The Broken Road (10 page)

“Hello?”              

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!” A shrill squeal came through. What in the world? Then I recognized the squeal as Sarah.

“Hi Sarah!” I exclaimed. I so desperately wanted to say “Congratulations,” but I wanted her to tell me first. I didn’t want to ruin anything if Kyle had a big elaborate proposal planned. I didn’t have to wait long.

“WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!”

I burst out laughing. “Oh good!!! He did it! Congratulations! How did he do it?”

Gushing, Sarah told me how Kyle had surprised her when she got home, flowers and candles everywhere. She described the ring in perfect detail. I had known that Kyle had given Sarah my Great Aunt Nancy’s engagement ring. Their marriage was the perfect symbol of love; sixty years of wedded bliss. My mother was all about preserving family heirlooms. In fact, Kyle will wear my father’s wedding band, just as I will wear Mom's if or when that happy event happens for me.

“You do realize that as soon as the wedding is over, Mom’s going to expect some babies, right?” I teased.

Sarah laughed. “I figured as much. But it won’t happen for a while. We have so much to plan. We’re thinking October. The weather is still nice and the fall leaves will make a beautiful backdrop. And of course, you’re my maid of honor.”

“Perfect!” I replied. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait to help you.”

Sarah gave another squeal. We made plans to get together when she gets back from school. After we got off the phone, I sat back and thought. After everything that Kyle has been through, Sarah has been his guiding light. She has seen him through his juvenile delinquent stage, his angst about my dad; she has made my brother so happy. I was ecstatic for them. I wished for the same happiness for myself. Someone to come home to at night, someone to share the future with. Alex has potential, but I felt like he’s holding back. Anytime I ask him a question about his home or his family, he gets an uneasy expression on his face. Almost as if he doesn’t want to talk about it. Whatever. I pushed the thoughts out of my mind and clicked off the TV. Like Scarlett O’Hara, I decided, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

Chapter Nine

Penny woke me up early the next morning by licking my hand and whining. I looked at the clock with barely an eye open, and it was only seven thirty. I glared at the poor mutt.

“We have to get you off Mom’s schedule,” I grumbled, unhappy about getting up so early on a Saturday. I dragged myself downstairs and let her out, then checked on Shane. Still hot and flushed, I made sure he was still breathing. I brought him up some more juice and gently forced him to take another Advil. I felt bad for him. He was overworked and exhausted, no wonder this bug hit him so hard.

I let Penny in and made breakfast. I checked my phone and realized Alex had texted me during the night.
“Had to go out of town for a day or so. Hope to get back tomorrow. Happy V-Day”

Well, that’s good, I guess. He didn’t forget about me totally, I thought, as I put away the dishes. Even though the sun was out, the temperature hovered around freezing and I didn’t feel like venturing out. I spent the rest of the day bringing Shane juice and Mom’s soup, and just hanging out with Penny. After the week I had, it felt good to sit and relax.

At a quarter to four, when I got another text from Alex.

“
Will you be my valentine? I want to take you out to dinner tonight.”

My heart did a little dance. He wanted to meet tonight! I started typing “sure,” but hesitated. I really wanted to meet up with Alex but I didn’t want to leave Shane alone. Granted, he isn’t my boyfriend and I’m not responsible for him, but he is my friend. I can’t leave him on his death bed. I felt conflicted. Deciding honesty was the best policy, I replied to Alex.

“
Would love to, but Shane's sick and I don’t want to leave him.”

Immediately, I received a response.

“I understand. I’ll see you soon then
.”

Well that blew it. No guy is going to want to date someone that ends up choosing to take care of their sick roommate over them. Whatever. I sighed, as I tossed my phone on the couch and headed upstairs. Shane was snoring softly. Poor buddy, I thought, as I gently checked his forehead. His temperature seemed to have gone down, but he was still slightly warm. I closed his door and took a long shower. I was oddly tired for just laying around the house.  

After throwing on some yoga pants and a t-shirt, I wandered downstairs and checked the fridge, hoping by some luck that we had something for dinner. Nope, no such luck. Mom’s leftovers were gone, so it looked like takeout for us. I grabbed a bunch of menus and brought them up to Shane.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, standing in his doorway. With dark shadows under his eyes, Shane looked exhausted.

“Feeling better than yesterday, I guess. What time is it?” he asked, sitting up in bed.

“It’s five. Are you  hungry? I’ll even be nice and run to the store for you.”

“Nah, not right now. I may order something later,.” he said, sinking back into the pillows.

I shrugged. “Okay. Do you want anything else? Some more juice?”

“Megs, I'll get it. I’m feeling okay enough to walk. I’m not a kid, you know,” he teased.

“Whatever. You‘re such a baby when you‘re sick,” I teased back. "Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be downstairs.”

I padded back downstairs and let Penny in, mentally debating what wouldn’t kill my diet when the doorbell rang. Hoping it was my mother with groceries; I dropped the menus on the table and rushed to the door.

“Hi Mom - oh!” I said with a start. Apparently I have a knack for attracting good-looking men with food on my front stoop, because Alex stood on my door step with a pizza from Tony’s, a box of chocolates and a bouquet of roses.

“Hi! What are you doing here? Come in!” I said, standing back. He looked absolutely gorgeous, in a gray ribbed sweater that matched his beautiful silver eyes.

“Hi Beautiful. Surprise. I knew you couldn’t get out, so I decided to come to you. Is that okay?” he said sweetly, kissing me on the cheek. I smiled like a goofball. What an amazing guy.

“Absolutely. I’m glad you came by,” I replied, taking the pizza in one hand, his hand in the other. I led him into the kitchen where Penny was anxiously anticipating her slice. I gave him some plates and busied myself with the flowers.
Yea, he’s good.
  I grabbed a slice and sat down next to him.

“So where did you have to go in such a rush?” I asked, trying to make conversation. I hoped I didn’t sound nosy.

“I had to go to Virginia where my buddy, Sean, had a mare having a hard time giving birth. It turned out okay though. She’s fine; the filly was born with no issues,” Alex said, gulping down his soda.

We had a good casual conversation and then headed into the living room to watch a movie. I turned on the latest
Pirates of the Caribbean
sequel and nestled in next to him. I can’t say I remembered much of the movie, because the moment I sat down, Alex leaned in and gave me the softest kiss.

“I missed you. I really didn’t mean to leave you hanging on Valentine’s Day,” he murmured.

“I missed you too. I’m glad you’re here,” I whispered, losing myself in his eyes. I lifted my lips to his, and kissed him harder. Alex pressed me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pulling me onto his lap. His soft hands started roaming the inside of my shirt, shooting electric sparks all the way down to my toes. I could feel him about to lift off my shirt, when I heard a low cough.

“Oh, sorry guys. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I broke off mid-kiss and looked over at Shane. Fresh out of the shower and wearing nothing but low-cut sweats that left nothing to the imagination as to what was underneath.
Really? He has a serious issue with bad timing.

“What are you doing out of bed?” I asked, slightly out of breath. I felt a tinge of embarrassment and at the same time, a bit smug. I know it’s juvenile, but I wanted to prove to myself that I was over him. He apparently didn’t care what he almost interrupted, because he came over and sat down on the couch next to us. He opened the box of chocolates sitting on the coffee table and popped one his mouth.

“I’m starving. Did you end up getting something for dinner?” he said pathetically. I sighed. I shouldn’t be mad at him. After all, he is sick. I looked over at Alex with the question on my face.

Alex gave a resigned sigh and said, “Hey man. There’s some pizza in the kitchen. Help yourself.”

Shane slapped his shoulder and heaved himself off the couch. “Thanks bro. I appreciate that.”

“Thank you,” I whispered to Alex, leaning in to kiss him. He gave me that beautiful smile. “Of course, maybe now he’ll take that pizza upstairs with him,” he said with a wicked gleam in his eye. I giggled, but then gave a low groan when Shane plopped himself next to us again. I didn’t have to look at Alex to know the frustration he was feeling. 

“Why don’t you go back to bed? You still look crap,” I urged, hoping he’d get the hint.

He shrugged. “Megs, I feel lousy, I’m just tired of being in bed. Plus, I missed Penny,” he replied, handing Penny his crust. Out of habit and my mother’s internal nagging, I reached over and felt his forehead.

“You’re not terribly hot, but you should take some Advil – which is upstairs, by the way – just in case.” Shane ignored me. With a sigh, I got off Alex’s lap and stomped upstairs. I grabbed the Advil off Shane’s nightstand and headed back down to the living room, but stopped when I heard them talking, their voices low. I felt like a teenage spy, but I couldn’t help myself from eavesdropping.

“I know you’re feeling ill, but why don’t you give Megan some space. You’re a grown man, you don’t need her being your nursemaid,” I heard  Alex say quietly.

“I know I don’t need her to be my nursemaid. She does it because she’s my friend,” was Shane’s dry reply.

“Yeah, I guess. But why doesn’t your girl come over and take care of you? Let me and Megan have some quality time,” Alex asked. I couldn’t see what he was doing, but I was surprised at Shane’s tone.

“Really? I believe my girl is taking care of me. She’s my girl, dude. I have her best interests at heart. Which is more than I can say for you,” Shane sniped back.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alex shot back.

“What kind of man leaves a woman like Megan alone on Valentine’s Day? What the hell was so important that you had to totally ignore her?”

Silence.

“I don’t have to answer to you.” Alex’s voice sounded pissed.

“Actually, yes you do. Because if you hurt her or upset her, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do,” Shane said. Oh shit. This isn’t good. I hurried downstairs. I found Alex and Shane standing up, facing each other.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?”  I asked. The air was thick with testosterone.
What is this? Some sort of my-dick-is-bigger-than-yours contest?

Alex was the first to break the stare off. “You know what, it’s late, and I’m beat. I’m going to head out. Happy Valentine’s Day.” He gave me a quick peck and walked out the door.

I stared after him. What the heck just happened? I spun around to Shane. “What the hell did you do that for?”

Shane looked indifferent. “He’s a jerk, Megs. He’s playing you.”

My temper, as well as the lack of good sleep, got the best of me. “What the hell do you mean, he’s playing me? How the hell do you know that? You don’t know him at all! I would have liked to spend a night with the man I’m interested in. But no! Not even on Valentine’s weekend. Seriously Shane. What the fuck is your problem?”

I have to admit, he did look contrite, but that quickly changed when he opened his mouth. “Look. Whether you find out now or later, I can just tell that he’s a jerk. He’s a player. I know guys like him and they are only after one thing. And where the hell was he yesterday? Certainly not spending Valentines Day with
you.
”

              The tiny seed of doubt grew bigger at Shane’s words. He said out loud what the tiny voice in my head has been saying all along. But I pushed back. 
Screw this. Shane has no idea what he’s talking about.

“So what! Who cares what he’s after! Maybe I want the same thing! You don’t know that. You don’t get to decide who I see.  Next time, let me handle my own business. Stay out of it,” I retorted. I grabbed a bottle of water and headed up stairs. My temper flared, but I wasn’t sure who I was more pissed at. I mean, having him antagonize Alex like that was a purely selfish move on Shane’s part. But Shane’s accusation echoed in my head. Is Alex really a player?
Shut up!
It didn’t matter if he was seeing someone else. We never said we were exclusive. I climbed into bed and sent a quick message to Alex.

“Sorry Shane ruined our night. We’ll get together soon
.”             

And with that, I shut my phone off and closed my eyes. I knew Alex wouldn’t be angry with me, so I wasn’t worried about a return text. I just wished I knew what had gotten Shane worked up.

Chapter 10

The next morning I woke up and Shane was gone. “Apparently, the sickly is un-sick,” I said to Penny. It irked me that he could get up without apologizing. But apparently his priorities were evident. Then I remembered: It’s Sunday – Allison comes home today. Whatever. I’m banishing all negative thoughts today. Especially about Shane. They are going to have to get along if Alex and I are going to continue seeing each other.

I made myself get dressed and sent a quick message to Jen.

“Let’s do breakfast”

Jen agreed and we made plans to meet at the diner down the street for some pancakes and coffee. I headed up the street when I got a message from Alex.

“We
WILL get together soon. Don’t you worry about it. I’ll call you later.”

I let out a sigh. I knew he wouldn’t be mad at me; I had done nothing wrong. Nevertheless, the fact that he still wanted to get together is promising. And I know full well what type of together he wants and right now, any type of together is fine with me.