“I want to go golfing today.” He walked towards the window and looked out, observing the neighborhood. “It’s a nice day.”
“How are you feeling?”
He shrugged. “Not too forgetful. Still have my good swing.”
“Did you take your meds?”
“Yeah,” he huffed. “Nurse practically shoved them down my throat.”
“Oh.” I placed a hand on my hip. “Well, okay. But I’m going to drive you. Margie told me the doctor said you couldn’t get behind the wheel.”
“Man,” he frowned, head shaking, “that woman tells you everything, huh?”
“That’s a good thing. The keys are hidden, so don’t go trying to look for them.”
“Women,” he mumbled as I trotted out of the door.
I laughed, walking down the hallway and entering my bedroom. I took a five-minute shower and then got dressed in a pair of shorts and a blue polo and gathered all my hair into a low ponytail. Placing the black baseball cap over my head, I snatched up my keys, my cellphone, and my wallet, and then walked back to Dad’s room. I was surprised he was still in there. I guess he really was feeling himself today. Good.
“Ready?”
He looked up, standing. “Was ready almost thirty minutes ago, baby girl.”
Yep. This was Dad. The one that called me “baby girl”. The one that actually knew who I was. I smiled as I followed him down the staircase, and after we ate a light breakfast—yogurt, walnuts, and bananas—we were in the car, on our way to the golf club.
While Dad golfed and I was practically his caddy, slugging heavy clubs around the green fields, I’d received a few text messages from Izzy.
Izzy: I’m bored.
Izzy: Chloe?
Izzy: Is papa Knight ok?
Izzy: CHLOEEEE!!!!
I sighed before responding. Such an impatient being she was.
Me: Papa Knight is fine. At Bayroots with him now.
Izzy: The golf club?
Me: Yep.
Izzy: I feel so bad for you right now.
Tell me about it.
I looked up, watching as Dad steadied the club in his hand, the golf ball ready to be struck. He drew back twice, steadied his hand again, and then jerked back once more before completing his swing. The metal club hit the ball with a loud thwack, and we both watched it soar, landing on a patch of grass only a few yards away from the planted flag.
Someone let out a deep whistle from a few feet away, and when I turned to look, I was unfortunate to see Riley, my ex from high school, and his obnoxious dad. Oh, God.
“You have one hell of an arm on you!” Mr. Hunt yelled to my dad, walking in his direction. Of course, that left Riley to come my way as Mr. Hunt continued talking, leaving me stuck in an awkward situation. I couldn’t leave because Dad needed me, but on the other hand, if I had left, it would have spared me from Riley’s ignorance.
“Well, damn,” Riley said, eyes running up and down my legs. “You still have those softball player legs on you.” I thinned my eyes, picking up the bag of clubs and following after Dad and Mr. Hunt. Riley caught up to me, a smirk on his lips. “It’s been so long, huh, Chloe? You go to USC, right?”
“Yep.”
“Shit, you know we trashed them during the championships. Fucking murdered their asses.”
“Good for you,” I sarcastically noted.
“So what’s up?” he asked, running his fingers through his thick bed of curly reddish-brown hair. He’d grown it out, and he had developed more acne too. Weird. I always thought acne was supposed to disappear the older you got, not worsen.
“What do you mean?”
“What are you in town for? USC’s only like a few minutes away right.”
“An hour and a half actually.” I tried not to roll my eyes. “And I came for my dad.”
“Yeah, figured it was something. I remember you saying you would never come back once you left.”
“Yeah, well…” I shrugged, dropping the bag as Dad came to a halt. “Shit happens. Sometimes you need to surround yourself around family.”
He scoffed. “Bullshit. Only reason I’m here is ‘cause my uncle Joe died. Funeral was yesterday.”
“Oh.” I pressed my lips, turning the screen of my phone back one.
Me: OMG. You won’t believe who just showed up.
Izzy: Who?!?
Me: Riley Hunt.
Izzy: Ew. Wtf? I thought you were going to say someone hot.
Me: He won’t stop staring at my legs.
I looked up, and his eyes were focused on my thighs, yet again. Normally, it was the butt or the boobs, but since I had neither on full display, it was the legs. Ugh, he was so fucking weird.
“You know I’m in town until tomorrow afternoon. We should hang out tonight or something.”
“What makes you think I want to do that?”
“I don’t know. You’re obviously bored as fuck if you’re hanging around Bayroots and watching your dad play golf.” He laughed hard, proud of his inside joke.
This time, I didn’t prevent my eye roll. He was a complete jackass. I turned my back to him and looked towards my dad again. He was still watching Mr. Hunt talk. He seemed a little confused.
“Know what I mean?” Riley asked, moving forward and licking his lips. “Have fun together… alone. Just like old times.”
Ew. I cringed and moved away, feeling bile building up in the back of my throat. Dad turned to look at me, and I took advantage of the opportunity, walking ahead with the clubs and getting far away from my really unappealing ex-boyfriend.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, yeah. Just need a different club.”
“Oh.” I pulled the bag around, and Mr. Hunt told us to hold on one second, rushing towards Riley again and demanding his cellphone from the bag. Yeah, now I see where Riley got his everybody owes me attitude.
Dad scratched his head after accepting the club. “I feel like I’ve seen that man before, but I have no clue who the hell he is.”
I laughed. “That’s Mr. Hunt. His first name is Jake. You volunteered to go on a field trip with him one time—a long time ago.”
“Oh. The boy knows you?” he inquired.
“We… used to date.”
Dad’s face was full of disgust, nose scrunched, forehead creased. “Him!?”
I glanced back. “I know…” I turned forward again, looking down at the grass. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Dad chuckled. “Don’t sweat it.” Then he tipped my chin back up. “We all fall for pimply, odd-statured people with arrogant attitudes.”
I giggled. “You’re crazy. Go swing!”
He put on a smile, walking forward and getting into position. When he tipped the ball into the hole with the flat edge, he went to take it out, and I jotted his score down.
“I’m guessing he isn’t your type then, huh?” Dad looked at me as we started towards the golf cart. I peered up at him, my hat shielding my face from the sun. There was gentleness in his eyes, his curiosity burning. I guess I didn’t expect him to know anything about this—my relationship life, that is. I never talked about boys with my father. Like, ever.
“He’s… way too simple-minded for me.” I glanced back, watching the Hunts struggle with which club to start with.
“Yeah, that I can see. You’re a smart girl. You need someone on your level—or even a little higher.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“So what is it that peaks your interest?”
“Ya know…” I hesitated, unsure as I started the cart and drove to the next course. “I don’t really have a type, but for some reason I always end up with a football player at my side. I don’t get it.”
“Hot bods,” he mused, grinning.
I choked on a laugh, twisting my lips and putting the cart in park. “It feels weird talking to you about this.”
“You might as well get it out now. I’m sure I won’t be able to remember it by tomorrow… maybe eve
n tonight.”
I swallowed thickly, but Dad acted as if his comment wasn’t meant to be damaging. For some reason, that comment brought me right back to reality. The fact that he had Alzheimer’s. The fact that he most likely wouldn’t remember my first name by the following morning, maybe even the same evening.
Hopping out of the cart, Dad pulled out one of the tees and stuck it in the grass. I stepped out and dropped the bag, watching as he stood there for a while with the golf ball in hand and a confused expression now on his face.
I realized what was happening before he could ask, “Where’d I get this ball from?”
Picking up the bag of clubs, I walked towards him and took the ball away, pulling out the tee from the grass. “We’ve been out her for about two hours now, Dad. I think we should head back home.”
“Uh… yeah. I guess.” He said nothing more as I collected the clubs and tossed them in the back of the cart. Dad climbed inside, sitting forward, eyes ahead. He was disappointed. I pretended his forgetfulness didn’t bother me by mentioning how great his swing was—how he still had it. It made him feel somewhat better, but not entirely.
The car ride was quiet on the way back home. We arrived in fifteen minutes, catching Margie in the kitchen, whipping up some lunch. “Well, look who’s back!” she chimed, turning around with a pink apron tied at her waist. “How was it?” she asked as I shut the garage door behind me.
“A disaster,” Dad grumbled.
“Was not,” I argued. “It was great, Margie. He still has his swing.”
“That’s wonderful!” Her chubby cheeks spread as she looked from me to my dad. “Are you hungry, Mr. Knight?”
“No, no.” He waved a hand. “I just want to rest.” He said this while he was already walking out of the kitchen. Margie quickly turned the stove off, following after him but giving me a wink before disappearing. She had it from here.
Blowing out a deep breath, I sat at the counter and ran my fingers across my face. It was getting worse for him. I didn’t know how much more I could handle.
Slipping off the stool, I tiptoed upstairs and took a shower, ridding myself of the ninety-degree heat. Once I finished, I got dressed and heard my phone buzz in the pocket of my shorts.
I figured it was Izzy or even Mariah. I was wrong.
It was Theo.
Theo: Plans tonight?
Me: …not sure yet.
Theo: Can we meet?
Me: What if I end up having plans?
Theo: I asked first.
Me: Actually, no. Someone already beat you to the punch.
I just haven’t confirmed or anything yet.
Theo: A guy??
I frowned, but then I smiled, pleased to know he even cared.
Me: No. My roommate is coming to Bristle.
Wants me to hang with her.
Theo: A specific place?
Me: At stupid Brix.
Me: I’ll be free after the club…
Theo: Well if u get bored u should come to Dane’s.
Only a block away from Brix.
Drinks on me if you decide to come, LK. No pressure.
Little Knight.
My cheeks blazed like a furnace. If Theo was coming to the city, that meant I needed to dress accordingly—look too hot to touch. I called Mariah and told her I’d show. She was beyond thrilled.
After setting a time, I relaxed during the rest of my day, taking up the idea of reading a book by the pool and wondering just how I would make it through a night that ended with Theo Black. I didn’t confirm with him on purpose. I didn’t need him thinking I was too eager to see him, even though I was.
I thought of every bad scenario—someone knowing he was Izzy’s dad, seeing us put on a display of affection in public or quite possibly catching us making googly eyes at one another. That person would then inform Izzy or someone that knew her, leaving us both fucked and left to drown.
But then I thought of the good.
I could drink with him… again.
I could have a good time with him beneath dim lights. Dane’s, a place where no one worried about what anyone else was doing. A place where alcoholics could drink without limits and women didn’t have to worry about being harassed because the alcoholics cared more for the bottles than various amounts of ass flouncing around.
I could smell him again… taste him again… hold him again.
There were way too many possibilities, and although I had those bad scenarios in the back of my mind, nothing could top the excitement I felt coursing through me when I thought of him.
I was ready. I needed to see Theo.
And I needed him immediately, in every way possible.
Eleven
Dane’s was just like how it used to be during my worst times—dim lights, a weird peanut smell, and annoying alternative music that was, fortunately, easy to ignore with the flat screens plastered on every cement wall, streaming ESPN. The waitresses still dressed like they had no mother to raise them. Short leather skirts or short black shorts and tank tops that showcased a large pair of tits.
I picked up the whiskey Marcel slid across the bar, giving him a quick bob of my head as I lifted the glass to my lips. He returned the gesture before turning his back to me with a rag and a wet glass in hand, clearing it of soap and droplets.
After taking a long sip, allowing the burn to further relax me, I flicked my wrist, checking the time. It was nearing midnight. I thought for sure she’d make an appearance before now, but I guess I was wrong.
My leg bounced, my shoe pressing into the metal bar of the chair.
I looked around, thinking maybe she was somewhere else. Maybe looking for me? Shit, who was I kidding?
She knew better.
Maybe it was a good thing she didn’t show.
We needed to get over each other. Though I hated rejection and being stood up, I could understand a no-show. And the worst part? I couldn’t be upset about it. She was young. I was twenty years older than her. She was in college with her whole life ahead of her, and I’d already established mine. I owned a car shop and had settled my party-going ways a long time ago.
I finished off my third whiskey, and Marcel turned, one of his bushy eyebrows arching. “‘Nother round?”
“Nah.” I pulled the wallet out of my back pocket with the chain attached and flipped it open, sliding two twenties across the counter. “I’m good for the night. Gotta drive. Appreciate it though.”
Marcel accepted the change. “Mmmhmm.”
Standing from the stool, I turned for the exit, the bright neon lights burning my eyes as I staggered toward the door. Before I could reach the handle, the door had already swung open, and a young girl with the ends of her hair dyed pink dashed in, laughing so hard I swear she was about to pop a lung.
“Oh my gosh! This place fucking sucks!” she yelled, loud enough for Marcel to hear. I glanced back. Marcel’s line of sight shifted from the TV screen above him to the girl. He then looked at me. I shrugged, looking forward again. “Damn it, Chloe! Why’d you drag us here?”
Chloe? I wasn’t sure how I made out that name, considering the girl’s speech was horribly slurred. My back straightened, breathing turning shallow as I focused on the other girl that walked through the door. And my fucking god, she looked amazing. Good enough to fucking eat, but maybe just a little too hot to devour right away.
In this moment, as she walked inside with a halter dress that hugged her body, strappy heels, and her hair pinned up, it seemed she was on fucking fire. And for only a millisecond, I couldn’t breathe. I liked this fiery side of her.
Blazing.
Burning.
Untouchable.
If I got too close, I knew she’d burn me. But, like a child, I was mesmerized, dying to cop a feel. Unable to stop staring. Wanting so badly to play with that raging blaze.
Fuck.
Her eyes caught mine when she made it through the door, a guy following behind her. My fists automatically clenched as he pressed
his palm on the small of her back and said something to her, but then he hurried for the pink-haired girl. I realized he wasn’t Chloe’s date. He was the crazy girl’s.
Pink Hair and her date went to the bar, ordering a round of drinks from an irritated Marcel. He was never the type to kick anyone out, especially if the kids looked wealthy and ready to drink the night away, and that was exactly what they looked like. Ready to party. Ready to get wasted. Ready to blow all their money on overpriced drinks.
I turned forward again, watching as Chloe stood there, a light smile on her face. Her grey eyes bolted with mine, the sound of a lock clinking in my head, verifying that I would no longer be able to look away from her for the rest of the night.
Her skin looked as smooth as satin beneath the dim lights, her hair probably as soft as silk. It was actually tamed tonight. No wild curls. No hippie style to go along with it. It suited her as well. She had a versatile appeal.
“Hi, Theo,” she murmured, taking a step towards me. “Sorry I’m so late.”
“Nah… it’s all good.” I took a step with her. “Didn’t think you’d show though.”
“Good… that’s exactly what I wanted.” Her cheeks stretched.
“Oh really? And why is that?”
“I wanted to see how long you’d wait.”
I shrugged. “Playing the hard to get game, huh?”
“No not at all,” she teased.
“I just figured you’d made up your mind… chose a different path.”
Her brows narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“You know what I mean.” Her eyes moved quickly from mine, avoiding the subject at all costs. Sighing, she looked from me to the bar, shaking her head at her friends. “Those must be the friends that beat me to the punch, I presume?” I decided to forget about the subject too.
“Yep.”
“Wild,” I chuckled.
“Her name in my phone is actually Wild Child. What a coincidence!”
Tainted Black Page 11
