Next to Me (10 page)

“I’m here if you need me, Zane.” Lila ran a hand through his hair, and he was touched by the sincerity in her eyes.

“I know you are, Lila, and that’s why I love you.” He pulled her to him, kissing her gently and stroking her hair. “Let’s do something tonight. Something fun, okay?”

She nodded and rolled back over. He needed to go check on Dustin. He felt like it was his duty to check in and make sure his dad was okay. Ever since the incident he’d been a bit on edge and thought it would be nice if his dad met a nice lady to watch after him when he couldn’t be there. Dustin would like that too, but aside from the neighbor lady who flirted with him every chance she got there were slim pickings.

He had stopped and bought a tray of food in case he decided to take Lila on a late night picnic, and to prolong going home. Showing up at home, he really didn’t want to go in because he felt like he had let his dad down. It wasn’t his fault, but had he just stuck to his guns and not gone to get her then he wouldn’t have had to be picked up from jail. He was actually grateful Lila had been the one to do it.

Finally, he forced his feet to move toward the door and went inside. Dustin wasn’t up yet, so he made breakfast like always and sat down to wait for him to get up. He knew there was a Whitney lecture coming. He didn’t blame his dad. If his son were arrested for a messed up girl, he would be mad too.

When his dad did get up, he was unusually chipper. Zane eyed him suspiciously as he fixed up a plate of eggs, and did well holding the plate with one hand and spooning with the other.

“You are getting stronger, Dad.” He was proud of the progress he had made.

“Actually, that was hard as shit. I was attempting to be a smart-ass and almost dropped the plate.” Dustin grinned at his son and sat down at the table. Zane brought over the plates and handed his dad some turkey bacon.

“What the hell is this?” He watched him sniff it as if it had poison on it and then give him the side eye. “Is this tofoy?”

“Dad, it isn’t tofu,” he pronounced it correctly, chuckling. “It’s turkey bacon, just try it.”

Dustin took the tiniest bite anyone could possibly take and rolled it around in his mouth. “It isn’t terrible.”

“Remember, old man, you just had an almost heart attack.” Zane grinned at him as his dad mocked shock.

“You’re going to hold that against me. Take your tofoy bacon.” He threw a piece at him and ducked like he would retaliate.

“I’m not going to waste it, Dad.”

“Just remember I can still run circles around you.” Zane watched his dad fight two more pieces of turkey bacon down, but he thought it was more for show. His dad hated anyone to think he enjoyed any type of healthy food.

“Okay, Dad, I’ll keep that in mind. So, I was thinking of taking Lila somewhere special tonight. This relationship has escalated a lot faster than I really thought it would, but she’s pretty amazing.”

“You can go on a boat!” Zane was used to his dad’s outbursts, but they weren’t even close to a body of water.

He laughed. “I was thinking something romantic and close by.”

“There is that lake by the water treatment plant. You can take a boat there, can’t you?”

“Dad, I’m just going to let you think about what you just said for a minute.”

It took him a minute, but Dustin started to nod slowly. “What’s a little toxic waste?”

“Right, I was thinking probably a late night picnic.” Dustin jumped up from the table and rushed over to the cabinet.

“I’ll make s’mores, no tapas, no s’mores!” He was buzzing with energy and opening and closing the cabinets without getting anything out.

“Do you even know what tapas is?” Zane lifted an eyebrow in amusement. He had always enjoyed watching his father get excited over the smallest things.

“It’s like a paste made with anchovies or something.” Dustin went and looked in the refrigerator, like anchovies would magically appear. “I read about it at the doctor’s office in one of those food and wine deals.”

“I don’t think that’s what it is, and you see that little tray in there with the cheese, different crackers, and dips? I bought the stuff on the way home this morning and created a little tray for us with some wine.”

“Wow, Son, I have to say that’s impressive. Now just leave some of those things here for me to eat.” Zane shook his head.

“I will bring you the leftovers.” His dad looked thoughtful for a minute. They cleaned up the kitchen, and Zane looked in the refrigerator for something dessert like. All they had was chocolate pudding, so he tossed Dustin one and got one of his own.

“What was jail like? Did you see someone with knuckle tattoos?” His dad ran a finger across his knuckles for emphasis.

“No, I was in the holding cell. Lila bailed me out before I had to even see another prisoner.”

“You stick with ladies like Lila and let girls like Whitney straighten themselves out.” Dustin frowned a little, letting his forehead wrinkle.

Zane wanted to comment on the fact that his dad must have developed ADD with the way the conversation was bouncing from one subject to another. He took a deep breath. “Do you think she is ever going to get there, Dad? I mean, I love her, we grew up together. I want her to be okay.”

“Zane, she is going to have to hit her bottom, and only she knows what that looks like.” He put a hand on Zane’s shoulder. Zane saw something shiny and grabbed his dad’s hand. He saw the gaudiest gold ring with a tiger and a snake on it.

“What the hell is that?” Zane fought the desire to laugh, knowing his shoulders were shaking.

“Okay, chalk that up to a fashion statement I can’t pull off.” Dustin removed the ring and set it on the counter.

“How the hell did I not notice that this whole time?” he asked.

“I slipped it on just now for a reaction. I was trying to have a thing, you know, like a hip thing I do. Without working and just going out for groceries or the post office it is hard to be an individual.” His dad walked over and sat down on the couch.

Zane’s face softened, and he walked over, sitting in the chair across from his dad. “Let’s find something to be your thing, besides looking like a pimp, okay?”

Dustin nodded, and they settled in to watch TV until it was time for Zane’s date.

Whitney was not proud that she had to call Thor to bail her out. She would pay him back somehow. Owing a drug dealer, no matter how nice he is, is not something you really want to do. Today he had on a sleeveless Metallica shirt with holes on the sides and some cargo pants. As soon as they were out of the jail he lit up a cigarette.

“Thank you, Thor. My parents are done with me at this point. You were the only person I had to call.” Whitney desperately wanted a shower and a pop tart if she had one.

“No sweat, Whitney, you are my best customer, after all.” They climbed into his modest Toyota Corolla. She assumed Thor would have had a mean looking truck with flames down the side. That’s what she got for assuming.

“Are you holding, Thor?” Whitney was itching for a fix to make her feel better after the night she had.

“Wait until we get out of the police’s back yard, will you?” Thor pulled out of the jail parking lot and started toward her place.

“I don’t have your usual flavor, but I do have some OxyContin. Different buzz, but you will probably like it.” Whitney usually stayed away from pills, but she wanted anything at the moment.

“I’ll take them.” He pulled out a bag and tossed it in her lap. “For you, since you had a hard night, you can have six of them for free, otherwise you pay. I should have some of your usual tomorrow night if all goes well. I’m supposed to judge a cock fight tomorrow night.”

“Like chickens?”

“No, it’s where strippers have giant penis shaped ramming sticks and shove each other off different platforms. You should come, it’s Thursday night. Bring a friend.” Thor pulled out two penis shaped tickets that said simply ‘Cock Fight’ on them and smiled. The address was on the back and was not at a strip club to her surprise, but in a barn. This seemed a bit shady, but when Thor was involved everything did.

“I might as well. I have nothing better to do.” She dry swallowed the oxy and waited for it to kick in while watching the road rush by outside the window. When they pulled into her driveway she felt like she was floating. All the bad feelings had disappeared and even the guilt was gone. She would have to call those little white wonders her pain erasers. She didn’t even think of all the trouble she had caused Zane. She flipped on the lights and grabbed Duchess up for a slow dance. The cat struggled until she put her down, returning to being a knot on a log.

Even her rejection couldn’t dampen her spirits, but then she realized Thor was watching her act like a loon and tried to play it off.

“She was just happy to see me. I thought she might want to dance. Can I fix you a drink?” Whitney sat down on the couch beside Duchess and looked over at Thor, who hadn’t moved from the doorframe.
“No, I have prior engagements. I’ll bring you a bag before the Cock Fight so you will feel alive and alert for the competition. You might even want to participate in the future. Have a good night, Whit.” With that, he closed the door, and Whitney went to shower the feel of jail off her body before passing out in her towel due to the excitement of the day, and the oxy.

“What the hell am I going to do, Cole?” Zane was pacing. It was the day before his interview, and he was going to have to tell Charlie about the arrest. He found it strange the interview would be on a Friday, but he would go with it. His arrest wouldn’t show up on the background check they did just yet, but he would have to tell him before he found out from someone else.

“Just be honest with him. Maybe the lawyer Lila got you will come through soon and get you off the hook.” Cole wasn’t used to seeing Zane out of sorts. Zane always had it together and never seemed nervous. He knew it was probably a little off-putting to his co-worker.

“I just can’t believe this shit.” Zane kicked a barrel and listened to the sound it made echo everywhere. “I always knew Whitney would get into trouble, but I didn’t think she would drag me down with her.”

“You can’t do anything now, except show him that you are honest and still really want the job.” Zane knew he was trying, but Cole really didn’t know what to say to make him feel better.

Zane nodded and excused himself to go into the trailer and make the dreaded phone call.

“Charlie, it’s Zane. Listen, I need to talk to you. It’s in reference to the job I applied for.” Zane had hoped Charlie wouldn’t answer, but he had on the first ring. They made plans to meet for lunch, and Zane dragged his feet until the time came for Charlie to pick him up.

Charlie was an understanding man, but a possession charge was not something someone wanted to tell him about. Zane played the words over and over in his head. When he climbed into the truck he just blurted it out.

“I was arrested.” Well, so much for being smooth.

“You, for what?” Charlie was shocked, which was understandable.

“I picked a friend up from a party, she was on the verge of getting raped and God knows what else. She had coke on her, grabbed my wheel, causing me to swerve in front of a cop, she puked and lay down on the ground, then he charged me because her coke fell out in the car.” Zane had never been more ashamed of himself, even though circumstances were out of his control.