“Yeah, I’m down. Come on, asshole, I get to kick your ass while wiping that ridiculous smirk off your face.”
Chapter Thirteen
Kennedy
Jagger and Paige come straight to the house after they land at SeaTac airport. From the moment the two of them step foot inside the door, I can tell Paige is upset. Jagger pulls me aside and starts questioning me right away, asking how I’m doing and have I heard anything about Troy’s release.
“Jagger, slow down,” I say. “How was your trip? Please tell me by the look on Paige’s face that isn’t an indication you worried about us the whole time you were gone? You didn’t, Jagger? Your honeymoon was spent the whole time sitting there worrying about me?”
He lets out a breath and looks down to the ground.
“Oh God, Jagger!! You didn’t! Jesus!”
Turning I walk away from him, and he follows right on my heels.
“What did you think I would do?” he asks. “I tried, Kennedy, but all I wanted to do was come back here so I could keep an eye on you and Ashlynn.”
Spinning around, I grab him by both arms stopping him. “Damn it, Jagger, listen to me. We are fine! I am stronger than you think I am. I’m not glass, you know. I hid this from you for years.” His eyes go wide.
“What? What the hell, Kennedy!” he yells at me.
Dad comes running in hearing all the yelling.
“I’m so sick of you all treating me like I can’t handle this. I’ve been hiding this shit for three years.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I knew you weren’t happy, but why would you do that and why would you drag Ashlynn through that mess?”
Ashlynn comes running in heading straight for Jagger.
“Stop welling at my mommy, Uncle Jag!”
“Ashlynn, honey, come here.”
“No!” she says adamantly.
I look at her with a raised eyebrow.
“No, he stop welling at you. No one welling at my mommy anymore. It not nice.”
“Yes, baby it isn’t nice, but sometimes adults argue, and it doesn’t mean we don’t love each other. It just means we are upset.”
“I don’t like it, Mommy.”
“I know baby, I know. Dad, can you please take Ashlynn into the other room?” Dad comes over taking her from me. Staring daggers at Jagger, he gives him a look that says, watch it buddy. Turning back around, I let go and let him have it.
“You need to stop protecting me. I am old enough to take care of myself. Yes, I wasn’t a very good judge of character, but that is over with now, and I have to get my life together for Ashlynn. I’m tired of you always trying to take care of me. Please stop it. You have a new wife, a new life, and she needs you to protect her now.”
Paige comes walking in just then. Coming over to me, she takes my hand in hers and says, “I am so very sorry about what happened to you and Ashlynn, Kennedy.”
I look at her as tears start to fill my eyes. “No, Paige I need to apologize to you. I am so unbelievably sorry that because I let this go on for so long that it affected your honeymoon. I just can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
“I’m sorry, too. I wish things were different. Jagger seems so connected to you.”
I look over at Jagger, and he is staring at us with a guilt-ridden look.
“Damn it, Jagger. You put her first from now on, no more worrying about me. I need to ask you for one more favor first, please.”
Paige looks up and frowns at me.
“I’m sorry, Paige, I can’t go back to my house alone. I need him to go with me to my house to get some of our stuff. It won’t take long, I promise. I don’t care about anything else.”
Nodding at me, she walks away and into the hall bathroom.
“Go after her, jackass, go make sure your wife is okay,” I say sternly.
“Okay, okay! I’m going, damn it.”
I walk into my parents’ bedroom, falling to the ground, crying into my hands. What have I done to everyone? All of this has affected everyone I love so dearly. Can I do this? I sit up thinking to myself. You have no other choice; you must do this for Ashlynn. Be strong for her.
Mom comes in and says, “What happened?”
Getting up off the floor, I walk over to her, and she takes me into her arms.
“Oh, Mom! I’ve made a complete mess of things.”
“Oh, baby. Everything will work out, you’ll see. I know it may not seem like it right now, but this too shall pass, honey.”
Laughing I say, “You sound just like Grandma Vadera. I need to go for a visit once the holidays are over. I may take some time off, and take Ashlynn up there to stay for a while. I need to get myself together and take the time to reflect and heal.”
“You know Grams and Pops would just love that, dear.”
“Mom, with the holidays coming, I can keep myself booked solid with clients until they’re over. Can you possibly watch Ashlynn for me, please? I just need to know she’ll be taken care of while I’m working. This way I can still bring in money to help support us.”
Mom hugs me and says, “Oh dear, of course, I would love to, don’t even mention it. If I can’t, there’s Dad, Justeen and Jagger. We can all pull together and figure it out, but someone will always be here for my girls.”
“Thank you, Mom. I’m so sorry this is affecting everyone’s life.”
“Kennedy, things happen, good and bad, in life. That’s the crazy thing about life it’s so unpredictable. You just learn to adjust and hope for the best. You have to show Ashlynn that you’ll push through and live strong. I know you’re a strong woman. You’ll get through this, and if you trip a few times along the way, that’s okay. You get up, dust yourself off, keep trying and keep moving forward. I know you will thrive, honey. It’s in your genes; you’re a fighter. You just have to find that fighter in you again.
***
I’m sitting on my bed in my room writing in my journal when Justeen walks in.
“You ready to go get your dance on, girl?”
“Yes, let me finish this thought, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“I didn’t know you still wrote in journals.”
“I stopped for a long time, but my counselor suggested I start back up again. She thinks it’ll help. I don’t just write my feelings in them, though. I’ve also been dabbling in poetry like I used to in high school. I found some of my old journals in the closet, and I’ve been reading through them. It’s sparked something inside me.” I finish, closing the journal and walk over to my dresser, tucking it in the panty drawer.
“I’m ready. Let’s get our booty-shake on.”
The club is packed and buzzing with life. Justeen is friends with the owner, so we get VIP treatment and are ushered right inside. I forget how loud these places are as I watch the bright lights spin, bounce, and flash everywhere. I went out a few times on dinner dates with Troy and his clients and their wives, but it was drab compared to this busy place. The waitress comes over asking me what I would like to drink.
“Lemon drop martini, please.”
“And you, miss?”
“Vodka tonic with a twist.”
She’s back in a flash, and soon we’re ordering round two. Justeen has her bring back two shots of something called a Redheaded Slut. My sister has crazy names for drinks, but they are always delicious.
“Let’s dance now that we have our liquid courage.”
Justeen drags me along, pulling me right into the middle of the dance party going on around us. I start moving to the beat; it feels so good to let loose and forget my life for a night. Suddenly, I feel hands grab my hips and an erection press against my backside. I turn to see exactly who has his hands on me; I lock eyes with a tall, dark, and handsome guy. His hand starts sliding up the hem of my dress, and I reach to slap him away. That’s when I am grabbed and pushed to the side, noticing Corbin for the first time.
“Who the fuck do you think you are touching my girl?”
Then I see him land t
he first punch. While an equally large guy is there pulling him off and yelling for him to stop.
“I didn’t know she was your girl man. Wait…you’re… no, way!”
“You better get the fuck out of here before I show you who the fuck I am, asshole.”
“Sorry man, I didn’t know.”
I watch as the guy gets up hands raised in defeat and he darts in the opposite direction.
“You okay, Kennedy?” he questions.
“What’s this? I can’t go out without someone watching over me?”
I turn and bolt, hearing Corbin call after me, but I weave through the crowd. I’m just outside the door when I’m grabbed from behind and spun around.
“Please, wait. Let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain; everyone thinks I’m this weak little girl who can’t take care of herself. I’m not that girl. I know what I let Troy do to me was wrong, but I can take care of myself without your help. I would have handled it if you hadn’t butted in. I appreciate your looking out for me, but I don’t need, nor do I want your help, Corbin.”
“I didn’t even know you were here until I saw Justeen pulling you out on the dance floor, I swear. I sat there just watching you enjoying yourself, but I couldn’t sit back and watch that guy violate your body and not do anything. I’ve seen how he treats girls here, and I’ve never meddled, but I sure wasn’t going to stand by and let him do that to you.”
“Why do you even care, and why did you call me your girl?” I scream in question.
“I don’t know; I just did, alright! Fuck!” he yells back.
We now have an audience. Grabbing me by my hand, he pulls me along behind him. If you didn’t know us, you’d think we are a couple having an argument.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Home! I’m going to take you home where I know you’ll be safe.”
“What about my sister? I can’t just leave her here alone.”
“Riggs will make sure she gets home safely.”
I keep quiet even though all I want to do is fight with him. I know he is looking out for me, but I’m tired of everyone treating me like I’m so damned fragile.
He stops in front of a black motorcycle turning to look at me, and he examines my attire. The smirk that crosses his face is dirty.
Taking my hand from his I say, “I am not riding on that death trap with you,” I point.
“Afraid of having a little fun, Boss? I’ll give you my helmet and go slow. You don’t live very far from here… unless you want to go back to my place?”
“I’m staying at my sister’s tonight, but I don’t have my keys with me. Shit!”
“Is Ashlynn with your parents?” he questions with concern.
“Yes. Justeen told them I needed a night out. I knew this was a bad idea. I was having fun until Dudley Douche had to go and ruin it.”
“Dudley Douche, huh?” he laughs.
While I am looking down at my hands, he places his finger under my chin and tilts up my face, so our eyes meet.
“I’m sorry I lost control in there. I’m not sorry, however, for getting that guy’s grimy hands off you.”
He reaches down, grabs his helmet off the seat and hands it to me. Taking it from him, I place it over my head and fiddle with the straps.
“Here let me,” he says.
I’m looking up watching him feeling his fingers move and tighten the straps underneath my chin. He looks into my eyes, and we just stand there gazing at one another. He turns and straddles the bike. I take in the sight of his muscular legs straining against his jeans while straddling the bike. How is it possible for him to get any hotter? The man screams sex, but I’m starting to learn there is much more to him than just a pretty face. I throw my leg over, slide in close to him and tuck my dress up under my butt. I hold him tightly between my legs, wrapping my arms firmly around his waist. He grabs ahold of my hands and squeezes them.
“Hold on tight.”
The drive is brutal on my bare legs, chilling me to the bone. Pulling down a dirt road, he guns it a little faster. The bumping mixed with my legs spread apart has my girlie bits tingling awake. It’s pitch black outside, I hear a noise and watch the root iron gate swing open. I see a house up ahead far off in the distant. As we get closer, I see the house encircled by lights. It’s simple, yet beautiful, and I bet in the daylight it is spectacular. We continue to the back of the house coming to a massive garage, the door lifts opening, and we drive inside. Over to the left is his Mustang and next to it is a cherry red pimped out F150. I wasn’t expecting to see all his other toys. I wonder what he does for a living to afford all these luxuries, but then again, he doesn’t have a family or any kids that I know of.
“Scoot back, please.”
I scoot back, and he eases off the bike still holding onto it; he takes my hand and waits for me to climb off. Reaching down, he starts undoing the straps on the helmet and pulls it off.
“Are you going to take me home later?”
“If you want me to, yes, I sure will. You can crash on my bed, and I’ll take the spare bedroom or the couch.”
“I don’t know about this, Corbin. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m not ready for anything.”
“I’m not asking for anything; I thought we could hang out and talk… maybe watch a movie or something. Just two old friends, hanging out like the good old days.”
“We never hung out, Corbin. You and my brother, yes, and you were never alone. You were always with someone… but never just you and me.”
“If I remember correctly, there was one night we watched a movie alone together. Your parents were out of town for the evening, and Jagger was hooking up with Sarah Mooney. I was dateless that night.”
I look up and over at him in shock.
“I think we watched, The Fast and the Furious, Tokyo Drift. If I remember right.” Corbin says with a devilish smirk.
“You remember that?”
“Yeah, unforgettable night.”
I stand there staring up at him in awe. I can’t believe he remembers that. I know I will never forget it, but after all, he was every teenage girl’s dream.
Walking inside, I take in the very masculine décor and notice it’s a total bachelor pad.
“Make yourself at home. I’m just going to go throw on some sweats and a t-shirt. Be right back.”
“I’ll be right here, occupying your couch. Can I borrow a sweatshirt, please? I’m freezing from the ride.”
“Yeah, sure. Be right back.”
I look around. The huge TV mounted on the wall is impressive. He’s got gizmos and gadgets everywhere to go with it.
“Corbin. I don’t want to start searching around. Which door leads to your bathroom?”
I kept going up the stairs reaching the top and still haven’t heard a peep. I turn toward what I assume were his bedrooms. I gasp, there in front of me was my huge photograph out on display. The picture from high school I thought all these years was lost. Two small lights at either side cast a soft glow showcasing the piece. I step closer to get a better look.
“What are you…”
“It was you? You’re the one who stole my picture? But why?”
“I hated it. I couldn’t take everyone witnessing my weakness you captured so I took it. I hide it in my parents’ attic all these years. It was the first photograph to go up on my wall when I first bought this place. Please don’t be upset.”
“I’m upset alright. I cried my eyes out for days over this photo. It was one of my prize possessions and you took it, without asking me.”
“Let’s go back downstairs.”
“I’m still upset at you. If you would have asked me I would have given it to you.”
We head back downstairs in silence.
“Want anything to drink? Here’s that sweater you asked for. Hope it’s not too big on you.”
“What do you have? It’s fine, thank you.”
“Let me see. Beer, water, lemonade, m
ilk, and in my liquor cabinet I have tequila, vodka, and Hennessy.”
“I’ll take water and a shot of tequila, please.”
His smile is priceless; he thought I was just going to say water, but I need something stronger to keep this buzz going so I can be around him without getting anxious. He makes me all kinds of nervous, and I’m not used to feeling this way.
“Here you go. Cheers.” He clinks his shot glass against mine, and we both down our drinks.
“Oh the burn,” I cough.
“Yeah, feels good.”
Opening my water, I start to drink, and the awkward silence is beginning to get to me.
“Want to watch a movie? Since Halloween is coming up, I thought we could watch a scary movie. Unless you don’t like scary movies?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Let’s see… I’ve got the first Nightmare on Elm Street with Johnny Depp. I know how you girls love Johnny-boy.”
“Well, can you blame us? That works for me. Pop that sucker in,” I tease.
I watch him move around his place with such grace. I can’t stop checking him out. His sweats ride low on his hips, and when he leans over to put the movie in the DVD player, they move down low enough for me to get a glimpse of his gloriously firm ass.
“Nice crack,” I say before I even realize what has fallen out of my mouth.
Turning, he looks over at me laughing out loud in response. “Oh, you like that, huh? I’m going commando.” He winks.
The ass. I laugh out loud knowing my face shows just how embarrassed I am from my outburst.
He plops down next to me and pushes play.
“Want some popcorn. I think I have a bag left?”
“Sure, that sounds good to me.”
He walks into the kitchen leaving me to my naughty thoughts that have now spiraled out of control. I wish I weren’t so attracted to him, but I can’t deny myself any longer. Fighting it only seems to fuel my lust-filled thoughts. I think back to what he said in the club, and as good as it was to hear, I can’t stop it from replaying in my head. I try watching the movie and get lost in thought when I feel his breath on the back of my neck. I turn, looking into his lustful eyes.
Crushing Misery Page 8
