Vicious

by Murphy, A. E.

  “Naw, I quit for my girl here. I just like the feel of it.”

  “It made my hair stink,” I add, winking at Kane who rolls his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, you love my hair.”

  “This ain’t a conversation I wanna be a part of no more,” Stan jests and the buzzing starts. “You ready?”

  “Yep.”

  The needle hits my skin, the sharp feeling makes me jolt a little but not so much that he goes wrong. It’s not that bad, it feels weird and hot, but it’s not terrible. In fact after a couple of minutes I close my eyes, bite my lip, and relax with it.

  “Are you enjoyin’ this?” Kane asks, making me open my eyes.

  “It’s quite relaxing,” I respond with a soft smile. “It’s not painful, not really.”

  “High pain threshold,” Stan comments. “Guessing you felt a lot of pain in your years.”

  Kane’s eyes darken because we both know it’s the truth.

  “Nothing major, Grandma likes to hit me with belts and shit when she thinks I’m going against Jesus.”

  Stan chuckles. “Better not let her see your tattoo then.”

  Kane brings my hand to his lips. “Just eleven more months and I’ll get you the fuck outta there.”

  Smiling I say confidently, “You love me.”

  He rolls his eyes but he doesn’t deny it. Not like he used to. Does this mean he does? Will he ever say it? I’m not saying it first.

  26 years old

  “Aren’t people who do tattoos usually covered in them?” West asks, skeptical despite the fact I’m being honest. Well, about that part at least. I can’t say I’m being honest about anything else.

  “Yes,” I reply, pushing my hair back and leaning back as they all assess me. “What? You want me to get naked? I’m not covered, I have meaningful pieces here and there. Some I did myself, others Lonny did.”

  “Lonny?” Felicia asks and I blanche. I realize my error but there’s no taking it back. I suppose it doesn’t matter anyway, like Kane said, ain’t nobody coming looking for little ole me.

  “A genius with a tattoo machine.”

  “And Marshall, what is he up to?” Kane asks, sounding bitter but curious. “Givin’ you a grand life in a big city?”

  “Why ask about shit you don’t wanna hear about?” Felicia admonishes, throwing him a look.

  “He’s umm… he went into plumbing.” I bite on my lip and look away from Kane’s deepening scowl.

  “Fuckin’ plumbing,” Kane utters, shaking his head. “You got a picket fence?”

  “No, I live in the city, not suburbs.”

  We stare each other down and I wonder why I thought this was a good idea. I look at my phone.

  “I really should go.”

  “Back to Marshall? Why didn’t he come with you, Immy?” Kane asks as I stare at his collar bone. “Why didn’t he take you to your mee-maw’s funeral and cheer you on while you set her memory on fire?”

  “He’s busy workin’,” I snap, shoving at his chest but he grabs both of my wrists, yanks me to my feet and pins me between his body and the counter.

  “Son,” West warns.

  “Give us a sec, yeah Pa?”

  “I think—” Felicia tries but Kane snarls, “I said give us a fuckin’ sec. We got shit to discuss.”

  “We don’t got anythin’ to discuss,” I argue, fighting for my freedom, though weakly I’ll admit.

  “Kane,” West barks.

  “Pa, give me a fuckin’ minute,” he shouts at his daddy who presses his lips together and looks between the two of us.

  “Fine, but you gotta let her go, kid.”

  “Let her go once because you told me to, Pa. Not lettin’ her go again without knowin’ why she chose that preppy son of a bitch over me.”

  Well… shit.

  Felicia snorts. “The Jessop men are too prideful. Put him out of his misery, Imogen. Tell him what he needs to hear.”

  “Guys,” I beg, wishing they’d stay because even after all this time, being alone with Kane Jessop is doing things to me I don’t want to admit.

  “Fuckin’ hated you for what you did to me,” he admits, gripping the counter either side of my body. “Leavin’ like that, not even giving me a chance to talk.”

  I look away but he grips my chin, too hard but not too hard that it hurts. His shining eyes are so angry.

  “You gonna leave again without telling me what the fuck I did?”

  “Kane it’s been years.”

  “Yeah and I never stopped looking for you Immy,” he admits, gritting his teeth.

  My lips part and my heart knits back together, only slightly, but I feel it. “Because of pride? Because you don’t know why I left?”

  “Yeah, bit of both, lotta the first, hella lot of the last.”

  I don’t know what compels me, whether it’s being in his presence, or his scent, or his admission of sadness. Being this close to him has my head swimming with thoughts, desires, needs. My heart is racing behind my breasts which are tight and throbbing as they brush up against his chest. I kiss him, I touch my lips to his but he startles and pulls back without even a second of hesitation.

  He rears back, eyes blazing with fury. “The fuck? You tell me you’re bedding another man, fucking left me for another man, and think I want to touch that?”

  Truth be told I just humiliated myself and I don’t know what to say. So I lift a shoulder and bite on my lip again.

  “Fuck…” He looks at me incredulously. “You’re a bitch, Immy. I used to say that in a nice way, but I don’t mean it in a nice way anymore.” He paces away from me and growls to himself, “Fuckin’ leaves me for another man and puts her lips on mine. Fucking bitch. What the fuck?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For which part?”

  “All of it.”

  “If you’re so sorry, tell me what I did that was so bad you disappeared.”

  I hitch my bag up my shoulder and search through them for my keys. “You didn’t do anything, Kane. I fell in love. I fell in love so fucking hard. I just wanted to spare you the pain of knowing what I did.”

  He stares at me, brows pulling together. “Is it because of what happened after homecoming?”

  I shake my head and see his irritation increase.

  “Is it because I wouldn’t leave town?”

  “I couldn’t stay here.”

  “I know, but I couldn’t leave.”

  “I know,” I breathe and curse myself for letting my tears fall down my cheeks. “You made me so crazy happy, Kane Jessop.” His spine stiffens but he doesn’t say a word. He just listens as I talk. “So crazy happy. But—”

  “Marshall made you happier?”

  Nodding, unable to verbalize any of it, I grasp my keys and nod to the door. “I’m going to go. I’m really sorry for coming back here.”

  “I’m not. Least now I can put you to rest as the bitch everybody told me you were.”

  “Stop calling me a bitch, Kane Jessop,” I snap, unable to hear his hatred for me. “You don’t know what the fuck I’ve been through.”

  “And whose fault is that?”

  Yours, I think but don’t say. For not finding me the first time I went missing.

  17 years old

  “Can y’all stop kissing?” Ren snaps but he’s also laughing. “Do you even have any lips left? Damn. Fuckin’ stop for one minute.”

  “Shut up, Ren,” Kane growls against my mouth and presses me tighter into the lockers making them rattle.

  “I’m tryna talk to y’all.”

  “We ain’t listenin’,” I say but it’s muffled because of the kissing that is annoying Ren.

  “Break it up you two,” my brother barks, grabbing Kane by the back of his collar and yanking him away from me.

  Kane retaliates by shoving him and I sigh when they start scrapping in the middle of the hall. It’s not a real fight but it sure is stupid.

  “Watch his arm! It’s healing,” I shout at my brother, stepping
between him and a laughing Kane. I bring up Kane’s arm to my lips and kiss the fresh ink. It’s still a bit dry but in a couple of days it’ll be smooth and as stunning as he is.

  I gently trace the outline of the initial of my name, inset in a crown that’s so fucking beautiful and detailed. He says he might not know dick about love, but he does know he’ll worship me like his queen until the day he dies. I sucked his dick for that one too. Kane Jessop might be vicious, but he has a big heart. When it comes to me anyway.

  Kane nudges my forehead with his nose but tenses when he sees Marshall heading our way. Ren steps in front of me, blocking me from his view like some grand protector.

  Laughing, I pull away from Kane and shove Ren to the side.

  “Not today,” Ren tells Marshall like he has any right to control me.

  “Immy, can I borrow you?” Marshall asks politely and I open my mouth, ready to agree and tag along.

  “You can fuck off,” Kane snarls at him, yanking me back into his chest with a flesh covered band of pure titanium. “She don’t got time for you today Martian.”

  “Don’t be a dick,” I snap at the man who is holding me tight. He lets me go and glares at me. “You don’t fuckin’ own me, Kane Jessop. Remember that.”

  Marshall gives me a wink and Kane steps forward towards him.

  “Are you serious right now?” I shove him back again. “Marshall’s my friend.”

  “So you and him keep remindin’ me,” Kane argues, shoving a cigarette between his lips.

  “I just need to talk to her, Jessop,” Marshall snaps, looking irritated. No love is lost between these guys. They can’t stand each other. Most of that is because Kane is a prick to him for no reason other than he thinks Marshall wants in my pants. If he does he’s never shown it. We just hang out to appease our parents. They like us together and it keeps them off our backs. I thought Kane would understand because it means I get more time with him but he’s always like this. It sure is frustrating.

  “Maybe if y’all were more accepting, he’d hang out with us,” I say, pinching Kane’s cheek and his hand snakes around my body to grip my ass so tight it hurts. He kisses me, shoving his tongue deep into my mouth as though guarding his territory down there. It’s sort of funny but I don’t let him know that I secretly love how possessive he is just as much as I hate it.

  “Fucked her this mornin’, Martian. Didn’t get time to shower after. Lettin’ you know that I’m all up in her pussy just in case you tryna be all up in there too.”

  I rear back, horrified that he just outed us like that in front of the entire hall. I slap Kane around the face, not hard, but enough to make his head whip to the side.

  Ren laughs as though it’s hilarious but I don’t find any of this funny. That was disgusting, not to mention insulting.

  “Too fucking far,” I snap at him, being serious now. I’m actually shaking I’m so mad. He doesn’t trust me at all and that was such a vile thing to say.

  “Come on, babe. I was just kiddin’,” he calls after me when I stomp away, flipping my hair over my shoulder as I go.

  “That was seriously gross, Kane,” Poppy snaps, following me and Marshall.

  “Do we need words?” my brother asks my boyfriend, shoving him back for real this time.

  I hear Kane and Ren laugh when I flip him the bird as I look away, so I don’t have to see his smirk or uncaring attitude.

  I’ll show him, he wants to play that game and treat me that way… I can be a dick too.

  “He’s so fucked up, Immy. What do you see in him?” Marshall asks, frowning down at me when we make it outside where it’s quieter. “He has no respect for you at all.”

  “You’re breaking my rule,” I remind him and he sighs. We don’t talk about Kane because I don’t want to fall out. I might be pissed at Kane right now but no way in hell am I letting anybody else trash talk him.

  Marshall pretends to zip his lips closed even though he’s unhappy about it. We have rules, there are things I know about him that I’m not allowed to judge, and he’s not allowed to judge me for who I hang with. If either of us break the rule, we have to do a forfeit.

  He wraps his arm around my neck playfully and winks down at me. Because he’s so tall and I’m not.

  “What do you need to talk to me about anyway?” I ask, ducking under his arm and putting some distance between us.

  “Homecoming,” he admits sheepishly and Poppy gasps a sharp inhale. I forgot she followed us for a moment. “I really need you to be my date to homecoming.”

  “But… you’re quarterback and that’s a huge statement,” Poppy puts in like I don’t know that already.

  “I’ve got this. I’ll catch you later, Pops,” I say to my best friend of forever years.

  “Scuse me?” she replies, looking affronted.

  “I need to talk to Marshall in private.”

  “But…” She looks so confused. I get it. Everybody is by our friendship.

  “I’ll explain everything later,” I lie because both Marshall and I know I absolutely won’t.

  She stops as we go on ahead and I know she’s pissed off but this isn’t for me to say. Though she quickly catches us up. “Fuck that, I’m in this. She can’t go with you, Marshall.”

  “She can, Kane ain’t goin’.” He levels me with a look. “He has no plans on askin’ you. I know because he told everyone in the locker room what a waste of time it is.”

  I pout because it’s true. Kane won’t come with me no matter how much I beg. There’s no access unless you’re wearing a suit and have a ticket and he is not wearing a suit at all. He said, “Babe… no.” And even when I begged he just wouldn’t relent. I’ve never hated him more than I did in that moment. Except maybe now after what he said back there.

  “Yeah,” I agree sadly, pouting at Poppy. “I could go with Marshall; our parents will be expecting it anyway. Makes sense. Kane’s not going and you’re goin’ with my brother.”

  Marshall grins, looking excited and relieved. “I’ll even pay for the limo.”

  Poppy’s eyes light up. “And we can double date?”

  “Absolutely,” I say, feeling evil because I know Kane will hate this but if he isn’t going to take me then I’ll find my own way.

  “Marshall, you got yourself a date,” Poppy says on my behalf which has me cackling with laughter. She wasn’t hard to talk around. Just offer her something shiny and fun and she’s good to go.

  Marshall grabs my shoulders and beams at me. “Thanks, Immy.”

  “What are friends for?”

  Marshall walks away backwards, still smiling, and joins his friends who were lingering nearby. They high-five which makes me roll my eyes because now everybody is going to think I’m dating Kane and Marshall. Which isn’t the case at all but it’s what we need people to think. Kane hates it, but if he wants me to not be grounded, Mee-maw has to believe I’m dating Marshall, so the rest of town has to believe it too.

  “Kane is not gonna like this,” Poppy singsongs, a high lilt in my ear.

  I shrug and we share a wicked grin. “He snoozes he loses.”

  “Yeah, I was sad when he said he wouldn’t go. But it’s not his scene. He hasn’t been to any of the dances.”

  “I thought he’d make an exception for me.” I lift a shoulder and look sadly towards where we left Kane and Ren to talk about this. My brother appears out of nowhere, hooking his arm around Poppy’s neck and kissing her deeply which of course makes me gag. “I mean, he got my initial tattooed on his arm, you’d think something as small as a couple of hours dancing wouldn’t be a big deal.”

  “Kane Jessop doesn’t do school cheer, you knew this when you got with him,” Poppy needlessly points out. I glower back at the school where Kane is exiting with Ren, laughing at something hilarious by the looks of it.

  “Just umm… don’t say shit to Kane about this,” I utter, eyes still on him until his find mine. I sneer at him and look away. “I want him to hear it from everyone else.�
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  “Damn, Immy, you’re mean as fuck.” She rubs her hands together and smiles evilly. “I like it.”

  “Like what?” Selma asks, sliding to a stop beside us with her skateboard tucked under her arm. I miss skating. I used to do it a lot when I was fifteen until I broke my leg being an idiot. Mee-maw was actually really nice to me for those six weeks that I couldn’t walk. “What do we like?”

  “Get it around the school,” Poppy orders, still grinning evilly. “Marshall just asked Imogen to homecoming and Immy said yes.”

  Selma’s jaw hits the floor. “Kane will be pissed.”

  “He’ll be too busy wonderin’ why the fuck I’m not talking to him,” I reply with a shrug.

  “You’re not talkin’ to him?” she asks, eyes wide. “Why? What happened?”

  “He basically called her a cheater in front of the entire school, and also insulted her hygiene.” Poppy throws a gumball into the air and catches it with her tongue.

  “What a dick.”

  “Right?”

  “But…” There’s a pause. “What if he gets with another girl?” Selma questions and it’s a good fucking question.

  I reply through a dangerous grin, “Then I hope he still has health insurance.”

  “Or life insurance,” Poppy adds on a mumble, making me laugh my ass off.

  “Babe,” Kane calls, getting closer.

  I flip my hair and saunter away, linking my arm through Selma’s and ignoring him completely.

  He can’t say shit like that and embarrass me like that. It’s not right. He needs to be taught a lesson.

  “Let’s go dress shopping,” Poppy suggests and it’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.

  An hour later I text Marshall what color he needs to coordinate with and he sends me a screenshot of the limousine his mom is booking. It’s so exciting!

  Kane: Are you really pissed at me? I thought you were just fucking with me.

  I don’t reply. I’ve never not replied before. I want to make him sweat a little. That’s if he even cares. When I climb into bed after listening to my mee-maw go on animatedly about how happy she is and blah blah, another text comes through.