Chapter Eight
All the hard work and long hours catch up with Wyatt on Sunday, when he wakes with a fever and severe sore throat.
“Ugh,” he groans. “I haven’t had strep since I was a kid, but I remember this too well.” His cheeks are bright red and his eyes are glassy.
“You need some antibiotics, then.”
He takes a sip of water and winces. “It’s Sunday, and I’m not going to an emergency room for strep throat.”
It’s not like he couldn’t afford it, but he’s stubborn, so I know he won’t change his mind. “Here,” I hand him two Tylenol. “Take these and I’ll see if I can find a doctor open.”
He swallows the pills and goes back to bed while I dress.
Neal’s sister is a physician assistant to one of the doctors in town, and I figure it can’t hurt to ask if he could put me in touch with the doctor. Maybe the doctor will just call in an antibiotic script.
Neal’s little girl, Bailey, opens the door when I knock. “Hi, is your dad home?”
“Yeah, come in.” She walks to the kitchen and returns with Neal.
“Hey, Cass, everything okay?”
“Yeah, well…not exactly. It’s not an emergency or anything, but Wyatt’s sick. He thinks it’s strep throat so I know it’s only going to get worse without antibiotics.”
Neal motions for me to take a seat and sits across from me. “Yeah, that’s nothing to play with. I had rheumatic fever when I was a kid because of untreated strep.”
“He doesn’t want to go to the emergency room for something that’s not technically an emergency, and all the doctor’s offices are closed. I wondered if your sister might be able to ask her boss to do something for him?”
“Absolutely, Dr. Kelley has seen Bailey after hours before.” Neal grins at me. “And once she hears he’s a Cavenite…”
“It’s a name that opens doors,” I laugh.
“This might take a minute. My sister is kind of weird. She’s one of those people who swears by homeopathic cures. She knows not to recommend that stuff to patients while she’s at work, but I guarantee that’ll be her first suggestion.”
He grabs his phone, and I turn to talk to Bailey while he makes the call. “You’re getting tall. What grade are you in now?”
Her face lights up with a beaming smile. “Fourth. I’m the tallest in my class. It makes the boys jealous.”
“I’ll bet it does.”
“I’m going to take swimming lessons at the new pool and Dad says I can go there for an hour every day after school instead of staying with stinky old Ms. Lilith.”
I love how kids seem to have no filter. They just spit their thoughts right out. Ms. Lilith is an older lady who lives next door to the school and runs an after-school daycare from her home. I’ve met her, and stinky is as good a description as any.
“That’s great! You’ll have a lot of fun.”
I tune back into Neal’s conversation with his sister. “Yes, the guy who just opened the community center. Yes, yes.” He sighs. “I heard you. Marshmallow root tea for his throat. I’ll pass it along. Now, will you please call and see what Dr. Kelley can do? Thank you.”
Neal hangs up and shakes his head. “If you want to hang out for a few minutes, she’s going to call back.”
“Thanks, I appreciate you doing this.”
“Anytime. I assume you don’t want to try marshmallow root tea?” he snorts.
“Pass.”
Sitting back, he rests his foot on his knee. “It’s crazy some of the stuff she comes up with. It started with a guy she used to date. Any problem you had, he had an answer. Usually something like ‘Go out and find a mushroom that grows under a stone, rub it under your toenails, then twist your left nipple in a counterclockwise motion and that will make your hair grow faster.’”
Bailey giggles along with me.
Neal snatches up his phone when it rings. “An hour? I’ll tell her. Thanks, sis. Yeah, I told her about the tea. Uh-huh, colloidal silver, got it. Yeah, Bailey says hi. Talk to you later.”
“Dr. Kelley will meet him at her office in an hour,” Neal tells me, after disconnecting the call.
“Thank you so much. I owe you one.”
“Nah, that’s what neighbors are for.”
I give Bailey a hug and head back across the street to tell Wyatt he has a doctor’s appointment.
“On a Sunday?” Wyatt croaks, incredulous.
“Small towns are good for some things. Everyone knows everyone. My neighbor, Neal, hooked us up.”
An hour later we’re sitting in the deserted doctor’s office while Dr. Kelley examines Wyatt. “Yes, sir,” she says. “Pretty good case of strep there, plus a sinus infection to boot.” She strips off her gloves and writes a prescription. “Antibiotic plus a decongestant. Should have you feeling better in a few days.”
“Good, we have the big vote coming up in two days.”
She smiles at me. “I’m voting against the proposition. There’s no reason to shut down that store.” Pausing for a moment, she adds. “I can give you a shot of penicillin as well. Works faster.”
The expression on Wyatt’s face makes me burst out laughing. “Are you afraid of needles?” I ask.
“No…just not a big fan.”
“Come on.” I walk over and hop up on the table beside him. “I’ll hold your hand.”
Wyatt starts rolling up his sleeve, but Dr. Kelley shakes her head. “It has to go in a buttock.”
“Of course it does,” he grumbles, getting to his feet and turning around.
He glares at me while I try not to smile at him bent over, his ass in the air. “Payback for that paddle,” I whisper, and his lip twitches.
The shot makes him flinch, but he doesn’t freak out or anything. Before he can get his pants up, I grin at Dr. Kelley. “If you think he needs a prostate exam or anything while we’re here…”
She cracks up when Wyatt jerks his pants up and spins around. “No worries, Mr. Cavenite. You’re a bit young for that.”
Wyatt thanks her and writes her a check for fifty dollars over the amount she charged, a bonus for coming in on her day off.
I drop him off at my place and run to get his prescriptions filled.
There’s a bit of a wait at the pharmacy inside the supercenter so I shop around a bit, grabbing some ice cream and Gatorade, the two things I always want when I have a sore throat. Two things catch my attention. The first is that everyone, people I don’t even know by name, take the time to say hello and wish me good luck on Tuesday. The second thing that stands out and makes me grin from ear to ear are the amount of Save the Scarlet shirts I see. By the time I get his prescription and a newspaper, and make my way to my car, I’ve lost count.
It’s a good sign.
Wyatt takes the medicine and crawls back into bed.
“I grabbed the Sunday paper if you want to read it,” I offer.
He takes it while I go to grab us both a drink.
A loud, gravelly laugh makes me hurry back to the bedroom. Wyatt smiles and holds up the newspaper. The headline reads Naughty Festival Draws a Crowd. Under it is the picture of the minister that I took and texted to Jani.
Under the picture, the caption reads George Hyland joins in the fun to support Scarlet Toys. There he is with a vagina cupcake in his hand, standing in front of the sign that says Bob for Boobs. They’ve blurred out the Dicks part of the sign, but it doesn’t matter. With his hair soaked, it looks like he’s been playing the game before enjoying an x-rated cupcake.
“Jani is my hero,” I crow.
“She’s an evil genius,” Wyatt says. “They also covered the opening of the community center. It’s under the fold.” Yawning, he lies back and closes his eyes.
“Get some rest. We’ll read it later.”
He sleeps most of the day, only waking to take a drink, use the bathroom and go back to bed. When he wakes the next morning, I’m getting ready for work.
“Shit. What time is it?” he croaks. His voice is even sexier when he’s sick, raspy and low.
“Ten. I left you a glass of ice water and your morning pill on the nightstand. I’ll bring you some soup at lunchtime.” He sits up as I lean to kiss his forehead. He’s still burning up.
“I need to go check on the center. I might need to sign—”
“Nope. You’re sick. I’ll stop in and make sure everything is running smoothly. I called Clarence in to work my shift at Scarlet, so I can hop between them and take care of you. You’re going to stay right here and rest so you can be better tomorrow for the vote.”
Flopping back in bed, he grins at me. “I kinda like it when you’re all assertive and commanding.”
The covers twitch, and I shake my head. “Are you seriously getting a hard-on because I told you what to do?”
“Who can know what he’s thinking?” He peeks under the covers. “He is a bit perky, though.”
“Well, tell him to calm down. You’re sick. Is there anything I can bring you before I go?”
“No, get out of here. Don’t overdo it trying to be everywhere today or you’ll be joining me.”
“Yes, sir,” I tease, pulling on my jacket.
“Mmm, I like the sound of that even more.”
* * * *
The day isn’t nearly as busy as I feared, though if the number of customers we have at Scarlet Toys is any indication, the vote is going to go well. There are a few protesters out front, but everyone just seems to be ignoring them.
The community center is running smoothly for its first official day of operation. The pool isn’t ready to open yet, but the game room is full of kids as soon as school lets out, and quite a few show up for the homework helpers club as well.
I’m stopped by so many people, wishing us luck, and promising to vote no. I’m trying not to get my hopes up, because I learned during the last presidential election that anything can happen.
I stop by my apartment at noon with a container of stew from the local café, and find Wyatt looking up at me with a sheepish, guilty expression. Samantha sits across from him, and Mallory perches on the edge of the recliner. A bowl of tomato soup and another with chicken noodle sit on the coffee table.
“Great minds think alike,” Mallory says with a smile. “Samantha and I both brought soup when we heard he was sick.”
“Thanks for looking after him,” I tell them, trying not to laugh.
Both of them say their goodbyes, and I turn to him as soon as they leave. “I swear, I can’t leave you alone for a second. You attract bitches like an all girl’s school.”
He holds up his palms. “Hey, they showed up when I was vulnerable and helpless.”
“Uh-huh.” I sit next to him and touch his forehead. “You’re cooler, and you look better.”
“I feel better.” He grabs the container of chicken stew I bought him and starts to eat. “How is everything going?”
I fill him in on my morning while I eat my sandwich, dipping it in the bowl of tomato soup. “If you feel up to it, Clarence, Martha, and Jani are going to come over after work tomorrow night to hear the results.”
“I’ll be fine.”
He recovers quickly, probably accelerated by the penicillin shot, and by the next morning, he insists on going to the community center. “I need to be there, be seen, and remind people to vote.” He drops a kiss on my head. “I’ll meet you at the courthouse at noon, okay?”
“I’ll be there.”
He looks so sexy in his Save the Scarlet tee and a pair of jeans. It’s hard to believe I thought he was some stuffed suit the day I met him. He’s much more at home in casual clothes.
Cupping my face, he looks down at me, and I feel my muscles melt under his warm gaze. “No matter which way this goes, nothing changes between us. We’re going to make this work.”
“I know.” He nods at my smile and heads off to the center.
Of course, I’m still concerned. Whether the vote passes or not, things are bound to change. We haven’t discussed the future or what will happen when he takes over his father’s business. Will he want me to move to Indianapolis? I can’t imagine he’d want to live here, or that it would even be feasible to run a billion dollar company from this little town. I’ve just been trying not to think about it until we see how the vote goes.
It takes me ten minutes to find a parking spot down town. Every spot within two blocks of the courthouse is taken. I’ve never seen so many people down here at the same time. Wyatt waits for me on the courthouse steps, but I hang back a little when I see he’s giving an interview to the local T.V. news reporter.
I don’t want to be on camera. I just want to get this day over with and try to figure out where we go from here. She finishes and follows her cameraman back to the van, so I make a beeline for Wyatt.
“Wow, I’ve never seen such a turnout for a local vote,” I exclaim.
“The line inside twists around the main floor up to the second floor where the polls are,” he says.
Protestors march up and down the courthouse lawn carrying their signs and chanting, but no one, not even the reporter seems interested in them. Of the people milling around, there are quite a few wearing Save the Scarlet shirts, but there is no shortage of those wearing Children First tees as well.
“Ready?” he asks, and offers his hand.
We enter and take our place in line. One thing is for sure, no matter which side of the issue people fall on, they’re passionate about it, because they’re willing to spend nearly an hour in line.
“Most of these people are probably giving up their lunch break for this,” I point out as we near the head of the line.
“I thought of that. I hired the hot dog vendor and sub sandwich truck to give away lunches to everyone as they leave,” Wyatt replies, taking a paper ballot and handing me mine. We part ways to go to two separate booths and fill in our NO bubbles, before stuffing the papers into a box.
Wyatt stops to chat with the mayor and makes sure she has his phone number to call when the votes are counted. “Absolutely, Mr. Cavenite. As soon as I know, you’ll know.”
“Thank you, and it’s Lawson. Cavenite is my father.”
She smiles at him like she’s thinking about how he might taste.
“You’re lucky I’m not the jealous type,” I tease, as we leave.
“Yeah, like I don’t see all the guys leering at you.” He stops at the bottom of the steps. “Who has the late shift at Scarlet?”
I face him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Jani and Clarence. They’ll be coming over after we close. How are you feeling? I thought I’d have a little bonfire, let the neighbors come, unless you still aren’t feeling well.”
“I feel fine. Invite whoever you want. It’ll be a big celebration.”
“So optimistic.” His hands wander to my ass, and I swat them away. “I’m already the smut peddling town heathen, isn’t that enough?”
“But you’re such a sexy heathen.”
We part ways again, and I head back to Scarlet. We have customers popping in all day to let us know they voted in our favor. By the time I leave, I’m in pretty high spirits.
Wyatt isn’t home yet when I get there, so I take a moment to drag out my portable fire pit and set up some chairs. I let Mallory know about tonight’s little get together and she promises to spread the word.
Wyatt shows up with some takeout food. “I figured you wouldn’t want to cook since people are coming.”
“Damn, you’re too good to be true,” I mumble around a mouthful of noodles.
“So ladylike,” he snorts, which earns him a quick view of my chewed up food.
We expect to hear from the mayor by eight or nine o’clock, so when ten starts nearing, everyone is on edge. And I mean everyone. We have a huge group milling around the yard, waiting to celebrate or bemoan our fate with us.
Clarence shows up with Jani right behind him, but I don’t recognize the car that parks behind her. Whoever it is sure isn’t hurting for money by the looks of his car. A man gets out and looks around, his face drawing up like he just smelled a pile of dog shit.
Recognition sets in at the same moment I hear Wyatt curse. “Fuck. What’s my father doing here?”
“Planning to dip himself in sanitizer, by the looks of it,” Jani says. “He stopped by the store and asked for you. Should I not have told him where you were?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Well, you’ve drummed up quite a bit of excitement down here, haven’t you?” Adam says, grinning at his son.
“We’re waiting on the results of the vote. There was a proposition to—”
Adam waves his hand and chuckles. “I know all about it. Figured I’d come down here and see how it all works out.”
His tone of voice pisses me off. Wyatt is his son. He should be rooting for him, not hoping he’ll fail.
Wyatt’s tight-lipped smile betrays his anger, but he hides it well. “Dad, you remember Cassidy.”
“Of course, nice to see you again.” He looks around, his gaze stopping for a second on one of the frat guys, Trey, who is attempting to ride a child’s bike through the yard. Attempting, because Trey has to be two hundred fifty pounds easy, and the alcohol content of his breath could probably burn down the tree he just slammed into.
Adam’s eyebrow heads north as he regards Wyatt. “Is this where you’ve been staying?”
Damn. Make it sound like he’s living in a garbage dump, why don’t you?
Unfazed, Wyatt nods and wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Yes, it’s Cassidy’s place. Everyone here is really nice, and you’re welcome to join us at the bonfire.”
Before his father can reply, Wyatt’s phone rings, and I see the mayor’s number pop up. “Hey, quiet!” I yell. “This might be the call.”
The night goes from cacophony to silence in a split second, and everyone gathers around Wyatt.
He hits the button to put the phone on speaker, and grabs my hand. Holding the phone out where everyone can hear, he says, “Hello?”
“Hello Mr. Lawson, this is Jessica. The ballots have been counted.”
She pauses, and I squeeze his hand. So much rests on this moment. It’s not just my future job, but my friends’ as well.
“I wanted to call and congratulate you. We hope you’ll continue to do business in Morganville for years to come.”
The words have barely been spoken when everyone cheers, filling the autumn air with hoots and applause that can probably be heard across town. The phone gets jostled from Wyatt’s hand as I jump into his arms, and he hugs me so tight I can’t breathe.
“We did it,” he says in my ear, before kissing me senseless.
For the moment, I let all my worries over our future and how we’ll manage a relationship go and just let myself wallow in the elation along with the rest of the neighborhood.
Wyatt sets me down and looks around him at the dancing, excited people. “I told you. The circle had your back. You’re one of us now.”
“And proud to be.” He scoops up the phone and thanks the mayor before hanging up.
I’d forgotten Adam was there until he reaches his hand out to shake Wyatt’s. “Well, son, I guess you’ll be taking over Cavenite Entertainment after all.”
Wyatt looks around and shakes his head. “No, Dad, I don’t think I will.”
Ice runs down my spine at his words. What is he doing?
Adam’s head tilts to the side, reminding me of a puzzled dog. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I think we know it’s not right for me. Vince should run the company when you’re ready to retire. I’ve found the place I belong.”
That “I smell dog shit” expression returns to Adam’s face. “You can’t mean to live here.”
“Maybe not in these apartments, but I plan to stay in town. I like it here.” He grins down at me. “The woman I love is here, and as you can see.” He gestures around the yard to everyone. “We have a lot of friends here.”
Adam scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Your decision making skills haven’t improved one bit.”
Wyatt shrugs. “But they are my decisions to make. You’re welcome to stay and celebrate with us.”
His father stalks off, and I grab Wyatt’s arm and drag him inside my apartment. “Are you insane?” I hiss, trying not to be overheard from the yard. “You can’t give up your fortune!”
Wyatt’s smile is calm. In fact, he looks completely content. “Relax, Cass, I’m only giving up the opportunity to run my father’s company. I’ve been groomed for it for so long I’ve never even considered whether it’s what I want to do. To be honest, going back to Indy to sit in an office all day with the goal of adding more money to our billions sounds like a nightmare. I don’t want to be like him.”
“Wyatt—”
His fingers stroke lightly down my cheek. “You made me think about what I really want, Cassidy. It’s not more money or success in business, or to walk in my father’s footsteps. I want to be around people who care about me, where I can relax and be myself.” He glances outside where loud laughter has broken out. “And watch the Outside Channel with you.”
“But..it’s so much money, Wyatt. I don’t want you to struggle like I have.”
Laughing, he pulls me into his arms. “My trust paid off when I was twenty-four, and my investments have tripled it. I’m not dependent on my father or his business, but I do still own a stake in it, enough to be a board member.”
He grins down at me. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not losing anything. I’m only gaining my freedom, and the life I want with you.”
A lump forms in my throat, and he plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Don’t cry. I hate it when women cry.”
“Then don’t say such sweet things,” I choke, wiping my eyes. “I love the hell out of you, Wyatt Lawson.”
“I love the hell of out of you, Cassidy West.” He wipes a tear from my cheek.
Jani taps on the door, making us both jump, and she shouts, “Hey, save the slap and tickle for later! We want to cut the cake!”
After flipping her off, I look up into his smiling face. “Are you sure you’re up for this? You’ve only had a taste of the insanity of Violent Circle.”
“Your friends and neighbors are great. I love the way you take care of each other. I’m happy to be a part of it.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I laugh. Wyatt grabs my hand, and we go back outside. Samantha and Noble walk over, holding each end of a giant cake shaped like a—
“Oh my god!” Mallory shrieks. “Is that a butt plug?”
Yep. My neighbors made a butt plug cake to celebrate. If tonight doesn’t wrap up what my neighborhood is like in a neat little bow, nothing ever will.
My neighbors are poor, and none of us would be considered sophisticated by any stretch of the imagination. They do dumb shit, break the law on a regular basis, argue in public, and I’ve seen way too many of them naked, but look at them now.
They’re thrilled for us when there’s really no benefit to them.
They came together to help us save Scarlet Toys because we needed them, and that’s all they needed to know.
Money, education, and high-class upbringing doesn’t instill the most important things a person needs in life; compassion, love, and a sense of community.
Violent Circle has no shortage of riches there.