Brutal Boys

by Nora Cobb

  Chapter Nineteen

  “What is that you’re trying to put in my car?” I glare at Theo as he shoves a duffel bag in the back. The Mustang’s back seat is cramped because of the sloped roof, so Talia opts to ride with Luna in her car. Theo decided I shouldn’t ride alone, but I’m not sure if that’s the real reason why he’s coming with me.

  “It’s a gift for your brother’s baby.” Theo climbs into the passenger seat.

  “That gift is bigger than the baby.” I look at it in the rear-view mirror.

  “I want to thank him,” explains Theo. “What do you buy the man who has everything and then some?”

  I put the car into reverse, and we pull out onto the driveway. “I get it, but Troy would’ve been okay with a thank you.”

  Theo has a lot to be thankful for. Troy scrubbed the internet of all Theo’s videos. At least, what he could find, but someone would be hard-pressed to find anything at this point. It’s a load off Theo’s mind, not having his sex life pop up every time someone searches his name. He’s back to smiling and acting goofy again. And he stays far away from Silas, even though Theo took a suite in the last town house.

  “I wasn’t sure about doing it,” he says, “but why shouldn’t I live like a king too?”

  “Jagan set you up?” I ask.

  Theo sighs. “Vicki, your brother and your dad took care of me.”

  “They were pissed off,” I reply. “And they’ll be glad to see you…with clothes on.” I wink.

  Theo scoffs. “The sass that always bites back.”

  I pull into the driveway in front of Dad’s house, and it’s packed with rental cars. I thought it was only Natalie, Troy, and the baby, but maybe Lucas came along. I doubt Jacob will be around since he has a big game. Not an official one, but a showcase to show off his grace and skill on the football field. He’s aiming for the pros in a big way.

  We wait for Luna’s car as she pulls up, and then I ring the bell as we all crowd around the front door.

  “Hey, ho, ho, ho,” shouts Troy as he opens the door.

  I scream when I see the cute, fat baby in his arms. The baby stares at me like I just combusted and starts to wail.

  “Oh,” I cringe and pout. “I’m a sucky aunt.”

  Troy laughs. “Rory is just shy. She’ll have to grow out of it fast.”

  Dad’s house is decorated like the freaking interior of a retail store during Black Friday. Holy crap. In the sunken living room, there’s a real pine tree that reaches the ceiling. And every inch of it is covered with ornaments and lights, but not like the Christmas trees we had in the past. These are so homespun, with mismatched lights that blink out of sync and a homemade star on the top. I stand in front of it and inhale the pine. An arm wraps around me, and I open my eyes.

  “Natalie.” I pull my SIL into a tight hug, and she hugs me back. “You look fucking amazing.” I glance quickly at the baby, who’s laughing at Theo’s silly faces. “Sorry.”

  Natalie waves her hand. “Too young to know, but we’ll have to clean it up by next year,” she warns me.

  “I’ll work on it.”

  Natalie looks wonderful with longer hair, and it’s growing in a little dark. She’s put on a pound or two in baby weight, but she looks curvy and amazing in her slim jeans. Troy walks over and pulls her into his arms, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She blushes a little, as if it’s the first time she discovered he loved her and that he really cares. I want that. I want to be so happy that I’m in love. Is it even possible?

  Natalie smiles and looks me up and down. “Vicki, you really look good. Love the hair. And I’m so proud of you.” She looks at Troy and takes his hand in hers. “We’re all proud of you. Art school and everything.”

  Troy smiles at me, and I’m glad to see my brother happy after all the shit we went through together. He looks the same to me—tall, blond, and handsome. More clean-cut now that he’s working full time and being a dad. But he’s got a glow about him that says he’s satisfied with his hectic life.

  Rory lets out a wail, and Natalie takes off in her heels to investigate. Troy looks over his shoulders toward the kitchen door, where everyone has congregated.

  “How’s it going?” he asks quietly. “The truth this time.”

  “I’m doing okay,” I lie too easily.

  He lifts a brow. “Dad says there’s been more trouble at school.”

  “It’s nothing, Troy.” I pat his arm as if it will convince him. “Just the usual high school shit.”

  He laughs. “Neither one of us has ever attended the typical high school.”

  I lick my lips, and I hope it doesn’t make me look nervous. “How long are you staying in LA?”

  “Only a few days. Jacob expects Natalie and the baby on the East Coast before New Year’s.”

  “And what do you want?” I ask him.

  “Whatever Natalie wants. Happy wife, happy life,” he smiles.

  “Is that how it works?”

  He narrows his gaze. “Are we getting personal?”

  I shake my head anxiously. “No, I’m just checking in with my big brother.”

  Troy looks at the front door apprehensively. “I better tell you now, but our mother is planning to visit.”

  My eyes bug. “Here?”

  Troy shrugs. “She wants to see her grandchild. Actually, I think she wants to see Dad and his home. You know. See if he is actually surviving without her.”

  “It looks like he’s thriving to me.”

  Troy laughs. “I agree. Look, Dad told her not to come today, so you can head for the hills before she gets here tomorrow. If she comes here tomorrow.”

  I shake my head. “You were there for me, and I’ll be here for you.”

  “Vicki,” he says, “You had it harder than me and Dad combined. You don’t have to face Maya on your own.”

  “It will happen someday,” I reply. “It’s time to pull the Band-Aid off and see if I’m healed underneath.”

  We join the others in the kitchen, and immediately, I pull out my phone and start taking pictures. Luna has Rory on her knee, and she’s bouncing her to the house mix playing in the background. Theo and Talia are dancing in front of the baby while Rory stares and points in awe. A sweet smile breaks out on her face when she turns to look at Natalie.

  Natalie glances at me and makes her way to my side. “You look happy, but I can see your brain working.”

  “Can we talk?” I ask.

  She smiles at me and places her hand on my shoulder. “Sure, Vicki. We’re sisters now.”

  I smile and tear up a little. Natalie has never held it over me. The crappy bratty things I used to do and say to her while we were at Montlake. And I’m thankful for it. I was a brat who knew too much for her own good. All because I went to rehab and thought I knew everything that was going on in the big bad world.

  We step out onto the deck, and the view is glorious. I feel like I could dive off the porch and glide across the tops of the trees on a sea of green. We stand in silence, taking in the mild weather and everything in nature around us. It’s hard to complain about life while looking at a view like this, but I better talk to her now, or it might be too late.

  “You know how you were bullied at Montlake?” I start.

  Natalie nods. “Troy says you’ve had some shit to deal with. A trip to the hospital?”

  I sigh. “Yeah, a bad prank literally blew up in my face.”

  Natalie shakes her head. “Did the school do anything?”

  “Not to the people who did it,” I reply, “but I heard through the grapevine that one of the kids dropped out. I know I should have done more, but this is an industry school. I cause trouble, even if I’m right, and I’m screwed.”

  “Vicki, you can’t allow people to intimidate you because you think they might help you later. That’s not right, and it’s a shitty way to live.”

  “I know, but Natalie. My confidence has taken a beating. I’d never admit that to anyone else, but I had a reputation at Mon
tlake that kept other people away. I had Troy there. No one was going to mess with me while my brother was looking out for me. I feel like my safety net has a rip in it, and I’m rolling toward that gaping hole. If I fall, I might be okay, or not.”

  “I hear you,” she says, “but it’s no excuse to put up with it.”

  “Did you go to the authorities?” I ask.

  Natalie is quiet for a moment. “No, I played the game. I learned the code and used their rules against them. But I had a teacher to help me. Vicki, I’d hate to see you slide back after you’ve made real progress.” She scoffs. “You were a real pain in the ass, kid. If you hadn’t been Troy’s sister, I might have even decked you a few times. But there’s something about you that I don’t want to see disappear. I hope that that little something special will save you.”

  “I’m hoping it will too.”

  “Do you have an ally among these kids?” she asks. “Someone to help you?”

  “Yeah, I do.” I don’t want to say anymore. I don’t want to tell Natalie that the same people that could help me also want to control me. “Thanks, sis. We should go back in.”

  She looks at me hard with her deep brown eyes. The eyes my brother fell in love with. They reveal the depths within her heart. How much she cares about people. “Vicki, if you need me, call me. I’m family now, and we’ve grown up. You’ve grown up. Troy’s not the only one looking out for you.”

  I hug her and try not to tear up. Things have changed, and I can’t believe I ever tried to hate this woman.

  ***

  My mother doesn’t show up, and there is a physical sense of relief when she calls to cancel. Dinner is eaten around the tree, on the floor, on coffee tables, any place where you can rest a plate of pasta. Theo’s mother sent jerk chicken tacos, and I have to loosen the button on my jeans. Theo sits by Troy. They have a deep discussion that ends in a warm hug and with Troy giving Theo his private cell number. Luna and Natalie pose with the baby as Luna tries to convince Natalie to get Rory a modeling contract because Rory is definitely the cutest baby on the entire planet. Talia and Dad go into his study and look through his collection of botany books. She talks to him at great length about making an app for plant lovers to meet up and do community gardening. Dad is all in and offers to back it.

  I’m tired by the time we go upstairs to bed. Talia sleeps downstairs with Theo in the rec room, watching TV. Troy, Natalie, and Rory take the guest room upstairs. Dad stays in his study until late, until he eventually goes upstairs to bed.

  I’m tired, but by the time I brush my teeth and put on my pajamas, I’m wide awake again. Luna and I share my queen bed. Under the covers, I stare at the pleated canopy decorated with iridescent stars above our heads.

  “Are you awake?” I whisper.

  “Yes, Vicki,” Luna speaks in a normal tone. “I’m wide awake.”

  “You can’t sleep?” I ask.

  “You keep fidgeting. Do you have restless leg syndrome?”

  I laugh. “No, I’m still hyped from the day.”

  “It was really nice. You’ll have to come meet my family soon.” She pauses. “What was it like growing up?”

  “Not like tonight. My mother was very overbearing. She would’ve freaked to see Rory crawling around on the floor and the rest of us eating food with our hands. But I had Troy, and once Dad wised up, I got a lot of support from them both. How about you?”

  “I have an older sister, but we’re almost a decade apart. I don’t see her much. Have you ever thought about asking Troy for advice?”

  I cringe, and I’m glad the lights are out. “Troy doesn’t wait for you to ask for advice; he gives it. When he was younger, he was a douchebag. And he’d tell you that too. Troy would punch himself out of trouble. I was a hellcat growing up. If you looked at me the wrong way, I was on you. My mother hated me for that. She was always apologizing to her friends for my shitty behavior. My teachers would tell her that I didn’t play well with others.”

  “I was never like that,” sighs Luna as she tugs at the sheet. “I was so spoiled when I was a kid. If you told me no, I’d just stare at you. Once, my mother told me that I could not wear her new shoes. Well, I wore them anyway. I came into the living room, dragging her LV heels across the tile on my tiny feet. I didn’t understand why she was upset because I also couldn’t understand that I wasn’t supposed to have them.”

  “Wow, you sound like a brat, Luna. But you aren’t one now.”

  “Well,” she replies, “I also was good with sharing. I thought that if I could have it, then why not everyone else?”

  “Too bad they’re not like that at Redwood,” I reply.

  “You’re so much happier away from the drama, Vicki. You’re probably still smiling though the lights are off.”

  I laugh, but I don’t say anything. Yeah, I’m relaxed, but I’m also bored. I’ve got a bad case of FOMO. It’s too weird, but I miss the drama I have with the boys. The drama has replaced drugs.

  “I met Dom’s uncle, the biker.” Luna says in the dark. “He’s a big man. He looks wild. But he’s sort of sweet. He offered me a joint, but I turned it down. I hope Dom doesn’t become a biker. I don’t think he’d look good in a beard.”

  I sit up and turn on the bedside lamp. Luna shields her eyes from the bright light. She frowns at me, questioning my sudden reaction. But I feel that surge again, that maniac surge I used to feel when I took an upper to keep going through the night.

  “Are you into him?” I demand.

  Luna winces as if I’m bonkers. “No. Maybe. I don’t know. I mean, he’s hot, but he’s also my friend. What is it with you? One minute you like him, and the next minute, you don’t. Why do you run hot and cold?”

  I lie back down but leave the light on. “Sorry, I guess I’m not wired like that.”

  “What? Wired to trust?” she asks, tugging the sheet over her head.

  I glance over at Luna’s head under the covers. She’s one of those rare girls who can be friends with a guy and nothing else. She sees people as friends first, and hook-ups maybe. I don’t. If I’m interested in a guy, he better be interested in me. And I don’t care if I take them all.

  I reach over and turn off the light. “Sorry,” I mutter. “Why don’t we just go to sleep?”

  Luna was sweet to Dom, and I was jealous. Like, how dare she steal my thunder? But I got out of that headspace when I saw how happy he was around her. How happy we all were. Then I joined in the happiness and felt good sharing it with them. I could learn to see guys as friends and not as potential mates or business contacts.

  But can I really? It’s too late. There’s no such thing as a lone wolf. A wolf alone is one that’s lost its mate.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Have a safe trip, baby,” I coo as I hold Rory and tickle her tiny toes. “Say hi to Jersey for auntie.”

  Troy hoists the diaper bag into the back seat of the rental car as Natalie secures the baby seat. Rory reaches out her hand toward Natalie as if she’ll be left behind. I would love to keep this pudgy cutie, but that’s not the current life plan. I hand her back to her mother, and she smiles as Natalie gives her a hug. I watch her and Troy together, taking care of their kid, and I wonder if I’m looking at a possible future for me.

  Maybe I don’t have to choose between Chase and Dom. Natalie went for it all.

  Dad and I wave goodbye not only to Natalie, Troy, and Rory but also to my friends who decide to return early. Theo looks like a new person after speaking with Troy, and I’m thankful things didn’t tank for him.

  “I have to get back,” he explains, “so I can start drawing. I have so many ideas in my head for the alt newsletter. And a new comic hero.” He pulls a crushed piece of paper out of his pant pocket. “He’s my first male gay character. I said to myself, Theo, why do you always draw chicks?” He holds up his hands, questioning himself. “What’s up with that?”

  “Plus we’re moving,” adds Talia.

  “You haven’t moved into the town
house yet?” I ask him.

  Theo wraps his arm around Talia’s waist. “I’m moving Talia into the extra bedroom, but it’s a secret. Don’t tell the admins.”

  “You don’t have a roommate?” asks Luna.

  Theo smiles. “I dodged that bullet. No offense to the roomies present.”

  I laugh. “None taken. I like my roommate.” I give Luna a side hug, and she laughs.

  “We’ll see you later, favorite roommate,” she says as they pull away in her car.

  I watch the car drive down the road back to Redwood. Dad’s still standing by me as the car disappears around the turn.