Mangled Hearts: Francesca and Cade (Scarred Hearts)

by Felicia Tatum

  She pulled into a small, white home that had a decent size yard with rose bushes. A weeping willow was tilted off the side, appearing to be protecting the place. Large windows encased the front, and a large covered porch beckoned. I stepped out, clutching Hamlet close to me so he couldn’t escape. Walking around, I handed him off to her, reaching in the back to gather his supplies. She waited at the door, eyeing me suspiciously.

  “What?” I asked, looking down to make sure my fly wasn’t hanging open.

  “Nothing. Making sure you don’t fall over or something. I am a lawyer, I don’t need you suing me.” She turned, unlocked the door and ushered me in.

  I stifled my laughter and stepped in the foyer. The interior was nice and screamed Francesca. Pictures from elementary school lined the walls. Girly things that I wouldn’t even know where to find decorated shelves. She dropped her bag in a chair that was situated close to the door and kicked her shoes underneath it. I couldn’t stop myself from being mesmerized by her movements. Everything she did captivated me. She continued forward, stopping at a door.

  “Keep going straight, set all that on the kitchen table. I’ll be right there,” she instructed.

  I nodded and she disappeared. I found the kitchen, setting everything down. I looked around, impressed with the red and black theme she had. It was sleek and sexy…for a kitchen. She had everything cleaned and immaculate, something that didn’t surprise me. I went to the refrigerator, inspecting the photos. I saw some of her and the girl she had been close with in high school, Daphne, and a few of her family, but the one that stood out was her and a tall, blond man. My heart clenched, realizing she may very well be in a relationship. I’d always thought of her as mine, but that was unfair. We hadn’t spoken in years. She would have found someone…she was too amazing to be single.

  “I’m making you coffee,” her voice sung from behind me.

  I turned, taking in her new attire. She wore jeans that fit in all the right places, and the shirt she’d had under her jacket flowed around her hips. She looked amazing. Her blonde locks were cascading down her back and around her shoulders. She literally took my breath away.

  “Ok,” I uttered dumbly, not blinking.

  She glanced down, “What?”

  “You are still so beautiful,” I said.

  Her face became hard again. “You’re drunk, sit down,” she said, pointing to the chair.

  “Fine,” I said a little too harshly, “but I think you’re beautiful when I’m sober, too.”

  She stopped and I saw her shoulders tense. She gripped the counter, then went back to getting the coffee pot ready. She worked quickly, filling everything and turning on the pot. She spun around, clicking her tongue and searching for Hamlet.

  “Hamlet, here kitty, kitty,” she cooed, directing herself to the kitchen. I heard the sound of his bowl thing hit a wall and had to cover my mouth to hide the laughter.

  She turned angrily, “Don’t laugh at him!” she practically shouted.

  I bent my lips in, trying my hardest to not piss her off. She tried to glare at me, but I could tell she was about to break. She finally let it out and laughed with me.

  “It’s sad, but kind of funny, too,” she admitted after she could breathe again. She ran off, searching for Hamlet and came back with him cradled in her arms. “Pretty boy, it’s ok,” she whispered, snuggling her face close to him. Sitting him down on the floor beside the table, she rummaged through items on the counter, looking for the food. She grabbed two bowls and served his meal of milk and cat food. He ate at my place, but the poor thing must have been starved.

  “The medicine has to stay refrigerated,” I said, remembering what all the vet had told me.

  She pulled it out, put it up, and moved on to the coffee. She pulled out a pink glittered mug, glanced at me with a smirk, and poured. Setting it in front of me, she said cheerfully, “drink up!”

  I stared at her, “really? You don’t have another cup I could use?”

  “Nope. Now get sober so I can yell at you.”

  I saluted, taking a long swig of the drink. It was hot and bitter. I sat it down, making a face, “You didn’t put anything in it?”

  She shook her head, “No, I need you sober soon. Drink up,” she commanded.

  I downed that cup and another before she was happy with my sobriety. I sat it down, staring at her expectantly.

  She seated herself in front of me, clasped her hands together, and spat out, “What the hell were you thinking drinking and driving? I mean, really, Cade? After everything that’s happened, you would still be so reckless, stupid, and immature! And not to mention, you’re already in legal trouble. What exactly do you think a DUI would do for you? Huh? Not anything good, I can assure you that,” she rambled on. “I just can’t believe you would be foolish enough to drink and drive after the accident. And to pick me up, of all people! I don’t know what you were thinking.”

  I cast my eyes down, letting her tear me a new one. Everything she said was right. I was stupid. My drinking had caused her enough pain, and now I was pulling this. “I’m sorry, Francesca. You’re completely right. I wasn’t thinking. And I’m sorry to bring back thoughts of the accident,” I told her, scraping my chair back to stand. “I think it’s time I head home.”

  She didn’t budge, but called out, “You don’t have to remind me of the accident. I’m haunted by it every single day.”

  I opened the door, and slipped out. I inhaled the fresh air, and closed my eyes. She’d stolen my heart, and in return, I’d ruined her life.

  Chapter Nine-Francesca

  The blaring alarm clock shocked my system, causing me to sit straight up in bed. Friday. It was Friday. I would be able to relax in a mere ten hours. I shut it off, leaned back on my fluffy pillow and reached to my side to pet Hamlet. He was still iffy about me, but I thought he was warming up nicely. About three a.m., he had appeared in my room, jumping up and curling at my feet. He gradually moved up to my side. Not bad for the first night.

  I scratched his ears, listening to the relaxing sound of his purr. If only I could have the life of a cat. The images from the nightmare were still fresh on my mind. Daphne’s stricken face as she stood just inside the door, Cade’s arms wrapped around that woman that I couldn’t stand, and my sister…my sweet baby sister telling me she would be safe.

  I pushed down the sob trying to escape, clenching my eyes to fight the tears. I rubbed them furiously, and slid out of bed. My toes wiggled in the soft carpet. I once again prided myself in getting it all laid last year. This place had been a wreck when I’d bought it, but it was an amazing deal. I couldn’t pass it up. The price was cheap; it had a weeping willow (my favorite tree), and it was fixable. I’d gotten the assistance of my dad with most of it, so it really hadn’t cost much to get in top shape.

  I trudged to the kitchen, started the coffee maker, and gathered up food for Hamlet. I heard a soft meow, followed by a warm, fuzzy body pushed against my ankles. I smiled down, happy to finally have some sort of companion in this lonely house. I loved being on my own, but I missed people being around sometimes.

  “Hey, kitty. Here you go,” I said, placing the dish in front of him. He started inhaling it, so I left him and went to start my day.

  ###

  I made it to work early, so I stopped by and chatted with Zander for a bit over coffee. He was ruggedly handsome. Tall and muscular, he would make most girls swoon. Well, if they weren’t in love with Cade Kelling already. He flirted with me which worried me to an extent. I didn’t want to lead anyone on. My heart belonged to Cade, though I didn’t even know if I could let him hold it in his hands again.

  “What did you do last night? Who was that guy you got in the car with?” he asked me curiously.

  “Oh, Zander, I found a kitty! The guy was my client, Mr. Kelling. He took care of the cat for me since I found it at his apartment complex.”

  “Really? You just found a cat and then left it with a client?” he questioned, dark brows
raised unbelievably.

  I nodded, knowing I was caught.

  “You know this guy, huh?”

  I sat on the side of his desk and buried my face in my hands, mumbling, “Yes.”

  He smirked, “And?”

  “I kind of dated him…” I said sheepishly.

  “What?” he almost shouted, jumping from his seat, “You can’t date a client,” he hissed, grabbing my arm.

  I pushed his hand off, “I’m not dating him, Zander. I said I kind of did. Totally different.”

  “Francesca…” he warned, grasping my wrist gently.

  I looked into his blue eyes, full of worry and dread. “I’ll be careful. It’s my only chance, Zan. I’ve been here three years,” I whispered, my eyes pleading with his desperately.

  He nodded, pulling me in for a quick hug. “Ok. I’m here if you need me.”

  “Thank you,” I said, sniffling into his shirt. I couldn’t cry. I just refused.

  “Here, you have tons of messages and a court date to attend to. Go get busy,” he commanded.

  I giggled, calling back to him as I walked towards my office, “Order the usual lunch, my treat, and come eat with me.”

  “Ok,” he agreed as his line rang.

  I walked on, looking through my messages, groaning at some, curious about others. The very last one was the document with Cade’s court date. Two weeks from today. I picked up my step, realizing I was behind on the information I would need. I collapsed in my chair, swiveling and swirling to get it out of my system, then dove head first into the work.

  The hours blurred by full of documents, papers, and calls to various places. Cade hadn’t been in deep trouble during his adult years (a fact that surprised me greatly), so this should be an easy win. He had been arrested multiple times but never convicted. Damned if I was going to let it happen while I was representing him.

  Lunch with Zan was fun and relaxing, something I needed. Daphne called near the end of the hour, begging me to go out with her after work. I obliged, but only because I couldn’t resist her when she begged like that. She was the twin I never had. I finished the day, glad it was the weekend and I wouldn’t have to see or talk to Cade until Monday.

  ###

  I spun, eyeing my backside in the fitted black dress Daphne insisted I buy last time we went shopping. It made my butt look huge. I growled, rushing to the door when I heard the bell. Daphne swayed in, looking as gorgeous as ever. Her dark locks were pulled off her face with a few tendrils curled and loose. She wore a tight red dress, probably four inches shorter than my almost knee length one, and heels that I would break my neck in.

  “Seriously? I can’t go,” I groaned, collapsing on the couch in frustration.

  “You look great, Francesca,” she assured me, smiling widely.

  “I’m a cow compared to you. Why does my best friend have to be so perfect?” I asked no one in particular.

  “Oh, stop the dramatics. Get your shoes, finish the eyeliner, and let’s go.”

  “How did you know I didn’t finish my eyeliner?” I asked, wondering how awful I truly looked.

  “Umm…it’s only under one eye, Franny Girl. Now hurry your cute butt up so we can go,” she commanded, pulling me off the couch.

  I despised that nickname, “Franny Girl,” and she knew it. I gave her a look that could kill and sauntered off to finish my make-up. She stood in the doorway, nagging me about Cade until I was satisfied with my face. Turning sharply, I said, “Daph, we aren’t talking about him.”

  “Umm…when did you get a cat?” she asked, her eyes wide as Hamlet came crawling out from under the bed. Lucky for him the rails were high or he would have gotten stuck in his hurt condition.

  I laughed, and reached down to pet him. “I found him yesterday when I dropped Cade off at his apartment,” I explained, patting my legs so Hammy would come up there.

  “His apartment?” she questioned, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. She moved forward, hands on hips, and bent to meet me eye to eye. “And what exactly where you doing there, Franny Girl?”

  I exhaled sharply, “If you call me Franny Girl one more time, I’m going to punch you,” I threatened, even though we both knew it would never happen. “Nothing went on. You left your car for me, he didn’t have a ride, I took him. End of story.”

  “You still love him,” she stated, matter of factly.

  Rolling my eyes, I sat Hammy down beside me and brushed the shed fur off my legs. “Daph, what happened to not talking about him? I thought we were going out?”

  She brushed past me, sat down and took over my previous position. “We don’t have to go. I think I’d rather hear this,” she chuckled with a wink.

  Groaning, I mocked her earlier stance, glaring at her. “It doesn’t matter if I still love him. Not after what happened with Josie. Now, can we please go?” I begged her, my voice threatening to break.

  She stood, grasping me in a tight hug. “I know you miss her, but Francesca, you need to talk to him about this. You don’t know one thing or another at this point, only what other people said. We know how the rumor mill likes to turn.”

  I pulled back, my face hardening. “If it wasn’t true, he would have come to me. He would have told me, Daphne. He didn’t even talk to me at the funeral! That’s as much as saying he’s guilty,” I yelled, my hands moving on their own accord. I was sure I looked like a crazy person.

  “Oh, whatever, we both know Cade is a big ass chicken when it comes to you. He was probably scared to talk to you,” she said.

  “He’s not a chicken. I was just a game to him, but I’m stronger now. I won’t let him toy with my heart ever again,” I declared, wiping the moistness from my eyes.

  She moved back, studying me. “Ok. You know I support you, Francesca, but I want you to know I honestly think you should talk to him. If nothing else, it’ll help you gain closure you desperately need. It’s been seven years and you still hold a lot of anger towards him.”

  “You aren’t my therapist,” I spat at her, instantly regretting it.

  “No, I’m not, but I am your best friend and I’ve known you forever. I see that this haunts you. I just want you to be able to move on. Josie would want you to.”

  Hearing her name twisted something in my heart. Joslyn Taymon, my beautiful little sister, whose life ended too soon and tragically. I could still remember the way her long, blonde hair would fly around her in all directions. Her dark brown eyes that matched mine perfectly. She was so full of life and energy. It still pained me to think of how she died.

  “Let’s go,” Daphne instructed, pulling me out of the memories before I lost the stream of tears on the verge of escaping.

  I took her hand and followed her out to the vehicle. I had to just forget everything for a little while. I settled in as she turned up the music and rambled on about some current celebrity she saw something about on Facebook. She was trying her hardest to distract me, and I appreciated it. I needed distracting. I needed to forget.

  Chapter Ten-Cade

  A loud thunder rumbled in my head, over and over again. I clenched my eyes tighter, wondering where the sound was coming from. Rolling over, I grabbed the edge of the couch inches before I fell off. The empty bottle I downed an hour before fell to the floor with a thud. A deep groan sounded in my throat, and I stirred myself to consciousness. The loud banging continued, so I shot to a sitting position, looking around in my disoriented state. My phone rang and buzzed seconds after it stopped.

  Reaching in in my pocket, I pulled it out and answered quickly, “Hello?”

  “Cade, answer your door, man,” Cason’s voice filled my aching head.

  Grunting, I stumbled my way to a standing position and trudged to the door. Opening it wide, I saw my bigger, little brother standing there with a case of beer. “Cason,” I said, reaching out to give him a hug. It had been far too long since we spent any time together.

  “I brought you a present,” he grinned, holding up the box.

  “An
d a good present at that. Get in here,” I demanded, stepping back to allow him access.

  “Dad told me about your new lawyer, thought you may need a pick me up,” he said, giving me a knowing look.

  “Yeah…Francesca.”

  “I can’t believe it,” he said, shaking his head as he sat on the couch. “I haven’t seen her in years. How is she doing?”

  “I’m not sure. She didn’t seem too happy to see me, though. I hurt her so bad, dude. It seems like it’s more, though. She’s doing good for herself. Got a house, she’s a lawyer, she seems to be living well.”

  “You shouldn’t have dated that skanky bitch, Jade. She was so mean to Francesca,” he explained.

  “What do you mean, ‘mean to Francesca?’ They didn’t know each other,” I said, my voice rising.

  “Jade said some pretty awful stuff. How did you not know? She ripped Francesca apart one day after school.”

  The panic was rising. No wonder Francesca had stopped speaking to me a few months before the accident with her sister. She had been hurting. And once again, it was all my fault. “Stupid whore. Does she still live around here?”

  “She’s not worth it, man. You’re getting another chance here, so fix it.”

  I nodded, opening another drink and chugging it. Francesca didn’t want to see me tonight. She said she would talk to me Monday. So I had all weekend to drink away my issues.

  ###

  Cason had stayed over. He was more responsible than I and didn’t let himself drive after drinking anything. I rolled in my bed, seeing the clock said it was close to noon. There was something I was supposed to do today…but I couldn’t remember what. I shuffled through the apartment, realizing Cason was already gone. He was such a morning person. We were complete opposites. He was light where I was dark. He was everything Pops had expected of me, while I was a complete failure in his eyes. Stretching, I scratched my head, then searched for my phone. Something was really tugging on my mind. I missed something. Forgot something…I couldn’t place what it was. I finally found it, tucked securely under the cushion.