by Emily Bowie
If I had pants for her, I’d make her wear those too. The pavement on the highway is far less forgiving than the backwoods.
She pretends to huff, playing it up, but no complaints leave her lips.
She straddles the bike, pressing her body into mine. I missed her on the back. My bikes seem empty when she’s not there. Maybe that’s why I’m always getting new ones after her absence.
The engine roars to life as I look behind me at her. She looks so tiny on the back of it, compared to the first dirt bike I ever owned. This machine swallows her whole with its size. Her arms grip me, her chest pressing tight against me.
We rip out of town in peaceful silence between us. I’ve always done my best thinking while taking a ride. It helps to clear my head. Kellie’s head is resting on my back, my body blocking her from most of the wind. Streetlamps and building lights slowly begin to fade as we head out of town.
When I stop, we’re in a field beside a small stocked pond.
“Where are we?” she asks, shaking her beautiful mane after removing her helmet.
“I want to buy this for us.” My arms open wide, showing her the large area.
“It’s not that far from Nashville but still gives that small-town feel. I thought it could be the perfect place to start.”
She walks around, and I notice goose bumps on her porcelain skin. I should have thought to give her my jacket earlier. Shrugging it off, I cover her shoulders, keeping my hands running up and down their length.
“I never thought of you moving from Texas,” she says quietly.
“I seem to be here half the time already. When you get your big break, I know you’ll need to be here most of the time.” Shrugging, I shove my hands into my jeans pockets. I thought she would be more excited. I envisioned her running into my arms as soon as I told her I wanted this for us.
“There is a small wooden cabin on the land right now, but I want to rip it down. I thought you would want to come up with the house design, and I could build it.”
“I can’t afford this, Kip. I just graduated.”
I rear back, insulted she thought she had to pay for this. “I don’t expect you to help. I want to do this for us, so we can be together.” My insides begin to panic. I haven’t felt this sensation since I realized my mother was going to die. Standing with a gun aimed at my temple has never scared me, but her silence right now petrifies me. I can hear the blood coursing through my ears.
Stepping toward her, I pull her in, needing to look into her ocean blue eyes. I hide the terror behind my practiced mask, not wanting her to give me anything but her honest answer. Her body radiates heat, and I breathe her in.
I hate that her silence is poking into me. One day, I will be expected to steal her away. Setting up a future is a horrible idea. I’ve been able to keep us off the grid. But this… it would show my weakness instantly.
“Forget I said anything,” I whisper. She deserves better than me. In the end, Kellie and I will never work. She is meant for so much greatness in her life. I will be the downfall of all of it. Yet, I stand here pretending we are two normal people. I try to stay away, and in the end, I can’t.
One day, I’ll be forced to look her in the eyes and tell her my horrible truth. I’ve always been the devil in her story.
CHAPTER 29
Internally, I’m freaking out. “Okay, yes.” I nod, even though the person on the other end of the line can’t see me. I’m not even sure if I’m going to remember everything being said. I have to fight the urge to jump up and down screaming while I’m trying to listen to all the details.
“Perfect. I’ll see you in two days.” Ending my phone call, my feet go up and down in a pitter-patter motion as I spin.
Breathe, I remind myself. I’m so excited I don’t know what to do first. It’s happened. I landed myself a singing deal. A real, legit deal. It’s not with the big guys, but I don’t care. Someone wants to take a chance on me. Everything I have worked so hard for is paying off. I can show everyone this is who I was always meant to be. I can’t help myself—I squeal. Holy shit, holy shit. I fist-pump the air, my nerves on fire with all the excitement.
I have to tell Kip. This gets us one step closer to our land, to our future. I can’t believe it’s finally happening. I want to run down and sign the deal now, scared they might change their mind. In just over forty-eight hours, I will finally be doing what I have always wanted to.
I can’t help myself; I text him to meet me on our land and hop into my graduation car that I have finally learned how to drive. The thought hits me that maybe my parents had actually put some thought into what I needed, instead of it being for show.
Making my way to our spot, I don’t even know if Kiptyn in town or not. But he seems to have a knack for knowing when I need him. He’s always there.
Stepping out of my car, I see Kip sitting on his bike. He looks deep in thought, troubled almost. I take the moment to look him over. His large frame makes his bike look small. His jeans are dark, tight at his thighs. I can see the tattoos that cover his knuckles; his leather jacket hides most of the work done on his skin. A slight hint of color rides up past his collar.
Looking down at myself, we look like opposites. My unmarked skin, flowing skirt, and matching V-neck shirt. My skin prickles from just watching him. The need to place my arms around his waist pulls at me, snaking its way over my entire body so I take a step forward.
I want to know what he’s thinking. Every now and then, he has this look on his face when he thinks no one is watching. I have let him into every part of me, but he still keeps part of himself close to his vest. I can see it in the way he looks at me when I ask.
“You going to keep on staring at me or give me some love?” His deep voice booms across the vacant yard. He leans forward, grabbing my waist and pulling me in. My head rests on his chest, feeling the way his heart beats.
“Are you ever going to tell me what haunts you?”
His lips brush against my head as his hand cups my ass under my skirt. Tingles dance along my nerves as I smile.
“No need to give you the same nightmares.” He chuckles, giving me the same answer he always does.
Breathing in his pine-like scent, I hug him tighter before I let go.
“Guess what.” I’m practically vibrating, unable to contain it at all. My smile hurts my face from it spreading so wide.
“You’re buying me this land?” he jokes. We both fully know he would never allow that. I half expect him to figure out a way to hand me back the money I want to invest in this for us.
“Nope.” My body sways from side to side, unable to stop my excitement. “I’m getting a deal!” I yell, jumping up and down, doing a little victory dance.
“Fuck yeah, you are!” He’s over to me in one stride, lifting me up in the air like I weigh nothing. I’m beyond cloud nine.
“I couldn’t have done this without you,” I tell him honestly. “You have never once given me the impression I couldn’t do it. You have been my biggest supporter.”
“From the first time I heard your voice in our spot, I knew you were destined for greatness. I have always known it was in you.” He looks down at me with adoration in his eyes. I melt under his attention.
“We need to celebrate.” His hand gestures to the picnic already set up for us. How could I have missed this when I first got here? How did he know? His lips dip down to my neck, and I can feel his words vibrate along my earlobe.
“I can always feel you, Kellie. You’re permanently in here.” He taps his chest over his heart. “I know when you’re happy, and I know when you’re upset. I didn’t have to wait for your text to know to meet you here.”
Bending down, I watch him open the champagne, its pop filling our ears as bubby liquid flows over the top.
I accept the glass he hands me, basking in my happiness. Right now, right here is perfect. It’s everything I have ever wanted.
This here is what I love the most. My head is lying on Kip’s stom
ach as we both watch the clouds move in the sky.
CHAPTER 30
Not holding back, I knock on Rich’s door, three loud bangs. It’s time he realized he fucked with the wrong person. He’s been following me, asking too many questions. When I stopped laundering money for him, he didn’t step back. Not that I expected him too. He’s trying to drag my name through the mud. I have pictures of him going into the Three Rivers Sheriff’s Office, taunting me. Two of us can play at this game. I hear footsteps coming toward the door before an older lady opens it, her nose already turning up at me.
“Rich here?” I ask, already stepping into the house. “Rich!” I holler, and the woman gasps. My brows lift as I take her in. She’s skin and bones; I could push her with one finger, and she’d fall over. She hides it behind a baggy sweater, even though it’s summer. Her fingers clutch at the pearls around her neck. I’m about to step toward her just as Rich rounds the corner, coming into the room, a full scowl on his face. His eyes narrow at me, but he knows better than to try to turn me away. I’m assuming this is his wife. She tries to say something, but he interrupts her.
“Follow me.” He turns on his heels, and I brush past the woman, enjoying my intimidation factor. This house is outrageously big. Who needs this much room? It looks all to be wasted space in my opinion.
He walks us to his home office. It’s like the rest of the house—a large, empty space. The walls are a dark shade of gray, and a wall-to-wall bookcase is showcased behind his steel desk. Most of the books look like their spines have never been opened, looking perfect, like the trophies they are. There is a window to the side, but black blinds don’t give the sun a chance of filtering inside. I allow the door to close behind me, not bothering to push it fully closed. I half want his wife to hear the things I’m going to say. They should be ashamed of themselves.
He hides behind his big desk sitting on a large leather chair, much like a throne. I don’t move from the door, making him gesture to the seat in front of him. I shake my head, stepping in farther. Walking the perimeter of the room, I look at the professional decorating that’s all for show. Just like him and his life.
“What do you want?” He has the audacity to sound annoyed that I’m taking up his precious time. I keep walking, making him wait until I turn. Crossing my arms, I scoff. His image is like glass; he keeps building it with invisible layers, and it’s about to shatter unless I choose to save him.
“You’re about to get a second chance.” I don’t give a shit about him, but he does have something I want. Something I would give him anything for, but he doesn’t have to know that. Right now, I have the upper hand, and he’s too greedy to realize it right now.
This time, it’s his turn to scoff. “You plan on blackmailing me with my daughter? I also heard you’ve been buying up my debt. So, what is it that you want?”
“Kellie.” My answer is strong, unwavering.
“What about her?” He eyes me up and down, probably trying to see what he’s missed.
“For your debt to be wiped clean.” I pause before saying the next words slowly to make sure he’s understanding me. “I want her to be mine.”
“What makes you think I’d sell you my daughter?”
“We both know she’s not yours. She’s your sister’s. Your wife can’t have children, so you bought your niece, hoping it would give you the joy you were looking for. Instead, it became a constant reminder to your wife of what she couldn’t have. Then Kellie became a reminder to you that no matter what you do, your wife will never be happy. This isn’t much different from what you have done before.”
“What’s your plan here? I sell my daughter to you, then what?” He’s stalling, trying to come up with a plan that ensures he comes out on top. Not to save Kellie from me, but to save himself. People like him need to be buried. They’re a parasite to society.
“Then she gets to be happy.”
“Why would I do that, when she’s just gained herself a singing career? I become her manager and I make another few million a year just by being her dad.” He smiles at me, thinking he’s won.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I bought her that contract to help her get away from you. Part of the deal stipulates that no relative can have access to her funds in any way, including working for her.” I have a few other clauses in there he doesn’t need to know. It’s all for her safety and to make sure no one takes advantage of her.
He leans back, thinking of how he can undermine me in some way. We stare at each other.
“Before I agree to anything, I need to know your plan. Over my dead body will I be selling her to a human trafficker.”
I almost laugh in his face. He doesn’t care about shit like that. He’d sell his own grandmother if it meant him rising in power or wealth. I snort. “What do you think I do? Your daughter deserves to be in the spotlight, not hidden away. I want her. She will be mine.”
“You plan to manage her career?”
It takes everything in me not to punch his face.
“I don’t give a fuck about that. All I care about is her happiness!” I slam my fist down. I would fight for Kellie until I take my last breath. This house is toxic, killing her slowly.
“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.” He shakes his head, making it sound like I’m the stupid one. “She’s yours.”
A book falling at the door has both our heads turning. Kellie stands there with tears in her eyes. “Oops,” she says her blue eyes wide as her lower lip trembles. But she holds her head up high, stepping farther into the room. “I’m not a piece of property that can be bought.”
For the first time in my life, she looks at me like everyone else does. Her lip turns up in disgust as she looks at me then at her father.
“Kellie, it’s not like that.” I step toward her.
Placing her palm up, she yells, “Stop! And fuck you.”
Her eyes ping-pong between her father and me. “You can guarantee that I will not be accepting the label’s contract. I will not be bought or sold. When I do finally make it, it will be because of my hard work. Not because of men who feel like they need to control and buy the world in order to feel accomplished.” She stops, taking a breath, her voice trembling. “We’re over. I’m done with the two of you. I’ll leave you to your dick-measuring.”
She slams the door, and Rich starts laughing. “You really screwed up this time. You see, I’ll always be her father, no matter if I sell her to you. She’ll always come back to me in a matter of time. But it looks like you have just lost your piece of ass. Well played.” He claps and stands.
“Now get the fuck out of my house before I shoot you for trespassing. I expect the paperwork on this by tomorrow, or she’ll no longer be yours.” My fingers dig into my palms, my hands making fists.
“This is only the beginning,” I promise. Turning, I let myself out, pausing only briefly at the stairs, hoping to see Kellie. Soon, she will see I did this for us, but mostly for her.
CHAPTER 31
My mind keeps replaying everything I heard. My feet fly to my bedroom. I’m lightheaded as tears begin to blur my vision. The two of them talking like they have any decision over what I do. The manipulation. The lies. So many lies, twisted into a pretty package. How could I not know I wasn’t biologically my parents’? Who are my real parents? My father never talked about his sister. I knew he had one, but to be honest, that side of the family never talks to us. Well, maybe it’s us who never talks to them.
Grabbing my backpack, I begin throwing clothes and anything else I want in it. I almost laugh, thinking how Kiptyn was ready to buy me like I’m a piece of property to him. Didn’t he realize I was already his? He has me chained by the heart, but he’s too stupid to realize it. No, stupid isn’t the right word. Greedy? Egotistical? Vengeful? I’m not sure which one would be the best. By the way he and Dad were glaring, they know one another. They both hold the same hatred in their facial expression, and I’m the one in the middle, their pawn to hurt each
other.
Not anymore. That chain on my heart grips tighter. My singing contract, gone. I was so close this time. But I refuse to accept it when I haven’t earned it. Didn’t Paris put out a CD? No one remembers, because she bought it. That’s my point. People will remember me when I finally climb to the top.
What the hell was Kiptyn thinking? It feels like that chain is lashing my heart. Each time it beats, the pain deepens.
Almost instinctively, I pick up my phone, texting Noah to meet me. Looking around my room, all I see are pretty, twisted lies. My whole world is built on a tower of lies. I’m their mistress; it seems all the lies surround me, following me around without my knowledge.
I wait by my door for Kiptyn to leave. I know if he sees me. He won’t let me leave until he’s manipulated me into feeling better. That’s what he does.
His large frame leaves Dad’s office and stops at the bottom of the stairs. He’s almost scary-looking. His eyes have hardened over the years.
When the rattle of the door shutting stops, I run down the stairs and out the back door, waiting until I see Noah. Kip stays sitting on his bike, not moving. I start to worry he will still be here when Noah arrives. He already hates when I hang out with him.
After a few minutes, he starts up his bike, his back tire squalling, leaving black marks on our driveway.
I watch as Noah and Kip pass each other at the end of our long driveway, both vehicles slow but never stop.
Stepping out from my hiding spot, I wave at Noah before jumping in. I hate that I look behind us, needing a glimpse of Kip. His bike is stopped in the middle of the road, watching me, just like I knew he would.
“You’re safe with me.” Noah squeezes my thigh, giving me a smile. “I’m not afraid of him.”
“Just drive,” I clip out, my heart wildly thumping away. I’m scared of what Kiptyn will do, but I’m also scared he won’t do anything either. It’s messed-up girl stuff. No wonder men say they don’t understand us. I hardly understand myself.
