by Willow Dean
“What happened to her?” She enquires, looking to me and Jax for answers. I take a deep breath to calm myself as the images roll through my head like an old-fashioned film reel.
“I heard someone shouting and went to check it out. I opened the front door to find her pinned to the steps underneath that piece of shit,” I growl in disgust. “She said nothing else happened, but I don’t know. I don’t know what they were even doing there in the first place.”
Jax takes over in a quiet tone, his worried eyes constantly roaming over Mila as if she has other injuries we can’t see. His shoulders stiffen whilst he repeats what Mila told him.
“She said she’d been dancing with him and wanted a bit of fresh air. He followed her out and tried to take her round the back where the lights need replacing. That’s when she made a break for it and ended up tackled on the front steps,” his voice strains at the end.
“Well I don’t know who you boys are, but thank you for looking after my girl,” Gem praises, giving us a solemn smile.
The car descends into silence for the rest of the journey. The only noise coming from the quiet sounds of the radio and Gem giving Rick directions.
It’s not long before we come to a stop outside a large Victorian style house with a bright, letterbox red front door.
A cobbled path leads up the house and is framed by a small lawn on either side. Both sides are lined and decorated with various colored plants and shrubs.
Mila’s still asleep, so Jax carefully extracts himself and moves around to open the door on her side. She barely stirs as I gently scoop her into my arms, careful not to jostle her awake or catch her ankle as I get her out of the car.
Gem comes around to meet us with Rick at her side. Her hands move towards Mila’s cleavage and I take a quick step back. “What on earth do you think you are doing?” I whisper-shout.
They may be best friends, but no way am I letting her grope her whilst she is out for the count. That’s just indecent!
She giggles quietly. “Put your claws away, Tiger. She doesn’t take a bag on a night out so she keeps her keys and phone warmed up by those beautiful babies,” she says pointing at Mila’s…assets.
Finding myself in a very awkward position, I look to the guys for help but the fuckers have turned their back on me.
Hesitantly, I relax my hold on Mila and stay as still as I can, keeping my eyes averted when Gem moves to reach for her again.
After a minute of searching, she finds what she’s looking for and comes out with a set of keys. Jangling them in front of my face, she throws me a smug smile before sauntering up the path to the front door.
At the sound of the keys, the boys turn back around to face my scowl. Jax snickers, whilst Rick gives me a sly smile.
Idiots. All of them.
Huffing in frustration, I follow Gem into the house and she directs me towards the stairs.
I’m about to start up the stairs when a woman with stunning red hair strides out of the living room towards us.
Coming to a sharp stop, she simply stares like a deer caught in headlights. Fear and shock flood her face as she drops into a defensive position.
A man with a blonde buzz cut and well-built stature follows closely behind, his chocolate brown eyes darkening with rage and suspicion when his gaze lands on Mila.
Stepping protectively in front of his wife, he blocks her from view.
Considering we are in Mila’s house, I presume these are her parents, yet there are very few similarities between them and her.
Maintaining my position, I wait for Rick to make a move. It’s only natural for her parents to react like they have. After all, three guys just walked into their house. Without knocking.
One of which is currently holding their unconscious daughter in his arms. Intoxicated, injured and disheveled.
Yeah…it’s certainly not the best first impression.
“Who are you, and what the hell have you done to my daughter?” The man snarls.
Rick steps forward, offering a handshake.
The epitome of refinement as always.
“Good evening, sir. My name is Rick Torres and these are my brothers.”
The man doesn’t so much as glance towards Rick’s outstretched hand, although a spark of recognition lights his eyes that remain fixed on Mila’s unconscious form.
Pulling his eyes away from Mila, he studies each one of us avidly, seemingly analyzing the situation.
Rick lets his hand drop to his side, leaving both hands relaxed and outturned as a sign of submission before continuing.
“I go to college with Gem and Mila. They were at my party tonight and there was a small incident. I apologize for barging in at such a late hour, but I wanted to make sure they arrived home safely. Gem, will you and this beautiful lady,” he gestures to Mila’s mother, “mind showing Aus where he can lay Mila down. Jax and I will sit down with her father and explain what’s been going on.”
Gem doesn’t argue. Taking the woman’s hand, she gently coaxes her up the stairs to Mila’s room, with me in tow.
Mila’s mother pulls back the bed covers as I place her down gently. She barely moves.
Stirring just enough to roll onto her side, she pulls my leather jacket closer to her chest and takes a deep breath, snuggling further into it and causing a smile to tug at my face.
Her mother tries to extract it from her grip, but I place a hand on hers softly, shaking my head. She returns an amused smile before turning her attention back to Mila.
Leaving her and Gem to tend to Mila, I head back downstairs. As I step into the living room, Rick and Mila’s father are exchanging a handshake.
“Thank you for taking care of her, son. You and your friends seem quite gentlemanly. It’s just a shame not everyone shares your integrity.”
“It’s our pleasure, sir. Enjoy the rest of your evening,” Rick replies, before ushering us out. “Come on boys, let’s go home.”
4 Mila
Urgh, why on earth did I drink so much last night?!
The pounding in my head is relentless, and don’t even get me started on my ankle that seems to throb with every heartbeat.
Casting an eye around the room, I find Gem on the floor, neatly curled up in a pile of blankets. In complete contrast, my clothes are half on the bed, half on the floor, with a random leather jacket stuffed under my head.
What happened last night and where on earth did I get this from?!
Wiggling my feet around, I pull back the covers to find a now warm ice pack discarded in the bed, and with it, comes the recollection.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling as everything that happened plays back at the forefront of my mind. The aches and pains serving as a reminder that it wasn’t just a vivid dream.
Gem suddenly releases a loud snore that has me rolling my eyes. Sure, she looks like a lady sometimes, but she sure as hell can’t play the part to save her life.
Shit. What time is it?! Reaching over to my phone on the bedside table, I groan.
Mum is going to kill me!
Shooting bolt upright, I dive out of bed remembering a little too late about my ailments. Hissing in pain, I immediately regret my lack of foresight as nausea crawls up my throat and the room starts to spin.
I lean against the wall to steady myself as dizziness assaults me. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths, waiting for the pain to abate and the unwelcome side effects of my hangover to settle.
First things first, I need to clean up and then get some painkillers and a lot of water.
Walking unsteadily to the bathroom, I lock the door and go about my business. Being careful to not jostle my ankle, I have what was easily the most frustrating shower ever.
Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, whilst trying to contain the wayward suds and water is taxing to say the least. So much so, that I quickly began to question my sanity each time I turn the detachable shower-head on and off.
Trying to prevent a shower hose from gaining a life of its ow
n and simultaneously attempting to lather oneself, and wash the hard to reach places, is not easy.
Never again! Next time I’ll just have a whore’s bath.
Wait…do they actually call it that?
Maybe the term ‘sink bath’ is a more appropriate and socially acceptable term?!
Yes, I could have had a bath, but I never feel clean after. You’re basically bathing in your own filth. It’s gross. Plus, it would be rather difficult trying to get in and out of a slippery tub with only one leg.
Yeah, I’m dramatic. Get over it.
I didn’t even bother with my hair. Exhausted from just a quick soaping, there would be no way that I’d be able to manage washing my hair too. After a good brush and some dry shampoo it will be fine.
I hope.
Grabbing some painkillers from the cupboard above the sink, I finish in the bathroom and walk out to find Mum leaning against the bannister. Her head whips up at the sound of the bathroom door and within seconds I’m wrapped tightly in her arms.
“Mum?” I croak. Taken completely by surprise, my arms hang uselessly at my sides.
Extricating my arms from my mother’s death grip, I wrap them around her as she begins to tremble. Yet, she still doesn’t utter a word.
“Mum? Are you okay?” She starts sniffling against my shoulder as I rub her back soothingly. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“It’s fine, Baby. Just, seeing you passed out in the arms of a stranger-” She shudders again. “They were lovely boys, don’t get me wrong, I just couldn’t help but think the worst.”
Sobbing, she pulls me closer. I hold her tightly until she eventually settles.
Pulling back, I cup her cheeks in my hands and wipe away a few stray tears. It’s obvious she’s been worried sick and it’s all my fault.
Speaking softly, I try to reassure her. “I’m fine Mum, don’t worry. It probably looked worse than it actually was.” Chuckling, a self-deprecating smile flits across my face. “I only sprained my ankle for heaven’s sake, I‘ve had much worse in the playground.”
“I know, Darling, I know. I’m sorry. I just-” She sniffles again before pulling away to straighten her sundress and flatten her hair.
Blotting her eyes on the edge of her sleeve, she plasters a smile on her face and places a tender hand to my cheek.
“As long as you are okay, that’s all that matters. The boys told us what happened. If you want to talk, you know where we are.”
It’s not that I feel like I can’t talk to my parents, there just isn’t really much to talk about. He was just some intoxicated creep who wouldn’t take no for an answer. It happens all the time. Either way, I’m grateful for their support.
“I know I can, Mum. You’ll be the first to know if I need to chat about anything. I promise.”
“Good! Come on then, let’s get you something to eat and maybe make those brownies you love so much,” she says, infusing as much cheer into her voice as she can muster.
Following her to the stairs, we only get down a couple before Gem releases an almighty snore. Not that it really resembles a snore all that much. It’s more like a hippo’s war cry.
Pulling up short, we both double over in laughter.
“Ahhh, finally. The beast arises from its slumber,” I exclaim with mock exuberance as Gem walks into the kitchen, yawning her ass off.
Looking like a hot mess, makeup smeared across her face and hair sticking out in all different directions, she gives me the stink eye as she makes a beeline for the coffee machine.
Filling her cup to the brim, she takes a seat at the breakfast bar as I slide a plate of freshly baked brownies in front of her.
Taking a big sniff, she groans. Mouth open wide, she gives them a gooey-eyed look and I swear she starts drooling like a dog.
“Pick your jaw up off the floor and start eating or else they’ll go cold.” Snapping out of her daydream, she heeds my advice.
Licking her lips, she abandons her coffee for the delectable treats in front of her and devours each one as if she’ll never see another again.
Mum strolls in a couple of minutes later and plants a kiss on her forehead. “I see my little Jewel has surfaced. How are you feeling this morning, Sweetheart?”
“A little worse for wear, but I’ll survive,” she garbles around a mouthful of brownies.
“Well, how do you fancy getting a way for a bit? Say…maybe a camping trip, which I may or may not have already cleared with your parents?” Mum questions with a knowing smile.
Brownies or not, that gets both of our attention. Meeting each other’s gaze across the room, we sport identical smiles and let out little squeaks of excitement.
Hell yeah! This day just keeps getting better!
Gem’s smile drops as she comes back down to earth with a bang. At least it looks that way.
Taken aback by the request, she doesn’t quite know how to respond. Her mouth opening and closing like a fish before she actually manages to speak, only to stumble over her words inelegantly.
“Tali. I- I don’t- That- That’s really amazing and all-” She throws a hesitant look at me, shrinking away at the stern look I give her.
I know exactly what’s going through her head right now. She feels undeserving and that it’ll impede on our family time, but I don’t give a rat’s ass what she thinks. She’s like a sister to me. I don’t want her missing out on family time and that’s all there is to it.
She swallows thickly before answering. “I…err. Yes. Yes, please. As long as I’m not going to be in the way,” her eyes glisten with hope.
Mum’s gaze softens as she pulls Gem in for a tight hug. “Oh, poppycock! Don’t be silly now. You are as much of a daughter to us as Mila is. Besides, my little Pumpkin would never forgive me if her sister in arms was denied the opportunity to join in on the family fun.”
Walking around the breakfast bar to join in the family hug, I can’t help but feel warm and content. Life is good right now.
I extract myself to remove the last batch of brownies from the oven when the timer dings. Mum continues to hold Gem, stroking her hair lovingly as a faraway look overtakes her soft features.
“I remember when the two of you first became friends,” she says, pulling back from Gem and glancing between us with an amused look.
Gem grins mischievously as I do my best to hold back a giggle.
“Oh yeah, your Mama never forgets these things! Getting five phone calls from the headmaster in the first three days of your new friendship isn’t exactly ordinary. Neither is removing all the toilet rolls from the bathrooms and using them to create spitballs.”
The high arch of Mum’s eyebrows is our undoing, causing laughter to erupt from our chests.
“Don’t forget the goop that we threw at Mr. Peterson,” Gem sputters.
“Ha!” I screech, slapping the counter with my palm. “You mean the goop that hit him square in the face and knocked the toupee off his head, straight into the dirty bucket of cleaning water?!”
Mum’s tinkling laugh joins ours as we enjoy recollecting our escapades. As it turns out, we became so notorious at school that we earned the nickname of The Twin Terrors.
“We aren’t the dream team for nothing, biatch!” Gem says arrogantly, with a wink and a playful smile, both disappearing almost instantly as Mum cuffs her on the back of the head.
“Language!”
“Sorry, Mrs. J!”
Snickering at her getting a bollocking, I move around the kitchen and begin to pack the food ready for our trip.
Mum pulls Gem in for another hug as they look at one another and begin talking quietly.
My chest warms seeing how peaceful they both look. I often wish that we were Gem’s real family, that we were blood sisters and that everything was perfect.
One can hope!
Although her parents may love her deep down, they suck ass at showing it. I just wish for her sake that she had more TLC in her life.
The rest of the day passe
s quickly. Gem returns home to collect her things as I alternate between helping pack and nursing my ankle.
It’s already feeling much better. The pain is nearly gone and the swelling is barely noticeable now. Although, it has turned a sickly shade of purple and green, but hey, at least it’s still usable!
Dad picks Gem up on the way home with her suitcase in tow. You would think we were going on a luxury cruise with the amount of things she brought.
Designer shoes. Fancy dresses. Curlers. Straighteners. False eyelashes. You name it. She got it.
It’s not like we plan to go camping at all, you know…braving the elements, getting down and dirty. All of it without electricity.
She’s attended this rodeo many times before, so she knows we go full old school, yet she still refuses to leave the ‘necessities’ at home.
“Just in case,” she says. At least she’s not afraid of putting in effort and a lot of hard work.
When they arrive back, we finish loading the car and set off on our way. Glancing out of the window, I watch as the sights whizz by.
One of my favorite parts about our trips is the scenery. It’s all rolling forests, snow-capped mountains and natural greenery.
From the birds of prey circling above, to the small critters that make their home in the bark of the gigantic Redwood trees. Something about nature just soothes me like nothing else.
Huh…this isn’t the usual way we go. It looks like-
“Dad, where are we going?”
“Oh, you know…just to drop off the leather jacket that you so fondly kept ahold of last night,” he says humorously, throwing me a sly look in the rear-view mirror.
Leather jacket? What is he talking about…oh. Oh!
My cheeks flush as the mansion comes into view. I swat Gem on the arm as she snickers at me. She should be supporting me, not enjoying my discomfort!
We pull up at the gates as they begin to swing open, almost as if they were already expecting our arrival.
As we make our way down the driveway, I notice it’s even more beautiful in the daylight. The flowers are in full bloom. Dancing in the wind in an array of colors, they frame a plush, vibrant green lawn that looks as soft as velvet.