Chapter Eight
Eddie
Absolute rage overtakes me as I peel out of the mall parking lot, and out onto the open road. How could I be so fucking stupid? Why did I think I could actually make this relationship work? Pippa was so right. Why didn’t I just listen to her?
Two hours Earlier…
My fist pounded against the duplex door, hopefulness and determination taking over me. Pippa opened the door, her smile faltering to a frown when she saw my disheveled exterior.
“Did you ride that over here?” She pointed to my dad’s bike that was sitting in the driveway. “I didn’t know you could ride.”
“It’s my dad’s, but yeah, I’m learning.”
She motioned to my hand. “Is it broken?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know. It feels like it.”
“And you rode that here with a broken hand?”
“Not easily. Anyway, is Amber here?”
She shook her head. “She’s at work.”
Damn, she didn’t waste any time getting back in the swing of things. I don’t know why I expected her to be home, sitting here in a puddle of tears, mourning our fight.
“I guess I’ll head over there then.” I started my retreat, but Pippa grabbed my shoulder.
“Eddie, you shouldn’t go over there.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not worth it. You guys have broken up like three times now. She doesn’t deserve you.”
“We’ve only broken up twice, Pippa, not three times.”
She rolled her eyes. “It might as well be three. She fucking cheated on you, Eddie. Or have you already forgotten that?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten anything, but I also love her, Pippa. I can’t just let things die between us. We’ve been together too long and there’s way too much history between us.”
“But why kick a dead horse? She’s already got one foot out the door, and you’re too blind to see it.”
“I can’t let her go, Pippa. I fucking love her.”
She sighed, then cupped my face. “I only want what’s best for you both, Eddie. But don’t say I didn’t warn you, okay?”
“Warning received. But you’re wrong, Pippa. Amber and I are meant to be together. We’re going to get through this. Just you wait and see.”
Boy was I wrong.
My dad and mom are standing on the doorstep when I pull up. The look of relief on my dad’s face says he half expected for Morticia to show up dented and broken.
My mother, on the other hand, looks downright pissed.
“Edward Malcolm Frazier, what the fuck do you think you’re doing on your dad’s bike?”
“I was just out riding, Mom. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. I got here in one piece and the bike doesn’t even have a scratch on it.”
Maybe there was a slight warble to my voice, or maybe I stuttered just a tad, but for whatever reason, Mom grabs my face, studying me as she looks into my eyes that are trying to fight off angry tears.
“You’re not fine. You’re heartbroken. And what the hell is this?
” she questions, trying to grab my hand. “Is it broken?”
“Bunny, leave the boy alone.”
“Joe, I’m his mother. I’m allowed to fuss over him. I know you can only see out of one damn eye, but you can tell just by looking at him that he’s upset. Is this about Amber?”
I frown.
“Your dad told me she cheated on you and that’s why you came home all drunk and fucked up last night.”
My dad ignores the glare I throw his way. “She’s your mother, I tell her everything.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter if she cheated on me or not. We’re done now.”
My mother pats my face. “I hope you didn’t break up with her over what she did. She’s a good girl who made a mistake, Eddie. Don’t break up with her over something you are just as guilty of.”
My dad really needs to stop running his mouth.
I shoot him another angry look.
He shrugs his shoulders again. “She’s got a point, Son.”
“It doesn’t matter. Amber and I are just not meant to be I guess.”
My mother grabs my good hand, and spits in my palm.
“Mom! What the hell?”
“Shh, stay still. I can’t focus with all your yapping.”
She rubs soft circles over my hand, studying the lines and crevices of it.
“Do you see this?” She points to a long line that juts across my hand.
“This is your love line, Son. And see these marks, along it. This shows that you have a very strong love line. But see these little lines here? Right under your pinky, these are called your affection lines. You have one affection line, Eddie, meaning you’re only going to have one meaningful long relationship.
But see how there all these other lines?
These lines indicate messy breakups and lots of partners.
You’re destined to be with Amber, Eddie, I feel that in my heart, but you’re going to go through quite a few breakups with her before you guys truly come together. ” She counts each one. “At least four.”
“Four? We’ve already broken up three times, Mom, why would I want to keep going.”
My mother pats my hand, wiping her spit off with her sleeve before squirting a big glob of hand sanitizer in it. “Because she’s the one, Eddie. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t feel it in your heart that you’re meant to be with her?”
“I don’t know anymore, Mom.”
“You will, Eddie. But you’re going to have go through this heartache first. The universe will bring you together when the time is right.”
“Mom, have I ever told you how much I hate your voodoo magic shit?”
“It’s just a palm reading, Eddie. It’s not like I broke out the tarot deck.
” She gives my cheeks a squeeze. “Give yourself time to work out your feelings about her infidelity before you go chasing after her again, okay? It’s the only way you two will work.
” She starts to head in the house, but stops.
“Why don’t you call your friends to watch some movies?
You haven’t done that in a while. It might help you clear your head. ”
“You know, Mom, I think I may just do that.” I give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks.”
She shrugs. “Just let yourself heal, Eddie. You need to grow up before you can truly be ready for her.”
My parents disappear inside their house, leaving me to head into my place a little down the hill. They own a few acres and put a guest house on the land for me to live in. Eventually, I’ll get my own place, but only after I’ve started my business like I want.
Pulling out my phone, I send Wesley a few texts.
Me: Dude! SOS, I need a meetup.
Wesley: What’s up?
Me: Just broke up with Amber. You up for a Horror Fest like the old times?
Wesley: You know I’m always down for some blood, slash, and kickass monsters.
Me: Sweet. I’ll bring the alcohol. Lots of it…
Wesley: That bad?
Me: You have no fucking idea. Let me text the others and we can all meet up at my place.
Wesley: Sounds like a plan. You inviting Pippa?
Me: She’s part of the Elm Street Crew, isn’t she?
Wesley: I just thought… you know, never mind. If you invite her, you invite her.
Me: What do you have against Pippa all of the sudden? We’ve been doing this horror movie night since high school.
Wesley: I know. I know. Just forget I said anything. I’ll bring the movies and popcorn.
Me: Thanks, Wesley. See you in a few.
I shoot off another text inviting Rich and Pippa to join us, and both immediately agree, especially after I told them about my breakup.
It’s good to know you have loyal friends that will always be there for you.
A fist full of popcorn flies at my head as the room erupts into fits of laughter. We’re all drunk. Soooo fucking drunk.
“Shut up, Wesley. You’re fucking wrong. A vampire would kick a werewolf’s ass any day.”
“Werewolves can come out during the day, Eddie. Vampires can’t. They’re at a severe disadvantage. Plus, one stake through the heart and a vampire is dead.”
“One silver bullet and so is a werewolf,” I counter.
Pippa giggles as she takes another drink.
“You guys are so funny when you drink during Horror Fest. I missed this.”
“You and me both, Pippa. It’s been far too long since we last hung out like this. We need more of this, especially now since I’m newly single. Fuck that bitch!” I shout, even though calling her that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
I’ve never thought of Amber as a bitch, at least until recently. She’s the sweetest person I know.
Pippa snuggles into me, her head dropping back onto my arm that’s draped over the back of my couch after I briefly touch her shoulder.
Both Wesley and Rich have been sending me looks all night, but I’ve been ignoring them.
They seem to think Pippa has a crush on me, but I think we’ve just been friends for so long that it’s just natural to lean on each other this way.
She’s always been here for me during my roughest times.
Rich hands me another beer. “Here, dude, I think you need it.” We’re on our third movie; this one is about some kind of creepy monsters from outer space coming to attack a town.
It’s Rich’s pick. He always chooses the B movies for movie night.
And this movie was definitely made in a time where cinematic effects involved mangled puppets and mayhem.
I greedily take the beer, downing it almost instantly. A loud burp follows, making everyone laugh again.
“I fucking love horror movies,” I yell, unable to control my own volume.
“Me too,” Wesley chimes in. “You know what? I’ve been thinking about something you said the other day.”
“Yeah? What about?”
“Were you and your dad serious when you said you wanted to start a motorcycle club? I’ve never ridden anything other than a dirt bike before, but I’ve always wanted to, and the idea of getting my own bike and riding with my two best friends, sounds amazing.”
“Same,” Rich agrees. “I think forming a club would be great for us. Give us something to do other than wrench on cars all the time. A purpose if you will.”
“Man, if you guys start riding motorcycles. You’ll have girls fawning all over you. Girls love a man in leather with hard chrome between his legs.” She winks at me. “Hell, I’ll be your club’s first bunny.”
“Bunny? Yeah, I don’t like that at all, my mom’s name is Bunny.”