Chapter 9 Coordinates #2
The entire left side of his face was swollen and bruised, with a gash on his brow that had barely sealed over. The bruise was darkening and the black had melted into the edges of his eye, like a tattoo. Blood stained the pillow.
Nicki’s eyes filled with tears and she collapsed on his chest, sobbing.
Tyler awoke to her cry and instantly sat up to hold her.
“What happened? What is it, my love?” he asked.
“Your face! It’s so bruised! What happened?” she managed through her sobs.
Tyler lifted her head off of his chest and kissed her tears.
“My angel, it’s nothing, don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it looks,” he assured.
“It’s because of me that this happened, this is all my fault!” Nicki continued.
“No, it’s not. If anything, this is Tommy’s fault for not being there. I’m fine, baby, don’t worry.”
Nicki wiped her tears with her hands and sighed. Her tearful eyes turned away from his beaten face.
If you only knew that the reason Tommy was not there was because of me too. Everything is because of me... she thought to herself as she rested her head on Tyler’s chest again.
They lay together until the birds stopped singing.
The next couple of weeks had passed quickly, with new engine suppliers joining the inventory and the automotive side of the business keeping its steady upward trajectory. But the increasing worry silently steeped among the crew that Tommy still hadn’t said a word.
All texts and phone calls from everyone were left unanswered. Nicki sent him a funny picture of Boon but there was no response to that either.
She walked down to the basement to see Vinnie.
“Any news, Vin? Is he still in California?” Nicki asked.
“You know what? His phone is not reading, I just checked again. He was still showing in Cali about a week ago, but since then, I’m getting nothing.”
Nicki turned and ran upstairs, straight to Tyler, outside at the punching bag.
She interrupted his vicious blows, throwing her arms around him.
“I can’t take it anymore, Tyler, we have to find where Tommy is! It’s been over a month!”
Tyler released her hold.
“Honey, we’ve been through this. He’s a selfish bastard.
Fuck him.” But even Tyler didn’t believe his own words.
He got angry every time Tommy’s name came up.
Not only because he was furious at him for leaving, but because it was the longest that they had ever spent apart.
Tyler was also angry at the fact that he started to miss him.
“No, Tyler, I’m really worried about him. The second delivery is at the end of May, and isn’t it his birthday? What if something happened to him? Aren’t you worried?” Nicki pleaded.
“No. And you know why? Cause I would know if something happened to him. Trust me, Nicki, I would feel it. But I don’t, OK? He’s fine, he’s just being a fucking brat,” Tyler said and went back to punching the bag, harder this time.
“And you know what?” Tyler added, pausing his punching again.
“When we got stabbed in the group home, and they kept us separated in the hospital, Tommy didn’t speak for a whole month!
Not one fucking word all month. They had to bring in some trauma therapist to work with him.
But even that did shit all. He did it cause he was tied to the bed so that he couldn’t run away after his hand surgeries, and not speaking was the only control he had.
That’s how he is; selfish and a fucking brat. ”
Tyler went back to the bag.
“That explains his fear of hospitals,” Nicki murmured. “I hope that’s all it is. That he’s just having a bratty season. Do you think he will come back by the end of the month?” Nicki asked.
Tyler paused and wiped the sweat off of his forehead with his arm.
“I don’t care,” he lied.
“I think you do care. I know that you are angry that he’s gone. And I don’t blame you. But I can see that it’s hurting you. It’s like… a piece of you is missing.”
“The only person I need in this world is you,” Tyler stated and punched the bag harder.
“OK, well, do you mind if I try to look for him?” Nicki asked delicately.
Tyler stopped punching and turned to her fully while catching his breath.
“You’re not going anywhere, or looking for anyone without me!” he answered sternly.
He turned back and continued his assault.
Nicki grew frustrated but the look of Tyler’s animalistic strength blasting the vinyl diluted it. Washboard obliques activated. Shirtless. Sweating. Sexy.
“OK,” she said, admiring his body. “You know, you look hot when you sweat?” she offered before sprinting away.
“That’s it.” Tyler ran after her, trapping her as he caught her only a moment later.
She let out a laughing scream as they fell onto the grass.
Boon barked aggressively from his pen.
Tyler squeezed Nicki tightly.
“Run away! Just try to run away from me!” he teased, gripping her tighter.
“Aaah! Mercy!” she cried out, laughing on the grass.
Tyler released his inner laugh finally and joined in with her, admiring her spirit. They lay on the grass until it rained.
As the days passed, a stiff mood had settled into the Compound the longer Tommy was gone. The guys had grown increasingly frustrated with Tommy’s absence and lack of communication.
The second delivery took place at the end of May, and he did not return for that either. Nor for his birthday.
Nicki decided she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands and bring Tommy home. Since Vinnie couldn’t get a read on his cell phone GPS any longer, she knew just who to turn to.
On the Saturday of the second delivery weekend, Nicki called Tanisha from the Children’s Center where she was volunteering.
Sasha waited in the lobby and kept a close eye on Nicki through the glass windows.
“Hello?” Tanisha answered the phone.
“Hey! I missed you today at the Center!” Nicki said.
“Oh, yeah, I know, they have me working weekends this month to train the new staff. I’ll be back there with Raymond in a couple of weeks, though. He’s been asking about his Saturday best friend,” she said.
“Awww, I’m his Saturday best friend? Bless him!” Nicki replied.
She glanced over at Sasha through the glass, looking at something on his phone. “Uh, Tanisha, do you think I could come by to see you at work? Maybe bring you a coffee?” Nicki offered.
“Yeah, sure! I can take a little coffee break in about an hour, just buzz me when you’re here.”
“Great, see you soon!” Nicki hung up the phone and smiled to herself.
She finished out her volunteering shift and headed to a coffee shop near Tanisha’s work.