Chapter Thirty-Five
Lucy
Idon’t think I’ve ever cried this much. I mean, I cried when Nana passed, but not like this.
It’s been three days and I still cry when I think of the men I left behind.
I haven’t responded to any of Nash’s or Ren’s text messages.
Cole has apparently gone no contact with me, not that I can blame him.
Lawson came by yesterday to check on me, but other than that, I’ve been alone.
The silence is deafening in this house, so I keep either the radio or the TV on at all times to fill the feeling of loneliness.
I need to run errands, but leaving the house means showering, getting dressed, and the worst possible thing—potentially running into the guys somewhere.
I look through the pantry again and scrunch my nose up, not liking any of the few options I have left for food.
I let out a groan and a sigh before heading upstairs to get ready.
After showering, I put on a black sundress to match my mood as I throw my hair up and swipe some eyeliner across my lids.
I take one last look in the mirror and my stomach turns.
The bags under my eyes are dark, my skin is pale, and my eyes are bloodshot.
I let out a quick breath and remind myself that I am okay.
The guys are safe; and that everything will be just fine.
Locking up the house, I get in my car and start the drive to town, taking back roads as far as I can before hitting the main road.
Deciding I need a caffeine pick me up, I hit the drive-thru of Two Brews and order a blended caramel frappuccino with an extra shot of espresso.
When I take the first sip, I moan. It tastes like heaven on my tongue in this heat.
I continue on my way to the store, keeping an eye open for any of the guy’s trucks.
Pulling into the parking lot, I scan the area but don’t see the guys.
Grabbing my purse and my drink, I head inside.
Shopping doesn’t take long, but I also didn’t make a list. My cart is full of random items that sounded good when I saw them.
Standing in the wine section, I decide to grab a couple new bottles to add to my collection at home.
I add a couple magazines to my cart then check out, walk back to my car and unload everything into the trunk.
After returning my cart, I look up and see my Aunt Diane walking my way, a sly smirk aimed right at me causing a shiver to run down my spine.
“Lucy,” she singsongs my name as she steps in front of me. I look behind her but don’t find Uncle Wayne anywhere. “I heard about your little accident.” Her smile grows. “It’s a good thing you were found down in that ravine. Who knows what would have happened if you weren’t.”
I look at her closely. There’s spit in the corner of her mouth. Her normally well-kept bleach blonde hair is wild and greasy, matching her smeared eyeliner. She reeks of booze, and I can see a breakout happening underneath the makeup she’s caked onto her face.
I huff out a breath. “What do you want, Diane?”
She puts a hand on her chest and her mouth drops open dramatically. “Is that how you talk to your dear, sweet auntie?”
“Cut the shit, Diane.” I cross my arms over my chest and level a glare at her.
“I was so upset when I heard about your little boyfriend’s accident too,” she says, pouting her lips. “Such a shame that nice boy was hurt because of you.”
Anger courses through me as I grit my teeth and say, “Ren is not my little boyfriend.”
“Oh? What about Nash? Or that terrible guy, Colson? That’s his name, right? You are sleeping with all of them, aren’t you?” Her smirk reappears as she sees a flash of surprise on my face before I mask it.
“What I do or don’t do is not any of your business. I don’t know what you want, but you won’t get anything from me. Leave me alone.” I step around her, and she grabs my wrist.
“Don’t think your uncle and I have forgotten that you owe us,” she hisses at me.
“I think the lady asked you to leave her alone.” The deep voice behind me causes me to still.
“This isn’t over,” Diane whispers before letting me go and walking into the store. She smiles and waves to the person behind me before stomping into the store.
I let out a breath before turning to the man behind me. I look up at Lawson’s face, and he smiles.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’re welcome. Looked like you were in some trouble,” he answers. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah. She was just trying to get under my skin.” I wave my hand to the side.
“Looked like it was working.” He looks down at me curiously.
“I don’t like people knowing my business. She knows too much.” I shrug.
He shifts his weight before asking, “How are you doing, Lucy?”
I look to the ground and glide my foot across the ground between us. “If I tell you the truth, are you going to tell them?”
He lets out a sigh. “I won’t tell if they don’t ask.”
I look up at him, and his eyes meet mine.
He’s a few years older than the guys and just as handsome, although sometimes I question his mustache.
His deep brown eyes look beautiful in contrast to his black hair.
I hesitate before answering. Do I want to tell him the truth?
Do I want to tell him how I’ve cried myself to sleep since I left?
How I barely want to get out of bed or do anything?
I bite my bottom lip before answering him.
“I’m doing fine, Chief.”
He looks at me for a moment longer before his phone beeps and he pulls it from his pocket. He lets out a sigh. “If you want to continue to be fine, you should probably leave,” he says, putting his phone away.
“You told them?” I ask, sweat forming on my hairline.
“You looked like you were in trouble. I may have sent Cole a quick text.” He looks at me with a sheepish expression.
“Damn you, Lawson,” I let out a chuckle. “And to think I was just starting to like you.” I shake my head and walk past him to my car.
“Aww, Lucy. Don’t be like that!” he exclaims with a wide, dimple-showing grin. I turn with a big smile, giving him a wave before getting into my car to get the hell out of here.
I take the back roads home again since I know Colson will probably be in a hurry to catch me on the main road.
Once I get home, I unload the trunk and make something to eat.
I spend the afternoon trying to decide what I want to do with my life and reading.
When that becomes too overwhelming, I decide to open a bottle of wine and call Ember.
Maybe she can help.
Nash
“So, you think this red truck has something to do with everything that’s been going on?” Lawson asks from the chair across from me.
We’ve been sitting here in Ren’s hospital room since Cole yelled at him in the grocery store parking lot for not keeping Lucy there for him to talk to. I asked him to come back here with us to talk about everything in a more private setting. Ren is sleeping, and I look at him before I speak.
“Your security camera picked up a truck on your property, right?” I ask again for the third time.
“Yeah, but—” Lawson starts before I interrupt him.
“There’s no buts, Chief. That truck is the same one Lucy said almost ran her off the road, and the same truck you saw by your cabin before Ren and I got there. You think that’s a coincidence?”
Lawson lets out a sigh. “No. It doesn’t seem like it is.”
We let the room grow quiet as we both think about the truck.
The police were called to Lawson’s cabin after the accident, but not surprisingly, nothing has come of it.
Deputy Fritz called it an unfortunate incident and headed back to the station.
When he came to the hospital to ask Ren questions, he made snide remarks about our relationship and called Ren what sounded like little boy or something to that effect, which instantly pissed me off.
That was the one and only time we’ve seen him since Ren has been in the hospital.
“Have you heard back from your tech friend yet?” I look up to Cole as he asks Lawson the question.
“Unfortunately no. There’s not a lot to go on from the truck since the license plate is stolen, but he’s still running what he can to narrow down the list,” Lawson answers as he rubs his hands together.
“I’ll let you know if I hear anything, though.
I need to get ready for my shift at the firehouse. ”
I stand to shake Lawson's hand, and Cole does the same. I give him a nod as he walks out of the door. I sit back down as Cole moves to Ren’s bed. He lifts Ren’s hand softly and presses a soft kiss against his knuckles.
“Are you courting me, Pookie?” Ren opens one eye and smiles at Cole, causing Cole to drop his hand and me to stifle a laugh.
“I’m not fucking courting you. It’s not the nineteenth century,” Cole scoffs and glares at Ren before he turns to sit back in a chair.
“Well if it was, I’d definitely let you court me,” Ren says with a wink, and I can’t hold back my laughter.
“Shut the fuck up, Nash.” Cole glances my way.
I lift my hands in front of me in surrender as Ren gives us both a dimple-filled smile.
“Did she come visit?” Ren asks in a yawn.
Cole and I look between each other but don’t say a word.
Ren hangs his head and nods to himself. “Alright, well what did I miss?”
Cole rubs the back of his neck before telling him about our conversation with Lawson while he was sleeping. When he finishes, Ren glances at me.
“She’s safe, right?” His voice is quiet when he asks.
“Yes, we have access to her cameras.” I give him a soft smile. His eyes gloss over, so I reach for his hand and hold it in mine. “Don’t worry, Sweet Boy. We’ll know if something happens.”
“She hasn’t answered any of my texts,” he says, sadness filling his voice.
“I know. She will. She just needs time,” I answer.
“She’s home. She’s on the phone with someone. Do you want to see?” Cole’s voice makes Ren’s head turn quickly and nod. Cole holds his phone out for Ren to see, and his whole body relaxes. I look at Cole from the corner of my eye, and he shrugs.
“She looks happy,” Ren says.
“Tell that to the bottle of wine on the table,” Cole mumbles under his breath.
Ren watches Lucy through the screen for a few minutes until Dr. Rose comes in.
“How are you feeling, Ren?” she asks.
“Ready to get out of here, Doc. When can I go home?” Ren whines his question out and gives the doctor his best puppy-dog eyes.
“That look won’t work on me, Mr. Hawthorn, but judging by your file, I don’t see why we can’t let you go home in the morning.”
I see Ren’s eyes light up as he sits himself up a little higher in the hospital bed.
“Are you serious?” Ren asks hopefully.
Dr. Rose lets out a giggle before nodding her head. “Yes. Just remember not to put too much pressure on your leg for a couple of weeks.” She turns to me. “Make sure he’s careful. If you need a cane, we can provide one for him.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say.
“Alright Ren. I’ll see you in the morning before discharge.” Dr. Rose steps out of the room, and Ren leans his head back.
“Thank fuck. I hate this damn room.” Ren lets out a breath of relief.
“You heard her. No doing anything crazy for a while. Rest and recover.” Cole’s voice is firm as Ren chuckles.
“Yes, sir,” he says, winking in Cole’s direction. I can see Cole’s eyes roll, and Ren and I both laugh. I’m just as excited as Ren to get him home.
Too bad Lucy won’t be there to greet us.