34. Shook… Not Stirred
thirty-four
Shook… Not Stirred
Onyx: 2024
D ead brains are like dead phones…useless. They require sleep, which I rarely get for recharging. That’s why I’m chalking up yesterday’s heart-to-heart with Daddy Dearest to a malfunction and pretending it never happened.
Here’s the problem…
It’s morning, and I’m staring at a snoring jackass on my sofa.
Guess the bedroom lock’s the only one that works in this place.
Moving on, the sleep I got last night supercharged my brain, and it refuses to stop replaying Daddy Jekyll and Mr. Hendrix’s useless shit he was slinging.
I switch to stealth mode, gathering my things while praying I can escape the cottage without waking Vex’s loud ass. It’s impossible for a girl to think with all his rumbley air blowing everywhere.
I’m shook and craving clarity!
The road’s empty, allowing me to let my thoughts wander over, circling questions as I drive. After all the warped nonsense I’ve heard over the years about this hokey-Unity-bloodline-bullshit, how is it he wasn’t supposed to marry Mom? If not her, who? And why did he get to change his mind?
Could Vex change his?
Would you choose to marry a bitch?
I’ll tuck that one away for later. Next!
Hendrix confidently said not to trust the people I think I can trust. That’s easy enough because I don’t trust anyone.
Except Nolan!
This brings me to exhibit A, proving Hendrix’s a nut. Nolan’s been a part of my life way longer than the nut. He wouldn’t really think I’d just drop him because he said so. Nolan’s gotten me out of more trouble than I could count on both hands. Plus, all the late-night algebra study sessions. I’m not sure I’d be graduating this year if it wasn’t for him.
He became your best friend after Vex.
The last item on the worthless agenda is that he needs to know I’m safe? Safe from what? I’ve never felt safe. The panic’s always slithering over my muscles, waiting to constrict. It’s taught me to walk on the edge, always searching for the eyes I feel watching me.
Trust and safety were gifts taken from me years ago.
I barely registered the short drive across the bridge, once I’m parked in the empty gravel lot. The bells tinkle, announcing my arrival, and I’m surprised to find the place is empty. The familiar rich butterscotch scent soothes my frantic brain before I reach the counter.
“You are alive,” Amy sing-songs happily on her way from the back, blasting me with a smile bright enough to make me squint.
“Mostly,” I mumble, avoiding her stare, shamelessly skimming the menu above her.
Goosebumps cover my skin, making the hair on my arms raise when I feel her eyes inspecting me. “Last time I saw you, you were dangling over some guy's shoulder.”
The foggy memory jolts the backs of my eyes. “Fun times,” I mumble sarcastically. “I’ll have —”
“Being thrown around is your idea of fun?” she sneers, grimacing as she says it.
Something about the way she’s glaring at me instantly turns me defensive. “I’ll talk slower, sarcasm is hard to catch. Yes, Amy. I was carried out of the shit-hole bar. Thanks for reminding me,” I tell her slowly, showing her a side of me she’s not seen.
Her eyes slowly disappear behind clumpy-mascara-covered lashes as they narrow. “You seemed pretty cozy in that shit-hole bar when I found you sucking face —”
“Obviously, judging your customers is a bad choice,” I sneer angrily, glancing around the empty shop to drive home my point.
She peers at me for a second, sucking in a deep breath while she tugs her sleeves over her palms nervously. Suddenly, the fakest smile I’ve ever seen covers her face. “Your usual?” she asks politely, pouring on the sweetness.
“Of course,” I purr, matching her lame bullshit tone.
She taps the screen harder than usual, then skips away annoyingly. The whole exchange has me raking through drunken moments I was glad to forget from that night.
Did I say we were friends?
“No muffin,” I blurt when she grabs a bag.
Once I’ve paid, I turn, ready to get the hell away from the sour atmosphere I’ve fallen into.
“Wait,” she calls, rushing from behind the counter, stopping me after a few steps. “I’m sorry. I was worried yesterday when I didn’t see you,” she clarifies hesitantly.
“Thanks, it’s fine,” I throw out shortly, turning again to leave.
“It’s just,” she starts forcing me to face her again, poking at the resting anger under my skin. “I had fun hanging out the other night.”
The bells clang against the door, causing me to jump. I’m shocked to see no one’s there. Confusion sets off warning sirens, turning my skin prickly.
“I thought maybe we could hang out again,” she says shyly, drawing my attention.
Nothing about this moment feels right. “We’re not friends,” I sneer, spinning on my heel, storming from the shop as my screaming conscience demands.
I’m still scavenging through theories, trying to make sense of the clanking bells, when I’m met by Vex’s scowling face.
“You dashed while I was sleeping,” he scolds, falling into step beside me, escorting me into the Edge.
The question I hid away earlier pokes its ugly head from its hiding spot.
Would he change his mind?
Wouldn’t you?
He grabs my arm, forcing me to stop. Both of us peer at the other, blocking the middle of the senior hall.
“Um… I needed coffee,” I answer, my eyes bouncing between his molten lava stare.
His brows scrunch, and his hand slips from my arm. “You could’ve woke me up. I would’ve taken you.”
“I needed some quiet. So I could think,” I rush to add.
“About what?” he questions, snapping back to the defensive bossy Vex.
I glance around at the bodies skirting around us. “I’ll tell you later,” I assure him calmly.
Right away, I can tell he doesn’t believe me but chooses not to fight with me. “I’ll see you at lunch. Go before you’re late,” he orders, nodding towards my locker. “And, stay out of trouble.”
“Always,” I joke, giggling as I back away from him. For once, I actually enjoy our exchange.
So far, I’ve mostly spent my morning daydreaming about questions I still have no answers to. Of course, Vex's and my history has taken up the majority of my dreams. I actually broke down and made a pros and cons list. Now, I’ve just got to make sure to burn it to ensure Vex never finds it.
“Onyx?” Mr. Brickman’s voice draws me back to reality.
“Huh?” I grunt, blinking at the empty classroom.
He’s resting on the edge of his desk, watching me. “The bell.”
Quickly, stuffing my things into my bag. “Right, sorry.”
“Are you okay?” he asks, straightening as I start to walk towards the front of the room.
“Maybe I’m getting sick.” Hurrying past his desk.
“Oh, do you need to cancel our meeting?” he asks, stopping me mid-step.
“Our meeting,” I repeat, hoping to remind myself what he’s talking about without sounding like I’m an idiot.
He crosses his tone arms. “Our interview. This evening after my —”
“Oh, our interview. Right.” I nod. “What time did we say?” I question, vaguely remembering our conversation.
Letting his arms fall to his sides. “We didn’t,” he answers, glancing at his calendar. “Is six to late? You can bring your da —”
“Six is perfect,” I rush to cut him off. “See you then.”
“In the library,” he calls once I’m almost out the door, and I throw a hand up so he knows I heard him.