Leather & Lace

Chapter 5: Live

Even though Dylan left without any issue, I knew it wouldn’t last forever. We’ve been in the same cycle for over a year now. I’ve actually been out of the relationship longer than I was even in it. He tries to win me back, fails, gets angry, calls me names, and then repeats the cycle. Manhattan cared about him so much, I would completely cut them off, especially since I’ll be moving across the country. But I don’t have time to think about that right now. I have so much to do before picking up the so-called men that bones is sending out.

I decided before I went out I would try and make myself a little bit more presentable. Typically, I would just throw my hair up in a ponytail or a messy bun, but today felt a little different. I actually used product and diffused my curls and let them hang loose. I even put on a little bit of makeup today. Once I was sure that I was ready to leave, I gave Bo-Bo a kiss and told him I would be back after a while.

I know that when I pick up the boys tonight, I’ll need a bigger vehicle. But right now, I just want to feel free. So I decided to take out Candy. She is mine and Ryan’s project that we spent so much time working on together. My brother was the best mechanic in all of Georgia, probably all of the United States. and he taught me how to have a love for cars. It just happened that my very favorite car in this whole world is a 1970 Chevelle. So, I begged him to help me restore one. I’m sure I didn’t have to try and convince him too much because he loved them just as much as I do. But of course, as all brothers would do, he had to give me a hard time. We worked on this vehicle night after night. At one point, Dylan even got upset, telling me that I love the car more than him. In all actuality, he is right. I never really loved him, I just cared a great deal for him. which is partly why I could never sleep with him. I know I’m old, but I want to give my virginity to somebody who deserves it.

Candy, my candy apple red metallic Chevelle with two white racing stripes, is my baby. My brother and I won a couple of car shows with her, small ones of course.. Most of the guys couldn’t beat me at the dragstrip either.. But anytime I want to feel free, or close to Ryan, I like to take her out and see just how fast she can get me to free.

My first stop was the lawyer. I didn’t really want to make this trip today, but I also knew that this was a necessary evil. I went into the office, and the secretary, Kathy noticed me right away. She let Mr. Galbreth know that I was here and asked me to have a seat. I waited for only a few seconds before he came around the corner and ushered me back to his office. Mr. Galbreth informed me that he had a reading of the well earlier with those that we call family. There were some things that Ryan left to people other than me. Mr. Galbrath had to ask if I wanted to contest it, but of course I didn’t. He told me he figured I would say that, and went on to let me know everything that my brother had left me. All in all, I was left with a $1.36 million plantation style property in Savannah, Georgia, Candy, two Harley Davidson, motorcycles, all of his tools, and all of his assets, including his bank account minus the debt paid. All and all, I ended up with somewhere around $3.5 million. But I would give it all up just so I can have my brother back. Mr. Galbreth told me that he had withheld one letter from me as instructed by Ryan. He wanted me to have this letter specifically from the day that I heard what the will stated. He handed it to me and let me know that he was going to leave his own office to give me a few moment of privacy.

Sis,

I bet you thought you had heard the last of me. But you haven’t. This is just another reminder that I’m always with you. I know it’s a lot that you have taken in and that you’ve had to take care of. That’s why I wanted to make sure that you gained all that you deserve for what you helped me with. If I know you, you’re probably sulking and thinking that you would rather have me than all the money that you’ve been given. I don’t really blame you, I am pretty f*****g awesome. But this is your chance to live. I need you to live for both me and you. Do all of things that you wanted to do, do all the things that I never got the chance to. I want you to fall in love. I want you to find someone who takes care of you the way that you deserve to be taken care of. Do not settle for anyone until you have ended up with the guy that you can call those two towns away, but will come and pump your gas. Remember, just because you’re always trying to shut the world out doesn’t mean that that’s what you deserve. I know it probably sounds odd that I’m asking you to go and live around a bunch of guys, especially ones that have names like Bones and Reaper, but I know that they can protect you in the same way that I would have. They gave be their word, and that’s something that means something to a man.

If you don’t want to sell the house, then go ahead and keep it for a while. But if you can’t stand to look at it anymore, then get rid of it. If you haven’t made up your mind yet, that’s OK too. I want you to have the option to come home if you need to. You make up your mind, we all know no one can change it anyways.

I love you and I’ll forever be with you. I’ll save a spot for you, even though I know you’ll be late. Just remember, even though it’s only by 8 1/2 minutes, I’m still your older brother. So if there’s nothing else that you can do for me, live.

I love you and I’ll see you again one day,

Ryan.

I hadn’t even realized it, but silent tears had fallen during the time I was reading his letter. So much for the makeup that I tried to put on today. But, I really was thankful for him writing me letters. It’s something I can always go back and read.

It seems so odd that in both of his letters, he was wanting me to find someone to be with. Especially since he gave me so much s**t about dating while he was here. I guess he just didn’t like my taste of men, but then again I guess neither do I. But for him to want me to find someone that can take care of me, just goes to show that he doesn’t want me to be alone.

Once I composed myself, I called Mr. Galbreth back in. I had questions that I needed an answer before I could make up my mind about anything.