Stolen Songs

by Samantha Armstrong

  Holy shit. If words could cut, I’d be in bits on the floor. He’s still holding me, staring into my eyes and waiting for a response. I’ve never felt like I’ve had to explain myself before, and strangely, even now I don’t feel judged. Maybe it’s the way he said it, or the fact that I’m completely comfortable around him.

  “Well, I’m not really taking care of you, but I’d like to think I am.” The coy smile spread across his face is now a devilish smirk. “Technically, it’s my dad’s money, so you can just justify it by pretending you’re stealing from a rich douchebag if that makes it easier.” He winks and I can’t stop the chuckle that leaves my mouth. His finger runs across my lips. “Does this smile mean you’re not going to be stubborn for once?”

  How does he do this to me? I let out a breath and finally nod. Even if it’s just for today. I don’t have to steal. I can buy the kids food, maybe even some stuff for school. A slow but sure smile spreads across his face. He pulls me into him and squeezes me tight. I press my head into his chest, and close my eyes, and for the first time in my life I don’t have that anxiety of returning home with nothing to give the kids.

  “While we’re on the topic of blowing his money, I’m getting you a car, too. I don’t want you walking around, especially late at night.”

  I jerk back out of his grip. That snapped me out of my reverie. “You’re not getting me a car.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “No, you’re not,” I say firmly. “And besides, I don’t even have my license, which means I can’t drive.”

  “Well, then you can learn and get your license too.”

  I sigh. I’m starting to notice he’s just as stubborn as I am. To deflect from the car conversation, I change the subject. I clear my throat. “When do you think you’ll be coming back to school? Mr. Barner’s been freaking about the audition in two weeks.”

  He grimaces. “I’ll figure it out.”

  I stand there for a moment, feeling the credit card burning a hole in my pocket. I need to leave. “Okay, now I really have to go.”

  He eyes me warily, as if he’s studying my expression, but I know I’m not giving off much. “Be safe.”

  I scoff. “Kingsley—”

  He cuts me off. “I know, Maddison. I know, okay?”

  I narrow my eyes on his, and he smirks. He shakes his head, and pulls me in towards him, squeezing my arms. “I guess I shouldn’t be that worried. You do have a little bit of muscle on you.”

  I shove him off and walk to his patio with him chuckling behind me. I open the door and turn to see him right behind me. “I’ve got to see my girl in action at least once.”

  “Come to think of it, you probably have hundreds of escape routes in this house right?”

  He shakes his head. “Nope. Only one. Front door.”

  I roll my eyes and pull myself over the railing, lowering myself to the ground. I hear his wolf whistle, and I scan to make sure no one’s around.

  Idiot.

  He waves as I take off, and I smirk at him, without returning the wave.

  First stop—supermarket. I have no idea how high the limit on this card is, but my pulse jumps just thinking about it. I try to keep a straight face as person after person looks me up and down as I push the trolley down the aisle. It takes everything in me not to glare at them. I should have gone to the supermarket near my house. At least there I wouldn’t stand out like a fucking bull in a china shop.

  I only get the essentials. Partly from habit and partly because I can’t carry anything else all the way home. My phone vibrates and I pull it out of my pocket.

  Kingsley: I miss you already.

  I laugh and text back. Clingy.

  Kingsley: Yup.

  Kingsley

  “It’s a miracle!” Toby shouts with his arms in the air, praising the heavens. He gets down on his knees. “He finally shows up. Thank you, God!”

  I shake my head as I walk past him. Cam’s laughing as he walks forward and smacks him on the head. “Get up, you idiot.”

  I nod to Cam and he returns the gesture.

  Toby jumps to his feet and swings his arm over my shoulder. “So where have you been, bro? That girl got you whipped, huh?”

  “Yup,” I say casually as I continue walking to the fields.

  “Damn. You don’t even deny it. When are we gonna meet her then?”

  I shrug him off, and glance at him. I don’t know if I want any of them to meet her, especially him. “You’re probably not.”

  He scrunches up his face. “What? Why?”

  I laugh. “Because.”

  “Oh, come on. You afraid she’s gonna leave ya for this?”

  I shake my head. “Definitely not.”

  “Ouch.” He snickers. “Anyway, the boys have been askin’ about you. You gonna deliver tonight?”

  “I’m not delivering anymore.”

  He steps in front of me and stops me from walking. “Oh, come on.”

  I look around. The boys are laughing and being loud, but no one seems to be listening, so I focus back on him. He’s staring at me in disbelief. “You need to get your head out of that shit, anyway.”

  He runs a hand down the side of his face. “Man, I thought this girl was a badass, must’ve been wrong. She really does have you on a leash.”

  I’m starting to get pissed, but I ignore him. I step around him and keep walking.

  “Well, fuck, where am I gonna get my goods from now?”

  I look at him out the corner of my eye, and say firmly, “Toby, you need to stop.”

  He laughs. “Yes, mom.”

  Coach blows the whistle, and Toby smacks my back as he jogs onto the field. “Just don’t lose your balls, eh!”

  Maddison

  “I need you to watch the kids. I’m going out with friends,” Angela says as she throws back her black coffee.

  “But I already have plans.”

  “It’s either you or your sister.”

  I grit my teeth. “Fine.” I can’t leave this responsibility to Tilly.

  She grabs her purse from the counter and doesn’t even say goodbye as she paces towards the door. Some days—most days—I want to go off at her, tell her how utterly useless she is, but I can’t. Not in front of the kids.

  Molly stumbles around the corner with tears streaming down her face. I pick her up. “What’s wrong?”

  “Jack mean,” she sniffs.

  “Jack,” I call, and he comes running around the corner with his arms in the air.

  “She’s messin’ up my lego!”

  “Okay, come on. We’re all going to the park.”

  Molly perks up, then squeals and wriggles out of my hold. She runs out of the kitchen calling her sisters’ names. I’m actually relieved I don’t have to go out without them. I haven’t been around them much lately, and even though I want to see Cynth and Kingsley, I also want to spend time with them.

  I unbuckle Phoebe from the stroller, and she runs to the swings, giggling as she trips over her feet. Tilly looks at me and snickers. She’s got a book under her arm.

  “What you reading?”

  “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

  “Haven’t you already read that?”

  “Yup, this is my second time.”

  I laugh. “Gosh, you’re such a nerd. But a little nerd I love.” She smiles, and I wrap my arm around her neck as we walk to the swings. There are kids everywhere, and I only see a few parents. I place Phoebe in the swing, and Tilly lifts Lucy into her own.

  “Watch your sister,” I call to Jack, even though I don’t need to. He has his hand wrapped around her wrist as he helps her across the swinging bridge.

  “Madz?” Tilly says. I push Phoebe, then look over to meet her gaze.

  “We’re having parents come in and talk about their careers, and I don’t want Angela or Darren to come, so I was wondering . . . can you come in?”

  “Me?”

  She nods.

  “But I don’t even have a career.
I’m still at school.”

  “Yes, you do. The cello. I want you to come in and talk about it, and then play it.”

  I feel honored that she asked me, and there is no way I’d let Angela or Darren make an appearance. I’m not sure what the teachers would think of them.

  “Am I allowed?”

  “I already asked Miss Lancy. She said that’s a great idea. Please, can you?”

  “If you’re teacher is okay with it, of course, I will. I’ll have to ask mine if I can take the cello out of school first.”

  She’s nodding, and her smile has grown so wide, she looks like the child she should be. “Thank you, Maddy. You’re the best sister ever.”

  I let Phoebe swing on her own as I wrap my arms around her. “You’re the best sister ever. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She squeezes me tight.

  It’s five thirty when we get home, and the kids are starving so I make dinner. Sloppy joes. I’m feeding Phoebe when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out.

  Cynth: You gonna be here soon or what?

  Me: Not coming. Have to babysit. Angela’s out.

  Cynth: Ugh!!!!

  Me: Be safe.

  Cynth: !!!!

  I shove my phone back in my pocket. Jack’s talking a million miles an hour about his after-school soccer game, and I’m trying to keep up. Tilly’s sitting at the other end of the table, completely zoned out in her reading, and the other two kids are giggling as they make a mess eating. It’s hectic like usual, but I manage to keep up.

  When the kids are finally in bed, Tilly and I sit on the couch watching television, but neither of us are watching it. Tilly’s reading and I’m drifting in and out of sleep until my phone vibrates.

  Kingsley: What time will you be here?

  Me: I’m not coming, have to babysit.

  Kingsley: What?

  Me: Sorry.

  Kingsley: :( Now what am I meant to do?

  Me: Drink beer and dance?

  Kingsley: But I want to dance with you. What about I come over? I’ve only had two beers. I can drive.

  Me: No!

  Kingsley: Come on!

  Me: Nope.

  Kingsley: Fine, I’m going to sit in the corner sulking the whole night.

  Me: Fine with me.

  He doesn’t text back straight away and I rest my phone on my chest. As soon as it vibrates, I snap it up and smile.

  Kingsley: What about tomorrow? Can I see you then?

  Me: Maybe. Depends if Angela’s here to watch the kids.

  Kingsley: Okay.

  Me: Well, have fun. I’ll text you tomorrow.

  Kingsley: I’ll try. Good night.

  Kingsley

  “Cynthia, what are you doing here?”

  “What do you think? It’s a party.” She steps forward and whispers, “Do you have any stuff?”

  “I told you to stop.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Fine, I’ll just go find Teddy.”

  I grab her arm just as she’s about to walk away. I don’t want her to go to Teddy. He’s bad news, and being a friend of Maddy’s, I feel even more inclined to protect her.

  I clench my jaw. “If I give it to you, you have to promise me this is the last time. Cynthia, I’m serious.” I pull her into me, tightening my grip on her arm. “Stop for Maddy.”

  She tugs away, shocked. Obviously, Maddy hasn’t told her about us. I pull out the packet from my pocket. She hesitantly takes it, then turns and disappears into the crowd.

  Maddison

  My alarm rings, and I stretch over the bed to switch it off. When I flip my phone over, I see I have three missed messages.

  Kingsley: It’s tomorrow :)

  I read the time it was sent: 1:15 A.M. I smile then read the next message.

  Kingsley: This party is shit.

  Kingsley: I wish you were here.

  I glance at the time. It’s just past eight. I doubt he’ll be awake but I text back anyway.

  Me: Sounds like you had a good time.

  I know Tilly’s awake because she’s not beside me in bed. I pull myself up, get changed, shove my phone in my pocket and make my way down stairs.

  Angela’s home but she’s hungover, so I take the kids out to the park. When we get back, it’s lunch time and Angela’s made peanut butter sandwiches. I raise my eyebrows.

  “Trudy’s going to be here this afternoon,” she says, and that explains it all. Even though we had to go through so much to get to this stage, I’m glad Trudy is making an effort to stop by every day. It has sure as hell helped me out.

  “So, you’re going to be home today then?” I ask.

  “Yes,” she says sharply.

  “Good, because I’m going out.” I kiss each kid on the head. I pull out my phone, and it has two messages.

  Kingsley: So funny

  I snicker as I pull on my Chucks, then read the next one.

  Kingsley: Did you have a good night?

  I slam the front door shut behind me and text back.

  Me: What are you doing?

  I take two steps before my phone vibrates in my hand. I pull it up to read the message.

  Kingsley: Nothing, what are you doing?

  Me: Walking to Cynthia’s.

  Kingsley: I’m on my way to pick you up.

  I laugh and pick up my pace. When I reach Cynth’s street, I decide to keep going so he doesn’t have to drive as far, and so Cynth doesn’t catch me. I’m dreading the lecture I’m going to get when she finds out about whatever this is.

  It only takes him fifteen minutes when it should have taken at least half an hour. When I’m in the car, he places both hands on my cheeks and pulls me into a kiss. “Good morning, Maddison.”

  I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. He’s wearing a black t-shirt, khaki pants, and a big silver watch. It looks nice and expensive. He pulls out onto the road, and we fly down the street.

  “No wonder it didn’t take you long to reach me. Do you ever abide by the speed limit?”

  “Who does?” He scoffs, then frowns, and the car quickly slows down. “Pretend I didn’t say that.”

  I look out the window and notice we are heading out of town. “Where are we going?”

  He grins and turns up the music. It’s Beethoven. He isn’t about to answer me so I settle back in my seat, and when I open my eyes, fifteen minutes have flown by.

  “We’re here.”

  I look around. We’re at what looks like an old airfield. The grass is overgrown and the fence has been knocked down in places. “What are we doing here?”

  He jumps out of the car, opens my door and when I get out he slides into my seat. I frown. “What are you doing?”

  He fastens his seatbelt then looks up at me. “Teaching you how to drive.”

  I bring my hands to my face. “Oh, God. That’s probably not a good idea.”

  “You’ll be fine. I’m a good teacher, and there’s no one around. Come on.”

  I stand there for a moment, nervous, but at the same time, the adrenaline pumps through my system and I jog around to the driver side. I didn’t think I’d ever drive a car, let alone a Porsche. The seat is smooth, warm, and the car is purring. I buckle up and glance at Kingsley.

  “God, I love that smile.” He leans forward to give me a quick kiss, then he rubs his hands together. “Okay. First things first. Always abide by the speed limit.” He winks, and I laugh. “This isn’t a stick shift, so you’re lucky. All you have to do is push this button in, pull it down to the letter D, take the handbrake off and ease your foot off the brake.” I do as he says, and the car starts rolling forward. “Now, gently push your foot on that one. The accelerator.” I do, and we shoot forward, my seatbelt tightening. I slam on the brakes, and Kingsley laughs. “Don’t forget this car has a lot of power, so when I say gently, I really mean it.”

  I’m gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles are losing their color. It doesn’t take me long to get the hang of it, and when I
’m confident enough, I pick up speed, and Kingsley doesn’t say a word. I drive three loops around the runway, and by the fourth time, I’m going over a hundred miles an hour.

  “Okay, babe. Maybe, slow down a bit,” Kingsley says.

  I laugh and push my foot down a little bit more. The car is so smooth it doesn’t even feel like we’re going that fast. When I near the end of the strip, I slow down to a stop, and Kingsley lets out a breath.

  I put it into park, and smile, pleased with myself.

  “You look so fucking sexy right now.”

  I roll my eyes.

  “Seriously. I’m getting you a sports car. It suits you.”

  “You’re not getting—”

  He leans across the seat and wraps his fingers around my wrist, stunting my voice as he pulls me towards him. “Come here.”

  I automatically take in our surroundings but the airstrip is still bare. I adjust myself above his lap, and his hands fall to my waist.

  “Oh, I’m getting you one.”

  I can’t stop the smirk that spreads across my face in response to his eyes flicking to my lips. I bite my bottom lip, and his gaze shoots back to mine. The brightness in them makes a rush of laughter bubble up through me. “Well, did you make me straddle you for a reason?” His eyes widen and his lips are pressed against mine in an instant.

  His hands slide up under my shirt, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “God,” he breathes against my lips. I grab the back of his neck and my kisses become more desperate.

  The tips of his fingers trail across my skin, down to my hips, then around to my stomach and slip under my panties. My legs tighten against him, and we’re both short on breath. His hands slide around until they’re resting on my hips. He pulls back, and we stare at each other—a silent question and answer—and then I let out a moan as his fingers slide into me.