by B. B. Reid
* * *
By the end of Art, I was praying for the last eighty minutes of school to pass quickly. Seeing Keiran for the first time since this morning had brought a permanent heated flush to my skin because my perpetual blushing just wouldn’t end. He stared at me for a long time when he entered the classroom after I had already been seated. Keenan had once again walked me to class so I hadn’t expected to see Keiran again today. The sound of my moans as he forced pleasure on my body still echoed in my ears. And then there was remembering the feeling of his mouth on me…
Willow had just entered our fifth period classroom looking harassed and when Dash entered behind her, I knew why. It looked as if he was holding her backpack hostage. She said something to him and held her hand out but he shook his head and headed toward us with her backpack in tow.
Dash sat down on my right, leaving a seat open between us and plopped her backpack in the chair. He relaxed in his seat while glaring at her. She stood in the doorway looking as if she wanted to cry. Why was he messing with her?
I opened my mouth to curse Dash out when I felt Keiran grip the back of my neck and whisper, "Not your business," in my ear. The hell it isn't! I ignored him and tried once again to help Willow but when he applied pressure to my neck I started to see spots. "What...did I...say?" He spoke slow and calm. The effect was much more intimidating than if he had screamed the words at me. I relaxed back in my seat and reluctantly nodded. "Good girl."
He released my nape and begin rubbing my neck with the pad of thumbs. I was annoyed that I gave in to him but I had to admit the massage felt good. Willow was my friend but I couldn't help her if she wouldn't let me in. Although it might have something to do with the fact that she was sleeping with my tormentor’s best friend.
Willow sucked her teeth and sat down with us, murmuring something about 'practically kidnapping’.
"Lose the attitude, angel." Dash scolded.
Angel? I was tempted to take back my promise to her and demand to know what was up with them. I caught his eye and noticed he was playing with the ends of her hair and twirling it around his finger. He shot me a cocky look before turning to face the front of the classroom.
Sheldon turned to face us again and smiled at Willow. “Hi, I’m Sheldon,” she held out her hand. Willow shook it and introduced herself. “Are you and Dash dating?”
She really doesn’t waste any time. She pretty much asked me the same thing yesterday. I felt my eyes narrow as I wondered what her motive was.
“No.”
“We’re friends,” Dash added.
“Not in this lifetime.”
Sheldon looked at Dash, her twin brother, for an answer, apparently not believing Willow. “We hang out,” he confirmed again.
Sheldon then took in Willow more closely and remarked, “Wow, you look hot,” she said as she shamelessly admired Willow’s body. “I love your curves.” Willow wore a red and black, plaid skirt with a dark purple button up and black combat boots. It was tame compared to what she usually wore. I could see the lust in Dash’s eyes even now as he stared at her.
“Babe, are you lusting after her?” Keenan laughed.
“Totally. Oh, cool…my first lesbian crush.” She winked at Willow making her laugh.
The tension between us was even thicker than in French earlier when she tried to talk to me and I rebuffed her. I wouldn’t put it past Keiran to have someone watching. He wielded a lot of unnecessary power around school and wasn’t afraid to use it.
Fifth period didn’t end as fast as I hoped and when I walked out of the classroom with Keiran, I let out an involuntary groan. Anya was waiting in the hallway and immediately snaked her way into Keiran’s space, pushing her breasts against his arm.
“Keiran where have you been, I haven’t seen you all day,” she whined. A flash of annoyance that he didn’t try to hide appeared on his face.
“Around,” he replied shortly without sparing her a glance. His gaze was focused on me and when she took notice she scowled at me.
“Did you know Lake is saying you two are dating? How pathetic.” I didn't bother to defend myself against the lie and instead shook my head at how easily she let the lie spew from her lips.
He sent me a smirk before stating, “She should know better…she’s knows I’m not dating anyone. See you later, Amber.” Anya gasped in outrage while the other kids snickered at him for calling her the wrong name. He shook her off before sending me a look and walking away. I followed, feeling every bit the lap dog that Anya claimed.
“I didn't, you know,” I stated after we walked a good distance.
“Didn't what?”
“I didn't say we were dating. Willow asked the other day, but before I could answer, Anya overheard and interrupted,” I explained.
“Doesn't matter. You’re mine for now. That's all anyone needs to know.”
“What does that mean? I’m yours? I belong to no one.”
“The fact that you’re with me now says different.”
“But by force.”
He stared down at me for a moment. “Is it?” he questioned with a smug look. I wanted wipe that smugness off his face with a retort but he continued on before I could respond. “By force, or free will, you belong to me until I’m done with you.”
“And then what?” I couldn't help but ask.
“Hey Bro,” Keenan interrupted, appearing out of thin air. I didn’t even realize they were following us. “We need to start practicing soon before the season. We have to get your game back up,” he said with excitement.
“My game must be up because you still can’t beat me,” Keiran retorted. Keenan stopped and began cracking his knuckles.
“So how do you want to do this?”
“Fifteen minutes. First to ten.”
“Oh, yeah,” Keenan grinned.
“Oh, no” Sheldon groaned.
Chapter Eight
“Shit, that’s a foul!” I watched in horror as Keenan took a blow to the nose from Keiran’s elbow. They’ve been exchanging blows since the first pass. Keiran just recently suffered a kick to the gut from Keenan after he knocked him down and stole the ball.
This was basketball?
What I thought would be a friendly game between cousins was an intense and violent match… and it just so happened that a ball was involved.
We were in their backyard, which was spacious enough for a decent size court. So far the game was tied at eight points and the closer they got to the end of the game the more violent they became. I winced from imaginary pain as Keiran’s jaw was clipped with a strong right hook but he maintained a hold on ball. His next move was too quick; one moment the cousins were squared off and the next Keiran was dunking the ball, winning the game.
“You’re still slow,” Keiran gloated.
“Fuck you,” Keenan laughed. They shook hands before limping off the court, sporting scrapes and bruises.
Keiran locked eyes with me, still grinning and my heart stopped. I’d never seen Keiran happy before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile…well not a genuine smile anyway.
Keenan disappeared inside the house yelling for Sheldon and leaving Keiran and me alone.
“You know you didn't have to watch. You could have gone into the house with Sheldon,” Keiran stated.
“Oh, um. I wasn’t sure –”
“Jeez, Monroe I brought you here, didn't I?” He shook his head before gesturing to the house. “Come on,” he ordered.
“Why so you can chain me up in your basement?” He turned back to face me, cocking his head to the side.
“Don’t give me ideas, Monroe or you’ll never make it out of here. The only reason, I haven’t chained you in my basement is because I know you’ll be missed.” His grin was malicious as he stared at me. “I can guess how much your aunt loves you,” he said with disdain. “And I know how much you must love your aunt…that’s why you are going to do whatever I say and whatever I want. So start by getting your ass in my house.”
/> He stood back to glare at me until I walked through the door. We entered the house through the backdoor and made our way down a long hallway until we reached the staircase. He grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs.
“Wait. Uh, where is your uncle?” I asked nervously.
“Gone…and he won’t help you,” he smirked before pushing me into his bedroom and slamming the door shut behind us. I looked around Keiran’s room, taking it all in but I only focused the large bed dominating the room. “Have a seat,” he directed.
“I think I’ll stand.”
“Now.”
I was still standing when he pulled his shirt over his head giving me my first look at him shirtless. The sight before me had me in awe and I didn’t realize I had taken a seat when my legs grew weak. Sweat glistened across his chest and I could see a single rivulet run slowly over the hard ripples that were his abs before disappearing into his shorts.
I licked my lips unconsciously, wanting to chase that dewdrop with my tongue. He had the body of every teenage girl’s dream. I suddenly felt hotter than hell and fidgeted.
“Looking at me like that will get you fucked, Monroe.” I ended my perusal and glared at him even as I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment because he had caught me ogling him. “You think you deserve my bed?” he asked and arched his brow.
I assumed he was talking about sex and was about to remark that I never asked for it when he nodded to where I was sitting on his bed. “Get up,” he ordered before I could hop up. I didn’t want to be on his bed anymore than he wanted me there. He motioned to his desk chair and I took the seat. “Stay here."
He left out of the room and I got comfortable and took in my surroundings. His room had a blue, black, and grey color scheme with built in shelving on the left side of the room. It held various trophies and photographs of him, Keenan, and Dash. What I didn’t see were any pictures of his parents or uncle. It made me wonder where his parents were and how he came under his uncles’ care. Yesterday he mentioned how he disappeared and I realized I had no clue what he meant but I knew it couldn’t be good. I looked around more and noticed the basketball hoop hanging on the backside of the door. An all-black basketball rested on the floor near it. On the wall was a large flat screen television and various game systems and disc hazardously laying on the floor.
I walked over to the large black dresser to inspect the contents on top but it only held spare change and watches and other knickknacks. My eye, however, caught his cellphone laying there with a message from ‘Blake’ lighting up the screen.
Good 2 go
When school was over he took my phone from me so there was no way for me to call for help if I needed it. I don’t know why I picked up his phone after reading the message repeatedly but I immediately regretted it when the door burst open.
I jumped and dropped the phone on the floor. Keiran had come back. He was staring at me until his gaze traveled to the floor and his jaw clenched when he noticed his cell phone.
"What are you doing?” He closed the door behind him slowly and I took a deep breath.
“Nothing. I –”
“Who were you trying to call?” He was walking toward me slowly and I went to take a step back, forgetting the dresser was behind me blocking my escape.
“Oh, um…” I faltered, not knowing how to talk my way out of the crap I just got myself caught in. He released a tired breath and shook his head.
“Sit on the floor over there.” He pointed to a spot near his nightstand.
“I can explain –”
“I’m not interested in your explanations.”
I gave in just like he knew I would if the self-satisfied smirk was anything to go by and sat in the spot he designated. When he bent over his nightstand I inhaled his scent. I admired his dark locks and plump lips before I could stop myself but the sound of metal had my gaze flying to what he held in his hand. I’m sure my eyes were close to popping out of my head as I gaped at the object in his hand.
Handcuffs. Freaking handcuffs.
“What are you doing with those?”
“Handcuffing you.”
“No, I mean why do you have them in the first place?”
“I’m saving them for a rainy day. These are new actually. It’s like a “thinking of you” gift because I was thinking of you when I bought them.”
He quickly cuffed both hands to the long thin handle on the nightstand drawer so that my body was now bent in an awkward position unless I faced the nightstand completely with my back to the door.
“I’m not an animal,” I argued but when I heard the click of the door, I realized he was already gone.
* * *
Minutes later there was a soft knock on the door and then it opened. Light footsteps rushed in my direction and then I heard Sheldon’s soft voice ask, “Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." I said sarcastically. I dropped my gaze down to the dark wood but felt her gentle fingers pick up my chin, forcing me to look at her as she sat on the floor next to me.
“Did he hurt you?” Her voice and eyes were full of concern, which surprised me.
“Yes,” I answered truthfully, “but not in the way you think.”
Keiran always had the power to hurt me without lifting a finger and on the days he was feeling particularly sadistic he would take from me relentlessly until I had nothing left to give. Over the years I learned the signs and while I knew there was no escaping him I was able to bounce back quicker.
“Lake, what are you doing here with him?”
Letting him punish me. “Why?” I asked instead.
“Because you two don’t have the best history. I mean, why does he hate you?”
I let out a dry laugh. “I wish I knew.”
“Keenan won’t tell me much. He only said it began a long time ago but I already figured that. I was there sometimes when he teased you. It was awful.”
I shrugged. “I survived it.”
“Sometimes surviving isn’t enough.” She was wrong. It was enough. It had to be.
I stared at her flawless face and bright eyes and knew she never experienced a day of hardship in her life. She had both of her parents, a boyfriend, and an endless supply of friends not to mention, money and status. While I didn’t begrudge her happiness, we didn’t have anything to talk about.
“I really appreciate you checking on me but I don’t think I should talk to you.” She tensed and I realized my mistake. Sheldon was sharper than I thought.
“Did he threaten you?” Yes.
“No.” She looked at me skeptically.
“Are you lying to me? Yes.
“No.”
“Are you here on your own free will?” No.
“No.” Shit.
“I see.” When she stood up in a hurry, I panicked. “Wait! I meant ‘yes, I agreed to come here.’”
“Why are you covering for him? You’re obviously in trouble,” she hissed as she gestured to the handcuffs.
“Please, Sheldon. You don’t understand. Leave it be.”
“Make me understand,” she demanded.
“I don’t know how! Why do you care anyway? You’re his friend and Keenan’s girlfriend.
“I can handle Keenan,” she argued.
“But can you handle Keiran?”
“Keenan won’t let him do anything to me.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. Keiran said he’s watched me but I’ve watched him too. His presence affected everyone around him. They either wanted him or admired him but they all feared him.
He was unstable as a kid and violent at times, often fighting or attacking, unprovoked. After his fights with other boys he would immediately seek me out and rip me apart with vicious, verbal attacks or hurtful pranks. That lasted until we were thirteen when his fighting ceased altogether. By then everyone either avoided him or went out of their way to be friends with him.
He was controlled now and less volatile. Always cool, always silent. He rarely ever spoke except when I was i
n the vicinity but when he did everyone listened, including me.
The only person who didn’t seem to be afraid of Keiran was Dash. Maybe that was why they were best friends. I didn’t doubt Keenan could hold his own but I also think he is blinded by his love for Keiran. The only time Keiran acted like a normal teen was when Keenan and Dash surrounded him. They complimented each other. Dash was the charmer, Keenan was the rebel, and Keiran...he was just bad.
What kind of person did it take to actually form a bond with someone like Keiran? I thought about it before deciding I didn't want to know. Some things were better left unknown. “Keenan won’t stop Keiran and you know it. He hates me just as much as Keiran because he thinks I framed him.
“Did you?”
I met and held her gaze before answering, ”No.”
“Good,” she nodded and got up to leave.
I stared at her in disbelief. “You believe me?”
“If you say you didn’t do it then I believe you unless you give me a reason not to. It never added up, anyway. The boys were angry and beyond reason.” She opened the door but immediately turned back to me. “You didn't frame Keiran, but I have a feeling you know who did…”
I sucked in a breath before nodding. “Yes.”
“So if you didn't frame Keiran…who did?"
I hesitated and wondered if she would honestly believe me if I told her. “I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t trust you,” I answered truthfully. “You can’t help me anyway. No one can.”
She didn’t appear upset by my answer. Instead she looked thoughtful. “Lake, remember in the sixth grade when Keiran broke Benny Wheeler’s nose?”
I laughed, humorlessly. “How could I forget? That was the same day Benny tripped me and stole my music player because I told Mrs. Jensen that he cheated off my test.”
“Exactly.” She winked and flounced away in her normal peppy fashion. I heard voices in the hallway and figured Keenan came looking for her.
I thought back to the day Keiran punched Benny but all I could remember was going home upset about my music player and had found it lying on my steps. I never did found out who put it there.