Sinners & Saints (Sinners & Saints #1)

by Ballinger, Chelsea

  “What are you talking about?” I ask, rubbing my temples.

  “You seemed frustrated.”

  “Yeah,” Lindsey chimes in. “It seems we were participating more than you. You were barely even watching.”

  “A lot on my mind,” I admit, staring at the ceiling. They’re right. The shower was great with them. Then when we took the party to the bed, things changed. I sat in my chair, watching them kiss—watching two hot women kiss, I must rephrase in detail… and all I could do was think about her. She was there. In my twisted head, twisting more things.

  “It must be that new girl,” Kirsten sings. “You must like her.”

  I sit up and look at both of them. “You can go now.”

  They both giggle, not fazed by my rudeness. That’s what I like about them. Kirsten and Lindsey have been best friends since the second grade and they share everything. From clothes—hell, even underwear—to men.

  “You know at some point you’re going to have to let someone in that disturbed mind of yours,” Kirsten says to me after she puts on her shirt.

  Fully dressed, they skip and giggle to my door, arms linked. They open it and I am surprised to see Cody outside my room. His face literally drops at the sight of the two girls in front of him.

  “Hey Cody,” they say to him, smiling.

  “Uh, Kirsten, Lindsey… hey.”

  They brush past him, laughing as he continues gawking at them. I throw on my pants and walk over to him, smirking. “Told you I wasn’t a racist.”

  He smacks his lips and rolls his eyes.

  “What do you want?” I ask. He rarely visits my room.

  “I,” he says nervously. “I might need your assistance.”

  “My assistance? With what?”

  “There’s this girl.”

  I nod in amusement. “Of course there is… you may enter.”

  JULIET

  “Hey Jordana, Poppy,” the red haired girl greets them once they enter the foyer.

  “Lindsey, Kirsten,” Jordana says. “Making one last round, I see.”

  They both giggle, coming into the living room and helping themselves to the mini bar.

  “I’m getting married and actually I do love him, so I might as well get it all out of my system. He’s doing the same,” Lindsey says before taking a shot of vodka.

  “It still sucks.” Kirsten frowns. She looks my way. “Juliet, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

  “You too,” I say back.

  “Do take care of our boy,” Lindsey says to me, smiling. What did she mean by that?

  Once they’re gone, I point to the door and look at Jordana. “One’s getting married.”

  “Yeah. They’re both cool. Really nice; they’re just kinky. They share everything including men.”

  “And women,” Poppy says, grinning at Jordana.

  “Lindsey is getting married to Andy Reffington,” Jordana says. “He’s related to the Kennedys.”

  “Does he know about her relationship with the other girl?” I ask.

  “Oh yeah,” Jordana says. “But he’s cool with it. They have this whole don’t care because we love each other thing. Besides, when they get married, he will be the only one that sleeps with both of them. I view them as borderline lesbians that need a dick, just not a fake one.”

  I almost choke on my wine, laughing hysterically at Jordana.

  “I’m very serious. I at least respect their choices. I find it highly rude that girls that call themselves full on lesbians choose to use strap ons occasionally.”

  I stop laughing and start to really think about it. “That is kind of confusing.”

  “Yes!” It’s clear that Jordana feels very passionate about this. “You give up dick for clit, still you choose to strap a fake dick to that said clit. It’s highly offensive to me. I wrote a whole article on it. New York Times of course wouldn’t publish it, but I posted it on Tumblr. You’d be amazed at the debate it sparks. I’m hated by 64 percent of the female gay community now, confirming that 64 percent of the female gay community are actually closet bisexuals.”

  “Well at least you’re a freedom fighter,” I joke.

  “You mock me, but I know.”

  “You’ve never used a strap on?” I arch my brow at her.

  She keeps a straight face for a moment. Finally, rolling her eyes. “Okay, maybe I finally wore one last year, but it’s still appalling.”

  I laugh my ass off.

  HUGO

  “So, basically you’re a stalker,” I say to Cody after he tells me everything he knows about a certain waitress named Anika.

  “No!” he argues. “I am not a stalker. All because I know a few things about her does not mean I’m a stalker.”

  “You find out her name from one of the other waitresses, then you spend a week finding all her social network accounts and every day you go and view them. God forbid they would’ve been locked because you would have to send a friend request.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Personally, I wouldn’t be shocked if you created a fake page to become her friend.”

  “Whatever, man, you gonna help me or what?”

  I sigh. I enjoy Cody coming to me for help. “I’ll think about it.”

  “What?!” He stands up from his seat. “You’ve been dying to get me to hook up with some girl—may I remind you about the prostitute you hired for my birthday last year.”

  “Yes, I remember. You spent the whole night discussing your five year plan with her while she was half naked in your bed.”

  “And I got to know her. She was prelaw at Columbia, ya know?”

  “How do you think I met her dumbass? You think I just have high priced hookers on speed dial?”

  A confused look appears on his face. “Is that supposed to be a trick question?”

  “Look, I’ll help you,” I say putting out my cigarette. “You want to get her this week?”

  His eyes widen. “That quick?”

  “Why the hell would you wait longer?”

  “I need to prepare myself…” He trails off, trying to find an excuse.

  “Basically, you need to get over being an insecure pussy.”

  “I’m not insecure!” He points his finger at me frowning. “And call me a pussy one more time.”

  “You get scared around the girls when your shirt is off.”

  “I don’t like my body being exposed.”

  “When you say shit like that, it makes me want to punch you in the face.” I can’t further chastise him because my phone is ringing. I grab it and look at the caller ID. It reads Dick’s office, but of course his secretary will be the one on the other line.

  “Hugo, how are you doing?” She sounds more chipper than usual.

  “Outstanding, Denise. How’s life on my father’s lap?”

  She clears her throat and reveals her usual bitchy tone. “Your father needs you to attend a cocktail party tonight hosted by Gail Chambers.”

  “No,” I answer without hesitation.

  “He said that might be your answer given last time you went to one of her events.”

  “It’s not my fault Mrs. Chambers doesn’t have a good sense of humor.”

  “You talked about bulimia running in her family,” Cody whispers to me.

  I shrug.

  “Your father will be there tonight with Kelly. You don’t have to wear a tie, but dress formal.”

  “Didn’t I say no?”

  “Yes, but you and I both know that you’ll be there. It starts at nine, don’t be late.” She hangs up the phone. Bitch.

  JULIET

  “Oh God,” I roll my eyes, laughing at the text my mother just sent me.

  “What is it?” Poppy asks.

  “My mum. One of my requirements for getting to move here early is to attend all the events on this list. The first one is tonight. Do you know a Gail Chambers?”

  “Yeah, she’s planning on running for Mayor,” Jordana answers.

  “Are any of you going?”

  “Proba
bly not. Gail Chambers invites people based on her moral and wealth standards. Cody’s family are black democrats and Poppy’s parents are undecided and new money. My dad’s a musician and my mom’s a feminist and I’m a girl that likes girls. We are the definition of liberals to her kind. They’re all God fearing, conservative, and against abortion and gay marriage and made up of old money… basically it’s a Republican party.”

  “Ugh,” I groan. “I’ve interacted with Republicans before. Loathsome creatures.”

  “You should look forward to it then.” Jordana deadpans.

  “Unfortunately, I must attend,” Hugo states, entering the room with Cody behind him.

  “Let me guess, your father is interested in investing in her campaign, isn’t he?” Jordana asks.

  “Yes, I’m for certain he is,” he says, sitting next to her. “You know the Republicans are always hell bent on regaining full world domination. Besides, if she wins the election he’ll have more access to property on the island.”

  “You’re not Republican, are you?” I ask him because I wouldn’t be shocked if he was for the hell of it.

  “I claim nothing. It’s all a waste. Government is full of corruption and the ones that don’t want to join the club still tend to become failures in the eyes of the narrow minded public.”

  “Like Obama,” Cody says.

  “I did vote for Obama,” Hugo admits.

  “Really? Why vote?”

  “His wife is hot.”

  I laugh a little, shaking my head at him. “So, you want to go to this thing together then?” I ask.

  He looks at me for a moment. His one blue, one green eye shining with curiosity. “Will we be on time?”

  “Probably not,” I answer truthfully.

  “Okay then.”

  11

  HUGO

  I’m waiting on Juliet to come down. I check myself in the foyer mirror again. My hair is combed to the side. I’m wearing Hugo Boss black everything. No tie. I remind myself of Johnny Cash a little. Now if only I had my fucking sunglasses.

  I hear her heels coming down the steps. I turn around and Juliet appears. She’s gorgeous of course. What I like about her is that she doesn’t need to do much. All she has on is eyeliner and a dark color red lipstick. Maybe more plum than red. That’s it. No fake eyelashes or drawn on eyebrows nor beauty mark. She’s wearing a strapless green cocktail dress and dark red heels. She wears the jewelry she usually wears. A gold nameplate necklace around her neck and the diamond and gold bracelet she always fidgets with when in deep thought. He hair is down but pulled back and hangs over her left shoulder. She’s holding on to her dark red clutch that has a gold buckle on it. My eyes are raking over hers, but I just realize that hers are doing the same to me.

  I stare at her eyes a little too long. Her brow quirks up and her lips curl.

  “Come on, we’re gonna be late,” I tell her.

  “Yes, Juliet, you look ravishing,” she says once we get outside. “I say that because obviously you saying we were going to be late to a party we’re already late to means that you do think I look great in this dress and you’re putting your defenses up because you don’t want me to know that you’re fantasizing about taking it off.”

  She really has no filter and because of it I never know how to respond. I just wait until we get in the Phantom. “Yes, Juliet, you look stunning.”

  I look at her and she is already meeting my gaze. “You don’t look bad yourself.”

  “I do try my best.”

  “No need to try harder,” she says back. She keeps looking at me and I keep looking at her. Now I’m looking at her lips. Now she’s smiling, knowing that I’m looking at her lips. Now I’m going to look away because I just really need to look away. Without my sunglasses there is no barrier, no wall. I am now bare in my defiance.

  SCARLETT

  I don’t have to wait long for Tom Keegan and his dish for the night to come in the room.

  They come in stumbling and laughing, ready for a fun night. The fun will have to wait and the reckoning will have to begin.

  His eyes still once he sees me sitting on the couch with a glass of champagne in hand.

  “Hello, Tom,” I greet him and the brunette in the tight green dress she probably got from Forever 21 pops gum in her mouth.

  “Who the hell is this?” she asks him, gesturing her hand at me.

  “Uh… listen, go down to the lobby.” He pulls a few hundred out of his wallet.

  “Excuse me?” Her neck rolls back in disgust.

  “Just go, damn it. I’ll send for you in a minute.”

  She snatches the cash out of his hand. She looks back at me, popping her gum then rolling her eyes for dramatic effect before leaving out the room.

  “I see we’re still picking up girls on Lexington.”

  “How the hell did you get in here?”

  “You’d be amazed who I know at the hotel, especially given our times here together.” I pour myself another glass of champagne. “Fascinating that you still use the same Parkview Suite. Out of all the other rooms to use at the Ritz Carlton, you’ve always chosen this one. I know it’s not for the view.”

  “I see you’re still high maintenance.” He sits in the chair across on the right from me.

  “Only cause you spoiled me. You do remember spoiling me, don’t you, Tom? It was very easy to do. Especially at my age.”

  His jaw hardens. “What do you want, Scarlett?”

  “I hear you’re planning on investing in NeoLock.”

  He laughs harshly. “Yes, I heard you were engaged to Townsend.”

  “That I am and this NeoLock deal could really be good for my fiancé.”

  “You mean good for you,” he interrupts me. “You always wanted to be on top.”

  “I love being on top, straddling the power and wealth that comes with it... you always enjoyed me on top.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to do. My father is in charge.”

  “I know. I’m shocked he’s still alive. What is he pushing now? Ninety?”

  “Ninety-one.”

  “Ninety-one. God, I would hate to live that long. Too old, too used. I won’t even be able to use my looks and charm anymore. You all love them young.”

  “I was drunk,” he desperately says.

  “And I was fifteen.”

  “You seduced me.”

  “Maybe so, but God man, you were what—forty-one? Forty-two?”

  Here come the tears. “I had never done that before. You knew that. You came at me.”

  “I came at you because I knew, Tom. That is the whole point. I came at you because I knew you were weak… and it helped that my boobs had a growth spurt.”

  “You’re sick. You’re sick just like your fucking father.”

  “I know… it’s ironic.” My jaw hardens at the image of my father and the way his twisted joy gleamed in his eyes. “But,” I sit down the champagne glass on the table, “like his disturbed nature I also inherited his agility, which is why I was quick to plant drugs in your drink that night.” I giggle. “Also the pictures I had taken of us.”

  “You really think you can just throw that fucking shit at me? You think anyone would care after nine fucking years!”

  “Yes,” I slowly state. “Scarlett Brayson, girl with a bad reputation, finally reveals the root of all her evil. People will weep for me, say sorry for all the judgment because I was just a young girl without a father being taken advantage of by an older, rich and powerful man who my father trusted as a friend… and as Godfather to his child.”

  He wipes away the mild tears and sneers. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “You do that.” I stand up, grabbing my purse. “In the meantime, I’ll try to find another way to stop an investor in case you fail. Have a nice night, Uncle Tommy.”

  He winces at the nickname I’ve been calling him since I could speak.

  “Scarlett.” I stop at the door and look back at him. He turns his head around and
looks at me. “I may be shit, but you and I both know that I wasn’t the start of it all.”

  My grip tightens on the door handle and the image of the broken glass appears. So much broken glass surrounding me. Now is not the time for it. So I smile and move on because at the end of the day I could give a fuck about the past.

  JULIET

  We arrive at the Chambers Townhouse. It smells of cigars and old money. The family’s butler escorts us into the living room where the rest of the guests are. The men are smoking their cigars and the women are clinging to their pearls. Laughter and arrogance all around. A woman wearing a blue long-sleeve cocktail dress who looks to be in her fifties approaches us.

  “Juliet Spears?” She smiles, hoping she’s guessing correctly.

  “Yes.”

  “Hi!” She pulls me by the shoulders and plants a kiss on each cheek. “I’m Gail Chambers. Your mother is one of my oldest friends from my year abroad at Oxford.”

  “Oh, yes!” I’m trying to sound excited. “Lovely to finally meet you; thank you for inviting me.”

  “Of course, my dear.” She averts her eyes disapprovingly at Hugo and forces a tight grin. “Hello, Hugo.”

  “Mrs. Chambers,” he smirks and plants his hand over his chest. “Always obliged to see you.”

  She practically stabs him with her stare. “Juliet, your mother told me you were staying with Eleanor Ashworth.” She gives me a somewhat sincere look. “Now if you do feel…” her eyes sway towards Hugo before looking back at me, “uncomfortable, please feel free to stay here.”

  “Um, so far…” I look at Hugo, “it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  He looks at me knowingly and impressed.

  She forces a smile, but her eyes seem disappointed in me already. “Very well, I’d like you to meet my family.” She places her hand on my back and ushers me near the bar where a group of older men are laughing, drinking cognac and smoking, probably discussing the wonderful world of golf and sailing. I notice Hugo stays near us.

  “Donald, darling.” Mrs. Chambers grabs the arm of the grey haired man with a cigar in his mouth. Looks to be the Arturo Fuente brand. I can tell by the label that has the picture of the founder on it. Mum doesn’t know, but I’ve been smoking cigars with Dad since I was sixteen.