Collide: A Riverbend Novel

by Sara Daniell

  "Ready to go?"

  I stood up and nodded. I looked at Havock. Actually looked. Earlier I was too distraught and didn't take in anything about him. Now I did. He had dark brown hair that almost touched his shoulders. His appearance was disheveled like he didn't care and like he just rolled out of bed. It suited him. He had a lip ring on the left side of his bottom lip and dark eyes. Dark eyes that looked like they were hiding something. Eyes that pulled me into them. I scrunched my eyebrows at that thought and held my art book tightly to me as we made our way to an old truck. I smiled a little as I saw it. I always wanted an old truck like this. Actually, any vehicle would’ve been nice.

  He threw his bag into the back and opened his door. It creaked loudly. "Piece of shit," he mumbled under his breath as he got in. I tried to open my door, but it wouldn't open. He looked irritated and got back out. "I forgot. That door doesn't open. You'll have to get in on my side." He moved out of the way to let me in.

  I tried to climb in without showing off too much. My skirt had risen up some. Once in, I buckled up. "I like your truck," I said softly. Not intending for him to hear

  "A princess like you?" He laughed as he cracked his window and lit a cigarette. He held the cigarette between his lips as he cranked the truck. It only took three tries before the engine started.

  A smile formed on my lips as I watched him drive. I've always wanted to learn, but dad never would let me. “Is this a standard? Is it harder to drive than an automatic?"

  I hadn't been this chatty all day, but even though Havock was a jerk, I felt comfortable with him. Well, more comfortable than I had all day. Maybe it was because it was just the two of us.

  "Is it a standard?" He laughed as he moved the stick thingy then started smoking again. "And what might have given that away?" He rolled his eyes and flicked ashes out the window.

  "It was just a question. I've never driven before," I mumbled as I looked out the window.

  "Of course you haven't."

  “Why did you say it like that?” I asked as I looked at him in confusion.

  “S-p-o-i-l-e-d.” He flicked the ashes from his cigarette out the window again and turned up the radio at the same time. He continued to drive with his knee as he pulled out his phone and started texting.

  I didn't respond. I stopped watching him drive because it was going to give me a heart attack. As we drove by my house my heart clenched, then I froze. Charlie? "Charlie!" I yelled. "Stop! Stop the truck!" I begged. I tried the door knob, but it wouldn't open.

  He slammed on his breaks cursing. I noticed him slapping his knee then saw the cigarette burning through his jeans. "DAMMIT!" He shouted as he hopped out of the truck, forgetting to put it in park. I jumped out his door right before his truck drove itself right into a tree.

  "Nooo! Shit, shit, SHIT!" Havock hurried over to his truck and got in to cut off the engine.

  He pulled his phone from his pocket. "Garrett?!" I heard him say as he started walking down the road.

  I didn't care. I took off running towards my house. I froze when I got closer and saw Charlie, my lab, dead on the front porch. I looked around and saw the police tape surrounding my house.

  Tears fell down my face. "Charlie?" I backed away and my whole body shook as my eyes stayed locked on my baby. My best and only friend besides my dad.

  I noticed Havock with his upper body inside the driver side pushing the truck away from the tree. Once he got it far enough away he popped the hood. Smoke filled the air from the engine.

  He looked up at me then at Charlie. He rolled his eyes then started working on his truck.

  I stormed over to his truck and pushed him away from the engine. I may have not known how to drive, but I could fix most problems in a vehicle. I leaned over, and only after a few adjustments, the truck was fixed.

  “You didn't know if my truck was a standard or not, but you can fix it? I'm confused.”

  "I was making conversation," I said as I started to walk off.

  About that time a super clean nice Ford pulled up. A guy rolled down his window. "Reese Johnson?"

  I kept walking. Tears started to fall down my face and my heart clenched. As long as Charlie had been alive, I had believed dad was too. Dad had gone out hunting that morning taking Charlie with him. But Charlie lay dead on the porch. My eyes cut to the guy as I tried to focus on what was happening around me, not the pain that filled my heart.

  His eyes found Havock and he laughed. “Let me guess, my little bro was being an ass?"

  "No, he was fine," is all I said as I kept walking. I looked down at my greasy hands and noticed them shaking.

  He followed in his truck slowly with his arm hanging out the window. "Get in. I'll bring you to the house. Havock and his piece of shit can follow."

  "It's a nice truck," I mumbled then looked back at the porch. I closed my eyes and tried to block out the sight but couldn't. I covered my ears as I hit the ground. Tears poured down my cheeks. I couldn't do this. I wanted my dad! I wanted this nightmare to end.

  I felt hands on my shoulders and could smell a light scent of nicotine. Havock didn't speak. He probably wasn't sure how to handle someone like me. I felt myself being lifted then placed into a truck. The door banged shut, and I felt heat coming from the vents on my hands and face. The truck slowly eased into motion, and I could tell we were driving away. The engine was too quiet. I knew I had to be with Garrett.

  "You can relax, you know. You'll be safe with us," Garrett said in a calm tone. His voice carried a southern drawl heavier than most around this redneck town.

  I could hear the loud roar of Havock's truck following closely behind us. "I just want my dad," I whispered, pain etched in my voice. I opened my eyes and looked out the window and wiped the tears as I tried to get control. He didn't respond. The awkwardness was too much for him to handle. It was for everyone.

  "It was my fault Havock hit the tree," I said softly as I tried to take some of the awkwardness away.

  His lips curled then a wide smile spread across his face. He started laughing. "I highly doubt that. Mom named him well."

  I tried to smile a little, but it didn't take. "I think I scared the shit out of him."

  He looked at me and smiled. He turned his attention back to the road then flipped his blinker towards the right. Garrett was tall. The dark haired, shockingly handsome type of guy. The one girls probably acted ridiculously stupid over.

  He pulled along side the curb in front of a two story blue house.

  "It's not what you're use to, but it's home." He got out and came around to help me out.

  I frowned at him. I didn't understand why people kept saying things like that. Like Havock calling me princess. "I like it," I said softly as I got out of the truck. I pulled at my skirt making sure it was down all the way.

  Garrett towered over me like Havock did. I inherited my mom's genes. Short and curvy.

  We started to walk in. I looked over my shoulder and saw Havock smoking as he leaned against his truck with earbuds in. He used his free hand to drum a beat on the hood of his truck.

  "He's a loner. He doesn't like people. Just ignore him," Garrett said as he unlocked the door.

  "That I understand," I mumbled as I entered the house. I looked around taken in by the homey feel of the place. I loved it. Honestly, although I loved my dad dearly, our home felt so cold. Especially, when he would be gone, and I was alone. It was honestly my own personal prison. I cursed myself in my head for thinking that. Dad just wanted to keep me safe and after mom died, he let it all go to hell. He hurt too badly.

  Garrett chucked his backpack near the door then kicked off his shoes. "I'm going to raid the fridge. Mom said you get the guest room. It's up the stairs, first door on the right."

  I nodded then slowly made my way up the stairs. I opened the door and walked in. I slowly sat down on the window seat and looked around the bright room.

  It was very beautiful and clean. The comforter was white with red roses on it. The walls were whit
e with the same type of roses etched around the ceiling.

  There was a bookcase filled with books and a built in entertainment center with a TV and DVD player. I loved it, but it wasn't mine. All my stuff, all my clothes, my pictures, weren't here.

  I sighed and slipped off my shoes. I crossed my legs and adjusted my skirt. If I didn't do something to occupy my mind I was going to break down again. I pulled out my books and started working on my homework.

  HAVOCK

  I felt dad kick my leg from under the table. I didn't acknowledge him. He did it again. I cut my eyes at him. He smiled and my face remained emotionless. This was stupid. Inviting a girl that had so many demons locked away and now she was bringing the shit into our home. And what if someone wanted her dead? They'd find out she was here and we'd all be in danger. Mom didn't think this through. I stabbed my fork in my steak and stared at as it stood on its own.

  "Garrett how was school today?" Mom asked trying to distract everyone from me.

  "Pretty good," he said with his mouth full.

  "Havock?" Mom asked hesitantly.

  I looked at her and raised a brow. "Seriously?" I wasn’t in the mood to play a scene from Full House.

  "Answer your mother without the attitude," dad said in a warning tone.

  I put a fake smile on my face. "It was awesome!" I said with fake enthusiasm.

  Dad face palmed.

  Mom's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. She looked at Reese sympathetically. "How are you, Dear? You doing alright, considering?"

  "I'm okay, thank you for asking Mrs. Johanna," she said quietly, politely, and with a small smile. She looked back at her plate and pushed her food around. "Mrs. Johanna?"

  "Yes, dear?" Mom pushed her plate away and scooted her chair a little closer to Reese. Mom couldn't get enough of helping others. She craved it.

  "I don't mean to be a bother, but what am I supposed to wear to school tomorrow?" She asked as her face turned red. She avoided looking at anyone.

  I laughed out loud because of the inappropriate thoughts running through my mind. I had a suggestion, but I doubted anyone at the table would appreciate it.

  "A few of my friends and I went shopping for you on our lunch break. You may not like a thing we bought, but it'll get you by until I can take you shopping." Mom's face lit up with excitement.

  "Thank you," she said softly. "I'm sure it's all fine. I'm not very picky."

  The daughter mom never had. How exciting. I rolled my eyes.

  "May I be excused? I need to finish my homework." Reese asked without looking at anyone.

  “But you've barely touched your food." Mom's face was pitiful. "Was it not good? I can cook you something else if you'd like." Mom was already standing to her feet to head to the kitchen. Reese's wish was her command. It was nauseating.

  "No it was fine," Reese said. Her face reddened. "The medicine keeps me from being very hungry. I'm sorry."

  Mom sat back down. "That's right. Sorry sweetie, I forgot. But that does remind me. I stopped by the pharmacy today and picked up your prescription. I left everything in the top drawer in your room. You should be set for a while."

  “Thank you.”

  Princess was on meds. I was sure it was a high dose of Xanax or some other medication that helped the crazy.

  I smiled inwardly as I caught a glimpse of her ass as she walked out of the kitchen. Dad gave me a warning glare. I smiled back at him. Looking wasn't hurting anything. And if I was going to go along with all this I'd have fun while doing it.

  Garrett must have got the same view by the expression on his face. He gave me an approving nod. I laughed.

  Mom looked confused. "Did I miss something?"

  "Need help cleaning the kitchen?" Dad asked, quickly changing the subject.

  Mom nodded as tears filled her eyes. "Could you please act like I raised you right while she's with us?" She asked me. "She needs normal right now."

  "Normal? Not sure if she even knows what normal is, mom," I scoffed. Could this get any stupider?

  "Just try to make this easier on her. Please," she begged.

  I groaned and nodded slightly.

  Mom smiled. "Not the enthusiastic response I'd like, but I'll take it." She stood, grabbing a few plates on her way to the sink. Dad followed after her.

  "At least she's not ugly," Garrett snickered as we headed to the living room. No she wasn’t. She was so damn gorgeous, and it annoyed the hell out of me because I knew I couldn’t touch her. Ever.

  I heard soft footsteps on the stairs and looked to see Reese coming down. She went into the dinning room and grabbed the rest of the dishes then headed into the kitchen.

  I plopped on the couch and propped my feet up on the back. "Mom has a new best friend. They'll be doing hair and nails. It'll be fabulous," I said in a girly tone.

  Garrett burst out laughing at me. "She's scared as hell. Mom is right; we need to be on our best behavior. Well, you need to be."

  "That doesn't sound like fun."

  He laughed and shook his head. "Just try, idiot."

  He turned up the TV and zoned out. I looked up at the ceiling. I wasn't a bad person. I just didn't do fake or cover up my feelings for the sake of someone else. I was real.

  I needed to smoke in a bad way. Mom would bitch if I did it while she was up. She knew that I smoked, but she said she never wanted to actually witness the cancer stick in my mouth. Mom gave up telling me what to do a long time ago. I pierced my own lip after she told me I couldn't get it done, she signed for me to get a tattoo when I threatened to find some bootleg tattoo artist to do it, and she stopped telling Garrett to quit buying cigarettes for me because she knew I'd get them from someone else anyway.

  Okay, so maybe I was a troublesome teen. I laughed.

  Reese came out of the kitchen and looked at the TV for a moment before heading back up the stairs.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket.

  Jude: Heard through the grapevine you have a new sister.

  Me: Gotta love a small town...

  Jude: WTF dude?! That is so messed up.

  Me: Yeah, well...

  Jude: What are you gonna do?

  Me: ?

  Jude: With her?

  I grinned.

  Jude: Wait don't answer that. I opened myself up for that one.

  Me: lol

  Jude: is she a spoiled bitch?

  Me: Can't answer that yet. It's the first day.

  I stuck my phone back in my pocket and sat up. I ran my hands through my hair and stared blankly at the TV. My foot started tapping impatiently. Mom would just have to bitch.

  I slipped on my shoes and went out to my truck. I should've grabbed my hoodie. It was freezing.

  I opened my glove box and grabbed my lighter and cigarettes. I sat on the hood that's all bent and stared down at the hole in my jeans reminding me that Reese was nothing but trouble.

  I looked up towards her window and saw her bare back. She had forgotten to shut her curtains. Thankfully.

  She slipped off her skirt next. I changed my mind about this whole arrangement. Mom was my favorite person right now.