Autum's Lost (A letting go series) (18 page)

“Yes, you are the top house sales person of the world. I see your stupid face on signs all over town.” I laugh at her when she grunts.

“Not the world, not yet anyway. But seriously top dollar Addy. Let’s do this!” I am chewing on my bottom lip and then smile.

“Yes! Let’s do this. I will call Michael and let him know.”

“Good! I will call the mystery number, call you back, and then get the paperwork ready for you. I can bring them over for you to sign tonight.”

“Sounds good, I will be at Michael’s.” Jess laughs.

“No shit Sherlock, where do you think you are moving? The moon?” She is laughing louder and I shake my head.

“You keep it up smartass and that five percent you get will be zero in a hurry.”

“PFFF…your threats mean nothing. Okay, so what time? Seven?”

“That sounds good, as soon as I get my new number I will call and let you know for sure.”

“All right baby girl, talk to you then, bye.”

“Bye
, sweets.” When Jess hangs up I sit down on the plush leather couch and smile like an idiot. Michael will be over the moon when he hears of my plan. Rissa and Michael want me here and that’s what I intend to do. I grab my purse and with new purpose for my life head out over to the Baxter’s.

As I pull out of Michael’s driveway my phone rings again with the number that I don’t recognize. I shake my head and know in the pit of my stomach that Curt is fucking with me. I prompt Siri on my
iPhone to dial Michael’s cell.

“Yes
, beautiful.” Michael purrs.

“I just did something and need to know how you feel about it.”

“Okay, baby, tell me.”

“I just put my house up for sale and Jess is bringing over the papers tonight for me to sign.” I said it so fast I wasn’t sure if he caught it all. Other than breathing silence was on the other end.
“Michael, are you there?” I hear him clear his throat.

“Yes
, beautiful, I am.”

“Are you ok? I’m sorry, I should have discussed this with you since I will be staying with you till I find a new place.” I nervously laugh.

“Addy, you are really selling the house?”

“Yes, yes I am.” Feeling more confident about my decision by the minute, I can hear Michael sigh letting out a breath.

“When you move over to my house it will be forever. I will never let you go, I will never lie, cheat or hit you. I promise to be the man, lover and partner you need and want.” My heart starts soaring at the words I was hearing.

“I will love you forever Britty, I promise.”

“I love you more than you will ever know my beautiful girl. We will talk and celebrate tonight.” I smile into the phone because I know he is telling me the truth. I can feel every ounce of love and protectiveness this man has ever had for me and now I relish in the thought of waking up to him every morning, making love when we want and holding onto the moments we are making.

“Ok
ay, I am pulling into the Baxter’s driveway sweets.”

“Sounds good love, see you tonight.”

I pull into the Baxter’s driveway and notice a sleek silver Mercedes Benz E350 4Matic Coupe. I have never seen this car here and can’t think of anyone I know that owns one. My cell starts to ring and it’s Jess.

“He
y girl, what’s up?”

“Where are you Addy?” Jess’s voice sounds urgent and it freaks me out a bit.

“I just pulled into the Baxter’s driveway, why?”

“Stay where you are.
I am driving right now and will meet you there.” My stomach takes a dive.

“What the fuck is going on Jess? Does this have to do with the phone number?” I can hear Jess yelling in the phone. “JESS! What are you doing?”

“What Addy? I am driving right now and getting pissed at stupid fucking people and yes this is about the phone number.” I hear her screaming and take the phone away from my ear.

“IT’S GREEN MOTHER FUCKER! IT DOESN’T GET ANY GREENER!
MOVE YOUR ASS!!! You still with me Addy?”

“HUH? What did you say? I’m slightly deaf now.”

“Hardee Har Har bestie! I will be there in five minutes.” With that she hangs up. I can hear tires squealing at the end of the block as she rounds the corner in her big ass Escalade. She pulls in the street by the curb and hops out.

“Thank
God I got you before you went in.” I give her a confused look.

“What’s going on and whose number is calling me? Tell me now
, Jess!” She looks away and then back to me grabbing my shoulders with both hands.

“That phone number. The one calling you. It’s Daytona.” My face gets red and my mouth goes in a hard line.

“What the fuck does that bitch want?” I know the answer but I want Jess to say it. I need to hear it from my friend that I have had forever.

“She is the dealer Addy.
She is the one that…” I cut her off.

“I knew it. I knew that she was the one that was doing all the shitty things.” I look at the ground and look back at her.

“So why are you here to tell me this? You could have told me on the phone.”

“No, I had to be here for you. That fancy ass car sitting here in the driveway is hers. There was no way I was letting you go in there by yourself.”
I nod my head yes and roll my eyes to the sky.

“This would only happen to me ya know, my life is turning into a fucking soap opera. So does she know I was coming over here today?”

“No, I didn’t tell her. She said she was paying a little visit to his parents about the money and find out his whereabouts. I knew you were coming here and I didn’t want you alone.” I hug her, having my bestie here at my side means more to me than she will ever know and my nerves are now starting to calm down.

“All righty then, let’s go and find out what the little orange boob bitch wants.”

Jess laughs, “What in the hell are orange boobs?” I smile.

“It’s when your fake tits are sitting on your chest like a pair of oranges
, of course.”

We walk up to the house and
I ring the doorbell. No answer. I ring it again and still no answer. The spare key is under the first step on the porch so I grab it and take a deep breath before I turn the key and open the door. I look over at Jess and she nods her head yes.

“Elaine, Todd, are you home?” We walk in and turn to go into the kitchen. I hear quiet sobbing in the office off the kitchen. I start walking towards the office and Jess grabs my arm and shakes her head no. I mouth YES at her and yank my arm out of her hold. She rolls her eyes and she walks with me. My stomach starts flipping and I start sweating a little. I take a deep breath, let it out, and grab the office door handle. Opening the door I see Elaine at her desk with tears running down her face. Todd is on the couch with his head in his hands, and
Daytona bitch is sitting in a chair off to the side, her anorexic legs crossed.

“Come in Addy, just the person I needed to see.” My rage is red hot and I want to cut this bitch. I look right at Daytona and she sees my rage I am containing and squirms in her chair.

“Elaine, are you and Todd ok?” Never taking my eyes off Daytona I hear Elaine take a deep breath.

“Yes, Addy, we are fine just some shocking news that’s all.” I cross my arms and Jess walks over to Elaine and takes her in her arms not taking her eyes off Daytona either.

“Yes, so I heard. Your son has some bad habits and one of them is disgracing your home right now. Right, Daytona?” Looking over at Jess and then back at me she stops squirming in her chair.

“I need to know where he is, they know where their only child is. They are holding out on the money as well and I am here to collect.” I shake my head and look over at Jess.

“Jess
, will you please take the Baxter’s out onto the patio? Daytona and I need to have a heart to heart.”

“Of c
ourse. Elaine, Todd, let’s go outside for a bit.”

They get up to leave and Elaine and Todd both come over and give me a huge hug. Elaine whispers
, “Thank you Addy.” I smile a tight smile and nod for Jess to take them out of the room. Once the door is shut I turn back to Daytona.

“Now
, Daytona, the money. You are so fucking stupid, you know that?” I take two steps and get right in her face. “You did this, you filthy bitch! You gave him the drugs and knew he couldn’t pay. When he got bored fucking you he moved on to another and another. The only problem is you let him continue. I can only assume you let him back time after time because he beat you and you are afraid of him, am I correct?” I look right at her with that last sentence and a tear slips down her cheek and my assumption was correct. I put my hands on my hips and look up at the ceiling letting out a long staggering breath. “Were you in the car at the gas station on Valentine’s Day?” I look over at her and she has a questioning look on her face.

“I’m not sure what you are talking about
. I was in the Bahamas on Valentine’s Day.” I take a seat at the desk and place my arms on the smooth polished surface clasping my hand together.

“My daughter caught him with a blonde at the gas station and I wanted to know if it was you.” Shaking her head no
, she gives a nervous laugh.

“No, it wasn’t me. I kept going back when he would call. Bring him what he needed and then put myself out there and get nothing in return. It’s been over for about four months and he kept saying he had the money, but I never saw any of it.” She looks away and stares out the window. “I’m not the dealer if that is what you are thinking.” Looking back at me she sighs. “I will give you her address and let her explain why Curt is not dead yet.” I shake my head knowing that this is a cluster fuck of epic proportions and lean back into the seat crossing my arms.

“What part do you play in all of this Daytona? I mean you got him the drugs so you obviously know the dealer well. Let’s get one thing clear, I don’t give a fuck about Curt, but I adore his family. My daughter was my life and she was their’s as well. So you showing up here telling them about their son is beyond disgusting.” I hear a commotion outside the office doors. In the next second Curt comes barreling in, he takes one pissed off look at me and then back at Daytona and then shock covers his face. Jess is right behind him on the phone and his Dad consoling his Mom in the hallway. I look at Jess, who has just finished her phone call.

“Shut the door Jess.” I look over at Elaine and Todd and they nod yes and walk back into the living room.

“Take a seat, Curt. Looks like we have a few things to discuss.” Curt throws his body into the couch his leg bouncing up and down and runs his hands through his greasy messy hair. Jess comes over to stand beside me with her arms crossed.

“What the Fuck are you doing Addy?” Curt’s voice is full of venom and that’s enough to push me off the cliff. In my rag
e, I push myself to me feet holding onto the ledge of the desk with my hands.

“FUCK YOU CURT!! You don’t get to speak right now. You need to listen, I mean REALLY FUCKING GOOD!” The tone of my voice makes Daytona jump back into her chair. “I have no idea where you have been and I personally don’t give a fuck
, but your dealer does. So much so she sent his little runner and your fuck buddy to come here and collect the fifty thousand you owe.” Curt looks down at the ground and places his elbows on his legs and clasps his hands together never once looking over at me. I look over at Daytona and she has tears spilling out of her eyes. I know she loves him. He used her, beat her and now I have empathy for her. Shaking my head at the whole ridiculous situation. “You use people Curt. You break them down and make them believe that you are the only one that matters to them.” I cross my arms again. “Look at Daytona, you fucked her, used her, and fucked her over again and again. The problem is you can’t love back. She did what you asked only wanting the same back begging for your attention and love.” With that last statement Daytona loses it and starts sobbing. “I know how she feels, never feeling the love back, never knowing when the person I loved with all my heart will return the same affections.” Curt looks up at me and has empty eyes. I have Jess go and get tissues from the bathroom for Daytona. She returns and hands the box to her.

Walking by Curt in true Jess style she quietly says “Pin-Dick!”

I stifle a smile and start to continue but the door swings open and Michael is in the doorway. His chest heaving, he looks right at me and relief is present in his eyes. Walking over to me I feel at ease, like always, he can make me feel safe with just his presence. He hugs me and lets out a big breath. I step away and he takes a seat next to the desk on my left. I look over at Curt and he is sitting back into the couch his arm on the back of it staring at Michael. I ask Jess to go get Elaine and Todd. Curt looks at me his green eyes dark with distain.

“What are you doing Addison?”

“You will soon find out Curt. I think your Mom and Dad need to be present to hear it. I think that is only fair considering you’re not so secret life is now in the open.” Curt looks at Michael.