I didn’t sleep much. Not just because of my dad, but because I couldn’t get Maddison out of my head. My alarm goes off, and I stretch over my bed to hit the end button on my phone and see I have three unread messages. I lean back in bed, swipe my finger to unlock the screen and read them.
Unknown: “I need . . . stuff.”
Unknown: “Where can I meet you?”
Rebecca: “I miss you.”
Shit.
I let my phone fall onto the bed beside me and drag my hand down the side of my face as I sit up. I walk into my closet, change into my sweats then make my way down to the gym.
As soon as I push back the door, I wish I’d gone for a run instead.
“Good morning, son,” my father says from the treadmill. Son? I almost stop dead in my tracks, but I can’t let him see what that just did to me. What the hell is he doing in here anyway?
I ignore him and make my way to the dumbbells. I can feel his gaze on my back, and it’s making me uncomfortable.
I cut my workout in half, and just as I’m about to leave the room, he says, “Finished already? That’s not a very manly workout.”
“Like you would know,” I mumble. He drops his weights and stalks towards me. Even though I’m slightly taller than him and stronger, I’m still afraid. He’s solid, and not afraid to use his fist, not even on me, I don’t think I could ever raise my hand to him, no matter how much I want to. He narrows his eyes on mine.
“Don’t be smart to me, boy. Remember what I said to you last night.”
I let him hold my gaze as I stare back into his dark blue eyes, and then I turn around, and mutter, “Yeah, yeah.”
I let the door shut in his face, with the pounding of my heart blaring in my ears.
I put my foot to the floor and skid out of the driveway. My stereo is blaring a load of crap, so I hit play and listen to Beethoven. Immediately, my tense muscles ease, and the rage that almost exploded fades to the back of my mind. All the negative emotions seep out of me as the piano drifts through the speakers.
The beep of a text message startles me. “Fuck!” I smack my hand on the steering wheel, then read the message that flashes across the screen on the dashboard.
Unknown: I need stuff!
I let out a frustrated snarl, pull over on the side of the road, pick up my phone and hit reply. Same place. Same time.
I pull back onto the street and fly down the road and into the school parking lot. As soon as I pull in, Cam comes up my rear in his pickup truck, threatening to run me over. Laughing, he reverses into park beside me, and I glare at him.
“What’s up, boss?” he says, as he jumps from his monster of a truck. “Scared I was gonna hit ya?” He laughs again, shoving my shoulder.
“Not scared. Anxious, because I know how much you want to.”
He throws his backpack over one arm, and grins, “I haven’t done it yet.”
I shake my head, grab my bag, and start walking. “But you’re tempted.”
“How can I not be? Look at that little bug. It’s just asking for someone to squash it.”
“That little bug is a 911 Porsche Carrera, and it’s a hell of a lot more expensive, and not to mention faster, than that piece of shit.”
“Yeah don’t push me mate, we all know who will win.” He flashes his bright smile and nudges my arm.
I laugh, and as I put my hand in my pocket, I feel my phone vibrate. I pull it out and read the message.
Unknown: Thx.
I groan, shove my phone back in my pocket and look up to Cam, who’s checking out the girls passing by.
“Got another drop-off tonight, you in?”
His attention doesn’t move back to me as he says, “Only if you drop some off to me.”
She isn’t in English. Not that I’ve ever kept track of her or noticed if it’s normal or not, but I can’t help but think the worst, and it is really starting to freak me out.
“Where were you last night?” Rebecca’s voice purrs, as she pulls my attention from the back of the room towards her. She sits down beside me, leaning forward so her low-cut shirt shows a little too much cleavage. Apparently, she refuses to think I’m not taking her back, even though she was the one who ended it.
I just look at her, and she shoots me a skeptical glare.
She rolls her eyes. “Never mind. It’s my birthday tomorrow, and we’re going to dinner tonight because my parents are taking me to Paris in the morning.”
“Rebecca . . .” my voice trails off. I never wanted to use her for the sake of my dad’s business. When we first started going out, we were really good friends. We got along. I could see how much it meant to her. If this was the last time I had to do it, for our friendship at least, I’d suck it up, and be the guy she wanted. “Okay.” Then I’d end it completely.
Her face perks up, and she sits up straighter. “Good, so you’ll book the restaurant? Pick me up at eight?”
I nod. My dad’s going to kill me when he finds out I didn’t fix it.
The day seems to drag on. Every hallway, every corner, I catch myself scanning each and every face. I am completely out of it today, and everyone is noticing. The final bell rings. I throw my bag over my shoulder and head for the parking lot, when something inside of me makes me stop.
Rebecca comes up from behind me, hooking her arm through mine. “What’s wrong?”
“I, uhh, I forgot something. I’ll see you tonight? Eight?”
Her expression brightens. Shit, she is really going to lose it when she realizes it’s truly over.
“On the dot.” She turns and follows the rest of the crowd out the front door, and I turn and go against it. Back through the corridors, and up to the second floor until I come to the room that won’t leave my mind. As I grab the handle, turn and push, everything that has been messing with my emotions washes away, and I can’t help but let out a heavy breath. It’s locked.
I lean against the door, peer through the small window and see her. She’s retrieving her cello from the cupboard. Every muscle in my body eases.
She’s safe.
I quickly pull away, so she doesn’t see me. I rest against the wall and slide down until I’m sitting, and then, sure enough, the blissful melodies of the cello drift through the walls and entrance me.
“Can I help you?”
I open my eyes, and the music teacher is staring at me strangely.
I clear my throat, stand up and pull my bag over my back. “Ahh, no, ahh . . .” I turn quickly, and head down the hall.
“Mom, I’m taking Rebecca out for dinner tonight. It’s her birthday.” I can’t tell her I’ve ended it yet. I know my dad wouldn’t have told her anything since his words to me were ‘fix it.’
She turns from the stove, waving the spatula in the air. “Ooh, what did you get her?”
I lean against the bench. “Nothing.”
Her eyes narrow on mine. “You didn’t get her anything? What kind of boyfriend are you? Oh wait, you are your father’s son.”
“Why do I need to buy you presents when you just spend my money whenever you like?” My dad appears out of nowhere, and I groan. Rolling my eyes, I stand up and move away when my mom stops me.
“Wait, Hamish, I’ll find something. Come with me.”
I stop and face her. She’s removing her apron.
“Make sure you take her to Portellos,” Dad says.
I don’t even acknowledge him as I follow my mom out the door.
We enter my mom’s closet, and I sit down on a sofa. She’s searching through her drawers. By the time I look up, there’s a pile of boxes sitting on a vanity.
“Pick one.” She smiles.
I knew I wasn’t going to get out of this, so I stand up and move towards her. They were either Tiffany or Chanel. This would definitely send the wrong message, or maybe it could be a peace offering, and she won’t be so upset. I open the first box. A dainty pair of diamond earrings. Brand new.
“Are these all—”
�
�Yes, your father was right. I like to buy myself presents now and then.”
I scoff, raising my eyebrows. “Now and then, huh?”
She lightly smacks me on the shoulder. “I’ve never worn any of them, so hurry up and pick one.”
I open the next one, pearl earrings. I open the third, a Tiffany bracelet. For some reason, I can’t help but think of Maddison. She would look stunning in this.
“This will do.” I put the lid back on the box of the bracelet.
“You’re not even going to look at them all?”
“I’ll be here all night if I do.” She scowls at me then smiles, and I laugh. “Thanks, Mom.”
She looks childish, that small smile turning into something coy. Oh, God, my breakup isn’t going to be good. She faces the mirror and reapplies her makeup. “You’re welcome.”
I leave the room as she shouts after me. “Get her some flowers, too.”
I purposefully avoid the kitchen, or anywhere my dad might be, and leave the house.
Before I pick up Rebecca, I have to make that stop. My phone’s been going crazy all night, and Cam bailed on me. I drive to the other side of town and park up next to a football field. I pull out my phone and text her.
Me: Where are you?
Unknown: Coming.
A few moments later the door opens, and she jumps in, her eyes glassy. I shake my head and pull out the small bag of coke from my pocket. She goes to snatch it from my hand but I close my fist around it. She looks at me and frowns. “Last time.”
Her round eyes narrow. “What? Why?”
I clear my throat. I have to think of something. I can see what this is doing to her, and I can’t be the one to do it. “My suppliers stopped.”
She smacks a hundred dollar bill in my hand, scowls at me, and turns for the door when I say, “Wait.” She turns around, and I grip her wrist, pulling her hand back to me. I place the hundred dollar bill in her palm. It’s not like I need it, and by the look of her, she does. I don’t let her go. “Stop now before it’s too late.”
She rolls her eyes, tugging her hand away, and slamming the door shut behind her as she disappears into the darkness.
I shake my head as I drive back to my side of town. I don’t even have to get out of the car before Rebecca prances down the steps. And God, could she look any hotter? She’s wearing a simple silk blue dress that dips at the neck, revealing a little too much. I step out of the car, and before I can pull away, she steps in towards me and kisses me on the lips.
“Rebecca—”
“Aren’t you going to tell me how beautiful I look?” She steps to the side and gestures towards the door.
I run a hand over the nape of my neck and sigh. “You always look beautiful.”
Her smile widens, and she teases, “Oh, I know.”
Her sarcasm is what drew me in the very first time we started seeing each other. As soon as I shut the door behind her, I lean against the car. What the fuck am I doing? I can’t deny the fact that I like being around her, but not for the reasons she does. This is going to break her, which is exactly why my dad won’t let it happen. I let out a heavy breath, and walk around to the driver’s side.
“What is this crap?” She switches Beethoven to the radio station and turns it up. She’s never liked my music. No one really has.
I hand my keys to the parking valet, and Rebecca slips her arm through mine. I look down to her, and her honey brown eyes gaze up at me.
As soon as we enter, a waiter greets us. “Mr. Kingsley, right this way.”
I step behind Rebecca, and we follow the waiter to our table. He helps her into her seat, and I sit down opposite her. He pours us sparkling water, and we both order without looking at the menu.
I feel the box in my pants burning a hole in my pocket. I don’t want to give it to her because of what she’ll assume, but as I thought about what I was going to do, I feel guilty, so I pull it from my pocket.
“Happy birthday.” I place the box on the table between us and she gasps.
She opens it, and sure enough, a tear escapes, and the guilt only wraps itself tighter around my heart.
“It’s so beautiful, thank you, baby.” She leans forward, about to give me a kiss when I pull back, and her face drops. Rip the band aid off and do it fast.
“Rebecca . . .”
She shakes her head, running her hands through her hair in frustration and mumbles, “Kingsley, don’t.”
Why does it hurt so much? Fuck, I hate seeing her like this. I stretch my hand across the table, and her eyes flit to it, but she wraps her arms around her waist as she meets my gaze.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Another tear slips from her eyes. “Then don’t.”
I dig my hand into my hair, my fingers kneading my scalp. “We can’t do this anymore.”
Tears pool in her eyes, and the skin across her neck and chest flushes. “Why?”
I pull my hand back when I realize she isn’t going to take it. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. “You know why. It hasn’t been right for a while.”
Her jaw clenches, and she leans forward to not draw attention, and hisses, “A whole year, and that’s it? You’re giving up on us? How could you? You’re . . .” her voice trails off, just as its heightening. I know she wants to scream at me, and if she knew for how long I have been using her, she’d probably want to slit my throat.
The tears stream down her face. “You’re a real piece of shit. You know that?” She scrunches the napkin up and throws it on the table as she pushes her chair back and stands up. “Fuck you, Kingsley.”
She storms out of the restaurant just as the waiter serves up our entree. I groan and rest my head in my hands. I didn’t want our relationship to end like this, I didn’t want to see her hurting this much. The business deal with my dad is going to turn to shit. This is going to be the end of me.
I jump to my feet, shut the Tiffany box and slip it back into my pocket. I turn to the waiter, who has no idea what to do. “Just put it on the tab,” I say as I rush out the door after her. I have to end it on better terms. This was supposed to be the better terms. But what the hell do I know about chicks? There are no good terms to end a relationship. I’m screwed. As soon as I reach the door, I know I’m too late. A cab is pulling away from the restaurant. She’s gone.
What the fuck am I supposed to do? This is the right thing, isn’t it? I’ll just have to suck it up and suffer the consequences because I can’t live like that forever. I couldn’t let her live like that, either. It wasn’t right. But even as I try to justify it to myself and pretend that I don’t care what’s going to happen with my dad, I can’t stop the excessive beat of my heart as I think about him.
I wait for the valet to bring my car around and before the car stops, I’m at my door, opening it while it’s still rolling. As soon as he hops out, I jump in and skid away.
Fuck.
I drive around the streets for what feels like forever, my knuckles white from clenching the steering wheel. I can’t go home. My dad will be suspicious. I pound the steering wheel and groan. I don’t know where I’m going. As I turn down the next street, I see someone up ahead. I squint, and as I get closer, my eyes widen and I slam on the brakes. She turns around, frightened. As soon as she sees me, that shock and fear turns to annoyance. She turns around and continues walking.
What the hell is she doing? I look at the clock. 11:00 P.M.
I pull the keys from the ignition and jump out of the car. “Maddy! Wait!”
She ignores me, as usual, so I chase after her, but she still doesn’t stop. God, she’s stubborn. When I finally catch up to her, I grab her by the elbow and spin her around.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
She yanks her arm from my grip and scowls at me. “What does it look like?”
I look around the street. It’s deserted, and not to mention freezing. “Where are you going?”
“None of your business,” she mutters as
she turns around.
“Maddy, wait, please. I’m not leaving you this time.” She still doesn’t stop. I groan, hold out my keys, lock my car, and chase after her again.
I shove my hands in my pockets and walk beside her. I’ll walk her the whole way if she refuses to get in my car. She shoots me a quick glance. “If you think that’s going to stop someone from breaking in, you’re wrong.”
She’s probably right—especially in this area. “Do you think I care?”
“Right, just ask Daddy for another one,” she chides.
I sigh. “Maddison.”
“Kingsley,” she says condescendingly.
I turn and walk backwards, so she has to look at me. “I’m not leaving you. I’ll follow you all the way if I have to.”
She laughs. “What, so you can fight off the big baddies?”
“If I have to.”
She stops, and crosses her arms over her chest, rolling her eyes. “I’ve done it before.”
I step in towards her. “Oh, I don’t doubt that.”
She narrows her eyes, and shakes her head, but doesn’t say anything.
“And I don’t want you to have to do it again.”
Her head jolts back, and she’s glaring at me. “Why do you even care?”
I’ve been asking myself that question ever since I met you. I smile. “I can’t let anything happen to the next music prodigy. Where will I get my claim to fame?”
The corners of her mouth tug back into a small smile, and she looks away. My heart can’t take it, and I almost trip. “Don’t turn away when you smile.” I touch her chin and pull it back to me.
Her smile is gone. Her jaw tightens and she jerks out of my grip. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”
I shove my hands in my pockets and stare at her. Her bright blue eyes are like steel, but something else flickers through them as well. Something warm. I shake my head. No, I’m not going to leave, not this time.
She moans, throws her hands into the air and says, “Fine.”
I exhale and smile.
She storms towards my car and I’m right behind her. As soon as she reaches it, she grabs the handle, and her hands fall to her side. I step in front of her, unlock the car, and open the door. She rolls her eyes again, but this time there is a smirk on her face, and I can’t take my eyes off it.
Stolen Songs Page 4