Collide: A Riverbend Novel

by Sara Daniell

Our team was shouting out answers when dad finally got it.

  "A cleaner person...I mean...oh shoot...JANITOR!"

  Reese had come back down and she smiled and laughed at us. I sat down, thankful my turn was over, but more thankful she looked a lot better. Her eyes locked on mine a second and she smiled.

  Mom wrote down a point for our team on her notepad then went over to Reeese. "You want to go for our team? You and Aiden?"

  I bit my tongue. Reese looked nervous and looked like she wanted to say no but everyone agreed so she did it. She looked at me and walked over. She handed me Scott then walked back over to Aiden.

  Scott snuggled against me but watched Reese's every move. When Aiden touched her he growled a little. Well, a puppy growl.

  "Good boy," I whispered as I pet him.

  "Smart dog," Garrett said with a smile.

  Scott licked mine and Garrett's hands then watched Reese who looked uncomfortable.

  Aiden kept leaning in close to whisper in her ear and look down her shirt. Was, I the only one who noticed? Reese kept taking a step back or leaning away. I handed Scott to Garrett. Garrett was kicking my foot with his, but I didn't turn to look at him. I kept my eyes on Aiden and Reese. They started acting, Reese tentatively laid down. Her eyes closed. Aiden pretended to drink something then smirked mischievously. He then kissed Reese. Reese's eyes popped open in shock then she pushed him away. By the look on her face that had not been part of the plan. Aiden laughed and took a bow. As he started to come back up. I was standing eye to eye with him.

  He laughed a little. "What the hell cuz?"

  “Havock?” Mom said suspiciously.

  I shoved him hard so he fell back onto the couch. The room feel silent. I held out my hand to help Reese stand up. Reese took it and got up. Her cheeks were bright red. I didn't let go of her hand as I led her to the chair I was sitting in on the other side of the room.

  "Kitchen, NOW!" Mom yelled as she pointed at me.

  I followed her in.

  "What the hell is wrong with you?!" she snapped as she started cleaning up the kitchen. I don't think she knew she was cleaning, she was just so mad she had to do something to keep her hands from strangling me.

  "Did you not see the look on her face?! He made her uncomfortable!" And she's mine. Not his. Not Garrett's. Not Matt's or any other guys. She is mine.

  "She would've been fine, Havock! Aiden is a good boy and was just having fun!"

  Yeah, having fun with my Princess's lips. Emphasis on the word MY.

  "She looked upset so I handled it."

  Mom slammed a pot down in the sink and started the water. Keeping her back to me, she said, "Just go to your room and stay there until everyone is gone."

  If I had to go to my room I wasn't going without making it worth it. I walked into the living room, walked over to Aiden who was standing talking to his mom and tapped his shoulder.

  When he turned around I punched him in the jaw, smiled, bowed like he did after his little performance, and then went upstairs. I slammed my door shut and locked it. I liked to be alone anyway. This wasn't a punishment. Mom was doing me a favor.

  REESE

  I finished up my drawings of Christmas day and looked at the clock. I looked over at Scott who was asleep. I pulled out my second art book and drew in it. I drew Havock punching Aiden in the face. I chuckled. My Havock. Such a mess. I'd just finished when my door opened slowly. I looked up and saw Havock.

  "Hey," I whispered. I slowly hid my secret art book. No one was supposed to see that one. "I missed you," I whispered as he walked over to me.

  He didn't say a word. He crawled into my bed and started kissing my neck. I pushed my book further under my pillow.

  “You do realize there are a lot of people in your house,” I whispered as I ran my hand through his hair. I cupped his face and pulled his face to mine. He kissed me as his hand that wasn't supporting him from putting all his weight on me ran up my shirt. I moaned and moved my hands around his neck.

  I heard footsteps coming up the stairs but that didn't stop him. His hand found its way to the top of my sweats and he started to pull them down. I heard the footsteps outside my door and I knew he did too but he didn't care.

  There was a knock.

  "I know you're in there and if you don't want to die I suggest you get out," Garrett's voice sounded from the other side of the door.

  Havock still didn't stop. He pulled my sweats completely off then brought his lips back to mine. The door slung open. Garrett came over, pulled Havock off me and out of the room.

  "You are risking too much!" I heard Garrett yell at him.

  I then heard Havock's door slam.

  "Is everything okay up there?"

  I heard Mrs. Johanna say from the bottom of the stairs.

  "It's fine. Goodnight, mom," Garrett said then I heard his door shut.

  I closed my eyes and a tear fell. I put my sweatpants back on. I petted Scott as he fell back to sleep.

  A few minutes later there was a light tap on the door. "It's me," I heard Garrett whisper.

  I wiped the tear and opened the door. "Hey."

  He came in and shut the door quietly behind him. "You two are gonna have to be more careful," he scolded me like I was a child.

  "Not only is this shit hard as hell for me to watch but if mom finds out you will be taken from us."

  I nodded as another tear fell.

  "I'm telling you because I know you're smart. There's no reason for me to explain this to my brother because he doesn't give a shit about anything but himself."

  "Okay. I'm sorry," I said as I wiped the tear.

  "I just don't get how you are even attracted to him. He's an asshole, Reese. That will never change."

  "He's not an asshole. Well, not to me." I shrugged. "We both need to go to bed." I gave him a small smile.

  "Mom already made it clear after the incident of her finding him in bed with you in Colorado that we aren't supposed to be in each others rooms. She's already suspicious and his little episode with Aiden didn't help. I suggest you two be extra careful because I'm done covering it up. You two are on our own." Garrett left the room.

  I went to my drawer and pulled out my sleeping medicine. I haven't taken any in a few days. I don't like how it makes me feel, but maybe if I get some sleep, I'll think better. I took out a pill and took it. I then crawled in bed. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

  ~~~

  I stood alone in a dark room, and I was scared. "Havock?" I called out as I tried to find my way out of the darkened room.

  I heard someone laugh and I felt ill.

  "Havock!" I screamed as the laughter got louder. I covered my ears and pushed myself against a wall.

  I slide down the wall and covered my ears.

  The laughter got louder and louder. I screamed for Havock.

  I felt hands on my face and heard Havock saying my name. I could hear Johanna's voice too.

  It's just a dream. I tried telling myself but I couldn't wake up. The laughter just grew and grew. I cried as I kept my ears covered. I wanted out. I felt arms wrap around me and I knew they were Havock's. He was telling me to wake up.

  I kept trying to wake up and finally I jerked out of the dream. Tears poured out of my eyes and down my face.

  Havock wiped them with the bottom of his shirt as he whispered to me it was okay over and over. When I looked around the room I saw Mr. Rick, Mrs. Johanna and Garrett watching.

  "Oh dear," Mrs. Johanna said as she looked at us.

  "Garrett, let's go get Reese some water."

  That was code for, leave Johanna here to talk to us alone.

  Johanna came over and sat near us on the bed.

  "Are you alright?" she asked me calmly.

  I tried to nod yes, but I couldn't. I shook my head no as I continued to cry.

  "What's going on between you two?" she asked Havock.

  "Let me calm her down then we'll talk. Please?"

  "Okay. I'll give you ten minu
tes then I'm coming back in."

  Havock nodded and continued to hold me and wipe my tears as they fell. His mom left, but left the door open.

  "Focus on me and this room. This is what's real. I don't know what kind of dream you had, but you're awake now and safe. Nothing can hurt you here."

  I nodded and buried my face against his chest. "I'm sorry."

  "Why?"

  My body continued to shake. "We're in trouble. It's my fault."

  His mom walked back in. "Alright, what's going on with you two?" That was less than ten minutes. Havock kissed my head and moved to the edge of my bed. Scott crawled into my lap.

  "We like each other. A lot." Havock smiled a little.

  "How much is a lot?" she asked with her hands on her hips.

  "Like a bunch,” Havock said.

  She smacked her forehead and shook her head. "No, no, no, no."

  I petted Scott's head. "He makes me happy," I whispered. I was still trying to get over my dream.

  "Havock?" she said in shock.

  "Gee, thanks mom," he scoffed.

  Mom sighed. "Sorry, you're just so...ugh, never mind. Okay, so here's the plan."

  She started to pace as she thought. "I refuse to lose you. You're doing well here and moving you would be detrimental to the progress you've made." She stopped pacing.

  "Tomorrow the boys will move your room downstairs to where my office is. I don't know why I had you up here with them in the first place. Stupid, stupid me."

  She thought some more. "You two haven't had sex, right? Please tell me you haven't!"

  "No," Havock said right away. She starred at her son, unconvinced. "Mom, it's me. Havock. I'm not one to sugar coat or lie about things."

  She nodded. "Birth control," she said as she looked at me. "That's not saying it's okay to be with my son or any guy for that matter but it would be best if you were on it to be safe."

  I nodded. "All right," I whispered. My face was bright red.

  Havock had a huge grin on his face. His mom grabbed one of my books and chunked it at his head.

  "Now isn't the time, Havock!"

  He laughed and picked up my book from the floor.

  "I will let you two date or whatever you kids call it these days but it is top secret, do you understand me?"

  We both nodded.

  She shook her head. "I don't think you do! This is serious! If anyone finds out it could hurt my career as a social worker and Reese would be taken from our home."

  "Then why are you letting us date?" Havock asked confused.

  "Because if I don't then you will do it behind my back and that would be worse."

  "Seems logical." Havock smiled.

  "If you two go anywhere together bring friends. I mean Jude. Or do you have more friends?"

  Havock shook his head.

  "At school she's like a sister to you, nothing more. Got it?"

  He nodded.

  "Good. Now go to bed."

  Havock smiled at me then left the room.

  Johanna looked at me. "Why Havock?"

  "He makes me happy. And he's sweet to me. I know that's a shocker to everyone but he makes me want to actually live not just go through the motions."

  "He is very unstable with his decisions, Reese. Next week he may not want anything to do with you. As much as I'd like to think he treated girls well, I know that's far from the truth. He's never had girlfriends, just girls he's slept with. I'm not telling you this to scare you, wait no, yes I am. If he hurts you please don't let that pull you away from the rest of us." Tears filled her eyes.

  "I won't. You guys are my family." I looked down at my hands. "My only family. I know Havock has issues, but he does make me happy."

  She nodded and wiped her eyes. "Well, you're his first actual girlfriend. That shows there's hope for him." She laughed. "And I'm glad it's you."

  I smiled. "You do realize that a lot of what he does is a show? He knows he's different than all of you, and I don't think he knows how to fit in." I shrugged. "I don't know if that's actually true, but that's what it seems like."

  "He's just Havock. Not one to please anyone but himself. He's so smart, Reese. I'm talking, the school wanted him taking high school courses in the sixth grade. He has all this potential and opportunities knocking at his door but he has no desire for any of it. Instead he mingles with drugs, sex with random girls, and sleeping. He hangs out with Jude but not as often as I'd like for him too. You should see the stacks of letters from colleges begging for him. He started getting them in the eighth grade. I've put him in counseling and he got kicked out. I've tried everything, but he just is who he is."

  I nodded. "I like who he is. He sees things in a way I never could. And he doesn't mind telling me what's on his mind. I like that. He doesn't baby me. I really need that."

  She smiled and yawned. "I hope he is always good to you. I wouldn't mind having you as a daughter in law and it would be nice knowing he had you to keep him in line." She started to leave but turned around. "If you can get him to stop smoking then you know its true love."

  She laughed then left the room.

  ~~~

  I grabbed my art books as the boys grabbed my bed. I put my books in my bag then picked up Scott who was trying to get Havock's attention.

  When we made it downstairs Johanna was just hanging up the phone.

  "Reese, can I talk to you for a second?"

  I nodded and followed her into the kitchen.

  She handed me a granola bar.

  She was always making sure I was eating right.

  "They want to hold a candle memorial service downtown by the courthouse on New Year’s Eve night for the passing of your mother and the disappearance of your father. They wanted your approval before they announced it. Is that alright with you?"

  "It's fine," I said as I petted Scott and avoided her eyes.

  "They want you to speak."

  I shook my head. "Everyone in town thinks I'm a murderer and I hid my father away. I don't want too," I said my voice shook a little.

  "I'll tell them you said no. I have to go into work for a few hours today and Rick goes back too. Can I trust you and the boys to behave?"

  "Yes Ma'am." I looked at her.

  "I've already talked with Havock but he just rolled his eyes. I'm counting on you to be the one with self control."

  "I will be. We'll be good. I promise."

  "Maybe you should just come with me to the office..."

  "Mom, we'll be fine," Havock said as he walked in. He opened the fridge and grabbed a coke.

  "Maybe him or Garrett can drop me off at Hobby Lobby. I need some new art supplies."

  "That coming from you, son, isn't reassuring at all."

  She looked at me. "That's a really good idea."

  Havock popped the lid on his coke and sucked off the top as it fizzed over. He never answered her.

  Garrett came in and kissed Johanna on the cheek. "I'll watch them. Have a good day."