Entangled

by Annie Brewer

  After twenty minutes, I’m ready to get out of the pool and lay out. I grab my towel and wrap it around me, sitting in a chair. “You don’t swim?” Noah opens his eyes like he just noticed me, “I do but I wasn’t in the mood today.”

  “Oh well what about a drink?”

  “Not in the mood for that either.”

  “So then what are you in the mood for?”

  “Napping.”

  “Could’ve stayed at home and done that.” I mumble to myself. Irritated, I throw myself back on the chair wondering why I bothered to be nice to him. “Your boyfriend looks pissed that you’re talking to me.” He’s got his eyes closed but when I look at Landon, I see he’s glaring in our direction. I close my own eyes and take a nap, in the sun.

  When I wake up, Noah’s gone and the guys are getting ready to leave. “Where’s Andi?”

  “She went home. She was tired.” Guess I’ll be joining her.

  Chapter 11

  Noah

  “So, I’m coming to visit you.”

  “No shit, when?” Eating lunch at a restaurant in town since I don’t get good service where my aunt lives.

  “Well I’m hoping in the next month. So you better have a place of your own.” I hadn’t talked to Spencer much since I left New York. Trying to adjust to country living is tough shit.

  “Kick ass, bro. I’ll see what I can do.” I take a bite of my burger, holding the phone on my shoulder. I look across to my right and spot a blonde staring at me. She’s cute, except for the creepy vibe she’s giving off.

  “Yo, Noah are you listening?”

  “Huh?” I finally hear his voice, bringing me back to our conversation. I wipe my hands on my napkin and hold the phone properly.

  “Have you met anyone yet?” I roll my eyes and take a drink.

  “Spence, I didn’t move here to meet anyone.”

  “Okay, but are there any hot chicks there? Surely, you’ve seen some.” I laugh but say nothing. “Tell me they have hot girls there. Somewhere.”

  “Jesus Spencer, there’s always at least one hot girl in every state. Chill out.” The blonde from earlier is staring at me again, or still when I look up. I finish my food and pay.

  “I’m finding a new hangout. Kasey won’t stop following me around asking about you. God, what a psycho.” I cringe at the sound of her name.

  “Are you kidding?”

  “I wish I was. I’m ready to come visit my best friend and get out of here for a few days.” I start up my jeep and head back to the house. “Well, hey I gotta jet. I’m at work. Text ya later”

  “Okay, later.” I hang up and turn the radio on to drown out the ringing of my thoughts in my ears. I’ve never been able to hear the voices in my ears so clearly, but here it’s so quiet. It’s almost another world, one I’m not sure I can survive.

  As soon as I pull up to the driveway, I see my aunt taking grocery bags into the house. I walk to the back of her truck to find more bags and take them all inside.

  “Oh thank you Noah. I didn’t see you pull up.” I set the bags on the counter and sift through them, curious.

  “No problem, I just got here. I was in town eating lunch, and using my phone. I don’t get good reception here.”

  “Yeah, being out in the country limits a lot of things.” We put food away in silence, but it’s actually a comfortable silence. I see similarities in her and my mom and it makes me wish I’d had moments like this with her. “So, have you heard from your mother?”

  I look away from her gaze, a little embarrassed. “No, I called her on the way here but got her voicemail. I guess she really could care less if I got here in one piece or not.” Remembering the disappointment I felt when I called her to say goodbye, erases the short-lived sadness I felt only moments ago. What do I have to do to get her to give a shit? Or to wake up and realize what a dead-beat mother she’s been-die?

  “Noah, it may not seem like it, but she cares. Your father just really did a number on her. I hope she bounces back, for your sake. And hers.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, I have no father.”

  When we finish unloading everything, I look out the window, at the yard, well yard is an understatement, and how it could use a cut. I turn to look at my aunt, sitting at the table, “Could I mow the lawn? It looks like it could use a trim and I need something to do.” The amount of land she has is unsettling. I’ve never mowed so much grass before but I know it’s easy. I think.

  “Why Noah, that would be nice of you.” She smiles, “Thank you.”

  “It’s the least I can do for putting me up in here. I appreciate it.” And just like that, I realize I want us to get along. My aunt and me. Why shouldn’t we? She’s not like her sister and I’m grateful for that.

  We go behind the house to a garage where she houses all supplies and tools. And a riding mower. I’ve never been on one, but it looks simple enough.

  “Hey, do you have any cows or horses with all this land you have?” I ask from the seat, checking out the buttons. “Not anymore. I used to have pigs and cows and a couple of chickens but I got tired of taking care of them myself.” I look around me, “Thanks Noah. It’s nice to have a man around the house again.” I look at her, smirking.

  “I thought Derrick was a man? Unless I’m missing something important.” She laughs and it dawns on me that I haven’t heard a female laugh in so long. At least she likes my jokes.

  When she walks back into the house, I begin my riding mower journey which turns out to be pretty fun. I’ll just remember my MP3 player next time. Also, it’s a help for my tan when I work with no shirt on and shorts that shows off my cross tattoo on my ankle. I’m not religious per se, but I’m also open-minded when it comes to beliefs. I believe something beyond this world exists when we die, what? I don’t know exactly, but the cross symbolizes my faith in something godly. Maybe it’s just hope that I need.

  I have no idea how long it’s been when I finally ride the mower back into the garage. But I do know I need a shower and something to drink and a fan blowing cold air over my body. At least, I didn’t have to use the old-fashioned mower, a push-mower. That would’ve sucked. The grass is low enough to the ground. Plus, riding on that was pretty fun. It reminded me when I used to do donuts with a golf cart on the ice, a time or two…in my stupid decision days.

  “Hey.” I whirl around, almost falling off the mower and see Maddy, trying not to laugh at my ungraceful ass. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just thought you’d like something to drink. I talked to your aunt, and I know how hot it is after all that riding.” I eye the glass of ice cold water and seize it from her grasp like a starving wild beast. I swallow the contents in less than three gulps. She watches in fascination as I hand her back the glass.

  “Thirsty?”

  “You’ve no idea.” I reply grateful. “And thank you.” As I start toward the house, she catches up pace.

  “Hey, I was going into town if you’d like to come along.” I almost accept…almost.

  “Already been there, but thanks.”

  “Oh, okay.” She looks disappointed and for some reason, I don’t like it. “What are you going for?” Hesitation, evident in my voice.

  “I wanted to check out some new CD’s at Best Buy and maybe grab a bite to eat.”

  “Okay, I need a shower. Give me fifteen?”

  “You can shower in fifteen minutes?”

  “I’m not a chick, so I don’t have to shave or wash my hair for an hour, so yeah…my showers are usually quick.” I look away, noticing her trying not to stare at my still bare chest. She places her hands on her hips dramatically. I turn away from her so I don’t take notice of her shorts showing off her bare legs, nicely. Her long brown hair is in a messy bun on top of her head, and I like it. The messy look always attracted me, as opposed to the perfected look most girls do to impress guys. Of course if a girl is hot, then I didn’t care what she wore so long as she ended up in my bed at some point, with no clothes on.


  But that’s not happening, not with this one. Or any other.

  “Okay, I’ll be back.” I stalk into the house, straight to the bathroom to wash this stench and dirty thoughts from my body. I’m not going there. Ever.

  While showering, I think about the conversation with Spencer. Damn him and his big mouth, about hot girls and Kasey. I slap myself for thinking of her, again. I may have cared about her, or could have if I didn’t turn off my emotions.

  I dry myself off with a towel and realize I didn’t bring my clothes in with me. Hoping against hope, I quietly escape the bathroom and tread down the hall and past the kitchen where I hear my aunt’s voice carry, and race to the bathroom, without being seen.

  Shit, I need to do laundry, I tell myself. I settle on khaki shorts, black t-shirt and throw my New York hat on, not bothering with my hair. “Ready?” I ask, once I come out of the bedroom.

  “Oh, yeah. Let me finish my coffee real quick.” I sit at the table across from my aunt and see her glancing from Maddy to me, suspiciously. I glare at her and slowly shake my head. She hides her grin behind her cup as she takes a sip, looking away.

  “Okay, I’m done.” She moves to the sink and rinses her cup out. “Linda, I will see you soon. Thanks for the chat.”

  “Of course, Maddy. You kids be good.” I look back when I reach the door and make a face. She’s so obvious and it’s not funny.

  “Which car are we taking?” Maddy asks. I look from her civic to my jeep. “Let’s take yours.” She nods, unlocking the doors. It’s small inside but not a typical girl car, which sounds sexist to say. I just didn’t see this as a girl car, mostly after encountering guys behind the wheel but what the hell do I know? Though I can’t help but find her attractive behind the wheel.

  “So, how’s it going so far? Your aunt seems fond of you.” Or pities me. “My aunt doesn’t know me. I guess it’s okay so far. I need to get a place of my own though.” She keeps her eyes on the road and I keep my eyes on everything but her. For some unknown reason, she makes me nervous. I don’t get nervous, which makes me nervous about being nervous with her.

  “Well, you can probably get a one bedroom apartment in my building. They’re pretty reasonable.” I glance at her, and she smiles.

  “What?”

  “You mentioned getting an apartment.” I face the window, comprehending my earlier comment. I’m wondering what her boyfriend would say about me living in the same building as her. I can’t stand Landon and it’s obvious he’s not too fond of me either. “Oh, um I guess I can look and see what I can find.”

  “Cool.”

  We walk into Best Buy, off 28th street, where all the shops and restaurants are. “I’m going to check out the movies.” I leave her in the CD section and wander around by myself. I don’t really care to look at the movies since all mine are still packed so I don’t remember what I have and don’t have. I just need a distraction. My phone beeps in my pocket so I pull it out without thinking, “Hello?”

  “Hey Noah, it’s-“

  “I know who it is. What do you want?” I rudely interrupt, annoyed.

  “I just wanted to see how you were doing. Are you’re getting tired of Colorado yet?”

  “I think I’m enjoying it, just fine.” That’s a total lie, but I’m not going to tell her that. Besides, I’m slowly adapting.

  “Look, I’m not sure why you can’t let me go but I really need you to forget about me. I’m not coming back.” And if I did, even to visit, I wouldn’t tell her. It’s obvious by the brief silence and moans that she’s pouting like a child, “No one would give me what I want, Noah.”

  “And neither will I, Kasey. Now I have to go.” I catch Maddy watching me, not even having heard her approach. I hang up even though Kasey was still talking. “You’re quiet. I didn’t hear you.” She’s casually leaning against the shelf, crossing her arms.

  “I wasn’t eavesdropping if that’s what you mean. Who’s Kasey?”

  “Not eavesdropping, huh?” I raise a brow, disbelieving. “She’s just someone who won’t let me go.”

  “I finished browsing the CD’s for now. Hungry?” She walks away, leaving me staring after her in confusion. I follow her to her car, more and more fascinated by her. And I need to put the brakes on, now.

  After ordering our food from sonic and eating, making small talk about absolutely nothing, Maddy drives me back to the house. “So,” Maddy starts as I grab for the handle. I pull back but shift toward her. “Do you want to go look at apartments tomorrow?”

  I watch her bite her lip nervously, stifling a laugh that I make her this uncomfortable. “You don’t have to be nice just because I’m your friend’s cousin.” I tell her, honestly, knowing that’s why she’s going out of her way to be nice.

  “That’s part of why, but I also think you need a friend.”

  “I don’t need a friend. I have one, back home.”

  “You need one here too, to talk to.” I tilt my head and study her. “And you want to be my friend?”

  “Maybe.” I laugh, shaking my head. “You don’t want to be my friend.”

  “You know what? Maybe I don’t. Maybe you should just go through life alone. I’m sorry I even bothered.” She stares at the steering wheel, clearly done with my attitude. I’m glad she is one to not take shit.

  “Wouldn’t your boyfriend have a problem with you hanging out with me?”

  “I’m not doing anything. I’m trying to be polite, you’re my best friend’s cousin and you need a friend or two. He can get over it. So do you want to go or not?”

  “Sure. Meet me here, I’ll drive this time. You’re kind of a scary driver.” She opens her mouth to say something but then shuts it and grins. “Okay, cool. See ya tomorrow.”

  “See ya.” I close the door and watch her drive off.

  “Was that Maddy?” My aunt saunters up beside me. I shrug, acting nonchalant but I can tell by her expression that the wheels in her head are turning. “Don’t even say anything.” I tell her, leaving.

  She laughs. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Chapter 12

  Maddy

  “Okay, so you’re taking him to look at apartments, here?”

  I ignore the surprised tone and smile. I can tell Andi thinks it’s a bad idea. I don’t really care though. I don’t get the big deal; I’m just trying to be nice. “Yes, he needs a place to live so why not? I don’t see the big deal.” I put my slippers on and go into the kitchen. She makes a choking noise; I send her a death glare.

  “Please, do you not see how it’s going to look? You and Trouble all alone?”

  “God, knock it off. I’m just trying to be nice. You should try it for once; it may help you gain a few friends. Or fuck buddies.” The words are out before I think. I do damage control, not that I’m not right. “Anyway, why does being nice always mean there’s an ulterior motive attached?” I clean up the kitchen before stalking into my bedroom to straighten up in there too. I’m in cleaning mode but I should be heading out the door.

  “I’m just saying, Landon may not like it.” She calls to me from her spot at the kitchen table. And so there it is, all about Landon. What Landon thinks, how Landon feels, what it’ll do to his health. For Christ’s sake, what about mine? He doesn’t fucking own me.

  I stick my head out of the room to look at her, “Since when did he run my life?” I don’t wait for an answer but it shuts her up. I pull out a pair out a pair of shorts and a pink tank top and get dressed, trading my slippers for my flip flops and throwing my hair in a quick ponytail. I grab a cup of coffee, my keys and tell Andi goodbye.

  “Just be careful, Mads. I don’t trust him.” I roll my eyes and close the door behind me. My car is messy but it’ll have to do. Besides, he saw it once already and said nothing and we’re taking his jeep today, so yay. For some reason, there’s excitement in my chest and my stomach is doing some sort of dancey-dance thing at the thought of seeing him. I think he’s just a new “shiny toy” and it’s a bit unne
rving but also intriguing. We were always the group of four, and even when we had our other friends from high school around, everyone knew us and what went on in our town. With a new person around, it’s exciting. And he’s very private and mysterious. I want to figure him out. I want to take apart this puzzle and piece it all back together until I can figure out the mystery behind him.

  I pull up to Linda’s, he’s there leaning ever so casually against the side of his jeep, waiting. He sees me and straightens. He does look a bit dangerous. I look at him for a minute and wonder how many girls he’s slept with. He finally approaches my car and leans down as I’m rolling my window down. “You’re late.” I open my door, almost hitting him and roll the window back up.

  “I’m sorry; I don’t remember settling on a time. I also got home from work and cleaned a little. Some of us do have jobs.”

  I step out of the car and close the door, lean against it and cross my arms defiantly. “Ouch, that hurt.” He says, in mockery. “No, wait it didn’t. I remember having a job too.” I follow him to the jeep parked closer to the house. He opens the passenger door, waiting for me to get in. I sneer at him before climbing in. “Such a gentleman.” I retort, sarcastically. He snorts but says nothing. I glance around, inspecting his tidy space. Does he own anything?

  He climbs into the driver’s seat. “So, what job do you have?” He finally asks. I drop my hands into my lap and lean against the door, facing him.

  “I work at a clinic in town. I’ve worked there since I was 17.” He looks impressed, I could care less. Actually, I do care. I need to lay off a bit. If he’s asking questions about me, that means he’s interested to know me or at least what I do, right?

  “So you’re an animal lover, I’m guessing.”

  “You’re guessing correct. I’ve never owned an animal but I love helping them. My dream is to be a Vet.” I watch out his window and shift my eyes to his face when he’s not paying attention.

  “That’s really cool. I had a dog and cat when I was a kid. They were my best friends, the best part of my childhood. What’s your favorite pet?”