by Lauren Runow
I inhale a deep breath and begin to tell the story in full for the first time since that night. “When I was in New York, I lived with my boyfriend, Jimmy, for a few years. I thought we had a great relationship and that I knew every aspect with his life.”
I feel him hold me a bit tighter, giving me more strength to go on.
“I didn’t even know he had a gambling problem. I knew he was really into sports and would get passionate about whatever game he was watching, but I didn’t know there was more behind them. I thought it was normal, and he just enjoyed it.” I inhale before whispering more to myself, “I really didn’t know.”
“A gambling addiction is real. People think they can get themselves out of it, but really, they just dig a deeper hole.”
I nod, knowing what he’s saying is exactly right.
I reach my arm up and place it on his chest, playing with the hair there to calm me. He stays silent and gives me the time I need, not pushing me for more info as I work it through my head.
“It was the middle of the night when I heard them enter.”
“Who?” he asks in a quiet tone.
“He’d made some bad bets, and he owed money. I guess it had been going on for a while. I can’t believe he was able to keep it from me.”
I pause as the fear of that night ripples through me. The memories of my chest being so tight that I couldn’t breathe and the feeling that I was going to throw up at any turn.
Taking a shaky breath, I tilt my head to look up at him. He places a kiss on my forehead, and I instantly feel the support he’s giving me.
“You don’t have to tell me if it’s too much.” He holds me closer. “I’m here though if you need to get something off your chest. Let me help you carry that burden.” He grips my hand tighter, bringing it to his lips.
Tears start to fall down my face. I’m scared to tell him, but I’m tired of keeping it all in. The weight of it is becoming too much. I close my eyes and take in a breath, slowly letting it out.
“They hurt me,” I say barely above a whisper.
“Who?”
I shake my head. Reliving this story is becoming too painful, and my stomach is aching at just the thought. Tucker repositions my hand that he’s holding, and my wrist comes into view. My mind goes to the way the ropes felt, wrapped around my wrists, and I curl up closer to him, wanting him to hold me more and calm this fear building inside of me.
Tucker pleads, “Talk to me. Let me help you. Who hurt you?”
“These men.” I shake at the thought of them, and he moves his hand down my arm to calm my nerves and give me strength to continue. “They kicked in our door like they were the SWAT team. Jimmy hopped up instantly. He must have known it was a possibility that they’d arrive because he ran so fast and jumped out the window, not even waiting to see what was going on. He left me there. Alone.”
“Son of a bitch,” Tucker curses out.
I feel his gasp as his grip tighten against my skin. I don’t want to talk anymore. I just want to close my eyes and die.
Tucker runs his fingers over my eyes, wiping away the tears. His gentle act has me talking more.
“They dragged me out of bed and into the living room as they searched for him.” I remember that moment and how helpless I felt as fear of what they were doing, who they were, and what they could possibly do to me washed over my body.
Tucker pulls me onto his lap, and I curl into him.
“When they couldn’t find him, they came for me. They wanted money, but I didn’t have any. So, they took my purse and opened my laptop that was sitting on the coffee table, going to the bank listed on my ATM card.”
I bite my lip as I inhale a shaky breath.
The tears spill out as I admit, “They threatened to rape me if I didn’t give them my login information.”
“Fuck.” He engulfs me in his arms. “Justine, my strong girl.”
I let the tears fall freely, feeling safe to do so for the first time.
“They took everything I had, but it was only a fraction of what he owed. I couldn’t believe how deep he’d gotten. They promised they’d be back for the rest and told me to warn Jimmy.”
I close my eyes, remembering the fear that washed over me at that moment.
“Two of them left, but one of them stayed behind. They had me tied to the chair, and he put his arm around my shoulders, bringing me to him and whispering in my ear about what he thought I’d feel like.”
I shutter at the memory and he leans in to kiss my head.
“Thankfully, one of the first guys came back and grabbed him because they heard the sirens coming.”
“If I find them, I’ll kill them,” I hear Tucker whisper to himself in a moment of relief.
“The cops showed up a few minutes later. They untied me and helped me calm down. Jimmy was gone, but they found him shortly after. He admitted everything and told me just how much he owed. I broke up with him instantly. I can work with a gambling addiction, but knowing he left me there for them to do with as they pleased, I could never forgive that.”
“And you shouldn’t have to. You were right to leave. You came home.”
“I didn’t know where to go, and since they drained my bank account, I had no money. It’s not like a credit card, where they just give you a new card. They’re still working on the process of getting it all back.”
I look up at him again. “My parents suggested I come back home until things calmed down, and so I did.”
He places his hand on my head, moving my hair out of the way. “So, you never planned on actually living here then?”
I shake my head. “No. I was happy in New York. I still have a life there, but I don’t know how safe I’ll be or even feel. They obviously know exactly who I am. I don’t know if they’d come after me or not.” I curl back up on his chest. “I know it sounds stupid. It’s my fault for not realizing he was in trouble.”
He stops me by sliding down, so he’s face-to-face with me. “Don’t ever say that. Sometimes, the people closest to someone in trouble like that have no clue what’s really going on. You can’t beat yourself up for that. He obviously tried hard to keep it from you. Personal safety should be your first priority. And no man should ever leave their woman unprotected. He’s not a man in my eyes. I’m so sorry he did that to you. But don’t ever put any blame on yourself.”
I give him a small smile as I stare into his eyes.
“So, that makes more sense that you still write for the magazine even though you’re here.”
“They were pretty cool when I told them bits and pieces. They think it’s short-term though.”
“Are you saying you’ll move back to New York?”
I bite the inside of my lip. If someone had asked me that before I met Tucker, I would have said, Yes, eventually, without any hesitation. Now, I don’t know.
Can I give up my life there for someone I just met?
I shrug my shoulders as my response.
“I’ll take that to say that I’m slowly changing your mind,” he says with a cheesy grin.
I laugh, needing that relief it gives.
He pulls me into his chest, rubbing my hair. “I’m glad you told me. I can’t imagine going through something like that, but after every storm, there’s a rainbow. I promise.”
I let out a breath, feeling like it’s ridding my life of an extra ten pounds as I do so. I don’t know what my future holds, but making peace with my past was the first step, and I have Tucker to thank for that.
Chapter Fifteen
Justine
I’ve had this feeling of relief all morning. Telling Tucker the truth about what happened to me was more refreshing than I’d thought it would be. Knowing that I was in his arms and no one could hurt me as I relived my nightmare was just the therapy I’d needed to realize that I am okay, that no one is going to harm me again.
With this renewed outlook on life, I’m also excited that Adam Jacobson stood by his word and responded to my text within
minutes, setting up a time so we could chat later this week. Now that I have the interview lined up, I have to get to work on other articles for the magazine.
Where the interview with Adam and Sarah is going to be more serious and a longer piece, some of the stuff I do for the magazine is more casual and fun.
Since I’m in my hometown, I thought I would take advantage of being here, and when I pitched ideas about high school reunions and running into people you haven’t seen in a while, my boss loved the idea. Now, I just have to figure out what it will actually be about.
I put a shout-out on Facebook for any of our high school friends to meet like we did in the old days, out by the bridge that Davis built for a bonfire and kegs.
I never thought buying a keg would be something I’d use my research spending budget for, but here I am, at Mason Creek Market, letting work pick up the tab for tonight.
Tucker laughed when I told him what I needed help with, but he still agreed and showed up to do the heavy lifting right on time.
“Okay, Justine, here you go,” Alana, the store manager, says as she rolls it out on a cart. “I take it, you’ll need cups too?” She holds up a package of red Solo cups.
“Yes, please.” I smile as I push the cart around the corner.
Tucker takes it to his truck as I stop at the register to pay. While there are three short lanes, this is usually the only one that’s open, as evidenced by the obvious wear in the old-school black-and-white tiled floor.
My mom said Alana’s been trying to convince old man Morton to renovate, but personally, I love the Market’s vintage charm. From the Norman Rockwell–style pictures on the walls to the wooden crates they still use to display produce and sale items, this place is a blast from the past that I’ve come to adore.
“I think this will be the first legal beer run at the old bridge. At least, that I know of,” Alana says.
“I know. That’s why we’re doing it on a Monday. I didn’t want to take away from any teenagers’ time out there.”
We both smile at the memories of when we were younger. Though Alana was a few years below me in school, that didn’t matter. I know it was a tradition that stayed between all ages.
When I walk outside, Tucker already has the keg strapped in and ready to go.
“Did you really get that in the truck by yourself?” I ask when I see Tucker opening and closing his hand like he hurt it.
He shakes his head. “Are you crazy? Do you know how heavy that thing is? Wyatt over there helped me get it in.” He points to the patrol car parked a few spots over. “And, yes, I told him exactly what you were planning, and he said he’d stop by when he’s off work.”
I laugh out loud. “Funny how we used to pray the cops wouldn’t show, and here you are, inviting them.”
“Welcome to being old, when the cops are now younger than you.” He smirks as we get in the truck and head out.
The bridge is historical in Mason Creek and has a romantic significance, but to all the kids, it’s the place to either make out or get drunk. Legend says a man built it for his wife when they were just dating. She loved this part of the forest but was always frustrated that she couldn’t cross over to wander through the rest of it because of the river. He built the bridge for her, so she could walk the forest without obstacles. It became their place, and he later proposed to her here.
I told everyone to stop by after work, so it’s weird, pulling up when it’s still daylight outside. Whenever we came out here in high school, it was with only the light of the moon, so we wouldn’t get caught.
Tucker sets up a few stools he grabbed from the garage to make it easier to get into the bed of his truck instead of trying to get it out. Right around six o’clock, with only a few minutes to spare, people start rolling in. Laken is one of the first.
“Hey, girl,” I say as she exits her car.
“You really weren’t kidding. You brought a keg and all,” she says in surprise.
“I told you, the article is going to be about if you can go back to the way things were in high school after you’ve been gone for ten years.” I hold out my arms. “And what’s more high school than a keg at the bridge?”
“You nailed that one, for sure. Who’s all coming?”
“Not sure. I saw a few names I recognized and a few I didn’t. I put it out to anyone from when we were there, so we’ll see. I know when I said free beer, it attracted more people.”
“Good job, Just. Free beer always wins people over.”
“Free anything in this town,” Tucker chimes in as he approaches from behind us. “Hey, Laken.”
“Good to see you again, Tucker. Boy, you two are getting to be attached at the hip,” she teases.
Tucker grabs me and yanks me into him. “I’m trying.”
He kisses my forehead as I giggle and push him away.
As people arrive, I make sure to greet everyone and that they know where the beer and cups are. After an hour, the place is packed, and even a few of the guys have turned on their trucks to create an outdoor music venue with speakers in the bed, blasting the radio.
While I’m talking with a few guys from high school, I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and pull it out to see who it is.
You look smokin’ in those shorts. Those legs …
He includes the fire emoji, and I can’t help but laugh. I search around the party and find him talking to Wyatt. Seeing Wyatt in his police uniform right next to a group of people holding red Solo cups makes me chuckle to myself. That’s definitely something that’s changed since we graduated.
I text back.
Don’t think I haven’t checked you out in that cowboy hat either. Did I ever tell you I had a thing for guys in cowboy hats?
I put my phone back in my pocket and am surprised when I look up to see Grayson Davis pull up. He’s the guy all the girls dreamed about, and he hasn’t changed a bit. I’ve heard he’s the fire chief, and by his cut body, I can see he stays in shape for the job.
Though he seems the same, I’ve also heard he lost his wife three years ago. Since then, he’s been raising his twin daughters on his own. I can’t even imagine losing your spouse at such an early age.
I turn to tell Laken that he’s here, and by the way she’s staring in his direction, I can see that crush she had on him all those years ago never went away.
I head toward her and nudge her from behind, startling her. “So … still stuck on Grayson, are you?”
She closes her eyes, embarrassed. “Was it that obvious?”
“No, only because I was coming to tell you he was here and noticed you were already well aware.”
She grins my way. “You should see his daughters. They’re so adorable.”
“Why don’t we go talk to him?” I start to walk away, and she stops me.
“Are you serious? You can’t just walk up to him like that.”
“Come on. We’re not in high school anymore. Actually, that’s the entire point of being here like this.”
I drag her with me, and even though I let go of her arm a few steps from where we were standing, she still follows me.
“Grayson, so glad you could stop by. Can I get you a beer?”
I take my time to check him out and see how much he’s changed. Ten years have done him good. Not only is he tall and muscular, but the tattoo sleeve I see peeking out of his shirt is nothing like you used to see in Mason Creek back in the day. Maybe this town is coming into the twenty-first century more than I thought. First a lingerie store and now a fire chief with full-sleeve tattoos. There might be hope for this sleepy little town after all.
He smiles as he waves to me. “Hey, Justine. No, I’m good. Just heading home and thought I’d stop by to say hello to everyone.”
I turn to Laken. “You remember Laken, right?”
Laken waves, and Grayson smiles.
“Yes, my mom takes my girls to your bookstore all the time.”
Laken nods. “Yes, I get to see them occasionally. Th
ey’re really sweet.”
“I hope they’re good in your store. I know they can be handfuls sometimes.”
“They’re always little angels. Especially since they know I hide the good stuff in the back.”
“So, you’re the one who held a copy of the latest Captain Underpants just for them.”
“That would be me.” She smiles, and I get the feeling something’s going on here.
A guy from behind us calls out Grayson’s name, and he excuses himself politely. “Sorry, I was supposed to call him back today and forgot. Would you excuse me?” he says as he walks by.
I see the disappointment in Laken’s eyes as he leaves, but it’s short-lived when a few more friends from high school come walking up.
I spend the next hour visiting with everyone, but every time I turn around, I see Tucker there. He’s hanging out with the people here and making friends, but he’s definitely keeping an eye on me as he does.
When I finally make my way over to where he is, he leans in and whispers, “Are you done flirting with all these boys?”
I lean back and raise my eyebrows. “Boys? I bet everyone here would argue against that.”
He steps in front of me and pulls my body close to his, shaking his head. “Nah, I’m the only man here. Why don’t you let me prove it to you again?”
“Are you jealous, seeing me talk to all these other guys? Do you feel the need to prove your manhood over them?” I tease.
He leans in to kiss me, and I’m instantly lost in his arms.
When he pulls back, he grins. “I don’t need to prove anything. But I’ll be here, planning our real night, whenever you’re ready to go. That is, unless you want to sneak away and fool around in my truck to really relive our high school days.”
He pats my ass and then walks away, leaving me wanting more of him right in this very spot, anyone who sees us be damned.
I close my eyes briefly and inhale a breath. Knowing I have a job to do, I get back to talking to old friends and doing research for my next article. Yet all I can think about is what he’s planning and how early I can leave my own party.