20. Twenty Freya
Twenty: Freya
I felt awful. Hannah had trusted me to complete my part of the project, and instead of doing so, I'd spent the evening in bed staring aimlessly at my sketchpad. Drawing always made me feel better, but it hadn’t this time.
We were now way behind schedule, and like my father, I was leaving others to pick up the pieces. It wasn't like me.
“You okay?” she asked me once we left our lecture, turning to me with a frown. “You didn't send over your part of the project.”
I gulped. “I know, I'm so sorry. I'm going to do it tonight.”
Cocking her head, my friend furrowed her eyebrows. “Freya, are you sure you're okay? You look, and no offence, like crap.”
“I was restless last night. My dad changed his number.”
Hannah's mouth fell open, and she gawked at me, her hazel eyes like saucers. “What the fuck! What an asshole!”
I didn't want to think about it. I'd wasted so much of my time worrying about him and his well-being when, actually, he'd left us for good.
“Get your part of the project over to me when you can.” Hannah sighed. “There's no pressure to do it tonight if you need some alone time.”
Giving her a good squeeze, we both made our way out towards the parking lot, but a small gasp left my friend's lips, and she gripped my bicep tightly.
“Ow,” I complained. “What?”
I followed her gaze to see Zach making his way out of his car. Both of his eyes were encased in painful-looking purple bruises, with a tinge of green at the corners. He hadn't been back to college, and this was the first time I’d seen him since he’d barged into Kaleb's house.
Spotting me, he narrowed his eyes, clutching his files and lanyard tightly, hurrying into the building after slamming his car door harder than necessary. He turned an immediate left—heading for the office.
“I thought he’d dropped out already, to be honest,” Hannah muttered. “It looked like he was handing his stuff in.”
I hummed in response. The thought of never seeing Zach again was a relieving one, but I didn’t understand why he'd just drop out of college. Surely not because he’d been beaten up?
Dropping Hannah home, I sped to Jackie and Kaleb's house. I hadn't seen him this morning—my guess being that he had gone to the shooting range with Brent. I hoped they hadn't. Will was suspicious of them, and after finding out he was most likely responsible for more than one murder, I felt uncomfortable with them being in his presence.
I entered the house to see Kaleb splayed out on the couch, watching the TV at an excessive volume, his gun on his chest, the cold metal sitting right in between his pectoral muscles. He was playing with it, seeming to have not noticed me, and I crept towards him with my eyebrows raised. “What are you watching?”
He hopped up from the couch at lightning speed, clutching his gun and pointing it straight at me, his eyebrows pulled together.
I yelped, taking a few steps back, only for him to drop his gun and run his hand down his face. “Fuck, Freya. You know better than to sneak up on a cop who has someone out to get him.”
He looked as if he hadn't slept. The Will situation was definitely getting to him.
“Sorry,” I said, holding my hands up. “Maybe that’s a lesson to turn the volume down so you don’t burst your eardrums.”
Kaleb sighed, flopping back down on the couch. “How was class?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I couldn't actually remember anything the lecturer had said. I was supposed to have been making notes, but the neurons connecting my hand to my brain weren't working properly today.
I shrugged, settling down on the couch beside him, ensuring I left a gap. Just because we flirted didn't mean we could overstep the boundary into deeper water.
Kaleb cocked his head at me, the light streaming in from the living room window catching his sharp jawline. “Are you okay? You don't look so good.”
I scowled at him.
“Not like that, but you just look tired today. Didn't get much sleep?”
I shook my head. “No, not really. I just… I don't know.”
I didn't want to have to tell everyone that my father had decided I wasn't worth having in his life. It was playing with my insecurities and making me doubt myself, and I also didn't want the pity. Being babied wasn't something I enjoyed.
“Brent and I spent most of the night working out how to deal with Will,” Kaleb told me. “He's on his way over now. He says he has an idea.”
He was wearing a T-shirt I'd never seen him in before, and I knew that because I always found myself staring at his pectorals through the fabric. It hugged his biceps perfectly, and I studied his tattooed arms, narrowing my eyes at a few dates inscribed into his flesh.
Kaleb took notice of my staring and turned his arm over to give me a better view of the ink. “It's Brie's birthday.”
I offered him a warm smile. “What's that one?” I pointed at the tattoo further down his arm. The snakes on his flesh glared at me, looking like they wanted to pounce.
“They're cobras—my mom's favourite.” He released a chuckle. “Don't ask me why. She's fascinated by them—likes how they can survive months without eating.”
It made sense. There were many snake-themed things around the house—including paintings and sculptures. The small wooden statue in the middle of the dining room table was rather off-putting, though, and my mother had to move it aside every time we ate. Snakes were her worst nightmare. No wonder they were friends. Opposites really did attract.
Kaleb had moved closer to me, having shuffled further along the couch to give me better access to his arms, and the only thing that separated us was his handgun.
The sound of a fist knocking against the front door caught my attention, and Kaleb flung it open.
Brent waltzed in—a pretty, tall blonde following him.
“Who is this?” Kaleb asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied the girl. “I don't take kindly to strangers in my home.”
“This is Kaylee,” Brent said, gesturing to her. “She's going to help.”
Kaleb huffed, pushing his dark hair back. “You told her everything?” He didn't look impressed.
Kaylee stood smugly next to Brent, appearing proud to be in with a cop, and frankly, if I were in her position, I would have been too. She felt like she knew a secret that she shouldn't, and that, to a woman, was exciting.
Not everything, Brent mouthed when Kaylee wasn’t looking.
“We're going to the shooting range. Will should be there,” he said, turning to me. “Freya, you're coming too.”
“What?” Kaleb grimaced. “No. No way. Brent, are you out of your mind?”
“Kaleb, we're so close to getting enough evidence on this guy to send him to the slammer. He's suspicious of us right now, and that could jeopardise everything.”
My eyes narrowed. Where had the bubbly and aloof Brent gone?
“He needs to see us as normal guys, and what's more normal than bringing our girlfriends along with us for some kind of fucked up double date?”
“We aren’t getting other people involved in this.”
I watched them argue, raising my eyebrows at Kaylee, who shot me a worried look.
“It's two in the afternoon.” Brent sighed. “The shooting range will be busy. Will isn't going to try anything in front of anyone, especially when he's not one hundred per cent sure we're lying to him. He's just testing the water right now. Plus, I had these made up last night.” He pulled a bunch of business cards from his pocket, and Kaleb snatched one from him, scowling at it.
I joined him, peeking over his shoulder.
B&K Brewery.
Bespoke local beer.
Treat your tastebuds
“B and K brewery?” Kaleb asked with an arched brow. “You couldn't have thought of anything a little more creative?”
Brent snatched the card back. “It's the best I could do at three in the morning. If Will asks, I can give him one of these. I’ve set up a website, too.”
Kaleb nodded towards me. “Freya stays out of this.”
“I sure would like some female company,” Kaylee chimed in, turning to me with a small smile. “I've heard it's gross in there, and since shooting isn't really my thing, I'd really like it if you could come along, Freya.”
Brent had clearly briefed Kaylee on what to say if Kaleb argued against me joining them.
I didn't like the thought of heading back to the shooting range—especially since finding out about the awful things Will had done—but I knew that Kaleb and Brent were desperate to convince him they were just two average guys who enjoyed shooting. If going along with them would help put Will behind bars, then for the greater good, I had to put my worries aside.
A couple of hours. That was all it was.
“I'll go,” I said, causing Kaleb to click his teeth shut. “Like Brent said, Will won't do anything with everyone there. If this will convince him that you aren't anything to worry about, then fine, I'll come. But just this once. This will be the last time I step foot in there.”
“Freya, you're a lifesaver.” Brent beamed a goofy smile, and Kaylee clapped excitedly, snatching Brent's keys from his hands and running out the door, shrieking about how she wanted to drive—something Brent loudly objected to.
Gosh, she was a ball of energy. I kind of loved it.
Kaleb pinched his eyebrows together as he glanced down at me with troubled eyes. “You don't have to do this. This is my problem. Not yours.”
I nodded. “I know, but you've wanted to get this guy for years, and you did fix my car, so I kind of owe you one.”
He laughed, but the humour didn't quite reach his eyes. “I'm serious, Freya. Will can flip at the drop of a hat. We've never seen it personally, but we know what he's involved in. It's not pretty. The responsibility doesn't fall on your shoulders. I want you to be safe.”
I shrugged. “I'm using this to avoid doing my project. Procrastination is a new hobby I’ve taken up.”
I was also using it as a way to avoid thinking about how my dad no longer wanted to be part of my life, but I wasn't about to admit that.
I headed for the door, but Kaleb grabbed my wrist, pulling me back, and electricity pulsated through my blood from his touch. It was as if he was a live wire, shocking me into a trance. “Any sign of trouble, and we're out of there. I mean it. I don't care if Will even looks at you in the wrong way. We're gone.”
I nodded, gulping at our proximity, hearing the jingle of Kaleb's car keys as he pulled them from his pocket, the sound bringing me back to reality.
“Let's go procrastinate.”
Walking back into the shooting range was stressful, but Kaleb comforted me by putting his hand on my back. I appreciated the gesture and could tell he was as apprehensive as I was. Tonight could go one of two ways.
Will could either drop his suspicions of Kaleb and Brent and not say another word about it, or he could laugh in our faces and turn sinister. He'd murdered people before. What was going to stop him from doing it again?
We're okay, Kaleb mouthed to me once he spotted my frown. Brent took his position first and held up his handgun, and Kaylee watched with admiration as he shot three bullets—all but one hitting the target in the centre. I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate his efforts, though. My erratic pulse in my throat was distracting me. I needed to remain calm. Will was like a bloodhound, and he'd be able to sniff out any doubt I emitted, only to spur him on more.
“Want a go?” Brent asked Kaylee, and she beamed, taking the gun from him. He began to show her how to hold it, pressing his chest to her back flirtatiously as he whispered in her ear.
“Freya,” mumbled Kaleb. “Are you sure you're okay?”
I chewed on my tongue, allowing my gaze to drift over his plump lips and chiselled face, trying to focus on how beautiful he was instead of where we were.
“Kaleb, honestly, I'm okay.” Lie . “I'm just not with it today.” Truth, but sugar-coated by a lie.
Humming, he turned his attention away from me after hearing Will's bellowing laughter behind us. He was dressed smartly today—sporting a grey suit and shiny black shoes. I’d never seen him so gussied up.
“Late for a wedding?” Brent teased him, causing Will to smirk and puff on his cigarette.
“Not quite,” he responded, his gaze settling on Kaylee for a few seconds before he directed his attention back to the boys. “I've been in meetings all day.”
Brent and Kaleb nodded in response. I knew they’d usually try to dig and ask Will what the meetings were about, but today wasn't the day for that. It was all about convincing him they were trustworthy.
“Not going to ask for any more detail?” Will's tone was taunting. “I would have expected you boys to be inclined to ask questions. Like usual.” He had a serious chip on his shoulder.
Kaleb shrugged. “You don't look like you're in the mood to be quizzed.”
Will pointed at him, clicking his fingers. “Correct, Kaleb, well done. I'm getting another drink. Anybody want one? They're on the house.”
I almost shook my head, but Brent spoke up, agreeing eagerly.
Right. We had to look easy-going. Easy-going people accepted drinks from secret drug ring boss murderers.
After Will disappeared to the bar in the room's corner, Kaleb leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Just pretend to sip it,” he told me. “Go to the bathroom with Kaylee and throw it down the drain at some point if you want.”
I nodded. I didn’t fancy being poisoned today.
Will quickly appeared with our drinks, placing them on the small table by our metal wall, flashing his teeth at Kaylee. “You're new,” he said, his tone making me want to gag. He was practically undressing her with his eyes.
“Yep,” Brent said, taking a swig of his drink—or pretending to. I wasn't sure. “She's my girl.”
Kaylee rolled her eyes. “I wouldn't go that far.”
“Tell me,” Will started, tearing his eyes away from the beautiful blonde in front of him. “How does this alcohol compare to what you make at your brewery?”
Ah, there it was.
Kaleb remained casual, and I mentally applauded him for staying so calm and content—as if Will's question was the most ordinary thing in the world. “It's pretty good,” he responded. “Ours is special, though. I'm yet to find a beer that tops it.”
Will chuckled, knocking back the rest of his drink, clattering the glass back onto the table a little too harshly for my liking. He was trying to assert his dominance, and it left a bitter taste on my tongue. “I'll have to come and visit you boys one day and try it for myself.”
Brent agreed, reaching into his pocket, pulling out one of the cards he’d printed, and passing it to Will. He scrutinised it, flipping it over in his dirty hands more than once before humming, pocketing it.
“I'll be sure to get in contact with one of you and organise picking up a barrel in the near future. It would be interesting to see how it sells here.”
“Sounds good to us.” Kaleb took a shot at the target, his eyes darkening once he saw Will turn towards me.
“It's good to see you again, Freya.” He held his hand out for me to shake, and I did so reluctantly. His skin was rough. He had the hands of a killer, and I was surprised they weren’t permanently stained red.
“You too."
Will raised an eyebrow at me, pulling out yet another cigarette from his blazer pocket and lighting it up, the smoke causing me to splutter. “So, do you live around here?”
I stiffened.
“Well, I—”
“Are you trying to make a move, Will?” Kaleb asked casually. However, as calm as he appeared on the outside, I could sense that his teeth were gritted, his jaw muscle flexing.
Will chortled. “Oh, trust me, Kaleb, she's far too young for me.”
After hearing his name being called by a few older men in the room's corner, Will smiled at us, again, eye-fucking Kaylee. He clearly had a thing for blondes. “It's been great seeing you again.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the brewery card, holding it up. “I'll keep this handy.”
I tried not to stare as he excused himself, and I turned to Kaleb to see him glowering at the back of his head.
We stayed for around an hour before we watched someone walk in and whisper something into Will's ear. The two of them quickly made their way into a backroom, their faces glum and their body language stiff.
Kaleb and Brent didn't want to overstay their welcome, and they took one last shot each before leading us toward the exit.
“Do you think Will bought it?” I questioned as I buckled up my seatbelt in Kaleb's car.
He gripped the wheel tightly as he drove, the metal groaning under the pressure. “It's hard to tell with Will. He’s a closed book.”
Like my father had been—right before he cut me from his life. I tried thinking back to anything I'd done to warrant this kind of reaction, but I was coming up blank. I didn't reach out to him much when he went away, sure, but only because he always told my mother and me he needed to focus on work. He didn't have much time for us. I’d suggested going for family meals or visiting the movies together a few times, but the idea was always quickly squashed with a bellowing laugh from my father. The prospect of spending time together as a family had become funny to him.
Was it because I wanted to pursue an art-related career? He'd always expressed how creative work was nothing but a hobby and people needed to look at life with a little more common sense. Would he have preferred me to be something more prestigious, like a doctor or a lawyer? Had all of this stemmed from his disappointment in me?
Pressing my head against the window, Kaleb continued to talk, but I wasn't paying attention, and when I heard him calling my name, I turned to him with a spacious look on my face.
“Alright,” he muttered, pulling the car over and cutting the engine. “Something's happened. What is it?”
My eyes immediately watered, but I swallowed the tears back down, my throat going dry.
Cursing to himself, Kaleb hooked his finger under my chin as he shuffled closer to me. “Freya, you can tell me.”
I ran my hand through my hair, holding up my phone and gesturing to it. There was no point in pretending I was okay in front of Kaleb anymore. He could see right through me. I was the opposite of Will and my father. An open book—the pages displayed for the world to read.
“Come here.” He pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me as a few traitorous tears leaked from my eyes.
“You're killing me here, Freya. Did someone hurt you? Is it Zach again?” His voice was like venom, and I pulled away to see his tongue assaulting the front of his teeth in apprehension.
I shook my head, wiping at my nose. Attractive . “No, it's just my dad. He's changed his number. I can't contact him anymore.”
Kaleb released a quiet sigh, caressing my cheek before he cleared his throat and dropped his hand. He was silent for a few seconds. “Dads are crappy.”
I laughed—little humour in it. “They are.”
“Mine left when I was young. He was a gambling addict.”
I knitted my eyebrows together. Jackie hadn’t mentioned the gambling part. I wanted to ask Kaleb more on the subject, but I didn't want to push him. He had never brought up his dad before, and I doubted he wanted to go through a play-by-play with me.
“Some people are cowards and don't know how to face their demons," he told me. “He'll either come around, or you'll learn to go on without him. Either way, you’ll be okay.”
I hummed, sniffling.
“You're going to be fine. I promise.” His voice held such determination as he wiped away a lingering tear, his thumb travelling down to stop at my lip.
Why did I feel like I was going to pass out? My skin sparked from his touch, and it took everything inside of me not to lean forward and capture Kaleb’s lips with my own.
He released a throaty, frustrated groan before he smiled sadly at me, pulling away. “Let’s get you home.”