When Art Rises: Living in Cin: (A Twisted Interracial High School Love Triangle)

by Lorrain Allen

  “Take off your shirt,” Bishop directs me.

  I peer over at Art who now sits on a stool. He mouths the word trust. I lift my top over my head then throw it to Art.

  “Sit in the chair backwards and pull down your left bra strap,” Bishop says.

  Of course I’ve thought about getting a tattoo before, but I wanted something with significant meaning. I’m not sure if I ever would’ve followed through. There’s a lot of shit I wouldn’t have done had I not met Art, but my heart rebels against the idea of never knowing him.

  “Done,” Bishop announces forty-five minutes later.

  Art moves behind me to examine my new ink. “It’s beautiful, just like I imagined. You ready to take a look?”

  I take a deep breath. “Yes.”

  Art snaps a picture with his cell phone then shows me the image. A small majestic bird flies from an open birdcage on my upper left shoulder.

  “It’s amazing. Why did you choose this?”

  “I was a bird locked in a cage until you set me free.”

  I’m unsure how to respond to that revelation.

  “Come on. We have to get some rest before we hit the road.”

  “Okay,” I say.

  I leave the shop a confused mess.

  “I take it we’re not going to stay at one of your family’s hotels.”

  “I hadn’t planned on it.”

  “Isn’t staying at another hotel a conflict of interest?”

  “We’re not staying at a hotel.”

  “I’m not sleeping in the car.”

  I chuckle. “I don’t expect you to.”

  “Well, where are we going to sleep?”

  “I’m taking you to my house, and sleep will be the last thing on my mind.” I plan on being inside her tight pussy for most of the night.

  “I thought you said you didn’t want to see your mom.”

  “I highly doubt she’ll be home.”

  “What will you do if she is?”

  “I didn’t think that far ahead. We’re here.”

  I maneuver the car right and type in the code at the gate before continuing on. Instead of heading for the garage I choose to park in the driveway.

  “Wow, this house is humongous.”

  I attempt to view the brick-and-mortar house from Cin’s perspective. I don’t see what she does. My previous residence was similar to a mini-mall, much bigger than this. I take a lot of things for granted since living in a lap of luxury is nothing new to me, never wanting for anything except for better parents. Too bad money can’t buy what I really need.

  “The lights are on.”

  “That doesn’t mean she’s home. The lights are mostly kept on, and we also have a housekeeper.”

  I grab Cin’s overnight bag from the back seat. Since most of my clothes are still here I didn’t bother packing anything. I unlock the front door, ushering Cin in first.

  “Darling, I’ve missed you!” My mother walks from the back of the house with a gleeful expression, enveloping me in an unyielding embrace.

  Just my fucking luck.

  She must be on her way out since she’s all dressed up. I clasp her arms, prying her from around my body.

  “I’m so happy you’re here.” She peers at Cin. “And who is this?”

  “Hi, I’m—”

  I put the brakes on Cin’s introduction. “None of your business.”

  “I’ve been waiting to hear back from you. I called, texted, left voicemails and messages with Ricky.”

  “So?”

  “At least you’re here now. You don’t know how happy I am you came to visit me.”

  “I didn’t.”

  Her smile vanishes. “Why did you come?”

  “I owed Cole a visit.”

  “That’s a huge milestone for you.”

  “Have fun on your date.” I step around her.

  “Let’s have breakfast in the morning.”

  “We’re leaving in a few hours.”

  “How about dinner? I’ll cancel my plans.”

  “We ate already.”

  “Please, Art, I only want to talk.”

  “Can’t, I’ll be too busy fucking.”

  “Art!” Cin scolds.

  I walk towards my bedroom with an angry Cin in tow. She starts in on me the moment I close the door.

  “How can you treat your mother that way?”

  “Easy.”

  “Give her a chance to redeem herself. She’s hurting just as much as you.”

  “I don’t need this shit from you!” I shout.

  “You need to hear this!” she shouts back. “How would you feel if your mother died tomorrow?”

  “Like I was on top of the world.”

  “You can’t mean that.”

  “I mean every fucking word.”

  “You’re not the heartless monster you have everyone believing you are.”

  “Get the fuck out. There’s an empty room down the hall—sleep there.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’ll throw you out on your fucking head.”

  “I’ll fight if you do.”

  I pick Cin up, flinging her over my shoulder. She kicks wildly while punching me. I drop her when sharp teeth chomp down on my lower back.

  “You goddamn carnivore. If you want to eat something, eat my dick.”

  She clambers to her feet. “Bastard.”

  “I want to fuck you.”

  “I want you to fuck me.”

  We rip at each other’s clothes, needing to feel the ultimate pleasure only we can create together. I slide my arms under Cin’s knees, hoisting her up and pinning her against the wall. She pulls her tampon out, dropping it to the floor, then positions my erection at her wet opening. I thrust forward, fucking her with everything I have in me. A nuclear hit couldn’t stop me. Our noses kiss when I press my sweat-covered forehead against hers. What Cin and I share is on another level of awareness, greater than physical contact. Sex provides temporary gratification, but what she gives me is so much more. The beast fell in love with the princess.

  “Eu te amo,” I whisper.

  “You understood me.”

  “I speak several languages.”

  “Eu tambem te amo.”

  We come together, our bodies in perfect sync with one another. My life consists of two things now—before Cin and after Cin.

  “You’ve been a bundle of excitement all day.” I glance at Trevor from across the table.

  We’re at a new seafood restaurant that just opened a few counties over. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, Trevor insisted we go.

  “Well, it’s a special day.”

  “You know this day isn’t a big deal for me.” I take a bite of my crab cake sandwich.

  “This one is.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I got in.”

  “Got in what?”

  “Lexington University! I haven’t gotten the official acceptance letter in the mail yet, but I received an email a couple of days ago. I waited until today to tell you, as a bonus to your Valentine’s Day gift.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  Trevor will surely regret enrolling in the same college as me once he learns I’ve been unfaithful to him.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I thought you’d be more thrilled.”

  “I am.”

  “You could show a little bit more excitement.” He chuckles.

  “I’m sorry. The coach was a drill sergeant at practice today, so I’m a bit tired.”

  “I have just the thing to cheer you up.” He pulls a black box from his pocket.

  The box contains a rectangular locket with our first initials inscribed on it.

  “Open it.”

  Inside is a picture of us, smiling at the camera. We’re so fucking happy. I can’t stave off my tears.

  “Babe, don’t cry.”

  “It’s so beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it.�
��

  I’m such a piece of shit, and what really makes me the scum of the earth is that if I had the power to undo it all, I wouldn’t. I can’t imagine not being with Art, not helping him. His demons would still be beating at him day and night if I hadn’t pushed him the way I did. I led him out of a dark place. He still hasn’t fully healed, and probably never will, but he’s made a lot of progress.

  “I love you so much, Cin. I want to make you happy.”

  More tears pour from my eyes at his proclamation. I’ve fallen into a routine, fucking both boys regularly, sometimes in the same night. I’ve dug myself in a hole, and as the days pass, the hole gets deeper and deeper. Soon, I won’t be able to climb out. Each morning I tell myself this is the day I’ll put my foot down with Art and tell Trevor everything, but I chicken out every single time. I don’t want to hurt either of them. We’ll be nursing our wounds for a long time after the storm clears.

  Instead of going inside when Trevor takes me home, I get in my car and drive to Lilah’s house. I’m not ready to go home yet. Anyway, a talk between us is long overdue. Thomas answers the door.

  “Hi, Cin, how are you?”

  “I’m good. How’s the local Dr. Doolittle?”

  “Super.” He chuckles. “Lilah’s in her bedroom.”

  “Thanks.”

  I don’t bother knocking on her bedroom door. If she knows it’s me, she’ll probably lock it.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Lilah looks up from polishing her toenails.

  “We need to talk.” I close the door.

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  I kick off my shoes then sit cross-legged on her bed. “I have plenty to say to you.”

  “Save it.”

  “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  “You knew it would hurt me before you did it.”

  “I know, and it’s killing me,” I cry.

  “Then why aren’t you dead yet?”

  “There are things about Art you don’t know.”

  “What’s makes you an expert on him? We’ve both only known Art for about two months now.”

  “Trust me. There are things you don’t know.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Why? I’m your cousin.”

  “I can’t betray his trust.”

  “But you so easily betrayed Trevor’s.”

  “The guilt is making me sick,” I cry. “I love them both.”

  “Tell someone who gives a fuck.”

  “I’m not asking for your sympathy. I’m asking you to understand.”

  “Well, I don’t.”

  “If it makes a difference, I’m breaking up with Trevor and staying away from Art.”

  “He lives in the same house as you,” she scoffs.

  “I’ll be staying with Anneli most nights, and I was hoping I could crash here sometimes.”

  “That’s a big fat no.”

  “You don’t make apologizing easy.”

  “What’s so special about you? Why do all the boys like you?”

  “All the boys don’t like me.”

  “The ones that count do.” Lilah wipes a stray tear from her cheek.

  “I never knew you had a crush on Trevor.”

  “Would it have mattered if you did?”

  “Yes.”

  “But it didn’t matter with Art.”

  “It’s different with him.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m not perfect and never claimed to be, but neither are you.”

  “Don’t turn this around on me.”

  “You only wanted Art for the thrill and nothing more. You don’t give a shit about him. Your pride was bruised when he rejected you. That’s the only reason you’re mad. Be honest with yourself.”

  “Damn you.”

  I hit a nerve.

  “I love you. I hope you’ll forgive me one day.” I leave the bed.

  “Wait. Will you help me polish my nails?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I take the olive branch she offers.

  “I’m still mad at you, but I guess it’s not your fault you’re so irresistible.”

  “I’m going to give you the best pedicure you’ve ever had.”

  We both laugh at the lie. It’s no secret I’m no good at doing girlie stuff.

  I need to be fair to Trevor and go through with my plan, I tell myself for the millionth time. I’ve put it off for the last three weeks. No more waiting. I parked down the street from Trevor’s house nearly an hour and a half ago, but I can’t bring myself to do what I came here for. I contemplate a little more before starting the ignition and driving the short distance. I count to twenty then pick up my cell phone to call Trevor. It’s better if I do this now, so he can have time to apply to other colleges.

  “Hey, babe,” he says.

  “Hi.”

  “What’s up?”

  “We have to talk.”

  “I kind of figured that’s why you called.” He chuckles.

  “I’m outside.”

  “Why didn’t you knock on the door, silly?”

  “I’d rather we talk in my car.”

  “Let me guess, you got some new ink and you want to give me a private show?” he jokes.

  Trevor was surprised by my impromptu decision to get a tattoo, but he thinks it’s the sexiest thing ever—if he only knew the real reason behind it.

  “I don’t want your family to overhear our conversation.”

  “What’s going on?” His tone turns serious.

  “Please come out.”

  “Give me a few minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  A torrent of tears erupts from my eyes the moment he closes the car door.

  “Babe, it’s okay. We’ll get through whatever you’re upset about together.”

  I cry harder.

  “Talk to me.”

  “It’s over between us,” I wail.

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, it’s me.”

  “Tell me what I need to do to fix us.”

  “There’s nothing you can do. I need space,” I lie.

  “Is that the only explanation you’re going to give me?” He punches the dashboard. “That’s not good enough!”

  “I’m doing this for you.”

  “No, Cin. You’re doing this for you!”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You have a funny way of showing it,” he says sarcastically.

  “I want the best for you.”

  “You’re what’s best for me.” He grips the back of my neck, bringing me forward to slam his lips to mine.

  I turn my head, ending the kiss. “Stop.”

  “We belong together.”

  “It’s over!” I stare straight ahead, unable to bear the devastation on his face. “We were stupid to think we’d get married one day. There’s so much we haven’t seen or done. I don’t want to wake up one day and be dissatisfied with the choices I’ve made in my life.”

  “I chose to attend Lexington University to be with you.”

  “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

  “I love you so much, Cin.”

  “I’m sorry.” I have to remain steadfast. Trevor is my first love, so he’ll always have a place in my heart.

  “Who is he?”

  “There’s no one.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “There isn’t,” I insist.

  The school will become a war zone if Trevor finds out Art is the reason we broke up. I need to make sure the tenuous peace between the boys is kept, at least until after graduation.

  “Do I look like a fucking idiot to you?”

  “It’s the truth!”

  “It better be, because if I find out otherwise, he’s fucking dead.” He leaves the car, slamming the door shut.

  Over the last several weeks, Cin has become more and more distant, spending the night with friends when she should be in my bed. I tho
ught we’d be fucking like rabbits since she and Trevor are no longer an item. Friday night was the last time I had the pleasure of coming inside of her, which was a week ago yesterday. She’s never stayed away this long. Having her only once a week isn’t nearly enough for me. When I see Trevor in school or around the house, I want to tell him how good his ex-girlfriend’s pussy is. The only thing stopping me is Cin. She might stop talking to me altogether. And if Ricky and her mother find out about us, they’ll send me packing for sure. Whenever I ask what her problem is, she makes up some bullshit excuse. If Cin thinks she’s about to end it with me, she has another thing coming. It’s about time I nip this in the fucking bud. She doesn’t know who the hell she’s dealing with. I’m done lying to myself. I want all of her. She loves me, though there’s a possibility she made the declaration in the heat of the moment. No, I can’t believe that. I want to become a better person for her, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’m finally sleeping through the night, and I stopped cutting because of her. I can’t be without her. If she rejects me, I’m going to fucking lose it.

  Cin got home thirty minutes ago, but I wait for Ricky and Missy to leave for their morning deliveries before I silently creep up the stairs.

  I twist the doorknob, but find it locked. “Open this damn door, or I’ll bulldoze right the fuck through it.”

  “I’m busy,” she whispers.

  “You have three fucking seconds to open this motherfucking door.”

  She cracks it open. “I’m about to head out.”

  I nudge the door, but she holds firm. Aww, that’s cute. She thinks she can keep me out. I shoulder my way in, sending her stumbling back. She’s only wearing a bra and panties. My God, I want to fuck her until she becomes bedridden.

  “I want to know what your fucking problem is, and don’t tell me everything is fine.”

  “I’m busy. I have a track meet this morning.”

  “You’re staying away because of me.”

  “I don’t have time for this. I’m going to be late.”

  “Make time. I’m not letting you leave until we talk about us.”

  “There is no us.”

  A knife to the heart would’ve hurt less.

  “You said you loved me.”

  “I do.”

  “I thought you broke up with Trevor to be with me.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  She turns the invisible knife counterclockwise, inflicting the most damage.