My jaw drops.
Camden chases after him but it’s no use. Kent is on a mission to punish and he does it well. He moves out her dresser, flinging her clothes on the wet lawn. He takes her large flat-screen and TV stand. She screams at him from the front lawn as he shoves her stuff in the back of James’s truck.
“Get in the car, Raina,” he orders once he’s satisfied.
He’s grinning from ear to ear as he speeds away.
“You’re my hero.”
“Some would disagree, but I’m not one of them.”
The drive back to the apartment is quiet. When we get there Kent and I struggle with the furniture, bringing it upstairs, and then he leaves me to set it up. I feel slightly guilty when I test out her bed, but better when I think about my soggy mattress. The new one is so comfortable. I fix it up with my sheets and pillows, fill her beautiful white dresser with my clothes, and set her television up. I’ll have to talk to Kent about cable. If he’s going to keep bagging girls on the couch I’d rather not be anywhere near it. Now I know why James has his own living space in his room.
After I’m content with everything I lie down on my bed and stare up at the ceiling. There’s a knock on my door and a second later Kent comes in.
He smiles. “Nice bed. Mind if I test it out?” He sets his backpack down, and then jumps on my bed. He rolls onto his side, finding my eyes. “It’s even more comfortable than my bed.”
“Thank you. It’s not from Ikea.”
“I wanted to tell you I have a late class tonight and I’ll see you later at Oblivion. Save a round for me.”
“Will do.”
He stares at me and I stare at him. A sense of awkwardness and electricity invades the space between us. It feels like we both want something from one another. I don’t know what I could possibly want from a guy like Kent.
“Thank you for helping me today.” I reach over unthinkingly and touch his jaw. My fingers scrape over his golden stubble. It makes a sound against my fingertips that awakens the hunger inside of me. I slide my fingers down his jaw, over his chin, and stop at his throat, feeling his pulse pound. It’s strong and steady the entire time I hold his gaze; his dark eyes have me ensnared. I couldn’t look away if he dared me.
He licks his lips and swallows hard. I feel it under my fingertips rather than hear it. “I’m sorry for blowing up on you earlier. I don’t like being told what to do when it comes to my life.”
Instinctively, I lean closer to him, my fingers never leaving his pulse. It speeds up. “I won’t tell you what to do anymore. Unless it’s beneficial to your health.”
Kent nods slowly, his eyes stuck on me. “I should go.”
“Then go.” I slide my fingers over his stubble again to hear that scraping sound. It makes a shiver travel down my spine.
“Do you want me to go?” He lifts his head, almost in a trance, so I can scrape the hair under his jaw.
It’s my turn to swallow hard. “Kent?”
“What, Raina?”
“I saw you having sex with Auburn Hair.” It comes out in one long single word. Once it’s out I can breathe again.
His eyes widen and he leans back as if I slapped him. “You did?”
“Yes…”
He sits up and scratches the back of his neck. “You watched me?”
“No! Of course not. Maybe a little. For like a second. I was shocked!” I defend myself. “It’s not every day I see people having sex.”
He looks mildly offended. “That’s either creepy or really hot. I can’t tell which and it’s pissing me off. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“How is that hot?”
He shrugs and gets up. “Next time whistle or something. Let me know you’re there. How much did you see?”
I look down at my hands.
“That much?”
From under my lashes, I hesitantly meet his eyes. “That much.”
“Are you scarred for life?” He smiles crookedly.
“Kind of. I can’t stop thinking about your penis.” Too late I realize what I said.
He chuckles and his eyes twinkle. “You’re not the first girl to say that to me, so don’t be alarmed. My penis has many fans.”
“I’m surprised it doesn’t have its own zip code,” I mutter dryly.
He really laughs now. He picks up his backpack and inches for my door, grabbing his bulge firmly in his hand through his jeans. “Say bye, Raina.”
I look at his crotch and wave. “See you never, Kent’s penis.” I ignore the long, thick outline of his penis and exchange it for his eyes. I like looking into them. They suck me in like nothing else ever has. Getting sucked into something isn’t the same as making the decision to fall in.
“There goes that smart mouth again. You must want to find out what I do to them.” He lets his crotch go and leans against the door.
“Does it involve your penis?” I guess, mouth suddenly dry.
“It might.”
Uh-oh. I swallow hard and look away. “You’re going to be late for class.”
“Did you like watching me fuck her?” His voice is low and dangerous.
My lips pop open in shock. “You were so rough.”
I can tell from all the way over here how his breathing deepens. He runs a hand down his face and then crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t have sex any other way.”
“Does that feel good to them?”
“They love it,” he assures me naughtily. Nothing else on his face moves when he says it but his lips. As if he’s so sure they love him he doesn’t have to question their pleasure.
“Go to class, Kent.”
He nods like that’s probably a good idea. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Tonight,” I promise, way too eager.
When he’s gone I roll over and bury my face in my pillow. What was that? The buzzing was back. It was here in a way that even I couldn’t deny. For the first time I understood its presence. It was attraction. Pure, naked, unprovoked attraction. His dark, sexy eyes had leaked their dirtiness all over my room. I stared at my fingers, remembering the feel of his stubble on them. Who knew a few unshaved hairs could be that much of a turn on?
I was turned on. The revelation was like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head. That couldn’t happen again. Kent could not turn me on. He was the wrong kind of guy for me, the kind I spent my life ignoring—manwhores with pretty eyes and too many muscles. It would be so easy to fall for his bullshit. It would be so simple to say yes, I did get excited watching him thrust into another woman. The thought ashamed me, as it should. I spend the rest of the afternoon ignoring it, eating leftover pizza in my room and texting Becca.
Me: Hey sis. How’s school?
Becca: Boring. How’s life without me?
Me: Invigorating. I got kicked out of my room.
Becca: Rain.
I can picture her big sister face. All dark eyebrows and glittering hazel eyes.
Me: I already found a new 1.
Becca: Y R U telling me this?
She’s got big sister radar like crazy.
Me: I’m living with 2 men.
My phone rings immediately. “It’s fine,” I insist.
“It’s fine that my baby sister is living with two strange perverts? Move out. If you need money I’ll send you the rest of my student loan money.”
“No, you need that. It’s fine. I promise. Kent’s too busy screwing every girl within a five mile radius and his roommate is sweet and shy.”
“Kent?”
“Yeah.” I get a sinking feeling.
“Kent Nicholson? Light blond hair? Crazy black eyes? And that body, oh man, I want to have his babies. That Kent?”
“There’s a lot of Kents in the world. How did you know it was this one?”
“Because there’s only one Kent Nicholson in Jacksonville. Come on. Everybody knows who he is. Well, everyone with a vagina. You do have a vagina, don’t you, Rain?”
I make a face at
the phone. “I think so. It’s that thing in my head that tells me not to waste my v-card on anything with muscles, right? Did you miss that memo?”
She laughs throatily. “I missed it last night, and this morning. I mean seriously, Rain, I can barely walk. Talk about bone.”
“Eww, Becca. Did you use a condom?”
“Four.”
I sigh, ignoring her giggles. “What do you know about him?”
“He likes to spank.”
“No. Kent.” I cover my face with my hand and groan. “Dude, TMI.”
“Sorry.” She doesn’t sound sorry. “Why do you want to know about him so badly?”
“I don’t.”
“Raina O’Connor. Do you have a crush?” She sounds so accusing I have no choice but to laugh.
“A crush? What am I? Fifteen?”
“Well, I was already sneaking boys in my bedroom at fifteen. You were busy watching old reruns of Friends when Mom and Dad were out doing whatever it is they used to do instead of taking care of us. So yeah, you’re at about fifteen.”
“I don’t have a crush on him. I live with him. Aren’t I allowed to be curious about him?”
“Why haven’t you talked about the other roommate?”
“Hanging up now.”
“Wait,” she laughs. “All right. I’ll lay off. But seriously—you’re going to have to grow up eventually. You live your life in a petri dish. What are you worrying about? Remember, mold saves lives.”
“This is you laying off?”
“Just tell me this. Isn’t he the sexiest son of a bitch you’ve ever seen?”
My cheek fills with heat. “Becca.” I exhale. “I’ve never met anyone sexier.”
She screams on the other end. “I knew it!” Calming down, she takes a deep breath. “I am still your big sister and I don’t like you living with them. And especially not with Kent Nicholson. I’ve seen him at parties. He’s filthy. Attractive slutty men do not make good roommates for my innocent baby sister.”
“I’m not innocent.”
“Fine, you’re a prude. Better?”
I stick my tongue out at the phone. “I have to start getting ready for work. I’ll call you later.”
“Later. I love you, Rain. If you need anything call me.”
I try not to choke up. Becca’s all I have, and when she reminds me with her generosity it makes me emotional. “I love you too, Becca. I will. Thank you.”
“And don’t sleep with Kent. I mean it. Don’t fall for his BS.”
“You’re offending me right now.”
“You’re offending me by living with Kent Nicholson.”
“Did you two…?” I let the accusation hang there.
“You’re kidding, right?”
Uh-oh. Now she sounds mad. “Just checking. I gotta go. Love you, Becca. Bye!”
I hang up before she can bite me through the phone. I find my work clothes, a pair of black short shorts and a black polo with Oblivion written in purple over my breasts, and get dressed. I sit on the bathroom counter to apply my makeup and do my hair. I don’t have many options when it comes to my hair. Wayne wants it in a ponytail, away from our face and the food. I go all-out tonight for some reason. Eyeliner, mascara, gold and green shadow, and peach lip gloss. I look actually kind of sexy when I finish. I hop down and examine my handy work. I feel stupid picking myself apart. I am who I am. This is my body. Am I Auburn Hair? No. But I’m me, and I’m okay with that.
Grabbing my purse on my way out, I make sure to turn the bottom lock before leaving the apartment. I need to talk to Kent about getting a key. Once I’m in my car, I roll down the window and allow the warm breeze to cool me down as I drive to work. We’re too far from the Florida coast for cool ocean air to penetrate the scorching summer heat. I can feel the lack of breeze in the air.
I pull around back to the employee’s parking lot and prepare myself for another night of being fondled, catcalled, and earning barely enough tips to keep my head above water. Sometimes when I’m not thinking about surviving I wonder if this will be my life forever. Tips and words over my breasts. And then I feel like I’m going to suffocate and decide right now is all I can handle.
I blame my absentee parents for giving me that outlook. If I wasn’t so worried about choosing a path that didn’t lead me to where they ended up then maybe I could focus on my future more. Maybe I could be like Becca and follow my dreams even if my dreams didn’t come true. Instead I don’t dream. I just keep going. For the most part that’s fine. It’s gotten me this far.
Oblivion is already hectic when I arrive. Night shift is a crazy place to be. I stash my purse in the employee break room, clock in for my shift in Wayne’s office, and then grab my apron.
As I enter the kitchen one of the cooks, Joaquin, beams at me.
“Evening, pretty lady. You’re looking good tonight. Perfect timing. Take these wings out to table fifteen.”
We play like this all the time. He’s married and happy and I’m single and apparently a prude according to Becca. “I was thinking about you.”
He winks at me and taps the order bell. “Get your cute ass out there before my food gets cold.”
I take the order of wings and go through the swinging doors to the main floor. Waitresses flit around the room like hummingbirds. I pass Sophie, the girl I’m tapping out, and she beams at me.
“Ready to go?” I ask.
“You have no idea. The lunch crowd was crazy today. I can’t wait to get out of here, go home, and have a glass of wine. Good luck,” she adds, rubbing in the start of my all-night shift. “You’ve got tables six through twenty tonight. Gen called in sick.”
I groan. “Again?”
Double the tables on a night like this meant a headache and a half.
“Again,” she says, as annoyed as me. “Have a good night.”
“I’ll try.”
I approach table fifteen and deposit their wings. “Hi, fellas. I’ll be taking over Sophie’s tables. Is there anything I can get y’all?” I spy their beers and crab dip. They’ll be here for a while. “How about a refill on those beers? They’re looking a little low.”
“House beer,” one of them informs me, sliding his slimy gaze over my legs.
“Coming right up.” I keep the revulsion out of my tone.
I dip behind the bar, grab two fresh ice-cold mugs, and fill them to the top with the beer on tap tonight. I make sure the tops are foaming when I bring them back to their table.
Table ten needs to order and table seventeen gives me a hard time about the menu. For hours I am a frenzied mess. Everyone needs something at all times. Beer, food, checks, and refills. My lower back starts to hurt around ten.
“Take a break,” Wayne orders, tapping on my shoulder. “Sorry about Gen calling in sick. I’m thinking about letting her go, so get used to this craziness until I can hire another waitress.”
I refrain from groaning. “Thanks, Wayne.”
“I’ve got your tables for fifteen minutes.”
“Got it.”
The waitresses here are known for stretching out their breaks and lunches. I’ve never had the balls to risk my paycheck. I sit down in the break room and put my feet up on a chair, rubbing the kinks out of my lower back. When my time is up I despondently reenter the chaos that is Oblivion. I approach the hostess stand to check on my tables, and as I do Kennedy and Henley, two other waitresses, are talking in hushed tones.
“He hasn’t been here all summer.”
“Did he get hotter?” Henley fans herself with a menu.
“Is that even possible? And look at his friends. They’re yummy too.”
“I heard he hooked up with Gen. She said he was a beast in bed.”
I follow their line of sight, interested in the beast, and my heart stills. Kent, Jake, Zeke, and two other guys I haven’t met are in the waiting area.
“I’ve got them,” I tell Kennedy and Henley, grabbing five menus. “Put them on table ten.”
“You s
ure?” Henley eyes me uncertainly. “You know who he is, right?”
“Yes.” What’s with that look? I can handle him. “I live with him.”
Their jaws drop.
As I approach Kent and his friends, I prepare myself. He isn’t like most men to me. He seems to extract strange, unwarranted reactions.
He spots me before anyone else, giving me a little private nod.
He looks so good tonight. His shirt is tight and dark blue, hugging his biceps and gripping his abdomen. He’s done his hair for once, leaving the fair mess tamed and styled. He takes me in as well, his gaze traveling over my face, my legs, and the words over my breasts.
“Hey,” I greet him, smiling shyly.
His smile is easy and crooked. “You’re kind of cute in your uniform.”
I dismiss the thought that I tried to be and quickly shield my body with the menus. “I thought I was supposed to be doing the flirting. Tips don’t make themselves, you know.”
“You flirt with men for tips?” He frowns, looking around the restaurant as if he can spot which ones.
“No, not particularly. I’m not good at it,” I admit.
“That’s because you don’t have to flirt. Men should be groveling to get your attention. Don’t settle for anything less.” Seeming to snap out of it, he chuckles and then runs a hand down his face. “We should practice that.”
“Flirting?”
“Yo, it’s Kent’s roommate,” Jake says, thankfully interrupting us.
“Roommate Kent’s it’s yo!” Zeke chimes in, grinning at me. “You want to dance later, I’m your man.”
“Where’s your girlfriend?” Kent barks, glaring at Zeke.
Zeke frowns. “Relax, Kent man. I’m kidding.”
“Well, stop. No one thinks it’s funny.”
Kent moves to block Zeke from me as I lead them to their booth. I hand them their menus and then look over my shoulder for Wayne. He’s busy at the register.
“Okay, guys, the first round is on me. Whatever you want.”
“I want a beer, a shot of tequila, and a Swiss mushroom burger with fries,” Kent says. “What time is your lunch?”
My Sweet Demise (Demise #1) Page 5
