Save Me From Me (5 page)

I slightly turn my head his way. “It’s not all I still got,” I tease but quickly wish I hadn’t. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.

“Maybe one day you’ll show me, cuz’ we both know your pool playin’ skills are definitely lackin’ these days.” He laughs as he walks backwards to the table where his beer is sitting. I turn back hoping that the hot guy is still here, but instead catch the back of his hat as he walks out the door.
Dammit.

“I see Brandy is keeping you in shape at Mom’s.” Tyler slides up and leans against me to gain his balance. He’s been drinking much longer than I have tonight. I look up at him and smile.

“Now what would make you think that?” He points at my bottom lip and I swat his hand away. No way am I trusting his beer goggles to keep his hand from touching my sore lip.

“Exactly. That cut on your lip tells me something went down. You never told me when you called me.”

I sigh. “You know. The same ole, same ole bullshit. I’m tired of how they talk to our mother. She birthed us, raised us, and is now basically raising her grandsons and still taking care of her oldest kids. At least I have a job and help with the bills. And for what?” I throw my hands in the air causing Tyler to lose his balance.

“Easy there, Buddy.” Gage wraps his arm around Tyler’s side and uses me to sandwich him between us to keep him from falling. “How ‘bout we get you home big guy?”

“I’ll show you big guy,” Tyler slurs as he now lets his weight lean on Gage’s side.

“Yeah, yeah.” Gage looks at me and nods towards the door. We make our way through the crowd and I look over at the bar and smile at Gina.

“Better be seeing you around more, DJ. Don’t be a stranger.”

My brother isn’t some little guy that is easy to maneuver around when he’s about to pass out. He is dead weight and practically dead to the world as well. I reach in his pocket, grab his keys, and push the lock button to make finding his truck easier.

“How ‘bout you leave me here holding him up braced against the wall and run fast.” Gage smiles. “Get his truck and bring it over here instead of us trying to drag him across the gravel parking lot?”

“Good thinking. I’ll be right back.” I quickly get to his truck and hop in. I wonder if I should even be driving. I’m not drunk by any means. Loralee pretty much put a kink in that plan of action, and Tyler being wasted didn’t help either. But I’m sure it’s for the best. It’s not as if I need to be making any dumbass drunken decisions and sleeping with any ex’s tonight, or any night anytime soon.

Since I’m not used to Tyler’s brand, spanking, new truck I may or may not have peeled out a couple times and skid to a stop where Gage was waiting. The smirk on his face tells me he’s amused by my driving skills.

“It’s not a race, NASCAR,” he laughs.

“Shut up,” I say as I come around to open the passenger door. “I can’t help that his pedals are touchy.”

“Excuses, excuses. How ‘bout a lil help over here?” he asks as he tries to move to my brother without any assistance.

“Dude, don’t get your panties in a wad.” After getting Tyler to the truck, I go around, climb in my door, and grab anything I can to pull him into the truck. Once he’s in, I shut the door, lock it, and turn to buckle up. Gage walks around to my side and stands waiting for me to roll my window down. “Yes?”

“I’m going to follow you to his house.” I raise my brow at him. “Now, don’t be getting any crazy ideas, Dani. I’m only coming over to help you get that beast to his bed, not you.” Yeah, that’s what his mouth might be saying, but his eyes say differently. I can see that if given the opportunity, he’d take me any way he could have me. “Plus, you’ve been drinking. So, I’ll stay on your ass.” I laugh. “Head outta the gutter. I’ll tail ya in case any pigs are out and about. If anyone gets pulled over, it’ll be me.”

I just nod since I’m not really sure how to respond to that. I’ve heard of people taking a bullet for someone, but taking a ticket and possibly even jail time? I’m not sure which one is worse.

After we get Tyler to bed, Gage heads to the door to leave, but I can tell he really doesn’t want to. And honestly, I don’t want him to either. I’ve been keeping to myself so much lately that I feel as if I’m slowly going batshit crazy. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the idiots I live with, but I guess it’s not too bad if I’m not willing to change it.

“Wait,” I say, and he turns to face me. I can see the smile he’s trying to conceal. He looks so damn cute trying to do so. “Why don’t you just stay here? I mean, you really shouldn’t be driving all the way home. Plus, I’m not very tired.” I unwillingly yawn.
Yeah, that’s convincing.
“Maybe we can catch up some.”

“Are you sure?” He double-checks as if he’s trying to keep from overstepping any boundaries.

“Yes, I’m sure. Honestly, I’ve missed you and really want to just chat. I haven’t really just sat down and talked with anyone in a very long time.” I try to keep the sadness at bay, but he knows me all too well, and I’m sure can see it written all over my face.

“I’ve missed you too,” he admits as he makes his way to the couch and sits down. I watch as he pulls off his hat and tosses it on the floor while stretching his arms as far as he can. Then he pushes his legs out and lets out a noise as he does. He catches me checking him out while he readjusts his shirt from where it had lifted which lets me get a glimpse of his more-than-defined abdominal area. “Like whatcha see?” he teases, obviously knowing the answer.

“You sure have filled out,” I say unable to take my eyes off his body. This is horrible. I’m basically undressing him in my mind. It’s been too long. He’s definitely enjoying the fact that I’m openly gawking at him.

“Wouldn’t you like to know how filled out I am?” He winks and that statement causes me to blush once the realization of what he’s talking about clicks.

“Perv, I swear.” I hit him with the throw pillow. “Will you ever grow up?” I ask as I roll my eyes and try real hard to hide the fact that I would like to explore his
filled
out body.

He holds his hands up in defense. “Who was checking who out?”

“No shame over here. You’ve always been a hottie, Gage. But you sure have thickened up the last ten years.”

He laughs. “Now who’s the perv?”

Needing to change the subject, I start with the whole catching up process.

“So, what has been new with you, Gage? How are the shop and how are your parents doing?” I ask nervously, but I genuinely want to know.

He sighs. “Honestly, the shop’s up and running, but barely. We have the regulars that will always bring us business, but everyone else goes out of town. Mom and Dad are good for the most part. Mom tries nursing Dad all the time, and he always tells her he ain’t dead and can take care of his own self. He comes down to the shop every chance he has and makes sure to let me know what I’m doing wrong.” He laughs. “So, basically, nothing has changed since you left.”

I turn to face him with my legs Indian style. “How have you been doing with all of it, Gage? With your dad being sick and running the shop? I know it can’t be easy.”

He lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s been hard.”

“I know you hated me, and you might even still do. I’m sorry. I did love you. I know you don’t believe me. I just had to go. I didn’t want to turn into my mom or anyone else in this town. I was stubborn and head strong. I got that from my daddy.” I smile. “But now, I wonder what I’d change if I had known how it’d all pan out. I mean look at my life now. I have nothing to show for it.”

“I did hate you. You broke my heart. Everything I had going in my life was forced upon me, but the only thing I had a choice with was you. I loved you and wanted you. I get that you wonder what you would have done if you could go back in time. I’ve spent the last ten years replaying that last summer we spent together over and over. I could have played college ball. I could have made something of myself. And I could have kept my girl while doing so. But no, I got sucked into the family bullshit that has done nothing but drain my soul since the day it was pushed on me.”

“I am sorry,” I say, grabbing his hand. “It feels so good to talk to you about everything. It feels natural, just like old times.” I smile.

“I agree. I’m sorry about your dad. I wish I could have been there for you, but I knew it wasn’t the right time to try reappearing in your life. I know he adored the hell out of you. The whole world knew that. He made sure everyone knew not to mess with his little girl.” I rest my head against the couch, and feel a tear trail down my cheek. “Damn, Danielle, I’m not trying to make you cry.”

I quickly wipe the tear away. “No, it’s happy tears. Good memories.”

My phone rings, yanking me out of the dream I was having. It was a really good one too. It had two of the men I loved in it. My dad had taken Gage and me to his favorite fishing spot. Usually he’d only take Tyler and me, so Gage felt pretty special that he was included. They both made fun of me the whole time because I wasn’t fishing; I was playing with my camera instead. What can I say? It was a passion of mine. Still is.

I don’t rush to answer my phone. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dimness around me. I smile as soon as I see Gage sitting wide-awake, watching the news on the other end of the couch. I notice that a blanket covers me and there’s a pillow under my head. All things Gage must have done after I passed out. I can’t help but stare. He still looks like the boy I was in love with so long ago. I was stupid to leave him. He looks my way, catching me checking him out, yet again.

“You know, some people say starin’ is rude, but not me. So, carry on,” he says with a wave of his hand.

I stick my tongue out as I get up to walk to the kitchen and grab my phone off the counter.
Holy hell.
Why are they calling me at six o’clock in the morning on my off day? I make my way back to the couch after I call my job back.

“Hey, can you run me to my truck?” I ask him as I bend over and pull my boots on.

“Of course. Is there somewhere you have to be this early in the morning?” He looks at me trying to hide the disappointment.

“I was supposed to have the day off. I never have days off, and the one I finally have, someone calls in sick. I swear I’m doomed,” I say dramatically.

“That blows.”

“You’re telling me.”

“Well, let’s get you to your truck.”

When we arrive, Gage gets out and walks me to my truck. He opens the door for me and I climb my way up. “I’m glad to see you finally got your own lil monster truck.” He laughs as he steps back, checking out my beast of a truck.

“I guess my dad got tired of me begging for one.” I put my key in to start it, but it won’t turn over. Nothing. It won’t work. No sounds. No lights. Nada. Zilch.

“Doesn’t sound good,” Gage says as he walks towards the front of my truck. “Pop your hood.” I do as he says and climb out to watch him do one of the things he does best, tinkering with mechanics. “Well, none of your battery cables are loose, and nothing else looks wrong. It could be your alternator or even your fuel pump.”

“Shit.” I sigh, kicking at the dirt.

“Let me drive you to work. I’ll come back with the tow truck, take it to the shop, and should have it ready by time you get off work. How’s that sound?”

“Sounds good. Can we stop for a coffee first, though? I’m gonna be draggin’ major ass today.”