One kind touch, p.16
One Kind Touch, page 16
“No doubt.” Carter ran his hands through his hair. “I thought I’d show you how I take a character from one of my sketches and use the software to Frankenstein it to life. You can help too.”
“Awesome.” Rohen used his feet to roll the office chair closer to Carter. “It’s so cool to get a sneak peek at the Ergon army.”
Carter chewed on his bottom lip for a moment as he regarded Rohen. “You won’t leak any of this info to the outside world, will you? Like this stuff can’t end up plastered on social media or you’ll kill the buzz about the new game for me.”
Rohen patted the pockets of his jeans. “Have you seen me with a phone?”
Now that Carter thought about it... “No, I haven’t.”
“That’s because I don’t have a phone. Can’t afford to buy one. The laptop I brought is a dinosaur.” The boy stretched out his long legs. “My car’s a piece of shit too. It was my aunt’s.” He folded his arms across his chest. “What I need is a job.”
Carter dug out his phone. “I may be able to help with that. I see you know how to wash dishes.”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“Not always without breaking them.” He held up a finger as he found the contact he was looking for and tapped it.
After three rings, Kyle picked up. “Hey, Carter. Calling to invite me to a gaming party? I could really use one.”
“I wasn’t, but you’re welcome here any time, man. You know that.”
“Well, I figured now that you’re with Dena, maybe your have-the-guys-hanging-around days were... limited.”
“Never.” He didn’t feel like explaining the whole situation with Dena. Not now, but Kyle might have some advice so Carter made a mental note to hit his friend up about the topic at another time. “We’ll schedule a night when Dakota gets back.”
“Sweet. So what did you want?”
“Are you still looking for a dishwasher? I remember last week when I picked up a pizza, you were shorthanded in that department.”
“Yeah, I’m still looking. Saturday night I actually ran out of dishes and had to resort to paper plates. I was horrified. Customers didn’t care, but I’m trying to run a classy place here.”
“Well, I have a kid here who is in need of a job and I’ve witnessed his dishwashing skills in person.” He winked at Rohen who had moved to the edge of his chair, leaning his elbows on his knees and listening with great interest. “I think he’d be a great fit.”
“How old is he?” Kyle asked.
“Seventeen. He goes to Maplehaven High and is currently my intern. Interning, however, doesn’t pay. Dishwashing does.”
“He’s not a flake, is he?”
“Not at all. In fact, I think he might bring the classiness your establishment needs.”
“Are you saying that Mountain View Pizza is not classy?”
“Depends on your definition of classy.”
“I’m spitting on your pizza next time you come in.”
“Yeah, because that’s classy.” His girlfriend might not want to talk to him, but at least people like Kyle did. Joking around with him lifted Carter’s spirits.
A little.
Kyle laughed. “Okay, okay. Can the kid start tonight? I could use him right away.”
Carter held the phone away from his mouth. “Do you have prior plans for this evening or would you be able to showcase your dishwashing skills for Mr. Kyle Lennings, owner extraordinaire of Mountain View Pizza?”
Rohen gaped at him for a few seconds.
“Rohen, what do you say?” Carter extended his leg and tapped the boy’s knee with his foot.
Blinking and nodding, Rohen said, “I’ll take the job. Thank you. Thank Mr. Lennings too.”
Carter leaned forward and fist bumped Rohen. “He’s available tonight, Kyle. His name is Rohen Sears and he says thank you for the opportunity. What time would you like him to report to the restaurant?”
They figured out the specifics and by the time the phone call had ended, Rohen had thanked Carter a bazillion times.
“No problem,” he said. “This is an all-inclusive internship.”
Dena might not need him, but Rohen did. And right now, Carter needed to be needed.
Chapter Eleven
Dena’s left leg shook as she sat on the witness stand. Having to answer questions and relive her ordeal with Gary had not improved her mental state. Since Friday night, she’d been on a downward spiral, including several bouts of vomiting because she’d made herself so upset.
PTSD is a monumental pain in the ass. Especially when the logical Dena Brenton understood she was experiencing trauma. Why couldn’t she rationalize her reaction away? She got the science of what was going on in her mind and in her body, so why couldn’t she fucking stop it?
“Ms. Brenton?” the lawyer asked. “Could you please answer the question?”
No. No, I can’t because I didn’t hear the question. She was too busy falling apart.
“Could you repeat the question?” She focused on the lawyer’s face, willing her body to settle so she could get the job done here and retreat to Maplehaven where she could hide.
“Is the man who attacked you in this courtroom now?”
With a quick flick of her gaze toward Gary, sitting beside his lawyer, Dena nodded. She’d spent most of her time in the courtroom so far doing her best to not look in Gary’s direction. If she was this screwed up from her memories of her time with him in the parking garage, she feared what looking at him would do to her.
But I have to do this. She had committed herself to making Gary get what he deserved so no one else would fall victim to him. Maybe she’d be able to put this all behind her as well if he was locked up.
“Can you point him out to us, please?” the lawyer asked.
She raised a shaking hand and pointed an index finger at Gary. “He’s right there.”
The glare Gary sent back to her made bile rise in her throat. Shit. Puking on the witness stand would not be good. She already felt weak for having gotten into the position where Gary could attack and cut her with a damn knife. She didn’t want to give him the added pleasure of knowing he’d made her sick in a crowded courtroom.
The lawyer walked away from her and faced the jury. “Let the record show Ms. Brenton has indicated Gary P. Warner as her attacker.”
More questions followed about how Gary had wounded her and exactly where the incident had taken place. Two other women testified as well, and the courtroom portion of the trial wrapped up fairly quickly as the evidence against Gary was solid. The jury filed out to deliberate and the lawyer told Dena they’d most likely know the verdict in a matter of hours.
“Is someone here with you?” the lawyer asked.
Dena nodded. “My sister.”
“There’s a great café across the street if you want to hang around. I’ll call you when the verdict’s ready to be delivered if you’d like.”
“That sounds good.” She shook the lawyer’s hand. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. This guy is going down because of you and the other two women who testified. Another scumbag off the streets.”
After parting ways, Dena found Jacy at the back of the courtroom near the exit.
“It was hard not to trip that bastard as he was led out,” Jacy said, her arm going automatically around Dena’s shoulders. “You did a great job.”
“I think I might be sick.”
“To the ladies’ room we go.” Jacy kept her arm around Dena as she navigated them to the nearest restroom. When they got to a stall, Jacy said, “Do you need me to hold your hair?”
“Not this time, but thanks.” On shaky legs, Dena pushed open the stall door, entered, and closed the door. As she slid the lock into place, her stomach pitched and she whipped around to face the toilet. Her meager breakfast of a muffin made a repeat appearance, but her stomach felt much better afterward. She rooted around in her purse for a stick of gum, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. The burst of mint helped.
She flushed and emerged from the stall to find Jacy standing right there.
“You okay?” her sister asked, her gaze searching Dena’s face. The worry there creased Jacy’s eyebrows and tightened her lips. The ball-busting twin was nowhere to be found. What stood in her place was a rock of support.
Dena’s throat stung as did the corners of her eyes. Do not cry. Do not cry. It was bad enough she’d vomited. Crying like a stupid baby would push her over the edge. She feared she wouldn’t be able to climb back to sanity if she let those tears fall.
Squaring her shoulders and sniffing, she said, “Yes. My stomach feels better.”
“You know I don’t just mean your stomach, Dena.” Jacy reached out and knocked her knuckles lightly against Dena’s forehead. “I mean in here. Talk to me. I’m all ears.”
Dena made her way over to the sinks, washed her hands, and dried them. She glanced at herself in the mirror in front of her and winced. Her hair was frizzy and dull. Her eyes were bloodshot, her gaze distant. A spot of vomit dotted her shirt. She grabbed more paper towel, wet it under the faucet, and dabbed at the stain.
When Jacy came into view behind her, Dena felt as if she were looking at one of those makeover pictures. She was the before picture, Jacy the much improved after.
“Let’s go to that café,” Jacy said. “Even if you only want water, we should get out of here for a few.”
Not sure what else to do, Dena followed Jacy out of the restroom. She was vaguely aware of leaving the building, crossing the street, entering the café, and sitting at a table while Jacy got them some drinks. When her sister returned to the table with a tray sporting two teas and a cookie the size of a large pizza, Dena’s stomach did a flip-flop.
“By the greenness of your skin,” Jacy said, “I think this tea will hit the spot.” She set one of the cups in front of Dena. “I’ll handle this cookie. Don’t you worry about its welfare.”
The steam from the tea—ginger-scented—reached Dena’s nose and something in her stomach decided the fragrance was friendly. She picked up the cup and took a tentative sip. Warmth traveled down her throat and spread out to extremities gone cold with anxiety.
“Thanks,” she croaked between sips.
“No problem.” Jacy broke off a piece of the cookie, popped it into her mouth, and chewed as she stared at Dena.
“What?” Dena tightened her hands around the cup, craving the heat.
Jacy angled her head at Dena. “I think what you’re doing is incredibly brave.”
“But?”
“But you don’t have to keep your shit together all the time.”
Dena let out a mirthless laugh and pointed to herself. “You call this keeping my shit together? I was like a robot on the stand. I’ve been shaking like a goddamn leaf since Friday night. I puked in the ladies’ room. Newsflash: My shit is not together.”
“Your shit is well contained, Dena. It’s okay to let yourself crumble. What you went through earns you a free pass to come unglued. I can see you beating yourself up. You think you need to keep everything bottled up because you don’t want to burden anyone with your feelings.” Jacy reached across the table and put her hand atop Dena’s. “Well, newsflash: There are people ready and willing to take some of that burden in order to help you. Me, Dad, Mom, Dakota, Leah, any one of your friends. Carter.”
At the mention of his name, Dena squeezed her eyes closed. She’d hurt him again on Friday night when she’d asked to be taken home. When they hadn’t made love. When she’d pretty much told him to take a hike.
Again.
How many times would he let her push him away before he stayed away for good? Did she want him to stay away? One thought of his compassionate brown eyes, his strong hands that had only touched her with respect, his humor which had made her laugh... he truly was perfect, but if she kept shutting him out, eventually he wouldn’t want back in.
Maybe he already didn’t want back in. He hadn’t called or texted her. She couldn’t blame him though.
Dena shook her head. “I can’t let Carter waste any more of his time on me.”
“Isn’t that for him to decide?” Jacy asked. “Maybe he loves wasting his time on you.”
“No one loves wasting time.” Dena sipped her tea, the heat not as potent as her first sips had been. “He deserves someone who will appreciate him.”
“Are you telling me you don’t appreciate him?”
“I do, but he’s not getting the most out of this relationship.” She folded and unfolded the small square napkin Jacy had given her with the tea. “I’m sure there are women out there who would make him far happier than I can.”
“You’re probably right.”
Dena’s eyes widened as she looked at her sister. “Ouch.”
Jacy leaned back in her seat as she squeezed the water out of her teabag and placed the bag on the saucer. “Look, I’m trying to be straight with you. It’s my duty as the twin to not sugarcoat anything to spare your feelings.” She slapped her phone on the table between them and pointed to it. “And, for the record, Carter has texted me three times today. If he didn’t want to wait for you, he wouldn’t be asking if you’re okay.”
Dena stared into her teacup. She pictured Carter at his cottage, working in his office, but taking breaks to check on her. “Ugh. I’m such a jerk.”
“Absolutely not. You went through something that sucked ass. Big time. Carter understands that, however, he also wants to be there for you. He’s the kind of dude who has the magic necessary to slay your dragons. Not for you, but with you. He’s definitely one you want by your side.”
Jacy was right. The only time Dena had allowed the Gary incident to truly fade away was when she was with Carter. His presence soothed, supported, empowered. Her first instinct when Tim had grabbed her at Beyond had been to freak out, but Carter had been right there, ready to defend her if necessary, ready to talk her off the ledge.
And I retreated instead of thanking him. She hadn’t even given him a chance to comfort her. She could admit that comforting was what she needed. A man like Carter was the guy for the job.
The guy for her. Why hadn’t she been able to see that on Friday night when it mattered?
Dena puffed out a long breath. “I need to call him.”
“Yippee!” Jacy clapped. “I’ll be over here with this ginormous and delicious cookie.”
Grabbing her purse, Dena fished out her phone. “Be right back.”
She left the café, and judging the street busy enough that an attack by a stranger was unlikely, Dena tapped Carter’s contact on her phone. She meandered away from the café a bit as she listened to the ringing. The call went to voicemail and the sound of his voice on the message made her smile.
She ended the call, figuring what she had to say needed to be said to him directly and not left on a message.
“That was way too fast,” Jacy said when Dena entered the café again. “What happened?”
“Nothing. It went to voicemail.” She checked the time. 1:30 p.m. “He’s probably working.”
Jacy swiped her phone and opened her messages. “He did say he had his intern over, so that’s a fair guess. Call him later though. Don’t let what needs to be said go unsaid.”
Dena regarded her sister. “When did you become the wise one?”
“Oh, me? See, I have all this free time because I’m not marrying my soul mate like our brother did or dating anyone dreamy like you are. I’ve decided to offer my counsel to others instead.” She rolled her eyes and ate another chunk of cookie. The monstrous dessert was about a third gone at this point.
“There’s someone—”
Jacy lasered a glare her way, effectively cutting Dena off. “If you say ‘there’s someone out there for you, Jacy,’ I will scream.”
Dena held up her hands. “Okay, but it’ll happen for you. You’re a great person with so much to offer, and I’ll be the first to say you’re gorgeous.”
“Oh, identical twin, you are a funny gal.”
“When I’m not paralyzed by trauma, yeah, I’m pretty amusing.”
Jacy rubbed her hand on the table. “That trauma will fade when you fill up the space with Carter-infused moments. When you make new wonderful memories to replace the shit ones.”
Dena reached over and broke off a piece of cookie. The scent of chocolate chips didn’t send her stomach into a spiral so she took a nibble and realized she was starving. “Does this place have actual food?”
She got up, went to the counter, and ordered a BLT grilled cheese and a ginger ale. Demolishing the tasty sandwich in a matter of minutes, she sat back and patted her stomach.
“Let’s hope that stays put,” Jacy said.
“I think it will. What have I got to be sick about?” She sat up straighter. “We’re about to get news of a guilty verdict. I’m going to talk to Carter when we get back to Maplehaven. Things will be good.”
“There’s my goal-oriented, let’s-get-control-of-the-situation sister. Welcome back.” Jacy held up her teacup.
Dena tapped her ginger ale glass to it. “Sitting here with you shook things back into place. Thanks.”
“What are twin sisters for if they can’t hit the reset button on each other when needed?” Jacy wrapped up what remained of the cookie. “We can chow down on the rest of this tonight at the hotel as we do our victory dance over Gary’s incarceration.”
As if on cue, Dena’s phone buzzed. She swiped the screen to find the lawyer’s number.
“Ms. Brenton?” The lawyer’s voice was upbeat. That had to be good.
“Yes. Is the jury ready?”
“Indeed they are.”
“We’ll be right there.” Dena tapped the screen and dropped her phone into her purse. “Let’s finish this.”
“Amen.”
After they cleaned up their rubbish, Dena led them outside, but before they headed for the courthouse, she turned around to face Jacy. “Thanks for coming with me today. I know you’re busy at the sawmill and whatnot.”
Jacy pulled her into a hug. “I’m never too busy for you.”
That was the thing about Brentons. They stood by each other. Always. Being able to count on that reminded Dena how lucky she was.
