Back To Me (33 page)

             
My mind blanked when he’d whispered Billy’s name.
Billy
. God, he was gonna be so mad at me, I just knew it. I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to hear him rant about my irresponsibility. I didn’t want to see the look of disgust in his eyes. While I couldn’t speak right now, I would make sure the hospital staff knew how I felt. 

46

Billy

              “Luke, what’s going on?” I didn’t even say hello. Something told me there was no time.

              “Get home now.”

              “I can’t,” I argued. “You know I have to finish this!”

              “When’s it gonna be enough, huh?” Luke huffed from the other end of the line. His frustration was palpable. “When are you finally gonna have enough revenge that you can let this shit go?” His last few words were barely a whisper.

              “When he’s dead,” I stated matter-of-factly. “When this son of a bitch is six feet under, then I’ll come home.”

              “It’ll be too late,” Luke muttered. “It’ll be too damn late, and you won’t be able to do a damn thing to fix it!”

              I rose from the bed quickly, my shoulders stiffening with each second that passed. “What. Is. Going. On?” I demanded again.

              “Just come home, man. I can’t tell you this shit over the phone,” he pleaded.

              “I’m losing patience,” I warned.

              “Fine! You win, you pig-headed asshole!” Luke screamed. “You wanna know why it’s gonna be too late?
Fine!
There’s no damn house to come back to! It burned to the damn ground! Know what else?
Heather
was in the friggin’ house when it happened!”

              I fell to the ground, rocking back and forth as Luke’s words sunk in. My house was gone? What the hell?
And Heather
?
Why the hell wasn’t she at Luke and Lauren’s
? A million questions flittered through my brain, but I’d be damned if I could get one of them past my lips.

              “Heather’s fine,” he relented. “Least I think she will be. Caleb’s gone with her to the hospital. He rode in the ambulance with her. The house is a total loss, man. I’m sorry.” Luke sighed on the other end of the line, waiting for me to say something.

              The house was
just a damn house
. I couldn’t care less about the
house
! What I cared about was my angel and whether or not she was gonna be okay.

              “Is she alright?” I managed to choke out.

              “She inhaled a lot of smoke, Billy. I don’t know. She wasn’t conscious when they took her away. Lauren’s hysterical, I’m trying to calm her down, Phillips is blowing up my phone, I’m sure to ask questions, and I need to get my wife to the damn hospital before she gouges my eyeballs out. Get. Home.”

              I dropped the phone to the floor, where it bounced off the beige and burgundy patterned carpet. Funny I’d never even paid attention to it, and suddenly I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I heard the distinct ringing of the hotel phone while someone beat unceremoniously on the door, but I couldn’t move one way or the other. I was frozen, still staring at that damn carpet.

              “Billy!” someone shouted from the other side of the room. I managed to pull my gaze from the spot on the floor, and noticed the door frame had been splintered into a thousand pieces.

              “Where the hell have you been?” George called. “I’ve been calling you! Blake’s been calling you….”

              “She’s been hurt,” I cried out before crumpling again to the floor.

              “I know, son. I know,” he offered. “I’m so sorry. C’mon, big man, up ya go. Let’s get you to her.”

              “I can’t see her right now,” I wailed even louder. “How many times do I have to see her hurt?”

              “As many times at it takes for you to put her back together, son. Now let’s go. This isn’t up for discussion.”

              By this time George was throwing open drawers and shoving my belongings back into my bag. Within minutes he was hauling me out the busted door.

              “I can’t lose her,” I whispered to no one in particular. Hell, I may have been even reminding myself of that important fact, I didn’t know. I just knew I was so tired of seeing her broken.

              “You won’t,” Blake interrupted. He was standing at my truck with the door open, waiting for George to push me through.

              I briefly wondered why I wasn’t in the driver’s seat, but it was probably for the best. There’s no way I could’ve made it home.

              “Get him outta here and to that girl,” George ordered. “I’ll be along in a few days, once I wrap up a few things here.”

              “Ten-four, boss. Be safe.” Blake shut the door, started the truck and pulled away.

              I threw my head back and allowed the tears to flow freely. I didn’t give a shit that Blake was next to me, waiting for me to crack. It was coming. He knew it and I knew it, but I. Just. Didn’t. Care.

              We were taking the ramp to the interstate before Blake uttered a word. “We’ll be there as quick as we can. Try to hang in there, brother.”

              I gave him a slight smile, but even I knew it was fake. I didn’t dare try to speak as the thoughts ran rampant through my mind. What if they didn’t get her out in time? What if she never forgave me for not being there for her? What if….. I can’t even think like that. Heather is a tough woman. The toughest woman I know. She just
has
to be alright.

              I stared out the window and counted the cars we passed. Blake was traveling at a dangerous speed, but it didn’t matter. Time felt like it was creeping; each precious second taking entirely too long to get to my angel.

              The ringing of Blake’s phone startled me. I jumped and frantically searched the truck, trying to find the annoying thing. He grabbed my arm to steady me, then pointed to his hand where he already had the phone to his ear.

              “Blake, here.”

              “Yeah. Just left, man. We’ll get there as soon as we can. Yeah. I think it’s broken. Not sure. Yeah. Yeah. Sounds good. Alright, man. Bye.”

              I hated hearing one-sided conversations. It sucked being on this end, not having a clue what the hell was going on. I glared at Blake until he finally volunteered the information I so desperately needed to hear.

              “She’s fine. They’re at the hospital. Caleb’s with her.” He let out another sigh before continuing. “Mike Phillips ring a bell?”

              I nodded my head yes. He was the fire chief in town. Actually, he was one of only five guys that made up the entire crew for our town.

              “He’s been investigating. Definitely arson.”

              I nodded again in understanding, knowing I still couldn’t trust my voice. There was too much anger and hurt.

              “She’s getting checked out, then they’ll probably put her in a room and monitor her for a couple days. She inhaled a lot of smoke, Billy.”

              I nodded again as unshed tears stung my eyes.

              “Did you break your phone?” he asked, giving a slight chuckle. I grinned, but that was it. I was hanging on by a thread. I didn’t care about anything except getting to the hospital.

             
Tom.
I knew exactly who was behind this. I didn’t need Mike Phillips to investigate shit. The fact that Blake had said Tom was missing earlier,
and
the fact that he’d yet to mention him again told me all I needed to know.

              Hours passed before there was another update. Many times I had thought about grabbing Blake’s phone and calling Luke myself, but I didn’t. I was eerily quiet, but I couldn’t do shit from the cab of my truck so I’d hold on a little longer. There was no need to subject Blake to my anger, or anyone else for that matter. This was all Tom’s doing. And
mine
. If I hadn’t been so hell bent on going after him myself, I’d have been with Heather. She’d never have been alone. She’d begged me not to go and I hadn’t listened. Just like always, I had to be the big shot and do whatever the hell I wanted, somehow thinking that made me a big man. Truth is it didn’t prove shit except that I was always letting her down, leaving her to wonder if I’d come back. Now the shoe was on the other foot and it sucked. The unknown was excruciating, and I finally got a glimpse into what life had been like for her. If she felt even an
ounce
of what I had in that moment, I don’t know how she’d managed. She was a helluva lot stronger than me.

47

Heather

              The constant beeping kept me awake, but I refused to open my eyes. My lungs felt like they were on fire with every breath, so much so that I couldn’t imagine trying to force words past my lips. I knew the minute
anyone
realized I was conscious, they’d be in here prodding me with questions I didn’t want to answer.

              My rescuer was the only one who’d been allowed in my room, and oddly enough I was okay with that. I could hear him pacing back and forth, keeping a perfect rhythm with the machine that was working hard to track my vitals. I heard the door open and shut, but I don’t think anyone actually entered. It suddenly got quiet and I began to panic, thinking maybe he had left me as well. I was relieved when I heard a chair scoot across the floor.

              He touched my arm first, and then placed my hand gently in his.

              “Heather, can you wake up for me, sweetheart? There are a lot of people here to see you. C’mon, open those eyes for me,” he prodded, stroking my forehead.

             
Hell!
So much for sleep!
I turned my head, noticing for the first time just how sore I was. I wasn’t sure if it was stress from the night’s events, or if it was from being pulled in all different directions once I got here. I was in more pain than I thought possible.

              “There ya go, sweetheart, open those peepers!” he said, cheerfully.

              I opened one eyelid, then the other, giving him a poignant look. I was taken back, momentarily stunned by his beauty. He certainly wasn’t Billy, but my, oh my, he was handsome.

              “Well, hello there, Heather,” he gave a dazzling smile. “Glad to see you’re back with us. Everyone will be so happy.”

              “Don’t… be… so sure…,” I croaked. “Probably… gonna… be… pissed.” I played it off jokingly, but deep down I knew it’d be the truth.

              “Nah,” he waved his hand about, “they’ll all just be happy you’re okay. Would you like me to go get them for you?” the stranger offered.

              I shook my head no.

              “Okay then, how ‘bout I sit with you until Billy gets here? How’s that?”

              I sat up, my body silently screaming in protest. I gasped as my lungs tried to work of their own volition. Shaking my head vehemently, I got my point across.

              “You don’t want Billy here?” he questioned, astounded.

              “No,” I managed to squeak out. “Please,” I begged, “Can’t…deal…right… now.”

              “Okay, okay,” he pacified, “Just calm down.”

              He stood and pushed me back gently onto the bed, rearranging the pillows behind my head.

              “I’m Caleb, by the way.” He gave me another gentle smile and I noticed the way his eyes wrinkled around the outside edges. He was definitely friendly, maybe even a flirt, but I didn’t object. So long as I wasn’t alone, I didn’t much care.

              “So, can you tell me what you remember?”

              I cleared my throat and stared at the wall, trying to buy some time. I didn’t know what he
knew as far as Tom was concerned, but it was logical to think he was behind all this. “No. I have… no… idea,” I admitted. “I was in the bed… asleep….when…fire…. woke… me up.”

              “I see,” he responded. “Well, I’m just glad we were able to get you out in time. It could’ve been much worse.”

              “Yeah,” I agreed. “Are you… the man… that…saved me?”

              “Yes, ma’am, but Luke is actually the one that broke the glass. Like I said, I’m just glad we were able to get you out. I sure as hell wouldn’t wanna face Billy otherwise,” he chuckled.

              I knew his words were true, but Billy was going to be mad regardless. While I was thankful to be alive, I dreaded the backlash.

              “Well, thank you… for saving me,” I murmured.

              He gave another smile, and ruffled his hair. “No need to thank me, Heather. I’m actually glad I got to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. Everyone around town has been talking about the woman that has stolen Billy Willis’ heart.”

              I attempted a chuckle. “Not so sure…bout… that now.”

              “Oh, c’mon, sweetheart. Of course Billy loves you. He wouldn’t just rush back for anyone, ya know?”

              “I guess.”

              “You guess? Sweetheart, I’ve known him for a long time. Used to work under him as the deputy. I know that stubborn mule just about as well as anyone. He may not always show it, and Lord knows he’s got a temper, but never doubt that you’re the one he’d move heaven and earth for. I know that to be a fact.”

              “I hope you’re
….
right,” I replied, fidgeting with my hands. “But
…
he’s lost everything
….
because of me
….
His home, his job
…..
I don’t think
…..
he’ll forgive me.” I turned my head away from Caleb, not wanting him to see the hurt in my eyes, but I know he saw the tears that rolled from the outer corners. 

              Caleb leaned on the edge of the bed and glared until he had my full attention again. “He didn’t lose
everything
, Heather. You’re right here, and that’s
all
he’s gonna care about. I promise you that.”

              I tried to give him a smile, but it was forced. I didn’t feel like smiling and I didn’t feel like talking. I didn’t feel like anything except sleeping.

              “I’m… kinda… tired. I think… I’ll…take a nap… if that’s alright.”

              He stood straight and sighed, bracing his hands on his hips. “Alright, sweetheart. Get some rest. I’ll just be down the hall with the others, okay?”

              “Yeah, thanks,” I mumbled.

              Just before Caleb reached the door, I thanked him again for saving me, even though I knew there wasn’t much worth saving.

              He gave me a curt nod and then let the door shut behind him. I turned away, not wanting any more interruptions tonight. Tomorrow would come soon enough and I’d have plenty to deal with. Right now, I just wanted to forget everything. I wanted to forget that my father had now tried
twice
to kill me; that he was
still
out there somewhere, plotting another way to get the job done. I wanted to forget the charred house, the fact that Billy had lost his home because I duped everyone, that he had lied….
All of it
. Just for
one night
I wanted peace.