The Firefly Effect

by Gail, Allie

  I hesitate, wondering how much my sister has told her about me. “Leah?”

  “Yeah. You’re her brother, aren’t you?”

  I can't help it. A wicked smile creeps its way slowly across my face.

  “You don't remember me, do you?”

  ~ Chapter Five ~

  “Shane Becker?!”

  Jerking bolt upright, I stare at him in open-mouthed dismay, not even bothering to disguise my look of horror and disgust. He can't be serious. He can't be! I mean, this has to be some kind of joke, right? No way this is happening. No way he could possibly be...him.

  As much as I want to deny it though, the more I look at him, the more I see it. And now that I think about it, I realize that's why he seemed so familiar to me. Not because of the photograph, but because this man, this beautiful stranger I've just had incredible sex with, is none other than him. Shane the Pain. My erstwhile mortal enemy. Biggest braindead fucktard to invade and defile the halls of Crestview High.

  He looks…well, I have to admit he looks different.

  Oh dear God. I just let Shane Becker have his way with me.

  I want to die.

  But first I probably need a flea bath and a lot of disinfectant.

  Jumping to my feet, I do my best to cover the strategic areas with both hands while glaring at him angrily. I think it’s the smile that pisses me off the most. That smirk that implies he knows he’s got the upper hand. I’d like to knock that smug grin right off his face. That asshole sonofabitch thinks this is funny!

  I don’t find it amusing in the least. On the contrary, I’m mortified enough to start screeching at him like a banshee. “You have got to be fucking kidding me! Shane Becker? Are you – what the hell are you even doing here? How'd you get in?”

  He looks at me like I’ve just asked him to draw a diagram explaining where babies come from. “With the key. I do own this house, you know.”

  “Then you are Leah’s brother?” I relax, but only slightly. So far none of this is adding up. I don’t remember the Pain having a sister, not that I ever really knew anything about his personal life. And Leah’s last name is Whitfield, not Becker.

  “Stepbrother, technically. But yeah.”

  Ohh. Well, I guess that makes a little more sense. “I had no idea. I mean…she mentioned a brother, but she never told me your name.” It’s becoming very clear to me now why she always referred to him as Butthead.

  “So I gather.” Raising an eyebrow, he casually tucks one arm behind his head. He doesn't seem the slightest bit embarrassed that his goods are laid out on display.

  “Okay, fine, so we’ve got that cleared up. Leah is your stepsister, and believe me, for that she has my deepest sympathies. Now how about explaining to me just what the fuck you’re doing here! Didn’t she tell you she rented this place to me?”

  Pausing, he gives me a probing look, and I get the feeling he's considering lying. But surprisingly, he doesn’t. “Yeah. She told me.”

  “Well? Do you normally just bust up in on your tenants in the middle of the night?”

  The dark eyes roll upward. “First of all, it’s hardly the middle of the night. It was barely even dark out when I got here. Second of all, I didn’t bust up in anywhere. I didn’t see a car in the driveway, so I figured no one was home. I just came inside to wait.”

  No car in the driveway? Oh, that’s right – I pulled it around back yesterday so I could use the hose to wash the splattered love bugs off the windshield. Still…

  “That doesn’t explain why you’re here in the first place.”

  He regards my awkward stance with a wide grin. “Little late for modesty now, don’t you think, sweetheart?”

  I’m so pissed off my words come out in a furious sputter. “Oh, you are the most…you’re the most…you’re just despicable!” Spinning around, I storm off towards the bedroom, deliberately slamming the door behind me.

  Whatever else happens, I’m going to make sure that pompous prick never has the opportunity to see me naked again. Resisting the urge to scrub myself raw under a scalding hot shower, I pull on a pair of sweatpants and my thickest, bulkiest sweatshirt. Then I march back out to the living room to interrogate him.

  He's not there.

  Believe it or not, I find him in the kitchen making himself a sandwich. Thankfully he's pulled his jeans back on but his chest is still sans shirt. It's hard not to stare. Clearly he knows how good-looking he is and doesn't mind putting it all on exhibition.

  “Oh, don't mind me, just make yourself at home,” I tell him sarcastically.

  He grins as he slathers spicy mustard across two slices of bread. “I usually do when it’s my home. You hungry?”

  My God, he's infuriating! “No!”

  “Really? Hot sex always makes me hungry.”

  “Super. Good to know. Information I totally needed. Thanks so much for sharing.”

  “Just sayin'.” Now he's stacking roast beef and lettuce on the bread. “Sure you don't want one? A little fuel for round two...” He cuts his eyes sideways at me and they twinkle devilishly.

  Round two? Does he seriously think I'd ever let him touch me again, knowing who he is? Shaking my head incredulously, I glare at him. “Are you freaking insane?”

  “Me?” He snorts a crude laugh before slapping the sandwich together. “You just admitted you had no idea who I was. Do you normally get it on with random strangers? Is this some kinda fetish with you or something?”

  I struggle to maintain a cool composure, but inside I'm seething. “What I do or don't do is none of your business. Now if you're not going to tell me why you came here, I'd appreciate it if you'd take your ass on down the road.”

  “Wasn't just me, sugar.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I wasn't the only one who came here.” With a lazy wink, he inhales half the sandwich in one bite and turns to wander back into the living room.

  For a split second I wonder if he's brought someone with him, then I realize he's just being crude. Frustrated, I follow on his heels. “Let me rephrase the question. Did you have a specific reason for com– ah, for being here or did you make a special trip up from hell just to stalk me?”

  With his mouth full, he informs me, “Not from hell. Tennessee.”

  “I don't really care where you came from – I'd just like to know how soon you're going back there!”

  “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  “Elliott.”

  By now I'm starting to wonder how much prison time I would get for castrating him. Why is he being so difficult? And who the bloody hell is Elliott?

  Between clenched teeth, I very patiently ask, “Would you care to elaborate?”

  Swallowing, he wipes his hands carelessly across his jeans. “Hurricane Elliott.”

  I shake my head, not comprehending.

  “Don't you pay attention to the news? There's a hurricane out in the Gulf of Mexico. Should be making landfall within a couple of days.”

  “What – here?” I had no idea the storm churning around out there had strengthened. Well, to be honest, I'd kind of forgotten all about it. Tropical disturbances are nothing new for this time of year.

  He gives me a look of disbelief. “It’s forecast to head in this general vicinity, yeah. How could you not know that? Where've you been?”

  I won't dignify that with a response. He's just trying to make me feel stupid. “So what are you, a storm chaser or something?”

  “I came down to make sure the place was secure. In case we do take a direct hit.” Flopping down on the sofa, he reclines and props his bare feet on the arm as if he intends to hang around for a while. “It's a category one right now, but expected to strengthen to at least a three before making landfall.”

  Category three? Okay, I'll admit that's a little worrisome, but right now I have scarier things to contend with. Like dealing with the devil in my midst. “How long will that take?”

  “For it to strengthen?”

  “
No, for you to...uh, secure the house or whatever you have to do.”

  “Not long.” Folding his hands behind his head, he smirks up at me. “Don't worry, Felony baby. I'm not leaving anytime soon. We'll have plenty of time to catch up.”

  Catch up?

  He must be out of his mind. Catching up with him is the last thing I want to do.

  From the moment we first locked horns, I knew I hated Shane Becker.

  6th grade

  “Hey.”

  I pretend I don't hear him, but he continues to poke me in the back until I want to break that finger off and shove it up his nose. He's so annoying. I know what he wants – the same thing he always wants. To mooch off me.

  “Hey,” he persists, a little louder. “Lemme borrow a pencil.”

  I swivel around in my seat to glare at him. “You ask me this every day. Did it ever occur to you to bring your own supplies?” I'm sick of this. He's so stupid. It's not like he doesn't know he's going to need something to write with every single day.

  Propped on one elbow, the boy my friend Stephanie and I have dubbed 'Shane the Pain' gives me a bored look. “That's what I have you for.”

  “I'm not your mother, in case you haven't noticed. I'm not responsible for you.” I turn back around and try to concentrate on the test in front of me, hoping he'll bug someone else instead. He's such a creep. I think he comes from a skanky family. He needs a haircut really bad and I swear he only owns like three or four shirts. He wears the same ones over and over.

  As usual, ignoring him doesn't work. He's gone back to poking me with a finger. “Me – la – niiiie...” he sings softly. “Gimme a pen - ciiill...”

  Across the aisle from us, Stephanie attempts to help me out. “Maybe she's getting tired of you always asking her for stuff!”

  “Nobody asked your opinion, Ste-fanny.” Grabbing the end of my ponytail, he tugs on it until my head is wobbling back and forth.

  “Cut it out!” I snap.

  “Gimme a pencil and I'll leave you alone.”

  “Yeah, until tomorrow!” Just to shut him up, I unzip my pencil holder and hand one over to him. “Here. And I want it back when you're done. So don’t chew on it and get your gross germs all over it.”

  “Whatever, Mosquito Bite.”

  That jerk! I do him a favor and he's calling me immature names. He thinks he's so funny. Just because Stephanie's boobs are bigger than mine doesn't mean I'm totally flat-chested. There's something there. Just not that much.

  I'm trying to think of a witty comeback when Ms. Ingram comes breezing back into the classroom. The steady hum of whispers and giggles fades quickly into a hush of deep concentration and pencils scratching over paper.

  “Psst. Hey.”

  Oh, great. Here we go again. I pretend I don't hear him, but that's never stopped him before.

  “What'd you get for number four?”

  “Figure it out yourself,” I whisper over my shoulder. Moron.

  “Just tell me.”

  “No!”

  “Well, what's number five then?”

  “Shut up.”

  “Come on, Mosquito Bite. Gimme some answers.”

  Setting my jaw, I pay no attention to his harassment. Surely at some point he'll get tired of bugging me. Right?

  Wrong.

  A finger pokes me sharply between my shoulder blades. “Hey. Hey. Hey!”

  Finally losing my temper completely, I jump up from my desk and whirl around to holler at him, “WHAT THE CRAP IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU STUPID ASSHAT?”

  The entire class erupts in wild hysterics. Shane included. Even Stephanie is giggling behind her hand. Ms. Ingram is the only one not laughing.

  “Melanie Lane! You will report to room twenty-seven for in-school suspension this afternoon. And you can go ahead and turn in your test paper – since you feel the need to be disruptive during class, you may retake it after school where you will have no distractions.” Still scowling, she claps her hands together. “I want it quiet in here right this minute, unless the rest of you would like to join Melanie this afternoon!”

  My face is burning with humiliation, and it doesn't help matters that I can hear The Pain still snickering behind me.

  I hate his stupid guts. So. Much!

  I hope after school the bus runs over him and then the bus driver goes in reverse and backs over him again.

  But I guess somehow I’d probably wind up getting blamed for that, too.

  ~ Chapter Six ~

  I can't figure this chick out.

  Look at her, acting all prissy and sanctimonious after what we just did. She can hardly wait to lock the door behind me, pretend it never happened so she can dust off her uptight exterior and go on living with the illusion that she's better than everyone else. Or better than me, anyway.

  Some things never change, do they?

  This has got to be eating her alive. Finding out that the guy she once referred to as gutter trash just ripped through that exterior and threw a spotlight on her inner vixen. Or has she done this kind of thing before? Maybe this isn't even the first time. Could be she has a thing for sex with random strangers.

  I hope not. That idea bothers me, although I'm not sure why.

  There's one thing I do know. She isn't going to get rid of me that easily.

  “You can't stay here,” she announces, propping her hands on her hips with a frown.

  “I have a deed that says otherwise.” How is it that even in sweatpants and a great big baggy shirt, she still looks fuckable as all hell? Hot damn, but that stuck-up little peach has ripened into one tasty woman. A woman who is awfully cute when she's flustered. Even after all these years, I recognize that look and I can't help but find it just as funny. The pretty hazel eyes are practically on fire.

  Her voice, however, is chipped ice.

  “I have a rental agreement. That makes me the tenant. In other words, you can't just waltz in here whenever you feel like it.”

  “Get anything in writing?” If I know my flighty sister, it's a given that she didn't.

  “I…have a copy of the check.”

  “No. I’m asking if you signed a lease.”

  Taken aback, Miss Hoity Toity seems marginally less sure of herself. “Well, no. It was a verbal agreement. She didn't ask me to sign a lease. And I didn't know you co-owned this place until after I'd already moved in.”

  “We don't co-own jack spit. She's the one who threw a hissy fit for the house, and she's the one who uses it most of the time, but I'm the one who forked out the cash. This property is in my name. Only mine.” Smiling, I wait for that to sink in.

  Her pink lips part as she gazes down at me in astonishment. “You can't be serious.”

  “It's all good.” I'm quick to move in for the kill. “I don’t have a problem with you staying, peaches. Just give me a few days and I'll be out of your hair.”

  “A few days?” She looks almost panicked at the thought, and it's all I can do not to laugh out loud. “Are you kidding me? I can't...there isn't...surely you can't expect to stay here!”

  “Why not? There's plenty of room.”

  “Yeah, I know, but...” Her objection trails off, eyes darting around the room as if she's looking for an escape route. I know she's contemplating what to say to convince me to leave. Hm, this should be good. Wasn’t she on the debate team in high school? I could tell her she's wasting her time, but why bother – it’s way more entertaining to watch her squirm.

  To my surprise, she pushes my legs aside and drops down on the sofa beside me.

  “Look,” she begins, attempting to placate me with a syrupy sweet tone. “I know what you're thinking. And I understand after the way I behaved, you have the impression that I'm an easy target. And that's fine. I'm not blaming you – this whole thing is my fault, I'll be the first to admit it. But if you’re looking for an amusement park, you've come to the wrong place. I am not a carnival ride. Just because I exercised bad judgment once doesn't mean I plan on making the same mistake
twice. So you see, there's really no reason for you to waste your time here. Am I making myself clear?”

  I study the light smattering of faded freckles that bridge her nose. They give a false illusion of innocence, but I know better. She’s about as innocent as a school of piranha. “Sure you don’t want to reconsider? This may not be an amusement park, but there are still a lot of amazing rides you’re missing out on, baby.”

  Yeah, I admit it, even I know that was a hokey line.

  “First of all, I’m not – ahem – I’m not your baby.” Her eyes flicker down to my mouth before quickly snapping up to meet my gaze. “Second of all, there is zero chance of that happening. Less than zero.”

  I rest a casual hand on her thigh, massaging it lightly through the gray sweatpants she thought I wouldn’t find sexy.

  She was wrong.

  “Less than zero, huh?”

  “That’s what I said. Zero. Less than.” Her expression is resolute but interestingly enough, she makes no move to push my hand away. I can see it’s going to be a challenge trying to untangle this obstinate little ball of contradictions.

  “You haven’t changed much, have you?” I observe dryly.

  She seems to take offense to that. “How can you presume to know anything about me? You haven’t even seen me in nearly a decade. Yes, I’ve changed. We all change. It’s inevitable.”

  “True. For instance, I’ve learned to work with negative integers since you last saw me. So anything less than zero won’t be a problem for me.” Pulling my legs up, I drop my bare feet to the floor and stand with a leisurely stretch. “Might as well go ahead and bring in my stuff. Which bedroom are you using?”

  I hear a sharp intake of breath as her eyes narrow. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, I’m not kidding. I want to make sure everything’s secure here in case we do get a direct hit.”

  She stares at me blankly.

  “The hurricane. Remember?” It’s hilarious how easily flustered she is. I gotta say, I love knowing I have that effect on her. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I won’t be around for long. Three or four days, tops.”