The Broken Road (11 page)

I walked into the diner and found Jen and Lauren in a corner booth, with Lauren’s array of distractions spread out in front of her.

“Hi guys!” I exclaimed, giving them each a kiss on the cheek.

“Hi Auntie Meg. I’m coloring a picture for you,” Lauren said brightly. She was dutifully working on a picture that I was unable to identify. Jen just shrugged.

“So what’s going on? How are things going with Alex?” she asked, sipping her coffee.

“Okay I guess.” I proceeded to fill her in on what happened the night before. She was more clued into Shane’s mind than I was, so I was hoping she had some insight. Apparently, his behavior baffled Jen as well.

“I don’t know what’s been going on with him. He’s had some issues lately at the shop from what I can gather. Maybe Alex just pressed his buttons,” Jen offered, digging into her pancakes.

“You’re right. I’m sure.” I deftly changed the subject. I pushed the incident out of my mind. I’m not going to worry about it anymore. He is overstressed, and being sick doesn’t help matters. “What’s going on with you?”

We sat and talked for the next hour. We left the diner stuffed to the gills, and I had Lauren’s latest picture in my purse. I had promised her that I’d put it on my fridge. Shane wasn’t home when I arrived, which I took as a good sign. Whatever his issue is, he needs to chill out. I spent the rest of the day chatting with Alex. Stuck at the emergency vet hospital, we couldn’t spend any more time together. And the way my work load was shaping up, it didn’t seem like we’d get together any time soon.

Chapter 10

But surprisingly, I was wrong. As the weeks went by, I saw Alex quite a bit. Not for very long periods of time, but enough to keep up our mutual interest. He would come over to the house and have dinner, or we’d meet for coffee. Shane always disappeared when Alex was around, which I took to mean that he still didn’t like him. Fine by me. I didn’t need that drama and it helped things progress between Alex and I. I felt like we were getting closer, but it never went beyond kissing. I was holding back and not entirely sure why. I enjoyed spending time with him though, so I was especially excited when he unexpectedly asked me over to his place for the first time.

I reminisced about my teenage years as I drove down the gravel path towards the farm. Cooper Ridge Farm is only fifteen minutes away from where I live. It is a beautiful and picturesque farm, with a guest and main house on top of a hill. The stables, pastures, and barns were the first thing you saw when you came down the driveway. Weather beaten and a faded blue, the stable was still the way I remembered it. The smell of hay and horses brought me back to when Dad would drop me off at the crack of dawn to feed and water the horses, muck out their stalls and clean the tack. I did it every weekend to pay for my riding lessons.

“So. When’s the last time you rode?” Alex asked. It was a beautiful cool day, with a light breeze coming from the west.

I glanced at him, listening to our boots crunch the small rocks. “Geez, it has been a while. I think it has been at least two years.”

Alex led me down the concrete walkway, past empty stalls and stopped in front of my old favorite mare. Her dark brown eyes looked deep into mine, seeing me as the teenager I used to be. I almost started to cry. I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her neck.

“Wow. Coffee? She’s still here?” I asked, amazed that she was still around. “I thought her owner had sold her.”

Alex gently ran his hand down Coffee’s shoulders, patting her lightly. “Mary bought her off of the owner about three months ago. She’s a great teacher for the kids.”

I brought her out into the barn’s hallway, hooked her up to the crossties, and quickly fastened her tack. Alex’s bay, Avery, was already saddled and ready to go. We rode up and down the hills, across the pastures and through the woods. Feeling this free, being outside with him, I was at ease. I felt so comfortable with him. The conversation never died. Despite the cool air, we returned to the stable flushed and sweaty. We cooled down the horses by walking them around the indoor ring.  I missed this part of my life and welcomed the achiness I knew I would have in the morning. After we put Coffee and Avery back into their stalls, we walked up the hill, hand-in-hand, to the cozy guesthouse. The light faded as the sun set  and the promise of dinner had my stomach grumbling.

“I can't make any guarantees that you’re going to be blown away with my cooking. But I promise that you won't go hungry,” he joked, as he opened the door. The cottage has an open area with a bedroom and bathroom and a small galley kitchen. The beautiful brick fireplace was the main source of heat.

Surprisingly, he had done very little to make it into a home. I didn’t see any framed pictures on the walls or on the maple side tables, just piles of car magazines, books, and three different gaming consoles. Simple and spartan, it reminded me of a grown-up dorm room. While he tooled away in the kitchen, I wandered over to his couch and glanced at his books. With the exception of two bestsellers, I had not heard of the titles.

“Do you want some wine?” Alex called. “I have red.” I'm normally not a fan of reds but I’m not one to refuse wine. Hopefully tonight would be the night to take our relationship to the next level. A little liquid courage may be beneficial.

“Sure. Are you sure I can’t help you with dinner?” I asked, as I wandered over to the kitchen to stand in the archway. He flashed me one of his brilliant smiles and handed me a glass of wine.

“I know you’re used to taking the helm in the kitchen, but I have it under control,” he said, as he slipped his arm around my waist and gave me a quick kiss. I had to chuckle. For the last month and a half I had been doing most of the cooking. I enjoyed trying out new recipes and updating old favorites. Alex didn't seem to mind being my guinea pig. And ever since the French toast disaster the first time he came over, I didn't want him near my kitchen. We chatted while Alex cooked, joking and flirting. The wine warmed me from the inside and replaced my nervousness with confidence. My anticipation for dessert heightened every time he smiled at me.
Oh yeah. This is why I shaved my legs.
Once dinner was ready, Alex called me in to fill my plate. With no table to sit at, we carried our food to the couch in front of the fire.

“Sorry about this. I haven't gotten around to getting furniture,” he said sheepishly, taking a sip of his wine.

“It’s okay. It just looks like you packed up your dorm and brought it with you,” I joked, with the knowing glance to the video games. Alex laughed along with me.

“I didn’t have much when I came up here. I'm lucky that the place came with furniture. I just brought my TV and clothes.”

“Such the typical bachelor,” I teased, as I leaned in for a kiss. He tasted like red wine and responded eagerly. I could forget dinner, I thought, as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Alex leaned me back, his arms wrapped around my waist. The kiss was never ending. I could feel his hands gently gliding underneath my sweater and I loved every minute of it. My pulse raced and my toes curled. The feeling of enjoyment quickly disappeared when a knock came at the door.

“Ignore it,” I muttered. Alex obliged and his hands continued roaming my rib cage. The knocking got louder, until I could hear an old man's voice loudly.

“Alexander! Open up, it’s your grandpa!”

Suddenly, Alex shot up. His eyes grew wide and he looked like a teenager who got caught with a girl in his room. “Shit!” He fixed his shirt and pulled me up into a sitting position.

“Sorry about this. Let me get him out of here.” He hurried over to the door. This was so funny; seeing him so worried.
Has he never had a girl over before?
Why was he so nervous?
I wondered, as I took a bite of the cooled chicken.

“Hey Pop. What’s up?” Alex said, blocking me from his grandfather’s view. It was obvious to anyone who had been a teenager before that he was hiding something.

“Alexander, its fifty degrees out here. What kind of ungrateful grandson are you to leave an old man outside in the cold? Move aside and let me in. I need to talk with you,” Dr. Collins grumbled, brushing past him. With a sigh, Alex opened the door farther to let him in.

“Oh good, you have dinner cooking. I’m starved and the old fart’s place is having creamed chicken. Everything is creamed and mashed for people without teeth. Oh. You have a visitor,” he mumbled, barely acknowledging me as he headed into the kitchen. I looked puzzled at Alex, who just shrugged his shoulders in response.

Dr. Collins brought his plate over to the loveseat and began eating without a word. Alex nervously drank his wine and waited for his grandfather to finish his meal. I was eager to back to where we left off.

“You're Norah Connors’s girl right? How's Micki doing?” he asked, not looking up from his food. “Alex, get me a soda will you?”

“Um, yes. I’m Norah's daughter. Micki is doing well. Thank you,” I stammered, not sure of what else to say. Alex and I watched his grandfather eat in awkward silence. It was obvious that Dr. Collins took his sweet time and enjoyed the inconvenience that he was bestowing on his grandson.

“I have to say boy, this isn’t half bad. Course, not as good as Lenny’s cooking, but it should do for you while you’re up this way,” Dr. Collins said, patting his bulging stomach and leaning back in the chair.

Knowing that Alex had a great relationship with his grandfather and feeling good about our standing, I piped up, “Who's Lenny?” I figured Lenny was a cousin, since Alex had told me he is an only child.

“Alex’s wife, of course,” Dr. Collins said innocently. My heart dropped into my stomach. Married? Oh my god, Alex is married? What the hell? My eyes narrowed as I turned to gape at him. Alex buried his head into his hands. I glanced at Dr. Collins. That was not an innocent comment. Dr. Collins knew exactly what he is doing.

"Oh. That’s right. Your wife,” I said slowly. I debated about throwing my now-cold dinner at his head, but decided against it. I simply picked up my plate and carried it into the kitchen, with Alex following my every step.

"Megan. Wait! Don't go,” he whispered, desperation flooding his voice. I ignored him. Too many curses and insults swirled in my head. I couldn’t speak. I was in shock.

“Megan, I’m so sorry. Please let me explain,” he pleaded. He tried. I flew around and poked him in the chest.

“Married? You’re fucking married? Are you kidding me? When were you going to tell me? Were you just going to go back to North Carolina and not say anything?” I sputtered.

“Megan, it never got brought up…” he said weakly.

“Never got brought up? You wanted to get me in bed the first time you came over! It should have been brought up then! I guess kissing another woman is okay as long as you don’t bring up your wife!” I spat out. It infuriated me that he was making excuses. What possible excuse could he come up with that would remotely make any sense?

“
You would have never told me and just kept leading me on. I can't believe I fell for your scam! Is this why Shane got upset? Did he know that you were married?” I demanded. He said nothing, which confirmed my suspicions. I shook my head and tried to rein in my fury. “You son of a bitch. He was right. You’re nothing but a lowlife asshole. I can’t believe I trusted you. Go to hell. You don't deserve me and I sure as hell don't need a jackass like you. And for that matter, neither does your wife,” I said venomously. I squelched the urge to hit him and instead simply turned my back and walked over to Dr. Collins. I wasn't sure if he had heard our exchange, but I didn't care. His grandson was a bastard and I wasn’t going to listen to his excuses.

“Dr. Collins. It’s been real enlightening to talk to you today. Thank you. Enjoy your retirement,” I said, as I pulled on my jacket and scarf. I ignored Alex’s pleading stares as I walked over to the door. Before I closed it behind me, I heard Dr. Collins tell Alex, “You done screwed up boy.”

I pulled away from the house, my tires spinning on the gravel driveway. I drove halfway down Central Avenue before the hot angry tears started rolling. I brushed them away furiously. I refused to cry over this bastard, but my emotions had other ideas. As if on auto-pilot, my car went directly to the Davidsonville Deli. I came out with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and two freshly baked peanut butter cookies. I drove home, let Penny out to pee, and curled up on the couch with my ice-cream in hand, only getting up to let her back in. Stupid Alex. I wasn't sure if I should be angrier at him or myself. The late night calls, the fact that he rarely brought up his home life, the odd times he was “out of town.” All these things were signs and I just ignored them. Guys just suck, I thought, as I spooned the last of the Chubby Hubby ice cream into my mouth.

And now, because of Alex, I barely saw Shane anymore. We hadn’t spoken much lately; just texts about bills and Penny. The incident he had with Alex cooled our friendship. Shane rarely came home before the sun came up and, by the time I got home from work, he was gone again. I missed having him around, but I suppose that was for the best. I had been trying to get over him and for the most part I thought I had. Those feelings never truly went away. Alex was a good distraction and it proved that I could move on from Shane.

Speak the devil. The familiar roar of Shane’s motorcycle broke the silence.
I’m don’t want to deal with anyone right now; I’d rather be left alone in my misery.
Apparently Shane wasn’t in the mood to be social either; he just walked through the door and up the stairs with a grunt of hello. I rolled my eyes. He probably had a fight with Allison or something. I haven’t seen her around, but then again, I hadn’t been paying attention. I checked my watch. Only eight-thirty. I figured I might as well go to bed, I had already disgusted myself by eating an entire container of ice cream.

I let Penny out one last time and, as I waited for her to do her business, I checked my Blackberry. One missed text from Jen, inviting me out to our favorite tavern in Annapolis. I thought about telling her no, then shook my head. Why sit here at home and wallow in self-pity? I'm better than that. I’m not going to let some loser bring me down.
Cheering myself on, I let Penny inside and headed up the stairs.