by Nikki Ash
“It’s got to be the drugs… or money.”
“I’m terrified for him, Caleb. Those guys were scary.” It’s definitely not what I should be thinking about right now but my name coming from Hayley’s mouth is like an instant jolt straight to my dick. I have never felt like this before and I have no idea where it’s coming from but it’s been happening more and more lately. It’s like the minute she stopped outwardly wanting me, I can’t stop thinking about her.
“I will talk to Marco and see what’s going on. Whatever it is we will figure it out.”
Hayley’s phone dings and when she looks down at her phone she frowns.
“Everything ok?”
She looks back up and I notice a light blush spreading across her cheeks.
“Yeah, I was supposed to go out on a date tonight. I joined some stupid dating site in attempt to meet someone. I cancelled last minute when I saw Marco outside. He was texting me to let me know I shouldn’t agree to go on a date if I was planning to cancel. I know it was rude of me to cancel last minute but he’s being kind of mean about it.”
Does this woman not realize how beautiful she is? Why would she think she needs a dating site? Every guy around her that’s single practically drools over her, and she definitely doesn’t need to put up with some asshole that doesn’t understand life happens.
“Maybe it’s not too late to meet him… I can stay with Marco... Then he won’t be so mad.” I have no idea why I am even suggesting that. The thought of her leaving us to go on her date makes me sick.
She frowns but quickly replaces it with what looks like a fake smile.
“That’s ok. I already told him we could reschedule.”
I want to ask her why my suggestion made her sad but then Marco comes running back out of money and sits down sipping on his drink. My mind immediately goes back to Marco and keeping him safe. There’s no way I am letting anything happen to this kid. The waitress comes over and after we order I figure now is as good a time as any to ask Marco what’s going on.
“Marco, can you tell us who those guys were and what they were talking about?”
He immediately looks nervous bouncing his eyes back and forth between Hayley and me.
“You can trust us Marco,” Hayley adds in a soothing voice that makes me want to see how well she can soothe my dick in the bedroom. What the fuck is going on with me?
“Umm… Well… The guy you put up against the car is Hector and the other guy is Santos. I ran an errand for them to make some money and my mom borrowed the money I owe them. She promised to pay it back. She said she just needed to buy Chloe diapers. But she hasn’t given me the money back yet and Hector and Santos want the money because their boss Antonio needs the money.”
Fuck! His mom took the money he owes these guys, probably to buy more drugs. This isn’t good. I can easily pay them back but this isn’t just about money. Guys like them don’t like to be stolen from. This is about pride, about sending a message. They will definitely be sending a message.
“Ok, how much do you owe them?”
“Two thousand dollars.”
Holy shit! What the hell are these guys doing trusting a fucking twelve year old with that kind of money? Hayley hasn’t said a word. She looks scared as shit for this kid. I don’t know much about Hayley but I know she comes from a good family, and while I do as well, I also come from a home where my stepmom runs a strip club, which is shady as fuck, and pimps out her teenage stepson. Oh, I didn’t mention that before? Yep, my dad met Gloria at a strip club and decided to marry her and then fund her opening her own strip club. I have seen some shit go down at that club when I would have to go see her.
Then working at the clubs on the strip, watching the deals go down every night, you learn real quick how fucked up life can be. I have stood in on too many deals to count at the clubs. To make extra money I have taken private bodyguard jobs to escort guys into business meetings. You have no idea how corrupt Las Vegas truly is until you have sat in a few of those meetings.
The difference is, those meetings were with legitimate businessmen even if they are corrupt, not fucking gang members hanging on the streets. The men I have dealt with aren’t hiring twelve year olds to deliver their drugs for them.
“We are going to go by the bank and I am going to give you the money to give to those guys, ok? But Marco, you can’t keep running errands for them. They aren’t good guys.”
“I know but the money they pay me helps my mom. It gives Chloe her formula and diapers. My mom doesn’t have a job right now.”
“We will figure it out. Just promise me, no more running errands for them. Got it?”
“Ok.” He agrees but I can see the fear in his eyes. There’s more to this than he is telling us.
After we are done eating, I run by the bank just before it closes and take out the money. I drop Hayley off at her car and take Marco to his house. I am not stupid enough to just give the kid the money, though.
“Marco, I want you to call or text those guys and tell them you have their money. I am going to wait here, and I will be here when you give it to them.”
“Ok.”
After a few minutes the guys pull up and get out of the car. We are parked in front of Marco’s house and I tell him to stay in the car while I get out to deal with the guys.
The guy Marco said was named Hector walks up to me first. “Que pasa loco? Where’s Marco?” What’s up?
“Here’s three grand. The two grand he owes you and one more for your trouble.” I take the envelope of money and shove it into his chest. “Leave Marco alone.”
“Hey now, nobody forced him to do anything. He needed money and we offered him a job.”
“Yeah well consider his employment terminated as of now.”
“Whatever you say,” he says with a smirk.
I walk back to my car knowing this shit isn’t over but not sure what else to do. Marco gets out and I walk him up to the door. I can hear the baby screaming inside so I follow him in. The house is fucking gross and smells like piss. The baby is on the floor on a blanket, red-faced, screaming and crying her head off without her mom anywhere to be found.
Marco goes straight to her, picking her up with such expertise trying to soothe her. His mom comes walking out looking strung out on drugs just like the last time I saw her. Before she sees I am here she yells at Marco.
“Where the fuck have you been? I need you to get me some formula for the baby! And I am fucking exhausted from dealing with Chloe. It’s your turn to watch her…”
Before she can finish I clear my throat indicating she isn’t alone. She doesn’t even have the audacity to look apologetic that I just witnessed her treat her kid like absolute shit. She walks by me to her room and slams the door shut.
Marco goes to the cabinet and pulls out a can of what I imagine is formula since he pours some into a bottle, heats it up, and feeds it to the baby.
“I bought some last night but she was asleep when I got home and wasn’t awake yet when I left this morning.” He says this as a way of explanation like it’s perfectly normal for that bitch to speak to her kid like that. I am speechless. I am watching a twelve-year-old act like a father to a baby when he is still a fucking baby himself.
“Hey, I am going to take care of this Marco. I promise you.”
“Please don’t report my mom; if you do, they will take away my sister. They will put us in foster care. Some of my friends went there and told me it’s really bad. Please don’t do that.”
I don’t even know how to respond to any of this. This is all so over my head, but there has got to be an answer.
“Ok, buddy. Let me think about it for a little bit and I will figure it out.” I take some money from my pocket and hand it to him. “Don’t show your mom this. It’s a hundred dollars. Use it to feed your sister and you. If you need money you come see me. Ok?”
“Ok, thank you.” He burps his baby sister and then lays her down on the couch patting her to sleep.
> Chapter Four
Hayley
It’s New Year’s Eve, which means it is also Bentley and Kayla’s Wedding night. We are all standing at a local chapel on the strip listening to them say their vows to each other. Once Kayla decided she wanted to marry Bentley after almost losing him to her ridiculous insecurities she decided not to waste any more time. If she could have she would have married him the minute he said yes. Yep! You heard me right. She proposed to Bentley the second time around and of course he said yes. She wanted to get married immediately but agreed to New Year’s Eve to give her brother, Zach, time to get here for the ceremony.
“You may kiss the bride,” the Ordain Minister says and they kiss. Because of the small ceremony Kayla insisted on, Liz and I are her only bridesmaids and Cooper and Caleb are the groomsmen. Everybody claps and then we take off to Kayla and Bentley’s new home for their reception-slash-house warming party. As an engagement present, Bentley surprised Kayla by purchasing the home of her dreams, which is also right down the street from Liz’s house. I look over at Caleb and he gives me a small smile. He looks sexy as hell dressed in slacks and a button down dress shirt, but I still prefer him in nothing but a towel hanging from his hips. It’s like he knows what I am thinking when he raises an eyebrow and gives me a smirk.
I shake my head and walk over to him. “Heading over to the house?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yep, I guess I will see you there.” I go to walk away and he grabs me by my elbow. I stop in shock; Caleb has never willingly touched me.
“Hey, do you think maybe we could grab a bite to eat one day?”
“Like as a date?” I don’t want to assume anything.
He contemplates my question for a second. “Umm… As friends.”
It’s a good thing I didn’t assume. “Friends… Yeah, sure; just let me know when.”
His phone dings alerting him of a text message and he frowns at whoever is texting him. He puts it back in his pocket and looks back up at me.
“That was Marco. He didn’t realize the gym was closed and needs me to meet him there to give him some money. I am trying to figure out how to help him without turning his mom into the Department of Children and Families. I am looking into some rehab facilities that run off private donations to those with kids who can’t afford it but even then she would need someone to take care of them unless she can do outpatient or something.”
“That’s really sweet of you, Caleb. He is lucky to have you in his life. If you need any help please let me know.”
“Thanks.”
We both head out to our cars and go our separate ways, him to the gym and me to the party.
A little while later he arrives to the reception looking completely distracted.
“Hey, is everything ok with Marco?”
“Oh hey, I’m not sure. Marco is acting off. I think something is going on at his house. I am going to head over there after the party and check on him.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, I appreciate it but I would rather you not be there in that area. It’s not a good neighborhood.”
“Ok, well if you need anything let me know.”
“Thank you, I will.”
I give him a smile and go to reach over to his arm to give it a friendly squeeze before remembering he hates me to touch him. I pull back just in time, give him another smile and walk away. God, he must think I am so weird.
Walking over to the kitchen to grab a drink, I spot a bunch of people dancing outside in the backyard on the makeshift dance floor. I make myself a Malibu Lemonade and head out back to watch the drunken silliness.
“Get over here, Roberts!” Alex yells over the music. I shake my head no.
“C’mon, now!” I can’t help but laugh. He is definitely one of those drunks.
I give in. After taking another sip of my drink, I put it down on the table, and walk over to join him on the dance floor. The music is pumping so I sway my hips to the music. Alex stands behind me and dances up against me. I look over and see Caleb watching us. He almost looks… pissed? But that can’t be right. He wouldn’t care whom I’m dancing with. The song changes to a slow song and the DJ tells the newlyweds to get on the dance floor to join in. Caleb’s eyes still haven’t left mine. He begins to walk my way and I am frozen in place. I hear Alex saying my name but I tune him out only focusing on Caleb.
“I’m cutting in,” Caleb says to Alex, his eyes never leaving mine.
A second later I am in Caleb’s arms swaying to the tune of Jason Derulo’s song Marry Me. Knowing he doesn’t like me to touch him, I have no idea what to do with my hands. He frowns and then taking my hands in his, places them around his neck pulling me in closer to him and then wraps his arms around my waist, settling his hands at the small of my back. We dance for a few minutes in a comfortable silence staring into each other’s eyes. I have no idea what to make of this but I do know how natural it feels, like this is exactly where I belong.
Unfortunately his phone vibrates in his pocket ending the moment too soon. He looks down at his phone and then looks back up at me. With what looks like a silent apology for what I don’t know, he gives me a small kiss on my cheek and whispers, “It’s Marco. I have to go. Thank you for this dance.”
As he walks away I can feel my heart pounding from his closeness. His words do things to my body and when his lips brushed across my cheek I wanted to grab his face and not let go but knowing he needs to be there for Marco. I walk back to the table, grab my drink and gulp the rest down.
Caleb
Seeing Kayla so happy makes my day. That girl deserves her happily ever after, that’s for damn sure. It has taken a little while but Bentley and her are finally in a good place and as their best friend, it makes me damn happy to see them like this. The wedding was nice and simple just like Kayla wanted. The reception at their place is a whole other story. There are decorations everywhere including a huge sign announcing their marriage. There’s catered food aligning the walls inside, and outside there is a DJ playing music. The kids have all left and it’s just drunk adults left celebrating their wedding as well as New Year’s Eve.
Grabbing a beer after talking with Hayley, I head outside to find Kaden or Cooper when I see Alex and Hayley dancing close on the makeshift dance floor. I have never wanted to dance with a woman as much as I do right now. She has her head thrown back in a laugh at something he said and it reminds me of the other day in the gym. I want to be the guy making her laugh.
The music shifts to a slow song and I decide to go for it. It will be my choice to ask her to dance. She looks over at me and gives me a small smile. She is absolutely beautiful and I can’t even take my eyes off her.
“I’m cutting in,” I let Alex know. He nods and walks away. Attempting to dance with Hayley I notice she isn’t putting her arms around me. I don’t blame her. Every time she attempted to touch me, whether on purpose or on accident I made it clear her touch wasn’t welcome. I need to change that.
Taking her delicate hands in mine, I bring them up and wrap them around my neck and then wrap mine around her perfect waist. We dance to some song about getting married but the only thing on my mind is how for once in my life the touch of a woman feels good. Her small body fits perfectly in mine. We don’t talk at all but it’s not awkward. Looking into her eyes is like finding water in a desert. I suddenly feel replenished.
My cell vibrates in my pocket and while I want to ignore it, the fear that it might be Marco makes me grab it out of my pocket to look. Sure enough it is.
Marco: I need you to come to my house.
Knowing I just left there from dropping him off and giving him some money, I know it must be important. I look at Hayley and wish I could ignore the text and continue to dance with her, but also know Marco can be in trouble. I try to relay to her I am sorry. Before I can walk away though I need something more…
I give her a kiss on her cheek. It’s warm and a bit flushed and it makes me w
ant to kiss her in other places. “It’s Marco. I have to go. Thank you for this dance.” Before she can respond I walk out needing to get to Marco.
Arriving there I see a couple cars along the road in front of his house I don’t recognize. This shit can’t be good. I jump out of my car and can immediately hear screaming from inside. Without knocking I go right in and take in the sight in front of me. Marco’s mom is on the floor naked, on all fours being fucked from behind by one guy, while another guy is holding Marco back from trying to stop it from happening. I can also hear the baby crying in another room. I assess the situation and don’t see any guns drawn. They probably didn’t think it would be needed since Marco and his mom would be helpless against them.
I take one look at Marco’s pleading eyes, the tears silently falling, and I lose it. I grab the guy fucking his mom by the neck pulling him out of her and push him up against the wall. I start punching him in the face repeatedly, hoping to knock him out. In my peripheral vision I see the other guy drop Marco from the wall and come toward me. Leaving the guy bleeding against the wall, I turn toward him to find out I was wrong about the gun. He grabs the gun from the front of his pants and shoots me in the shoulder.
The pain is unbearable but I can’t go down without a fight. I should have called the police. I should have called someone but I didn’t. So now I am here and I need to try to at least save Marco and his sister before I bleed out. I walk up to the guy with the gun and knock it out of his hand before he can shoot me again. We start rolling around on the floor grappling. Both of us are getting punches in and I just pray I can hold on long enough to beat the shit out of this guy to the point he will black out so I can call the cops.
Unfortunately before that happens the door swings open and two more guys I don’t recognize walk in.
“Go shut that fucking baby up!” the guy booms and Estella runs to the room to calm the baby down. They grab me by my arms and I know I don’t stand a chance. There’s too many of them. They begin punching me in my ribs over and over again. When my legs give out on me they throw me to the ground and begin kicking me, and then I hear a gunshot and everything goes black.