The Keys to Jericho

by Ren Alexander

  “Kat. I will.”

  She frowns. “Not all the time. She said she’ll take me when you’re in Philadelphia.”

  “That’s still a while away and you should be done before we both start work.”

  “No, it’s not. You have three weeks until you can move.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t have to stay up there. I have to get the key and move my shit into the place. I can stay in Annapolis until I have to go to work, so let me worry about it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I almost bend to kiss her, but I successfully stop myself, crossing my arms and looking out to the cars. However, I still can’t tell if they’re watching. Dash and Liberty are probably texting each other with their commentary, no doubt. Nosey idiots.

  “Okay. I guess I will see you then.”

  I warn, “Don’t even think you won’t.” She half-heartedly smiles at me before walking over to the wench’s white Audi A4. Nice car. Too bad the owner downgraded its resale value straight to the shitter.

  Knowing that skank probably will let Kat drive, I become suddenly anxious. “Kat.” She swiftly spins around, and I say, “Don’t be driving on the interstate without me.”

  She doesn’t answer as she climbs into the passenger seat, but gives me a quick, rebellious look before they pull out of the driveway.

  Fucking hell. I need a drink.

  Several.

  The ride home with Rio was quiet because I slept most of the way, and he didn’t feel compelled to yammer on about my behavior or want to talk about my fucking feelings. Maybe he should’ve become a shrink instead of a pussy whisperer.

  When I wheel my suitcase into the front door, my dad looks up from his laptop. “Hey, bud. How was your trip?”

  I mutter, “Fine.” Parking my suitcase at the bottom of the stairs, I go into the kitchen for something to drink and he expectedly follows me.

  He enters the kitchen, but he doesn’t say anything, which is weird, so I glance over at him as I open the refrigerator door, and notice his perceptive grin.

  I roll my eyes as I bend to peer into the fridge. I wish he’d get a new one. “What?”

  “Did Kat have a nice time?”

  Seeing his smug expression from over the top of the door, I say, “Ah. I see that you were in on the joke, too.”

  Crossing his arms, he says, “Actually, no. Brenda told me Thursday morning about Kat going. I had no idea until then. She said it was a last-minute trip for Kat, but it was supposed to be a surprise for you.”

  I look back to the contents of the fridge, irritated that there’s no more beer. “She wasn’t my surprise. She went because Rio invited her.”

  “Were you glad to see her?”

  Settling for a bottle of water, I shut the door and shrug. “I didn’t gush about it in an infomercial, but I was okay with it.”

  He smiles. “So, you two got to spend some time together outside a car. How was that?”

  I frown at his strange mirth. “Uh, it was fine, since we do that at the construction.”

  I walk over to the bar to see if I got any of my forwarded mail, and he says, “No. You really don’t.”

  Setting down my water bottle, I sort through my bills, trying to sound uncaring. “Why does it matter what we did at the beach?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought you spending time with her would be nice.”

  I toss my mail back down and suspiciously glare at him. “That still doesn’t answer my question.”

  He fluffs his hair, and covers a slow yawn, which makes me suspect he’s stalling.

  Picking up my water, I sigh. “Just say it, Dad.”

  He crosses his arms again, and asks, “Are you dating Kat?”

  I angle my head to look at the ceiling. “Jesus. I just walked in the door and you’re already asking me that?” Sighing, I pull on my hat and drone, “No. Not dating.” I then smile, making his disappear. “Actually, we’ve decided that doing the nasty will complicate our friendship and have decided against it, acting like mature, responsible adults. However, if that changes and we elect to get to know each other without our clothes on, I’ll make sure you get the first engraved announcement.”

  He sighs with an eye roll. “Jared Adam.” Still aiming for that unobtainable triad.

  Gulping my water until it’s gone, I slam the empty bottle onto the counter, noisily crushing the cheap plastic into a flat pile. I then look at him with a shrug. “What? You asked.”

  “I didn’t ask for all of that.”

  I haughtily frown. “Well, Dad, I’m surprised you’re endorsing your son to be so irresponsible.”

  “I was not. I was only wondering if things changed between you two. Things still could.”

  Truly surprised by his audacity, I shake my head. “Holy sh— No! You told me to stay away from her! What’s your problem?”

  “It’s just that you finally look happy when you’re with her. I can’t help but notice that.” Holy fuck. He won’t leave this alone.

  I scoff, “So? I’m also happy when I hit an interstate with no cars around me, or when I’m not being grilled about what makes my heart swell with disgusting joy. You read way too much into things.”

  “I don’t think I am, Jared.”

  “She’s not my type! Satisfied?” I grab my car keys and mumble, “I’ll be back.”

  “Jared.”

  I keep walking until I’m behind the wheel of my Charger, squealing tires out of the driveway.

  I need to get drunk ASAP. It’s been entirely too long since I haven’t been able to remember my own trifecta.

  “Morning, Jericho. You look a little rough.”

  Ignoring him, I rub a hand over my face as I look at the clipboard containing Tony’s daily to-do list that he leaves in his van.

  Dash adds, “I didn’t think you’d be here today.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “It might be awkward for you.”

  Flipping through the pages, I shrug. “Nothing’s awkward, only annoying.” I pointedly peer up from the papers to Dash rolling his eyes.

  “You did see Kat naked. Wait. Didn’t you, or was it more of a wham-bam kind of thing?”

  Throwing the board onto the seat, I grab a hammer from Tony’s toolbox and thrust it into Dash’s face. “What was that you just fucking said? I warned you to watch your mouth!”

  He hurriedly backs away from me. “Holy shit! Did you skip out on coffee or your chill pill this morning?”

  “Dash, don’t start on me, or make fucking jokes about it! She’s off limits!”

  “Okay! I’m sorry! Shit.”

  Satisfied somewhat, I toss the hammer back into the box and spin my hat around, giving him another warning look.

  He leans against the van and asks, “So, it wasn’t just about cheap thrills for you?”

  I glare at him, but go with the truth as I check my phone messages. “No.”

  “Then what was it about?”

  I darkly laugh. “I’m not fucking talking to you about that.”

  “Why can’t you? I’m serious. I’m sorry I said that. I just wanted to see if she mattered to you.”

  Shoving my phone into my jeans, I snap, “Fuck you.”

  “Jericho, I know you’re hurting. You can talk to me. I won’t tell Kat. I promise.”

  I scowl at him before I check my watch. “I’m great. There’s nothing I want to talk about.”

  “You broke up.”

  Crossing my arms, I argue, “We weren’t even together to break up. We’re still friends, Dash, so drop it.”

  “Yeah, but you’ve never seen me naked.”

  “Wrong.” He squints his eyes, and I ask, “How can you forget? Gym classes? When we stayed at each other’s houses, you stripping your clothes when I was still in the room? Jesus Christ. You’re always taking your damn clothes off. What about when you stripped on the school’s track, senior year, because you lost a bet to Trey Dawson? I was there, Calder.”

  He grins. “Oh, yeah. I totally forgot about doing
that shit.”

  “And Trey never said you had to strip totally naked.”

  Dash shrugs. “I have nothing to hide.”

  I frown. “Apparently, son of a stripper. I’m still scarred for life.”

  “You could’ve looked away, Jericho.”

  “You always did it so fast I didn’t have a chance! And for the track stripping, we were all shocked by what you did. I don’t think any of us had the ability to look away.”

  Shaking his head, Dash laughs and says, “Well, I hope you and Merrick talked, at least.”

  Looking around, I ask, “Where is she anyway?”

  “Oh. She didn’t tell you? She isn’t coming over today.”

  Dropping my arms, I demand, “What? Why?”

  “She says she doesn’t feel well.”

  “Why didn’t she tell me?”

  He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe her illness has to do with you.”

  Annoyed again, I bite “I didn’t give her anything.”

  Dash shakes his head. “Think again.” Holy fuck.

  “I did not knock her up. Shit. That’s quick. If you think—”

  He sighs and pushes off the van. “Again. That’s not what I was saying. Damn. Thanks for reminding me of what you were doing with her to possibly cause that.”

  I petulantly roll my eyes. “Shut up.”

  “I have to say, you both were stealthy about it.”

  “We weren’t as sneaky as you think.”

  “Shit. I don’t want to know.” He starts walking, but stops, turning to me. “Wait. Just tell me you didn’t do it on my bed.”

  “We didn’t.”

  “Holy shit. Fuck me. That’s what you were doing with her in the Jacuzzi. Wasn’t it?”

  I try not to waver my gaze. “No. Just talking.”

  He laughs. “Thank, God! You know how awkward that would be if I did interrupt you, especially in there?

  I shake my head as I look to the street. “Can’t imagine.”

  “Eww. It would also be hypocritical since you made the comment about Rio and Liberty having sex in there.”

  I roll my eyes and say, “Okay, Dash. I’m done here.”

  As I walk into the house, I text Kat, asking her how she’s doing, but she doesn’t answer, leaving me hanging. I text her repeatedly, yet still no reply.

  This is fucking ridiculous.

  Changing my mind and walking back outside, I get in my car and go to my grandparents’ house to grab the Nissan. I then drive over to Kat’s apartment. When I knock on her door, there’s no immediate response, so I try several more times before I text her, warning that she needs to answer the door or I’ll call her mother to open it, since I’m guessing she has a spare.

  If that fails, well, I am good with locks, and I have all goddamned day.

  Two, long minutes later, Kat answers the door. She’s somewhat disheveled with her brown and purple, limp ponytail, worn sweat shorts, an old T-shirt with our high school’s name emblazoned across her tits, no makeup, and she’s wearing pinkish-framed glasses. I swear they’re the same ones she used to wear in school.

  Even if Kat’s hair is messy and purplish, she looks more like she did the day I met her, and just like that day, she’s still fucking adorable now.

  As I gawk at her, feeling like we’re those teenagers again, I imagine having sex with her while she wears those glasses. I think that’s when I’d grasp the fact that I actually screwed my driver’s ed. partner.

  However, I won’t be doing that anymore, and behind her glasses are red eyes.

  Still, she’s the one to ask, “What’s wrong?”

  Inhaling, I prop my fist on the doorframe, and angrily scoff, “I’ve been asking you that all damn day!”

  “Oh. My phone is in the kitchen. You really called my number this time?”

  I scowl, and she winces, wrapping her arm around her. “My stomach hurts. I told Dash.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “He said he’d tell you.”

  My eyes fall to her stomach. “Are you feeling any better?” She shakes her head when I look up. “You don’t think you can drive today?”

  Again, she shakes her head. “If I do, my mom is grocery shopping later. She’ll let me drive.”

  “No. Kat. Call me. I’ll take you driving.”

  She leans onto her door. “Jared, I need to try driving with other people, too. I can’t completely depend on you.”

  “You’re not depending on me. You’re trying to not be dependent on people. That’s why I’m helping you get your license.”

  “But…”

  “No fucking way. Don’t be hiding from me. Is this what you’re doing?”

  She shakes her head, but I don’t believe her. “I really don’t feel right. I’ll try driving with you tomorrow. I need to go back to bed.”

  “Do you need me to do something? I can come in and make you some soup or something?”

  She cringes again and moves away from the door. “No. Just go. I’ll be all right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Kat. I want to help.”

  “You’ve helped me enough already.”

  “Not true. What if I sit on the couch and watch TV with you? You can use me as a pillow.” Shit. A stiff pillow.

  Putting her other arm around herself, she insists, “Jared, no. Please. I can’t. I need to get back to bed.”

  “I can’t do anything for you, Kit Kat?”

  She averts her gaze to the porch. “I’m begging you. I need to be alone.”

  I watch her actively trying to erase me from her porch, if not her life. Reluctantly, I ask, “You’re not sick, are you?”

  She nods, but doesn’t look at me. “I am.”

  “Then why does it look like you’ve been crying?”

  Her nod turns to a shake. “I’m not.”

  “Not currently.” I impatiently sigh. “Kat, come on. Don’t keep trying to drive me away. It won’t work. If you need to talk… Talk to me.” I wait for her to answer, hoping she’ll tell me the truth.

  She steps back, grabbing the edge of the door. “I can’t. My stomach. I have to go.” She decided on the lie.

  I want to yell. I want to break something. I want to…kiss her. So much.

  But I can’t.

  I warn, “Okay. If you’re not at the site tomorrow, I’ll be back here.”

  “Bye, Jared.” She shuts the door and I’m left gaping at the gray door in my face.

  Not in a sociable mood, I skip out on the rest of the day at the house and drive aimlessly around, until I find myself at Quiet Waters Park.

  From there, I walk to an overlook and watch people on the paddleboats, remembering the time Kat and I spent laughing, teasing each other, and making small confessions. I want the easiness of our friendship we had to return, but I also want what we found this weekend. Did having sex really drive us apart?

  I need her. She’s been missing from my life far too long, but I feel like she’s trying to get a one-way ticket out of it on an express train.

  I haven’t left for Philly yet, but I feel like Kat has left Annapolis.

  And me.

  CHAPTER 23

  Tuesday morning at the construction, I do get a text this time from Kat, saying she’s not going to be there. She can’t keep sidestepping me. She needs to be here. I need her to be here.

  Even though she sent me a text, it’s a flimsy lie to shut me up; however, I never give up, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.

  Not bothering to ask Dash if he heard from Kat, I drive to her apartment to find out for myself. When I round the corner to her building unit, a bolt of color snags my attention and I slow down, seeing a red truck sitting in her driveway.

  Pulling up behind it, I notice the sports window decals, boat hitch, and a pine-tree air freshener, hanging from the rear-view mirror.

  This reeks of belonging to a person with a cock and balls.

  What the fucking hell is Kat doing with another man in her a
partment?

  She promised me.

  After 10 minutes of watching her apartment, nobody comes out her front door. Every second I sit, staring at the walkway, I have to fight the compulsion to not go up there, knock on her door, breaking up whatever the fuck they’re doing.

  God, I can’t think of what they’re doing.

  This is how she tries to cover up her regret of fucking me? I’m a split decision away from kicking open her door, ripping off his goddamned balls, and cramming them into the bastard’s mouth. And she’s the one who’s fucking sick?

  Picking up my phone, I text her to casually ask how she’s doing, but she doesn’t reply, which isn’t surprising if she’s…busy.

  Jesus. It’s killing me that I may need to take a number.

  Fuck that shit.

  Throwing open the car door, I get out, set on finding out who’s in there, but before I shut the door, I realize I’m acting like a jealous…boyfriend.

  Shit. Not happening.

  I dig my hands underneath my hat, staring at her front door from the edge of her sidewalk, torn on what to do. This is the very thing I used to do in school, watching her carry on with her day like I didn’t exist, when in the next breath, she was smiling and saying hello to me, and ripping out my goddamned heart.

  Grudgingly, I get back into the Nissan and gun it out of the complex, pissed off at myself for getting carried away, yet again, and nearly acting like a prick…yet again.

  At the build, I was severely distracted, which begged people to constantly question what was on my mind. It became so bad that even Tony, who’d rather try to read Braille with his hammer, asked me. After that, I took off for the day, again, sitting at the park, watching paddleboats drift along the water. Unfortunately, that allows for the hurt to also drift into my veins more. Keeping my trip short, I went home, spending the rest of the afternoon staring at the TV, but refraining from drinking, since my dad will fire off his own set of questions, and his aren’t easy to answer.

  He’s my father. Why can’t he have all the fucking answers for once?