Page 9 of Timber's Line
I ran back to Ever’s room, and she grinned when I walked in, gesturing for me to sit.
“I knew they would be perfect.”
“I have a cape to keep the shirt protected,” Ivy said as she stepped into the room and kissed the top of my head in a motherly way. I blushed. I never got that from my mom.
About twenty minutes later, my unruly hair is straightened and curled in beachy waves, and light makeup is applied.
“Beautiful,” Ariel whispers.
“Thank you.” I blush again.
“Are you ready?” Ever asks. I nod and follow her out. I’m not sure what to expect.
“Just breathe.” Ariel laces her hand in mine, and we head out to face whatever my first day holds. I’m sure Sal has something up his sleeve.
CHAPTERSIX
DAYTON
I rip my eyes open, the nightmare screams of my dreams jolting me awake. Every time I close my eyes, I hear Snow’s screams. I’ll never forgive myself for that night. I get a handle on my surroundings and realize I’m in the loft above Shane’s barn. When London shoved me out the door, I came here. I knew it was vacant and I wanted to be alone.
I slip out of bed and head for the shower. Today is the first day of shooting. Before I can pull the door open, I hear humming, slow and haunting. I tiptoe down the stairs and see her. Timber. She’s feeding the chickens. I stick to the shadows, watching. She pets all the horses and gives them treats before leading them out to the gate. I don’t think she knows she’s humming. It’s a soft, sweet tune, a little bit sorrowful. I can relate. I stay and watch her, taking in her curves and her face. She’s not Snow, no one will ever compete with that, but I can see Timber’s appeal. Too soft for me, though.
I need to get it together. Sal has me under his thumb and I’ve done everything he’s asked me to do, being his errand boy. I’ve stayed away from alcohol but if I drank, I limited myself since that’s what got me to this point in the first place. But I have been doing things behind Sal’s back to find release. Not sex, I haven’t done that in a while. No one seems to hold my interest since that fateful night. I’ve been fighting behind his back and if he found out, he’d have me by the balls. But it’s in my blood and I need to do it.
I shower and text my contact that I need a fight, and he tells me a time and place. This isn’t legal, bets are placed, things get ugly, but I live for the cheers of the crowd. I don’t do it often because I know I could ruin all my chances of ever fighting in the circuit again. But I need to push through my anger and find ways to cope with it and this helps.
I finish getting dressed, needing to get something to eat and find out what my tasks are for the day. I went on last season not even knowing what I was getting into and in a way, I pity Timber for what is about to happen to her.
Memphis lifts his chin in greeting as he sits at a table with London and Ever. I look around discreetly to see if Timber is here, but she’s not.
“It’s noon,” London says almost angrily.
“I know.” I shrug, what else does he want me to say? “Sal said you are in charge of the assholes coming to date Timber today,” Memphis says, and I jerk my head at him.
“Who are the assholes?”
He ignores my question, and I wonder why.
“You will go get them and bring them to line up.” He points at a carpet that’s been laid out. “They come one at a time. One comes, she goes on a date, and when they come back, you get the next one.”
“Okay.” That doesn’t sound so bad.
London rises to his full height and levels me with a glare. “What he is leaving out is who the guys are. You will keep your head on straight, hothead.”
I stare at him. “Not following.”
“Because they’re guys from the circuit, a couple you’ve fought before. And since you’ve fallen from grace, for the time being, they will probably try to get under your skin.” Memphis sighs.
“Then why am I doing this task?” Is Sal setting me up?
“Because it’s a test. Dude, there are times you don’t remember, but when you drink, you’re volatile, mean, and you’ve snapped on people. We don’t want that to happen today. We’re not going to ruin this for Timber.” Memphis glares at me.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, but my time here is going to be fucking horrible.
“D, you’ve come a long way. Don’t let this tear you down,” Ever says, touching my arm lightly.
I want to say something snarky, but the look on London’s face tells me to keep my mouth shut. She’s right, I have come a long way. The nightmares aren’t as frequent, though the screams still are. And other than the underground fighting, I’ve kept my nose clean and out of the press.
