When Sky Breaks: Burn & Break Duet Book 2

29. August

“Mom, it’s me,”I say as I let myself into her apartment.

Two seconds away from scolding her for leaving her door unlocked, I about trip over an empty beer box. Crushed soda cans litter the coffee table, along with greasy takeout containers and two half-empty bottles of wine.

Jesus, she’s more of a mess than I thought.

The notion makes my chest ache in ways I’m too familiar with.

She’s fast asleep on the couch, her arm hanging over the edge. The peeling bandage on her forehead hides underneath a hunk of unkempt hair. I’ll have to check that before I leave to make sure there isn’t a festering wound among the stitches.

While I let her sleep, I grab a trash bag and begin picking up the place. My mother might look peaceful as she rests, but that dark hole will attempt to drag her back once she wakes. Losing my dad created this maelstrom of grief she has yet to rise from.

Although there was a wide rift between my father and me, it’s the possibilities that fill my soul with heavy sand. You sweep it away, but around every corner there’s more and more grains of sand missed, more opportunities we could’ve taken to make things better, make things right.

It’s all gone now. Buried under six feet of dirt in a tiny graveyard.

Most would say it wasn’t on me to repair the relationship with my father, that he inflicted the damage. And maybe they’re right, but not knowing hurts the most.

Being back in Maizeville has given me so much, yet has taken in equal measure as payment for my early sins. My sense of purpose teeters every day between what’s the right thing to do and what’s worth it to do.

After I’ve made the apartment somewhat livable and dried the last dish from the sink, I wander over and crouch down in front of the woman clinging to her sleep.

Time and stress have wrinkled her face, as well as the cigarettes she still smokes despite many promises of quitting. There’s always been a fragility to her promises and today will probably be no different.

I sigh, reaching out to brush away the hair sticking to the corner of her mouth. She twitches, swatting my hand.

I chuckle softly and shake her shoulder. “Mom. Wake up, it’s me.”

She opens her eyes and covers her mouth with a yawn before sitting up. “Oh wow, I didn’t know I passed out. Sorry.” She’s sheepish and crosses her chest with her arms.

I shrug. She’s a grown woman and can do whatever the hell she wants. “It’s all right. Just came by to check on you and that head of yours.”

That’s not the total truth, but as stupid as it is, I’m hoping today is the day she doesn’t forget.

Touching her bandage, she winces. “Oh, it’s okay.” She pats my cheek and stands, stretching some more before moving to the fridge. Grabbing a beer, she pops off the top and tilts her head to let the amber liquid slide down her throat. “Some days, you just want to pretend things never happened. Am I right?”

Confused, I stare. Is she talking about the wandering around town drunk or…?

She raises a brow. “Your father dying. Why are you staring at me like that, Auggy?”

She looks down at her shirt, specifically the big food stain right over her chest. “Shit. Let me go change.” She plunks down the beer, some of the foam spouting from the top, and heads to her room.

Slumping on the couch, I kick one ankle over the other and turn my head to the smudged sliding glass door leading to a tiny balcony.

It’s clear she forgot, and I shouldn’t sit and pout about it, but for once, I wish my birthday wasn’t at the back of someone’s mind. Especially my mom’s. I may be twenty-five and a man, but I’ll never get over the feeling of being forgotten.

The next hour, I listen as she cries about my father and attempts to get me to understand her deep despair.

I…can’t.

There’s the obvious void they created so long ago when they left me to fend for myself. Muddling through it feels cheap with my fake smiles and stilted nods. The moment for reconciliation was lost the day his heart stopped beating. I can’t go back in time and make him see me for who I am or treat me the way I should’ve been treated. I either accept it and move on or always remain in limbo.

Finally, she tells me she’s tired and wants to go to bed. I let her, relief mingling with my misery over spending the rest of my night alone.

Cruising through the streets of Maizeville, I make a detour toward the Oak Barrel Bar, passing the hospital. Might as well drink a celebratory beer. Or two. One for my birthday and one for every moment I spend not wanting to run Dr. Johnny Hawk out of town. That one might be too many.

Detached, I wander into the establishment and take a seat on the nearest stool at the bar. Oak from Benny’s lumberyard makes up the sleek surface, shiny aside from a few water spots. I don’t come here a lot, but when I do, I always order the same thing.

A Blonde Bombshell IPA from the local brewery. If that isn’t pathetically obvious, I don’t know what is.

I nod to the bartender who’s served me before, him holding up that very beer.

Tonight’s football game blares from the TV mounted to the wall above the liquor, and a chorus of boos erupts from a table behind me when the quarterback gets sacked.

A hand on my shoulder has me twisting right as I take a small swig of the cold beverage.

“Hey Teddy, what’s up?” I say to the middle-aged man reaching over the bar top to grab an apron.

Ted and I met when I started volunteering again at the soup kitchen. At one time, he was on the other side of the food line. Now, he helps when Louise is short-handed.

“Aw, not a lot, just picking up an extra shift in the back tonight. Oh, before I forget,” he pulls a set of keys from his pocket, “Here. Louise said to get this to you before tomorrow, so I’m glad you came in.” He searches through the keys, looking for the one that unlocks the church. “And to say thanks for covering for me. Katie has a nasty cold, and Jen can’t miss her shift, so I appreciate you stepping in.”

His bushy brows dip. “Well, shit. I think I left the key in my car. Before you leave, let me know, and I’ll grab it for you. Mel keeps saying I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached to my neck. Thanks again.”

I clap him on the shoulder after taking a long drink. “Not a problem. It was easy to fit it in and anything for Louise, right?”

Ted laughs before lifting the divider on the bar. “You ain’t kidding. If only her desserts weren’t so good.” He shakes his balding head. “I owe you.”

“Naw,” I say. “It’s no big deal. Have a good night.”

Ted leaves and I let my one beer slide effortlessly down my throat. I refuse to have more than this. Not after seeing the devastating effects alcohol has had on my parents. Not after witnessing Sky get abused by an alcoholic father.

One for my birthday and then I’m heading to the soup kitchen and finally home. Where I’ll dream endlessly about that fucking kiss and what I gotta do to repeat it.

A couple of women sit down next to me, thankfully facing the other direction, and begin the customary, yet sometimes painfully annoying, gossip. A smirk forms around the lip of my bottle as they talk. Might as well enjoy some free entertainment and learn more about everyone’s business in this small town. You never know when it might come in handy.

“Did you see Tiff’s new diamond necklace? I swear every light in the church last Sunday was shining down on that gaudy thing.”

“Where do you think she got it?”

“Probably not even real. QVC, maybe.”

“Or she’s got a sugar daddy.”

I huff a laugh into the neck of my beer, hoping they don’t hear me.

“And where exactly would she find one of those here?”

“The only available man I know is Foster Berry, and, well, we know how that’s going right now.”

“I know, it’s so terrible. He’s so nice and definitely easy on the eyes.”

Oh boy. If he could only hear what these two women are saying. Might have to tell him next time I see him for a good laugh.

“I don’t think his wallet is fat enough to afford a diamond like that.”

“No, but you know who is?”

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense, Brenda. I only got a few hours before I have to get back home to Gary.”

“It’s not Gary, I’m afraid.”

Some drunk giggles follow, and I shake my head, downing the last of my drink.

“You know the sexy doctor that’s been seen around town with Sky Winters?”

Suddenly, I straighten, training my ears carefully to the conversation at hand.

“Oh yes, the tall one with a nice ass.”

Fuck. Don’t really want to hear this.

“Now his pockets are deep. Did you see the watch he’s wearing? And what does he see in Sky, anyway? She’s practically still a teen. And her dad’s got cancer. She’s bouncing all over town with that man, not one shameful bone in her body.”

I swivel on the stool and meet the eyes of the woman in pink who has a sour expression on her face. “I’d watch what you say, ma’am,” I rumble out, tapping a finger on the bar.

She frowns and puckers her lips, slurping up the rest of her fruity cocktail. “And you’re rude for listening in on other people’s conversations.”

The other woman turns to look at me before popping her head back. At least one has the decency to act ashamed.

“Pretty sure the entire bar heard you. Keep Sky out of your mouth. Respectfully. She cares more for her father than probably anyone in this town.”

Can’t believe what I’m about to say next.

“Who she sees and walks around town with is no one’s business. Neither is the authenticity of Tiff’s diamonds, nor what the doctor looks like in his fancy pants. I suggest you think of more important things to discuss or maybe whisper so no one fucking hears you.”

Years of being gossiped about myself may have fueled my outburst, but anyone saying anything bad about Sky riles me up. She deserves none of that shit.

Heated enough that I consider another beer to cool me down, I turn and raise my hand to signal to the bartender. However, any buzz I was looking for fizzles. I don’t want to get drunk on my birthday. Alone. And definitely not when I need to prep for the soup kitchen.

Peeling myself from the stool, I pass the gossips, rolling my eyes when they glare at me for spoiling their fun, and head away from the bar into the night.

* * *

The church stands as a quiet beacon for the weary and lonely. Present company included. I’ve slept and eaten within its hallowed walls. The least I can do is help its parishioners. Though I’m not religious, it’s hard to deny the warmth it provides.

Patting my pocket, I dig out my set of keys. “Shit.” I never grabbed the key from Ted.

I sigh and turn, leaning against the cool stone next to the front door. They used to leave a spare key under a fake rock, but since there were several break-ins, they had to quit and only provide one when necessary.

Maybe Louise is home, and I can grab it from her rather than bug Ted while he’s working. Plus, I don’t want to see those women anymore and be reminded that Johnny is sugar daddy material. I snort and pull my phone out. Hopefully, he realizes Sky isn’t in to all that and never has been.

A set of footsteps crunch across the gravel in the parking lot, and I whip my head up, my heart catching in my throat. Sky pauses at the end of the sidewalk, clutching her purse in front of her, fear playing against her features.

“It’s just me, Shortcake,” I say, stepping from the shadows into the light emanating from a street lamp.

Her shoulders sag, and she drops her hands to her side. “Thank god. Literally. What are you doing here?”

I arch a brow. “I’m supposed to be prepping for the food kitchen tomorrow, but I forgot to get the key to get in. Why are you here?”

She walks up the uneven sidewalk and pulls out a set of keys from her purse. “Guess the same thing as you. I saw Louise at the store earlier, and we started talking, and then she said she didn’t think she had anyone to get things ready. I offered to help so she didn’t have to.”

I rake my hand down the back of my neck, trying to focus on what she’s saying instead of how fucking pretty she looks. Doesn’t matter if she isn’t swathed in fancy clothes or wearing a stitch of makeup, she’s beautiful.

“Ted must have forgotten to let her know I was helping. Pretty on point for the man. He’s the type that asks where his phone is when he’s talking on it.”

Sky laughs and shrugs. “Well, should we?”

“You want to stay and help?”

“Why not? I’m already here.”

She hands me the key, and I take it, our fingers brushing. Her cheeks pink, and I wonder if she’s thought about that kiss as much as I have. After all, she’s the one who initiated it. I don’t really care if we’re entering the house of God. If she wasn’t with that fucking doctor, I’d risk a no and ask if we could do it again.

I lock the door behind us, and our footsteps mute under the plush rug leading into the sanctuary.

“Mind if we stop in here first?” I ask, for no other reason than I want to sit next to her for a minute.

“Sure,” she says, following me through the set of wooden doors. “I haven’t been here since probably that day I helped volunteer with you. Hope I don’t get struck down by lightning or something.”

I huff into the dark room, reaching for the light switch, flicking on only one so we’re not blinded. “Out of the two of us, I think it’s pretty obvious who’d go first.”

She bumps her shoulder into mine. “Enough of that.”

Thoroughly chastised, I slide into an aisle and take a seat on the cool, polished wood. It creaks under our weight.

“Besides. I looked you up, so I don’t believe for a second God smited you.”

I take a peek at her. “Oh, yeah?”

She places some hair behind her ear and nods, a smirk indenting her cheek. “You’re kind of a big deal.”

I shrug, my face heating. “I just did what I thought I was good at.”

“Your work is gorgeous, August. I’ve always thought you were good at taking pictures. Will you tell me about California?” Her voice is timid.

I shift until I’m sideways on the pew, one knee bent against her thigh, and look down at the dark threads of woodgrain running parallel to us.

“It wasn’t as glamorous as you think. California is beautiful, and I saw a lot of places that few will ever get the chance to…”

She waits for me to continue, her expectant gaze burrowing into me as my heart riots in my chest.

Speaking the truth, I turn my head away, peering deeper into the sanctuary toward the huge crucifixion. “I was lonely. Yes, I had my uncle and some assistants who would occasionally go on assignments with me, but I didn’t have what I needed.”

There is one thing that made it better, but talking about that right now isn’t the time.

“What was that?”

I blow out a breath and attempt to steady my racing pulse as I meet her eyes. “You.” I swallow. “My biggest regret was leaving you. When we were young. After graduation. All of it. The lying, the leaving, what happened to Chase. It’s all I ever think about, and wish I could change. I could’ve done anything else, but I had to destroy the one person I loved more than anything. I—” I stop. My weakest moments are there on the tip of my tongue, but I hold them back. They’re mine to shoulder, not hers.

Silence envelops us except for the roar of blood in my ears. Even within these holy walls, I feel the sins of my past tunneling in and raking their claws through my flesh, the demons never letting up.

Sky spares me and stands, maybe to leave because I’m just too much for her. Too full of pain, too much of a reminder of what she lost. Too broken to repair.

Instead, she holds out her hand for mine, her fingers long and pale in the dim light. “Come on, birthday boy, let me go bake you a cake.”