Jolted (Conflicted Encounters #1)

by Alyne Roberts

  This was probably her beater car, anyway. We had clients here that were loyal, and more importantly friends, and that meant more here than her money and power. I knew money wasn't a concern for her; she just wanted this done as soon as possible. I wanted her gone as well, but I couldn’t pull a rare engine out of my ass.

  When she stormed off across the street, Scarlett gave me a look that could kill. Ever since we were toddlers, we could communicate with just looks. We chalked it up to a weird twin thing. Scarlett could give a look that could scold you more than my mother's screaming ever would. I shivered and looked away from her.

  I watched in confusion as she stormed out of the garage to watch Kallie, where she was sitting on a bench across the street. Scarlett knew me better than anyone. She knew I didn't have relationships, and I wasn't the nicest guy, either. Watching Kallie, I could see she was shaking from crying and I almost strode across the street to comfort her. I stopped by Scarlett and leaned up against the wall next to her, trying to look causal.

  "What's her deal?" I asked.

  "Don't know. She doesn't seem to want to go home, but has no where else to go," she answered.

  "And no way to get there, either," I added.

  Scarlett mentally slapped me across the face, and I stepped back from the fierce look. She turned and went across the street to sit with Kallie. Scarlett was always the caring one. She was the one with feelings and a heart. My mother used to say we were both one half of a perfect person. I was the bad half, and she was all the good.

  When Scarlett led Kallie back to garage, I had her sign the paperwork to start the job. The two girls left without telling me where they were going. I didn't bother asking them, though. Maybe Scarlett was taking her home. She could send her chauffeur to retrieve the car in a few weeks.

  A quick search online proved the engine would be harder to find than I thought, and I knew it wouldn't be easy. The few I found were overseas and would cost more than the parts just to ship. I was sure money was not the issue for her, but explaining to Travis to pay for it up front wouldn't be easy. I printed up the listing and decided to talk to Travis about it later. Maybe the Princess would pay a deposit.

  I went back to working on Mr. May's car for several hours. I texted Scarlett a few times to see where she was. I never got an answer, which was odd for her. She always had her phone glued to her hand. She must be really mad to ignore me.

  I buried myself in my work, trying to keep my mind off the brokenhearted look on Kallie's face when she left the garage. I knew nothing about her and didn't need to. She was better off leaving her car as scrap and never looking back. This town eats you alive, and you will never walk out of it unscathed.

  My phone started ringing and I quickly grabbed it out my pocket, hoping it was my sister. I was shocked to see Logan's name on the screen. He rarely called, mostly texted. I quickly answered the phone, waiting for an emergency.

  "Yo," I answered, wiping grease off my hands and arms.

  "What's up, dude?" he asked, sounding casual.

  "Not much. Working. Everything okay? You never call," I asked.

  "Well, if you didn't ignore my texts, I wouldn't have to call," he snapped.

  "Whatever," I brushed him off.

  "Bonfire at my place this weekend. You guys should come out," he told me.

  Logan's fires were legendary around here. Everyone who was anyone would be there. We would light pallets and furniture on fire, making flames almost two stories high. Scarlett and I went to every one since we were freshman in high school.

  "I don't know, man," I mumbled. The last bonfire I went to turned into the worse night of my life. I didn't know if I could ever go back there without thinking about that night.

  "Oh, come on. You guys gotta come," he whined. "You only call me when you need a ride home after drinking, which is happening a shit load lately, and it's not fun for me."

  He was right. He was always there for me whenever I needed him. I called him up too many times to count already this summer, wasted and needing a ride. I’d known Logan since the second grade, and since then, the two of us, along with Scarlett, were inseparable. I couldn't just blow him off because I was miserable. Most importantly, I didn't have a clue how to talk myself out of it to Scarlett.

  She would know immediately something was wrong. I would never skip one of his parties. It was always my duty to light the pile. It was a tradition. I was also not the kind of guy to turn down unlimited amounts of alcohol. She would know I was avoiding his place for a reason. A reason I never wanted her to know about.

  "We'll be there," I finally told him.

  Logan was finally satisfied and let me off the phone. I finished up Mr. May's car just in time for him to pick it up on his way home from work. After handing over the keys, my phone buzzed in my pocket again. I pulled it out and saw red.

  Kallie is staying with us for now. Be nice. Shut up. - S

  CHAPTER SIX

  Kallie

  We pulled up to the parking lot and we grabbed my bags from the trunk. My heart was racing with the anticipation of seeing Ryder. I had no idea how to act around him. I had only ever been with Carter, so awkward moments with strangers like this never happened to me. I took a deep breath and followed behind Scarlet to the stairs leading to their apartment.

  I figured if he was going to act like nothing happened, then I would do the same. He obviously wanted nothing to do with me, so I would stay out of his way. I would keep my head down and get out of this town in one piece as soon as my car was repaired. Since Ryder wants me out of town just as bad, he will most likely rush my car along.

  I dropped my bags on the floor once we entered the apartment. Scarlett gave me a quick tour of the place. There was a small kitchen to the right with a breakfast bar that opened into the living room. The living room had a small plaid couch, a large recliner and a big-screen TV. Scarlett motioned off to Ryder's room, which was through the French doors off the living room. I blushed thinking how intimately I already knew that room.

  Scarlett's bedroom was smaller and on the opposite side of the living room. There was another bathroom next to her room. The bathroom had a beach-themed shower curtain and was decorated with seashells and shades of tan and blues. The counter was littered with hair products and makeup.

  "This bathroom is pretty much mine. Ryder never uses it," she explained when she caught me checking out all girly stuff.

  "I can tell," I laughed.

  "Anyways, that's it. Make yourself at home," she told me, flopping herself onto the recliner.

  Sitting on the weathered couch, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. My body sank into the cushions. The couch may have looked like it had better days, but it was probably the most comfortable piece of furniture I’d ever sat in. I closed my eyes and tried to push away all the questions and worries flooding my mind.

  A door closed, startling me, and I jumped up off the couch. Ryder was in the kitchen dropping keys on the counter and giving me a quizzical look. I looked around the living room and realized Scarlett was no longer there. I must have dozed off. I opened and closed my mouth, trying to come up with something to say to him.

  "Oh good, you're home," Scarlett said, saving me from any further embarrassment.

  "I am," he grunted back at her. "I see our house guest is here, too."

  "Yep," she chirped. I couldn't tell if she was ignoring the tension, or was completely unaware.

  I decided it was time that I finally spoke and stepped up the bar. "How much do you guys want for me staying here?" I asked. I didn't need him to think I was a leech.

  "This isn't a hotel," Ryder grumbled while grabbing some beers out of the fridge. He slid one over the counter to me. I shook my head and slid it back. I didn't need a repeat of last night.

  "We can figure it out tomorrow," Scarlett offered, glaring at her brother and taking the beer I denied. "So, what should we do for dinner?"

  "I'll cook," I said stupidly.

  "Oh gr
eat! Are you a good cook?" Scarlett asked, leaning across the bar like she was in suspense.

  "Um," I was reaching for words.

  "You can't cook, can you?" Ryder said, giving me a knowing smile.

  "A little," I said, starting to google recipes on my phone. I didn't have any idea what I was looking for.

  "Don't hurt yourself, Princess," Ryder said while rummaging in cabinets and the fridge.

  I bit down on my tongue to keep my mouth shut. I shouldn't be rude to my hosts, even if the host was a condescending jerk. I shoved myself back and stomped back to my spot on the couch. I could hear Scarlett and Ryder talking quietly to each other in the kitchen while they cooked. I sat silent and waited.

  After what felt like forever, but was probably only twenty minutes or so, Scarlett came in and handed me a plate of rigatoni. Ryder turned on the TV and found some action movie. I was grateful for the sound breaking the silence, but my mind was anywhere but in this room. I numbly put the noodles in my mouth and chewed, keeping my eyes glued to the screen in front of me.

  Tomorrow would be a new day. Without the heaviness of a hangover on me, I hoped I would feel lighter. I hoped my phone call home bought me a few more days before my mother or father called again and I would need to come up with another lie. I had a stroke of genius today when I told them I was back at school, but I wouldn't trust that I would be able to do it again. Tomorrow would be better. After dinner, I started to wash all of our dishes.

  "You know how to wash these, Princess? We don't have a maid here," Ryder said in my ear while I rinsed a plate.

  "Yes," I said through gritted teeth.

  "You had maids?" he asked as he moved to lean on the counter next to me.

  "Yes, but it doesn't mean I never did anything for myself. I live on my own in college," I defended myself while I stacked plates a little too roughly.

  Ryder put his hands up in surrender and stepped back away from me. "Alright," he said as he backed out of the kitchen.

  I finished the dishes and didn't hesitate when Scarlett suggested a shower. I grabbed all my bags from the shopping trip and darted to her bathroom. I turned the water on, letting it warm up. I dug through the bags and realized I didn't really buy anything to sleep in. I settled on a tank top and a cotton pair of shorts I planned on wearing on a hot summer day.

  I stepped in the shower and let the water rush over my entire body, imagining the water rinsing the dirt and grim from the day away. I wished it would wash away the whole day, the night before, and Ryder. I borrowed Scarlett's shampoo and body wash. I would need to get my own if I was going to be staying here. I stayed under the hot stream longer than needed. I finally forced myself out, realizing it would be rude to use up all the hot water here.

  I got out and took extra time drying off and applying lotion. I didn't want to have to go back out there and sit with two strangers, who seemed to already know more about me than I did about them. When my hair was dry and I was dressed, I ran out of ways to stall. Bracing myself, I finally opened the door to find the living room empty. Both bedroom doors where closed, but Ryder's lights leaked under the crack of his doors. A folded quilt and pillow was waiting for me on the couch.

  I tiptoed over the couch and quickly got under the covers. I pulled the blanket all the way over my head and forced deep breaths into my lungs. The TV was still on, but turned down quietly, distracting me from the stillness and quiet. I prayed sleep would come quickly. It was dangerous being all alone with nothing to keep my mind at bay.

  I couldn't think about tomorrow yet. I was always the girl with a plan. Without a plan, the rest is chaos, and only disasters come from chaos. My life had been chaos since the day I was told about Carter’s accident. No matter how much planning I did, or my parents did, the mayhem would still be there. Stirring up everyday inside my head and inside my heart. Now, I was just waiting for the disaster to hit. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

  When a noise woke me up some time later, I pulled the blankets away slowly to peek out. A topless Ryder was sitting on the counter, waiting for coffee to finish brewing. For a moment, I was distracted by his chest, only to realize he was looking right at me and had caught me staring. To cover my embarrassment, I started to stretch and sat up on the couch. I gave him a small wave and started to the kitchen.

  "Morning," I greeted, trying to avoid eye contact.

  "Have you been crying?" Ryder asked me, leaning down to get a better look at my face.

  "What? No, of course not," I told him while I ran my hands over my face frantically. He grabbed my arm and gently pulled me closer to him. When I was finally between his knees, I gave in and looked up at him.

  His stare was hard and concentrated. His eyes roamed my face and I felt naked under his gaze. He was trying to read me. I started to squirm, and his grasp on my upper arm broke. I quickly darted over to the cupboard, grabbed two coffee mugs out, and started to pour coffee.

  "So, what brings you to the middle of nowhere, Princess?" he asked, clearly not giving up.

  "Quit calling me that, please," I snipped back. "Cream?"

  "Black," he said, grabbing his cup. "What are you running from?"

  "Who says I'm running?" I countered.

  "Are you in danger, Kallie?" he asked, his voice getting low and softer.

  "No! Really, I'm not," I insisted and turned to look in his eyes. "Just passing through."

  He searched my face and seemed satisfied with my answer. "So, what are your plans for today?"

  I halted my stirring of the coffee. Plan. I had no plan. I can't remember the last time I woke up in the morning and didn't have an entire schedule for the day. I had no plans for today, tomorrow, or the rest of this summer. I had no idea what I was going to do with myself.

  "I don't know," I whispered and resumed my coffee. "Drink this coffee."

  "Good idea. Well, I have to get to work. Scarlett won't be up until afternoon," he said as he left the kitchen.

  I took my coffee to the couch and scrolled through my phone. My Facebook page was full of friends wondering where I had disappeared to. Many offered condolences on my loss and promised they were there for me if I needed them. I looked at every single name and doubted they really would be. They were just saying what was expected of them to say. I doubted many of them would even pick up their phone if I called them right now.

  Against every voice in my head screaming at me, I clicked on Carter's name that linked our relationship. Thousands of posts made by friends and family covered his wall. People posted how much he would be missed, how terrible it was to lose him, how they couldn't believe he was gone. Some posted memories they shared with him, like it was just another message to a friend. Carter wouldn't respond. He couldn't read these posts, and probably wouldn't have cared even if he could. He was gone.

  My phone was shaking in my hands and a tear dropped on the screen, blurring the pointless words. I quickly wiped them away. I couldn't stand anymore crying. My eyes were raw and dry, and my heart was already shattered beyond repair. I opened my eyes slowly to see Ryder leaning in his doorway watching me. I looked back at my phone and ignored him.

  Thankfully, he said nothing as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door. I put my phone on my new charger in the kitchen and finished my cup of coffee while trying to think of something to do today. I needed some more clothes and other essentials now that I was stranded here for who knows how long.

  Scarlett finally came stumbling out of her bedroom a few hours later. I laughed at her as she poured a cup of coffee with her eyes closed. Her black hair was a rat's nest and her mascara was smeared under her eyes. I waited for her eyes to adjust and they finally met mine. She smiled and brushed her frazzled hair out of her eyes.

  "Not a morning person?" I joked.

  "Is it still morning? I'm going back to bed," she grumbled, putting her cup down.

  "Oh, no you don't," I laughed and grabbed her arm to stop her. "I'm going to die of boredom."

  "Fine," she gave in. We dr
ank the rest of the pot of coffee in silence. I was just grateful to have the company. When I was lonely, my mind wandered to dangerous depths.

  "Would you mind running me into town again today? I think I need a few more things," I asked when I felt she was awake enough to answer.

  "Of course, doll. Let me get ready," she said as she skipped off to the bathroom.

  I smiled to myself when I heard the shower turn on. I struck gold when I met Scarlett. She was the complete opposite of anyone I was friends with back home. I doubted I would even have talked to her several weeks ago. These past two days, she had been my savior. In all honesty, she was the closest thing to a friend I had right now.

  Scarlett kicked opened the door wrapped in a towel and motioned for me to join her. I sat with her while we straightened our hair and applied makeup. She borrowed my lip gloss and I borrowed some of her blue eye shadow that would match the dress I wanted to wear today. It reminded me of being in high school and getting ready for a dance with the girls. I quickly shoved the memories away when I remembered who my date was to every single dance.

  After we finished our hair and faces, I followed Scarlett to her room while she told me about a tattoo she working on for a client. She dropped her towel and I turned away, not prepared to see her naked. When I turned back around, she had put on a red lace bra with a bow in the center and a matching thong. Her pale skin was painted with colorful designs from her wrists up to her shoulders. Black angel wings spanned her entire upper back. The shading and detail made them look like you could reach out and touch feathers.

  "You like?" she asked, and I realized I was coming closer to look at her art.

  "It looks so real," I awed with amazement in my tone.

  "We do some really good work. You should come in sometime," she suggested, pulling jeans on.

  "Maybe," I lied. My parents would kill me. I followed her lead and got undressed to put on the pale blue summer dress she picked out for me the day before.