He sighed. "If ya don't got enough money for food, then ya don't eat 'til payday. Lots of these people don't even got a payday. Factories are almost all closed. A lot of people eat in soup kitchens and sleep on park benches."
Crossing his arms, he faced her. "But the morals ain't so great in Westland either. Christopher might have raped ya if I hadn't shown up. I've done a lot of bad stuff, but I ain't never raped no one. There's this guy." He paused. "He likes to abuse his twelve-year-old daughter. Sure, we drink and do drugs, but it's to forget about people like him."
"But you slept with Trish, and she said you two haven't talked all week. You've been sleeping with Lauren. I'm not sure who you're cheating on – Trish or Lauren. If I were checking you out as a potential boyfriend and seeing the way you've treated those two girls, I'd say, forget him, he can't be trusted. He's Shore trash."
"Whose morals ya tryin' to ram down my throat?" His brow darkened. "Trish got what she wanted. I'm like a notch on her bedpost. She threw herself at me."
He stood and turned to face her. "We look at ya sweet smelling, hot Westland babes and fantasize about what sex would be like with ya. Ya know what? It ain't no different than with a Shore hooker. That's what Lauren is."
Julie held back her gasp.
Robert paced the floor. "She approaches some guy, does him, comes back here, buys some drugs and forgets about her life for a while. She hates herself. She and Mike were sort of a thing. He's…gone. Being his baby brother makes me a target. I'm as close to Mike as she can get right now. She's using sex for companionship. Morally my treatment of her is more righteous than the guys who do her in cars and cockroach infested motels."
Julie blinked. Second time I've made him angry. Got to watch that temper. "I'm sorry. I've no right to judge you. I don't understand what life is like here. But I can see Trish making you a notch on her bedpost. She didn't want you. You're…."
"Not good enough." His voice was low.
The washing machines stopped. The silence held their attention. Robert moved his clothes to the driers and slid quarters into the slots. By the time he returned to his seat, he'd calmed himself. Julie's eyes were wide with worry. He broke the silence. "What do ya want from life?"
Her racing pulse slowed. He wasn't angry. "I don't know what I want to be yet."
"I wanna work at the stables. It ain't gonna make me rich, but I like it. I love workin' with the animals." He tossed the last of his change into the pop machine. "Buy you a drink?"
"Diet whatever."
He handed her the can then popped his open. "What's your family like?"
"My father's a judge."
She waited until Robert stopped coughing. "Sorry." He cleared his throat. "Drink went down the wrong spot." Shit. No way. Judge Anderson?
"I have a brother, Jason. He's thirteen. He's into boy things like bikes, cars and stuff. I have two sisters, Sheila and Ashley. Sheila's eight and a real pain, but I guess that's what a kid sister is supposed to be. When we're grown up, we'll probably be great friends. Ashley's the youngest. She's five."
Julie popped open her can and swallowed a mouthful of pop. "Mom's expecting a baby in December. She's great. She remembers what it was like being a teenager. Dad is pretty great too, but he sees lots of kids who have gotten into trouble, so he's kind of protective of us."
What fuckin' odds? Judge Anderson's daughter. He chugged his drink. "Sounds like you've got a great family."
"I guess so. What about yours?" As soon as she asked, Julie regretted it. She sensed Robert tense.
"No known parents. Brother's a jerk. Doin' fine on my own. Thank ya very much."
"You don't like your brother, Mike, do you?"
"No. We ain't never been brothers. Mom was a hooker, so I ain't got any idea who my old man is. One day, she went to the store and forgot to come home." He crumpled his pop can as his fingers formed a fist. "We got moved in with an aunt. When I was eight, Mike moved out, and my aunt sent me to live with him. He didn't want me and I didn't wanna be there, but it was that or go into the system. I learned how to look after myself pretty quick."
Julie waited for him to continue, but he didn't. "I have the feeling there's more you aren't willing to tell me yet."
Robert smiled at the word yet. Was she telling him he hadn't scared her off – yet? The buzz of the driers interrupted their conversation. He grabbed his duffel bag and stuffed in his clothes.
When they arrived at his apartment, Julie handed Robert her helmet. "I'm tired. I guess I'll go home. I've got class tomorrow after school, but I'll be home by six. How about continuing this at my place?"
"You mean like home with Mom and Dad?"
Julie nodded.
"I've gotta work, but I guess I can go straight from there."
"Do you work every day?"
"Yea. I've gotta pay rent, buy food and feed quarters into washin' machines. I can be at your place 'bout seven?"
Julie unlocked her car and got in. She pulled Robert's map from her purse, turned it over and drew a map on the back. She handed it out the window. "See you tomorrow."
"Calculus, first period." Robert walked to the curb as she drove away.
"It's about time Miss Goody-Two Shoes left. Now you can have some fun with a real woman." Lauren's voice came from the shadow of his doorway.
"Lauren, how many times do I gotta say this? I don't like you. I'm tired of having sex with you. Go away." He heaved a tired and disgusted sigh.
"If ya think little Miss Sophisticated is gonna let ya sleep with her, you're crazy. She's still a virgin." Lauren said the word like it was some horrible disease. "Once she finds out what you've done, she'll be gone in a flash. Even if she doesn't leave, her parents aren't gonna let ya date her. You're dirt and they aren't gonna want their little girl getting dirty."
"She's not gonna find out 'less someone tells her. If that someone is ya...." He fixed his gaze on her.
"How about one last tumble for old times' sake? I've got some really good stuff. We can get a little high. Have a little fun." She placed her hands under his shirt and rubbed his chest.
Robert pulled her hands out, stepped through his doorway then slammed and locked the door.
"I'll get even with you, you bastard! You're nothing but a…." Lauren continued shouting, but Robert stopped listening. He guessed most of what she'd say were randomly placed and verbally emphasized obscenities. Robert went up the stairs, shut and locked the second door.
After tossing his duffel bag in the corner, he grabbed a beer and lay back on his bed. What was he going to do about Julie? He was falling for her. A girl like that would want someone to love her. Someone who could give a commitment. He didn't think he was capable of either. Having never been loved, he didn't know how to love back. Robert fell asleep pondering his problem. The beer slipped out of his hand and spilled on the floor.
Chapter Six
It took all of her patience, but Julie worked through Midtown and Westland's congested traffic and arrived home. With a big sigh, she shut the engine off.
Today's pointe class was the longest of her entire life. Dance school rule number three – students aren't allowed to wear watches. Whenever she could, Julie peeked at the little clock on the piano. It had frozen at 5:48. After class was released, Madame asked Julie to stay behind then scolded her for not paying attention. Julie apologised and raced from the studio. But at last, she was home. She opened the car door and jumped out.
"Has anyone been here?" Julie burst through the kitchen door. The aroma of spaghetti sauce teased her nose. A young puppy leapt up to greet her. "Jangles, I love you dearly, but you're not who I'm looking for." She scratched her ears. Her brother, Jason, entered the kitchen. "Has anyone called for me?"
"No." He barged past her and hurried out the door.
Her mother and younger sister entered. "Expecting someone, dear?"
"He's coming over."
"Who is?" Her mother opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bowl of Caesar salad.
"Study session Robert?"
"Yes. I'm going to have a two-minute shower, so I don't smell. If he comes, stall him."
"Julie's got a date?" Sheila taunted.
"No, it isn't a date." She worked her way around her gossip-seeking sister and ran upstairs. In record time, she showered, dressed and skidded back into the kitchen. "Did...?"
"No." Her mother pointed to the kitchen table. "Now have some supper."
Julie gobbled her spaghetti and meatballs and Caesar salad, gulped her glass of milk then put her dishes in the dishwasher.
Seven chimes signalled the time for Robert's arrival. Julie waited. No doorbell. The clock moved to 7:01. Julie waited. No doorbell. The clock moved to 7:02. "He's not coming." Her heart sank. She trudged out of the kitchen.
Halfway up the stairs, she heard the roar of a motorcycle engine. She turned and hurried back to the kitchen. Her mother opened the door. Standing on the porch was a tall, good-looking young man dressed in blue jeans and a sweatshirt. "Robert?"
Remember, speak Westland, not Shore. And don't fuc…don't swear. "Yes, ma'am."
"Come on in. I'm Mrs. Anderson."
"Nice to meet you." He smiled, hoping he'd covered all of the proper etiquette bases.
Mrs. Anderson turned and bumped into her daughter.
"Hi." Julie fought not to giggle.
"Hi." He stepped into the warm kitchen. The scents of dinner lingered in the air. It made his empty stomach grumble.
He followed Julie downstairs to the family room, then heaved a sigh of relief.
She turned to face him. Her brow crinkled.
He shrugged. "It was easier to say I'd come last night, than it was to do it today."
"Why? It's just my place?"
"It may be your place, but it's still Westland. I ain't never been in a house here before. This is a big place." He glanced around the family room. "Hell, this is bigger than my whole apartment."
To his left was a ceiling to floor home entertainment system with the biggest plasma screen TV he'd ever seen. A tall wooden bar stretched in front of a mirrored corner filled with glasses and a mini fridge. To his right was a pool table he'd have killed to play one game on.
Julie pointed to some chairs and a couch then glanced up to see her mother step off the last stair. "Would you like a drink?"
Robert glanced at Julie. Beer. I'd like a beer. No, change that. I need a beer.
"You two stay and chat," Julie said. "I'll get you a beer."
Robert's eyebrows rose as Julie left him alone with her mother.
"You didn't start the term at Westland Prep? Are you adjusting to the new school?" Mrs. Anderson kept her distance to help calm him.
"No, ma'am. I started at North Shore. With Westland on this weird system where ya intensely study three or four subjects, I was really behind. But I think I'm caught up. Hope I am." Shut up, sit down, you’re starting to ramble.
Julie handed him a beer. She held a Diet Coke in her other hand.
"Thanks." He held onto it like a security blanket. He needed to drink it, but not in front of Julie's mother.
"I'll leave you two to get on with your work." She turned and exited.
Robert waited until Julie's mother shut the door at the top of the stairs. He popped the lid off his beer and chugged half the bottle's contents.
"Nervous?" Julie plopped onto the couch.
Friggin' understatement. "This is Westland. I know, rather obvious to ya, but a whole new thing for me. I'm sure your parents aren't too thrilled about ya talkin' to me." He stared at the beer. "Although, your mom seems cool."
Julie laughed and pointed to the couch.
Robert debated. Couch? Chair? Is there an app for etiquette? "Ya look like your mom."
"Me? No way, she's beautiful."
"So are you." Compromising, he sat next to Julie, but not too close. He played with the label on his beer bottle. "I'd like to apologize for yesterday. I kinda lost my temper. Ya said somethin', and I took it the wrong way."
"What?"
"Not important."
"Come on. Friends have to talk to each other. You can't say I said something wrong, then clam up." Julie paused. "It's probably because you don't trust me yet. That's okay though. I think if I were you, I wouldn't trust me, either."
She sipped her pop. "To put it bluntly, you – cute, North Shore guy – can't understand why this rich, sophisticated Westland babe – as you called us – wants to be friends."
Ya forgot cute and sexy. He chugged his remaining beer in two swallows. The faster he drank it, the quicker he'd relax.
"I don't think I have the nerve to tell you." She raised the pop can to her mouth and took another sip. Quit looking at me with those eyes. Could you be any cuter? Strike that – sexier.
"Now ya got me intrigued." He lifted his beer then remembered it was empty. "Ya tell me why ya want to be friends, and I'll tell ya why I got mad."
"How about you go first?"
He chuckled. "Goin' to play rough are ya? Person with the highest score on calculus goes last."
Oh good, he's starting to relax. "Highest score on English."
"Shrewd negotiator." He rubbed his chin. "The highest average of the two tests goes last."
"Deal. I'll get a paper and a pencil." She stood but was stopped by his hand on her arm.
"Don't need it. I can do it in my head. What was English?"
"Ninety-two. Math, eighty-eight."
"That's ninety – dead on. I got ninety-seven on the math test and eighty-four in English. That's ninety point five." He pointed both index fingers at himself. "Who da man?"
"You're kidding. Ninety-seven in math? This is me impressed." Her eyebrows raised as her eyelids opened wide.
He shrugged.
Julie gulped a mouthful of Diet Coke. "Guess I go first. The first time you walked into biology. This is so embarrassing." She lowered her head and placed her hand on her forehead. You can do this. Looking up, she said, "I thought you were like so hot."
Don't turn red. Robert examined his beer.
You got yourself into this. Keep talking. "You've got a great smile, and those eyes are killers. I wanted to dump Chris on the spot." She rolled her eyes at the mention of his name. "I wished every other girl suddenly got warts all over her face. I daydreamed you'd glance over at me and…you know, the whole romance thing."
She hung her head. "But when I found out you were Shore – I'm ashamed to admit – it affected my opinion of you. Then the mess over biology, and the fight changed my mind again. I decided you're being condemned because of where you live and that's unfair."
Glancing up, Julie met his gaze. "I could be a mass murderer, but I'm still superior because of my address. I decided I wanted to get to know you."
Robert peeled the label off his beer. "I still don't understand why ya want to do this essay thing?"
"I want to discover the differences between us. Why did it matter to me that you're Shore?"
"I can help on that. We're sitting here, alone. If ya were Lauren, or any other girl I've dated, what do ya think I'd be doing about now?"
Julie blushed.
"When ya figure why I'm not doing it, or even attempting it, then you'll understand."
"Do you?" She tilted her head. "Understand?"
He closed his eyes. "Painfully so."
She rested her hand on his arm. "Help me. Tell me what I did the other day."
"Ya were talking about me, Lauren and Trish. Ya said if ya were checking me out, you'd say, forget him. He's trash."
Julie nodded.
Robert's forehead creased. "Ya don't get what's wrong with that?"
She shook her head.
Damn! "Then we've got a bigger problem than I thought." Taking the stairs two at a time, Robert exited.
Julie remained seated. Her brow wrinkled as she scratched her nose. "Oh, geez." She raced up the stairs.
Her mother was waiting in the kitchen. "What happened? He flew b
y me."
"I've got to talk to him." She pulled her coat out of the closet.
Her mother put her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Tomorrow. I don't want you driving into Shore at this time of the night. Right now, the only place you can go is to your room and do your homework."
"But Mom!"
A pointed index finger and a stern look were Mrs. Anderson's reply.
Grumbling under her breath, Julie marched up stairs.
***
October blew in with the kind of day that stirs the blood and blows all the cobwebs out of your head. With a rare joyful mood, Robert strolled along the school hall and grinned. Julie waited near his locker. He stood beside her. "Good morning."
"I want to talk."
The impatient anger in her voice jolted him from his good mood. He reached past her to get to his lock. "Can I get my stuff? Meet ya in the library. I know ya hate being seen with me."
"No, we're going to discuss this here and now." She rested her hands on her hips. "I held up my end of the bargain then you walked out. Not fair. Why did you go?"
He dug through the stuff in his locker. "You're supposed to be creative, figure it out."
"I did." She grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her. "You think I called you trash. Well, I didn't. It was a poor choice of words on my part and for that I apologize. What I said was hypothetical not personal." She poked him in the chest. "You didn't have to overreact."
"Overreact?" His eyes darkened. "Have ya ever been called trash?"
She raised one eyebrow and shot him a scornful stare.
"I have and it hurts." His voice lowered as his body drooped. "I'm so tired of being put down. I don't deserve half the labels I'm stuck with."
"I'm sorry, Robert." She raised a hand to her mouth. "I never thought—"
"Just put it on your list of differences." His sarcastic tone matched the snarl on his face.
"If we're going to be friends, we have to learn to communicate. Both of us have to overcome some basic mistrusts about each other." She placed her hand on his shoulder. "Next time, don't run, talk to me." Her eyes were wide as she gazed at him.
Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) Page 7
