I started to get up and walk out of the room, but Van grabbed my shirt and pulled me backwards. “Wait! We have to talk to you about some things.”
Could this conversation get any worse?
“Ty, look, I am sorry if I made you mad. Miranda is my cousin and I just get sick of her goin’ down the same path time and time again. She needs to stop goin’ for guys that are nothin’ but trouble. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just think she shouldn’t get involved with anyone right now.” Colt’s words weren’t making things better, but I decided to keep my cool for Van.
“Whatever dude. What do you have to talk to me about? When is the date?” I was already guessing it was a proposal since Van had her hand stuck in her hoodie since she had been around me.
Out came her hand, revealing a giant rock on her second finger. I swallowed the painful lump that managed to creep into my throat. I gave a fake smile and avoided eye contact as I hugged Van and shook Colt’s hand. “Congrats guys. So when are you taking the plunge?”
“Next June. Right after graduation. We want Izzy to be the flower girl,” Van noted.
“And I want you to be my best man,” Colt added.
I was flabbergasted. “That isn’t a good idea guys. I appreciate the thought, really I do, but I just can’t be in your wedding.” I looked over to Van who seemed genuinely upset. “I’m so sorry. I just can’t do it.”
This time she didn’t grab my shirt as I walked out of the room. I passed by Conner walking toward where I had just come from, but kept walking to go out back. I just wanted to be alone. They had a lot of nerve asking me something like that. Everyone knew I wasn’t over Van leaving me. I couldn’t watch her promise to love my cousin forever. I may have been okay with not trying to interfere, but I couldn’t promote it. It was like they were dangling their happiness in front of me.
Fuck that.
I found Miranda out by the pool. There was no way for me to know she would have been there, and I was just as shocked to see her there as she was to see me. I wasn’t crying, but I certainly wasn’t displaying a happy face.
“Hey,” she said while crying.
I looked behind me to make sure that we were alone. “You look just as happy as I am.”
“Guess you heard the big news.”
“You should have told me last night. Maybe I could have prepared myself more.”
“Sorry. I had a lot goin’ on last night. I guess I just figured you knew, but from the look on your face, I can tell that you didn’t.”
I ran my hands through my hair and looked behind me, just making sure nobody was following. “Yeah, they kind of told me that they had news when I got here. I figured it would be that, but nothing can prepare you for handling it.”
“You really do still love her?”
I sat down next to Miranda. “She is the only girl that I have ever told that to. If I hadn’t been such an idiot, I would have never lost her in the first place. She would be wearing my grandmother’s ring and planning our wedding instead of theirs. It doesn’t matter. I cheated and the rest is history. Maybe I don’t know what love is.”
We were both quiet for a few seconds. Miranda was looking down at the water in the pool. “Conner is callin’ the police and reporting Tucker for vandalism. He wants me to get a restrainin’ order.” She shook her head and covered her face. “I just can’t believe that just yesterday I thought we had a chance for a future together.”
“I know how much it must hurt, but you have to know that he isn’t any good for you. I heard the way he talked to you, and it ain’t right.”
She started crying again in her hands. I wanted to reach over to comfort her, but the last thing she wanted was someone like me touching her, someone that she compared to the douche bag. To Miranda, I was the same type of guy as Tucker. I hated it, but I had made my choice to live my life the way I had been. No one could be blamed for my actions except me.
I stayed there next to her as she continued to cry. What she was going through sucked big time. She had a baby that needed a father, unfortunately he wanted nothing to do with either of them. It really pissed me off. He had no idea how lucky he was. I was alone and wished I had someone that wanted to love me back. It was a shame.
I was considering what I could say next, when Conner and Colt came rushing out of the door. “Randa, we already called the cops. They are headin’ over to take our statements. You best tell them the truth if you know what’s good for ya. They need to catch him and put an end to all of this nonsense,” Conner said rudely.
“Whatever Conner,” Miranda said rudely. “It isn’t like they are goin’ to catch him. He is just goin’ to get more pissed off about it. You are adding fuel to the fire.”
“I don’t give a shit what you think about it Miranda. I want this guy away from my niece and I would expect you to want the same for your daughter. He is bad news and that is never goin’ to change.” Conner stated.
“Why are you even tellin’ me then. You have made your mind up. Just leave me alone. You obviously can’t understand what I am goin’ through,” Miranda said before walking back into the house.
“She knows he is a loser. She just needs some time,” I suggested.
Conner looked from me to Colt. “What’s this new interest with my sister Ty? Don’t get it in that head of yours that you can get into her pants next. It ain’t happenin’,” He threatened.
Colt shook his head as I didn’t back down from Conner’s threat. “Not that it is any of your business, but we are just friends. I never said anything about being with your sister.”
“You think that we haven’t noticed how you have been acting around her and Bella?” Conner said accusingly.
“The only thing I am guilty of is loving that little girl. I was there when she was born and I feel close to her. As far as your sister’s pants…well they are safe around me, because I am not interested!” I pushed past my family and walked into the house. Once inside, I looked around for anyone, but I was alone.
I was already making myself a sandwich when Colt and Conner came walking back into the house. I tried to ignore them the best that I could, but Conner came to lean against the opposite side of the kitchen island. “Look, I am sorry that I got in your shit about my sister. You need to understand that neither of you have the best track record. For a while that girl was givin’ herself out to anyone. I know she is an adult, but she needs someone lookin’ out for her. I am not sayin’ you are a bad guy. We have always been on good terms and I’ve considered you family, but my sister is off limits. She doesn’t need to be in any kind of relationship. So, it wasn’t personal.”
“I know. I can assure you for the third time that I did not come here to get into your sisters pants. She and I are just friends. I talk to her about V……well about things that upset me, and she talks to me about the same things. Just friends!”
Colt rattled his hands on the countertop like it was a makeshift drum. “When ya’ll are done, I need to talk to Ty alone.”
I stuck out my hand to Conner, who started to shake it then gave me a friendly nudge. “You up for goin’ out tonight? My girlfriend has this friend goin’ out and I told her I may have someone to come with us too.”
Wasn’t he just threatening me about pants?
“Yeah, I guess that would be cool.” I turned to Colt. “You guys coming out too?”
“Savanna wants to,” He replied.
“Let me guess, you’d rather stay home alone?”
“Not like your thinkin’. It just isn’t my scene anymore.”
“Nine months ago you were all up in that shit. I recall the night pretty clearly.”
“Speaking of that, we need to talk.”
I rolled my eyes and walked back outside with Colt. “Whatever you have to say isn’t goin’ to change my mind. I can’t stand up there and watch her promise to love you forever.”
“I thought we were past this. You know how much it would mean to Savanna. She cares about you.”
Colt got one of his famous half smiles. “I can’t force you to change your mind, but I hope by next summer you will have. I love her and I want her to be happy. She wants you there with us. Just think about it.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “When I was younger and got engaged you were the one person I wanted standin’ next to me. I know the past year has been hell, but I haven’t changed my mind. You are like my brother and my best friend. I hope you reconsider.”
Why was it that he and Savanna could make me feel bad for them?
“I will man. I promise I will.”
Chapter 9
Miranda
I wish everyone would just leave me alone. Couldn’t they see how much they were adding to my frustrations? I needed time to get over the shock of the previous night and what happened this morning, before dealing with even more drama.
My brother was getting on my last nerve. He needed to understand that my heart was breaking for myself and my daughter. I could tell that he was lookin’ out for me, but he needed to back off and let me breathe first.
While the baby took her nap, I sat in my room as Van lectured me on what I need to do next to keep me and Bella safe. She didn’t have a kid. She had no idea what it was like being responsible for a child. She meant well, and I could tell she believed she was doing the right thing, but it wasn’t helping me at all.
The father of my child had said the most painful words that a mother wants to hear. He didn’t want our child. He didn’t even love her.
The stinging of my eyes felt like it was going to be permanent with my new found drama. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I asked Van to give me some time alone. I appreciated her, just not right now.
While burying my head into my pillow, I heard the fancy doorbell ringing. Voices followed the sound of the door opening and I knew it was only a matter of time before they called me to come down. This was a bad idea with a capital B. This would push Tucker over the edge. They thought the vandalism was major. I had no idea what would come next.
Two hours later the officers made their way out. My brother looked far too pleased at what he had done. I felt the knot in my stomach tightening. The repercussions of his actions were not going to be what he thought. Conner always had to be in control. This was going to end badly.
The officers said that since they were familiar with Tucker and his family, they would pay his mother a visit later in the day. He didn’t talk to her much, but she would make sure he knew what my family had done to him. It was a good thing that my mother and aunt were due home sometime in the evening, otherwise I wouldn’t have even considered going out tonight with the whole gang.
I hadn’t seen Ty since we were outside together, but I was actually happy about that. While he and Conner were having words, I was upstairs standing at the bathroom window being nosey. It wasn’t like I wanted there to be something between me and Ty. He was telling the truth about our friendship, but for some reason it hurt my feelings. I didn’t understand why, but it just did.
He was such a big help with Bella and everyone could tell that he loved her. In light of my newest daddy issues, it made me happy that someone cared about my daughter. I always had my family and that meant the world.
Knowing that my family wanted to go out to one of our local establishments meant that I needed to get my ass in gear and find something to wear. Since this was the first official night in months that I was single, I wanted to take advantage of the situation. I picked out a tiny little black dress. The bottom was a short skirt that puffed out a bit, but the top was just two separate pieces of black fabric that covered each of my breasts and tied around my neck.
I had these great red high heels that I had never worn before that popped with the dress, so I knew I had to wear them with it. I pulled my hair up and had small curly pieces falling out of the up-do. I did the makeup around my eyes to look smoky, making the blue color in them pop, and added just a bit of powder and lip gloss. For an added touch I put on some of the lotion that my aunt had gotten me on my birthday. Last night I had gotten dressed up to seduce my then boyfriend, tonight I just wanted to forget he ever existed. I needed to feel eyes on me and know that I didn’t have to answer to anyone. I deserved to have a little fun or at least feel better, even if it was temporary.
There was a bunch of commotion when I finally walked downstairs. It seemed that everyone must have been waiting on me and Ty to be ready. I hadn’t even noticed that he was getting ready upstairs, my only focus had been on myself. Van was holding Bella and pointed toward me when they saw me walking downstairs. My little girl got the biggest smile on her face when she saw me. A part of me just wanted to stay home and cuddle with her all night.
Everyone’s eyes were on me as I grabbed my daughter and showered her with kisses. The front door opened and my mother and aunt came rushing in the door causing their own interruptions. They immediately snatched up my daughter and began telling us about everything they had bought for her while they were away.
I was used to them spoiling her. It was just what the two of them loved to do.
When I noticed Conner moving in on them, I grabbed him by the arm and shook my head. “Not tonight, please.”
He shook his head, but didn’t say a word.
We were all standing around chatting when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Ty was in dark jeans that had holes randomly placed on them. His hair was disheveled all over his head and down around his ears. His shirt was tight against his hard chest and it was a dark red like my shoes that popped against his olive skin. The V shape in the neck showed off some of the definition to his chest. I tried not to be obvious about checking him out, but as he caught my eye, I caught the scent of his cologne. He smelled better than any smell ever to exist on a man. I felt like one of the girls in those Axe commercials. I wanted to pounce on him right there in front of everyone. With no regard to anyone else, he looked at me and got a huge grin on his face.
Our eyes froze into each other for only a few seconds before Van cleared her throat. “You two ready to go?”
Without turning around again to see his face, and give away any obvious signs that I was swooning over him, even when I shouldn’t be, I kept my eyes fixed on my daughter as I kissed her goodbye. I caught up to everyone outside. Conner had to pick up his girlfriend, so Ty and I rode with Colt and Van. Colt gave me a dirty look as I climbed into the backseat behind him. Van let Ty sit in the front seat because he was so much taller. The Mustang didn’t have that much leg room in the back.
The ride to the bar was uneventful. Ty and Colt talked about some baseball game when they were kids, while Van and I played on our phones in the back. I went into all my social networking apps and changed my status to say single. While Van seemed occupied by her own phone, I pulled up Ty’s profile on mine. His profile picture was a group of his friend’s doin’ keg stands. I had to laugh when I pictured him holding my daughter being so responsible. After goin’ through a few more photos I found a bunch of he and Van. It made me sad. I heard him saying that there was nothing between us except for friendship, but this just confirmed that he was not ready to move on.
Still, when we climbed out of that car to go into the bar, I felt his eyes on me again. I wasn’t denying that I worked hard to make myself look irresistible, but the fact that Ty wouldn’t stop looking made me all tingly. The night was looking up, well that was until my brother and his girlfriend pulled up. Sitting in the back was Courtney Timmons, former Ms. Kentucky.
They got out of the car and immediately approached us. By the look on Conner’s face, I coul
d tell this was a setup. She came here to be hooked up with Ty. I should have known that my brother would cover all his bases to prevent anything from ever happening between us. This was low, even for him. How could he bring the prettiest girl in all of Kentucky to paw all over Ty?
Right away I could tell he was interested in her. They shook hands and both got ridiculous smiles across their faces. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to scream or cry first. I tried to shake it off and concentrate on all the other available guys around us, but my eyes kept going back to the one I couldn’t have. His strong arms led Courtney out onto the dance floor. I had never wanted Ty. Sure, he was one of the most gorgeous guys I had ever seen, but I never really looked at him as available.
“You okay?” Van asked, breaking my train of thought.
“Yeah, fine. Just didn’t know she was going to be here.” I pointed toward Courtney and Ty.
She led me over toward the bar. “Conner thought it would take Ty’s mind off of my engagement. She seems to be doing a good job.”
“Yeah, whatever!” I said sarcastically.
Van looked over at me with a concerned look on her face. “You can’t like him Miranda. You know that right?”
“Are you sayin’ that because you still want him for yourself?”
“Of course not!” She said immediately. “I just don’t think it is a good idea for the two of you to get involved, especially so soon after what happened. Plus, he is family.”
“We are just friends anyway. He made that clear earlier today with my brother.”
She started laughing and made a quick glance over my shoulder. “You should stay that way. He is better at being a friend than a boyfriend anyway.”
Van didn’t warn me that Ty and Courtney were coming up to the bar. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to his smiling face. The more I looked at him, the more I felt like a teenager with an impossible crush. “Hey.”
Folding Hearts Page 5