Chapter 18 - Riker
Women! They just simply weren’t worth the misery. Normally I wouldn’t have given Melanie’s words any credit, but then, Lacy wasn’t doing anything to contradict them.
I tried to text Lacy back and got a message failure in return. I tried to call her, but it went straight to voicemail on the first ring, which told me she had me blocked. I didn’t know what to think. I knew she was upset, and I had a suspicion her business was failing, but that still didn’t add up to the total shut-out she’d given me. There had to be more to it.
I had a client down the lake from Lacy who wanted an estimate on a basement remodel. I grabbed my laptop and measuring tape and left to go over there. I frowned as I saw the truck door—it pissed me off every time I came out of the house. Jacoury had settled down, though, and as long as the two of them stayed that way, I’d see them through their eighteenth birthdays and they’d be free to go. Jonas kept bringing up the subject of working for me, and as much as I’d have liked to give him the nod, finances just didn’t warrant it. As it was, I was having to cut some corners to keep them all fed. I’d forgotten how much growing boys could eat. There was always the option of my going to work in psychology, but it didn’t pay enough more than what I was already doing to make the change worthwhile. Anyway, if I did something like that, I’d lose the ability to help the boys, which made the huge house unwarranted. It was a circle of frustration, no matter how I looked at it.
The Williams house sat back from the water’s edge, which gave them enough elevation to have a basement. It was a walkout with a full-width patio. Mrs. Williams gave me the tour.
“I thought you worked for Lacy Chatte,” she commented as we went down the steps.
“No, ma’am, I’ve always been self-employed. She was a frequent client, but I’ve always been independent.”
She nodded at my response, and I wondered why I was feeling defensive. Was Mrs. Williams one of Pettibone’s crew? I hoped to hell not, because if Pettibone got wind of me doing work here, Williams would cut me loose. I needed the project income.
She showed me through the open room and indicated where she’d like walls and a bathroom to be added. We talked about how she planned to use the space.
“We’d love to have a party set-up, actually. We get a lot of out-of-town company, and of course when they come, they want to party by the water. So I also need to be able to convert the space into sleeping quarters for them,” she explained.
I could do the floor and walls, but she needed someone like Lacy for the furniture recommendations. “I’ll be happy to quote the construction for you, but I suggest that you also consult with Lacy Chatte before making any final decisions. She can help you with the furnishings and design ideas, and knowing what you ultimately want will be good before we get started with any walls.”
“That’s a good idea. I apologize for misunderstanding earlier, but it just seems so natural for you two to be working side-by-side.”
I had to agree, and I wished someone would ask Mrs. Pettibone why she was so opposed to that. After all, Mrs. Williams was willing to hire me, so I couldn’t be that heinous.
“Well, Mrs. Williams, I think I have everything I need for now. Go ahead and contact Lacy, if you don’t mind, so she can be prepared to follow up my recommendations.”
“That’s great. I really appreciate your coming by. Stay warm out there, you hear?”
I got into my truck, letting it warm up again and thinking. That had been so effortless. Lacy and I were the perfect combination when it came to remodels and makeovers. I didn’t know who that Pettibone bitch was, but I damned sure didn’t like her running my life. I wanted to have it out with Lacy, once and for all. I needed to get to the bottom of whatever was bothering her. I put the truck into gear and went around the block, heading toward her cottage. I didn’t see her car in the drive, so I decided to go ahead and wait inside. I still had my key.
I opened the door and stood there a moment, looking around. It was nostalgic—everything looked just as it had when I’d been there last. The only thing different was the emotion I felt being there. It felt like I was trespassing, and I’d never thought it would get to that. I couldn’t go on as I was, wanting her, needing her, unless she knew how I felt and told me to go away forever. If that happened, I would. Otherwise, I was in it for the long run. I had plans for her, for us. I knew she was ready for what lay behind the locked door. She had some deep-seated aggression lurking inside, and she needed work it out. That would help her.
There was a light tap at the door and then it opened. Melanie stood there.
“What are you doing here?” I asked her.
“Oh, I was just driving by and saw your truck out front. I thought something might be wrong, so I stopped.”
“Melanie, I think it’s about time you and I have a little talk.” I took a couple of steps back and leaned against the counter. Crossing my arms, I looked at her. “I seem to see a correlation between your interfering in Lacy’s life and her being upset. I would like to think that you’re not doing that deliberately.”
She shook her head vehemently and stepped toward me. Putting one hand on each of my shoulder blades, she looked up at me and leaned into me so that her crotch was pressing into my thigh. “Oh, Riker, it hurts me to have you even think I’d do something like that. Lacy has been very good to me, and so have you. Sure, I’ll admit that you turn me on, but I know where your head is. I always have.”
“Melanie, I think you might have misconstrued my mood lately.”
“Really? I think I know you very well; very, very well indeed. I know you have your hands full with the boys, and I also know that Lacy has been less than welcoming. You must feel a little abandoned and overwhelmed. What you don’t realize is that I’m here for you. I always have been here for you, in any capacity you like. You just have to say the word and I’ll move in and take care of you and the boys. Nothing would make me happier. I’ll admit it to you right now, Riker. I’m in love with you, and I think you have similar feelings towards me.”
I was about to push her away and tell her she was full of shit when I looked up and saw Lacy standing there. Melanie had left the door half closed and Lacy had entered soundlessly—and evidently heard Melanie’s last couple of sentences.
“Is that so?” Lacy said dryly. “Well, I hope the two of you will be very happy together, but I would appreciate it if you would share your happiness somewhere else. This is my house and you are both trespassing. I’m asking you to leave.”
Melanie’s back was still to Lacy and her hands were still on my shoulder blades. She took advantage of the confusion to reach up on tip toe and kiss me on the cheek before I could stop her. She tapped me on the shoulder, saying, “I’ll see you at home, honey.” Turning, she walked wide around Lacy and left. The silence lay heavily between Lacy and myself, punctuated only by the brief toot of Melanie’s horn as she left the driveway.
“Lacy, it’s not what you think.”
“How many times have I heard that line? Let’s see, a million?”
“Melanie set that up.”
“I wasn’t aware you could be that easily manipulated. You’re trying to tell me that she talked you into driving over here in separate cars, breaking into my house and staging that little intimate scene all against your will? You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t believe you.”
Lacy hadn’t removed her boots or her coat. She just stood there, the pain masking her face. “Riker, I need you to leave, now. I thought I made it fairly clear that I didn’t want to see you again.”
I walked toward her with the intention of pulling her into my arms. Both her hands came out and kept me at bay.
“What’s the matter with you, anyway?” I demanded. “You’ve never behaved this way before. Something’s going on with you… Something different. If you don’t want to date me, okay, but don’t push me away as a friend. Everyone can use a friend, and I have a feeling, you more than anyone right now. Is it the business? Is it failing? Do you need money? I just sent a customer your way as a reference. Pettibone doesn’t need to know about it. I know she’s got you in her pocket, but I wish you’d find another way. You need to have your life in your own hands.”
“So now you’re giving me advice? Shall I move into one of the eight bedrooms upstairs in your house? So you can ground me when I don’t do as you tell me?”
“Don’t be silly. Why are you making such a big deal of my trying to help you?”
“I believe it’s polite to wait to be asked for help before pushing yourself in on someone’s life. Even Mrs. Pettibone waited until I asked for help. In my book, you’re the one who’s out of line. I don’t need to explain my future plans to you. I’m perfectly fine, and I don’t need any money. I’ve been taking care of myself for a very long time, and I can continue that from now on. I’m asking you one more time to leave. Put your key on the counter on your way out.”
Her boots and coat still on, she swept past me and went into the bathroom. She shut the door and I heard the lock click. I knew there was no point in waiting around. She’d wait until she heard the door close. I was only making things worse. I slapped the key down on the counter so she could hear and shut the door harder than I needed to leaving the house. I tried to control myself before I got onto the road—the last thing I needed was to rear-end someone.
In the confines of the truck, I said aloud to myself, “Lacy, honey, you are on your own from here on out. I tried, and you won’t even talk to me. If that’s all I mean to you, then fuck it, you are on your own.”