Beautifully Unfinished (15 page)

“Thank you,” Riley said as he stepped through the door into her father’s hallway. She closed the door and led him through to the living room.

Lucy walked to the fireplace and took a deep breath before she turned to face Riley. She folded her arms across her chest as if that was going to protect her, keep her safe before she allowed her eyes to meet his.

“What do you want, Riley?” Lucy asked, bluntly, and she knew from the look on Riley’s face, he was thrown.

“I…eh, I wanted to come by and make sure you were okay,” Riley stammered. “I wanted to…I want to talk.”

“I am fine,” she replied coldly. “And I really don’t think there is anything else to say. What we once had is over, so please, leave it.”

“I know you don’t mean that,” Riley said, taking a tentative step towards her. “Luc…sorry, Lucy. It’s me; it’s Riley. After everything we have been through…”

“EVERYTHING WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH!” She shouted angrily. “I am the one that went through everything. You walked away. When I needed you most, you walked away and left me.”

“And I have regretted it every single day since then, believe me,” Riley said, taking another step towards her. “But if you give me a chance, let me try to put it right, we could try again.”

“There is nothing left to put right,” Lucy sighed, as she pinched her nose and tried to relieve the tension that was building in her head. “Riley, we were kids, and it was a life time ago.”

“But nothing has changed,” Riley insisted. “Not for me.”

“It has for me,” Lucy replied. “I’ll admit when I first came back, I was confused about how I felt but…”

“See,” Riley cut her off, as he took another step towards her. He reached out to touch Lucy, but she quickly stepped back. “Lucy please, give me a chance. I still love you so much. We could be happy…”

“It’s too late, Riley,” she said, as she blinked back the tears that suddenly pooled in her eyes. “I don’t love you. Not like that. It’s too late.”

“It’s Tucker, isn’t it?” Riley stated more so than asked, as the realisation filtered across his face. His whole demeanour suddenly changed. “Just like it was that night.”

“Tucker has nothing to do with this,” Lucy replied, surprised by the sudden aggression in his voice. “It’s how I feel, that’s all it is.”

“Come on, Luc!” Riley exclaimed with a cruel laugh. “Let’s both be honest here; I know about that night.”

“That night?” Lucy replied, unsure what he was talking about.

“I came looking for you,” Riley explained, and Lucy could see the hurt in his eyes. “I saw you and him; I saw the kiss.”

“Riley, that was a mistake,” Lucy quickly replied, but she could feel her face burn and her heart pound rapidly. “I stopped it and told him I was with you. I went to look for you. You were the one I wanted. I loved you. That’s how I ended up in the bedroom; I was looking for you but Trent…”

Lucy couldn’t finish the sentence. She closed her eyes and flashes of memories from that night crashed into her mind, but she quickly pushed them back down inside her.

“So what happened with Trent was my fault?” Riley asked defensively, and Lucy instantly opened her eyes. “Or maybe you asked for it from him too; maybe you were up for it with anyone that night!”

Without even thinking, Lucy slapped him across the face.

“I asked for it?” She hissed through gritted teeth. “I asked for him to pin me down and rip my panties from my body so hard that they cut into my skin. I asked him to push his hands so far into my mouth; I could taste my own blood, and it made me vomit.”

Riley didn’t reply, he just stared at her, clearly stunned by what she had said.

Lucy’s heart was racing so fast; she could barely breathe. She slowly reached for the rim of her shirt and with a deep breath, she pulled it up over her head, and dropped it to the floor, leaving her standing in front of Riley in just her bra and all her scars exposed.

“I asked to be bitten,” she finally continued as the tears rolled down her face. “Over and over! Some so deep, they had to be stitched closed. I asked for these daily reminders of what that animal did to me…”

She couldn’t say another word. Instead, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

“Lucy,” Riley said softly, but Lucy could hear the crack of grief in his voice. “I had no idea…”

“Of course, you didn’t,” she quickly replied, as she looked back up at him. “How could you? You left me. You were supposed to love me, but instead, you made me feel cheap and worthless. Trent may have destroyed my life, but you shattered my world. You broke my heart. I lay in that hospital and waited. I waited for you to come, to tell me everything was going to be alright, but you never came.”

“I am so sorry,” Riley said, stepping towards her but she stepped back again. She quickly reached down and picked up her shirt from the floor and covered herself.

“I don’t want sorry,” Lucy said, suddenly unable to look at him any longer. “I just want you to leave.”

“Lucy, please,” Riley begged.

“You heard what she said,” Tucker said from the doorway, surprising both Riley and Lucy.

“This has nothing to do with you, Flynn,” Riley replied angrily. “So why don’t you just go to hell!”

“This has everything to do with me,” Tucker said, as he stepped further into the room. “She is everything to do with me. Now get out, and stay the hell away from her before I kick your ass again. Do I make myself clear?”

“You don’t scare me,” Riley said, but Lucy could hear the fear in his voice. “I came here to see Lucy; I just wanted to make sure she was alright.”

“I already told you, you’re nine years too late,” Tucker shot back as he walked towards Riley. “She doesn’t want you anymore. Now leave her alone.”

“And you think she wants you?” Riley growled as he turned to face Tucker. “Is that why you came to the party that night, why you cornered her and kissed her? Because you thought she wanted you.”

“Riley, the last thing you want to do is bring up that night,” Tucker said, standing directly in front of him. “Now go, before you open a can of worms.”

Riley looked at Tucker for a moment, and Lucy could see his face change as he realised what Tucker was talking about and she knew, this was what Trent had whispered to Tucker the night he beat the crap out of him, what sent Tucker after Riley.

“I want to know,” Lucy blurted out loud before she had time to think.

“Lucy, Sweetheart,” Tucker said as he turned to her. “It’s in the past. It’s not worth upsetting yourself for, please just trust me.”

“NO!” She exclaimed. “I know you and Dad know something, and it’s something to do with Riley. I am not a child; I don’t need protecting. Now, tell me!”

“Lucy,” Riley said, and she knew by his voice, it wasn’t something good. “I am sorry. If I had, have known…”

“RILEY, JUST GO!” Tucker shouted.

“NO!” Lucy exclaimed. “I want to know.”

“RILEY, GO!” Tucker screamed.

“TELL ME!” Lucy demanded.

“IT WAS A BET!” Riley suddenly blurted.

Lucy felt like she had been hit by a truck. Her heart raced, and her head was spinning, still she needed to know.

“What do you mean, it was a bet?” Lucy asked as her voice quivered and her whole body shook.

“Lucy,” Tucker said stepping closer to her and taking her by the hands. “What does this matter now? You are only hurting yourself more.”

“Tucker, please,” Lucy said looking up at him. She knew he was just trying to protect her, but she needed to know, she needed to hear the truth. She gave him a smile before she turned and looked at Riley. “What was the bet?”

“The guys from the team had been busting my balls for weeks because you wanted to wait,” Riley began to explain. “Some of them starting saying I wasn’t man enough to do the job. So I made a bet.”

“What kind of bet?” Lucy asked, her voice was barely a whisper.

“I bet that none of them could get into your pants before me,” Riley said, unable to look Lucy in the eye anymore, so he dropped his eyes to the floor. “I bet them that none of them would be man enough to get the job done either.”

Lucy felt her stomach heave. She just stood there feeling completely numb and staring at Riley, totally lost for words.

“Lucy, I swear,” Riley continued. “I didn’t know Trent would do what he did. I never thought it would come to that.”

“He raped me for a bet?” She finally managed to say. “My…my whole life was ruined…BECAUSE OF A BET!!!”

“Lucy, if I had have known…” Riley said, as the tears trickled down his face.

Tucker just stood there quietly, as he held her hand tight, and right at that moment, she knew he was the only thing that was keeping her from falling apart once again.

“You would have what, Riley?” Lucy spat angrily. “You would not have treated the girl you claimed to love like a piece of worthless crap?”

“Lucy that isn’t how it was,” Riley replied.

“That is exactly how is was,” she hissed. “You were supposed to love me.”

“I did love you, Lucy!” Riley cried. “I still do.”

“Well I don’t love you,” she said as she pulled her hand free from Tucker’s before she took a step closer to Riley. “You make me sick. Now get the hell out of this house and don’t you ever come near me again!”

With everything she had inside, she pushed him, sending him backwards a couple of steps, but still she kept going, pushing him and hitting him over and over, as she gave in to her grief and began to sob.

“GET THE HELL OUT!” She cried, and she hit him again and again.

“Lucy!” Tucker exclaimed, as he suddenly pulled her back and wrapped her in his arms. “Lucy, it’s okay I have you. It’s over.”

At first, she pushed against his chest, trying desperately to break free, but he just held her tighter. Finally, she stopped fighting, as she buried her face in his chest and let go of her anger and hurt.

Tucker scooped her up into his arms and walked to the sofa. Sitting down, he sat Lucy on his lap and held her close. He didn’t say a word; he just let her cry,

Lucy had no idea how long they were sitting there, or when Riley had left, but when she finally felt herself calming down, she lifted up her head and looked at Tucker.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he said, as he softly kissed her forehead. “It’s over now.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Lucy asked, as she lifted her hand and softly brushed his face.

“I figured you had been hurt enough,” Tucker replied. “And I couldn’t hurt you anymore.”

“The night you beat up Trent,” Lucy said, unsure why she needed to know everything, but she did. “That was what he told you, isn’t it?”

“He told me that it had happened because of a bet,” Tucker explained. “He told me that Riley had bet the entire team. He even said Riley paid him the hundred bucks because technically he had won.”

“He paid him?” Lucy asked, as once more the tears trickled down her face. “Does my dad know?”

“When he came to see me after I was arrested,” Tucker explained. “I told him what had happened. He was so upset, but he made me promise that I would never tell you. He knew you loved Riley and said you had been hurt enough.”

“I had a right to know,” Lucy whispered.

“I know you did, Lucy,” Tucker replied. “But you never came back. And when I saw you again last week, I saw the sadness that was in your eyes, even after all these years. I knew the chief was right; you had been through enough.”

“Is there anything else I don’t know?” Lucy asked.

“No,” Tucker replied.

“Okay,” she nodded and gave him a sad smile.

“Are you okay?” Tucker asked, as he brushed her hair back from her face.

“I will be,” she replied with a smile.

“I love you, Lucy,” Tucker said, before he kissed her softly on the lips.

“I love you, too,” She replied, and kissed him again.

“What time is it?” Lucy asked, as she walked to the window and looked out for what seemed like the hundredth time.

“Two minutes later than that last time you asked,” Tucker replied, as he watched Lucy from the doorway of her father’s living room. He had taken the day off to spend with Lucy and to meet Alison. “What are you so nervous about?”

“I’m not nervous,” Lucy replied, as she continued to stare out of the window.

“Then why are you acting like a crazy person?” Tucker asked with a laugh.

“Okay,” she said, as she turned back to face him. “So I am a little nervous. Alison might be my best friend, but she is part of my other life. She knows things happened here, but she has no idea what and I want to keep it like that. I don’t need someone else to look at me with pity.” 

She turned back to the window and checked once again.

“I don’t look at you with pity, do I?” Tucker asked, surprised by what she said.

“Sometimes,” Lucy said, as she turned back to Tucker and gave him a nervous smile. “But it’s okay. I know you don’t just pity me…”

“I don’t pity you at all!” Tucker said, surprising her with his reply. “I worry about you, and I feel sick every time I think about what you have been through, but I don’t pity you. Far from it, I think you are kind of incredible. I think you are one of the strongest, bravest people I have ever met.”

Lucy just smiled as Tucker walked toward her. He took her hand and drew her closer to him.

“So stop worrying,” he said, as he looked deep into her eyes. “This girl is coming here because she is your friend, and from what your dad said, she loves you. So there is nothing that can happen to change that.”

He leaned down and softly pressed his lips to Lucy’s, but before he could pull her into his arms, she turned and hurried to the window when she heard a car pulling into the driveway.

“She’s here!” Lucy exclaimed excitedly.

She turned back to Tucker, and a look of worry suddenly spread across her face.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” He asked as he stepped closer to her.

“I think this was a bad idea,” Lucy replied. “I just have this feeling, like something bad will happen.”

“Nothing bad is going to happen,” Tucker reassured her as he took her by the hands. “Now go see your friend. You know you miss her, so this is a good thing.”

“Okay,” Lucy nodded and gave Tucker a grateful smile. She hurried to the front door, and as she stepped out onto the front porch steps, Alison climbed out of her car.

The moment Lucy saw her friends smile, it hit her just how much she missed her. She hurried down the steps and towards her friend. Without missing a beat, she threw her arms around her friend and hugged her tightly.

“Hey,” Alison said, as she too, wrapped her arms around her friend. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Lucy replied without letting her go. “I am just so happy you’re here. I have missed you.”

“I have missed you, too,” Alison replied, a little surprised by Lucy’s behaviour. She knew Lucy didn’t really like to be touched.

“Thank you so much for bringing my things,” Lucy said as she finally released her friend.

“It is no trouble at all,” Alison replied, as she gave Lucy a strange look. “Is everything okay? Is Tom okay?”

“Yeah,” Lucy replied with a smile. “Dad is doing a lot better. He is on the mend.”

“And you’re okay?” Alison asked, still watching Lucy closely. “Because you seem…different.”

“Yes, I’m okay,” Lucy laughed and linked her friend. “Come on; I want you to meet Tucker.”

They walked up to the front porch to where Tucker had waited. As they reached the steps, Tucker walked down to them and held out his hand to Alison.

“You must be Alison,” Tucker said, as he gave her a broad smile. “I have heard a lot about you.”

“Not all bad I hope,” Alison giggled, as she shook Tucker’s hand. “It’s lovely to meet you Tucker, and thank you for putting the smile back on this one’s face.”

“That is truly my pleasure,” Tucker replied with a smile, as he looked from Alison to Lucy. “Why don’t you girls go inside? I can get your bags from the car.”

“There is just one in the trunk,” Alison explained. “And there is a bag on the back seat with Lucy’s belongings.”

“Got it,” Tucker said, as he took her keys and walked towards the back of the car.

“Come on inside,” Lucy said, as she led Alison up the front steps and into her father’s house. “I have some fresh coffee made, and Tucker got some freshly baked pastries.”

“Yum,” Alison said, as she followed Lucy through to the kitchen and took in her surroundings. “Your dad has a lovely home. Exactly how I imagined it would be.”

“Thanks,” Lucy replied, and she opened the cupboard and took out some coffee mugs. “I must admit, it feels nice to be home. It’s just weird being without my dad here too, but he will be home before we know it.”

“How is he doing really?” Alison asked, as she slipped onto the high stool at the breakfast counter.

“He still has a long road to recovery,” Lucy replied, as she poured out three coffees. “But they are happy with his progress so far.”

“And how have you been?” Alison asked, and Lucy could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“It’s been…challenging to be back here,” Lucy replied honestly, as she set Alison’s coffee down in front of her. “I had lots of demons to overcome, but Tucker has been so amazing, he has made me feel…braver.”

“And happier, I think,” Alison added. “It’s nice to see you truly smile.”

“Yes, I am happier,” Lucy replied, and couldn’t help but smile. Before she could say anything else, Tucker appeared at the door.

“I know they say that girls need a lot of stuff,” he grinned as he sat down on the stool next to Alison and reached for his coffee. “But I always thought they meant make-up, shoes, and handbags. I don’t know what you have in that equipment bag, but it feels like there is a ton of bricks in it.”

“It’s just my things for taking pictures,” Lucy shrugged, but she couldn’t help but laugh.

“They aren’t just pictures!” Alison exclaimed, as she turned to Tucker. “They are amazing pieces of art. Have you seen her stuff?”

“I saw some of her magazines spreads,” Tucker replied. “Her photos are amazing.”

“No,” Alison laughed as she hopped down from her stool and disappeared out into the hallways. She returned holding a leather bound folder. “I mean her real stuff.”

“Ali!” Lucy groaned, embarrassed that Alison was showing Tucker her photographs. “Why is that even here?”

“I grabbed it from your apartment when I was getting your things,” Lucy replied, matter-of-factly. She set the folder down on the counter in front of Tucker. “This is what I am talking about.”

Tucker opened the folder and silently flicked through the photographs. Lucy bit her lip, as she nervously watched Tucker and waited for his verdict.

“Lucy,” he finally said when he reached the end of the folder and looked up at her. “These are stunning. I have never seen anything like it.”

“See!” Alison said triumphantly. “I told you that you are amazing.”

“I don’t know about that,” Lucy said, as her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Oh please,” Alison sighed, as she waved her hand dismissively at Lucy and she turned her attention back to Tucker. “Did she tell you that a gallery in New York want to do an exhibit of her work?”

“Wow!” Tucker exclaimed. “Lucy, that is amazing.”

“I never said I was going to do it,” Lucy said as she picked up her coffee and took a long sip.

“Of course, you have to do it,” Tucker replied. “These photos are far too beautiful to be left lying in a folder.

“I haven’t decided,” Lucy said, as she walked to the sink and poured the rest of her coffee down the drain.

“But you’re are going to do it,” Tucker said, as he stood up and walked around the counter to where Lucy was standing. “You have to.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Lucy said, as she looked at Tucker and gave him a pleading look. “Right now, I need to make sure my dad is okay.”

“I guess I understand that,” Tucker replied, but Lucy knew by the expression on his face that he was confused by her reaction. “But once he is home?”

“Right now, all I know is I am going to go get ready to go to the hospital,” Lucy said, as she leaned up and kissed Tucker on the cheek. “I will leave you both to finish off your coffees.

She smiled at Alison before she headed for the door and up to her room.

When she reached her room, she was relieved to have a moment to herself to gather her thoughts. She knew Alison meant well, but Lucy really wished that she hadn’t brought the folder with her, or that she hadn’t told Tucker about the exhibit.

Her photographs were part of her life in New York, and that was her safe place. Lucy wasn’t sure if she was ready for her two worlds to collide. She didn’t know if she would ever be ready for that to happen.

Forty minutes later, Lucy, Tucker, and Alison were walking into the main entrance of the hospital. As they stepped onto the elevator, Lucy spotted Riley standing on the far side of the reception area.

He watched her as she waited for the door to close, but Lucy just turned away. She was so hurt by what Riley had done to her, and seeing him, just reminded her of how wrong she had been about him.

As if Tucker sensed she was upset to see Riley, and about what she had learned the day before, he reached down, took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Lucy looked up at Tucker and gave him a loving smile. She really couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have met someone as special as him. He was everything to her.

When they reached Tom’s room, Lucy was pleased to see her father sitting up straighter in the bed.

The moment he saw them, his face lit up, especially when he saw Alison. Lucy knew Tom had a soft spot for her. She knew Tom was grateful for how Alison looked out for her. He always said he felt happier about her being so far away from home, knowing Lucy had someone like Alison in her life.

“Well this is a sight for sore eyes,” Tom said, as both girls walked towards the bed, and each took their turn to kiss him on the cheek. “Two beautiful girls to fuss over me.”

“I hope you have been behaving yourself, Tom,” Alison laughed, as she hugged him tightly. “I hope you are not being too much of a distraction for all these nurses.”

“I try my best not to be,” Tom laughed. “But what can I say, it the natural charm.”

Lucy smiled as she took her seat next to her father. It was wonderful to see her dad so happy, and not worrying about her for the first time since she came home.

“So when is that man of yours going to make you an honest woman?” Tom asked Alison the same question he always asked her.

“I don’t know, Tom,” Alison replied with a grin, as she too gave him the same answer she always gave him. “He knows my heart has already been stolen by an older man.”

Tom threw his head back and laughed out loud. It was the first time Lucy had seen him happy in such a long time.

“Tucker,” he said as he caught his breath. “You are going to have your hands full with this pair, this weekend. Double trouble, that’s what these two are.”

“Oh, I think I can handle them,” Tucker chuckled as he gave Lucy a wink.

“Just keep them away from the margaritas and you should be okay,” Tom laughed.

“I will bear that in mind,” Tucker replied.

The four sat there for the afternoon, chatting and laughing. It was the first time Lucy could remember that she felt truly happy. That she wasn’t holding herself back.

Later that evening, as they drove back to Tom’s house, it struck Lucy. As hard as it was coming back to River Springs, it had been exactly what she had needed. Finally, she was getting closure to her past, and for the first time in nine years, she could see a future.

That night they ordered a takeaway, and Tucker went out and picked up a couple of bottles of wine.

They spent the night in Tom’s, talking and telling stories about when they were all younger. Lucy talked about growing up in New York, and how she had loved the idea of moving to a smaller town with her dad.