by Shade, S. M.
“I’m coming down there.”
“To do what? Get arrested? Because if you come here harassing her, that’s exactly what will happen. She’s done, Dad. We’re done. We won’t be controlled by you anymore.”
I almost expect to see smoke drifting out of the phone he’s fuming so hard. “She won’t make it a month before she comes crying back.”
“Like I did?” I quip.
“She’s not you. She won’t be happy with a life lived in the gutter.” He hangs up on me, and I toss my phone aside. I hope he’s wrong. The truth is, Kelly is used to the easy life. Everything in me hopes she’ll see freedom means more than anything and the only security anyone actually has is in knowing they can take care of themselves.
Kelly settles into the guest room over the next few days, and I’m happy to see that she and Sasha hit it off. Becca seems to like her too, and they help her adjust to the abrupt move from upper class society to life on Violent Circle.
I’m not sure what kind of backlash to expect, but I know it’s coming.
Chapter Thirteen
Sasha
I’m proud of Trey and how determined he is to take care of his little sister. Kelly is sweet and innocent in a way I’ve never encountered in a nineteen year old. I guess it makes sense since she’s been sheltered her whole life.
Private girl’s school, only a few friends that were approved by her parents, a boyfriend also arranged by them. Poor girl has never had a chance to figure out who she is, let alone what she wants. I know she’s terrified, but she’s also determined, and that’s impressive.
Her parents messaged and called for a few days, but she ignored them. Today, though, worry is etched on her face as she walks into the living room. It’s Sunday afternoon so Trey, Denton, and Becca are home, plus Noble and Jani are hanging out.
“Stanley is on his way here. He’s right down the street,” she announces, wringing the hem of her shirt in her hands. “He says he’s coming to get me. I don’t want to see him.”
The guys glance at each other and Trey nods at Kelly. “We’ll handle it.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me his credit card.
“What’s this for?”
“Bail money.” His answer is matter of fact as he pulls on his shoes. Laying my hands on my protruding stomach, I want to argue, but I can’t. I get it. She’s his sister. Kelly isn’t so accepting.
“No! You can’t beat him up! He won’t fight you anyway, I swear! He’s probably never thrown a punch in his life. People usually do what he asks them.” She shrugs. “You know, because he’s a doctor and rich and everything. That’s why he thinks he can just come and get me. The only time I’ve seen him get upset or break that stoic face is when I embarrass him.” She sighs. “Which was a lot, I guess.”
Jani shakes her head. “That’s his egotistical bullshit, girl. You aren’t embarrassing.”
Noble grins at Kelly. “If he’s that uptight and afraid of humiliation, we can handle this without violence or jail time.”
Exhaustion resides in Kelly’s eyes as she sits on the couch. “I just want him to leave me alone.”
“He will,” Trey promises, nodding to the guys. Denton and Noble head out to the porch and Trey grabs a six pack from the fridge. Maybe he picks up on the anxious look on my face because he saunters over and plants a kiss on my lips.
“Don’t get hurt,” I implore.
“Nah, this will be fun. Don’t worry.” He turns to Kelly. “Just stay inside.”
She nods, and he joins the guys on the porch, waiting for Stanley. I’m doubtful this is going to be solved without violence, but these guys have surprised me before. Worst case scenario, I’ll be bailing my baby daddy out of jail like some sleazy talk show guest.
Becca opens the two windows behind the couch that face the front yard and porch, setting the blinds down low where we can watch without being obvious about it.
As soon as I see a shiny blue Porsche pull up in front of the apartment, I realize this is going to be far from private, which must be what Noble was aiming for. It’s Violent Circle where everyone knows everyone’s business. There’s no way that car won’t bring out the neighbors.
A man steps out in creased slacks and a dress shirt. His shoes are so shiny they reflect the sunlight. He stands out like a dick at a lesbian bar.
He’s not terrible looking, but he has nothing on our Frat Guys. The same guys who lounge on the porch as he walks up, his chin held high. “I’m looking for Kelly Bryant.”
“Sorry, can’t help you,” Noble says.
Stanley looks at Trey. “I know you’re her brother, and I know she’s here. I’m not leaving until I speak to her.”
My heart rate increases when Trey gets to his feet. “The hell you aren’t.”
“Now, Trey, calm down before you scare Staniel,” Noble urges, amusement in his voice as he grabs Trey’s arm. “Look at him. The dude couldn’t carry two cases of beer at once without getting a hernia. It wouldn’t be a fair fight.”
One thing you have to love about Violent Circle, the people aren’t subtle. Neighbors wander up, standing around the cars, sitting on the adjacent porches, listening.
It doesn’t escape Stanley’s notice, and he glances around before trying again. “She’s my fiancée. We had a disagreement, and I need to speak to her.”
Becca, Jani, Kelly, and I lean over the back of the couch, watching. “Prissy, stuck up asshole,” Kelly mumbles.
“My sister has made it clear she doesn’t want to talk to you. She returned your ring. That’s not a disagreement, it’s a break up,” Trey informs him.
“She’s just angry—”
“Fucking your receptionist does tend to make a woman grouchy,” Denton says. “Looks like she dodged a bullet though. She told us about the push pop you keep in those pants.” He turns to Noble. “Isn’t that what she called it?”
“Three pump push pop,” Noble corrects, and a titter of laughter from the gathering neighbors echoes theirs.
Stanley’s ears turn red and he snaps, “She did not say that! We haven’t even. She hasn’t even,” he sputters.
“Oh, we know. She wouldn’t give you any, but your nightly jack off sessions showed her plenty. And incest porn? Really, man?” Trey tuts.
Stanley’s hands ball into fists. “I don’t watch porn!”
“Afraid you’ll see your mom?” Denton asks, nodding, with a note of sympathy in his voice.
The laughter is more obvious this time. Noble sits on the side of the porch, swinging his legs. It makes the whole situation just that much funnier that the guys look like they’re relaxing on the porch while Stanley loses his shit.
Forgoing any further request, Stanley shouts, “Kelly!”
Kelly swallows hard and moves back from the window. I squeeze her hand, glad she has no intention of responding.
Denton scoffs, “Look, Fuckleberry, you aren’t good looking enough to be this stupid.”
“Fuck you!” Stanley shouts, taking a step forward.
Laughing, Denton takes a swig of his beer. “Sorry, I’m not into beastiality. And Kelly told us about your tiny weird cat nipples.”
Jani and I both lose it laughing, but he can’t hear us because laughter surrounds him at this point. The neighbors aren’t even trying to pretend they aren’t listening. Someone has even started recording on their phone.
“Don’t forget about his anal fixation,” Trey adds.
Noble shakes his head. “Shame on you, dude. Trying to get a nice girl like that to diddle your butthole.”
Stanley looks like a cartoon character. Any minute I expect the top of his head to pop off and steam to shoot out of his ears as the guys continue to talk shit.
“It’s time to go, Captain Dick Lips,” Denton announces.
Trey snorts. “He does have dick sucking lips. You think he gobbles knob?”
“Of course,” Noble replies. “I’m sure he’s classy about it though. Just look how shiny his shoes are.”
�
�Classy? What? Like he holds his pinky out?” Noble asks.
Laughter fills the air, followed by the blare of Stanley’s car alarm as someone leans against it. He turns to look and clicks the button on the keychain to stop it.
Trey is off the porch, and in three large strides he reaches Stanley and grabs the front of his shirt.
Shit, he promised no violence.
Becca grabs my arm as I stand up. “Wait, look.”
Pulling him close, Trey says something to him, then lets him go. A second later, Stanley peels out of the parking lot.
I doubt he’ll be back.
* * *
“You are going,” I insist.
Trey grins up at me. “I get the degree either way. I don’t see why I have to waste all day sitting around while they call names just to walk across a stage.”
Digging through his closet, I find a dark suit. “Because I’m proud of you, and your sister and friends are proud of you. Plus, I want pictures. Don’t you want your son to have a picture of his father on the most important day of his life?”
Totally playing the baby card. Sue me. I toss the suit on the bed beside the cap and gown we’ve just received.
He comes up behind me and slides his arms around my middle, resting his warm hands on my belly. “The day I met you was the most important day,” he murmurs in my ear, then kisses my neck just beneath it.
I never thought I’d be susceptible to the mushy lovey stuff. My ex wasn’t like that, and I always thought it sounded kind of cheesy in romance books and romcom movies. But apparently, I’m a sucker for it too because my eyes tear up.
Spinning around, I bury myself in his broad chest. “I love you.”
“I love you,” he says, cupping the back of my head. He pauses before pulling my head back a little. “Are you crying?”
“Of course not,” I scoff, stepping back.
He glances down at his shirt where two tiny wet spots betray me, then raises his eyebrows at me.
“Shut up. It’s the hormones.”
Pulling me close again, he drops a soft kiss on my lips. “You’re so sweet.”
“I said shut up. And try on your suit,” I call, walking out of the room.
He chuckles at my embarrassment. Seriously, though, what the hell was that? I can count on one hand the times I’ve cried in the last five years. And one little comment sets me off? Ridiculous.
“I’m going to have the gown on, what’s the point of the suit?” he gripes, but I can hear him do up the zipper.
Denton steps into the hall wearing dark slacks, a white dress shirt and blue tie. “Aw, does Trey not want to wear his big boy clothes?” he calls out.
“Fuck off, Dent. You wouldn’t be going if Becca wasn’t making you.”
Trey steps out of the bedroom, and I freeze for a moment, staring at him in his suit. “Um…babe, how long has it been since you wore that?”
“High school graduation,” he grumbles, pulling at the sleeves.
Denton takes one look and bursts out laughing. “You…you,” he gasps. Leaning against the wall, his whole body shakes as he tries to get the words out. “You look like…you stole…Jack Skellington’s suit.”
Trey grins and shakes his head when Becca steps out of the room and covers her mouth. She can’t hide her giggles any more than I can. He flips us all off and steps back into our room.
“All hail the pumpkin king!” Denton cries, as Becca pulls him back down the hall.
There’s never a dull moment around here, and I realize I may miss that when we move out. Trey wants to take me to a hotel after the ceremony tomorrow. He’s reserved us a nice room where we can get away for the weekend, have some time for ourselves, maybe peruse some realtor websites to figure out where we plan to move to. We haven’t discussed whether he wants Kelly to move in with us, but I won’t object if he does. She really doesn’t have anyone else.
The rest of the night goes by quickly, mainly because I fall asleep so early now. It’s like the baby insists on a solid eight hours a night whether I like it or not.
Trey is already gone when I wake up, though I vaguely remember him kissing me and whispering he’d see me at the graduation ceremony.
“Is Denton already gone, too?” I ask Becca, walking into the kitchen. She and Kelly sit at the kitchen table with a laptop in front of them. It looks like she’s helping her fill out job applications.
“Yeah, he went with Trey to buy him some dress clothes that actually fit. He said they’d just meet us at the school. You guys are going away for the weekend?”
Grabbing a cup of tea, I take a seat across from them. “Trey arranged it. I’m not sure where, but I’m always happy to get him alone.”
Becca grins at me. “I’ve always heard pregnancy hormones make you horny.”
“I’ll be jumping him all weekend.”
“Ew. Gross. That’s my brother. I didn’t hear that,” Kelly says, covering her ears.
She’s going to hear a lot more than that if she ends up living with us.
Becca gets up to refill her cup. “Denton and I think we found a place. Some nice apartments about thirty minutes away. Halfway between both our jobs.”
“That’s great.” It’s crazy how much has changed and how fast. It’s not just my life that has had some abrupt changes this year. Everyone seems to be moving on to new things. Finishing my drink, I excuse myself to shower and get ready to watch my guy get his degree.
* * *
They’re late.
The ceremony has already started, and neither Trey nor Denton are here.
“I will strangle them both,” Becca whispers, whipping out her phone to text Denton.
I do the same.
Long minutes pass before I get a reply.
Trey: We’re not going to make it to graduation.
Becca curses and shows me the text she just received from Denton.
Denton: Sorry, will explain later.
Seriously? That’s all we get? We both send a couple more texts but don’t get an answer.
“What the hell is going on?” Becca hisses.
Anxiety rolls in my stomach. “They wouldn’t just skip it. Something must be wrong.”
Kelly nods, chewing her lip. “Trey won’t answer me either.”
I type another text and send it off.
Me: Are you okay?
Trey: Yes, just dealing with a situation. I’ll call asap.
“Dealing with a situation? What does that mean?” I whisper, showing Becca and Kelly the message.
“Maybe the car broke down or something,” Kelly suggests.
“Why wouldn’t they just say that though?” Becca frowns down at her phone like that might give her an answer.
“I don’t know, but we might as well go.”
We can hear names being called and the cheers of family and friends on our walk back to the car. “They’d better have a damn good reason.”
Chapter Fourteen
Trey
Denton sighs, leaning his head back against the wall. “If we die in here because you hit a late growth spurt, I’m going to tell everyone when we get to hell. Death by dress shirt.”
“Shut up. We aren’t going to die.”
Maybe I should be scared. A lot of the people around us sure are, but the guy currently robbing the department store is more pitiful than menacing. We were on our way to the register when he burst in, demanding money and yelling for everyone to get on the ground. It was like something out of a movie.
Except in a movie, chances are the place wouldn’t go into lockdown and trap us all inside. Way to turn customers into hostages, guys. Great work.
The cashier is around my age and she handed him everything in the drawer, but it doesn’t much matter now. He’s not getting out of here with any money and the terror on his face says he knows it.
He’s been pacing the store for ten minutes, trying to find a way out. It’s useless. We can hear the sirens and see the flash of lights from the parking lot.
>
“This is ridiculous,” a woman announces. “You’re caught. There’s no reason to keep us here and ruin everyone else’s day.” Her snooty, I’m so offended attitude is almost funny. It’s amazing how people react in tense situations.
“Shut up!” the robber snaps, spinning around. “I have to think!” His hand hits the checkout counter and the gun clatters to the floor near my feet. He scoops it back up. It happened too quick for me to grab it, but not too quick for me to get a good look at it.
It’s official. I’m in some generic comedy movie, not a heist film.
Denton must not have noticed though. He squirms and whispers, “Dude, I didn’t have to pee until just now.”
“It’s a pellet gun,” I whisper as the guy walks away from us. Denton’s eyebrows jump up, and I nod. “I swear, I had one like it when I was a kid. It shoots little plastic pellets that can’t even break the skin.”
The landline beside the register starts to ring and the robber looks at it like it might bite him. A man who looks to be in his sixties speaks up from where he sits on the floor. “If you don’t answer it, they’re going to storm in here. I’d rather not be teargassed.”
Maybe he also recognized the gun isn’t real because he seems pretty calm about the whole situation too. It’s kind of surreal. When you see this stuff on television everyone is terrified and crying. The few people caught up in this today act more like they’re being inconvenienced.
The robber points the gun at Denton. “Answer it.”
Denton gets to his feet and does as he’s told. We can only hear his side of the conversation, but it isn’t hard to figure out what’s being said.
“My name is Denton.” He pauses. “No, I’m not the one in charge. I was just here because my friend is a fat ass. And I’m missing my graduation for this.” Another pause. “How the hell am I supposed to know his name? You think he introduced himself?” Denton holds out the phone. “It’s for you, man.”