Take a Chance

by Ash Johnson

  My body turns to stone when I notice his searing gaze is on me. I take a deep breath, hoping for a bit of courage, and traipse over to him and place a coaster down. I’m careful to stay close enough to hear him but far enough to avoid his grasp. “Hello, Dominick, what can I get for you?” I strain to get out without sounding panicked.

  I’m not scheduled to pay this week’s payment for another two days, so I have no idea what he’s doing here right now. I normally make my payments at my bank, the money going to an account that I’m not allowed the details of. There are rare occasions, such as this, in which Dominick is sent to remind me to keep my payments coming in on time, or there will be consequences.

  “Hello, my beautiful Harlow. I’ve missed seeing that gorgeous face of yours in Detroit.” When I don’t respond, he furrows his brow. “When are you going to give up this godforsaken heat and come home?” he drawls out in what I’m sure most women would consider a sexy and seductive tone. It scares the shit out of me.

  Even though the man in front of me is beyond gorgeous—with his jet black hair styled in an Elvis-like pompadour—and looks like a sex god, I know better. This man, with his shaved-clean, chiseled jaw line and sharp dark eyes, has terrified my very existence for over three years.

  He must have all the women he comes into contact with fooled; they think he’s nothing but a giant teddy bear, but I know otherwise. I know from experience that underneath that well-tailored suit is a rock solid body that he will use to his advantage. His extremities are brutal when swung in your direction, I’ve found.

  “I don’t think I’ll be going back home any time soon,” I mumble, doing my damnedest to keep my feet planted in front of him. If I back away, I’d piss him off.

  He narrows his eyes but recovers quickly, clearing his throat. “Well, I’m not a fan of this hell hole. Do you know how much it upsets me to have to come here to keep fuckin’ tabs on you, Harlow? It would be much easier to do if you were back at home.”

  I can feel my hands shaking on the bar top when he says that he’s upset. My mind keeps flashing to pictures of Alex and what she would do if something happened to me. She would be all alone. I take a deep breath and focus on the bridge of Dominick’s nose, because I don’t dare meet his eyes.

  “I’ll consider it. Now, can I get you something to drink?”

  A sinister smirk takes over his face, and he leans his upper body toward me. I force myself to stay still as he gets closer, telling myself not to gag at the overwhelming scent of Old Spice cologne he’s always worn. I used to love the smell, because my grandpa always wore Old Spice, and it was comforting like home. Now, the scent makes me feel nothing but fear because of Dominick.

  “Give me three fingers of bourbon, no ice.” I nod and move to fetch his drink. I don’t want him to know just how much I hate being around him. He will only use that to his advantage.

  When I place his drink on the bar and turn to move to the other end of the bar, he latches onto my wrist. I gasp and unintentionally seek his eyes. Big mistake. They are narrowed and appear as if he’s ready to kill someone.

  “I didn’t just come here to drink and watch you strut around in your slutty fuckin’ clothes. You know what I want.”

  I release a shaky breath and look down, unable to make eye contact anymore. Then my nerves take over, and all rational thought flees.

  “My payment isn’t due for two more days.”

  That was the wrong thing to say. His hand tightens, almost crushing my wrist. I grind down on my teeth in an attempt to keep quiet and not call attention to the two of us. If I do, my punishment will be far, far worse. I’ve found this out first hand, as well.

  “I want payment today, Harlow.” I nod quickly; teeth still clamped together, I wait for his vice-like grip to loosen. When it does, I start taking quick breaths in order to keep myself from crying and also to fight against the pain.

  “Just for your little attitude problem, I’m going to double this week’s payment to six hundred. Maybe next time I come all the way out here to see you, you’ll treat me with the god damn respect I deserve.”

  I nod and speed away, not caring how fast I’m moving. Dominick scares the shit out of me, and now I get the pleasure of having him around all night before handing over every cent I made to him. There goes the money for my replacement car.

  ***

  For hours I can feel his eyes on me. While I shift around the bar and into the crowd to deliver drinks to patrons, I can feel his disgusting glare all over my skin.

  When Harley announces last call, Sugar offers for me to go cash out and that she’ll take over until we close. I thank her and shuffle to the back office to handle my tips with the manager and change back into my street clothes. After I leave the office with two hundred thirty two dollars and twenty-five cents, I make my way over to Dominick again.

  I stop a few feet away from him, not wanting to be any closer than I have to, and try not to squirm when he gives me a head-to-toe examination.

  “You look much better in a tank top and shorts than that god damn corset. You looked like a fuckin’ whore in that other get-up.” I can only, nod because that’s the point of working here. The less you wear, the more you make.

  “Come on, I’m taking you home,” he commands as he stands from his stool and steps closer to me. I want to tell him that isn’t necessary, anything to get me away from him, but then think better of it. One time, I tried to run away from his anger, and I ended up with bruised ribs. I won’t make that mistake again.

  He clamps down on my forearms and marches me to his rented black Dodge Charger, shoving me into the passenger seat. When he gets in, I stretch my shaking, cash-filled palm in his direction. I’ve handed over everything I made tonight, plus most of what I had from the car settlement.

  “‘Bout damn time you gave me this.” He takes the money from my hand and counts it out before folding it in half and shoving it into his pocket.

  “Where the fuck is your car? I had to follow you on a damn bus to know where you were going.”

  “I got into an accident a few weeks ago. My car was totaled, and I can’t afford to get a new one,” I say meekly. My eyes are stuck on my hands, which are folded together in my lap, as Dominick pulls out of The Booby Trap parking lot toward the direction of my trashy little apartment.

  “Hmm,” is his response. I didn’t expect him to ask if I was okay, because he doesn’t give a damn, or if he could help out in the finance department, because he and his boss are the reason I can’t freaking afford a new car.

  I stay silent while we drive fifteen minutes across town. When he pulls up in front of my complex, I already have my hand on the door handle, and it’s open before he’s come to a complete stop.

  “Mind if I come up?” he says in a teasing voice. I know I could end up regretting it, but I shut the door and hurry up my stairs without turning back. When I make it to my front door, there is a note taped to it. I’m still so flushed about Dominick following me that I grab it, then swing the door open and shut a little too fast.

  When the locks are in place, I lean against the door and hold my breath, listening for the sound of his feet on the metal staircase. After a few moments with no sound at all, I huff and sag down to the floor.

  I then remember the note in my hand and begin to feel the fear creep up my spine once again. What if this is from Dominick? Or worse, his boss?

  I unfold it slowly, waiting for it to explode, and find it’s a note from our landlord.

  Two tenants complained about excessive noise, but it was quiet by the time I got here.

  Remember to keep the noise levels down after 9 p.m.

  Last warning

  Then I gaze around our apartment. It’s a freaking mess. There are red Solo cups all over, and half-eaten food is sprawled all over the countertops.

  Alex must have had another party while I was out busting my ass to keep us alive and a roof over our heads. Then my mood shifts from extreme fear to absolute anger. I sta
nd with purpose and stomp my way to her bedroom.

  When I fling the door open, Alex shoots up in bed, another shadow following hers. I flip the light on to inspect the other person and find what can only describe as a boy-man lying next to my fourteen-year-old sister without a shirt on.

  “What the fuck is going on in here?” I shout.

  “Get out,” Alex grumbles while she holds her comforter to her chest. She must not have a top on either. God damn it. I don’t know how many times I have tried to explain to her that she’s too young for this. I can’t pay off the debt and take care of the two of us and a baby.

  “How old are you?” I growl, pointing my index finger at Boy-man.

  He smirks and his eyes roam up and down like he thinks I’m interested in going to bed with him, but I’m asking to make sure he’s young enough for this to still be somewhat legal. “I’m nineteen.”

  I grit my teeth and shoot my stare to Alex. Her eyes are narrowed at me, and her face is almost as red as her bright-colored hair while she waits for me to kick this kid out.

  “Well, the girl you are in bed with is only fourteen, and you just committed statutory rape, buddy. Get the hell out of bed while I call the cops.” His head swivels from me to Alex so fast that I think it may just pop off.

  “What?” he screeches. “You told me that you just turned eighteen last week and that’s what tonight’s party was all about, Harlow.”

  “I’m Harlow,” I say, pointing to my chest with my cell phone. “Her name is Alexis, and she will be fifteen in two months. But we’ll see if she even makes it to that birthday with the way I’m feeling right now.”

  “I hate you,” she grits out.

  I nod, knowing that she might mean it right now. I pick up a pair of jeans that I’m assuming belong to the boy and throw them at his still shocked face. “Get your clothes on, and get the hell out of my apartment. If I ever see you back here again, I will call the police,” I tell him, knowing that he was more than likely duped by my little sister. She can be very conniving if given the chance. I also know this isn’t the first time I’ve caught her in this same position.

  “And you will get up early tomorrow morning and clean this place spotless. You are not allowed to have parties here anymore, Alex. If we get one more complaint from other tenants, then we’re out.” I close her door with more force than is necessary and move back to the living room to wait for Romeo to leave.

  When he comes out I can hear Alex pleading with him to stay and that they will figure out a way to be together, while he glares forward with disgust; whether that look is for my sister or himself, I don’t know.

  “I’m so sorry. It will never happen again,” he tells me before he runs out the front door and bounds down the stairs. I twist the dead bolt and head down the hall toward my room, far too tired with today’s events to want to talk to my sister at the moment.

  All of the different emotions I’ve endured today have worn me out more than they normally do, so the second my head hits the pillow, I’m asleep.

  Chapter 8

  Blake

  I may as well just hand my balls over to the nearest pawn shop, because I obviously don’t need them anymore. I’ve stooped to a new low when it comes to talking to a girl.

  I bought a pet.

  I bought an animal that shits all over and stinks when I don’t bathe it, and I did it all as a means to have a freaking face-to-face conversation with Harlow. Instead of just being a normal guy and calling her to see if she was doing all right or had any free time to hang out, I’m sitting outside of the Sunshine Veterinary Hospital trying to talk myself into moving through the front door.

  I’m not even sure she’s going to be here. There is only one car in the parking lot, and it was here when I dropped her off after our accident, so I know it isn’t hers. She’s told me a bit about the doctor that works with her on this shift. He’s also the guy I found out was on the other end of her phone call after our accident and most certainly not her boyfriend, even though Harlow says he hits on her all the time.

  After a few deep breaths and dodging some curious glances from my new furry friend, I head into the building.

  The lobby is bright white with a large fish tank on the far wall housing exotic fish. Just next to the door is a wall that has a number of collars and leashes for both cats and dogs. It smells like someone has been trying, and failing, to cover up the smell of animal urine with some laundry-fresh smelling air freshener. The room is open and inviting, with a high wooden U-shaped counter in the middle and a wall of thousands of manila folders behind it. The room feels clean but quite boring; luckily, it’s a hospital for animals and not people.

  I move to the counter to a big, fluffy gray cat swatting his tail at me and wait. A few minutes later, Harlow comes out of a hallway to the left of the counter and stops short when she sees me.

  Jesus, she’s more beautiful than I remember. The hair that was piled onto her head the first time I met her is now hanging loose, stopping in the middle of her back. Her black-rimmed glasses are nowhere to be found, which shows more of her beautiful face. I also notice that she isn’t wearing any makeup, but she doesn’t need it at all. Her natural beauty shines brighter than any makeup ever could.

  And with just that small glimpse of her, I start to get hard. Shit. I didn’t realize you could miss someone you haven’t known that long so much, until she came around the corner.

  “Uh … hi, Blake,” she mumbles.

  “Hey, Harlow. How are you?” I say as I try to discreetly adjust my cock in my pants so she doesn’t see what’s going on below the belt.

  Her brows furrow for a second, but a small smile breaks across her gorgeous lips. “I’m just fine, thanks. What are you doing here?” She shoves her hands into the pockets of her dark purple scrubs and squints at me as she waits for my answer.

  Well, I’m already here. Might as well show her what I brought in.

  I look down at my folded arms and slowly pull them apart to show her the smallest bunny I’ve ever seen in my life. I found it for sale online just a few blocks from my house and thought it would be better than a dog that would chew my damn house apart.

  “Well, I just got this little thing,” I smirk when Harlow gasps and throws her hands up to her mouth at the cute little fur ball, “and I wanted to make sure he was healthy.”

  Harlow may be tearing up as she comes unglued and skips toward me with her hands outstretched.

  “Oh my god, you are so cute!”

  “Why, thank you,” I tease. She clamps her mouth shut but still gives me a smile that make her dimples appear as she scoops the small, white bundle up in her arms. She brings the little fluff ball to her face and nuzzles it a few times, making me wish for the first time to be a soft and cuddly bunny instead of a six-foot, one hundred ninety-pound physical therapist.

  “How long have you had her, Blake?” she asks as she makes her way to a computer tucked on the other side of the counter.

  “I only got it earlier today,” I tell her as she starts typing. After she gets basic information from me, like my address and anything I know about the cotton ball sitting on her lap, she stands and asks me to follow her to an empty room.

  “So what made you want to get a dwarf Rex Bunny?”

  If I told her that I got the damned rabbit so that I would have an excuse to see her again, she would think I’m crazy and file a restraining order against me, so I do what anyone in my situation would do—I lie.

  “Well, I’ve always had a soft spot for tiny, cute things,” I tell her, giving her a seductive glance up and down that I’m sure she catches. “These kids on the corner a few streets down from me had a few of them in a small box that they were just giving away.” What a crock of shit. I spent hours online searching for the cutest one within a fifty-mile radius and ended up paying sixty freaking bucks for this tiny thing.

  I’m hoping she can’t smell the pile of shit that I just laid before her.

  She sits with me whil
e we wait for the doctor to come in, but she does a small examination on it while we’re in there. As she inspects the bunny’s ears, I start up a conversation.

  “Why aren’t you a vet, Harlow?” I ask.

  She shrugs before she answers. “I want to be a vet so bad. I have a Bachelor’s degree in biology and had been accepted into veterinary school. After a few months…” She takes a deep breath and looks down. “Things happened with my family, and I had to drop out. I still want to go back to school, but I have to focus on other things at the moment.”

  The doctor chooses that moment to stroll in, just as I’m learning more in-depth things about her.

  The second he moves into the room, I can tell he’s got a thing for Harlow. His eyes automatically scan her body like it’s the first time he’s ever seen her, and as if he couldn’t make it any more obvious, he licks his bottom lip while he stares at her chest. It takes a few seconds for him to break his staring contest with the tops of her tits, which are barely showing above her scrubs, and move over to me.

  I can see when it clicks that I’m the guy who brought her here after the accident, because he doesn’t appear to be happy to see me. He is actually pissed that I’m in this room with her.

  “Thank you for sitting in here, but I’ll start the exam now, Harlow,” he growls and ignores the small gasp that escapes her at his harsh tone. He must know that I want to spend more time with her and is getting her as far away from me as he can.

  “Of course.” She nods and leaves the room, leaving me with Dr. Dick and the tiny white cotton ball sitting on the table.

  “I’m Dr. Paxton,” he introduces himself, but when he sees that I’m not here for small talk with him, he shrugs and leans down to the rabbit. After a few minutes of checking over the animal in the same way Harlow had, the doctor tells me that my bunny seems healthy and is, in fact, a girl.