Afflicted Read online

  Pulling into the driveway I noticed there was another car in the driveway. Walking up the sidewalk I opened up the door seeing Cole sitting on the couch with another guy. He looked to be in his mid to late 20’s with a fair complexion and dark hair. He turned to look at me as I set my purse on the table.

  “You’re home early.” Cole said, struggling to stand up.

  “It wasn’t that busy, so we closed up early.” I said apprehensively.

  “This is my friend Adam. Adam this is Piper.”

  “Hi, Piper.”

  Ignoring him I went to the fridge and pulled out my leftover salad and a bottle of water.

  “Did you go to physical therapy today?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

  Pausing for a minute, looking at his hands he looked at me shaking his head no.

  “Come on, Cole. You’re not going to get better unless you go.”

  When he got in the accident he crushed his hip bone and has been doing therapy since to help strengthen it so he would have full use again. I noticed the past week or so that he’s been slacking more. I know he hates going, but he still has to go if he wants to get back to normal.

  “Look who’s talking, why don’t you start hitting the gym again? ‘Cause your ass is getting big.”

  “If you’re not fucking, feeding or financing me your opinion doesn’t matter!”

  I knew that I was gaining weight, but between all the stress of the accident and everything that happened with Blake I wasn’t exactly worried about what I was stuffing my face with. I have spent the last six weeks since he got out of the hospital sleeping on the couch since he wasn’t exactly an easy patient.

  “I’m going to Aubrey’s. I’ll be back later. Make sure your friend is gone by the time I get back.”

  Grabbing my keys I headed back out the door to Aubrey and Jake’s. I pushed in the code and watched as the gates swung open. I parked in front of the fountain slamming my door shut and walking up the steps. Knocking twice Granny opened the door.

  “Look who it is. I thought you died since it’s been so long since I got a phone call from you.”

  “Hi, Granny. Sorry, it’s been hectic.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I don’t want to hear it. How’s Cole doing?”

  “He’s getting there.”

  “Do you think you made the right decision?”

  Did I? No, not really, but it was too late now.

  “I made the only choice I could.”

  “You look like shit. You need to kick him to the curb and get some action.” She grumbled.

  “Granny, quit giving Piper a hard time and let her come in will ya.”

  “Why does everyone expect me to sugarcoat stuff? Do I look like a fucking bakery? I just tell it like it is, and she looks like shit.”

  After huffing she moved out of the way, and I made my way to the kitchen. Aubrey came and gave me a big hug, squeezing tightly. The twins were strapped into their high chairs eating dinner. I couldn’t believe how big they’ve gotten since the last time I saw them only a couple weeks ago.

  Lifting my sleeve I showed Aubrey my newest tattoo on my tricep. It was a flock of birds with a quote scrolling around them reading, ‘take these broken wings and fly’. Josh did an awesome job on it, and I was happy to have some new ink.

  Just as I was pulling my sleeve down the front door burst open.

  It was Blake with Jake hot on his heels.

  “I need to talk to you.” He said brusquely to me. “Can we go outside?”

  Shrugging my shoulders, I followed him out the door.

  “Sorry.” Jake whispered as I walked past him.

  The second the door was closed his mouth was on mine, kissing me with fervor. Our lips melded together in a way that only ours could. He kissed me until I saw stars behind my eyes before pulling away. Crushing me to his chest he held me there for what felt like hours, but in reality it was only a couple minutes. He kissed my forehead before taking a step back and lightly kicking the paver with his sneaker.

  “I’m glad I got to see you before I left. I wanted to call you, but I just didn’t know what to say.”

  “You’re leaving?” I asked, feeling my heart speed up.

  “Yeah. We wrapped the album up earlier today, so I’ll be heading back to LA in a couple days to deliver it to the label.”

  “Oh.” Was all I could say. I didn’t have a clue about any of this. I guess I’ve been a shittier friend than I thought lately.

  “I just wanted to thank you for everything. You helped me find myself. So I guess I owe you, huh?”

  “Yeah.” I mumbled. My brain wouldn’t slow down, no matter how hard I tried. Did Aubrey try telling me this and I just wasn’t paying attention? I had no idea. I hadn’t seen Blake since Thanksgiving over a month and a half ago, and I only came because Aubrey threatened to kidnap me if I didn’t show up. Blake seemed so indifferent and it literally fucking killed me.

  I wished he’d act like a caveman and put me out my misery. I wanted him to tell me what we had was real. I wanted to tell him how much I missed him, but he didn’t seem to feel the same way anymore. After that I stayed away and focused on helping Cole get better. I was getting good at starting over. I never wanted to runaway more than I did right now.

  “I guess I better go start packing. Goodbye, Piper.” He said holding my chin and kissing my lips chastely one last time.

  “Bye, Blake.” I whispered as he walked away, feeling my heart shatter like glass.

  Gathering my wits I went back inside. Everyone was staring at me like I grew another head while inside I was fighting a breakdown. Jake looked at me first, holding my gaze.

  “You okay?” He asked.

  I shook my head no as the tears started falling.

  “They’re both miserable. Why can’t you just see that neither of you are going to be happy unless you’re together. Life’s a bitch, ‘cause if it was a slut it would be easy.” Granny said, grabbing her smokes and heading for the back door. “Aubrey Jean, you just rolled your eyes so hard I’m pretty sure you saw your brain.” She scolded.

  “Why’d you let him leave?” Aubrey asked.

  “I don’t have anything that can make him stay.” I sobbed.

  “Are you kidding me? He’s fucking miserable, Piper. Mis-er-able.” Jake said, enunciating each syllable.

  “He seems fine to me. We’ve been over for months, there’s no sense in dragging it out any more than we already did.”

  “He’s not okay, Piper. He’s so far from okay I’m surprised we haven’t had to lock him away in an institution. You’re all he thinks about. He’s such a glutton for punishment that the song he wrote for you is on our new CD. To be honest, I’m surprised we even finished the album. He’s leaving for his sanity. He spends every free moment battling the urge to come knock your door down for fuck’s sake.”

  “I can’t leave Cole, he needs me.” I sobbed.

  “He’s not going to change, Pipe. I wish you could see that. All you ever do is give and all he does is take. It’s not healthy and I’m done keeping my mouth shut about it. You’re his doormat, nothing else.” Aubrey huffed. “I tried giving him the benefit of the doubt, but he hasn’t proven to me that he’s worthy of you anymore.”

  “Have you looked at me? I’m a hot fucking mess. There’s no way that Blake is going to want to sleep with me again. I swear I’ve gained 10 pounds in the last two months from stress alone and another five from too much Ben & Jerry’s.” Never one to feel insecure I was surprised that Cole’s comment earlier about my weight and the little digs he’s made over the last few weeks left me feeling unworthy of Blake, or anyone for that matter.

  “I’d say by the face mauling he gave you less than five minutes ago that you’re one-hundred percent incorrect. I think he wants to toss you over his shoulder and drag you into his lair.” Aubrey said, rolling her eyes again.

  I couldn’t talk about it anymore. My heart was breaking more with each second that ticked by. I wished I could have had
enough balls to tell him what I needed to say, instead of watching him walk away. I realized how weak I’ve become. I used to be such a snarky badass.

  What the fuck happened?

  “I’m going home. I’ll see you later.”

  Walking to my car I threw it in drive and headed toward the lake. I didn’t feel like going home just yet and all the talk about Blake and Cole left me with a massive headache. There was no way that Blake was still interested. He made that pretty apparent the morning he left after spending the night that it was goodbye, even if he didn’t say it. He hasn’t tried contacting me at all since then.

  I know Cole doesn’t mean to get nasty, he just gets stressed out about not being able to get around like he used to, leaving him aggravated. Sitting on the hood of the car I watched the water ripple and the sun start to set. My mind thought to all the times I would be sitting talking to Cole wishing that it were Blake instead. I was going to have to put a hundred percent back into my relationship with Cole and pretend that Blake never existed, no matter how hard it was going to be.

  Blake

  After wrapping the album I decided that I needed to escape back to LA and get her out of my head. Grabbing my laptop off the desk, I started looking up flights. Maybe I needed a distraction. I thought about calling Rowan, but that wouldn’t be the answer either. Pulling my credit card out, I booked a flight for two days from now. I hoped that the guys wouldn’t be too pissed at me bailing, but I couldn’t be here anymore. Seeing her earlier looking broken, and distraught was too much. I couldn’t take it anymore knowing that she wasn’t going to let me help her. It’s almost like she’s hell bent on being miserable for the rest of her life and I was done watching from the sidelines.

  Two days later I tossed the last of my toiletries in my bag and headed downstairs where Derek was waiting to take me to the airport. I was going home to try and start over. We were all really pleased with the album and hopefully the label would feel the same way and put us back on tour. Tour was exactly what I needed to get occupied, and there would be enough groupies and free booze to make me forget about her.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” Derek asked as I threw him my keys.

  “Yeah. Besides, I miss LA. It’s too damn cold here.” I laughed, trying to convince him that I was going to be fine.

  “Alright, but promise me you won’t get back with Rowan.”

  “I’m not going to get back with Rowan. She’s just being a friend right now, and I’m thankful for everything she’s done for me the last few weeks.”

  Shaking his head we left for the airport leaving Smithville and Piper behind.

  After only a couple hours of being home, I was sitting on the rooftop of The Lux getting my drink on surrounded by Playboy bunny wannabes. It was nearing one in the morning, and I’ve been up here since lunchtime. After being in the sun drinking all day I was feeling pretty good. That’s when I saw her, bright red hair, long legs and a killer ass. Bouncing out of my cabana I walked over and tapped her on the shoulder causing her to turn around. Unfortunately, she wasn’t Piper, but she could be for the night.

  “Hey, I’m Blake.” I said, giving her an extra dimpled grin.

  “Viv.” She said in a sultry voice.

  “I’m sitting over there, if you’d like to join me.”

  Leading her over to my little cabana I sat on the bed and popped open another beer from the cooler. Apparently she was from the mid-west and wanted to tell me her whole life story up to now. As I listened to bits and pieces all I could think about was bending her over and burying myself deep inside her making me forget.

  Offering an invitation of a night she wouldn’t soon forget we headed back to my house. The hotel concierge arranged for a driver to bring us and we climbed into the sleek Audi and headed up the coast. She talked the entire way back to my place about how she was trying to break into acting, but was working as a personal assistant to a producer’s assistant, and he was a tyrant. She talked, a lot… Lucky for her, her good looks made up for it.

  Once inside I led her to the guest room since I didn’t like tarnishing my bed with one-night stands. I stripped her out of her thin, little cover up. Her white bathing suit clung close to her body as I stepped in and ran my hands up her mid section untying her bikini top. Leaning in I kissed her lightly trying my best to feel some of the spark I felt when I was with her. Nothing.

  Rolling the condom firmly in place I bent her over the bed and slipped inside her taking a fist full of her red hair around my hand. I closed my eyes and started thrusting. With her keeping up with my pace I was getting really lost in the zone.

  “Piper.” Slipped past my lips in a moan. Fuck…

  She stopped moving and turned to look at me. “Who’s Piper?”

  “No one.” I grumbled.

  She pulled away and grabbed her clothes walking into the bathroom leaving me with a case of blue balls. Pulling out my wallet I grabbed a fifty and handed it to her for a cab back downtown. Locking the door behind her I took a quick shower leaning my head against the tiled wall. I was Blake “fucking” Potter, and I wasn’t some pussy whipped punk. I had to move on. I would move on. Maybe I just needed a little more time to heal. It’s like she ripped my heart out and left me bleeding.

  I climbed into bed and texted Rowan what happened. Two minutes later my phone was ringing.

  “BLAKE!” She yelled. “What the hell are you thinking?”

  “I wasn’t.” I chuckled.

  “Jeez, no kidding. All right first things first, you’re not going to turn to your old demons just because you have a broken heart. So stop drinking too much before it gets out of control. Second, she moved on and you will too, but it’s too soon. Just give it some time for fuck’s sake.”

  As much as I hated to admit it, she knew how to save me from myself. I guess she should be a pro after going round and round with me for all those years.

  “Man, you sure know how to be a bitch.” I joked.

  “You call me a bitch like it’s a bad thing.” She teased. “I’m just telling you how it is, and you know it.”

  Fifteen minutes later I hung up with Rowan’s unconventional plan to keep my dick in my pants. She promised to come to LA for a visit soon. I tried to close my eyes, but kept seeing Piper’s face. It’s almost like her face was tattooed on the back of my eyelids because every time I closed them there she was. Things just seemed better when she was around. The sun was brighter, the sky was bluer, everything was more bearable. I just hoped that Cole knew how fucking lucky he was to have her, and that he would treat her the way she deserved.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Read My Mind

  After the past couple of weeks of being back in LA I was starting to get back into a routine. Wake up, hit the gym, party. Repeat. I was partying so hard I was pretty sure that I was going to shit my liver out any day now, but it was worth it. I was still missing Piper, but the groupies were doing their best to make up for it, and she wasn’t always at the front of my mind anymore. I took Rowan’s unconventional suggestion and have been paying for it ever since.

  The record release party was scheduled for next week, and Rowan was flying in to accompany me. I talked to Jake earlier, and he and Aubrey were flying out solo on Thursday to spend some alone time here. He said that some stuff was going on back home, but for me not to worry. When I asked if it involved Piper he was mum.

  Throwing on a pair of board shorts and a t-shirt I headed out to get lunch at The Lux, which had turned into my daily hangout. Saying a quick hello to the valet, Jon, I headed up to the rooftop and took a seat at the bar ordering a rum and coke. I wasn’t even there for five minutes before a tall, lean brunette came over taking the seat next to me.

  “You’re Blake Potter, aren’t you?” She cooed.

  “Last time I checked.” I smiled.

  “I like your last name, can I have it.” She said all lovey-dovey. Moving my seat back a little further, I turned my attention back to my drink. “If we had a s
on we could name him Harry and he’d be Harry Potter. Get it?”

  “Yeahhhh. I don’t think that’s going to happen.” I chugged the rest of my drink and decided maybe coming here before dark wasn’t the best idea. I left a twenty under my glass and headed down the stairwell, hoping that she wouldn’t follow. I had to get ready to pick Rowan up soon anyway.

  Picking out the first clean things I could find, I dressed and headed out to the airport. The sun was shining and the smog had finally burned off. Pulling into LAX it reminded me of how far Rowan and I had come over the past several years. We were actually friends now, probably for the first time ever. She was the one person that became a constant after things went down after Cole’s accident. At first I thought she was doing it to be vindictive, but after the phone calls kept coming I knew she genuinely cared.

  Walking through the automatic doors I went and took a seat next to baggage claim waiting for her to come off the escalator. I kept checking my watch every few minutes as I watched the arrival status change on her flight.

  She came into view wearing a cream colored dress with a thick, black belt and black sandals. I stood up and walked over to her pulling her into a hug. Craning her neck she leaned up kissing my cheek, leaving her hand lingering for a moment.

  “What was that for?” I asked.

  “Just because.” She smiled. “I can’t believe I’m back here. Who would have thought?” She laughed her musical laugh.

  “I guess we both had a lot of growing up to do.” I shrugged.

  “Have you talked to her?” She asked, raising an eyebrow. She’s been trying to get me to call Piper just to see how she was doing. She thought that if I knew she was doing okay that it would help me move on, but I couldn’t bring myself to hear how happy she was, even though that’s all I wanted for her all along.