Broken Road

by Addison Kline

  Cheyenne was escorted from the ward with all her belongings packed into a duffel bag. She followed the nurse to the elevator and the trip down from the third floor seemed to take forever. Finally the elevator dinged at the first floor and they stepped out, but Randy was not in the waiting room. Cheyenne’s heart sunk. She was extremely nervous now.

  “Ms. West, I just need you to sign off on this paper. Initial at the x and sign at the line,” the nurse said passing Cheyenne a pen. She didn’t even know what she was signing off on, all she could think about was Randy.

  The nurse continued to give Cheyenne instructions on after care, how to avoid relapsing and information on group counseling in the area. Cheyenne took several pamphlets from the nurse and as the nurse wished her well, Cheyenne’s eyes locked on Randy. Standing outside, through the double doors of the rehab center, Randy stood against his pick-up truck with a welcoming smile. Cheyenne’s breath was shallow, her heart beat like a drum in her chest. All she could think about was him in this moment. She ran, leaving her bags on the floor of the lobby, Cheyenne bolted towards Randy who stood waiting for her with his arms spread wide. She rushed him, a wall of sensual fragrance that he knew too well, the sweet fragrance of her perfume combined with the clean scent of her shampoo. It was heaven to Randy. Brushing her hair off of her shoulder, he put his hands behind her head and pulled her in, kissing her like he had when they were teenagers. Their tongues rushed, their lips swollen, they couldn’t get enough. Finally, when their lips parted, Randy ran his thumb down Cheyenne’s blushing cheeks.

  “You look amazing…”

  “I didn’t think you’d come.”

  “I told you I would and I’m taking you home.”

  “Home?” Cheyenne asked looking nervous.

  “Yes. Home.”

  “Please. Anywhere but home.”

  Randy suddenly understood what she meant.

  “No. Home with me.”

  Randy left her at the truck with her mouth gaping open. He collected her bags from the lobby of the facility and threw them in the back of his truck. Opening the passenger side door for Cheyenne, he helped her up into the truck. Before he slammed the door shut, “I told you I’d take care of you. And I will, whether you like it or not.” Randy smirked as he said it. As Cheyenne looked back at Randy, she realized, he was the only true friend she ever had.

  Randy climbed in the driver’s side and pulled Cheyenne from her thoughts.

  “But first, let’s go get some breakfast. I’m starving.”

  “You’re always hungry.”

  “Be quiet. You sound like my sister.”

  “Maybe she’s right.”

  “Zip it.”

  Randy focused his eyes on the road, and Cheyenne glanced over at him as he drove.

  “Thank you…”

  Randy glanced over at her with a bewildered look on his face.

  “For what?”

  Cheyenne smiled.

  “For being you…”

  Randy was taken aback.

  “I have to admit, that’s the first time anyone has said that to me…”

  “I’m serious. Most people would have ran.”

  “I did run, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. I was miserable.”

  “You were miserable?”

  Randy grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight.

  “It made me sick. Absolutely sick knowing you were out there unwell and being controlled by that asshole. I couldn’t watch. Shit, I prayed for you… and you know me… I don’t pray!”

  “I’m sorry…”

  Randy shrugged his shoulder. “Look. I don’t want to talk about the negative anymore. You’re healthy. That’s what matters. But I have to tell you, this is our last chance.”

  “This reminds me of something you’ve always said…”

  “What?”

  “What kind of football games do you love the best?”

  “When the Cowboys come from behind.”

  “This cowgirl’s comin’ for ya… You better hold on,” she said with a wink.

  Despite his reservations, Randy couldn’t help but laugh. He had never felt more at home with her. He just hoped that it would stay this way.

  ***

  After breakfast, Randy and Cheyenne headed to the ranch. Cheyenne had to admit that the place was quite beautiful when it wasn’t littered with dead bodies and a Devils infestation. The house was lit up for Christmas. Colt and Tim had strung up lights in several of the trees, and across the front of the house. Averi had placed bright decorations in each window. Through the storm door, Cheyenne could see a brilliantly lit Douglas Fir Christmas tree. It was the type of Christmas Cheyenne had only heard about. One without abusive step-fathers and drug-addled mothers. One where a freshly baked ham and a table full of holiday goods were laid out instead of a fresh layer of cocaine smeared across the table and a six pack of beer waiting to be chugged. It was like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting, only where the people cursed like sailors and weren’t afraid to stand up for what they believed in. But the McClains’ and the Fords’ loved hard, and once you were in, you were considered family.

  Randy pulled the truck alongside the back of the house, and put it in park just a few feet from his house.

  “This is yours?”

  “Sure is… C’mon.”

  Cheyenne followed Randy inside the house and was surprised by what she saw. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect walking in, but she found an actual home, with furniture and pictures on the wall, a big screen TV and all the home comforts that she never had growing up. There was a fresh Christmas tree that largely resembled something that Charlie Brown would have. There were a few presents scattered underneath. A gift bag with Averi’s name on it, a small square box for Shelly, and two medium sized boxes with Colt and Tim’s names on them. In the center of the pile there was a small square box with Chey scrawled on the top. Her pulse quickened. Randy saw her eyes focus on the gift, and he smiled.

  “Go ahead. Open it.”

  Cheyenne leaned down and picked the box up. Her eyes met Randy’s gaze and he had an amused look on his face. She ripped off the festive wrapping paper and set it on the couch beside her. Cheyenne held the jewelry box in her hand, her heart thumping against her chest as she lifted the lid. Inside the box there was a simple silver band with their initials inscribed on the face. It was a promise ring.

  “This is not the ring you are expecting, and for that I am sorry.”

  “No, it’s beautiful…”

  “In one year, on this day, I will ask you to marry me.”

  Cheyenne gasped as a hand went up to her mouth.

  “What?”

  “I’m serious. No drugs. No alcohol… and you have to be 100 percent honest with me.”

  “I can do that. But I have a stipulation for you…”

  “What is it?”

  “Relax and let me show you exactly what you mean to me.”

  By the gentle light of the Christmas tree, Cheyenne came to Randy’s side. Placing a gentle hand on his chest, her lips met his, and she gave him a sweet kiss – a departure from their lust filled encounters as teenagers. It was much deeper than just a sexual attraction. He felt lost with out her, and without Randy, Cheyenne had fallen.

  Pulling her lips away, she looked Randy in his eyes. “One year from today, you will propose, two years from today I will be your wife. I swear to God, Randy. Doubt me… I live to prove you wrong.”

  “Don’t I know it,” Randy said with a smile on his face.

  “Now, c’mon… Take me shopping. I need to get some things.”

  “What do you need? Do you even have money?”

  Cheyenne pulled a wad of cash from her pocket.

  “Sure I do, this is on Trent’s dime… I need clothes, and I want to get some things for the house and I need to get you a Christmas present.”

  “Well then… Let’s go.”

  Though it probably wasn’t the most morally correct thing to do, Cheyenne and Ra
ndy took great pleasure in spending Trent’s cash after all the pain that he had put them through.

  After several hours of shopping, Randy and Cheyenne drove back to Hall Ranch, and Colt was waiting on the porch for them. As they unloaded the bags from the back of the truck, Colt called over to them, “Dinner time!”

  They dropped the bags off in the living room, and filed into the dining room where Averi and Shelly were setting the table. Averi’s meatloaf took center stage and the scent damn near made Randy’s eyes roll into the back of his head. He was in heaven. Cheyenne was out of her element, but she was welcomed in like an old friend. Though she and Averi had never been friends, Averi wanted what was best for her brother. Averi and Cheyenne ran in different circles. That didn’t mean that she would be rude to her upon entering her home. Randy’s relationship was his business, and she knew what the girl had been through. Averi placed a platter of roasted potatoes on the table and gave Cheyenne and Randy a warm smile. She kissed her brother on the cheek and brought Cheyenne into a hug.

  “Looking good, girl… Take a seat. Tim! Grab some forks and put them at each setting!”

  Cheyenne eyed Averi nervously, surprised at how welcoming she was. Shelly waved at Cheyenne non-chalantly and continued pouring sweet tea into everyone’s glasses. Tim rushed out of the kitchen with the utensils in his hand. As he placed the last fork on the table, Averi urged everyone to take their seats. As she flopped in her chair, a look of relief crossed her face, happy to be off her feet. Colt took the head of the table, and everyone sat down.

  “Bow your heads…” Colt said as everyone, even Randy, lowered their heads and waited for the dinner prayer. “Thank you Lord for the meal we are about to eat. Please continue to watch over this family and bless us and keep your ever watchful eye over Averi and our baby as the due date approaches. Amen.”

  “Dig in, everybody!” Averi said, as she pulled the lid off of a casserole of baked macaroni and cheese.

  Cheyenne watched as everyone began to dig into the meal. No one made a big deal over her presence. No one gave warnings of what behavior needed to be followed. No one cast sideways glances her way. After dinner Cheyenne made a point to ask Colt if her being there was okay. He quickly replied, “We all have pasts, Chey. You can’t hold yourself prisoner forever.”

  Cheyenne watched in surprise as Colt chomped into an apple and walked away.

  “C’mon… Let’s get settled in. I want to watch the game,” Randy said as he approached her on the front porch.

  They walked side by side across the lawn making their way to their house. Randy hadn’t left a light on, so the house was dark. He walked over to the far wall of the house near the kitchen to turn on the overhead light, but as his hand hit the switch, something knocked him hard against the wall. Cheyenne pressed her hands against Randy’s arm, pushing him roughly against the wall. A frame fell off and crashed to the floor. Sinking her teeth into his neck, Cheyenne refused to wait anymore. The sexual tension was thick, Randy picked her up, wrapping her long legs around his body. Their lips met as an electric current ran through their bodies. He carried her across the room, his strong arms supporting her, traveling haphazardly throughout the dark room. He crashed into a chair and Cheyenne laughed, but she refused to stop kissing him. Finally he found the kitchen table. Resting her ass on his knee, Randy cleared off the kitchen table in one fell swoop, sending papers and a bottle of soda flying to the ground. He sprawled Cheyenne on over the table, ripping her sweater over her head. Cheyenne ran her hands up Randy’s chest, his shirt rumpling as she traveled north. She pulled the buttons free and brought her mouth to his chest. Her tongue traced the skin where she knew his tattoos were, but with a forceful shove, he pushed her down on the table, hell-bent upon having his way. He couldn’t see her but he could feel her and in the darkness, he sunk into her and reclaimed her as his own. The push and pull, the give and take of control, it was enough to set them both over the top. Both with type A personalities, both alphas in their own right. If Cheyenne was a CAT 5 hurricane and Randy, a F5 Tornado, when they merged under the right conditions, they were the perfect storm. Falling off the table Cheyenne landed on top of Randy, and gave him a sweet kiss on his lips. They laid there in silence for a moment, not saying a word, not moving a finger. Finally, in the dark of the house, Randy stroked her hair and brought her head to his chest.

  “Thank God I have you back.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Colt and Averi were woken up early on Christmas morning by Barkley’s incessant yapping.

  “Oh, Barkley!” Colt complained. “Averi, your monster won’t behave!”

  “He’s not a monster!” Averi said as she sleepily woke up. Then when she realized that Barkley had chewed up her beloved pair of bedroom slippers, the only pair of shoes that now fit her poor swollen feet, she had changed her tune real quick. “What a monster puppy!”

  “He ate your slippers, didn’t he?”

  “You’re lucky you’re cute, Barkley!”

  Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

  “Can we go downstairs yet?” Tim asked as if he was a child waiting to go downstairs on Christmas Day to see what Santa brought.

  “Yes, but the first one down makes breakfast.”

  “Shelly! Don’t go downstairs!” Tim yelled. He was not about to eat burnt pancakes on Christmas morning.

  Averi laughed, “I’ll get up.”

  “No! Come back to bed!” Colt insisted.

  “You better get used to waking up early. No one is going to get any sleep once the baby gets here.”

  “Don’t remind me!”

  Averi walked downstairs with Tim and Shelly on her heels, but when she got to the kitchen she realized that someone was already at the counter making breakfast. Randy was sitting at the kitchen counter on a stool while Cheyenne made Belgian waffles with fresh fruit.

  “Y’all are up early!” Averi said, with a happy look on her face. It was nice to have someone else cook for a change.

  “Hey… I’m just making something for breakfast,” Cheyenne said.

  “I picked up coffee and donuts for everyone…”

  “Oww! I can’t have any coffee…”

  Randy laughed, “I got you a hot chocolate.”

  “Oooh, these look good!” Averi said as she peeked at the platter Cheyenne prepared.

  “They’re done. I’m just adding fruit. Okay, ready.”

  “Everybody grab a plate and get to the tree.”

  “Where is Colt?” Randy asked.

  “Probably fell back asleep…. Colt!” Averi yelled.

  Scratching his belly, Colt came down the steps with a sleepy look on his face. Slouching onto the couch next to Shelly, he caused Shelly’s cushion to jump. She smiled at him and said, “Good morning, sunshine…”

  Putting his mitt of a hand on the top of her head, he shook her red hair creating a wild frizzy mess. Rolling her eyes, she pulled her hair up into a ponytail. Randy began passing out gifts. Building piles by each person. He sent several boxes Colt’s way, tossing them across the living room, causing Averi’s blood pressure to rise.

  “Honestly… Can you be civilized?”

  “What? Here… here’s one of yours…” Randy pretended to throw a box at his sister. Immediately Colt, Shelly and Tim yelled out “No!” and all blocked Averi with their hands.

  “I’m just kidding… God.”

  “Here… I got you two something…” Tim said as he passed Randy and Colt a medium sized box each.

  Colt smirked looking at the name tag. Tim had written “Beast” on it, referring to the nickname he gave him at the gym. He slid the wrapping paper off of the box and popped the lid off. Colt laughed when he saw what Tim had purchased. It was a t-shirt that read, “I’m with stupid.” The very thing that Colt threatened to buy and wear whenever he was out with Randy.

  Colt laughed loudly, but was quickly stopped when Randy opened his box. “I’m with stupid.”

  While Colt had a sheepish l
ook on his face, no one laughed louder than Averi who had broken into hysterics.

  “It’s not that funny, Ave…” Randy said.

  “But it is… it really is… You two together. Oh, my God.”

  Randy and Colt stared at Averi as if she was insane.

  “Okay, my turn… Tim hand me the small box with Colt’s name on it… No, not that one… Yeah, that one!”

  Tim handed Averi the small oblong rectangle box that had reindeer wrapping paper on it with a big red bow.

  “What on earth is this?” Colt said with a raised eyebrow at Averi.

  “You’ll see. Open it.”

  Colt carefully opened the present, wondering what on earth it was that Averi had given him. Inside the box was a document that was carefully folded.

  “What on earth…”

  “Just read it…” Tim said.

  It was the deed to the Seventy Devils Headquarters and the letter stating that it belonged to Colt.