore house. I want to sing for money, not turn tricks.”

  “Just trust me.”

  “All right.”

  “All right?” Rain reaches over to feel my forehead. “Are you sick? I mean the last time you trusted me, I turned your hair—”

  “Oh! My! God! I completely forgot about that!” I cut her off. “Ummm…”

  “Seriously, El. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this a couple weeks ago. This place is going to be perfect for you.”

  “I hope so.”

  I need it to be.

  Lee

  After last night, I needed an everyday routine to forget about the past month, to busy myself with work.

  So when Drew, my boss and the owner of WilliamSon Construction, called me up to handle a situation at one of the sites, I jumped right on it. Especially since today is their family day.

  After all. it’s just me and Grans. If I wasn’t helping her, I would be working in the garage on my latest project. It only made sense for me to go, especially since I’m trying to prove myself. Rumor has it now

  that Kyle and Nina are engaged he will want to put in less hours. Even, possibly, step down from management. I want this promotion and my bank account needs it.

  Today will be good. It’s mindless work, really. Now that the ground is finally drying out from the torrential downpours we have been having, the landscapers can come in and do what they need to do. But first, I have to move the equipment and all the leftover materials.

  Easy, right?

  Pulling into the site, I put the truck in park and grab my hardhat. After the site accident last year, I will never forget this baby again. Any one of us could have been in Drew’s shoes and he is damn lucky he didn’t lose more than just a few memories. He could have lost his life.

  Securing the hat, I open the do
or and head to the back of the truck when I hear my phone ring.

  Grans!

  Running back to the driver’s side, I reach in and swipe it to life without looking.

  “Grans, what’s wrong?” My voice is quick and nervous. My heart rate picks up when she doesn’t respond. “Grans?” I shout.

  “Lee?” Drew’s voice seems unsure. “Is this you, man?”

  Switching to speaker, I throw the phone in the seat and try to gather my nerves. With my hands on my knees, I try to slow my breathing.

  “Yeah, it’s me. I’m sorry, I thought…”

  What did I think? That she was going through another episode? That she had an accident?

  “Is everything okay with your Grans?” Drew sounds concerned.

  “Yeah. She just had a small episode and…” I pause, worried I already said too much. I can’t have him thinking my life is too complicated to take on more. “She’s fine.” I cut myself short.

  “Well good. I have a proposition for you,” Drew says, saving me from my worst fears.

  “What’s up?” I reply as I dig around the truck for my earpiece.

  Got it!

  Sliding it on, I grab the phone and switch it over to Bluetooth.

  “Well, the girls have been watching this warrior show where they battle it out through various obstacles to see who can claim the title for top warrior.” Drew exhales loudly. “And, well, I thought it would be cool to build a rock wall and surprise Andie and Reece with it tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay?”

  “It’s huge, Lee. It’s in three pieces.” He lets out a laugh. “And heavy as hell.”

  “So you need help?” Amused I cut to the chase. I’m glad to help out. Drew has always been good to me.

  “Yeah, man. I would have asked Kyle, but they took off on vacation and won’t be back for a couple weeks.”

  “No problem. I’ll be there after I finish up here.”

  “Actually, can you come around nine? When all the kids are in bed. Like I said—surprise.”

  “Sure. Not a problem.” I gather a few tools and head toward the house.

  “Thanks, Lee, I owe you one.”

  “Just buy me a drink some time.” I reach the garage where we

  have a few tools set up with our white board of projects. “Hey, Drew?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I just noticed that the board says the landscapers will be here Monday the tenth, but the tenth is actually today.” I head to the table to go through a few files.

  “Dammit. I wonder if Kyle switched the date.” I can hear him tapping out a message over the phone. “Hey, look in the files, should be the green folder on the bottom.”

  “Found it.” I shuffle through some papers. “Today. They will be here around five with the load and then be back at dawn tomorrow.”

  “Shit! It’s coming back to me now. With Kyle preparing for the proposal, I just had too much going on.”

  “No problem.” I try to reassure him, but looking down at my watch, I’m not so sure I can pull this off by myself. “I’ll call Justin. He’s home from college and needs more hours than the lumberyard can give him. If you are cool with doing the paperwork Monday and paying him OT for today, I’m sure he will be in.”

  This is the perfect opportunity to prove myself, to show Drew I’m capable of stepping in and taking charge.

  “Make this happen, Lee. Whatever it takes,” Drew orders. “And if you need me, call. We have to get this done to stay on schedule.”

  “Heard loud and clear. I got this.” I search my phone for Justin’s number. “Just enjoy your family.

  “Give me an update in a few hours.”

  “Deal.” I start to press end.

  “Lee, thank you. Just know this is not going unnoticed.” He hangs up.

  A grin spreads across my face. “Yes!” I shout, pumping my fist in the air. I need to calm down and get a move on it, secure Justin before he commits to something else. That dude is resourceful as hell and refuses to sit still for a minute.

  This is exactly what I needed, work to take my mind off all things Ellie. The girl who captivated me from the first pickup line is also the same girl who lied about who she really is. But why? What does she have to hide?

  Why do you even care?

  I shake my head back and forth to try to lose the lingering thoughts. “Get busy. Gain a promotion,” I chant to myself.

  I need this promotion and I refuse to let anyone, especially Ellie Thorne or Eloise Hawthorne or whoever the hell she is, distract me from that.

  I’m tired of chasing lies. Today, I’m fighting for my truth. For the one person who has always been there. And I refuse to let her down.

  Chapter Five

  Ellie

  “Seriously, Rain?” I shout, following behind her, but this girl is on a mission and isn’t stopping for anyone.

  “Listen.” She turns around and walks backward. “When have I ever let you down?” She holds out a finger, waiting for me to name them off, but truth be told, this girl says what she means and means what she says. I always know where I stand and if Rain says she is going to do something, she will do it.

  “Nothing?” She turns around and heads toward the bar, calling over her shoulder, “That’s what I thought. Now let’s get some meat!”

  I can’t help but throw my head back in laughter. Since her parents turned hippy-ish, Rain has struggled to live the vegan lifestyle her parents insist she have. In middle school, she would come over and eat our pantry empty. Once Maggie caught on, she would pack her a two-week survival kit to last until the next visit. No questions asked, just a silent exchange before Rain went back home.

  Pulling out a stool, I settle in and signal to the bartender to get me a menu.

  “No need, my friend.” Rain pushes my hand back down. “Two in-out burgers, double order of fries with cheese and bacon,” she calls to

  the blonde.

  “What if I didn’t want a burger?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” She leans over and begins to whisper, “These burgers are amazing. A half-pound of lean buffalo meat, stuffed with cheese, bacon, onions and did I say bacon? Because it has bacon.”

  “So you ordered me a bacon cheeseburger.”

  Rain gasps. Holding a hand over her mouth, she pretends to be insulted. “Not just a cheeseburger. This is better than that. Hell, it’s better than…” She closes her eyes and wipes her mouth. “Sex. El, it’s the perfect beef orgasm.”

  “Why do I feel so dirty right now?” I lean away from her. “I need to take a shower after all that—” I stop mid-sentence. Realization sets in, once again.

  Shower.

  I can’t even take a shower if I want to. I’m freaking homeless. Bound to live on the streets, playing for food. Wait! I can’t even do that. My guitar is stuck in the back of a town car at my parent’s house.

  “I’m going to keep talking dirty.” She leans into me and continues. “Because I’m getting you an apartment, with a shower.” She turns and looks me in the eyes. “Today.”

  “How? I don’t even have the money to pay for a deposit, let alone first month’s rent.” I’m on the verge of tears. I know Rain has something up her sleeve, but after the morning I had, thinking positive is becoming harder and harder to do.

  “Hey, look!” Rain sits up straight. “Our food!” She does a little shimmy in her seat.

  “I’m not that hungry.” I hunch over.

  “Jake, these look delicious!” Rain proclaims as she claps, bouncing up and down in her seat.

  “Damn, Bow.” The guy, whom I presume is Jake, chuckles at Rain. “I don’t think I have ever met someone who enjoys food as much as you.” He sets our plates down in front of us.

  Turning to look at Rain I mouth “Bow?” questioning this little nickname he has given her. Who is this Jake and how does she know him?

  Rolling her eyes. “Ellie, meet Jake Morgan, the new manager of Spotligh
t. Also, the brother of Jordan, my ex.”

  “Don’t hold it against me.” Jake holds up both hands.

  “Ohhhhh! I can kind of see it now.” I examine Jake from head to toe. Dark hair, light eyes and a smile that is bound to knock your panties off. “I’m Ellie—”

  “Thorne. You know, the singer from last night,” Rain cuts in.

  “I thought you looked familiar.” He takes my hand and gives it a shake. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too.” I give his hand a little squeeze before letting go.

  “I’ll let you guys finish up here and when you are done, just holler at Cindy.” He points to the blonde at the other end of the bar. “And she will come and get me, and I’ll take you upstairs.”

  I glance over at Rain, wondering what he’s talking about.

  “I haven’t told her yet.” Rain picks up her glass, takes the straw into her mouth and drains her drink, then sets it back down and looks at me. “Surprise! You are going to live at Spotlight!” She holds out her arms. “You’re welcome. Now eat.” She picks her burger back up,

  taking a huge bite for such a tiny mouth.

  “In a club?” I look between Jake and Rain. “Here?”

  Rolling her eyes, she covers her mouth with one hand as she speaks through a mouthful of food. “No, El, in the apartment upstairs.”

  “Jake, I’m sorry, apparently my friend has been getting into her parents’ herb garden, if you know what I mean. I can’t afford an apartment right now.”

  “Ellie.” Jake takes a step closer. “Bow texted me on the way over here. I don’t know all the details and I’m sure we can work something out later, but the apartment is yours if you want it. For however long you need it.”

  “Really?” The hope begins to build inside me.

  “Yes, really.” He slaps the top of the bar. “Eat now, negotiations later.” He smiles, then walks off.

  “Did this just really happen?” I swivel to face Rain. “I have a place to stay?”