Renewed (The Fractured Series Book 3) (2 page)

Chapter
Three

Bryan crossed the living room and walked into the kitchen, where Mom was putting away the dried dishes. I stood at the bottom of the stairs and waited.

He tilted his head into the living room. “Dad, do you have a minute?” he asked. Bryan hardly ever interrupted Dad while he was watching television. I was going to leave them all to talk, but then I thought it would be best if I stayed close, just in case Bryan needed me to hold Dad off him.

Dad walked into the kitchen, his brows drawn together. He leaned against the refrigerator with apprehension in his expression. Mom recognized the seriousness in Bryan’s tone. With a dish still in her hand, she turned and gave him her full attention. I walked up behind Bryan and nodded my support.

“Mom, Dad, I’m getting married.”

“What
?” Dad shouted.

“What do you mean you’re getting married?” Mom asked in disbelief. She pulled a chair out from the table and sat down, shock on her face.

Dad’s arms crossed his chest, waiting for Bryan to elaborate on his newly announced plan.

Bryan explained the whole situation and told my parents he wanted to do the right thing.

“But, you’re too young,” Mom said.

“Jennifer wants to keep the baby. You were pregnant with Mandy and me at seventeen,” Bryan defended.

“But we’ve tried so hard to teach you not to make the same mistakes,” Mom continued. A tear rolled down her face.

“What about college? Notre Dame? The football scholarship?” Dad asked.

“I have to get a job, Dad. I’m going to have a family to support.”

“What kind of a job do you think you’re going to get without a college education?” Dad yelled and took two steps toward Bryan. I expected him to have a tirade, like Dillon does when his eggs touch the second piece of toast.

“Oh, Bryan,” Mom couldn’t continue her sentence. Dad put his arm around her. It was endearing, but it made me sick to think he would put his adulterous hands on my unsuspecting mother. Her sobs forced her breath inward.

There was a very long period of silence after that.

“I love her,” Bryan said. “I don’t want Jennifer to go through this alone. It’s my responsibility. I’m going to be a father.”

More silence. Mom couldn’t speak.

“Can’t we talk about this, son?” Dad asked. “There has to be another way.”

“No. There isn’t,” Bryan said. “Jennifer and I have already decided. We’re getting married
, and we’re going to have the baby.”

Mom stared into space. I knew she was trying to remember if there were still any hidden bottles of alcohol somewhere in the house. “Are you sure, Bryan?” she asked.

“Yes, Mom. I love her. I planned to ask her during the summer. This has just sped up my timing.”

Dad ran his grease-stained hands through the mass of strawberry blond curls on his head.

I looked at Bryan. He was serious. I was proud of him. Walking over to him, I placed my hand on his back. “Well, I’m here for you, Bry.”

“Thanks, Mandy.”

“Of course we’re here for him, Mandy,” Mom said, as if she was accusing me of being false. She shook her head and finally put the plate down on the table. She pushed up off the tabletop and stood. Then she walked over to Bryan and hugged him, without saying another word. She couldn’t hold back the tears as they started streaming down her cheeks. She released Bryan from her tight hug and went upstairs.

“Bryan…” Dad started, but Bryan held up his hand. Dad pushed at the open air between them
, and then went into the living room and flopped on the couch. He stared at the television, but I don’t think he was really concentrating on the game. Dillon went upstairs to play with his planes, oblivious to what was really going on. Bryan went to his room to call Jennifer. I was left in the kitchen, to finish putting away the cleaned dishes.

The next morning was Saturday. I agreed to work at Dad’s garage. Not because I was talking to him, or that I felt as if I wanted to help out; he said he would pay me for ‘an honest day’s work.’
I knew Rob would be sleeping until noon, so I agreed.

Bryan stayed under the radar. He had gotten up early and went to Jennifer’s. He was supposed to work at the garage, but he left Dad a note saying he needed the day off to be with Jennifer.

The morning was quiet at the shop; there were only three cars to be worked on. Mid-way through the day, Mr. Sutton came into the storefront. His light brown hair was graying at the temples, but was very neatly combed to one side on top of his tall, thin frame. He might have been very handsome in his younger days. He was a stockbroker, and he looked like stockbroker—a stockbroker who was out of place standing in the dirty store portion of a garage. His khaki trousers and pink button-down Oxford shirt was quite different from the coveralls the mechanics in the back wore. His polished leather shoes were cleaner than the scuffed linoleum tiles of the floor.

He walked over to the wood paneled counter I sat behind. “Good morning, Mandy.”

I looked up and gave him my best business smile. “Good morning, Mr. Sutton. How can I help you?”

“I’d like a word with your father, if he’s around.”

“Sure, I’ll go get him. If you’d like, you may have a seat.”

He looked at the grimy row of folding chairs up against the only wall without a stack of tires against it. He opted to stand.

I pushed the door that led to the shop and walked into the garage. Dad was at the far end, past all of the other mechanics, each busy with a car. Dad’s head was under the hood of a Lexus.

“Your slut’s husband is here to see you.”

Dad lifted his head from the engine. Concern, then panic swept his face. “What does he want?”

I shrugged. “He didn’t say. Just said he wants to ‘have a word’ with you. I hope he kicks your ass.” I turned and walked back to the storefront. Although I knew he was there to talk about Jennifer, I half-hoped he was there to beat my dad to a pulp.
Nice daughter, right?
“He’ll be right with you,” I said to Mr. Sutton, who offered a small smile in return.

Dad walked through the door from the garage, wiping his greasy hands with an equally greasy rag. His messy strawberry blond curls fell forward into his face. “Hey, Jason. I’d shake your hand, but as you can see, I’ve been busy with the cars.” Mr. Sutton waved the gesture off. “What can I do for you today? I hope the
Porsche isn’t giving you trouble.”

Nice cover up, Dad. He’s probably here to let you know he’ll be castrating your son and hiring some thugs to take you down for sleeping with his wife. And, I’m not going to stop him, at least not for the second part.

“Ah, no, Mark. The Porsche is fine.” Mr. Sutton wrestled with his words. “Arlene and I want to invite you and Dina to the house tomorrow. There’s something important we need to discuss.”             

The color drained from Dad’s face. “Uh, sure, Jason.” I could tell Dad was unsure of which issue Mr. Sutton was referring. It was fun to watch him squirm.

Mr. Sutton looked very uncomfortable. The contrast between the two men couldn’t have been clearer than white on black. Mr. Sutton was very prim and proper in his immaculate designer labels and yuppie ensemble, and my father’s filthy coveralls and work boots were covered from top-to-bottom in car fluids. His blondish hair was a curly mess, while every strand of Mr. Sutton’s straight hair lay in place. Although I didn’t agree with my dad sleeping with Mrs. Sutton, I couldn’t imagine her in bed with her husband either.
Who knows? Maybe he’s a wild one when the lights are out.

“How’s one?”

“We’ll be there.”

“Great,” Mr. Sutton said. “Don’t forget to bring Bryan.”

Oh, so this is about Bryan. I guess Jennifer told her parents. Oddly, my father’s shoulders relaxed.
Sure, be relieved your son’s head is on the chopping block, just as long as your secret is safe and you aren’t going to be castrated
. The disgust I had for my father multiplied in that moment.

Mr. Sutton turned to leave. “Bye, Mandy,” he said pushing the door open.

“Bye, Mr. Sutton,” I waved, even though I knew he couldn’t see me.

Dad looked at me. I shifted my eyes back to the game of
Solitaire on the computer screen. There was no way I was going to be sympathetic to him.

At twelve-thirty Rob walked into the shop. Immediately, my sour mood shifted. It felt as if someone pumped me up with helium. He had two pizza boxes in his hand. I stretched over the counter and gave him a big kiss.

“Mmm, you look very sexy behind that counter. I’d like to check your engine.”

He made me blush thinking about him working under my hood.

“I thought if I bribed your dad with lunch, he’d let me steal you for an hour.” His dimple was right where I liked it, to the right side of his soft, perfect lips.

Each of the guys came in
, took a slice of pizza and thanked Rob, before heading back into the garage. Rob and I went out to the back of the building, and we each ate a slice of pizza. “I’ll be home at seven tonight,” he said.

“Can I wait for you at your house?” I asked, as if he’d ever say no.

“What a silly question. Of course you can wait at the house. You have your key, right?”

I tapped my pocket and nodded. “I’ll make dinner,” I said.

“Why don’t I take you out for dinner?”

“Because, you can’t have the dessert I’ve planned if you take me out.”

“Ohhhh.” His face flushed, and I could tell he was on the same wavelength as I was. He tossed his unfinished pizza slice into the dumpster and grabbed me around the waist. “Will there be whipped cream?” he asked in a seductive tone.

I took a bite of my pizza and then tossed it into the bin too. “I can pick up whipped cream on my way over.”

Rob pulled me closer. Our bodies fit together like matching puzzle pieces. I could tell he liked my thought process. His pillowy lips kissed me. He was much better tasting than the pizza. My head swirled with thoughts about our night together. He moved his mouth to my neck. I tilted my head and moaned. He pulled me closer. I started to lose my self-control.

“Ah-hem.” My father’s voice interrupted the moment. He stood in the back doorway. “Lunch time is over.” He walked back into the shop.

“I was getting to the point where I was going to toss you into the trash container and have my way with you on top of all the garbage,” Rob said, breathing heavily.

“You know, I would have let you,” I said back. Then I thought of how forceful Jimmy had been with me and I got quiet.
Forget Jimmy. He’s in jail and Rob is wonderful. You’re safe with him. You love him.

Chapter Four

Dad let me leave at five. He paid me in cash. I went to the supermarket and bought the ingredients I’d need for dinner with some of the money I earned for the day.

While choosing the right cut of meat, I felt a strong pair of arms circle my waist. My muscles stiffened, but then tingles ran up and down every stretch of my body. I could tell it was Rob from his cologne, which smelled like a warm, summer, ocean breeze. I tilted my head back onto his chest.

“I don’t see any whipped cream in that basket,” he whispered in my ear. My pulse was so fast I thought I’d go into cardiac arrest.

“You don’t collect the refrigerator items until last,” I whispered back. I knew all the old ladies and young mothers were watching, but I didn’t care. I was in a great place.

“Just as long as you don’t forget,” he said.

“Oh, trust me. I won’t forget.”

He kissed my cheek
, and I felt his hand slip away from my waist. He walked past me, pushing a skid of some canned-something. He looked over his shoulder. I could see his devilish grin. It made me hurry to get all of the things I needed.

I took a quick shower in the bathroom next to Rob’s room while the meat was cooking. I dried myself and wrapped his robe around me. I loved that it smelled like him. I set up the vegetables in the pan, and checked on the meat again before returning upstairs.

The clock read 6:58. I hung the robe up on the hook behind the door and got under the fluffy white comforter on the bed in what used to be Rob’s parents’ room. The only thing I brought with me was the two cans of whipped cream – one vanilla, and one chocolate.

I heard the electric door to the garage open then close, and then Rob’s feet raced up the stairs. He lifted the ugly supermarket shirt from his body as he neared the bed. His chiseled chest sent a ripple through me. I couldn’t wait for him to be next to me.

I jumped up and helped him take the rest of his clothes off. Then I pulled him onto the bed and showed him how much I liked whipped cream.

***

“So, what’s going to happen?” Rob asked cutting into the steak dinner I prepared for him.

I shrugged
, and the terry cloth robe lifted and fell on my shoulders. “I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.”

“You were invited to go to the meeting?”

“Jennifer said she wanted me there as support. I asked Bryan if it was okay with him, and he said Jennifer needed someone in her corner other than him.”

Rob leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the lips mid-chew.

“What did I do to deserve that?” I asked.

“You’re just so good. Always giving of yourself without wanting anything in return.”

“I thought it was to show your appreciation for dinner.”

“I plan on showing you after dinner.” Both dimples appeared on his face. My cheeks were warm.

“Why, you look simply flushed, my dear,” Rob said in a terrible southern accent, turning his attention toward me.

“Well, it is hot in here.” I used an open hand to fan my face.

“Then I guess we’d better remove that heavy, warm robe.” He came at me with focused intention.

It was eleven o’clock when he walked me to my front door. “Will you call me when you come home tomorrow? I want to find out if I have to visit anyone in the hospital once the Suttons finish talking to the Stewarts.”

I laughed, but I don’t think he was joking. “I promise to call just as soon as I know something.”

We spent the next twenty-five minutes saying good-bye with just our lips.