50. Scott
CHAPTER 50
Scott
APRIL 30TH
S ome days, it’s all about the simple pleasures.
Waking up before your alarm.
A perfectly temperate shower.
And the best made hot chocolate in the entire world.
Fine. I haven’t tried every hot chocolate in the world, but I’m pretty sure this one’s hard to beat.
I take another sip.
Am I waiting for someone to join me here in Bitches Brew? Absolutely. Do I give a shit that I came early enough that I’ll have to order a second drink?
Oh no… whatever will I dooooo?
This month’s book for Justin’s book club is a Sci-Fi romance read. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of the author—though that tends to be just how it rolls with Justin’s book club—and I have to say, the deeper I get into the book, the more emasculated I feel. What I wouldn’t give to have a few extra appendages to please my girl, you know?
I shake my head, placing the paperback onto the table. It’s just as well I’m all in favor of additional support in the bedroom. But now I kind of want to buy a book club inspired toy.
Completely at a loss what to search for, I start with tentacles. It’s not quite Sci-Fi, but I’m pretty sure I heard one of the guys saying their girl has a tentacle dildo, and at the time it sounded a little intimidating.
But right now… sitting here with a semi after reading some of the things these aliens did to their earthling lover… I’m reconsidering.
Some of them look kind of… hard core. I’m not sure that Athena would?—
“Scott?”
Oh shit.
Penelope’s standing next to me when I quickly lock my phone, but she’s already seen what was on my screen.
“Hey, Pen. You okay?”
She smiles as she gestures to the chair across from me. “Can I join you?”
I kick out the chair. “Absolutely. As long as you don’t judge me for my browsing history.”
She shrugs. “Mine arrived yesterday. Seems that book got all the Raccoons hot and bothered. Tate ordered this weird alien spikey thing as soon as he got the book. You guys should have asked for a bulk discount.” She giggles as she puts her to-go cup onto the table. “I figured I’d come sit with you to offer some protection.” She tips her head subtly to the left. “I heard one of that group over there saying they were going to come and ask you how Athena was.”
I nod, my stomach deflating. “It’s kind of just life right now. Everyone knows. The rumor mill in UCR is working overtime right now. Though I think by now, everyone’s got all their juicy details.” I can’t help the bitterness in my voice. I hate that Athena’s personal life isn’t personal. I hate that everyone knows what happened, and that for a time, those assholes were free.
“Tate said Athena’s lawyers got them thrown back in jail without bail until the trial.”
“Yeah.” The tension in my neck eases just enough to let me swallow another mouthful of delicious hot chocolate. “Took a while, though. They broke conditions of their bail, I’m not sure what, exactly.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’d love to say I understand the intricacies of Athena’s case, but I really don’t. I just know they got out of jail and I was pissed, then they got thrown back in… And I’m still pissed.
“It must have been incredibly hard for her to come on campus knowing her attackers were still here and living their lives as if everything was fine.” She stares at her cup, then back at me. Her eyes are so full of pain I want to hug her. “I’ve never been particularly close to Athena. I mean.” She waves a hand. “I’m still the new girl on the block here, really. But no one should have to go through what she’s going through.”
A-fucking-men.
She covers my hand with hers. “But what about you, Scott. Is anyone taking care of you? Is anyone asking how you are?”
She’s not hitting on me, she’s genuinely concerned, and I can’t say I’m surprised. When Tate got hurt, Pen was right there by his side. And when Athena got raped, she made those smoothies without question.
She’s just a good-hearted person who cares for those in her circle.
“As much as I’m worried about Athena, well, I’m kind of worried about you, too.”
I can’t help rubbing at my chest. “Thank you.” My voice comes out thick with gratitude. “I’m okay. It helps that I’m in therapy.” Courtesy of the bank of de la Pena because there’s no way I’d be able to afford this level of care on Mom’s crappy insurance.
“No one’s upset with you, Scott. I hope you know that.”
There’s a sharp pang in my chest as I hang my head. “I made the right decision to sit out hockey since the attack. I was too angry. I’d have spent most of the games riding the pine, or worse, I could have really hurt someone.”
While it wasn’t my fault we didn’t get anywhere this season—we had a barrage of different issues on the team—it kind of feels like it was. My therapist tells me not to listen to my feelings on this one, to try to find my rational brain and lean into that, but sometimes it’s hard. So, it’s nice to hear Penelope saying, out loud, that at least she’s not upset with me.
“To be honest, it’s been a relief not to have to train every day, though I am finding some release in exercising.”
She nods. “I bet the endorphins are coming in handy right now.” She sips her drink. “Can I ask how long they might get?” She pauses, swallows, and spins her cup around. “You know, in prison?”
“I know the answer to that one.” I almost grin because the questions I’ve been fielding from the other college kids around campus haven’t been so direct, and until this morning, I wasn’t sure what Athena’s lawyers would be pushing for.
“Here in Iowa, sexual abuse is broken into first-, second-, and third-degree felonies. First degree is a class A offence and that’s what we’re pushing for. Life in prison.”
She looks at me, her eyes hardening. “And will they get it?”
“That’s not something I can answer. They may push to have it downgraded to a class B offence so a max of twenty-five years, or even class C with a maximum of ten years and up to a ten grand fine.”
She shakes her head. “They deserve to be locked away until they die.” She slaps the table, making my mug of hot chocolate clink against the saucer. “And a fine? To whom? ‘Cause we sure as shit know they won’t be giving Athena the money. Ten grand to the government? Because they’re the ones who suffered? Fuck. Sorry.” She closes her eyes, sucking in a deep breath. “I thought I was calm enough to come check in on how you’re doing.” She offers a sheepish smile. “Guess I’m still a little angry.”
“I’m angry, too, Pen. We need to stay angry. Those bastards were swaggering about campus right away. Like they were somehow above getting caught.”
“They picked the wrong family to mess with.”
I take another drink. “They did. The de la Pena’s are worthy adversaries.”
She squeezes my hand just as the door opens and Apollo walks in, there’s an element of panic etched on his fake-smiling face as he scans the room looking for me.
“I meant the Raccoon family, Scott. We’re not one to be messed with. Take care of yourself, okay? And remember, we’re all here for you as well.”
She leaves and it’s a few minutes before Apollo comes to the table with a tray, there’s two drinks, and a plate of pastries. I can’t say I’m surprised; he can’t come here without leaving with a sugar high.
“’Sup?’
I swallow, my mouth suddenly drying up. This is awkward as fuck, and now I’m regretting asking for a face-to-face with him at all, never mind in public.
As he places the cups and plates on the table, I don’t meet his questioning stare. I look around the café. “Is that a new bike?”
It’s not. It’s the same pink bike that’s been hung in this place since its inception.
“Scott. What’s wrong?” The panic in his tone makes me look at him.
I hold up a hand. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just… awkward.”
“Well, we can deal with awkward.” He takes a long drink of whatever glittery concoction is in his mug and slides my mug closer to me. “Spit it out, Scottie.”
“I need your help.”
He leans forward, eyes lighting up. “Is it a gift for Athena? I fucking love trying to surprise her. She’s always so good at giving gifts to everyone else.”
My face heats, in fact, my entire body heats, and I shift in my chair.
“It is. Kind of.”
His eyes rapidly bounce back and forward between mine. “I’m lost here, Scott. Help a guy out.”
“You and Artemis… You have…” I swallow. “Connections.”
He nods. “You need a body taken care of?” His voice is low, but his eyes are still bright with excitement. “Not my kind of gift, but if it’s the right body, she’ll be elated.”
A snort bursts from me. “No, not a body. I don’t mean clean-up connections. I mean kink connections. I need a woman.”
He sits back in his chair, his face suddenly passive, accusatory. “You have a woman, Scott.”
“I do.” I wring my hands in my lap, suddenly regretting every life choice that’s led me to this moment. “And before you try to sever my head from my body with a pastry, it’s important you know that the woman wouldn’t be for me. She’d be for your sister.”
He drops the sweet treat that was halfway to his mouth onto his lap. “Wait.” He holds up his free hand, the one not fishing in his crotch for his snack. “You’re asking me to help you find a woman for my sister to have sex with?”
I swallow again, trying to encourage moisture back into my mouth. “Y-yes?”
“And you asked me because if Artemis took it badly, you’d have a broken nose.”
“N-no. That’s not why?—”
He raises an eyebrow.
“Fine. Yes. It’s a weird thing to ask someone, okay? I wasn’t sure he was in a level enough place not to react with his fist when I asked.”
Apollo shakes his head, chuckling. “It is a very strange request, Scottie, I’ll give you that. But at the same time, it’s probably the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“She’s not ready. Probably not even close. But when she is, I’d like to have someone, you know, safe and up for it…”
“On speed dial so you’re not scrambling to find a chick.” He strokes his jaw. “Smart. And while I’m not as active in that circle as my brother, I can definitely get you connected. Do you remember a guy who used to play for the Snow Pirates? Austin?”
“Morgan?”
He nods. “He lets his better half play with women. I think he’s an investor in Protocol Cedar Rapids, the new club they’re building across town. He knows people. And my cousin Santiago, he’s a member of Protocol Minnesota, and will be one of the first members in the CR branch when it opens, I bet. I’ve got you.”
He leans toward me, narrowly missing getting powdered sugar and jelly on his shirt. “You’re seriously okay with this? I know we all had a chat around a table in a bar one time. You said you’d be fine with it if it made your girl happy. But…” He leans back, blowing out air. “I dunno man.” He drags his hand through his floppy hair. My dude needs a haircut.
“Sharing your girl.” He shudders. “I can’t imagine letting another human being lay a hand on Edith. I’d break it the fuck off with my bare hands.”
I flap my hand in front of my face. “That’s kind of hot, man. But, I’m sure. I’m happy enough to watch Athena with another woman.”
He scowls. “And if she doesn’t want you to watch?”
I sit back, not having thought about that option. I suppose there’s every chance that whoever is with Bright Eyes won’t want another dude watching. “I’d be fine there, too, as long as I know about it, and it’s not sneaking around behind my back.”
“Fuck.” Apollo’s hand shoots out across the table. “You’re a better man than me, Scott Raine. And as much as we already knew it, Athena’s lucky to have you.” He swallows hard, giving his head a quick shake. “We’re all lucky to have you, and I’m not sure when the last time one of us said that.”
I nod. “I just want her happy, and if that means gifting her the occasional woman.” I shrug. “No brainer.”
He stares at me for a long moment like I’m some kind of wonder, then pulls out his phone. After hitting a few keys, he nods with confidence. “Right, let’s find my sister a date.”