Shades of Resolution (Distortion #3) Page 6

  “Why don’t you put your eyes back in your head and ring us through,” Cherry demanded when the man behind the cash register openly gawked at Cherry’s over-the-top appearance.

  “Whatever, freak,” the cashier mumbled before grabbing the basket Jackson had set on the counter. He tallied up the total before dropping everything in bags.

  Cherry stepped back and waved Jackson forward when the cashier gave them the total.

  “I’m just here as a pretty face. You’re mister money bags,” Cherry declared, flicking her wrist.

  The cashier scoffed.

  “Oh honey, don’t get all frustrated because I make your dick hard. Who would blame you?”

  “Fuck you,” the cashier spat angrily. “People like you make me sick.”

  “People like me?” Cherry stepped forward but Jackson intervened.

  “He’s not worth it, Cherry,” Jackson warned. He threw some bills down on the counter.

  “Put your dog on a leash,” the cashier said as he grabbed the cash off the counter and hit a few numbers on his register. He shoved the money inside the drawer while discreetly sliding a few bills into his pocket before grabbing Jackson’s change and handing it to him.

  Jackson allowed the coins to slip through his fingers. They hit the counter and rolled off, landing on the floor near the cashier’s feet.

  “Oh shit, sorry, man,” Jackson apologized. When the man leaned over to pick them up, Jackson reached over and grabbed the man by the back of the head and smashed his face down on the counter.

  The man screamed in pain as he shuffled back, grabbing his face. “What the fuck!”

  Jackson grabbed the bags off the counter and headed toward the door.

  “I’m calling the police,” he shouted after them.

  “Good idea. I’ll be sure to tell them about the money you’re skimming from the register,” Jackson challenged.

  The man immediately ended his string of cursing and quieted, the look of guilt painted on his features as he held his bloody nose. “Get the fuck out of here.” He pointed toward the door.

  “Thought so,” Jackson said.

  Cherry raised her brow when Jackson made eye contact. A satisfied smile played on her lips.

  “Look at you, Duke, defending my honor. This is the beginning of a wonderful friendship.” Cherry pushed the door open for them as they headed out of the store.

  Evan was fading fast and Jackson hoped that Cherry’s plan was going to work to clean him up. Jackson was anxious to get back to Freyview—to Lexie.

  They had stayed at a hotel the night before. Evan was in need of a shower and something substantial in his stomach. It had been almost a week of one high to the next for him, and the effects of it were about to show their true colors. He had already begun to break out in cold sweats. It was only a matter of time before he snowballed, and this time he was not feeding the habit. Evan was going cold-turkey this time whether he wanted to or not.

  When they returned to the car, Evan was lying down in the backseat. Teddy and Dane were arguing about something Teddy had up on his phone. They both stopped and perked up when Jackson and Cherry neared.

  “Got what you need?” Teddy asked, pushing off the front of Jackson’s car.

  “I fucking hope so,” Jackson said.

  No one questioned his call to allow Cherry to accompany them home. They all knew she would be at risk if she stayed in Belhaven, and they couldn’t leave her behind knowing she would have a target on her back for what she had done for them. Cherry insisted on picking up her car that morning before leaving. Jackson immediately suspected that Cherry lived between her car and the club by the amount of belongings she had already packed in the trunk. Her eagerness to flee filled in the rest of the blanks for his suspicions. It was only the details that were left to be discovered.

  “Teddy and Dane, you take Cherry’s car.” Jackson nodded toward her red ’69 Camaro.

  “I’m driving!” Teddy blurted.

  “Oh, come on,” Dane complained.

  “Are you serious?” Cherry glared at Jackson. “Do you know how much money I put into my baby? That was my grandaddy’s car. The one person in my entire family that didn’t disown me, and you’re just gonna let these clowns drive it.” Cherry’s hands were placed firmly on her hips.

  “I need you to ride with me and help Evan,” Jackson insisted.

  Jackson had barely spoken the words before Evan stumbled out of the backseat and threw up, barely missing Cherry’s shoes.

  “Oh Jesus fuck.” Cherry darted away. “Give me those fucking bags.” Cherry walked over to Jackson and grabbed the bags from his hand. She rummaged around inside and pulled out a bottle of water and a box of something she must have thought would help. Evan looked horrible, and Jackson wasn’t looking forward to the rest of the ride back to Freyview.

  Cherry slapped the water into Evan’s hands and tore open the box and popped out a few pills before holding them out for Evan. “Swallow these, Country,” she ordered. Evan didn’t argue as he took them and shoved them in his mouth.

  “If you so much as put a scratch on my car I will claw your eyes out, Teddy,” Cherry threatened as she rummaged through her purse and pulled out her keys.

  “Don’t worry, I believe you,” Teddy confirmed as he held his hands up for them.

  Cherry looked down at her keys sadly before she tossed them. “Why do I get the overwhelming sense that something bad is going to happen?” Cherry asked when Teddy flashed her a smile.

  “What could possibly go wrong?” Teddy winked.

  “Oh god. Is he for real?” Cherry looked at Jackson.

  “I don’t know what he is.” Jackson shook his head. “Let’s go. Evan, get your sick ass in the car.”

  Evan moaned in response as he propped himself against the car, clutching his stomach.

  Jackson slid behind the wheel and waited while Evan crawled pitifully back into the backseat. He didn’t even bother trying to sit up as he sprawled out along the entire width of the back. His coloring was various shades of grey and spoke greatly of the misery that was beginning to claim him. They all knew he was just starting to scratch the surface of what lay ahead.

  Cherry shut the back door and slipped in the passenger’s seat. “Do you mind if I smoke? It calms me down.”

  Jackson gave her a nod as he pulled out of the parking lot. Once Cherry lit her cigarette, she sighed in contentment and melted into her seat. “Do you want one?” she offered.

  “No, my life is at risk enough as it is. I don’t need anything else to build a case against me,” Jackson declined.

  “I believe that,” Cherry said with a smile. She leaned closer to her open window to cut down on the smoke in the car.

  “You all right?” Jackson asked when he watched Cherry get lost as she watched the scenery go by. Cherry had not been quiet once since he met her, it seemed out of character.

  “I’ve been dealing with shitheads like that…” Cherry nodded back toward the direction of the store, “…for as long as I can remember. I just need a moment.”

  “Our world is full of arrogant shitheads,” Jackson said, glancing between Cherry and the road. “I usually just assume everyone is a piece of shit until they prove me wrong.”

  “Look at you, Mr. Optimistic. Sounds like you had a colorful childhood too.” Cherry frowned before taking a long drag and tossing the rest of the cigarette out the window. “Sadly, out of all of the fucked up things that people have said to me, my family has said worse.”

  Jackson could tell Cherry was struggling with inner torment. It was one thing they had in common. They both had a hard outer shell but the inside was a mess.

  “How did you get caught up with Black, anyway?” Jackson asked curiously.

  “My sister called me up one night out of the blue. I hadn’t spoken to her in over five years at that point, so I knew she was in trouble. She had asked me to meet her at her place and I went without thinking better of it. When I arrived, she was long g
one, and Black’s men were there waiting. She had stolen money from Black and took off. She had set me up to take the fall for her. Black was all too happy for me to work off my sisters debt. It wasn’t long before I found out why. Black had certain fetishes that I was forced to play a part in. My sister knew and she fucking threw me under the bus. Black took everything from me and I never heard from my sister again. I have nothing but my fucking car.” Cherry glanced in the side view mirror at Teddy and Dane in her car.

  “I promise your car will be fine,” Jackson assured her.

  Cherry pulled a compact and lipstick out of her purse. She powdered her nose before touching up her lips. “Let’s just say I’m not sorry that sick fuck is dead.”

  “Let’s just say I’m not sorry I killed him,” Jackson said with a smile.

  “Thank fuck for that.” Cherry slapped her thighs.

  Jackson’s phone rang and he picked it up from the console. Nate’s name lit up the screen.

  “Yeah?”

  “Lexie’s gone,” Nate said in a rush.

  “What the fuck do you mean, gone?” Jackson said angrily. Fear coiled around him.

  “I mean she’s not here. She must have just left. There’s no sign that anyone else was here. The fucking cops outside said they didn’t see anything and they’re useless as fuck. I just turned my back for a second, Jacks. I didn’t know she would leave. I already checked her apartment and her mother’s house.”

  “Goddammit,” Jackson cursed.

  “I found an opened envelope on the floor with her name on it, but no letter or anything else. Does that mean anything to you?”

  “Yeah, we’re on our way,” Jackson said before disconnecting the call.

  Evan sat up and grabbed one of the bags by his feet and dumped out the contents before he threw up in the bag.

  “What’s wrong?” Cherry asked Jackson after wrinkling her nose at Evan.

  “Hopefully nothing,” Jackson said, speeding up. “Where would Lexie go if she was upset about something, Evan?” Jackson hated that Evan knew Lexie better than he did.

  “Her mother’s?” Evan suggested. “What’s going on?”

  “She’s not there. Where else?”

  Evan was quiet for a moment before he spoke up. “I know where she is.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Lexie

  Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Lexie let the heat of the day soak into her skin. The sun shone brightly overhead, broken only by the brief shadow of a passing bird. Being here always gave her a sense of peace, and now more than ever, she needed it. Her eyes skimmed over the endless rows of headstones, all marked with names of people who had come and gone. All of them left their own mark before they returned to the earth.

  She and Alex used to come here on occasion and wonder who the people were that were written on the intricate memorials. They would take turns coming up with wild and beautiful stories about their lives. She never imagined how soon he would become one of them and she would be visiting him. When she saw his name carved into stone, she didn’t have to imagine anything. She already knew the exceptional person he had been. The familiar ache filled her stomach when she thought of him.

  “Hi babe.” Lexie smiled sadly. “I know it’s been awhile. I’m really sorry.” Lexie dropped her purse and knelt down in front of his marker. She ran her fingers over the letters in his name and took a deep, shaky breath. “So much has happened I don’t even know if I understand it all. I really need you right now.”

  Lexie sat down and leaned back against the cool stone. She rubbed her thighs and looked up at the sky, suddenly feeling a chill despite the sun. “Mom died.” Tears started running down her face. “She’s gone.” Lexie wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.

  “I remember when you said everything happens for a reason. I’m trying to hold onto that, but it’s so hard when the people you love keep leaving.” Lexie tilted her head up to the sky. “I’m starting to think you were full of crap,” Lexie said affectionately. “There is no reason good enough to justify both you and Mom being taken before you were able to grow old and grumpy. Remember when you said you were going to get us a tandem wheelchair when we were too old to walk everywhere? I thought you were so ridiculous and it made me fall in love with you more.”

  Lexie reached in her purse and pulled out the letter. “I have a horrible secret, Alex,” Lexie whispered. “One that might have made even you see me differently.” Lexie ran her fingers over the paper, willing herself the strength to unfold it.

  “I’m glad my mother never knew for sure. I would have been terrified to see the look in her eyes when she realized what I am. I think in her heart she was convinced I was really the daughter of the man she loved. I wish I could’ve been.” Lexie closed her eyes and listened to the gentle breeze rustling the leaves in the nearby trees.

  “I have another confession to make, as if that one wasn’t enough…I know.” Lexie smiled sadly. She could almost hear Alex now. He always knew how to make her smile even when she was sad.

  “I met someone…I didn’t mean to. I was scared at first, but it didn’t change how I felt about you. You know I will always love you. The space in here…” Lexie touched her heart. “It just got bigger somehow. I think I’m falling in love with him. It’s not the same as when I was with you. It’s different, but just as beautiful in its own way. I don’t deserve to feel this way again. I know that, but I do, it’s what I have been holding onto since Mom died. It’s the only thing that has kept me strong enough for Stephanie.” Lexie gently traced Alex’s name in the cool stone.

  “I’m scared what will happen when Jackson finds out I am a piece of the man he hates. How will he not see John Stodden when he looks in my eyes? I don’t know how to survive it.”

  Lexie laid down on the grass, spreading her hand out to feel the soft blades through her fingers as she continued to tell Alex everything that happened without leaving out a single detail. She needed to tell someone before the weight of everything crushed her. Although some things were hard to put into words, she needed Alex to hear it all. She didn’t want to keep any secrets from him. “John Stodden is still out there somewhere. Maybe I should run like my mother did. Leave everything behind. At least then I know the people left in my life will be safe. I don’t know what to do.”

  Lying here on Alex’s grave was the closest she could get to him. “Thank you for listening, Alex. I wish you could give me some of your great advice. I could really use it right now,” Lexie whispered as she closed her eyes. She was so incredibly tired, and talking to Alex made her feel like she could breathe again. It was peaceful here with him, just like it was when he was alive. Lexie wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she felt something brush her shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked up at the shadow cast over her. She hadn’t even realized she had fallen asleep. For one brief moment she thought she was looking up at Alex until the differences started to register.

  “Hey beautiful,” Evan said.

  “Evan!” Lexie gasped as she pushed off the ground and threw herself into his arms. “I was so worried about you.”

  Evan whimpered as she squeezed him tight. “Please be gentle. I’m not feeling the greatest.”

  “What’s wrong?” Lexie stepped back and looked him over.

  Evan had a pained expression on his face. “I fucked up. I was doing good. Jackson and the guys were helping me kick this and…well, I’m trying to get clean again, but it’s kicking the shit out of me. I’ll be fine soon.”

  “I missed you. I’m so happy you’re back.” Lexie squeezed his hand.

  “Not as happy as I am to be home.”

  “How did you know where I was?” Lexie asked.

  Evan just tilted his head in disbelief.

  “Silly question, I guess.” Lexie smiled. “Is Jackson mad?” Lexie looked past Evan to see Jackson standing just off the path with a woman in a very short shirt and towering heels. She couldn’t help the jealousy that spiked through her stomach at t
he sight of them standing together, but she immediately stomped on it. She had no room for frivolous emotions.

  Looking at Jackson now suddenly made her feel like a mess inside. She didn’t want to tell him what the letter had said because she was terrified what it would mean to him. He had a way of reading her that suddenly made her terrified to look him in the eye.

  “Naw, just worried,” Evan eased her concerns. He held his hand to his stomach and Lexie noted his discomfort and his pale complexion.

  “Who’s the girl?” Lexie asked quietly.

  Lexie looked over at Evan when he didn’t answer. A sly smile curled up the edges of his dry lips. “Are you jealous?”

  “No, of course not,” Lexie said defensively. “Just curious.”

  Evan wrapped his arm around her and leaned on her a little more than he probably intended. “Her name is Cherry, and don’t worry, she’s not Jackson’s type. She helped us out and Jackson brought her with us because it wasn’t safe to leave her behind.” Evan attempted a smile, but it turned into more of a cringe. “You’ll like her.”

  Lexie nodded and tried to smile, but being next to Evan was making her emotional.

  “I’m so sorry, Lexie. I should have been with you.” Evan rubbed her back.

  “It hurts so bad. I miss her so much.” Lexie leaned into his side.

  “Here,” Evan said, curling his arm around her and pulling her closer. She felt so much relief knowing Evan was home.

  “Evan?” Lexie pulled back when she noticed his body tensing up. She could tell he wasn’t well.

  “We need to go, Lexie. I would feel bad if I threw up on someone’s grave.” Evan covered his mouth and took a deep, soothing breath.

  “Sure. Can you just give me a second?” Lexie requested.

  “Of course,” Evan said. He leaned down and placed his hand on Alex’s gravestone. “I love you, brother. I miss your sorry ass every fucking day.”

  Lexie saw his eyes water before he turned away to head toward Jackson and Cherry. Lexie reached in her purse and pulled out one of the bottles of nail polish she still had in her purse. She wrapped her fingers around one and squeezed it tightly in her hand.