Trust Issues #6
I don’t like that guy. He’s abusive and awful and he’s totally not the Liam to my Connie. He hit me and keeps trying to teach me some lesson I do NOT want to learn. I don’t want an arranged marriage. I met this guy, and he makes my head sing.
God, I sound crazy. It’s not like you can find me to lock me up and pump me full of drugs like mom let those people do with my ex.
So yeah, that guy that makes my head sing I like him.
He’s nice and definitely the Liam to my Connie.
I feel you will understand that example best if you read a book series about the mob (Since you’re clearly in it).
The guy that makes my head sing is caring. I want to date him, not get tangled up in this. I just wanted to find my brother. Now, this is too much. You’re saying you’re my brother too, right? That can’t be because I only have Lux.
Are you liking the head of the mob in our family? Oh god. Am I talking to a mob boss? Mob bosses would need lawyers in the family, like Mr. Vennox. I need to delete this email. I’m not trying to play any political game, I swear that to you.
I don’t want to play, I just wanted to find Lux. I don’t want to be lonely anymore and I feel better here. If mom finds out I’m talking to any of you or looking for Lux, god, she might kill me. Or lock me back in that place.
I can’t stress enough that I can’t go back there. I take my pills just like I’m supposed to. I’m not trying to get involved in your business or mess anything up for you, I promise.
I don’t know if you’re telling the truth.
I don’t know if you’re really my brother.
Can you prove it? You know what? This is crazy.
If you want me, possible big brother, then you’ll have to come find me.
I don’t trust people anymore. I can’t afford to trust you and be wrong. Especially when you’re in the mob.
Odette
P.S. Can you call the scary guys off that are following me around? They are your guys, right? Hypothetically, they make my head hiss.
Ok, I wasn’t going to send this email. I needed to revise it.
It felt like someone else took over my hand and hit send.
I yelled, “NO! Oh god! Song / hissing thing, did you do that? Why did you do that? You can’t piss off the mob!
I basically told a Don he was a liar! Do you have any idea what that email did? ”
“I challenged a mob boss. Oh god, I’m going to die. Why would you send that?! I need to shut this email down. How do I do that? Can I just sign out and never sign back in? Jesus, I need Melanie. She could probably get the email back or hack in his email and delete it.” Except she wasn’t here.
I went into my room and screamed into a pillow. Immy was right, I should probably have sex with Keaton because I might die soon. Stupid song in my head! Why did you do that? I ran back to the computer and signed out of the account.
I set up a new email and decided this was all out of sight out and out of mind. Until they showed up like ninjas in the night and abducted me in my sleep. Oh gosh. Was I going to get encased in cement shoes? Did that still happen?
Was I going to get taken to the “boss” who might be my brother and dealt with? Why? How did the voice make me send that? What was going on? I tossed and turned all night. I missed Keaton then screamed in annoyance. This was crazy.
I didn’t have any long lost family out there and the mob was NOT coming for me. I did NOT miss a guy I met a few days ago so badly I couldn’t sleep. Get it together, Odette. I looked at the clock, noting it was almost two in the morning. I went and filled up the tub and took a bubble bath to relax.
My eyes shot open and I realized I was underwater. I screamed and jolted up, breathing hard. What time was it? Someone was knocking frantically on the door. I grabbed a towel. Who was coming around at two o’clock in the morning? Did something happen to Keaton?
I opened the door and found Lee, Keith, Bryce, May, and Immy standing there. Immy asked, “You aren’t ready yet?” I groaned, “Who is ready at two in the morning? What are you guys doing here?” Keith looked worried as he told me, “School starts in forty-five minutes.”
I yelled, “WHAT?!” I looked at the clock. I whispered, “But that’s not possible.” I got in the bathtub close to two this morning. I looked at my skin noting it wasn’t pruned at all. I couldn’t have fallen asleep in the bathroom for that long. For one thing, I would’ve drowned.
I shook myself knowing I was just wrong about the time.
I told everyone, “Come in. I’ll be ready soon.
” Immy said, “Yeah you will because I’ll pick out your outfit.
” I admitted, “I was just going to wear my date outfit.” Immy said, “Uhh no, that’s your date outfit.
I’ll pick your clothes, don't worry. You go get ready.”
I started to run off then stopped. I whispered, “Where’s Keaton?” Keith answered, “He’s sleeping. My twin will be at school this afternoon.” I sighed in relief and ran to get ready. I locked the bathroom door and touched the water in the tub. It was cold. What the hell?
I had definitely taken a hot bath. I looked in the mirror and turned on the hair dryer. I told myself, “You just looked at the time wrong, don’t be crazy.” Everything was too much. I just needed to see Keaton, then everything would be ok.
There I go with more crazy thoughts. I did not need to see a guy I just met to feel sane. That crazy ship had set sail, and I needed to get it back on the dock. I left my hair a little wet and put on some makeup before looking at my reflection.
I mentally berated myself, “You don’t have a brother out there besides Lux.
Stop trusting people and thinking people’s eyes flicker black.
Definitely stop hissing at people. You sent that email.
A song in your head did NOT do anything.
Songs can’t send emails. You are done with that email address.
If Caspian wants to find you, he will. He’s an adult.
In charge of something that is hopefully not the mob. ”
I smacked myself wondering, “Why did you jump to the mob? Maybe they have a family business. That’s absolutely not your family business.
My mom would’ve mentioned other siblings.
She’s selfish and awful, but if she could pawn me off on someone she totally would.
She did mention others though. No, stop it. ”
I knew I was right about that. Lux Vennox and Caspian were mistaken. They would figure that out and leave me alone. I would email a new group of Lux’s. I’d have to be more careful, seeing if any of them had any connection to Lux Vennox.
Maybe he had a Facebook page. I’d do some research and be more careful this time.
That’s just what needed to happen. I would be more normal from today on.
I drained the tub; grateful I didn’t drown.
I would not be getting in the tub when I’m so exhausted you don’t know what time it is. That was a new rule.
I walked into my bedroom finding the skinny blue jeans with a white top and green jacket Immy left out. I quickly put them on then looked at the time again. I winced knowing we were going to be rushing to school. I ran out apologizing, “I’m so sorry.”
Keith laughed, “You’re ready? That’s impressive. Let’s go. I thought for sure I’d have to ask dad to call us out of the first hour.” We filed down to his car. Keith had left an SUV parked out front. We all piled in and barely made it to our classes before the bell rang.
The day was depressing. The song was singing a melancholy tune in my head today. I barely talked in my classes. I was walking into the lunchroom when the smell of chocolate chip pancakes hit me a second before the song started singing, happily this time.
It was the song it always sang when Keaton was near. Except the one time with the big dog. It liked Keaton and a giant dog like thing in the forest. Weird song. I rushed in through the doors, spotting Keaton easily.
The man smiled and stood, he looked different. Was he taller? He was definitely more confident. Keaton swaggered as he walked over to me then swept me into an earth stopping kiss. Cat calls rang out around the lunchroom, but I didn’t care.
Keaton pulled back and whispered, “I missed you, Katie.” I smiled, “Missed you too.” Which was insane and I should not admit that. Keaton interlocked our fingers and walked me over to our table. I saw the glares from who I assumed were Lisa’s group given the girls from gym were sitting with them.
I flipped them off behind Keaton’s back. They scoffed at me, but I did not care. They had the wrong version of Odette. I was not a wallflower anymore. They needed to stop because I wasn’t about to take their jealousy and misguided idea of friendship lightly.
If I liked a guy, I would not want my friends behaving how they were if we broke up. There’s having someone’s back, and then there’s being a bitch for no reason. I hadn’t done anything to them. They started this but I could end it.
We sat down at our table. Keaton whispered, “Are you ok? You look a little pale.” I frowned, “I didn’t eat breakfast.” He frowned at me. I noticed the man had two plates with pizza on them. My mouth actually watered.
Keaton whispered, “Eat. Or you’ll be in trouble.” I stuck my tongue out at him. Several people at our table laughed. I moaned while taking a bite of my pizza, it was that good. Keaton was getting stiffer and stiffer in his seat.
The second I finished my last bite Keaton grabbed my hand and stood up. He led me around the halls then opened a random door and yanked me inside. I looked around asking, “Is this a janitor’s closet?” Keaton didn’t answer me, he backed me into the wall and devoured my lips.
My body had a mind of its own when it came to him. I pulled him closer to me and he growled appreciatively. I had just started to touch his chest when the door opened. Keaton pulled back muttering, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”