by A. L. Moore
"Does Jayson know that you… mix things up like that?"
"Hell no," she said, her emerald eyes warning me to keep my mouth shut as she put the glass down. "He would go postal."
"Don't you worry about one of the guys telling him?" I asked, remembering how Liam had watched her walk off with John last night. It was disturbing. "I mean, Liam is Jayson’s brother."
"We mind our own business around here," she said pointedly. "Like this morning, when you and Liam were all cozy on the couch. No one said a word to Tyler."
"I wasn't…" I started, my cheeks betraying me.
"Don't worry about it," she waved me off with the flick of her hand. "Liam has too much dirt on me. Besides, like I said, it's none of my business.”
Funny how it was her business until I’d seen her sneak off with John last night. I guess I had some dirt on her now.
"Let me offer you some friendly advice," she said, opening the front door. "Always go in the bedroom. Move a pillow around. Leave a shirt or something behind. Give them evidence you were there. You didn't even check to see if Ty was asleep last night. Rookie mistake. If he'd come out and found you asleep, in the same room as Liam, he’d have painted those walls a brighter shade of red.
“But I didn’t do anything with Liam.”
“It would've hardly been worth it then.”
She made it sound like a game. Make the right moves. Don’t pass go. It was clear her loyalty was to no one but herself. How did someone always surrounded by people become a loner? I would’ve never pegged her for one. All this time, I’d looked at Robyn and the guys as a group, but they weren’t. It was each man for himself. The thought was unsettling. They functioned without truth or trust of any kind. Liam was covering the truth from his own brother. Jayson was no better, sleeping with Tonya behind Liam’s back. At least, I hoped it was behind his back. The thought that they shared girls, like borrowing a friend’s shirt, was sickening.
I finished off the martini while listening to the creak of the rocking chair against the porch. My head did feel better, but my stomach ache wasn’t going anywhere. It was a relief to be alone, which was weird since I’d come here to avoid that very thing. There was something different out here in the middle of nowhere. It was peaceful, except for the occasional gun fire. I watched two squirrels hurriedly scurry up a tree in between shots.
Robyn and I spent the afternoon in the target field. I was a much better aim with her bracing me, even if she wasn’t as steady. We only fell twice. Robyn knew her way around the land about as well as she did the house. She changed the targets, pulling a new roll out of the top of a make-shift wooden cabinet. It looked like it had been an entertainment center at one time. It was the first time, besides her drunken state last night, when it felt like we could be friends.
I found myself trying to mimic the way she always stood with her shoulders back, one hand on her hip. I’d even gone in and washed and dried my hair so it would look fuller and flow over my shoulders like hers. I yearned for her confidence. She didn’t bat an eye when she fired off a round. I’d never want to cross her.
The guys didn't get back until late, and they’d already been drinking. Robyn said there was a bar about a mile from the cabin, and they’d probably spent more time there than in the wood. After we all filled up on leftover barbeque, Jayson converted the kitchen table into a poker table. I sat in Tyler's lap, where he’d pulled me as soon as he’d sat down. His breath smelled like beer, blowing heatedly in my face each time he asked for advice on the five cards in his hand. Liam straddled the chair next to us, his dark hair pulled back beneath a low pulled black baseball cap.
Tyler was good. He won the first three hands, tucking a hundred-dollar bill deep into the pocket of my shorts for bringing him luck.
"Share the wealth," John complained, glancing at Robyn for the umpteenth time.
It was kind of sad. I felt sorry for him. His eyes were practically yelling he wanted her, but she hadn’t looked at him once. It was like he didn’t exist now that Jayson was here.
"What? You need me to spot you a few?" Tyler kidded John, fishing out his wallet.
"Spot me the blond on your lap," John said suggestively.
I was stunned, nearly spewing my drink on the table. I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right until I saw his dilated pupils staring at me. John and I had never really spoken to each other. I looked over at Robyn for a reaction, but she was glued to Jayson. She hadn’t heard John’s outburst or simply didn’t care. Not that she would’ve said anything to help me. Friends or not, it was each to her own. I knew that now.
"Let's see if she can win back my paycheck," John said, slamming his meaty fist on the table.
Tyler rubbed his coarse chin and shot a look at Jayson. "Let's make this interesting,” he started, rubbing his hands together. “We'll play for the girls. Both of them. Winners get the bedrooms, too."
I thought he was kidding until I saw Robyn’s face. She was steaming. "Keep me out of this," she said adamantly, shooting daggers at Tyler as she pulled on Jayson’s shirtsleeve. “You can’t be serious!”
"Wait a minute," Jayson said, shrugging her off. "I think Tyler is on to something."
Robyn’s eyes went from anger to semiautomatic weapons ready to fire at his words. "You’re willing to lose me to your drunk buddies in a poker game?"
Jayson’s eyes turned cold as he stared her down. I’d never seen him look so menacing. He wasn’t even looking at me, but I still cowered in Tyler’s lap.
"Just pretend I'm still in lock-up," Jayson said harshly, grasping Robyn’s arm and pulling her off him.
The room immediately went into a tension-filled silence. I had no idea what had gone on while Jayson had been in jail, but after last night, it didn’t take a stretch of the imagination to figure it out. From the way all the guys were staring at the table, I was clearly the only one on the outs.
Robyn’s face was a mixture of panic and fury. Her eyes darted around the room, but no one made eye contact except me. Whoever had thrown her over would pay dearly. She started arguing again with Jayson, but it was too late. Her reaction spoke volumes. Her eyes had practically screamed she was guilty.
"You in or out?" Jayson called over his shoulder.
"There’s no way Justice is going to do this,” Robyn said defiantly, crossing her arms. “This is sick!”
I was in complete agreement. They were out of their minds. What they were proposing was like something out of a really bad movie. I was just about to tell them so, but Tyler answered for me. "My girl's in.
"Don't worry,” he whispered close to my ear. “I haven't lost a hand yet.”
Robyn shook her head, her eyes showing defeat. "Fine, Jayson, whatever you want.”
The breath left my body. What was she saying? I couldn’t believe this was really happening. What on earth had I gotten into now?
"Alright,” Tyler started, excitedly rubbing his calloused hands together again. “Now we’ve got ourselves a game!
“Girls are up for grabs until the final hand,” Tyler said, explaining the rules. “You can’t put up the dough, get your ass away from the table. And no trading at the end.”
Robyn stalked off to the kitchen and poured a shot, downed it and poured another. That scared me even more than the way I was being looked at right now. If she was trying to get wasted, this was really happening. Didn’t we have a say at all? I wanted so badly to join her, but I was afraid to move. I didn’t know what to do. Tyler was holding me around the waist, making circles against my stomach with his thumb. It took everything I had to keep from cringing each time his jagged nail touched my skin. I glanced at Robyn again, but her angry glare was quickly growing unfocused. It almost looked like she was glaring at me now.
Cards and money traded hands several times, and the looks I received from every direction made me feel like roadkill beneath a vulture. By eleven o’clock, Tyler’s luck had run out, and with it, his good mood. The money Liam hadn’t won in the last hand, was
stacked in front of Jayson. Robyn had come back in the room, watching with glazed eyes.
“Kiss her goodbye,” John said, slamming down two pairs.
Jayson’s eyes danced around the table before spreading his cards out. “Full house, Johnny Boy. I got dibs”
John’s lips mashed together. He shoved the hand of cards so hard they went clear across the table, taking a stack of poker chips with them.
“Pick,” John snapped at Jayson, crossing his thick arms.
Robyn knocked into the table, flicking Liam’s cards and said, “Liam’s got four queens.”
John’s face went white as a ghost, along with his knuckles as he gripped the table’s edge.
“Ahhh,” Jayson said, leaning back in his chair. “Tough luck, Johnny boy. “Why don’t you try a cold shower? I’ve been told that’ll fix what ails you.
It was show time. I didn’t dare look directly at Robyn. If Jayson picked me, I would lose my virtue and my life all in the same night. Jayson was too strong to fend off, and from the hungry look in his eyes, he had only one thing on his mind. If my name left his lips, I wondered if she’d take me out right away or wait until Jayson was finished with me. It would most likely depend on what, or who, she did while he was locked-up. If she felt she owed him one, I’d have some time to get away, but if the jealousy rolling off her won out, I was a goner.
Knocking on the table in front of Liam, Jayson said, “Ball is in your court, brother.”
I wanted to look at Liam, but I couldn’t. This was humiliating and degrading. I felt like cattle being sold off at a county fair. It hurt that he’d gone along with this ridiculous game. My eyes, like everyone else’s, were on Tyler. He hadn’t said a word since he’d lost the last hand, and the tension was palpable. I wondered if I’d have a bruise where his fingers gripped my waist.
Hat pulled too low to clearly read his eyes, Liam finally said, “I’m cool with the money and the bed.” He stuck a wad of cash in his back pocket and stretched. “I don’t think my back can take another night on the floor.”
Another insanely long minute dragged by before Tyler broke the silence. “What’s everyone staring at?” he asked, attempting a grin that didn’t come close to reaching his eyes. “A bet’s a bet.” Slapping Liam on the back, he said, “When have I ever not made good on a bet?
“John, Alec, what’s say we take that box,” Tyler said, nodding toward the living room, “out back for inspection.”
I’d forgotten Alec was here. He’d been arguing on the phone since showing up. Apparently, he was having girl problems. Though, I’d never seen him with anyone. Robyn said his girl’s name was Shannon, and she was in college. Alec had been dating her since high school. Apparently, she never came to the cabin. The way Robyn said it, I had the feeling she wasn’t invited.
Alec eagerly went for the box, but John still had his eyes on Robyn. Jayson was blind if he hadn’t noticed. It was obvious John had been playing for her. Every time he’d won a hand, his eyes devoured her.
Jayson had his arm around Robyn’s waist as if their argument had never happened. She rested her head on his shoulder, leaving kisses along his collar bone. I didn’t understand why she’d forgiven him so easily. I stayed mad at Mason longer than that just for taking the last slice of pizza. Whatever the reason, watching their exchange enabled me to breathe again. It wasn’t long before Jayson grabbed the half-empty bottle of whiskey from the kitchen and led Robyn down the hall to the master bedroom, leaving me alone with Liam. Orchestrated or not, we always seemed to end up that way.
The room felt larger with everyone gone, the chairs moved back away from the table. Liam was busy putting the poker chips away as if he’d only won money in the game and not the nervous girl to his left.
Nervous was an understatement. I hadn’t moved from Tyler’s chair. The fear I’d felt only moments before was gone entirely, a nerve-racking anxiety taking its place. I stilled my antsy palms beneath my thighs, waiting for his move. A million scenarios played out in my head, all of which I wasn’t ready to play out. Liam was a man. An experienced man at that. A girl like Robyn would’ve taken him down the hall for a good time, but that wasn’t me. I was having a hard time breathing in and out while sitting next to him.
“I’m not holding you to anything,” he finally said, giving me a sideways look from beneath the bill of his hat. He stood and placed the poker chips into a cabinet. “I don’t need to resort to games to get laid, even with cute high school girls,” he smirked, clearly amused at my predicament. “Besides, John was just trying to get in Robyn’s pants, again.
“Why don’t you take the bedroom,” he suggested, resting his hands on the back of my chair. “I think I’m going to head back early and stop by the bank,” he grinned, patting his pocket. “You can lock the door. Tyler will think I’m with you,” he added. “He won’t mess with you.”
“He’ll hear you leave,” I said quickly. The thought of being here without him terrified me worse than if he’d actually taken me down the hall.
He shook his head. “Nah, he won’t. Trust me. He’s nose deep in a sweet, powdered distraction right now.
I had a pretty good idea what was in the box Tyler left with, and I didn’t want to be here when everyone came back inside. Tyler made me nervous enough when he wasn’t stoned.
“Take me with you,” I said suddenly. If he didn’t, I would walk. There was no way I was staying here tonight without him.
“What?” he asked, sliding his arm into his riding jacket? “You want to go with me?”
“Why not?” I said, hope rising in my chest when he didn’t say no. “I’d rather sleep in my own bed than one everyone else has drooled in.”
“I’d be worried about more than drool in that bed,” he said, grabbing a black, leather backpack from the couch and stuffing a shirt inside.
“Tyler’s not going to like you taking off." He slung the pack over his shoulder and glanced over at me still in the kitchen. "Especially with me.”
“Tyler lost me in a game of cards,” I reminded him. “Besides, you taking me out of here is kind of like our thing.” I chewed nervously on my lip waiting for his decision.
Liam smiled but still looked guardedly toward the door.
“I might actually remember it this time,” I added, trying to keep the mood light.
Flexing his fingers against the back of his head, he groaned, “I’m never going to hear the end of this.
“Go grab your stuff."
“Really?” I said excitedly, already on my feet and pulling what little I’d brought together.
“What the hell,” he shrugged. “What’s he going to do?”
Liam was waiting out front, his hat turned backwards. The red taillight reflected on the front steps. Alone in the dark, the realization of what I was about to do caught up with me, and I was having a hard time swallowing back the butterflies in my stomach.
Liam turned around, finding me at the bottom of the steps, and held out his helmet. “You coming?”
I’d envisioned this moment a hundred times since he’d nearly ran me over in front of my house. I’d thought about how I would wrap my arms around his waist, relishing the feel of his hard muscles as we thundered down the dark highway. Nowhere in my daydreams had I stood on shaky legs with a frog in my throat.
I carefully climbed on the seat behind him, keeping my knees almost wide enough to avoid his body, and waited for the engine to start. Before I knew what was happening, Liam grasped behind my knees and pulled me forward until my legs fit on either side of him. “You’re going to have to hold on,” he said, starting the engine. “I know you know how to do that.”
A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over me as we started forward. I wrapped my arms around his washboard abs, wondering how on earth I could have forgotten such a feeling. My skin was hotter than the warm leather vibrating against my thighs. I was glad his back was to me. I couldn’t have held him so tightly and looked him in the eyes without melting to a puddle. I
didn’t close my eyes as we pulled away or even when he opened the throttle. I just held him tighter. I wanted to remember every second of this ride. It would surely be my last. Tyler would find out, and I would be banished again. I breathed in the intoxicating aroma of Liam and leather, reveling in the feel of his smooth jacket beneath my hand. I committed every fine detail to memory for the boring days ahead.
Riding with Liam made shooting a gun feel like an afternoon of shuffleboard at the old folk’s home. It was even better than shooting with him. Knowing the only thing that stood between myself and death was holding on to him was exhilarating. I wasn’t afraid like I’d been with Tyler. The faster Liam drove, the faster my blood pumped. I felt like every car we passed was envious of us. Every girl wanted to take my place. I knew very well what Liam looked like when he rode. Danger, sex, and freedom rolled into one black, leather covered package. It was childish, but I wanted to drive by Anna’s house. She would never believe this.
Too soon, the bike crunched over some loose gravel in my drive. The engine was more of a purr than a roar now as Liam’s boots steadied us against the pavement. He felt amazing in my arms, his strong back warm against my cheek. Nuzzling into him, his intoxicating smell had every part of me floating. Letting go was the last thing I wanted to do. Heading down the coast to the Keys was a much better idea. I’d gladly accept punishment for that trip, no argument.
“Will your neighbors say anything about the bike?” Liam asked, releasing the kickstand and silencing the bike.
I shook my head, not caring one way or the other at the moment.
“You know,” he said, his hands covering mine as we sat under the starless night sky, “we went through this the last time.” His voice was deep and seductive. It always was in my fantasies.
“Hm,” I sighed, in a state of pure bliss.
Gently rubbing the top of my hands with his thumb, he said, “This is your stop.
“Justice?”
My name on his lips jarred me back to the present. Lifting my head, I glanced around the quiet yard. The neighborhood was peaceful, all the windows dark. Even the crickets had called it a night. Liam’s warmth suddenly felt like fire beneath my fingertips. Only then did it occur to me that I was really on Liam’s bike. My arms were holding him hostage, and this time I couldn’t blame alcohol.