The Art of Getting Away (Companion Short Story to The Art of Living series)

by Nicole Sorrell

  Carlos sat, stunned. Where the hell did that come from?

  “I don’t blame you for hating her because she abandoned you,” Andie said. “But, what if circumstances were beyond her control? If something horrible happened, could you forgive yourself for not letting her explain?”

  He closed his eyes. Without permission, his mother’s laughter overtook him. He watched as she snuck up on Daddy at the stove and tickled him. Dad spun around and pinned her arms, hugging her from behind. He’d kissed her neck as a pot boiled over. That made them giggle even more.

  They’d been in love. Happy. What would have made her turn to another man? Nothing. The word pinged around his brain like popping corn.

  The sound of motorcycles reverberated in the distance. They were getting closer. Fast. Carlos jumped to his feet. Without thinking, he gathered Andie up and carried her into the lake.

  “What are you doing?” she squealed.

  “Quiet. We can’t let them find you here. We’ve got to hide.”

  “I can’t swim!” she screamed in a whisper. He smirked. So sassy, but scared of the water.

  “I can. I’ll take care of you. Relax.” When he released her to turn her around, she flailed about. He pulled her against him and lay back. With her on top and facing up, he propelled them from the shore. He angled to his right, hoping they’d be hidden by the trees before the gang arrived.

  Soon, two motorcycles stopped with their headlights shining toward the cabin. Carlos continued on quietly. By the time he heard them coming toward the beach, he’d swum far enough. He stopped to prevent any splashes that might alert the bikers of their location. Andie shivered, and he clutched her tighter.

  “He out here?” a voice said.

  “Don’t see nothing,” another answered as a boot collided with a bottle. “Beer’s half full. Still cool. He musta heard us coming.”

  “Hey there!” the first one yelled. “Anyone around? Hello?”

  As an extra precaution, Carlos turned them toward the middle of the lake to hide their pale faces. His dark hair would be harder to spot. Thank God there was no moon to reflect off the water. After crashing through the undergrowth and shouting some more, they gave up and left.

  Andie still trembled. “You cold?” he asked.

  “No. It’s just... that was close.”

  “Yeah,” he said, his lips touching her ear. He could’ve sworn she leaned into the caress.

  “Is it safe to go in now?”

  “Sure,” he answered. He took his time. After all, he could only swim with one arm.

  “I’d better get going,” she said when they’d reached the shore.

  “No!” Carlos yelled. He lowered his voice, saying, “It’s too dangerous. They may have forced James to tell them where you’re staying. They could be watching your 4Runner and your cabin. You can sleep here. There are two bedrooms. I won’t intrude. Promise.”

  She hesitated. “I don’t have clothes to change into.”

  “You can sleep in one of my T-shirts. By morning everything should be dry,” he added.

  Inside, he offered to let her shower first and gave her a clean shirt. As he waited, he leaned against the table drinking a Coors. He almost dropped it when she emerged. Cute as all get out, she was almost swallowed up by his white T.

  “You want a beer?” he asked.

  “Okay,” she said quietly. She looked vulnerable, and he had to stop himself from pulling her into his arms.

  He handed her a brew, saying, “I’ll be out in no time.” When he’d finished up in the bathroom he found her sitting on the couch with tears rushing over her cheeks.

  “Hey, hey,” he said, sitting beside her. A sob bubbled out, making his insides knot. She didn’t object when he pulled her into his lap. He stroked her back, kissed her hair, and rocked her as she clung to his arm.

  “I’m s-sorry,” she hiccupped.

  “Don’t be.”

  “James is a good guy. He can’t seem to quit the drugs, and he’s not himself when he’s using.”

  “Addiction changes people,” he said. “The next fix becomes more important than anything else. Or anyone else.”

  After she’d calmed down, he asked, “Do you have any clue why the gang followed you two?”

  “No, I don’t know,” she answered without moving. “I had this week scheduled for vacation. A few days ago he suggested we get away from the city and come down here.”

  “Did he owe them money?”

  The question startled her. “I... Oh, God. Do you think James is selling drugs for them?”

  “It’s probable. He’s crossed them somehow. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have chased him so far.” As she lay curled against his chest, Carlos continued to rub her shoulder. He reviewed everything he’d seen over the last three days.

  If James was distributing dope, the bikers would have given him inventory. “You and James drove separately, right?”

  “Yes. He wanted to bring his motorcycle,” she answered with a nod. “He doesn’t have a car.”

  A horrible thought scorched him like lightning.

  Oh, Jesus Christ.

  Chapter 3

  THE HOOD OF Andie’s Toyota opened without a sound. Carlos put the mini flashlight between his teeth to have his hands free.

  After she’d fallen asleep in his arms, he’d carried her to bed and sprinted to her SUV at Gabe’s. At four in the morning, the night’s blackness was impenetrable.

  When he’d arrived he saw that the gang had gotten there before him. The interior of the vehicle was torn apart, with the windows broken, seats ripped out and slashed. The carpet was pulled up, the door panels and dash cover were pried off, and the wiring yanked out. The tires had been cut. Though the hood was unlatched, the engine hadn’t been disturbed.

  He hoped the bikers had found what they wanted, and they’d leave Andie alone now. The intact engine made him suspect they hadn’t, and he needed to verify his theory. For her sake, he wanted to be proven wrong.

  A paper towel laid over the clasps of the air filter housing prevented him from leaving fingerprints. He moved the clips aside and lifted the top.

  Fuck me! When the light beam reached inside the housing, he saw small plastic packets of white powder where the filter should be. There were dozens and dozens of them. Without the filter, the clunker ran until the plastic bags shifted to block the incoming air. The lack of oxygen smothered the engine, and it had died, leaving Andie stranded. While he cleaned the battery terminals the packets had settled, allowing enough air intake for the SUV to run again.

  It was a good thing Carlos couldn’t lay his hands on James right then. Not only had he put Andie in danger by tampering with the Toyota, he'd thrust her into a ruthless gang’s drug activity. More importantly, James had taken advantage of her love and trust. She’d be devastated.

  Leaving the drugs undisturbed, Carlos closed the air filter compartment. No one would suspect he’d been there.

  He made his way down the path, breaking into a jog when he reached the private road. Not another soul came along. Once inside the cabin, he went straight to Andie.

  Still laying in the same position, she was sound asleep. Her exhaustion reminded him he was tired too. He toed off his running shoes and crawled in behind her. She snuggled against him without waking. Nestled against her warmth, he slept.

  When she stirred he immediately became alert. The room was bright.

  “Morning,” she whispered.

  He swung an arm over her pretending to be asleep and muttered, “Too early.”

  She crept out of bed and into the bathroom. He stretched, rubbed his stubbled chin and sat up. A delicious smell brought him to the kitchenette. Andie was at the table, already dressed.

  “Didn’t realize there was coffee here,” he said.

  “There was a complimentary package in the cabinet,” she answered. After he washed up she poured them both a cup. He dropped into a chair and stared at the floor.

  “You don’t look so
great,” she said.

  “Yeah,” he mumbled. He dreaded telling her what he’d found at Gabe’s, but she deserved to know. “I went to the 4Runner after you fell asleep.” Her expression became apprehensive. “It’s bad, Andie. They tore it apart. It’s trashed.”

  “Who would do that? Why?” she asked. “Oh my God. Is it drivable?”

  “No, the wiring was ripped out. It’s so old, it’s good for nothing except the junkyard, now. The gang was searching for something. They didn’t find it.” He looked up at her. “I did. Hidden in the engine. James must have stashed the drugs when he checked the oil.”

  Shock and disbelief raced over her face. Then she was angry. “No, I don’t believe you. You... You only want me to hate James. You’re lying!”

  Carlos was furious at the accusation. Then he got ahold of himself. How would he react if their roles were reversed? He’d think the same thing.

  “I wish it weren’t true,” he said. “The last thing I want is to see you hurt.” The defiance trickled from her body, and she wilted. She covered her mouth with her hands and sobbed. He picked her up and carried her to the sofa. As he had the previous night, he held her on his lap and let her cry.

  “Damn him,” she spluttered. “I loved him! God damn him to hell.”

  Betrayal was a feeling that could swallow you whole, and he understood her pain. It was like being hit by a tidal wave. A part of you didn’t survive.

  Eventually, she cried herself out. “Am I squishing you?” she asked.

  “Never, baby girl,” he said. “Don’t move.”

  For over an hour she rested in the comfort of his arms. He wished time could stop, and trouble would leave them be. No more hurt, no more sorrows.

  A low roar interrupted his daydream.

  They were back.

  ~~~

  Carlos had scarcely gotten the dining chair under the table when knocking jolted the wall. He took two slow breaths to calm himself and opened the door. Huge Man’s bulk obstructed the whole entry. Carlos tried to appear bleary-eyed as he scratched his jaw.

  “Mornin’,” Huge Man said.

  “Yeah, I guess,” Carlos answered, yawning. “What can I do for you?”

  Huge Man held out his hand. “They call me The Hulk.”

  Carlos shook hands, grimacing when the enormous fist squeezed his. “I’m Gary,” he replied.

  “Well, Gary. We got a problem. My friend Razor here, his sister came out to party with us a couple nights ago. She left with some guy without lettin’ us know, and we ain’t seen her since.”

  “What’s she look like?” Carlos asked.

  “Real pretty,” Hulk said. “Long shiny brown hair. Five foot six, about a hundred twenty pounds. Her name’s Dora.”

  Carlos hid his nausea at hearing her name on the lips of a murderer. “Nah, haven’t noticed a nice girl like that. Wish I could’ve been the guy that got lucky. Uh, no disrespect to your friend.”

  Hulk nailed him with an intimidating stare. “So, you won’t mind us having a look.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Help yourself.” Carlos turned away and almost panicked when he saw the two coffee cups on the table. Shielding them with his body, he carried them to the sink and leaned against the counter with crossed arms. The four men combed the place, including the closets and shower, and under the beds.

  “All right,” Hulk said. “We’ll be around. You tell us if you see her.”

  “Sure thing.” Carlos closed the door after them and sat on the sofa until they left.

  He carried the dining chair to the bedroom. With it substituting as a ladder, he pushed aside the ceiling panel that provided access to the little attic. Andie peeked at him from the dark recess, wide-eyed with fear. Carlos helping her down by placing a hand under each foot as she emerged. Once on the floor, she stood slumped and defeated.

  “Listen,” he said, pushing her hair over her shoulder, “I’ve got a plan.” She perked up for a second, then shook her head.

  “Any plan of yours should include getting as far away from me as possible,” she said. “I’ll go home so you won’t be pulled into this mess.”

  “No, I can’t let you do that.” He guided her by the elbow. “Come on, we’re taking a drive.”

  ~~~

  Despite the reassurances he repeated to Andie, Carlos wasn’t certain his idea would work. And if he was wrong, there’d be hell to pay.

  The trip to Branson was quick. Though it was a small town, its thriving tourism supported a wide variety of retail shops. At the electronics store, he’d bought a burner phone. It may not have been necessary. Then again, he didn’t want to take a chance the gang could trace the call. On the sidewalk in front, Andie had given him James’s number.

  “Hello,” a hoarse voice had answered.

  “Who is this?” Carlos asked. He spoke with a falsetto tone, wanting them to think he was a woman. When Andie heard him, she’d slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her amusement.

  “This is The Hulk,” the man said. “Who are you?”

  “Let’s just say I’m a friend,” Carlos replied. “I can help you out.”

  “Oh, yeah? How’s that?”

  “I know the location of something you’re hunting for,”

  “Something, or someone?” Hulk asked.

  “Something,” Carlos said. His throat was getting scratchy from the fake voice. “In exchange for its whereabouts, you agree to leave that someone alone. Forever.”

  “Look, bitch!” Hulk yelled into the phone. “You tell us where our stuff is, or you’ll wish you’d never been born.”

  Carlos had cut the connection.

  “Will he call again?” Andie asked.

  “We’ll have to wait and see,” he’d answered.

  So now they waited. On the beach staring at the lake, minute after slow minute passed. It was going to make Carlos insane. He’d talked to Hulk over three hours ago.

  “You think they’ll let James go?”

  “That’s the best-case scenario,” Carlos said. “I believe the most we can hope for is they’ll promise to stop coming after you. It may be too late for James. I’m sorry.”

  Andie’s forlorn sigh tugged at his heart. “I’d never have believed he could do this. I’m such a fool.”

  “No, you’re not. He took advantage of you,” Carlos answered. To stop her from blaming herself, he asked, “Have you two dated since high school?”

  “No. After graduation, we kept in touch but were just friends. We started dating two and a half years ago. He was thoughtful and kind. He hid his drug use from me until we’d dated for a year. Then he kept promising he’d quit, and I guess I didn’t want to see he was never going to get sober. He’s been using more lately.” She sighed again. “I’ve tried everything to help him stop. To bring back the loving person I used to know.”

  The phone rang, startling them. Carlos scooped it up and let it ring again. He accepted the call without speaking.

  “You there?” Hulk demanded.

  “Yes,” Carlos said in the high voice.

  “Okay. You tell us where to find it. Once we pick it up, we agree to leave the girl alone.”

  “How can I be sure you’ll keep your word?” Carlos asked.

  “My word is good, and it’s all you have, bitch,” Hulk ground out.

  “Not good enough. You’ve got to give a token to prove you’ll abide by the agreement.”

  “Fuck you!” Hulk bellowed. Carlos hung up.

  “That went really well,” Andie said.

  Carlos overlooked her sarcasm. “The fact he called means they’re eager to find the drugs,” he said. “If I don’t get a guarantee they’ll stop pursuing you, I won’t tell them anything.”

  She sat doodling in the sand with a twig. “Why are you helping me?” she asked.

  He moved to sit in front of her. Sliding a hand around her neck, he brought her forehead to his. “I think you know,” he whispered. In a soft sweep of his lips, he tenderly caressed hers. She let
out a breath and pressed into him. Their kiss was hot and hungry and demanding. Andie tugged his hair, wanting more, and he opened to her. When her tongue swirled with his, her sweet taste made him groan. She responded by pushing him onto his back and crawling on top of him. “My God, baby girl,” he said as she nibbled at his throat. He knew she could tell how engorged he’d become. When she scraped her teeth along his jaw, he had to get that delicious mouth on his again. She let out a sensual hum.

  Their greedy hands were exploring each other’s body when she abruptly stiffened. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t do this.”

  “Don’t apologize,” he said, stroking her hair. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

  “You didn’t push-” Ringing interrupted her. By the second ring, Carlos had snatched up the phone and answered it.

  “Okay,” Hulk growled. “We’ll give a ‘FTW’ necklace.”

  “Scratch your name on it,” Carlos answered. “No name, no deal. Hang it on the side mirror of the SUV at Gabe’s. Then leave.” The line went dead. Andie moved away and sat with her knees to her chin.

  “What’s ‘FTW’ mean?” she asked.

  “Fuck the world.”

  Tears dribbled down her cheek. He moved to her side and put his arm around her in silence, giving her time to grieve.

  Darkness fell, cooling the air. They walked up to the cabin and waited outdoors. When he offered to make her a sandwich, Andie said she couldn’t eat. He didn’t have an appetite either. He brought out beers for them and she drank hers too fast, getting tipsy.

  To provide a distraction, he coaxed her into dancing with him to country music from his truck stereo. He kept the volume low so he would hear the motorcycles when they stopped at Gabe’s.

  By three o’clock in the morning they were both dog-tired, but knew trying to sleep would be useless. Andie was pacing from one end of the porch to the other. Carlos didn’t have the heart to ask her to stop though it drove him nuts.

  The distant thunder of engines halted her and he bolted upright. It grew softer when the engines idled, then louder again before fading into the distance.