by R. Linda
“Nice to meet you, Maddie,” he said, but his eyes were still on me. “Lucinda here nearly knocked me over in the quad earlier. She was rushing for work.”
“Oh, so that’s why you were late? I get it now,” Maddie said and nudged my leg with her foot as Hendrix took another sip of his drink.
“I was already running late because class ran over, and then I bumped into Hendrix in my rush. That’s all.”
“Well, that’s not nearly as exciting as I thought it was going to be.” She frowned, shook her head and walked over to check on Walter. I’m sure she was expecting some sordid details, or at the very least a meet cute, but it wasn’t like that.
“I’m sorry for running into you.”
“I’m not.” He grinned and downed his whiskey, placing the empty glass on the bar. “I’ll see you around, Lucinda.” And then he pushed off the bar and walked away. I held my breath as I watched him leave, wondering if he’d look back at me before he left like he watched me earlier in the quad.
As he reached the door, he turned to face me. Opening the door with the pressure of his back, he held my gaze until he stepped out of sight.
I collapsed against the bar, finally sucking in a breath as my brain analysed his words. I’ll see you around. What did that mean? Did it mean something? Or was it just his way of saying goodbye?
Was I going to see him again?
I certainly hoped so.
Hendrix
TONIGHT WAS THE night.
I sat in the dimly lit, overcrowded bar for the fourth week in a row, waiting for the shift change that would mean she’d be free to hang out with me. In all honesty, every night I went there was because I wanted to see her. For weeks, I had been going to this trashy bar in town to see her with her wide, golden-brown eyes and long, brown hair, her soft, milky skin, and the slight pink flush to her cheeks that only deepened when she felt embarrassed. She looked so pure and innocent. My favourite were the freckles across her nose and cheeks. If you looked close enough, they almost looked like a constellation. A group of stars on her skin.
I lit a cigarette and had a sip of the whiskey she had poured for me earlier, ignoring the burn in my throat as I watched her cash out her till and grab her bag. She held her hand out to her jerk of a boss who placed money in it before closing her fist tightly around the notes—her wages for the night. She said goodbye to her co-workers, whispered to Maddie and headed toward the door. She was leaving dammit, and I’d barely spoken to her. I needed to talk to her tonight while I still had the confidence. Just as I stood up to make my way over to her, she noticed me and smiled. The instant our eyes met, I gave her a small wave and smiled back. She had changed direction and headed over to me.
Glancing wearily around the room, my eyes landed on Ray. He was leaning against the far wall with a beer in his hand. He was watching Lucy approach me with a grin on his face; he’d followed me down here because he wanted to check out who she was, see the girl I’d been telling him about for weeks. With a nod of his head, he tilted his beer up in my direction, a sign of approval, and downed the rest of his drink before he turned and left through the side door. He wasn’t leaving; I knew that much. He’d hang around the car park and wait for me to go. He always did. Always wanted to make sure I got home safely. He never allowed me out of his sight for too long—he was protective like that.
“Hendrix.” Lucy grinned as she reached my booth. “This is becoming a habit of yours. I thought you had left already.” She laughed and took a seat opposite me. I stubbed out my cigarette and picked up my whiskey again.
“Well, there’s a girl here. Beautiful girl. The face of an angel,” I told her truthfully. I smiled when her breath caught in her throat; she knew I was talking about her. Her eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, though. “I just can’t stay away. I want to take her out, get to know her better, but I'm too scared to ask. What if she rejects me? So, I just keep coming back, hoping she will give me a clue.”
The fear was real. I’d never asked a girl on a date before, and everything relied on her feelings toward me. She had to like me, she had to be attracted to me and want to date me. If not, everything I had worked for over the past few weeks would be for nothing. It had to go in my favour. There was no other option.
“She’d be crazy to reject you, Hendrix. You’re a great guy; friendly, handsome too.” She lowered her gaze to the table as she said that, a blush appearing on her cheeks. She thought I was great, and handsome too, even with the scruffy stubble along my jaw and a bruise under my eye.
Tonight was definitely the night.
It had to be tonight. I couldn’t wait any longer. Couldn’t risk anyone else beating me to it, especially him.
“Maybe you should buy her a drink or ask her to dance; start small.” Lucy glanced up at me through her dark lashes.
“You’re right; I will.” I stood up and began to step away from the table, noticing the small frown on her face as I did so. I turned back to the table and extended my hand toward her, a thrill of excitement rushing through me when her eyes widened in surprise. She bit her bottom lip while looking at me in confusion. “Lucinda,” I started to say, but she shook her head.
“How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Lucy.”
“At least once more.” I smiled and laughed when she rolled her eyes. She hated when I called her by her full name. “Lucinda, will you dance with me?”
“Only if you call me Lucy,” she teased.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “Fine. Lucy, will you dance with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She placed her delicate hand in mine and stood up, a small smile already forming on her lips. I hoped she didn’t notice how nervous I was. She was the first girl I’d ever willingly asked to dance.
It was easier than I expected though. I led her onto the dance floor and wrapped my arms around her waist. Unsure of what else to do, I started to sway my hips to the music, hopefully in time with the beat. I hated dancing and had never actually approached a girl before. I’d never had a girlfriend—that I wanted. I’d only had ones my father had approved of and chosen. Strict was an understatement, but I understood why he was so protective. He’d lost so much in his life, and he was paranoid of losing me. Hopefully, if things went well with Lucy, he’d care for her the way I already did. Four weeks and I was absolutely taken with her. Bewildered. Her hands found their way around my neck and she began to move with me. She smelled incredible, like honey, and her body fit against mine perfectly. We were made for each other.
The song ended too soon. She pulled away with a small smile.
Reluctantly, I released my grip on her waist. I was caught off guard when she entwined her fingers with mine and started leading us back to the table. She threw a shy smile over her shoulder as we pushed through the sweaty bodies on the dance floor.
“Thank you for the dance.” Lucy leaned up on her toes to press her lips to my cheek. My skin burned from her touch. I’d never felt that before. It was… I liked it.
“I had fun, but I need to go; early class tomorrow,” she sighed, pouting slightly. I was almost positive that she was disappointed about having to leave so soon. I was too, but for different reasons. I wasn’t ready for her to leave yet. If she left then, things would change, and I didn’t want things to change. I wanted to stay right there in that moment with her. Her body pressed against mine, moving with me on the dance floor, my nose buried in her hair, hands on her waist. If I could freeze time, I would have frozen it then.
“I'll walk you out.” I nodded my head in the direction of the door; anything just to have her near me for a little while longer. “Come on.”
A nervous feeling started to bubble in my stomach. It felt like the end of a first date and I was walking her to her door. It was now or never. We walked hand in hand to where Lucy’s car was parked in the abnormally dark parking lot. The anticipation was killing me. What if I messed this up or scared her off? What if I had read her wrong and she was co
mpletely uninterested in me? It would never work. We would never work. And then… Then I shuddered and pushed the thought aside.
“Thank you, Hendrix.” She turned and smiled at me. Being the gentleman that she thought I was, I reached out and opened the car door for her.
“No worries.” I leaned down and pressed my lips to her cheek like she had done to me earlier. Pulling away slowly, I decided to try my luck. I brushed my lips against hers so softly they barely touched, but it was enough. I lingered for a moment, smiling at her sharp intake of breath and then stepped away. There was definitely a spark there. I felt it, and I was sure she had felt it too.
“I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?” I asked, licking my lips. She looked a little dazed, a little stunned, but the excitement in her eyes was hard to miss.
“You know where to find me.” She tried to play it cool. It was cute. She was cute.
“Drive safe, Lucy,” I whispered, brushing my knuckles along her cheek and across her lips before turning and walking across the car park. I knew how to play it cool. If Ray had taught me anything over the years, it was how to play it cool, how to hide emotions, not draw attention.
The kiss went perfectly, just the way I’d hoped. She was falling for me the way I was falling for her. The anticipation was almost too much. Smiling to myself, I pulled my keys out of my pocket and was just about to get in my car when I heard her voice and footsteps running across the pavement.
“Hendrix, wait!” she called out. I turned to face her. She ran toward me with panic in her eyes.
“What's wrong, love?” I asked when she stopped in front of me.
“My car won’t start.”
“Let me take a look at it for you. Why don’t you pop the hood for me?” Lucy ran back to her car and did as I asked. “What do you know about cars, Lucy?” I looked up from under the hood, but she just shook her head, wrapping her jacket tighter around herself; the wind was picking up and it was getting cold.
“Nothing at all.” She shivered. Not wanting her to freeze to death, I took my jacket off and placed it around her shoulders. I didn’t miss the way she smelled it and hugged it close.
“Okay, well I’m no expert,” I lied. I knew plenty about cars. I was a mechanic. “But I’m pretty sure that this wire here—” I pointed to the battery, dumbing it down a little, so I looked almost as confused as she, “—should not be cut in half.”
“What?” she shrieked, stepping forward to get a closer look. “How does that happen?” She looked at me for answers, but I didn’t know what to say. I knew how it could happen, but I didn’t want to worry her. That wire was cut—deliberately.
“Um, well…” I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. “It looks like someone has tampered with your car. Pissed anyone off lately?”
“Oh my gosh! No, I don’t think so. Somebody did this on purpose?”
“Looks like it.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to my chest. She trembled against me, and I was pretty sure it was from fear, not the cold. I would be frightened too if someone was after me. “Wanna call a tow truck? We could be waiting a while. Or I’ll give you a lift home and organise a tow for the morning?” I offered.
“I need to get to class in the morning,” she told me, “but I guess either way, I’m not going to have a car, am I?”
“I’ll pick you up in the morning for class, too.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“You’re too good to be true, Hendrix.” She smiled up at me. “A lift home would be great, thank you.”
I took her hand and walked her back to my car. Trying to ignore Ray’s gaze from the car ahead of us, I cranked up the heat and asked her for directions. About five minutes later, we pulled up at her apartment.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” I said when she turned to thank me for the ride.
“Look!” she gasped, pointing to her front door as we walked up the path. “I locked the door when I left today.” Her eyes were wide with fear and she pressed herself against me, clinging to my shirt as we cautiously approached her open front door.
“Are you sure you locked it?”
“Yes, of course. I always do. I triple check everything all the time. It was locked, Hendrix, I swear.”
“Go back to the car. Let me have a look around,” I whispered as I handed her my keys.
“What? No, don’t be silly. Someone could be in there still.” She tugged on my hand, trying to get me to go with her. Her pale skin had lost even more colour. I didn’t want to drag her through the apartment and freak her out even more.
“I’ll be okay. Two minutes.” I gently pushed her back in the direction of the car before stepping inside.
After having a quick look around the small apartment, I made my way back out to the car where Lucy was nervously biting her lip and bouncing up and down on the seat.
“Oh, thank goodness, I thought you might have been attacked.” She threw her arms around me when I was seated beside her and buried her face in my neck. A small sob escaped her lips. I enclosed her in my arms, enjoying the feel of her there, knowing it would be short-lived.
“Nope, all good. The apartment was empty. Whoever broke in is long gone. Doesn’t look like anything was disturbed, but I can’t be sure. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. First my car, and now this. You’re right about someone targeting me, but why?” She buried her face in her hands as tears began falling down her cheeks. “I’m scared, Hendrix.”
“I know you are. I don't want you to stay here by yourself. It’s not safe,” I said, gently stroking her hair. “You can come home with me, get a good sleep, and we’ll call the police.”
“Are you sure? You’ve already gone to so much trouble for me?” She sniffed and wiped her eyes.
“Positive.” I smiled reassuringly at her. “What are your other options?”
“Um.”
“Let’s go.”
By the time I pulled into the garage, Lucy was asleep, so I gently lifted her and carried her inside. She began to stir as I walked her down to the basement where there was a guest room. “It’s okay, love, go back to sleep. You can stay in here tonight,” I told her, laying her down on the bed and pulling the blanket over her so she was warm.
“Thank you,” she mumbled sleepily as I closed the door behind me.
Worked like a charm.
Hendrix
I DID IT. I couldn’t believe I fucking did it. I slumped against the wall beside the stairs and let my body slide to the floor. It had worked, and it was too late to turn back, not now that he had followed me home with her. I couldn’t sneak her back out and take her home. He’d know. He knew where she lived. He knew she was here.
What was I thinking? Why did I do it? Guilt settled in my stomach, but I knew I had no other choice. If I didn’t do it, he would have.
Lucy was going to hate me. I should have stayed away. I should have never pursued her, never broken into her apartment or tampered with her car. She should be safe at home in her own bed, not here trapped in a room against her will.
I knew why I’d done it, but that didn't make it right. Nothing would ever make it right. The only thing I could hope for was that I could make it easier for her, that I could keep him away from her, and keep her safe. Keep her mine. That was the best I could do. I didn’t want her to end up like the others. It would be different this time. She was different. I cared about her; I chose her. She would be perfect. She had to be. She was my responsibility and I would take care of her and protect her from him. She didn’t deserve what he would likely do to her had she not been for me.
I didn’t want to be like him. I hated him and what he did to us. All of us. There was nothing I could do about it, though, other than suffer silently and pray for it all to end. I brought my knees up to my chest, hugging them tightly and waiting for the dull thud of his boots across the floorboards above my head to stop.
“Hendrix! Get up here, you little shit.” He stomped his foot, releasing some of the
dust between the planks of wood onto my hair.
I shook my hair clean and trudged up the stairs, not wanting to face him. His shadow loomed in the open doorframe. I gulped.
“Well, boy, how did it go?” He towered over me as I looked up into his dark blue eyes before squaring my shoulders and showing no fear.
I had to show him respect, and staring at my feet was not the way to do it, so I forced myself to keep eye contact with him. “Fine, just like I expected,” I said, my voice flat.
I had learned early on not to show him any emotion. Emotions were a weakness that he liked to exploit as often as possible, and I was not weak. Not anymore. I couldn’t be weak. I had to protect Lucy. She’d just become the most important person in my life. And I’d become her lifeline. She just didn’t know it yet.
“Well, what are you doing out here? Get down there, boy,” he spat, flicking the ash from his cigarette on me.
“She’s asleep. I knocked her out. She’ll be out all night,” I lied. She was asleep, but I didn’t knock her out. I couldn't harm her that way. I would never take away her control like that. The irony. She was locked in my basement after all. But I wanted to protect her for as long as I could. If he thought she was knocked out, he’d back off, at least for the night.
“Fucking useless little prick.” It happened so fast I didn’t even realise until my cheek began to sting from where the back of his hand hit. I reached up and rubbed it, trying to sooth the burning sensation, but it didn’t help. It was wet and sticky with my blood.
“The first girl you bring home to meet your family and she’s knocked out. Not an excellent first impression, is it? This one gonna be trouble, boy?”
“No, sir, she won’t be a problem.” I wouldn’t let her be a problem. I would make her understand. She couldn’t end up like the others. It wasn’t an option. There was only one way out of here, and I was not going to let her leave that way.
