by HJ Bellus
I notice Harriet is at the car, letting Max pick up Finn without her. Finn waves his hand in the air. I’ve never seen him so open and outgoing. Max jerks his chin and jogs across the crosswalk, earning a scowl from the crotchety librarian who should’ve retired ten years ago. He doesn’t even notice it.
“Finn, my man.” Max rushes up to us, holding out his fist.
It takes Finn a while, but he manages to bump knuckles, do a high five, and some other trick. “Are you ready for the big day?”
He nods, then strips off his jacket, puffing out his chest like a peacock in full stride. The smile that lights up his face brings tears to my eyes this time. I can’t handle all of this.
“What’s this?” Max drops to his knees.
“Got a new shirt. Do you like it?” Finn asks.
“Did they have one in my size?” Max asks.
“Maybe. We got it at Wal-Mart in Longview.”
“Well, I’ll be checking to see if they do.” Max stands up, taking Finn’s hand.
Another action that’s a miracle. Finn allowing Max to hold his hand is a huge sign that he is already falling in love with his dad.
“Teach, how are you today?” Max grins wide.
Finn giggles, covering his mouth at the use of the nickname.
I shake my head. “Good, and you?”
“On top of the world.”
“You two have fun tonight.” I pat Max’s chest without thinking and ruffle Finn’s hair.
Max leans in and whispers, “Keep your phone handy. If all goes well, would you be up for ice cream with the two of us?”
I nod. Not sure it’s the best idea. But at this point, I don’t give a damn. Watching the two of them walk away stirs up all sorts of emotions in me. I want to run with them and watch the two of them interact so damn bad. I force myself to turn back toward the school building once Max has Finn buckled in the back seat of Harriet’s car. Instead of hopping in the front, Max slides in the back next to Finn.
Before searching for Finn’s father, I had been a month ahead in lesson plans with worksheets copied and ready to go. It was all I had in my life. Then when Max entered the scene, I went to being three weeks ahead to struggling to stay even two weeks prepped. As much as I hate it, I force myself to the copier room and bust out two weeks worth of lessons.
If you’ve ever had to stand by a copier and wait for it to finish the job, then you know how damn grueling it can be. I slip in an ear bud and press play on the Audible app on my phone, then tuck it back in my pocket. I’m dying to find out what happens to J.J. and Navy in Whiskey & You. I listen to it every night before falling asleep. I finally discovered the timer function so I don’t have to scour to find my place.
The copy machine whines to life, spitting out papers. I use the next job function to scan several more pages. Before I know it, I’m paper clipping and stacking papers. I try hard to focus on Navy’s storyline but find myself drifting off to thoughts of Max and Finn and how their afternoon is going. I can’t wait until Finn gets to sleep in his own bed and relish and grow in the love of Max.
The sun has begun to set from the narrow window in the copy room. I have no idea how much time has passed. The piles of papers grow taller each minute.
I lift open the copier, placing a workbook in it. Whiskey & You has taken a turn for the worse, with the suspense being painful and gutting. Two large hands come down on each side of me. My heart leaps up into my throat as a scream rips from my body. I rip the ear bud from my ear.
A hard body presses into my backside then a growl echoes in my ear. “You just can’t seem to follow rules, can you, Kate?”
Gilly. I relax a tick, knowing it’s not some murderer loose on the town. I’m back on stage five alert when he presses harder into my backside, the copier biting harshly into my front.
“Gilly,” I squeak out.
“I told you to stay away from him. He’s trash. Nothing but trouble, but you don’t listen.”
I interrupt his seething. “Let me go.”
My voice quakes, which in turn pisses me off. When I get angry, tears come, then I look weak, and it only pisses me off even more. It’s a vicious cycle.
“Then you go and take your class out four minutes early, breaking another rule. You know when to take them out, yet you feel you’re above the rules all of a sudden. Is Max rubbing off on you?”
Even though my entire body trembles and shakes in fear, I find the strength to stand up for myself. “It’s none of your business. Now let me go, Steven.”
“I’ll be writing you up, which equates to putting you on a plan. I suggest you start listening to what I have to say.”
He doesn’t move and is damn well making sure his station of power is well known. He’s pissed that I turned him down for a date. This is all an entertaining game of intimidation to him. I, for one, won’t be playing.
“I will not go out with you. This is jealousy, Steven, and you know that. You’re finding stupid crap to write me up on because I won’t date you.” I square my chin, staring down the racks of construction paper in front of me, and prepare to enter war. “I’m with Max. You have no right to dictate who I date and don’t. If you’re so hurt by my rejection, then go for it and take this to the board. I’ll be contacting the union lawyers, and you can damn well bet I have all of this documented.”
His evil laugh ricochets from every wall and I’m sure floats down the hall too. It’s now dark outside, and I know I’m the last teacher here, and Jan, the janitor, will have music blaring in her ears and could be on the other end of the building.
My pride has just centered me right in the middle of a war I won’t be winning. Steven’s hand moves from the top of the copier to roam up my side and near the side of my boob. It’s enough to send me over the edge. I grab the lid of the copier and slam it down on his hand, whirling in time to escape him.
“Don’t you ever come near me again, Steven. I’ll be reporting you,” I scream.
I forget all about the copies near the printer and take off, only to be yanked back by my shirt. The sound of the material ripping rattles me and stops me in my tracks. Steven’s hot breath hits the skin on my neck. He grazes his lips along the same violated area.
“You go ahead and do that, and just see what happens. Everything you love will go bye-bye. It’s the way things work in a small town when someone else has the power. It’s your choice, Kate.” Steven shoves me from the back.
I stumble over my two own feet and don’t stop running down the hall until I hit my classroom. What in the hell just happened? I know he’s a jealous man who is hell-bent on power, but this came out of the blue. There were signs, but nothing like this. I grab my purse, leaving my teacher bag behind. Grading papers is the last thing on my mind.
I don’t even turn off the lights in my room before I’m busting out the front doors. I don’t look back. My vision blurs the closer I get to my car. The tears are long gone, leaving only fear behind to taunt me. My tiny car comes into view, offering the first sign of relief. My trembling hands fight against me as I unlock the car and open the door.
“Miss Kate,” a tiny voice sounds off.
I look to the side of my car to see Max holding a football and Finn waving, with no Harriet in sight. I freeze, fight like hell to control my breathing, and plaster a fake smile on my face, all the while glancing over my shoulder. I grab a sweater from my front seat, not having any idea how small or big the rip is in the back of my shirt, and tug it on.
Finn doesn’t pick up on my panicked state. Max, on the other hand, does. I can tell by the way his shoulders tense and his knuckles grow white around the ball in his hand.
“We came to get you for ice cream.” Finn beams with pride.
I clear my throat. “You did?”
“Yep, Dad—I mean,” Finn blushes a bright red, “I mean Max made me eat grilled chicken and broccoli for dinner, promising we’d pick you up for ice cream since you’re best friends and all.”
“Brocc
oli?” I ask, crooking up an eyebrow.
“I had one.” He holds up a finger. “Bite.”
“Drenched in ketchup?” I ask.
He nods. “Come on, let’s walk to the ice cream place,” he begs.
I spot Max’s truck in the lot and feel relief. There’s no way in hell I’m walking right now. He must pick up on my cue and takes over for me.
“Let’s take my truck, bud. We can get there faster,” Max suggest.
“Okay!” Finn races for the truck.
If my nerves weren’t shattered as hell, I wouldn’t even recognize the little boy in front of me. He’s happy, talking, and excited for life. He’s a new kid.
Max walks up to me and leans in. “Are you okay?”
I gulp down a ball of nerves, remembering the encounter that scared the shit out of me. I interlock my trembling hands to keep them from shaking.
“I’ll take that as a no. Are you able to go with us?” he whispers in my ear.
“Yes,” I manage to squeak out.
“Then once Harriet picks up Finn, I’ll be expecting answers. No exceptions,” he hisses.
“He’s not staying?” That comment snaps me out of my trance as we walk to his truck.
“No, he can, but I want to make sure he’s solid in it,” Max replies and opens the driver’s side door for me to slide into the middle.
Finn has already climbed into his booster seat and promptly buckled his belt. Max rounds to Finn’s side, taking his time to make sure Finn is properly secured.
“Thanks, Dad—I mean Max.” Finn drops his head, seeming to be embarrassed at his mishap.
“Finn.” Max waits until he looks up at him. He has no idea that giving Finn his time is the most important thing he can do for him. When he looks up, Max continues. “You can call me whatever you want, Finn. Dad sounds amazing, but if it makes you feel weird, that’s okay too. Okay?”
Finn nods and chews on his bottom lip. A sore is beginning to blossom. I mentally remind myself to remind him to grab his Chapstick I make sure is in his pocket.
“I like calling you Dad, but it’s just weird, and I’m not sure if…” He trails off.
“I’ll tell you every day that I love you calling me Dad. Finn, we have lots of time to make up for, and if you call me Dad, that will make it sweet, like the ice cream we are about to devour.”
Finn nods and beams with pride. Max kisses the top of his head, making Finn’s chubby cheeks blush. Max shuts the door and rounds the front of the truck. I pat Finn’s front pocket, and on cue, he pulls out the tube of Chapstick.
Chapter 15
Kate
“I’m ready Max-Dad.” Finn licks the chocolate ice cream from his lips.
“Yeah?” Max zips up Finn’s jacket then adjusts his backpack. “I’ll talk to Harriet and the others, and we will set the date.”
“Thanks, Max-Dad, for giving me time.” Finn waves to both of us as he jogs over to Harriet.
Even after the day I’ve had, I can’t help but smile at the name Finn came up with. Max follows Finn over to the car and hugs him before buckling him in. I relax on the exposed beam on the porch. I’ve always heard life can take a sharp turn and all you can do is hang on for the ride. Lord knows I’ve read about it in books, seen it happen on the big screen, and even heard stories from friends I went to college with. I never in my wildest dreams thought mine would veer off course, and even more so how wonderful it would be.
I close my eyes, relaxing for the first time today. I’m exhausted, and it just hits me like a damn typhoon. I could fall asleep leaning against this pole. His scent lets me know he’s here, mere feet in front of me. I open my eyes to see Max nearing me. His hands go to my hips, and I wince. He lets go, then pulls me closer by my shoulders and kisses my forehead. Damn, those kisses are my undoing. I want more. I want all of him, especially after today. I need his warmth and his genuine, raw love.
He doesn’t ask questions. Instead, Max unbuttons my pants, tugging them down just enough to expose the glowing bruises forming on my skin.
“Talk,” he growls.
He’s pissed. I’m not scared in the least, unlike earlier today with Steven. Max’s anger comes from a place of friendship and possibly love.
“Max, it’s nothing.”
He places a finger over my lips. “It’s not nothing. Now talk, or I’ll rip up this fucking town until I find out what’s happening.”
I drop my head, center myself, and look back up to him. “You’re right. It’s something. Can we go inside?”
He answers by pulling me into his house. It’s a place of perfection. Small, homey, and clean. Everything from the simple dining room table to the black and white family photos screams the heart of Max.
He leads us to his couch. We settle down with me wrapped up in his arms. I’m thankful he doesn’t make me face him. I know deep down what happened today shouldn’t be embarrassing. None of it was my fault. But I’m a strong, independent woman, and the events that took place earlier are humiliating to the foundation of my soul.
“It was my principal. He cornered me in the copy room.” I decide between sugar coating the story or letting it all out. Max’s strong arms around me coax me into spilling it all. “He trapped me between the copier and pressed his body into mine. I told him to let go of me, but I was ignored.”
Max’s grip around me tightens. He remains silent. The vibes he’s putting off tell me he’s entirely pissed off.
“He was livid that he saw me talking to you and told me he was going to write me up for taking my class out to the buses a few minutes early. I fought back. I really did, Max.” Emotion clogs my throat. Pathetic tears stream down my face when I remember the sheer terror of the whole scenario. “I slammed down the lid of the copier on his hand, and I was able to escape, but he caught me, tearing the back of my shirt. He threatened me. Told me I’d lose everything if I filed a complaint. Told me he’d make damn sure of that because he holds power in this small town.”
The silence is deafening. My body falls limp getting everything out. And the exhaustion before has tripled now.
“Did he hurt you?” Max asks.
“Yes, but nothing really bad.”
“Did he put his hands on you?” he seethes.
I nod.
“What’s his name?”
This question gets my attention. I turn in his arms and point a finger at him. “No way, Max. You are so close to getting Finn back. You can’t go off your hinges in my honor and get thrown in jail. I know exactly what’s going on in that mind of yours.”
“What’s his name?” Max grits out one more time.
“Do you promise?” I ask.
Max sits up, grabbing the sides of my face. “The only thing I promise is that fucker will never touch you again. And before you go on about me screwing up my chances with Finn, remember I served this country. I know how to fight, and I know for a fact there are other men who will defend a woman’s honor in a damn heartbeat, whether they know them or not. It’s called doing what’s right.”
I duck my head. “Steven Gilly.”
Max explodes from the couch and paces back and forth, alternating between clenching his fists and running them through his hair.
“How old is he?” he asks, not stopping.
“I don-don’t know,” I stutter. “Around our age, I guess.”
“That motherfucker.” Max pulls back his fist as if he is going to attack the wall but thinks better of it. “I can’t believe this shit.”
“Max.”
He doesn’t stop.
“Max! You are scaring me,” I scream, and it’s the truth. He’s unhinged like I’ve never seen in my life. It’s like a burning inferno of pain from the past has been ignited inside him. The smoke of that torrid fire escapes from the actions of his pacing and jerking.
This gets his attention. He freezes and looks over at me. The anger fades right before sadness takes over. “This is all my fault.”
He collapses on the edge
of the couch opposite me, burying his face in his hands. His knee bobs up and down in a steady rhythm.
“Talk to me,” I whisper. “This can’t be your fault. Steven is a righteous asshole.”
Max doesn’t look at me, keeping his face buried in his palms. “I went to school with him. He was a bastard then, too. Made my life a living hell along with his buddies. Cole was the ring leader, but Steven was always there, throwing taunts and rocks and, as we got older, swinging locker doors in my face.”
“Max,” I gasp. I move without thinking. It doesn’t dawn on me how he might react to my touch. I drape my arms around his back, linking my hands in front of him. “This isn’t your fault. Steven was pissy when I started turning down his advances.”
“Then he went full dickhead when he saw me with you. That’s my fault, Kate, no matter which way you slice it.”
“Okay, play it that way.” I kiss the back of his neck, my knees sinking in the couch cushions. “You may have ignited his power trip, so what? He doesn’t own me, and there’s no way in hell he gets to choose who I love.”
The last two words shock me, but they are the truth. I’ve fallen in love with Max. He’s brought life back into mine with his determination and strength. He’s taken care of me and let me into his life, and now it’s a place I never want to leave.
“Say it again,” he whispers.
I go out on a limb, saying what I think he wants to hear. “He doesn’t get to choose who I love. And I love you, Max.”
His knee quits jerking. Moments later, he raises his head and has me pressed back on the couch. He runs his nose up and down my jawline. Then he moves lower, roaming over my body until he’s above my hips. This time, he strips off my pants along with my boots. Each piece of clothing flies to the floor. Delicate kisses cover the bruising then roam down each leg until he’s kissing my feet and moving back up to my stomach. He peels my blouse up and over my head. The small tear on the backside rips more, highlighting our situation.
I ignore the noise and focus on us. Max does the same thing as he continues to kiss every square inch of my body. I run my hands through his thick, dark hair. It’s my favorite part of him. It’s always messy yet styled. He keeps threatening to clean it up, and I refuse to hear such nonsense.