Page 90 of The Tomorrows After You
“Dad respected the hell outta you.” I rested my elbows on my knees, peering over to him. His eyes flashed to mine, albeit briefly. A moment passed between us and I saw his nearly imperceptible nod.
Wesatthere for another ten minutes,drinkingour pink wine in silence, a distant air of understanding and forgivenesssettlingbetween us.
When I got home, I unloaded all the pieces Hank had let me take for free. I was covered in rust and grease and I wanted to be clean when Nicolette came home.
There was a strange sense of closure after I’d left Hank’s property. I couldn’t put my finger on it but this day felt like it almost belonged to someone else, in another life. A life I was leaving behind.
Isteppedinto the shower,contemplatingthe foreignfeeling. Between waking up next to Nicolette in my bed (a complete first for me), to the art collectorofferingme a spot in her gallery, and then the bizarre exchange with Hank, somethingfeltdifferent.
Itwasas if lifewasstartingand Iwasn’tscared. Quite the opposite. Iwasbeginningto feel like my lifewashappeningand a warmthbloomedin my chest when Ithoughtabout that life with Nicolette. She didn’t want to stay here, and I stillhada little over four more years to serve probation in Spokane County. Therewasa chance I could get permission to join the art tour but the exception to my probation for Hanniqua Islandhadbeengrueling and theywarnedme itwasn’tlikely to happen again. IhadtoldAvery I probably couldn’t be there in person but shewavedme off, telling me agentsrepresentedartists on tour all the time.
I blew out a breath.
If IhadtoletNicolette go, I wouldlether go. I wouldn’t be the one to hold her back. And in four years, three months, and eighteen daysI’dgo search for her, ifthat’swhat ittook.
Because I loved her.
A soft tingle started across my back and wrapped around my chest. I whispered the words, “I love her,” to myself.
My lips curled into a smile. Even if she didn’t feel the same, it was a wonderful feeling, to love someone. It was glorious and terrifying and uncertain but hopeful and inspiring.
As Iletthe water cascade down my face, thefeelinggrewin my chest until IthoughtI mightburstif I didn’t tell her. Iimagineda number of ways I could do it. A date. Flowers. In bed.In the shower. My cock jumped at the thought, and Iwasonce againremindedof how fiercely my bodylovedher too. It didn’t matter how Itoldher. I justneededit to happen soon.
The scratchy sound of tires against gravel sent my heart bouncing into my throat. I grabbed a towel, hearing a car door slam shut. Jumping into gym shorts, I ran toward her room but was derailed by a knock at the front door.
A deep growlburieditself in my throat when Isawher Uncle Jacob standing on the other side.Drainingthe oil from his carwasn’tenough. After the carnival, Imadethe mental connection of why Nicolettehadjumpedfrom the second story window to get away from her uncle.She’dfoundher video all over his computer. Disgust and vengeanceswirledinside me. Nicolette and I would neverhavea future if Iwentback to prison, so thathadbeenthe only thingholdingme back from beating thelivingday lights out of him over the last few weeks.
I paused at the door. He had a stupid, wide grin on his face. When I didn’t return it, his smile faltered and became defensive before it landed on pompous.
“What can I help you with, Jacob?”Ikeptmy voice neutral.
“Is my niece here?”
Ipressedmy lips into a thin line, unwilling to give him any information about Nicolette. Henarrowedhis eyes at me before taking a long look around me and then down the driveway. Her carwasn’there, so Iwasn’tgiving much away.
“She’snot here. Not sure what timeshe’llbe back. Can I give her a message?”
Jacobsighedbefore handing me a small binder.
“This came in the mail for her. I wasn’t expecting anything for her so I opened it. Please give her my apologies.” There was that shit-eating grin again.
I took the binder from him without looking at it. I lifted my eyebrows, asking if there was anything else.
“Well, I’d better be going then,” he said.
I nodded a strong confirmation.
He took a backward step down. Before I could close the door, he turned back and added, “You know, I think it’s great you’re finally telling your side of the story. I look forward to catching it on the television.” He smiled patronizingly before disappearing to his car.
A chillwentdown my arms and I couldn’t help but look down at the binder in my hands.
Reading the cover page, my blood went cold.
Athena Studios
Feature Episode Treatment
Beyond Bizarre: Season 3 Episode 2
