Treasure Me (Rough Edges 4)

The conversation with Damon continues, and I tell him about how much of a change this is going to be for me, too. My days before this consisted of getting up, making breakfast for both of us, going to work, and then coming home and taking care of my dad. Now, he’s at the center, so after I leave there for my daily visit, I’m all alone. The nights are going to get lonely and even though I’ve found who I want to spend my time with, she insists on not moving any further.

It’s not that I blame her, because she has valid reasons. Sometimes, I just think the universe has it out for me. Why bring me and Raquel together if we don’t even get a shot at making each other happy? Her job wouldn’t fire her for going on a date with me, would they? Then there is a matter of my sister and her brother. They both seem very against us dating, but why?

“Listen, Raquel is a nice girl, but is she worth all this drama? Eli is going to make your life a living hell until you give up.”

I think about it for a minute. She’s intelligent, beautiful, can make me laugh, and has a deep passion for helping others. There is still so much left to know about her, but already I know she is worth it. Now, I just need to convince her to give me a shot. All bullshit aside, I know she loves her job, but I’m not petty like the guy that did her boss dirty by going up to her job. Break ups happen, and there’s no need to end someone’s career over it.

“Then go for it, but remember my warning.” He gets up from the table, but then pauses. “Don’t forget about Emily’s birthday party this weekend.”

Most of us exit the depot and head for our vehicles, and I’m excited to see how my dad is doing. Did he have a rough night like me? I don’t know how I’m going to get used to being in that house by myself?

As I pull into the center, Hazel’s name scrolls across my screen on the radio, and I want to push reject but I don’t.

“Hey, sis,” I answer.

“How’s he doing?”

I turn off my truck and switch to my phone. “Literally just pulled up. I’ll have him call you. He has his phone.”

“Alright, bye.”

Well, damn. She doesn’t even ask about how I’m doing. Something is going on with her, too, but I don’t have the patience to question her about it right now.

The automatic doors open and Raquel is standing to greet me as I enter.

“How’s he doing?”

She bounces her eyes to the left and mine follow. He’s sitting with the knitting club, chatting up a storm, and after a second I hear my mom’s name. My dad is still in love with her even after she’s gon,e and he’s always said there are no other women for him.

“He’s being telling them stories about him and his late wife. The ladies are loving him.”

We stand there, enjoying seeing him engaged with others, and not having such a hard time adjusting to the different surroundings.

“So, listen. About that thing with Eli…”

She shakes her head. “Just please don’t do sex jokes about me with my brother.”

It’s not like I can lie and say I haven’t thought about her hand around my shaft multiple times, her lips sliding up and down, with her looking up at me. Men fantasize about shit like that, and sometimes we have relief ourselves. Seeing her in that white coat, hair up in a high messy bun, only makes me want to take her against her office wall right now.

“Shift is over. See ya.”

She walks to her office, takes off her coat, and heads out the door.

It’s my fault for saying it, and believe me I regret it, but I can’t take it back. Eli is going to do anything he can to keep his sister away from me, and I hope to god it doesn’t work. Something has got to give.

I watch my father conversing with these ladies, and it’s so nice to see him socializing, and not being depressed about being here. He needs friends and people to talk to. I wish I could be a fly on the wall to listen to all the stories he’s been telling them tonight.

My dad finally sees me and comes over.

“Hey, son. Just telling the ladies about your mom.”

I embrace him and pat him on the back. “I heard. Just wanted to stop by and check on ya. See how your first night went,” I say, leaning up against the wall.

“Oh, it was fine. Didn't sleep very well, but the breakfast was excellent. Margaret and I played a couple of card games, and then we started talking about our significant others. I’m gonna be just fine, son. Don’t worry about me.”

He doesn’t seem like he wants to stand around and talk. Instead, he keeps eyeing the ladies, and I take that as a signal that he wants to go back.

“I’ll come back tomorrow. Go hang out with your friends. Love you.”