The Westlake Boys

by K R Bicknell

  I was almost nodding off when I heard banging on my door.

  “Hey, open up! Whatcha doing in there?” Jacob called.

  “Motherfucker,” Caleb mumbled and moved his arms.

  I opened the door.

  “Hey!” Jacob called, grinning and tumbled in.

  “Glad to see you both still dressed. The best party in Westlake, no this fucking sorry ass town’s history, has officially ended.” He announced and then proceeded to jump on my bed.

  “Can I go to the kitchen, then?” I ask, still standing next to the door.

  “No! No kitchen, there’s ...” He falls backward laughing, “there’s people...”

  “Dude!” Caleb says.

  “No seriously, Bro, they were like fucking, I couldn’t really interrupt.” He laughed again.

  “You’re seriously stoned,” Caleb says standing up, and takes my hand and we leave.

  “Where’re you taking her? Hey, Hannah, don’t join them!” Jacob shouts out behind me.

  Jacob

  Hannah was losing it. She was literally shaking. So glad Brother had her because I can’t, I don’t deal with hysterical chicks.

  I walk into my parents bedroom and he’s gasping, on the floor, my guy, Donny.

  “What the fuck, Man?” I ask.

  “You’ve got some vicious woman there,” he says, “she your sister?”

  “Yeah, she is.” I tell him, “did you come on to her?”

  “Shit, Man, I didn’t know.” he says, I’m pretty sure he’s telling the truth, but he is a thug, so who knows.

  “So what’d she do, kick you in the nuts?’

  “Naw, I’m good. Think I’m gonna head out now.”

  “Sure, you do that.” I say, looking around my Dad’s bedroom, I hope he didn’t take anything, this room was supposed to be locked.

  I go back to tell Hannah and Brother tells me to end the party, I don’t mind, I get what he feels. It’s over.

  I go downstairs to tell my homies, the girls are the biggest whiners, the dudes don’t mind though, Caleb’s word is law. Cole takes some chicks home and I take a hit from Colton’s pipe before heading back upstairs.

  I’m pretty sure Brother’s got his hands on her, even though she’s not in the mood. If he does, though, I’ll kill him, even though he is my blood.

  He has no right. Who made him king?

  I stand outside her door and take a breath, I pop a pill from the baggie I got from Donny. I don’t really feel like fighting Brother right now. Something has to take the edge off.

  He’s not the fucking king.

  He can’t have her!

  Hannah

  “He’s high,” I say to Caleb. He doesn’t comment. We walk down the dark hallways and down the stairs. Everything is quiet and dark. Even though I can sense bodies, they are quiet and moving slow. The kitchen is empty and surprisingly clean. Caleb turns on the dim lights under the cabinets and goes into the pantry. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and turn around to see Nick Molsky come in from the patio doors.

  “Hey,” Caleb says.

  “Took all the trash I could see out,” Nick said.

  “Thanks, Man, you didn’t have to,” Caleb said.

  “Had nothing else to do, the ass I was eyeing left with the band.”

  Caleb smiled. “Got what you wanted?” He asked me.

  “Hey, Hannah, that singer was asking for your number, but I didn’t give it to him,” Nick said, eyeing Caleb.

  “You don’t have my number,” I said.

  “I don’t?” He said taking out his phone, “maybe I should have it.”

  “For what, to give to dudebros?” Caleb asked.

  “No. I wouldn’t, I didn’t, I mean...”

  “I’ll give it to you.” I told him, “But right now, I need food. Did you find something in the pantry?” I asked Caleb.

  He hadn’t but we found leftovers in the fridge, which we warmed up and ate, sitting on stools around the island. Just the three of us, quietly in the dark. It was a strangely comforting feeling. Caleb and Nick were talking quietly about the party and people they knew, and I felt like I belonged. In this house, amongst these guys. I knew it would be different when school started but I hoped not much.

  Soon, Caleb and I headed upstairs and Molsky slunk down to sleep in the basement. Jacob was sprawled horizontally across my bed.

  “C’mon,” Caleb said and pulled on my hand.

  I followed him down the hall to his room. I hadn’t been in here since that first party and was surprised to find it the same size as mine.

  “I remembered it being bigger,” I said standing in the middle.

  “Pretty sure it’s always been this size.” He said after locking his door. He stripped off his dark tee and pulled clothes out of his dresser. I looked around, trying not to stare at his bare torso.

  “Need the bathroom?” He asked.

  I shook my head.

  “Get in bed then, I won’t be long.”

  I obeyed. Sliding under the black comforter. For some reason, his sheets felt smoother and his pillow softer. I’d almost drifted off into oblivion when I felt his body behind me. He pulled me close with his arm, spooning me from behind. Another hand pulled off my hairband releasing my hair from the ponytail. He then proceeded to bury his face in my hair again. I was pretty sure by now that he was obsessed by my hair, but I’d never say it and give him a chance to deny it.

  “Not sleeping?” He mumbled into my frizzy locks.

  “Almost,” I said.

  “That singer guy, Lane?” he asked.

  I hmmd. “He’s not the type of guy you...don’t think he’d care that you’re a virgin.”

  “What?” I manage to say.

  “I mean, he’s not the guy to be your first boyfriend.”

  “Oh, I suppose you should tell me what type I should date?” I ask snarkily.

  “Shut up.”

  “But I wanna know.”

  “Someone like Molsky. He’s your age, and he’s nice to girls. Respectful, and a little afraid of me.”

  “You’re saying I should date Molsky.”

  “You could, I mean, if you wanted to.”

  “Stop talking,” I say and push him away.

  “Hannah.” He exhales. “I’m just looking out for you.”

  “You don’t need to.” I sit up to leave, he grabs my arm from behind.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Don’t know, Jacob’s room should be empty.”

  “Pretty sure it’s not.”

  I give in and let him pull me down and then his body is covering me from behind again, his arm around my waist, his knees tucked behind mine.

  “You’re an asshole,” I say.

  “I know. That’s why.”

  “You’re not really my brother, you don’t get to decide whom I should date.”

  “Kay.” He mumbles.

  Despite my irritation, I know I’m safe and eventually drift off.

  In the morning, the hulk is still wrapped around me and the sun is shining brightly through the open drapes. It takes me a while to wake him and move him off. He just turns and goes back to sleep.

  Caleb

  I meant what I said to her. Molsky would be better, fuck anyone would be better than me. I’ve been with so many girls I don’t, I don’t know how to be with just one.

  She deserves better.

  Hell, even Jacob is better, though just barely.

  But I won’t push her towards him, I’m pretty sure I’d internally combust if I see them together.

  Anyone else is better.

  But now I know I wouldn’t be able to deal regardless.

  I’m the biggest asshole, but despite the fact that I know better, I still can’t let her go.

  Maybe she can wait, she’s waited this long, I’ll be going to college soon.

  Maybe once I leave I can get her out of my system and forget her.

  Hannah

  I’m becoming familiar with
the morning after party routine of the house. This morning Adele has called the service and there are strangers in uniforms drifting throughout. It’s strange how quickly I’ve become used to this lifestyle. Just last month, I would have laughed at people who couldn’t clean their own house but now I’m glad Adele has help. Especially after yesterday’s circus.

  “How is Harry okay with all this?” I ask her, sitting at the island sipping at my perfectly brewed hot cup of heaven.

  “What do you mean?” She asks, she’s busy making breakfast for us while handing out bottles of water for my classmates and showing the carless ones how to find Travis.

  “This partying, drinking, everything that goes on,” I explain.

  “He came around. A couple of years ago when Caleb first came home drunk, he lost it. But then, I told him, boys will do that, they’re growing up, they’re gonna try things, liquor, weed, sex, and if he wants them safe it’s best to let them do it here, where we can keep an eye, and he doesn’t have to worry about them getting home safe.”

  “I guess it makes sense,” I say.

  “Mr. Harry might act like a big shot but he’s a smart man. He knows when to listen to a smart woman.”

  “Caleb could learn from him.” I scoff.

  “Listen to me, Honey.” She leans in as if she’s telling me a secret, “Right now, that boy is young, he’s just trying girls out, getting a feel of things as he should. But mark my words, when he’s ready to settle, he’s gonna find himself a smart one.”

  She moves back to the stove as Avery comes up to give me a hug.

  “Did our plan work?” She whispers to me.

  “I didn’t know we had a plan,” I whisper back.

  “I heard about how you pulled that skank off of Caleb, and you beat up the loser in the parents' bedroom. You rock, sister! Be my best friend!” She pleaded with a smile.

  I smiled back, “You’re delusional. By the way, who’d you end up with last night?”

  “Oh, no one. Passed out on the sofa, woke up fully dressed, thank god. I would hate to forget getting laid, and some of the guys here last night were just ugh!”

  “I know.”

  “Ready to go?” Cole, Jacob’s other friend, said to her.

  “Yeah, sure.” She got up and left.

  Chapter 4

  Hannah

  It was afternoon, the house was back to its shiny, peaceful self and I was catching up on some required reading for English that I had neglected when Mom and Harry came home.

  “Hannah, come pack up, we’re leaving.” My mom says as she walks up to me.

  “No, you’re not!” Harry says.

  “What’s wrong, Mom?” I stand up, my heart racing.

  “Just pack your stuff, we’re not staying here any longer.” My mother says, trying to ignore Harry who’s standing behind her, scowling adamantly.

  “Abby, listen to me.” He says in a pacifying voice.

  I don’t move. I don’t want to leave, but if he hurt my mom...

  “I told you, I’m done listening! I’ve been listening the entire flight here.” She turns to him.

  “No, you haven’t, you may have heard me, but you haven’t listened!” Harry insists.

  “What’s going on here?” Jacob walks into the room.

  “Nothing.” Harry says, “Just a little tiff, we’re working it out.”

  “No, we’re not, Hannah and I are leaving.”

  “The hell you are!” Jacob shouts.

  I’m still frozen to my spot, uselessly panicking. I don’t know what’s going on, but I hate fighting and want to run away.

  Caleb walks in.

  “What happened?” He asks.

  “They’re fighting, they’re talking about Hannah leaving,” Jacob tells him.

  “No, we’re not.” Harry says, “No one is leaving.”

  “Brother, grab H, she’s frozen,” Caleb says cool and composed.

  Jacob walks up and grabbing my hand pulls me to the doorway.

  “No, Hannah, you can’t leave now, we have to pack.” My mom says in a panic. I stop.

  “No!” Caleb says, “You two, whatever your deal is, you are going to stay here and figure it out. I don’t fucking care if it takes the whole day and night. We’re taking Hannah, and we’re not coming back until you!” He points at his dad, “Until you text me and tell me everything is good.”

  Everyone is silent and listening to him now. Even my mother looks afraid.

  “Fix it, Dad. Otherwise, none of us are coming back.” He announces and turns to walk out.

  Jacob and I follow. They allow me to go to my room and change. My heart is rattling again, and I don’t know if I should laugh or cry but I trust the boy. So, I get in their black Escalade and we leave.

  “She’s gonna be okay, right?” I ask from the back seat.

  Jacob exhales.

  “Yeah, she is, she’s gonna be just fine.” Caleb says, “She’s got him pussy whipped, pretty sure he’s the one on his knees now.”

  “How do you know?” I ask, my voice wobbly.

  “Shit! Why did you make her sit in the back?” He asks Jacob.

  “Bro! I didn’t know she was gonna cry!” Jacob says.

  “I’m not crying,” I say and take a deep breath. I look out my window, it’s late afternoon and will be dark soon, and I don’t know where we’re going.

  “Hannah.” Caleb calls from the front, “It’s okay, people fight when they’re in relationships.”

  “Fucking yeah!” Jacob mumbles.

  “Shut up,” Caleb tells him.

  “I’m agreeing with you.”

  “They’re gonna need to work it out, but they’ll be fine, and my dad will never hit her. I promise you.” Caleb reassures me.

  “Dude!” Jacob says.

  “She needs to know.”

  I hate being the freak, the pathetic loser, who’s dad beat her mom, but it does make me feel a tiny bit better when Caleb says that. I lean my forehead on the cold glass and try to relax.

  Caleb stops the car in front of a shady looking bar.

  “Come on, we need a distraction.” He says as we step out.

  The inside is loud and bright, and full of a different class of people than their usual friends.

  Caleb grabs my hand and leads me to the U-shaped bar in the middle as Jacob follows.

  “The Westlake boys!” The bartender calls out, “Been ages since I’ve seen you two, what wind blew you this way?”

  “Hey, Sam!” Jacob says, sliding on a stool next to me, “We have a new sister.”

  “Not a sister,” Caleb says, words that make me unreasonably happy. “This is Hannah.”

  “Nice to meet you, Hannah, not a sister.” Sam the bartender, shakes my hand.

  He’s nice and promises he can make a virgin version of any drink on the menu, and I ask for a daiquiri since I’d always wanted to try one.

  Jacob gets a virgin manhattan, and Caleb gets his ‘usual’ which just looks like beer from the tap.

  They sit and chat about the last time they were here and people they knew in common. It’s so normal and natural that I relax in no time. Some of the other patrons come up to say hello to Caleb when they see him.

  “It’s not my crowd but they’re Caleb’s,” Jacob says. I’m surprised that a Westlake is so close and comfortable with the common folk, but it explains his attitude in school.

  Caleb is not cold or arrogant. He just gels with different people.

  Jacob scrolls through his phone for a while before joining a game of pool being played in the back. I’m happy sitting next to Caleb and chatting with Sam. Sam is open and funny and has a sister my age.

  “How’s the team look this season?” Someone asks Caleb.

  “Sucks.” He says sipping from his beer mug.

  “Even with the two of you?” Sam asks.

  “Despite the two of us. Pretty sure I’ve lost it, this year.”

  “Maybe you’ve been distracted. Maybe, Hannah, not sister, can
help you focus.” Sam says.

  I huff.

  “Maybe, but she doesn’t come to the games,” Caleb says, I look at him surprised, how does he know?

  “Maybe you should.” Sam says to me, “The boy could use a good luck charm.”

  “I work most nights,” I say.

  “When are the games, Friday, Saturday nights? Can’t you spare a few hours?” A man from Caleb’s other side asks.

  “Well, if he asks nicely,” I say.

  Caleb grins and I have to look away before I embarrass myself. I’m staring at the other side of the bar when his arm comes around my shoulder and his mouth is at my ear.

  “Please, please, please!” He begs.

  I screech and pull away, wiping at my ear.

  “You sure she’s not your sister?” Sam asks, “Doesn’t seem to like your spit.”

  Caleb laughs and is so beautiful I wish I’d caught it with my camera.

  “I wouldn’t mind his spit, he just doesn’t share.” I decide to tease. The group breaks out in jeers.

  “Why?” Sam asks, “Don’t tell me she’s not hot enough for you.”

  “She’s hot enough for me.” His friend from the other side says.

  “She’s sixteen, man!” Caleb says.

  “Seventeen.” I insist.

  “Alright, we’re leaving.” He says standing up.

  “Why, did they call?” I ask.

  “No, but that’s enough socializing for you.” He says.

  “Nice to meet you, Hannah, come back anytime.” Sam says, “Even better if you leave that guy at home.”

  I smile and wave as Caleb drags me out.

  “What about Jacob?” I ask him as the cold wind hits me outside.

  “We’ll pick him up later.” He says as he unlocks the car.

  “Where are we going?”

  “For a drive.”

  “Your friends are nice. You don’t have to be like a protective mama bear with them.” I say when we’ve been driving for a few minutes.

  “They’re grown men, not high school boys,” He says.

  “I know. I think they may be safer than high school boys.”

  “You’re right, they are.”

  We’re quiet for a while. Coldplay is crooning through the sound system but I feel lost and unhappy.

  “You make me feel like a charity case sometimes.” I finally say.