by Ash, Nikki
I throw my phone in my pocket and run over to them. When I get closer I hear him threatening her and everything goes red. Without even thinking I grab the fucker by the back of his shirt and throw him up against the car.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing putting your hands on her? Did she say you could put your hands on her?” I scream into his face. He looks shocked and in the corner of my eye I can see his pussy friend trying to decide if he should intervene. He takes a step back. Good choice motherfucker.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on here but whatever it is, you don’t ever put your hands on a woman without her permission. Got me?”
He nods like the scared pussy he is and I release him. Now that my hands aren’t on him, he gets his balls back. “Marco owes us and we will be collecting. You heard that Marco? You can run but you can’t hide.”
“What the fuck does he owe you?”
“That’s between Marco and us, loco,” he says walking away. I don’t take my eyes off either of them memorizing everything I can about them. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time they come around here. Just before they get in their car, the other guy looks right at Hayley. “You are a pretty little bitch… maybe you can help Marco give us what he owes us. I might be willing to make a deal.” He winks at her and gets in the car.
Whatever she said to them put her on their radar, and guys like that don’t let shit go. That wasn’t just a comment. That was a threat, one they will most likely try to make good on.
I look over at Hayley and Marco and they both look terrified. I want to find out what the guys said to her and what Marco owes them and I will soon, but I want them both to calm down first.
“Where are you guys going?” Hayley’s body visibly relaxes and Marco comes out from behind her.
“We are going to get some dinner… Umm… Would you like to join us?” Hayley asks nervously and I know I need to work on how I act towards her. I don’t want her feeling like she can’t even speak to me.
“Absolutely; let’s take my truck.”
She doesn’t argue. After locking up her car and getting into my truck we head to a local bar and grill Hayley suggests. While we are driving there, her phone rings. She gives me an apologetic look and accepts the call. I can only hear her half of the conversation but it’s obvious she was supposed to go out with some guy and is cancelling last minute.
“Hey Greg… I’m sorry. I was just about to call you… I am going to have to cancel… Yeah, something came up… Sure, I will call you when I know I can make it… Ok, bye.”
For some crazy reason the thought of Hayley on a date with another guy forces my fists to tighten on the steering wheel. It makes me want to lock her up and keep her for myself. Only she isn’t mine.
Once we are seated and the waitress takes our drink orders I reach into my pocket and take out a twenty-dollar bill handing it to Marco.
“Why don’t you go get change and play some video games?” I nod towards the game room in the corner.
His eyes widen in shock breaking my heart. The kid has probably never played a video game. He looks down at the money and back up to me unsure.
“Go on and don’t come back until you have spent it all.”
“Thank you!” He takes off running to the video arcade room.
“What did they say to you?” I ask Hayley getting straight to the point. I need to know how bad this is.
“Nothing really. They wanted something Marco took that didn’t belong to him. I told them they shouldn’t hold a child accountable and they told me to mind my own business. The one guy tried to get around me to speak to Marco and when I wouldn’t let him he called me a bitch. That’s when you walked up.”
“It’s got to be the drugs… or money.”
“I’m terrified for him, Caleb. Those guys were scary.” It’s definitely not what I should be thinking about right now but my name coming from Hayley’s mouth is like an instant jolt straight to my dick. I have never felt like this before and I have no idea where it’s coming from but it’s been happening more and more lately. It’s like the minute she stopped outwardly wanting me, I can’t stop thinking about her.
“I will talk to Marco and see what’s going on. Whatever it is we will figure it out.”
Hayley’s phone dings and when she looks down at her phone she frowns.
“Everything ok?”
She looks back up and I notice a light blush spreading across her cheeks.
“Yeah, I was supposed to go out on a date tonight. I joined some stupid dating site in attempt to meet someone. I cancelled last minute when I saw Marco outside. He was texting me to let me know I shouldn’t agree to go on a date if I was planning to cancel. I know it was rude of me to cancel last minute but he’s being kind of mean about it.”
Does this woman not realize how beautiful she is? Why would she think she needs a dating site? Every guy around her that’s single practically drools over her, and she definitely doesn’t need to put up with some asshole that doesn’t understand life happens.
“Maybe it’s not too late to meet him… I can stay with Marco... Then he won’t be so mad.” I have no idea why I am even suggesting that. The thought of her leaving us to go on her date makes me sick.
She frowns but quickly replaces it with what looks like a fake smile.
“That’s ok. I already told him we could reschedule.”
I want to ask her why my suggestion made her sad but then Marco comes running back out of money and sits down sipping on his drink. My mind immediately goes back to Marco and keeping him safe. There’s no way I am letting anything happen to this kid. The waitress comes over and after we order I figure now is as good a time as any to ask Marco what’s going on.
“Marco, can you tell us who those guys were and what they were talking about?”
He immediately looks nervous bouncing his eyes back and forth between Hayley and me.
“You can trust us Marco,” Hayley adds in a soothing voice that makes me want to see how well she can soothe my dick in the bedroom. What the fuck is going on with me?
“Umm… Well… The guy you put up against the car is Hector and the other guy is Santos. I ran an errand for them to make some money and my mom borrowed the money I owe them. She promised to pay it back. She said she just needed to buy Chloe diapers. But she hasn’t given me the money back yet and Hector and Santos want the money because their boss Antonio needs the money.”
Fuck! His mom took the money he owes these guys, probably to buy more drugs. This isn’t good. I can easily pay them back but this isn’t just about money. Guys like them don’t like to be stolen from. This is about pride, about sending a message. They will definitely be sending a message.
“Ok, how much do you owe them?”
“Two thousand dollars.”
Holy shit! What the hell are these guys doing trusting a fucking twelve-year-old with that kind of money? Hayley hasn’t said a word. She looks scared as shit for this kid. I don’t know much about Hayley but I know she comes from a good family, and while I do as well, I also come from a home where my stepmom runs a strip club, which is shady as fuck, and pimps out her teenage stepson. Oh, I didn’t mention that before? Yep, my dad met Gloria at a strip club and decided to marry her and then fund her opening her own strip club. I have seen some shit go down at that club when I would have to go see her.
Then working at the clubs on the strip, watching the deals go down every night, you learn real quick how fucked up life can be. I have stood in on too many deals to count at the clubs. To make extra money I have taken private bodyguard jobs to escort guys into business meetings. You have no idea how corrupt Las Vegas truly is until you have sat in a few of those meetings.
The difference is, those meetings were with legitimate businessmen even if they are corrupt, not fucking gang members hanging on the streets. The men I have dealt with aren’t hiring twelve year olds to deliver their drugs for them.
“We are going to go by th
e bank and I am going to give you the money to give to those guys, ok? But Marco, you can’t keep running errands for them. They aren’t good guys.”
“I know but the money they pay me helps my mom. It gives Chloe her formula and diapers. My mom doesn’t have a job right now.”
“We will figure it out. Just promise me, no more running errands for them. Got it?”
“Ok.” He agrees but I can see the fear in his eyes. There’s more to this than he is telling us.
After we are done eating, I run by the bank just before it closes and take out the money. I drop Hayley off at her car and take Marco to his house. I am not stupid enough to just give the kid the money, though.
“Marco, I want you to call or text those guys and tell them you have their money. I am going to wait here, and I will be here when you give it to them.”
“Ok.”
After a few minutes, the guys pull up and get out of the car. We are parked in front of Marco’s house and I tell him to stay in the car while I get out to deal with the guys.
The guy Marco said was named Hector walks up to me first. “Que pasa loco? Where’s Marco?” What’s up?
“Here’s three grand. The two grand he owes you and one more for your trouble.” I take the envelope of money and shove it into his chest. “Leave Marco alone.”
“Hey now, nobody forced him to do anything. He needed money and we offered him a job.”
“Yeah well consider his employment terminated as of now.”
“Whatever you say,” he says with a smirk.
I walk back to my car knowing this shit isn’t over but not sure what else to do. Marco gets out and I walk him up to the door. I can hear the baby screaming inside so I follow him in. The house is fucking gross and smells like piss. The baby is on the floor on a blanket, red-faced, screaming and crying her head off without her mom anywhere to be found.
Marco goes straight to her, picking her up with such expertise trying to soothe her. His mom comes walking out looking strung out on drugs just like the last time I saw her. Before she sees I am here she yells at Marco.
“Where the fuck have you been? I need you to get me some formula for the baby! And I am fucking exhausted from dealing with Chloe. It’s your turn to watch her…”
Before she can finish I clear my throat indicating she isn’t alone. She doesn’t even have the audacity to look apologetic that I just witnessed her treat her kid like absolute shit. She walks by me to her room and slams the door shut.
Marco goes to the cabinet and pulls out a can of what I imagine is formula since he pours some into a bottle, heats it up, and feeds it to the baby.
“I bought some last night but she was asleep when I got home and wasn’t awake yet when I left this morning.” He says this as a way of explanation like it’s perfectly normal for that bitch to speak to her kid like that. I am speechless. I am watching a twelve-year-old act like a father to a baby when he is still a fucking baby himself.
“Hey, I am going to take care of this Marco. I promise you.”
“Please don’t report my mom; if you do, they will take away my sister. They will put us in foster care. Some of my friends went there and told me it’s really bad. Please don’t do that.”
I don’t even know how to respond to any of this. This is all so over my head, but there has got to be an answer.
“Ok, buddy. Let me think about it for a little bit and I will figure it out.” I take some money from my pocket and hand it to him. “Don’t show your mom this. It’s a hundred dollars. Use it to feed your sister and you. If you need money you come see me. Ok?”
“Ok, thank you.” He burps his baby sister and then lays her down on the couch patting her to sleep.
Seven
Hayley
It’s New Year’s Eve, which means it is also Bentley and Kayla’s Wedding night. We are all standing at a local chapel on the strip listening to them say their vows to each other. Once Kayla decided she wanted to marry Bentley after almost losing him to her ridiculous insecurities she decided not to waste any more time. If she could have she would have married him the minute he said yes. Yep! You heard me right. She proposed to Bentley the second time around and of course he said yes. She wanted to get married immediately but agreed to New Year’s Eve to give her brother, Zach, time to get here for the ceremony.
“You may kiss the bride,” the Ordain Minister says and they kiss. Because of the small ceremony Kayla insisted on, Liz and I are her only bridesmaids and Cooper and Caleb are the groomsmen. Everybody claps and then we take off to Kayla and Bentley’s new home for their reception-slash-house warming party. As an engagement present, Bentley surprised Kayla by purchasing the home of her dreams, which is also right down the street from Liz’s house. I look over at Caleb and he gives me a small smile. He looks sexy as hell dressed in slacks and a button-down dress shirt, but I still prefer him in nothing but a towel hanging from his hips. It’s like he knows what I am thinking when he raises an eyebrow and gives me a smirk.
I shake my head and walk over to him. “Heading over to the house?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yep, I guess I will see you there.” I go to walk away and he grabs me by my elbow. I stop in shock; Caleb has never willingly touched me.
“Hey, do you think maybe we could grab a bite to eat one day?”
“Like as a date?” I don’t want to assume anything.
He contemplates my question for a second. “Umm… As friends.”
It’s a good thing I didn’t assume. “Friends… Yeah, sure; just let me know when.”
His phone dings alerting him of a text message and he frowns at whoever is texting him. He puts it back in his pocket and looks back up at me.
“That was Marco. He didn’t realize the gym was closed and needs me to meet him there to give him some money. I am trying to figure out how to help him without turning his mom into the Department of Children and Families. I am looking into some rehab facilities that run off private donations to those with kids who can’t afford it but even then, she would need someone to take care of them unless she can do outpatient or something.”
“That’s really sweet of you, Caleb. He is lucky to have you in his life. If you need any help please let me know.”
“Thanks.”
We both head out to our cars and go our separate ways, him to the gym and me to the party.
A little while later he arrives to the reception looking completely distracted.
“Hey, is everything ok with Marco?”
“Oh hey, I’m not sure. Marco is acting off. I think something is going on at his house. I am going to head over there after the party and check on him.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, I appreciate it but I would rather you not be there in that area. It’s not a good neighborhood.”
“Ok, well if you need anything let me know.”
“Thank you, I will.”
I give him a smile and go to reach over to his arm to give it a friendly squeeze before remembering he hates me to touch him. I pull back just in time, give him another smile and walk away. God, he must think I am so weird.
Walking over to the kitchen to grab a drink, I spot a bunch of people dancing outside in the backyard on the makeshift dance floor. I make myself a Malibu Lemonade and head out back to watch the drunken silliness.
“Get over here, Roberts!” Alex yells over the music. I shake my head no.
“C’mon, now!” I can’t help but laugh. He is definitely one of those drunks.
I give in. After taking another sip of my drink, I put it down on the table, and walk over to join him on the dance floor. The music is pumping so I sway my hips to the music. Alex stands behind me and dances up against me. I look over and see Caleb watching us. He almost looks… pissed? But that can’t be right. He wouldn’t care whom I’m dancing with. The song changes to a slow song and the DJ tells the newlyweds to get on the dance floor to join in. Caleb’s eyes still haven’t left min
e. He begins to walk my way and I am frozen in place. I hear Alex saying my name but I tune him out only focusing on Caleb.
“I’m cutting in,” Caleb says to Alex, his eyes never leaving mine.
A second later I am in Caleb’s arms swaying to the tune of Jason Derulo’s song Marry Me. Knowing he doesn’t like me to touch him, I have no idea what to do with my hands. He frowns and then taking my hands in his, places them around his neck pulling me in closer to him and then wraps his arms around my waist, settling his hands at the small of my back. We dance for a few minutes in a comfortable silence staring into each other’s eyes. I have no idea what to make of this but I do know how natural it feels, like this is exactly where I belong.
Unfortunately, his phone vibrates in his pocket ending the moment too soon. He looks down at his phone and then looks back up at me. With what looks like a silent apology for what I don’t know, he gives me a small kiss on my cheek and whispers, “It’s Marco. I have to go. Thank you for this dance.”
As he walks away I can feel my heart pounding from his closeness. His words do things to my body and when his lips brushed across my cheek I wanted to grab his face and not let go but knowing he needs to be there for Marco. I walk back to the table, grab my drink and gulp the rest down.
Eight
Caleb
Seeing Kayla so happy makes my day. That girl deserves her happily ever after, that’s for damn sure. It has taken a little while but she and Bentley are finally in a good place and as their best friend, it makes me damn happy to see them like this. The wedding was nice and simple just like Kayla wanted. The reception at their place is a whole other story. There are decorations everywhere including a huge sign announcing their marriage. There’s catered food aligning the walls inside, and outside there is a DJ playing music. The kids have all left, leaving only the drunk adults celebrating their wedding as well as New Year’s Eve.
Grabbing a beer after talking with Hayley, I head outside to find Kaden or Cooper when I see Alex and Hayley dancing close on the makeshift dance floor. I have never wanted to dance with a woman as much as I do right now. She has her head thrown back in a laugh at something he said and it reminds me of the other day in the gym. I want to be the guy making her laugh.