“Jesus H!” My eyes fell onto the deer standing right outside the window. My heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest as the adrenaline caused my body to shake uncontrollably. “Go away!” I made shooing gestures with my hands but the deer just stood there, looking at me with curiosity.
I was glad that I hadn't hit the deer. Ecstatic that I was still alive and not a mangled corpse twisted around a metal heap. I rested my head momentarily against the steering wheel. I felt the tension starting to slowly leave me as I breathed out a sigh of relief. I looked over at the window through my hair, surprised to see the deer still looking at me. I closed my eyes, and leaned back. “This is so not happening.” I didn't know what to do so I rolled the window down a couple of inches.
I turned to the deer and started gesturing to it. “You, go run to forest! Get out of road. Big danger here!” I laughed at myself as I realized what I must sound like. The laughter held a decidedly hysterical edge to it. “I swear I'm losing my flipping mind. Okay, look deer,” I glared at the deer in question. “You need to get going. I'm sorry I almost hit you, I didn't mean too. So can you just go now before a truck or something comes along and sees me sitting sideways in the road while talking to an animal?”
It peered closer at me then pressed its nose against the glass. It breathed out once, causing fog to form on the window, clouding it. Blinking at me, it turned and slowly made its way toward the edge of the forest.
I went limp with relief as I watched it go. “Great, now I'm talking to animals. James will have a field day with that.” I shook myself out, trying to get rid of the remaining jitters. I straightened the car and headed to town again, at a much slower pace.
Evening had fallen by the time I made it to the downward slope to town. The setting sun cast a peaceful back drop, casting red and purple tones against the buildings. I noticed that most of the shops were beginning to close as I drove down the main street. I rolled my eyes at the early hour and hoped I could find someplace to sit for a while. The only available places were the town’s single movie theater, a local bar, and The Nook. I didn't want to see a movie by myself and have even more of a pity party, but I wasn't old enough to go into a bar. I grunted in frustration as I parked a couple of blocks away from The Nook.
I sat for a moment. It was really pitiful to go to your job on your time off, but I didn't know what else I could do. Besides, a cup of coffee sounded nice, even though my nerves were already shot. I looked down at myself and noticed that I still had my uniform on. I banged my head against the steering wheel. Great. I'd show up at my job with my uniform still on. Fucking perfect. I thought about just going back home but I really didn't want to. I removed the top part of the uniform, exposing a hot pink racer back tank top underneath. “This will have to do.” I got out of the car and made my way toward The Nook.
Being the one of few places open this time of night, The Nook was even more crowded than usual. Staff members I didn't know but had met in passing hurried around the store, helping patrons out while looking frazzled. I smiled in sympathy at one of my co-workers and headed to the line of people waiting to place their order. I glanced around and met a couple of gazes that looked me over with curiosity. I glared at them, sending them quickly back to what they were doing and leaving me alone in peace. I didn't want to deal with anyone. I tapped my foot impatiently and tried to look over the shoulder of the man in front of me. My frustration built when I was unable to see anything. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited.
A hand gently clasped my arm startled me out of my impatient fidgeting. I turned around quickly and saw Gabe standing behind me.
“Hey, new girl.” A dimple in his left cheek appeared as he smiled warmly.
I mentally groaned as I smiled slightly in return, then turned back toward the line. It didn't look like my night was going to get any better.
“So—” I could feel the heat from his chest warm my shoulder blades, causing my heart rate to rise. I smothered a sigh and turned to face him, a mask of politeness on my face. I swore he got more attractive the more I saw him.
His warm amber eyes seemed piercing in their gaze, causing a pleasant flush to spread across my face. I will not drool like slut bag, I will not drool like slut bag, I chanted to myself like a mantra. I noticed his lips were moving and tried to focus on what he was saying. “What?” Embarrassment flooding me.
He laughed and looked me over. “You know, you have a tendency to space off when you're around me. Do I bore you that much?” I could hear a hint of uncertainty under his flippant tone.
“Sorry.” I nervously moved my hair behind my ear, “I tend to be a space cadet. It’s nothing personal.” I gave him a small smile and hoped my answer pacified him.
He smiled more brightly and winked at me. “No problem. Anyways, what I was saying was are you ever going to tell me your name? Or should I just keep calling you 'new girl'?”
“Oh! Yeah sorry, we haven't really been introduced, have we? I'm Starlette McKinley.” I automatically reached out my hand.
He lightly clasped it and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you. I'm Gabe Morrison. So, do you go by Starlette or is there a nick name for you?”
The warmth of his touch sent delightful waves of warmth all the way up my arm to settle peacefully in my chest. I flushed and gently pulled on my hand until he reluctantly let go. “Yeah, everyone calls me Star.” I could feel the lingering heat from his touch, almost like a phantom caress on my skin. I crossed my arms, willing the sensation to go away.
“So, tell me, what are you planning to do tonight?” I caught his gaze drifting toward my cleavage. I belatedly realized that by crossing my arms caused my chest to rise higher above the neck of my tank top. I didn't know what to do so I quickly dropped my arms to my sides and shoved my hands into my pockets.
“Uh, I don't know really. I just don't want to be at home right now.”
I almost sighed in relief as he moved his gaze back to my face. “I can understand that. Since you don't have any plans, you could always—”
“Star! What are you doing here dearie?” Saved by the boss. I turned toward the direction Mary Beth’s voice came from. I waved in return as I saw her waving from behind the counter. “See you around.” I called to Gabe with and apologetic smile as I made my way toward the counter.
I heard grumbles of dissent as I passed by patrons but ignored them and headed toward my savior. It's not that I didn't like Gabe. He was nice and all, but a bit creepy with the whole staring at the boobs thing. But besides that, he was off limits and I didn't want any more drama in my life than I already had. Besides, I had a ridiculous tendency to embarrass myself whenever he was around. I walked to Mary Beth's side and smiled in greeting.
“You're not working tonight, are you?” she asked with a slight frown.
“No, I just thought I'd—”
“Good, because I could have sworn you weren't on the schedule. Thought I may have been losing my mind when I saw you in line. What are you doing in line anyways?”
“Well I was just waiting—”
“Whenever you're here, you don't have to wait in line, dearie. Oh, I know cutting in lines bad and what not, but I love my employees. You want your usual? Michael! Make Star her usual, would you?” she called out to the man working behind the counter without even waiting for my reply. “Now, what are you doing out so late?”
I looked at the clock behind Mary Beth. “Well, its only 6:30, so it's not really—”
“Ah, you young people, always out having fun. It’s good to do while you’re young. Live your life to the fullest and all that. Just make sure you don't do anything foolish. I'd hate to see you get into any trouble.” She began waving her hands around enthusiastically.
“I won't. I really don't—”
“Now, since you're here, why don't you grab your coffee and go on up to see if Rose wants to do anything? Hmm? That way you wouldn't be alone and I wouldn't have to worry. Plus, you probably haven't been shown around t
own yet, have you?”
“No, I haven't had the chance but—”
“Ah, here's your coffee now, dear. Thank you, Michael.” He smiled at Mary Beth and sent me a shrug without responding. He was obviously used to Mary Beth's scattered thoughts and ramblings. “Go on, go up to the house and I'll see you girls later. Be sure to be back home at a decent hour, will you?” With a small push to my back Mary Beth sent me in the general direction of the door that would lead to their upstairs apartment.
I shrugged and headed toward the back. Hanging with Rose could prove to be just the distraction I was needing. If all else failed we could just beat the hell out of each other. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed in appreciation as I found the door and set off up the small hallway. I paused as I came to the end and braced myself before gently rapping on the door. A part of me hoped that Rose wouldn't answer so I could slink off without notice. The other part of me was almost hoping that she'd be there. Weird, I know.
I lost my balance as the door opened abruptly. My heart was in my throat as I caught myself before falling down the stairs. That wouldn't have been good. I turned a glare on Rose, but stopped short when I saw what she was wearing.
She crossed her arms and cocked her hip while glaring at me. “What are you doing here?”
I looked her over and couldn't quite contain my laughter. “Seriously, Rose? You already get mistaken for a kid because of how short you are. Are you seriously wearing Rainbow Bright P.J.'s?”
She glanced down at her small frame. Her bright purple baby tee had a colorful Rainbow Bright across the front of it, with small purple shorts with a rainbow on the butt to match. “What? They're comfy.” She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for me to stop laughing. “So? What are you doing here?”
“Oh, your mom caught me in the store and sent me this way. Apparently she wants you to go out with me. Something about living while you're young.”
“Ugh, she always does that.” She waved me in with a sigh. “Alright, since apparently you can't get enough of me, and if we don't show up downstairs within the next ten minutes mom will come looking for us, we'll go out.” She pointed to the couch for me to sit and started walking down the hall to her bedroom. “Just give me a minute to get changed.”
“But the P.J.'s are soooo comfy!” Rose flipping me off was the only reply she gave me, as I smiled sweetly.
I looked around the apartment and took in the cozy setting. Everything was done in warm earth tones with jewel colored splashes thrown in. It had a well lived-in feel, and wasn't nearly as pristine as my house. I wasn't complaining. Sometimes our home felt like it was a model home, with everything in its place and clean. I was used to it. Mom couldn't work in a dirty house and over the years had become OCD about cleaning. Still, it was nice to see a home that actually looked like one.
I noticed years’ worth of pictures of Rose and Mary Beth, but nowhere in the pictures did I see any clue about Rose's father. I shoved that oddity to the back of my mind for later.
I turned at the sound of Rose's approach and took in her appearance. Gone were the Rainbow Bright P.J.'s and in their place was ragged cut short shorts and a tight fitting black tank. She raised her brow at me. “What? Do I not meet your esteemed approval?”
I rolled my eyes and got off the couch to walk behind Rose to the back door that led to the alley between the buildings. “So, where are we going?”
She shrugged and headed down the stairwell. “Not a clue, but I figured anywhere is better than here, even if you are all that I have for company.”
Chapter Fourteen
We walked around town for a while and I noticed that the only thing open now besides the bars was The Nook. I looked at the clock on my iPhone, frowning.
“Yeah, this place is pretty much dead after six.”
“Huh? How can you stand living here? I mean, seriously, there's literally nothing here.”
“Well, I was born here. I know that you wouldn't understand, but when you're raised in a small town, this is what you come to expect.”
I looked over and her and saw the honesty reflecting in her face. “Don't you ever want more than this?”
She stayed silent for a moment, gazing down the street ahead of us with a small crease between her brows. “Sometimes I do. I've had dreams of leaving Shiloh, going to some big city and making a name for myself there. But, no matter the glitz or glamor of a city, they will never hold a candle to the beauty small places like this have.”
“You can’t be serious. I mean, sure the trees and mountains are pretty, but there's nothing to do here. I'd go out of my mind if I had to live here forever.”
“Of course someone like you wouldn't understand, and I don't expect you too.”
“What wouldn't I understand?”
She sighed and crossed her arms, reaching out with her foot to start kicking a small pebble down the bricked sidewalk. “It's familiar here. There are no strangers, no real sense of danger. Sure, it’s annoying when everyone knows your business within the hour, but that in itself is a form of security. That’s the beauty of a small town. It's not the scenery or what we don't or do have. It's the community.” She shrugged and continued kicking the pebble. The soft click-click filled the contemplative silence.
I looked over at her and thought about bringing up her missing father. I'll just ease into it. That way she won't snap on me. If I'm lucky. “So, where's your Dad?” I looked quickly away from Rose with a grimace. Way to go, dumb ass. I could feel waves of anger rolling off of Rose. I stared straight ahead, not daring to even glance at her.
“He left.” Bitterness coated her words, giving them a bite.
“Oh.” I didn't know what to say so I stayed silent, hoping nothing stupid would come out.
“My mother loved him, and I loved him only because he was my dad. I thought they were happy, but then again I was nine and didn't know any better. My mom worshiped the ground he walked on, but he was always looking for the next big thing. Wanting more than what this town had to offer.” She looked pointedly at me. I could understand, though I started to feel guilty for thinking along the same lines as her father.
“One day, he just up and left. Mom found a note on the counter saying that he couldn't handle living here anymore, that he wanted more than just ordinary.” She laughed bitterly and picked up her pace, kicking the pebble more aggressively. I quickened my steps to keep up with her. “My mom couldn't handle it. She went into a major depression. I thought I'd lost her a couple of times. Eventually, we won over her depression, and I got my mother back. We opened the store, and keeping busy with the running of it has helped her mind stay away from him. I can still hear her crying at night though.” With a final kick she sent the pebble bouncing into the distance.
“How long?”
“How long what?” she snapped.
“How long have you had to keep everything together? Keep your mom safe and whole?”
She looked over at me and I could see the tears she held at bay. “Since the day he left. I won't let anyone hurt her again.”
“Or yourself.”
She nodded and looked off into the distance.
I thought about everything Rose would have had to have gone through and finally understood why she was so cold and bitter. Honestly, I couldn't blame her. I don't know what I would have done if I was in her shoes. My heart hurt for her, for the child that had to grow up too fast too soon.
“C'mon, let’s go find something for us to do.” I returned her grin, even though it was half-hearted and quickly followed after her.
We continued on in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I didn't know this section of town. Actually, I didn't know the town at all and was rather surprised there was a seedy area in it. Bars lined both sides of the street. Loud music competed with each other as the patrons yelled to be heard. Turns out there was a lot to do here, if you were twenty-one or older.
We came around a corner onto a darker side street. The foot traffic wasn
't as heavy, though there were still tourists out. The sun had fully set, casting shadows across the streets where the lamp's weak light didn't reach. A chill was slowly creeping in. I shivered, huddling into myself. I thought about walking closer to Rose but didn't want to end up getting slapped. I didn't know how Rose could handle walking around in such short shorts. She must be freezing.
We slowed our pace as we heard cat-calls down the street. A man stepped out from the shadows of one of the bars doorway. He walked toward us, or more like swayed toward us. Even from a distance I could tell he was drunk. “What are you two lovelies doing out tonight?” his words were slurred and his glazed eyes shone with interest as he looked at Rose's expanse of legs.
“None of your business.” Rose snapped, attempting to move passed him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop. I could feel the darkness rearing its head alongside my disgust.
“Hey now, no need for the attitude doll. Where's the hospitality I've heard about you country girls?” he was in his thirties, balding, and obviously a tourist if his floral shirt was any indication. His leer caused my stomach to roll as waves of nausea hit the back of my throat.
“I hope I don't think you're implying what it sounds like you are.” Rose spat out, face flushing in anger. She grabbed hold of his hand and tried to remove it. “Dude! Remove your freaking hand!”
He pulled her closer, grabbed her ass and squeezed it. I felt my temper flare at Rose's grimace. I felt the currents build within me, begging for release. My body shook with the force of my control. He was just a drunk. A perverted drunk, but a drunk nonetheless.
“What do you think I'm implying?” Pictures of Jason flashed through my head. I tried to shove them away but they were replaced by Rose. Rose attacked. Rose in pain. My mind was a torture chamber of images.
The Prophecy Page 10
