The girl before she woke.

Heart Breaker

Chapter 12

Rachel got up dreading the thought of going to work but she had to she was so close to being able to afford her own place. Already envisioning herself cooking in her new home sipping on a glass of wine, no one to tell her that she's underage. That's one of the things that never made sense to Rachel. She wasn't to young to work or drive or live on her own  but she was too young to drink as if an age difference is going to teach her responsibility.

After taking a shower and getting dressed she went down stairs to get something to eat.She was going to be humiliated when Donovan showed up she doesn't need to be hungry too. Her parents have been back  for a week now but something felt off. The atmosphere around them was heavy with hostility and tension something that could only have been created by a heated fight.Not that she wanted any details all she wanted was that one day when she walked into a room they both occupied the tension would be gone and everything would be back to normal.

However today was not that day she realized when entering the kitchen.Both of her parents was seated at the table busy with their usual morning routine but kept stealing glances at each other starring daggers at their partners.

"Good morning" Rachel mumbled grabbing a yogurt from the fridge.

"Good morning honey, did you sleep well?" Mom said forcing a smile on her face.

"Good morning " Dad's voice came across clear and strong but kept his eyes on his news paper.

Wow she can't believe the two of them! Acting like a couple of spoiled children used to getting their way. How long do they plan on making the home so uncomfortable? Rachel wondered aggravated.

"No, I didn't ", she answered her mothers question."Not that it matters anyway."

Her mother pulled up both of her eye brows , her eyes stretching in disbelieve.

"Excuse me young lady! What are you implying? That we don't care about you? Because you know that's not true!"

"Yeah , ok if you say so" Rachel retorted leaving the house before her parents could say anything in return with her yogurt in her hand. Guess she'll just eat it in the parking lot at work.

Rachel had been working double shifts everyday for the last three weeks. She comes in for the morning then goes home the afternoon to rest then comes back for the night shifts. It was hard but she was making good money and that's all that matters.

"Hey Shortcake,  a cup of strong black coffee please" Trigger asked slumping down on one of the counter chairs holding his head in both his hands,

"Rough night?" Rachel asked with a grin already knowing the answer.

"You know I do everything Rough Shortcake" He answered her with a wink while she poured him a cup.

She couldn't help but laugh as he shamelessly flirted. Only because she knew it was hollow harmless banter and honestly she quit enjoyed their little chats.

"One of these days your going to get alcohol poisoning Trig. Then who's going to brighten my day?"

"Oh come on now, you know there's nothing and no one that can keep me away from you" he took her hand placing a soft kiss on the back of it. If she didn't know any better she might have mistaken him for a prince , a drunk one but nevertheless a prince. He was a real drama queen everything he said and did was done unapologetic and blond, Rachel loved that about him and although they became good friends she truly hated the nickname he gave her.He had started calling her shortcake when they had become familiar with each other and when she asked what was up with the weird nickname. He simply shrugged and said,'It's because you remind me of a strawberry shortcake. Your sweet and addictive plus you have red hair.' he pointed out like she had't notice.

The day went by slowly and Rachel was glad that it had just been Trigger so far of the club that showed up. No Donovan equaled no worries and that's the way she wanted it.The whole day long all she kept thinking about was the way he smelled and the way he tasted , oh damn and the way his hands felt on her skin. Her body kept reacting to the memories making her wet with need at the thought of him. 'Pull yourself together!' she scolded herself walking to Sam one of the kitchen staff with a order slip for two tomato soups.

"Another tomato soup! What's wrong with this town it's 32c outside." He was clearly annoyed and Rachel couldn't help but chuckle at his response.

Come lunch time Rachel joined Trigger in his favorite booth, taking out their cheese grilled sandwiches she handed him his. It had become a daily thing when ever Trig was there they would have lunch together and hang out , he reminded her a lot of Charlie her brother. He had showed her the same protectiveness and annoyance that siblings often share and secretly she wished Charlie and her bond would have been like the one she had formed with Trig in just four short weeks.

"Awww , thanks! I knew you wouldn't let me starve" he messed up the hair on her head then took the sandwich.

Irritated she smoothed out her hair glaring at him,"As if you would starve , you do know we are currently sitting in a diner owed by the club you are a member of?"

Trig smirked at her chewing on the sandwich in his hand , "Yes but the el presidente is already getting annoyed with the amount of coffee we drink for free. So eating for free too, Well let's just say I don't think he'd appreciate that."

"Oh, I just figured he wouldn't care ", she muttered to herself more than him. "So I guess your welcome Triggie!" 

Triggers lips turn into a hard line at the mention of her new nickname for him. Rachel couldn't help but break down laughing at his outraged expression.

"No! f**k no! Don't ever say that again!" he shook his head dramatically scolding her. 

"What do you mean Triggie? What shouldn't I say?" she asked with a look of complete innocence on her face. 

"Rachel " he warned. She couldn't help but smile at him. He could try and intimidate her all he wants she knows he would never hurt her. Not over something so stupid , she doesn't believe it for a second.

"Oh come on Triggie, you don't like your nickname?" she asked taking the last bite of her grilled cheese. "Well too bad! You think I'm a fan of Shortcake? It makes me sound like a over weight cat owned by a lonely cat lady who loves show tunes."

He burst out laughing at her and she couldn't help but join him , the tears streaming down her face.Instantly she thought of Jackie, damn she missed her. Since her work schedule changed she hardly got to see her anymore. Thank god for Trig tough other wise she'd be bored out of her mind. They had begun talking about Trig wanting to buy his two year old little girl something special for her birthday but he had no idea what to get her. She had asked him what Savannah the little girl liked but he couldn't answer her. Apparently he split with Savannah's mom before she was even born and only gets to see her two days out of a month. Rachel couldn't help but feel sorry for him , his eyes lit up when he spoke of her and she knew it must be hard for him not seeing Savannah as often as he liked. 

"Where is she?!" A women yelled out.

Rachel and Trigger looked at each other confused as to what the hell was going on.The voice sounded oddly familiar Rachel thought , trying to place it.

"Where is that slut!" the women yelled again. "Rachel come and face me you man stealing whore."

Rachel's face turned sheet white , she knew that voice alright. "Oh s**t!' she found herself spit out in panic. This is bad , this is really bad . How could she have been so stupid, not once during her whole encounter with Donovan did Rachel think of his girlfriend. I've she was her she would kill her too. Alright well there's nothing she can do about it now , she would have to go to her and face the music. Although she never thought Donovan would tell his girlfriend about it, unless he regretted it and wanted to safe their relationship. Yes, that must be it , he regretted it and with that realization that by the way completely shattered Rachel's heart. She slipped out of the booth and walked to a very angry blond girl with hate in her eyes. 

Trigger was closely behind her,"Why is Vicky here and more importantly why is she calling you a w***e?" he whispered to Rachel. She couldn't answer him her eyes was locked on the fire spitting dragon in front of her and somehow she just knew that she wasn't getting out of this one without a few slap's.And Damn was she right as soon as she stopped in front of Vicky the girl smacked her across the face leaving Rachel's right side burning and taste of blood in her mouth.

"Whoa !Calm down Vicky , there's no need for violence" Trigger said looking at the palm print across Rachel's face. 

"Calm down? Calm down! " Vicky spat the words out. "Why don't you just mind your own f*****g business! This stupid girl just couldn't keep her hands off of him! She knew he was mine and still she went after him like the slut that she is!"

Trigger looked between the two of us trying to make sense of Vicky's words and all I could do is stare at the pain clearly visible in her eyes. My heart lunched in my throat, I did that I thought disgusted with myself. I knew he had a girlfriend and still I threw myself on him not even sparing one second to think of how this would affect her.

"What are you talking about?" Trig asked finally giving up on trying to figure it out himself.

Vicky's lip curled up in disgust pointing a finger at me. " She's the reason Donovan left me! Just like that like I didn't mean s**t to him. Talking about how we just don't work , how we never worked and that he's sorry he didn't tell me sooner. Bull s**t! we were fine till this little slut showed up in town. Stringing all the men along batting her eyes and swinging her hips. I know something happened , I just know!" her voice croaked at the end and Rachel couldn't help but flinch at the sound.

"You don't know that Vicky besides you and I both know that your relationship troubles begin way before Rachel moved her" Trig came to stand next to me for support. She didn't deserve it, Vicky was right and she knew she  had to own up to it.

"And who's fault is that! He wouldn't stop staring at that f*****g photo even when I was next to him!" Vicky cried outraged. Things were becoming way to hectic and Rachel knew she had to end this as soon as possible.

"You right" She began looking into Vicky's red swollen eyes almost loosing her nerve. "Something did happen, I'm.... I'm sorry." Another slap landed hard on Rachel's face causing her lip to bust open at the impact. 

"That's enough ! "Trigger warned Vicky but Rachel didn't miss the pity he held in his eyes for her.

"You heard her! You heard her Trigger she slept with him!" Vicky was less angry now and a lot more sad and broken it was not a pretty sight and it crushed Rachel.

"No I swear I didn't sleep with him Vicky. We ... we kissed that's all" she kept her voice soft throughout the whole time. She knew full well she had no reason to raise her voice or get mad at anything . She was the guilty culprit her not Vicky and she couldn't blame the women for being emotionally unbalanced at a time like this.

Vicky seemed to mulled her words over looking down at the floor. Rachel hoped that it was somehow a bit of ease for her knowing that they didn't sleep together but she wouldn't bet her money on it.When Vicky met Rachel's eyes again they were blurred with tears one steaming down her cheeks after the other.

"He left me for a kiss?" she whispered looking at Rachel. "A f*****g kiss? It doesn't even matter now. I was a fool, he wasn't mine . He was never mine because he couldn't stop being hers." with that Vicky turned on her heels and stormed out leaving Rachel confused but relieved that it was over.

"Are you ok?" Trigger asked coming to stand in front of Rachel. He inspected her bruised face and busted cheek. "She got you pretty good and you didn't fight back?"

"Yeah well, I broke that girl's heart" she muttered remorseful.