by Vicki Green
“Is Tina Brogdon here?” I feel way underdressed and quickly remove my hat.
“I’m very sorry, sir, but Miss Tina is out to a brunch with her mother,” he says soundin’ all proper.
“Oh. Uh – think you can tell me where, please? I really need to talk to her.”
He shifts his stance. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say.” This not backin’ down is pretty hard to do. Then a woman appears, could be around his age.
“Hello. I’m Leslie.” She walks out of the door, causin’ me to take a step back. She looks over her shoulder, smilin’. “It’s okay, George. You can shut the door.” He gives her a strange look but steps back and closes the door. She turns and looks at me, leanin’ in and lookin’ around, like she doesn’t want anyone to hear her. She looks at me, still smilin’. “Are you the young man from the country?”
I shift, feelin’ pretty uneasy. “Uh, yes, ma’am.”
“Oh my! A real cowboy!” She giggles a bit, puttin’ her hand over her heart. They sure talk funny ‘round here. “Forgive me. I’ve never met a real cowboy before.”
“Uh, yes, ma’am.” I smile. “Think you can tell me where Tina is. I’d be mighty obliged.”
She lets out another giggle and covers her mouth. Finally, she leans in closer and uncovers her mouth. “She’s over at the Highland Country Club.” She points down the street. “You just take a left at the stop light, go about five blocks then take another left on one hundred and twenty-seventh street. You can’t miss it on the right. It sets up on a small hill.”
I back up onto the first step of the porch, put my hat on, and raise the tip her way. “Mighty grateful, Leslie.”
I turn and jog down the last couple of steps and start headin’ to my truck when she stops me. I look over my shoulder. “She’s very tender right now. Please remember that.”
I give her a nod. “Yes, ma’am.” I head straight for my truck and get inside, firin’ it up. Pullin’ into their driveway, I throw it in reverse and back up then take off down the street. I take the left at the stop sign and can feel my heart poundin’ against my chest. I’m gettin’ ready for the fight of my life yet I need to be ready to beg. This just might be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’ll be damned if I leave here without her. I take the next left and look to my right. There on the top of a small hill is a huge buildin’, lookin’ all fancy. I drive up the hill into a parkin’ lot and see the entrance. The lot is pretty full so I end up parkin’ far from the buildin’. I get out, my boots loud on the pavement as I make my way past very nice cars. Fancy. I reach the sidewalk and head for the entrance when I hear somethin’ that catches my attention around the buildin’.
“Matthew, you’re so funny.” Giggles ensue and a snort?
I know that snort. Turnin’ around, I walk back down the sidewalk and ‘round the side of the buildin’. Anger swells inside me as I watch a man in a button down white shirt and black dress pants with his arm around Tina. They’re both laughin’ and she’s stumblin’. Is she drunk?
“Whoa, there. Need a ride home?” the asshole says and I see Tina’s hand around his arm.
“She’s got a ride,” I growl.
Her eyes snap to mine, and she opens her mouth.
My hands ball into fists as he leans down, smilin’, whisperin’ in her ear but lookin’ straight at me. I take a step as he reaches up and cups her face, movin’ her until he can stare into her eyes, his mouth dangerously close to hers. I take another step, my fury risin’ as he kisses her. Her hands fumble their way up his chest, then start pushin’ against it as she tries to move back but his hold on her is too strong. I don’t walk. I run. Grabbin’ him by the throat and arm, I push him away, followin’ him. Fistin’ his shirt in my hand, I hit him hard square on his jaw, causin’ his head to snap back.
“Let go of MY woman!” I scream.
“NASH!”
I hit him again and again, feelin’ Tina’s hands on my arm, tryin’ to get me to stop.
“NASH! STOP!”
Turnin’ my head, I look at her in confusion. Her bottom lip is swollen. “Did he hit you?” Now, I’m gonna kill the bastard. I look at him and growl as I raise my fist high in the air.
“NO! YOU DID!”
My fist still raised, I look at her again, even more confused. I turn back to the bastard who kissed my gal and release his shirt, lowerin’ my hand. He slumps to the ground in a heap. I turn to Tina, wantin’ to apologize, not realizin’ that I’d hit her in my haste, when she runs over and falls to her knees next to him.
“Matthew. Oh! Matthew! I’m so sorry.” I take a step back as I watch her brush back some of his hair from his forehead, inspectin’ the injuries on his jaw. She looks up at me. “What the hell, Nash!” She looks back down at him and helps him sit up as he struggles to do it on his own. His hand covers his jaw and looks up at me. “Are you okay, Matthew?” He looks at her and nods. She stands and helps him to his feet then walks over to me, well, more like stumbles, and starts pokin’ me in my chest. “What are you doing here? And why in the hell did you hit him?” My anger returns as she slurs her words at me.
I grab her arms, her eyes widen. “Ain’t no man gonna kiss my woman,” I spit at her. Takin’ her by her wrist, I start walkin’ to my truck.
“I’m not your woman!” she screams, diggin’ her heels into the pavement.
“You are my woman!” I yell back, tuggin’ her with me. “We need to talk. Now!”
“Tina! Do you need help?” that asshole yells from behind us. Fuckin’ wuss.
I don’t give her time to answer and drag her to my truck. She fights me the entire way and when I open the passenger door and try to pull her inside, she leans down and bites my hand. “Fuck!” I whip around and grab her waist, liftin’ her up with her legs flyin’ around, tryin’ to kick me. Ploppin’ her down onto the seat, she starts beatin’ on my arms and shoulders as I struggle to get her strapped in. Runnin’ around the back of my truck, I get inside and just as she starts to go for the door handle, I hit the child safety door lock feature, smilin’. Now I know what this is for. Handy.
“Dammit, Nash! Let me out!” she screams as I put my truck in reverse and pull out, my tires screechin’ as I drive through the lot toward the exit. Damn, she sure is feisty when she gets her dander up. Kinda like that.
“Now. I have no idea where I’m headed but we need to talk and you’re gonna fuckin’ listen.” She looks up at me and gives me what she thinks is a mean look. Fuck if she ain’t adorable. Damn, I’ve missed her. I turn left outta the lot when I’m thinkin’ I should have turned right but we need to talk and with her strapped in and can’t get the door open, I figure we need to drive around a bit. “Now, what you heard, what you saw, wasn’t what you think.” She crosses her arms over her chest and lets out a huff. “She was my ex-girlfriend, back in college. She only wanted one thing from me and that was my money.” I look over at her and see her eyes shift to me then back out the front window. I keep my eyes on the road, drivin’ who knows where. “I never asked for my ring back, that was my mistake. Her pa passed away, and she came to me because she really doesn’t have anyone else, ‘cept her brother, but they aren’t close.” I look at her then back at the road. “I’ve known her pa since long as I can remember. He and my pa were best friends.” Her eyes move to mine and she relaxes but only a little. “I had no idea she was gonna act like that to you. She’s always been needy, wantin’ me back but Tina, I swear, she means nothin’ to me. Nothin’.” Her face softens more.
“You should have told me about her, Nash,” she whispers.
“You’re right, darlin’. I should have.” I reach for her hand but she pulls it away.
She looks out the front again. “It just told me so much. How much we really don’t know about each other.” She looks back at me. “So much I don’t know about you.
How can I move in with you, trust you, if I don’t even know you?”
She lays her hands in her lap. I don’t hesitate to reach over and grab her hand. She tries to pull away but I hold onto it, firmly. “That’s what relationships are all about, darlin’. Gettin’ to know each other. Ain’t gonna happen overnight. Hell, if we wait until we really know each other that well, we’ll be old and gray by that time.” I smile and see the corner of her mouth lift, slightly. I squeeze her hand. “All I know is – I love you. I know what I feel, darlin’. You’re in my every wakin’ thought. And when I close my eyes, you’re right there. When I hold you while you sleep, my life is complete, my heart is full. And when you’re not, I ‘bout go crazy until you’re in my arms again. We may not know each other completely but how will we learn about each other if we’re not together?” Wetness forms in her eyes. “When you sleep, I know you drool a little, right in the corner of your mouth.” She purses her lips, tryin’ not to laugh. “I know that when you laugh really hard you let out the most fuckin’ adorable snort.” She closes her eyes. A tear slowly rolls down her cheek. I hold her hand tighter. “I know your eyes change from a beautiful shade of green to a gorgeous shade of blue dependin’ on what you’re wearin’ and your face scrunches up when you’re confused. I love everythin’ about you.” Her eyes widen when she turns her head my way.
“Pull over.”
My smile is wide as I pull into a parkin’ lot of some kind of business and stop my truck. Leanin’ over, I’m thinkin’ how I’m gonna kiss the hell outta my gal, when she unstraps herself and starts pullin’ on the door handle like crazy. “Nash! Unlock the door! I’m gonna be....” I hit the button fast. She opens the door and throws up. Unhookin’ myself, I scoot over closer to her and pull back her long hair. Guess I just learned somethin’ else ‘bout her – she can’t hold her liquor. I sit there, holdin’ her hair while I rub her back, waitin’ for her to get it all out of her system. Finally, she moves back, closin’ the door, and leans her head against the headrest with her eyes closed. I lean over, open my glove box, pull off a couple of paper towels from the roll and wipe off her mouth. She takes them from me and I move back behind the wheel.
“Feel better?” I ask, not bein’ sarcastic but because she had me a bit worried.
“I’m fine. Please take me home.”
She doesn’t open her eyes as she gives me the directions back to her parents’ house. I hadn’t driven too far from the country club so once I saw the main street, I found her house easily. Pullin’ up to the curb, I shut off the engine and turn towards her. Thought she was asleep until one eye opens and looks at me.
“I figure you can ride home with me. We can load up the back of my truck with your things and send for your car.” I smile, brushin’ back some of her long hair over her shoulder. Finally, she opens both eyes and unhooks her belt then turns to me fully, pickin’ up my hand.
“Nash.” Her voice is shaky. I’m not so sure if that’s because she just got sick or because of what she’s ‘bout to say. Gotta tell ya, I’m a little scared. “You just gave me a lot of information, and I need time to think.” Yep, that’s not real encouragin’. She reaches up with her free hand and cups my face, her smile sad. “Whether you meant for it to happen or not, I was really hurt. Even though I’m not really sure what you saw in Barbie....”
“Blair,” I correct.
“Shhhh.” She lets out a laugh and I smile. “Well, other than those big boobs and hour-glass figure.” She laughs, again. I smile, feelin’ a little embarrassed. “Important things like that, I shouldn’t have had to find out that way.” She rubs her finger over my jaw, givin’ me such a sad look, and it breaks my heart all over again. “I know it takes a while to really get to know you and I’m all for that, but....” She looks down and lets out a sigh then looks back up at me with tears in her eyes. “I’m exhausted. I came back to the one place I told myself I’d never return to. All because I got hurt. I ran home to the people who don’t give me the time of day, hoping my mom would comfort me. Well, that didn’t happen. Not sure why I thought it would.” Fuck! I can’t imagine growin’ up with parents like that. I hate that for her. She smiles but it doesn’t reach her damp eyes. “Thing is – I needed my best friend to hold me, tell me everything was going to be okay, that it would all work out.” She lets out a small sob. “Only, that’s the person who broke my heart. The person I ran away from. The pain hurt so bad I could barely breathe.” Her hand falls and I slide over and pull her into my arms. She buries her face into my chest, her shoulders movin’ as she cries. I hate that I hurt her so badly. I never meant to. I’d die before I’d intentionally hurt her.
“Fuck, I’m so sorry, darlin’.” I continue to rub her back, her sobs startin’ to quiet down. “I never meant to hurt you. I’d do anythin’ not to ever hurt you.” She nods against my chest, snifflin’. She moves back and gives me a small smile, puttin’ her hand flat over my heart.
“You go get a good night’s sleep. Go home in the morning.” My eyes widen, my heart beatin’ faster. “I’m gonna take another day, pack up some more of my things, and spend a little time with Leslie, George, and Barb. They may not be my parents but they’ve treated me like it, gave me the only love I had.” She smiles, wipin’ away a tear.
“I don’t want to leave you, darlin’,” I whisper, leanin’ into kiss her but she covers her mouth and shakes her head frantically. I let out a laugh and kiss her nose.
She reaches up and cups my face. I close my eyes at the feel of her touch. “It’s not for long, darling. I promise. You need to get back to the ranch, and I need to sever ties from here. Trust me?” Openin’ my eyes, I nod, although reluctantly. She smiles and this time, I have hope. She leans up and kisses my cheek, then moves back, still smilin’. I watch her open the door and step outside, never takin’ my eyes off her until she walks inside her house. My heart just left again but is fuller knowin’ she’ll be comin’ home soon. I need to give her the time she needs. I owe her that.
I drive back to the hotel, eat some dinner, and return to my room, tryin’ to go to sleep. But sleep evades me when all I can see every time I close my eyes is her.
The next mornin’ comes too early. You’d think I’d be used to gettin’ up before the sun even thinks ‘bout risin’. I get I feel more tired than normal. It’s been a long couple of days and emotions were high. Guess that can knock the energy outta anyone. I texted Tina before I left, tellin’ her how much I love her and how I can’t wait for her to come home. Home. I won’t stand idle and wait for her to move in when she has time. This time, I’ll take the guys and get her things, just as soon as she comes back to town.
I drove all day and into the night, wantin’ to get home. Called Manuel about half an hour ago, lettin’ him know what happened and that I was ‘bout an hour away from town. Still a ways to drive to get there but the anxiousness of gettin’ home will make the drive seem shorter. The sky decides to open up, givin’ us the rain we need desperately. About another fifteen minutes and it’s pourin’ so hard it becomes difficult to see the road, the darkness of night not helpin’. The wipers on my truck are movin’ fast as I squint, lookin’ out the window, so I start to slow down a bit as I climb a hill. Town should be just up ahead, no need to hurry now. Nearin’ the top of the hill, I speed up a little so my truck will get over it, when I slam into somethin’ hard. I grip the steerin’ wheel harder when my truck goes out of control and the world starts spinnin’. I’m jostled all around, pain sears through my chest and ribs as the seatbelt digs into me and the airbag deploys. More tumbles and my head hits the side window hard and everythin’ goes dark.
Chapter Twenty
Tina
I spent the day nursing one helluva hangover while I packed up things and loaded them in my car. Mom and Dad tried talking me out of going back to the country, the only place that’s ever felt like a real home, by demanding I stay here. Yeah,
they’re great convincers. Of course, they didn’t stick around and headed to the country club. Mom saying it’s bridge day – which means more of the gentlemen’s room for Dad. But I had a great time with Leslie and Barb, who helped me pack with reluctance. We laughed and told stories, happy times I’d forgotten about, of course, all with them and George.
I laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about Nash. He’d called me right before I climbed into bed, letting me know that he was still a few hours away from town but that he was thinking about tomorrow and how he couldn’t wait to hold me in his arms again. He told me to drive safe and to call him several times along the way, worried about me already. God! How could I have been so stupid, thinking he didn’t care for me, didn’t love me, and that he wanted to be with Barbie? I’m an idiot! As I close my eyes, all I can think about is Nash’s face, his strong arms around me, holding me tightly, and whispering words of love.
The shrill of my phone wakes me. I turn my head and look at the clock. “Who the hell is calling me at four thirty in the morning?” I yawn. I reach for my phone, unplugging it from the charger, and see Sadie’s name. Well, that makes sense. She’s probably already making breakfast for Memphis. I smile. “You better have a damn good reason for waking me, bestie.” I yawn again.
“Tina. Oh God, Tina.” I blink several times. The sound of her voice gives me chills as I sit up and lean back against the headboard. “Nash – he’s been in an accident.” My heart lodges in my throat, and I can’t seem to swallow.