Restored (5 page)

“Okay! Talk to you soon then.” The call ended. Caleb sat back with his eyes closed. What now? William Lindsay of all people.

***

Lexi’s second day of work was a letdown from the moment she arrived. As she scanned the parking lot, there was a palpable void, which was Caleb’s missing SUV. She made her way to the reception area and asked Linda when he would be in. Unfortunately, the friendlier Yvette wasn’t in yet, so Lexi did her best with Linda.

“Is he well?” Lexi tried to sound casual, but there was an edge to her voice. Even though Caleb had showed no real interest in her, she still wanted him around. It’d be impossible to justify her feelings; the pull between Caleb and her wasn’t something she’d admit.

“I’m sure he’s fine. He will be back on Monday,” Linda said. She turned back to her computer and proceeded to type.

Lexi took the hint and wandered to her office. Something was off with Caleb. Had to be. He hadn’t mentioned anything about this yesterday, and since she’d monopolized so much of his time, it should have come up at least once. Lexi’s stomach tightened.

Maybe he was with Corrine. The memory of the overheard phone conversation surfaced, and that only made it likelier that he’d be with her. Lexi stared blankly at her computer screen. Had she done something that offended him in some way? Nothing came to mind. She logged into the computer system and began her data entry. Lexi was slow and clumsy. Linda had helped her through the programs that she would have to learn, but it would be mostly trial and error until she really got the hang of it. Lexi was responsible for charging insurance companies for services rendered through the clinic. Insurance billing could be boring and overwhelming, but as she worked, she thought less about Caleb. Apparently a temp from a staffing agency had done this job before her, but not thoroughly—there was a large amount of money still pending to be paid on the patients’ accounts.

Lunchtime arrived a little too quickly. The office closed daily from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., though the lunch hour was 12:00 to 1:00. An administrative interval was from 1:00 to 2:00, which gave the staff time to catch up from the morning.

Lexi stretched back in her chair and then logged off the computer and went to the break room. Her stomach rumbled. Missy sat there with a large salad, diet Dr Pepper, and a
People
magazine.

“Hi,” Lexi said. She set her lunch bag down on the table. Getting to know new people always felt awkward, but there was no avoiding it.

Missy looked up from her magazine. “Oh, hi, Lexi. How are you liking it so far? I mean, your job?” Missy asked and then took a sip of her soda.

“So far, so good, I guess. The job is great, but it’s an adjustment,” Lexi said as she pulled out her tea, sandwich, and yogurt. She unfolded a napkin to eat over.

“You’ll be fine. No one is going to yell at you if you make a mistake. I’m sure it will make more sense after you’ve been here awhile.” Missy stabbed a cherry tomato with her fork and popped it into her mouth.

“Where’s everyone else? I mean for lunch?” Lexi looked around the vacant break room.

“Well, I think Dr. Hale had to slip over to the hospital for a meeting. Tony had to go to the bank, and Yvette and Linda went to the deli for a sandwich.” Missy rolled her eyes as she scanned the article about the Duggars.

Caleb hadn’t been mentioned, which only meant more digging would be required. “So where’s Dr. Avery today?” Lexi asked and then bit off a piece of her sandwich in mock casualness.

“Oh, well, when he is in, he usually eats in his office, but he’s off the rest of the week. He is working through some things with his girlfriend,” Missy said as she turned the page of her magazine.

“I see.” Lexi took another bite of her sandwich, which stagnated in her hollow stomach. It ached, but no longer from hunger. Lexi managed to finish her lunch, although chewing seemed more like a chore.

“So…what’s your story, Lexi?” Missy asked once she’d shut her magazine.

“Well, my story… If anything, it would be a novella. I’m originally from here, but recently moved back here from Florida. I live with my cousin Ashley, and this is my first real job after my graduation,” Lexi answered honestly, leaving out the painful parts. She withheld her mother’s short battle with cancer and the loss of her family home to auction. How her boyfriend had cheated on her with a friend of hers, and how she’d walked in on them naked. No, only the most basic of information was up for discussion, especially with someone she barely knew.

She directed the attention back to Missy. “So what about you? How long have you worked here?”

“Let me think,” Missy said as she tapped her free hand on the table. “I’ve been here going on three years this winter,” she said. She seemed eager to say more.

“What’s fun to do around here?” Lexi asked.

“Well, that really depends on what you’re into. There are countless wintery activities with all the snow we have, but I’m not really into that so much. I like to go to the movies or to the bar. The alcohol will at least keep you warm,” Missy said, grinning.

“I guess you’re right about that. I’m used to outdoor activities that require a swimsuit, not a snowsuit. It’s going to take some adjusting to get used to things here.” Lexi already enjoyed the difference in the temperature, which was less intense than Florida’s summertime stifling heat.

The rest of the week crept by, and it was finally Friday afternoon. Not that the new job was that daunting, but Lexi just needed a break from it all. At least she could see progress from her first week on the job—the unpaid insurance funds were slowly trickling in. Maybe this progress would mean job security, Lexi thought as she entered in more claims.

Missy soundlessly appeared in the doorway of Lexi’s office. “Hey, girl, do you want to come out tonight? A few of us are meeting at the Rocky Tavern, if you’re interested.” Missy’s expression was warm and inviting.

Lexi had been thinking of a date with her pajamas and takeout food, as Ashley already had plans—she and Mike were meeting his parents out for dinner. “That sounds great! What time?” she asked with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.

“I’ll probably be there around 9:00 p.m. Be sure to eat something before you come. Their food isn’t what they’re known for,” Missy said.

“Okay, see you then!” Lexi was actually a little excited. It’d be nice to get out and have another distraction other than work.

Once home, she pulled out a sea-life patterned adult coloring book she’d bought but hid from prying eyes. She’d prefer to hand sketch, but when was there time for that anymore? She colored the dolphin page, but she quit once half the page was completed. She still had to find an appropriate outfit. This would be tricky since the night air was cool. She wanted to look her age.

She removed the dressing on her toe. It still looked bad, but that was mainly because it was so discolored from bruising. Lexi painted her toenails a plum purple, which ironically matched her injured toe. The nail wasn’t sensitive anymore, but she still didn’t like the feeling of it being chafed by shoes. She slipped into a thin and low-cut silk camisole top, dark-washed skinny jeans, and strappy sandals. She looked like a city girl and hoped she’d enjoy herself tonight. Missy, naturally charismatic, would be entertaining. Lexi left her house at eight thirty and drove toward the Rocky Tavern in hopes of finding a good parking space, as she didn’t want to be the last to arrive.

The Rocky Tavern was situated downtown among a few other restaurants on a narrow cobbled street. Essentially, it was a hole in the wall and marked with a faded sign and a heavy wooden door. Even though the other restaurants were open late on the weekends, this was the only true tavern on this street.

The bar was the main focus, with barstools all around it, but there were also booths on the wall across from the bar. The inside was dimly lit, and aged dark wood dominated the space. After Lexi entered, it took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dimness. Inside looked like a replica of what a pub would probably look like in England or Ireland. Lexi inhaled the faint scent of tobacco that clung to the walls from years of people smoking inside, though smoke still wafted inside from the smokers who lined the wall by the entryway.

Missy flagged down Lexi, and she sat in between Missy and a guy named Miles. Tony was also there, and he sat on the other side of Missy. Lexi grinned at Tony’s poor attempts to steal glances at Missy. He was anything but inconspicuous.

Miles bought shots for the group, but Lexi noted he rarely diverted his eyes from her. He said that Missy had told him all about her and he had been eager to finally meet her. The drinks kept coming, and Lexi soon couldn’t focus her attention on anyone or anything. Everything Miles said sounded funny, and Lexi couldn’t help but giggle at his jokes. She didn’t drink that often. Lexi excused herself in a slur of excuses and stumbled toward the ladies’ restroom.

She pushed her way through the entrance of the restroom and tripped on the lip of the doorway. Her arms shot out to her sides, and she steadied herself on the door. There was a small sitting area with a striped upholstered chair and matching love seat. The furniture had seen better days, but Lexi’s lack of reasoning dictated that she sit down anyway. She fell onto the empty chair, and she fumbled through her small handbag until she felt the smooth rectangle shape that she recognized as her cell phone. She stared at it. Her new cell phone was more modern and bigger than what she’d used in Florida. Before this, she’d had a basic one, so she still hadn’t mastered the new technology she held in her palm. Eye makeup flaked in her eyes—as if mascara made that much of a difference on her stubby lashes. She blinked away what she could. Her finger edged down the phone, and a screen popped up that she hadn’t prompted. She had the number for a taxi service, which Ashley had labeled Cabby.

Lexi slid her strappy shoes off her feet and then splayed her toes to relieve the soreness. She squinted as she scrolled through the
C
s on her phone’s contact list. She tapped the phone icon and was surprised when the call was answered on the first ring. “Hi…I need a cab please, to the Rocky Tavern as soon as possible. My name is Alexis Lindsay,” Lexi said while the room spun.

“What? Lexi? I’m coming,” said the voice on the line.

She looked at her phone, unsure of what to make of the voice. It was oddly familiar. Whatever Missy had last given her to drink had left her ears ringing. She slowly stood and made her way back to the group, the straps of her shoes dangling from her fingers. Miles eagerly rushed to her side and took her arm to physically support her. He grasped her tightly, which gave her little room to move on her own accord.

“Do you want to go home?” Miles asked as if he would drive her himself.

His wiry frame wavered as he supported Lexi’s movements. “I’ll be okay, Miles, thank you though. I’ve got a cab coming for me now,” Lexi said. Miles’s grasp didn’t weaken.

“At least let me wait with you outside,” Miles said as he walked her toward the exit.

Lexi squinted her eyes, but the bar was too dark, and so she held on to Miles since he was her only way to the outside. His grip tight, he held on under her arm and around her waist. “I’m okay,” she protested as she tripped over her own bare feet. Once outside, her eyes were able to see more clearly.

***

Caleb disconnected the call. Lexi needed a ride? Was she drunk? He rushed to ready himself after having fallen asleep on the sofa. He considered calling Mike to pick her up from the Rocky Tavern, but no, it had to be him. Lexi’s pull was something he’d tried to deny, but it was real. Her voice on the phone was confirmation that maybe she needed him too. How could he go to her with what he’d discovered? The news was a dead fact now, but still. She’d never accept him…

He scrambled to the door with keys in hand. Despite its size, his SUV was fast when he pushed it. He ran his fingers through his hair as he drove, taming the mess it’d become from sleep. He’d showered before his nap, which left his hair pliable to manipulation. His scruffy facial hair bristled at his touch.

The cobbled street was narrow but still car accessible. His heart pounded like he was on the scene of an accident. His eyes scanned the sidewalks, and he slammed the brakes when he saw her loose blond hair. The color of her hair was burned in his brain—spun gold. She pushed against a man there with her. Caleb jumped out of the SUV, motor still running.

The street lights put off more light than was inside the bar. Lexi’s feet curved downward like inverted crescents as she stepped on the chilly brick. She wasn’t prepared for the coolness, which clung to her skin. The hairs on her arms rose in response to the brisk air that gently blew. Miles rubbed his warm hands down her arms, but his touch was foreign and unwelcome. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Miles. He seemed friendly enough. She could see him as a friend, but nothing more.

Lexi bent to vomit, and her body spasmed as she dry heaved. “I’m never drinking shots again,” she slurred as she faced the bricks.

Miles helped her regain her upright posture. “Would you like to have a seat until the cab gets here?” he asked, and he pulled her toward the bench without waiting for her answer.

“Miles, thank you for walking me, but I’ll be all right now.” His features were out of focus, though she could feel his breath on her face. He was too close.

“I’d feel better if I stayed,” Miles said as he helped Lexi sit down on the bench under the streetlight and took a seat right beside her, occupying her personal space.

Heat poured off of Miles as he held her tightly, though her protests were seemingly unheard. Cars slowly passed by the bar. Lexi shivered, unable to hold back the chill of the air any longer. Miles embraced her tighter. It was pointless to try and squirm out of his hold. It wasn’t that Miles was being forceful—it was that his touch was unwelcome. Lexi’s eyes distorted the lights of the cars that passed by, and she unintentionally leaned against Miles, her equilibrium noticeably impaired.

“Lexi,” Miles muttered in a soft tone.

Lexi tried to focus on him, and she thought it odd that his eyes were squinted and weird looking. Before she realized what was happening, his mouth pressed on hers. She gasped, his mouth still on hers. How was this actually happening? She pushed at his shoulders, which only seemed to arouse him more. Panic built when her attempts at pushing him off seemed futile.