Fractured ( Fractured #1) (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Dad
eased the front door open and peeked his head around the door. He was alone. I rested my head on Rob’s shoulder; I didn’t want to look at that bastard. He stopped in front of me.

“Mandy, I can explain.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

He looked down at me for a few moments until he realized that I didn’t want anything to do with him.
I crossed my arms over my chest, and turned my head away from him. His shoulders slumped as he walked into the kitchen. I heard the chair scrape against the floor and knew he had sat down with the other irresponsible men in the family: Bryan and Jimmy.

Rob stayed with me until Jimmy went home
, and Bryan and Dad went upstairs. I’m sure it was well past midnight.

“I’m sorry everything got ruined,” I said
, looking into Rob’s eyes.

Rob looked back at me with understanding.
“Nothing was ruined. Dillon is home, and he’s fine. Hopefully, your mother won’t remember what happened, and I think Bryan got lucky tonight.” His grin was a good attempt at making the mood lighter.

“I meant the evening
you planned for us
.
”

“Nothing was ruined. I got to spend the whole day with you.” He kissed my forehead. He always knew the right things to say.

“Rob, I don’t know if I’m destined to be happy. I have a lot of baggage. My family is very dysfunctional. I’ll understand if you don’t want to be with me.”

He cocked his head back and held me at arms distance. “Are you breaking up with me?”

“No! I don’t want to. I just know that you’ve been through a lot–the fire, your parents, the millions of emotions you must have to deal with on a daily basis. You don’t need this chaos, too.”

“Look, I know you’re embarrassed by everything that’s happened, but I don’t care about all of that. I only care about you.”

Just hearing those words caused my heart to sing. I kissed him and then snuggled closer. I laid my head on his chest and listened to a wonderful sound, his heartbeat.

Finally, I told him to go home to get some sleep. I walked him to the door.

“You get some rest, too. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He kissed me only once, but it was a good one. Then he got into his car and drove away.

I took a shower and got ready for bed, but my eyes refused to close. My mind kept going over everything that had happened.

The next day, I stumbled downstairs to answer the rapid knocking on the front door. Isn’t anyone else up?
Why do I always have to do everything? Only one of my eyes opened; the other was protesting the light. When I opened the door, it was a deliveryman with a very large bouquet of pink roses. I struggled to focus both eyes on him.

“I need a signature,” the man said. He stared at me. I looked down and realized I was still wearing my rubber du
ck pajama pants and matching t-shirt. I shifted behind the door to try to hide most of my body. Reaching my arm around, I scribbled my name on his clipboard.

He handed me the flowers a
nd started to walk away. “Wait. Who are these for?”

Without stopping, he lifted his hand in the air. “
Have a nice day.” And then he was in his truck and drove away.

After closing the door, I looked at the flawless pink roses. A small white envelope stuck out from between two of the buds. Catching a glimpse of myself in the
hall mirror, I understood why the deliveryman was so surprised to see me. It wasn’t that I was in my pajamas; it was that my reddish-blonde locks were sticking out in every direction. I looked like Medusa. An indentation from where my pillowcase had bunched up lined the side of my puffy face.

I filled a vase with water from the kitchen sink and placed them on the table
, next to the wildflowers Rob gave me a few days before. Pulling the card from the small white envelope, there were only two words written on it: “Only you.” —R

I needed to run to him
–hug and kiss him, tell him how he made me feel–but the clock convinced me it was too early for any of that. I remembered what the mirror showed a few seconds ago. I would definitely have to change my clothes and get my hair under control if I was going to see Rob. I raced upstairs and began my morning ritual.

Dillon woke up
, and I made him breakfast and got him onto the bus. He wasn’t affected by anything that happened the night before. I didn’t even bother with Mom. Peeking into Bryan’s room, and judging by how messy his bed covers were, I figured out that he’d gotten up minutes before he needed to be at work. I bet he got dressed while he was running down the stairs. I couldn’t care less where my father was; probably with his whore.

Then I ran into a problem. Rob was staying with his aunt
, uncle, and Eric, but I didn’t know where they lived. I knew it was still too early, but I didn’t care. Reaching into the drawer, I pulled out the phone book and searched for the listing for John Bowman. I wrote down the address, grabbed my purse, and headed out the door. At the end of my driveway, I stopped and wondered if I should proceed—but I wanted so badly to be with Rob.
Oh Mandy, you always give in to everyone else. This is the only thing you’ve ever truly wanted. Stop being a coward and go find him.
That was that. I had convinced myself.

I walked down Main Street.
Thoughts of Rob filled my head. It made me walk faster. Half way there, I thought I heard footsteps behind me. I turned, but no one was there. I continued to walk and listened carefully, but the birds and squirrels blocked out any other sounds. From the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Eric, but when I turned my head, the street was empty. Perspiration started to form on the back of my neck. Paranoia washed over me. Scanning the street all around me, I noticed the bagel store was open. I ducked in there to compose myself.

“Hey, Mr. Mills. Can
I have a buttered bagel and a small tea to go, please?”

“Sure, Mandy.” His round body took up most of the space between the counter and his work area. Chubby fingers grabbed a long knife and cut the bagel in two with one swift motion. I looked out the storefront window as he worked and made small talk. The street was empty.

“What are you doing up so early? It’s the middle of summer. Aren’t all you teenagers supposed to be sleeping late?” He gave a little chuckle. “My kids don’t get up before noon.”

Taking another glance out the window before turning my attention toward him, I said, “I’m actually looking for the best way to get to Forest Road.”

He swatted the empty air. “Ah, that’s easy.” I listened to his simple directions.

Heading down Washington Street, with my bagel in one hand
, and the tea in the other, I scanned for stalkers. Thankfully, there were none.
Don’t be silly, Mandy. Maybe Mr. Mills is right – everyone is sleeping in.
I arrived at Forest Road shortly after I left the bagel store. I crumpled the wax paper and napkin, and shoved them into the empty cup. Lucky for me, it was garbage pick-up day. Many of the residents had their bins out at the curbside. I discarded my garbage and walked down the street, looking on either side for number sixteen.

A
charming beige house behind a white, picket fence invited me down the walkway. A quick glance at my watch told me that it wasn’t as early as I originally thought, so I knocked. Several moments later, a pretty, dark-haired lady, wearing a sleeveless peach blouse and navy walking shorts answered the door. “Yes?”

“Mrs. Bowman, I’m Amanda Stewart.”

Her face registered my identity. “Oh, I was wondering when we’d meet you. Please, come in.” She stepped aside and swept her arm across empty air to invite me in.

The front entry
spilled into the living room. A country-styled couch in a floral print sat atop a beige area rug. Two, solid–colored, emerald armchairs stood across from it, with a wooden coffee table sandwiched in between. The opened lace curtains allowed the sun to bathe the room. A warm feeling enveloped me.

“Won’t you sit down?” Mrs. Bowman said.

“Thank you.” I sat on the flowered couch with my purse on my lap.

“Can I get you something to drink
, Amanda?”

“
Please, call me Mandy, and no thank you. I’ve already had a cup of tea.”

She sat in one of the armchairs. “Robert isn’t awake yet.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to bother you. I can come back later.”

“Don’t be silly.” Her smile was friendly. “I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to chat with you.
I’ve been very anxious to meet the young lady who’s been responsible for Robert’s recent happiness.” Her smile widened. “Thank you for being there for him.”

I had no words. M
y eyes widened, and my jaw became slack. Suddenly, I felt very accountable.

Mrs. Bowman continued
. “I’ve seen your photo on your father’s counter at the garage. We’ve had some problems with our Volvo.” The mention of my father caused the bagel in my stomach to churn. “I’m sure that photo is old. You looked about ten in it.”

“I just turned seventeen a few weeks ago,” I said.

“Oh, that’s so nice. I bet you’re excited to be in your last year of high school. What are your plans after graduation?”

“I…I’ll probably get a job and go to college at night.”

“Good for you. That sounds like a very committed decision.” Her tone was one of acceptance, not judgment. I was happy that she wasn’t like the other snobbish residents of our little town who thought a person was worthless unless they were accepted to an Ivy League school.

Eric walked into the living room. His light brown curls were messy
, and it looked as if he had just thrown clean clothes on. He fell into the other armchair. “Hey, Mandy.” With him sitting next to his mother, I could see the resemblance.

“Hi, Eric. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
It wasn’t him on the street near the bagel store.

“Nah. I was up, just finding excuses not to get out of bed. I don’t have to be at work until
noon.” He leaned forward in the chair. “Do you want me to see if Rob’s awake?”

“No. Let him sleep. He stayed at my house until pretty late.” I looked down at my hands
as they fidgeted with the strap of my purse. “My little brother was upset that I wasn’t in the house. He ran out looking for me.”

“Rob told us,” Mrs. Bowman said. “We’re glad he’s all right.”

“Thank you.” I wondered how much they knew, and how crazy they thought Rob was for wanting to have anything to do with me.

A warm set of lips brushed my neck. My head whipped around to
find Rob attached to them. “Good morning.” His voice sounded sultry. The sides of my mouth tugged upward..

He walked around the couch and sat next to me. He gave me a more proper kiss on the lips. I pulled away, conscious that his aunt and cousin were sitting with us.

“Come on, Eric, I’ll make you breakfast.” Mrs. Bowman gave Eric a look that said he’d better follow, or she’d make sure he’d regret his decision not to.

When the
Bowmans were out of the room, I turned to Rob. “Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers. It really wasn’t nec—”

His index finger pressed against my lips, stopping me mid-sentence. His chin tucked
down toward his chest, and he looked at me as if he was staring over a set of bifocals. “I’m glad you like them.” He took his finger away and gave me a quick peck on the lips.

I started my protest again. “You really shouldn’t ha
—”

His finger was over my mouth for a second time. I pursed my lips together
, and when he took his hand away, I tried again. “It was too—”

His finger shot back up to my lips
, and he left it there. “I see I’m going to have to find another way to keep you quiet.” As he spoke, his face moved closer to mine. The thumping in my chest was so fast, I thought my heart would break out of my ribcage. His soft lips made me forget all about what I was going to say.

“Have you had breakfast?” he asked.

“Huh?” The clouds in my head dissipated as I lowered from my high. “Yes.”

“Well, come into the kitchen. I’m starving
, and Aunt Rachel makes the best French toast.” At the mention of it, my nose caught hints of maple syrup and cinnamon wafting through the air. He took my hand and led me to the kitchen, where there were already plates waiting for us.

Rob was right; Mrs. Bowman’s French toast was delicious. I couldn’t believe I had just eaten the entire portion after eating the bagel.

“So what will you two do today?” Mrs. Bowman asked, as she pulled the empty plates off the table. Eric jumped up and began loading them into the dishwasher.

“I’m taking Mandy to the seaport
. She had a rough night last night, and now she needs something pleasant to focus on.” Rob said matter-of-factly.