by Bijou Hunter
Returning to the tattoo shop on a Friday afternoon, I noticed Jade’s boyfriend’s car parked out front. Another car was next to it. Neither Aaron nor Jade had a client that evening. Before I could ask, I noticed Aaron’s expression change.
“I love you,” he said “I never loved her. I swear.”
Aaron hurried inside and I frowned at his need to see Kristen. Soon, I realized he was more worried about Jade seeing Kristen.
“Bitch, we’re not doing your fucking tat,” Jade sneered.
Kristen was pretty. Not beautiful, but she had a nice round face and long red hair. She was above average in the looks department even while giving Jade her duckface. Bailey’s was better.
“Melissa said you guys would do it.”
Jade glared at the receptionist who shrugged. “She’s going to pay, so what’s the big deal.”
Kristen ignored the women and smiled at Aaron. “You’ll do it, won’t you? I want my tat to be from the best.”
Aaron sighed. “No, I won’t.”
“Why?” Kristen asked, losing her smile. “Is it because of your bitch employee or because of the bitch you’re fucking?”
“Oh, no, she didn’t just call me a bitch,” Jade said, moving towards Kristen.
“It’s okay, Jade. We’re not taking the job and Kristen is leaving,” Aaron muttered, as Tony kept his girlfriend from reaching Kristen.
Jade rolled her eyes. “You let the whore get away with too much shit.”
“He doesn’t let me do anything,” Kristen announced, giving her best pissed off head roll. “He never did. I’m my own woman.”
Smirking at Tony, Jade said, “From what I heard, she was everyone’s woman.”
“Fuck you,” Kristen hissed, flipping off Jade.
The tattoo artist struggled against Tony’s big frame. “Let me hit her, Aaron. I’ll make her shut the fuck up and the world will sigh with relief.”
When Aaron shook his head and put a stop to the impending violence, Kristen grinned brightly. Jade glared hard, yet obeyed Aaron’s request. I didn’t though.
The sound of my hand slapping Kristen’s face was like a gunshot. The whole place seemed to shake from the sound. No one reacted. Even Kristen looked unsure at what happened then she screamed “cunt” and swung at me.
“Please,” I said, ducking easily. “I’ve seen small children with better aim.”
Jade hooted while Aaron considered interfering until Tony patted his shoulder.
“Let these women handle their business. Don’t be a chauvinistic pig and tell them what to do.”
A disappointed Kristen realized she wasn’t getting any help. Yet, she was probably five six while I was an inch over five in my tennis shoes. She still figured she’d win easy. She figured wrong.
Using moves I learned to block opponents in roller derby, I nailed Kristen on the jaw and she fell backwards. Flopping on her butt, she looked up at me and burst into tears. Her sobs sent Jade into hysterics while I just frowned.
“Bitch sure can’t take a hit,” Jade said, high fiving me then leaning down to gloat over a crying Kristen. “You fucked with the wrong man. If I see you again, I’ll pound you. No one messes with Aaron Fucking Barnes.”
“Great, I’m Bailey now,” Aaron murmured to me and I laughed. “Are you okay?”
“She didn’t even touch me. Hell yeah, I’m okay.”
“My little fighting muse.”
“Tell you what,” Jade announced. “We’ll drag the crybaby outside and shove her stupid ass in that shitty car. That way, you two can fuck in the shop without anyone interrupted.”
“Gross,” Melissa said. “I’m leaving.”
“No one cares,” Jade said, yanking Kristen up and pushing her out the door.
Tony watched them go then grinned at Aaron. “My woman is so hot when she gets crazy. You ain’t the only one getting honey tonight.”
The men high fived while Melissa hurried out with that bitchy look plastered on her face.
Aaron watched them disappear then looked at me. “I’m firing Melissa. Would you happen to want to work here?”
“What about Denny’s?”
“Babe, give your two week notice and come hang out with me.”
“What if we get sick of seeing each other?” I asked as he leaned down and nibbled at my collar bone. “Never mind. That feels good.”
“I know they left us alone, but I don’t want to do it here. Can you imagine what my customers would think?”
“Not sanitary. Let’s race home,” I said, going for the door as he grabbed his keys to lock up.
Aaron took my hand and stopped me. “I’m sorry that shit with Kristen happened.”
“I was bound to meet her eventually and she was bound to act like a bitch then end up on her ass. We just got it over with sooner rather than later.”
“You are so hot when you turn roller derby on people,” he said and I wondered if we were leaving. “A tiny badass.”
Staring into his blue eyes, I smiled. “I want you and I don’t want to wait long. Are you giving it to me here or at home? I need to reassure my pussy the wait won’t be long.”
Aaron’s expression flattened out and I was pretty sure all of the blood left his brain. A minute later, he blinked and took an unsteady breath.
“We’re leaving.”
“I accept the position as your receptionist,” I said, hugging him against me as we walked out. “I’ll get to see you work and enjoy your happy customers.”
Aaron nodded slightly, but he was mostly focused on getting home without crashing so we could celebrate naked.
Chapter Thirty - Aaron
Most days, I felt like a grown man who could win a fight, pay his bills, and gain the respect of others. Occasionally, Mom would wipe my mouth at a restaurant and I’d feel like a kid again. I felt that way waiting for Vaughn at the quarry. Like a child waiting for his big brother to get him out of a bind.
Fact was I had never stolen a car before. I was strong and smart and figured I would be stealth too. Vaughn rolled his eyes when I said this then he ditched me at the quarry and stole Gloria on his own.
A loser like Larry didn’t deserve a fine vintage car like Gloria. The Corvette Stingray had been lovingly restored by a jackass who named his car, yet treated his kids like afterthoughts. I planned to lovingly tear the fucking thing apart.
“Have your fun then we’ll torch it and get a beer,” Vaughn said, yawning.
“Did anyone see you?” I asked just to annoy him.
My question worked like a charm and Vaughn squinted disgusted at me then walked over to a large rock where he sat down and looked at his phone.
Swinging the bat, I smashed out the taillight. As painful as it was to tear apart such a beautiful car, Lark needed vengeance. In my mind, I wasn’t hitting the Corvette. I was destroying every person who ever hurt my girl. Every stepfather who hit her, mocked her, and ignored her. I imagined the hung over fucker who let her little brother die. I even pictured her mother who chose the latest fuck over her own kids.
I hated them all for every tear Lark ever shed. If I couldn’t hunt them down, I’d destroyed the prized possession of the latest bastard to mistreat my muse.
Smashing the windows, the lights, denting the cherry red doors, I trashed the car until I was out of breath. Eventually, I grabbed a blade and tore the tires, just to finish off my rage.
“Wuss,” Vaughn said, standing over me as I leaned against the car. “Shame about Gloria. She was a beauty.”
“I haven’t been to the batting cage in awhile. I think I pulled something”
“Sure,” Vaughn muttered, yanking me to my feet. “Let’s light this little bitch up and get a beer.”
“I need to get home to Lark.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I steal this car for you and don’t even get to trash it and you won’t have a beer with me? What an asshole.”
“Please, don’t cry,” I said, patting his shoulder. “I don’t have the ener
gy to hold you until your sobs turn to baby hiccups.”
Vaughn laughed. “I miss Judd. The guy knew how to drink a beer and he didn’t mind when I pissed myself weeping like a chick.”
“The guy is the epitome of patience,” I said, picking up the container of gas. “Or indifference. He always did seem a little bored when you two were talking.”
“You looking to have me use that bat on you, is that it?”
Grinning, I splashed gasoline on Gloria, careful not to have the liquid hit me. Once the car was thoroughly drenched, Vaughn lit a match.
“Are you sure he won’t be able to restore this car?” I asked.
Smirking at me, Vaughn threw the match and Gloria burst into flames. “We oughta get back, just in case the old girl blows. The tank was pretty full when I snatched her.”
Gloria did let out more than a baby hiccup before blowing onto her side. Vaughn took the gas tank and threw it into the fire. The police likely wouldn’t find the car until the next day, maybe longer. The quarry was abandoned and rested in Reaper territory. Cops weren’t welcome and no one would call them. Eventually, Larry would learn of his precious car’s fate and I just prayed the shock killed the fucker.
Chapter Thirty One - Lark
The Storm Babes barely lost the game. Cheering so much that my throat hurt, I was excited to share roller derby with Aaron. When Raven left, I gave up on the sport even before Larry told me to. My sister had been the one to get us involved and I always felt like the team was more hers than mine. I was the tiny chick who sped around and occasionally scored. Raven was the tough chick who scared other tough chicks. In the end, the team missed her more than they missed me. I missed them both.
Team leaders Sarah and Chantal noticed me in the stands before the game and waved, but the other girls seemed irritated to see me. Or they were just putting on the grumpy game faces. After the match, they surrounded me. With them wearing skates and me in flats, I never felt tinier. For days, I’d struggled with dizziness and the vertigo returned as I stared up at them.
“Thunder Kitten grants us a visit. We’re honored,” Chantal said, giving me a bow. “Did you come to beg for your spot back?”
“No.”
“Shit,” Sarah said. “I was looking forward to some begging.”
The girls laughed while I rolled my eyes. “I wanted to show off my hot boyfriend and let him see how I used to be cool.”
Sarah and the girls eyed Aaron who turned around for them then flexed his muscles. Clearly impressed, they smiled.
“Snagged yourself a hot one.”
“He’s really good at fucking too.”
The girls high fived me and I felt like I was the old cooler Lark. Well until Chantal hit my hand and I nearly fell on my ass.
“Damn, I’m strong,” Chantal said, flexing her fingers.
As a worried Aaron helped steady me, I mumbled, “Not that you aren’t quite the Hulk, but I feel dizzy.”
“Sure, pixy,” Chantal said as I found a bench to rest on.
“Are you alright?” Aaron asked, kissing my cheek and sliding his hand between my knees. “That’s to give you something to think about.”
“All of the roller derby stuff turned you on, huh?”
“Hell yeah,” he whispered, kissing my neck. “Crap, Tucker’s in a headlock. Better go help him out.”
“Save the dummy. I’m fine. Just dizzy.”
Aaron gave me a great kiss. The kind signaling he wanted to be inside me. My body responded to his kiss and I imagined us alone.
After Cooper and Aaron dislodged Tucker’s head from Gail’s grip, Maddy sat next to me and rubbed her belly. “Man, the last few weeks aren’t fun.”
“You look good though.”
Maddy grinned. “Thanks for lying. Um, I was wondering if you were on the pill.”
“Yeah.”
“Have you tested it out, you know?”
“I don’t get it.”
Farah sat next to me and smiled at Maddy. “What are we talking about?”
“I think Lark might be preggers.”
“No,” I gasped. “I’m on the pill.”
“Don’t freak. I just saw how dizzy you are. Might be the flu or weather or mono. Who the hell knows, but I was super dizzy when I first got knocked up. Before the nausea and all that stuff, I was dizzy and felt tender like I was going to start my period.”
Touching my slightly bloated stomach, I tried to think happy thoughts or blow off her comments. Instead, I panicked because I wasn’t fit to be a mother. I would let my baby die the way I let Phoenix die.
“But she’s on the pill,” Farah said, trying to calm me. “I was on the pill and I come from fertile people, but I didn’t get pregnant.”
“It happens sometimes. With me, Tucker was fucking with my pills, but I’d tested out the pill. Like he wasn’t my first or anything. My cousin though was on the pill for nearly a decade because she had weird periods. She was a virgin until college though,” Maddy said then whispered, “She’s kinda fugly.”
Staring at her in horror, I didn’t care why her cousin didn’t get laid before college. I just wanted her to tell me something that made my being pregnant impossible.
“Anyway, she’d never tested out her pills in the Biblical sense. A drunk one night stand later and she knew they might regulate her periods, but they didn’t keep her from getting knocked up.”
“Was she on antibiotics?” Farah asking, holding my shaking hand. “I heard they can mess with the pill.”
“Nope. Her pills weren’t old and she was good about taking them. She’s a nerd when it comes to her vitamins and stuff. Anyway, she got preggers and tried having an abortion, but it didn’t take. Talk about all signs pointing to God wanting her to have a kid by some random guy. She gave it up for adoption though because she wanted to finish college.” Maddy paused and glanced around. “I forgot my point. These baby hormones are making me so dumb. I’m always walking into rooms and forgetting why I went in there.”
“I probably have sinus issues,” I said, hoping I was coming down with the flu rather than having a baby. “Spring can do that.”
“Sure, but I’d pee on a stick to be sure,” Maddy said, struggling into a standing position. “It can’t hurt to be sure. I read that the baby does all its important growing at the very beginning. After that, it’s just getting bigger. You don’t want to take anything that makes your kid stupid. I am super careful about that. You know…” She leaned over and whispered, “Because Tucker’s no Einstein.”
Despite my fears, I laughed at her expression. She laughed too then gasped.
“I need to be careful about laughing too much. Don’t want any accidents,” she said, giving me a wink before waddling over to Tucker who was fascinated by the rollers on the skates resting on the table in front of him.
“If you are, you know,” Farah whispered, “it wouldn’t be so bad. In fact, if we both get pregnant around the same time, our babies can grow up and be friends like we are.”
Grinning at Farah, I didn’t feel so afraid to know I wouldn’t be alone. Mostly, I figured she would help me from destroying my baby’s life like I destroyed Phoenix.
Chapter Thirty Two - Aaron
The whole evening, Lark refused to make eye contact and the wall she put up between us felt like a slap in the face. When we arrived at home, she walked around with her arms wrapped around her body as if for protection. I watched her wander from the kitchen back to the living room. Lost and needing an anchor, Lark wasn’t reaching out to me for whatever reason.
Taking her hand, I walked to the couch and sat. Lark joined me, but still wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“Baby, tell me what’s wrong.”
Sitting at the edge of the couch and wrapping her arms tightly around her body, Lark started to speak then she shook her head. After another minute, she sighed. “I shouldn’t say anything until I know for sure.”
Leaning back on the couch, I studied her and really saw my sweet muse
. Not the spunky girl who smiled and teased. Not the roller derby Lark with a tough edge, but the little girl who turned away from watching her baby brother for a few minutes and he ended up dead. The child Lark whose self value came solely from others.
“Do you know one reason my parents have stayed married so long?” I asked and Lark shook her head. “They’re a team. If one has a problem, they both have a problem. No secrets, no holding back. They face everything together.”
Lark glanced at me and I saw such despair in her eyes.
“Whatever it is will be easier if we face it together.”
Lark scooted away from me then nodded. “I’ve been dizzy the last few days. Maddy heard about that and said she got dizzy when she was first pregnant.”
A tight ball in my stomach, I wasn’t sure what to say. Lark continued, “I’m on the pill and I promise I never forget.” When I moved closer, she scooted away. “I thought Maddy was wrong. All she thinks about is babies, so it made sense for her to think I was pregnant. I thought it wasn’t right, but I did the math in my head and I’m late.”
Lark turned her gaze to me and her voice sounded so panicked when she spoke again. “I hadn’t been paying attention. Everything has been so good and I’m on the pill, but I should have started a few days ago. I never paid that much attention before, but I’m regular and I didn’t start.”
Enough of letting her set the mood, I pulled her against me and stroked her hair.
“I’ll go to the store and pick up one of those tests. I see those commercials and they are supposed to work once you missed the first day. I don’t know, but I’m sure there are instructions.”
“I don’t want to know,” she whimpered. “I’m not ready for everything to be ruined.”
Cupping her cheek with my hand, I forced her gaze to mine. “Why would it be ruined?”
“I can’t have a baby.”
My chest hurt at the thought of what she was saying. “Lark, my biological mom was younger than you. Poor and alone. I’m glad she didn’t make the choice you’re thinking about.”
