by Shaw, Leia
Reece had met Scarlet’s mom months ago. The youngish, hippie-type woman had known Scarlet liked girls too since she was a teenager. Coming out of the closet was no big deal in their relationship. Things were more complicated for Reece. Her dad had seen boyfriends come and go so switching to girls probably seemed flaky. Being bi barely made sense to her and she was living it – asking her poor father to embrace it just felt wrong. But hiding felt more wrong.
When Scarlet turned back around, Reece was struck with the sudden urge to kiss her silly. She’d gotten her hair cut again, which exaggerated her pixie-like facial features. Reece had already applied lip-gloss on Scarlet’s plump lips and now they shone under the vanity lights.
“You’re so pretty,” Reece whispered. Smiling, she tucked a piece of Scarlet’s hair behind her ear. “I have no idea how you can’t see it.”
“You’re sweet to pretend everyone doesn’t just stare at you.”
Reece rolled her eyes.
“It’s true. Even Malachi said...” She dropped her gaze to the ground. It’d only been a few weeks since they’d seen him last so the pain was still fresh.
To distract them both, Reece leaned in and kissed her pouty lips. Catching her off guard gave Reece the upper hand. She pushed Scarlet up against the wall behind her and tilted her mouth over hers to envelop it completely.
Scarlet growled and Reece’s turn on top came to a quick end. A hand tangled in her hair and she gasped as Scarlet pulled her head back and took over the kiss. Not willing to give in so soon, Reece nipped at her lips.
With a painful tug on her hair, Scarlet yanked her away. “Are you trying to top me, little girl?” Her eyes flared and her lips pursed as she waited for an answer.
Jeez, she looked like a real Domme. Hair still tight in Scarlet’s fist, Reece couldn’t get away. “Um... I’m sorry.”
Her eyebrows raised a fraction of an inch.
“Scarlet,” she rushed to add. “I’m sorry, Scarlet.”
Narrowing her eyes, she let go of Reece’s head and put her hands on her hips. “Who’s in charge here, kitten?”
Reece was learning Scarlet didn’t mind some bratting here and there. Was this a time Scarlet could take it? More important, could Reece’s ass take it if she laid a smackdown? She took a look at Scarlet’s fierce expression then ran her gaze down her freshly washed clothing and grown-up shoes. No. She wouldn’t brat today and risk ruining her outfit.
“You’re in charge,” she answered quietly. Though she hated having to say it, she felt like her skin was bright red right down to her toes. Her underwear got just a little damp.
“And that makes you the what?” Scarlet prompted.
Ugh. She sighed heavily. Malachi had turned her into a monster! She dug a toe into the carpet and thought through ways to get out of this.
Scarlet took a step closer. “You’re the what, Reece?”
Reece toyed with her lip then glanced at her girlfriend. She knew what she wanted her to say. That she was the bitch. Bratty ideas came and went then finally a finger pressed under her chin. Scarlet tilted Reece’s head and glared at her. Her patience was clearly dwindling.
Reece dropped to her knees then flung her arms around Scarlet’s waist. “I love you, Scarlet,” she gushed.
The long defeated sigh said Scarlet was giving in today. Gently, she stroked Reece’s hair. “I love you too, brat.”
Reece nudged Scarlet’s t-shirt up then kissed her belly. “You smell good,” she murmured against her soft skin.
“Let’s go or we’ll be la – ack! Reece!”
Reece blew a raspberry on her belly and Scarlet scrambled to put her shirt down. She giggled and looked up at Scarlet’s scowling face.
“You’re so weird,” Scarlet said, laughing. Then she grabbed Reece’s hand and pulled her up. “Ready to go?”
She chewed her bottom lip for a moment. Nervous flutters took off in her belly. She wasn’t afraid of her family rejecting them – they weren’t the type. She was more afraid they’d just ignore Scarlet. Or that Scarlet wouldn’t like them for some reason.
“Do we have to do this?” she asked.
Scarlet nodded. “Yes. And I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be the one reassuring me.” She exaggerated a glare. “Get your purse. I won’t make a good impression being late.”
After grabbing her purse from the bed, they headed out to Reece’s car. She drove since she knew the area better. The twenty-minute drive was silent except for the sound of the Top 40 hits radio station. Reece sang along softly, making Scarlet shake her head.
As she made the familiar turns, getting closer to the house she’d grown up in, it occurred to her she’d never told Scarlet much about it. Feeling embarrassed about her upbringing and where her father still lived, made her feel like the shittiest daughter ever. It wasn’t her dad’s fault he’d been handed a crappy hand of cards.
It wasn’t like Scarlet to judge a person by where they lived or grew up or what kind of family they came from anyway. Still, as they pulled up to the small shack across from the fishing port, she gave Scarlet an apologetic smile.
Scarlet looked a little surprised at their surroundings but covered it quickly. “Is this where you grew up?”
“We didn’t have a car for a while so...” She shrugged, a little self conscious. “This is where he worked.”
“Ah.” Scarlet nodded. “He just walked to work. Well that’s efficient. Better for the environment too.”
Reece laughed. Leave it to Scarlet to find something good in the situation. She parked on the street just behind her brother’s car, since there was no driveway. The small house looked the same as it always had – lonely and about to fall apart, though she could see signs of where her dad had tried to fix it up. Patches on the roof. A new front door – the last time she was there, the old one had been falling off the hinges. As they walked up the front path, she spotted an overgrown garden to the right. She chuckled to herself. Years ago that’d been his attempt at a motherly influence. It hadn’t been funny then but now she had to laugh at his idea of what mothers do. Gardening? If that was it, she’d make a crappy mom because she had no intention of digging in the dirt as a pastime with her kids.
At the door, she grasped Scarlet’s hand and squeezed it tightly. “Talk about tools and other...manly stuff and they’ll love you,” she whispered.
Scarlet chuckled. “They’ll approve of your girlfriend if she’s butch?”
Reece shrugged. “It’s worth a shot.”
The door opened and her brother stood on the other side of the screen. She hadn’t seen him since Christmas. Shame filled her. She was a sucky family member.
“Hey, Reece’s Pieces!”
She scowled at the nickname. If he started delivering noogies and tried to lock her in the closet, she was going to kick him in the balls.
“Shut up, Max.”
He laughed and opened the door for them. When she walked through, he pulled her into a big bear hug. After he stepped back, she looked him over. He was still sporting a shaggy beard and long brown hair. Why hadn’t Lisa cleaned him up yet?
“Seriously, Max?” She arched a brow at his ensemble. “Flannel even in the summer?”
“We can’t all be fancy designers like you, Paris Hilton.”
“Paris Hilton?” She shook her head and sighed. “Get a better grasp on what I do before you try to insult me about it.”
Ignoring her, he looked at Scarlet then stuck out his hand. “Hi. You must be Reece’s...”
“Girlfriend,” Reece finished for him. “You can say it.”
He gave Reece a look. “Well I didn’t know what you people are calling it nowadays. Life partner or whatever.”
Scarlet chuckled and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You people?” Reece echoed Max. “You mean, like, the lesbian club?”
“Give your brother a break,” Scarlet said with a smile. “He’s being polite.”
“Hey, pumpkin.” Her dad wal
ked into the living room, making it feel cramped with only four people there.
He was dressed in flannel too, and a baseball cap. Though his skin was tan and overworked, he still didn’t look a day over forty-five. She hoped she would look as good at fifty-five.
With a smile, she walked into his open arms. He kissed her cheek then set her back to look at her.
“You look good, Dad,” she said.
His thick brows furrowed as he looked over her clothing. “Hmm. So do you, pumpkin. You still doing that, uh, fashion stuff, huh?”
She sighed. “Yes. I’ll probably be doing it for a long time.”
Nodding, he turned his attention to Scarlet, who stood awkwardly in front of the door. Reece motioned for her. “This is Scarlet.” When Scarlet reached her, she pulled her up beside her, holding her hand.
“Ted.” He put his hand out to shake.
“Nice to meet you,” Scarlet said, shaking his hand and smiling.
Though she looked at ease, Reece could see small signs of her nerves. Her other hand was trembling a bit and she squeezed it tighter.
“Now where’s my beautiful nephew?” Reece asked.
Lisa came in from the kitchen, bent over while the little guy held her fingers and walked. He was cooing and wobbling and drooling but just as adorable as last time she’d seen him.
“He’s so big!” She crouched in front of him. “Hi, Josie!”
Max sighed. “How many times have I told you not to call him that? It sounds like a girl’s name.”
“How else would you shorten Josiah?” She smiled and made crazy faces at him like every completely sane grown-up did.
One smile and he wrapped her around his finger. Just like Zen. She scooped him up into her arms and kissed his chubby cheeks then blew raspberries on them. He giggled.
“I don’t even get a hello?” Lisa said, hands on her hips in mock offense.
Lifting Josiah with her, Reece rose and chuckled. “Sorry.” She gave her sister-in-law a side hug then Josiah squirmed to get to his mommy. “We need to get him together with my goddaughter, Zen.” She turned to Scarlet. “Don’t you think?”
Scarlet smiled and nodded.
Lisa stepped forward. “Hi. I’m the sister-in-law.”
“I’m the girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you.” They smiled awkwardly at each other then Lisa leaned in and whispered, “I kissed a girl once so... I get it.” She gave an exaggerated wink. Coming from the petite brunette with baby food stains on her shirt made it hard for Reece to keep from bursting out laughing. The sentiment was sweet even if it was a little misguided.
“You’re a member of the club then,” Reece teased.
Scarlet nudged her. “Don’t be a smartass.”
“Well,” her dad said, sticking his hands in his pockets, oblivious to the exchange. “Should we eat?”
The rest of the visit went similarly. Her dad was quiet, as usual, but his face lit up when Scarlet started talking about a new type of cordless nail gun on the market. Her brother hassled her about having a girlfriend that seemed to fit in better with her family than she did. And Lisa told them in varying degrees of awkwardness, how she approved of “their ways” and didn’t think at all that they were pedophiles or man-haters. Though clumsy and imperfect, she was proud of her family’s reaction to Scarlet. It could’ve been far worse. She shuddered just thinking about how Sabrina’s family flipped out. Of course, being surprised with being bi and poly would make any devout Roman Catholic family a little twitchy. It made her wonder if things had worked out with Malachi, how her family would have taken that. Would her brother have tried to kill Mal?
Scarlet seemed comfortable enough toward the end of dinner to tease Max about his crappy job installing the new door. She even gave Josiah a hug goodbye and didn’t seem grossed out when he returned it with a big wet baby kiss.
As Reece drove them home, she had an overwhelming feeling of peace. And despite the emptiness of Malachi being gone, marrying Scarlet still felt like the right thing to do. Now, someone just had to propose.
Chapter 18
The glass of rye and Coke sat beside her Xbox controller – she couldn’t quite remember why mixing her own drinks was a bad idea, but she knew that Reece said it every time they went to a party. What was wrong with half and half, anyway?
She’d given up on playing Call of Duty for the time being and just wallowed in the feeling of being slumped back into the couch. What the hell was wrong with her?
Two weeks of Reece being in Milan hadn’t seemed like a big deal when they’d discussed it, but all this time alone was giving her too much time to think. How could single people handle being alone for such long stretches, with no one touching them? Sure, she Skyped with Reece every few days, but not being able to kiss her or run her hands through her hair was torture. It never used to bother her this much.
She sipped her drink then put it back in the puddled ring on the table. If she had a friend to hang out with maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. It used to be that when Reece was busy with Sabrina or gone for work, Scarlet would enjoy her few hours or days of alone time and read, play video games, and eat Lucky Charms for every meal. Those things weren’t fun anymore. The condo was too damned quiet.
But that wasn’t really it either. She was lonely.
Chocolate bar wrappers, discarded books, and articles of clothing were strewn around the room. There was no one there to care. She grabbed the tumbler off the table and finished off her drink, its sweetness pissing her off. When she poured herself another, she skipped the soda. With the next, she skipped the glass. Drinking rye directly from the bottle cut out the middleman.
She ran a hand through her hair. It felt gross. When was the last time she’d showered? Probably two nights ago when she’d gotten home from work. Another whole day and night until she got to hang out with Jude and the guys on the job. Weren’t three-day weekends supposed to be fun?
As she padded down the hall to their bathroom, her steps were unsteady. The lights in there were bright and made her squinty. She turned on the shower and stripped off her boxers, then took another burning swig from the bottle. Her reflection drew her notice and she made faces at herself for a few minutes before shutting off the light. Enough illumination came in from the bedroom to make out what she was doing, but in the shower stall it was almost pitch black.
The water burned hot, and she gasped as it sprayed over her head and coursed down to leave painful tracks along her skin. Her nipples bunched from the sensation and she closed her eyes, remembering Mal whipping her with coarse rope. The heat in his eyes when he made her suffer. The way he held her afterward. His breath on her neck and his arms wrapped around her tight, like he’d keep her from shaking to pieces before the quiet settled in. Her throat felt thick and her eyes burned. He knew her, like Reece knew her. Intuitively. He watched her face to see what she was really thinking. He gave a shit.
Tears spilled over and she hugged herself for a minute. They’d sent him away because it was best for him, but that didn’t mean she didn’t care. There was an ache behind her ribs that she’d been trying to ignore, but it just wouldn’t go away. Wasn’t time supposed to make things easier? It seemed to be making it worse.
She dashed the tears from her face with a wet hand, annoyed that she was drunk and crying, alone in a dark shower. Pathetic.
Washing only took a few minutes and she got out and toweled off, taking several more pulls from the bottle she’d left on the bathroom counter. The bottle slipped from her wet fingers and crashed to the floor, the impact sending shards of glass flying in all directions. Carefully, she tiptoed through the shrapnel, feeling for the light switch. She looked back and saw the bottle and booze mixed with splashes of blood, and for a few moments she couldn’t figure out how to look at the bottoms of her feet without sitting in glass. She shrugged and kept walking then plopped herself down on the bed and looked blearily down at her soles. There were some cuts that were bleeding, but there didn’t s
eem to be glass stuck in any of them.
The Band-Aids were in the bathroom and she wasn’t sure what to do. Maybe she would bleed out and be a dried up husk when Reece came home. It would serve her right for leaving her unsupervised.
Reece.
She glanced at the clock, but couldn’t figure out if she was late or not. Luckily, the laptop was on the bed, so she didn’t have to move from her spot. There’d be enough of a mess to clean later. She flipped it open and noticed there were a bunch of messages from Reece wondering where she was. They had a Skype date. She read them one-eyed, because they made more sense that way. She hit the video call button after she figured out how to make her fingers work right.
Reece answered, looking immaculate.
“Good morning, sunshine.” Scarlet tried hard not to slur, but it sounded pretty bad even to her.
“Are you drunk and naked? And wet? What happened to your skin? You look like you were attacked by a tentacle monster. You’re all red.”
“Do we own sticky tape for bleeding thingies that isn’t in the bathroom?”
“No, why? What did you do?”
“I broke my friend. He’s dead on the bathroom floor.” She made a face. “And the bastard wants me to dance for a Band-Aid.”
Reece sighed. “You don’t even make sense. Show me your booboo.”
Scarlet swung her feet around and kicked the laptop over by accident, smearing blood across the screen.
“Your feet look like hamburger meat! Did you break a glass?”
“A bottle.”
“Is your towel close by?”
“Yes.”
“Wrap it around your feet for a few minutes. If they don’t stop bleeding, I’m calling an ambulance.”
“Hello, 911? I’m in Milan and my girlfriend is a drunken sword-dancing idiot.” She snickered. “They’ll think you’re fucking with them. It’s just cuts. There’s no glass in them.”
