by Matson , TC
Fay slaps him on the stomach with the back of her hand. “I’ll stall for five minutes.” She looks back to me. “I hate the circumstances, but it was nice to meet you. Stop in more often. Don’t let him hide you all to himself.” With a wink she springs back out the door.
“When she gets excited, you can’t get a word in,” he says with laughter as he leads me outside.
Spinning around, he stops in front of me and pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry I’ve done nothing but screw things up lately.” He kisses the corners of my mouth. “Can I make it up to you tomorrow night?”
“How exactly are you planning on making it up?” I play coy.
I love when his left brow hikes high and pulls his lips into a wry smirk. “Hours of groveling.”
I titter. “I’d like that.”
The kiss is slow and gentle, his tongue dancing with mine as he slides a hand up and cups my cheek. “I’ll text you later.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The vibe in the room is off. It’s thick and heavy. There’s no rambunctiousness. No inappropriate banter being slung around. Oliver didn’t even look at me when he walked in. He’s kept his head down. Cody couldn’t make it. Shawn and Jody seem tense. Everyone except Benny is in a piss-poor mood.
“What’s your story this week?” That came from Jody, not Ollie.
“This week has been slow. Nothing awesome sticks out except for a clown straight from a horror show,” I say.
Random “cools” fill the room, but not from Ollie. He never lifts his head, and his pencil never stops sketching.
“What about you guys? Have anything great happen?”
“Daddy got me a fish,” Benny’s little voice is prideful. “I call him Spot cause he’s got a bright spot on his fin. It’s shinier. He gets to stay in my room.”
“That’s great! And a big responsibility.”
He sits up straighter, tipping his chin higher. “Yep. I have to feed him every day or he’ll die. Not too much. Not little. Just a pinch.”
“I got a D on my math test,” Jody boasts with a hint of mischief in his grin. “This chick Stephanie I’ve been trying to holla at gave me a gold star.”
“A gold star? Should I even ask?”
“She kissed me,” Jody answers proudly.
Shawn’s laugh is condescending at best. “That ain’t no gold star. By the looks of her it’s a brown stain on the subway station.”
Jody jerks to his feet and starts across the room toward Shawn, who also shoves out of his seat. They’re glaring, eyes full of fire and fists at their sides as I step in between them.
“Fuck you. You just jealous cause I’m getting somewhere with her and you couldn’t,” Jody spits, pushing forward.
Shawn’s chest is at my back. “Fuck me? Fuck you. I’ll beat your—”
“Hey!” I shout shoving them apart. “Sit the hell down and shut up. Both of you.” My head swivels between them. “Now.” My warning is a deep growl. After a stare-down, they begrudgingly do as I say. “You will not come in here and start that crap. Not on my time. You two want to fight over one girl out of thousands, you do that on your own time, but it isn’t worth it.”
Shawn smacks his teeth rolling his eyes. “You saying some guy steal your girl and you ain’t gonna fight for her?”
Yes. Definitely yes. “No. If someone can take your girl, did she like you in the first place? If you keep her happy, she won’t go somewhere else. If you do what you’re supposed to do, she won’t leave. Same goes with her. If she’s doing all the right things, you won’t leave either.”
Silence cloaks the room. Ollie still hasn’t lifted his head and it pisses me off more to know something’s eating at him. “Finish what you’re supposed to be doing without talking. You’ve got twenty more minutes.”
Ten minutes later, the door squeaks and Zandrea steps in. “Oohh,” she chirps placing a hand over her chest. “Is it just me or is it heavy in here?”
“They’re all in rare form today,” I grumble.
She nods like she understands. “One of those days, huh?”
“You can say that again.” She turns to face the kids. “Start cleaning up. The bus is outside.”
“Silently,” I add, yelling over the hustle of papers, and it grants me a side eye from Zandrea. I can’t tell her Jody and Shawn just about got into a fight. She’ll have to remove them from my meets and possibly withdraw Shawn all together. This wouldn’t be his first scuffle, nor his second or third.
Ollie starts past me as he heads for the door. “Ollie. You good?”
“Yeah.” He doesn’t spare me a glance.
It irks me. A whole hell of a lot. I take a wide step and move in front of him. When his gaze finally meets mine, it’s full of anger and hatred. The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. Something is definitely wrong. “You need to talk?” I ask, hushed so I don’t draw the attention of everyone else.
“No.” It’s sharp and final.
“What’s wrong? You sure you’re good?” I’m grasping at straws desperate to help.
“I told you I’m fine,” he snaps with a shit ton of attitude and fire in his eyes. “I gotta go.”
He side-steps me and storms out of the room, leaving me staring after him. Ollie was an angry kid when he first started One2One, but with therapy and football and the focus of my art, he had ways to channel his anger. We clicked the moment I met him and he’s been my little wingman since. He and Cody share a special spot. Whatever is eating at him, I’m sure he’ll tell me soon enough.
* * *
Night has fallen around us as we stroll side by side through the historic district of Central Park heading back to her place. The weather is perfect—air warm before the fall forces us all into jackets.
“You know…” she adjusts her purse strap on her shoulder waiting for a jogger to pass. “I have no clue where you live. We’re always at my place. Why?”
“You’d hate my place.” Lie. “It’s stuffy.”
She blows a laugh. “It’s New York. Everything’s stuffy.” She stops. “Do you live close by?”
“I do.”
She studies my face, imploring for more. I’d have to explain why I live where I do and how I can afford it. That story will lead to another and I’m not ready to see the pity and horror in her eyes. I need a diversion, something to buy some more time before I have to explain how I’m a monster.
I tip my chin toward a large tree with big branches sprouting off. “Ever climbed a tree in Central Park?”
Her face falls. “I’m not climbing a tree. I’d be the one to break a neck before getting both feet off the ground.”
I arch a brow. “So that’s a no?”
“Yes, it’s a no.”
Popping up on a bench, I jump, grabbing a low branch and hoist myself up. “Come on.” I pat the bark beside me.
Her head shakes before words exit her mouth. “Not a chance. What if you get caught?’
“I’m climbing it, not defacing it.”
She laughs, taking a few steps away. “You’re insane.” She turns and walks away.
“Surely you’re not scared to climb a tree? Are you that much of a city girl?” I tease.
Her grin is splitting her face when she casts me a glance over her shoulder. “I’ll have you know I had the best tree house in the neighborhood growing up.”
Laughing, I jump down and jog to catch up with her. “So what you’re saying is you need a ladder to climb a tree?” I rib her some more.
“I was fearless when I was young until I fell off the damn ladder and got the wind knocked out of me. Thus my fear of heights kicked in.”
“Wait. You fell off a ladder on your tree house and now you blame the tree for your fear of heights? You need to apologize to the tree.”
She bursts out laughing.
“Trees were put on this earth to climb. Explore the air above us and the land beyond us.” I love her smile and the way her eyes light up passing under the streetlights. �
��Do you ever change your routine?”
“Of course I do. You think because I’m not climbing a tree that I’m stuck in a routine?”
“No. I’m saying because you won’t climb the tree your routine sucks,” I say with a snarky smile.
She rolls her eyes and laughs again.
She’s in my arms, resting her head on my chest in the darkness of her room. Our fun banter turned me on so much that once we got to her apartment, I basically mauled her. I can’t get enough of her.
“When can I meet Dotty?” I ask.
I can feel her face bunch up, and I know she’s wearing a smile. “You want to meet her?” Her fingers trace lines over my chest.
“She’s a part of you, so yes.”
She shifts, moving her head and kissing my jawline. “You can come this Saturday, if you’d like. But I’m warning you, you’re about to meet your match.”
“I think I love her already,” I chuckle.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Are you sure you want to expose yourself to this?” I ask Ash as we head into Dotty’s building. “She’s a handful.”
He squeezes my hand. “No backing out now unless…” he stops us with a glint of humor in his eyes. “You’re ashamed of me.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up.” I yank him up the stairs.
“Or maybe you’re scared she’ll charm me?” He laughs behind me.
“Oh, she’ll charm you alright,” I playfully warn as I pull the keys from my purse. Shoving the key into the lock, I glance back to him. “Last chance.”
His sexy smile is my answer.
“Dotty? I’m here,” I call out, pushing open the door slightly.
“Pea? Is that you? Better make it known. I’ve got a shotgun and I’m cocked and loaded.” She shouts from her living room.
“You know it’s me! Don’t you dare shoot me. I’ll be the worst ghost ever. The meanest. I swear!”
Her laugh is raspy and I know she knows it’s me. “You don’t have a mean bone in your body. Reckon your soul doesn’t either.”
She sits in her recliner in front of the TV. Her white hair is brushed back and she’s in her favorite purple day dress. She must feel great today. “I want you to meet someone. This is Ash.”
That gets her attention. Her eyes hit Ash’s face and they widen slightly. She pats her hair and then her cheeks. “Oh, my. You’re a sight for my old eyes.” She begins to get out of her chair and I move to help. Once she’s steady, she runs her hands over her thighs, smoothing her dress.
Ash extends a hand, but she slaps it and stretches out her arms. “Handshakes are for men. As a lady, you hug me.” Latching her arms around his shoulders, she squeezes the life out of an amused Ash.
“How do you know my Pea?”
“I’m her boyfriend.” I know we’ve discussed it, but hearing him say it out loud again, the label has my heart somersaulting.
Her hazel eyes bulge as she slides them toward me. “This is him?” She points to Ash with her thumb. “Oh, child. When you said good-looking, you did him a disservice. More like irresistible.”
I roll my lips to bite back my smile at how Ash is loving the attention.
Then, the crazy woman grabs his chin and pulls his face to hers, glowering with a deadly seriousness. “You better be good to her or you’ll have to answer to me. The last shithead wasn’t any good for her. He better be glad I didn’t get my hands on him. I would’ve ripped his penis off and fed it to the neighbor’s dog. That promise is extended to you too.”
“Dotty!” I gasp.
Ash stifles his chuckle and looks her dead in the eyes, not like he has too much of a choice with his chin in her hand. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. Plus, I like all my parts attached.”
“Good.” She gives a curt nod and releases him with a pat on the cheek.
“Do you have anything for me to do today?” I ask as I place my purse on the floor beside her couch.
Slowly, she drops down into her recliner. “Could you get my sheets from atop the closet?” She takes a breath and blows it out of her mouth. “Oh. And that damned garbage disposal is on the fritz again. It’s making a horrible racket.”
“You didn’t shove a butter knife in it again, did you?”
She frowns and flicks her wrist. “Nonsense.”
“Have you eaten this morning?”
“You act like I’m helpless. I do live alone, ya know?”
“Not helpless. Stubborn.”
“Rush along so I can flirt with your boyfriend.” She winks. “I’m gonna see if I can talk him into a cougar instead of your skinny young ass.”
I clamp down on my lip while Ash sits on the couch beaming from ear to ear. “Don’t you steal my boyfriend. I’ll put your TV on those soap operas you love and hide the remote.” I bounce my finger at her.
“You make me miss my court shows because he likes experience and I’ll shove my foot up your ass.” She’s beaming and I love it.
I make my way to her bedroom laughing.
“Is Ash short for something?” I hear her ask.
“Yes ma’am. Asher.”
I remove the old sheets from her bed.
“Tell me about your tattoos. My Ted had one on his chest of a tank.”
Fanning out the new sheets, I tuck the corners under the mattress.
“Where do you want me to start?” There’s humor in his tone. Only if Dotty knew how many tattoos he actually had.
“With your shirt off, preferably.”
“Dotty!” I choke out. “Do not undress my boyfriend.”
“You’re no fun,” she yells back. “Having a heart attack because of his bareness will be the best way to go out.” Her chuckle is throaty. “Imagine the story I tell my friends when I walk through the pearly gates. Jealousy will eat them up.”
I stick my head around the corner. “Your Ted may not be happy.”
“Pfft.” She blows out and flicks her wrist dismissively. “He’s up there wondering why we’re not in the bedroom already.”
“Dorothy!”
She throws her head back in a cackle and then reaches out, slapping Ash on the arm. “Full name. That’s her mean streak. The best I can ever get out of her.”
Dropping my head to the wall, I shake it and stifle my titter.
“I bet you’re the type to cry when you’re angry,” Dotty says. “Those types you gotta steer clear from. The tears are rage and they’ll fight a bull bare handed and win.”
“Could you help me with the garbage disposal?” I don’t need any help, but I figure Ash needs rescuing.
He follows me around the corner and into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry. I warned you she was a character,” I whisper, turning to him.
He pulls me into a hug and drops a kiss to my forehead. “I fucking love her.”
“No hanky-panky in my kitchen!” she shouts.
Closing my eyes, I giggle as Ash chuckles under his breath.
Ash helps me fix the disposal—newsflash: it was a spoon this time—and sits on the couch with me as we discuss the cases with Dotty. He fits in, perfectly. Rolls with Dotty’s eccentric personality and dishes it right back.
Before too long, Ash leans over and whispers that he needs to head to work, that his first appointment is in less than an hour. We say our goodbyes, not without Dotty getting handsy with Ash’s back and giving me a wink, before heading out.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ollie never showed to today’s meet. He’s never missed one since he started coming a few years ago, even sick. Brandon said he hasn’t been to school for the entire week too, which has made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Something’s wrong and I’m going to find out what.
Stepping out of my truck and onto the sidewalk, I take in Ollie’s house. Nothing is out of the ordinary, no changes except the yard has been recently mowed.
The door opens to a man I’m assuming is Henry. His jet-black hair is slicked back like he’s fresh from the shower, but the scruff
and dirty white shirt say otherwise. Ollie’s told me Henry’s always in expensive suits…
“Oliver here?”
“Who are you?” He eyes me.
“Ash. I came to give him his assignment for this week.”
His brown eyes turn into slits as he examines me. “Oliver,” the man shouts, keeping his gaze trained on me. “Got someone at the door for you.”
I don’t break his stare. If he’s trying to intimidate me, he’s worthless at it. Slowly, a hesitant Ollie steps in front of him and peers up to me. Rage tenses my muscles. An ugly, deep purple bruise mars his left eye that’s tinged in yellow at the edges. An angry mark stretching across his right cheek has faded to a greenish brown.
“What happened to you?”
Ollie flinches when the man’s hand lands on his shoulder. “Football.”
Yeah, right.
Forcing a smile, I tip my chin. “Bet the other guy looks like hell, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“You at least get a touchdown?”
“Yeah.”
Ollie rarely does short answers, let alone, one-worded ones. I force myself to stay calm. “I brought this week’s assignment and was wondering if you finished last week’s.”
“I ain’t finished it yet, but I got it. I’ll go get it.”
He leaves me standing with the guy I’m positive put those marks on Ollie. Images of beating the fuck out of him flash in my mind. I bite a smile. I need to find out the truth first. “That kid’s going to rule the football stadiums when he gets older.”
“Yeah. Kid plays well,” he replies out of boredom.
“That he does.”
Ollie steps back around him and hands me a folder, but before I can grab it, the guy snatches it. My fingers twitch and I force them to not ball up. My heart stops and I hold my breath as he flips it open. If Ollie gave me a note for help, this may end badly. I watch the man’s face intently until he smirks.
“You’re an art teacher?” His brows raise as he hands the folder over.
“Yeah. Something like that.”
