False Start

by Rebel Farris

  I wasn’t going to continue to mope and pine and hope that Jared would come back to me because it was clear that he wasn’t. He hadn’t come home during leave once in the last two years. He hadn’t called or talked to me, and if Diana or the General had spoken to him, they never told me about it.

  Evan had disappeared into the military life with Jared, though he called often. Nic had gotten swept up in fraternity life at UT, and we only hung out every couple of weeks or so.

  No one here bothered to talk to me because I was that kid. The one who was too young and didn’t belong in college. This year I was the same age as the entering freshmen.

  “Hey, where’d you go?” Sloane asked, waving her hand in front of my face.

  I gave her a small smile. “Sorry. Are you okay with me taking this side of the room? You weren’t here, so I just picked, but if you like this side better, I can move.”

  “Girl, you’re all unpacked already, and both sides are identical, so no. I’m not making you move. But I’ve a feeling I’m gonna like you.” She grinned and sat on my bed next to me. She had a little blue gem pierced into her nose. “So, dish, tell me all about you.”

  “What do you want to know?” I asked nervously. My social skills were a little rusty. If I ever had any. Most everyone I knew had been around my whole life.

  “Everything. Here, I’ll go first—”

  “Hey, I’m gonna go down and get the rest of your stuff,” Max said.

  “See, like that, I have him trained well.” She grinned, and the light winked off her blue nose ring.

  “You’re a fucking laugh riot, Slo,” Max grumbled as he left the room.

  “Anyway, where was I?” She tapped her finger on her bottom lip. “Oh, yeah. I’m a fashion design major. Just turned twenty-one. I’m completely straight. You’ve met my boyfriend, Max. I’m totally cool with it if you’re not, hetero that is. I’ve a twin, but he goes to UT. I hang out with him and our friends there more than people here. My dad’s a retired pro boxer, so there’s that. Hmm… My favorite food is bacon, I love Dr. Pepper, and candy of choice is Red Hots or anything cinnamon. Oh, and I love to run. Your turn.”

  Holy God, that was a lot of information. I considered it for a minute. I was normally a private person, but that had gotten me nowhere in college. I did have to live with her, and she seemed nice. I wasn’t going to tell her about the twins, though. I’d made the decision years ago when I first started college, it wasn’t anyone’s business but my own. I’d had enough of the disdain from the people in my hometown; I didn’t need to carry that to college. No, I was at college to learn, and I couldn’t afford to be distracted by unnecessary drama.

  “I’m a music theory and business double major. I’m not gay—I don’t think. My dad died when I was five. He was a fireman. My mom died when I was fifteen. She was a library clerk. I’ve no siblings, biologically, but my godparents, both sets, have sons who’re basically my big brothers. One’s in the Army, Special Forces, currently deployed in Iraq. The other goes to UT, but I don’t get to see him much. Favorite food is bread or pasta of any kind, I’m a Coke drinker myself, and I love cake, specifically chocolate, but any kind will do. Does that cover it?”

  “Yeah, wow. I’m sorry about your parents.”

  I twisted my fingers together nervously and offered an uneasy smile. “Thanks. I shouldn’t’ve said that. It’s kinda a downer.”

  She bit her lower lip and stared across the room. Her eyes suddenly widened. “Have you turned twenty-one yet? We can totally hit up Fifth Street on the reg this year.”

  “Ummmm, no. I just turned eighteen.”

  “But this is the junior dorms?” She looked confused.

  “Oh, I know. I’m a junior.”

  “Oh, shit. You’re her. You’re the kid. I’ve heard about you.” She waved her hand at my widening eyes, dismissing my mortification. “Oh, nothing like that. Small campus, anything noteworthy gets around. People always talk about the genius scholarship kid who kicks everyone’s ass on tests and fucks the grading curve. Though I did hear you have one of those fuck-off-and-leave-me-alone attitudes. I, actually, kind of hero worshiped you for a while. You blew off that dick, Jack Sprader, freshman year. You just turned and walked away without saying a word. Stone-cold blow off. That’s so fucking cool. Now you’re my roommate. We’re so gonna be besties, I’m warning you now. And I totally have the hookup for fake IDs, so we’ll consider it my housewarming gift to you.”

  “You don’t have to do th—”

  “You’re eighteen now, so you totally have to go out. I’m under official college roommate oath to ensure that you have the full college experience.”

  She got up and started opening boxes as Max brought in another.

  “Oh, speaking of… we’re going out tonight. Some of my friends are in a band. They’re not bad, but not great either. The venue they’re playing at is eighteen and up, so you can totally come.” She turned to face me abruptly. “Do you have a car?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good, then you can pick up my brother. He plans on drinking tonight and doesn’t want to drive, but Max drives a two-seater, and I’ve nothing. Max’s my personal chauffeur.” She looked up and grinned with a wink.

  My brows drew together in confusion. Why couldn’t she ride with me and Max pick up her brother? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t know her well enough to know how she’d react. What came out instead was a timid, “Okay?”

  “Awesome. Let me unpack this shiz, and I’ll give you directions.” She looked me up and down for a moment, contemplating something. “What size are you?”

  “Uh, medium top. Size eight in jeans.”

  “I got you on bottom, but I’m going to search your stuff for suitable shirts. We can make do tonight, but I’ll take care of you soon enough.”

  “Okay?”

  Boy, was I in trouble. I’d no experience with this girl stuff. All I had was the fear of the unknown.

  Now

  I’ve just finished draining the pasta when my phone rings. I rush to the charging station on the far counter to answer it before it switches to voicemail.

  “Hey, ho,” I greet, having seen that it was Sloane on the caller ID. “What’s up?”

  “Nada,” she says with a sigh. “Well, that’s a lie. Lots of stuff. Do you want me to start with the good, the bad, the ugly, or the devastating news?”

  “How about you start with devastating and work backwards?”

  “Fine. I got fired.”

  “What! Why?”

  “Nothing except these pretentious fashion douche-knockers can’t handle an opinion without it impeding their vision.” She says that last part in a nasally, snooty voice that makes me stifle a laugh. “Whatever, I think it’s time for a career change anyway. I loved working as your stylist. I could see myself doing that for other people, I mean, if you’re dead set on never being famous again. You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

  “No. No, I haven’t. You know how I feel about it. It’s not good for the girls.”

  “Maybe in six years? When they ship off to college?”

  “Maybe,” I say to appease her. I’ve no intention of purposely stepping into the spotlight ever again. “That’s devastating, what’s the ugly?”

  “Max is leaving me for another woman.”

  I can’t say I’m entirely shocked. They’ve been together for twelve years, engaged for the last four. If they really were in love, they would’ve pulled the trigger already. They seemed to be just clinging to each other out of the comfort of the familiar. We were expecting something like this to happen, sooner or later. I honestly don’t know what to say because I think it’s for the best, but I know she’s not ready to hear that. My strength as a friend has never been about having the right words. I just wish she were here so that I could hug her, then hand her a pint of her favorite ice cream and a bottle of vodka and just listen.

  I wait for her to continue, but she
doesn’t. “Do you want to skip to the bad?”

  “Yes,” she says with a sob. “Goddammit, I miss you. I need you here right now. We could do shots and play with that voice-distortion app, and make fun of people on their way to work while hiding in bushes like old times.”

  I feel a tap on my shoulder and whirl around to face Dex.

  “Need any help?” he offers.

  “Who’s that?” Sloane asks.

  “No one, just security.”

  “I thought you fired them months ago?”

  “I did, but I got another flower.”

  “What? Why didn’t you call me immediately? Or even Holly could’ve called! I can understand you—you’re not particularly forthcoming with any information—but Holly should’ve called. That bitch is hearing from me next.”

  I hold up my hand to Dex while she rants.

  “It just happened Saturday, and things have been rather crazy around here.”

  “Well, I suppose that brings me to the good news. I’m moving back to Austin.”

  “Really? That’s awesome. Give me the expected timeline. You gonna stay here until you find a place?”

  Holly comes in to check on her cupcakes, sees that I’m occupied, and starts finishing up the dinner preparations for me, directing Dex to help her.

  “Well, I’ve some things to wrap up here. And I need to schedule movers and all that stuff. I think I’ll be back in time for Thanksgiving. I’m probably going to stay at my dad’s for the holiday and then stay with you after. For a little bit. I’ve the funds to get a place. I just miss you guys. New York sucks without you.”

  “Okay. I’ll let Holly know you’re going to call her. And that you’re staying with us after Thanksgiving.”

  Holly perks up at the mention of her name and starts listening in.

  “We’re fixin’ to sit down for dinner. We have guests tonight, so it might be a while. You want me to tell her to call you?”

  “Yeah, sounds good.”

  I watch Holly shove serving bowls into Dex’s arms and point him to the dining room. He leaves.

  “Okay, love you. See ya soon.”

  “Love you, too. Bye.” I hang up the phone and look at Holly as a thought occurs to me.

  “Who’s that?” she asks.

  “It was Sloane,” I say quietly and step closer to her. “She’s going to call you. Mainly to bitch you out about not telling her about the stalker. But, you have to swear to me—on all that is holy—that you won’t say a word to her about Dex.”

  She rolls her eyes at me.

  “I’m serious. This’s serious. He’s risking his life for us. And yeah, I could tell her the lie we’re feeding everyone else about him and Marcus, but I don’t want to lie to her. And they told us no one outside of you, me, and Evan can know.”

  “Bitch, please. You know I got you.”

  “You do?” I ask and raise an eyebrow. “Because I sure wouldn’t want to have to murder you in your sleep. Remember, I know where you lay your head at night.”

  “I swear,” she says, holding up her right hand and grinning. “You couldn’t live without me, though. I seriously think you’re just waiting for scientists to figure out a way to turn my eggs into sperm so you can have my babies.” She waggles her eyebrows.

  I purse my lips. I don’t want to laugh, but the idea is so ridiculous I find my shoulders bouncing with silent laughter.

  I’m interrupted by the front door slamming and shouts of male voices. I look at Holly, and we both take off to see what the commotion is. I skid to a stop in the living room at the sight of Dex and Marcus pointing guns at someone hidden from view on the other side of the stairs.

  Oh my God, where are the girls?

  Feet pound the stairs as Evan shouts, “Lower your weapons. He’s authorized.”

  Curious, I take a few more steps until I can see the intruder.

  “Lucky!” I shout as I run and wrap my arms around Nic’s neck, completely forgetting about the guns.

  His keys clatter to the ground as he drops his raised hands and plants them on my ass with a smirk. “Now there’s the greeting I was expecting.”

  I pull back and smack his shoulder. “Shut up with your suggestive bullshit and unhand my ass.”

  The girls come racing down the stairs behind Evan as Nic lets go to turn to them.

  “Uncle Lucky!” the girls shout as they push past me to hug Nic.

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” Nic says as his gaze moves over my shoulder with a frown. “Your security team certainly has a new look.”

  “That’s not—” I stop. I can’t think of what to say. I turn back to Dex and Marcus, both looking awkwardly casual, guns no longer in sight.

  “I’m her boyfriend, Dex.” Dex approaches with his hand extended to Nic. “You are?”

  “Nic Gallo,” Lucky supplies as he returns the handshake. His mouth is pinched as he eyes Dex and Marcus. He holds back any commentary, but I know I’ll have to answer for it later.

  I can tell when the name sparks recognition in Dex’s eyes because a look of shock appears before he gets his expression under control. His eyes dart to me with a curious look.

  “This one’s mine,” Holly says, sidling up next to Marcus with a huge grin and wrapping her hands around his muscular arms.

  I close my eyes to keep from rolling them as I shake my head. I should’ve known she’d enjoy this a little too much.

  “Marcus Lions,” he says, extending his hand to Nic.

  “Boyfriend?” Cora asks.

  “Whose boyfriend?” Everyone turns to the front door as a purple head of hair peeks around the edge of the door, indicating Chloe’s arrival. I only now notice that the door was left half-open in the commotion.

  That girl changes her hair color more often than anyone I’ve ever seen. I think she’s a natural blonde, but I haven’t ever seen it because roots never have time to show between color changes. She freezes when she notices all the people in the not-quite-large-enough entry.

  “Mom and Dex,” Cora supplies.

  “Oh, my God, this means we’re practically sisters,” Cat squeals to Audra.

  Cora and Audra join in with squeals of their own.

  Oh, Lord. This is gonna be bad.

  “That is an interesting development,” Nic says with raised brows.

  “I second that,” Chloe mumbles, her brows drawing together.

  “Did you bring us anything back from LA?” Cat asks Nic.

  “Of course, it’s in my bag. Let’s go up to my room, and I’ll get it for you,” Nic says, picking up his bag from the floor. “Dinner?” he asks me.

  “Ten minutes,” I answer and watch them move up the stairs.

  “Did you see the one I got?” Holly says to Chloe, rubbing her hand across Marcus’s chest.

  Marcus grins down at Holly, not at all minding her attachment to his arm. Oh, God. What am I going to do with that woman? He introduces himself to Chloe while my mind drifts back to dinner preparations.

  Dex leans in to whisper in my ear. “Should I be worried about my daughter going into a room alone with a porn star?”

  “I think I should be more worried about the fact that you know who he is,” I say with an eye roll and turn back to the kitchen.

  “You keep interesting company.”

  I turn back to face him as my protective instincts surge. “Who the fuck are you to judge?”

  His hands go up in surrender. “No judgment, just making an observation.”

  “I’ve known Lucky—Nic—since the day I was born. And despite his professional choices, he’s a stand-up guy. He’s family. So, watch your words, Dex. I protect the ones I love.”

  “Hey.” He stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “I’m not saying anything here. I’m just trying to understand. You’re never what I expect. You throw me at every turn.”

  I shrug my shoulders to dislodge his hand.

  “Welcome to
the island of misfit toys, Dex.” I expand my hands in front of me, gesturing to the room as I walk backward. “The only thing I expect from my friends is loyalty and honesty. What they choose to do apart from that is up to them. I’ve no room to judge anyone. But here’s a tip. You might want to stop tryin’ to understand me because you’re not going to like what you find. Okay?”

  “That right there only makes me want to know more,” he says with a smirk, exposing one dimple.

  “Whatever.” I throw up my hands. “I’ve to finish getting dinner on the table.”

  Then

  I regretted my new life choices as I pulled up in front of the house in Central Austin, just off the Drag. I insisted on wearing my Doc Martens boots, so Sloane insisted I wear the slutty Catholic school girl look. The fact that I attended St. Edward’s, a Catholic school, was not lost on me.

  The black-and-red plaid miniskirt was paired with a black tank top I owned, Sloane’s studded leather belt and black leather jacket completed the look. She’d also insisted on doing the whole smoky-eye makeup coupled with a dark red lipstick. I didn’t look like myself. Which I guessed was sort of a blessing—if I saw someone I knew, they wouldn’t even look twice.

  “You look perfect. You’ll blend in nicely,” she’d said as I studied my reflection in the mirror.

  I didn’t look horrible, and if I were being honest, it was kind of hot. It was just weird, like wearing a costume. A punk rock vixen costume.

  I sat for a second before honking my horn twice, as I’d been instructed. It was definitely weird driving to a stranger’s house, not to mention picking up said stranger by way of honking. The door to the house finally opened, and what stepped out could only be described as a conundrum.

  Sloane’s twin brother had dark brown hair, like hers, only his was a short, spiky mess, like he’d just rolled out of bed. Holy shit! He was fucking hot. He was wearing flat-front khaki pants with a white button-down shirt rolled up to his elbows, exposing muscular arms covered in colorful tattoos down to his fingers. He had a tattoo of a bird on the right side of his neck.

  But the real kicker was that he was wearing a sweater vest and a bow tie. He looked like Bill Nye and a hardcore biker had a love child, but it didn’t detract from his wow factor. As ridiculous as it was, it maybe added to it. You had to have confidence to pull off a look like that. These thoughts had me cracking up as he slid into the front seat of my car.