Sweetened Suffering (Sweet Treats Book 2)

by Charity B.

  “Because then people will know. If they know, then they will call the cops, and you don’t want to meet a cop.”

  I know about police. Daddy says if they find me, they will lock me away in jail and I’ll never get out. I’ve never actually seen them, I just know they are bad.

  “Why would they do that?”

  “Because people don’t know how to mind their own damn business.”

  “I don’t ever see people though. I never leave the house.”

  “What? What about the dentist and the doctor?”

  “Daddy says I don’t need a doctor because I should be dead anyway.”

  I think I did something wrong because he looks mad at me.

  “You never leave? Will your parents not let you?”

  I’m always too scared to leave. Daddy says there are a lot of people who will hurt little girls. I don’t want him to know I get scared, though.

  “They don’t care if I leave, I just don’t. I like to watch all the people through my window.”

  He turns his head and points his thumb. “That’s a window well, the only thing outside there is a concrete wall.”

  “You have to climb the ladder, silly.”

  “Wow, really?” He stands up and hurries to my window. When he opens it, he looks at the ladder. “Well I’ll be damned.” He turns to me and smiles. His whole face changes when he smiles. “You’re weird, but I like you. See you around, Tavin.” He climbs out and is gone.

  Why did he leave? He said he liked me.

  He left his eye pad, I think he called it, and his notebook, on my bed. I bet he will come back for it. Oh, I hope he does!

  Damn it. I left my lyric book and iPod in her room. I’ll need to go back to get them, just not tonight. I still don’t know why he dragged me over there in the first place, he normally can’t wait to get me out of his sight. Is he trying to be an actual parent and punish me for getting suspended today? Why doesn’t he just punch me in the stomach like usual and be done with it? Whatever. I don’t give a shit. I thought he was bad when he was drinking, now that he has been using, it’s as if his hate has become a creature of its own.

  That Tavin girl is the oddest person I’ve ever met. I wonder if she’s telling the truth about all that stuff. I’ve lived two houses down from her my whole life, and I’ve never seen her before. She doesn’t act like she’s nine, and she’s smaller than the girls in my class. She’s covered in dirt and her hair needs washing, but she’s interesting. I think I was kind of mean to her, and it’s not normal that I care.

  I found myself continuously looking at her pretty purple eyes that were out of place with her ragged clothes and tangled hair. I don’t understand how her parents have been able to keep her locked up and out of sight for so long, or why they’d want to. Maybe I can ask my dad, if I can catch him on one of his good days.

  I’m gonna get the crap beat out of me for leaving. What else is new? At least I don’t have to stay in the room that time forgot.

  I run back to my house, get my bike, and begin to ride the two blocks to Christopher’s, as I breathe in the perfect air.

  I love the fall. It’s calming to watch the grass and flowers dying. It’s the end of stupid pool parties and getting crazy-ass looks from people for wearing long sleeved shirts. It smells cleaner, and the air feels better, than any other time of year.

  Christopher is the closest thing to a best friend that I have. His parents think I’m a bad influence on their perfect little boy because my dad’s a dick and I listen to metal. If they only knew their angel introduced me to pot, and I’m about to get drunk off the vodka he stole from their liquor cabinet.

  I almost told him the last time we drank, about my dad, and I have wanted to tell him on a few other occasions. Then I remind myself of the possible outcomes.

  He could try to help by telling his parents, which would most likely mean I’d go into foster care. I definitely don’t want that, at least now I pretty much do whatever I want. He could keep quiet, but always pity me and get all weird which would cost me my only real friend. He could ask why my dad does what he does, and when I tell him it’s because I killed my mother, he could end up agreeing that I deserve the beatings. The odds of him staying my friend and staying quiet are pretty damn slim, so I keep it to myself.

  The thought occurs to me that I could tell Tavin. Just from what I saw, her arms, neck, side of her face, and legs are all covered in either new or healing bruises. I feel bad for her, she’s so small. I don’t think she can take too much. Her dad is a decent size guy, nothing like my dad, but he could definitely inflict some damage. She doesn’t even act like it’s a secret. She probably wouldn’t bat an eye if I took off my shirt. It would be so nice to just say it aloud. To tell someone.

  I’ll go see her tomorrow to get my stuff.

  I drop my bike in Christopher’s yard and knock on his front door. His mom answers, which is better than his dad. I try to be as polite as I can, and they still don’t like me. At least she tries to hide it.

  She sighs in greeting, “Hello, Toben. Christopher is in his room.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Reed.”

  I give her a big smile and she makes a sad attempt to return it. I pound down the stairs and take the left into Christopher’s room. Some top forty shit is playing, and he’s propped in bed pounding buttons on his Gameboy.

  He turns his head and when he sees me, a huge grin crosses his face.

  “Dude, that was seriously legendary. I swear you didn’t even look at him the first time, your fist was just punching his face out of nowhere.” He starts laughing, “Then you lost it.” Shaking his head he adds, “You’re crazy.”

  He reaches under his bed, recovers a bottle, and takes a drink. He hands it to me, and after a burning swig, I tell him why Thomas asked for everything he got.

  “He deserved it. He’s a dick. He was kicking Michelle Andrews in the shin and I’ve seen him pick on other girls before, too. So I thought, if he wants to fight, he can fight me.”

  “Yeah, well, just give me a chance to explain things if I ever make you mad.”

  We drink a few more drinks and soon my head is fuzzy. I better stop or I won’t be able to make it home.

  “Hey, do you have any weed? I can pay you.” I reach for the twenty I ripped off from my dad, this morning.

  “No, but I get it from the high school kids. Just make sure whoever you ask looks cool.”

  I’m able to walk up the stairs fairly straight and I only fall off my bike once on my way to the high school. I think the ride clears my head because I can focus better once I get there. Even though they’re already out for the day, there are always a few who stay for clubs, or practices, or whatever else they do in senior high. I ride by the football field, to the parking lot. Sure enough, there’s a group of them heading to their cars. I scan them and my eyes land on a kid with dreadlocks. There’s no way someone that doesn’t smoke weed would do that to their hair. I park my bike in the rack and try to hurry without being obvious about it. I catch up to him just as he’s getting into his car.

  He raises his eyebrows. “Do you need something, little man?”

  I reach in my pocket and pull out the twenty, showing it to him, while keeping it in my fist. “I need a quarter.”

  He laughs at me, “A quarter of what?”

  “Of weed.”

  “Jesus, you’re a little young, yeah?” He looks me up and down, sighs, and then nods toward his car. “Fine, get in.”

  I think for sure he’ll rip me off, but he’s cool. His name is Cory Ridge and he tells me to hit him up any time.

  When I get back to my house, I still have a great buzz and my dad isn’t back yet. Getting some papers from my desk drawer, I roll a joint, and light up. The high is calm and relaxing. I feel my heart rate slow and I close my eyes.

  I know that I would want to see Tavin again even if I hadn’t left my crap there. I don’t have school for three days on account of my suspension, and she apparently doesn�
�t have it at all. I think I’ll try to get her to leave tomorrow and take her to the beach. It’s the best time of year to go, in my opinion. If she’s never left then maybe I can show her some new things. I’ve never had a girl for a friend before.

  I wonder what it will be like.

  1. Never Forget You – Zara Larsson ft. MNEK

  2. Little One – Highly Suspect

  3. Blood in the Cut – K. Flay

  4. Bloodstream – Stateless

  5. Wolves - Selena Gomez ft. Marshmallow

  6. Sugar – Maroon 5

  7. High Enough – K. Flay

  8. Bubblegum Bitch – Marina and the Diamonds

  9. Not on Drugs- Tove Lo

  10. Roses – The Chainsmokers

  11.Broken Girl – Matthew West

  12. Roots – In This Moment

  13. Homegrown - Otep

  14.Beautiful Pain – Eminem ft. Sia

  15. Flashlight (Sweet Life Remix) - Hailee Steinfeld

  RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network):

  1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

  www.rainn.org

  National Domestic Violence Hotline:

  1-800-799- SAFE (7233)

  www.ndvh.org

  National Child Abuse Hotline:

  1-800-422-4453

  www.childhelp.org

  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

  1-800-273-8255

  www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

  1-800-662-HELP (4357)

  www.samhsa.gov

  The Sweet Treats Trilogy

  Candy Coated Chaos

  Sweetened Suffering

  My Beta Readers Elaine Kelly, Danielle Krushel, Lia Covington from Lia’s Bookish Obsession, Salina Donovan, Kween Corie, and Terry Rains. I don’t know where I would be without you guys and these books wouldn’t be what they are without your help. Thank you so much for having my back.

  My readers and stalkers. Your support means so much to me and you have made my dreams come true. I do this for you guys. Thank you for all your love.

  All the blogs that have posted about these books. You are guys are awesome and I love you all and greatly appreciate you.

  Kathi and Maureen from Maureen and Kathi Read and The Dark Angels for being so supportive and taking a chance on me.

  All the authors that have helped me by not only talking about the books, but have offered advice and information to help me learn this business.

  Stacey with Champagne formats. You have made this book more beautiful than I ever imagined. You have been so understanding and phenomenal through this whole process.

  Megan with Mischievous Design. The teasers you have made for this series are still blowing me away. Your work is so incredible and you were a dream to work with.

  Indie Solutions Cover Design for giving the covers I fantasized about.

  My editor Joanne LaRe Thompson. You have been a dream and I have loved working with you. Thank you so much for everything you have done for this book and series.

  As an independent author, your ratings and especially reviews mean more than you realize. If you enjoyed the book, please consider lending your support by leaving your thoughts in a review.

  Charity B. lives in Salem Oregon with her husband and ornery little boy. She has always loved to read and write, but began her love affair with dark romance when she read C.J. Robert’s The Dark Duet. She has a passion for the disturbing and sexy and wants nothing more than to give her readers the ultimate book hangover. In her spare time when she’s not chasing her son, she enjoys reading, the occasional TV show binge, and is deeply inspired by music.

  For news on upcoming releases go to charitybauthor.com