by Emily Bowie
“Speaking of visitors—” She begins to cough, and it turns into a coughing fit.
Standing up and reaching for the glass of water on her bedside table, I bring the cup to her lips. She takes a few tiny sips before she’s able to get her breath once again.
“Sloan keeps calling for you, Kiptyn.”
I don’t comment. It’s not the right time or place for her to bring up family shit. Instead, I respond, “You look like you’re feeling better.”
“I would love to hear Kellie sing a song.”
Both my mother and I avoid the topic of her health like we could catch the plague just by uttering those words aloud.
Kellie doesn’t miss a beat. She immediately starts a song, calming the tension that is beginning to rise in the room.
CHAPTER 10
Parking in front of the older home, I’m not sure what to think. Part of me wants this to be Kiptyn’s home and is excited at the idea of him taking me to his bedroom. He’s never taken it further than kissing, and I would love for us to cross that line. That familiar pound of my heart vibrates my whole body as I step off Kiptyn’s bike.
What I’m not expecting is to meet his mother—who looks to be on her death bed. I swallow a lump in my throat, knowing this is Kiptyn’s way of letting me in. He sometimes doesn’t have a lot of words to say, but we still understand each other.
I don’t think twice when I’m asked to sing. I welcome it, hoping this will help their obviously strained relationship. He never mentioned his mother before, other than she owns the bar he’s running.
His mother places her hand on top of mine while I sing. I have always been most comfortable while singing. It helps ease my tension and gives me something to do, instead of questioning what I should be doing. Like in this instance, I don’t know how I should be acting, so my singing allows me to focus on something else.
“That was lovely.” She has another coughing attack, and her voice sounds much weaker than only fifteen minutes ago. Kiptyn helps her again, and she closes her eyes.
I stand, unsure if I should stay here, when she opens her eyes again. “Call Sloan, Kiptyn.” She uses that tone every mother has that means business. I can’t help but be jealous of this Sloan. I hate that he won’t look at me when his mother has said her name each time. It makes me feel like he’s hiding something. Did he get a girlfriend over the summer? I thought he felt having a girlfriend was stupid. Or did he not want me to get my hopes up that he and I would be something more one day.
Kiptyn replaces his mother’s oxygen around her face to help with her breathing then comes toward me, taking my hand like he always does. Just like every time, I allow him to guide us, trusting him completely.
When he closes the door behind us, I begin to fight with myself about whether or not I should say what’s on my mind. I can tell he can sense it. He always can.
“Are you going to show me your room?” My voice is low, and I can feel my face redden from the question. I scold myself for showing my insecurities so freely.
He turns, placing his hands on my shoulders. He’s grown up over the summer. His arms are not only fit; they have filled out, stretching his T-shirt in all of the right places. He looks to have grown a few inches too. He is no longer the man-boy I met but a man in every sense of the word.
I feel so tiny next to him. He has to be over a foot taller than me.
“Why are you wanting to see my room?”
I shrug, starting to feel silly for my question. But he lifts my chin so he can see right into my eyes. “I don’t sleep here anymore. I stay at the mansion.”
Disappointment sinks my stomach, but I try to keep a smile on my face.
“I’m no good for you. You are way out of my league.”
My protest is on the tip of my tongue when he bends down, covering all my words with his lips, confusing me more than ever.
“Let’s get you back before anyone notices you’re missing.”
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
He pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head. I’ve missed riding on the back of his bike. This one is bigger than the last one. It looks much newer than his old one.
“Your bike has gotten bigger like you,” I comment when we reach our clearing.
He chuckles that deep, throaty laugh I love so much. He has this new look on his face when he looks at me. “It seems like you grew up over the summer too.”
My stomach flutters, loving the way he’s looking at me. I can feel my nipples peaking against my thin shirt.
Since school hasn’t officially started yet, I’m not wearing my school uniform. A part of me wishes I was. I wonder if his eyes would light up seeing me in my skirt.
“How was your summer? Any closer to being a big singing sensation?”
That’s a loaded question.
Going to sit in the grass, I cross my legs out in front of me. “My parents helped me make some demos and get an agent. But nothing has come of it yet. My agent keeps telling me that no one wants to hear about a teenager’s heartbreak. And that my voice still needs to mature. All summer, I worked with my voice coach, working on my range.”
“Whoever your agent is she doesn’t know shit.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because she refuses to see the talent in front of her.”
“Without sounding completely paranoid, I have a feeling my agent might be relaying my parents’ words. I did some cold calling about my demo, and no one knew what I was talking about. Like they never received anything.” I’ve been keeping this in all summer. It feels so good to say out loud. Looking over at Kiptyn, no judgment is on his face.
“Can I have one of your demos to listen to? Then when you’re famous, I can say ‘I knew her before she went big.’”
My smile splits my face, and I can feel my eyes glisten. No one but Kiptyn seems to be rooting for me. If I had confessed all this to anyone but Kiptyn, they would have laughed and told me I was full of myself.
“I have a demo in my room. I’ll bring it next time.”
CHAPTER 11
January
I’ve spent another six months in this shit hole. I can’t do it anymore, even with Kiptyn as my reprieve from all of its dullness. A shiver runs through my body as I think of another season here, away from civilization. I need to be anywhere but here. It’s not that I don’t have friends; I do. We’ve had to group together to make it. I plan to use them as my decoy. While they go out to hang with the locals, I plan to run away and never return. I have no intention of sneaking my way back in. I’m going to return to Nashville, even if it means I’ll have to sleep on the streets, to help get me to where I need to be.
Lights roam the estate of our prestigious all-girls school much like a prison. The only difference is there’s no armed guard in a tower.
Once I step outside, I make a run for it, in the opposite direction of my friends. Only when I hit the trees do I stop, leaning my back on the rough bark, trying to catch my breath. I wait to make sure my friends are long gone, the headlights of their rides disappearing. No sirens or old ladies yelling for any of us to come back.
Heading toward the gravel road, I begin my long trek in hopes to hitchhike my way to Nashville. I have enough money squirreled away to live comfortably for a few months, giving me time to find a job and go to auditions. I dream of changing my name, to not live on my parents’ coattails.
The sound of tires against the road has my eyes darting around. The trees have slowly moved backward, leaving the ditch as my only hiding place. Immediately, I shrink my body down, hugging my knees, hoping not to be seen.
The headlights come closer, and I hear the vehicle slow until they stop just ahead of me. Holding my breath, I stay unmoving. My heart pounds in my chest, my lungs beginning to retaliate by burning, hoping I take my next breath.
“Kellie, what are you doing down there?” That deep, rough voice has me gasping for breath after I let everything I was holding out. Slowly, I stand, r
ecognizing that voice.
“Kiptyn?” I ask. I peek up to see him driving a truck. I’ve never seen him on anything other than a bike. Dusting myself off, I stand.
He has this smug grin as he watches me through the open passenger window. “What are you doing down there?”
Amusement is written all over his face. He already knows before I say it out loud. “I’m going to Nashville.” I stand tall, ready to hold my ground. He doesn’t laugh at me like I expect.
“How about McGrath Mansion instead?”
I consider it. I have been asking him to show it to me. I want to know what he does when he’s not with me. But until now, he seemed to always change the subject when I brought it up.
“Come on now. I’m not about to let you hitchhike across the country.”
“What if I say no?”
“Then I’ll step out of this truck and toss you over my shoulder.”
I have to look down at my shoes to get away from his intense stare. I want to say no, just to see if he really would. When I hear his truck door close, I look up and gasp to see him coming right at me.
He has this smirk on his face and does what he told me he would. He picks me up, smacking me on the ass, before he places me in the passenger side.
“How did you know it was me?”
“It was a hunch.”
*
McGrath Mansion is on the outskirts of town. All types of motorcycles line the front of it. It looks shady. I know for a fact my parents would never step foot in a place like this and would most definitely murder me if they knew I did.
Glancing over at Kiptyn, he looks the part, with his large size and tattoos. But what makes me pause is his personality. He doesn’t seem like the type who belongs here. For the first time, I question if he’s different when he’s not with me.
“You having second thoughts?”
Am I?
“We don’t have to go in there if you don’t want to.”
Shaking my head, I swallow the saliva collecting. “I want to see this side of you.”
Within a second, he’s crowding my space, his woodsy scent consuming me. I want him to touch me, the thrill spiking through me.
“Let’s get this straight. This place is no good for you.”
My heart beats erratically, and I swallow the lump in my throat.
“But I would rather have you where I can protect you than anywhere else. I never want you to come here without me.”
I’m completely turned on by his possessive nature. I like this side of him. I can’t help but stare at his lips. I want to feel them against mine. I know he feels this too, because he starts to do what he always does, telling me he’s no good for me.
I cut him off by pressing my lips to his. A deep growl escapes him, and his hand goes behind my back and presses me against him. My hands round his shoulders, taking everything he’s willing to give me. I swear I’m in heaven when his other hand finds the exposed skin of my stomach. His fingers lightly go back and forth before they travel upward. Arching my back, I silently beg for his touch. Needing. Wanting.
His knee is placed right between my legs, its slight pressure adding to everything I’m feeling. Finally, I feel his hands at my breasts as they dip into my bra, pinching my nipples. A girly moan leaves me, and I’m complete putty in his hands.
A loud bang on the window has him jumping back like he was just caught doing something he shouldn’t be.
He clears his throat, and I know he’s about to apologize.
“Don’t even think about it.” I level him with a look. “If it’s not you, I’ll make sure it’s someone else,” I threaten, knowing I’m playing into his protective side. Refusing to wait for a response, I step out of the truck, ready to see his world for the first time.
He matches my steps. “Stick by me at all times.”
As soon as the door opens, music assaults my ears along with loud chatter. Hearing a crunch under my feet, I look down to see peanut shells all over the ground, with the slight smell of cigarettes in the air.
Carefully, I take another step without trying to step on any shells only to realize the effort is pointless. Looking up, all eyes are on us as everyone pretends to not be interested. I’m used to this type of being watched from my parents’ friends.
The crowd looks tough with their demeanors and scowls. Kiptyn walks us toward the bar and goes behind it while I stay in front. He hands me a drink. “If anyone asks, it’s grenadine and Coke.” I nod with excitement that he’s allowing me to drink.
Taking a sip, the sweet taste of Dr Pepper goes smoothly down my throat. I should have known better.
CHAPTER 12
Kellie screams fresh bait for every man in this room. They’re all eyeing her, wondering what it would take for her to be theirs. Her smile immediately falters as she tastes the soda I give her. Lifting a brow, I look at her before she quickly removes the frown. I have no doubt that if I left her alone, the whole bar would circle her like their prey.
I should have never brought her here, but I also know she would find her way sooner or later. At the back of the bar are two girls from her school. They’re dressed up like biker bitches, enjoying the way they’re being ogled.
Truth be told, I wanted everyone to see Kellie with me first. Placing my arm around her shoulders, I lead her toward the back, wanting to show my claim on her. I have never taken anyone back here, but everyone will understand what it means. They don’t have to know that I’m not fucking her. I’ll let them all think what they want.
At the end of the hallway that leads to the bathrooms, I unlock the door, which opens to the back bay. We step into a large cavernous room. Our steps echo off the concrete walls as we step closer to the office space. Three rooms exist back here, one of them being the makeshift bedroom I have for myself.
There isn’t much in it. A mattress on the floor, a small dresser, and a TV that takes up half the wall. She steps into the room, and I close the door, not wanting any extra eyes on us. My men don’t need to know my business. I watch as she walks around my room, her hand lightly touching my dresser, then sits on my bed.
She looks fucking good there. My dick twitches, wanting to take her, but I refuse. She deserves better than me and this room.
“This suits you,” she finally says.
I look around at my minimal possessions. No pictures are on display, no art, my bed only half made, since no one but me ever comes in here.
“How so?”
“You never take time for yourself, and this room shows it.”
“And here I thought you were going to call me simple.”
“You’re anything but. Anyone who knows you would know this.”
I consider what she says, unsure if anyone else sees me in a positive light. If I were honest with her, I would tell her I’m a criminal. I work with dangerous, powerful people. People who wouldn’t think twice about putting me down. And I’m no different than them. But I don’t say this, not wanting her to look at me any differently than she is now.
I make sure we stay hanging out, just Kellie and me, like we always do.
I watch her lie down on my bed before she starts to giggle. I can’t help myself; I come down, pinning her arms above her head. I know she likes it when I do stuff like this. Every time, her breath hitches and her pupils dilate.
“What ya gigglin’ about?”
She shakes her head, refusing to tell me.
Laying myself on top of her, I tickle her sides, watching her head toss and turn under my touch with her smile and laughter taking over my room. “I’m not going to stop.” The more she wiggles under me, the harder I get, wanting her. She has no idea what she does to me. The way she looks at my lips, her tongue darting out to wet hers, makes me want to taste her.
“Stop,” she pants out, starting to look flushed under me. It’s a halfhearted plea, her struggle hardly there. I search her eyes, desire keeping me planted right where I am on top of her. The warmth of her chest makes this room feel sm
aller, hotter.
I breathe in and out as we look into each other’s eyes, all our movements coming to a stop. The space around us has become thick with lust. I can’t help but think about what she might feel like.
The asshole in me knows we’ve been here for about a half hour, and she’s starting to look like she’s been fucked. Fucked by me.
Her voice breaks the spell on me.
“Fine. I was gigglin’ about how your sheets smell like fabric softener. I expected them to smell like boy.”
Slowly, I ease off. “Do I need to remind you I’m not a boy but a man?” I dig my fingers into her once more. “And I like clean sheets.”
When we step out, she looks flushed and her hair is no longer perfect. I let everyone make up their own minds about us. But I can’t help feeling like I just claimed her.
I walk her to the bar where I help myself to some draft. I’m not much of a drinker. I like staying in complete control, but this girl beside me has me all types of rattled.
“When did you get the new truck?” she asks, still nursing her Dr Pepper.
I contemplate what to say. I don’t want to lie. “I picked it up just before I saw you.”
“I like it, but does that mean you’re going to stop riding your bike?”
“Naw, that truck will be falling into pieces soon.” It’s all true. By the morning, that truck will be in a million parts that will be sold individually.
“I doubt that. It looks brand new.”
I shrug. “My bike is still number one. The truck is only passing through my hands. I plan on selling it.”
She doesn’t bat an eye at my answer. I watch her intently as her eyes travel the room. She looks enthralled with it all.
“You ever been in a place like this before?”
She shakes her head, placing an arm around me. “I like it though.”
I’m sure she does. My girl is always up for an adventure when she’s by my side. From the sounds of it, she comes from a pretty privileged yet sheltered life back home.
