by Gigi Birtie
I disconnect the call and text Asher my address. He pulls into my driveway in two minutes flat. That’s way better than the thirty to forty minutes it took before. I walk out on to my porch and wait for him by the two Adirondack chairs that sit there.
Asher comes running up my walkway and straight to me as he wraps me up in his arms tight lifting my feet off the ground. I bury my nose in the crook of his neck and breathe in his scent of eucalyptus and sandalwood.
“Baby, what are you doing here at this house?” He asks me straightaway.
I squeeze him one more time and lean back as Asher sets me back on my feet, I grab his hand and walk him over to the chairs to sit. As he takes his seat the movers pull up in my driveway. A young guy hops out with a clipboard and walks up to my porch.
“You Sloane Cates?” He asks while chewing on his gum obnoxiously.
“Yeah you the movers with my things?” I ask to confirm who he is.
“Yeah and then some, where do you want it all?” He asks as other guys keep getting out of the truck as they open the doors revealing my boxed things.
“Could you put everything in the spare bedroom and office area?” I requested.
“Can do lady, it shouldn’t take too long to unload your things.” He nods and goes down my stairs hollering for the guys to start unloading and where to put my things.
I turn back to Asher who has his mouth is in a firm line.
“What’s the matter?” I ask confused in why he looks so mad.
“What happened to your old home Sloane? I swear to fuck, start talking.” He says through gritted teeth. I roll my eyes and walk over to the other chair beside him and take a seat but change my mind and sit in his lap instead. All I want is to be close to Asher right now.
I start to explain what happened, how my father sold off Reeses’ car and motorcycle, as well as my car and motorcycle, and had the house packed up with a for sale sign in the yard all in one day. I also told him how my father is hurting over the loss of Reese and that one day he’ll maybe be back in my life, but as of now he needs time to himself. I didn’t make any excuses for him I just put the way he acted in a better light than what it really was. The only person who gets to be mad at him is me and although I’m upset with my father, now I know I’m much more forgiving. It’s a better way to live than to hold on to the hate and distain one can feel for someone that’s done you wrong.
“I can’t believe he did this to you!” Asher shakes his head in disbelief.
“Well he did and now you have to look on the bright side.” I say smiling from ear to ear.
“What possibly can be the bright side to all this?” I wrap my arms around his neck and run my fingers through his hair.
“There are plenty of good things that came out of all this,” I smile widely. “First off, I now live only two minutes from your house, two it’s a fresh start without being surrounded by sadness and three I’ve got a Prius that I need to sell, so I can get a new hot rod.” I laugh as I think about selling the car of doom that my father got for me. “Hey will you go with me to check out what it looks like in the garage after the movers are done?” I ask Asher. I need him to hold my hand to see this atrocity.
Asher laughs and nods a yes as he leans in to kiss my neck which send goosebumps across my flesh.
“You’re an amazing woman Sloane. It’s your optimism that makes me love you even more than I thought I already did.” His kind words make me smiling like a loon with appreciation.
Suddenly my phone is blowing up with texts.
Shit!
Mona must have gone to my house.
I turn in Ashers’ lap so I can retrieve my phone from my back pocket.
The screen is lit up with texts all in shouting caps.
“It’s Mona, looks like she’s at my old house wanting answers.”
“Yeah I bet. You better call her and clue her in babe. I’ll watch the movers.” Asher says as he walks over to where they keep bringing in my things.
I couldn’t have a better boyfriend. It’s sometimes the little things that I appreciate the most. Like giving me some time to let my best friend know that I’m alive and what curve ball has been thrown at me this time.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Asher
To suggest I was upset in what transpired with Sloane over the weekend would be an understatement. Also, for her not to call me really pissed me off as well. I couldn’t voice any of it either since she already had been through enough, but I’m starting to wonder when will she get it that she doesn’t have to go through all this shit alone?
If I could get my hands on her dad and kick his ass for treating her the way he has I would. Instead, I’m being the better man by being here supporting my girl at her new house.
The silver lining to it all is that I like that it only takes me minutes to get to her now but I wish she could have moved in with me instead. I guess I will have to late a while longer before asking her to move in, her life has been crazy lately.
After the movers were done moving in the few boxes that Sloane had packed up, we went outside to her garage to see what her car situation was like. The look of horror on Sloanes’ face said it all.
There sat a white Prius. Being the hot rod/motorcycle chick that she is, it was almost insulting for her to drive this to and from school. Luckily, the car was registered in her name so she can sell it and get a hot rod that she would be better suited for.
I have a motorcycle that I’ve been restoring in my spare time and now I definitely plan to give it to Sloane. She loved her bike and I can’t stand that she has had that taken away too. Though I’m not sure how she’ll do with an old knucklehead, but I won’t mind teaching her how to kick start it without looking like an asshole. Most people do these days with their crazy swing of the back leg to give them momentum. The simple kick works fine.
I put my arm around Sloane and guide her back to the house.
“The garage is nice...” Sloane whispers.
“Yeah it’s got a lot of potential. I’m sure you’ll be spending more time in there than you think.” I squeeze her to me giving her some reassurance that everything will sort it’s self out fine.
After we hung out at her house for a bit, I decided we would stay at my house tonight instead, it would be easier and we could car pool to school.
My alarm clock goes off to get up at seven am. I moan and groan, hit snooze and roll over ready to wrap Sloane up in my arms but she’s not in bed.
I hear a gagging noise coming from my bathroom.
“What the fuck?” I say to no one as I get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom.
I open the door, Sloane is on her knees folded over the toilet. I walk right over to her and rub her back.
“Are you alright?” I ask fully concerned on what’s happening.
“I’m not sure, I woke up about a half hour ago and haven’t stopped puking since.” She says as her head is still in the bowl.
“Do you think it was something you ate?” Sloane starts throwing up again, but it doesn’t last long.
“I’m not sure, it’s either that or stress.” Sloane wipes her mouth, flushed the toilet and starts to stand. I quickly jump to help her to her feet.
I assist her by holding onto her waist and guide Sloane to the sink where she brushes her teeth. Once she’s done, I pick her up and bring her back to bed.
“I think you should stay here today babe.” I couldn’t keep the concern out of my voice. I didn’t want to worry about her all day if she wasn’t feeling well at school.
“No, I’m better, I need a few moments and I’ll hop in the shower.” I’m skeptical if she’s being truthful. I wrap her up in my arms and hold her tight to me. Her skin is clammy but not hot. I keep kissing her temple to sooth her.
“I love you Asher. I realize you’re a bit mad at me for not calling you… again, but I really didn’t have the time. I wanted to the whole weekend, and you were the first person I called when I could.” She sai
d into my neck.
I kiss her forehead, “I won’t lie Sloane, yeah I was mad, but I understand that you had to deal with everything first before you could tell me. Don’t worry about it now, it’s okay.” I meant it too. If Sloane is getting sick over stress, I don’t want to add to it.
After some time and a shower Sloane almost looks like her usual self.
We make our way to school and the day breezes by without incident. I can’t lie I actually enjoy these days when they’re normal.
Sloane decided to stick around after school to wait in the library until I was done with my workout with the football team.
I grab my phone so I can text Sloane to let her know I’m ready to head to her house. We’re staying there tonight so she can get used to her new surroundings. This way when I’m gone, she won’t have to wonder what every creek, pop and squeak is that happens in the house.
Great I’m in the library, but I’ll meet you by your car.
Sloane responds right away.
I grab my duffle bag and say goodbye to the guys as I make my way to the car. The stadium is much further than the library, but there’s no Sloane.
I unlock the car throwing my stuff in the backseat and wait a bit outside while leaning against my bumper. I talk to a few people that are walking by, but no one has seen Sloane. As I was kicking at a few rocks, I noticed something by the car parked diagonal from us. I walk over to it and notice it’s Sloanes’ camera. As I bend down to pick it up, I survey the area finding a few other things of Sloanes’. Her bag, keys and wallet.
My heart begins to pound against my chest as if it was going to leap from my body and I start running down the parking garage.
Something has happened to Sloane. She would never leave her camera behind, ever. Turning on her camera hoping that there might be a clue in what happened. I go through her pictures and there it is.
Taze.
Right here in the parking lot. There are five pictures of him in a van with one other guy I’ve never seen before.
They took my girl.
There is no time to lose and police assistance is not what I need right now, I have got to find my girl and finish this asshole once and for all.
No I’m calling for my own back up.
The first person I call is Riv.
I inform him of what’s happened and tell Dane and Roland to meet me at my house in twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes on the dot I’m pulling up to my house and Mona is standing in my driveway wearing all black. She looks like she’s ready to go rob a bank.
“I assume Riv called you?”
“Yeah, she’s my best friend, why wouldn’t he tell me?” She says with anger radiating from her body. Just then the other guys pull into my driveway and Mona and I step aside so they all can pull forward. The guys all pop out of their cars. Roland is rushing over to me wondering, “What the fuck is happening here?”
I have Sloanes’ camera in my hand so I turn it on and show him and the others what happened.
“I’ve been on the phone trying to find out where Taze has been holed up these days and I think my informant is getting close. We should have a location by the end of the hour...” Dane tells me but says it loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Fuck an hour is too long Dane! Call your informant and tell him Sloanes’ life is a risk.” I yell grabbing Danes shirt.
“Hey man, I know this is a stressful situation and being calm isnt going to happen, but dude dial it down. We all want Sloane back safe.” Riv says as he grabs my hands off of Danes’ shirt.
“What’s the plan here?” Roland asks, “are we going to finish off this piece of shit once and for all or are we just getting Sloane?” There is no contemplation about this whatsoever. This sorry excuse of a human has crossed the line his last time today.
“Tonight we end him and save Sloane. Put this damn nightmare to rest for her.” I state letting everyone in on my plans giving them time to back out now.
“I’m in.” Declares Mona first. I wouldn’t expect it any other way. She does have the biggest balls out of all of us.
“Me too” Riv joins in.
“Yeah, there’s no way I’m missing out on this. Sloane has been fucked with for the last time by that fucker.” Roland says through gritted teeth. He’s visibly mad like the rest of us. I turn to Dane to see if he’s coming with us. He looks to me with hesitation in his eyes.
Leaning forward as I put my hand on his shoulder and tell him quietly so only he can hear, “You don’t have to come.” But he shakes his head adamantly no.
“Fuck that! I thought I had this problem taken care of already. I’m going to make sure it is done personally this time.”
“Alright, while we’re waiting on the location, which better happen pretty fuckin’ soon” I stare at Dane making sure he keeps on his informant, “we need to come up with a game plan.”
“Let me step in here boys because it’s time someone who’s ready to fuck shit up; to do it right.” Mona looks at each of us and she lets us know she’s in charge. “We need to go in guns blazing. This piece of shit has messed with my girl for the last time and again it ends tonight.”
“I’m down with that plan.” I say as I first bump Mona as Riv and Roland join in.
“Now, I’m not sure what everyone’s comfort level is on wiping this chuff nugget out, but I know what mine is and if you can’t participate all you have to do is keep quiet. There will be no discussion about tonight after it is all said and done.” Again Mona looks at us all stressing how serious this is. “Are we clear guys?”
“Yes.” We all said in unison as Dane gets an alert of a text.
“They’re posted up in an old fishing boat that’s docked at the Yacht club on the west side of Alameda.” Dane informs us and we all move at once.
Mona puts on her black beanie and moves to put on her black bomber jacket. I watch as she puts a knife in her back pocket and a semi-automatic pistol in her boot. She turns around and grabs one more gun that’s gold with a white pearl inlay handle.
“What the fuck Mona? Where did you get all these weapons?” I ask genuinely curious.
“My cousins are always making sure I’m covered.” She shrugs and tucks her gold gun into her waistband and turns to leave.
“Hey wait a minute who else is packing heat?”
“I am.”
“Me too”
“I’ve got guns tucked in places that will never be revealed.” Riv replied to complete the count in who’s carrying.
I cock an eyebrow at him, I can’t tell if Riv was being funny or if he was being serious. What I do know is I’m the only one not packing which is idiotic apparently. I run over to the cabinet where I hide a gun in a case, I grab it just in case I need to defend myself. It’s nothing as crazy as Mona’s arsenal of weapons, but this gun can do some damage.
I turn towards everyone and Mona is staring at me. She walks over to her purse and hands me another hand gun, turns and joins the rest of the guys who are now in my driveway. I catch up leading them all to my garage.
“We’re taking the van.” Now this isn’t your typical soccer mom minivan, this is an entirely black 1975 Chevy C10 with a sliding side door, side pipes and some portal windows. This baby can haul some serious ass and I have a feeling we may need to do that tonight.
We all pile in and discuss our plan of attack as we drive towards Alameda.
Dane fills us in that it’s only Taze and Sloane on this barge, but knowing how paranoid he’ll be, we’ll have to go at this better than walking up the dock to where the boat is sitting.
“My friend has a boat one harbor over, half of us can take the boat over and climb aboard while the other half goes up the dock that way. He has us coming at him at all angles. There’s no way for escape.” Dane says.
I grunt my agreement to the plan.
“We can also use the boat to dispose of the fish food.” Riv laughs at his own remark, but it’s not a bad idea. We don’t need anything comi
ng back on us later for this piece of shit.
Mona is sitting in the passenger seat. She’s staring intently out the front and I can tell she’s mentally preparing herself for whatever is about to happen. All I can think about is if my girl is okay and if she’s still alive...
If Taze has caused any damage to her, he might die a slow and agonizing death.
It doesn’t take us long to get to the first yacht club that Dane has instructed us to go to, I kill the lights and let the van idol.
“Who’s going with whom?” I ask so I can make sure the split is fair.
“Riv and Roland are coming with me and Mona is going with you.” Dane says as he hops out of the van and towards the dock. He turns and adds, “we’ll be there in seven minutes. They’re in the only barge there, but it’s at the very end on the left-hand side. You can’t miss it. Oh, and my informant says they’re down below, but there is only one way to enter so be quite going in.” With that Dane disappears down the dock with Roland right behind him.
Mona and Riv are talking with their heads leaning on one another.
Riv gives Mona a light kiss before turning and jogging down the dock after the guys.
“You ready?” I ask Mona, I want to make sure she isn’t freaking out and needs to stay behind.
“Let’s gets this mother fucker.” She declares with a tone of authority. I hit the gas and we make our way over to one more yacht club. Alameda has a good amount of these clubs, some nicer than the next, but the one we’re about to invade is one of the shittier ones.
It only took us two minutes to get there and make our way to walk down the slip. Right away I see the barge. Mona and I don’t wait for the guys we get right to it.
We don’t talk, we use all hand gestures to communicate. I’m not going to lie, it feels extremely badass. I point to the side of the boat where the door is open to get in. We both walk over to it with light feet. The boat is too tall to step in, so I have to lift Mona up to get on board. I follow by hoisting myself up after her. The boat rocks a bit, but not enough to be noticed considering we are on water.