24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Kai
T erry was passed out on the couch, and the RV smelled like a combination of nasty feet and stale beer. I needed to get my house back under control and out of the grip of Terry. I spent Saturday working outside, clearing and staking out where I’d be laying the foundation for the house. I let Terry do whatever he wanted, and now here it was Sunday, and I was left to clean up after him. I opened the curtain and lifted the windows. I cranked open the vents and opened the door wide. Fresh air would help clear out the funk that was built up inside the fifth wheel, and my mind also.
“Close the curtain. A guy needs to get his sleep.” Terry slapped the pillow over his head and rolled over on the tight couch.
How could he sleep on that couch? It wasn’t made for people six feet tall to use as a bed, but here Terry was every night, passed out, and every morning, he slept in.
“Get over it and get off your ass. I’m cleaning, and this place needs airing out. You need a long hot shower with lots of soap. I filled the water last night. Use it all if you need to, but this laziness is going to stop. You’ve got to get yourself moving and put together. Your court date is Tuesday. You look like hell.” I scrubbed the kitchen counter, using more bleach than probably safe for human inhalation, but bleach smelled clean, and right now, it was needed.
Terry pushed himself off the couch and mumbled something about dumb shit and fuck off.
It didn’t matter. He was gone, and I had a chance to dust, sweep, and mop the small area.
Eventually, the RV was shining and clean and no longer smelled like stale beer and feet. If Terry was going to stay here, things would have to be ultra-organized, and I needed to get things started.
He appeared in clean clothes, and his hair was wet. Finally. “All right. You’re clean and are somewhat respectable. I’m heading into town for lunch. Why don’t you come with me? It wouldn’t hurt for you to talk with Trevor at Jerry’s Pub and apologize. Maybe you could do some work there and work off what you owe him.”
Terry narrowed his gaze and opened his mouth but closed it quickly and pushed his feet in his shoes. “Fine, let’s go. I’d like something to eat outside of a turkey sandwich. I think I’m going to start strutting around and gobbling.”
I chuckled and closed the door behind me.
It didn’t take long for us to get to Jerry’s, and when we walked into the pub, Trevor’s brow shot up and Terry wiped his hands on the legs of his pants, a nervous habit he’d always had, but it didn’t show itself unless he was sober.
So, in a way, that was good.
Trevor walked toward us and placed two glasses of water on the counter. “So, what brings you by?”
I took a sip of the cold liquid. “Well, we’re hungry, and I think Terry has something he needs to say to you.”
Trevor leaned on the bar, his hands clasped together, and stared at Terry like a father waiting for a guilty admission from their child.
Terry took a drink, placed the glass on the counter, turned it in his hands, and played with the water droplet that escaped down the side. I let out a breath and elbowed him. “What was that for?” Terry rubbed his side. “Fine.” He turned toward Trevor. “I was a bit drunk and belligerent the other night. I owe you a new television and whatever else I may have broken. What can I do to help pay it back?”
Trevor drummed his fingers on the counter and glanced back and forth between me and Terry. I shot my brow up and continued to sip my water.
“Tell ya what,” Trevor said. “If you’re willing to work for free, I think you can work off some of the broken cups, liquor, plates, and odds and ends. We can discuss the television and table and chairs after your court date.”
“Sounds great.” I said and sat up tall, very interested in Trevor’s deal for Terry. It gave him something to keep him busy, and most important of all—he’ll be out of my camper for a few hours every day. “What are you thinking?”
Trevor lifted his face toward the ceiling and wobbled his head. “Well . . . Nico could use a dish washer in the kitchen. You could work today and tomorrow all day. We can see how that goes and readjust from there.”
“Perfect.” I thumped Terry on the back. “Get to washing, old man.”
Terry sat up. “What? Now?”
“No time like the present. You made a mistake and have a chance to make things better, so might as well get started. I’ll pick you up later. Just call me when you’re almost ready to go.”
Terry glanced between me and Trevor and stood slowly. “Fine. How about I eat a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich with fries, then I’ll get to work?”
“Sure. What do you want, Kai?”
“Cheeseburger with the works and fries would be great.”
Trevor slapped the counter twice, then made his way to the kitchen. It didn’t take long until we were finished eating, and then Trevor took Terry to the back to begin his work detail.
I sloshed the ice in my glass, and my mind wandered to Kora and me and our last conversation. I don’t know why I said I wasn’t good enough for her. We worked well together in every way. Yes, she was from a different background than me, and I didn’t understand what a family unit was meant to be like, but I knew what I wanted. I always wanted what Kora had.
“Kai.”
It was Patrick. The last time I talked to him he irritated the fuck out of me. With how things ended with Kora last night, it probably wasn’t a great time to talk with him now, but as he walked to the other side of the counter and helped himself to a beer, it didn’t seem like I was going to have a choice.
Patrick leaned on the counter. “Can I get you anything?”
“Do you work here now?” I finished my water and continued to pick at the fries as I eyed Patrick.
“I don’t necessarily work here, but I am part owner.” He popped the top off a beer and placed the bottle on the bar.
“Thanks.” I took a sip. One beer wouldn’t hurt.
Trevor joined us and pounded Patrick on the back in greeting. “Your dad is settled in, and he and Nico are getting along well,” he said to me. “Just so you know, Nico attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the church on Sunday nights. He’d be a perfect sponsor.”
I laughed. That was a joke. To go to AA, you needed to admit first that you had a problem. Terry didn’t think he did. AA wouldn’t happen. People have tried many times over the years, and it did nothing. “It would take a miracle. Terry’s been told to go to AA multiple times in his life, but he has yet to step foot into a meeting. He doesn’t think he has a drinking problem. He thinks everyone else is the problem.” I took a sip of beer, then set it down. Nothing like talking about my alcoholic father to have me do a double-take at my own habits.
I pushed the beer away. “How about a Coke instead?”
Trevor filled a glass and pushed it toward me.
“So.” Patrick leaned back and crossed his legs in front of him. “Why aren’t you at the beginning of summer bash held by the book club every year? I figured with you and Kora an item, you’d be there as her date.”
The beginning of summer bash was today. I totally forgot. With everything I was doing yesterday and this morning, it totally slipped my mind. Tonya and Kaye invited me, and it was almost two o’clock.
Patrick watched me, and there was something in the man’s gaze which wasn’t just pure interest. It was something else, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
I dipped a fry in ketchup and chewed before talking. “Is there something I need to know?”
Patrick nodded. “She’s a great person. Loved by the community. Everyone’s favorite third-grade teacher. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
I cocked my head to the side and felt my blood pressure rise a notch. Be careful. Choose your words wisely, and don’t jump to conclusions. “Why the interest? You’re not dating her anymore.”
There was a noticeable tick in Patrick’s jaw, and his face grew red. Seemed as if I wasn’t the only one with blood pressure issues.
“Okay, guys,” Trevor interrupted. “I think all of us are concerned about Kora’s well-being. In case you forgot, I did date her in high school. Like you both, I care for her also, but now she’s one of my best friends. But . . .” Trevor laid a hand on Patrick’s shoulder. “Patrick here is still getting over her.”
The glare Patrick shot in Trevor’s direction was classic. I chuckled.
“And, Kai, you’re her recent interest. And from what I’ve noticed when you’ve both been here, there is definitely something going on between you two. I haven’t seen her give anyone that much attention probably ever.” He shrugged at Patrick. “Sorry, man, you haven’t seen them together.”
Patrick held up his hand. “Believe it or not, I’m over Kora. She’s a sweet girl and a friend, but like I was saying, I don’t want to see her hurt. I thought you and her had something going, and I’m just curious as to why you’re here and not at the book club summer gathering. I’m even going later. Bryson’s best friend and all. I’m still part of the family.”
I puffed out a breath. My issue wasn’t with Patrick or Trevor. This small town loved Kora. Heck, they’d taken me in, and I’d only been there a month.
I couldn’t deny my feelings for Kora, yet sometimes feelings weren’t enough. “Yes, there’s something between us. What, exactly, I don’t know. I came to Orlinda Valley to get away from my past life. Once things with me got straightened out, my brother was situated in his first duty station, and my sister was in her job and happy in South Dakota, it was my turn to get away from Terry and focus on me. I got a job, found Orlinda Valley, purchased land, and hoped to start my life and set down roots, far from Georgia and the misery that was my past.”
I swirled the ice around in my glass. “I thought it would work out. Terry didn’t know where I was, my siblings were finally happy, and I had a plan to build my house by the Red River and start over. Then, out of nowhere, I pulled over on my way to town and met this auburn-haired spitfire, fell in . . . well, something . . . and things seemed to be going amazingly well with us. Until Terry showed up, and shit’s been going downhill since then. And to make matters worse, here I am talking with you two instead of being with Kora at the book club summer party.”
I sighed. Would shit ever work out? “Terry made me remember who I am and that you can’t run away and hide from your past no matter how much you may want to. So, now I’m double guessing if Kora needs to be with someone like me.” I shrugged and watched the ice slide around my glass. “One thing I’ve noticed is exactly what you said, Patrick. She loves this town, and this town loves her. She belongs here and has a home and a family. Something I’ve never had.”
I gestured toward the kitchen. “That loser in there’s my father, and if you didn’t notice, I call him by his first name. He’s never been a father to me or my siblings. The only family I’ve ever had are now living their lives far away, and I’m glad.” I stood and grabbed my wallet to pay my bill. I needed to go somewhere, but not here. “I guess what I’m saying is Kora needs better than me. She can have anyone, and . . .”
“And you are being stupid.” Bryson placed his arm over my shoulders.
“Where did you come from?” I asked. I didn’t hear anyone walk in the pub.
“From the front door. You were wallowing in self-pity too much to hear me enter. Are the wings and jalape?o poppers ready?” Bryson asked Patrick.
“I told Nico two o’clock. It’s about two, so it should be any time.” Patrick popped open a beer and pushed it across the bar to Bryson.
“That’s fine. I’m not in a rush. I’m glad I had somewhere to go. Charles and Jamison are manning the grill, and between the kids running wild and the women all over Kora, I had to get out of there. Trevor, are you stopping by when you close?”
“Yep. We close at five, and since Nico has a new dish washer, I think I’ll be able to get out of here on time, unless we’re empty before then.”
The bell by the window to the kitchen rang.
“Orders up,” Trevor said as he went to grab the bags.
Patrick grabbed them from Trevor and held them high. “Let’s go. Kai, that includes you. If you’re the one Kora has her heart set on, then you better be willing to fill her heart with happiness, because you’re one lucky bastard.”
“I agree. And the more guys I have there, the happier I’ll be.” Bryson downed his beer and waved to Trevor. “Trev, see you soon. Kai, will we see you there?”
I rubbed my hand over my forehead. Maybe what they said was right. Kora was an adult. She could figure out who she wanted. If she wanted me, why would I fight it? I sure as hell wanted her. I shrugged. “Maybe. I want to make sure everything here is settled.”
As soon as they were gone, I leaned on the bar and gestured toward the kitchen. “I can stay and keep my eye on him.”
Trevor chuckled and filled a pitcher of beer for a couple of men, gave it to them, held up a finger, and walked to the kitchen.
My mind wandered as I sat there. Patrick seemed to be a great guy. He was focused and a good friend. Why did he and Kora not work out?
Trevor came back. “Your dad and Nico are having a great discussion in there. Seems as if they were both in Desert Storm and have some things in common. Nico said he had no issue with taking Terry back to your place after they close.”
The thought of Terry alone in my RV did not sit well with me, and I guess my face showed my concern.
“I promise, Nico’s a great guy, and like I said, he’s been a member of AA for some time. I’m sure he’ll be going to his meeting later. You never know. Maybe your dad will go also.”
Hearing Terry being referred to as my dad churned my stomach, but like so much where Terry was concerned, I chose to ignore it. “So, Patrick works for the police department, and weren’t you part of the fire department?”
“I still am but work only on an on-call basis. I run this bar mostly. Patrick’s only been in Orlinda Valley about six years. Honestly, I think that’s what interested Kora in him the most. He was new, and she didn’t grow up with him. She always had issues with knowing everyone.”
My stomach fell and a lump grew. “So, you’re saying that she’s probably only interested in me because I’m new. That’s it.”
Trevor stood tall as a laugh escaped him. “God no. I’ve known Kora my entire life. Hell, we dated for two years. We were even prom king and queen, so the only other people who know her better than I do would be Summer and Darlene. And I promise you.” He took a long sip of beer. “She’s never looked at anyone the way she looks at you.”
The lump shrunk a little, and my shoulders relaxed. Trevor was telling the truth. I could do this. I had to go to Kora and apologize for being a major asshole.
“She has a big heart and knows everyone is not a product of their family,” Trevor said. “Don’t think that because Terry is one way, you’re destined to turn out the same. She’ll understand if you tell her that your past bothers you, and anyway—she’s worth fighting for.”
Everything Trevor said was right. I knew that. I stood and placed money on the counter for my and Terry’s lunch. “Thanks, man. Call me if he gets on your nerves.” I wrote my number on a napkin. I needed to get to Kaye’s and talk to Kora. Hopefully, what Trevor said was true, and Kora’s heart is as big as it seems.
“You got it, but I’m sure things will be fine.”
I walked quickly to the door and jumped into the truck. You can’t go there and ask her to forgive you. You need to come clean first and tell her everything before Terry does. “Shit.” I laid my face in my hand and gripped handfuls of hair. “What are you doing?” I came here to live quietly by myself and learn to deal with my past. I never thought I’d have feelings for someone, especially this quickly.
I’ve got to figure out my shit. What do I truly want? How am I going to come clean about my past? I can’t go to her. Not yet. I’ve got to figure my shit out first.