Serendipity (12 page)

I pick up the vibrator and shut it off. I stand outside the bathroom door and wait to see if I hear anything coming from Emily and Keith’s room. I would die of embarrassment if I had woken them up. I know I wasn’t that loud, but this is a small hallway with the two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Flipping on the light in the bathroom, I quickly clean myself and head back to bed. Completely sated, I lie down and drift off to sleep.

I wake up to pounding headache. The events from last night are vague at best. I remember going to Devon’s, having great sex and then heading to O’Malley’s to meet up with my buddies, Jake and Austin. I don’t even remember driving home or getting into the house.

“Dean, wake up!” My dad opens the door and shouts into the den.

“I’m up,” I mumble.

He opens the door all the way and I look over to see my mom standing behind him, her hands on her hips.

I just can’t win.

“It don’t look it to me. Get your lazy ass up, boy.” He says in his deep southern drawl.

I toss back the blanket and sit on the edge of the couch, rubbing the back of my neck. He closes the door when he sees me finally moving. I dig through my pile of clothes and pull on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

I meet them in the kitchen and their eyes are glued to me. I pour a cup of coffee and slip on my boots before heading outside without a word.

I know I fucked up. I haven’t had a drink in months and even then, I’d only had a few beers… I think. I slept well past my alarm but I was having the best dream. I get to work quickly, praying that I’ll sober up as the day progresses.

I peel my shirt off when the morning sun rises and the heat beats down on my back. I skip breakfast, only going into the house to refill my coffee. I avoid my parents at all costs.

Sweeping the stable, I glance up when I see the door open and light filters in. Barbie steps in, carrying a plate in her hand and glances around. When she spots me, she sways her hips as she walks towards me, and a smile tugs at her lips.

Leaning the broom against the wooden post, I walk towards her. “Hey,” she says, seductively.

I furrow my brow. “Hi,” I say, confused as to why she’s acting this way towards me. I haven’t seen her since yesterday when she was getting out of the truck—all smiles, with an ice cream in her hand.

“Um, your parents said that you didn’t look too well this morning and that you skipped breakfast, so I thought I’d bring you lunch since it looks like you’re working hard.”

I take the plate from her and sit down on a bale of hay. I take a bite and stare up at her, wondering why she hasn’t left yet. “Thank you,” I mumble through a mouthful of food.

“You’re welcome,” she smiles back. Just standing there, she glances around. When she sees Bo stands and cranes his neck out of his stall she walks over to him and strokes his brisk hair.

“That’s Bo,” I point to him.

“Aww. Hi, Bo. I’m Phoebe,” she introduces herself.

I eat my sandwich in record time and wash it down with a thermos of ice water. I walk over to her and Bo and watch as she’s mesmerized by my friend.

“Can I ride him?” She asks, not taking her eyes off of him.

“I don’t know if you know this or not but you’re kind of injured. I’m pretty sure my parents would have my ass if I put you on a horse, especially Bo here.”

“Well, maybe when I get better then?”

What? I thought she was leaving in six days? I’m completely confused but I just go with it.

“Sure, anytime,” I shrug.

“You were a little rough last night. Are you feeling better?” She looks up at me and the tidal wave pulls me in. I’m drowning in her eyes.

“W—what are you talking about?” I stutter.

“Last night. You came home and you were pretty trashed. I helped you get into bed and then…”

I hold up my hand and stop her before she can finish. “What do you mean you helped me into bed? I didn’t see you last night. At least, not that I recall.”

Her face falls and her eyes widen but I’m still at a loss. Okay so she helped me into bed. Did I not say thank you?

“You don’t remember last night.” She’s not asking a question.

When I shake my head no she turns to leave without a word. Okay, that was weird.

“See, Bo, women are strange creatures.” I tell him. He moves his head up and down as if agreeing with me.

I actually finish work before the sun sets, so I grab the keys from the garage and pull out a four-wheeler. I hop on and drive through the fields. I stop by when I’m out in the area where I brought Barbie yesterday. I kill the motor and just stare off into the open land. It’s so freeing being out here. Nobody around for miles—just me and Mother Nature.

I thought things had changed between us but I guess I was wrong. It doesn’t matter though because in six days I’ll be gone and I’ll never have to see him again. I was willing to toss out my rules for him but he doesn’t deserve that. After he admits that he has no recollection of our encounter last night, I run into the house and up the stairs. I lie on the bed and will my tears to stay at bay.
I will not cry, I will not cry
. I chant over and over.

Emily walks in with my bottle of pills and a glass of water. “Did you want a pain pill, Phoebe?” she asks.

Yes! A pain pill to make the pain in my heart go away.
“Yes, please,” I sit up in the bed and lean back against the wooden headboard. She hands me a small white pill and a glass of water.

“How’s your hand feeling?” she asks, examining the brace.

I shrug. “It’s fine I guess.” I hand her back the glass and lie down. I catch her as she’s about to leave the room. “Do you think that if I’m feeling better tomorrow we can make the insurance calls and you can help me look for a place?”

A smile spreads across her face. “Of course, sweet girl.”

I return her smile and close my eyes and drift off to sleep. I wake with tears streaming down my face and my chest heaving. I sit up and catch my breath, and notice that the room is dark. I look out the window when I hear the slamming of a car door and voices below.

Two men get out of a sleek, black sports car and greet Dean. Carrying cases of beer, they walk towards the barn. I watch until I lose sight of them walking to the open field.

I head downstairs into the kitchen, I’m greeted by Emily and Keith sitting at the table. They both smile when they see me but their smile quickly fades.

“What’s wrong?” I tilt my head and ask. Pulling out a chair, I sit down next to Emily and prop my elbows on the table.

“Phoebe, is everything all right?” She places her hand on mine. Keith’s lips are pressed in a hard line and he doesn’t look happy.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”

“For starters, your eyes are puffy and you have mascara running down your cheeks,” Emily says, concern fills her tone.

Shit! I forgot about the dream and I didn’t even clean myself up. These people must think I’m nuts for walking around looking like this. I rush to the sink and wash my face to remove the black, dried makeup that stains my face and run my fingers through my hair to tame any fly-aways.

“Sorry, I had a dream about my dad and woke up crying. I haven’t had a dream about him in years.” I sit back down and watch as their expressions change from concerned to sorrow.

Emily gets up and pulls a plate out of the microwave and sets it down in front of me. Steam rises from the food and fills my nose. As if on cue, my stomach growls loud enough to wake anyone within a mile radius. We share a laugh, and I dig into the pot roast and potatoes.

I feel like I’m on display at a zoo. Both sets of eyes are fixed on me while I eat. Emily breaks the silence. “Do you want to talk about it?” Emily asks.

I shake my head. “No, I’ll be fine.” And I will be.

“Okay, well after you eat, why don’t we get you cleaned up?” She offers.

“Sounds good,” I finish cleaning my plate and lounge back in the seat. Keith has a pleased smile on his face and Emily takes my dish to the sink.

I’m about to stand when the door opens and laughter fills the room. The boys stop in their tracks when they see the three of us glaring at them.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery,” the tall one says.

Keith stays quiet and glares at Dean. Did I miss something? He doesn’t look too pleased with his son, and it looks like the feeling is mutual.

“Hi, Austin. Jake,” Emily says, greeting the boys with a hug.

All eyes focus on me and nobody says anything for a minute. Suddenly, I feel self-conscious, and run my hand through my hair and across my face in case there is something stuck to it. I’m surprised when Dean breaks the silence. “Guys, this is Bar—Phoebe,” he catches himself before calling me that stupid name.

The boys say nothing until Dean hits the tall one in the arm. “Hi, Phoebe,” he says and takes a step forward to shake my hand. “I’m Jake,” he offers.

I shake his hand and notice the other one following suit. His icy blue eyes hypnotize me and for a second I’m lost. “Hi, I’m Austin,” he says in a deep southern drawl.

“Hi,” is all I manage to say because my mouth instantly goes dry.

Jake is good looking in his own right. He’s shorter than Dean and Austin, and I can see blonde hair peeking out from under his brown cowboy hat. But Austin? Phew, I think I need a cool shower to soothe my scorching body. He’s not wearing a hat, and his black hair is cut short—resembling a buzz cut. The glare of his piercing blue eyes, burn into my soul.

“Okay, let me just grab something and then we can go?” Dean says, only looking at me.

When he leaves the room, Emily and Keith talk to the boys. I sit there just listening to their conversation, and stealing glances at Austin.

A throat clears behind me, and I look over my shoulder to see Dean looking around the room. “Ready?” He catches the boys’ attention.

They nod, say their goodbyes and walk out the door.

Emily wipes her hands on her apron. “You ready for that shower now?” She places her hand on my shoulder.

I nod. Getting up from the table, I push in my chair and follow Emily upstairs.

What in the hell is happening to me? I’ve never been like that around guys, let alone the way I feel about Dean. Plus, the dreams. This is all new to me and I’m feeling as if I’m having an out-of-body experience.

After I shower, Emily helps with placing dry gauze over the stitches. I get into my pajamas and slip into bed. I make a mental note of all the things that have to be accomplished this week—starting tomorrow!