Salt Water Wounds (Oyster Cove #1) (8 page)

I nod, but vaguely remember.

“I told Ethel last week, but I was waiting to talk to you in person about it. I didn’t want to leave a note on your door or pass the news through Nick.”

Ethel is my neighbor. She’s in her eighties, and probably needs to move directly into a nursing home. As far as my place, well it was the cheapest on the island. Since I’m still paying out my ass for credit cards incurred with my ex, I’m unable to afford anything else in the area. This isn’t good. I’m losing my son, and now I’m being forced to find another place to live. “How long do I have?”

“I’m obligated to give you thirty days. If you can move out before then let me know. Ethel will be gone in the next two weeks. She’s moving in with her son over near Wallop’s Island.”

“Gotcha.”

“Alice, I’m sorry. You’re a good tenant, and I’d like to be able to offer you one of my other properties that are vacant if you’re willing to pay a little more money. I’ve got a nice three bedroom on the north side of the island. All new appliances.”

I stare at the document he’s had notarized. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to afford it, at least not in the near future. Summer season is a couple months away. The bar is slow right now, and I used my savings to fix the alternator in my car last month.”

“What about your dad. You think he’d help?”

“He’s done enough. It’s fine. I’ll stay with friends or call around. I’m sure there is a place available.”

“If you need help moving let me know. You can use my truck any time you need to.”

Carl and his wife have been residents of the island their whole lives. They have three grown children, one of which I went to school with. I know he wouldn’t do this because of something I’ve done. It’s business and I can’t hold it against him, though the timing is shitty.

I spend a few minutes after he’s left to take it all in, and then I can’t stand it any longer. I have to get out of there.

I drive back to Buck’s house, because I need a place to collect myself where I won’t be interrupted. I also need to figure out where I’m going to get a good man who wants to be with me, or at least play the part, because I know Buck won’t want anything to do with this.

Cleaning has always been a distraction for me. While my mind ponders my next move, I go from room to room, refreshing the household, cleaning linens and curtains and even toss pillows. I take the vacuum outside and spray the filters so it will work efficiently. The sun beats down on them while they dry, and in that time I spray the deck, especially near the grill where years of food have dripped onto it.

I crank up the air conditioning, scrub baseboards, wash floors, vacuum and beat rugs, and then finally scour bathrooms, make beds, and scrub out the refrigerator. It smells like bleach and laundry detergent. The two dogs tired of sun bathing on the deck, wonder when they can come back in and have the run of the place. I let both in with a warning not to shake around, at least until Buck can appreciate my hard work as being payment for remaining when I said I’d be gone.

Time slips away from me, and before I know it people are showing up at the house. First it’s Bristol, full of spunk and attitude. She’s on her cell phone, the sound of a motorcycle waiting outside, so she’s obviously gone against her father’s wishes. She grabs a bag, changes her clothes and exits just as quickly as she came in. About a half hour later the twins show up, who I now know are named Caleb and Cooper. They are identical, but different in a lot of ways. Cooper has longer hair that falls in his eyes. It’s a sandy blonde on top and darker at the roots. Caleb’s hair is cut shorter, and all one light brown color. They’re going on and on about some chick until they spot me and in a house they don’t recognize. “What happened in here?” Caleb asks.

“I kind of went a bit crazy today. Do you think your father will be mad? I’m trying to impress him.”

Cooper doesn’t care so much about the house. He’s more interested on why I’m there. “Are you seeing our dad now? Has he finally started dating?”

I shrug. “I wish I could tell you what I think you want to hear, but I’m afraid it’s not true. We’re friends. You’re father is helping me out.”

“That’s too bad. The old man needs to get laid,” Caleb announces.

I can feel my cheeks reddening. “Okay then.”

“Dad won’t be mad,” Cooper states. “He’ll probably freak out at first, but it’s all good.”

“I didn’t touch any of your mother’s things. I know how personal that is for him.”

Caleb and Cooper look at one another. One shrugs while the other speaks to me. “It’s been going on eight years. They’re liable to disintegrate the second you touch them. Mom liked things to be clean.”

“It’s a Mom thing. Being organized makes life easier.”

“Lady, we haven’t been organized since the day she died.”

At the age of nineteen, both boys can vividly remember their mother. I admire how positive they seem when talking about her. It’s not like Buck, who still struggles when the topic comes up. “Do you think your dad will ever want to date again? Do you think he’d be able to move forward with a relationship?”

They both laugh and shake their heads. “Who knows? His dick might not work anymore.” Caleb manages to get out with sarcasm.

I want to laugh, but my sudden epiphany keeps me from being able to appreciate the humor. When the sound of a truck rolls onto the property I know someone else has arrived. The twins retreat out back, where Buck has said they’ve made themselves a little private pad, while I sit on the couch wondering how I’m going to explain myself.

Buck comes in, hangs his keys and kicks off his boots. He must smell the bleach before noticing me sitting there. “What did you do?”

I shrug. “Don’t be mad.”

He looks around while walking further into the room. “I thought you were leaving.”

“I did. Then I ran into Peter, and had a fight with Nick, then found out Carl is selling my house to someone who wants to tear it down and build a condo. I’m sorry I came back, Buck, but I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Jesus Christ. Are you okay?”

I shrug as he pulls me into a hug. I don’t want to cry, but can’t help myself once I feel the warmth of his embrace.

After I manage to calm down a bit, he takes the seat beside me, picking up a toss pillow and smelling it. “What did you do to this place?”

“It needed my help. It’s the least I could do for still being here.”

“I never said I required payment.” I can’t help but notice he’s a bit more comfortable than he was earlier in the morning.

“I don’t like using people.” I peer down at my hands and notice they’re shaking, so I tuck them between my legs. “It’s just… I’ve sort of put myself in a terrible predicament. I kind of threatened Peter today after I learned Nick plans on leaving with him. I think I’ve only fueled him worse.”

Buck leans forward in the chair, spreading his legs apart and folding his overworked hands between them while giving me all of his attention.

I’m panicking, nervous and scared this is going to be a disaster.

Here’s the facts.

I’m about to be homeless.

I don’t have the funds for a new place, especially one that will require first and last months rent, and a security deposit, so my only option would be to sell the bar, since it’s all I have of value. There’s just one hiccup. The way it’s deeded to me states that it can’t be transferred to anyone outside of my family. It doesn’t say blood, but a relative by any nature.

With that information in mind, I know what I’d have to do, and sort of have an idea of what I’m about to ask, though I have absolutely no clue how this unpredictable man is going to take it. This isn’t a normal conversation, nor is it going to go well with a man who is too stubborn to move on and see what’s right in front of him.

Buck breaks my concentration with worried questions regarding my confrontation with Peter. “Did he come here? Were you able to speak to your parents?”

I shake my head, and find comfort knowing he’s concerned about me. It’s another reason I’ve always been interested in Buck. “No. It happened at the high school. He’s not going to leave town, not without Nick, and I’m afraid of what’s going to come next. He also said he wants our family back together. He’s gone mad. Poor Nick is being brainwashed. My own son thinks I’ve been keeping him from his father for selfish reasons. He resents me. He thinks Peter didn’t deserve to be in jail, and that I’m at fault for the whole ordeal. Can you believe that? I don’t know how to talk to him. I’m a wreck.” I’m fighting my emotions, hoping to keep it together so I’m able to have a serious conversation with this beautiful man I admire more by the second.

“Teenagers are hard to deal with. He’ll come around.”

“No he won’t, and now I’m probably going to need a place to stay on top of everything else.”

“That bad?”

“I’ve screwed up and said something I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix.” I toss up my hands for him to wait and hear me out. “Before you give your opinion, I want you to know I haven’t had a very long time to think about this. I’m at the end of my rope, Buck. I can’t remember ever feeling so threatened. Maybe I should taunt him so I can put him back behind bars where he belongs before he can take Nick somewhere I’ll never be able to visit.”

“Perry, I think that’s a terrible idea.” It’s funny that he keeps forgetting to call me by my first name, but for some reason I sort of like the difference from the way Peter says ALICE, like he’s there to rip me to shreds.

“I’d die before I let that bastard take my son from me, but Nick’s right. It’s not my decision.” I can’t hold back the tears. I’m terrified and broken.

“So, are you asking me for money? Are you planning on running? I can give you a ride if you don’t want to be seen in your car. I don’t have much of a savings, that’s why I was interested in the bar. I need something I can fall back on when I’m unable to do heavy labor. I’m sure you have closer friends than some guy you serve in your bar to receive help from.”

This is where I need to use the bar as leverage. I have to make it sound appealing so he’ll bite. I know he’s not loaded with cash. That’s why living with him would be a win for both of us. I’d help out, and in return he’d end up with a pretty nice retirement gig.

I’m frantic to have something positive in my life. Just when there’s a glimmer of hope that something good comes my way, it’s taken from me. I need this man to want me, not just for my broken heart, but because I’m desperate to feel needed.

“I don’t have friends, Buck. I’ve kept to myself because of my past. There’s no room in my life for fake people I can’t trust. I’m not asking you for a loan, but I do need a favor that’ll require some serious consideration. You see, I don’t exactly have the right to sell the bar to just anyone. My father had his lawyer add a few contingencies to the deal when he gifted me the business.”

His brow furrows. “Don’t keep me guessing. I hate surprises.”

“Are you certain you’re interested in the bar?”

He claps his hands together. “Sure, if the offer is worth it.”

“My offer is going to freak you out, but just listen before you send me out the front door.”

“Okay. Give it to me straight. How much are you asking?”

“Do you promise not to hate me?” The whole time I wait for a response, I’m praying he doesn’t regret ever helping me in the first place. The bar isn’t what keeps me in this town. It’s always been about Nick. Without him, I’m afraid of what will come. I’m afraid of being alone, of being hopeless.

“You’re scaring me.”

I take a few deep breaths. “I can cook, clean, and manage the bills for your company, as well as the business end of the bar until you’re ready to take over. I’d like to stay on as an employee to keep the regulars happy. They confide in me, so I know it would be better if I stuck around, at least for a friendly face. A job is a job, and I’m going to need one.”

“What the hell are you getting at? You lost me at cooking and cleaning.”

“It’s a proposition.”

“Perry, I’m still not following.”

Here it goes. I’m going to put the idea in his head and let him run with it. I know the risks, and how ridiculous the idea is going to sound, but I’m willing to shame myself for the chance at solving my problem, even if I have to use this ridiculous plan to make it happen. Let’s face it, the man needs a woman around and I’m scared to be alone. I need a reason for him to want me, even if the pretenses don’t make a bit of sense. Give me a month and I’ll have him eating out of the palm of my hand. I’ll be everything he could ever want and then some. He’ll give me a purpose and keep Peter off my back. As much as I don’t want Nick leaving town, I also don’t want my ex sticking around because he thinks he has a chance rekindling our marriage. I need to ensure I’m off limits. “You’re going to have to marry me, Buck. It’s the only way my family will allow the business to be transferred to you. There’s no way around it. It’s a safeguard implemented by my family to ensure I couldn’t take off with the money and leave them again.”

“Marry you? Are you insane? I was just becoming okay with dating, but not this. No way.” He stands. “I don’t think…You can’t possibly… There’s no way in hell. You should probably go. I’ll find another business to invest in that doesn’t require such preposterous conditions.”