Gravel's Road (6 page)

Chapter 8

Ethel

“Ma! Can you bring out some drinks or something?” Lo shouted at me from across the yard.

It was Friday afternoon and half the club had invaded my house, preparing to take down the dead tree on the side of the house.

I waved to Lo and headed into the house where Cyn and Meg were already getting drinks gathered.

“Was that Lo yelling?” Meg asked as she opened the freezer, grabbing the bag of ice I had bought yesterday.

“Yeah. You know him, he always has to be in charge. I didn’t want to break it to him that I was already on it. As far as he will know the drinks were his idea,” I said, winking at Meg as I grabbed the pitcher of iced tea and a stack of cups.

“I’ll grab the beer,” Cyn said, opening the fridge and grabbing the case I had put in to cool.

“Do we even need to bring the iced tea out, I’m sure we are going to be the only ones who actually drink it,” Meg said, smiling at me.

“You’re probably right, but we can just set it up on the porch with us while we watch,” I said, laughing.

Meg had already informed Lo that she was here to supervise, cook and be his beer wench if he so desired. Rigid had hoped on that bandwagon and had informed Cyn that was her job too. Cyn proceeded to flip him the bird and walked away.

“How’s Gravel been?” Cyn asked as we walked out the front door.

I walked over to the table I had by my favorite chair and set down the pitcher of tea and cups. “Good. We’ve come to an understanding.” I said, a blush rising on my cheeks.

“Wooo!! Ethel is getting some!” Meg shouted, causing some of the guys to turn and look at us.

“For heaven’s sake, would you shut up?!” I scolded Meg.

Cyn and Meg threw their heads back laughing, knowing that Meg was right.

I hadn’t been getting it per say, but something had definitely changed between Gravel and me.

After that first movie we watched together, he became more watchful and caring. He had taken me out to eat twice because he said I wasn’t his maid or cook. Every morning we would sit on the deck off his bedroom and just sit and talk. He told me about his ex-wife and daughter.

I had known he had been married but never heard the details. I could see why he was so against settling down from his first experience with it.

“I knew you still had it in you,” Cyn said, juggling the case of beer in her arms.

“Why the hell are you carrying that?” Rigid boomed.

“Because I can. I’m not going to fucking break!’ Cyn yelled at him, rolling her eyes. ‘I swear to fucking god I am going to kill him. He won’t even let me open a soda. He thinks I’m going to break my arm again if I try to use it. Tell me one person who has broken their arm opening a fucking soda.” Cyn huffed.

It had only been a little over two weeks since Cyn had gotten her cast off. I’m sure her arm was still a little weak, but Rigid was over reacting a bit.

“Men,” Meg mumbled as she followed Cyn down the stairs and headed over to the group of guys who had gathered around the massive tree and were figuring out how they were going to cut it down.

“You got a glass of that for me?” Gravel asked as he walked around the side of the house and up the stairs.

“I’m surprised you’re not having a beer,” I said as I poured him a glass and handed it to him.

“Your tea tastes a hell of a lot better than a beer,’ he said, taking a sip. ‘Never thought I would say those words,” he said, shaking his head and laughing.

“Me neither,” I said smiling up at him.

He moved closer to me, his left hand resting on my hip. “No music on?”

“I have to drag the radio out here. I was going to ask Turtle to bring it out,” I said as I swayed into him. He had asked me about a freakin’ radio, and I was acting like he had asked me to marry him. I seriously needed to get a grip.

“I can grab it for you,” he whispered, leaning into me.

“What about your shoulder?” I rasped, my eyes locked with his.

“Its fine,” he said right before his lips touched mine.

His lips were firm and demanding, taking everything I would give. I reached up, grasping his biceps and held on. He slid his silky tongue into my mouth, and our tongues danced.

I whimpered, running my hands up his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck, delving my fingers into his hair.

Gravel growled as my nails scratched his head, holding him to me. “Gravel,” I moaned.

“Why the hell did I wait for this?” He mumbled against my lips. He rained kisses down my neck, nibbling on my ear.

“Well, it’s nice to see you with a woman your own age for once.”

My eyes shot open, and I pulled away from Gravel and my eyes focused on a petite blonde that had her arms crossed over her chest.

Gravel turned around, and his face went pale. Crap was this one of his girls from the clubhouse. Lo was going to shit a brick if he knew one of the girls from the club had come to my house.

“What are you doing here, Marley?” Gravel asked. Oh, my. This was Gravel’s daughter.

“I stopped by the clubhouse, thinking you would be there because that’s where you always are, and some guy told me I could find you here. Here I am,” she replied. She was absolutely gorgeous. She had pale blonde hair down to her waist, a perfectly straight nose, beautiful blue eyes and cupid bow lips.

She had on a long, black, flowy maxi dress with a white cardigan over it and black ballet flats.

“So I see,” Gravel said.

They both stood there, staring at each other. “You going to introduce me to the woman you were just kissing or is she just another one of your girls?”

“Knock it off, Marley. You’re not going to talk to Ethel like that,” Gravel growled.

“Oh, so this one is different. It’s about fucking time.’ Marley looked past Gravel and waved at me. ‘I’m Marley, Lincoln’s daughter,” she said.

Lincoln? I just found out Gravel’s name, and I didn’t even have to ask. Thank God. I was afraid he was going to make me go through the same thing Rigid did to poor Cyn.

“Hi,” I replied, plastering a smile on my face.

Here I was, standing on my porch where I had just been making out with Gravel and his daughter he hadn’t seen in years just interrupted us. I looked around, looking for a hole to jump in and swallow me up.

“How come you didn’t call and tell me you were coming for a visit?” Gravel asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Marley took up the same stance, and I could totally see the family resemblance.

“It’s not a visit.”

“Well, you’re here, so that counts as a visit.”

“It’s not really a visit if I don’t plan on leaving,” Marley divulged.

I gasped, shocked that Marley had no plans of leaving. Gravel said they had a strained relationship, and now she was here to stay. Something didn’t seem right.

“What’s going on?” Gravel demanded.

“Nothing. I’m sick of California, that’s all,” Marley said, her eyes darting to the left.

“I’m not buying it,” Gravel gruffed.

“Well, that’s what I’m selling,’ Marley said, ending the discussion. ‘Do you have a restroom I can use? It’s been a long time since I’ve used a bathroom that wasn’t at a truck stop.”

“You drove here?” Gravel bellowed.

“Yeah, that’s pretty much the only way to get my car here. Bathroom?” She said, ignoring Gravel and looking at me.

“Ethel will show you,’ Gravel said, ‘then we’re going to have a fucking talk about what happened for you to come here.”

“Yes, sir,” Marley said, saluting Gravel and followed me into the house.

“Sorry for interrupting you,” Marley said as soon as the screen door slapped shut behind us.

I felt my face heat, knowing my cheeks were glowing with embarrassment. “Don’t worry about it,” I replied, ducking my head.

“So how did you two meet? No disrespect, but you’re really not my father’s usual type.”

I glanced behind me as we walked down the hall to the bathroom. “I’m very much aware of your father’s type, and I’m thankful I’m not it.”

I flipped on the bathroom light and stood off to the side of the door.

“I really am sorry for barging in on you. I’ll just use the bathroom quickly and be out of your way. My dad can come see me at the hotel in town when he’s done,” Marely said, remorse written on her face.

“Don’t be foolish,’ I said, assuring. I could tell Marley really was a sweet girl who was going through something and came to her father as her last resort. ‘You can stay here and talk to him and figure things out. I don’t mind. Some of the guys from the club and my son, Lo were just going to take care of a dead tree.”

“I really appreciate it, but I need some sleep. I haven’t really slept since I left California two days ago,” she said as she smothered a yawn with the back of her hand.

“You left California forty-eight hours ago, and you are in Wisconsin today! Did you drive straight through?” That had to be the only way Marley had made it here so fast. Something must be chasing her for her to get here so quickly.

“Yeah. I just wanted to get here,” she said, her eyes darting to the left again. I could tell that whenever Marley was telling a lie, she lost eye contact.

“Well, I have a guest bedroom your dad has been using, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you taking a nap in it. I’ll hold him off for a bit if you want to sleep,” I offered, feeling sorry for Marley.

“I know I should refuse your offer, but I’m so exhausted I’m going to take you up on it,” she said, leaning against the door frame.

“Next door down on the right. I’ll take care of your dad,” I promised, turning to walk back outside.

“Thank you, Ethel. I uh… I just need… uh, just thank you.” Marley stuttered, backed into the bathroom and shut the door.

I looked at the closed door, wondering what it was that Marley was hiding and running from.

“Ethel!” I heard Gravel call through the screen door.

I headed down the hall and out the door to see Gravel and Lo in a face off.

“Tell your son to back off.” Gravel’s eyes connecting with mine.

“What?” I asked, having no idea what the heck was going on. I looked out into the yard and saw everyone watching.

“This is the kind of man you want to be with, Ma?” Lo asked, not taking his eyes off Gravel.

Oh no. I guess Marley wasn’t the only one who had seen Gravel, and I kiss. “You mean the same man you were before you got together with Meg?” Gravel shot back.

“That’s fucking different,” Lo growled.

“Bullshit,” Gravel said.

Lo advanced on Gravel, his hands fisted at his sides. “I have you come stay with my mom so she can take care of you, and this is how you fucking thank me?”

This was ridiculous. “Both of you, knock it off,’ I called, walking over stood in between them. ‘You need to take your head out of your ass, Lo. I am fifty-eight years old and don’t need your permission on who I can and can’t date,” I scolded him. I know he had good intentions, but I did not need him deciding who I could date.

“I told you it had nothing to do with you, boy.” Gravel taunted Lo.

“Knock it off,” I spat, knocking Gravel on the side of his head.

“Woman,” He growled at me.

“Don’t you woman me. I can take care of my own son, I don’t need you fighting fights for me that aren’t even there,” I warned.

Gravel crossed his arms over his chest and stared me down. I didn’t take my eyes off him.

“Ok!’ Meg walked in front of Lo, reaching up and cradling his face in her hands. ‘Let’s go cut down a tree, caveman.”

“Meg,” Lo growled at her.

“Knock it off, Lo. I talked to you about this before. You acted like you didn’t care. Let it go.”

“That was when I thought my mother was smarter than this,” Lo barked.

“You better fucking think before those next words come out of your mouth about your mom. Say whatever the hell you want to about me, but leave your mom out of this,” Gravel warned, taking a step towards Lo.

Thankfully Meg and I were standing between the guys, and I knew neither of them would hurt us.

“I think you both need to go and cool off,” Cyn said from down on the grass trying to defuse the situation.

“I don’t need to calm the fuck down. I’m just going to tell you one fucking thing, and that’s it,” Lo boomed.

“Lo, please stop,” Meg pleaded.

“No, Meg. Gravel is going to hear what I have to say.”

“Let’s hear it, boy,” Gravel said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Lo growled, not amused being called boy. “I’ve known you for sixteen years. I have seen you go through more woman than I can remember. I was there when you went through your shit marriage.’ I glanced at the screen door hoping Marley didn’t hear that, that was her mother Lo was talking about. ‘And watched that bitch rip your heart out by taking your kid away from you. I saw how much that hurt you. You are the closest thing I have to a father since dad passed.”

“Lo,” I whispered, not realizing Lo missed his dad as much as I did.