“Ramsey, Adam, Chris, wait in the living room,” Kelsoe says, not taking his eyes off Alex.
“Da fuck?” You trust this dude?” Ramsey asks.
Kelsoe shakes his head. “Hell no. Just give us a minute.”
The guys don’t look happy as they leave the room, but Alex visibly relaxes and so do I.
“Hey, thanks, man. I wasn't —”
“I don’t trust you. You shouldn’t be here. Start talking,” Kelsoe says.
I step in Kelsoe’s face because hell no. “Alex is my friend. Let’s show him some respect. If he came here, it’s because he has something important to say.” I turn to Alex. “Right?”
Alex nods frantically, putting a cigarette to his lips, but before he can light it, Kelsoe rips it away and says, “No smoking inside.” His voice is deep, dark, and on edge.
Alex holds up his hands. “Got it.”
I throw Kelsoe’s rude ass a glare and pull Alex to sit with me on the bed. “What happened?”
“Something big is going down, Lenny.” Alex looks up at Kelsoe then back at me. “It looks like you’re probably safe here. I just know if David gets his hands on you it’s going to be bad.”
“You hear something?” Kelsoe asks him.
“I’ve seen David talking to some dude that screams money.” Alex turns to me. “You know all David’s friends are losers, like my stepdad, none of ’em got anything worth anything. Anyways, word is that David’s offering a reward for anyone that can bring you home.” Alex gives me a pointed look. “And it’s a nice amount. Three grand.”
I roll my eyes. “David doesn’t have that kind of money.”
Alex nods. “I know.”
“So, either he’s bullshitting or he’s getting the money from someone else,” I say.
“You think he’s getting the money from this new friend of his?” Kelsoe asks.
Alex points at him and smiles. “Bingo.”
“But why? Why would this guy loan him money?” I ask.
Kelsoe scratches his chin. “You have any ideas, Alex?”
Alex straightens looking more confident. “I know David and my stepdad have been into drugs on and off. You should see this guy though. He’d have to be pushing some major shit. I mean the car he’s driving cost sixty thou, minimum.”
Alex looks to me, and I can see a question in his eyes. He’s not sure if he should ask it in front of Kelsoe. I nod, giving him the okay.
“Why’s David want you so bad? I mean that’s a lot of money.”
“Honestly, I have no idea. I’m almost eighteen, so he isn’t going to get rent out me much longer. He can’t force me to live there once I’m an adult.”
“I’m going to run this information by the guys. I’ll let you finish up with Alex, quickly.” He nods to Alex. “If you find out anything else, let me know. Leave your number with, Red.”
Alex smiles. “Sure thing, man.”
He’s not at all offended that Kelsoe basically told him to get lost right now. I fall back against the mattress, legs hanging off the side as Kelsoe leaves the room. I grab a pillow and shove it behind my head.
“You doing okay?” Alex asks, lying back next to me.
“Yep. It was weird at first being here, but I don’t know, I think I’m used to it. It’s kind of my only option at the moment.”
“You know I’d let you stay with me if it wasn't for Roy. A couple days here and there is cool but any longer than that… Well, you know.”
I do know. Unlike my stepdad, Roy doesn’t care what the people in town think. I’ve seen Alex black and blue more than I’d like to. Roy’s tight with his money. He would never approve me staying there and using his resources: food, water, and electricity. And I get it; those things are expensive. I just wish he’d lay off Alex.
Alex grabs my hand. “I’d risk it for you though. If you need a place to stay.”
I squeeze his hand. “Thanks, Alex. I know you would. I’m okay here.”
“I meant what I said about David. I have a bad feeling.”
I don’t let it show that his words are making me anxious. “I’m not going anywhere right now.”
“I better go before your boy gets mad. You know I’m going back out the window, right? No way in hell am I trying to see all those crazy Rivers again.”
I laugh and open the window for him. “They’re cool. They didn’t know who you were. I’ll see you later.”
“My house number is the same it’s always been. You remember it?”
I tap my temple. “Yep.”
Alex drops out the window. “Stay safe, Lenny.”
“You too!” I hiss as he darts away.
I drop back on my bed as I try to process the information. No way would David trade three thousand dollars for me. It has to be a front. I have no idea why he wants me back so badly. As long as they have my money, he and my mom don’t care if I’m there or not. Time to see what the guys think.
As soon as my feet hit the carpet in the living room, all three guys go silent and turn to me. They’re standing near the couch and all looking guilty as fuck.
“It’s like that?” I smirk. “You boys telling secrets.”
Kelsoe backs up and then drops down to the love seat. “Just relaying the information Alex told us.”
He’s playing it cool, tossing his arm over the back of the seat and settling in, but I can see the muscles in his neck are wound tight and his shoulders stiff. I look around the room. “Where’d Adam go?”
“He took off,” Chris says, flatly.
I nod to Chris and Ramsey. “What do you guys make of what David’s pulling?”
Chris shrugs. “We don’t know your stepdad like you do. We don’t know your past. What do you think?”
Chris and Ramsey take seats on the couch, but my anxiety’s getting the best of me, so I’d rather stand. “I’m not used to seeing Alex shaken up. That’s what worries me. If it wasn't for that, I’d think David was bullshitting on giving anyone money. I’d think that him talking to this new guy has nothing to do with me.” I click my tongue. “I don’t know. Something's off.” I look to each of the three guys. “You sure you don’t want to rethink my staying here? I won’t blame you guys if you think I should go.” It’s the truth. I don’t want to involve others in my problems or have them make shit worse for me.
“Shut up, Red. We aren’t kicking you out,” Kelsoe says with a roll of his eyes.
“Can you fill us in a little bit about your past? That might help us to know David better and what he’s planning,” Ramsey says, and Kelsoe and Chris lean in a little closer.
It feels like my stomach drops to the floor. They know I grew up in a less than ideal home. I mean they found me living at the river. Getting into details is…personal, and I don’t like the feeling that’s settling into my stomach.
Kelsoe stands, grabbing my hand to pull me onto the loveseat with him. “No judgment here, Red.”
“Where should I start?”
“Maybe it will help if we ask questions,” Ramsey says.
“Yeah, okay. Shoot.”
Kelsoe scratches his jaw. “School. Did you drop out?”
I shake my head. “My dad would get paranoid thinking the teachers were government agents. I just kept getting so far behind when he wouldn’t let me go. Plus, with all the shit I had to deal with from the other kids, school just wasn't worth all the trouble. I stopped going at the beginning of eighth.”
“To homeschool?” Chris asks.
“Nah, just stopped. My mom didn't care if I went or not, and my dad left for good not long after.”
“Your mom wasn't involved in your life?” Ramsey asks.
“Not really. She barely acknowledged me.” I chew on my lip. That’s not entirely true. “I have a few early memories when she was…different. She used to sing me to sleep. There was a nursery rhyme about a doll.” I shrug. “I also remember swinging with her at the park. And hide and seek.” I sigh. “Then it all stopped. She went away for a while, an
d when she came back, it was like she was a different person. It was so long ago though. I was probably three or four.”
“I bet that was hard,” Ramsey says, squeezing my knee. “I haven’t spoken to my mom since I was eight.”
“What happened to her?” I ask.
“When she and my dad split, she got my baby sister and he got me. She kept in touch by phone for the first few months, but then she met someone. She got married and had a couple more kids. She lives in Arizona now. She moved on.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
He leans back. “It all worked out. My dad’s an angry drunk. I’m just glad I went with him instead of my sister.”
“And he got us. Lucky bastard,” Chris says.
“Yeah, I got stuck with you guys.” Ramsey chuckles.
“You don’t have any other family?” Kelsoe asks.
“I had a grandma and an uncle on my dad’s side, but they died in a car accident when I was a kid. I’ve never met my mom’s family.”
“When did David come into the picture?” Kelsoe asks.
“My mom went through a few others before him, but maybe a year after my dad left, David moved in.”
“What about your dad? Where’s he?” Ramsey asks.
My chest feels tight, but I push my feelings aside as I say, “I don’t know. I woke up one morning, and he was gone. I haven’t seen him since.”
“Tell us more about David,” Kelsoe says.
“Not much to tell. He’s a dictator, has anger issues, and a substance abuse problem.”
“What does he do for work? What are his habits?” Chris asks.
“He works odd jobs here and there when they need money. He can’t hold a job for very long ’cause he’s always high or drunk.”
“What did they think about you never being home? You didn’t have a curfew?” Ramsey asks.
“They couldn’t care less if I was home or not as long as I gave them money every month.”
“When did he start hitting you?” Kelsoe asks through a clenched jaw.
I flinch at his words. “It wasn't right away.” That’s all I want to say about that.
“He ever touch you sexually?”
“What, no!” I shake my head. “I think that’s enough questions.”
“I’m lost, so unless you’re hiding something, the reward he has on you makes no sense,” Chris says, leaning back.
“It doesn’t make sense. I swear my mom hates me. They seemed glad I wasn't around.” My brows come together. “Recently, as in the last few weeks, David did start acting different, wanting to know where I was staying. He told me I couldn’t keep running off.”
Everyone quiets down. I see Ramsey nod to Kelsoe, but it’s quick, and I almost miss it.
“Grab what you need from your room, Red. You’re going to be sharing with me for a while,” Kelsoe says.
I laugh, but the serious expression on his face makes me stop abruptly “You’re serious? Why?”
He nods towards Ramsey and Chris. “We talked about it. Alex had no problem finding your room. If someone else can do that, do you want to risk it?”
“I’ll be fine in my room.”
Kelsoe stands, heading out the living room, and I know exactly what he’s doing. I jump up, but he’s moving quick and makes it into my room before I make it into the hall. I stumble into my room as he’s pushing past with his arms full of pillows and my bag.
“You can’t make me stay in your room,” I say to an empty room because he doesn’t stop to listen.
“Just appease us, Lena. We all want you safe,” Ramsey says as he pokes his head in, his large frame soon following.
“Come on, Red. It’s bedtime!” Kelsoe hollers from down the hall and Ramsey laughs.
“You’re not going to offer me your bed, Ramsey?”
“You’ll be in good hands.” He winks, leaving me alone in my room.
I let out a loud groan as I shuffle down the hall. Kelsoe’s door is open so I walk in. My pillows have been stacked on the side of the bed farthest from the door. My bag’s at the foot of the bed, and Kelsoe’s bare-chested, tucked underneath the covers, with his arms behind his head and a smirk on his face.
I can’t help but feel awkward as I stand in the middle of his room. “You better not be telling me to sleep in here so you can get in my pants,” I say half-jokingly.
Kelsoe’s eyebrows come together. “I wouldn’t manipulate you like that. Besides”—he grins, his tongue darting out to lick the side of his lips—“if I wanted in your pants, I wouldn’t have to trick you.”
“You think you have it like that? I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m far from easy,” I say, not knowing if that’s the truth or not. I haven’t slept in a bed with anyone besides Alex, and Alex and I ended up having sex. The truth is that I like sex. Shit. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands to myself.
He notices me eyeing the king-sized bed and says, “The room isn't big enough to add your bed. I can sleep on the floor if you want.” He moves the comforter away and sits up.
“Relax. I think sharing will be okay. Just stick to your side.” I scrunch my nose up as I move to the foot of the bed. “You change these sheets after you and Barbie got them dirty?”
Kelsoe smirks, clicking off the lamps next to the bed. “She didn’t get in my bed.”
It takes my eyes a second to adjust to the darkness. A small amount of moonlight shines in through the blinds, and I use that to make my way around to the other side of the bed. “She more of a floor kinda girl?”
The flick of a lighter illuminates Kelsoe’s face as he lights a joint. “She bugged Bob for forty-five minutes, and then when she snuck into my room, I spent ten minutes explaining why she couldn’t suck my cock.” He passes me the joint as I climb into bed.
“You weren’t feeling it tonight?” I ask, pushing for answers. I want to know if they’re a couple even though it’s none of my business.
“Not from her. Not anymore. Not for a while actually. Scoot closer, Red. I’m not going to bite. Hard to pass the joint back and forth when you’re on the other side of the bed.”
I roll my eyes as I scoot. I take a couple hits and then pass it back. “Well, she still wants you.”
“Too bad,” he mumbles.
Sounds like I hit a sore spot. “Look at us, Kelsoe. Who would have thought you and I would be lying in bed together?” I rest my head against a fluffy pillow.
Kelsoe’s laughter fills the room. “I don’t know, Red. I think I could have pictured you in my bed. On different terms, of course.”
I kick my foot out, connecting with his leg. He just laughs and passes the joint back to me. I take another hit, sinking further into the bed. Lying here isn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. I’m not going to deny the pull I feel towards Kelsoe. Chemistry: intoxicating, addictive, undeniable desire that we aren't in control of; it’s instinctual. Or maybe that’s the weed messing with my head.
“So, Alex, huh?” Kelsoe asks, breaking me out of my doped-out thoughts. “He was your first?”
I nod even though he can’t see me in the dark. “He was.”
“Well, don’t judge sex based on him. That scrawny dude—”
I cut him off by jabbing my elbow into his side. “Shut up.”
“He treats you good?”
“Alex always treats me good.”
I pass the joint back to Kelsoe as my eyes grow heavy. “Is this real, or are you planning something to get me to leave?”
“It’s real,” Kelsoe whispers. “Good night, Red.”
I don’t tell him good night back because I’m already drifting off.
Chapter 16
I wake up alone in Kelsoe’s bed and gasp at the time. I mentally count the number of hours I slept: twelve. There’s a knock at the door at the same time it’s pushed open.
Drew peeks his head in. “Lenny, you’re awake!” He moves his finger back and forth. “You picked Kelsoe over me?”
“Let’s f
ace it, Preppy. I would never be able to live up to your standards.”
He nods. “You’re a total slob. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t let you into my bed.”
“Ha, ha.” I get to my feet, grabbing my bag from the floor. “Shit. I totally forgot I have to work.” I don’t have time to change, but the clothes I’m wearing from yesterday look clean. I’ll just smell like smoke from the grill and weed. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Drew frowns. “Work? Kelsoe filled me in on what your friend said.”
“David isn’t stupid enough to try anything at the store.” I slip my boots on. “I’ll be fine.”
“Let me see what Kelsoe says.”
I chuckle. “He doesn’t get to decide this for me. I’m going to work.”
Drew leaves the room while I run a brush through my hair. As I make my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth, Kelsoe and Drew corner me. I roll my eyes. “Walk and talk. I don’t want to be late.”
“Red, thought you were going to start working on bikes with us? It’s a full-time job.”
They follow me into the bathroom that now feels too small. “I can’t just quit. I need to at least give Tate notice,” I say around my toothbrush and then spit into the sink.
They're both quiet as I finish brushing my teeth.
I expect Kelsoe to argue with me, but he says, “Drew will go with you today. How long is your shift?”
“One to nine, and what do you mean go with me? Drop me off? ’Cause he can’t stay there the whole time.”
“He either stays there with you or you don’t go. Your choice.”
“You going to tie me up and force me to stay here if I say Preppy can’t stay?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
I roll my eyes. Bossy ass. “Come on, Preppy. Let’s go.”
≈≈≈
Drew parks the SUV in front of the store. “I’m going to wait here, Lenny. I’ll come in occasionally to check on you, but I should see David if he goes in.”
“This is all unnecessary, but whatever floats your boat.”
These guys are going overboard with protectiveness. I don’t doubt that David will come here, but he won’t try anything stupid in public. He doesn’t want to go to jail.
I find Mr. Tate in the back. I lean against the door frame, watching him for a minute. His hands have a constant shake to them now. He’s softly singing along to the country song that’s playing on the small radio next to him as he breaks down a pile of boxes. I’m going to miss him.
Found by the Rivers Page 12