Within Miles

by K. J. Carrigan

  I dressed in a pair of jeans and sweater. It was starting to get chilly outside given that it was early September. Hum, maybe I could lead Miles to the edge of Farris cliff and push him off. Snow will be here soon and no one would find his body for a while. I smiled at the thought and made my way to my appending doom.

  Not in Vegas Anymore

  Lancey was talking to Miles and Faith McQueen when I walked up. I had never told Lancey about Miles. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas right? Wrong!

  “Hi, I’m Faith McQueen. I will be working with C.A.T. on the architectural aspects of your build.” She gestures over to Miles. “This is my associate, Miles Taylor. He is currently an intern at C.A.T. and will be overseeing the build. Do you have your plans available?” I kept my eyes on Faith and handed her the prints.

  “Thea? Is this the right place?” Cole asked as he walked around the place that I had chosen for my house.

  “Yeah, this is it. I want to be close to the house. I know there aren’t as many trees over here but I figure we could plant some.” Cole smiled and blew me a kiss. Stop it you asshole. Lancey will kick your ass if he finds out about us.

  Faith gave Cole a seductive once over. “And who might you be?” she asked and before I could answer, Cole shook her hand and said. “I’m Cole Green, Thea’s boyfriend.” We were both as good as dead. Miles and Lancey snapped their heads up to look at me.

  I grabbed Coles hand forcefully and pulled. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I bit out.

  “Sure sweaty, anything for you.” I dug my nails into his wrist.

  “Ouch” He said when we were far enough away that they couldn’t hear my voice.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I hissed at him.

  “Saving you Thea. What did you think I was doing? I’m not going to let Mr. GQ over there fuck with you more than he has already. Am I clear?” I looked at him wide eyed.

  “I don’t need saving Cole. I need you to shut the fuck up before Lancey strings you up by your ball sack and feeds you to the cattle.”

  Cole laughed and slung his arm over my shoulder. “Lighten up Thea. Lancey has his suspicions about us and now he knows so I don’t think he will be doing such a thing. He wants you happy and happiness I can give you.” I rolled my eyes and walked back with him.

  “OK. I like your plans Thea. They are well thought out. I would like to discuss prices if that’s ok with you? Miles can stay out here with Lancey and measure the land you picked.”

  I led the way back to the house and we sat at the kitchen table. I told Faith that I didn’t care how much the build cost me, just as long as I got everything I wanted. She seemed very pleased with that. Of course she was. I was a cash cow to her.

  After about an hour, the rest of the group joined us in the kitchen. Miles finally spoke to me. “The land you picked will be just fine. It is flat and manageable.” He said simply. He acted as if we had never met. As if we never declared our love to one another. OK. If he wanted to play this game, I was more than willing to reciprocate.

  “Honey will you help me make our guests lunch?” I asked Cole and smiled. He kissed me on the forehead and answered. “Absolutely sweetheart”

  “I can’t stay for lunch darlin. I have some business with Red that needs to be discussed. We will talk later.” Oh shit. I was in big fucking trouble and from the sounds of it, so was Red.

  After we had made lunch, we all sat at the table and ate. It was weird seeing Miles sit at a table where Cole and I had screwed countless times on. It was actually comical.

  “So where are you from Cole?” Faith asked after she dabbed off the corner of her mouth with a napkin.

  “I’m from New Zealand. I was a horse jockey for some years and decided to move to the states.” Cole held my hand where our guest could see and winked. “And I’m glad I did because I met the most beautiful woman on the planet.” I blushed and looked away. Later, Cole would pay for this.

  “So where did you two meet?” The nosey bitch asked.

  “Actually, that’s a funny story. She was skinny dipping and I caught her.” I slapped him on the shoulder and mouthed ‘stop’ at him. He just laughed and continued. “I just couldn’t resist her. She has this way of reeling you in. Have you ever felt like that Miles?” Oh I was going to kill Cole Green. I felt my cheeks redden from embarrassment.

  “Yes, I have Cole.” Miles said coldly.

  “Oh I hope it was when you snagged me.” Faith said as she ran her hand down Miles’ muscular arm. Oh, I got it now. Faith was the one he left me for. I wanted to scream my head off.

  “Is everyone finished?” I asked as I got up and started clearing the dished.

  “I’ll help you with that honey.” Cole said as he grabbed the plates from my hands. When we were over by the sink, I used my finger to imaginarily cut my throat and mouthed “You’re dead”

  Cole laughed and said, “Kinky” loud enough for Faith and Miles to hear.

  “Stop it now” I said through my teeth.

  “Where are you all staying? Cause I think we should all go for drinks tonight. What do you say?” Cole and his big fat mouth.

  “We are staying in the city. Miles what do you say? Are you up for some drinking tonight?” Faith asked and fluttered her lashes at him.

  “Sure” He answered too quickly.

  There was an awkward silence for a minute. “Well, I best get going. I have a lot of work to do today.” I said, hoping to shoe the sickening couple out the door.

  “Oh yes of course. I will text you the details about tonight. It was nice meeting you Thea and Cole.” Faith said and smiled.

  “Likewise” I said, turning on my heels. I walked as fast as I could to my office, where I shut and locked the door behind me.

  Nightmare Night Out

  Anna sat across from me with her eyes wide in surprise. “So you’re telling me that you, Cole, Miles and Faith are going out tonight together?”

  I nodded sheepishly. I didn’t want to go but if I didn’t, I knew that Miles would see me as a coward and I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

  “This shit is epic. Can I tag along? I don’t want to miss this shit.” I rolled my eyes at her and nodded. Anna would have my back no matter what happened tonight and I was grateful because the shit was going to get thick.

  “Yay! Let’s get you all dolled up because, you my friend,” she pointed her well-manicured finger at me, “are going to show Mr. Hottie with a body what he’s been missing.”

  After Anna worked her magic on me, I looked in the mirror. She had brought over one of her hoochie dresses, as she called it and demanded that I put it on. It was a silver sequence mini dress and it was short enough to where half my ass was hanging out. I pulled up the strapless bodice to hide my overly noticeable cleavage.

  “You do realize that if you keep pulling the dress up, your ass is going to show more. Now the question is do you want to show tits or ass tonight?” Anna asked from behind me.

  I closed my eyes and shook my head. Tits it was.

  Cole arrived at my doorstep shortly after sporting a pair of artfully faded blue jeans and plain black tee.

  “Umm…” He trailed off a he looked me up and down adjusting his sizeable erection through his jeans. He swallowed hard as he stocked towards me.

  “I want to fuck you right here on the floor and I don’t care who sees.” I laughed and smacked him on the chest.

  “Later” I whispered against his mouth.

  Anna cleared her throat to get our attention. “OK you nymphos, you’re both making me horny.” She looked up at Cole and smiled. “Has anyone ever told you that you look exactly like Paul Walker?”

  Cole smiled and winked at her. “Nope but I bet I’m sexier.” He was lying. We had watched The Fast and The Furious last week and he kept saying, “There’s my twin again” throughout the whole film.

  “Oh yeah Cole, your accent makes you ten times hotter.” Anna fluttered her eyelashes and kissed the air. />
  I gave her a pointed look. “Stop flirting with my fuck buddy. Are we ready?” I took a deep breath and plastered on a fake smile.

  “Yep but I’m driving.” Cole said and snatched my keys out of my hand.

  Anna, Cole and I arrived at SIX Nightclub in downtown Billings just as the doors opened. There was a long line awaiting entry, so we made our way to the back of the line.

  “Thea Farris!” I heard my name being called from the front of the line. I leaned over so that I could see who was calling my name.

  Jack Keller was waving his hands in the air, trying to get my attention. “Thea, come up here and bring your friends.” Jack had been my middle school boyfriend and also the first boy I had ever held hands with. I loved Jack to pieces. From the black pants and tee shirt with the word SIX written on his chest, I assumed he was the bouncer.

  I rushed up to him and gave him a big hug. “Jack! How the hell are you? I haven’t seen you in forever.” Jack had moved away our freshman year to live with his dad in Chicago. He was a tall man and looked like something that came out of body builder magazine. His head was shaved smooth and he sported a well-trimmed goatee.

  Jack hugged me tight and spun me around. “I just moved back a month or so ago. I’ve been meaning to call you but this place has been keeping me busy.” I gave him a smile and kissed his cheek.

  “You remember Anna Walters,” I gestured to her. “And this is my friend Cole Green.”

  Cole shook Jack’s out reached hand and said, “Nice to meet you mate.” Anna squeezed us to the side and gave Jack a big hug. Jack always had a huge crush on Anna so I’m guessing that she just made his night.

  “Hey Jack” Anna smiled at him sweetly. “Are you seeing anyone?” Oh god! Anna was already on the prowl.

  “Nope” Jack answered and that was my queue to take Cole’s hand and enter the club.

  “Anna’s like a bitch in heat.” I said to Cole as we made our way to the bar.

  Cole winked. “I can see why you two are best friends.” I smacked his arm and ordered my drink.

  I looked over to the dance floor. The DJ was already generating a large crowd, bodies swayed and grinded together to the beat of the music.

  “You want to dance beautiful?” Cole asked in my ear. I nodded and downed the rest of my drink. I scanned the crowd to see if I could spot Miles but I couldn’t find him. He was probably still waiting in the line outside.

  Cole grabbed me by my hips and began to grind against me. 50 cent’s Just a Lil Bit played through the speakers.

  I turned my body around and rubbed my ass against his hard erection. Cole brought his lips to my neck and placed small kisses against it.

  “You smell so good” He whispered in my ear. His hands traveled up my hips to my ribs. I closed my eyes and felt his gentle touch. As much as I hated to admit it to myself, and as much as I tried to fight it, I felt something for Cole. I didn’t know what it was but it was there every time he touched me or even spoke to me.

  Goose bumps coved my skin even though it was very warm inside the club. My body burned for him as he moved his hands to each side of my breasts and then down again.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Cole grunted in my ear as he gave my ass another reminder of what was in store for me in the very near future.

  I opened my eyes and standing not more than ten feet away from where Cole and I were dancing, was Miles. His eyes bore into mine and his face looked pained.

  “I need some fresh air.” I said, never taking my eyes off Miles. I needed to clear my head and the only way to do that was getting away from everyone, including Cole and Miles.

  “I’ll get another drink. Take as much time as you need.” Cole whispered in my ear. He had seen Miles staring at us and this was his way of giving me my much needed space.

  I turned around as the song ended and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thank you” I smiled up at him.

  “You are very welcome Thea.” I patted him on the chest and made my way through the crowd towards the door.

  Jack was still standing by the door as I stepped outside. “Are you leaving Thea?” He asked with a frown.

  “No, just getting some air.” I fanned myself with my hand.

  “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be right here.” Jack pointed to the spot where he was standing.

  I squeezed his shoulder. “Thanks” I walked around the corner to the ally that was next to the club. I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.

  My emotions were all over the place. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream and most of all, I wanted some answers. Did my heart secretively harbor feelings for Cole? Was I still in love with Miles? Where the hell was Anna?

  This was not the time or place to be having a nervous breakdown but I couldn’t help it. My body ached for Cole’s touch and my heart melted with Miles’ stare.

  Don’t get me wrong, I wanted Miles with every fiber of my being but it had been so long since we had touched. Would I feel the same way I had months ago? I also felt guilt when it came to Cole. He was patient, caring and understanding about my feelings but I didn’t want to hurt him and I most certainly didn’t want him to feel as though I was using him. At the beginning, I would have said yes, I was using him but now, I knew I wasn’t. Cole had given me companionship and friendship on top of him helping me mend my broken heart.

  “Thea?” I heard a familiar voice say in the distance. I looked up to see Miles’ tall figure at the beginning of the ally.

  “Yeah” I answered. As much as I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, I didn’t want to talk to him with angry words. I wanted to know why he had broken things off with me.

  He walked towards me slowly. “I want to explain myself. Will you let me do that?” He was pleading with me. God, I wanted him to explain everything to me so that I could understand why my heart felt this way.

  “Please” I whispered. He stood in front of me now and sadly looked into my eyes.

  “I didn’t know I was coming to your ranch when Faith invited me to accompany her here. She just said that a Mr. Smith, which I now know was Lancey, made an appointment to have some plans looked at for a new build. As soon as we passed your Farris Ranch sign, I wanted to turn around and leave but Faith wouldn’t let me. She doesn’t know about you and I and I want it to stay that way.”

  I was flabbergasted by his words. He didn’t want Faith knowing about us? I was pissed and it showed. Miles held up his hands in surrender. “Let me explain. Please?” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

  “When you left Vegas, I was sad, I really was and my parents could tell. That Sunday after you left, I had dinner with them and they explained that my Dad wanted to sell his company so that he could retire. There is a casino owner in Vegas that is willing to give my dad five million dollars for it, which is much more than its worth. He had one condition though; he will only buy it for that price if I came with it. His daughter, Faith has wanted me for years and now was her chance to get me.”

  I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off. “I know what you are going to say, Thea? I know I can’t be bought and it sickens me that I had to agree but I did this for my family. Five million dollars is a lot of money, money that my parents could live off of forever. It’s not all bad. I wanted to be a part of his company and now I can be.”

  I was floored. “Your parents agreed to sell you with the company? Do you remember that I’ve met them and I highly doubt that they would ever agree to that Miles.”

  “They don’t know about that part. I met with Mr. McQueen and he offered it to me. I had to take it Thea. I had no other choice.”

  “Like hell you didn’t.” I shouted. “You could have turned it down. I have plenty of money to share with you and your family. I would have been happy to help but instead of asking me for it, you left me broken hearted.”

  I was absolutely furious. He was the man that I love. The man that broke all my walls down and here he was putting the brick wall back
up.

  “I didn’t want to ask you for money, God Thea, what kind of man do you think I am?”

  “A fucking stupid one. When you said that you loved me, was that a lie? Because from where I’m standing, it must have been, for you to give me up to sell yourself for millions of dollars and not think about what impact that would have on me.”

  “I did love you but I love my family more. Of all the people in the world, I thought you would understand. You would have done anything for your family. Am I right? Even sell yourself, your heart, your soul to the highest bidder.”

  I drew my hand back and slapped him across the face. I then got up into his face and yelled, “Don’t bring up my family Miles! They have nothing to do with this. And yes, I would but not at the cost of someone I loved, or said I loved. They would have been pissed if I did something like this for them, to sacrifice my happiness for them. That’s what loves all about Miles, sacrifice. I’m sure if Charles and Abby were to know what you did, they would put a stop to it. Am I right?”

  Miles stepped back, holding his cheek. “You are right Thea. They would stop it but it’s my choice to make, not yours or theirs. Love is about sacrifice and I offered myself up for it.”

  “Go fuck yourself Miles.” I was almost in tears. Miles had broken my heart for money. How sweet? I wanted him gone and out of my life. “You can continue your work here for your father’s company’s sake but after you are done, I want you gone. Gone from my land and gone from my life.”

  He looked down to the ground and nodded slightly. “I understand. That would be best but for the record; I did love you, very much.”

  Did. He did love me but not anymore. That’s all I need to hear. I rushed past him and didn’t say another word. I needed to get as far away from him as possible.

  “I’m sorry Thea.” Miles shouted to me but all I did was give him my middle finger.

  I walked for a couple of blocks before I bent down and took my heels off. I was so angry; I didn’t even go back to the club to find Cole or Anna. I wanted to be by myself to think about what had just happened and I was devastated, tired and downright pissed off.