Текст книги "Run"

Автор книги: Holly Hood

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

JUNE 23

RD

ALABAMA, THEYELLOWHAMMERSTATE. I knew nothing about the place.

“I heard they have Hitler’s typewriter here,” Mason said, breaking the silence that hung in all corners of the car. We were crammed in like sardines, the truck left behind.

Payton ignored him. She was still upset with him over his act of defiance back at the motel.

I watched her sulk, staring out the passenger-side window in the front seat. She was a beautiful woman…barely forty. I imagined she could have done anything she wanted to at one time in her life. Why she’d chosen this path, I wasn’t sure.

She was oblivious to just how awful she really was and how ugly it made her.

As she rested her chin against her palm I was reminded that Mason had her eyes.

“What would Alabama want with his typewriter?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

Mason placed his hand on top of mine and smirked. “I don’t know, but that’s got to say something about them.” He leaned back.

“What does it say? That they welcome psychopaths and their writing utensils?” I said.

“Then we should be right at home,” Mason said, and he started to laugh. I smirked as I looked out my window.

Several hours later, we were pulling into a long driveway, toward a white house. The house was old but well maintained. The brick chimney on one side jutted straight to the sky.

The porch was enclosed giving way to a beautiful staircase that lead up to the front door.

I counted fifteen windows just on the front of the house.

Aunt Wanda twisted around in her seat. Mason was still asleep. “I’ll do the talking. Keep your mouth shut. If they ask, Payton and Mason are relatives. No specifics,” she explained, pointing a finger at me.

Payton slapped Mason in the leg, waking him up. “Listen…before you screw everything up! We’re all related, you got that?” She glared at him.

Mason yawned and checked out the house through his window. “Yeah, whatever.”

“I mean it, Mason. That means no touchy feely with Kendall,” she warned him.

“We’re in Alabama—doesn’t everyone date their sister here? Who the hell cares what they think about us,” he said, climbing out of the car.

Payton let out a sharp breath as she got out of the car. Mason was moving further and further from her clutch. I was proud of him, but part of me worried he was going to push it too far.

Mason and I followed behind the two of them. Aunt Wanda never said who these people were, so I had no idea what to expect. From the looks of their home, they were well off…and possibly normal.

Aunt Wanda fluffed her hair and stabbed the doorbell with her long nail.

The door opened. I looked at my feet, afraid to look at the person standing before us.

“Well, if it isn’t Wanda Oaks in the flesh,” the man said. It sounded like he was actually happy to see her.

Mason looked away, stifling the laugh trying to escape his throat. Aunt Wanda accepted his embrace. I couldn’t take my eyes off the two of them. He was around her age, a head full of thick brown hair. He looked like the kind of guy that prided himself in his hair. I imagined when he got out of the shower he probably slicked it back with the comb all nice and neat.

The way he stood before us, I could tell he was a confident person. Why did such a person like Aunt Wanda?

“We weren’t sure you would make it in time for breakfast,” he said, moving to the side, welcoming us into his home. He winked at me and smiled. I smiled back, afraid to act strange in his presence.

Mason looked around. Payton elbowed him in the side, keeping her eyes on Roger.

“Anna is just finishing up breakfast. And as soon as she is done we can all sit around the table and catch up while eating a good meal,” he let us all know.

“That sounds great, Roger. Is there somewhere we can put our things?” Aunt Wanda asked.

I almost choked. Roger took her by the elbow and guided her through the hallway.

“Ya’ll can follow me. I’ll get everyone settled,” he said over his shoulder to the rest of us.

We headed through the kitchen. The aroma of rich foods invaded my senses. I caught a glimpse of a petite blonde slaving over the stove.

“We have a guest house. It’s rather nice…lots of renovations. It should suit the four of you well,” he said, moving across the lawn. We stopped in front of a white duplex. A long staircase on the left led straight to the second floor.

“There are two beds upstairs and three beds down, whatever you like. I’ll get out of your hair.” He smiled.

I slung my duffle bag over my shoulder and he touched my shoulder. Looking to Wanda, he said, “What’s this one’s name again? This is your niece right, Wanda?” He smiled, looking me over.

“This is Joy-Ann’s daughter, Kendall,” she said. She usually sounded like she was chewing nails when she said my mother’s name, but not this time. That was unusual.

“Nice to meet you, Kendall. You sure do favor your mother, don’t you?” He brushed my hair away from my shoulder and his finger grazed my earlobe.

I was parched and fumbled for words.

“Yeah, she’s got a lot of Joy in her,” Wanda said, speaking for me. She said her goodbyes and shoved me up the stairs once Roger was out of sight.

“Roger knows my mom?” I asked, once we were in inside.

Aunt Wanda dropped her suitcase on the floor. She squirmed out of her fake sweetness, shedding it like a snake sheds its skin. It had to be hard for her. Who knew a woman so horrible even knew how to act nice.

“Roger grew up in our hometown. His family and ours knew each other.” She left it at that.

I didn’t remember ever seeing Roger, so I took her word. For some reason, he was fond of Wanda and my mother. I’d probably never know why he was still so fond of them years later.

“Clean up and head down for breakfast. Keep it together,” she said.

I closed the door after Wanda headed back to the house. I yanked the rubber band from my hair and let it fall down my back. I pulled some clean clothes from my bag and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower.

“Kendall, you in here?” Mason called from the doorway.

I ran my hands down my face and through my hair, letting the soap suds slip down my body. I was enjoying the moment.

“I’m taking a shower. What’s wrong?” I called, waiting for a reply.

“I guess this is better than a motel,” he said.

I rinsed my hair, wishing I could have a few minutes of peace and quiet to myself.

“Did you see the way he looked at you? What’s up with that?” Mason asked.

I turned the water off, confused by the question.

“He was being nice, Mason.” I grabbed the towel he was offering.

“I’ve met a lot of people too and I’m not stupid. I’d say it was more like subtle flirtation,” he said. “Older men can be perverts. And don’t think they won’t act on it because they’re married.”

I wrapped the towel around me and stepped out of the shower. I nodded, humoring him. Even though I didn’t agree with him, I’d pretend to, to avoid arguing.

“Well, I just wanted to point that out. Wanda and this sweet lady act is making me sick. I don’t know how much food I can stomach. See you downstairs.” He started out of the bathroom.

I laughed, shutting the door and dropping my towel.

“Mason, you are something else,” I said, rubbing the mirror to reveal my face. I looked a ton better now that I was showered. My eyes were brighter and my skin was glowing. Not dull and dry from the two-day car ride.

I threw on my jean shorts and a pink camisole, along with a pair of flip flops.

I walked back to the house. I felt a little uncomfortable, but I knew I could make it through just about anything. The smells coming from the kitchen were certainly an inspiration.

“Come on in,” Roger said from the kitchen. He took his hand off the counter, giving me another one of his smiles, his other hand clutching a coffee mug.

A tiny blonde came into the kitchen, her smile as big as Roger’s. These people were a happy bunch. I looked her over. She was barely five feet tall.

“This is Anna, my wife,” Roger said, sparking Anna’s attention. She took my hand, squeezing it with eagerness.

“You’re beautiful. And I love that name of yours,” she said, not releasing her grip.

I did my best to smile. Mason came in the door, his hands deep in his pockets.

“I made all the fixins,” she said with a southern twang that put my accent to shame. She seemed easygoing and had a warm smile. Like Roger, she carried herself with confidence. “You want to help with the dishes?” she asked the two of us immediately.

She filled Mason’s hands with dishes before he could even object. He raised an eyebrow, following her orders. I took the glasses, making my way into the dining room.

The curtains were drawn, letting the sunshine spill into the old-fashioned room. It was rather charming and sophisticated.

“Noah and Lainey!” she called, catching everyone’s attention. I looked at Wanda. She ignored me and carried on with the conversation she was having with Roger.

“Geez, I’m sorry, Momma,” a girl said, coming in the dining room. She kept the smile on her face as she found her seat at the huge table.

“Where’s your brother?” Anna asked, setting the plates down.

Mason sat down next to me.

“He said he was coming,” she said, looking at us now. She stuck out her hand, giggling. “I’m Lainey.”

I shook her hand, wondering why these people were so pleasant—and touchy.

“Kendall,” I said, forcing another smile.

She pushed her blonde hair from her shoulders looking at Mason now. I wanted to roll my eyes at how infuriatingly cute she was.

“And what’s his name? He doesn’t say much does he?” She furrowed her cute little eyebrows. Mason cleared his throat, extending a hand. She giggled again and shook it.

“Mason,” he told her, smiling his usual smile. I could feel Aunt Wanda’s stare from the other end of the table. I knew she wanted me to keep cool and not get jealous.

“How old are ya’ll?” She poured a glass of ice tea, watching us as if we were the most interesting people she’d ever met.

“I’m twenty and Mason is twenty-two,” I said, taking in her big white teeth. If you asked me, they looked a little too perfect. It wouldn’t surprise me if every boy in town had a thing for her. I was trying to like her, but it was difficult.

“Yeah, I turn twenty-three in a month,” he said.

“Well, I’m eighteen and Noah, my brother, he’s—”

“Twenty-one,” Noah said, interrupting. He took a seat. I shot a look at the blond, caught off guard when he sat down without as much as a smile.

When he talked, his gaze shifted from the floor back up to the person he was addressing.

“Hi, I’m Noah, nice to meet you.” He moved his gaze to Mason. “You, too.” He rested his napkin in his lap.

“Kendall,” I said, looking at my food. I recognized his type. He looked like the overly confident kid who thought any girl would be lucky to have him.

“Well, let’s eat,” Anna said, coming back into the room with a fresh basket of biscuits. She pulled her apron strings, hung her apron over the back of her chair, and took a seat.

This was one of those times when I hoped and prayed everything would turn out all right.

Everyone dove right in as the food Anna had prepared was passed around the table—sausage links, eggs, pancakes, waffles, hash browns, and biscuits. Anna sure knew how to cook.

She sipped her coffee as she watched everyone enjoy their meal.

“So tell me, Wanda, what’s it like back home?” Roger asked, as he buttered his biscuit. I looked at Wanda. She took a mouthful of food, chewing slowly.

As more time ticked by Aunt Wanda still had provided no reply. Now everyone’s eyes were on her.

Payton fidgeted in her chair. Anna stood, quickly taking empty dishes from the table. I caught Lainey and Noah staring at me.

“Well, I don’t know, Roger. That town will never change. You know that. Always the same and always will be,” Aunt Wanda said as she picked up her glass of orange juice.

Anna returned carrying a basket of muffins. Her need to feed everyone seemed never-ending.

“Fresh blueberry,” she told me. I took one with a smile. I wondered how Lainey stayed so thin with a mother who cooked all the time.

“So what sort of things are you guys into back home?” Anna asked, sitting back down.

I looked at Mason, hoping he would take his turn and say something. He wasn’t looking too willing though.

“I like to hike and swim…anything outdoors, really,” I stammered.

Anna accepted everything I said, her eyes warm. She touched my arm, and said, “Well, I’ll tell you, Kendall. Alabama is known for great swimming holes. And I know just the two people who could take you guys out,” she said, casting a look at Lainey and Noah.

Lainey perked up. Noah acted oblivious.

“What about you, Mason? What do you like to do?” Lainey asked, as she flashed a doe-eyed gleam his way.

“I played baseball back home. I guess you could say sports and whatever.” He shrugged her off.

“Well, would you like a tour? You could get out of the house and take a little walk. The kids would be more than happy to show you around,” Anna said, clasping her hands together in enthusiasm. She acted as if we all were supposed to do the same.

“It’s no big deal if it’s too much,” I said looking at Noah. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be around him. He seemed so rude.

Noah looked at his mother then back at me. He sat up straighter, stretching, his biceps flexing. “It’s not a problem. I’m sure we’ll have a good time,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me. Mason looked at him. He sat up, crossing his arms over his chest.

Anna was pleased. She shooed us outside. Aunt Wanda shot us a secret warning glare before we slipped out of view. Payton was already back at the duplex, not hanging around any longer than she had to.

Mason and I started down the stairs. I walked closely beside him as Lainey and Noah led the way down the driveway.

“I feel like I am a part of the Brady bunch right now. Shoot me please,” he said, kicking stones across the country road.

“I think they’re nice,” I said, looking at Noah as he snagged a branch from the tree he was passing by.

“Yeah, because he looks so thrilled to be here right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t as psychotic as other people I know.” He shook his head.

I laughed. We headed into a grassy field. Lainey turned making sure we were still following. I stopped laughing before she thought I was making fun of her. She chewed at her thumb, lost in thought. When she almost tripped she finally returned her gaze to the front.

“I think she has a thing for you,” I said softly, poking Mason in his arm.

“Good for her,” he grumbled.

We made our way down a hill into an enormous amount of tall pines, the trees swallowing us.

Noah swung his stick at the trees as he hurried through the brush.

“How much farther,” Mason asked, not pleased with the wilderness. Noah turned around, bringing us all to a sudden halt.

“There’s a bike trail a few more feet. Is this intimidating?” he asked, a cocky smirk pinned to his lips. I bit my lip, amused in the moment. I knew Mason had enough fortitude to deal with Noah’s teasing.

Noah hopped an overturned tree with quickness, his feet landing on the bike trail. I looked around not seeing any bikes anywhere.

“If we walk down here, there’s a big stream,” Lainey told us, taking off, not waiting for any of us to follow.

I hurried after her, hanging on to the trees to keep from falling on my face. I scrambled sideways looking for something to grab, when the earth suddenly gave way beneath my feet and I began sinking into the soft soil.

“Easy there. I thought you said you liked the outdoors?” Noah asked, taking hold of my waist. He lifted me, setting me on solid ground.

“Not off the sides of cliffs,” I muttered, looking at Lainey. She took a seat amid the leaves on the ground. Mason held back a smirk and sat down beside her.

“You have pretty hair,” she said. If this was how she conversed, I was afraid I didn’t have much to say. I held my breath, sifting my brain for something girly to say back. I touched my hair, staring at the trees.

“You don’t have much to say, do you? My friends talk a lot. We all do, actually,” she said.

“I’ve never really had many girlfriends,” I admitted, shrugging.

“What girl doesn’t have girlfriends?” Noah piped in. He sat down, leaning against a tree.

Noah pulled out a pack of cigarettes. I eyed Mason when Noah lit one up. Mason shrugged. It wasn’t a cigarette at all. He took a long drag and then passed it to Lainey. She hesitated, looking at the two of us before she brought it to her lips.

Lainey coughed, passing it to me. I took a light drag and passed it to Mason.

“This girl doesn’t. I’ve always been a tomboy,” I said, blowing out smoke.

“A total tomboy,” Mason laughed. He studied the joint in his hand as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

“Oh yeah? You two always been so close?” Noah prodded. He took the joint back from Mason, licking his lips. He took a deep, full drag from the joint, almost killing the rest of it.

“Yeah, we were raised together,” I said, watching Lainey make another weak attempt at smoking.

“You don’t seem tomboyish to me. How many tomboys wear pink?” Noah said, tugging at my shirt. He leaned against the tree, going quiet.

“So, Mason, how good were you at baseball?” Lainey asked, scooting closer to Mason. He took the joint from her, their fingers touching for a split second.

I watched her play with her hair, pretending to be interested in everything he had to say. He kept on talking, savoring the moment and the high. His smile grew bigger every time he ignited giggles from her. She innocently touched his arm with her fingertips each time she laughed.

Noah shot up from the ground. He looked at the two of them.

“I’m going to take a walk. If you don’t want to sit here and be bored then you could come,” Noah told me. He shook his legs free of leaves. I accepted his hand, letting him pull me up.

Mason didn’t notice I’d even left. I was a little bothered by his complete fixation on Lainey. As I walked through the woods with Noah I heard another giggle. I kept my eyes fixed to our feet as we walked the trail.

“How exactly do you know my dad?” he asked, the silence shattered.

“I never met him. I guess my mother and aunt knew him. He never told you?”

“I don’t make it a point to ask him about his life before my mother,” he said snidely.

“I’m sorry, why are you being so rude?” I asked.

He seemed shocked at that. “This is just me. No one’s ever said that to me before.”

“Probably afraid to,” I said softly.

He nodded, staring at the clearing ahead of us. My whole body was calm and fuzzy feeling.

“And if you think they’re all afraid of me why would you say something?” He lifted a stone from the ground. He moved closer, watching my every move.

“It takes a lot more than a blond hair, blue-eyed country boy to scare me,” I said, blowing him off. His intimidation tactics weren’t working on me.

“What about Mason? You think he scares easily?” he asked.

“Mason seems mellow, but he’s got a lot more going on than you’d think,” I warned him.

“Very protective aren’t we?” He smirked, amusement showing in his eyes.

“So, what kind of girl are you, Kendall?”

I laughed, pushing his shoulder and walking back the way we came. I wasn’t falling for his lame attempts at flirting with me.

“The girls around here take one look at me and they’re all about it,” he said, following behind me.

“You’re cocky. And I don’t think you’re polite at all,” I said, not slowing down.

“Dark hair more your thing?” he asked, hitting a nerve.

“I don’t have a thing.”

“The two of you don’t even look like relatives. I bet fifty dollars he’s had his hands all over your body,” he said, pushing me.

“Sometimes you’re better off not asking so many questions, Noah,” I told him.

“My sister’s pretty quick. She sees something she wants and she takes it,” he said, still trying his best to get under my skin.

I bit my tongue as we came to the top of the clearing—just in time to see Lainey pulling away from Mason’s lips. She jumped to her feet and let out an embarrassed laugh.

My stomach dropped. I was shocked Mason would kiss her. Lainey wiped her lips free of her smeared lip gloss. Mason came over to me.

I tried not to act shocked.

“You don’t want to see the water?” Lainey asked, jumping in between the two of us. I kept my eyes on Mason, ready to deck her. He rolled his eyes, irritated by my attitude.

“No, I think I need some sleep,” Mason said.

“Yeah, looks like it,” I mumbled.

Noah grabbed my arm, letting Mason go ahead of us. Mason shot me a look, knowing full well there wasn’t a thing he could say to me now.

My heart ached.

“I told ya,” Noah said in a singsong voice as we headed back to the house.