by Allie Able
“You look like shit. What in the hell happened to you?” he asks, ignoring my question.
“I had a few drinks last night,” I mumble.
“A few? It looks like you drank the whole damn bottle,” he laughs, without humor.
All I can do is nod my head in agreement, because now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I did almost finish off the bottle. I spent most of the night going between pissed off that Summer would do this to us and worried that she was upset. A horrible combination of emotions if you ask me.
“Woman problems?” he asks.
I look at him surprised. “How did you know that?”
He smirks and shakes his head. “At one time or another, every man is going to have woman problems. It's about time it happened to you. Women are odd creatures, son,” he pauses, “Don't tell your mother or your sister I said that.”
I have to chuckle, when he actually looks terrified at the thought of me telling Mom or Ellie what he just said.
“What happened?” He asks.
I let out another deep sigh, before telling him about last night.
“She'll come around,” he reassures me, when I'm finished.
“It's not that dad. I know something else is going on. I just wish she would tell me,” I say, quietly.
“I don't know why she would do that, son, but I'm sure she had her reasons. When she comes to her senses and tries to explain, you make sure you listen to her. I think she is probably hurting just as much as you right now, Grant,” he says, in a demanding tone.
“How do you know that?” I ask.
“Well, that's actually the reason I came by. Your mom stopped at the bakery earlier this morning and, when she got home, she said Summer didn't look like herself. She said it looked like Summer had been crying. You weren't answering your phone and we just wanted to check on her.”
I scrub my hands down my face. “I guess I forgot my phone at home this morning. What am I suppose to do dad?” I ask, hoping he can give me some good advice.
“Just give her some time, Grant. I promise this will all work out in the end,” he replies.
“How do you know that?” I say shaking my head. That is not exactly the good advice I was hoping for.
“I know that, because you love each other. You only find that kind of love once in your lifetime and if your anything like me, you will do anything to keep it.” He stands from his chair, giving my shoulder a squeeze, before walking towards the door.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say ,quietly.
He nods his head in acknowledgment before shutting the office door behind him.
I drop my head back into my hands, thinking this is going to be the longest day of my life. I wish I would have known how true that statement would be.
* * *
I get home a little past 7:00 pm that night. I worked late, trying to exhaust my brain, so I that wouldn't think about Summer, but walking into my house, it's impossible to stop my mind from going to her. She is everywhere I look. I swear if I breath deep enough, I could probably still smell her.
I walk to my bedroom and take my clothes off. I need a quick shower. I see my phone, on my bedside table, and grab it. I swipe my hand across the screen and my heart jumps into my throat, when I see a missed call from Summer and I have a few voice mails too. I put my phone to my ear and listen. I delete the first few, but then I finally hear Summer's voice. Even though she sounds upset and sad, I smile, because she is telling me everything I want to hear. I save the voice mail and look back at the screen to see what time she called, about 30 minutes ago. I think about calling her back, but decide to just go over there instead.
I go get into the shower and wash off quickly. Once I'm dressed, I grab my keys from the table and walk out the front door, towards my truck. I'm in such a rush, to get to my girl, that I completely forget to lock my front door. It's just one of the many things I will come to regret, in the hours and even days that follow.
Chapter Forty
Summer
MY DAY STARTS OUT HORRIBLE. My head hurts, from crying all night. My eyes are red and swollen and no amount of concealer can hide the dark circles, under my eyes. To top it all off, I'm late for work. Lexie, of course, notices my appearance, as soon as I walk into the bakery.
“Summer, are you okay? You look sick!” she exclaims, as I make my way towards the kitchen.
“I'm fine, Lexie. I'm just tired,” I respond, as I wave her away and walk to the office, to put my purse down.
“Summer,” she starts, but I quickly interrupt her.
“Lexie, I love you, but I really don't want to talk about it right now,” I snap.
She holds up her hands. “Okay, sorry,” she says, before walking away.
I sit down at my desk and sigh. I wonder how many people in my life I can piss off? I guess being a bitch to Grant wasn't good enough, I need to hurt my best friend too. I hear someone walk into the office and I lift my head to see Jenna standing in the doorway. “Sorry I'm late, Jenna. Give me just a second and I'll be right out to help,” I mumble.
“It's no problem, Summer. Everything is pretty much done, for now,” she replies.
I nod my head and start shuffling through the papers on my desk. I really need to get someone to help me with my accounting.
Jenna clears her throat and I look back up at her in surprise. I thought she had gone back into the kitchen. She looks a little apprehensive.
“Summer, don't be mad at me,” she says quietly.
I shake my head confused. “Jenna, I'm not mad at you.”
She sighs and shuts the door behind her. “Yeah, but you might be in a second,” she mutters.
I continue to look at her. I can't imagine why she would think that.
“Remember what I talked to you about yesterday?” she asks and I nod my head. “Well, I brought one of my small hand guns to work today.”
I know my eyes must be bugging out of my head. She holds up her hand to stop me from talking.
“I would never bring it inside, unless I asked permission from you first. I left it in my car, under the driver seat. I just wanted you to know,” she says quietly.
“Jenna, I barely know how to use a gun,” I whisper.
“Do you know how to turn the safety on and off?” she asks and I nod my head. “Do you know how to aim and pull the trigger?” she asks and I nod my head, again. “Summer, I'm not trying to pressure you into taking it home with you. I just want you to have options. I really feel like you may need it. I have lived this life and something tells me I didn't go through half of what you did. If you want to use it's under my driver seat. If you don't, just leave it where it is. Please don't be mad at me for bringing this up again. I just don't want to see you get hurt,” she whispers.
“I'm not mad, Jenna. Thank you for being worried about me. I'll give it some thought and I'll let you what I decide, before I leave for the day,” I respond.
She nods her head and walks out of my office. Who would have ever thought that little Jenna Hudson was a gun carrier. She has always looked so sweet and innocent to me. I guess abuse changes people. I became scared of my own shadow and Jenna became stronger and has taken control of her future. I don't want to be scared anymore. I just want Ryan to leave me alone. I was finally happy and now he has taken all of that away. Well I will be damned if he will take anything else from me. More determined than I have ever been in my life, I stand from my desk to go talk to Jenna about taking her up on her offer.
* * *
Even though I came in late today, I decide to leave early, as well. I just can't handle the sympathetic looks I keep getting from Lexie and I need to make things right with Grant. I was wrong to think pushing him away was the right thing to do. It took me less than 24 hours to realize what an idiot I was being.
I walk through my front door and duke rushes to greet me. I lay my purse down, on the table by the door. The new item making a loud thud, reminding me what's in there. I sigh and bend down to pet Duke.
/> “Hey Duke-man.”
I pull my cellphone out of my pocket and look at the time. It's only 7:00 pm and I wonder if Grant is off of work yet. I need to tell him the truth and beg for forgiveness.
I make my way towards the french door and open them, letting the smell of salt and sand wash over me, as I call Grant's phone. It rings with no answer and his voice mail picks up. I walk into the kitchen, as I talk.
“Grant, it's Summer,” I pause trying to think of what to say, “I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking last night. I let my fears chase me away. It wasn't fear of a relationship with you, so please don't think that I don't love you. It was about my ex-husband. I want to explain face to face, but I want you to know that I choose you. I choose a life with you and I will keep choosing you over and over again, if you will just give me a chance. I promise I will tell you everything. Please call me back. I love you,” I finish on a whisper, before hanging up.
I lay my phone down on the counter, close my eyes and pray that he will call me back and let me explain. Hearing a deep growl come from Duke, makes my eyes snap back open. I've never heard him make that noise before.
I look up and see Ryan, standing in the doorway of my kitchen.
“Well, hello wife. Was that your little boyfriend on the phone?” he sneers. For a second, I am paralyzed with fear.
“Ryan,” I gasp.
Before I can even think to grab my phone, he is walking towards me. He backhands me, across the face, so hard that I fall sideways, hitting my hip on the counter. He grabs me by my hair and lifts my head so that I am looking into his black eyes.
“Did you not think there would be repercussions for your actions, Summer?” he roars, in my face.
Duke lets out another deep bark and begins growling again. Ryan pulls a gun out of the waist band of his pants and points it at Duke.
A small whimper escapes my throat. “Please don't shoot my dog,” I beg.
Ryan looks at me briefly and laughs.
What occurs next, happens so quickly that I don't even see it coming. Duke charges forward and latches onto Ryan's leg. Ryan yells out in pain, before lifting the gun and shooting Duke in the side.
I scream, trying to get away from Ryan, as I watch Duke's limp body slump to the floor. Please God, let Mrs. Clara be home and have heard that gunshot.
Ryan tucks the gun back into his pants and starts pulling me out of the kitchen, by my hair. I try to get loose, hitting any body part that I can get to.
“Quit fucking resisting, Summer. You are coming with me either way,” he yells, as he slams my face into the kitchen counter.
I feel the crunching of bones and look down to see blood smeared all over the counter. I'm as good as dead if he gets me out of this house. I suddenly remember the gun in my purse. If I can get to the front door, I can get it out of my purse. His grip loosens on my hair and I elbow him in the stomach, surprising him enough, that he completely lets go of me. I don't waste anytime, I run quickly out of the kitchen and towards the front door.
I'm almost there, when Ryan tackles me to the floor. He flips me over and sits up on top of me, landing blow after blow, to my face. Black spots are starting to dance in my vision. He pulls the gun out again and presses it to my temple.
“You are mine, Summer. I don't want to shoot you right now, I wanted to have some fun first, but I will.”
All I can think of, is Duke laying in the kitchen and someone finding both of our bodies here. This is not how I'm going to die. I am not giving up, but I know if I don't do what he says, he will shoot me. I stop trying to fight him off and lay still.
“Good, girl,” he says, with a sinister smile.
He stands up and when I try to do the same he delivers a swift kick to my stomach, knocking the breathe out of me and sending me sprawling out onto the floor again. He grabs my hair in his fist and bends down, putting his face close to mine.
“Don't forget who is in charge, Summer. The next time you try something like that, I will shot you in your pretty little face,” he whispers.
A chill runs down my spine and I nod my head.
“Get the fuck up,” he says, pulling me up by my hair.
I scramble to get my feet beneath me. My head is spinning and I feel like I'm going to vomit. He pulls me to the front door and I try to reach out and grab my purse, but I'm too far away. It tumbles onto the floor, the contents spilling all over the entry way. Luckily Ryan is looking forward and not paying attention. He walks quickly to his SUV parked on the road, pushing me inside and following in behind me.
“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice trembling with fear.
“Your boyfriends house. I figure I can have a little fun with you there, before taking care of him. I may even let him watch, as I claim what's mine.”
His evil laugh is the last thing I hear, as I feel the butt of his gun slam into my face, and then darkness.
Chapter Forty-One
Grant
I PULL INTO SUMMER'S DRIVEWAY and make my way up the front steps. Her door is open a crack, so I knock on it and call out to her, as I walk inside.
“Summer. The front door was open.”
The first thing I notice is her purse laying on the floor. I'm surprised to see a gun laying beside it. I give it a gentle kick with my foot to see if its real. What in the fuck? I didn't know Summer carried a gun. I pick it up and put it in my waist band on my shorts, under my shirt. We are going to have to talk about this.
“Summer,” I call out again, as I make my way towards the kitchen. I stop suddenly when I see blood smeared on the floor.
“Summer!” I yell.
I hear a small whimper from the kitchen and I run in that direction. The sight that greets me when I finally get to the kitchen, almost brings me to my knees. There is blood all over the counter and smeared on the floor. Duke is laying on his side, with his blood pooled around him. I drop to my knees beside him. I quickly take my t-shirt off and press it into the wound on his side, applying as much pressure as I can.
“What happened, buddy?” I ask, running my hand over his face, as I pull my cell phone out of my pocket. “911. What's your emergency.”
“This is Grant Hamilton. I'm at my girlfriend Summer Foster's house. I think she has been kidnapped. There are signs of a visible struggle. Our dog has also been shot.” I quickly rattle off the address, before telling her I needed to call our vet and hanging up the phone.
“Hello, Cape Isle Animal Clinic.”
“Haden, this is Grant Hamilton. I need you to send Dr. Sinclaire or Dr. Fitzgerald to Summer's house right now. Duke has been shot. He is still breathing, but it's shallow.”
I hear her gasp and start yelling out for Dr. Fitzgerald.
“Haden, I need to get off of the phone to make some more calls. Tell them to hurry, please,” I say, before disconnecting.
I can hear the sirens in the distance. I pick back up my phone and call Connor and Nick.
If I have any chance of finding Summer I'm going to need their help.
Right as I'm finishing my call with Nick, a police officer comes rushing into the kitchen.
“Fuck,” he whispers, looking around at all of the blood.
“Will you come hold this while I go look in her bedroom?” I don't know why I automatically assumed she wasn't here. I guess because I called out to her and she didn't answer, which could mean she is in the same condition as Duke. The cop rushes over and kneels down, taking the now blood soaked t-shirt off of duke and putting his own, over the wound.
“There are more on the way,” he says distracted.
I nod my head as I rush to Summer's bedroom, praying she's okay.
After I've checked every room of the house and the back deck, I breathe out a sigh of relief. Her not being here doesn't mean she's okay, but at least she has a chance.
I hear yelling coming from the front door.
“What's going on?” I hear Ms. Clara's ask.
There are two police officers blocking the
door and trying to calm the older lady down.
“Grant!” she yells, as soon as she sees me. I walk up to her and give her a hug, as I steer her back towards the front door.
“You need to be outside Ms. Clara,” I say quietly.
“What's going on?” she demands.
I run my hand through my hair and sigh. “Summer's missing. I'm guessing she is with her ex-husband,” I say, glossing over the fact that Duke is hurt and that there is blood everywhere inside.
She gasp and tears gather in her eyes.
“I need you to go to your house and stay inside. Okay? Will you call my parent's and Lexie and let them know what's going on? Also, could you call Korean Graham and see if she can get in contact with Summer's Aunt Lila?” I ask and she quickly nods her head.
“I had only been gone an hour or so. I saw Summer come home earlier,” she says, as she starts to cry.
I hear a car pull up and I look over my shoulder to see Dr. Fitzgerald pull up in a van, before turn back to Mrs. Clara.
“Go inside and don't look out the windows. Okay? I will send someone to update you as soon, as I know something.”
I give her a kiss on the forehead. I watch as she walks towards her house and closes the front door behind her.
“What happened?” Dr. Fitzgerald asks, as she jogs towards me. I lead her inside as I fill her in, as much as I can.
“I don't know. I found him on the kitchen floor. One gunshot wound in the side.”
When we get to the kitchen the young police officer is still holding the shirt against Duke's side.
“Thanks,” I mutter, as I kneel down beside him.
“Shit. He's bled out a lot. Dr. Sinclaire is meeting me at the office, but I'm going to need help getting him in the van,” Katie says.
It takes both me and the cop to lift Duke and carry him to the back of the van. Once we get him settled, Katie turns to look at me.
“Summer?” she asks, with tear filled eyes.
I shake my head and press the heel of my hands to my eyes. “She's not here,” I whisper in a rough voice.
She squeezes my arm and walks to the driver side door of the van. “Find her. We will take care of Duke.”