Caged

by Shanna Ehrlich

  “Well why didn’t you leave a message? I’ve barely heard from you all week.”

  “I don’t know. I saw a cute dress and just hung up. You know how I am when I shop.”

  “Yes, I do,” he agreed and chuckled softly. “So what have you been up to? I hope not spending all our money on shopping.”

  “No, of course not. We actually haven’t spent too much. You’d be proud.” She hadn’t spent much because Brax was paying for everything. Not sure how proud he’d be of that.

  “I’m sure I would. You know I’m kidding. I don’t care what you spend.”

  “I know.” Annie paused to think of something new to discus. Their current topic was making her uncomfortable. “So what have you been up to? How’s work?”

  “Actually kind of exciting. That’s what I was calling you about. I got a client on charge of second-degree murder.”

  A flash of the man Brax killed in the club entered her mind at the word murder. “You think he did it?”

  “I don’t know. It’s probably better that way. I didn’t ask and he didn’t tell, but he was found at the scene, drunk and passed out with the victim’s skin under his nails, so it doesn’t look good.”

  “Does it ever?”

  He didn’t need to answer her rhetorical question. If you’re booked on murder charges, it never looks good. The state prosecutor knows better than to book someone unless they feel they have a strong case. “I might have you talk to him when you get back. Maybe we can get an insanity plea. When he was arrested he was high on heroin. Or maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll actually be crazy. Who knows?”

  “I can talk to him. Just let me know when.” A session with an indicted murderer represented by her husband wouldn’t be admissible in court, but they learned in the past it was better to have her talk to his clients first. See what the outcome would be before he hired a psychologist through the court who would put everything on file.

  “His father’s Christian Polls, the real estate mogul who owns all the strip malls out here. I’m sure you’ve seen the name.”

  Annie didn’t answer, everyone knew Christian Polls, or of him at least. You couldn’t drive ten feet without seeing the name plastered on a building.

  “Anyways, it goes without saying, if I win this one it’s going to mean big things for us. And I can just feel it. I’m going to win. I just need to find one flaw. One small flaw with the case and run with it.”

  “When’s the trial?”

  “Three months. I’ve got a lot to try and fit in before then. Maybe after we can take a vacation just the two of us. We haven’t been on vacation since our honeymoon. It’s about that time again don’t you think?”

  “Yes, I do. That sounds nice.”

  “I was thinking too,” he trailed off, nervous to tell her. “What if you stop taking your birth control and we try again. It’s been a year Annie. I want to try again.”

  She didn’t want to talk about this. At least not over the phone, and after everything that had happened since she’d been in New York.

  Before she found out she was pregnant she wasn’t sure if she even wanted kids, but when the surprise came she found herself ecstatic. Immediately went out shopping and spent over a grand on furniture and clothes, even though she had no idea if it was a boy or a girl. Her parents were thrilled as well, everyone was, and then three months later she got her period; a heavy painful period just days before her appointment to find out the sex. She lost the baby. Sometimes this happens. We don’t know why. It has nothing to do with you, was all the comforting the doctor could give her.

  She spent the following months in a crying haze, everything from baby commercials to seeing mothers out in public would set her off. And having to face everyone and tell them what happened; their sympathetic and judging looks after finding out. It was all too terrible. She didn’t think she could ever go through that again, but Keith wasn’t ready to give up. They argued about it several times, always ending in a stalemate. “Keith, let’s just talk about it when I get back. I don’t want to do this now.”

  “Okay.” He knew that’s all he could say. If he pushed too hard it wouldn’t end well. It never did. “Well I’m sure you and the girls are planning to go out so I’ll let you go.” Keith always referred to Trevor as one of the girls, and in a way, he was. “I love you Annabel. Call me tomorrow?”

  “I will. Love you too.”

  She hung up the phone feeling like a complete traitor. Keith was a great husband. He always supported her and took care of her and all he wanted was a baby, which she wasn’t willing to give. Instead, she was in New York, the first time away from him since they were married four years ago, spending time with a different man. A man she wished she was still with, cuddling on the couch and finishing their night of normal. That’s what she was able to give Keith; a cheating wife. But the heart wants what the heart wants, right? Can you still say that when you’re married? Yeah, probably not.

  Trevor and Mandy finished eating and she looked up to find them both starring at her.

  “How’s the hubby?” he asked. “From the sound of it Sara didn’t tell him.”

  “No, but she tried. He said he had a missed call from her. I can’t believe she did that to me.”

  “She was just angry,” Trevor defended. “Probably realized what she was doing and hung up. Why don’t we go find her and you two can make up?”

  “I don’t think I can. I’m probably going to punch her if I see her. Sorry Mandy, I know she’s your sister, but that was fucked up, even for her.”

  “Hey that’s between you and her.” Mandy put her hands in the air in defense. “I know she can be a bitch, I’m not judging. I’ve had my moments where I wanted to punch her too. That being said, I can see her side. She was totally with that guy before you came up, so I can see why she was annoyed, but I’m not defending her calling Keith or anything.”

  “I know it looked like I was trying to steal him from her, but I wasn’t. I was really just trying to protect her. I brought him in the back room and Brax met us back there. He scared the life out of the guy. I doubt he’ll ever drug another girl’s drink again.”

  “Well tell her that then,” Trevor insisted. “Mandy knows her Find My iPhone password. She’s at a bar a couple blocks from here. Let’s go get her. I really don’t want her out alone.”

  Annie grudgingly agreed. After all, she didn’t end up actually telling Keith. Could easily have left a message, but didn’t.

  Annie called Brax’s driver, who answered the phone as Greg, and asked if he could take them. He arrived in minutes and dropped them off at a bar with a neon sign flashing above, displaying the name Moonshine in bright red lettering. It looked out of place compared to the other bars they frequented on their trip, with motorcycles lined out front and a burley, tattooed man guarding the door. He laughed as they approached.

  “Well what do we have here? I think you’re looking for the dance club around the corner.”

  “No, we’re in the right place,” Mandy insisted. “Can you let us in?”

  “What’s the magic word darlin? Why don’t you show me those big titties of yours and I’ll think about it.”

  Mandy crossed her arms over her chest to hide the big titties he referenced. She was a small town girl at heart. Not like they were from a small town, but it was where she belonged.

  His comment noticeably making her uncomfortable, he pressed on. “Don’t hide the goods baby. What do you think about letting me stick my dick between them later?”

  “Okay, that’s enough!” Annie interjected. “We have a friend in there. Please just let us through.”

  “Well, hey there sweet cheeks.” He reached out for her and she smacked his hand away.

  “Don’t fucking touch me.”

  “Ehem,” Driver Greg cleared his throat and handed the bouncer a wad of cash. “This should cover it. I trust you’ll let them in now.” Annie couldn’t tell how much was given, but the amount seemed to be appeasing.

/>   “Have fun,” he encouraged, pushing open the black door.

  Braxton laid in bed tossing and turning. He thought he’d hit the sack early, finally get a whole night’s rest for once, but he couldn’t stop thinking about her. His mind moved a mile a minute and his stomach churned at the thought of her on the phone with him. Probably telling him she loved him; would see him soon. Well not if he had anything to do with it.

  His phone vibrated while clenched in his hand. He’d held it in bed in case she called, not wanting to miss it and sleep through. He was running on two hours of sleep and knew once he was out, he’d be dead to the world. Looking at the screen, his excitement depleted when he saw it wasn’t her, but his driver instead. What the fuck did he want? Braxton answered the phone in his usual curt manor. “What?”

  “Sir, I thought you should know I dropped Bethany and her friends off at Moonshine.”

  Shocked, he sat straight up. “Moonshine? What the fuck is she doing there?” Moonshine was a biker bar. Not a place to go and just hang out.

  “I don’t know sir. That’s why I’m calling. Thought you would want to know.”

  “Thanks for the call Greg. You thought right.”

  Braxton hung up the phone and paced his bedroom, debating if he should call her, but why didn’t she call him? Did she not want him to know where she was? Did she just need space? Fuck. He was new to all this. Didn’t know how it all worked. Deciding not to call her, he called Stetson instead.

  “It’s Cage. I have a job for you. Right now. I’ll make it worth your while. Are you available?”

  “Sure. What’s the job?”

  “I need you to go up to Moonshine. Bethany’s up there with her fucking friends and I need someone to make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble.”

  “Okay?”

  Brax could hear the questioning tone of his voice. “Don’t fucking question me. If I could be there I would. Can you do it or not?”

  “Yes, sir. I can be there in twenty minutes. What are you thinking? Just watch her?”

  “No. I don’t know. Get close to one of her friends or something. Just do something where you’re around if she needs you. Her slut friend Sara’s there. Try and hit on her. She’ll probably blow you later. Consider it a perk of the job once you get Bethany back safe.”

  “No problem. I’m on it. I’ll text you when I’m there.”

  “Yes, you will. Let me know if anything urgent comes up. And stay the fuck away from Bethany. Don’t think this is a pass for you to hit on her.”

  “Absolutely not. I understand.”

  Pool tables lined the walls of Moonshine with men and women bent over them, scouting their best shot. The three of them, feeling grossly out of place, pressed on with their search for Sara while yelling over the loud country music blasting through the speakers.

  They finally found her in a back corner, wrapped in the arms of a man twenty years her senior, but he didn’t look half bad. If they were joking around like they usually did at bars, he would have made it on their Sexy Sir list.

  Sara didn’t notice them as they walked up. It was her man toy to bring attention to them. “Who the fuck is this?”

  Sara looked over and caught sight of them. Obviously shocked they found her. “They’re with me Max. Except that one,” she pointed in Annie’s direction. “She’s a backstabbing bitch who’s cheating on her husband.”

  Annie couldn’t believe she just said that out loud. And to think she came here to makeup with her. Max wasn’t fazed by the cheating comment though. Not like he would be. He didn’t know her. What did he care? He was probably a cheater himself. Probably had a wife and kids waiting for him back home.

  “Fuck you!” Annie defended. “You’re one to judge.”

  “Woah woah woah!” Trevor, always the referee jumped in. “We’re here to have fun. Could we just make up and play nice? I know you bitches all have money, but I spent my whole bank account on this trip, so we’re going to have fun, and you two need to suck it up.”

  Both crossing their arms, Annie and Sara reluctantly agreed, but they sure as fuck wouldn’t be making nice anytime soon. Pulling up three extra chairs they all started a game of pool. Trevor and Mandy on one team, and Sara and Max on the other. Annie, the single one out, waved over the waitress and ordered a round of beers. She would need one, or ten, to get through this night.

  By the third beer they were all laughing and having a good time. Thank god for alcohol. Trevor and Annie started a game of their own, and she was currently kicking his ass.

  “No no. You’re doing it wrong,” said a young blonde guy. Annie noticed him starring in their direction all night and he must have finally got the courage to come talk to them. “Here, let me show you.” Taking the cue stick from Trevor he leaned over the table and sank the nine ball, essentially winning the game for him.

  “Hey, thanks man!” Trevor was impressed, Annie not so much. What the fuck just happened?

  “No problem. I’m John by the way.”

  “Trevor. Nice to meet you.” Trevor held out his hand to shake with stars in his eyes, not motioning to acknowledge Annie. It’s as if she weren’t even standing there waiting to meet the guy who just fucked up their game.

  “I can show you some more if you want. It’s really easy. You’ll be killing her in no time.”

  “Yeah man. That’d be great!” Trevor took the cue stick from Annie, leaving her empty handed. Looked like she’d be sitting the next game out.

  Walking back to the chairs, she took a seat next to Mandy, striking up a conversation. They joked about Trevor and the man likely to become his new boy toy for the night, finding it funny he met him in a bar like Moonshine. John didn’t look like the other men in there. Not a biker or a cowboy. And he definitely didn’t look gay, but who was she to judge.

  During their hour conversation they were approached several times over by men neither of them were interested in, turning them down swiftly. It only made Annie realize how much she missed Brax and wished she were home with him. None of the guys there even held a candle to him. Taking out her phone she sent him a text.

  Miss you. 12:38am

  An hour later there was no response. Pulling out her phone again, she wrote what she wanted to say to begin with.

  Can I come see you? 1:42am

  He never messaged back and she spent the rest of the night pretending to enjoy herself, but barely having the energy to do so. They finally made it to the hotel by three in the morning. Annie crawled right into bed, but for the rest of the night, could hear Trevor and John in the bed beside her. Ugh. Gross.

  In the morning Annie woke to the tone of The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men”. What the fuck is that? Whose phone is going off? Thoughts she only had in her head, but wished she had the energy to yell aloud.

  “Stetson,” she finally heard John say as the obnoxious song stopped playing. As if he weren’t annoying last night, now he was waking her before the sun came up. And what kind of name is Stetson? Stupid fucking name. Now he actually does sound like a gay cowboy. She was really not a morning person.

  “Yes sir.” The one sided conversation continued. “We’re all good. Yes. Yes. No sorry, I didn’t know about the texts.” Pause. “I was paying attention. Sir, this isn’t actually a good time. Can I call you back?” Pause. “Yes. Okay. Will do.”

  Annie cracked open her eyes enough to see a shirtless John hang up the phone with just a sheet covering the rest of him. Trevor was awake too and John leaned over and kissed him.

  “Sorry. That was my boss. I have to go.”

  Disappointment was written all over Trevor’s face. Annie never saw him look that way at a guy before. He was a male slut, always taking guys home. Back in college he used to use her to help kick the guys out in the morning. You’d think he’d be happy to have this one leave on his own.

  “No problem. Call me later.” He must not have wanted to sound as pathetic as he looked.

  Rolling over she pulled a pillow over
her head and slept half the day away.

  The next time Annie woke was to a new obnoxious noise; an incessant banging that wouldn’t stop. Not getting up at first, thinking gay Cowboy Stetson came back, she listened to the pounding over and over again.

  “Trevor!”

  No answer.

  “Trevor!” she yelled again, but when he still didn’t reply she rolled over and found his bed empty, blankets strewn about.

  “Bethany! Open the fucking door.”

  Suddenly wide-awake, she rushed to the door and threw herself in his arms. Hanging by his neck he wrapped his hands around her waist and pushed her back, happy to see she was okay, but still annoyed.

  “What the fuck is going on? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all day? Why haven’t you answered? I called your phone at least a dozen times.”

  “Oh. Well I was sleeping,” she yawned and stretched. “I must not of heard it. Long night. Come in. I’ll tell you about it.” Brax trailed behind her as she walked over to her bed.

  “What about you?” she asked and took a seat. “I texted you twice last night and you didn’t respond either.”

  “When you sent the texts it was one in the morning which is when normal people sleep, not four in the afternoon.” Stepping over to the bedside table he picked up her phone. “And I did text you back,” he said, handing it over and sitting down beside her. She unlocked the phone and saw thirteen missed calls and then checked her texts; four new ones all from Brax.

  Braxton Cage:

  Loved waking up to this. I missed you all night. 6:18am

  Can’t stop thinking about you. Call me when you wake up.

  You better still be sleeping. Why haven’t I heard from you?

  WHAT THE FUCK 3:30pm

  Annie’s heart fluttered as she read the texts. How could he think she would have woken up and not called? For the past few days he was all she ever thought about, and the only person she wanted to be with.