Power & Choice

by Lucy Smoke

  I stroked his arm and pressed a soft kiss to his cloth covered chest. "You'll figure it out," I said with complete faith. "You're dedicated, and you know what you're doing."

  "Knix isn't sure that we'll be able to officially investigate because...well, like he said at dinner, people change all of the time. It's not like there's someone hovering over these girls, forcing them to act the way that they do."

  "Maybe you should sleep on it," I suggested. There was nothing else he could do tonight but worry over it and worrying too much wasn't healthy.

  "Maybe you're right," he conceded.

  I sighed when he released me and rolled over to sit up with his feet on the floor. "I'll see you tomorrow?" My statement turned into a question as Marv reached over his head and gripped the back of his shirt, tugging it upward and over the lithe muscles of his back. My mouth dried.

  "What?" he asked, turning back around to grace me with a full-frontal view of his chest. I gulped, my face reddening as I jerked my gaze up to meet his.

  "Uh...." Say something! I screamed at myself. I mentally slapped myself when all that slipped from my lips was another stupid, "Uh..."

  "Turn over and scoot, I need some room." Marv motioned for me to move over. I did so numbly, watching as he lifted the sheets and climbed beneath. I blinked for a moment and realized that I was still on top of them. I struggled to move my legs all the way up to my chest as Marv pulled the sheets down for me to slip under alongside him. He reached up and hit the light switch above my bed that plunged my room into darkness before he turned and pulled me back into his arms, against his chest. Marv, the cuddle maniac, back again. Only, this time, he was shirtless. My heart rate sped up and I pressed my thighs together. Lord, help me.

  I tried to get as comfortable as possible. But the hard chest at my back made my thoughts scatter. No matter how many times we slept in the same bed, Marv had that effect on me. Finally, as Marv’s breathing evened out, I relaxed enough to slip into sweet, oblivious sleep. Just as I did, though, I felt shifting and the slight press of lips to my temple. The scent of coffee – Marv's own personal obsession – filled my nostrils.

  Chapter 5

  I'm convinced that the guys are all aliens, born of the sun because they all rise together in as much the same disposition. I had never met so many morning people in my whole life – not even when I had worked full time at Alex’s Diner. When I was in school and working, the lack of sleep was a constant pain that I had to ignore or else there would be no peace of mind. But, dammit, it was summer time. I knew I had just graduated and all, but just one day to sleep in would have been nice.

  Marv was already dressed and at the kitchen counter with the paper in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other. He inhaled the smell of the bitter liquid before taking a long drawn out sip and smiled when he saw me enter. I narrowed my gaze at him as I strode through the kitchen in workout clothes with bags under my eyes. Texas was right. Naps were for people who wanted to keep living outside of prison. Promising myself as many naps as I wanted later was sometimes the only way that my body allowed me to get out of bed so early. I was getting spoiled.

  Knix smiled at me over his shoulder, dressed in much the same fashion as he flipped an omelet onto a plate and slid it down the counter for me to pick up and take to the table. I nodded my thanks and sat down between Bellamy and Texas who both had their own plates piled high with omelets, bacon, and ham. I wrinkled my nose at the ham, but snagged a few slices of bacon for myself as well as the ketchup and orange juice carton.

  "What's on the agenda for today?" I asked. "Other than getting my butt handed to me, yet again."

  A round of chuckles surrounded me, and I grinned as I squirted ketchup over my omelet. Marv took a seat, wrinkling his nose at the red smear. I smiled and poured more.

  "Jesus, Harlow," Texas was the first to speak up. "It looks like a crime scene on your plate, lighten up, will ya?"

  I laughed and set the ketchup bottle aside before digging into my food. Thanks to Knix and Bellamy's cooking, I had gained a good five to ten pounds in the last month. I winced thinking about how tight my jeans were getting, but who was I to turn down good food? According to Texas, cheese and chocolate made the world go 'round. There were a lot of things Texas said that sounded weird at first, but, strangely enough, made sense.

  Knix strode over and set his own plate down before taking a seat. "Well, if you've improved any, you might not be getting your butt handed to you today," he said with a smirk.

  I rolled my eyes and stuffed a bite of egg in my mouth. "So says the one who regularly hands my butt back to me after kicking it thoroughly," I said after I swallowed.

  Knix rolled back his shoulders and laughed. "Oh, don't worry, Little Bit, I'll give you a handicap."

  "You always give me a handicap," I muttered as I shoveled another bite into my mouth.

  "I'm heading out to do some more interviewing." Marv set his paper aside and looked down at the plate in front of him. He reached for his coffee and downed the rest, standing up to refill it.

  Knix sighed, but didn't say anything. Texas, Bellamy, and I glanced between the two of them wondering what was off. I was the only one with the guts to say something. "What's wrong?"

  Knix shot me a look, but didn't reply. Marv placed the carafe of coffee back onto its warmer and took a gulp before he turned back around and faced us. "I'm going as a family friend," he said, looking at Knix.

  Knix closed his eyes and reopened them as he placed his silverware down on the table at either side of his plate. "I just don't want you to get your hopes up," he said. "If Alex says no, then that's it. We can't get involved."

  "Why does Alex have such a say in what you guys do?" I asked.

  Bellamy and Texas shared a look.

  "Now's not the time, Little Bit. I'll tell you more later." Knix turned back to Marv. "Just try to keep it quiet and I'll talk to Alex today. I'm taking Harlow to lunch at the diner and I'll ask him about it then."

  "You are?" When Knix gave me a look, I realized what he was saying. We would be meeting Grayson there. "Oh, right." I sank into my chair and shoved another bite in my mouth.

  Marv nodded before retaking his seat. "If I wait until you get back from the diner, would it be alright if Harlow went?" Marv asked.

  I looked up, across the table. Knix nodded towards me. "You'll have to ask her."

  Marv's gaze turned in my direction.

  "Sure," I said. "I can come."

  With that Marv smiled and the tense atmosphere was broken. Texas began talking animatedly about a new phone application he had just found, and I smiled and teased him about being a nerd. He raised a brow at me, promising retribution in the future. By the end of breakfast, the sink was piled high with dishes and Bellamy, Texas, and Marv each helped clean away the morning's mess. I tried to stay and help, but each of them quirked a brow at me and smirked, shaking their heads and urging me outside.

  Texas grinned, and I pouted. "Go get your ass handed to you, Little Bit," he teased.

  I growled at him and flung one of the dish towels in his direction before turning around and stomping back to my room for my tennis shoes. Closing the door behind me, I snatched my shoes at the foot of my bed and sat down, pulling my phone out.

  Harlow: Meet at Alex's Diner for lunch.

  Almost instantaneously there was a reply.

  Grayson: Will you be coming alone? Do you need me to pick you up?

  I flinched before typing a message back.

  Harlow: No... Knix is coming.

  When Grayson didn't immediately reply like the last time, I knew he was upset. I set the phone to the side and pulled on my shoes over my socks and began tying the laces. I was halfway through the second set when my phone buzzed.

  Grayson:They can't just leave you alone, can they?

  I frowned.

  Harlow:It's not like they're stalking me and forcing me to do anything.

  Grayson: It doesn't seem like it, does it?

 
I wasn't sure what that meant, but before I could respond, he sent me another text.

  Grayson: I'll be there.

  Someone knocked on my door and I shoved my phone under my thigh as I called out for them to come in. Knix stepped in and propped his shoulder on the door frame. I finished tying my shoes and stood.

  "Ready?"

  I nodded – and so the day began.

  Sweat dripped into my eyes and my muscles screamed at me to stop. I grunted as I clenched my thighs tighter and pushed with my hips. Knix sighed and reached back, cupping my thigh.

  "This is not working, Little Bit," he said patiently. "Just let go."

  "No!" I yelled. "I've got you exactly where I want you. Any second now and you'll be begging for mercy." I squeezed my arms around his neck and pulled back. His low chuckling cut off.

  Ha! I thought. Let that teach him a lesson. Now...if only I could figure out to get him laid out on the ground. I looked over my shoulder and down...and down some more. That might be a bit more difficult.

  "Little Bit," Knix huffed. "You are getting better, I promise. But this is not the way to prove yourself."

  "I have nothing to prove to you," I replied.

  Whoa. It was really high up here. Was the air thinner?

  Knix chuckled again and I narrowed my eyes at the back of his head, readjusting and tightening my hold. He sighed and reached up to pull my arms away from his neck easily, as if I offered no resistance. "Jumping on me during a break to catch me by surprise is not what I've been teaching you," he said.

  I groaned. "Yea, well, if I don't catch you by surprise then there's no way I can beat you." I let my arms rest lazily over his shoulders and he reached back with his other hand, both now under my thighs, holding me up.

  "Are you going to get down now?" he asked.

  I sighed. "It's a little high up for me."

  "How did you get up here?"

  "I leaped."

  The backdoor opened as Knix crossed around the area of the yard we had set up as our sparring corner and stepped onto the stones. I peeked over Knix's shoulder as Texas stood by the door with no shirt and low sagging trunk shorts that had a giant red Hawaiian flower on the side. His mouth dropped when he saw us, and he blinked a few times as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. I grimaced and just waited. I didn't have to wait long.

  "What–" Texas choked off as he started laughing. "I-I can't...she's..." I rolled my eyes as a blush stole over my cheeks. "How did–no–no, don't tell me, she jumped on you, didn't she?"

  Knix chuckled and I thumped my forehead on one of his shoulders. "She did," he replied. I yanked back and glared at his blond head, wanting to smack it. But I also didn't want him to drop me, so I didn't.

  "Spider-Monkey." Texas shook his head as Knix turned and lowered himself so that I could let my legs drop and touch the ground.

  "What?" I peered around Knix's big frame before stepping towards the backdoor.

  "Your new nickname is Spider-Monkey," he clarified. "I can't believe you climbed Knix!"

  I nodded my head and despite my blush, I puffed out my chest. "Like a tree," I snarked.

  Texas laughed even harder, his eyes watering. "Spider-Monkey!" He gasped, trying to inhale even as he choked on his own laughter. I rolled my eyes and headed inside.

  "I've gotta shower," I called over my shoulder.

  "Meet me out front when you're done," Knix called back.

  I nodded and waved a hand over my shoulder as I disappeared into the house, heading for my bathroom. By the time I was freshly showered and dressed in jean shorts and a tank top, it was already 11am. Stepping out the front door I was surprised to see that Marv was outside as well as Bellamy. Both stood on either side of Knix as he leaned against the SUV, his face a mask of concentration as he listened to them intently. I wasn't sure if they knew I was there, so I reached back and closed the front door a little harder than necessary.

  Knix's eyes glanced up automatically, and I waved. He smiled and nodded towards the side of the SUV. "Go ahead and get in, Little Bit. I'll be right there."

  "Okay," I replied, but watched the guys continue their conversation as I slowly descended the stone steps and headed for the passenger side of the SUV. I climbed in and clipped my seat belt. Bellamy smiled at me through the windshield and I smiled back. He turned back to Knix and Marv and said something else to which Knix shook his head in response. After a few more minutes, Marv and Bellamy broke away, retreating back inside, and waved goodbye to me as they shut the front door behind them.

  Knix climbed into the driver's seat. "Let's get out of here," he said cheerily.

  I wanted to ask what they had been talking about, but wasn't sure if I should. The longer I debated on it, the more I decided it was probably nothing and I settled back in my seat, turning my thoughts to what Grayson could possibly want to talk to me about. I hoped he wouldn't get too upset by Knix's presence, but it seemed he likely would. I just hoped they could both be civil to one another.

  Knix pulled into Alex's Diner's parking lot and took a spot towards the back. It was a Friday, early afternoon. The place was packed with the lunchtime rush. The bell above the entrance jingled as he pushed the door open. I spotted Grayson immediately. He must have just come in right before us because a new waitress – someone I had never seen before – was leading him to a booth in the back, farthest away from the gas station portion of the building next door. Knix must have seen him as well, because as another server approached us, he waved her away, grabbed my hand, and followed Grayson's waitress.

  "Do you have anyone joining you?" the waitress asked politely as we stopped just behind her. Grayson smirked and looked over her shoulder. "I do," he said. She glanced over her shoulder and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Knix.

  "Oh, um, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. I suppose..." She looked at me. "You're all together then?"

  I nodded and smiled, moving to take a seat across from Grayson. Knix slid in alongside me. We were quiet as the waitress listed the specials, though they were already written out on the menu. I knew it was what she was trained to do and I didn't mind, but I noticed that Knix and Grayson were both tense.

  I sighed and when she finished, I offered my drink order. "I'll just have water."

  She nodded and scribbled it down on her notepad before turning to the guys.

  "Same," Knix said.

  "Sweet tea," Grayson ordered.

  When the waitress hurried off, silence dropped over the table. Knix and Grayson watched each other, Grayson with narrowed, irritated, eyes, and Knix with an impassive expression. The sound of other diners was like an orchestra – silverware scraping against plates, the ding of the cook’s spatula hitting the order up bell. They were all sounds I was used to, but the sounds didn't match the atmosphere that permeated our booth. I sat back and crossed my arms as I waited for the two of them to end their silent pissing match.

  It wasn't until the waitress returned and served the three of us our drinks that Grayson moved. "I think we need a few more minutes, Honey," he said graciously. I glanced at Knix, but he didn't bat an eye. I jerked up my own plastic menu and start flipping through. The waitress blushed at his flirty tone and nodded before hurrying away.

  "Alright." Grayson sighed, turning back to us. "I know you didn't want her coming to see me by herself," he addressed Knix with a frown. "But do you really have to sit here?"

  Knix nodded once. "I do," he said. "Whatever you say to her can be said in front of me."

  Grayson's electric gaze met mine before he returned his attention to Knix. "And if she's not comfortable with you here?" he challenged.

  Knix didn't look away. "Harlow knows she's welcome to say so at any time."

  "Does she?" Grayson shot back.

  "O-kay," I said cheerily, slapping my hands down on the table. "This is fun – really, it is, boys – but, how about we take a break. Let’s look at the menus, yea? Stop trying to verbally murder each other.”

  Grayson an
d Knix both stilled, staring at each other, before slowly picking up their menus to look them over. By the time the fluttering waitress returned to take our order, we were ready for her. Grayson and Knix urged me to go first. I ordered a lunch special that Grayson copied and Knix ordered the soup of the day and a side salad.

  "So," I started before either of them could say anything, "Grayson, what did you want to talk to me about?"

  Grayson sat back, stretching out on his side of the booth. I jerked as his booted feet touched mine and I pulled them back. He smirked but didn't comment. "Well, yea, I wanted to talk to you. But I also wanted to know if you were doing okay." His eyes flicked to Knix before returning to me. "I haven't heard from you in a while." Grayson looked at me pointedly, but I wasn’t quite sure what he was trying to get at.

  "I'm fine..." I said with a frown. "What about you? Are you getting ready to head off to college?"

  Grayson's smirk dropped as he turned away to look out the window. "Nah, college isn't for everyone." Despite the nonchalance in his tone, I felt like there was an underlying strain. I glanced at Knix, deciding that now was not the best time to comment or ask him about it. Instead, I let it slide.

  "So," I said, reaching for my water. I took a sip and set the glass down at the edge of the table, clasping it between my hands. The condensation wet my palms. "What are you going to do then?"