Next to Me (9 page)

His dad was awake when he walked in and immediately started being inappropriate. “Whooo, there’s my son, the ladies’ man.”

“Dad, let’s not make a big deal, okay?” Zane smiled at his father and hoped he would drop it. They spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies and ordered a pizza for lunch. Sunday was their day to spend together. Both of them were napping in the living room, his dad on the couch and Zane in the easy chair when Dustin sat up quickly.

“Son, I don’t want to alarm you,” he said, “but I’m having chest pains.” Zane flew out of the chair, grabbed his truck keys, and helped his dad out the door.

At the same time Whitney was just stirring and rolled over to see that Walter was not there beside her. Her night was spent as usual, listening to him snore and drinking vodka. Hearing him move around in the kitchen, she got up to walk in there.

They still only spent the night at his house, and it had become routine for them to sleep all day on the weekend. It would have made a lot more sense to sleep at her house since she had a bed and they didn’t both fit on his couch, so it was always uncomfortable. He had a bottle of vodka for himself, but passed out before he had time to drink it. The sex against her car had left a bad taste in her mouth, but she was happy to see him.

Walking into the kitchen, she wasn’t prepared for the pain she felt on her cheek. He had slapped her hard with an open hand just as she had walked in.

“You drank my vodka, didn’t you?” Whitney was too shocked to say anything as she put a hand up to the stinging skin.

“I didn’t know it would be that big of a deal.” Whitney moved away from him. She had been hit by a man before, but Walter surprised her.

“It is,. I needed it this morning. Come here. I’m sorry.” He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. They had been getting closer, but she suspected that was only when he was sober. She couldn’t say anything, because she was different when she was as well. They had seen each other and actually had conversations about life that meant something to her. She let him hold her, but was still upset that he had actually struck her. He bent down to kiss her where he slapped her. She could feel the welt forming, then he moved to her mouth. Kissing her for a minute, he slapped her on the butt, turning around and opening the refrigerator.

“I’ll just drink beer.” Just like that, he was over it and acting like nothing had happened. Maybe it was an isolated incident, she thought.

“Are you sure, Dad?” Dustin nodded, clutching his chest, and they both got in the truck so Zane could take him to the hospital. Ever since the stroke, they didn’t mess around with medical emergencies. If something was bothering Dustin enough for him to tell Zane, they were going to the hospital with no discussion. His dad didn’t even protest anymore because he knew it wouldn’t matter.

They pulled into the emergency room drop-off, and Zane told him to get in as soon as he could. He circled, frantically looking for a parking spot. Finally finding one, he rushed in, finding they took his dad back already and were letting him fill out the paperwork in the back. His fingers were dialing Whitney’s number before he knew it. She answered sounding tired. It was only two o’clock in the afternoon, so she probably wasn’t awake.

“Whitney, I need you, Dad and I are at the hospital.” She didn’t hesitate as usual when she heard him.

“I’ll be right there.” She hung up, and Zane sat down in a chair with his head in his hands, hoping he was going to be all right. He couldn’t live without his dad.

Whitney walked in and hugged him as he stood up. There were so many things she wanted to say, but he needed her just to be there. They sat in silence, waited while she held his hand, and laid her head on his shoulder. It was good to just be quiet together and it brought back how she used to be there for him when his dad was in the hospital.

After what seemed like forever, the doctor came out to speak to Zane, and they both stood up. The doctor didn’t have an expression on his face, so it was hard to tell what he was going to say, and then he smiled. The smile confused Zane and his impatience got the better of him.

“How’s my dad?” Whitney held on tightly to his arm as they waited.

“He’s fine, has a serious case of heartburn. He’s also a little embarrassed that he let you bring him to the emergency room for it, so try not to give him a hard time.” Zane had to sit back down. He couldn’t believe he had worried so much over heartburn. Wow, talk about overreacting. His dad should be embarrassed. He would never tell him that, though. When he came out of the back he just stood up and hugged him.

“No more pizza for me, if that’s what happens.” He smiled at his son, ignoring Whitney. She knew he saw her, and she also knew Dustin hated her. Once he had looked at her as a daughter, but now he only saw what she did to his son.

“Let’s get you home.” Zane let his father walk out ahead as he turned to Whitney.

“It will never be the same, will it?” Whitney couldn’t look him in the eyes, because it would be too much for her.

“No, Whit. I’m really sorry, but it will never be the way it was. Too much has happened between us. Thank you for being here today.” Zane rubbed her arms and pulled her into a hug. Losing his best friend was hard enough. This was kind of like the final nail in the coffin.

“This was our chance to make up.” Whitney smiled, trying not to cry. “We will always be there for each other, right?” She didn’t want to let him go.

“I promise. If we really need each other, we will always be there.” Zane did let her go then and walked out the door after his father.

Zane’s phone was ringing, and he pulled it out showing Lila’s number flashing across the screen. He should have called her.

“Hi there, I was curious if you liked Kale. I’m at the grocery store and though I would cook you dinner tonight.”

“I don’t like Kale.” He wrinkled his nose up. “But I won’t be able to come over tonight. I have to get my dad settled in.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Well, I had to take Dad to the hospital, but he’s fine. It was just indigestion if you believe that or not.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I would have come over.”

“I didn’t want to worry you, so I called Whitney.”

The phone was quiet, and he knew she was upset with him. “I’m coming over to talk to you,” Lila said quickly.

“Okay.” Zane hung up the phone.

“Was that Lila?” his father asked as he climbed in. “Is she pissed?”

“I don’t know, Dad.” His father smiled knowingly, which he hated, so he opted to stay quiet while he drove. Lila was waiting for him when they got back to the house. She didn’t look really happy, and Zane had a feeling he knew why.

“Hi, babe.” He kissed her cheek, and she looked up at him. She was fighting back anger or tears, which he couldn’t tell.

“I know she is your best friend, Zane, but I want to be that for you. If something happens to your dad, or you need someone to be there for you, I want to be that person. I don’t want to make you choose, because I would never do that. I just want you to know why I’m upset.”

“I choose you, Lila, I will always choose you.” He meant it. She didn’t realize that he had already chosen her when they said goodbye earlier.

Lila seemed content with that, and he pulled her to him. She was so important to him, and Whitney was his go-to for comfort. That was going to have to change. He really was going to have to let her go, completely.

The first night Zane felt comfortable leaving his father they had dinner first. Sure, it had been a false alarm, but it had set him on edge. He checked on him five times before he left, making sure he felt okay. It was the Saturday after the incident. His father was getting annoyed with him, and he couldn’t really blame him. He just couldn’t help it.

He stayed at Lila’s that night and was sleeping so well when his phone started ringing at three-thirty in the morning, and of course, it was Whitney. She sounded horrible and was crying.

“He left me here, Zane, by myself. I’m alone, and I don’t know these people. Please come get me, Zane. I don’t have the money for a taxi, and you are the only one.”

“Whitney, it’s past three in the morning, let me find you a taxi.” Zane hung up, frustrated, and so not wanting to get out of the bed.

“What is it, sweetie?” Lila rolled over and looked at him.

“It’s Whitney. She was upset. That dickhead she was seeing left her alone at a party and she doesn’t know anyone there. She sounded completely wasted as usual. She is just trying to draw me back into her twisted shit again.”

“You can’t leave her there, Zane, you would feel awful if something happened to her.” He knew he would, but he thought his days of saving Whitney were over. Lila was just being nice. He knew she didn’t really want him to go.

“I have to be at work on time tomorrow. I need to be on my game this week so that I’m ready for the interview.” Even as he said that he was already getting up to find his shoes. He couldn’t leave her there, but he was seriously done with this shit, and he would tell her to find someone else to call when she needed a taxi. The least she could do was keep some cash on hand just to call one.

He kissed Lila and grabbed his keys. “Be careful, Zane, and come right back to me.”

Driving down the road yawning, he called Whitney back. “I’m headed your way. Where are you?” She gave him the address and said she would wait for him outside. He didn’t think that sounded safe, but she had already hung up, so he just sped up a bit.

He pulled into the driveway of the house she said she was at about twenty minutes later and spotted her turning up a bottle of rum beside the stairs. He had hoped she would quit drinking before he arrived, but that didn’t happen. Zane really wasn’t sure why she ended up at such low-rent horrible parties.

“Come on, Whit, let’s go.” She stumbled toward him, throwing her arms around his neck and trying to kiss him. “Nope, get in the car.”

She pouted and he dragged her down the sidewalk. She was wearing impossibly high heels, and he was afraid she would break her neck if he wasn’t careful. He finally got her in the truck and went around to get the hell out of there.

He was happy to get away without incident and hoped she would just pass out against the window until he could get her home.

Things were going well until she shot up in the chair and grabbed the steering wheel.

“What the hell are you doing, Whitney?” He swerved and got back on the road, panicking that she was going to wreck them.

“Pull over. I’m going to be sick.”

He pulled over and watched as she crawled out of the car to the side of the road. He was about to get out to help her when he saw blue lights in his rear view. This was definitely something he didn’t need.

The police officer was walking toward the car and shining the light on Whitney.

“Is she okay, sir?” He approached the driver’s side as Zane rolled the window down.

“She’s okay. She just had too much to drink, I think. I picked her up from a party. She woke me up to come and get her. Whitney, are you all right.”

Whitney was asleep as far as he could tell. This was not turning out to be a good night. The police officer walked around the truck to check her pulse and was about to get back up when he spotted something in between the door and the passenger chair.

“Sir, I am going to need you to step out of the car.” Zane went to put his hand on the door handle.

“Is she that bad off?” He froze as he saw the officer pick up a small plastic bag full of cocaine.
“That is not mine.”

“Get out of the car, sir, I saw you swerve in the road.”

“She grabbed the steering wheel because she was going to be sick. I’m not on anything nor have I had anything to drink.” Zane felt certain the officer would give the breathalyzer and see he was telling the truth.

“I have to take you both down. Turn around, please. You have the right to remain silent.” Zane zoned out while the officer read him his rights. He felt numb when the officer put him in the back of his car and radioed for a female officer to help with Whitney. He saw all his dreams vanish as they loaded her into another car. There was no way he would get that job now.

Once he was booked on possession and reckless driving charges he had a choice to make. Should he call Lila or his dad? Calling either from jail was not something he wanted to do. After they tested him for drugs and alcohol and determined he was sober, they could let him out on bail, but it would still be on his record. Finally, he called his dad.

“Dad, I’m sorry, but I’m in jail, and I need you to call a bail bondsman.”

“Whitney,” Dustin said one word, and he knew exactly what would land someone like Zane in jail. “I’m on it, Son.” He hung up, and Zane had no choice but to wait in the holding cell until he could bail him out. He knew his dad would call Lila, who was going to be so upset with him. He figured it was probably better than her being worried about him. He had a feeling Whitney’s dashing man Walter would leave her in jail overnight. She needed to learn some type of lesson. He should have never gone to get her. All she did was get him into trouble. Lying back on the bench, he closed his eyes and let a very light sleep take over.

“Grier.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes at his last name. “You can go.” Walking out, he expected to see his dad, but Lila rushed into his arms.

“Baby, are you okay? Don’t be mad, but your dad called me first, and I told him I would bail you out. I knew you didn’t have coke on you. They have to drop the charges.” She held him close and made him feel a lot better about the fact that he was actually in jail for the first time in his life.

“I’m not mad, but I doubt they will drop the charges against me.” Zane didn’t hold out much hope for a pass on a coke possession even if it wasn’t his.

“They will. I’m going to get you the best lawyer, and you won’t even have to worry about it.” She kissed him, and he pulled her into a tight hug.

“Thank you, honey.” He couldn’t believe how understanding she was being about it all. He was truly blessed to have her in his life. “I love you.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.

“I love you too, Zane, let’s go home.” They stopped by to get his belongings and then she led him to her car, interlocking their fingers. “Did you want me to bail her out too?” Zane felt bad that Lila even offered to help her, but it also made him care about her that much more. He knew how she felt about Whitney, but she would do it for him.

“No, let her sleep it off.”

They climbed in the car and went back to her house to sleep, hopefully as late as possible.

Whitney woke up to a pain in her back and realized she was asleep on a bench. She was asleep on a bench in jail. This wasn’t good. What was she charged with? Sitting up, the headache that attacked her brain had her lie right back down.

What had happened? She knew that asshole had left her at the party, but then it was kind of blurry. She assumed that she was drinking a lot to get over the fact that he had left her there, and probably did some type of drugs. Had she had them on her? If so, then that would explain why she was in jail.

Sitting up slowly this time, she held her head in her hands and tried to remember what had happened. A police officer came over to her cell and opened the door. The sound felt like it was shooting needles into her brain. He made a point to shut the door very hard as he came in, so it sent the pain shooting back through to the back of her head.

“Morning, sunshine, you wondering why you are in the drunk tank? You’ve only been out for around two hours, so I am assuming you’re probably still drunk.” Since there were two of him, she nodded, squinting to see him and finally closing one eye.

“You and your boyfriend were arrested last night. Some girl bailed him out. I’m sorry to tell you, but you weren’t so lucky.”

“My boyfriend. I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said. Her mind was trying to figure out what kind of trash she’d managed to hook up with that was stupid enough to get them arrested.

“Whoever was driving you home from a party in a red pickup truck and his name started with a Z or a U, I can’t remember.” He was writing a bunch of things down, none of which she could see as her vision was blurry.

“Zane.” Whitney’s heart sank. No, this couldn’t have happened to Zane.

“Yes, that was it. I found cocaine in his car, and he was driving recklessly. He said you grabbed the wheel. Can you believe that?” Whitney put her head in her hands. She was going to have to come clean. He wasn’t going to get that job if a drug charge was on his record.

“That coke was mine. He was probably just rescuing me like he always does. Oh my God, he probably hates me right now. I’m such a screw-up.”

“He was clean when we tested him, so we kind of knew it was yours, but glad you could tell us.”

“This can’t be on his record at all, Officer. He is about to get a promotion. The background check will kill any chance he has.”

“It will be on his record, Miss Boon. He got arrested. Now I have to go write up your confession and do some paperwork. We’ll try to get you out of here as soon as possible.”

Whitney curled up in a ball and cried for the first time in a long time. What had her life become? She had brought Zane into it all because she was jealous that he was moving on. She had to make this right somehow.

Back at Lila’s Zane couldn’t sleep with all the shit running through his head. He had always been there for Whitney, and every step of the way she had screwed him. Now she had ruined his future. The one shot he had was gone. He would be stuck in his low level construction position forever.

When he finally couldn’t lie there anymore he decided to get up and go home for Sunday with his dad. Lila wanted him to stay with her, but he just needed to get out and get some air. It wasn’t her. It was the stress of not knowing how to deal with the situation at all. His boss would probably not listen to the whole he was innocent spill.