by H. Q. Frost
"Just don't trust everyone. Okay?"
Her eyes rolled and she picked up her fork.
"Nyla." When his hand landed on hers to get her attention, she dropped her gaze to his fingers. "Promise me you won't be this stupid with just anyone."
"I'm not. I don't. I was cautious with you. I had a gun," she insisted with no fortitude.
He chuckled and picked up his fork.
"Do you feel bad for what you did?" She lifted the glass of water to her lips to hide behind when his blue eyes pegged her to the booth.
"Larry? No. Not for him. For my mom. She's hurt. She loved him and she was confused by it. Lost herself because of it. Love turns people brain dead."
"I can almost agree with that." She chuckled. "I was sixteen when I first fell in love. He broke my heart. Teenage boys can ruin high school lives."
Laughing at her smile, he said, "So can teenage girls."
"You get your heart broken in high school too?"
His hand hid the smile that she was almost as drawn to as the haunting look he could lock her in place with.
"No." He rubbed his eye.
"What about now?"
"Now? Are there any teenage girls trying to break my heart now?" He watched her laugh.
"Are you in love now? Any honeys at the community college?"
"No. And no, I'm not in college." He smiled. "I'm probably not like the typical dudes you know in Seattle, Nyla. I think I made that obvious with the way we met. You're in a bad neighborhood surrounded by worse people."
"I don't judge a book by its cover," she mumbled before filling her mouth with eggs.
It was a strange way to make friends, but by the end of their breakfast, he wanted to see her again. Being attracted to her was alluring, but just because she was beautiful didn't mean she was worth his time. After an hour together, he wanted to feed his curiosity about the trusting girl.
While they stood at her front door, she hugged him. "Thanks for breakfast."
"Thanks for not shooting me." His wide smile and pierced lip drew her attention; she could only study it for a minute before she was looking away to hide her own grin.
That soft skin and hard jaw, and those blue eyes contrasting with his dark hair… The attractiveness of the man made her curiosity grow and her cautious intelligence dwindle, as if his looks were capable of killing brain cells.
When she was inside and the door was shut, Dom took off in a run to get home before seven, so he could get in the shower before he had to head out, running on no sleep.
"Dom, can we go to the hill to shoot yet?" Jeff's excited bouncing sent a vibration through the floor that wasn't bothersome until it toppled Boney's beer can tower and the gold liquid spread across the table.
"Dammit, Jeff!" Boney yelled.
"Jeff! Sit down, man! We'll go soon," Dom scolded his brother.
Wounded from the lecture, Jeff wandered into another room and Dom sighed while getting to his feet. "I gotta get him out of here. I promised I'd take him."
"What about that girl, Dom?" The annoyance in Boney's voice was for the subject Dom kept avoiding.
"What girl?" He knew what girl. The same girl he'd been thinking about since they oddly got breakfast together four days prior.
"The bitch that saw us. That saw you shoot that douche."
"What about her?" he muttered as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
"I'm just sayin', man. I ain't going to jail for this shit." His cold eyes pegged Dom who glared back. "I'd do a lot for you, brother. But going to jail 'cause you lost your shit ain't one of them."
"She won't tell."
"How the fuck do you know that?"
"'Cause, alright! I know she won't. Don't worry about her."
Raising his eyebrows, Boney asked, "You talk to her?"
"Yeah. I threatened her. She won't tell."
"Dom, can we go now?" Jeff's voice came from behind him.
"Get the fuck out of here," Boney mumbled.
Turning toward Jesse, Dom said, "We're gonna head up to the hill. Comin'?"
"Let me find shoes." Jesse meandered into another room and Dom stared after him a minute.
"He livin' here now, Bone?"
"I don't know what the fuck the kid's doin' anymore. Gettin' on my last damn nerve." Sitting back, he put a joint to his lips.
"Jeff, let's go," Dom called out.
Before they could get out the door, Boney offered his final warning. "Watch that bitch, Dom." And Dom knew to take it seriously, or Boney would take matters into his own hands.
The three of them headed toward the hill but when Dom turned down a street that would take them out of the way, Jeff stopped walking.
"Dom. Dom." He grabbed his brother's arm. "I don't want to walk down Larry's street."
"Just come on." Dom kept going.
"Man, what the hell? This takes us twenty minutes out of the way," Jesse complained.
"It's maybe five. Just come on," Dom's authoritative voice left no room for argument and the other two followed behind.
"Fuck ever," Jesse grumbled lighting a joint.
"Man." Slapping it out of his hand, Dom bitched, "It's fucking three on a Sunday, stupid ass. Don't light a joint while we walk down the street!"
"What the fuck ever!" Jesse scoffed. "No one gives a shit about a few dudes wandering the ghetto smoking a roach." He picked up the joint. "They don't even care about us poppin' a dude. They def won't give a shit about this."
"Shut your mouth!" his voice boomed and he almost had his friend in a headlock, but that'd only draw more attention. "Shut the fuck up, Jesse!"
Regretting the decision to invite Jesse, Dom took a breath and let his mind drift to other things. Like Nyla. They were a few houses down from hers and when an Escalade pulled into her driveway, he slowed his steps.
"Dom, I'm hungry," Jeff complained, but it didn't distract Dom from watching the ivory colored vehicle.
"Fat ass." Jesse shoved him. "We just ate at Boney's."
When they started pushing each other back and forth was when Dom's attention was diverted and he tried to step between them.
"Fucking stop," he quietly said and watched as Nyla got out of the SUV and met a tall, blonde woman at the front of the vehicle for a hug.
Heels slowed the woman, but she was in a rush to get back into her vehicle and out of the poverty stricken neighborhood.
As the engine revved and the Escalade shot out of the driveway, Dom called out, "Nyla!"
Jesse and Jeff both stopped horsing around to look at him in confusion, then find out who or what Nyla was.
Her cushy lips parted, and white teeth gleamed as she smiled at him. "Hey."
While she headed toward him, Dom jogged ahead of the guys to reach her before they did. "Hey. What're you up to?"
"I spent the day with my mom. What about you?" Her eyes drifted behind him to Jeff and Jesse.
"Taking my brother to shoot." He thumbed behind him.
"Which one is your brother?"
He was surprised there was still a smile on her face, but he was glad for it. She still hadn't come to her senses that he shouldn't be someone she talked to.
"Jeff," he called to his brother.
"I'm Jesse." He moved in smoothly and waited for her hand.
"Hi. Nyla." She shook his hand but smiled at Jeff. "Hi."
"Who's she, Dom? She the girl that saw us kill Larry?"
"Jesus." Dom quickly grabbed his brother. "Jeff, we talked about this, man. We aren't talking about Larry anymore."
"Jesse did," he protested.
"No more," Dom said sternly.
"No more, Dom." Embarrassed from the reprimand, he turned his head so Nyla didn't see his cheeks redden.
Jeff wasn't the only embarrassed one, and afraid to see her expression, Dom slowly brought his eyes to hers to see a sympathetic smile on her face.
"Hey, Nyla," a voice said and they all looked toward her neighbor on his porch smoking.
Wit
h a small wave she managed a pleasant but forced, "Hi."
"What's up?" He headed down his steps and Dom sighed, taking a step back. He remembered the asshole from a week prior after walking her home from the funeral.
"Uh, nothing. What's up?" It was obvious she was annoyed by the man but was trying to remain nice.
"Hey, guys." He nodded to Dom. No one replied, they all stared him down, not liking the cocky look on his face. "Goliath got out earlier but I grabbed her for ya," he said to Nyla before taking a drag.
"Thanks." She glanced at Dom then back down to the cement as they stood in an awkward huddle in front of her house.
"Cute cat," he said. "These your friend or foe?"
"My friends." She scooted closer to Dom. "Um… Dom, Jeff, and Jesse. This is my neighbor Austin."
"Neighbor." He chuckled flicking down his cigarette. "I'm not just her neighbor. This girl loves me." His arm went around her neck and he tugged her close while she uncomfortably chuckled.
"Can we go now, Dom?" Jeff spoke up, breaking Dom's glare on the neighbor that had him in a position he didn't like. A position of jealousy and boarding anger.
Ducking away from Austin's arm, Nyla asked, "Can I come?"
It was a battle between the two men and Dom wanted to throw her over his shoulder then gloat, but he gently grabbed her arm and before he even tugged, she moved to his side.
"I was hoping you were making me dinner today, Nyla." Austin grinned at her but his eyes kept flashing to Dom's.
"Maybe my dad is. Let me run in and tell him I'm leaving so he doesn't worry." She nudged Dom's arm before walking around Austin.
"You dating Nyla?" he asked lighting another cigarette.
The pissing show was inevitable but wasn't a game Dom normally liked to play.
"What's your deal, man?"
"No deal. You don't drive or something?" He glanced around as if looking for a car then chortled with a shake of his head. "You're taking her on a date with no car?"
"We don't have money for a car," Jeff said getting in Austin's face.
"Chill out, Jeff." Dom pulled his brother back.
"Hey, douche shit, why don't you head home." Jesse dismissed Austin with a wave of his hand.
"Don't worry about Nyla. It ain't your job." Dom walked around him and headed toward her front door.
Jeff lunged toward the nuisance, stopping short before bumping into him and smirked when Austin recoiled.
"Watch your back, man," Austin warned before heading toward his porch, watching them as if he were a protective brother. But his intentions were far from brotherly protection.
"My dad said I can take his car," Nyla said walking out of the house.
"There's no path to drive. You okay with walking?" Dom asked.
"It's out in the woods," Jeff explained. "You have to walk so don't wear flip flops." He pointed to her feet that were encased in tennis shoes.
"Alright then, let's go." She smiled at Jeff then slightly waved to Austin as they walked past his house.
"That guy's a douche," Jesse spoke up.
"He's okay." Nyla smirked with a glance Dom's way. "You guys always walk around here? I've been too scared to go for a walk past midday." She chuckled and softly nudged Dom's shoulder.
"We're always walkin'. Boney has a car," Jeff said.
"I'm getting a car soon." Dom's attempt at not seeming like a loser was negated when Jesse snorted.
"Right. You ain't from around here, are ya?"
Unsure if the question was directed at her, Nyla glanced over at Jesse's glare on her. "Oh, no. Why?"
"This ain't some Escalade drivin', middle class bullshit you're probably used to."
"Shut up, Jesse." Dom huffed. "Just ignore him.
"I don't have a car either," she muttered with embarrassment toward her mother's seeming wealth. "I don't even have a job and really need one."
"Dom works at Surf Burgers. He can get you a job," Jeff suggested while Dom dropped his head in humiliation.
Seeing it all over his face, Nyla giggled. "I love their fries! Can you hook me up with free fries?"
"I'll see what I can do," he muttered, picking up the pace.
Staying close by Nyla, he made sure she got over the woodsy terrain before they made it to the hill.
"Race to the top." Jeff shoved Nyla before taking off in a run up the tall mound.
Jesse and Dom followed behind her and when they got to the top, Jesse's hand rested on her ass as if he were helping her. Jumping out of his touch, she bumped into Jeff, barely getting out of the way before Dom lunged at Jesse with a punch to his jaw. The boys tackled each other and began rolling back down the hill while fists flew.
"Do something!" she urged Jeff.
"You gotta just let them have it out." His impassive reply made her eyes go wide.
Not accepting that as consolation, she ran down the hill after them.
"Stop!" she screamed trying to pull Jesse off Dom. "Stop! Dom, Jesse, stop!" When she was practically between them and at risk of getting hit, the two separated, panting from exertion and anger. "Oh my god! You two are so stupid! You're bleeding!" She gestured to Dom's face. "So are you! What the hell is wrong with you two?"
Neither acknowledged her ranting while they tried to cool off, and when five minutes of silence sat between them, she huffed and turned toward Jeff who was still at the top of the hill.
"Jeff, will you walk me home please?" she called out.
"No." Dom wiped his lip and swiped his hair out of his eyes. "I'll get you home."
"Why would you even fight?" She looked between Dom and Jesse who were unwilling to answer. "Stop ignoring me! Why were you two fighting?"
"Dom's got a little crush on you," Jesse resentfully muttered and started walking toward the trees.
"Fuck you!" he called out and Jesse's middle finger went into the air.
"Because he touched my butt?" Nyla asked, but continuing to ignore her inquiries, Dom rolled his eyes and started walking.
"We're guys, this is what we do," Jeff assured, taking her hand.
"Well it's stupid. They're friends. You shouldn't fight your friends."
When Jeff started to laugh at her, she pulled her hand away and marched toward the trees. Still cooling down, Dom kept his distance, and Jesse was already twenty feet ahead of them. Walking down the street spread out like they weren't together, tensions were high except with Jeff.
"Dom, let me see the gun!" he blurted excitedly.
"No. Shut up," Dom stressed and glanced around.
Nyla looked back in time to see Jeff pointing toward a cat.
"Let me see it, I'm gonna shoot that cat!"
When she gasped, Dom looked at her and watched her face fall before she took off in a run.
"Dammit, Jeff! Fuck," he growled. "Don't say that shit!" After shoving his brother, he went after her. "Nyla, wait!" he called out, drawing Jesse's attention.
Turning around, Jesse stopped her before she ran past him. "You alright?"
"I want to get home, now." Her voice trembled.
Running up from behind her quick walking pace, Dom said, "Nyla! Wait."
"Leave me alone, okay? Let's go back to when I didn't want any trouble."
"What'd you do, Dom?" Jesse shoved his shoulder then put his arm around her.
Dom clamped his teeth and glowered at his friend, but didn't make the move he knew would only piss her off more.
"I can get myself home." Shoving out of Jesse's hold she started to jog.
"Fuck off, Jesse," Dom snarled before running ahead. "Jeff says some stupid shit sometimes—"
"He wants to shoot a cat! I don't think I should be hanging out with you guys. You're a book I should have judged before opening."
"No I'm not." He grabbed her wrist but she yanked away.
"I just want to go home." Tears filled her eyes and he quickly took two steps back.
"Don't cry, okay? I'll get you home. I'll walk a few feet behind you, but you don't need to be wa
lking alone." His eyes shot across the street to a rowdy group headed their direction.
"I don't want your brother anywhere near me." She quickly wiped her nose and began to walk again.
"He doesn't think before he talks," he said from behind her. "I wouldn't let him shoot the cat. Shit." With a huff he glanced back at Jeff and Jesse who were crossing the street to meet up with the group. "He's not all there."
When she stopped walking but kept her back to him, he halted his steps until she glanced back.
"I'm waiting for you," she said and looked to her side. "Has he ever shot a cat?" whispered from her when they started walking side by side.
"No," he lied. "I don't let him touch guns unless we're at the hill shooting cans or something." That wasn't a lie, but he'd gotten his hands on a bow and arrow. "He doesn't really process guilt. And his brain stopped developing at thirteen."
"How old is he?"
"Twenty-five." Dom's gaze stayed on his brother across the street.
"Are you older or younger?"
"Younger."
"I'm twenty-one. How old are you?"
"Dom!" Jeff called from across the street where the group was loitering on someone's lawn. "I'm gonna head to Boney's with them."
"Shit." Dom huffed. "No, Jeff. Come on. I got to get to work."
"I got him," Jesse assured, but that didn't make Dom feel any better.
"No. Just come home."
"I want to hang out," Jeff protested.
"Hey, Dom." A blonde in a bikini top and short, unbuttoned jean shorts waved.
"Jeff, just come home," he called out, ignoring the scantly dressed girl.
"I want to go to Boney's!" Jeff complained.
"Go get your brother. I'm fine," Nyla muttered and glanced down the street. She was a block and half away from home and the sun was starting to set, but she'd make it home quickly if she ran.
"Just stay right here, okay?" He waited for her agreement before jogging across the street and started arguing with his brother.
Like a leach, the blonde girl attached to him, running her fingers through his hair. Nyla shoved her clenched fists into the tight fit of her pockets and tried to look away, but it was like a car wreck. When Dom pushed her back for the third time, Jesse finally wrapped his arm around her and the group started to walk away, leaving Dom and his brother to argue. It was a few minutes before Dom was jogging back across the street and Jeff was stomping toward Nyla's house but on the opposite side of the road.
