Take You Away

by Kira Hillins

  An April breeze blew through the open windows and into the cab of the truck. She breathed in deep as her hair lifted and twisted around her face. With the late-afternoon sun warming her chest and legs, she smiled.

  “You’re happy,” he said as he parked the truck in the store’s lot.

  “I have to admit,” she replied, “it feels good to take a little time off.”

  “You’re so pretty, Zoe.” He leaned toward her, threatening a kiss, but she turned her head. “Sorry,” he said as he turned off the truck’s engine. “I’ve wanted to kiss you forever.”

  “We’ve kissed before.”

  “Yeah, but not kissed, kissed. We’re getting older. We’re still stuck here in this town together. It’s like we’re supposed to be together or something.”

  “I’m not ready to date anyone.”

  He opened the door and hopped down to the ground. “Yeah, I know,” he said as she stepped out beside him. “But you’re safe with me. I’ll take care of you.”

  “I know.”

  “I’d never hurt you.”

  She smiled. “I know.”

  Renji. Her sweet barbarian protector always looked out for her. He was like a safety net, catching her when she fell. No doubt, she loved the big lug, but not how he wanted.

  * * * *

  Ben sat on his gaming chair, rocking back and forth. He’d logged into the game half an hour ago hoping to find Zoe, wishing she’d log in soon so he could talk to her about meeting next weekend. He’d tried calling her home phone and texting her, but she hadn’t answered.

  He turned off his console and TV, then put on his old sneakers that were falling apart at the heels. He headed into the living room where Sheron sat watching the local news and filing her nails.

  “The baker’s not online?” she asked.

  Ben sank down in the couch cushion beside her. “No,” he replied, taking his cell phone from his pocket, debating on whether to call Zoe again.

  “Are you meeting her next weekend?”

  “Haven’t asked her yet.”

  “Did you call her?”

  “What do you think?”

  She narrowed her eyes and then went back to filing. “Last night’s gig went pretty well.”

  Lack of bar fights and no missed chords was always a good thing. Not that the rare mistakes he made mattered since most of the metalheads who frequented the bar were too smashed out of their minds to care. “You’ll never believe who I ran into at the bar.”

  Sheron’s catlike eyes snapped to his. “Please say you didn’t ask the psycho out for coffee.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “How’d you know?”

  “I saw you guys at the bar.” Sheron dropped the file on the cushion, then crossed her long, smooth, tanned legs. “I followed her into the bathroom to see what she was up to. Overheard her telling one of the girls you invited her out for a cup of coffee.”

  “She asked me.”

  “You’re better off meeting the baker chick in the one-horse town.”

  “I know,” he said, thinking about Zoe’s gorgeous blue eyes, the perfect pouty pink lips he wanted to kiss. Damn, the girl had him feeling strange, not himself at all. “If she’d just answer her damn phone—”

  “Text her.”

  “I did,” he muttered.

  “Maybe she’s out on a date with a hot hunk,” Sheron said. “She’s probably some church-going sweetheart anyway. Doesn’t fit your style.”

  “How do you know where she fits?”

  “Look at you, Mr. Popular Gorgeous. According to you, she’s Ms. Blonde Sweetie-tooth. Fulfilling a high-maintenance princess’s wish when you’re a million miles away doesn’t quite work.”

  Zoe did have a certain niceness about her, an innocence he wasn’t used to. That was it. Zoe wasn’t just sexy. She was cute. Something about that drew him in.

  He stood. “You don’t know her yet.”

  “Yet?” she said. “You’re really into this girl, aren’t you?”

  He stepped over her feet on the way to the kitchen, about to go insane. Didn’t matter how many times he had to call; he’d get through to her tonight. By the end of next week, they’d be face-to-face, ready to find out if they were in tune with each other.

  He dialed her home phone again. It was still early evening. Maybe she’d gone out for a stroll, and hopefully not out on a date as Sheron suggested.

  Chapter Four

  Renji stood in the kitchen in baggy blue jeans and a formfitting T-shirt. He looked pretty darned good as he stir-fried vegetables and chicken in his steel wok. A pot of rice sat on the burner, giving off a heavenly popcorn-y scent.

  Due to his mother’s intense cooking lessons, he was a pro at fixing Asian dishes. And Zoe was quite keen on eating them.

  “You have nothing but microwave meals in your freezer,” Renji said with a shrug of his broad shoulders. “Your skin is paler than it should be. Lack of grains, proteins, carbs—not good for you.”

  “Some frozen meals are chock-full of proteins and carbs.”

  “You eat processed meals and bread.”

  “I switched to low-fat microwave meals! They’re healthy.”

  “You’re eating too much sodium and preservatives.”

  “Did you come over to cook or lecture me again about my diet?”

  “You need other kinds of foods too. Buy an apple next time you’re at the grocery store.”

  Since this was coming from a man who could easily be a model in a weight-lifting magazine, she made no effort in continuing their argument. She leaned back against the counter near the sink and watched him work his culinary magic. He used a fork to flake the steaming white rice out onto her peach dinner plates. He scraped vegetables and chicken from the wok onto the rice, making it look like a dish on the menu cover at a Chinese restaurant.

  Her mouth watered after the first bite. Microwave meals had their moments, but this ensemble of unbelievable flavors—chicken so tender, vegetables warm and crisp in a savory brown sauce—brought tears to her eyes.

  “You’re really enjoying your dinner.”

  She licked her flavorful lips. “You know I can’t cook.”

  “Cooking is easy. Just add ingredients a little at a time until you find the right chemistry.”

  She set the fork down in her plate. When she leaned back in the chair, she closed her eyes and smiled. Something soft and warm touched her mouth. She opened her eyes to find Renji’s lips pressed against hers.

  She shoved him away. “We can’t kiss!”

  “I don’t think you realize how much I care about you.”

  “You’re my best friend. I appreciate everything you do for me. But…I’m not ready to be with anyone yet.”

  “I understand,” he said softly. “After what Nicholas did to you—”

  “Don’t talk about him.” Her face burned. “I don’t ever want to hear that name.”

  “I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “It’s been two years. I just wish you’d let me in. I wish…you loved me.”

  “I do love you. But not how you want me to.” She smiled. “Right now, I’m happy playing my game.”

  “Oh.” Renji cocked his head to the side. “It’s that guy you’ve been playing games with, isn’t it? You like him?”

  “Yes. I like him. We’ve played together for over a year now. He’s sweet and fun, and I want to meet him.”

  “Is he interested in you too?”

  “Yeah. I think so.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  Her phone rang. She rose to answer, but Renji caught her hand.

  “I have to get the phone.”

  “Let it ring so we can finish our conversation.”

  “I know you’re worried. But I really like Ben.” She sighed. “Please, let me go.”

  He loosened his hold on her hand. “With all these video games you play, he’ll just keep you hiding inside your apartment.”

  “That’s my choice.” She jerked her hand away from his
. “We’re finished talking about this.”

  By the time she reached the phone, it stopped ringing. Hands on her hips, she turned around to find Renji leaning back against the counter, arms folded across his chest.

  “Two years I’ve met you at your door and walked you to work. I’ve made sure you got home safely every night and that your doors and windows are locked.”

  “And I’m thankful for that.” She made her way to his side. “I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”

  “So what am I supposed to do now? Ignore my concern and go on like I have been?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I can’t do that.” Renji turned to face her. “Not with Nicholas out there somewhere planning God knows what.”

  “Please.” When the phone rang again, Zoe shuddered. The thought of Nicholas out there plotting his revenge sent chills over her body. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

  “I noticed you had an extra lock installed on your door,” Renji said. “He’s out of jail, and he’s got you scared.”

  She took a step toward the phone, but he caught her shoulders. “Okay. Yes. He does. Are you happy now?”

  “I’m sorry.” He cupped her cheek. “You know I would never in a million years let anyone hurt you.”

  “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.” She pursed her lips. “Can I answer my phone now?”

  The answering machine picked up on speaker.

  “Hey, Zoe. It’s Ben. Tried calling you tonight. Sent you a few texts too. Guess I should’ve left you a voice message earlier, but—”

  Zoe lifted the phone off the receiver. “Ben, I’m here!”

  “Hey. I was hoping you’d pick up.”

  Zoe glanced at Renji, who frowned. “Well, of course I picked up.”

  “Are you busy? I’ll call you later if you want.”

  “I’m not busy,” she replied. She returned Renji’s glare. “I mean, I was eating dinner with a friend, but we’re finished. And we’re done talking too.”

  Renji left the kitchen. Zoe listened to his heavy footsteps on the stairs. When the front door slammed shut, she jumped.

  If Renji had just kept his mouth shut about Nicholas, she would’ve told Ben to call back. She glanced at the movie box on the table. God. He’d rented Man of Steel—her favorite. Now she felt bad.

  Zoe hurried down the stairs and twisted the lock on the doorknob. “I thought you were playing at the bar tonight.”

  “Doogen hit a high note he rarely reaches and got excited. Fell off the stage.”

  She laughed as she turned both dead bolts. “Is he okay?”

  He chuckled. “Had to take him to the hospital.”

  “Oh no.” She slid the bolt to the side. “Did he break anything?”

  “Sprained arm.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

  She latched the chain. “I’ve been thinking about you too.”

  “Have you, pumpkin?”

  “I have, babe.” She grinned.

  “Let’s explore in game tonight.”

  “Explore?” She made her way to the living room. “Do you want to quest in another area?”

  “I think it’s time for Soljer and Sonya to couple. You up for it?”

  Zoe gasped. He’d spoken so freely, so calmly, like it was no big deal. She was tongue-tied and horrified and yet so excited she couldn’t say anything. Not even an um or an oh my would work past her quivering lips.

  “We don’t have to,” Ben said.

  “Yeah, okay. Let’s do this.”

  She pressed the X button on the controller, and the console whirred to life. After the game loaded, Zoe sat on the couch.

  Sonya stood on the balcony in front of the open box Ben had sent his picture in. When Soljer faded in, Zoe’s skin tingled with gooseflesh. A message popped up. Soljer would like to couple, with a green Yes button and a red No button beneath it. She’d seen the same message from other characters before and had always clicked No. This time, she placed the pointer over the Yes. Holding her breath, she clicked in the green box.

  The camera view flew over the ocean toward the lighthouse. Their characters lay naked in bed, his over hers, moving to romantic classical music. The sounds they made, gasping breaths, moans of delight, made her cheeks hot.

  If Ben were sitting in the same room with her, witnessing this wondrous atrocity taking place, she’d pass out from the tension. Until their characters finished doing the deed, which took about thirty seconds, she peeked through spread fingers.

  “Oh my gosh,” she said as Ben laughed.

  * * * *

  It’d been a long while since he’d laughed like this. Felt good. Through their sexual encounter, he kept his eyes on the picture of the gorgeous blonde in the bottom corner of his screen. He wanted to be with her now to see her reaction, to touch her and do the same kind of things to her real body. Imagining her skin on his, hot and wet with sweat, he couldn’t help the stir inside him.

  A new message popped up on-screen. He read aloud as Zoe read hers. “Congratulations! You’ve procreated! The human race has advanced by one.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “’Grats, pumpkin,” he said in a laughing breath. “We’re having a baby.”

  “A baby? No, no. This can’t happen! Is there a save point we can go back to?” she asked in her soft, sweet voice. He imagined her lips trembling. He’d give anything to be there to calm them down.

  “Can’t go back,” he said.

  “Why would anyone want to have children when aliens are taking over the world? I wouldn’t have clicked Yes if I’d known I was going to get pregnant.”

  “I’ll fix it.”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  “I work for the game developer.”

  “Oh,” she said, followed by a little sigh of relief. “You’d do that for me?”

  “Yeah, Zoe,” he said, oddly a little hurt she didn’t want to have his virtual children. “So, hey. Are you free next weekend?” He’d meant to ease into the conversation, but figured what the hell. It was a good time to find his balls and take a dive. “Thought we could make plans to meet. For real. If you’re interested.”

  “I’m very interested!”

  “Good. How about I drive down there on Thursday? I’ll grab a hotel and spend the weekend.”

  “I’ll take the weekend off.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” He gave Soljer a command to blow Sonya a kiss. When she blew a kiss back, he grinned. “Okay, pumpkin. Let’s go burn some aliens before your belly’s too big to fight.”

  “Roger that, babe.”

  Chapter Five

  Renji gave her the silent treatment all week. Every morning, she’d found him standing outside her door waiting to walk her to work. Like a sad, sorry puppy dog, he’d quietly followed her to the bakery.

  She’d tried to apologize, but he blew her off, never saying a word unless work related. Even then he gave her short answers. He left the second he was off the clock, and she wouldn’t see him again until the next morning when it all started over again.

  Thursday morning, she tugged the hem of her shirt over the top of her khakis. She marched straight to the counter where Renji stood shoveling beautifully browned croissants off the baking sheet, and then puffed a breath over her lips.

  “Are you going to stay mad at me forever?”

  “I’m not mad,” he muttered, transferring the warm bread to a large plastic tray.

  “Would you stop what you’re doing and look at me?”

  “Why? So you can toss me aside again?” He growled. “No, thanks.”

  He dropped the spatula on the counter, then picked up the full sheet. He went out to the storefront and placed the croissants beside the new loaves of honey-wheat bread.

  When he came back into the kitchen, she caught his forearm. “I’m sorry. But I don’t like talking about him.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He shook his head. “I’m here when you’re ready.”<
br />
  The whites of his eyes looked pinkish, as if he hadn’t slept a wink in days. She wanted to comfort him, put her arms around him and tell him it was okay, but the bell above the entrance door jingled.

  Millie walked through the doorway, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. Zoe had texted her last night to tell her about Ben’s upcoming visit.

  “I hear this gamer guy’s coming to town for the weekend,” Renji said to Zoe.

  Zoe folded her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. “Millie Saunders. You told Renji before I could.”

  “Sorry.” Millie raised her hands in the air, palms out. “I thought you already told him. Renji and I are worried about you. You’ve never met this guy before, and suddenly he’s coming to town for an entire weekend. What if he’s an ax murderer?”

  “I’ve been talking to him for over a year. I’m willing to bet the only ax he’s ever touched is his guitar.” Zoe smiled, proud of her witty comment. “He’s better than the friends your husband’s set me up with in the past.”

  “Ew. Remember that one guy Hank introduced her to?” Renji said. “The one with all the long hair.”

  “Oh yeah. George.” Millie laughed. “I think their date lasted thirty whopping minutes.”

  Zoe rolled her eyes. “He wanted someone who likes snowboarding. I mean, where in the heck am I supposed to learn to snowboard in Kansas?”

  “How about the yard-maintenance guy from Maize?” Renji said as he placed the rolling pin in the sink.

  Zoe palmed her forehead. “Oh God.”

  Millie grabbed the star cookie cutters from the top drawer of the cabinet and set them on the counter. “I think he had something against white flour.”

  Renji placed his hand on Millie’s shoulder. “He told her he was a wheat-eater.”

  They burst into laughter. Zoe wanted to laugh too but hid her grin.

  “In my defense, every man you’ve ever set me up with has had some bizarre quirk. I mean, really, where does your husband find these odd friends of his?”

  “He’s only trying to help.” Millie frowned. “You’ve fantasized about falling in love and getting married, but nobody’s ever good enough for you.”

  “Well, nobody is good enough for her,” Renji said. “All those men, especially that abusive motherfuc— None of them deserve to be with her.”