Текст книги "Relinquish"

Автор книги: M. N. Forgy

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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

TWO

CHARLIE

Behind my eyes, I see it: the intricate etching of dark ink, each feather given such malicious detail my body instantly chills from fear. My heart picks up a pace so hostile I feel it may combust behind my ribcage any minute. My eyes clench, trying to wake myself up from the nightmare that’s in full-force, but it won’t work. It never does.

My eyes travel up the rigid back holding dark wings that haunt my dreams. I don’t know what they mean, but I know I fear them. A piece inside me knows they’re from the day I lost my mother. A day of dread, filled with terror, desperately wanting to escape… But I want none of it.

The dark wings suddenly pull from the skin, sweeping off the toned back and surrounding me like a million little blood-seeking bats. I shake my head, jerking from side to side to get away from the death they seek—mine—but I can’t escape the ravenous hold they have on me. Surrounding me one by one, until I see nothing but pure black.

“NO!” I scream. My eyes snap open and find the bus driver clutching his chest and falling into the seat next to us with a startled look across his face.

“What the fuck?” Jayden startles, nearly falling from her seat next to me.

“I’m– I’m sorry,” I stutter, out of breath, my heart beating hard against my chest.

“We’re here, ladies. Please gather your things and get off,” the driver instructs, shaking his head. Irritated, he makes his way back up the aisle.

“Dude, what the fuck was that about?” Jayden’s brows narrow with concern.

“Nightmares. I get them a lot,” I whisper, standing from my seat which is damp from sweat.

“Umm, Charlie? Did you leave your bag unzipped?” Jayden asks, looking across the aisle at the seats holding our luggage.

“No,” I answer hesitantly. I crawl over her, seeing my suitcase unzipped and my things spilled from it.

“No. No. No,” I whisper, shuffling through the clothes to find the envelope that contained my cash gone.

“What?” Jayden asks, looking from my bag to me.

“My money is gone,” I grit with disbelief. I look around the seat as if it had fallen out, but I know as well as anyone that someone stole it. How could I be so stupid to just leave it unattended?

“Shit,” Jayden whispers angrily. “Did you see anyone over here?” Jayden hollers to the front of the bus at the driver. The man runs his hand over his bald head and shrugs before looking out the front of the windshield.

“What are we going to do?” My voice cracks with emotion. “Shit!”

Jayden shoves her hand down her shirt and pulls out a wad of cash.

“I always keep my money close. We’ll use mine to find a place.” She shrugs, stuffing it back in her bra.

“I worked so hard. Not only did I save that money, but I also kept it hidden from bratty little shits who lived with us, only to have it stolen in a matter of minutes,” I mutter under my breath, running my hands through my hair in distress. “How much do you have?” I look at her with weary eyes, nervous at the number she’s going to say.

“About seven hundred.” She shrugs.

I close my eyes, my bottom lip trembling. Fuck!

“How are we going to live? That money was…” I pause, emotional. “Our everything,” I cry.

“We can find something for seven hundred, even if it’s a shitty hotel for a couple nights,” Jayden suggests, reaching over and giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.

Tears fall from my eyes as I glance over at Jayden. We have to figure out a way, have to stay strong and keep moving forward, because going backwards is not an option. I worked too hard to get here to turn back now. Most importantly, I need to stay strong for Jayden. If she sees how fucked we could possibly be, she may panic. And having us both panic will only detour us from finding a solution. I straighten my back and wipe my tear-stained cheeks.

“We’ll just have to find jobs quickly,” I reassure.

“Right,” Jayden agrees, a big smile etched across her face. I nod, taking a big breath to calm my racing heart.

We travel down sidewalk after sidewalk, the blistering heat causing a stream of steady sweat to cascade down my back and between my breasts. And don’t get me started on the swamp ass I got going on downstairs. We pass casinos, little stores, and some streets even have men with hot dog carts. Even with the unbearable heat, the smell of the hot dogs makes me want to throw myself over the cart and scarf as many as I can into my mouth. It wouldn’t be pretty, but I’m not one for class.

“Charlie, what’s the plan?” Jayden yells out, her voice giving away how exhausted she is.

“I need to get a newspaper,” I explain, looking every which way for one of those machines that holds them. Do they even make those anymore?

“So just go into a store and buy one,” she complains. Jayden hands me a few bills from her bra and purses her lips. The heat is making us irritated. Hopefully, we find something soon. I side-step off the sidewalk into a little dumpy convenience store that doesn’t have air conditioning. I grab a water and newspaper then meet Jayden outside.

“Here, see if you can find something.” I hand her the paper while I chug the cool water down. I literally moan from the cold spring liquid splashing down my dry throat.

“Ah-hah!” Jayden exclaims, poking the newspaper. “I found a place that’s only charging six hundred a month. Hopefully it’s still available.”

“Is there anything cheaper?” My eyebrows rise. That amount’s high considering we still need food and furniture.

“That’s the cheapest by a landslide, and it says partially furnished.” She scrunches her nose, eyeing the paper.

“All right, let’s do it then.” What other choice do we have?

“I’m going inside to pee and ask the store clerk where this address is. Then we can go,” Jayden explains, folding the paper and handing it to me.

I lean against the hot brick making up the small convenience store, watching the sun dissipate behind the large buildings. Their vibrant lights flicker on to light the way for the life that stalks through the night.

“Let’s go. We head this way.” Jayden points to the left, away from the lights and down some back alley.

“This looks promising,” I sneer, following Jayden with my suitcase trailing behind me.

Eight blocks later, I start finding more and more people walking by with college logos on their shirt.

“We must be close,” Jayden pants, out of breath. “The clerk said it is near the college.”

“This bag is getting heavier, I swear!” I complain, shuffling it from hand to hand.

“I think this is the last block, right across this street,” Jayden replies, pointing toward some rundown buildings. Between us and the buildings sits a little café. It’s small and painted white, the roof flat.  It’s cute, but it’s like the stepping stone into the ghetto. On this side of the café, the blocks are made up of little businesses and stores that eventually lead off to the heart of Vegas. The other side, which Jayden is pointing to, has grimy rundown buildings with graffiti sprayed on the sides.

Following Jayden across the way, I skim the crowd at the café and land on a pair of handsome eyes. So handsome, I stop walking.

Sitting at a table full of sexy men is a short, blond-haired guy, his face hard and chiseled. My God, his arms are pumped with muscle as his hands flex around a brown football. My core blossoms with incredible need as I eye his toned arms, and what I assume is a matching hard chest beneath his jersey.

“Charlie, let’s go!” Jayden yells, making me realize I’ve been standing here like an idiot, staring at a sexy stranger in a café. The guy smirks at me and tosses the football in the air, breaking eye contact.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, giving a small smile in return before walking forward. I suddenly crash into something, the impact throwing me back on my ass hard.

“Shit!” I shout with pain.

“Fuck!” roars a male voice standing above me. My eyes jolt upward to find a broad-shouldered man in a black suit, holding a broken plastic cup in one hand with coffee spilled all down his front.  My stomach tangles into a bundle of tight knots, and my hands tremble from the strength and power this man radiates. Oh, shit.

“I am so sorry!” I stand up and start frantically brushing at the man’s very expensive-looking suit. My God, it’s like rubbing a rock. His body is so toned and strong beneath my palms, which isn’t helping me get a grip on myself. My eyes skirt up his arms, finding the fabric stretched tight around his biceps and causing me to swallow the lump forming in my throat. The knots in my stomach crawl into a fit of butterflies, and my heart races. He’s handsome—intimidating, really. The way his toned body and squared shoulders take up the space takes my breath away. His jaw is chiseled to perfection with scruff claiming it perfectly. I bite my bottom lip to keep from moaning.

“It’s fine, really,” he states, his voice deep as he grabs my wrists to stop me from slapping at his stained shirt pathetically. My body sparks with electricity where he grips me firmly. My mouth parts and my breathing shallows as I slowly trail my eyes from his hold on my wrist to his eyes. They’re green with little brown flecks thrown around them. They’re captivating. His jawline is strong and defined, his nose broad, and his dark hair is smoothed back with just a trail hanging loosely out of place on the front of his forehead from our sudden run-in. He’s fucking gorgeous, and I can’t look away.

“Are you all right?” he questions, raising an eyebrow. His voice is low and rough, making my eyes focus on his mouth.

“I-” I stutter, completely lost in the thought of his luscious lips on mine. These lips are not like any belonging to the guys at my high school, that’s for sure. When you look at them, his lips look like they’re made to make love to a woman’s body. The thoughts of the glorious pleasure they could bring make my cheeks warm, my chest ache.

“Charlie, let’s go!” Jayden hollers, catching mine and Sexy Man In a Suit’s attention.

“That your friend?” he asks, his lips that hold the perfect cupid’s bow turn into a slight smirk.

I open my mouth to speak but a wild hiccup noise escapes instead, caused from the wild beat of my heart against my chest. I close my eyes, humiliated.

He chuckles, releasing his hold of my wrists. The way he laughs causes my skin to rise with goose bumps.

“I gotta go,” I whisper nervously. I look down and stride quickly toward Jayden, praying I don’t bump into any more hot men on the way.

“Lord, give me strength. Vegas is already becoming a bad influence,” I mutter, catching up with Jayden.

She takes us down a dark alley between old brick buildings, fire escapes climbing up the side of them. In the distance, a dog barks angrily. Yeah… this is the ghetto.

“Here it is,” Jayden chimes, looking up at a building plastered with spray paint and posters.

“How do we get in?” I ask, looking at the door which is barricaded with metal fencing.

“Fuck if I know. Let’s knock,” she suggests.

She steps up the cement blocks and knocks against the door with a rusted cage at the front of it.

Nothing.

She continues to knock and knock, knowing we have nowhere else to go.

A light flickers on behind the caged door, and the door swings open with haste.

“What the fuck is your problem?” a man with dark brown, curly hair mopped over his ears hollers, standing in his boxers.

“Um, are you renting out an apartment?” Jayden questions, her tone soft. I scowl at the man for talking to her so harshly.

“Yeah, I am.” He crosses his arms, sticking his chin outward.

“Can we rent it?” I ask annoyed.

“I need six hundred now in cash, and it’s yours.” He gurgles in the back of his throat before hawking a big wad of spit right onto the sidewalk. Gross.

Jayden reaches in her breast and thumbs out the cash, handing it to him.

“Great. Follow me,” the man says without emotion.

Jayden and I follow the man inside and up a set of dusty stairs. They’re made out of old wood, splinters and nails sticking out of them everywhere. There’s only one light showing the way, swinging from a long electrical wire, above the stairs.

“My name is Henry. I expect rent at the end of every month or you’re out,” he explains, opening a door to the left. “I’ll get you keys in the morning.”

Jayden and I head inside the apartment as Henry leaves and retreats back to wherever he crawled out of. The room is dark, so I feel along the gritty wall looking for a light switch. I hear a click and the space fills with a dull light.

“Found it,” Jayden laughs, standing next to a light switch that has wires hanging from it.

The apartment is one big open space. There are two small beds on each side of the room, and a kitchen along the back wall that contains a pea green fridge and matching stove. There’s also a busted island with two bar stools, which look to be rusted and lop-sided, sitting in front of it.

Walking along the untreated wood floor, I make my way to the only door in the apartment, hoping it contains a bathroom.

“Please tell me that’s the bathroom,” Jayden mutters, echoing my thoughts while walking behind me.

Opening the door, I find an old, rusted green tub with a matching toilet and sink. A little window with bars sits right above the tub.

“Yeah, it’s a bathroom,” I grumble, looking up at the water-stained ceiling.

“It’s not too bad. At least we have somewhere to sleep,” Jayden states.

I shrug, and head back into main area, looking around the dump.

“We could do worse in Vegas, I’m sure,” I point out.

“I mean, look at these bars along the windows. They’re a blessing ‘cause now we don’t have to buy curtains,” Jayden jokes, making me laugh as she looks at the three windows lining one of the walls.

“And we don’t have to worry about keeping up with the paint, either. Very nice!” I join in, pointing at the cement walls, the windows the only void in the sea of gray.

Jayden falls onto a bed laughing, her face red. Although, I’m not sure if it’s from lack of breath or the sun that graced us with its presence while searching for a place to stay this evening.

Heading over to the opposite bed, I collapse on my back against the mattress, dust lifting from the blankets as I land. I look up at the ceiling which holds rusted metal beams.

“But you know what the best part is?” I question Jayden.

“We’re free,” Jayden whispers, and I smile. Nobody telling us what to fucking do.  Not having to worry about what will happen if you don’t obey the foster parent. Not having that gut-wrenching feeling of possibly being taken to a new place with new rules and strangers tomorrow. Not having to worry about anyone but myself. Well, I have Jayden, but I actually want to look after her. It’s something I want to do rather than feeling obligated to. We’re free to do what we want.

“Yup, we’re free,” I repeat blissfully.

THREE

CHARLIE

“What are you doing up?” Jayden grumbles, pulling the thread-bare sheet up over her face. We only had to beat the crap out of the sheets twenty times to get the dust out of them last night.

“I’m looking for a job today, as you should be,” I scold, pulling on my worn KISS shirt. Hopefully after finding a job, I’ll finally be able to buy some decent clothes. I’ve saved every penny I received over the last couple years, preparing for this epic runaway. If I knew who stole my money, I’d kick their ass.

“I should probably not throw my name and social security down on job applications if I don’t want to get caught as a runaway,” she informs.

“Shit, I didn’t think about that. I could be wanted, too. But I have to find something that’ll pay the bills. I’ll stick to small, family-owned businesses or something,” I mutter, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth.

Jayden stretches, causing her perky breasts to pop out from under the sheet, revealing dark little nipples.

“What the hell, Jayden? Are you naked?” I laugh, pulling on some jeans. Her breasts are much bigger than mine. If I had tits like that, I’d probably throw them around every chance I got, too.

She nods and smiles.

“I always wondered what it would be like to sleep naked and not have to worry about purvey old men or horny teenage boys sleeping in the next room,” she explains, fluffing her head of curls and pulling the sheet over her chest.

“So, what’s the verdict?” I laugh, pulling on my ripped black and white shoes. I think they’re a knockoff of Chucks, but they’re comfy as hell and were free, so who cares what brand they are.

“Fucking epic. I may never sleep in clothes again,” she answers seriously, her voice groggy with sleep.

I shake my head and laugh. Jayden is a mess, but I would be so fucking lonely if she weren’t here with me. I can tell she hasn’t had much direction growing up. After taking on the role of a mother over the years at Aneta’s, I’m sure I can handle one rambunctious girl, though.

“When do you turn eighteen?”

“In six months.” She yawns.

“Well, I’ll get a job and hold us until then,” I offer. It’s the least I can do, considering we’re living off her saved money right now, or what’s left anyway.

“Just try and clean up around here, and stay out of trouble,” I state.

Jayden nods and closes her eyes, falling back asleep. I inhale deeply, relieved she isn’t going to resist trying to help out.

***

The sun is already blistering the sidewalk with unbearable heat as I make my way down the side alley, and it’s only nine in the morning. The smell of coffee and eggs from the café is strong as the small breeze wafts down the street.

The small café comes into view after I turn the block, the little outside tables already holding a bunch of college kids. A spinning football tossed in the air above the crowd catches my attention as I continue to walk by. My eyes follow the ball, and the hot, blond guy from yesterday catches it. He laughs as if the guy sitting next to him just told him something funny, causing his head to look away from the sky where he was tossing his ball, his piercing eyes landing on me. Shit, don’t make a fool of yourself. I flick my hair over my shoulder and pretend not to notice him as I quicken my pace.

“Hey!” I slightly look over my shoulder, finding the football player jumping over the small fence that holds all the tables within the patio.

“Hey, yourself,” I reply, turning back around and crossing my arms.

“You’re new,” he observes, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“I am,” I laugh.

“You off to class or something?” He tilts his head to the side, looking me up and down, a smirk lifting at the corner of his mouth.

“No, looking for a job.” I stick my tongue out in distaste, making him chuckle.

“Well, I’ll see you around…,” he pauses, waiting for me to say my name.

“Charlie,” I add.

“Well, I’ll see you around, Charlie.”

“And what should I call you?” I question, laughing and sounding like a bimbo. I grit my teeth, trying to get a hold of myself.

“Chasen.” He jerks his chin out proudly.

“See you around, Chasen.” I give a little wave before trotting down the sidewalk in looks of a ‘for hire’ sign.

Hours later, I call defeat and head back to the apartment pissed-off. Who knew getting a job in Vegas would be so hard?

Not only are my options limited, but my record doesn’t help, either. I was tried as an adult with my last fight. Some chick who was at the foster home temporarily was in my room, stealing my clothes. When I confronted her about it, she punched me, splitting my eyebrow. I, of course, defended myself, but because she was Aneta’s brown mouse, they called the cops, telling them I started it and threatened the girl’s life. They arrested me right there. The court tried me as an adult and I got probation with community service. It was all bullshit.

“Someone looks pissed-off.” I look over and see Chasen leaning against the fence to the café, staring at me like dessert. “I take it the job hunting didn’t go too well.”

“Wow, you don’t miss a thing,” I sneer, walking past. The idea of flirting is not near as appealing now that starvation and being homeless are a big possibility. I need to take care of Jayden, not just myself. And not getting a job is going the opposite direction of taking care of us.

“Wait up,” he hollers, jumping over the fence.

I slowly turn, my hands on my hips.

“I know a place you can try,” he adds, pulling on his snug jersey which is sticking to his sweaty body.

“Mm, where’s that?” I ask irritated.

“Try the kids’ dentistry three blocks up. My bitch of a sister owns it and said they can’t seem to keep a receptionist.”  I can’t help but scowl. Where I come from, you don’t offer things unless you want something in return. I tilt my head, eyeing Chasen, wondering what his angle is.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because, I’m a nice guy.” He shrugs arrogantly, walking back to the café.

“Yeah, I’m sure you are,” I mumble, heading down the road he pointed to.

“Good luck!”

***

“Hello, Charlotte, I’m Mrs. Jennings. Thank you for your interest in our receptionist opening.” Mrs. Jennings leans over the desk, shaking my hand firmly. Her manicured nails grab my attention along with the strong smell of her perfume. Her scrubs with little cartoons fit her toned body snugly, and the way she eyes me with a perfectly waxed, arched brow makes me shift self-consciously. I look down at what I’m wearing: my shirt is damp with sweat, and distressed. The paint on my nails is chipped, the ends jagged from chewing on them. I swallow my insecurities and lift my chin high.

“Thank you, I am very happy to—”

“Look, the truth is I need someone to fill the spot quickly, and you’re the third girl in here today to fill out an application. Get back here at seven in the morning and the job is yours,” she interrupts, using a pen to scratch her head. Her black hair, placed perfectly into a bun, frays from the snag of the pen.

“Really! Thank you so—”

“Not a minute before, and not a minute after. Seven,” she interrupts again, tossing my papers into a drawer. I raise an eyebrow, annoyed with her interrupting me. Working with her should be peachy with her nose that high in the air.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be here,” I reply, nodding and trying my hardest not to come off like a bitch. But in reality, my hands flex with the urge to grab her perfect hair and slam her head into the desk.

“I hope you’re right. See you in the morning.” She stands, quickly leaving the office.

She’s a bitch, but I can learn to deal with her. I just got a job!

I all but skip out of the dentist’s office, my emotions and mind on cloud fucking nine! Finally, something is working in mine and Jayden’s favor.

Walking up to the café, I see Chasen and a bunch of his football buddies just entering the little restaurant, all hooting and hollering. My eyes catch a guy in a black suit, standing out like a sore thumb amongst the college kids, sitting at a table along the back of the patio. Oh, my God, it’s the sexy guy I bumped into yesterday. My stomach clenches at the recognition. He gives Chasen and his buddies an irritated look and stands to leave.

“Did you get the job?” My eyes tear away from Sexy Suit and find Chasen leaning over a table, his forehead covered in sweat as he stares at me intently.

“I did. I start first thing in the morning. Thank you. I owe you one,” I inform him, smiling big.

“Hmm, I might take you up on that offer.” He winks, making my belly flutter with butterflies.

I tuck some stray hair behind my ear and bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing like a bimbo.

“Chasen, what do you want to drink?” one of his football buddies yell behind him.

“See you around, Charlie.”

“Yeah, see ya,” I offer.

Walking around the patio towards my street, Sexy Suit charges out of the café, nearly running into me.

“This is becoming a nasty habit of yours,” he states, his deep voice coming out like silk as he runs his hand through his dark hair. Little strands defy staying in place and fall just below his ear. His hair is longer than I thought, and it looks fucking sexy messy.

“I—” I’ve lost my words, I can’t speak. There’s something about this man that has me dumbfounded yet completely aroused. The feeling I get around him is so foreign. The bimbo state I seem to fall in around cute guys like Chasen could never compare to the surreal feeling I get around this guy.

“What’s your name?” he questions, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“Charlie,” I reply meekly.

“Charlie,” he repeats. My name slipping from his perfect lips makes my knees tremble it sounds so erotic. “Charlie, I’m Landon. I’d watch yourself around those dumb fucks.” Like someone snapped their fingers, my lusty haze vanishes, the cool demeanor of Landon fading with his sudden use of profanity.

“Excuse me?” I question, startled by his outburst.

“Just make sure you’re all in when you’re around them.” He leans in, tucking a strand of hair sticking to my sweaty face behind my ear. His touch causes that glaze of desire to resurface instantly. I close my eyes and blow out a steady breath, trying to gain some self-control.

“All in? What is that, like a gambling term?” I question with a half-laugh.

Landon smirks, his eyes squinted as he looks me over.

“It means you’re in it one-hundred percent. You bet everything you have on it. There’s no going back, no regrets. You’re all in.”

I bite my inner cheek, ‘cause when I think of Chasen, I don’t get the feeling of being ‘all in’. It feels more like… having fun.

“Just be careful, yeah?” he rasps, drawing me out of my thinking spot.

“Yeah,” I reply softly. “I can take care of myself.”

His lips curve to the side and he nods. “See you around, Charlie.”