“The only feeling Reggie has for me grows between his legs.”
Presley’s eyes grow as wide as saucers. “You’ve had sex with him?”
“No!” My cheeks redden with embarrassment. I shove out of my chair and tuck my errant hair behind my ears. “I don’t want to talk anymore.” I pace the room, trying to deal with the chaos raging through me.
Presley looks at her watch and gathers up her clothes. “I have to go. It’s getting late and my uncle will be home soon,” she says, tossing clothes into her backpack. “So what’s it going to be like at school?” I stop pacing and give her a questioning look. “Do you think the girls will mess with me? You know, now that Drake and I are together?”
“Just let me know if anyone is ragging on you. I’ll set them straight,” I say with a smile.
“Okay. Enjoy your week of solitude.” Presley picks up her bag and walks out the door.
I flop on my bed. With all the emotional garbage rolling around in my head, I forgot I’ll be stuck all week in the house with Reggie. This is going to be the longest week of my life. I walk to the bathroom, take a long, hot shower and go to sleep in an attempt to forget the dull ache in my chest.
Monday turns out to be as eventful has Sunday. I stay in my room, only leaving out of necessity. I focus my mind away from Reggie and paint. I look out my bedroom window and make a dozen pictures of landscapes. Not my favorite thing to paint, but it’s distracting enough to get me through the majority of the day.
Later in the day, Drake comes home, filling me in on the events of his school day. He mentions Presley got a few nasty looks from girls, but for the most part, they left her alone. He stays long enough for us to watch a movie and for me to help him with his history paper.
Tuesday comes around and I still haven’t left my room. I spend most of the day staring out my window. Can’t I just be numb? I want the feelings of this weekend’s rejections to disappear as fast as the leaves fall from the trees.
In the morning, I watch the guys pile in Jeremy’s car and go to school. Later on in the day, I see Reggie emerge from the garage, sweaty from his workout. I haven’t spoken to him since Sunday when I threw the whisky bottle at his head, but if he does come to talk to me, what would I say? I’m not sure there is anything left to say.
Wednesday is shaping up to be as exciting as the other days until I hear a loud roar of an engine in the driveway. Knowing the boys are at school and Reggie has left for the bar, my interest piques, wondering who would be here. I look out my bedroom window. Nothing. There’s a knock on the back door and I sprint down the hall, energized from my curiosity.
I yank open the door. Oh shit! Grady McGuire.
Chapter 18
Reggie
It’s getting close to ten o’clock when I make my way to the back entrance of the bar. Robert will be here soon for his monthly payment. I have to make it until June, nine more months away and then Darcie will be eighteen and out of high school. After that, I don’t care what happens to me. As long as I know she’s safe, I will gladly serve my punishment for any mistakes I’ve made in the past. The trees behind the bar begin to blow against the cool breeze. The landscape blends into hazy colors as I start to zone out, recalling the night my life was forever changed.
Vinnie Tampoli was a grade A piece of shit. One of the many drug dealers in town, my mom befriended him almost immediately. She would have sex with him in order to feed her meth addiction, and he was a sleazeball that took advantage of her every chance he got. Of course, she was no different. Fucking addicts.
It was so hot the night I last saw Vinnie. The humidity was off the charts, making it impossible to breathe if you were outside too long. Coming down from his high, Vinnie snapped on my mom about stealing fifty dollars while he was sleeping. I came home exhausted from training all day for an upcoming fight, and see Vinnie holding my mom down on the floor by her hair. I look to the couch and the bastard was pointing a gun at my brothers, who were sitting on the couch. Drake was no more than four-years-old. He was shivering while he desperately grasped onto Jake and Jeremy.
Without thinking, I charged Vinnie, knocking him to the ground. The gun flew across the floor and I ordered for Jeremy to pick it up. I kneeled over Vinnie, beating him within an inch of his life. Blood was everywhere. It sprayed my clothes, the carpet and walls. Mom grabbed a hold of my shoulder, yanking me back with all of her strength. I stepped back and went to the boys, grabbing the gun from Jeremy. I wrapped my arms around all of them, checking them for injury. Drake climbed in my lap and laid his cheek against my blood-soaked chest, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn’t believe my mom would let this happen to her children. I hated to think what would’ve happened if I hadn’t walked in.
I checked Vinnie’s pulse and his heart was still beating. Mom and I rolled him in a comforter, drove to the outskirts of the city, and dumped him in the woods. A week later, my mom said he bled to death that night and accused me of killing him. She blamed me for stealing the best thing in her life. Yeah, not my brothers or me. The best thing in her life was a drug pushing psycho. When Robert found out it was me that rescued Darcie, I threatened to go to the police until pictures of Vinnie’s dead body ended up in my mailbox. Now I have to pay. I have to pay for the night I killed Vinnie because, if I don’t, I will go to jail and she will go back with him. Drake will be put in the system, and the twins will be left with my mess to clean up, too. He’ll make sure of it.
I rub my eyes with the palm of my hands and shake my head of my dreaded past. I move my thoughts to the present. I haven’t spoken to Darcie in days. I’m starting to regret the night I spent with Natasha. She was a decent lay, but now, I don’t think it was worth the trouble. She’s shown up every night at the bar, trying to repeat what we did on Saturday. I could kill her for strutting out of my room the way she did. I’m glad I didn’t see the look on Darcie’s face, the one she wore standing in my doorway was agonizing enough. It’s one of the many things I love about her, though, she’s passionate. Never afraid to express how she really feels, especially her anger. I found shards of glass all over my bed, in my hair and gouged into the carpet. It took two damn hours to clean up the mess.
Lights shine as a car pulls into the parking lot, getting my attention. A black Mercedes E550 pulls to the back entrance of the bar. Robert Stein. I loathe this man. He steps from behind the driver’s door wearing his signature black suit, shiny oxfords and silk tie. His five-foot-eleven-inch frame is nothing compared to mine. His slightly balding hair is slicked back and the trademark cigar is dangling between his nubby fingers. Darcie’s familiar with his Cubans and has multiple scars to prove it.
I pull the cash from my back pocket and slap it into his hand. Wanting to keep this meeting short, I turn toward the back door, when he interrupts.
“How’s my little Margaret doing? Is she ready to come see Daddy?” His wicked laugh sends chills down my spine as I’m momentarily transported back in time three years. Robert always insists on calling her by her first name, knowing she hates it.
I grab the lapels of his suit jacket and push him up against his car. My breathing is heated as I move my hand around his throat. “Fuck you, Robert.”
“No, I would rather it be Margaret.”
I pull him back against me and slam him harder into his car, using more force than before. His head rocks back, hitting the metal frame of the Mercedes. My anger is boiling. I need to keep control. He’s just trying to get me to slip. I can’t allow any slips.
“You’re so violent, Reggie. Of course, I already knew that after I saw the pictures of Vinnie. You’ll never escape that past, my friend. Self-defense or not, you will pay for what you did to him for the rest of your life. One way or another, I’ll make sure of that.”
“Leave Darcie alone,” I seethe through gritted teeth.
Robert pushes back against me, causing me to release my grip. “We’ll see about that, Reggie. You can’t protect her all the time. Sooner or later, she’ll come b
ack around. I can guarantee it.”
A terrible feeling suddenly washes over me as I watch Robert tear out of the parking lot. He’s always had the upper hand on me. Is he going to use the evidence he has against me before Darcie is free of his grasp?
Chapter 19
Darcie
Leaning against the railing of my deck is Grady McGuire. Arms crossed over his chest, he’s wearing a black t-shirt with a white thermal underneath, ripped jeans and black boots. He’s sporting his cocky smirk and his glassy gray eyes are boring holes into mine.
Lost for words. I just stare with my mouth wide open at my random visitor.
“Hey, baby girl.” Grady’s voice is deep, but not as velvety as Reggie’s.
Feeling naked, I quickly wrap my arms over my chest. “What are you doing here, Grady?”
“I was in the neighborhood. Do you want to go for a ride?” He walks closer to the door and shoulders past me, walking into the kitchen.
“Come on in,” I snap sarcastically. “Seriously, what are you doing here?”
“I told you. I happened to be on this side of town and I want to take you for a ride. Are you coming or not?” Grady eyes me impatiently.
“Well, since you asked so nicely. Give me a minute to change.”
I fly down the hall and strip off my pajama shorts and t-shirt. I yank on a pair of jeans, a hoodie, and tie my black Converse. Running to the bathroom, I pull my hair up in a bun, brush my teeth and apply some mascara.
When I walk down the hall, Grady is in the living room, looking at the pictures on the shelf. I’m not sure what to make of this guy. He’s hot, but there is the aura of arrogance radiating from him and it’s rather annoying.
“Wow, you have no problem making yourself at home, do ya?” I say while grabbing the picture from his hand. Looking down at the photo, I remember that day, the five of us on our first family outing. Jake had an amazing idea to go camping. It turned out to be a disaster. It rained the entire time and Drake broke his wrist while climbing on rocks by the lake. The memory makes me smile.
“So, are you ready?” he asks, eying me up and down.
I nod my head and we plod down the back steps. A slight smile appears on my lips when he starts his 1971 Hemi Cuda. The vibration from the motor sends tingles from the tip of my toes up through to my chest. Grady looks over at me, smirks, slams the car in reverse then races down the street. I hang onto the door handle as he rips through the streets of Sulfur Heights. Objects are passing by the window at light speed. I can no longer contain my enjoyment. The rush of adrenaline courses through my body as we speed to the outskirts of town. This is my favorite thing about cars, speed.
“So where are we going?” I ask as we race out of the city limits.
“I have to run a quick errand. Then we can just drive.”
My nerves are a little on edge. I grip my cell phone in my sweatshirt pocket, ready to smash it into his face if he tries anything.
“So how did you know where I lived? And that I would be home?” I question as he corners around sharp curves.
Grady lets out a deep laugh and says, “The lady at the liquor store seems to know you well and told me where you live.”
I shake my head in disgust. “I worked for that lady last summer; sweeping, stocking shelves, minor bookkeeping and whatever else. Needless-to-say, after two months, we were ready to kill each other, but I was able to buy my new bedroom furniture; so it was worth it.”
“I’d like to see that.” Grady grins zealously then licks his lips.
My face starts to flush and I silently curse myself for not leaving my hair down. “That’s never going to happen.”
“Never say never, baby girl.” Grady winks.
“So how did you know I would be home?”
“Vanessa”
I don’t hide the revulsion on my face.
Grady lets out a laugh. “Not a fan of Vanessa?”
“Not in the least. You know, if you want to make it in the Sulfur Heights’ race scene, you need to ditch the skank. She’ll only give you a bad rap and a venereal disease.”
The sun is starting to recede as we pull into the Butler city limits. Streetlights have turned on and the city is deserted. Looking out my window, Butler has the same appeal as Sulfur Heights’ south side, with trash in the gutters and dilapidated buildings, but its void of people.
My nerves are heightening when he pulls into the driveway of a rundown trailer home. Pieces of the steel siding are falling down, and the wooden stairs are rickety and falling apart. An old, rusted truck is parked in the driveway, while random faded and broken kid’s toys sprinkle the yard.
Grady puts the shifter in park. “I’ll be right back.” He grabs a backpack out of the backseat and makes his way up to the door. A tall, extremely thin man opens the door. He has sores all over his face and keeps twitching his head. He’s got all the telltale signs of a junkie.
Grady steps in the trailer, disappearing from sight.
I shake my head in disgust. I know exactly what Grady is doing. He is a douche bag. I look down at my phone and notice a missing text message from Jake.
Where are you?
The guys worry about me when I’m not with them and for good reason. I respond to his text message without telling him who I’m with or what I’m doing. I’m not ready for that fight.
Out. Be back later
Well, hurry up. I’m starving
Moments later, Grady walks out, stuffing cash in his front pocket. He tosses the empty backpack in the backseat and flies down the road. I’m looking at him for an explanation, but he continues to drive. I’m not an idiot. I see this shit outside my living room window on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean I want to get involved in it.
Outraged, I can’t hold my tongue any longer. “What was that?”
Grady looks over at me and smiles. “Making money, baby girl. How do you think I can afford all this?” he says, motioning to the car. “It doesn’t grow on trees.”
“I could care less if you deal. That’s your business, but don’t bring me into it. I only agreed to go for a drive. Take me home, now!”
“Calm the hell down. Are you trying to tell me none of your brothers deal? Please, baby girl, I know you’re not that naïve.”
The remainder of the ride is quiet and I think of what Grady said. Does Jeremy deal? I mean, he’s never had a problem coming up with the money to repair his cars. I know he makes a killing when he races, but he hasn’t raced in six months. Would he still have money? I lay my head back on the seat and let out a sigh. I scramble my thoughts, trying to recall if, in the past, I’ve ever seen Jeremy sell drugs, or any questionable behavior, and I come up with nothing. Jeremy has always stuck to himself, would I have even noticed if he was dealing drugs? God, I hope he’s not stupid enough to go down that road.
As we’re pulling into the city limits, Grady looks over at me, devouring me with his intense eyes. He breaks the silence, “Look, baby girl, don’t be pissed. I should have told you before we left, but I really don’t see why it’s a big deal. Other than racing, this is how I make my living.”
Lost in his gaze, I let the anger subside. “From now on, if you want me to go for a drive, that’s all we do. Drive. No stops.”
Smiling, Grady says, “So there’s going to be a next time?”
“We’ll see,” I answer honestly, not sure if I’m totally comfortable with Grady.
He pulls into the driveway and the motor idles loudly as I step from the car. The garage door flies open and Jeremy is standing at the entrance. The look on his face turns quickly from astonishment to anger within seconds. Jake steps out from behind the hood of the Challenger and slams it down.
This is about to get bad and, knowing Reggie is home, it can get a whole lot worse if Grady doesn’t leave. Now.
I lean down to the car window and warn Grady, “You better get out of here. Jake’s crazy mad right now.”
“I’m not worried about that piss ant. I can lay h
im flat in five seconds.”
“Well, don’t be stupid enough to find out.”
I make my way to the back door. Jake is cursing as Grady pulls out of the drive and I brace myself for a battle with Jake.
Darcie ~ Age 16
“Reggie, you should have seen her. She laid her out. It. Was. Classic.” Jake is bouncing up and down from my recent run in with Vanessa Baker. Ever since our falling out as friends, we’ve been pounding on each other on a regular basis.
“Don’t fucking encourage her, Jake!” Reggie screams. He walks the length of our small kitchen and runs his fingers through his hair, something he does when he’s angry and lately, it’s been directed all at me.
“Jesus, Reggie. You could at least talk me, I’m standing right here,” I snap in Reggie’s direction.
“Since I’ve got your full attention, Darcie, what the fuck is going on with you? Lately, all you do is fight, mouth off and act like a total delinquent. I can’t afford you acting so stupid, do you understand? There’s only so much I can do to help you then, pretty soon, I won’t be able to fix… anything.” Reggie crosses the kitchen and grabs a hold of my shoulders. “Promise me, Darcie. Promise me, you’re going to stop this shit.”
I look into his aqua eyes and fall into his pools, lost in solace; guilty for letting him down yet again. I reach up and give him my saddest puppy dog look. Honestly, I don’t have a good reason why I act out. I’m just angry or get angry quickly. It feels good to let go of all the rage, it cleanses me. Sighing, I grab his forearms and squeeze lightly. “Sorry, Reg, I’ll try to be better.”
“You’re such a pain in the ass,” he says with a light smile and kisses the top of my head. Crisis diverted.
Jake lets out an exasperated sigh and says, “That shit only works for you, Darcie. If any of us gets into trouble, Reggie wouldn’t think twice about decking us. Be lucky you’re you; apparently, it’s his only weak spot.”
Scarred Love Page 10
