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I absolutely believe in true love. Love is what keeps the world turning and it’s definitely worth fighting for. Unfortunately, I’ve never had the chance to enter that fight. -Dax
Sawyer
Ronnie is driving me crazy. I never knew a human being could be so stubborn. I’ve said everything I can think of to say. I’ve apologized to the point of making a video of me begging for her forgiveness. How sad is that? I’m not sure what else she wants to hear.
I screwed up. I know that. I should have told Ronnie about the bet, but to be honest somehow in the midst of everything I forgot. It didn’t seem important anymore. That fuckin’ conscience of mind tells that is also bullshit. I just didn’t want to make myself look bad.
Dax comes over a couple of days after I’ve finally given up on texting Ronnie. I look like a sad sack of shit and I know it. Of course, he notices right away when I answer the door.
“Shit man, you look like my dad after a week-long bender. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Hello to you too, Dax.” I sigh and hold the door open for him to enter. “I’m sure you’ve heard. Marissa opened her big mouth on Friday night and told Ronnie I knew about the stupid bet Brad had going on. Knowing how Riverton is, the gossip mill is probably on fire.”
He chuckles. “Oh yeah, that. That’s why Ronnie looks like her dog died or something. I assumed y’all would have made up already. I thought y’all were getting tight.”
I shrug. “I thought so too. I seem to have inherited my dad’s ability to royally screw up shit though.” I turn around and Dax follows as I walk into the small kitchen of the guest house. I grab a bottle of water for each of us, and Dax sits at one of the counter stools.
I take a long swig of water. “What brings you here, man? Except coming over to tell me I look like crap.”
“Turns out I’ve found some stuff on your uncle’s computer. He’s good at covering his tracks but not as good as me.” He winks and smiles broadly.
I can’t help but grin back. “What did you find? Please, please tell me you found something that will nail his ass to the wall for many, many years to come.” The image that pops up in my mind of my uncle in an orange jumpsuit is particularly satisfying.
His smile falters a bit. “I found some accounts in the Caymans under the name of one of his many girlfriends. He’s definitely been taking money from the firm, but I need more to send to the Feds. I really need to see what’s on the drive at his office or even better, the house. I’m sure I could find more.” His expression is hopeful, but my stomach falls. Getting Dax into the mountain house computer is one thing, but my uncle has security everywhere at the main house. I will never be able to get him into my uncle’s study or office without getting caught.
I shake my head. “We may be out of luck there Dax. There’s too much chance of getting caught.” Anger courses through my veins at the unfairness of it all. I slam my hand down on the counter. “I want him to go away for a long time. It just doesn’t seem like that’s ever going to happen.”
Dax shifts uncomfortably on the stool. “It’ll happen, man. Just don’t let this idea of revenge take over everything. Why don’t you focus on getting your girl back?”
I sigh. “Fuck that. She’s decided I’m unforgiveable, so I give up.” I shrug. “Nothing I can do about it.”
Dax raises one eyebrow. “So, you’re just giving up like that? One minor setback, and you’re willing to give up on her. You must not like her as much as I thought.”
I lean back against the counter and take another sip of water. I think of the quips I’ve traded back and forth with Ronnie, the sweet innocence of her face, and the electricity that vibrates between us. “No, I like her.” I shift and put my water bottle down. “Let’s face it, man she deserves better than me anyway. Look at my wacked out family. For God’s sake, my cousin attacked her. She could have anybody. Why the hell would she want someone with so much damn baggage anyway?” It’s true. I’ve tossed and turned the last few nights thinking about whether it’s better to give up on her or not. I don’t want to. God, I don’t want to, but there are so many complications. And what if I’m doomed to repeat the mistakes of my dad? What if I hurt her like he hurt us? Maybe it’s better for her if I just walk away.
“That’s bullshit.” Dax’s angry voice cuts through my thoughts and startles me.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you’re full of shit man. We are not carbon copies of our family. We make our own choices. You think cause you got dealt a shitty hand with your dad and your uncle, that excuses you from finding your own happiness? Fuck that.” He stands up and slams his bottle down. Water sloshes over onto the counter. His anger is palpable.
I’m struck silent. I’ve rarely seen Dax upset, and whatever is going on with him seems like a lot more than just him encouraging me to go after Ronnie.
“Dude, you’re freaking me out. Everything okay with you?” I can’t help but ask him. Dax is always giving advice, but rarely seems to need it. Maybe this is one of those rare times.
He shakes his head. “Nah, I’m alright man. All I’m saying is we choose what we want out of life. I refuse to be like my Dad. Like you should refuse to be like yours. We can choose to be good people. We can choose to help others and not depend on fuckin’ money to make us happy.” He throws his arms up in the air. The passion dripping from his voice causes me to pause and think.
I nod, thinking of my uncle’s cruelty and my dad’s abandonment. I can choose to give a damn and do some good in this world. I’m better than where I came from.
“Thanks, Dax.” I let out a long breath. “I’ll do my best to get Ronnie back.”
I clap him on the back. “I guess I just needed your pep talk, man. Scared for me a minute there. I never knew you were so deep.”
He smiles cheekily. “Not everyone knows I’m more than a pretty face. I have my moments.”
“You do my friend, you do. Now I just have to figure out how to make Ronnie listen.”
I can’t believe Dax talked me into this. Several hours later, I sit outside Ronnie’s bedroom window. I climbed the gigantic tree that is beside the house, and I’ve been sitting, basically dangling, on a branch waiting for Dax’s signal for what feels like hours. He’s been watching the house to make sure Ronnie’s dad finally went to his bedroom. Shit, why did I let Dax talk me into this? I rub one sweaty palm on my jeans and almost fall off of the branch I’m sitting on.
