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“Avery! Don’t you dare speak to me that way! I am still your mother, and I think it’s only fair seeing as I was the one who encouraged him to get the life insurance policies that I get half of—”
I grip the cell so hard in my hand, it’s a wonder it doesn’t snap in two. “Shut the fuck up. You left him! He loved you and you left him like he meant nothing to you when things got tough. You don’t deserve a goddamn penny! If I’m in charge, I’ll see to it that you don’t get a dime, so don’t ever call me again, you greedy bitch.”
I slam my thumb down on the “End Call” button and throw my phone on the bed and growl. That woman is far worse than I ever thought. “What in the hell did he ever see in her?”
Granny lifts her eyebrows. “I think my boy was blinded by her beauty
.”
“I never want to be like her,” I admit out loud.
Granny cradles my chin in her hand. “You could never be like her. You’ve got too much of your father in you—a good heart. You care about more than just yourself.” She sighs. “I don’t like that she’s upset you so much. What the hell did she call for anyway?”
“Money, of course. It sounds like she wants to get her hands on Dad’s life insurance policy and she has to go through me to do it, seeing as how Dad made me the executor of his will.”
Granny smiles. “My boy was smart. I should’ve known he had things covered for tragic situations like this. Even when he’s not here, he’s taking care of you.”
I give her a tight-lipped smile. That is exactly like him—always making sure that I have everything I need.
Tears burn my eyes at the thought of never seeing him again. “I can’t believe he’s gone, Granny. He’s gone and the only thing my mother cares about is money. I hate her.”
A sob rips out of my throat and Granny instantly wraps her arms around me as we sit on the bed together. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I know I’ve got a long battle ahead of me.
TYLER
I roll over on the couch and pull the pillow tighter around my head, trying to block out the sound. This was one of the main reasons that I didn’t want to move in with Jimmy, but given the short notice, what choice did I have? I hadn’t planned on moving to Columbus until I had saved up enough money for a deposit on my own apartment, but I knew I couldn’t stay in Wellston where I would run into Avery.
It took everything in me to start that truck and drive away, knowing that she was already having a day from hell. I didn’t want to leave her, but I knew there was nothing else I could do. I’m no good for her. Bad shit will continue to happen to me and everyone I care about until I get on the path I’m supposed to be on, and staying with her would just bring more complications into her life that she doesn’t need.
It was a dick move to leave her the way I did, but I knew if I stayed with her in that motel room, I wouldn’t have had the strength to leave her, and I would’ve ruined both of our lives.
The woman screaming Jimmy’s name while he fucks her senseless cuts through my pillow earmuffs so I decide it’s best if I go wait outside on the patio of the apartment until they’re done. I can’t stand listening to her screeching voice.
Hopefully he’ll get rid of this one soon. He met her at the gig we played tonight, and he never stays with the barflies for more than one night.
I push myself off the couch and grab my T-shirt off the floor and pull it over my head before heading for the sliding door. I step out into the cool night air and flop down in the lawn chair that’s on the tiny patio. A notepad sits on the little table next to the chair, so I pick it up, moving Jimmy’s cigarettes and lighter to the side, and read the lyrics Jimmy scratched down. My eyes scan the words and I attempt to sing them in the same tempo that’s playing on repeat in my head.
It doesn’t take long before I come up with an entire musical accompaniment to go along with the words.
It’s not half bad, and if Jimmy would use the arrangement I’ve put together, I can see the song really coming together.
I tap out the beat of the song on my thighs with my thumbs and just as I come to the end, the sliding door opens behind me.
I turn around in my chair in time to see Jimmy poke his head out the door. “It’s safe to come back inside. I just sent her packing.”
I laugh at my crazy friend. “I take it that one isn’t a keeper?”
Jimmy shakes his head and comes out and plops down in the chair next to mine. “I gave up a long time ago trying to find a good one, man. I think finding one perfect woman you want to settle down with is nothing but a fucking myth.”
My mind drifts to Avery. Good women do exist—they’re just really hard to find.
Jimmy grabs his cigarettes off the table. The orange flickering flame from the lighter illuminates his face as he lights one up. “What do you think?”
I glance down at the notebook in front of me. “It’s good, man. I think with a few adjustments to fit the beat I just came up with, the song will be stellar.”
He takes a long drag and then blows a puff of smoke between his lips. “Let’s hear what you’ve got.”
I begin tapping the beat out on my legs.
