Broken Promises (The Secret Life of Trystan Scott #6)

by H. M. Ward

  Derrick’s hand flies and connects with the side of his mom’s face. The sound is deafening. Lynn stands there with her spine straight and tears in her eyes. She’s been through this before. Trystan’s father is a horrible man. When I think about the night I found him beating Trystan, I lose it. No one should hit their mother. No one.

  I’m screaming incoherently, launching myself at Derrick. I claw at his eyes before jumping on his back and pounding my fists into the sides of his head. I'm like a fly on a bull, my hits doing very little except annoying him.

  A pair of strong arms pulls me off. It’s Trystan. He sets me down and calmly turns to Derrick. His voice sounds so deep, so scary. His finger lifts toward the door. “Get out before I make you leave.”

  Derrick laughs. He pushes his hair out of his face, folds his arms over his chest, and looks at Jared. His younger brother shakes his head and puts his hands up. “You hit mom, you dumb fuck. I’m on his side,” he says, jabbing a thumb toward Trystan. “You crossed the line, and I’m going to make sure you never do it again.”

  Jared steps next to Trystan. I feel Lynn reach for my hand. She laces her fingers through mine, trembling. I squeeze gently without looking at her. Katie is watching, horrorstruck from the corner—along with the rest of our guests.

  At that moment, Bob comes rushing through the door, out of breath. “Awh, shit. You ruined her party?”

  “No, Derrick did that all by himself.” I pull off my engagement ring and run over to the front door, and launch it into the air. It hits the pavement outside with a metallic noise. “I’m not marrying you.”

  “Get the fuck out of my house before I shove my shoe up your ass and surgically remove it from your throat.” Dad is standing in the kitchen doorway, still in his scrubs. His eyes are thin slits, fixated on Derrick. He takes a step toward him and Derrick bolts. He rushes out past Bob and doesn’t stop to find the ring.

  Dad comes up behind me and puts his arms around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head. “I’m sorry I was late, Mari.”

  I release Lynn’s hand and turn to face him with tears in my eyes. “No, your timing was perfect. Thanks, Dad.” I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him hard.

  I start crying, and he peels me off. This is well past his comfort zone. He glances around, searching for someone to hand me off to, and places me with Trystan. “Here. Fix this.”

  Trystan laughs and pulls me close. “Your Dad is… I have no words.”

  “Neither do I. Thanks for convincing me not to give up on Dad all those years ago.”

  Dad turns around abruptly. “That was you?”

  Trystan seems uncomfortable, but answers. “You only have one set of parents, sir, and, the way I see it, they’ll make mistakes, but as long as they aren’t bashing your face in with a brick, they're worth fighting for.”

  Dad stares at Trystan like he’s never seen him before. Regaining his composure, he turns toward all the guests left murmuring around the room. “Party’s over, get out! If you brought a gift, please take it with you. I’d rather not have any tokens to remind us of this night. It’s bad enough I’ll have the bill.”

  Several guests chuckle uncertainly, thinking he’s kidding, inciting him to throw up both arms and yell, “GET OUT!”

  Bob lets out a belly laugh and starts ushering people out of the house. “You heard the man. Get going.”

  Chapter 43

  Mari

  Soon, only Trystan, Katie, Dad, and Lynn remain. Lynn intended to leave with Jared, but Dad asked her to stay. He looked over her cheek and gave her ice.

  “I’m sorry about that, about Derrick. He’s…” She can’t finish her sentence. There’s an ugly reddish-purple mark on the side of her face, and I’m sure it will appear black by morning.

  “He’s got issues that aren’t your fault.” It still hurts, but I’m kicking myself for not seeing this side of him. I glance over at Katie. “They're no one’s fault, and I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you when you tried to warn me.”

  Katie’s eyes are glassy. She smiles at me. “In all fairness, I didn’t know he was THAT unhinged. I’m sorry, Mari.”

  Dad cuts off any more sappy apologies. “Lynn, do you have somewhere to stay?”

  “I was at Derrick’s until next week. I live in New Jersey.”

  Dad scratches his cheek and then picks up his empty coffee mug. He pads over to the sink and talks with his back to us. “I have a guest bedroom, and the house is empty most of the time. You can have Jared move your things here until you’re ready to go home.”

  I blink at Dad’s back, shocked. Hospitality isn’t his thing and neither is kindness. Exhibiting them together is shocking.

  Lynn is grateful. “That would be wonderful. You have no idea how stressful this has been.”

  “I don’t. But I want you to make yourself at home here. I’ll set up the guest room with fresh linens. And Trystan,” Dad waits while Trystan looks over at him. “I made you an appointment with a specialist.” Dad clears his throat, nervously running his hand over the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I wish I could do more.”

  Trystan nods and looks away. Lynn keeps her gaze on the table and from the way Katie is staring at her mug, she already knows. I’m about to change the subject, when Trystan says to Lynn, “I haven’t told many people yet, but I’m losing my eyesight.”

  Katie looks at him like he’s crazy, and then addresses Lynn. “If you tell anyone, I’ll personally hunt you down and—”

  Trystan cuts her off. “She won’t tell anyone. She’s my mother.” He smiles at her, and she smiles back, eyes full of tears.

  “Did you confirm it? Did the papers come back?”

  Trystan shakes his head. “I don’t need the papers. I already know you’re my mom.”

  Chapter 44

  Mari

  A few weeks pass. The winter is melting, and spring is coming. It’s one of those unusually warm days where all the kids cut school, and the adults find a reason to leave work early. I’m wandering the paths at Belmont Lake with Katie and her new puppy, Gilbert.

  He’s a floppy eared lab mix. He’s got huge paws and is always in trouble. She tugs at his leash, trying to get him to stop pulling. “Gilbert, be good!”

  “I can’t believe you named him that.”

  “Uh, what else would I name him? I mean look at him? He’s Gilbert Blythe!” She picks up the dog and snuggles him. “He’s got a sexy smirk, and dark hair. Plus all the girl doggies love him. When I have enough money, I’ll adopt Anne, and we can be one big happy family.”

  I snort laugh. As she puts Gilbert down, he darts all over the path, and between our legs, tangling the leash. I step around and over, trying not to step on the little animal. Good thing he’s quick.

  Katie hasn’t asked much, but I know it’s coming. “So, how are things?”

  I shrug. “Same as usual. I’m working like crazy and have no life.”

  “Have you seen Trystan much?” She turns around and steps out of the leash that tangles her legs. Gilbert barks at a gaggle of geese sunning themselves on the path ahead. He pulls against the leash so hard he gags.

  “No, not since the party. He’s got a lot going on, and it felt like I was intruding.” I feel my lips moving weird and glance at Katie from the corner of my eye. She’s too preoccupied with Gilbert to blast me.

  “I’m surprised he didn’t call you.”

  “Me too.” Actually, that’s why I backed off. I thought he’d come around more. But he didn’t. Things are back to the way they were before the crash. It’s as if Trystan Scott vanished from my life again.

  “Gilbert, stop it. Yuck! Spit that out!” Katie picks up the puppy and pulls a half-eaten worm from his mouth. “You’re so gross.”

  “I think he can eat those.” I know he can eat those.

  “Gilbert does not eat worms.” She says it the way Anne would. We’re talking all overdramatic, nose in the air, and snooty—from back before she liked Gilbert she would have said the opp
osite. I think Katie’s been watching the series on Netflix at night. She still doesn’t sleep. The puppy is a good thing for her, and she loves doting on him.

  “Have you heard anything from Derrick?” She strokes the dog’s head as we walk.

  “Yeah, actually, I did. He sent me a bill for the engagement ring.”

  Her jaw drops. “He did not!”

  “Yes, he did. Dad responded with a bill from the engagement party, and he actually got Trystan’s ring back. I’m glad I wasn’t there for that conversation. Derrick backed off after that.”

  “Your dad is scary.”

  I smile. “Yes, he is, and this is the first time that worked in my favor. Hey, you know the—” We’re walking past the geese at the moment, and Gilbert decides to bark. One gigantic goose jumps up and charges us, honking like a crazy son of a bitch with its neck fully extended. We take off running, and when I look back over my shoulder, the entire gaggle is chasing us.

  Katie tries to run with the wiggling puppy while he claws at her, persistently trying to get down on the ground. He thinks it’s dinner time and wants to eat them. He doesn’t know these geese will eat him. I’m pretty sure they feast on human flesh at night. That one big goose is insane. I now remember I usually avoid this path because of him.

  Katie is laughing and scolding Gilbert. “Stop barking! Ah! Shut up, Gil!”

  We’re away from the lake and back around by the parking lot. The only goose left is the lunatic bird. It stops suddenly and rears back, fanning its wings and squawking.

  Katie is panting hard when she finally stops running. She turns to the goose and yells at it. “You ruined girl time with Mari! You suck! Bad goose! Bad!”

  It’s like he can understand her because the goose charges again. We both scream and run for the car. I get out the keys and click the unlock button. “It’s not opening!”

  “I don’t want to die!” Katie scream cries and keeps laughing.

  I'm laughing too hard to breathe. Trying to laugh and run is a bitch, especially with a rabid bird on my heels. “You’re going to make me pee! Stop it!”

  “Open the door!”

  We’re almost to the car, and it finally unlocks. We yank open the doors and dive inside. Once the doors are closed hysterical laughter ensues, until something hits the windshield. Gilbert barks as we scream. The goose is on the hood hissing at us.

  Katie doubles over laughing. Tears are rolling out of the corners of her eyes. “Oh, my God! Drive! Drive!”

  “I can’t. He’s in the way.” I turn on the windshield wipers and spray. Katie laughs harder, and the goose finally backs down.

  She comes up from the floor for half a second and takes Gilbert's paw in her hand. She makes the coordinated movements with her badass talk, “Take that, bitch.”

  Gilbert’s tongue flops out, and he smiles. We both laugh until we can’t breathe.

  Chapter 45

  Mari

  “Katie, where are we going?” She shushes me and slaps at my hands when I try to peek from under my blindfold.

  “I had this whole bachelorette party planned for you, and then you all ruined it and stuff. I thought it’d be a fun way to spend a Sunday night.” She whoops and a horn blares. “That was nothing. You don’t need to look.”

  “I'm going to die.”

  “Nah, that’s tomorrow night's fun. We can Thelma and Louise it off the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge, as long as we have money for the toll. It’s like $14 now! That’s insane!”

  I snap my fingers in Katie's general direction. “Focus! Where are we going?”

  “I can't tell you because it’s a surprise. Duh! Wait until we get there. Then I will unmask you, and we’ll party like it’s 1999.”

  I go for the blindfold again, and she swats my hand away. “No! Bad Mari!”

  “You use that tone with Gilbert.”

  “Only when he’s bad. Come on. We’re almost there.”

  “How about a hint?”

  She makes an overdramatic sigh. “Fine, there’s music where we're going. How’s that?” The car slows, and she cuts the engine. She opens my door, takes my hand, and I have no sense of direction at all. There are no sights or scents to clue me in as to where we are.

  “Come on, this way.” She holds my hands and takes me inside. We’re walking down hallways, and I suddenly feel like I’m in the hospital, but it’s too quiet. “You didn’t take me to work, did you?”

  “No, that would suck. I’m not a sucky friend. I’m your BEST friend. This is the best present ever!” She tells me to wait a second, and I hear metal on metal and something click. She pulls open a door and moves behind me. “This part is very important, and if you do it wrong, you die.”

  “Katie!” I’m about to rip off the blindfold, but she shoves me forward.

  “Two steps and sit. No more, no less, and sit on your ass.” I’m bitching as I do it, but I take the steps and sit down. The floor is cold and hard—it’s metal. There are little holes in it, like a grate. A musty scent fills my head, and I realize where I am.

  When I hear the door latch shut, she shouts, “Blindfold off!”

  “Katie?” I pull it away and see I’m in our old high school at the top of the stairs leading to the basement. “How is this fun?”

  “Go down the stairs, you twit! Your present is at the bottom.”

  I walk down slowly and catch a sound. “Hello?” Someone is down here. My heart speeds up, and as I round the landing, I see Trystan, outlined in a bright light on a stool with his guitar in his hand. “Trystan?”

  I haven’t seen him in a few weeks, and from the way he isn’t quite looking at me, I know he can’t see.

  “Mari?” He sounds surprised. “Where’s the photographer?”

  I smile and shake my head. “How much can you see?”

  “Not much. Katie set up this shoot with a new photographer she likes. She wanted to give him a chance at the big time by giving him an exclusive shot. Why are you here?”

  “Katie said it’s girl’s night and then blindfolded me. She told me not to fall down the stairs, and that’s about all of it.”

  “She said you guys got attacked by a goose.”

  “We did. I still cringe from it. I had a dream last night that I couldn’t run fast enough to get away from that thing. I was in my dad’s house in my bedroom, and the thing was squawking as it climbed out of the toilet.”

  He laughs. “Nightmare.”

  “I know. Toilet water and a killer goose. So, what’s going on in Katie’s head with this?”

  Trystan sighs and puts his guitar down. “So there’s no photographer coming, right?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Did she lock us in?”

  I run up the stairs and try the door. It’s locked. I bang on it. “Katie!”

  “Yes?” She sounds saintly.

  “Are you going to let us out?”

  “Did you kiss and make out? I mean, make up?”

  “We’re not fighting. Open the door.” I’m a little annoyed and suddenly feel really nervous. Being around Trystan was fine when I knew I couldn’t have him, now that I can—it scares the hell out of me.

  “I will. First thing in the morning. And don’t bother trying the other door, I chained it.” She laughs, and I can hear her voice fading in the distance.

  I stand on the landing with my heart thumping. I peer over the edge and can see him sitting down there. I might have been avoiding him, but he’s not made an effort to speak with me either.

  “She’s not coming back, is she?” He shouts up at me tipping his head back, as if he’s looking at me. His long dark hair tumbles back, and I can see his face wears a warm uncertain smile.

  “Nope, not tonight.”

  “Like old times, huh?”

  “I’m sure that’s what she’s hoping for.” I make my way down the stairs and walk over to the couch to sit down. I’m holding my head in my hands, knowing he can't see me freaking out.

  “And what are yo
u hoping for?”

  When I glance up at him, his eyes lock on mine and the pit of my stomach drops. I don’t know if it’s the words or the way he’s looking at me, but it sets me on edge. I feel like a cornered cat.

  I try to make light of it. “I’m hoping for a nutritious dinner of Blow Pops and Kool-Aid.”

  “Then you’re lucky because both are in the cooler with some sandwiches. Katie stopped at a deli and bought us food, well, me and you since she ditched me.” He laughs and stands, looks left then right, then back at me. “I can still see you a little bit, you know?”

  I shake my head uncertainly. “You can?”

  “Yeah. You’re wearing a white shirt, and your hair is pulled away from your face, but you’re missing something.”

  “I am?”

  He reaches into his pocket and holds out his hand. In it is a pink tube of strawberry Lip Smacker, the lip balm I used in high school. I smile and take it from him. “I used to love this stuff.”

  “I know. I remember it. There are some things that remind me of you—that’s one of them.”

  “Yeah, what are the others?”

  “That first song, and this.” He points to his back, to the tattoo I caught a glimpse of the other day. The corners of his lips pull up and fall quickly.

  “I saw that, well part of it. What does it say?”

  His dark lashes lower and I swear his cheeks burn. “It’s the kind of thing that makes me feel incredibly happy when you’re not around, and incredibly embarrassed when you are. I thought you already saw it.”

  “I didn’t look.” I had wanted to look, but I kept my grabby hands to myself. “I figured you’d tell me if you wanted me to know.”

  He nods slowly and when he lifts his face he’s all smiles. “So, let’s bust out the deli feast.”

  Got it. Not going to tell me.