“Get outta here,” Tom chuckled. “You just mind my little girl.”
“That, I will do gladly,” he replied and held the door open for Lucy. She said goodbye to her father, then took a deep breath before she headed out the door, followed closely by Tucker.
As they walked down the corridor together, the memory of the first time they had met filled Lucy’s mind. She remembered their kiss and the memory made her smile.
Over the years, Lucy hadn’t allowed herself to think about that night in any great detail, but now that she did, she remembered that she had liked Tucker from the moment they met. She couldn’t help but wonder just how different her life would be now if she hadn’t walked away from him that night.
Chapter 4
Tucker agreed to follow Lucy back to her father’s house in his own car. As she drove through town, she thought back to when she was younger and how she had been happy living here, despite the fact she had never really fit in.
Every day she had gone to school, she was given crap by one bitchy girl or another, but it had never bothered her, she had Riley.
She shut her thoughts down, refusing to let herself go back to that time. It was the past, and that was where it belonged.
She reached over, switched on the radio, and turned up the volume. Katy Perry filled the car, and Lucy tried to sing along with the song, to stop the millions of memories now filling her mind.
When she pulled into the driveway behind her dad’s truck, she smiled knowing that everything was exactly as she had remembered it. She hadn’t realised how much she had missed being home, being here with her dad. She missed her old life.
Lucy switched off the engine of her car and looked into the rear view mirror at Tucker climbing out of his truck before he turned and walked up the pathway to where her car was parked.
She could feel that familiar tension in the pit of her stomach appear as she opened the car door and stepped out.
“Thank you for making sure I got home okay,” she said as she shut the door and walked to the back of the car. “I think I got it from here.”
She popped open the boot and reached in for her suitcase.
“Here, let me,” Tucker said, as he hurried to the back of the car and grabbed hold of her case. As he did, his arm brushed against Lucy’s, and she instantly froze in fear, but he didn’t seem to notice. “I will take it in for you.”
He slammed the boot closed before he made his way up the front steps of the house. Lucy was about to follow him but stopped when she saw him pull a key from his pocket and open the door.
Tucker turned in time to see Lucy giving him a questioning look, and it stopped him in his track.
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, and Lucy could see a nervous look creep across his face. “I guess it’s just habit. The Chief gave me a key a few years ago, but I shouldn’t have presumed…”
“No,” Lucy said, as she slowly made her way up the front steps. “If Dad gave you a key, he would want you to use it. He trusts you, and knowing my dad as I do, that is no small thing. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
She walked to the door and took a deep breath before she stepped back into the past. She remembered the last time she stood in this hallway, it seemed like a lifetime ago now, and yet everything was the same, just a little bit older and more worn than she remembered.
“Would you like me to put your suitcase up into your room?” Tucker asked, pulling her back from her thoughts.
“It’s okay,” she replied as gave him a warm smile. “Thank you, Tucker. For everything. It’s good to know my dad has someone here, looking out for him.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he replied, looking at her, almost unsure of what his next move should be. “Your dad is a good man.”
“Would you like a coffee?” Lucy asked, half hoping he would just say no and leave.
“Sure,” he said with a smile, as he stepped further into the hallway behind her and closed the door.
Lucy led Tucker through to the kitchen at the back of the house. Everything was just how it was before she left. She picked up the kettle and filled it with water as Tucker slipped onto a stool next to the counter.
“So how long do you think you will be back for?” Tucker asked as Lucy walked to the fridge and took out the milk and set it on the counter.
“As long as Dad needs me, I guess,” Lucy shrugged before she turned and opened the cupboard and took out two coffee mugs.
“He misses you,” Tucker said, and Lucy knew he wasn’t sure if he was crossing a line. Still, he continued. “He talks about you all the time, he is so proud of you, but I know he finds it hard because he doesn’t see you more.”
“I miss him, too,” Lucy sighed as she looked at this relative stranger standing before her, yet there was something about him, something that made her want to open up. “I know these last nine years have been hard on him, too, but that’s changed now.”
She turned back to the cupboard, feeling a little confused as to why she found it easy to open up to Tucker. She opened the cupboard and stretched up to try and reach for the instant coffee. Her dad hated instant coffee, but he always kept a jar for emergencies. She just wished he didn’t keep it quite so high. She leaned up on her tippy toes but couldn’t reach.
“Let me,” Tucker said, and was on his feet and next to her before Lucy had time to think. He came up behind her and reached up into the cupboard, and his body pressed against her back.
Without even thinking, Lucy pushed back abruptly and moved away from him as quickly as she could.
“Lucy! What’s wrong?” Tucker asked, as he gave her a confused look. He stepped towards her and reached out to her but she quickly stepped back until her back was flush with the fridge. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t…don’t touch me,” Lucy pleaded as her whole body went ridged with absolute fear. She pinched her eyes closed and held up her hands. “Please.”
“Lucy,” Tucker said as he stepped closer to her, but was careful not to touch her. “I would never hurt you. Please don’t be afraid of me.”
“I…I know,” she said as she tried to focus on her breathing. “I’m not…I just… I can’t.”
She finally opened her eyes and looked up at Tucker, who was watching her, looking totally stunned. She stared at him but didn’t speak.
“Jesus, Lucy, what did he do to you that night?” Tucker asked as he took one more step towards her. Lucy could see he wanted to hold her, to touch her, but he resisted. “I want to rip his fucking head off.”
“It’s all in the past,” she whispered as she closed her eyes again, completely mortified. “Please, Tucker. Please, can you just leave?”
“I can’t leave you like this,” Tucker replied, and Lucy could hear the worry, mixed with anger in his voice.
“Please,” she whispered, as she slowly opened her eyes and gave him a pleading look.
He stood for a moment and just stared at her before he finally released a long, frustrated breath.
“Okay,” he said as he slowly took a step back, then another. He then reached into his back pocket and pulled a card out. Setting it down on the counter, he looked back at Lucy. “But if you need me, you call me. Anytime, day or night.”
Lucy just nodded but didn’t speak.
Tucker sighed once again before he turned and walked out of the kitchen. It wasn’t until Lucy heard the front door close, that she released the breath she was holding. That was followed by a shuddering sob that came from deep inside her.
She slid down the fridge to the floor and for the first time in so long, she buried her face in her hand and cried.
Even on the night she lost it with Steve, she has refused to give herself over to tears, but somehow, coming home, she seemed to have lost that inner strength she once had.
She didn’t know how long she sat there on the floor, but finally, she pulled herself up to her feet and slowly made her way down the hallway. She turned the latch on the front door then picked up her s
uitcase and made her way up the stairs, her feet feeling like lead weights.
When she reached her room, she just dropped her case on the floor, climbed onto her bed and barely had the energy to kick her shoes off before she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Lucy woke with a start, but she didn’t know what had woken her. Sitting up in the bed, she brushed the hair back from her face and stretched. Suddenly the doorbell sounded, and Lucy realised that was what had woken her.
She climbed off the bed and opened to door of her bedroom. She reached the top of the stairs and stopped as fear took hold of her.
What if it’s Trent? She thought to herself, knowing her fear was totally irrational, but she couldn’t help worry. Coming back here had awoken some of her old fears, no matter how much she tried not to let them get into her head.
Who could it possibly be at the door? She thought that maybe it was best if she just didn’t open the door. Whoever it was, was most likely looking for her father. So she just sat on the top step on the stairs and waited.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door and Lucy jumped with fright.
“Lucy!” Tucker called through the door much to her surprise. “Lucy, it’s Tucker. Open the door.” She stood up and hurried down the stairs, thinking there was something wrong with her father.
“What’s wrong?” She asked the moment she threw the door open. “Is my dad okay?”
“He’s fine,” Tucker said, and a look of relief washed over his face. “He called me to check on you. He’s been phoning you for an hour, but you didn’t answer. He thought that something had happened.”
“I...I didn’t hear it ring,” She said, as she stepped back into the house and tried to remember what she had done with her phone. “I fell asleep.”
She turned and walked towards the kitchen and sighed when she saw her phone sitting on the counter top. She picked it up just as it started to ring again. She quickly hit accept and brought the phone to her ear.
“Hey, Dad,” Lucy said, knowing it would be him.
“You’re okay!” He exclaimed, and she could hear the relief in his voice. “I was calling and calling, but there was no answer.
“I was just sleeping,” she said, sensing Tucker was now standing behind her. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“I was just worried about you,” Tom replied. “I wish you would go to a hotel.”
“Dad!” Lucy cried with frustration. “I am okay here. Nothing is going to happen, I promise.”
“Is Tucker there?” Tom asked, and Lucy could still hear the concern in his voice.
“Yes, he is here,” Lucy sighed. “Dad, I will be up to you soon. So please, stop worrying. I am okay.”
“Okay, Sweetheart,” he said before he said goodbye and hung up. Lucy set the phone down on the counter and hesitated before she turned to face Tucker. She was embarrassed about what had happened earlier between them.
“I’m sorry Dad sent you on a wild goose chase,” she said, as she avoided making eye contact with him. Instead, she turned and walked to the sink to get herself a glass of water. “In future, I will make sure I take my phone with me when I go to bed, or anywhere for that matter.”
“He is just worried about you,” Tucker replied, and Lucy could feel his eyes on her. “I guess we both are.”
“There is nothing to be worried about,” Lucy said, then took a sip of her water. “I am a big girl, and I can take care of myself.”
“And what happened earlier?” Tucker asked.
“I am sorry about earlier,” Lucy replied quickly. “I am sorry if you were offended…”
“If I was offended?” Tucker replied in sheer disbelief. “Jesus, Lucy. You were terrified because I touched you. I am not offended; I am worried about you.”
“Why?” Lucy asked. “You don’t even know me!”
“But I know your dad,” Tucker replied. “I know how he worries about you, and clearly with very good reason.”
“Tucker,” Lucy said trying to remain calm. “I am grateful for everything you have done, both for me, and my dad. I know you, and my dad are close, but that doesn’t make me your problem.”
“Is that what you think?” Tucker asked, looking at her in disbelief. “You think this is about your dad?”
“Isn’t it?” She asked.
He looked at her for a moment, and Lucy knew he was trying to choose his words carefully, but then his expression changed as did his whole demeanour.
“You know what?” He said, as he took a step back. “You’re right, Lucy. This is not my problem. I did a favour for your dad, you’re okay, so now I will leave you in peace.”
“Tucker,” she said, feeling like the biggest bitch in the world. “I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t worry about it, Lucy,” he said as he turned and walked towards the door. “Take care of yourself.”
Lucy stood there in the kitchen, not really sure what the hell had just happened. She jumped when she heard the front door slam, and just like that; he was gone.
Chapter 5
After a long, hot shower, Lucy got changed and headed for the hospital. When she reached the hospital, she parked the car and hurried into the building. As she rode up in the elevator, she thought about the argument she had with Tucker in the house earlier, and Lucy couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.
Tucker had just tried to be a friend, and one she could have done with, but in her usual Lucy style, she pushed him away because she was afraid of letting anyone close to her.
She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the cold metal wall of the elevator and pictured his face as he stood before her. Lucy could see he wanted to say more, that he was holding something back, but she had no idea what that could be.
She wondered if he would be back to see her dad; she was embarrassed by what happened, and she was dreading seeing him again.
When the elevator came to a stop, Lucy stood up and straightened her clothes as she waited for the door to open. When they did, her heart almost stopped when she came face to face with her past.
“Riley!” Lucy exclaimed as she stood there staring at him, her heart almost hammering out of her chest. She couldn’t believe it was really him. She had imagined this meeting about a million times over the years, imagined all the things she would say to him but now he was actually standing in front of her, she was lost for words.
“Lucy,” was all he said and he too looked like he had seen a ghost. They just stood there and stared at each other, neither knowing what to say.
It wasn’t until the doors began to close again, that Riley laughed and reached out to hit the button to keep them open. Lucy quickly stepped off the elevator and stood in front of him.
He was exactly as she had remembered him, just a little older. He was dressed in an expensive suit, which looked odd on him. But he still had the same piercing eyes and a crooked smile that she was once so in love with.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Riley said, as he pushed his fingers through his hair. “You look…you look amazing.”
“You look good too, Riley,” Lucy said, giving him a smile, as she nervously brushed her hair back from her face. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good, thanks,” he replied. “How are things with you?”
“They’re good,” Lucy said with a smile. “I just came back because my dad got hurt.”
“I heard about that,” Riley said with concern in his voice. “How is he doing?”
“He is doing okay,” Lucy replied. “He was lucky.”
They stared at each other for a couple of moments as an awkward silence fell between them.
“Listen, Lucy,” Riley finally said, as he shifted nervously from one foot to another. “About what happened…”
“Please, don’t,” she stopped him mid-sentence. “It was a long time ago and I have moved on. Dragging it all back up now would be pointless.”
“I guess so,” Riley nodded, but she could see in his
eyes that there was something he wanted to say, but the truth was, there was nothing Lucy wanted to hear.
“I should really be going to see my dad,” she said, dropping her eyes away from his. Suddenly she wanted to get away from him as fast as she possibly could.
“Yes, of course,” he said as he stepped out of her way. “Give your dad my best.”
“I will,” Lucy replied, but she knew she was lying. She knew if her dad knew she had bumped into Riley, he would have freaked out. Tom never forgave Riley for what happened to Lucy. “It was good to see you again, Riley.”
“You too, Luc,” he replied, and her stomach knotted. There was so much more she wanted to say to him, but none of it seemed to matter now. As she walked down the corridor, she knew he was watching her; she always knew when he was watching her.
When she reached her dad’s room, she looked back towards the elevator, and her eyes met Riley’s. He gave her one last smile before he stepped into the elevator.
Lucy didn’t wait for the doors to close. Instead, she walked into her father’s room and tried to appear calm and collected.
She was relieved when she found her father fast asleep. She quietly sat down next to his bed and tried to calm her racing heart. She closed her eyes and pictured his face. He was exactly how she had remembered him, maybe even more handsome and she could feel that old familiar pull he always had on her.
Then her mind travelled back nine years to the last time she saw Riley, and she couldn’t help but feel her heart break again.
Lucy was curled into a ball on the back seat of Tucker’s car. In between bursts of sobbing and moments of devastating shock, she was aware she was in the car with Tucker and Riley.
“Where the hell were you?” Tucker asked Riley angrily as they drove to the hospital. “She was there with you; you should have been taking care of her.”
“I…I was with the coach,” Riley replied, and Lucy knew from his voice he was upset. “How was I to know something like this was going to happen?”
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