About Time Read online

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  About Time

  A Broken & Bruised Novel

  Copyright © 2014 by Danielle Torella

  Cover Photographer: Mesha D. White (Front) and Cassie Dilg (Back)

  Cover Designer: Randy Potvin

  Formatted by: JT Formatting

  All rights reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Title Page

  Other Titles

  Dedication

  Chapter One - Barely

  Chapter Two - Umbrellas and Parisian Rugs

  Chapter Three - A Sad Attempt

  Chapter Four - Playing Dress Up

  Chapter Five - Charge By The Hour

  Chapter Six - Restroom Saviors

  Chapter Seven - Seeing Green

  Chapter Eight - Passion

  Chapter Nine - Personal Training

  Chapter Ten - An Offer I Can’t Refuse

  Chapter Eleven - Black Coffee

  Chapter Twelve - A Sweet Deal

  Chapter Thirteen - To Begin Again

  Chapter Fourteen - Stars

  Chapter Fifteen - A Fancy Place to Stay

  Chapter Sixteen - The Facts

  Chapter Seventeen - A Pink Balloon

  Epilogue - The Beginning

  Author Links

  Acknowledgments

  A Preview of Stairs to You by Christy Dilg

  Private Message

  Private Show

  Private Affair

  “Margot, would you be a dear and take the return cart and get them scanned in and back on the shelves?” Mrs. Brown asks me as I walk in for my morning shift at the local library. If you want to call it a library, it’s a converted house that was built a hundred years ago, the main floor is the actual library and upstairs is the stock area and a couple extra rooms. It was up for demo, until Mrs. Brown dug up some papers to prove it was a historical landmark.

  “Of course Mrs. Brown,” I oblige her as I place my bag under the service counter. She places a hand on my shoulder, when I stand and meet her kind eyes, I can tell she is concerned about something. Mrs. Brown has shoulder length light red hair that she keeps pulled up in the back and wears blue framed glasses, which I love, because she is not like most fifty something women. She has more to her then her age. She has been a widow for the last seven years and since then she practically lives here at the library. She has been running this place for at least twenty, twenty five years and well things have slowed down in the past decade. Sure we have all the new and popular books, but with digital devices and cheaper download costs, we just don’t see the same amount of flow in the place anymore. Not needing to hear her say it I purse my lips and nod.

  She sighs and pulls me into a warm hug and tells me, “Sweet Margot, what would I do without you?”

  “I think the same about you.” Mrs. Brown has been there for me like a mother. When I got here and stopped in to check out a new book and after talking for a while she asked me if I needed a job and gave me a key to the library, just so I would have a place to “escape” to. Granted the pay isn’t excellent, but I make due between here and the little diner down on the beach.

  Maddy my best friend I met her when I came here to Beaufort, we live in a small two bedroom apartment a few miles from the library. It’s nothing special, but it’s ours and as long as I am out of that place, this place is like a Beverly Hills spa. She was looking for a roommate and I was needing one, so one thing lead to another and here we are six years later. She has been more like a sister to me, even the back and forth arguing at times.

  I tuck a loose sun bleached strand of hair behind my ear and I push the cart over to the computer system, which is of course outdated as well. It’s hard to get funds from the town when they can clearly see it won’t be worth their while. In fact I don’t think we have had more than ten patrons check out a book this past week. So, my cart is empty pretty fast. I grab a feather duster and clean up the older books. When I am just about finished with the second room I hear the bell of the front door. Setting the duster down, I make my way to the front counter to greet the guest.

  “Hi, is there anything I can help you find?” I ask a teen girl, who looks a little lost. She has denim short shorts on, a hot pink tank top and an oversized white leather handbag over her shoulder. Her skin is flawlessly tanned and her chestnut hair is the sleekest I have ever seen. Another girl comes flying through the door and grabs her wrist “Brittney! The coffee shop is next door! What are you doing in here?”

  The girl looks to me and gives me this look of disgust as she eyes me from top to bottom, the first girl looks to me, shrugs and mouths sorry. I wave it off and the two girls exit. Why did the second one give me that look? She was all of like what sixteen? I am twenty four and I am letting her get to me? I am tall, five foot six and I think I have a lean athletic build, long sun kissed hair and people have told me I have eerily bright blue eyes. Maybe I am still awkward, well at least people have been telling me that my whole life. Ordinary seems to fit more I think. I straighten my back and push up my plaid sleeves and get back to work. Reality is, I have been dealing with girls like that my whole life and age never seems to matter. Before coming here it was even worse.

  Just as the day is over and I am gathering my belongings, Mrs. Brown asks what she asks at the end of every shift, “Do you need any extra money dear? Anything at all? Would you like to come by for some dinner?”

  I smile, “No, ma’am I am alright, but thank you. You know you don’t have to ask or offer, even though you do make the best food, maybe another night?”

  She sighs, “Of course, it’s just, well after everything you’ve been through I always worry. I know you have Maddy and all, but ya’ll live alone.”

  “We are fine, I swear, cross my heart.” I make an X pattern across my chest.

  “Alright, but you know where to find me if you need anything.”

  “I know, and thank you.” I give the little woman a hug and make my way outside, to the warm North Carolina air. The sun is preparing to set, but there is plenty of light out yet. Even though the air is heavy with humidity, it’s a comforting warmth. Like being wrapped up in your favorite blanket on a cool night. Which we don’t get too often this time of year and our air conditioner bit the dust last week. We are trying to pull some extra shifts at the diner we work at together to buy a new one. Our landlord could care less.

  I look at my watch and Maddy should be getting off any minute now and I know my phone will be ringing with her telling me to meet at our spot on the Atlantic beach, I can count down from ten and as so
on as I get to one, my phone buzzes. I answer with a “Meet you in ten,” as I know her question.

  She laughs on the other end and tells me, “Okay see you soon.” I hang up and shake my head. I start off to my car and have a hard time with the key, trying to unlock the door. I have been driving a 91’ Volkswagen Cabriolet since I got my license and it’s a little beat up, but I love her and I can’t imagine parting with my Blue Belle. She has helped me out of a few tough situations. Let’s just say that the day I became a legal adult I threw a single bag into my baby and took off. I didn’t know where I was going or where I would end up, but here I am. Just existing.

  Barely.

  I pull into the beach lot and thankfully for my season pass I don’t have to pay the ten dollar fee each time I come here, which is often. I love to come down here alone most of the time, just myself and a great book on the beach. I usually try to stay tucked back away from most people. It’s not like I hate socializing, it’s more like socialization hates me. I fumble with my words when I am nervous and meeting new people makes me very nervous. I like to keep things simple, after being around so many other kids and teens and adults growing up, I have had my fair share. So, I keep it to Maddy, Mrs. Brown and Josh.

  Josh is the guy I have been seeing for a couple of years. He’s a nice guy, a little high strung and has a little bit of control issues, but I understand it. We see each other a couple days a week, nothing serious or anything out of one of those erotic novels I have read out of curiosity. But is the passion in those books realistic? Probably not buts it’s nice to think so.

  As soon as I put my little convertible into park, Maddy comes to a screeching halt next to me. She has a little sporty thing that is only a few years old. She won’t admit it was a gift from an old boyfriend. Maddy isn’t exactly a gold digger, because if she was or really wanted to be one she wouldn’t be living with me in our small apartment or working at the diner with me. Men, just seem to gravitate to her and with that she knows how to work them into giving her things. That is one of the few things that we don’t see eye to eye on. She always told me that if they are willing to pay for things and buy extravagant gifts, who is she to say no? Maybe she just feels bad for me.

  She turns off the car and steps out “Sorry…”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I shake my head. “Just don’t give me anymore grief about Blue Belle,” I point my finger at her playfully.

  Maddy tosses her hands to her hips and tells me once again, “I know a guy who would take care of that beater. Just bat those long beautiful lashes at him and he would do anything for you.”

  “I can’t do something like that and you know why.”

  “Yeah, yeah…” She slides on a pair of designer sunglasses.

  I don’t say much as we make our way to “our” spot, this one is different than my solo spot. She likes to be a little closer to the water and to the guys, specifically the Marines who are home right now. She isn’t a slut, but she likes to be with a guy for the company, but she moves too fast in hopes of keeping him around. Which never works in her favor. “So how was that date with the suit?” I ask her as we get comfortable on our beach blankets.

  She rolls her eyes, “He said he was being deployed and didn’t want anything serious and just wanted to have a good time.”

  I pull out my sunscreen and start to liberally rub it over all and any exposed skin, I hate sunburns and I would rather not look like a piece of beef jerky on legs. After covering the last spot I toss it back into my bag and look over at Maddy, “So, did you have a “good time” with him?” When she didn’t say anything for a second I groan, “Maddy! Why do you do that to yourself?”

  “Because he was hot and wanted to be with me, even if it was for one night.”

  “You’re better than that and one day you’ll see it.”

  She scoffs and snaps her eyes at me, “You should listen to your own advice. At least I take a chance.”

  “Hey I am with Josh!” I defend myself. But why should I? I am in a stable relationship.

  She shakes her head and apologizes, “I am sorry Margot, and it’s just not easy to find a guy who actually sticks around. The local guys are either college students who would only take me to their frat house or to play beer pong. That’s not what I want.”

  I nod, because I know what she is talking about. If anything the local guys have to practically peacock just to get a girls attention, but unfortunately for them most girls love the idea of having a military hottie with muscles … I have read books with that setting too… Just as I am finishing this thought a young male walks in front of us in full black jeans, T-shirt and belting out a song on his horribly tuned guitar. I look over at Maddy and we both giggle over it, even more so when he hears us, turns around and winks in our direction. I take my towel and cover my face and keep from laughing.

  I pull out a book and slide my sun glasses on. About a half hour later Maddy asks me, “So when are you going to get more serious with Josh?”

  “What do you mean? We have been together for over a year, isn’t that serious enough?” I ask.

  “That’s what I mean, over a year and you haven’t moved forward. He doesn’t stay over like at all and when he does, I never hear anything good through the wall, so…”

  I can feel myself blush at her accusation, “So, we just kinda hang out in bed…”

  “You never fool around?” She asks with a raised eyebrow.

  I look down, “We do, not all the time but we do.”

  “Can’t be that good if I can’t hear either of you … I’m just saying.”

  I cover my face again and toss the towel down to my side and sit straight up, “It’s comfortable okay? He is there when I need someone to hold me, is that a crime? Can’t I seek comfort in my boyfriend’s arms without having to put out?” Truth is, we don’t cuddle as much as we used to. Now when he wants to be physical, he just calls me and I will go over to his place and we will fool around or have sex. I don’t stay over most nights either. He usually has an early morning, so I end up offering to go home.

  “I get it. He is like a security blanket.”

  I look down to my feet and crunch my toes into the hot sand. “You know after what I have had to grow up with, I thought you might get it…”

  Maddy shoots up to her knees and grabs me for a hug, “I do and I am sorry. It’s not what I meant, I just think you deserve to feel safe and yet have a good time. Believe me, it wouldn’t be like you to go after a bad boy with no secure future or criminal record,” She laughs.

  “True, but some passion might be nice,” I admit as I lay back down on my blanket.

  “Well…” Maddy starts, “Make it happen.”

  I lift up my sunglasses to get a clear view of her face to tell if she is serious or not, sometimes it’s difficult to tell. “What do you mean?”

  “Well if you want passion, then make it happen. Either talk about it or set up a romantic evening and put something hot on.”

  “Something hot? I don’t know if you’ve seen me, but I kinda, sorta don’t do hot.” I fidget at the thought. I have been told I am sexy, but only by the typical drunk guy at a bar that Maddy dragged me to, to be her back up. Guys only tell women that to get them in bed, unfortunately Maddy believes it every time. She is sexy and beautiful, but I think for other reasons, she is confident and that is one thing I know I lack. But when you grow up being thrown under the bus every waking moment and people leaving you or giving up on you, that’s what you believe. So obviously why would or should I believe what anyone else tells me?

  “Oh come on, you’re telling me you don’t have a thong or a lacey bra? Something? Anything?” She is looking at me in total disbelief. I shake my head no and her arms fly up and her head drops back, “You are killing me Margot! If I would have known about this situation sooner I would have taken you shopping and this slump you and Josh are in would have been over or non-existent!”

  My inner clam surfaces and I just go quiet. T
his isn’t me. I am not like that and Josh has never asked anything like that of me. “Josh doesn’t seem to mind…” I tell her.

  “Well maybe it’s because he sees it somewhere else…” My eyes widen at the thought and she smacks my arm, “I am kidding Margot! He’s not that stupid.”

  Maybe she has a point. If he’s not happy with me in the bedroom or lack of, who’s to say he isn’t seeing it somewhere else? I have never witnessed a healthy relationship in my life, so I feel like I was set up for failure from the get go. I must have gotten lost in my own world again, because she is snapping her fingers at me. “What?” I ask.

  “So do you want to go shopping for some goodies for Josh?”

  I sit up and cross my legs, toss my stuff into my bag, fold up my beach blanket and wrap myself up in my towel. “I am sorry Maddy, but I just remembered that I told Tina that I would cover her shift at the diner tonight. I have to head back and get cleaned up.”

  It was a lie. Obviously, she will find out that I wasn’t telling the truth and she will call me out on it later. But I can’t talk about this anymore. “Margot, wait! What’s wrong?” She runs behind me as I make a bee line to my Blue Belle.

  I tilt my head to one side and focus on getting in my car and avoid eye contact, “Nothing I just have to get ready.”

  She slits her eyes and observes me for a moment. “Fine,” She tells me and lets me go. I really feel bad for just bailing and not talking to her. She has always listened to me in the past, but that was about past stuff, not about love, relationships or sex for that matter.

  “I’ll see you back at the apartment later, okay?” I ask her as I shift from reverse to drive after backing out of the parking spot.

  She gusts out a breath and nods, “Sure, have a good night.”

  Well now I am free for the next few hours, in which I am not working or going home. I went back to shower quickly and change then I had to get out before Maddy got home from the beach. I think about going back to the library, grabbing a cup of tea on the way and curling up in one of the overstuffed chairs in the reading room, with a new book. I feel like being alone, just like every other night pretty much.