“How?”
“Don’t lie… you came here to watch me surf. So you could do nasty things to me with your eyes.”
“So?”
“Well, I’m doing the same to you.”
I splashed water at him. “Get me out of here.”
Jett turned his head and yelled for Wes.
We all walked out of the ocean.
I had to cross my arms for obvious reasons.
I walked to the pile of stuff Jett brought and grabbed his towel.
I opened it and wrapped it around my body.
I might have also smelled it, just to smell what his laundry soap smelled like.
Probably pathetic. But whatever.
Jett had a surfboard for himself and a smaller one for Wes.
“Wish us luck,” Jett said.
“I don’t need luck,” Wes said. “I’ve got skill.”
“Confidence,” I said. “I like that.”
I smiled at Wes.
His eyes went wide.
“Take it easy, kid,” Jett said, pushing at Wes. “She’s all mine. You’re just a kid.”
“I think your girlfriend likes me,” Wes said as they walked toward the water.
“Oh yeah? I thought you didn’t like girls?”
I laughed as their voices drifted off, arguing over the difference between pretty girls and girls with cooties.
I hugged myself and shivered, but enjoyed the view.
Jett was so much taller and bigger than Wes. Which was expected considering Wes was only ten years old. But it was just the sight of it. Like father and son. Or maybe big brother and little brother. Jett was Wes’s protector. Wes knew it too, even if he didn’t fully understand what that meant.
When they got to the water, Jett stopped and started talking to Wes about the surfboard.
He crouched down and pointed to the water.
After a few seconds, Wes put his head back and looked annoyed.
Jett looked at me.
I laughed.
I then opened and closed my hand, letting Jett know that he was probably talking too much. Certain things Jett loved to talk about. And that talk would turn into a lecture. For a guy who loved to fight for fun and cause trouble, he could turn into a big dork over some things.
Jett stood up, admitting defeat, and they went into the water.
The first wave Jett surfed with no problem. But poor Wes barely stood up on the surfboard before smashing into the water.
When it happened two more times, Wes punched the water and looked pissed off.
Jett then took his own surfboard and walked it to the sand.
Back in the water, he helped Wes.
Holding the surfboard so Wes could stand on his own.
Teaching Wes how to stand and keep his balance.
Jett was big, strong, and patient.
Besides all that, I loved watching him wet. His hair, skin, muscles. Maybe Aunt Bea was right and I was totally swayed by all the bad things about Jett, but so what? The way he acted around Wes proved that he was a good and decent guy.
Jett looked up at Wes and they smiled at each other.
Both of the smiles melted my heart.
Jett then shook the surfboard and made Wes fall.
Jett laughed.
Wes popped out of the water and splashed water at Jett.
That’s when Jett took the surfboard out into deep water.
Wes swam and Jett pointed.
He wanted Wes to do it again on his own.
I was addicted to watching.
Standing, focused, silently cheering for Wes.
Silently falling more in love with Jett too.
Wes got on the surfboard on his belly and waited.
Jett got out of the way and gave Wes all the space he needed.
As a wave started to build, I stepped forward, grinning.
“Come on, come on, come on,” I whispered.
Wes jumped up on the surfboard and I held my breath.
He didn’t fall.
He bent his knees a little and turned just enough with the wave.
He managed to stay up only a few seconds, but it was better than anything he had done before.
Jett whistled and clapped his hands together.
When Wes came up from under the water, he pumped his hands into the air and screamed with happiness.
Jett swam to Wes and picked him up, the two of them cheering.
I bit my lip and tried to calm myself down.
Sometimes it felt like the universe wanted to rip Jett and I apart.
And other times…
Jett looked at me and winked.
I nodded.
I feel my throat close and open.
Nobody could understand how much I loved Jett.
* * *
I followed Jett to Wes’s house.
I parked way out front and put distance between me and whatever situation was waiting there.
Jett waved for me to follow him and Wes but I shook my head.
Jett told Wes to wait and he came running after me.
As Jett’s body pressed against mine, he whispered, “He needs you too. Believe me.”
I was still in damp and messy clothes. It was more than uncomfortable but the tension that surrounded the house made me realize I needed to quit focusing on myself for a second.
We walked up the sidewalk all together and when I saw Wes’s mother standing on the porch, I froze.
The front door was open.
Carolyn leaned against the pillar, hugging herself.
She looked right at Jett and shook her head.
Jett put a hand to Wes’s shoulder and stopped him.
“Hey, kid…”
“He left,” Wes said. “Right?”
Jett dropped to one knee. “Look, you know how it goes. I’m not going to say shit to you to make it seem right. It’s not right, Wes.”
“He’s gone again,” Wes said. “He just picks a day and leaves.”
I swallowed hard.
I felt uncomfortable and sad.
Carolyn walked off the porch.
“Weslee, come here,” she said to her son.
“What happened?” Wes cried out. “Huh? What happened?”
“Weslee…”
“Stay away from me,” Wes said.
“Wes, don’t talk to your mother like that,” Jett said.
“Yeah? Fuck you too then,” Wes spat at Jett.
I gasped and felt the color fall from my face.
Wes then shoved Jett.
Jett fell back and sat on his heels.
Wes turned and ran right by me.
Carolyn covered her mouth and Jett slowly stood up, rubbing his jaw.
“That’s my fault,” Jett said. “We had such a good day. I should have just told him earlier.”
When Jett took a step, I put my hand out. “Wait. I’ll go talk to him.”
“Sweetheart, no,” Jett said.
“I’ll be right back.”
Next thing I knew I was going to find Wes.
Which wasn’t hard to do.
He was sitting behind my car.
His butt on the ground, legs out, staring forward.
I approach slowly and sat down next to him.
“Hey,” I said.
“What?”
“This blows.”
Wes looked at me. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“Fine. Then don’t hear it.”
“He does this all the time.”
“Then why are you upset?” I asked.
Wes’s eyes went wide. “What?”
“Why are you upset?” I asked again. “I mean, he’s a loser. You’re not. He walks out on you? That’s his problem, Wes. I hope he gets a flat tire.”
“Yeah. And then a bird attacks him.”
“Like a giant falcon or something?” I asked.
“Yeah!” Wes said. “With big talons. And the bird carries him away. To this giant nest full of bird poop.”
“And he has
to eat it.”
“Oh, that’s so gross,” Wes said.
“Well, he deserves it.”
“Yeah, he does.”
We fell silent.
I half smiled. “You know who doesn’t deserve it?”
“Jett?”
“Nah, I’m not worried about him,” I said. “He deserves it for sure. I’m talking about your mother. You can be hurt. And be mad. But…”
Wes stood up and groaned.
I stood up too and pointed.
“I’m going,” he said. “Dammit.”
“Hey. Don’t curse either. It’s not a good look.”
“I don’t even know what that means,” Wes said.
“That’s okay. Let’s go.”
Wes took the lead and walked back to his house.
Carolyn waited for him.
When Wes walked by Jett, he quickly stopped. He side hugged Jett’s leg.
Jett put a big hand to Wes’s boney shoulder and squeezed.
I wasn’t sure what Jett said to Wes then but Wes nodded and walked to his mother.
He apologized to her for what he said and did.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Jett said to Carolyn.
“We’re okay. But, yeah, I’ll let you know.”
“I’ll check in later,” Jett said. “Not sure what was said…”
“Same old excuse,” Carolyn said. “Never his own fault. Always someone else’s.”
Jett nodded.
Mother and son went back to the house.
Wes looked back one last time before going inside.
I stepped up next to Jett and touched his hand.
“I fucking hate it,” he said. “I want to kill that guy. The shit he says and does to that kid. I can’t do anything to stop it. I can only watch it.”
“And be there for him,” I said. “That’s special, Jett.”
Jett looked at me. “It doesn’t feel special right now.”
“I know.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I got him to come back, right?”
“Yeah you did. That would have taken me a while. You’re something special, Julia. You don’t have to deal with my shit.”
“Yes I do,” I said. “I don’t mind. Makes you seem more human.”
“Yeah? Well right now I don’t feel so human. I feel like going to find a fight.”
I squeezed his hand tighter. “Please don’t…”
“Give me a reason not to, sweetheart,” Jett said.
I pulled him toward me. “I’ll give you a really good reason. Once I get changed out of these damp and gross clothes.”
Jett touched my face. “You’re the only one who keeps me sane, Julia.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.”
Jett grinned. “Neither do I.”
Chapter 9
THEN
Jett
If you sat behind the desk in Pop’s chair, you were going to die.
There was no other way to say it.
But I was feeling pretty good at the moment.
So I sat my ass down and put my feet up on the desk and waited for him.
I was in a risky mood.
I had already spent the night at Julia’s.
That meant I had to sneak out of her window without Aunt Bea catching me.
And being on the second story of the house, I had to carefully climb out of the window and find a way down to the ground without hurting myself.
Which I did.
I sort of just jumped.
I hit the ground and didn’t break any bones.
Julia stuck her head out the window, fearing the worst.
I blew her a kiss and left.
I had been up half the night for more reasons than just spending time with Julia.
Pop opened the main office door and stutter stepped inside.
“So today is your last day, huh?” he growled at me.
“This chair is old and squeaky, Pop. Like you.”
“Son of a bitch, I will bury you,” he said. “I can make you disappear and nobody would know.”
“Julia would.”
“She’d get over you in a second,” he said.
I swung my feet off the desk and stood up.
I got out from behind the desk and let Pop get himself settled.
“Get me some coffee,” he said.
“We need to talk first,” I said.
“Coffee. Then talk.”
I walked out of the office and poured Pop a big cup of black coffee.
When I got back, he had his little TV turned on.
“Here,” I said. I put the coffee mug down. “Buddy is stealing from you.”
“What?” Pop asked.
“You heard me. He’s working side deals and stealing from you. In more than one way too.”
“You sure about that, Jett?” Pop asked.
“I know you and him go way back in life,” I said. “But, Pop, he’s taken cash. He’s taken tools. He takes parts and sells them. Side deals with junkers on your behalf and pocketing the cash.”
“And how do you know all of this?” Pop asked. He slowly stood back on his feet.
Staring into his snake like eyes was a scary thing to have to do.
But I needed to do this.
This wasn’t just for me…
“Pop, I’ve been watching it for a while now,” I said. “Buddy hates me. He’s hated me from the second I walked through the door. I can live with that. He’s fucked with my tools. My food. My car. That I can deal with. But… you know…”
“Let me just get something straight here, Jett,” Pop said. “You’re standing in my office. And you’re telling me that Buddy has been stealing from me. You’re going out on a limb here to be a rat. In front of me.”
“I know the risk,” Jett said.
“Tell me the risk then.”
I stared into Pop’s eyes. “The risk is that you turn on me. You call me a rat. Like you just did. And then you fire me. You toss me out on my ass and leave me to be. And that’s a lot of history between us that gets thrown out. But at the same time you have a lot of history with Buddy. Trust me, Pop, I know the risk.”
“And you think this is a risk worth taking?” Pop asked.
Before I could answer, he waved a hand in my face.
“And don’t give me that it’s for the better of the shop bullshit thing either. I know that routine. You’ll never get a piece of this shop. No matter what happens.”
I put my hands to the desk. “I know that, Pop. But you know what else? I have shit to lose now. I have a reason to figure things out. Finally.”
“A woman, huh?”
“You told me to go make you and myself some money,” I said. “I’m going to figure that out, Pop. But I can’t do it if Buddy fucks you over and something goes wrong here. If he has your time tied into shady deals… no offense, but your sons would swoop in really fucking quick to knock you down too.”
“So you’re saying I need you?” Pop asked.
“Not a chance in hell, Pop. What I’m telling you is that Buddy is stealing. And if that makes me a rat, then I’m a rat. Because honestly I feel like going out there and knocking his fat ass to the ground. But I can’t lose this job. I have someone else to take care of. I need this place, Pop. Shit, I need you.”
“That’s warm and fuzzy,” Pop said. “Now get the fuck out of this office. Work orders are out on the bench. Don’t fall behind.”
I gritted my teeth and nodded.
I walked to the door and Pop called my name.
“You think you can handle this place all by yourself?”
“I’d rather see you lose money from having too much work than getting ripped off. You’re better and stronger and meaner than that, Pop.”
“You’d make a hell of a salesman, Jett.”
“Too bad I’m only good with a wrench,” I said.
I shut the door behind me and went to work.
Buddy
leaned against the workbench, chewing on some kind of sandwich, crumbs of bread and spit laced pieces of meat falling from his mouth. He didn’t even care. He wore stains from food on his shirt proudly, the same as a guy would wear grease on his hands or sweat stains from a hard day’s work.
I had plenty of reasons to hate Buddy.
But hurting Pop…
I couldn’t do much about Pop’s sons.
But Buddy…
Fuck you, man.
I needed the shop to survive.
I needed the job.
I needed to stay in Hidden.
I needed to take care of Julia.
And when I set my sights on something, nothing could stop me.
* * *
Pop sent me for a ride to pick up a car.
As I drove through town, I called Julia and asked if she could sneak away for a little bit and come for a ride. She was down at the beach with some of her friends, relaxing.
Our group of friends really never mixed together.
Which made sense.
My friends were all rough and tough bikers, fighters, mechanics, drinkers, and by now, most of us were all scattered across the country. Some on the run from the law. Some in jail. Some just completely gone for good.
I thought about Scotty as I drove.
He was getting himself help after coming close to the edge of being gone for good.
He was really the only one that Julia got along with. Only because he liked to mess with me and flirt with her, waiting to see how long it would take for me to snap and go after him.
Julia’s friends… they were different.
They were mostly rich, snobby girls that lived in Hidden or came to visit because their families had big houses and bigger bank accounts. She never truly fit in but she never let that bother her. I loved her even more for that. She never let it get to her. When the snobby girls went to fancy places or did expensive things, Julia always found a way to keep herself occupied. She told me she knew Aunt Bea was doing the best she could and that they were wealthy in their own way.
It was cute, hippie crap talk, and that was perfectly okay when it came from Julia.
She was sweet, calming, innocent, and all of her badness she saved for me.
I pulled the tow truck sideways as close to the beach as I could go without going on the beach.
I got out and waited for her.
She came up over a small sand dune as I smoked a cigarette.
HIDDEN CREEK THEN: a hidden creek high novel Page 6