A Boy I Used to Love(15)

I tilted my head back and felt my heart being ripped into pieces. I threw my hand out and grabbed her, stopping her from any more pacing.

I pulled her close. I stunk like grease and she smelled like an angel from heaven. It was just the epitome of who we were together. Complete opposites. Except when it came to attraction, lust, and romance.

"I'll … "

I chewed on my words a little. Shit, I'd drain every asset I owned for her. It wouldn't get us much but probably enough for a semester at college. I could take up a second job. I could talk to my boss for more work. I could take on more fights. But that was a huge risk. One wrong punch and I was dead.

"I'll …  talk to your father," I said. "Let me figure out what the real intentions are."

"It's too late," Lacey said. "You're not listening to me. It's all done. He took the job. The realtor is putting the house up for sale. I'm already out of college."

"Okay. Let me figure this out."

"River, what do I do?"

"I want you to stay, darlin'," I said. "But you can't … "

I envisioned our life. Staying put in this shit hole of a town. Struggling every damn day of her life to get by, me working, always running the risk of getting hurt or killed. She'd forever resent me. The town. Her own damn life, too. As I stared down into her eyes, I saw what she wanted. All of it. I was part of it, but there was something so much greater for her at the same time.

"I can't what?" she asked me.

"You just can't," I said.

"You're telling me to go?"

"No. Yeah. No. When is this happening?"

"Right now," she said. "My parents did all of this behind my back and it's time to leave. We have right now together and that's it. River … "

"Lacey," I whispered. "Ah, fuck." I put my lips to hers.

There were no words. I could steal her from her future and family. I could be greedy and hog her beauty and innocence all to myself. Fuck, that's what I wanted to do.

"River!" a voice bellowed. "We ain't paying you to tongue fuck someone!"

I broke the kiss and rested my head against Lacey's. I took a few breaths. "We'll meet up after work, okay? They're having a little party here for Big Jakey. His old lady is knocked up. Just come here, okay? We'll talk this out. We'll figure this out."

I backed away and Lacey grabbed for my shirt. Her knuckles were white and her hands were shaking.

"Don't you lie to me," she said. "This isn't going to end well, is it?"

"I don't know how I'm supposed to answer that," I said. "I can't lie to you, Lacey. I'll go with you. I'll follow you. I swear on my life I will. I don't want you to lose your dreams because of me. Ever. If you stay … "



       
         
       
        

"River!" the voice bellowed again.

It was my goddamn boss, Hinky. He was a fat, bald, yet strong asshole. He would kill someone without thinking twice. And he'd do the time, get a way out, and rebuild his life. You did not want to fuck with Hinky.

"I gotta go," I said.

I backed up, not wanting to turn around.

I watched as Lacey stood there for a few seconds, eyes wide, filling with tears. She finally got back into her car and drove away.

I kept backing up until I crashed into something.

I spun around and Hinky had me by the arms. He started making kissing sounds at me, his fake white teeth shining.

Something snapped in me. I threw my head forward and smashed his face.

He stumbled back and grabbed for his mouth, blood visible.

"Fuck," I said. "Hinky … "

Hinky spit on the ground and wiped his mouth. "You love that little piece of ass, huh?"

"Yeah, I do," I said.

"Get back to fucking work."

"I'm sorry, Hinky."

"Fuck off."

He walked away. I let out a sigh and tilted my head back. Somewhere inside me I envisioned when Lacey and I would be torn apart for good. I thought there'd be a warning, though. Some sign. Shit, even some time to prepare.

But not this.

She was being ripped right out of my arms and my heart.

I went back to work, needing to keep shit with Hinky calm. Last thing I needed was to be buried alive for pissing off my boss. Then again, maybe that's where I was better off.

I was about to lose Lacey.



It was after eight and she was nowhere to be found. The sun burned against the horizon, another day come and gone. Music blasted from speakers hung in the corners of the garage, the back doors open so the music flooded out. Hinky had the guys hang lights from one building to another, giving us plenty of light to keep the party going. There were some picnic tables, card tables, and plenty of people. Everyone congratulated Big Jakey and his old lady on the coming baby. I just hung by the side of the building, waiting to see those headlights pull into the lot.