Riveted: Drawn Series Book 1

by M. A. Stone

  The apartment was empty when I got home, so I lie on the couch and relaxed. Jack had texted me and asked me if I wanted to come in tonight, but I was too tired and told him that I would see him when he got home. Feeling restless, I got up and slid my flip flops on, going downstairs and getting into my truck. I had someone I needed to talk to. I needed to go talk to my mom.

  “Mom? Hi. I know it’s been a long time. I am sorry I have not been here much,” I said softly, kneeling in front of my Mom’s headstone. The wildflowers I brought with me, I placed at the base of her headstone.

  “Everything is a mess. Axel has disappeared. He is with this girl who is so mean. She has something on him Mom, I know it. I know him so well. Or at least I used to. I am worried about him. But he won’t let me in. I wish you were here. Every day I wish you were here. I miss you so much. Beau left after high school and I have no idea where he is. I don’t think even he could help. Our family is torn apart. Daddy misses you and I feel so bad that he is in jail. I know he would never in a million years do anything to hurt you, ever.” Tears flowed down my face as I sobbed, putting my hand on her head stone near her name. Her tombstone read Angel Draw; Beloved Wife and Mother.

  “Mom, I hope that things work out. I really do. At least I found good people,” I said, wiping my tears.

  “You would like them Mom. Chloe is so sweet and funny, she reminds me a lot of you. Your happy personality. Matt is really quiet and really sweet. He is about the same age as I am and he is such a talented artist. And Jack, well he is sex walking. Really Mom. He is an amazing soul. I just wish that I could stop being such a pain in the ass and trust him. They are a second family to me. Anyways, I love you Mom. I miss you,” I said softly, standing up and wiping the dirt off of my jeans. I never stay long with her. I guess I am not at that point yet. I cannot believe even after all this time that she is not with us. I wish she was walking around, being her happy self. I looked around the cemetery and felt a breeze ruffle the hair off of my forehead. It made me smile, as if my Mom was telling me that she had heard me.

  Feeling exhausted after visiting my Mom, I trudged up to the apartment, opened the door and collapsed on the couch. I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes, Chloe was there, next to me on the other couch. She smiled when she saw me open my eyes. She was on her laptop typing away.

  “Hey,” I said groggily, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. I put my glasses on and leaned back against the couch.

  “Rough day?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Went to go visit my Dad and my Mom,” I said.

  “How did that go?”

  “Well Dad had no idea what to do as far as Axel goes. He is just relieved that Axel did not get some poor girl pregnant. But I felt better being able to see him,” I said.

  “You had mentioned the other night that he should find out when he gets paroled right?”

  “He told me soon. He has a meeting with his probation officer this week and then he goes before the parole board in July. It would be nice to see him out in the world again, but I am not going to get my hopes up if he does not get paroled.” I replied.

  “You talk like this is not his first time in jail,” she murmured.

  “He was in once before, when my mom was pregnant with my older brother Beau. He served almost a year. He missed my brother Beau being born. For something he did not do. Once they found out who was behind it, they released him, but the cops around here always gave him a hard time after that,” I replied.

  “I bet. From what I have seen, the cops around here are kind of closed minded. Well except for a handful. Well if you need anything let me know. “

  “Chloe I appreciate everything that you guys are doing for me. I just don’t want to be a burden,” I said, leaning back against the couch.

  “Nonsense. That’s what friends are for,” she said. She stood up and put her laptop on the coffee table.

  “We are such a mess!” I said with a laugh. She giggled and walked to her room, leaving the door open.

  “Maybe you are, but I am freakin fabulous!” she called out. I laughed and turned off the TV.

  Chapter Eight

  Work was slow the next day, so for lunch I drove down to Jack’s quiet spot. The water was like a sheet of glass. Things have been topsy turvy. To someone who did not know me, it would seem like everything was unicorns and rainbows. Not true. Yeah I met someone after being devastated by my ex. I had a job that I really liked. Yes I was best friends with the nicest person in the whole world. But thing was, my Dad was in prison, my Mom was dead, my oldest brother had disappeared off the face of the freakin earth and my other brother was nowhere to be found. Sighing, I drew my legs up to my chest and wondered what I was going to do. Not a clue. With all the drama, however sometimes I felt like running away. That would hurt Jack and Chloe, which in turn would hurt me. Ugh, I was stuck in a rut. And I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself. It started to get a little cold and I really did not know how long I sat there. Right then, I did not care. I jumped a little as I heard a car pull up behind me. I smiled as Matt got out.

  “Whatcha doing trouble?” I asked. He smiled.

  “I just had it out with my psycho of a mother. She told me some heinous shit. I needed to clear my head. You?” he asked, sitting down next to me.

  “Same. Trying to make some decisions,” I said. He nodded.

  “I hear that. You ever wish you were born into a different family? Or that people did not know half the shit that they did about your family?” he asked. I snorted.

  “Did you forget who you were talking to?”

  “I guess. I don’t know. Sometimes I wish my mom had just left me on the doorstep of some house and walked away. She is a nasty bitch. Your mom was cool. From what I heard. I wish I would have known her,” he said softly. I nodded, my eyes tearing up. I rested my head on his shoulder and he rested his head on top of mine.

  “Well you have me to talk to. Seriously,” I replied.

  “Thank you. Are you sure?” he asked. I nodded.

  “My mom just basically told me who my real dad was and then she gave me shit for breaking up with my girlfriend,” he said softly. I looked into his brown eyes and shook my head.

  “You were not kidding about heinous shit. I am so sorry. Why did you and your girlfriend break up?” I asked.

  “I was into things that she was just not down with. Um….you know…sexually. I decided to try some stuff with her and she left me. I just told my mom that I broke off things. It’s better than telling her that I am a freak,” he said softly, looking down at his hands. I put my hands over his.

  “I am a virgin, you are a closet kinkster. Who cares Matt? You are a good person, you have a good hear. I like you!” I said a little too loudly. He grinned.

  “It’s not like that. I mean I know all you ladies have read that 50 Shades book and all that. It’s not like that. I am not some dude that likes tying chicks up and then forcing them to clean my house naked,” he said. I laughed.

  “Good thing considering you lived with Chloe until recently and I really cannot see her tolerating anything like that,” I said with a laugh. He laughed.

  “Matt, I am not going to judge you. If you like to have orgies dressed up as a fox or you like being tied up, I am still your friend. Okay?” I asked. He smiled and gave me a tight hug.

  “I just hope one day, you trust me enough to tell me absolutely everything. And even then, I still won’t judge you!” I told him. He nodded.

  “Thanks Bleu. I really appreciate it. I feel like I can tell you anything. Uh just thanks,” he muttered. He stood up slowly and held his hand out to me. Clearing my head, even partially was better than bottling it up inside and then blowing up at people. And it felt good to talk to Matt. I reminded myself that even though I was going through some bad stuff, he was obviously hurting a heck of a lot worse than I was. I took his hand and we walked to our vehicles. I waved as he pulled away in his car. After all this soul searching, touchy feely shit, I
decided to just go home. The shop could afford to be without me for a few hours.

  Television on for background noise? Check. Glass of sweet tea in my hand? Check. Stretched out the couch lazily and zoned out? Check, check. My phone was off and it was blissfully quiet. I jumped a bit when there was a pounding on the door. Chloe stood there and she was tapping her foot. She looked very angry and she pushed past me.

  “What in the hell Bleu?!” she yelled. She crossed her arms and looked me up and down. When she saw my face, her glare softened.

  “Why didn’t you just use your key?” I asked. She pointed to the key on the coffee table.

  “Why aren’t you at work? I was worried,” she replied.

  “I am coming down there now. Today has gone to shit. I did not want to really be around anyone,” I muttered.

  “Well I don’t mean to sound insensitive Bleu, but sack up! Besides, Matt told me you two were together earlier.” she yelled. Sack up?

  “You do realize that I do not possess a sack to sack up with?” I asked and then laughed. She looked puzzled then grinned.

  “Stop being a pussy. Your brother may be acting like a douchebag, but that does not mean you get to fall apart. We need you! And I forgot my key this morning!” she replied, pumping her fist in the air. She cracked me up.

  “Who is this we you mentioned?”

  “Jack and I, who else? Matt cancelled all his appointments for the afternoon. We are running on a skeleton crew to say the least. I know this may not be the career for you, but it helps us out a lot,” she said.

  “Let me get my boots on and I will be down. Nice guilt trip by the way,” I replied. She had made me feel guilty and that alone had snapped me out of my pity party. She laughed and we walked outside.

  “Finally you decide to make an appearance!” remarked Jack from behind the front desk when I walked in the door with Chloe. He smiled when he said it, so I knew I wasn’t in trouble with him.

  “Whatever,” I replied with a smirk.

  “I hope you feel awful. We were slammed today,” he said, with a fake pout.

  “Save it hot stuff, Chloe already gave me the guilt trip before I got here,” I shot at him. He grinned.

  “Hey you got a phone call here. Someone lawyer or something,” he said, handing me a yellow slip of paper. The number was not familiar so I put it in my pocket and vowed to call later. The shop was quiet, no one in the waiting area. The door opened and a man in a pinstriped coal grey suit walked in. He was of medium height and he had sandy blonde hair and light eyes. His skin was tanned and he carried a grey briefcase in one hand.

  “Hello, do you have an appointment?” I asked him. He set his briefcase on the floor next to his feet.

  “No. My name is Rock Bolton, I am looking for Bleu Drawn,” he replied.

  “Well that’s me, how can I help you?”

  “I called earlier today but they said you were unavailable. I was nearby at the courthouse so I thought I would drop in before I had to go back to my office. Is there some place private where we can talk?” he asked. The door to the office was open and I did not see anyone inside. He followed me to the office and I motioned for him to sit in the chair in front of the desk. I shut the door behind us and nervously bit my bottom lip.

  “I have to admit that I am a little nervous about why you are here,” I stated. He nodded and gave me a reassuring smile. Good lord his teeth were perfectly white.

  “Ms. Drawn, rest assured, I am here with positive news. It regards your father, Aaron Drawn. As you probably know, he went before the parole board. And they decided to grant him parole,” he said with a satisfied grin. That made me jump up and come around the desk to hug him. He grunted in surprise and then chuckled.

  “Oh thank you. You have no idea how happy I am!!!” I said with an ear to ear grin.

  “He should be released at the end of this month or the beginning of the next. I have to coordinate everything with his probation officer and the parole board, you know paperwork. He will have to check in with a probation officer and secure a place to live among other conditions,” he stated. I nodded. He stood up and we walked out to the waiting room. Jack had come back out front to man the desk. He gave us a curious look and I shook my head.

  “Mr. Bolton, thank you,” I said as I shook his hand. He smiled.

  “I will be in touch as far as the release time, he is going to need someone to come and retrieve him. I have your cell phone number. Take care,” he said and he turned and left out the door.

  “Friend of yours?” asked Jack. He smiled at me and then yelped a bit as I came around the desk and hugged him tightly.

  “What the hell?” he muttered when I finally let him go.

  “My dad is getting out of prison!!!! I am so freakin excited!!! Oh my God!” I exclaimed, jumping up and down a bit.

  “Well I am happy for you. I was not sure what the hell was going on. All kinds of bad thoughts ran through my head,” he said. Chloe raced out from the back, her eyes wild.

  “What in the world is going on here?!” asked Chloe. We both looked at her and I smiled widely.

  “My dad is getting out. The end of next month! “I exclaimed, I hugged her and Jack laughed as he stood beside her. They were squeezed into another hug and I planted a kiss on Jack and Chloe.

  “We realize you are happy, but could you not make out with us at work?” muttered Chloe, wiping her hands on her skinny jeans and checking to make sure her braided blonde hair was still intact. She shook her head and walked back to her little room. Jack and I both froze as we realized we had kissed again.

  “What in the hell?” I muttered. Jack grabbed my arm and pulled me over to the drafting tables. He kissed me again and I moaned against his mouth.

  “Don’t stop,” I moaned softly against his mouth. He tangled his hands in my hair and pulled back to look at me.

  “Fuck that was nice. I would so like to finish this right here and now. But I am going to be slammed today. Chloe and I will grab you after work, and we will grab some dinner ok?” he said, looking me in the face. Calming down, I nodded. He kissed me softly again and walked to the office. I leaned against the wall and sighed. Chloe's her head popped out of her room.

  “You got it bad girl,” she teased. I tossed a roll of paper towels at her and narrowly missed her head. She giggled and shut the door.

  Around four, it got busy, which helped to make the night go faster. Before I knew it, it was closing time. I was really excited about having a night out with Jack and Chloe.

  “You okay chica?” asked Chloe. Jack and I walked to her SUV. I climbed in front and Jack folded up his long legs in the back. We pulled out of the parking lot and drove away.

  “Where are we going?” I asked. Chloe grinned evilly.

  “It’s a surprise,” she said as she pulled out of the parking lot.

  Four Long Island Iced Teas later, I was feeling nicely buzzed. Jack was talking to a leggy redhead at the bar and Chloe was sitting next to me drinking Coke. She had willingly agreed to be the designated driver.

  “I feel muuuuch better,” I slurred. She laughed.

  “Slow down chica,” she replied. I glared at her, or squinted. She was getting blurry.

  “Thanks but I am good,” I replied, struggling to keep my eyes open. She shook her head and slid a glass of water over to me. I frowned.

  “Yeah ok. Sure,” she said with a smirk. A tall man with short black hair came over. He was wearing a pair of khakis and a light blue, button down dress shirt. She smiled up at him and they started to talk. I tried to follow their conversation, but my head was too fuzzy.

  “Okay, you are cut off. No more,” said Jack with a laugh, coming over to sit next to me. I glared at him.

  “So what’s up with you and the hottie at the bar?” I asked, trying not to sound jealous. He laughed, so apparently it did not work.

  “She is a friend of my brother’s. She wanted me to give him her new number because they are going on a camping trip with my brothe
r’s class,” he explained. I nodded. He sipped his drink and looked at me.

  “You look glittery,” I told him. He did. His skin was glistening and his pores were amazingly invisible.

  “You have awesome pores. Pores. S'mores. Stores,” I added. He needed to know this too. He took my drink and slid it to where I could not reach it. Chloe grabbed it up and brought it over to the bar. Bastards.

  “Yep. You are cut off,” he muttered.

  “Uh uh! This is a celebration!” I replied and swayed in my seat a bit. I think I might have sung the word celebration. He grabbed my arm and sat me back up. Chloe shook her head at me and then smiled. Her guy person she was talking to grimaced at me and I think I stuck my tongue out at him.

  “Chloe? Listen I am going to take her home, are you alright?” Jack asked. Chloe nodded.

  “Sure I will catch a ride with Jacob, my cousin,” she answered, pointing to the tall guy next to her. She tossed Jack her car keys and waved to me. I kissed the top of her head and attempted to stand up. Jack snorted.

  Jack grabbed my arm and pulled me to his side. I tried to wave goodbye to Chloe and let out a loud belch. Jack, Chloe and her cousin laughed. We managed to make it to Chloe’s car and he put me in the backseat. The car swayed as he drove.

  He pretty much carried me to the door of the apartment. He unlocked the door and turned on the lights. He put me on the couch and laid me down, covering me with a fleece blanket.

  “Thank you for being so nice to me. Axel is a jerk! He sucks!” I said and my words sounded funny. Jack sat down at my feet and pulled off my heels. It felt so good to have him remove them. I had no idea that my feet even hurt. I moaned loudly, it felt so good.

  “And now he hates me! Hates me! And I did not do anything to him! He is a dick for leaving me behind, we are family! I covered for him all those times, cleaned up after him. I was grounded soooooo many times for him!” I said the last part and then cried. Jack put his arm around me and made soothing noises.