by Holly Hood
“I want you to kiss me. I want to know what it feels like to kiss your lips,” she said, with her back to him. He closed his eyes, knowing full well he wasn’t going to deny her. He couldn’t imagine not satisfying his desires for her either.
“Janelle, come here,” he said. She turned to face him.
“I want to make sure this is what you want me to do, because I think you’re a sweet girl and I don’t want to mess things up for you,” he said, waiting for her response.
She lifted her face and closed her eyes. He moved in, taking her face in his hands as their lips met. She seemed to explode with emotion and her hands held tight to his neck.
Vinnie finally closed his eyes, letting himself enjoy the moment. He ran his hand through her curly hair, so soft and amazing to the touch. Their lips barely broke apart as the kiss continued. She ran her hands down his chest, pulling him closer, her mouth leaving his long enough to kiss down his neck. Vinnie nearly died knowing what this was leading to, other parts of him pleading with him to just let go.
“You’re a beautiful girl,” he whispered in her ear. He kissed her cheek and his body throbbed for her, wanting to keep going. She slipped her hands down to his waist, trailing against his bellybutton, moving further down. His heart sped up, knowing what she was going for.
“Janelle, I don’t want to be doing anything to ruin your upcoming wedding,” he said one last time. She leaned in allowing him access to her mouth, his hands sliding around to the back of her neck while the other worked the front, tugging at the zipper on her jacket.
“If we were married this wouldn’t even be a thought. Men sleep with strippers at their bachelor parties all the time, right?” she asked him, as if that made anything right.
“Oh, all the time,” he agreed, lifting her up. She instantly wrapped her legs around his waist as he hurried to the back of the studio, where they’d be in private.
Dad
Gray, the family dog, barked continually from the living room. Every couple minutes she nudged Ned with her wet nose. When Ned made no movement, she continued barking.
Ned lay sprawled out facedown on the living room floor, without the slightest movement of his body, surrounded by the sound of man’s best friend calling out into the night, and the front door open, allowing the crisp winter air into Ned’s home.
Quinn
Quinn didn’t put too much effort into filling the ketchup bottles at work. She was absorbed in her thoughts of Jordan. He had asked her to move in with him. She knew she loved him, but she liked her freedom to come and go as she wanted.
She wasn’t sure what this meant for the two of them. He seemed to be closing in on finality, while she tried to steer clear of it.
“Order up!” her boss bellowed. He banged his big meaty hand on the counter, startling her into motion.
Quinn took the tray, holding it tightly against her hip, the two sodas shaking with her every move. She was disgusted anymore by fried foods; it made her sick to her stomach. She figured that’s what happens when you work in the food business. It helped her keep thin, though, and that pleased her.
“Here you go,” she said softly. She wasn’t one to take real notice of the customers who made their way to the diner. At least once a week her boss told her she was the worst waitress that ever lived. He was a disgusting, short and portly man with just a fringe of hair around his shiny bald head. He barely came to her shoulders and he reminded her of a penguin wobbling to and fro. He was so short only his hands appeared over the counter when he called to his staff.
Quinn loved the days he stayed home and Larry was in charge. Larry had a thing for her and he let her hang out in the kitchen and paint her nails when he was on duty.
“Harper!” her boss howled from somewhere back in the kitchen. She turned on her heels quickly to see what he wanted.
“Yeah, Dennis?” she asked, pushing the greasy door open to look at him.
“I want you to take this trash out. It’s piling up. If you’re here to just lollygag around, you can be on your way!” he shouted, as he dragged the trash toward her.
Quinn bit her tongue and pulled her white tennis shoes back in time, the garbage leaking out of the bag and onto the floor. That was the last thing she wanted her feet drenched in at the moment.
She tucked her order pad in the pocket of her black apron, shoving her pen behind her ear. Doing her best to ignore his looks at her rear end in her short shorts, she heaved the two bags through the back door.
“That grimy bastard,” she said once the door thudded shut. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She took a moment to answer it, knowing it would probably be her only chance to get some free time. Odds were he wasn’t planning on giving her a break today at all.
“Hey Ethan, what’s going on?” she said, tripping to the giant dumpster at the back of the diner, dragging the overstuffed garbage along with her.
“Finally, one of my sisters picks up the phone,” he said.
“Yeah, well I can’t talk long, I’m at work. How are you?” she asked. She missed him. The few days back home hadn’t been enough time.
“I’m good, hiking with Neal and Austin. Hey, did Mom have any boxes or anything with a key?” he inquired.
“What kind of key?” she asked, nearly dropping her phone as she tossed the first bag of trash overboard.
“Small gold key, red twist tie on the end,” Ethan replied.
“Jordan and I went to the gym by Dad’s while we were there. You know how he is about fitness. I think I remember red twist ties on the ends of the keys for the lockers,” she said, pleased to have been helpful to her little brother.
“Thanks, Quinn,” he said, hanging up on her. Well, that was quick, she thought, as she stared at the phone.
“What would mom have a locker key for?” she asked herself as she headed back inside.
***
Charley woke up swaddled in her rose colored bedding, Adrian’s strong arms holding onto her. His soft snore the only sound breaking the silence. The warmth of his body next to hers made her not want to leave her bed. She stroked his arms, trying to wiggle free from his hold. Their night together had been one of her dreams. Their time for intimacy had come and it felt so right.
She finally broke free of his hold and sat on the edge of the bed, naked, staring at the most handsome and capable man she’d ever met. Adrian was talented and wise, thoughtful, and so genuine.
“Good morning. Do you always stare at your houseguests while they sleep?” he asked, his eyes full of life as he took her in.
“No, just you,” she said. She leaned her face close to his and could feel his breath against her cheek. Staring into his eyes, she noticed the small hints of gold in them for the first time. She also hadn’t noticed the tiny scar just above his top lip. She lifted her head slightly, accepting his lips in a kiss. He ran his hand through her hair, stopping to hold her head in place while he softly kissed her, causing her heart to skip a beat.
“You’re so beautiful,” Adrian said. He placed his hands behind his head, leaned back, taking her all in. She didn’t wear a stitch of makeup, just a natural beauty. Her face glowed as she smiled back at him.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile. “Where did you get that scar on your arm? I’ve never seen it before.” She touched his bicep to get a better look.
Adrian sat up quickly, his nerves shattering yet another perfect moment. He flashed back to the night he’d killed Charley’s mom. He’d sat in a black van parked right next to her car in the parking garage. It had taken hours for her to emerge. He’d nearly fallen asleep waiting for her. He heard the sound of her heels clicking on the pavement and looked up to see her make her way to her car. He’d watched and waited, his hands nearly breaking the steering wheel as she approached. His stomach was in knots and his palms were sweaty and shaking. She got to her car and fumbled with her keys. He quickly pulled his baseball cap down to cover his face and tugged at his black hooded sweatshirt and pulled it up as he jump
ed out of the van.
“Who are you?” Sandy asked, the look of sheer terror spreading across her face—her blue eyes wide with fear and her face white as a ghost. He towered over her small frame. Losing control in the moment, he grabbed her by the throat. She thrashed and screamed, her shoes flying off her feet. She managed to peel his jacket half off, clawing at his arms as he repeatedly hit her in the face. All he remembered was the complete feeling of rage toward the person who had been the cause of his mother’s breakdown. She had ruined his mother’s life and she was paying for it now. She stopped moving and he quickly dropped her to the ground as her head fell to the side, her long, brown hair spilling over her face. He would never forgive himself for what he did next. He picked up a concrete parking stone, raised it above his head then he slammed it into her face in a fit of violent rage. He flinched when he saw her unrecognizable face as he kicked the heavy stone off her, leaving her there for someone to find later. The scar on his arm would be a permanent reminder of what he’d done to that woman, whom he now realized looked a lot like Charley.
“That’s just from roughhousing when I was a kid. I had a bunch of crazy brothers and cousins,” he said, searching for his shirt, as if that would cover himself from the truth.
“I am going to make breakfast,” she said, pulling on her robe.
“Okay, sounds good,” Adrian said. Charley seeing that scar on his arm had triggered the memory of what he’d done and he was completely guilt ridden.
“Although it’s more like afternoon,” she said, as she set her phone beside his.
“What?” Adrian asked, his stomach dropping to his feet.
“Yeah, it’s almost one,” Charley said, nonchalantly leaving the room.
Adrian plopped back down on the bed and grabbed his phone from the nightstand.
“Eight missed calls, holy shit!” he grumbled to himself.
Charley spritely cruised around the kitchen, sipping on vanilla-flavored coffee and humming a cheery tune. Banging away on pots and pans, she was determined to make a great feast for the two of them. As it all started to come together, the doorbell rang. She set down her knife and headed to the front door.
“Package for a Ms. Charley Harper,” the UPS man said, as he handed over the medium-sized box. Charley smiled and accepted the package.
“One minute and I’ll get you a tip,” she offered. He waved her goodbye, refusing the tip. Giving a shrug, she bumped her door shut bringing the box to the kitchen.
“What was all the noise?” Adrian asked, appearing behind her in the kitchen. He moved closer wrapping his arms around her waist, peering over her to the mystery package. Charley held tightly to her coffee mug eyeing the box.
“I have a package. It doesn’t say who it’s from,” she said, as she sipped her coffee and turned the package over in her hand looking for a return address.
“Hmm, I wouldn’t open it then. Could be a bomb,” he offered. Charley laughed, patting his arms to release her.
“Well, at least you’re here if I blow up,” she said as she proceeded to pop the tape.
“A jewelry box,” Adrian said out loud, admiring the dark wood and glass doors. He watched as Charley pulled out a long silver locket adorned with a diamond encrusted heart.
“It’s beautiful,” she gushed, as she fingered the bauble. Adrian nodded in agreement as he lifted the heart into his palm. Popping the locket open, he focused to hold back his shock.
“What is that? Some kind of computer chip?” she asked, picking at a small object trapped inside her locket.
“No, don’t do that. Whoever sent this to you probably didn’t want you breaking it,” he said, quickly closing it back up.
Charley scoured the box finding a small paper. She became visibly upset as she read the note.
“It’s from my mom’s office. It says they were instructed to send these out if anything ever happened to her.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clutched the necklace to her chest.
Everly and Vinnie
“All right, stop!” Mages said. He tossed his drumsticks to the ground.
“I’m going for a smoke,” Pancakes called, hurrying out of the room.
Everly sat down at the edge of the stage. She knew she was more than capable of singing her heart out, but her heart just wasn’t in it today. She’d lost count of how many times she hoped Vinnie would walk through the doors. She was used to seeing Vinnie watch her as she sang. She missed him.
Luke took a seat next to Everly. He knew her moods all too well. She’d been having a hard time and he genuinely felt bad for her.
“What’s wrong, love?” he asked, in his usual hushed tone. Luke was a wise kid—young and full of promise. Everly had learned over the time they worked together that he was from a wealthy family and he had a more-than-sufficient trust fund. He didn’t need to work at all, but he chose to. He’s just that kind of guy.
“Just an off day. How are you?” she asked.
Luke kept squirming around, running his hands up and down his legs. She made him very nervous.
“I’m fine, the usual. Do you want to call it a day?” he asked. “No, let’s get this over with. And then I’ll go home and try and get some rest,” she insisted.
She knew Luke would never tell Mages to call it a day. Mages called the shots for Vintage Luv.
Mages came bounding back in the room, whipped his sticks above his head, and whacked them together.
“1, 2, 3, 4!” he yelled.
Attacking the drums with the style of a crazed man, his face was full of intensity as he played. Everly and Luke quickly assembled in their spots. Everly’s voice overpowered the beat of the drums. She gripped the microphone with her hands, closing her eyes as she sang out in the empty club as her body swayed back and forth to the beat of the music.
Mark came into the room and listened. The song had caught his attention and took him away from his work. He shook a small package in the air for Everly to see. It had just been delivered and he didn’t want her to miss it. He hoped it was a gift from Vinnie—anything to put a smile on her face. The girl was miserable without him.
***
“Great job, Mrs. Marshall. Keep your arm straight, Mrs. Rigs,” Vinnie instructed, making his way past the plethora of women. Thursday was his busiest day. That’s when all the cougars came out to play. He beamed his pearly whites, making sure to lay it on thick. He’d been dancing since he could walk and the studio was his bread and butter. It didn’t take him long to realize the dancing gave him an ‘in’ with the women. Women loved a man with great dance moves and he knew he could get them to do just about anything he’d ask of them.
Seeing Janelle walk in the studio caused Vinnie’s thoughts to drift back to the here and now and his dance lesson with Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Rigs. He looked to see if her fiancé had come with her. He was nowhere to be seen. Vinnie realized he was delighted to see her.
She found him immediately, her eyes lighting up as she watched him from across the room. He gave her a wave with a sly smile, remembering what they’d done the night before. He loved that she turned out to be wilder than he would have imagined.
“You look nice,” he said. The soft scent of her perfume filled his nose as he kissed her on the cheek. He touched her hair that she’d styled in a slicked-back bun, letting a few curls fall here and there. The light eye shadow and the sheer lip gloss added to her elegance.
“You better get back to your class before they all fire you,” she said, poking him in the side. She went and took her place on the side of Mrs. Marshall.
“I want everyone to take a partner and practice some simple lifts,” he said loudly, giving his guys the cue to match up with one of the eager ladies.
Before any one of them could protest not having him as their partner, he made his way to Janelle, tapping her on the shoulder.
“Shall we?” he asked, his hand stretched out for hers.
“Out of the entire class, you choose me?” she asked, as the music sta
rted playing.
“You really thought I’d let you dance alone? Kind of hard to do a lift without a partner. Where’s that fiancé of yours?” She rested her head against his chest as they moved around the room doing a simple two-step routine.
“I allowed him to sit this one out,” she breathed, enjoying the closeness.
“Hey, what are you doing later?” Vinnie asked.
He didn’t know where he was trying to take this. He just knew he wanted her company. She was so different from the chaos and complication that Everly brought into their relationship. He truly believed she enjoyed his company as well.
“I don’t know, just going home. Why?” she asked as she lifted her head to look at him. He spun her around, letting her fall back into his arm.
“Thought we could grab some coffee or drinks after.” He swallowed as she stared up at him, beaming that beautiful smile back at him.
“I suppose that would be just fine. Harmless enough, right?” she asked, winking at him.
Ethan
Ethan was glad when the hiking excursion came to a quick end. Who hiked in the middle of a snowfall anyway?
He tried to act as casual as possible as he made his way through the gym locker room—the same gym where Quinn swore she’d seen the same kind of keys. He looked around to make sure no one saw him and quickly shoved the key into the first locker. It failed, so he moved to the next one and then the next one.
“There must be fifty lockers here,” he grumbled to himself, yanking the key out and going to the next.
It was clear his mother had hidden something and he was determined to find it. At the end of the row, he took a deep breath hoping it was the one.
“Come on, come on. This place reeks,” he muttered. He put the key in the lock and turned it. It opened! He threw his fist in the air and danced a silent jig. For once in her life, Quinn had been right about something. Now all he had to do was find out what was so important in this locker. He opened the door, finding a black gym bag resting neatly at the bottom of the locker.
