by J. L. Perry
“Thanks, Mum.”
“You can wash your mother’s car when you get home to thank her for her generosity,” Fuckwit grunts. Christ I’d love to smack that smug look right off his face.
“He doesn’t need to do that,” my mum says frowning.
“It’s okay, Mum. I don’t mind washing your car for you.” I walk out of the room before either one of them have a chance to say anything else. Or more importantly, before I say something that may upset her.
••••
After two hours of walking around the damn shops, I finally find the perfect gift for Indiana. I’m not used to doing shit like this. I hate shopping. I hate buying fucking gifts, period. It’s something I’ve never done before. With my mum, I always gave her money. I’m sure there were a lot of things she went without, but she needed money more than anything.
I’m grateful the lady at the jewellery store offers to gift-wrap it for me otherwise she’d be just getting it how it is. I have one more thing to get before I get the hell out of here.
When I arrive back home, I stash my purchases in my room and head outside to wash my mum’s car. I don’t mind doing things for her, but I hate that he has asked me to do it. Just another thing that cocksucker can gloat over.
An hour later I’m done. I empty the bucket, wash the sponge and start to roll up the hose when Fuckwit decides to come around the side of the house. “Before you put all that away, you can wash my car as well,” he snaps.
“What?”
“You deaf as well as dumb?”
“Neither,” I reply through gritted teeth. I’d love to knock this prick out. If it wasn’t for my mother, I wouldn’t hesitate. “I didn’t borrow your car, so why should I wash it?”
“Because you live in my house, eat my food and use my electricity, that’s why, smartarse. You’re nothing to me and you’re not a damn charity case, so if you want to continue to live under my roof, you’ll do as you’re bloody told.” I exhale an exasperated breath while counting to ten in my head. The longer I stay in this house with him, the harder I’m finding it to keep my cool. “Get it done,” he adds before walking back towards the house. “You better do a good job as well or I’ll make you redo it.” I hate him with a fiery passion. What I’d really like to do is ram this damn sponge down his fucking throat.
Snatching the bucket off the ground and heading towards the tap, my gaze moves towards Indi’s room. Great. She’s fucking standing at the window looking at me with a sympathetic smile on her face. I don’t want or need her damn sympathy. I hate that she just witnessed that cocksucker handing me my balls.
Once the bucket is full and I add the detergent, I slap the sponge onto the hood of his car. “Hey. You want a hand?” Indi asks from behind me, making me jump.
“What are you trying to do, give me a damn heart attack?” I grumble.
“That’s a little dramatic don’t you think?” she says sarcastically, placing her hands on her hips. I love her attitude. “I was only trying to be nice.”
“Well don’t.” She narrows her eyes at me and I try hard to suppress my smile. Is it wrong that I like getting under her skin?
“You shouldn’t let him treat you like that?” she says as I turn back to the job at hand.
“When I want your opinion, kid, I’ll ask for it.”
“You don’t need to be such an arse,” she says, pursing her lips.
“And you don’t need to be such a busy body,” I retort.
“Fuck you, Carter.”
“Oh I know you’d like that, but sorry. Like I said before, I can’t do that.” She growls at me and turns in a huff, making me chuckle. I think I’ve had enough fun with her for now. “Hey,” I call out as she storms off towards her house.
“What?” She stops walking but doesn’t turn around.
“Thanks for the offer.” When she flips me off over her shoulder I throw my head back and laugh. I’d also like to thank her for lifting my mood, but of course I don’t.
••••
Later that night I’m sitting in my room, sketching, when I hear the side gate next door creak open. Jumping up I take a look. Indiana. Where in the hell does she think she’s sneaking off to this time of night?
Opening my window, I jump out in a flash. “Hey. Where do you think you’re going?” I ask when I move up behind her.
“What the hell, Carter?” she angrily whispers while clutching her chest. “Are you trying to scare me to death?” Smiling, I decide to throw her words from earlier today, back at her.
“That’s a little dramatic don’t you think?”
“Ha ha. I think this is a little different, Carter. It’s dark, it’s late and I’m a girl.”
“All the more reason you need to tell me what the hell you’re doing out here,” I snap. She better not try and lie to me either. I’m ready to lose my shit with her. I’ll haul her arse over my shoulder and deposit her back inside her room if I have to.
“None of your business,” she replies, quickly moving one of her hands behind her back. Yeah I don’t think so kid. I’m not sure what she’s trying to hide, but I intend to find out. Reaching towards her, I grab hold of her arm.
“What do you have behind your back?” I ask.
“Nothing,” she says trying to step away from me. Nice try. I’m way too strong for her and easily manage to snatch the bag out of her hand.
“Give me that,” I say taking it from her.
“No. Be careful with that!” she cries out trying to reach for it, but I hold my hand high in the air. She’s a shrimp so there’s no way she can reach it. When she jumps up to try and grab it, it only makes me laugh.
Stepping back, I lower my arm and look inside. Opening the bag instantly has me gagging. The smell alone should’ve been enough to warn me of the bag’s contents. What the hell? I quickly drop the bag to the ground.
“Fucking shit. What are you doing with a bag full of shit?” She throws her head back and laughs.
“It’s Lassie’s. That’ll teach you for snooping.” She bends down and picks up the bag off the ground before turning and walking away.
“Where are you going?”
“To right a wrong,” is all she says. I have no idea what she’s up to, but if she thinks I’m letting her go out on her own in the dark, she’s mistaken. I go to follow, but when she stops next to the driver’s side door of my stepfather’s car, I’m stopped in my tracks.
My mouth turns up into a smile when I see what she’s doing. She opens the bag and tips the contents out right next to the driver’s side door. It’s still dark when he leaves for work in the mornings so I know he’s going to step straight in it. Fucking brilliant.
When she’s done, she walks straight past me with a cute little smug look on her face. “Night, arsehole.”
“Night, kid,” I chuckle. “And thank you.” I can’t believe she’d do something like this for me. I’m not used to people having my back. She’s taking a big risk as well, especially after the way he carried on when Larry shit on his lawn a few years back.
“You’re welcome,” is all she says as she climbs through her bedroom window. I stand there and watch in awe. For an annoying little shrimp, she’s one kick-arse fucking chick.
••••
I set my alarm for 5:15am. There’s no way I was going to miss the show. My stepfather leaves for work at 5:30am. He only has to go and open up the store he owns on the weekends. He’s usually back by breakfast time. He works Monday through to Friday. He has staff who manage the weekend shift. Don’t ask me what he does. I have no clue. My mum did tell me once, but I wasn’t really listening. Anything she has to say about him doesn’t interest me.
His performance was well worth getting up at the butt crack of dawn. It was hilarious. After cursing his head off when he stepped in the shit, he marched over and bashed on Indiana’s front door. He had no proof it was her, or Larry, but of course I knew he’d blame them.
I couldn’t see the front of her house fr
om my bedroom window, but I clearly heard Mr. Montgomery rip him a new arsehole. I kept my bedroom light off, but Indi didn’t. My eyes were glued on her while I listened to her father going off his nut.
Her ear was pressed up against her bedroom door as she listened to her father tell my stepfather off. A few times she covered her mouth and threw her pretty little head back, laughing at the things he was saying. I could feel my smile growing wider as I watched on. She’s a fucking legend in my eyes for what she did.
••••
I’m not sure what time it was when I finally fell back to sleep, but I know I was beaming when I did. It’s kind of surreal how one person can make such a huge difference in your life. As much as I hate living here with Fuckwit, somehow the kid makes it all worthwhile.
Crazy but true.
Suddenly, I’m jolted out of my sleep by a high-pitched squeal. At first I’m in a daze, but then I remember it’s Indi’s birthday, and going by that scream, she’s just seen her car. Jumping out of bed I rush towards my window, just in time to see her launch herself into her father’s arms.
Sitting there in the driveway is the car her father bought her. There’s a huge red bow tied around it. Seeing her happy like this does something to me. I can’t really put it into words, but I know I’m fucking smiling again. Go figure. I’ve smiled more in the past few months since moving here, than I have in the previous twelve years since my life changed.
I watch on for a few more minutes before I head to the bathroom to take a leak. I want to give her the present I bought her and wish her a happy birthday, but I’ll wait until I go over there tonight. I’ll let her have this time with her father. I know she doesn’t get to see him as much as she’d like to.
For the rest of the day I just hang around the house, mainly in my room. I don’t feel comfortable in this place when Fuckwit’s home. I use this time to put the finishing touches on the drawing I made for Indi. When I’m finished, I place it in the frame I bought for her.
I’m not sure how I feel about giving her this, but fuck me, I want to see the look on her face when she sees it. I drew a picture of her and Larry. It was just from memory, but I’m happy with the way it’s turned out. It was from the first day when I arrived here, when they were playing ball out the front. She’s holding the ball high in the air, and Larry is jumping up trying to retrieve it.
Of course I couldn’t help myself. I’ve titled the picture, ‘My Man Larry and the Kid’. I know that’s going to piss her off. That’s exactly why I did it. Should be good for a laugh if nothing else.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Indiana
My birthday has been wonderful so far. Best part is, it’s not even over yet. Meg and Carter are coming over for dinner and cake tonight. I have no idea why my dad invited him, but I’m glad he did. Not that I’d ever admit that out loud. I shouldn’t love being around him, but I do.
Meg comes over every year to help me celebrate. Usually I’d just wear jeans or something casual, but tonight I decide to make a bit of an effort. It’s not because Carter’s coming over. I just feel like dressing up. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I find myself smiling as I look out of my bedroom window at my new car sitting in the driveway. I friggin’ love it. I had no idea I was getting one. My dad is wonderful like that. It’s the most extravagant thing he’s ever bought me. I thought maybe I’d get one for my eighteenth or twenty-first. I’m not complaining though.
After my shower, I blow dry my long brown hair and apply a touch of makeup. I’ve decided on an emerald green sundress. It matches my eyes perfectly. I’ve only worn this dress once before, and received a lot of compliments. I hope Carter likes it.
“You look pretty, sweetheart,” my dad says when I walk out onto the back deck.
“Thanks, Daddy.” Making my way towards him, I wrap my arms around his waist. I love him so much. “Do you want me to order the Chinese food?” I ask.
“Nope. Already ordered. I got all your favourites,” he says. Looking up at him I smile.
“You’re the best.” He kisses the top of my head before looking down at his watch.
“That reminds me, I need to go pick up dinner.”
“I’ll drive you,” I offer and he chuckles.
“You need to stay here and wait for your guests.” He’s right, but I’ve been finding excuses all day to drive my car. I drove us to our favourite pancake place for breakfast. I then drove to the shops to get some groceries. I even took the long route home because I wasn’t ready to get out of my car. It’s going to be great not having to get public transport everywhere. I’ll even be able to drive myself to school. I’ll miss travelling with Carter, but it’s probably for the best. He keeps reminding me that there is, and never will be anything between us. I wish that wasn’t the case, but I’m grateful he’s upfront and doesn’t lead me on. I’ve noticed the more I’m around him though, the more attached I’m becoming. I don’t seem to be able to control these feelings I’m developing.
Once my dad leaves to pick up dinner, I go about setting the table out back. I love it out here. The deck is raised high enough that you can see the view of the lake over the back fence. I’m lost in thought when Carter comes through the side gate. It’s only that Lassie bolts past me and down the back stairs, heading straight for him, that I even notice his arrival. Why does my heart race and stomach go into a flutter whenever he’s near?
He stops when he reaches the base of the steps. His eyes travel the length of my body before making their way to my face. The corners of his lips turn up into a smile. Why does the looks he gives me do funny things to my insides? He exhales before shaking his head.
“Well look at you. The kid’s all grown up,” he says smirking as he makes his way up the back stairs.
“Ha ha,” I reply narrowing my eyes at him. “You know, technically we’re the same age now, so if I’m a kid that means you are, too.” He throws back his head and laughs.
“Nice try. At least I look my age, if not older.” God he infuriates me. How can he turn me on with just a look, and piss me off the next. “Happy Birthday, Indiana,” he says with a teasing, cocky smile. Ugh! I can tell he gets pleasure out of getting under my skin.
“Oh you know my name?” I ask sarcastically, even though hearing him say it did make my heart skip a beat.
“Of course I do. It’s not the first time I’ve used it either,” he whispers, leaning forward. “Have you forgotten that already?” I feel my face heat up. How could I forget that? He called out my name when his dick was lodged in my throat as I made him come. As embarrassed as I am right now, memories of that night send desire coursing through my whole body. So much so I have to clench my thighs together to try and relieve the throbbing that’s now present.
“No,” I whisper as I drop my head.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” he says placing his finger under my chin and tilting my face upwards. When my eyes meet his, my heart starts to race again. He looks hurt. I don’t want him to think I regret what we did that night, because I don’t.
“I’m not embarrassed by what happened,” I tell him honestly.
“Good,” is all he says as his face inches towards mine. He places his lips softly against my mouth. “Happy birthday, beautiful.” Before I get the chance to take the kiss any further, he pulls back. “This is for you.”
I hadn’t even noticed he was carrying a gift bag in his hand. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from his handsome face when he’s near. Unless he’s shirtless of course, then I’m all over that.
“You bought me a present?” I ask sceptically.
“I did. I bought you something, and I also made something for you,” he says with a smirk. That immediately has my suspicions rising.
“You made me something? It’s a bomb isn’t it?” He chuckles at my comment.
“No, it’s not a bomb.”
“Well, what is it?” I ask, holding the strings of the bag by my fingertips at
arms-length.
“Open it and find out.”
“Okay,” I reply, still uncertain if this is a joke. Coming from him it’s liable to be anything. There are two things inside the bag. Something large wrapped in tissue paper. It looks like a picture frame or something like that, and a small gift-wrapped box. I pick up the smaller present first.
After I shake it and hold it to my ear, just to make sure it’s not ticking, my eyes meet his again. “It’s not a bomb,” he laughs. “I promise.”
Carefully unwrapping it, I open the small velvet box. I gasp when I see what’s inside. It’s a silver necklace with a dog charm pendant. It looks exactly like Lassie. I feel tears burn my eyes. This is the sweetest gift anyone has ever given me. Coming from someone who acts like he hates me most of the time makes it all the more special. I want him to like me. I want us to be friends. Maybe more, but I’ll settle for friends.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
“I love it.”
“Good. I’ve never bought a present for anyone before, so I didn’t know what to get you.” There’s definitely a sweet side to him. As much as he would hate me to say it, I’m seeing more and more of the real Carter. The one he tries so hard to keep hidden.
“Can you help me put it on?”
“You want to wear it now?” he asks surprised.
“Of course. I’m going to wear it every day.”
“You are?”
“Uh huh.” His face lights up. Taking it out of the box, I pass it to him. Turning around, I lift my hair out of the way. When his fingers lightly graze over my neck, I shiver and he chuckles. Arsehole. I swear he did that on purpose. Once he’s finished I’m surprised when he leans forward and places a tiny kiss on my shoulder, making my skin pebble with goose bumps.
I look at him over my shoulder. What is it with this guy that sends my body into overdrive? Nobody has ever made me feel the things he does, by just a look or a simple touch.
I’m surprised when I see a look of pure lust in his eyes. Just like the one he gave me that night when I was in his bedroom. His hands skim lightly down my arms before snaking around my waist. He then pulls my body against his. I can feel his erection pressing into my back. I guess I have the same effect on him.