I own none of the characters of October Road
Eddie walked around the Duf campus like he had been a student there for years. He never wanted to go to college. High school was just a social outing for him. He never had an interest in anything academic. In fact the only thing that held his interest was football and cheerleaders. His plan after high school was to work odd jobs and save money for Best Friends Windows while Nicky went to college so he could manage the business end of their company. When Nick didn't come back Eddie had to change his plans. He really enjoyed working for a landscaper, so Eddie went out on his own, borrowed some money from the bank and opened Latekka landscaping. He really loved it but unfortunately Big Cat ran his business into bankruptcy. But it all worked out in the end because him and Nicky finally opened Best Friend Windows and it was doing really well.
Eddie found his way to Harlow Hall with the help of the campus map. Yeah, sure he had been to the Duff before, but always just to the women's dorm. When he arrived at Paul's office he saw a young lady waiting outside the office. She smiled at him when he walked up.
"Hi" Eddie said smiling at her. She smiled in return and looked at her watch.
"I made my appointment with Professor Armstrong for 3:15pm. When is your appointment?" she asked him
Eddie had to think. Was he in the wrong place? Who the hell is Professor Armstrong? Then it hit him. Paul Armstrong. He vaguely remembered Janet telling him that Paul's last name was Armstrong. Ok it is now time for the old Latekka charm.
"I am not a student here hon. I am an old friend of Paul's. I just flew into town and thought I would surprise him and talk him into having a drink with me. I will just be a minute. You wouldn't mind would you?" Eddie smiled sweetly at her.
"No." She said blushing. "I guess that would be ok. You know what? Why don't you take my appointment? I can meet with him after my class tomorrow. It wasn't a big deal anyway."
"Are you sure?" Yes. It worked like a charm
"No problem." She quickly wrote something in her notebook and tore the page off and handed it to Eddie. "If he can't get that drink with you tonight, give me a call." She winked and walked off. Eddie crumpled the number and threw it away.
Eddie paced the hallway waiting until 3:15. He had thought of what he would say the entire drive over here. He had a few choice phrases in mind but that was it. Eddie was never one to plan out what to say. He just spoke his mind. The door to the office swung open and a slightly looking nerdy fellow came out. He then heard Paul's voice.
"Next" Eddie sauntered on in.
"What happened to my 3:15 appointment?" Paul asked as soon as he saw Eddie standing before him.
"Oh, that would be Jenna. She graciously gave me her appointment and said she would meet with you after class."
"Well then, Eddie Latekka. What brings you here to my humble office?" Paul said smugly.
"I just was checking out how the other side lives or should I say works."
"What do you really want?" Paul said
To knock you on your cocky self serving as. Eddie thought
"I want to talk about Janet." He stated
"Janet is none of your business."
"My friend, my business."
"Everything is fine. Janet has never been happier so thanks for stopping have a nice day." Paul said as he stood up behind his desk. Eddie was still standing and had a couple of inches on him.
"Nice try. I'm not done. Janet has been happier. In fact, the last time Janet was her normal happy self was before her 1st date with you."
"My relationship with Janet is no concern of yours." Paul said.
"Again, my friend and my business. I need to make sure that she is being treated how she deserves to be treated"
"I am treating her fine."
"Bull shit". Eddie spat. "Since she has been with you, she has lost pretty much all contact with her best friend and her Godson. Janet adores them both and because of you she hasn't seen them and I know that must be killing her."
"She has me. She doesn't need any friends. In fact, she shouldn't even be working. A woman's place is at home in the kitchen."
"You have got to be fucking kidding me. What, do you live in the 50's? You don't know Janet at all do you? She loves her job and her costumers. In fact, she doesn't even need to work. She could live off of her trust fund. She works because she wants to." Eddie was getting pissed
Paul smiled wickedly and it all came together for Eddie
"You asshole. Janet doesn't deserve you. She deserves someone who loves her for her wonderful self not her money." It took every ounce of self-control that Eddie had not to kick his ass.
"If you care so damn much why haven't you dated her?"
"Because, she deserves better than me." Eddie said
"No man. I know your type. Tall and skinny. It really doesn't matter their hair color they have because you rarely see it during the day. Janet doesn't fit your type and that's why you haven't tapped the fat ass yet. Good choice on your part. Let me tell you. I make sure the lights are always off, if you get my drift, but it's a means to end. We all have to sacrifice at some point." Paul said smugly.
Any bit of self control that Eddie had left just flew out the window after hearing what Paul said. He was boiling mad. He grabbed Paul by the shirt and shoved him hard against the wall. Their faces were inches apart.
"You sorry son of bitch. If I ever hear you speak about Janet that way again I will put you in the hospital. You will not touch her money. I will make sure of that. I want you to stay away from her. In fact, pack your shit up and get the hell out of the ridge or I will do it for you." Eddie growled
"Hey man, back the hell off." Paul said
"And if I ever find out that you laid a hand on her, I will kill you." Eddie said and pushed him against the wall once more for good measure, then calmly walked out of Paul's office.
During the drive back to the ridge Eddie fought with himself. He was angry that he lost him temper but was glad he controlled it enough not to kill the son of a bitch. He had never been so angry as he was in Paul's office. How dare he talk about Janet that way? She was amazing. Eddie never saw her as a fat girl. A little chubby but that was sexy on her. He meant what he said; Janet deserved someone better than him. She deserved someone who would be committed to her and he wasn't a commitment kind of guy and there was no way in hell he would treat her like he treats all of his other sexual partners. He debated whether or not to tell her about his meeting with Paul. Finally, he decided to keep it to himself as long as Paul left her. She was going to be hurt when that happened and Eddie didn't want to hurt her anymore than necessary.
The next day Eddie headed to Sully's for lunch. He wanted to check on Janet. When he got to the bar he didn't see her. It was a pretty slow lunch so he assumed she was in the stockroom doing inventory. Karen came over and took his order. He sipped his beer while he waited.
"Thanks, Karen." He said when she laid his bacon cheeseburger and fries in front of him.
"No problem."
"Hey, when you see Janet will you tell her that I am here? He asked her
"No can do Eddie. Janet called off today." Karen replied
"Why, what's wrong?" Eddie was beginning to panic.
"Don't know. Sully talked to Paul and he just said that she wouldn't be in today." Eddie threw money on the table, left his uneaten lunch on the bar and ran to his truck.
The drive over to Janet's seemed to take forever and Eddie hit every red light on the way. He was truly worried for his friend. His stomach was in knots. 10 minutes later he pulled into her driveway, thankful that Paul's car wasn't there. He ran up to the door and knocked. He waited no answer. He rang the doorbell and waited again. No answer. He knocked again and he saw the curtain move.
"Come on Janet. Open the door. It's Eddie. I need to make sure you are ok." He was answered with silence.
"Janet, I know that you are there." Again, nothing but silence.
"God Dammit Janet, don't make me break down this door." He was beginning to panic. Finally he heard her voice.
"Go away Eddie. I am fine." He could tell she had been crying.
"No. I am going nowhere until I see that for myself."
"Eddie, please." She was now crying.
"Come on J. I really don't want to break your door, but I will. Please just open it." Eddie begged softly. A few seconds later he heard the lock turn in her door but it didn't open. Eddie waited and when she didn't open it he did and walked in.
"Oh my God." He said when he saw her.