Chapter Four
Tera
The slamming of a fist on my door wakes me. I look around groggily, wondering who would try and break my door down at this hour. Whatever hour it is.
I sit up as the pounding continues, starting a throbbing in my temples. A glance at my phone says I slept through the night and into midafternoon. It also says I have a lot of missed notifications that I don’t have the will to care about right now. I could drop right back off to sleep if only the door destroyer would disappear.
I shuffle to the door, undoing the chain, deadbolt, and lock before cracking it open and peeking through. If seeing me will make this person go away, I’m all for it.
“You didn’t even check the peephole, did you,” the voice carries a familiar arctic freeze with it as I avoid Felix’s pretty chocolate-brown eyes.
“In this dump?” Blaze asks in disgust, and I try to close the door before any of the rest of them can chime in. Not today, please. Just give me one break.
A hand holds the door open before I can fully shut it, and just like that, I give up. Let them come in and be judgy. I should be used to it by now. It shouldn’t even bother me anymore. I’m the one giving them the power to hurt me. I just need to take it back from them.
I go to my tiny kitchen and grab a glass to get cold water from the tap. I can hear several feet tromping into my apartment and resist the urge to laugh at how uncomfortable they all look. Rich meet poor.
Wasn’t that one of the reasons they tried to run me off? Because Andi’s family is rich, and I’m supposedly scamming her for her money? Looking around makes the theory stand out as plausible.
Felix and Blaze with Ira and one of Andi’s boyfriends, Alec. The place seems microscopic, with all four of them standing huddled together like frightened supermodels. No one settles on the old loveseat pushed off into the corner, and there’s nowhere else to sit, so they stand there looking awkward and disgusted as I sip my water.
My place isn’t that bad. It’s an average everyday one-bedroom apartment, you rich judgy jerks.
I didn’t realize how thirsty I was as I finish my drink in one long draw, so I turn around to get more and avoid looking at them.
Alec clears his throat in obvious discomfort, bringing my attention back to them. “Andi is worried about you.”
I nod absently and try to figure out what’s on the floor they’re all staring at. It’s my purse with all its contents spilled out. I think it’s either the emergency tampons or the hot pink bottle of mace spray. I bet they’ve never seen Andi’s tampons. The bottle isn’t even mace. It’s silly string. That can sums up my life perfectly. Colorful and useless.
“She wants us to bring you home,” Ira glances around as if a roach might come out of the walls and attack him.
I don’t bother saying anything as I finish my water and go back for thirds, this time determined not to turn back around. Politeness can take a hike today.
“Have you eaten?” Felix asks.
I can’t remember when I ate last, and the thought of food now makes me nauseous.
My alarm starts going off in the bedroom, saving me from having to answer. Crap, I need to check if Trevor has called. What if he opened the bar without me? My thoughts make no sense. I’m just a waitress. He has staff he can rely on.
No one follows me into the bedroom and the temptation to close the door and move my spindly dresser in front of it is almost overwhelming. The thought of following through with it exhausts me enough to change my mind.
I’m just pressing stop when my phone begins to vibrate. Trevor is calling me instead. I immediately pick it up.
“Hello?” My voice sounds tired and washed out, surprising me.
“Tera,” he sounds so relieved that I question why. Did he expect an army of ninjas to have assaulted me?
“Yes?”
“Uh, it’s Trevor.”
“Yeah,” I reply hesitantly. He’s acting as if I’ve never spoken to him before. I wish the weirdness would stop already.
“Me and Max are downstairs with some food. We brought you your car. We wanted to call and give you a heads up before we tried your door.”
Great. My hot, super sweet boss is downstairs with the surly hot busboy cataloging all the zoning violations outside. Just wait until they get inside. This should be fun.
“Ok,” I hang up and then wonder why I did that. I should have told him to go back home or asked if he was up to date on his tetanus shots. Maybe leave the surly busboy in his truck. I didn’t even say goodbye.
“Who was that?” Ira asks as I return to the kitchen and finish glass number three. He sounds irritated, making me want to scream at him to leave my apartment and leave me alone. They aren’t my bodyguards. They’re Andi’s. They have no say in my life. I do a couple of deep breathing exercises to stem the urge.
“My boss,” I finally answer, filling the cup again. I’m not even thirsty anymore. I just need something to do that isn’t staring at everyone.
“Oh, is he opening back up already?” Alec asks.
I shrug again, watching the water fill the cup.
“You’re not seriously considering going back there,” Blaze snaps, half angry and half disbelieving.
“Tera?” Trevor’s voice comes from the front door, sounding stern. “Why is your door open?”
“Because we’re packing her things and getting her out of here,” Blaze and Felix stand side by side, blocking the door from my sight. I’m not sure which one spoke, but I’m betting it was Blaze.
“And you are?” A low, angry voice asks with enough menace to raise the hairs on the back of my neck.
“That’s our question. Who are you, and what are you doing here?” Ira steps up just behind Felix. There isn’t enough room in the hallway for all three to stand side by side.
“Are you ok, Tera?” Trevor’s voice calls out, and I realize that dark tone is his.
“It’s Trevor, guys,” Alec’s exasperated voice cuts across the tension. “Her boss? He’s probably been worried sick. I doubt she answered for him if she hasn’t been answering her phone for Andi.”
“That’s funny, she answered him pretty quick just now,” Blaze’s tone is mocking as he steps forward.
“Back off,” a different, enraged voice says, and I stand there watching everyone’s backs because I can’t see anything else. I’m a bystander to this drama and don’t even get a good view.
“We just wanted to check on her,” Trevor’s voice is very soft but edged with brewing violence. “We brought her food.”
Ira nods, “Good. I don’t think she’s been eating.” He grabs one of the brother’s arms and pulls him into the living room. The other one backs into the mini hallway leading to my bedroom, and Trevor and Max get revealed.
If I thought it was cramped before, it’s nothing compared to the six hot men now taking all of the air out of my apartment.
“Hey,” Trevor walks in naturally as if he’s been here a hundred times before, coming over to hug me. I want to sink into his arms, but it feels wrong to use him as a support when he’s just my boss. I half-heartedly return the gesture before I back into the sink to get away.
“Eat,” Max says with a frown, tossing me a donut. I fumble, catching it, and stare at the glaze. Why is he talking to me? And it’s three in the afternoon. When did they get these?
“Come on, let’s sit down and fuel up,” Trevor wraps a tense arm around my shoulders and leads me towards the loveseat. The concerned glance he shares with Max doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone. The shuffle of feet as people try to get out of the way without running into one another should be funny, but I can’t laugh.
Trevor sits beside me, one arm around my shoulders that I can’t find the will to shake off, and Max sits on the floor with the coffee table between us. He sets a box of donuts down and takes one, biting into it as he watches me intently.
“One of you could close the door,” Trevor suggests darkly as he reaches for his own food and takes a bite.
“We aren’t staying,” Felix says. I only know it’s him because of the tone.
“Bye,” Max says without inflection, and I can’t help but stare. I actually saw his mouth move this time. He really can talk, the big faker.
“She’s going with us,” Alec informs us, and I’m surprised. I’ve finally realized that a bunch of pushy jerks are in my place, demanding I do things.
“Why would I do that?” I ask in confusion, drawing all the hostile glares in my direction.
“Because Andi is worried about you,” Ira tells me in a slow voice as if he’s said it several times. Well, he may have, and I just don’t remember.
“I’m fine,” I look down at the donut so I don’t have to see the judgy looks I’m getting.
“You aren’t fine, babygirl,” Trevor frowns at me, rubbing his hand up and down my arm. It feels so nice I want to melt right into him. Just hand all my problems over and let him carry them for a while.
“Babygirl? You call all of your waitresses that?” Blaze takes a step forward threateningly. “Some boss you have there, Tera.”
This is the first time I’ve ever heard him say it, and it’s my fault somehow. And why does it matter? He’s just being nice. It’s what Trevor does. I remember one time Diana came in crying because her boyfriend broke up with her, and he let her stay in his office all her shift to play games on his computer. He even paid her and gave her all the tips he got for the night. He wore her name tag and everything.
Of course, they have to try and rip him to shreds, too.
“Get out,” I say to the donut in my hand. I’m tired of listening to all the venom they spew without caring about how it affects people. They can pollute someplace else with their words.
“Excuse me?” Blaze takes another step, surprised.
I lift my head and stare him right in the eyes, something I try never to do with any of them. If I meet their eyes, they’ll acknowledge me long enough to try and tear me down. If I don’t see them, they can’t see me. I let the numb feeling that’s been keeping me company take over my voice because I don’t think I could ever say this without it.
“I said, get out. I won’t sit here for another second listening to all of you degrade every part of my life anymore. I’m done with it. Go be jerks somewhere else, far away from me. I’m no good. Trouble. I’ve been arrested before. I’m probably only friends with Andi because I want her stupid money. Or her crappy boyfriends. Maybe I’m working my way up to identity theft, too. Or arson. Sadomasochism. And when I get arrested again, I’ll just tell the cops Andi made me do it so I can get a coffee. Isn’t that what you’ve been telling her? What else have you said about me? How long did it take you to wear her down so she wouldn’t even answer my calls anymore? Was it a week? A month? How long did she hold out with all of you telling her how rotten I am? Or did she even hold out at all?”
I’m rambling. Why can’t I just go back to being quiet?
“Tera,” Felix tries to interrupt my tirade in his arctic tone. It tips me over the edge into pure rage when I see him holding my torn-up backpack, one pant leg sticking out as if it’s trying to escape. Who gave him permission to go through my things? Now I have to wash the rude cooties out.
I pop up from my seat and scream, “Get the f-f-fuck out! I never want to see any of you again!”
Wide eyes stare at me, and I take a second to breathe in shock, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. I just cursed out loud. My mom would be so disappointed in me right now. The F-bomb! What was I thinking?
When Alec opens his mouth to say something, it snaps me out of my guilty daze, and I throw the donut at him. It smacks him in the face, and he blinks at me in shock.
“I won’t have anything to do with any of you anymore. Just disappear, and I’ll do the same. Problem solved. No more fake worry for criminal Tera,” I sneer over the words, poorly imitating a mixture of Felix’s tone and Blaze’s.
“I’m free to live my life of crime and debauchery, and so are you. Bye!” I’d wave, but my hands are clenched into fists at my sides, and I’m a little worried I’m going to hit someone. Violence isn’t the answer to my problems, but it is sooo tempting.
Max begins laughing, not trying to cover it up, and I stare at him. I’ve never seen him smile, much less laugh. This can’t be the same man I’ve worked with for years. It’s not possible.
He calms down enough to inform me gravely, “Sadomasochism isn’t illegal if it’s with consent.”
“Oh, whatever, Max!” I stomp my foot and glare at the laughing jerk. “Like I would know.”
“I’ve never heard you cuss,” he continues as the laughter returns. “Did it hurt when you said it? That’s the funniest shit I’ve ever heard.”
“Her aim isn”t bad, either,” Trevor adds as his lips twitch, trying not to smile.
“Both of you get out, too,” I cross my arms and glare at them. I’m ready to go back to being alone now. It’s way less stressful than this.
“You want us to leave the donuts?” Trevor asks in a choked voice, hand covering his mouth like he can physically keep his laugh inside. He doesn’t sound upset at my yelling or cursing. Maybe I’m just not imposing enough.
“Yes! I’m taking all of them! Now everybody, get out!” I scream at the top of my lungs.
Trevor helps Max stand because he doesn’t have the strength to do it himself. He’s laughing too hard. Felix warily sets down my backpack, frowning at me. Blaze mimics the expression perfectly. Being twins must be exhausting. I’m sure the shared brain limits them a lot. Ira stands close to the door, watching me with a confused look. I want to rush at him just to see if he’ll run away. Alec is gaping at me like he’s never seen me before.
I am acting strangely. Usually, I go with the flow and try not to cause waves so that I can sleep without feeling anxious about what I did that day.
They file out, and I slam the door behind them so hard I worry about the hinges. My neighbors are probably calling the landlord to have me evicted. Shaking it off, I redo all the locks and return to bed.