Page 19 of Full Throttled

The phone continues to ring and I try to follow the sound of it until I finally locate a cordless phone sitting behind the bar. I laugh to myself because I find it odd to see a landline phone sitting here. I grab the phone and answer it, but in a flash the dread fills me because what if it’s Gregg?

Fourteen

Zoey

“Zoey,” a familiar voice comes through the line, and I find myself instantly relaxing, leaning back against the bar counter.

“Yeah, what’s up, Wilder?”

He sighs heavily. “Look, I don’t know who else to call right now. The rest of the club is still gone, Drake’s phone is dead and I need some help.”

I straighten back up because clearly something is on his mind. “Okay, what do you need help with?”

“So, Drake fell at work today, after lunch and hurt his ankle. It’s notserious, justa bad sprain, but they gave him some pain medication in his IV and he’s out of it. The only ride I have is his truck. Would you be willing to meet me at his parent’s place and give me a ride back to the clubhouse?” He explains in one big breath.

I have to bite back the laugh that threatens to come out. “Of course, I’ll pick you up. His parents still live in the same place?”

“Yes, same place. I’m fixing to head that way now,” he tells me, and I hear the sound of an engine starting up.

“See you there,” I tell him, before I hang up the phone and jog back to the room where I slip on a red and black plaid shirt over my black tank top and trade my sleep shorts for a pair of denim cutoffs. Slipping on a pair of my black Converse, I head out the door to my car. The nerves that consume my body on the drive to Axell and Sadie’s house almost make me want to turn back around and leave Wilder stranded. I won’t do that, but a huge part of me wants to. Axell and Sadie treated me as if I was their own back in the day. Then I left without saying goodbye or even a thank you for their kindness. I can’t expect them to be happy to see me now.

Looking back, I know why I left and I stand by that decision, but I could have left in a better way. I could have owned up to my decision and at least told the people that I did care about that I was leaving. I guess a part of me was never really sure if leaving was the right decision, but if one of those people had asked me to stay, I would have broken.

I take a deep breath to calm my erratic heart and pull up behind Drake’s truck parked along the sidewalk of the familiar house. The only house that truly felt like home for me back in the day. It was my safe haven and everything I dreamed of. Sure, the James’ didn’t have much, but they were rich in other ways. They loved and cared for one another unconditionally and that was something I yearned for. I wasn’t sure it even existed outside of books and movies-- until I met them.

I hop out of the car and pull my hair into a messy bun before approaching Drake’s truck. Just as I reach the driver’s side door where Wilder is sitting, the front door of the house swings open and Axell James comes striding towards us. Axell is the oldest of the James brothers. He’s tall with their signaturedark brown, nearlyblack hair, only he wears his slightly longer and slicked back. He has a few tattoos peeking out from his shirt and stubble covers his jaw. He opens the passenger side door. “Man, they knocked him on his ass,” Axell says with a laugh.

Wilder nods. “Yeah, you know he barely even takes a Tylenol when he needs it so it’s not shocking this took him down.” Wilder climbs out of the truck and smiles at me. “Thanks for coming to save me,” he tells me, with a chuckle. “Let me just help Axell get Drake settled and then we can go.”

I nod, my voice lost in my dry throat. I look down at the ground to gather my bearings while trying to decide if I should follow them inside or just go back to the car. Turning back towards my car, my decision is made. I’ll just wait for Wilder. I don’t belong here anymore. However, when I turn around, Sadie is standing there, leaning against the side of the truck. Her sundress hugs her body and her hair falls down in loose waves. Her bright blue eyes meet mine and she smiles. “I know you weren’t even considering waiting in that damn car.”

I shrug. “I thought it might be best.”

Sadie takes a deep breath. “Oh goodness, Zoey Hechler. If you don’t get over here and give me a hug, I might just put you in Aubree’s time out chair.”

I laugh and walk towards her, slowly. Once I’m close enough, Sadie grabs my hand and pulls me towards her. She wraps her arms around me and I relish in the warmth of them. Sadie was the only person I have had that was even close to a mother. Tears prick my eyes. “Hi Mrs. James.”

Sadie pulls away and rolls her eyes at me. “Oh goodness, Mrs. James? It hasn’t been that long. You know I’m still just Sadie.” I smile and nod my head. “You’re just as beautiful as you always were Zoey.” I blush but shake my head slightly. “Come on in here. It’ll take them a minute to get Drake settled on the couch.” We walk up the sidewalk in silence. Sadie leaves her arm wrapped around my shoulders. Just as we reach the front door she turns and looks at me. “It’s good to have you back Sweetie.”

My heart swells because she’s the first person to say that and really mean it, or at least that’s how I feel. When I step inside, I see that the house has been redone completely. It’s just as welcoming and warm, but it’s all new. I’m happy though, because Axell and Sadie deserve it. A groan from the living room area catches my attention and I see Drake lying back on the couch while Axell and Wilder try to get his large body positioned comfortably. “I’m going to grab him an ice pack,” Sadie announces, before she disappears.

I’m standing there, uncertain what to do when I hear a sniffle behind me. When I turn around, I see a bright blue eyed, brown curly haired little girl hugging a stuffed Jack Skellington in her tiny arms. Her eyes are shining with tears and her bottom lip quivers. On instinct I walk over to her and kneel down. “What’s wrong Sweetie?”

She shakes her head. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

“That’s a very good rule. Does it help if I know your family?” I ask her.

She tears her eyes away from Drake to look at me. “You know my daddy?” I just nod my head since I’m not actually sure who her daddy is. Drake said she didn’t belong to his parents. “Is he going to be okay?”

“Who? Drake?” I ask. She nods her head. “Oh yes, he’ll be fine. He just fell and hurt his ankle so the doctor gave him some medicine to help with the pain. He’ll be good as new in a few days.”

“So, he’s not going to leave like mommy?” she asks. She looks at me expectantly.

My words fail me as I desperately try to piece together who this sweet little girl belongs to. I watch as her eyes dart back to Drake and then it all falls together in my head. Drake’s talk about responsibilities, the picture in his truck, and how her eyes match his perfectly. “No, your daddy isn’t going anywhere.” She visibly relaxes, but I can still see tears swimming in her eyes and I hate that look. I need to distract her. “Who is your friend here?” I ask her, pointing to the stuffed Jack Skellington.

Her eyes light up as she turns to me. “You don’t know?” I shake my head even though it’s a lie. “He’s the best! He’s from my favorite movie. Come with me. I’ll show you!” She grabs my hand and leads me to one of the bedrooms. When I walk in she turns to look at me. “I’m Aubree. What’s your name?”

I smile down at her. “I’m Zoey.”

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