Chapter Seventeen
Wren
WALKING AWAY FROM the clubhouse is so much harder than I thought it would be.
I’ve come to really care about more than a few people there.
However, the pain of leaving them doesn’t even begin to compare to how it feels knowing I’m leaving Tristan and Zach again.
Those two don’t deserve me leaving with no note or word to them.
They’re great guys and I know they care about me.
That’s what makes it so damn hard. Tristan would have tried to talk me into staying like he’s been doing since the first time I told him I was going to leave.
Zach will take my walking away much harder.
He’s the more sensitive of the two and I know I’ll break his heart because this time I’m not telling him goodbye.
I’m not willing to risk myself for him. It’s not right or fair to either one of my foster brothers.
Still, I can’t stay any longer. Not when the risk of seeing Judge is too great.
It’s his club after all and so I need to be the one who leaves.
After packing my bags and enjoying a snack from the collection Tristan and Zach got me, I laid in bed and took a nap.
The only thing I could think of was being awake when it was time for me to leave.
I’m not sure how long I managed to sleep, but I felt exhausted once I woke up.
Probably because even in sleep I was crying.
Anyway, the second my phone turned to three in the morning, I grab the bag I packed containing the clothes Zach and Tristan have given me.
Opening my door, I look down the hallway to ensure no one is out there.
When I can’t hear anyone moving around, I leave the room and close the door behind me.
I’ve already left the keys on the stand next to the bed.
I don’t have to worry about the stairs creaking and giving me away because I haven’t heard it happen yet.
Still, I move very carefully with deliberate steps until I’m in the common room.
Rationally, I know there’s no reason for me to be sneaking around as I leave the clubhouse.
I’m not being held prisoner here. Fury invited me to stay because I had nowhere else to go.
Still, I carefully move through the room, swerving around tables and chairs and avoiding stepping on anything that may have landed on the floor at any point of the night.
There’s only one dim light on, casting the common room in shadows.
It feels like my heart is pounding out of my chest and I can hardly breathe as I finally reach the door and look around again before slowly pushing it open.
No noise fills the air as I step outside the second I can squeeze through the opening.
The only place I might be fucked is at the gate.
Tristan has said a Prospect is out there around the clock.
Whoever is on duty tonight will definitely catch me.
Tears fall from my eyes as I take each step.
I can’t do anything to stop them right now.
This is one of the first times in years I’ve cried and allowed myself to feel something.
Ever since that day, I’ve cried more than ever before over the last five years.
The last time I cried was when I pulled away from Mrs. Smythe’s home and watched Tristan and Zach as I left them behind.
Now, I just try to focus on putting one foot in front of the other instead of heading back inside and up to the room Judge put me in.
“Wren, is that you?” I hear a guy ask when I get close to the gatehouse.
“Yeah. I’m sorry it’s so late. I need to go get my car. Can you tell me which way to go?” I ask him, looking to see Wyatt standing in front of me.
“Yeah. When you leave the compound, go left and it’s about a mile down the road. Are you sure you don’t want a ride?” he asks me as he steps back and lets me move closer to the gate.
“No. Everyone is finally asleep. I can’t sleep and I’d prefer to have my car with me,” I say as he points to the door I didn’t notice before.
“Okay. Call Tristan or Zach if you need help. Be careful, Wren,” Wyatt says as I step through the gate and turn left at the end of the short driveway.
I wasn’t planning on walking a mile, but that’s okay.
I’ve walked further. Granted, I wasn’t still healing and pregnant when I walked that far, but I’ll still be okay.
I’ve got snacks and drinks packed if I have to stop and rest. I’ll figure out how to apply the cream in a few hours.
I can reach part of my back and it will have to be enough for now.
The rest, I’ll figure out as it comes up.
***
Getting my car was easier than I anticipated.
The garage doesn’t have a fence around the entire lot like the clubhouse.
There’s a fenced area where cars are parked, but mine isn’t behind it.
It’s parked on the side of the garage. I got in and started the engine right up before pulling out after getting a snack and drink out to enjoy as I drove.
With the music blaring and my window down, I wiped the tears away and left.
I’ve been on the road for about two hours now and I have to take a break.
I need real food and a bathroom. My bladder has been screaming at me for the last hour so it’s time to pull over.
Looking at the signs on the highway, I find one where there’s a diner instead of all the usual fast food spots.
I take the exit and easily find the diner that’s open all night long.
Pulling in the empty parking lot, I shut off the engine, grab my money out of the bag I packed at the apartment which feels like an eternity ago, and head inside.
A bell rings when I open the door as I take a look around.
The place has that fifties diner feel to it with the white and black checkered flooring, a counter with a white top and the metal around the outer edge.
The stools in front of it are chrome with a deep red cushion.
Most of the pictures on the wall are black and white.
Tables fill the middle of the room while booths line the wall.
There’s small jukeboxes on each table that I’ve never seen before in person.
“Take a seat anywhere,” a female says as I startle and look around for her.
An older woman walks through the swinging doors with a smile on her face.
She’s got laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, white hair that’s curly, and a pale blue eye shadow on her eyes.
The woman is wearing a mustard yellow dress with white ruffles along the neck.
All she needs is a pair of roller skates and I’d think I was watching one of those old movies one of my foster mother’s used to love.
I take a seat at the counter and pick up the menu in front of me. I don’t have a lot of money with me and I really shouldn’t stop here, but I have no choice right now.
“My name’s Leah. I own this joint. Can I get you a drink while you look at the menu?” Leah asks me as I quickly glance at the drinks.
“Hi, Leah. I’m Wren. Um, can I please have some water?” I ask her, not wanting a soda to drink.
“Absolutely. Look over the menu and I’ll be right back with your water,” Leah says as I stand from my seat and follow the sign for the bathroom.
By the time I’m done and back at my seat, Leah has my water at my seat and I grab the menu once again. Nothing sounds good, but I know I need to eat.
“Have you made up your mind, Sweetheart?” Leah asks, walking back over to me.
“Can I please have a BLT with fries? Some brown gravy on the side if you have it?” I ask her, setting the menu back where I got it from and folding my hands in front of me.
“Of course. I’ll be back in a few minutes with your order.”
Soft music plays and I whisper the words of the song currently playing.
My eyes land on the ice cream machine and I know I’ll have some ice cream before I get back on the road.
While I wait for my food, I stretch out my body the best I can.
It hurts and I’m stiff because of being in the car for two hours already.
Grabbing my phone, I start to search for towns surrounding the area I’m currently in.
It looks like there’s a lot of small towns and I don’t really want that.
Eventually, I’d like to go to college and major in something I can do from anywhere.
I’ve been thinking about getting my degree in accounting because I can use that anywhere. With maybe investments as a minor.
“Looking for someplace new?” Leah asks, walking up and setting my plate of food in front of me after I move my hands.
“Yeah. I’ve been in Briar Glen all my life and need a change of pace. Somewhere with a community college maybe,” I answer her as I pick up half of my sandwich and take a large bite. It’s absolutely perfect. “This is the best BLT I’ve ever had.”
“Thank you, Sweetheart,” Leah says, leaning on the counter behind her as she looks at me.
“I don’t know what your story is and it’s not my place to get all up in your business if you don’t wanna talk.
It looks like you could use a break though.
I’ve got an apartment above the diner and could use some help here.
If you’re not in a rush, you can take a look at the apartment and decide if you’d like to stay and maybe save some money. ”
I was not expecting to be offered a place to stay and a job when I got off the exit for this diner. Shock fills me as I swallow the bite of food I just took and try to figure out what I want to say.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out before covering my mouth with my hand as Leah starts laughing.
“That’s okay. Even more of a reason for you to get off the road and take some time to plan your next move more carefully,” Leah reasons as she gives me a smile and I feel myself returning it.
“Thank you. I’d love to see the apartment when I’m done eating.”
“The only thing I’m gonna ask is if you got anyone chasing ya.
I don’t care if you do, I just want to know beforehand,” she says and I can’t help but laugh because I can see this woman going toe-to-toe with any man who thinks they can push around a woman or anyone weaker than them. She just has that vibe to her.
“No. My baby’s dad doesn’t want anything to do with us. The only ones who might come looking for me are my foster brothers. We recently reconnected and I left without saying goodbye. They won’t hurt me though,” I promise Leah as I continue eating the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted.
“Useless assholes if you ask me,” Leah says as she moves closer to me.
“I was married to my husband for most of my life. We were never blessed with any children of our own. My husband passed away about five years ago now and it’s just been me ever since.
This diner was his dream and one of the only reasons I still run it every single day. ”
“I don’t ever see that happening for myself. I’m just not good enough for a relationship or long-term anywhere. I will say that if I do take the job and apartment, it will only be temporary. Is that okay? I don’t want to let you down,” I ask Leah as I finish my food and push my plate towards her.
“You won’t be letting me down, Sweetheart.
That apartment’s been empty for a long time now.
Every now and then the right person comes along and it’s sitting there empty.
This time, it’s meant to help you out of whatever situation you have going on.
And, if you have the baby and are still here, there’s a second bedroom we can turn into a nursery.
If you want to make any changes while you’re here, you’re more than welcome to.
I’m not picky at all. The rent will be free because you’re saving me the trips up there to clean it and you’re going to work in the diner.
A perk of the job, you could say,” Leah tells me and I stand up and pull the money from my pocket.
“Meals on the house, Sweetheart. Let’s go take a look at the apartment and you can make your decision. ”
I’d argue with Leah about paying for my food, but I can already tell she won’t change her mind.
So, I leave the diner with her and follow her around the side of the building and up a set of stairs that appear as if they’ve recently been replaced.
Leah unlocks the door for me and lets me go inside before her.
The apartment is spacious and clean with lots of windows.
It’s also already furnished with what appears to be brand-new furniture.
I slowly walk into the living room and kitchen combination, taking in all the small details before moving toward the hallway.
There’s a laundry room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
The master bedroom also has a bathroom and large closet.
It’s not quite a walk-in, but it’s almost as big as the room I was just evicted from.
There’s thick carpeting on the floors and hardwood in the bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen. I love it.
“I’ll take it,” I tell Leah without hesitation as she hands over the keys with a smile.
“Perfect. Grab your things and get some rest. I just made the bed with clean bedding yesterday when I was up here. If you need any food or anything, just come on down and we’ll make sure you eat. Gotta feed that baby,” she says before leaving me alone in the apartment.
After a few minutes, I walk downstairs and grab the bags and laundry basket from my car.
I’m able to make one trip up the stairs instead of two as I plop my ass on the couch and sink into the deep cushions.
It’s so damn comfortable and I can feel my eyes already sliding closed as I grab a blanket off the back and cover myself with it.
Sleep claims me since I have a full stomach and this time I dream of Judge.