The Keys to Jericho

by Ren Alexander

  “You can’t keep doing this. You’re becoming an alcoholic.”

  Holding the ball, I frown. “From playing basketball? I’ve never heard of that side effect before.”

  He rolls his eyes. “From your drinking.”

  I laugh. “Like you?”

  “Yes. Like me. But I got help before it was too late. That’s not to say I can’t relapse. I take it one—”

  I bob my head. “—day at a time. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know the anthem. I don’t drink all the time anyway.”

  “This is how it started for me. Your mother left. I used drinking as an escape. To forget the pain. To be numb. I only drank after you and Hadley were in bed, so I thought I could hide it. I couldn’t. It became worse and infected my daily life, too.”

  “I remember. You hated staying home or you were asleep when you were.” I stumble past him, grabbing the ball, I make a hook shot, but it bounces off the backboard and rolls down the driveway.

  Sighing, I go after it. Dribbling it back to the garage, I look up to the basket, but notice he’s still watching me, so I stop. “What? If you’re not going to play some one-on-one, then just leave me to being one.”

  “I know you’re drinking because of Kat. Why don’t you talk to me about it?” I open my mouth to speak, but he says, “Don’t tell me that there’s nothing to talk about. There is. Plenty. I see it. I know, Jared.”

  I shake my head and concentrate on dribbling the ball. “You don’t.” I continue bouncing the ball and go to change the subject. “I wanted to play basketball in school.”

  “You did? Why didn’t you?”

  I shrug. “Because your shadow was overwhelming.”

  “What?”

  I tuck the ball under my arm. “I was Adam ‘Sure Shot’ Beckett’s only son. I thought I should try to make you proud in some way. Playing basketball was not going to get that job done. I didn’t want to play football, really, but I was good at it—not a star—but I did what I had to do.”

  “You didn’t have to play anything for me to be proud of you. I’ve always been. Always will be.”

  “You wouldn’t be if you…” I laugh and take a shot, and this time it balances on the rim before falling into the basket. Grinning, I fist pump the air. “Ha!”

  As it again rolls down the driveway, I chase the ball, nearly falling onto my face. When I pick it up, I hand it to my dad. “Come on, Pops. For old times’ sake.”

  He gives me a tolerant glare before reluctantly snatching the ball from me. Dribbling it, while upholding his frown at me, in which I respond with rolling my eyes, he glances at the basket, and then back at me, suddenly making a cool hook shot.

  I turn to watch it go into the basket with a whoosh.

  “Showoff,” I grumble.

  “Still got it.” He laughs at the basket, but then sheepishly shrugs at me. “Maybe I should dare Finn to play me.”

  “Oh, Jesus. You can’t wipe the floor with his ass on his show. He’d break up with your daughter on live TV.”

  “He wouldn’t do that. Even if I beat him in a dare.”

  “Right. I’m sure his ego has a ceiling.”

  “You don’t think he’ll marry your sister?”

  I roll my eyes, making the driveway tilt. “Marriage. Give me a break. It didn’t work out for you…or other people.”

  “But it does work for some. Your sister and Finn have worked so far with his tough work schedule. I’m sure they can work through other things.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Jared, it could work for you…someday.”

  I laugh. “No, thank you. Damn Duquesne is jumping aboard that train wreck, but hey, that’s his problem.”

  “Oh, I see. Is that what you talked about tonight?”

  “His warden is moving to Virginia for a job. I guess she snapped her fingers and whistled for him. So he’s obediently following her. What a tool.”

  “You wouldn’t do that for someone?”

  Dribbling the ball, I roll my eyes with a scowl. “Nobody’s worth it.”

  He sighs. “What happened, Jared? It’s not just Rio bothering you. Where’s Kat? You have been spending time with her, but now you’re not.”

  I shoot the ball, making a basket, but I don’t care. I snap, “She’s not my probation officer or girlfriend. I don’t have to report to her every hour.” I let the ball bounce into the grass and I walk over to my beer, picking up the spare cans, but they fall, so I leave them. “I’m done here. Why don’t you practice some? You could use it,” I joke, but the delivery is flat.

  Hating that I’m thinking about shit I set out to forget, I go into the house and stuff two more cans of beer under my arm before heading to my room.

  Looking up at the window where Lange is yelling measurements out to me, I give him a thumbs up and walk over to the table to make the cuts in the baseboards.

  “What’s up, Jericho?”

  Writing down the measurements, I say, “Stay out of my way, Calder. I have the saw and I know how to use it for wicked, wicked deeds.”

  “Uh, did you talk to Rio?”

  I put the pencil behind my ear, not giving Calder much attention. “Who?”

  “Oh. I’m taking it you did.”

  I snap at the table, “He can do whatever the fuck he wants. Doesn’t make shit to me.”

  “I know you’re mad, but come on, what else did you think he was really going to do? Stay apart from her forever?”

  “I was hoping for a breakup, but he’s too stupid.”

  “Not true.”

  “Again. Whatever.”

  He sighs. “You need to make up with him before you move.”

  “Nope.”

  He sighs again. “Did Kat get back from their trip yet?” Goddamn it.

  I shrug, but glance at him, hoping he doesn’t notice my interest. “Don’t know.”

  “She texted me that she needs to ask me some questions, but she hasn’t said anything else.”

  Putting on my safety glasses, I again shrug. “Haven’t heard from her.” Fucking hell.

  He laughs. “You are such a bad actor.”

  I flip off Dash before turning on the saw and making a slashing gesture to my throat, and then pointing at him.

  He responds by making a swirling motion at his head and points back at me.

  Jesus Christ. I feel like I am losing it.

  About three hours later, I’m buzzed, but I’m sober. The metal grinding, still echoing in my head, kicked around all the shit with Kat and Rio, which makes my mind scream nonstop.

  I miss her. I miss him already. Two of my best friends will be disappearing.

  Shit.

  No…

  Pissed off, I throw a block of wood at the trashcan, but it bounces off the plastic side, and skips across the ground like a stone across water.

  “Pretty cool, Jericho,” Dash garbles. I irritably look at him as he takes a purple sucker from his mouth. “Awesome. Kat just texted me. She’s home. Just thought you wanted to know.”

  “Uh-huh,” I say, trying to sound uncaring as I return to nothing in particular. However, as soon as Dash walks away, I head for the Nissan. I just hope that bitch isn’t there with her.

  Rounding the corner, I see Kat’s empty driveway and I heave a sigh of relief. I can’t deal with Liberty’s shit right now and I may choke her for stealing my best friend. Both.

  Going up the stairs, I’m hit with the realization that I have no idea why I’m really here or what I’m going to say. Yet, I need to be. Because I’m a fucking idiot who can’t stay away from his obsession.

  I knock on the door and she answers within seconds, looking confused. She’s wearing her glasses, and her hair is all chocolate brown. Just like the Kat I first met, and I nearly fall to my knees.

  Now, I’m the one confused.

  “Jared? What’s wrong? Did I miss a text about driving?”

  I stutter, “Your hair.”

  She touches it, but doesn’t comment as she warily steps a
side. I breeze past her and when she shuts the door I spout, “Rio’s leaving.” She solemnly nods and looks to the floor. Propping my hands on my hips, I nod with a roll of my eyes. “Oh. Of course you know that.”

  “Liberty told me during our trip.”

  “How can he want to be with her? And so far away?”

  She sighs. “Jared…”

  “What? Please don’t defend his decision! I’m sure it was Libby’s fucking idea. Jesus. Her claws are in so deep.”

  “She said it was Rio’s idea. He wants to do this.”

  I doubtfully frown. “Well, if he wants to move that far, then so be it. Fuck him.”

  She crosses her arms and challenges, “You’re moving to Philadelphia.”

  I throw out my hand. “It’s not that far from Baltimore! I’d still visit him there, just like I’ll be here visiting you and Dash!”

  “Exactly! Philly isn’t that far from Annapolis, either, but you said long-distant relationships don’t work!”

  I drop my hand and scowl even more. “So?”

  Her throat ripples as her gaze falls. “So… You shouldn’t be visiting me at all.”

  Clenching my teeth, I ask, “Why wouldn’t I?”

  She shakes her head at the floor, but then looks up at me. “Our friendship has become complicated since we crossed that line. Feelings, for me at least, are involved. It’s too much. I can’t do it and I can’t put my life on hold for you.”

  I roar, “What in the fuck does that mean?”

  “I mean, what the hell do you want me to do? Languish here, while you sleep around during the week, but then come back on weekends for a welcome-home fuck?”

  “I won’t be sleeping around!”

  “Why not, Jared? Tell me. You have nothing keeping you from doing that.”

  I anxiously pull on my bill. “Because I don’t want to do that!”

  “Give me a real answer. What is keeping you from sleeping around?”

  I shake my head and sneer, “Absolutely nothing.” That’s a lie.

  She nods. “That’s right. Nothing.” She swipes her nose on the back of her hand and says, “I told you I won’t be your weekly fuck reservation, but even I won’t be able to abide by that. You’ll come home on weekends, and I’ll spread my legs to welcome you because...” Her eyes heavily water and she takes off her glasses. Setting them down, she uses the heels of her hands to dry her eyes, muttering, “I can’t do this anymore, and I won’t.”

  Staring at her, I dully mumble, “Kat…”

  Her fist goes to her mouth as she glances to her suitcase sitting near the hallway. Suddenly, it fucking dawns on me.

  I numbly ask, “Why did you go to Virginia?”

  Not looking at me, she whispers, “To keep Liberty company.”

  “You’re fucking lying to me! Why can’t you give me a real answer?”

  When she closes her eyes, I storm over to her, grab her chin, forcing her to look at me, just like she did on my couch. “Tell me the fucking truth!”

  The tears spill down her cheeks. “I went down there for an interview.”

  “A fucking what?”

  As I grip her chin, she drones, “For an interview. For a teaching position next school year.”

  Jerking my hand away from her as if she just electrocuted me, I dubiously laugh. “You’re joking, right?” When she doesn’t laugh or tell me it is a joke, I shout, “Tell me this is goddamned joke, Katriona!”

  She yells, “I can’t be here, time after time, waiting to fuck you every weekend! It’s too hard now and you haven’t left yet!”

  Because I can’t wrap my head around the fact that Rio and Kat are both leaving, and saved their announcements for a day apart, I summarize, “You’re leaving Annapolis?”

  She whispers, “Yes.”

  I bite my lip hard as I aimlessly look around the living room, before glaring at her. “So you knew all this time? You’ve only been using me to get your license—your ticket out of here?”

  “No!”

  “Did that fucking bitch talk you into doing this?”

  “No, Jared! This was all my idea! I have a teacher friend with connections who owed me a favor!”

  Rubbing my hands over both sides of my jaw, I growl and reach for my phone in my pocket, “I’ll fucking kill him.”

  “It wasn’t Dash! He doesn’t even know! This was all me!” She sniffs and shoves a hand into her hair. “Last week, I submitted my license application to teach in Virginia, and since I’m licensed here, it shouldn’t take long and I have fewer hurdles to jump.”

  As that reality sinks in, my hands fly to my head as I step back from her. I can’t form words because I’m so infuriated. She sobbingly asks, “Why is it a big deal to you? Because you’re losing your foolproof fuck pawn?”

  With my hands on top of my head, I laugh because she’s so damn preposterous. “Oh, you think this a game, do you?”

  “No, but you think I’m a plaything that you can toy with whenever you want! No commitment! No attachment! No cares!”

  Lowering my arms, I slowly pace in front of her, darkly gazing at her like I am that wolf stalking the scared rabbit. “You think I’m not committed to you? Surprise, I am utterly faithful to you. So much so that after we met, every pussy I fucked was yours.”

  She gasps, and I laugh as I incredulously spew, “No attachment? Really? My pathetic obsession with you for nearly half my entire life doesn’t count?”

  I stop pacing to glower down at her wet face. “No cares? I guess I don’t anymore, so fuck you, Kat Merrick.”

  When she slaps me across the face, the sting doesn’t hurt as much as her decision to leave. Me.

  I grab her arms, and she struggles against me, crying, “Fuck you, Jared! You don’t even want me!”

  “You think I don’t fucking want you?” Letting go of her arm, I yank her hair and dive in, kissing her mouth. She tries to push me away, knocking off my hat in the process, but I hold firm. We fight each other, pushing and pulling, but our mouths stay glued, engaging in their own battle. My back rams into the wall, and I slide until we reach the hallway. I walk backward, dragging her with me as she pushes me into a room where we stumble onto a bed. I flip her over, trapping her beneath me. The only thing I notice is that the bedspread is a bluish-purple color.

  Her fists pound my chest and she yelps, “Go home!”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” I tear at her shorts, but she squeezes her knees together.

  However, I still get her shorts and underwear off, and she kicks at me. I lean onto her legs, holding them with my arm, while I use my free hand to shakily go for my fly. “What? You still need a goddamned label? Fine. I’m your boyfriend. Happy?”

  “No, you’re not!” Finally getting my shorts undone, I speedily shove them down. She cries, “Stop! I’m not a revolving door or your on-call skank!”

  Prying her legs open, I lean close to her mouth. “No, you’re my girlfriend.”

  She adamantly shakes her head. “We’re nothing!” That hurts more than the slap did.

  Incensed, I pin her arms down, next to her head, and her eyes widen. She twists her wrists, but she can’t free them from my grip, and she sobs harder.

  Even though I’m full of rage, I know I’m entering a dark place I shouldn’t be.

  I release her wrists and push myself up. Sitting back, I catch my breath as I stare at her. She hurriedly sits up, facing me on her knees, looking more angered than before, but I notice the flash of relief that crosses her face. When her gaze drops to my hard cock, I grab her hand and put it on my shaft.

  “Fucking tell me you don’t want me, Kat.”

  She clamps her hand onto it, but yells, “I don’t!”

  “You’re lying!”

  She suddenly lets go of my dick and pushes my chest. I push her back, but not nearly as hard as I can. When she pushes me again, I grab her arms and force her down onto the bed with me, rolling onto my back.

  Getting on top of me, she growls, “Yes.
I’m lying. You don’t even realize how much I fucking want you.”

  I sneer, “I knew you wanted my cock.”

  “You’re so damn clueless,” she breathlessly states.

  “Oh, yeah?” I grab her hips and drive her onto me. She whimpers as I dig deep, but we viciously fuck. Fast and hard. Cold and to the point.

  Over her shirt, I grab her tits and squeeze my fingers into them, pulling her each time she pushes me into her, while she claws at my chest hair through my shirt.

  My hands fall to her waist, and I brutally yank her back and forth. When she gripes, I seethe, “Shut up and take it. You wanted me to fuck you.”

  Her hands slide up my shirt and her nails dig into my skin. “Ow! Fuck!”

  She sneers, “Shut up and take it. A fuck is all you do want from me.”

  I’m already near the edge, but I can’t help it, or stop it. I roll my head back and groan, “Jesus Christ!”

  Surprisingly, she comes before me. As she crushes the life out of my cock, she grabs my T-shirt and falling close to my face, she snarls, “I’m fucking in love with you, Jared Beckett.”

  I spurt inside her, and bark, “You bitch! Goddamn it!”

  I gasp, and her voice becomes a tearful whisper. “I love you so much.”

  Panting, I push her off me, and sit up, grabbing my shorts from the floor, with my cock barely finished twitching. Wrenching on my shorts, I spin around, glaring at her as she sits up and curls her legs in front of her. I yell, “That’s a lie! How can you fucking say that? You’re leaving! Just like every other fucking female in my life!”

  She cries, and catching her breath, she shouts, “Jared, it’s the truth! I love you! I’ve been in love with you since high school!”

  I zip up my fly over my rapidly shrinking dick, and roar, “Bull fucking shit! You don’t have a clue what that is! You went off and married some fucker you didn’t give a shit about! And let me guess, you want me to marry you now? Fucking hell, you couldn’t even keep your first marriage together! Like I want to be involved in another one of your disasters!”

  “You’re my only love!” she wails, her head shaking her brown hair as she leans her forehead onto her arms.

  I didn’t even listen to my own advice I gave Finn. I told him to cut Hadley loose. I’ve been hanging onto Kat way past her expiration date.