The Westlake Boys

by K R Bicknell

  “It’s okay.” Amy says, “We need to know, Caleb.”

  “He says ass like hers could make them a lot of money and I could get a share.” He stops and takes a deep breath and another. I am numb now, not feeling anything but a far removed concern for Caleb.

  “I hit him.” Caleb continues, “I couldn’t stop. I really wanted to kill him and I would have if I ...if I hadn’t heard her voice calling me.” He looks up at me, “and then all I wanted was to take her away.”

  “You did Caleb.” Amy says soothingly, “You saved her and we’re all grateful.”

  Caleb glances away from me to look at her and then stands up and leaves. No one stops him.

  “Your son is a hero, Harry.” She says.

  “I know.” Harry says, “Will this help?” He asks her.

  “It makes him a valid threat.” She says. “I still think he should stay upstairs when the cops get here.” She turns to me. “I need you to say that you heard him say that.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “What Caleb said, that your ass would make them good money.” she says succinctly.

  “But I didn’t.” I say, “Isn’t that illegal?”

  “I’m trying to keep Caleb out of this.” She says, “We’ll still have to tell them that he beat him up and they’ll want to talk to him but this sentence, this will have to repeated in court and the judge will consider it more if it comes from someone without a criminal record. Like you. Do you agree, Harry?”

  “Totally.” Harry nods.

  “I’ll do what it takes.” I tell her.

  Adele brings us coffee and cookies while we wait for the cops. It seems so normal and regular and I hate it, though I am grateful for the coffee and gulp it down fast.

  We sit for another half an hour, the five of us, me, Mom, Harry, Jacob and Amy. We are all silent while Amy takes notes on her iPad.

  I’m nervous when the cops come and now wish I hadn’t had all that coffee. There’s two of them, an older man with a gray mustache and a woman. The man smiles and nods at Harry and Mom but the woman is standoffish.

  It’s she who asks me the questions. She’s cold and rushed, not warm like Amy and I get more and more flustered the further we get into the interrogation.

  “What did he do next?” She asks midway through.

  “He.. he bent down.” I say. “Because I hit him.”

  “You hit him?”

  “Yes, in the gut.”

  “And why did you hit him?”

  “Because he grabbed me. I already told you.” I say.

  “Do you make it a habit of hitting men larger than you?” She asks.

  “How is this relevant?” Amy asks before I can say anything.

  “We need all the facts.”

  “You don’t need all her history. She has a clean record, and she’s not under investigation.” Amy says.

  “The man has bruises,” the lady cop says, “he says he was jumped in the alley and the signs show that he was beaten up bad. The girl doesn’t look like she could inflict that much damage. Though, I don’t know.” she glances at me.

  “She didn’t do it.” Harry answers, “My son did, Caleb.”

  I see the officer scoff, “Figures.” She says.

  “Hey!” Jacob protests.

  “I’m going to need to talk to him.” The lady cop says.

  “Sure,” Harry says, “Jacob...”

  “I’m here.” Caleb walks down the steps.

  “Miranda.” Caleb nods at the cop as he sits down on a chair next to me but still far enough.

  “Mr. Westlake.” She says coldly barely glancing at him.

  “Shit.” Jacob whispers. I guessed the same thing he has, she’s one of Caleb’s many exes.

  “I need you to tell us everything just the way it happened.” She says.

  Caleb repeats the story except for the last line he heard my father say.

  “And what is your relationship with Ms. Johnson.” She asks.

  “How is that relevant?” Harry interjects.

  “It is relevant.” She says, “A girl with her background has no cause for being in this household.”

  “I am dating her mother, that is enough of a reason.” Harry says.

  I raise my hand to stop him.

  “I called Caleb when I realized I was in danger.” I say to the lady, looking only at her, “and he came to help me. Now whether I am sleeping with him or not has just as much significance as your relationship with him.”

  “We’re done.” She says shortly.

  “Good.” I say and stand up and walk away before anyone else says anything. It takes me way too long to get to my room and I feel myself starting to shake when I do. I’m not ready to let go so I stand at my desk and stare at nothing. There’s a sound, someone is standing at my door. I don’t know if it’s Caleb or Jacob or Harry.

  “I’m okay.” I say softly. He exhales and I know it’s Caleb, then he leaves.

  My mom, Harry, and Jacob come soon. My mom envelops me in a hug.

  “You were so brave, I’m so proud of you.” She says. Even though I shouldn’t be needing her approval, it still feels good.

  “Such a badass, Little Sister.” Jacob says, “You showed that bitch.”

  “Jacob.” Harry reprimands.

  “What did Amy say?” I ask him.

  “She says it went better than expected and she’s going to talk to the DA to see if they can get that lady cop off the case.”

  “Yeah, if she fucked Caleb...” Jacob starts.

  “I’m not going to let my son’s actions ruin this, Hannah.” Harry says.

  I want to say something, defend Caleb maybe, but I don’t. The parents leave, Jacob stays.

  I watch him type on his phone and then smile.

  “Don’t tell anyone.” I say.

  “I’m not.” He says, “Molsky’s having a party.”

  “You should go.”

  “And leave you?” He envelopes me in his warm, safe arms and I breathe.

  “I’m okay.” I say.

  “Good, ‘cause I could use some pussy tonight.” he says into my hair.

  “You’re disgusting!” I say and push him away.

  He laughs and walks away. “You don’t get to diss me anymore Little Sister.” he says, “Or should I say Big Sister?” he smirks and shuts the door behind him.

  I frown.

  I don’t want to collapse. I’m not ready to feel weak so I grab a blanket and go sit out on the balcony. It’s cool and dark but doesn’t feel good. I want to feel the chill breeze of the mountains. I want to run away into the blue hills where it’s just me and two bickering boys surrounded by exposed wood walls and a large fireplace. I don’t want to be here.

  Soon I see an SUV leave. I wonder if Travis is taking Jacob or if it’s Caleb. It's strange the sense of security a large house and a fence can bring. I don't think I would've stepped outside my apartment if all this had happened when I lived there. It's different now. I'm different, my biggest fear of my entire life is not so tangible anymore. I am afraid of my father, but somehow, deep inside me, I know he can't hurt me anymore. I feel Caleb on my skin, and Jacob. I know I don't believe in love, at least not the romantic kind but the amount of area the both of them occupy in my heart... well, it leaves little room for worry, or fear. For the first time in my life, I feel as if I belong somewhere. I sit out there for hours, too numb to feel cold. Eventually, I find myself drifting off so I come inside and get in bed. My body is still shaking from cold when I feel another warm one behind me. He holds me close, an arm across my shoulders and I feel myself melt. I start to sob and I can’t stop it. He peppers kisses over my cheek, my ear, and neck. I’m crying and blubbering now.

  “Shh.” He says continuing to kiss me.

  “I don’t want to do this.” I cry, “I don’t want to be weak.”

  I turn around and bury my face into his chest. Luckily, he still has a shirt on and it absorbs my tears. I sob harder and he holds me closer.r />
  “Hey,” I hear Jacob call softly from behind me, “She okay?”

  “I’m okay.” I say, my voice muffled in Caleb’s shirt.

  “You want me to leave?” Jacob asks.

  I reach out my hand behind me. I feel the bed dip as his large body joins us. He clasps my hand in his. I take one deep breath and another until I feel myself calming. Eventually, I turn around to look at Jacob.

  “Did you get laid?” I ask him.

  “Hell, yeah!” he says, “Belinda Moser, she had this pair of tits...”

  I laugh as Caleb grunts behind me.

  “She did, Brother! You should’ve seen but where’d you go to?”

  “None of your business.” he says, his breath warm on my shoulder.

  “Well anyways,” Jacob continues, “Cole was eyeing her you know and she’s all smiling at him, so I figure I gotta make my move...” Jacob keeps rambling and I feel better. Life doesn’t feel so overwhelming any more, with the two of them near. After some time Caleb pulls me near and kisses my temple. “I’m gonna go now.” He whispers in my ear.

  “Why?” I turn, “Where?” I ask.

  “Sleep.” He says, I don’t know if it’s an answer to my question or an order.

  “Don’t worry.” Jacob says after he leaves, “I don’t think he went to a girl tonight.”

  “I wasn’t worried.” I tell him.

  “You sure?” He asks.

  I sigh and close my eyes, resting my forehead on his shoulder, “You were telling me about Molsky.”

  “Yeah, that dumbass...” he continues and I let myself drift away.

  C

  For not the first time, I regret sleeping with a chick. What was I thinking? I know what I was feeling, she’s hot, I thought a lady cop may be exciting, those handcuffs.

  Never did use the cuffs though, because I never took her to a bed. The storeroom in Sam’s bar.

  Once was enough, it always is.

  Till now. Till Hannah.

  I screwed up, I know.

  Hopefully Amy can fix it.

  She was a badass though, Hannah. I knew she was too good for me, for any of us.

  She’s got a spine of steel, that’s why I know she’ll be okay.

  Not sure about myself.

  Took Brother to a party. Then I headed to the gym. Asked her friend, Percy, about the fights.

  “I don’t think you’re ready.” He said.

  “What do you do when you really need to hit something?” I asked.

  “That heavy bag in the corner,” he said, “Hannah’s favorite toy.”

  I smiled at the term and got to work.

  “You seem to be dealing with something,” he asks after, when I’m cooling down on the bench, “I gotta ask, is Hannah okay?”

  “Yeah,” I nod, “You know about her dad?”

  “A little.” he said.

  “Well he’s here.” I tell him.

  I tell him some of what happened and he asks what her dad looks like so he can tell his people to keep a lookout. I’m glad Hannah has him in her corner.

  Afterwards, when she breaks down in my arms, I almost follow her. It takes all my strength to stay strong.

  Never did know how to deal with women’s tears. But hers, I feel each one burn like drops of acid on my skin. I wish I could take all of them away. I wish I could take her away from all of this.

  I almost pushed Brother away when he came but later I was glad. He made her smile again.

  She needs him more than she needs me.

  J

  I hate that Hannah’s crying, but Brother’s there.

  He’ll take care of her.

  She was so cool though with the cops. Shocker that Brother screwed that lady cop though.

  Who would’ve thunk?

  I hope this all goes away soon.

  Can’t stand drama.

  H

  Monday I have to go into work, I’ve asked for double shifts throughout the one week of spring break and Wanda gave them to me. I am sitting at the kitchen island eating Adele’s lovingly prepared breakfast when Caleb walks in.

  “Where are you going?” He asks me.

  “Where are you going?” I ask back.

  “Work.” He says.

  “Same here.”

  He comes and sits on the cushy leather stool next to me.

  “Don’t tell me I can’t work.” I tell him, “He’s in custody, right?”

  “Yeah, for now.”

  I take a large sip of coffee.

  “Travis takes you, and Travis brings you back.” He says.

  I look down at my food.

  “You don’t step outside that diner for anything.” He says.

  “Yes, Sir.” I say.

  “Hannah.” He exhales. I turn to look at him. He looks worried. His hand comes up as if it wants to touch my hair and then moves back down.

  “I know.” I tell him.

  He sighs and leaves.

  Adele is studying me when I look at her.

  “Don’t say it.” I say.

  She puts her arms on the wide stone island and leans in.

  “I’ve known that boy for a long time.” She whispers.

  “Adele, don’t.” I plead. I don’t want to hear it.

  She sighs. “You take care of yourself, okay?” She finally says, “and not just for your mother’s sake.”

  I nod.

  Chapter 8

  Work is good. It’s busy and grueling and I like that it makes me forget. Wanda has told everyone to keep a lookout for shady men that don’t order food and it feels safer to a small degree.

  After work, I go directly home.

  “They had the hearing today.” Harry tells me at dinner. “Amy told me the judge set the bail at two hundred thousand.”

  “What the fuck, Dad?” Jacob cries out, “Two hundred K? He’ll be out in two days.”

  “It’s not that easy to get, Jacob” Harry says.

  “He’s right.” I tell Jacob, “Two hundred thousand is huge.”

  “Especially for an ex-con. At least that’s what the judge says. It’s not like he can get a loan.” Harry says.

  “What about his friends?” Jacob asks, “they may not be ex-cons.”

  “Well, all we can hope is that they have no access to this type of money. Anyways, Hannah, he is in custody, for now, so I don’t want you to worry.”

  “What about the court case?” I ask, “When is that?”

  “April 17th.” He says, a whole month away.

  “Shit. Brother’s not going to be happy.” Jacob says.

  “Tell your brother, since he can’t be bothered to show his face to me, that he doesn’t have to worry about Hannah anymore. We got it handled.” Harry says.

  Jacob huffs and leaves.

  Two hundred grand sounds huge to me, and yet not. It is still attainable. It is not him imprisoned. I’m afraid, but not any more than I was yesterday. Or the day before. This constant fear has become a habit now, my shoulders always tense except when I’m in Caleb’s arms.

  He comes to me that night. I’m asleep in bed when hard arms grab me from behind. Groping, molding, pulling on my clothes. I turn to him and firm, full lips envelope mine, his tongue pushes in. I give into the assault, needing him vociferously.

  “Tell me.” He says rescuing his lips from mine, “Say something.”

  “No.” I say and attack him again.

  “I need this,” he says as he pulls back to tear off my clothes, “You, I need you. Every fucking night.”

  I tug off his shirt and then push my hands below the waistband of his pajama pants.

  “Why did you leave yesterday?” I ask.

  “Fucking brother.” He groans into my neck.

  I give in. I need it to be hard and fast. I gasp when he enters me long before I’m ready.

  “What?” He says, panting above me.

  “I wasn’t ready.” I say.

  “Shit! What, what should I do?”

  “You don’t
know?” I ask.

  He kisses me and his tongue soothes and arouses. I groan into his mouth and my lower body arches up.

  “Now?” He asks, moving back.

  I nod.

  “God!” I cry out when he moves.

  He covers my mouth with his hand. “Shh.”

  “I don’t care who hears.” I whisper loudly.

  He scowls down at me. “Quiet.”

  I nod, and I try to be quiet, biting my lip and holding in the sounds, but I can’t help it when I explode and he pushes my face into his shoulder.

  I break out in giggles afterward.

  “Shit!” He whispers, “You’re gonna get me kicked out of the house.”

  “God, I lo....” I start and freeze when I realize what I almost said.

  “What?” He asks, lying next to me, still panting.

  “Nothing.” I shake my head.

  He spoons me from behind. “You were laughing.”

  “Not at you.” I lie.

  “I don’t give a fuck.” His teeth lightly nip my shoulder, “you can laugh at me all you want. You have no idea how much trouble you could get me into.”

  “I don’t want you in trouble.” I say.

  “You sure? Little vixen?”

  “Two hundred grand, the bail.” I tell him a little later.

  “I know. It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something.” I say, “It could keep him there for a while, maybe till the court case.”

  He is quiet, and I fear it’s because he doesn’t agree with me.

  “Caleb.” I mumble into his neck.

  “Mmmm.”

  “Harry says you don’t have to worry about me, he’s got it handled.”

  “Harry is delusional.” he says.

  I smooth my palm down his chest. Feeling the smooth, flat planes of those muscles.

  “I don’t want you to worry.” I tell him.

  “You’re in my veins, Baby.” He says looking at the ceiling, “I can’t get you out.”

  I know what he means, but we don’t name it.

  We sleep.

  C

  What I said, about her being in my veins, it’s true.

  I can’t stop thinking about her, all through work and afterwards as I work out at the gym. It’s not just the sex, though that’s another level, but her. How she is, what she’s doing, I’d leave it all just to go sit with her and watch the stars. No touching or talking necessary.

  Two hundred grand is nothing, I know he’ll be out before the trial. That’s why I’m working extra at the gym.