Chapter Five #2
He nods politely, “Thanks.” Turning his attention back to us, “and what can I do for y’all?”
Feigning as much fake interest as I can, “Lila was just asking about the man who keeps making his presence known in my life? So please do tell us about you!”
“Well, what would you like to know? I’m an only child. I don’t have any family, and I own a business with my only friend, Cam.” A sadness washes over me, hearing his nonchalant tone about being mostly alone in this world.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Feeling bad for being a bitch toward him, “Are you from here?”
“Nah, it’s fine, I’ve grown used to it. I’m originally from Arkansas but moved here a few years ago with Cam.” His voice shares no hint that he’s bugged about the topic.
My phone rings, Dad’s name flashing across my screen, “Hey, Dad, what is it?......No, I didn’t forget…
It’s four; I’m leaving now. See you soon.
” Hanging up, I turn back to the group, “Sorry, guys, I got to get to my dad’s.
Lila, I’ll call you later. Sterling, it was nice seeing you again.
” I look back before I head out the door. He sure is damn good-looking
After thirty minutes, I’m pulling down my dad’s long driveway. This is going to be fun. Coming to a stop, I turn off the car, making my way up to the extravagant front porch of Dad’s new estate. He moved in here shortly after I turned 18.
I’ve only been here a few times, and it’s still shocking how he went from vintage homes with character to a fucking cookie-cutter modern home.
Before I can even ring the doorbell, his new housekeeper opens the door.
A young blonde woman wearing the shortest uniform I have ever seen stares back at me, “Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here for dinner with my dad.” I go to move through the doorway.
She blocks me from entering. “I’m sorry, Wade doesn’t have any kids.”
This woman goes to shut the door in my face.
I jam my foot in the gap, stopping it from closing all the way.
“I’m sorry, you must either not have your facts straight or not use social media, and seeing as you’re probably two years younger than me, I highly doubt that.
Or…”I drag out, “You’re one of my dad’s new fuck buddies he has on the side, and he doesn’t tell y’all shit.
Now, if you’d kindly get the fuck out of my way, that’d be great. Thanks, doll.”
Her face crumples into shock, pure and unpracticed. Apparently, no one talks back to her. Unfortunately for her, I’m not scared of her or the monster hiding behind the door. “I don’t know…” she starts to say, but I cut her off. I’m not in the mood for her bullshit and him.
“Let me stop you right there. Let me call him; I’m sure he’d love to find out you’re leaving his daughter on the steps.”
Pulling out my phone, calling Dad, and placing it on speaker, “Kiera, where are you?” The irritation is coming through the phone.
“Well, you see, I’m here, but a pretty blonde housekeeper says you have no kids.” The call ends abruptly. Hearing doors slam, the woman looks nervous: “Oops, I hope you weren’t too attached to this job.”
Dad storms to the door. “Anika, what is the meaning of this?” He looks at her, waiting for her to answer.
“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know. You’ve never mentioned kids, and you don’t have any photos up.” She stumbles trying to save her ass. I’m sure he doesn’t. And while I feel bad for her, she’s safer away from him.
“Dad, it’s fine. I’m here now. Let’s go have this dinner. What’s on the menu?” I stroll into the house, dropping my jacket on the entryway table.
“Your favorite: lamb chops and mashed potatoes.” He continues toward the dining room.
“Those aren’t my favorites,” I say, looking at him, puzzled. “Those were Mom’s. I’ve never liked lamb.”
“Ahh… I see, well, it’s too late now. You can eat it anyway,” he states, as if I’m still a child.
“I will sit with you, but I ate a salad not too long ago, so I’ll be fine. I don’t like lamb,” taking my seat across from him.
Dad's face shifts, beet red, the color of warning. "You will eat what I prepared. You will be grateful." His jaw tightens. "Just like your damn mother.”
I stand up just as quickly, “I am not a child; I will not be spoken to or bullied by you. I was being nice and still joining you, but you can fuck all the way off if you think I am staying here another minute now.” Today's email must have really gotten to him. I walk away, grab my things, and get in my car and speed down the driveway before I spill secrets not meant to be spilled yet. It’s Friday night, and I have pent-up anger I need to release.
The warehouse rises out of nothing, my private island.
I pull around back, gravel crunching. A wrong turn years ago led me down a dirt road to my own sanctuary.
I watched it for a couple of days, making sure no one was claiming it.
It sits in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles of woods.
No one could hear me out here. After not seeing anyone coming or going, I decided to turn this into my personal training room/rage room where I could let all my demons out to play.
Slipping through the hole in the gate, I make my way to my haven. BOBs—Body opponent bags—are placed around the room. I use them to stay fit and to rage on. Glass crunches under my feet from the few times I’ve taken a bat to break shit. Bottling up too much anger isn’t good for a girl.
Throwing my jacket over the couch, placed there for resting, I made my way over to one of the BOBs.
Balling up my fist, I throw a punch and then another one.
The punches blur, coming one after another, until I'm gasping, emptied, with nothing left but numbness. Sitting down on the couch, Sterling comes to mind. The way he watches me, even without looking at me. His blue eyes melt me a little every time they catch mine. His blonde hair is always in a fixed, rugged look. He’s a cocky kind of charming, sweet on the outside, but something dangerous slithers under his skin.
He’s exactly my type. Maybe in another life, we would have been perfect, but in this life, I wasn’t meant to be loved. I’m too broken.
Sighing, I pull out my phone and doom scroll, freezing when I see the man who has my head spinning.
Sterling Wraith. Clicking on his page and scrolling through it.
He really is alone. No pictures of family or friends.
There is one picture of him from when he was younger, standing with a kid about his age.
He’s probably about 19; his hair is longer and shaggier, giving him a skater persona.
He’s less fit than he is now, but he’s a thinner, buff guy.
There are no tattoos yet; his fake smile shows his perfect white teeth.
Something dark about his aura. Smiling, I look at the kid next to him.
The other kid is the complete opposite. He has the nerdy look: glasses, braces, super skinny, like he hasn’t eaten in a while.
He wears a sad smile, like it’s forced. They don’t look like they should be friends, but the way he holds on to Sterling tells me that's his lifeline. Locking my phone, I get up, pull on my jacket, and head outside. The night's chill settles deep in my bones. The atmosphere seems to have shifted lately, like something heavy is weighing in the air. I stare up at the stars. Why did you leave me here to pick up this mess? I don’t even know what I’m looking for.
Send a sign or something, please. I pray the same thing almost every day, but nothing ever comes of it.
How am I supposed to finish something when I can’t even find the beginning?
I shudder as the temperature drops further.
Sliding into the front seat, I take a deep breath and head home.