I exhale, listening to his motorbike roar off into the distance. Everything about him is so damn sexy—he should be illegal. He makes my panties twist into all sorts of knots. Amazing, spine-tingling knots. The knots that bring on all sorts of moaning and panting and grinding. The knots that make me want to …
“Earth to Laura!” Mel snaps her fingers in my face. “Anyone home?”
I can’t stop beaming at her. Like, I just can’t. My face feels like it’s about to split in two I’m grinning so widely. “I didn’t know it was possible to feel like this. I didn’t know it was possible to be touched like that. I didn’t know it was …”
Now I’m get teary just thinking about it. I’m practically swooning I’m so giddy. I feel like I’ve been on holiday for a year, and all my subscriptions have been cancelled. “Is this what love feels like? Because I want to spend every second with him,” I gush. “Three days felt like three seconds. I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight, not having him next to me. Oh my god. What’s happened to me?”
“Oh babe!” she squeals, rushing towards me and bundling me into her arms. “You did it!”
“Did what?” I gurgle with laughter. “I can hardly remember anything. Everything is a sweet, sticky blur of honey, strawberries, and stardust.”
“You got out of the way of yourself!” she laughs. “I’m so happy for you, sweetie. Honestly, it’s the best news ever. You deserve to be happy. That’s all I was trying to do by setting you up with Trent.”
I smile, wiping a tear from my eye. “I know,” I exhale. “Do you think it’s real, though? Do you think it’s love? Is this what it’s meant to feel like? ‘Cause I’ve never felt like this before. Never, ever. And it’s like nothing I could have ever dreamed of.”
“Well, I don’t want to jump the gun,” she giggles, “but whatever it is, you’ve got it pretty bad!”
“I do!” I squeal, holding my face between my hands, “I feel like I need to take a pill or something. My whole body feels so alive; it’s like I’ve been dead all this time.”
Mel squeals again, her eyes filling with tears. “Look what you’re doing to me, girl. I’m so excited for you, and I can’t wait to hear all the juicy details, but first, there’s something else we’re gonna have to deal with.”
“What, why?” I whine, rubbing my eyes. “I’m exhausted. I just want to have a shower, curl up with you on the couch, and tell you everything. So whatever it is—credit card bills or search parties we need to call off—can’t we just deal with it tomorrow?”
Normally, her expression wouldn’t worry me, but there’s just something about the way she looks at me that makes me think something is wrong. The problem is, I’m so tired and loved up that I’ve forgotten how to worry.
I giggle softly, giving her one last squeeze as I slip past her. “I’m gonna take a shower, babe. If I’m not out in five, please come and check that I haven’t slipped down the drain.”
“Laura …” Her voice is strained as she grabs my hand and pulls me back to face her. “I’m really sorry, babe. But we have to talk about this now. I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up, and I didn’t know what else to do.”
My red-faced monkey wakes up, pulls my heart out of my chest, and gleefully drops it to the ground. “About what?” I gulp. “Is everything okay? It’s not Dad, is it?”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s got nothing to do with your family. Everyone is fine. Please just remember, whatever happens, I’m here for you. And you never have to do anything you don’t want to, okay? Just be strong.”
I look into her bright blue eyes, but they’re not sparkling anymore. They’re full of fear.
“Mel,” I whisper, leaning towards her face, “what’s wrong? I don’t understand.”
But before she can answer, the back door at the end of the long, dark corridor slams shut behind me. I jump. But I’ve always startled easily. I blame that on my monkey. Her eyes grow wider. She’s not even blinking now.
“Shoot,” I giggle, squeezing her hand tightly. “Don’t worry; it’s just the wind.”
But it wasn’t the wind. Far from it. A heavy hand pushes down on my shoulder, and in that split second, my world shatters.
“Hello, dollface.”
His voice hits me like a million knives straight through my heart. The last time I heard his voice in person, it was panting another girl’s name. I can’t believe it. He wouldn’t come here. He wouldn’t travel all this way. I must be dreaming. I’m overtired; I’m not thinking straight. I must have already fallen asleep, and this is all just some silly nightmare.
I try to swallow, but my throat’s too dry. I blink once and then again. Wake up, Laura. Wake up. Monkey is just playing games with me; that’s all this is. Mel’s hand slips through my fingers as I spin around on my heels. I never should have turned. I should have grabbed her and ran. I should have called Ash sooner. I should have invited him inside. But hindsight’s a bitch, ‘cause it’s all too late now. I chose to turn, and now I must face reality.
“Hugo.” My voice cracks.
It’s been months, but it feels like minutes. He looks exactly the same as he always did. The all-American hunk—that’s what most girls would say. I know I always did. Tall, tanned, and muscular. A thick crop of blonde, wavy hair falling down and over his dark brown eyes. Always clean-shaven. Always dressed by some designer.
Tonight, he’s wearing black dress pants and a crisply ironed powder blue shirt. He looks immaculate. Not a drop of ink on his body or a callous on his hand. He’s never done a hard day’s work in his life. He never had to. Mommy and Daddy gave him everything he ever wanted. He never learned the meaning of the word “no.” No one ever dared refuse him. He’s the oldest son, after all. And he’ll be left with everything that precedes him. Diamonds, wealth, sports cars … it’s all just waiting for him. It’s all just a matter of time. If he wants something, he always gets it. He knows no other reality.
“What … what are you doing here?”
“No, dollface,” he smiles warmly, scooping me up and into his arms. “I ask the questions. Where have you been? I’ve been waiting here for over two hours.”
“You have?” I squeak from under his embrace.
“Yes, my darling,” he laughs. “I was about to phone your parents I was so worried about my little girl.”
“Put me down, Hugo.” I stammer. “What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
He sets me back down on the ground, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Yes, it appears that way. Look how disheveled you are. You look like you’ve been hiking in the mountains. What happened to your straightener?”
I cross my arms. “Why does it matter?”
“Oh, Laura,” he laughs, “don’t be such a sourpuss. You know I like you to look a certain way.”
I grit my teeth. I know it’s not good for them, but he makes me do that. “Why are you here?” I ask again. “I don’t understand.”
“I wanted to surprise you, that’s all.”
“You came all this way just to surprise me? That’s a hell of a long way.”
He sniggers. “Now, now. Don’t get your back up. If you must know, I found it hard to believe that you left town without me. I didn’t think my little girl would ever be brave enough to cross the street, let alone travel a million miles away.”
“Well I did, okay? I fucking left.”
His lips pull into a straight line, and I can tell he’s not happy. I never swear. I never do anything around him, but I especially don’t cuss. Not on the phone. Not in person. Never in front of him.
“But why did you leave? It makes no sense. Are you not feeling well, Laura? Should I take you to see someone?”
I haven’t been to a counselor in years. I don’t need to go to one anymore. Those issues were dealt with long, long ago. “Why did I leave? Mmm. Is that a trick question?” I laugh like a wild parrot. “Have you lost your mind?” I chirp, pushing past his body. “Don’t you remembe
r what happened?”
“Are you trying to tell me you threw a hissy fit and left town without one word to your fiancé, all because of her?”
“What do you think, Einstein? Of course it’s about her! She was sucking your knob like it was a bar of chocolate.”
He leans back, a wry smile contorting his lips. “I told you; you weren’t meant to see that, doll.”
“What?” I yell. “So what, we were just going to keep planning our wedding, even though every time my back was turned you were with someone else?”
He shrugs. “I’m your forever love, remember? She’s just another girl. You know, the nasty girl I can try out all the things I would never dream of doing to you.”
Tears well in my eyes. How could he say such a thing after everything we went through? But I refuse to cry. I can’t. I’ve cried enough. I’ve cried oceans for him, and I’m done with it.
He sniggers, bending down to my face. “Darling? I’m sorry, have I upset you?”
“Get the fuck out of my life!” I yell, pushing him away from me.
“Where is all this language and attitude coming from?” he snarls, his eyebrows pulling together. “I don’t like it, Laura. I don’t like it one bit. This is not who you are.”
“Please just leave—got it?” I snap, pointing to the door. “I don’t want to see you again, Hugo. I thought I made that clear on the phone.”
His voice softens. “I don’t understand, dollface. What we have is forever. Remember? I love you, Laura. You’re my everything.”
I’m trying to be strong, but it’s an uphill climb. And now I’ve come across a river that’s about to burst its banks. “That’s what I thought too,” I whimper, “but you stuffed it all up, Hugo. The moment you let her suck your dick, you ended what we had.”
“So that’s all that’s got your panties in a bunch? One little blow job?”
“Well,” I stammer, my heart beating faster in my chest. “That’s all that happened with her, right?”
His face cracks into a smile, and he doesn’t even try to hide it.
“You slept with her as well?” My chin shakes. “Even after I walked in on you? How could you do that to me? I loved you.”
“Practice, baby. That’s all she is—that’s all they are. Practice so I can give you a better experience in the sack.”
“Get out of my life!” I hiss, pushing past him.
Mel smiles awkwardly. “I think you should go now, Hugo.”
“Stay out of this. This has nothing to do with you.”
“It’s over. You hear me?” I yell, tears welling in my eyes. “I don’t love you anymore.”
“But how can you say that and mean it?” he laughs. “You’re my little virgin. My beautiful, sweet Laura. The guy you wanted to be with for the rest of your life. You told me that every time I made love to you. Remember?”
“Things change,” I snarl, crossing my arms.
He drops his head to one side. “Things change? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re smart. You figure it out.”
“What, are you with someone else?”
I shrug, watching in delight as his face screws into a ball of anger. “What does it matter if I am?”
Beep. Beep.
My stomach does a flip the moment I hear it. There’s only one person in the entire world I want it to be. I pull my phone out of my pocket and glance down.
Ash: See you tmrw, beautiful. And don’t be surprised if I end up climbing through your window. I’d scale a million heights to get to you. Even if I slipped, it’d be worth it.
I can feel my stupid grin re-appear on my face, and I don’t even care. Why should I? What would be the point in that? Sheltering Hugo’s feelings? What about mine? Maybe for once in my life, I should put my feelings before his.
“Who’s that?” Hugo snarls as I slip my phone back into my pocket. “That’s him, isn’t it? The man who defiled my little daisy.”
“That’s none of your business,” I snort, flicking my hair behind my shoulder.
“Of course it’s my business. You’re mine, and I’m here to take you back.”
“Take me back?” I laugh. “I’m not yours. I’m not some object you can collect and put on your shelf along with all of your other conquests. Do you know how stupid you sound right now?”
But he’s not even listening to me. I’ve lost him in a fit of anger.
“What’s that on your neck?”
I giggle like a sixteen-year-old. “You know exactly what it is. And it’s not the only one.”
“Shut your mouth, you dirty little slut,” he spits, lunging forward and clutching my shoulders.
“Or what?”
“I’ll shut it for you, you stupid little bitch,” he growls, shaking me so violently I feel like my head is going to snap off.
“Let go of me!” I yell, but his grip on my shoulders becomes tighter. “Hugo, stop it! You’re hurting me!”
“Let go of her, you freak.” Mel raises her voice as she steps up behind him. “It’s time for you to pack up your circus and get the fuck out of town.”
“What you think, Mel…” he snarls, turning back to look at her, “means nothing to me, you trashy bimbo.”
“What did you say?”
He laughs. “You heard me. Now leave us alone.”
She purses her lips together, pointing to the door. “No, Hugo, you don’t seem to understand. This is my house, and I want you to leave. Right now.”
“Get out of my way,” he sneers, “before I knock you out.”
“Hah! You wouldn’t dare,” she laughs, rolling her bright blue eyes. “You’re all talk.”
“Oh, wouldn’t I? You wouldn’t be the first bitch I’ve slapped up, and knowing you, you’d probably enjoy it.”
“How dare you!” She steps forward, slapping him across the face. “Get out of my house this minute, or I’ll call the police!”
No one disrespects Hugo. He’s like some sort of an uncrowned king where I’m from. Everyone respects him. If they don’t, they quickly seem to disappear or say they have to leave town. I’m scared now. Scared out of my brain.
“Hugo,” I whisper, “she didn’t mean to do it. Don’t worry about it. Just take a deep breath. Let the anger pass through you.”
I want to run, but I’m frozen to the spot. I can’t look away from his eyes. They’re full of hatred. Full of something I’ve never seen before. “Hugo … please,” I whimper. “She made a mistake.”
But it’s like I don’t exist. My words are just white noise. He pushes her away from us with such force that her head slams back against the wall, and she collapses to the ground in a crumpled heap.
“Hugo!” I scream. “Oh my god, what have you done?”
“Don’t you dare touch her, Laura. She’ll come to at some point. And by then it won’t even matter.”
“What won’t matter?”
“It’s time to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. I live here now.”
“No,” he laughs, “you don’t understand. You lived here. Past tense.”
“I can’t just leave.”
“I’ve got your cello. What more do you need?” He grabs onto my wrist and pulls me towards the back door.
“No, Hugo, I told you. I’m not coming with you.”
“It’s not your choice to make, Laura. We’re leaving. Now come along.”
“I’m not leaving Mel like this! She could be really injured. What if she dies?”
“Can you hear yourself? Stop trying to fucking rescue everyone. She’s not a sick little bird. She’ll be fine.”
“Melissa!” I cry out, pulling away from him and rushing over to her. “Mel, can you hear me?” She groans against the floor, cradling her head with her hand. “Are you okay, babe? Please just tell me you’re okay.”
“Don’t talk to her, you stupid bitch. What did I tell you? It’s time to go.” He grabs me up and tosses me over his shoulder like a rag doll.
/> “Put me down!” I scream, kicking as hard as I can.
“I don’t want to hurt you, but you’re not making it easy on yourself.”
I kick against him like I’m learning to swim and thrash around like a shark out of water. And if I can just kick …
“You little bitch!” he yells, dropping me to the ground. Somehow I got him. Right between the legs.
My heart thumps in my head so loud I can hardly think, but now’s my chance. I pull out my phone, stumbling to my feet as I run towards the front door. My hands are shaking, but all I have to do is speak with him. I scroll through the phone and hit “call.” Pick up. Ash. Pick up.
Urban Climber Page 11
