by A. L. Moore
“Thanks for the ride,” I managed beyond humiliated. I didn’t dare look up as I climbed off.
Maneuvering the kickstand to the ground, Liam clipped his keys to his belt loop and followed me to the porch. We both squinted under the harsh glare of the motion light. I dug the house key out from under the solar frog at the edge of the rocking chair and opened the door. Liam was close on my heels.
“Are you coming in?”
His eyes were low and guarded. Reaching around me, he moved the door open wider and said, “That was the prize, right?”
My jaw dropped, along with my racing heart and my house key.
“I’m just messing with you,” he grinned, stepping around where I’d frozen. “I just thought I’d check things out since your parents aren’t home.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said when my heart restarted, but he’d already disappeared into the dark house. “We have an alarm system.” Flipping on the light, I quickly silenced the alarm’s chirping with four seconds to spare.
“Your room’s in the front, right?” Liam asked, glancing around the kitchen before opening each door on either side of the hall.
“How’d you know?” I asked as he made his way back to the living room area.
“The hall window at Robyn’s looks directly into it,” he admitted. “You really should close your blinds at night.”
A picture of me in ratty PJs, stuffing my mouth with junk food flashed before my eyes. “You’ve been spying on me?” I asked in disbelief.
Cocking an eyebrow, he grinned, “No more than you have me.”
“Okay,” I said, covering my face, “I’m officially mortified. You can go now.”
“Not so fast,” he said, pulling my hands away from my face. “I really did want to cash in on my prize.” Not releasing my hands, he took a step closer. I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe. I couldn’t. He ran his hand around the small of my back, leaning closely to my ear he added, “In time.”
Before I could process what he meant, his lips descended on mine. It was slow at first, my body wound up like a clock, but it didn’t take long for the shock to wear off. For my body to cave. He waited until that moment, until I completely gave in, before kissing me in a way that left me aching in the best possible way.
Chapter 11. Letting Go
Mom and Dad got back late on Sunday. I was still sitting on the couch with the remote and the sandwich I’d made for lunch. Hunger hadn’t found me yet, at least not for food. I couldn’t take my mind off that kiss. I only made the sandwich because I hadn’t eaten all day. There was nothing on TV worth watching. Not that it mattered. I wouldn’t have seen the screen anyway, unless the reflection happened to catch in the window. Jayson had dropped Robyn off before dark, but since then, the house had been quiet.
I called Anna, but Mason was there; I didn’t bother telling her about the kiss. She said he stopped by to bring her a movie she'd asked about, but I knew Mason, and I found that hard to believe. His movie collection was nothing short of a tribute to comic books, and Anna hated those movies. Besides, most of his movies were digital. I wasn’t sure if I liked him being over there, but with Liam’s tire tracks fresh in the drive, I had no right to say anything. He wasn’t my Mason anymore, but I didn’t want him to be hers either. I was relieved when Mom made me get off the phone. It saved me from having to fake an excuse.
Mom droned on and on about what a bad driver Dad was, about how he needed glasses, and would one day kill us all. At least I think that’s what she said. I was only half listening, afraid I’d miss an engine outside.
My mind reeled on overload by the time I dropped into bed. I needed an anvil to drop on my head to stop the onslaught of images. I kept seeing Mason’s truck in front of Anna’s house, and the two of them holding hands at school next year. I saw Tyler, angry because I’d left. Then, there were the drugs. The drugs at the warehouse. The drugs in the box Liam delivered. I was hanging out with drug dealers, possibly addicts. My thoughts finally started to blur around the edges some time before daylight, but then Liam’s face surfaced.
Liam was the reason I was looking at the clock when the birds started chirping. I hadn’t seen him yesterday, but I would today. He always rode by the store on his way to the alley and I was on the schedule until eight. The thought alone had my adrenaline in overdrive.
I spent extra time getting ready, blow-drying my hair instead of pulling it up and putting on enough make-up to be noticeable. Mom dropped me off at the front door, Mr. Smith spot cleaning the windows. Mom needed the car to run errands since Dad’s was at the dealership. I assured her Robyn would bring me home. I’d been dropping hints for days about how responsible Robyn was, telling Mom how many hours Robyn worked, and that she planned to go back to school in the fall. Mom still didn’t like Robyn, but she agreed that if I went straight home, it was okay. I knew Mom would give in. She and Dad were going to dinner with Mason’s parents tonight, and I’d overheard her tell Dad how guilty she felt.
Robyn was on her stool, adjusting the schedule for next week to suit the hours she wanted to work. I would’ve felt awkward asking to change my days, or just making the changes myself like she did. I already didn’t like that Mr. Smith was covering for me with my parents. It made me feel like I owed him something. Being indebted was an uncomfortable feeling. He was always nice to me, but after seeing him in the alley that day, I knew there were things going on behind the scenes.
“Good morning, Justice,” Mr. Smith said, crumpling a biscuit wrapper into the wastebasket. “Did you girls have a good time this weekend?”
Robyn nodded, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I thought of him as I did my parents. He was old, probably in his late thirties or forties. Old people went to work every day and paid bills. He had kids and a wife for crying out loud. His son was only five years younger than I was. It bothered me that he knew what was going on at the cabin and was willing to lie to my parents about it.
“What did you think of the place?” he asked, tearing packaging tape off a shipment of chocolate candies.
“It’s nice,” I mumbled. Robyn shot me a look that quickly helped me find my voice. “Thanks for letting us use it,” I added in what I hopped was a more cheerful tone.
Robyn rolled her eyes as Mr. Smith carried the broken-down cardboard boxes to the back. His blue button-up shirt was wet with sweat despite the large fan he’d dragged out from the stock room. Of all days for the air conditioner to be on the fritz, today was going to top one hundred. My chest was already sticky as I fanned my white tank top and rotated the fan more toward the register than the candy bins.
“Stop acting like he’s your dad,” Robyn complained, shifting around me as I logged onto the computer. “It’s annoying. Tom’s no different than the rest of the guys.”
“He’s our boss, Robyn.”
“Stop with the act already!” she said, gritting her teeth. “It starting to get on my nerves.”
Something was clearly up with her, and it was more than me talking, or not talking, to Tom. I starred at her dumbfounded. Apparently, the progress we’d made over the weekend hadn’t followed us home. Maybe she was still upset over the poker game. Surely, she knew I had nothing to do with that sick scenario. I was a victim as much as she was. Though slipping off to sleep with her boyfriend didn’t sound like much of a punishment for her.
“Ugh!” she said, pushing in front of me. “That look right there!” Her finger was inches from my face. “That I’m-just-a-high-school-girl, act,” she mocked, her eyes wide like a baby doll. “I’m tired of the guys putting you on a pedestal,” she snapped. “You have Tyler following you around with his tongue hanging out, and now you’ve got Liam, too.”
The bikes roared down the street, momentarily drawing her attention. We both turned to watch the routine parade of chrome reflected in the bright sun. I could easily spot Liam’s, and just the rumbling sound made my lips tingle. Mentally replaying the kiss for the umpteenth time this morning, a c
ontent sigh escaped my lips.
When the motors died away, I found Robyn watching me with a look of pure disgust. “You should know that when you climbed on Liam’s bike, you crossed a line.” Her face was hard and unforgiving as if I’d left with Jayson and not his brother. She crossed her arms and leaned within inches of my face. “If I were you, I wouldn’t cross it again.”
This was a fight stance. I’d never been in one before, but I’d seen girls in the hall at school in each other’s faces like this right before fists went flying. The last thing I wanted to do was fight Robyn. She terrified me. I tried taking a step back, but there was no room. Instead I held my hands up to show I had no intentions of taking the first swing. “What are you talking about?” I asked shakily.
“There’s that act again,” she said, blowing her side-swept bangs out of her face. “It’s bad enough I have to share with Tonya. At least with her, I know I’m the one they want. You are different, new. That doesn’t make you special. Quite the opposite. They’ll get sick of you. They always do when the new wears off, and I’ll still be here.” My mouth hung open as I processed what she was saying. Robyn was jealous of me? Not a chance.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Don’t look at me like that,” she insisted while her hands busily pulled her hair into a ponytail. “You are not that naïve. How long do you think it will be before the other guys come after you? Before Jayson comes after you?”
“You’re delusional,” I said, waiting for the punch line, my arms crossed tightly. Robyn was beautiful and experienced. The only reason I’d been included in the guy’s game last night at all was because I was there, not because they wanted me. They would’ve been happy with any girl who walked through the door. It was pure happenstance that it was me.
“You didn’t see Jayson’s face before Liam laid his cards down,” she insisted, a look of pain breaking her tough-girl facade. “I honestly thought he was going to pick you over me.”
“That’s crazy!” I said, waving her off. “Jayson barely speaks to me.”
“That’s because you were Tyler’s,” she said, crossing her arms and making her ample cleavage bounce. “No one is stupid enough to go up against Ty, but when you left with Liam last night, it was like flashing a green light.
“I like you, Justice,” she continued, her voice less acidic. “At least I was starting to. That’s why I’m warning you.
“Warning me?”
She nodded. “Watch yourself. People around here don’t like trespassers, and don’t be surprised if Tonya delivers the same message.” She paused as a customer approached, but before I could walk away, she added, “I’d be prepared. Tonya’s not as subtle as I am.” She opened the cash drawer and started sorting the change. “On second thought, if you see her coming, run because she is going to kill you when she finds out about Liam.”
“But I didn’t do anything with Liam,” I countered as Mr. Smith approached. “He drove me home. That was it.”
Robyn rolled her eyes before plastering on a fake smile and ringing up the two waiting customers. I stalked off toward the clothing area while Mr. Smith walked out front to talk to a man about repairing the air unit. This whole thing had been blown out of proportion. Liam had warned me this might happen when I left with him, but I thought he meant Tyler would get upset, not everyone. Doing something I never do, I grabbed a cold drink from the storage room and sat down. I’d been here less than thirty minutes, but I needed a break. Unfortunately, I’d only taken a couple of sips before I heard voices approaching. I quickly stuck the bottle behind a stack of boxes and walked out front. Robyn was alone, checking messages on her phone. My stomach felt sick. I hated when people were mad at me, especially when I’d done nothing to deserve it.
“I’m telling the truth,” I said, leaning onto the counter. She didn’t look up. “Look Robyn, if you want to hate me then hate me but not over this. I didn’t do anything with Liam. Honestly.” Still nothing. “Do you hear me?”
She slammed her phone down, leveling me with her eyes. “Look Justice, I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve seen the way you look at Liam. I saw you two on the couch together. So, no. I don’t believe you for a second. But perk up, maybe Tonya’s in the mood for a good story.”
“You don’t know anything,” I said, wiping my eyes, determined not to cry.
I could feel her eyes on me as I turned away, but I was at a breaking point. If I didn’t get away from her, I would end up quitting my job; despite everything, I liked working at the store.
“You really didn’t sleep with him?” she asked perplexed.
“NO!”
“I don’t believe it,” she said in awe, looking at me as if I’d grown three heads. “I figured Liam was lying to keep Ty off his ass.
“I don’t know anyone who’s turned Liam down.”
But that was just it, I didn’t turn him down. And in hindsight, I couldn’t be sure I would have. That kiss was what dreams were made of. The kind of dreams where you wake up and then try to go back to sleep quickly so you can get back to the dream. The truth was, Liam hadn’t tried anything more. If it had been Tonya or Robyn he’d won, there was no doubt he’d have spent hours cashing in on his prize.
He didn’t want me.
This new revelation made the morning drag more than usual. Most of the customers who came in felt the hot temperature and high-tailed it to cooler climates. I couldn’t much blame them. The repair truck had been outside all morning and the most he’d accomplished was heat blowing out of the vents. It was now officially hotter inside than out. At lunch time, Robyn slipped out back to the alley to take her break. By the time she returned an hour or so late, she looked refreshed. Her clothes weren’t sticky like mine anymore, and her hair wasn’t damp around the edges. The warehouse must’ve had air.
“I didn’t turn him down, exactly,” I said quietly as she tied her apron and sipped the last of a grape soda. “He didn’t go there. He was really…sweet.”
She chocked, covering her mouth as she coughed. “Liam, sweet? I guess it really isn’t an act. You are as naïve as you look.” She dropped the empty bottle into the waste basket and motioned for me to get off her stool. “He’s sweet, alright.” The tone of her voice stung much the same as seeing Mason parked at Anna’s curb. “Don’t let him fool you, Justice. He’s just as bad as the rest of them. He’s just smoother with his game.”
“Did Liam tell you nothing happened?”
“Yeah,” she said. “He rode back up Sunday before we left the cabin. Said he didn’t want Tyler on his back.”
“What exactly did he say?” I asked, ignoring the line that was forming at the counter.
“That you were upset about the card game,” she said as she weighed a bag of candy, “and that he dropped you off at your house. I thought he was lying, but Tyler seemed to believe it especially after Tom confirmed there wasn’t a bike parked at your house last night.” Tom was watching my house?
“Come back,” Robyn said mechanically to the woman she’d been waiting on. The woman snatched her bag and left in a huff. She stopped on the sidewalk, her finger in Mr. Smith’s face. Mr. Smith was nodding, wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. A small crowd was beginning to form before she walked off. Robyn chuckled, watching the spectacle while I hurriedly went back to work.
The bell rang in a jazz like rhythm as we neared afternoon, so we had no choice but to get to work. Mr. Smith came back for the rush but then left again. Never once did he mention the customer complaint.
He always left through the back door. To anyone watching, it looked like he never left the store. I decided his wife had to know about the side business because she never called, even on the nights we worked late. It baffled me to think someone like Mr. Smith was involved in something so shady. It made me look at people differently, wonder what they were hiding. For instance, the old man checking out at the counter with Robyn could be a pimp. Okay, that was a bit of a stretch considering the w
alker, but I’d never judge a book by its cover again.
“You’ve got a visitor, Justice,” Robyn said over the intercom.
I was almost afraid to walk to the front. My list of enemies was growing with each passing summer day. I took my time, folding the last three shirts before peeking around the waxed lips. Robyn had me on edge about Tonya. I half expected her to be around the corner with a switch blade, but it wasn’t Tonya. Anna was at the front, a concerned look on her face. She looked much the same as the last time I’d seen her. It had only been a few weeks, but it felt more like months. Her tan was a shade darker, making the thin white bathing-suit cover-up she wore stand-out. Her curly hair was piled high in a frizzy disarray from the heat. She tried to mask the concern behind a smile, but I knew her too well for that. Her forehead only drew up when she was worried, and from the looks of her, she was seconds away from a break down.
“Hey,” I called to Anna, doing my best not to look at Jayson and Tyler as they came through the back door. “What’re you doing here?”
“I felt so bad about last night,” she said, her eyes looking behind me.
Reflexively, I turned to find Tyler with a half-smile that would’ve been cute if I didn’t know him. His eyes moved slowly over Anna’s curves before landing on me. Anna was still watching them when I turned back to her. Probably trying to put names to faces. I took advantage of her distraction and tried to figure out what on earth she could be talking about. It wasn’t long before I heard the back door close, and she spun to face me.
“When you called and Mason was there,” she said, finishing her thought from before the distraction. I couldn’t blame her. Everyone stared at them. It was hard not to, like fire in the middle of a frozen pond or a fish walking out of the ocean. They just stood out.