by K R Bicknell
“What’s with the money?” he said as he moved away. Since neither of us had bothered to turn on the lights, the room was fairly dark with the only light from outside, shining through dark but sheer curtains.
“I earned it.” I said loosening my hand and slipping my cash back into my jacket pocket, “Not by whoring.” I add.
“Didn’t think you did.” He said leaning back against a bookshelf.
“I’m a waitress,” I add.
“Where?”
“Denny’s. In southside.”
He nodded once.
“Well anyway, you’re safe here, you can lock the door, or call your ride, or whatever, stay if you want.” He said moving away from the bookshelf and towards the door. As he reached the door, he turned on the light and paused once to look at me and smirk.
As he shut the door behind him, I heard him whisper “Wildcat.” and then I was alone.
With a sigh of relief, I sat on the bed and waited for my heartbeat to return to normal. Eventually, I started looking around. His room was larger than our apartment. with a balcony outside the french doors and an attached bathroom with a walk-in closet. I wondered if Harry would give me a similar room. Probably not. Where did the help live? Did they have help? Would my mom and I be safe here? Would she share Harry’s room or have a room of her own? And how soon could I move out and leave? These questions ran through my mind as I explored. The bathroom was tiled in dark gray and very masculine. I trailed my fingers through the bottles on the counter and couldn’t help but pick up the cologne and take a sniff. But as soon as I did I felt my body slow down and my movements turn sluggish. It was as if that scent was a drug, it smelt like... I took one deep breath, and another feeling my heart slow. No, I will not break down here, I couldn’t. I must just be tired. I walked back into the bedroom and wondered if I could just take a short nap on the bed. Probably not a good idea, what if I didn’t wake up and he joined me? I stepped out to the balcony. I could hear the sounds of the party out here though they were fainter than when we had arrived. There were two chairs with cushions and if it wasn’t so cold, I would have just sat there for a while.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck! What did you do?” I heard from the room. It wasn’t Jacob’s voice, it was the older one, Caleb.
“Nothing.” I heard Jacob say and then the sound of the door closing.
“What the fuck did you tell him. little brother?” Caleb said, he sounded angry, but he wasn’t shouting.
“Not a fucking thing!” Jacob shouted, “She’s here, by the way.” I could hear his voice move around the room and enter the bathroom.
“Who’s here?”
“Her! Little sister.” Jacob answered.
There was silence.
“What do you mean, she’s here?” I heard the low rumble. He sounded furious.
“I left her in your room. Shit! She must’ve left!” Jacob said.
“Why the fuck would you put that girl in my room!”
“Because...why the fuck does it matter? She’s gone now!”
“Where?” The voice rumbled coldly, “Who did she come with?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“The whole fucking school is here, Brother! She could’ve come with anybody.”
“She doesn’t have any friends!” I heard him almost shout, for a few minutes I had thought they might have been talking about someone else, but now I knew it was me. Afraid to face them I stayed on the balcony, trembling in the darkness.
“I know, she hangs out with that curly-haired chick, Mandy something, I think she was in the pool room.”
“I don’t know why the fuck you thought it’d be okay to put her in my room.” Caleb rumbled.
“What? I knew it’d be empty; my room is being used.”
I heard Caleb sigh.
“Anyways I was saving her, or Molsky, she attacked him,” Jacob explained.
“What did he do?” Caleb now sounded tired.
“Took her money.”
“Moron.”
“That he is. You want me to go find her?”
“Yeah, and make sure she gets home. I don’t want to see her here in the morning.”
“You know...” Jacob started to say something, “Never mind.” He finally said and I heard the door close.
I waited a few more minutes and then when I didn’t hear anything else, I opened the door and stepped into the room.
My heart stopped beating when I saw the dark form sprawled on the bed. Those hazel eyes pierced me as he stared, not at all surprised.
“I thought you left.” I managed to mumble.
“And I knew you didn’t.” He said softly.
“I’m sorry, I’ll leave,” I said and started walking towards the door.
“Why?” He asked softly.
I froze and turned; he was still staring.
“Why are you so afraid of me, yet willing to fight Molsky?”
“He took my money,” I explained.
For a minute moment, I thought his eyes looked sad.
“I worked hard for this money,” I said.
He just stared silently.
“You wouldn’t know what that’s like,” I said feeling uncommonly bold.
He looked away and moved to stand and head into the bathroom. I started to leave and stopped when Jacob entered.
“Hey!” He said surprised to see me, “I was looking for you.”
“Well, I was here.”
“Yeah,” he frowned at the open bathroom door, “Your friend Mandy says your ride is drunk.”
“Shit,” I said looking down.
“Yeah.” He breathed.
“I’ll take her.” A deep voice said from behind me.
“No. No!” I said turning around and froze again. Caleb had removed his shirt and droplets of water ran down his neck to his chest. Caleb was taller than Jacob, well over six feet, and his hair was a darker brown, and long, straight locks fell over his forehead. He was also older and shit, his body was ripped and taut. All flat, smooth planes, and hard muscle. I felt like a vise was clenching around my chest and couldn’t look away.
“Well, okay,” Jacob whispered behind me and I felt him walk away. I squeezed my eyes shut finally breathing, “No.” I said again.
Caleb pulled open a drawer in his dresser and pulling out a black t-shirt, pulled it over his head.
“What, are you gonna stay here?” He finally asked, turning around.
“No,” I answered, apparently it was my favorite word now.
For the first time in my memory, I saw a smile form on his face. In that millisecond I knew. I knew why I had never found a guy attractive in my life. This man, this man was the most beautiful thing to exist. Ever. The slowing of my heart whenever he was near. The inability to look away from his striking eyes. It was all attraction. The fiercest form and I didn’t have a defense. I was royally screwed.
I also didn’t realize that I had turned into a zombie until he was right in front of me. So close, he reached out a finger and touched my nose.
“No, what?” He said softly.
I took a ragged breath and stepped back. “No, I don’t want to stay here.”
“Then let’s go.” He said and walked out of the room. I followed.
Instead of going right, towards the kitchen, he turned left. We walked down another dark hallway to yet another staircase which led down into the pool room. The pool was empty, but there were bodies on the lounge chairs either by themselves or in pairs.
“Hey, Caleb!” A girly giggle sounded from the semi-darkness. He ignored it.
“Where are you going?” The girl persisted.
I found myself searching to place the pathetic sounding girl only to turn around and find him holding the door open and waiting for me. I hurriedly followed him. We entered a dark room that I knew was vast from the echo of our footsteps. Caleb reached for the wall and suddenly bright light filled the room. A wide warehouse-sized space spre
ad in front of us filled with shiny vehicles. He walked down four steps and started walking down the line of cars. Two of them were huge black SUVs, I found him walking past the silver BMW and a bright red Porsche convertible.
“Isn’t that your car?” I asked pointing towards the Beemer.
“It is and it isn’t.” He said as he passed a motorcycle covered by a cloth and finally walked around the other side of a sleek black sports car.
I paused.
“I’ve never seen you drive this,” I say stupidly and then catch a stunning smile on his face before he opened the door and sat inside.
I rushed to the passenger side and sat.
He pressed a button and I heard the rumbling of the garage door as it opened. The inside of the car was just as black as the outside but when he turned it on the dashboard lit up with cool blue light. It smelled like a new car and clean leather. I had never in my life sat in a brand-new car.
“Where’s your father?” I asked him as we rolled down the driveway.
“On a date with your mother.” He said.
“No, he’s not,” I said, I had left her crying.
“That’s what he said,” Caleb said.
I texted my mother.
Are you home?
I asked her.
No, Honey. Harry picked me up. Are you coming home?
She asked.
Yes.
I answered.
“He doesn’t cheat on her.” Caleb said, “At least for as far as I know.”
“No, she’s with him,” I answered.
We were quiet most of the way except when I had to give him directions. When we were almost to my street I decided to ask.
“Did he tell you; do you know?”
He raised his brows but didn’t speak.
“She said he asked us to move in. Not that I want to but she does.”
“Yeah, he told us.” Caleb said, and then, “Why don’t you want to?”
I looked at him than ahead at the dark road.
“Just up here on the right,” I said,
“I like where I live,” I said, he looked at the house, “I don’t want someone else’s charity, especially if he’s sleeping with my mom.”
He smiled again. I discovered that I liked being the cause of that smile. If I could just drink in all his smiles, I wouldn’t need anything else.
“I don’t think that’s what he meant.” He said.
“I know that’s not what you and your brother want, so I just wanted to say, that I’m not crazy about the idea either.”
He kept staring straight ahead, looking out the windshield.
“No, actually Jacob loves the idea of having a girl in the house, he calls you little sister.” He said with a smirk.
“I don’t want to be anyone’s little sister,” I said.
He finally looked at me with that smile. “Good.” He exhaled.
My body unwilling to move, I just sat there a little longer stealing occasional glances at his profile. He didn’t rush me even though this was probably boring for him. Finally, I willed my body to move and opened the door.
“Speaking for my dad, he probably just wants his girl close.” Caleb said as I stepped out.
I managed to huff and walk away. He didn’t pull away and I could feel his gaze on my back just like at school. My legs felt as if I was walking in quicksand, but the further I got, the easier it was until I was rushing up the metal staircase at the side of the house. Once on top I looked down from the landing before opening my door and thought I saw a glint of hazel in the dark interior before his car revved and sped away.
Our apartment was dark and cold. Since my futon was still folded and the living room a mess, I decided to sleep in my mom’s bed. There was progress visible in her room with most of her clothing now packed in boxes and her bed clear. I managed to slide off my jeans before burrowing under her quilts. Despite how tired I was, it took a long time for me to fall asleep, a bright, crooked smile on my mind.
Jacob
What the fuck?
A wildcat, that girl!
A fucking wildcat, the way she climbed on and fought Molsky.
Molsky, the wuss, is still whining, yeah, she left gashes down his neck, red, bloody gashes.
Shit!
She is hot.
I don’t know why I didn’t notice her in school, she just sort of hid. I only saw her after Daddy dearest made his announcement. At that time, I wanted to bail, I hated him, still do. He’s trying to replace Mom with his fucking, white trash bimbo. But that daughter, Little Sis, might be fun.
What the hell was with Brother though? Taking her home? Brother doesn’t take chicks home. Not even after he’s done fucking them. They find their own way, or me.
He says she’s off limits, but the way he was looking at her.
There’s something.
Caleb
What the hell?
I sit in the car, running my hands through my hair. Why did I drive her home? I don’t do that. Yeah, she’s Dad’s girlfriend’s daughter. And yes, I suppose, maybe I felt like I had to look out for her, but, something shifted.
I don’t know why the fuck Brother put her in my room, nobody is allowed in my room during these parties. Maybe he meant to keep her safe. Anyway, I felt her when I was there. I knew she was on the balcony, like something was pulling my skin. What the hell was that? Anyways I’m a little impressed, the way she fought Molsky. What was that dumb fuck thinking anyways? He doesn’t think.
She said I don’t know what it’s like to work hard for money. Maybe she’s right, but I want to prove her wrong. Something bit when she said she didn’t want to move in here. What does she think we are? This is not charity, but I get she’s not like other girls. I don’t know if I like that or hate it.
None of us can change what’s going to happen next, but I still wonder why she is so scared of me. She knows how to fight.
Chapter 2
Hannah
I woke the next morning, groggy and disoriented. My mom was already in the kitchen with coffee and bagels.
“Hey!” She said warily when I walked in.
“Mmm,” I mumbled.
“How was your party?”
“It was at Harry’s house,” I told her as I took a sip of the hot coffee.
“Oh?” She said and looked at me nervously.
“Do you know how huge that place is? You could get lost, and after last night, they’re gonna need a lot of help cleaning it up, but I suppose they have people.” I said and inhaled deeply of my cup.
“Hey.” She came up and putting an arm around my shoulder, gave me a squeeze, “We’re gonna be just fine, you know?” She said.
“I just, I don’t want you to get your hopes up and be disappointed if it doesn’t turn out the way you want,” I tell her.
She inhaled and moved away.
“It’s been so long,” she said, “Since I’ve let myself dream of a happy future and I really want this, Baby.”
“I know, Mom. It’s okay, I’ll try.”
“Thank you!” She said with a sigh.
I helped her pack, my things only taking up two boxes, and then got ready for work.
“You can quit your job, you know, we won’t need as much money now.” My mother said as she saw me getting ready.
I shook my head, “I’m not quitting, and neither should you.” I told her.
“I’m not, Baby. Don’t worry.”
I nodded and left.
The restaurant was busy, and I was glad. I didn’t know how to tell my friends about my future address. But maybe they didn’t have to know. I would, of course, have to figure out how to get here and back from Cherry Hill. Maybe tonight I could look at the bus schedules.
The after-lunch slump didn’t exist on Saturdays with people coming in at all hours and by the afternoon my feet ached.
“When’s my break, Wanda?” I asked her as she flitted about after I settled a large tab.
“No, not yet, there’s
a huge crowd of rowdy high schoolers on table ten. After them.”
I groaned, “My least favorite customer.” I managed to say to her.
“Maybe they’re your friends.” She smiled and walked into the kitchen.
“You know I have no friends!” I said.
Miranda, the hostess and college student who looked like a model looked at me disdainfully.
I sighed and tucking my notepad into my apron, made my way to table ten. Unfortunately, I could hear the noise before I reached.
With a polite smile, I turn the corner. Table ten is a corner booth which was now full of a douchey Westlake boy and his equally rude friends.
“Whoo, Little Sis!” Jacob shouted as he looked up from the neck of an over- makeuped giggling brunette.
“I’m not your sister,” I say coldly.
“Aww, she’s just a little shy, but she loves me, don’t you Sis?” He said.
“Hot sister!” A tall, blonde friend said.
“Naw, you don’t want that, Dude, she’s a wildcat.” Molsky whatever-his-name-was pulled down the collar on his v neck tee to show the scabs formed over last night’s scratches. I look down at my stubby nails. I hadn’t meant to make him bleed, or maybe I had, who knows?
“Hey, I’m not scared of a little pain, you can mark me all over.” the blond guy crooned suggestively.
“Listen, I came to take your drink orders but if you’re not ready, I’ll come back,” I said and turned to leave.
“But, hey, you didn’t tell us your name!” Their friend said.
I pointed to the name tag pinned on my shirt.
“Hey, stop staring at her boobs, Dumbass,” Jacob said coolly.
“Why? She’s got nice ones.” the blond said.
I stepped back and wished I could disappear.
“Seriously, Cole!” The brunette attached to his arm scoffed.
“I’ll come back later,” I mumbled and walked away.