I Won't Give Up

by Sophie Monroe

  “What the fuck Fiona! Go change, NOW!” He roared. Yep. He’s pissed.

  “Not happening big brother, let’s go.” I tapped his shoulder and grabbed my purse pushing past him heading downstairs. I walked past my mom who just shook her head with a sly smile on her face, I swear I think I heard her chuckle. I climbed into Luke’s blacked out Range Rover and slammed the door. He climbed in and just shook his head at me. I was hoping that maybe if Gigi saw what a problem child she’d be getting by staying with my dad she might bolt, she was only twenty-eight after all and what twenty-eight year old wants to inherit a couple of bratty kids. We drove to the outskirts on the other side of town to my family’s other too large home that was in the process of being renovated for the happy couple.

  “Do we really have to do this?” I whined suddenly anxious. I was hoping Luke would just turn around and go home.

  “Yes. Let’s at least try, it’s just for today. We don’t have come back after this if you don’t want.” I knew he felt bad making me do this. I was in my own world of hurt without having to see them sickly in love I didn’t need it rubbed in my face. I didn’t believe in love, not anymore, love was for suckers.

  We pulled down the long winding driveway coming up to the massive house. Luke pulled up the last part of the circle before shutting the car off. He rubbed the top of my hand reassuringly before we opened our doors. Luke put his hand on my back as we walked to the front of the door. He grabbed the giant lions head knocker on the door and gave it a large smack announcing of our arrival. Moments later my dad opened the door with a big dunderheaded smile. Asshole!

  “Kids, I’m so glad you made it today.” He said all googley eyed. It made me even angrier, how dare him look so happy when the rest of us were broken.

  “Yep, I bet you are.” I said popping on the p. Luke gave me a light push from behind so I was over the threshold. The house may as well have been the mansion from Edward Sissorhands. I felt my hands start to tremble as she approached from around the corner.

  “We’re so happy to have you to our home.” Gigi purred walking up to my dad and wrapping her arm in his. Stupid bitch, I wanted to claw her eyes out! HOMEWREAKER! I screamed repeatedly in my head.

  “You look, um, nice Fiona.” She said mockingly. Well of course now that she was spending my dad’s money she was dripping with diamonds and wearing designer everything. She had on a blood red cashmere sweater dress and black Prada pumps. Her red lips were taunting me, she wants to play, I’ll play the game.

  “Maybe you’ll want to borrow it one day? Slut suits you!” I threw back with venom in my voice. She chuckled at me but disguised it as a cough.

  “Enough!” My dad yelled. “Fiona can you at least try and make an effort? And what the hell are you wearing? You look like a hooker!” He was angry; good!

  “You know what they say Dad lasts night’s smoky eye is this mornings hooker murdered in a back alley look. Just the look I’m going for. I’m going to have to sell myself if Gigi here keeps spending like she is.” I sneered. The way he looked at me hurt me even more than anything he could say, he was angry and disappointed.

  “Please, lets go sit in the parlor.” Gigi lead the way to a very opulently decorated room. The walls were cream, the very posh drapes were hanging from floor to ceiling. The chandelier that was hanging had been replaced with one that was oozing crystals. Pieces of custom upholstered furniture were placed strategically around the room, a sofa, loveseat, and a chaise lounge surrounded by mocha colored end tables. In the corner sat a curio filled with crystal decanters and goblets filled with what appeared to be very expensive whiskey. I couldn’t even begin to put a price on how much all of this cost!

  “Nice to see you’re spending our inheritance Gigi.” It was as if Luke spoke exactly what I was thinking, which surprised me. Normally he was the suffer in silence type. I laughed amusingly as if it were possible to spend our entire inheritance, I’m sure she’d try but my family came from old money, lots of it. My dad turned and backhanded him hard.

  “You will not disrespect her like that! Especially in our home. I am your father and you will respect my wishes. Do you understand?” His neck muscles were bulging and his voice was very angry, I’ve never heard him talk that that. This cold man was not our father. My dad would have never spoke to us like that but things change I guess. I grabbed Luke’s hand pulling him towards the front door.

  “It’s time for us to go Luke. We’re obviously not wanted here.” I felt tears start to fall, my mascara was running down my face. Luke opened the door slamming it with as much force as his could muster before opening the car door for me.

  “Are you okay?” I asked him through the tears that wouldn’t stop, he reached across me and pulled out a napkin from the glove box and handed it to me.

  “I’m fine, can’t say I didn’t want to give him a taste of his own medicine after that though.” Hurt was written all over his face, I could tell he way lying.

  “She’s such a gold-digging, conniving bitch.” I spat.

  “I don’t know about you but since we ran out before eating whatever they had catered I’m starving so why don’t I at least take the hooker to a late lunch?” He was trying to make light on the situation and I couldn’t help but laugh a little.

  “Fine. I’ll go to lunch with you but do you think maybe we could go home first so I change I’m not exactly dressed to go out in public.”

  “Hey you wanted to wear that I’m not taking you home to change.” He teased. I rolled my eyes at him as he sped out of the driveway. We drove downtown and pulled into The Barn. It was actually an old barn converted into a restaurant known for it’s fried goodness. Jack used to bring me here all the time… I quickly shut my brain down.

  “The Barn Luke seriously you know I hate this place.”

  “But I love it and since I’m buying and you look like a hooker we can’t very well go to any of the other fine establishments can we.” He joked.

  “Fine. But I’m ordering everything on the menu.” I said sticking my tongue out at him before hopping out of the car.

  He opened the door and I walked inside to the smell of greasy food. We went to the back and grabbed a corner booth. A bleach blonde bimbo wearing way too much perfume came over and asked for our drink orders.

  “I’m Janine. I’ll be your server today.” She purred to Luke.

  “I’ll have a Jack and Ginger.” I ordered. She didn’t even look at me as she started writing it down. Then Luke intervened.

  “We’ll have two Cokes.” Luke said and I gave him the death glare. The waitress laughed and rubbed her hand on Luke’s forearm before walking away.

  “Fiona this has to stop, I’m really fucking worried about you. I let it go on for long enough but you’re starting to fall into a black hole. You’re my baby sister and I literally couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”

  “I know.” I started crying again. Everything was falling apart.

  “Fiona we’re not all like dad you know. Honestly I don’t know why he left, I mean Gigi’s okay looking and sure she’s young but I think he’s going to regret it eventually and we’ll have each other and he’ll have nothing. So just keep that in the back of your mind okay?” I nodded. The waitress was back with our Cokes.

  “Are you ready to order.” Janine asked.

  “I’ll have the bacon Swiss burger and onion rings.”

  “I’ll have buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, the blooming onion with extra sauce, potato skins with extra bacon and the chicken quesadilla.” She was writing her ass off and Luke was just chuckling to himself.

  We talked a little more before our food arrived. She put my five plates in front of me and I was starting to kick myself knowing I’d never eat all of that food. I started picking at the quesadilla when I felt a tap on the shoulder. I turned and groaned internally when I saw him standing there looking sexy as fuck.

  “Hey Crash.” He said happily. He does have a nice smile. Stop.

/>   “What do you want?” I asked.

  “Are you going to eat all that food?” He joked before sliding into the booth next to me. “Are you her boyfriend?” He asked Luke who was giving him a once over.

  “No I’m the brother. And you are?”

  “Cooper Kinley.” He said extending his hand. “Nice to meet you…?”

  “Luke, Luke Prescott.” He returned the gesture. “How do you know Fiona?”

  “Crash here almost killed me last week. We haven’t actually had a real conversation since she’s always running away from me.” He smirked and started digging in eating my buffalo wings. I smacked his hand but he ignored it and kept eating.

  “Do you mind?” I spat.

  “Crash what the hell are you wearing? You look like you’re for sale.” He teased. Why did he have to look so damn hot, he smelled delicious; I can’t do this!

  “Move. I need to go to the ladies room.” He stood up and I scooted out and headed for the door, not to the ladies room but outside, I needed to get out of there. His scent was intoxicating, mouthwatering. I hated him even though I didn’t know him; it was easier for me to put up a front than it was to get hurt again. I was turning into a man-hater. At the rate I was going I was probably going to end up alone with a million cats or at least thirty. I clambered into Luke’s car and pulled out my iPhone going through my music playlist before finding something to listen to. I looked up and saw one of the girl’s that was sitting with him the other day at lunch stroll towards the entrance, Tabitha Davenport. She was a total bitch; she slept around with anything that could pitch a tent. Figures she was his type. Bad boy, skanky girl. I took out my phone and texted Luke telling him I needed to go home, now. He came through the door a minute later.

  “He likes you, you know.” He said closing his door. “I like him Fi. He might be good for you.” He said matter-of-factly.

  “Can we not talk about this? I don’t like him. Plus he was obviously there to meet the infamous Tabitha Davenport.”

  “It’s not like that, Tabby asked him out and with him being new he doesn’t know her reputation. I did hint to him though but he’s a big boy he can take care of himself.”

  “Tabby?” I asked repulsed.

  “That’s what she likes to be called.” Gross.

  “How would you know? Wait never mind I don’t want to know. I think I’m going to throw up.” Just the thought literally made me sick to my stomach. As soon as we were stopped in the driveway I threw my door open and stomped all the way to my room and slammed the door.

  Cooper

  I did a lot of thinking while I was away and I knew deep down my mom would be seriously pissed if I kept living life like before. I promised myself after I got back from my summer away that I would turn over a new leaf so to say and try my hardest to make her proud, I needed to do it for myself too. While I was on the road I started getting tattoos, things that reminded me of her. She loved cherry trees so that was my first on my forearm, I added some stars and got the Galileo quote on my ribcage, I found it comforting surrounding myself with things that reminded me of her, I felt like I carried a part of her with me where ever I went. Before I knew it I had filled up most of my forearms, I thought of them as the scars that I chose.

  When I got back I pulled into the driveway of our new house. Of all the places my dad had to pick to relocate his practice he chooses this place. Prescott, Tennessee. Every woman looked like a Stepford wife and all the husbands looked like they belonged on the golf course or glossing up the pages of GQ. He moved us into one of the way too big cookie cutter houses with manicured lawns on Magnolia Drive. I was not going to fit in here with motorcycle and all my tattoos. He called it a “fresh start” I called it running away. When I returned my dad was already pretty much settled in our new house, he left all my things in boxes because I told him I wanted to go though everything myself. We hadn’t really talked much lately with him setting up his new practice and me being on the road but he seemed to be doing okay and I was glad, I was just hoping I’d feel that way again too. It was hard to think about her not being here but I did have to agree that being in a new house was easier than being in my childhood home where no matter where I went I was reminded of her.

  “Hey Coop don’t forget to go register for school today. It’s bad enough you’re missing the first day.” My dad Kurt said before grabbing his briefcase and walking out the door.

  I finally finished unpacking my stuff before I threw on my leather jacket and grabbed my helmet heading out to the garage to my baby, my Ducati Monster, was she a beauty. I opened up the garage door and started her up heading towards Prescott High. I walked around in circles until I finally found what I was looking for, the office. Damn this was a big school.

  “Excuse me ma’am I need to register for school. Can you help me with that?” I asked politely.

  “Sure. Fill out these papers and then I will need your driver’s license to make sure that you’re a resident and then you’ll be good to go.”

  I grabbed the clipboard and took a seat in the posh leather chair and started filling out the paperwork. My old school had hand-me down everything, this place had everything top of the line everything. It was going to take more than some getting used to. I filled out the name and address portion of the paper work then I felt my throat close up and the beginning of tears start to come on when I got the parent/guardian part. I was only eighteen and I didn’t have a mom now. It was still too fresh. I hurried through the rest of the forms so I could get home and mope some more. It seems that’s all I’d been doing lately. The final bell was about to ring and I wanted to get out of here before I had to start meeting people, there was going to be enough of that tomorrow. I made it to my bike seconds before I heard the bell ring. I threw on my helmet and revved the bike to life pulling out onto Prescott Boulevard. Did everything in this town have to do with a Prescott? I was at a red light when I saw an expensive looking Audi come flying up behind me it nearly clipped me. What the fuck, crazy woman drivers! She pulled of to the shoulder and I rolled up next to her, fuming.

  “What the hell! You need to watch where you’re going!” I yelled resisting the urge to punch out her back window. Then I looked at the driver. Wow she was really pretty and her car, an Audi R8 Spyder with a price tag of a whopping two hundred grand. She wasn’t smiling she looked to be a world away.

  “Me! How about you pay more attention to where you’re going! You’re the one on the death trap!” Was she serious? I was stopped at a red light. My anger flared and I saw red.

  “You’re the one that almost hit me!” Cooper she’s a girl you dumbass. I needed to try and calm myself down because she was starting to look really upset.

  “Whatever no damage done right.” I saw the tear slid down her cheek and wanted to

  punch myself for acting like such an asshole, even though she was wrong.

  “Right. Just be more careful next time.” I said as soft as I could muster before I sped off. The whole ride home I wondered who the sad beautiful girl was. At least I wasn’t going to be the only sad one in town, I found the thought comforting.

  I tried the next day to get her to talk to me and she just blew me off. She barely even gave me the time of day. Something was definitely wrong for her to look so sad. The school wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. A bunch of people introduced themselves; others just stared and kept their distance. I guess they were scared of the tattoos and piercings. For me tattoos were a form of expression.

  Finally Saturday rolled around. I had a date tonight with Tabby that I really didn’t want to go on. We were supposed to meet up at a local dive in a couple hours. Maybe I should call her and pretend I was sick. She had bugged me relentlessly all week until for some reason I finally relented and agreed to go. I showered and dressed in a pair of faded ripped jeans and a black t-shirt and my black motorcycle boots. I went back into the bathroom and ran some pomade through my hair not that it was going to matter because the helmet was just
going mess it up anyway, besides I wasn’t in the market to impress her. I started up my bike and headed towards downtown. I found a parking space and headed inside. I was definitely early, I scanned the room to familiarize myself with my surroundings; old habits die hard I guess. That’s when I saw her, Fiona. She was sitting at a booth with a boyfriend? Maybe that’s why she wouldn’t talk to me. Maybe he’s the jealous type. Everyone I asked about her when I was digging for information said that Tabitha’s BFF Ashley was dating her ex Jack and that they didn’t think she was dating anyone.

  I decided to go say hello and see if maybe she’d talk to me today. I walked up and tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. She turned to look at me, she took my breath away. She looked like an angel but her eyes were slightly puffy like she’d been crying.

  “Hey Crash.” I said.

  “What do you want?” She asked. What the hell was she wearing?

  “Are you going to eat all that food?” I asked before sliding into the booth next to her. “Are you her boyfriend?” I asked the big guy sitting across from her who looked strikingly similar and I assumed he was a relative of some sort.

  “No. I’m the brother who are you?” He asked in a friendly but protective manner.

  “Cooper Kinley.” I said extending my hand. “Nice to meet you…?”

  “Luke, Luke Prescott.” He smiled returned the handshake. “How do you know Fiona?”

  “Crash here almost killed me last week. We haven’t actually had a real conversation since she’s always running away from me.” I smirked and started digging in eating her untouched buffalo wings. She smacked my hand but I ignored it and kept eating. She was feisty I’d give her that but I liked the challenge. I had a feeling that she was definitely worth it. She was gorgeous, tall and with curves in all the right places. Her long brown hair accentuated her heart shaped face, she had eyes that were so blue they reminded me of a Husky and her pouty lips that I was dying to kiss. Wow I sound lame.