With Mara???? ;)
I nodded.
Don’t be jealous, doll ;)
Belle ended the conversation with another middle finger emoji.
I took it all as love.
Belle and I had a different kind of love. A family kind of love.
I tucked my phone into my back pocket and went inside the beach house.
I heard Mara’s voice in the kitchen.
So I went to the sunroom to check on my mother.
She was wide awake, sitting up, watching TV, sipping coffee.
“Ulysses,” she said. “Did you sleep here?”
“Yeah I did,” I said. “Didn’t feel like going home.”
She frowned. “You know, I wish you called this place that. Home.”
“This’ll be my beach home,” I said.
I smiled.
My mother smiled back at me.
“A beach home? You moving close, Ulysses?”
The voice tore through my ear like a fucking parasite.
I turned my head and saw Calvin.
Dressed in much different clothes than the last time I saw him.
He was all suited up now.
Carrying a container of food.
“Brought your mother some lunch,” he said to me.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. She shut her eyes as though it was painful for her.
“How are you today, Amanda?” he asked. “Still feeling pain?”
She looked at him. She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Are you taking something for the pain?” I asked.
Calvin looked at me. “She’s got plenty. This is a tricky thing, Ulysses. Everyone reacts differently. The added stress makes it worse.”
“Added stress?” I asked.
Calvin stood up. “Look at this place. Everyone coming and going the way they do. No wonder she can’t rest.”
I looked at my mother. “If you need time to be alone, then get it. Stop having the nurses come over.”
“Maybe that’s not the problem here,” Calvin said.
“Please, not now,” my mother said.
I turned my head and saw Paula lingering behind Calvin.
As she worked her way closer to my mother I worked my way closer to the kitchen.
There I found Mara hanging over a cup of coffee.
“Tired, doll?” I whispered to her.
“Actually, I’m so rested I can’t wake up,” she said.
“Feel free to sleep on me anytime you want.”
Mara put her finger to her lips. “Don’t say that stuff.”
I reached for her hand. “If you want to play this game, it could get wildly fun. I have nothing to lose.”
“But I do,” she said. “Okay? Please. I’m… I don’t know what this is…”
I backed away from the counter.
Paula came rushing into the kitchen.
She looked at me, then Mara.
She looked flustered and pissed.
“You okay?” I asked her.
“Rough day here, Ulysses,” she said.
“My mother?” I asked.
“What do you think?”
“Mom…” Mara started to say.
I followed her eyes.
They trailed from Paula to the sunroom.
I looked and saw Calvin staring at all of us.
He turned from my mother’s bed and made it two steps before Mara ran out of the kitchen.
And I mean… ran.
She darted out of the kitchen like the house was on fire.
“What was that about?” Paula asked.
“No idea,” I said.
Calvin kept walking toward the kitchen.
I had the same feeling as Mara.
To get the hell out of there.
I should have felt bad for Paula, leaving her there alone with Calvin, but she was getting paid for that shit.
I wasn’t.
I had no reason to get to know the guy.
So I went looking for Mara.
I found her in the guest bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Crying.
I shut the door and locked it.
“Mara.”
She looked at me and wiped her eyes. “Shit. Uly. Shit.”
“What the hell is going on?” I asked. I hurried toward her and crouched down to be eye level with her. “What is this?”
“Nothing,” she said.
“Don’t lie to me. Give me something.”
“It’s everything,” she said. “Okay?”
She pushed me back and jumped up and walked to the corner of the bedroom.
“I give the everything speech, not you,” I said.
She turned and pointed at me. “What are we doing, Uly? This is crazy stuff now. You want to lean on me because you secretly love Belle? Fine. I get to lean on you because I feel guilty about Adam? Fine. But it’s not that anymore, is it?”
“No, it’s not,” I said. “Is that a problem?”
“I don’t know,” Mara said. “I can’t figure it out.”
I closed in on her. “Why are you crying over it?”
She shook her head.
“I said give me something…”
“I think I really like you,” she said. “I’ve always had a thing…”
“I know, doll.”
“How?”
“You told me when you were drunk,” I said with a grin.
She shut her eyes. “Fuck.”
I touched her face and waited for her to open her eyes. “It’s okay, Mara. I feel the same way you do.”
“No you don’t,” she said. “Uly… this is…”
I gently kissed her.
Yeah, it was all fucked up. But the taste of Mara’s lips made it worth it.
No matter what happened.
Mara grabbed my shirt and pulled me closer to her.
My body pressed tight against hers, pinning her against the bedroom wall.
I kissed her harder, faster, both of us knowing where these intentions were going to end up.
The door was locked.
What the fuck did it matter?
We both took a step at the same time.
Toward the bed.
The kiss broke and we stared at each other.
Mara gasped for a breath.
I kissed her lips again.
“It’s okay, doll,” I whispered into her mouth. “I’ll take care of you. No matter what.”
We kissed again.
There was a knock at the door.
“Mara?” Paula’s voice yelled. “Are you okay? Please stop locking the door.”
I put my forehead to Mara’s.
“We need a different place for this,” Mara whispered.
I grinned. “I guess it’s a good thing I own a fucking house, doll.”
Chapter 13
I sat on the edge of the stage and worked on a song with Hil.
We weren’t vibing with it at all.
It was something I wrote on my own and hearing him play it and throw some lyrics to it pissed me off.
“I hate this,” I said when I stopped playing. “You suck.”
“I suck?” Hil asked. “I’m making this something. Ask Belle.”
Belle sat on a table, her feet dangling off, shaking her head. “Don’t get me involved.”
“Do you like it?” I asked her.
“I like it,” she said.
“Told you,” Hil said.
“Fuck off,” I said to Hil. I looked at Belle. “He’s ruining the feel.”
“I’m telling the truth,” Hil said. “Your lyrics are bitching about not having what you want.”
“And your part is better?” I asked.
“I’m singing like it’s my heart being released.”
Hil started to play the song again.
I stood up and left my guitar on the floor.
“I sit down and take this knife, like the pen in my hand, and carve out the words, the paper flying like snow, le
aving the truth behind, like the last day’s breathing glow, the stars racing to shine like traffic to come home, to find that little bit of peace, the only one I’ve known… because I left you outside to melt in the rain, January snow to April storms to summer tears and October is born… so you could fuck off and just leave me be, after all you’ve stolen, the diamonds of me…”
Hil kept playing the song but stopped his singing, screaming routine.
I stared out the front window.
“I like that part,” Belle said. “The diamond of me part. That’s cool. And the months…”
“I get it,” I snapped at Belle. “You like it.”
Hil tossed his guitar aside. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
I looked back at Hil. “Or what?”
Hil stood up and made fists.
“Oh, hell no,” Belle said. “You two idiots aren’t going to fight over me.”
“Who’s fighting over you?” Ash asked as he walked from the back.
“These two,” Belle said.
“Why?” Ash asked.
“Uly has something stuck up his ass,” Hil said. “Talking to Belle like she’s worthless.”
Ash came running toward me.
“Ash!” Belle yelled.
I was ready for him and we collided together.
Instantly wrestling. Growling at each other. Pissed off for two different reasons, but wanting to take it out on each other.
Nobody threw a punch though.
We just pushed at each other with Belle yelling for us to stop.
And then there was Hil.
Cheering Ash on to take me down.
Belle finally wiggled her body between us.
I felt the back of her body touch the front of mine and I hurried to jump away.
Feeling her touch me made images of Mara flash in my mind.
Like I had done something wrong by being near Belle.
I rubbed my jaw and was ready to explode.
“What the fuck is going on?” Ash asked.
“They’re disagreeing on a song,” Belle said. She looked at Hil. “And you’re an asshole for what you just did.”
“He shit on my lyrics,” Hil said, pointing to me.
Ash spun around and grabbed Hil’s shirt. “Don’t think I won’t knock you out.”
“Let’s go, bro,” Hil said.
Belle looked at me.
I whistled to get everybody to calm down.
All eyes were on me.
“The song is good,” I said. “Your lyrics are perfect, Hil. It fills it out like you said. I’m sorry for snapping at you, Belle. And thanks for not punching me, Ash. There? Does that cover it?”
“What about a group hug?” Hil asked.
“NO!” Belle, Ash, and I said at the same time.
Hil showed his hands in defeat.
“Now if we’re back to normal here,” Ash said, “I have something to say.”
“You and Belle are breaking up,” Hil said. “It’s about fucking time.”
“I’m going to go after him soon,” Belle said.
“Have at it,” Ash said to Belle.
“Just get to the point,” I said.
Ash looked at me and curled his lip. “We have a chance to go after Charger. Tonight.”
“Shit,” Hil said. “Talk to us.”
“Where?” I asked. “How?”
“Raza,” Ash said.
“Raza?” Belle asked. “Is he involved with the pills?”
“No,” Ash said. “He’s throwing a party though. Aaron is taking Jasmine there. I’ve got word that Charger will be there too.”
“Of course he will,” Hil said. “The beach is the best way to find new business.”
“Right,” I said. “It’s not like he’ll be walking around the house much. If at all. Just blend right in.”
“He’s got Jasmine all fucked up,” Ash said. “She’s been pushing for him a little.”
“No,” Belle said. “She’s involved? How? She can’t owe money. She’s rich. Everyone here is rich.”
“It’s not about money, angel,” Ash said to Belle.
“It’s about power, beauty,” Hil said.
“He’s cutting her short until she finds new business,” I said.
“Aaron told me that,” Ash said. “He’s a mess too. Not on the pills though. I don’t think. I don’t know. But we need to get in front of it soon. Send our message and if there’s anything left over leave it to those assholes to take care of.”
“I’m ready for it,” Hil said. “Fuck this music stuff. Let’s get violent.”
“Raza’s,” I said.
“Tonight,” Ash said.
“Tonight,” Hil said.
“I’m coming too,” Belle said.
Hil snorted. “Hear that, Ash, she’s coming…”
Ash swung a fist and Hil jumped to get out of the way.
They faced off and Belle set her sights on me.
“Go make your call,” Belle said. “I’ll make sure she’s okay while you do what you have to do.”
“Make my call?” I asked.
“To Mara,” she said. “I’m not stupid, Uly. I know what this attitude is. You miss her. You wish she was closer to you all the time. So go call her. Tell her to meet you at Raza’s. Or go pick her up. Whatever it is. I’ll make sure she’s okay there.”
I didn’t respond to Belle.
Instead, I walked toward the front door.
“Where are you going?” Hil called out to me. “We’re not done with this song yet.”
“I’m going to have a smoke,” I called out.
They all knew it was a lie.
I smoked in the empty cafe all the time.
I was going outside for a different reason.
To call Mara.
* * *
I swung by the beach house right after dark to pick up Mara.
I tore down the pebble laced road and finished my cigarette, flicking it out the window, grabbing for the stupid body spray again to make my car smell like a douchebag guy.
Mara was outside waiting for me.
She stood in the glow of my headlights and I smiled.
My heart didn’t race. Or pound.
None of that bullshit.
That was saved for when I was kissing her.
My heart danced around.
It ran across my chest, back and forth, begging to jump out and run after Mara.
It was so intense I had to shut my eyes.
And I sat there with my eyes shut until she opened the door.
She sat down and coughed.
I looked at her as she waved her hand.
“Just a note, Uly, I’d rather smell cigarette smoke than whatever this is.”
“Just want to make you happy, doll.”
Mara laughed. “Wow. That’s sad.”
“Buckle up, Mara.”
I put the car in reverse and sped backward down the road.
She stiffened and was instantly scared.
“Uly…”
“Let me concentrate so I don’t crash.”
Mara gasped.
I picked up even more speed.
I moved the wheel gently left to right, letting the tires tear through the pebbles.
“Uly, please stop,” Mara said. “Or slow down.”
“Hold on,” I said. “Get ready for it.”
“For what?” Mara asked.
Right then I cut the wheel.
The car spun to the left.
Mara screamed and put her hands to the dashboard.
The car spun around one full time and stopped.
On the main road.
Facing the direction we needed to go.
I turned my head and grinned at Mara.
“I want to punch you,” she said.
“How about you just kiss me instead?”
“Maybe.”
I leaned toward her and waited.
She slowly closed in on me.
Then she bit her li
p.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Are all these people rich like you?”
“What? Why?”
“I’m just curious.”
“Why does that matter? They’re not going to ask you for a tax return or something, doll.”
“But I’m not… I don’t fit in… I don’t belong…”
“Says who?” I asked.
“Says me, Uly.”
I shook my head. “Do you realize who I fucking am?”
“What?”
“I’m Them. It’s me, doll. You’re with me. There’s not a person there who’s going to give a fuck about your personal wealth. You have me. You walk in with me and you own that place. And everyone there. You want a drink, doll? Find some preppy chick and tell her to get you a drink. If she says no, then find me.”
“What are you going to do?” Mara asked. “Make girls cry?”
“For you? Fuck yes.”
Mara sighed. “Uly…”
“Hey,” I said. “Just hang there. Okay? Belle is looking forward to seeing you. We have some shit to handle and then-”
“Shit to handle?” Mara asked. “What does that mean?”
“Personal stuff,” I said. “BFH stuff. That’s all.”
“I just hate feeling like I don’t belong somewhere.”
“With me, you belong, doll,” I said.
“That’s sweet to say.”
“I didn’t mean it as sweet. I meant it as truth.”
Mara sat back in her seat.
She still looked bothered.
I put the car in park.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’ll sit here all night,” I said. “I’m not taking you somewhere you’re not comfortable going.”
“That’s not fair,” she said. “Take me back to the beach house. Handle your business and then come back.”
“No, doll. I hate this shit. You’re thinking you’re not worthy again. Like before. You can’t hide. You’re fucking smart, beautiful, and you’re with me.”
“You’re not going to let up, are you?” she asked.
“Not a chance in hell, doll,” I said.
“Then just drive.”
“You sure?”
“I guess so,” she said. She looked at me. “I just hate feeling this way, Uly. I hate feeling… down. Low. Empty. I just…”
“Hey, Mara, listen to me,” I said. “You ever feel down, low, empty, you just look at me and wink or something. Give me a sign. I’ll be right there to pick you up.”
“What if you’re not around?”
“We have to make it so I’m always around,” I said.
ULY (Bay Falls High - Them Book 1) Page 12