A Tattered Love (12 page)

“Will you stay with me tonight?” I asked in a soft voice as I perched my eyebrows up in question.

“I will stay with you as long as you want. I don’t want to ever leave you, beautiful.”

With that being said there was no need for any other discussion. Dustin carried me off to bed and undressed me, sliding the covers over me as he took off his shirt and pants, too. He slid in next to me, wrapping his arms around me as he kissed me fully.

“Goodnight, baby.” He smiled at me with the most genuine smile that melted my heart.

“Goodnight.”

I woke up later not able to sleep. Dustin felt me stir, so we decided to talk until we fell back asleep. I felt as if I learned more about Dustin in that hour and a half before we fell back asleep, than I had during the entire evening of our date. It felt romantic that he woke up with me. I feel like I’ve known Dustin a long time, but now we were really getting to know each other. We had only been on one date, and we had already slept together, but we were close. It was crazy. However, I also believed that sometimes things happen with people, and that life moves fast. It’s not unrealistic. I’m proof of that. Everything  happened quickly between us, but it just felt right.

I was excited about going shopping with Abby to find me a dress for the gala. She knew all the right places in town to shop that would be in my price range for name brand things.—

Dustin got up super early because he had to stop home before he made it into work. I didn’t want him to leave, but I knew our lives had funky schedules as he worked a flat schedule and I worked an all over the place schedule at the restaurant. I received a message from Seth saying he made it home safe, which was nice to hear. I lay around for about an hour or so just relaxing as my life lately had been pretty hectic. I played around with Cooper because I felt I had been neglecting him with not being able to be home enough to play with him. Cooper was young and needed a lot of attention, and I needed to promise to give him that attention.  

I finally threw on some work clothes, which was just a pair of black pants, and I paired it with a red satin shirt to be sassy. I was feeling in a rather good mood and wanted to dress to fit my mood. I curled my long hair with my curling wand, pulling it back in a sleek ponytail. I walked Coop and said goodbye to him as I headed to work.

** CHAPTER 9 **

Riley

“Girl, you look freaking stunning in that dress! Turn around for me one more time. I am pretty sure this is
the
dress. Just say yes to the dress, already!” Abby leaned back in her seat as I twirled around for her. There was some kind of sparkle about the dress. I had to agree with Abby—it did look stunning on me.

“Are you sure?” I looked at her and swayed from side to side watching the skirt flow in the breeze.

“Um, seriously? Yes, I freaking love it, Ry! You look terrific! Don’t you think?” She seemed annoyed that I was questioning this dress as we had already gone through countless dresses during our shopping excursion.

“Ok, ok, I love it! I really do love it! I am just a tough cookie to please when I know it’s something that’s making me really nervous. This gala is tearing my nerves up!” I took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. I was so nervous. I felt like my stomach was burning from the inside out. I told myself to just breathe, and it would all be ok.

“Babe, you’ll look incredible, and screw his folks. He obviously wants you if he’s sticking around.” She smiled at me wickedly. “Oh, and guess what, Ry?”

I looked at her puzzled. “What’s up?” I gave her my full attention.

“You’re falling for him. You want him to be your boyfriend. I can tell.”

I looked at her confused. I don’t know where she is going with this but I’m curious as hell to find out.

“What do you mean? He practically is my boyfriend.” I asked quizzically.

“You told me a while back that you liked Dustin, but you didn’t know what you wanted in your life. Your work schedule is crazy and you weren’t sure you were ready for a relationship.” She paused. “In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve clearly made time for Dustin in your life and you are nervous to go to a gala for a guy that you didn’t see in your future? Come on girl, admit it, you’re falling in love with him already.”

I sat in the chair next to her feeling the texture of the dress in my fingers. It really did amaze me how much Dustin already meant to me.

“I am falling for him, badly. I never thought I could, after Mark—” I sat there realizing I had just let his name slip around Abby for the first time. Here it comes, the explanation she was going to want. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready to give it to her.

“Whose Mark?” she looked at me baffled.

“Just some guy I was with that stole my heart once.” I wanted to be as vague as possible. I just didn’t feel like going there right now. I got up out of the chair, heading into the dressing room to get out of this winning dress. I looked at the clock. It was getting late. I needed to head home to let Cooper out.

“Hey girl, I’m going to look for a necklace and earrings to go with your dress while you’re in there!” Abby yelled over the curtain to me in the dressing room.

“Ok!” I yelled back.

Well, that went better than expected. She actually dropped it, and she didn’t dig for more information. That’s unlike Abby, but I’m so glad I didn’t have to go into detail right now. When I was ready, she would know.

I checked out with my dress, necklace, earrings, and a pair of shoes. I think I had just spent my whole paycheck! Yikes! These gala preparations have been much more expensive than I thought they would be. Hopefully, it’ll pay off in the end, plus I was sure I could wear this somewhere else. I was excited to see what Dustin would be wearing.

Abby came back to the apartment with me. I really thought she’d go home but she ended up following me up the stairs.

“Evan’s out tonight with the guys, so do you mind if I hang out for a bit?”

I didn’t want to say no, so we indulged ourselves in a girl’s night. I hung my dress up in the closet, and cooked Abby and I some dinner. We watched a movie with Cooper, and just hung out and had some girl talk. It was nice to relax with Abby. Thankfully, she didn’t bring up Mark the rest of the night. I think she knew it was a sore subject for me and just dropped it. The night got late and we both ended up passing out on the couch. The next thing I knew, there was a knock at my door. I shook my head, sitting up as I brushed my hand through my hair trying to figure out if I had really heard the knock at the door, or if I had imagined it. I looked at Abby, and she was still sound asleep. I looked at the clock—quarter to twelve? Then I heard another knock. So I wasn’t going crazy!

I got up off the couch, and strolled over to the door, peeking through the small hole in the door. It was Evan.

“Hey, Evan.” I said as I opened the door, yawning and smirking at him.

“Hey, Riley, is Abs here with you? She’s not home, and I knew she was with you tonight dress shopping.” I could smell the beer on his breath. Yup, he had a guy’s night, all right!

“Yeah, she’s passed out on the couch. Actually, we both fell asleep watching Jaws.” I giggled.

Evan laughed. “Mind if I grab her and take her home? She’s pulling an all day shift tomorrow.”

I knew I needed a man’s advice, and I’m pretty sure now was the time to ask him. I closed the door gently behind me.

“Evan, I need to ask you something.”

“Shoot.” He replied.

“I know you’re close to Dustin, and I was just wondering if you think he is serious about me. I just don’t want to be some casual fuck of his. You know what I mean? I need to know I’m falling for a person who is equally in it for the same reasons.”

Evan pressed his hand on my shoulder and tapped it. “Riley, you’re a great girl. Dustin is my best friend; he’s a great guy. I wish nothing but happiness for both of you. Dustin has some issues, but nothing you can’t handle. Take it from me—I’m pretty sure he’s in it for the right reasons. He doesn’t shut up about you.”

I looked at Evan, and I almost wanted to cry. What he had just told me, even though it was pretty vague, made me the happiest I’ve felt in a long time. I trusted Evan’s advice because Abby and Evan were my best friends here. I knew Abby was a good, trustworthy person, and because she was with Evan, I knew he had to be, too!

“Thanks, Evan. I appreciate your honesty.”

“Anytime, Ry, I mean it.” He winked at me.

Evan swept Abby up off the couch, and she barely even moved to acknowledge him. She was seriously wiped out. She had a long day ahead of her. Evan was right about that. I was so thankful that she decided to cover my shift for me. I knew I owed her for that. I’m pretty sure she scouted her revenge though, by making me purchase all those things to go along with my dress that nearly broke my bank. I closed the door behind Evan and ran Coop out for a quick potty break, as I knew I had fallen asleep early, and he probably needed to relieve himself.

When we got back, I searched for my cell phone and discovered it buried at the bottom of my purse. It said I had two messages, and a missed call from Kate.

Dustin: ‘Hey baby, I miss you. I hope you had fun with Abby tonight. Sleep tight.’

Dustin: ‘Can’t wait to see you in your beautiful dress.’

I smiled reading Dustin’s messages. He was sweet. I wondered if he was a part of guy’s night and had been out with Evan. I know I need to get some rest because tomorrow could be one hell of a dreadful day. I quickly texted Dustin back just so he would know I was ok, and that I would call him in the morning.

Cooper was already snuggled on my bed waiting for me, and I climbed in and passed out right away.

***

I took my dress out of my closet to see just how gorgeous it was again. I knew I made the right choice by picking this one. I texted Abby right quick

To Abby: ‘Thanks again for covering my shift, hope you have a fantastic day! <3 you’

I went back to getting all my accessories together. My phone rang, and I thought it would be Abby, but it was Dustin calling.

“Hey,” I answered.

“Hey, beautiful.” He caught me off guard with his sweet voice.

“What’s up?”

I’m hoping that he was about to tell me the gala had been cancelled or that we didn’t have to go to the gala, after all. That would have made my day since I wasn’t ready to stand in front of his family. Somehow, though, I was pretty sure we were still going.

“Just wanted to call and see how my beautiful lady was doing. Are you excited for tonight?”

I could have choked him through the phone if he thought there was really anything to be excited about attending the gala. “Dustin, I’m nervous as hell about tonight. I’m excited to be with you , but not for the
reasons
we’ll be together.” I admitted in full honesty.

“Don’t be nervous. I’ll be by your side the entire time. I’ll pick you up in a couple of hours.”

How could I not be nervous? His own mother approached me at my work place, and told me I needed to reconsider going. Then, told me I needed to let him down easy, and not even have a place in his life. Here I am getting ready to go to this gala as not only Dustin’s date, but also his girlfriend. I’m supposed to be calm about this?

“Ok, I’ll see you in a few.”

“Bye, beautiful.”

I ended the call before I could say anything more that I might not have really wanted to say. I was still confused why I had even said I’d go to this stupid thing. Probably because I wanted to be with Dustin, and deep down I wanted to see him stick up for me, and show his family he was proud to have me. 

I just hoped his mother keeps her mouth shut, or there may be an escalating situation that no one wanted to see.

** CHAPTER 10 **

Riley

The knock at my door startled me, and I knew it had to be him. I knew he was here to pick me up, and in only a matter of time, I would be making my entrance at this stupid gala. Cooper barked at the knock, and I quickly hushed him, as I knew it had to be Dustin. I clanked my heels over the hardwood floors to the door and opened it slowly, slightly revealing myself to Dustin.

“Wow, baby, you look gorgeous. Let me get a better look at you.” He took my hand and pulled me out in the sunlight.

I was wearing a deep red dress with a tight bodice that let out at the waist into a flowing pattern of sparkles and tulle. The dress reached down right before my knees showing off my sexy legs. The panty hose led down to my feet, which were in a pair of shiny black stilettos. How I would manage to walk in these all evening, I wasn’t quite sure. My hair was pinned up in a formal up-do that I had an older lady in our complex, do for me. My hair was curled to perfection, and tucked away in a messy curly bun that had a few loose curled strands hanging down around my face. I looked elegant, and nothing like I had ever looked before. I had on some lovely make up that shaped my face, and brought out my beautiful eyes. I had on the three-stoned vertical row diamond pendant and matching earrings, that Abby had picked out. I think I looked like a damn model.