A Tattered Love (2 page)

I grabbed his spike leash, which was very intimidating, and took him for a good long walk. I let him do his duty, took out the tennis ball from my purse, and played with him for a few minutes to burn some of that energy. I knew he needed it after being cooped up in the apartment all day. He probably slept all day, too. So he would not be happy that I planned to leave him again tonight. Although, I did promise him I would not be long.

I ran back with Cooper to the apartment, unhooked his leash, and he immediately ran to his water bowl. I fixed Cooper his dinner while he sat there wagging his tail as he waited for me to finish. “Good boy,” I said when I placed his bowl back on the floor. I stretched my arms out and started yawning. Today had been a crazy ass day. All I wanted to do was shower and get out of these clothes.

The warm water felt wonderful as it rolled down my body. Once finished, feeling clean again, I dressed in some black leggings and put on an orange hoodie. I brushed my hair out and left it wet. What the hell, I am just going to Abby’s, so I said goodbye to Cooper and headed over to her apartment.

“Knock, knock,” I yelled outside the door, knocking as I said it.

“Come on in!” Evan yelled.

Evan was Abby’s boyfriend. He was pretty fine looking if I had to say so myself. She caught a good catch, that’s for sure. He was tall, tattooed, and slender with a black Mohawk. He wore a lot of sweatshirts and jeans, and he had a lip ring in all the time. It suited him, and it definitely suited Abby’s taste. Abby was a good match for him, equally nice looking. Abby was short and toned with a slight tan, and short to her chin natural red hair that she was very proud of, too.

“Girl, get your ass in here,” Abby yelled from the kitchen. I walked toward the kitchen and was greeted by her dog, Bones, a small black rat terrier. I noticed a few people sitting in the living area but didn’t pay too much attention. I figured they were Evans’ friends.

Her kitchen was your average kitchen, plain wood cabinets and a flat black counter top. It wasn’t overly big since this was apartment living, but it was suitable for them. I had the same kitchen, and it worked just great for me, too.

“Hey, I’m here, I’m here. Sorry I had to keep Coop out for a while and let him burn off some energy,” I sighed. “So, something smells good. I thought Evan was getting pizza?”

Abby bumped her ass into mine playfully. “I’m making some appetizers while we wait on the pizza. Apparently, Luke’s Pizza is busy tonight, and it’s an hour and a half wait for four extra large pizzas.” She smiled at me, opened the oven, and took out some garlic bread.

“Smells delish.” I bumped my ass back at her.

“Would you two lesbians knock it off in there?” Evan shimmied in between us. “You going to eat some pizza, Riley-smiley?” Evan teased.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I gave Evan my ‘I’m going to kick your ass if you call me that again’ look.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to the guys.” Evan grabbed my hand and forced me to go in the room with him.

Evan pointed at the guys and went down the row from left to right on the couch.

“Riley, this is Joe, Dustin, and Frank. Guys, this is Riley, she works with Abs.”

Evan had hot friends, but one really caught my eye. He stood out as if there were no one else in the room. I suddenly wished I had worn something different, and maybe took some time to do my hair. He had my mouth watering, almost drooling, with all those tats that swept around his muscles. My hands were sweaty, dying to tug and pull on his hair. Wow, he was pure bad boy dressing up in pretty clothing and amiable smiles.

“Sup?” Joe said.

“Pleasure.” Frank said.

“Hey.” Dustin added.

“Hi, guys. Nice to meet you.” I turned quickly around and headed back to the kitchen with Abby. “Why didn’t you tell me they were going to be good-looking?” I whispered as I nudged Abby in the side.

Abby looked at me and busted out laughing. “I have a bathroom, you know. Go shape up.” She smiled. “Not like they are going to care. They’re pretty laid back, Ry. Chill out.”

I grabbed my hair and pulled it up into a messy bun. I sat at the kitchen table and chatted with Abby while we waited for our pizza to arrive. It seemed like a century went by before the doorbell finally rang. Evan rushed to the door and paid the guy for the pizzas. His friend, Dustin, went to help. Dustin came in the kitchen with Evan, pizzas in hand. Just as I went to grab for a paper plate, Dustin reached for one, too. His hand touched mine, making me do a double take at Evan’s friend. Damn, he’s gorgeous.

“Go ahead, sorry,” I said blushing red.

“No, ladies first, my bad.” He looked at me. For a second, we just looked at each other before I finally snapped out of it. Wow, he has some amazing ocean blue eyes and a well-defined face. His arms were big and looked like they could be mighty strong as his tight cotton polo shirt accentuated his chest.

“Thanks.” I reached for my plate, and then added a slice of pizza to it.

“I know you’re going to eat more than that, right?” Dustin said with a smirk on his face.

“I’m pretty sure you don’t have to worry about that.” I innocently smiled back.

Dustin was hot. I didn’t really want to admit it, but I was finding myself clearly attracted to him. I’m sure somebody as good-looking as he was, had a girlfriend. Then the question rendered—well, where is she then? Why isn’t she here? The man was buff with some hot-ass tattoos wrapped around his arms. I’m sure I could feel safe and comfortable in them.

“I’m going to step outside for a smoke, care to join?” I bravely asked.

“Smoking is bad for you, but I guess I’ll join you just so you’re not alone.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard that.” I rolled my eyes, grabbed my smokes, and headed out to the patio where Dustin followed.

I walked out and leaned against the brick wall. There was one thing about being a waitress that killed me, and that was being on my feet all day. I let out a heavy sigh. I could use a good freaking foot massage. Then I lit up.

“So, your name is Riley, right?” Dustin leaned on the glass patio door. He stared at me with those intense eyes, taking in something I couldn't see. When his lips parted, all I could do was think about kissing him. Would he be gentle or demanding? He laughed, breaking me from my thoughts. I blushed. "Sorry, what did you say?"

“You’re name, Riley, right?” He smirked.

“Yup, I’m Riley.” I smiled.

“Where you from, Riley?”

“All over.”

“All over?”

“My dad was in the army, we traveled quite a bit. Born in Arizona though.” I took a puff on my cigarette.

“Wow. That must have been cool traveling all over the place.”

“Yeah, maybe to some people, but I just wanted a place I could call home, which never really happened until a few years ago.”

“So, what brings you to Cape Cod?”

I paused. “Honestly, I just needed to pick somewhere, and I randomly picked here, mainly because it’s somewhere that I actually haven’t been.” I was honest.

This Dustin guy sure liked to dig for information. Yet talking about my past made me nervous. I didn’t want to say anything that would give any details away.

“What about you?” I asked.

“Born and raised here. I just moved out from my parent’s house, I live across town at the Sheldon apartments.”

“Sweet. Are those nice apartments? Are you in college?”

“Yeah, pretty nice for what I pay. No, I finished college last year.”

“What do you do?” I interrogated him back with questions.

“I’m a service advisor at a dealership in town.”

“Wow, sounds neat.”

“Pays the bills. I want to become a cop someday.”

“Nice.” I could totally picture him in a police uniform. His tall height had to be six-foot-two, and his masculine broad shoulders brought my eyes to his tone build. Then my eyes were brought down to his hips and his long legs. I could totally picture it. With perfect black hair and the slightest bit of gel in it to make it spiky, he was wearing his hair just the way I liked it. I even liked how he wore a polo shirt and jeans, as funny as that sounds. Even though his shirt looks liked it was about to rip open from his muscles.

“You work with Abby?”

“Yeah, she got me the job at Eddie’s place. It’s all right. The boss is a prick, but it’s a job. Just wish it paid more.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Great food there?” He smiled his all-American white boy smile.

“They do. You should come in and eat sometime.” I puffed the last drag of my cigarette and put it out in an ashtray.

“Maybe I will.” He smiled blocking the door.

“I’m all done with my cigarette.” I gestured with my hand that we could go in.

“I know.” He took his hand and rubbed his chin. “I wasn’t done talking to you, though.”

“What can you possibly want to talk to me about?” I asked.

“Well, you’re beautiful, there’s no question about that.”

I blushed, and I’m sure the color red invaded my entire face. Did he just call me beautiful?

“Thank you,” I said shyly.

“Are you—” Then he hesitated. “Are you single?”

“Indeed, I am. In fact, I’ve only been out here for four months. Haven’t really been exploring my options.”

“Good to know.” He grinned and moved away from the door. I walked passed him, patting him on the shoulder as I stepped back into the apartment.

The rest of the night went great. Abby brought out the guitar hero, and we started playing and goofing around. I felt like there was a serious attraction between Dustin and me, but we kept our distance the rest of the night. I had a good time playing games and laughing. It had been a while since I had a night like that to enjoy. I knew Cooper was waiting for me, and I knew it was time to head home as it was close to one a.m.

“Well, everybody, I had a great time tonight, but I need to head upstairs and get some rest for work tomorrow. Lucky Abby here is off. I don’t get that luxury.” I smirked at Abby. “Thanks, Evan, for the pizza.” I gave him a quick hug and then to Abby as I made my way to the door as I grabbed my smokes and keys.

“Bye, girl. I’m sure I’ll see you and Coop tomorrow sometime. Have a good night. Thanks for coming by!” Abby hugged me and then closed the door behind me. I started to walk toward my apartment when I noticed Dustin standing in front of me in the hallway.

“Can I walk you home?” He asked with a goofy smile on his face.

“You don’t have to as I’m perfectly capable.”

But I’d really love it if you did!

“I’d like to, though.”

I put my hands up in the ‘I give in’ motion. “Ok. Right this way.” I headed past him and started to walk up the cement stairs making my way down the hotel looking hallway to my cozy apartment.

“This is me.” I pointed to my door that read 209 on a wooden plaque.

Dustin took a deep breath and let it out. “Can I see you again?”

He’s really pushy, isn’t he?

I played with a loose strand of my hair and sighed. “Dustin, I’m going to be honest with you. I’m not sure what I want with my life right now. It’s crazy. I work many hours at the restaurant, and I’m barely able to get by. I don’t get out much, and I definitely haven’t hung out with a guy, let alone dated anyone, in a really long time.”

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I just asked if I could see you again. Calm down. I’m not asking you to marry me or anything.” He joked as he tried to make me laugh.

“Yes, you can see me again. Hand me your phone.” I giggled trying hard not to look nervous. Trying even harder not to pounce on this beautiful man standing right in front of me.

I typed my name and number into his phone. “I work tomorrow from eleven to eight. It’s my long shift. I really need to get some sleep.” I smiled my Colgate smile.

“Goodnight, Riley.” He lifted my hand and kissed the top of it.

The touch of his lips on my hand made my heart palpitate. It sent butterflies through my stomach. I can’t believe all that from a little peck on my hand.

“Goodnight, Dustin. Thanks for walking me upstairs.”

“Anytime.” He winked at me.

I unlocked my apartment door, and when I walked in, Cooper was right at my feet, as usual. I closed the door and stood there for a minute. I was a little shocked by what had just happened.
There was a guy interested in me? Miss Riley Miller?
I didn’t know if I could handle a boyfriend with my crazy work schedule, though.

I took Cooper outside real quick to let him do his business, and then hurried back in the house. I jumped in my pajamas and hit the bed, clutching my pillow and shutting my eyes. I was out in a heartbeat.

** CHAPTER 2 **

Dustin

I ran down the hallway, flew down the stairs, and returned to Evan and Abby’s apartment. I walked in the door, and they hadn’t even noticed I had been gone. I was a little devious, and when I knew they were walking Riley out, I slipped out to the patio, and came around to approach her. I didn’t want them to know I was interested in her yet. I figured they might not like it. However, at this point, I really didn’t care. She was perfect, she was just my type, and I hoped I could be her type. She seemed to be a bit timid. Her body was smoking hot, though. She was about average height with long, and I mean long, black hair almost midway down her back, with the cutest small face and big brown eyes, and the most perfect white teeth I had ever seen. She was gorgeous. I have a feeling any guy would have been lucky to have her. That’s why I decided to try my damnedest to get her before any other guy swept her away. I didn’t know why I was thinking that way. Something about her drove me a little wild inside, even though I had told myself once that I didn’t want to ever love again.