by Rye Hart
“No way,” I growled, banging on the bedroom door. “Emily, if the neighbors call the cops on us again – ”
I pounded on the door again when she didn't answer.
“Emily!”
The door swung open, and the music stopped. I stood there, mostly in shock that it had worked and that my sister hadn't just continued to ignore me. She shoved Jake out of her room and toward the front door, mumbling something I couldn't make out. I watched as she kissed him goodbye and closed the door to the apartment behind him. She turned around, a red-hot fury burning in her eyes.
“Happy now, Shane?” she said, her arms crossed in front of her.
“Emily, you know I'm only trying to keep us together,” I said. “We don't need the cops coming around here – ”
She rolled her eyes, cutting me off, but I knew, deep down, she understood. She kicked Jake out herself and had turned the music off. Her little temper tantrum had only been temporary. She seemed to have come to her senses and remembered what was really at stake. It was something we'd been reminded of almost daily since our parents died.
“I know,” she huffed. “I sent him away, didn't I?”
“He wasn't the problem. Not really,” I stammered.
My head was spinning. First Nolan got caught stealing, then I come home to an apartment with music blaring loud enough that the neighbors down the street could have heard it. I didn't ask for any of this. But, even with my head pounding and my nerves shot, I would have done anything to keep us all together.
I was already doing everything I could, and it still didn't feel like enough.
I stared at my siblings. Emily had long, brown hair that was braided to the side. She had our mother's hazel eyes and most of her soft, delicate features. She was fifteen, but still looked a few years younger, and sometimes I forgot she was growing up. It was hard watching your baby sister grow up and discover boys enough on its own. It was ten times harder when you were the one who had to explain stuff like safe sex and birth control to her.
We'd had the very awkward talk already, but God, I prayed every day that she listened to me. The last thing we needed was for her to come home knocked up.
Nolan sat on the couch, head back against the cushion and stared up at the ceiling. No one said a word. We all knew how easy it would be for our lives to be ripped apart. Nolan was almost eighteen, but Emily still had a few years left to go. After spending a month in foster care, I knew she didn't want to go back. Even if she sometimes acted like she couldn't care less.
“Listen, you guys,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I really hate to be an asshole, but we can't bring unwanted attention down on ourselves. All it takes is for the cops to call CPS, say I can't keep you under control, and you're gone. The last thing we need is for them to look deeper into our lives right now.”
They both grumbled in agreement.
Ever since we'd had to move from our single-family home to this crappy two-bedroom apartment, both of them had started acting up. I worked more than I did anything else just to bring in money to keep us afloat, so I couldn't be home with them every single day like mom had been. We needed money to pay the bills. To eat. Nolan couldn't handle a job along with school and football practice, and I wanted him to have the most normal life as possible. But, that meant they had to be home alone – a lot.
I sighed. “Time for bed.”
“We still haven't had dinner yet,” Emily said.
Fuck. That's right. I'd forgotten. I'd still been at work when Piper called me about Nolan and I'd had to leave early. Who knew if I was still going to have a job or not when I went in tomorrow, but I couldn't let her call the cops.
Usually Emily and Nolan were on their own for dinner, but the cabinets were empty. I reached into my pocket and handed them my debit card.
“Order a pizza,” I said. “Don't go overboard, there's only about thirty bucks on it.”
Nolan took my card.
I hadn't had dinner yet either, but I wasn't hungry. There was too much on my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about Piper, of all things. Seeing her again brought back so many memories. Memories I'd long since forgotten about – like the way her lips tasted when she kissed me, and the silky softness of her hair as it brushed against my face. Her body had filled out a bit, she was curvier than she'd been back in high school, but that only made her look better.
“Shane?” Nolan said, waving his hand in front of my face.
I snapped out of my reverie and blinked a couple of times as if coming out of a dream. I hadn't even seen him get off the couch.
“Yeah?” I muttered.
“I asked if you wanted sausage,” he said, “or if it would be okay if we just went with pepperoni this time?”
“Sure, do whatever you want,” I said. “I'm not hungry anyway. I'm just going to go to bed, I think.”
I was going to bed because I knew I'd need to be up bright and early to look for a new job. No way my job at the security company would understand why I'd left like that. Sure, there was someone else to take over for me, but the fact was, I walked out on the job, and my boss wasn't the understanding sort.
With rent coming due in less than a week and a shut-off notice from the gas company sitting on the table, I'd need to find something else. Quickly.
CHAPTER THREE
PIPER
“Ugh, I'm so tired,” I groaned as I collapsed on the couch.
My eyes would hardly stay open on their own. It was only eight p.m., and it felt like I'd been up for days. I heard footsteps running down the hallway toward me – little footsteps. Hearing them though, took away some of my exhaustion and a smile spread across my face. My mother's footsteps were right behind Olivia's.
“Mommy!” Olivia said as she burst into the room, her hair still wet from her bath.
My mom shook her head but laughed. “She was hardly out of the bath when she heard you come in,” she said. “Had to rush out and see you before I put her to bed.”
“I'm glad you did, angel,” I said, picking up my little girl and setting her on my lap.
I pushed back a strand of her black hair, staring into those gray eyes of hers. She looked a lot like me when I'd been her age, and there was hardly any of her father in her – thank God.
“Do I have to go to bed?” she asked, pouting. “You just got home.”
My heart broke as he pouted. She was right. I did just get home and it was her bed time. Most nights were like that, unfortunately. I saw her on my nights off and when I didn't have class during the day. But, the fact of the matter was, I didn't get to spend enough time with my daughter and it killed me.
“I've got an idea,” I said. “What if I read you a bedtime story?”
Olivia's eyes widened. “Dr. Seuss?”
“Anything you want, baby,” I said.
I patted her on the head as she jumped down from my lap. Her Trolls nightgown swished around her ankles as she took off down the hallway. I just smiled as I watched her go.
“Long day?” mom asked.
She was in her work scrubs already. She was a nurse at the local hospital and worked the night shift. Her eyes were tired, and she looked like she could have used some sleep herself.
“No more than usual,” I said with a tired smile. “But I'll be okay.”
“I know you will,” she said. She reached out and gave my hand a quick squeeze. “Just a few more classes, and you'll be done with school.”
She was right. I was following in my mother's footsteps of being a nurse. Originally, I'd wanted to go to medical school, but now, with a daughter, I realized I didn't want to spend forever in school. Besides, nursing allowed me more flexibility and the ability to nurture and care for people more than if I'd been a surgeon – which was the reason I wanted to be a doctor to begin with.
“Have a good night, mom,” I said.
She left the house, clearly as tired as I was. Both of us were burning the candle at both ends right now, but it was the only option we
had. I hated missing out on my daughter growing up, but I had to get into a better place financially to give her the life she deserved.
I stepped into her room, and she was already up on her bed with a book in her lap. Her eyes were sparkling and shining bright. My little girl obviously wasn't tired at all, and I knew that I'd be lucky if we stopped at just one book tonight. Judging by her bright eyes and the way she was swinging her feet off the side of the bed, she looked as if she could stay up all night.
I, on the other hand, felt like I'd need toothpicks to keep my eyes open at all.
~ooo000ooo~
It was 9:15 before Olivia finally fell asleep – I was in the middle of our fourth book. I knew I should have told her to go to sleep and left her alone after the first one, but I didn't have the heart to cut my time with her short. Not after being gone all day and after she'd practically begged me to spend some time with her. After all, she'd only be little for so long.
It was getting late and all I wanted to do was sleep. I wasn't even in my mid-twenties yet, and I wanted to collapse in bed and sleep for the next twelve hours like some old person. I didn't have any homework or readings for class to do, thankfully, which meant I actually had some free time to myself.
I removed the stupid bright green polo they required me to wear at work, thinking how ridiculous I must have looked to Shane. Once upon a time, I'd been a cheerleader – the hottest girl in our class with a bright future ahead of me. Now though, I'd been reduced to wearing hideously bright work shirts and stopping kids from stealing bags of potato chips.
Groaning, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes were ringed by dark circles, my pale skin looking even paler than usual. I hadn't worn makeup in how long? I lost track. Had I known that I'd run into my ex, I might have put some effort into my appearance, at least. Instead, I looked tired and worn out.
Which I was.
My hair still looked nice, though. It was my one saving grace. I was lucky that I had straight, black hair that naturally looked shiny and laid just right over my shoulders. I didn't do much with my hair these days either, but thankfully, I didn't have to. I usually just ran a brush through it and was ready to go.
God though, Shane looked fantastic. Even after all these years, he still managed to make my insides churn. Wearing nothing but my bra and panties, I fell backward onto the bed with a smile on my face and a flutter in my belly as I remembered the way he looked at me. It was the same way he'd looked at me all those years ago. It was like nothing had changed. It was just him and me again, and it felt like everything had stopped for a moment or two.
I scooted back on the bed, situating myself against the headboard. I still had the same bed that I did back then – the same bed we'd had sex in all those years ago. It was the same bed he'd taken my virginity on. Closing my eyes, I ran my hands over my tummy, imagining they were Shane's hands. The sensations rolled through me as I imagined feeling his hands on me, remembering what it had felt like all those years ago.
My tummy had softened a bit since then. Having a child will do that to a woman, but the curves it gave me were definitely not a bad thing. I looked like an actual woman, rather than a schoolgirl.
With memories about the things Shane and I used to do in this bed running through my mind, I slipped my hand underneath the waistband of my panties and slid it between my thighs. Just thinking about Shane's eyes staring into mine back at the store – so much like the night we'd had sex for the first time – got me all wet and turned on.
Touching myself gently at first, I circled my clit with the tips of my fingers. It had been so long since I'd had sex with anyone – I hadn't been with anybody since Olivia's dad and I split up – that my body ached with a deep and abiding need.
Except, it wasn't just any man I wanted. I wanted Shane Jackson – my high school boyfriend. A low moan escaped me as I touched myself, my body aching to feel him fuck me like he did back then.
I slipped down onto my back, massaging my clit harder and faster, the pleasure making me moan softly. With one hand in my panties, I used the other to play with my nipples through the bra I was still wearing, and the added sensation made my back to arch upward with pleasure.
“Yes,” I groaned. “Oh yes, Shane.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and bit my bottom lip as shockwaves of pleasure rocketed through my body. In my mind, my hand was Shane's mouth, licking and sucking at my sweet spot. He used to enjoy eating me out so much when we were younger. And he'd been so fucking good at it too. Always so eager to please me with his tongue.
My panties were soaked now, a fire and hunger rising up within me, and I knew I was ready for more. It wasn't his cock – as much as I wished it could be – but I slid two fingers inside of me as I gave my nipple a hard pinch. I gasped in pleasure as sensation exploded within me, my toes curling as I continued to play with my clit with my thumb.
Shane's cock was much thicker and longer than my slim, delicate fingers, so it hardly scratched the itch at all. But, as they say, any port in a storm, and still, it felt good. So, I continued fingering myself and playing with my breasts, teasing the nipples and imagining Shane enjoying them. Imagining him using and pleasuring my body. My tummy wasn't the only thing that had grown fuller over the years. I'd also gone up a full cup size or two.
I just knew Shane would have loved to suck on my full round breasts, and just thinking about that sent shockwaves rampaging through my body, an electric energy surging from my nipples to my clit. Olivia's bedroom was across the hall from mine, so I had to be quiet. With my heart racing and sweat building along my brow, I shoved three fingers inside of me and used my free hand to muffle my screams, biting down on my flesh as I rode out the orgasm as quietly as humanly possible.
As soon as the last wave of pleasure washed through me, my body grew heavy. I knew I had to get up and at least wash my hands before bed, but it was like a lead weight had been tied to me. My eyes were heavy, and all I wanted was to curl up against Shane's strong, toned chest and fall asleep.
The good news was, I knew he was back in town, which meant, I might run into him again. Even as I smiled wide at that thought, the nagging reminder that I shouldn't get involved with anyone right now rattled through my mind. Not with the custody battle with Trent looming. He was more than willing to use everything he had against me – not because he wanted Olivia, but because he hated me that much.
I knew I couldn't risk the slightest appearance of impropriety, I had to deny him ammunition to use against me.
Shane was a good guy, or at least he had been back when we'd dated all those years ago. I had no doubt about that. Part of me believed it would be okay, believed that Trent wouldn't be able to dig up any dirt to use against me in court.
Another part of me though, knew that Trent would stop at nothing until he got back at me. He knew that the only way to do that, after everything we'd been through, was to take my daughter from me. There was no way in hell I would ever let that happen, though.
Which was why I hadn't risked dating anybody in so long. It was also why I shouldn't have considered it, even then. I ended up drifting off to sleep while arguing with myself, all with the lingering doubt circling my mind like a hungry shark, that Shane might not even want me.
CHAPTER FOUR
SHANE
I hardly slept at all. I stared up at the ceiling, then looked at my phone, and found that it was just after seven in the morning. Both Emily and Nolan were on their way to school. I had the place to myself. I checked my voicemail, and sure enough, there was a message from my boss telling me he was more than a little disappointed in me and to not bother coming back.
Great. Not that I was surprised. I sighed and though I would have rather pulled the covers over my head and slept the day away, I climbed out of bed, knowing that I better start looking for a new job. Preferably one that paid cash since waiting for them to pay me might make the difference between having a place to live and being tossed out on the streets like a sack of ga
rbage.
I'd showered before bed, so I grabbed a nice shirt from the closet and pulled on a pair of black dress slacks. It had been a long ass time since I'd dressed up and feeling how stiff and uncomfortable I was in the get-up, reminded me why. I only wore this type of outfit when I was out looking for a job these days.
Not bothering with breakfast – it's not like we had much in the house anyway – I grabbed my car keys and left the apartment, locking things up before turning to head down the stairs. As I made my way down the hallway, I passed a door which was open and, even at seven in the morning, already had music is coming out of it.
I waved to my neighbor, a guy named Tim I'd run into a few times. The smell of marijuana – strong and thick – saturated the hallway, obviously coming from the open door.
“Hey, man,” Tim said, scrambling over to the door in his boxers and a t-shirt.
“Hey,” I said. “What's going on?”
“Not much,” he said, scratching the stubble on his chin.
He glanced down the hallway as if checking to make sure the coast was clear before speaking. He leaned a little closer and lowered his voice so only I could hear, like he was worried the Feds were listening.
“You don't happen to know anyone who'd want to run an errand for me, would you?” he asked.
“An errand?” I cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of errand?”
“Just need to pick something up,” he said. “It pays well.”
“Pick what up?”
Tim's smirk stretched across his face, and he gave me a knowing look. Considering the smell coming from his place, it should have come as no surprise that he was asking for me to pick up some drugs for him. Not that I was against weed, I just had no desire to do it myself. Not only that, the last thing I wanted to do was to get caught up in his mess.