Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
TRIPP
D ixie didn't come back down from her room; Riggs told us all she had a migraine. I was desperate to go up to her, to make sure she was okay, but I couldn't. Mom settled Lainey to sleep and took her up to bed and for the first time in nearly a week, I was sleeping alone.
I knew sleep wouldn't come easy tonight. Since the accident, my sleep is haunted by that day. The day where time stood still and claimed the life of one of our own. But when Dixie is next to me, my sleep is peaceful. She takes all the bad away.
And now I am terrified of falling asleep without her.
So instead of waiting for sleep to come, I drink enough whiskey to settle my mind and eventually, I drift off into a darkness that I can't seem to claw myself out of.
Morning comes and Dixie was nowhere to be seen. Riggs told me last night that they would be up early to go down to where the calves were, but when she didn't kiss me goodbye, I knew something was wrong.
I didn't have long to dwell on it when the physio knocked at the door, and I wheel myself to let her in. Mom had gone to meet dad at the hospital to collect Pacey, so I was here on my own with Lainey, and I was grateful that she went down for her nap a little earlier than usual.
“Morning Tripp, how you doing?” she asks before walking through to the living room.
“Not too bad, in pain today.”
“Yeah? Where abouts?” her eyes on me as she kneels down and starts unloading her backpack.
My heart.
“My upper thigh, constant ache.” I sigh, wishing to rub the pain out.
“We worked hard yesterday, it's hardly surprising that you're hurting.” She gives me a little raise of her eyebrows before she stands. “And you're pushing yourself more than you should be, I know you're desperate to be out that cast and on your feet Tripp, but rushing the healing process won't help at all. If anything, it'll make you worse and put you back a few more weeks.”
I sigh heavily. “I know, I am just fed up.”
“And I get that Tripp, I do. But we have a plan... four more weeks and you should be out of cast and back to walking mostly unaided.”
I scowl, slicing my eyes to where Lainey sleeps.
“My family needs me; the ranch needs me...” my voice is thick with emotion and I try to push the lump that is trapped in my throat.
“But you're no help if you're not healed, Tripp.”
Sighing, I fold my arms across my chest and she raises one brow at me as she tucks her arms across her own chest.
“You ready?” she asks and I shake my head. “That's already the wrong attitude. Positive mind...”
“Yeah, yeah; positive mind set,” I roll my eyes.
“Tripp,” she steps towards me, head tilting to the side as her eyes burn into mine. “What's going on? You're normally so positive... smiling ear to ear and ready to smash our sessions.”
I look away from her, because I don't want her to see the sadness that hangs over me.
“Just having a shit day, one of those... pent up and trapped in this house, everyone is going about their lives and here I am, sitting here festering with nothing but my thoughts.” Clenching my jaw hard, my teeth grind. “I haven't even been to the prison where my innocent friend handed himself in... I am stuck. And then...” I trail off, finally looking at her.
I can see the worry etched into her face, but it doesn't matter. I am feeling lousy and sorry for myself.
“And then?” she says softly.
“Nothing, honestly, I'm fine,” and I plastered the fakest smile on my face. “Let's do this.”
But truthfully, on the inside, I am wilting.
I refused to let anyone wheel me into the sheriff's office where Austin was being detained. I dragged myself through the door on my crutches, shoving the door open with my shoulder. Grinding my molars down, agitation nips at my skin when I see Kelcie sitting at my desk, dirty as fuck boots resting on the desk as his eyes bore into mine. No offer to help me, just fucking sits there like the useless sack of shit that he is.
I'm panting by the time I am through the door, dragging my casted leg behind me before I move forward using my crutch, keeping my foot off the ground.
“Well, look who it is,” Kelcie spits into the metal trash can and I screw my nose up.
“Where is he?” my tone is flat, I am in no mood today. Dixie has pulled away from me, it's been four days since she was last in my bed, and I am beginning to take it personally.
“Have you booked in?”
I roll my eyes, turning my head to the side and softly shaking my head.
“Let me in to see him,” I grunt, slowly facing him again.
“Can't do that unless you book in,” and this cunt is beginning to grate on my already short temper.
“Let. Him. In.” I hear the sound of Riggs' voice behind me, and I have never been more grateful for him to have followed me.
“What you gonna do big man?” Kelcie kicks his boots off the desk and pushes to his feet, thumbs tucked into his belt, my badge sitting on there.
“Don't push me, I am in no mood.”
“You throw your weight around this town thinking you own it... newsflash, you don't. There are bigger and more powerful men in this small town that will rip you and your families legacy to shreds.” Kelcie stands toe to toe with Riggs, but he has nothing on my brother’s height.
Riggs' lips twitch and he shakes his head. “Don't get too comfortable with that badge, Sheriff. It'll soon be back on Tripp's belt and Pacey will be back as a Livestock Agent. The Mayor is on our side, Marty is on our side. You really want to pick your battles today?” Riggs' brows raise and Kelcie just eyeballs him.
“They can try big man, I was sworn in.”
“Don't mean shit,” Riggs chuckles softly and I watch as Kelcie shoves Riggs in the chest, but he doesn't fucking falter. A low rumble of a growl vibrates through Riggs’ chest as he shoots his hand forward, wrapping it around Kelcie's throat as he walks him towards the wall behind him and pins him there. “Don't. Fucking. Touch. Me.” Riggs spits, jaw wound so fucking tight.
“Sorry, sorry,” Kelcie squirms, his voice tight and constricted by Riggs' large hands. I watch as Riggs squeezes a little tighter, his face going red, and I know he is too far gone.
“Riggs,” I say softly, and I watch as Kelcie's eyes scan to mine and I see the pure fear closing in on them as Riggs strangles the life out of him slowly.
Would I love to see the downfall of Kelcie? Of course.
Do I want another death associated with us? Absolutely not.
“Riggs!” I bark, my voice filling the room and Riggs drops his hand from Kelcie's throat in an instant. We both watch as he falls to the floor, hands around his own neck as he gasps for breath.
“Do we have an understanding, Sheriff ?” Riggs stands over him, heavy boot resting on his back as he presses him to the floor.
“Yes,” he whispers, and I smirk.
“Good,” he spits on him, and I roll my eyes. He always has to take it one step too far.
He keeps Kelcie pinned to the floor under his boot as he nods for me to walk through the cells and find Austin.
I probably shouldn't leave Riggs and Kelcie alone, but Austin is more important.
I discard the crutches and hobble through, hissing when I look at my palms and see the blisters forming and my heart drops when I see him. Sitting curled up in the corner of the cell.
“Aust?” my voice is soft, and I wait with bated breath as he slowly lifts his head to look at me, eyes hollow, soul empty, heart completely obliterated.
“Tripp,” he chokes as he pushes to his feet, fingers wrapped around the bars.
“I'm so sorry it's taken me so long.”
“Don't be, you've had a lot going on.” A hint of a smile ghosts his face, but it soon disappears.
“How's it going?” and I wince as soon as I ask it knowing full well he is living through hell.
“Not much to report, dad and mom are working with the lawyer, he thinks he can get me out on bail,” he puffs his cheeks out as his eyes cast down.
“That's good news bud,” I try and keep my voice upbeat but he just shakes his head, defeat blanketing him in an instant.
“What's the point?” and when his eyes find mine, they're full of tears. “Harlow is dead, the woman I was planning to spend the rest of my life with...” he sniffles for a moment. “Had a ring for her and everything,” he just about manages through the tremble in his voice. “Put it in her casket, and when I meet her on the other side, she'll have it with her and we will be together for eternity. Nothing will tear us apart.”
The edges of my heart crumble.
“Everything good has left man, what do I honestly have to lose? They think I killed Clay. I can't keep wasting my breath on trying to make them believe me. I am tired Tripp, so fucking tired.”
My best friend bows his head in defeat, and I know there is nothing I can say or do to make him feel better about any of this.
“You let us worry about getting you out, just keep your head down and do as they say, okay? Your hearing is in two days, a lot can happen in two days.”
He doesn't look at me, he doesn't even acknowledge what I said.
“Hold on a little longer bud, we will make this right.”
A soft chuckle fills the small cell room.
“You've been trying to make it right since the night it happened... and look where I am,” and I don't miss the venom that drips from his tone, but I don't take it personally. I take the hit like a bullet, ignoring the pain that sears through my skin.
“I'm sorry.” The words leaving my mouth wind me, sucking the air from my burning lungs as I choke on my exhale. Tears prick behind my eyes like a thousand needles and guilt consumes me whole. My chest tightens as I feel it cave in on itself making it impossible for me to catch my breath.
“I needed you,” the crack in his voice echoes around the room like a gun shot.
“And I needed you,” I shout, everything becoming too heavy to carry and I am ready to give in, let my legs give out and crash to the floor. “I've been through hell myself. I have tried Austin. Tried to be the best friend, tried to keep you safe. I. Have. Tried.” I am angry and sad and broken. A tear rolls down my cheek and I don't even wipe it away. I will not be ashamed to cry. “I need you to fight with me man, I need you to want to get out of here, because if you don't...” I pause, licking the saltiness from my lips, “what is the point.”
Dropping my head, I suck in a breath and ignore the shudder as I do.
“Exactly,” Austin's voice is low, “what is the point.”
I give a heavy nod, refusing to look at the boy I grew up with, the boy who was so much more than a best friend, he was my brother, my family. He broke my damn heart just like I have broken his. Closing my eyes, I turn my body and hobble out of the room and back into Kelcie's office.
Riggs sees my face and all I can manage is a slow shake of my head. He goes to step forward and I hold my hand up against his chest.
“Leave him,” I whisper, ignoring the way Kelcie is glaring at me.
Riggs gives a heavy nod, turning on his heel and getting the door for me.
“We will see you soon Kelcie,” he smirks, lifting his hat from his head as I walk past and once I am outside, I crumble.