by Vera Quinn
I lost Jake while he was trying to find our future. I lost Duke, or I never had him, but I think I was saved another heartache or less of a heartache. Tonight, I need to start facing the pain so I can start life over.
Chapter Nine
CHARLIE
Fresh Starts
I put the miles between me and home and then stop off at a hole-in-the-wall motel that has seen better days to stay the night. I’ve slept in better places, but I’ve slept in a hell of a lot worse too. I know I need to clear my head and rethink my whole plan. I know when I came up with this whole idea, I was running on raw emotion. I was feeling cornered, and I needed to get away. I used to be such a levelheaded person, but the decisions I have been making haven’t been my best.
I can’t let Quinton take the heat for me from not only Dad but the mother chapter of the Rivals Sins MC. I know they’ll take his cut and then my dad and other brothers will quit too. I can’t let that happen. The one thing all of us learned growing up is protect the family, and the club is our family.
I take the phone that Quinton gave me out of my pocket, and I write down the numbers that he has put in it for me. I should eat something, but I am way too sleepy and there is no way I am in getting in that nasty shower. I put my bag on the bed beside me and take my boots off. I put my gun close and I lie down to get a little sleep. I’ll be back in Pittsburg by the time the bank opens and then meet Louie for a meeting before lunch. I just hope Quinton reads my letter I left him before he sees Dad. That’s the last thought I have before I nod off.
Chapter Ten
CHARLIE
Continuing My Journey
I wake the next morning and I feel like I slept on the floor all night. My body is stiff, and my stomach is churning. I should have eaten last night. I sit up on the side of the bed and then I feel that dry feeling in my mouth and I am up and running for the toilet. I barely make it when all the contents of my stomach come up. I pull my hair to one side to keep it free of the projectile vomit that keeps coming. I want to flop down on the floor, but it is too nasty. I think the nausea has passed and I grab a washcloth, wet it, and wipe my face off. I flush the toilet and walk back to my bag and grab my toothbrush. I brush my teeth and take care of all my bathroom needs. I put my toothbrush away, change my clothes, and put on deodorant. In Texas, it’s a must. I leave the motel room and make it to the bank just as they are opening.
I circle the bank a couple of times to make sure there is no one waiting for me. I trust Quinton but better to be too careful than not careful enough. I don’t like driving this truck where someone might see it. It doesn’t take long inside the bank and then I know it’s time to find a drive-thru to get something to eat even if it’s just a hash brown and some warm tea.
I feel much better after I have eaten, and I feel my phone vibrate. I look at the incoming call and it’s Louie. Quinton is still trying to help me by contacting Louie. It seems Louie is early which works out for me. I head to our meeting place.
The exchange goes smoothly. I know as soon as I get out of Texas, I will need to buy another vehicle and ship this truck home. I will need to change my identity again. Louie had the bright idea of using my mother’s maiden name as a cover for me. It’s too easy for anyone to find me. Not a smart idea. I am now Eve Copeland. Copeland was my mom’s maiden name.
As soon as I pull into Bossier City, I find a place to ship freight and send Jake’s truck home. Then I take an Uber to a clean hotel where I can wash the day away and try to get some better sleep. I need to plan my next week out. If I don’t go anywhere I have ever been to, or anywhere I have ever mentioned to anyone, I should be good. I also need to steer clear of any towns with a chapter of the Rival Sins MC in it. I just need rest to clear my head and a balanced meal. I just hope my nausea doesn’t rear its nasty head again today.
The rest is exactly what the doctor ordered, and the hot shower helps too. My head is clear, and I decide to ride the bus to Alabama. I know when Jake’s truck arrives home, they’ll trace the shipping company, so I need to put some distance between me and this city. Montgomery, Alabama will be small enough to find a nice used vehicle and big enough that no one will be paying any attention to me. I can get lost for a while. I have kept to myself and not spoken to anyone since I spoke to Louie except when I had to, and my only splurge was the one-night stay in a good hotel.
I catch an Uber to the bus station and forty-five minutes later, I am on my way. It was time Eve Copeland started her new life. I know using this name isn’t smart, but it gives me some comfort.
Chapter Eleven
CHARLIE
What An Adventure
The bus ride was everything I expected. I did manage to get a few hours of sleep and I was left alone for most of the ride.
When we arrived in Montgomery, it was a bright sunshiny morning. I am thankful it’s not raining. I know I need a motel room that isn’t too expensive but is safe. I also need to find me a vehicle. The sooner I quit using an Uber and find a small town around Montgomery that has employment, the better. Big towns are nice to lose yourself in but not good to stay in for any length of time. Everyone expects plastic and wants to see your identification card. I need a smaller place so I can rent on a month-to-month basis and find employment that pays in cash. One thing at a time.
I wave down an Uber and go to the closest Holiday Inn. The younger looking man drops me off in front of the motel and as soon as he is out of sight, I hail another driver to take me across town to a Ramada Inn. I’m covering my trail again.
I walk into the hotel and check in for two nights. That should be plenty of time for what I need. I notice a newspaper machine by the front door and buy one.
As soon as I am checked in and get to my room, I drop my bags and head to the bathroom. Everything looks nice. I go back and check the beds for comfort. I look at the menus in the room, wanting either takeout or delivery. I order something to be delivered and then take a hot shower. I wish I could stay under the hot water for a long time, but I have things to take care of. I get out and towel off. I go through my bags and find something to wear and to grab my toothbrush. I have time to take care of all my needs in the bathroom and start to blow dry my hair. I look at my hair and know I need to change my appearance. I’ll do that tomorrow. I’ve never been too concerned about my looks but cutting my hair again makes me sad. I had to keep it short in the military and I wasn’t a fan. Oh well, it’s only hair. I don’t have long to think on it before I hear a knock on my door. I look out the peephole and see it’s the food delivery. I get my food and down it. I was hungry and wasn’t even aware of it. I look at the bed and I know it’s a losing battle. I need sleep. I decide I will just nap and then get back up and scour the newspaper for a vehicle. Then I need to find a map to see where I will go next.
I know it’s time to change phones again. I am tempted to call home, but I know better. I just need to keep pushing myself and as soon as I am more settled, I need to see a doctor. I am glad that I hadn’t had the chance to tell Duke I was carrying his child yet or he would chase me into hell to follow me and take what is his. This child is mine and I won’t let him or her be a bargaining chip for the club no matter how much I love my family. My main objective now is to protect what is mine. I know there will come a day when I will need to face Duke, but I have a about eight months to come up with a better plan. Tomorrow while I am out in this big city, I need to pick up some vitamins. I’ll add that to my list.
The rest of the day I try to rest and look through the newspaper. I find a couple of leads on some vehicles. Tomorrow will be another full day.
Chapter Twelve
CHARLIE
Listen to Wise People
I wake up with a clear head and decide it is time to get out of this bed and get things done. I look at my watch and it is a little after nine. I’m surprised I slept so long. The sun is shining through the slits in the curtain. I get out of bed and I think my morning sickness was more nerves because I feel fine this
morning. I take care of my morning routine and I am ready to face this day.
I step outside my motel room. I was right, it’s a beautiful day. I look around the motel and I see a small diner across the road and decide that will be where I start.
The diner smells amazing as I walk in. I see everyone is seating themselves, so I go and find a booth. I go toward the back but where I can still see outside. There’s an elderly man sitting in the booth across from me. I sit down and grab the menu. It’s not long before a waitress is at my booth.
“Morning, what can I get you or do you need a few to look over the menu?” The woman is to the point and I like that.
“Two scrambled eggs and dry toast. Do you have any fresh fruit?” The woman looks at me like I am crazy.
“The closest to fresh fruit this place has seen is orange or apple juice.” I look at the waitress. She looks bored and tired.
“Apple juice, please.” I hear the man in the booth across from me laughing under his breath. I look at him and he winks at me. The woman turns and goes back toward the kitchen.
“Don’t mind Wanda, she’s needed a vacation for the last ten years. You’re new around these parts. Be less nice, it’s what she’s used to. She’ll warm up to you.” I haven’t spoken to many people on my trip and there is something about this man that puts me at ease.
“Thanks for the tip. You from around here?” I know I shouldn’t ask but chalk it up to loneliness.
“Been around here longer than Wanda and that is a long damn time.” The man’s eyes seem to be trying to see inside of me. It makes me nervous but not in a bad way. “I know you’re just passing through. The way you keep looking around makes me think the less you are seen the better. I’m not kidding, girl, lose the manners in this city or people will remember you if for nothing else, the way you talk. You don’t fit.”
“What makes you think I don’t want to be seen? I want to see what Alabama has to offer. My parents just taught me manners.” I try to throw the man off. “Isn’t that what travelers do, be nice?” The older man laughs at me.
“Tourists stay in the bigger chains of hotels in the main part of town. The hotels cater to them. This also isn’t tourist season, it’s too close to the holidays. I’ve been sitting at this booth since this diner opened this morning and I watched you cross that road, and I noticed the way you were looking around. Don’t worry, it’s none of my business. I am a people watcher, always have been. A man my age doesn’t have much more to do but watch people. I guess I could sit in my little apartment and wait for my next check from the government, but what fun is there in that? I make a game of it and see which ones I can get right.” The man seems harmless.
“How do you know which ones you get right, if you’re just watching?” I ask the man.
“I watch and listen. Nothing wrong with that.” I laugh at that.
“I guess you’re right. Where does a person go that wants to get a small-town experience in this big state of Alabama? Can you tell me that one?” I ask the man, joking more than anything.
“Bristol Cove is where I come from or where I raised my family with my woman anyway. It’s a small town. People are nosy though, but they are nice just like you. Yep, you should visit there for a small-town feel.” The man seems lost in thought. Bristol Cove, it sounds small. “I warn you though, once you go there, you’ll never want to leave. But something always pulls people away.” It’s not long after that another man and woman walk in the diner and they sit down in the booth behind the older man. I look up and I see Wanda headed my way with what looks like my food. She brings it back to me and sets it down.
“Don’t pay any attention to Don, he won’t remember talking to you ten minutes from now. He comes in here and drinks coffee every day. He’s harmless but will talk your ear off. Can I get you anything else?” I look at my food as she sets my juice down.
“Where is the closest drugstore?” Wanda raises her eyebrow at me. The waitress is weighing my question a little too heavily so I change the subject. I can’t blow it now. “The food looks good.”
“Two blocks up on your right. It’s small but has most anything you could need,” Wanda tells me.
“Thank you,” I tell her. I hear the older man telling the couple the same as he told me, and they seem like they are enjoying everything he says to them. A thought comes to me and I know it’s the way I am meant to go. It’s good to have a little bit of an idea anyway. I pay for my food and leave the small diner.
It doesn’t take me long to get to the drugstore and pick up all the things on my list. I walk out of the store feeling better and see another newspaper machine outside the store. I take the chance and buy another one. It’s only another half hour and I am back in my room waiting for my strawberry blonde hair to turn the jet black that it says on the box. If I am going to go with a change, I might as well not halfway do it. I rinse the color out of my hair and take the scissors out of the bag from the drug store. I haven’t cut my hair since I have been back from the military. I look in the mirror after I comb my hair out. I say to myself that I can do this as I cut the first piece of my hair. My hair is waist long and I want to cry as I cut it, but some things can’t be helped. It’s been a while since I have cut my own hair but some things you just don’t forget. It’s not long before I have my hair in a shoulder-length bob with plenty of layers. The last touch will be the blue highlights. I was thinking the blue in my hair will at least match my eyes. I know this look will be tedious to maintain, but oh well. I look different, a lot different. It’s edgy and I think I like it. I like it a lot.
After I finish with my hair, I sit down and scour the newspaper for a used car. I find a couple of prospects and I call about them. After a few calls, I see this may take a while. I make it through my list and I only have one left. It’s a fifteen-year-old car with a lot of miles but the woman seems as hopeful about selling the car as I do about buying it. We agree for an early morning meet. I would like to say I was smart enough to make the exchange far away from this motel, but my choices are limited as to where we meet because I’m on foot. The lady sounds nice but I suppose so do ax murders on the phone. All I can do is go with my gut.
I try to rest the remainder of the day and clean up the room except for the things I will be taking with me. Later in the day, I order pizza and I am sure to take the vitamins that I bought at the drugstore. I do my search on my phone about Bristol Cove and save everything for tomorrow. I turn the lights out early and sleep comes easily. I’m relaxing now that I have a plan, but I know I need to be vigilant about looking over my shoulder. Tomorrow is another day.
I still haven’t bought another phone yet. I will get a throwaway on my way to Bristol Cove. I can’t get in touch with anyone back home yet, anyway. I’ll give it a month and then I’ll drive somewhere and make the call. I’m not doing this on a chance I may get caught, I miss my family. But it is more important right now to keep distance between us if I want this to work. I need to give Duke time to move on to his next conquest and the mother club enough time to chill about the whole situation. Duke and his dad will come up with their next big idea to make a move up the food chain and then I will be free to go home. That’s what I am hoping anyway. The longer this takes, the more unsure I become. Sometimes working off my impulses backfires. I just hope this isn’t one of those times.
Chapter Thirteen
CHARLIE
Taking Care of Business
I wake early the next morning and make another trip to the drugstore to pick up a couple of disposable phones just in case this Bristol Cove is smaller than what I am thinking. I need to be prepared for anything. I don’t want to be forced to backtrack. I go to the diner afterward to get some coffee. I get it to go and I wave at the waitress from yesterday to appear friendly. I keep my eye on the motel parking lot waiting on the woman I talked to yesterday about the car. I see a car pull in with the right description of the car the woman told me about. There’s two people in the car. I pay for my coffee
and make my way across the street. The two women have gotten out of the vehicle and are standing beside it. I walk up beside the car.
“Hello, I’m Eve, I believe I talked to you yesterday about buying this car.” The younger woman looks me up and down, but my eyes are on the car. The tires look good and there are no dents that I can see.
“Yes, that would be me. I’m Stella. The car is one thousand dollars, and I won’t go down on that price a penny. It’s already below Blue Book. I bought a new car, and this one is just sitting in the garage.” The woman must be as nervous as I am, she’s talking way too fast. “My grandson is on the way to pick us up if you want the car.” Both the women are looking around like someone might jump out from somewhere. I look closely at the woman; she looks like someone’s grandma. I try to put her at ease.
“I promise, I mean you no harm. I’m just passing through and need to buy a car so that I don’t need to travel by public transportation. I want to see the country at my leisure and not be in any hurry. Are there any issues with the car mechanically?” I ask the lady.
“No problems at all. I bought this beauty brand spanking new. I have kept up on all the maintenance work. I just had the oil and filters changed. The tank is also full,” Stella says, looking at the younger woman. “Teresa has been taking it out once a week so it wouldn’t waste away in the garage.” I look at the other woman.