MANTRUM

by Jacob Chance

  “Yep. Have you ever been ax throwing before?”

  “Can’t say I have, but I’m all for it.”

  “I knew you’d be the perfect girl to bring here.”

  “I do like weapons, but are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know how you enjoy throwing things when you’re angry. Putting sharp objects in your hand might be daring the universe in ways we shouldn’t be.”

  “I’ll be fine, don’t worry. I’ve been here with Adam and no one was harmed. If I didn’t kill him, everyone’s safe. I’m a mantrum-throwing motherfucker when I want to be, but at the same time, I’m pretty good at keeping them to appropriate situations, if that makes sense. I have restraint when I need to.”

  “What exactly is an appropriate situation for you to throw a mantrum?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “When I’m at home and I stub my toe on something. When I’m playing golf and I’m not doing as well as I want to. When my television doesn’t react quickly enough to my remote control’s command. At work when a project isn’t going right.”

  “What about when you hit that guy the day we met?”

  “That wasn’t a mantrum. That was me defending your honor. He insulted you. There’s a big difference.”

  “I guess so.” She smiles.

  “Are you laughing at me, Ms. Putnam?”

  “Never,” she mocks with teasing eyes.

  “Come on. Let’s go get started.” I take her hand and lead her over to the desk along the side of the room. “Two adults, please.”

  “Do you want the space for an hour or thirty minutes?”

  “We’ll take the hour.” I glance at Danika. “I have a feeling you won’t want to stop.”

  One of the employees sprays down the far wall with water to make it easier for the blades to sink into the target painted there. He then goes through a list of rules and regulations, demonstrating two different techniques we can use.

  “I think we’ve got this, man. Thank you.” He takes my hint and walks away. I stalk forward until I can wrap my arms around Danika’s back. “How about a kiss for luck?” I waggle my brows. She leans forward, pressing her full, warm lips briefly to mine.

  “That’s it. That’s all you get until you impress me with your manly ways. I better see some bullseyes, or this could be the first and only date we have. Our trial dating period could end with no warning.” She tries to look serious, but the right side of her mouth twitches with the urge to laugh.

  “You’ll be seeing so many bullseyes your panties might be in danger.”

  “Why would they be in danger?”

  “Danger of you slipping them off and letting me have my way with you.”

  “Hah,” she mocks.

  I shake my head. “It’s not funny if I have to explain the joke.”

  “It’s not funny if it’s not funny either.” She rolls her eyes.

  “I’m going to be nice and let you go first. Are we keeping score or playing for fun?” I try not to squirm as I wait for her to reply. I’m not a fan of playing for fun. If we don’t track our scores I might develop a nervous twitch. Competitive is practically my middle name. Especially when it comes to competing with myself. Like when I play golf, I want every shot to be the best it can be.

  “We can keep score.” She pats her palm on my t-shirt covered chest. “I have a feeling you’re the keep score type.”

  I grin. “Wow. It’s only our first official date and you already know so much about me.”

  “Come on, Winters. Let’s do this.” Danika picks up an ax, making her way to the throwing line.

  “Don’t you want any last minute advice?”

  She peers over her shoulder at me before focusing forward once more. Gripping the wooden handle with both hands, she draws it back until the ax head hangs down between her shoulder blades. With a grunt of determination, she flings it forward and it sinks deep into the wood just to the side of the middle of the bullseye.

  “Damn,” I say, beaming pridefully. She’s something else. “Are you sure you’ve never done this before?”

  Danika blows on her pink nails and polishes them on her shirt. “Some of us just got it like that.”

  “Is that so?” Picking up my ax in my right hand, I make my way to the line. Focusing on my form and the target, I draw my arm back and let the ax go with just the right amount of force, propelling it right into the center circle on the board. I pump my fist in celebration and turn to Danika.

  “Not too shabby, Winters.”

  I blow on my nails like she did and polish them on my shirt. “Some of us just got it like that.”

  “Okay, okay. Throwing my words back at me, I get it. I can tell this is going to be a battle of epic proportions.”

  “Ya think?” I question skeptically. I’m not the type to let her win just because I like her.

  “Hell yes.” She stomps forward for her next turn. This time the ax lands right in the middle. She jumps up and down doing some silly celebration dance and I have to catch her in my arms because she’s so damn cute. I press a kiss to the tip of her nose.

  “That was awesome,” I state.

  “Are you nervous yet?” she taunts, raising a dark blonde brow challengingly.

  “Nah, it’s early still. I’m just getting warmed up.” Releasing her, I move up and take my next turn. The ax lands in the circle again. Turning back to Danika, I shrug.

  We spend the next forty-five minutes barely speaking and in an outright war for the title of ax throwing master. When all is said and done, I come out victorious, but not by as much as I originally imagined.

  “That was really fun,” Danika says when we step outside.

  “It was. We can come back again sometime if you’d like.”

  “Definitely. I need a rematch after all.” She swipes her fingers over her forehead. “That’s a surprisingly good workout too.”

  “Does that mean I hit enough bullseyes to warrant another date?”

  “You sure did. That was some pretty impressive ax handling there.”

  “You were pretty amazing yourself, but I knew you would be.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. You don’t make it through the police academy without being physically capable, and you’re still in amazing shape. All that walking you do, does your body good.” I wink.

  “Are you trying to say you like my ass?”

  “Hell yeah, I do. What’s not to like about it? It’s round and high, just like it should be.”

  “Oh my God. I was joking.” She drops her face into her hands and I pull them away until I can see her eyes. The streetlights gleam from their depths, and I tug her closer to me.

  “In case you haven’t figured this out, I’m going to clue you in. I like everything about you. You don’t need to be embarrassed with me. You can say or do anything you want and I’m game.”

  “Okay,” she whispers.

  Catching her hand, I give it a gentle tug. “Let’s go grab some pizza.”

  “And beer,” she chimes in. I nod in agreement and lead her to my truck.

  “How did you find this place?” Danika gestures around the pizza joint we’re seated in.

  “My family has lived in Boston for generations. I know all the best places to eat. And most of them are a little rough around the edges. Mostly dive bars and breakfast places, those are my favorite anyway.”

  She takes a bite of pizza, moaning as she chews. “Well, clue me in on the rest because I’m always looking for good takeout.”

  “You need to dine in to get the full effect, though.” I raise a slice to my lips, biting off half the triangle. She glances around the dark interior, grimacing, and I shrug. “Hey, if there aren’t a few sketchy looking people dining along beside you, it’s not as much fun,” I explain.

  “Really?” She scrunches up her nose distastefully. “I see enough sketchy people roaming the city every day.”

  “Of course you do, but you d
on’t dine with them. Part of the fun is sizing up the competition.”

  “Is this something you really do, or are you making it up to amuse me?”

  “While I do like to make you laugh, this particular gem is one hundred percent true. I’m about to let you in on a little secret of mine. Call it living the ‘Rex way’. It’s kind of like the right way, but there’s some wiggle room for error.” I grin. “I always choose my seat based on what puts me in the best position to defend myself or the people I’m with. I also keep in mind where the exits are in case of fire or trouble of some sort. And I always check out the other guys nearby and assess who’d be the biggest threat because shit can break off at any time. Bad things don’t just happen when you’re prepared for them. Most of the time it’s a surprise. And you need to have an escape plan in mind.”

  “Were you a police officer?” I shake my head. “Secret service?” Another shake of my head. “Are you always this on edge when you’re out in public?”

  “I wouldn’t say that. I just like to keep my wits about me and my eyes open. I stay observant at all times. Why aren’t you more so with your job?”

  “I am when I’m on the clock, but for the most part I’m able to separate work and home. And please don’t say it’s because I’m not a real police officer. I know that as a Parking Enforcement Officer my life isn’t on the line every day, and if it were, that would definitely change the way I view things.”

  “I would never say that to you or even think about it. You come across your fair share of assholes. Hell, I know from experience.”

  “And look, we’re dining together now,” she replies innocently.

  “Huh, that just means I’m wicked persuasive and you can’t resist my charm.”

  “Do you ever relax?” she changes the subject.

  “Don’t want to talk about my charm, huh?” I wink. “Yeah, I relax when I’m in my own house.”

  “No wonder you’re wound so tightly. I’m surprised your head hasn’t popped off from the tension building up inside.”

  “You know what’s good for relieving stress?” I smile crookedly.

  “Sex?” she whispers.

  I bark out a laugh. “I was actually going to say exercise, but I like how you think better.”

  Her cheeks pinken and she rolls her lips inward. “I feel like you steered me into that answer.”

  “Oh no you don’t. You can’t blame me for your one-track mind.”

  She flicks a strand of hair back from her face, regaining her composure. “What were you saying about exercise?”

  “I was going to suggest we do some hiking together. We could go to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “My brothers and I have a cabin up there we could stay at. Can you get a few days off from work?

  “I should be able to. I have weekends off already. And I never take time off, so I have a lot built up.”

  “What about the fourth of July? My brothers and I always head up there. Ruby usually spends that week with her mom doing girl stuff back here.”

  “Will it be weird if I’m the only girl?”

  “No, but if it makes you feel better you can invite a friend or two.”

  “How big is this cabin?”

  “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for people.”

  “And you’d be okay with me bringing two of my friends?”

  “Sure. Are they cute?”

  “Why does that matter?”

  “Because my brothers will be there. They can keep them occupied.”

  She smiles. “Roxanne, one of my best friends, was asking if you had any brothers.”

  “See? This is meant to be.”

  16

  Danika

  Meant to be? If only.

  I stopped believing in meant to be a long time ago, except for when it comes to my career. My work is the one thing I can depend on in my life. It’s my constant, my North Star that guides me and gives my life meaning.

  I know that some wouldn’t think being a Parking Enforcement Officer is the career of a lifetime, but for me it is. It’s what I was meant to be, and I love going to work. Being in the heart of the city and observing all the sights and sounds it has to offer makes me happy. In my own way. I like to think I help keep a small cog of the city machinery running smoothly. It might not be the most important position, but it’s a valuable one all the same.

  “You don’t talk about your parents much,” Rex states. I tip my head toward my shoulder and try to form a concise way to sum them up. What to say. What to say. “It can’t be that bad. Come on,” he urges.

  “My family is okay. Let’s just say they’re different than yours.”

  “In what way?” God, I wish he’d leave this alone. I know he’s interested and that’s why he’s asking, but talking about them always makes me feel bad about myself.

  “They’re not affectionate or outwardly supportive of me.”

  “Are you an only child?”

  I shake my head. “No, I have three sisters and they’re all married with children.”

  “Maybe they expect more from you because you’re the only one that hasn’t permanently settled down.”

  I suck down a large gulp of my barely touched beer. I’m going to need all the fortification I can get if we’re going to talk about my parents. “That could be it. But it doesn’t excuse how they’ve treated me over the years.”

  “I’d like to hear more if you’re up for talking about it.”

  “I never felt like my choices were ever good enough for them. The only thing I ever did that pleased them was marry Pete, and that’s only because he’s a doctor.”

  “I’m sure they must be proud of you as an individual too.”

  “Rex, I know you’re trying to make me feel better by defending them, but please don’t. I’ve spent more money than I should in counseling trying to figure out why my parents don’t love me the way they should.”

  “And what did you learn in regards to that?”

  “For thousands of dollars I learned that it doesn’t really matter what the reason is because it has nothing to do with me. It’s their problem, not mine.”

  “And do you really believe that deep down?”

  “I do.”

  “Then I’d say you got your money’s worth out of therapy. You seem like a really well-adjusted person to me.”

  I giggle. “Says the grown man who throws mantrums.”

  “Damn right.” He thumps his chest. “I’m not ashamed I act like an asshole sometimes. At least I own that shit.”

  “I love how unapologetic you are. It’s awesome. I wish I could be more like you in that way.”

  “If I can’t accept myself flaws and all, who will accept me? And it’s not like I don’t see my faults. I’m working on them. I have to do the best I can for Ruby, if not myself.”

  “You’re a great dad.”

  “Aww, thanks. You’ve barely seen my parenting skills, though.”

  “Yeah, but what I’ve observed is enough for me to know how much you love Ruby and how much she loves you. There’s a comfort level with you guys that parents don’t achieve unless they’re doing something right. Especially with a fifteen-year-old girl. Being that age is not easy on any level. I can tell you from experience.”

  “I have a hard time believing you were ever anything but stunningly beautiful.”

  “Pfft. You have no idea how wrong you are. I have the pictures to prove it.”

  “Well, now I want another date if for no other reason than to see proof.” He flashes a lightning-quick grin.

  “It’ll take a while before those pics will be shared. You better be ready to invest some time into this… whatever… it… is,” I stumble over the words.

  He tips his chin toward me and smiles reassuringly. “We don’t need to label what this is. If it helps, you can think of us as more than friends and less than lovers. I’m fine with anything as long as I get to spend time wi
th you.” His blue eyes are locked so intently on mine, it’s hard to inhale. He catches hold of my hand, strumming his thumb over the top. “Spending time with you makes me happy and I don’t want that to end.”

  “I like spending time with you too. We have fun together. You make me laugh at myself and I need to do more of that.”

  “So, how about I take you out again Sunday morning? We could go to breakfast and then I’ll find something else for us to do after.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Hey, beautiful. Want a ride?” Rex stands beside his truck, opening the passenger door for me. I jog down the steps in front of the building where my shoebox-sized condo is located on the second floor. The brownstone was built in the late eighteen hundreds and the shower water trickles from the pipes like the plumbing hasn’t been updated since then. But it’s all I could afford in the city and I love it just the same.

  Because it’s a work in progress—a slow work in progress—I’m not ready for him to see the inside yet. And I don’t want him to feel obligated to help me fix it up. We’re not at that point yet and probably never will be. Mixing business with pleasure is never a good idea.

  “Hi, thanks for picking me up.” I climb up onto the seat. Rex leans over to kiss me on the cheek before closing me inside. I busy myself putting on my seatbelt while he walks around and joins me inside.

  “Is there some weird superstition you have about not letting me in your place? Do you think I’m a vampire and once you invite me in I can ravish your long, fair neck.” He smacks his lips together like he’s anticipating the taste.

  “No, that wasn’t the reason, but it might be now. That was creepy as hell. And the way you mentioned my long, fair neck has me wondering what nefarious things you’ve been planning.”

  He turns toward me. “You want to know what I’ve imagined?” He brushes a long, blonde strand away from my neck. “I’ve imagined sucking on this spot right here.” His thumb brushes just below my ear, and I drag in a choppy breath. “I’ve wondered if your skin would be as soft as it looks if I trailed my mouth down to your collarbone and teased the length with my teeth.” Oh yes, please. “And that’s just the start of what I want to do to your neck. Don’t get me started on any other body parts or this date isn’t going to happen.” He tries to discreetly adjust his pants, but there’s no hiding what’s going on in there. It’s a party, and a large one at that.