Dirty Roomie

by Alycia Taylor

  I got back to the apartment and looked around. It was strange being back after being on tour for so long. Even though it wasn’t my home, I still wouldn’t have minded a few days to relax. But we were off to Florida the very next day, so all I had time to do was shower, eat and sleep. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get any sleep though. Not unless I spoke to Riley. I was just about to phone her when my phone rang. My heart leaped. Perhaps Dominic had found a way to get through to her. I didn’t recognize the number though.

  “Hello?”

  “Silas. It’s Able.”

  “Oh hey Able. Good to hear from you again. You looking for your box?”

  “Yes, I’m looking for your box. Where is it?”

  What the hell? Why was he so angry at me? I shook my head. “Whoa. What’s going on, Able? Why are you so angry? I’m not even home right now.”

  “I know you’re not home. I’m at your home.”

  “You are? You’re at the house? How do you know where I live?”

  “Oh, come on. It doesn’t take a genius to find these things out. Now, if you don’t give me the box right now, I’m going to do something you’re going to regret.”

  Able had never spoken to me like that before. I suddenly understood why people were so scared of him. And where was the box? I had left it in the house, but then Dominic had cleared out all my stuff. Did Dominic have it? Was it still there?

  “What’s in the box?” I asked. Something very important must be there if he was acting this way around me.

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Able, you don’t have to talk to me in that way. We’re friends. Aren’t we? Anyway, I’m not at home at the moment. I’m not sure where the box is right now, but I’m sure I can find out.”

  “Listen to me right now, Silas. That box is important. I gave it to you to keep safe. You weren’t supposed to run off like that and leave it. How dare you do that.”

  “What? How dare I leave your box? What’s going on? What’s in the box? And why are you so angry?” I asked.

  “If you want to see your girlfriend alive again, then you will get back here immediately and give me the damn box.”

  “Riley? You have Riley?” I said in a panic. My blood ran cold as I pictured him alone with her. “You leave her out of this. This has nothing to do with her. You hear me. I swear Able, you better—”

  “Just get me the box, Silas,” he interrupted and then cut the call. I tried to call back, but it didn’t go through. Then I tried to call Riley, but the phone just rang.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Riley

  I spent the morning with Paisley. She wanted to cheer me up, so she took me out for breakfast and then out to get my hair done. I hadn’t treated myself in a long time, and it was nice to get some pampering done. It obviously didn’t take away from what had happened, but it did make me feel a little bit better.

  “You see, I told you that you would feel better after this,” she said. The two of us were now sitting at Ruben’s café having a cup of coffee on the house.

  I smiled at her. “You’re a good friend, Paisley. Thank you for all of this. And you’re right. I do actually feel better.”

  “Good. And you look gorgeous.”

  I chuckled. “It’s amazing how good it feels to have nice hair. Who knew I would care so much?”

  “You’re beautiful, Riley. So, now that you’re feeling so good, why don’t you let me hook you up with someone? Ruben has some very gorgeous looking friends.”

  “I heard that,” he said as he walked by, but he smiled so I could see he wasn’t really upset with her.

  She chuckled. “Not as gorgeous as Ruben of course,” she said loudly. “But seriously, why don’t you let me organize something. We can go on a double date even?”

  I shook my head. “Ah, I don’t know, Paisley. It’s a little soon.”

  “Is it though? Don’t you deserve some happiness? You should go out and enjoy yourself. Why should he stop you from having fun? It’s not fair that he did this to you, Riley. You know, he tried to call me again yesterday.”

  I groaned. “Yeah, he tried to call me too. I just left it. I don’t want to talk to him. I mean, what exactly can he say? I was there. I saw it with my own eyes. All he’s going to tell me is lies. Or he’s going to apologize to me. Or he’s going to tell me that he was never in love with me. None of those are responses I particularly want to hear from him.”

  “Will you at least consider it? It doesn’t even have to be a proper date. It can just be for fun. No pressure or anything.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, I’ll consider it. I promise. Just not right away.”

  “Okay, just don’t let him win, Riley. I know you’re sad, but you have to move on. You have to show him that you can live without him. And you can, you know.”

  “Yeah,” I nodded. “You’re probably right. Okay, give me a little time and then set something up. I can’t say my heart will be fully into it. But I will at least try. I can promise you that.”’

  “That’s all I ask for. So, do you want to come back to my place after this?” she asked. “We can ditch Ruben and spend the night watching movies and drinking wine.”

  “I heard that!” he said, and we both laughed.

  I shook my head. “I think I’m going to just stay in and do some illustrations. I’ve been neglecting them lately, and I want to get back into them.”

  “Good idea. You know, a part of me thinks you should’ve kept that money. I still think the idea for the troubled teens was a good idea.”

  “It is a good idea, and I’m going to do it regardless. But I won’t use his money. I’m going to save up my own money to make it happen. Even if that takes years. I’ll feel better knowing that I did that on my own. I won’t be happy knowing it was his money. It would be like he still had a hold on me. He has his own life now. His big shot singing career to attend to. He doesn’t need me, and I don’t need him. It’s time to move on.”

  “Good for you, Riley. And I’m glad you’re not giving up on this dream. I think you can make it work without him.”

  “I think so too.”

  “Well then, if you’re not coming back to my place, I think I’m going to hang around here and bug Ruben some more,” she said.

  I laughed. “Good idea. Be a difficult customer and then don’t leave him a tip.”

  She giggled. “Oh, I’ll give him a tip all right. But much later.”

  “Paisley! Have the two of you finally done it?”

  She blushed. “Shhh. Not so loud. You know he’s trying to listen in.”

  “He’s talking to a customer. It’s okay. We’re safe. Tell me!”

  “I . . . I didn’t want to say anything. I mean, you’re going through a tough time.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to know about your life! In fact, it will make me feel better. So, tell me!”

  She giggled and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “And?”

  “Amazing. Totally worth the wait. Different from usual. I mean, it was special. I’ve never really had special sex before. It meant so much more.”

  “I’m so happy for you. Okay, girls’ night soon so I can hear all the details without anyone around.”

  “Deal!”

  I hugged them both goodbye and made my way back to my car. I was happy for her, but I couldn’t help but think about what she had said about the sex being special. That was what I had thought about Silas. It had been special with him too. How could he turn his back on something so special? Or had it been special for him at all? Maybe that was just the way he was with all the girls. I sighed. Maybe I really should let Paisley set me up with one of Ruben’s friends. I needed to get my mind off Silas and sitting at home was more than likely not going to do it. Especially with his room sitting there all empty now.

  I decided to take the long way home, just to clear my mind. I drove around for another half an hour, the window down as I let the fresh air rush through the ca
r. It was nothing like being on a motorcycle, but it would just have to do. I remembered that the motorcycle was still sitting in the garage. For the past few months, I had been cleaning it and making sure that it remained shiny and spotless for when he got back. But now I didn’t want to see it anymore. Perhaps Dominic would come back and collect it.

  When I got home, I saw a car in the driveway and immediately thought it was Dominic. Although the car was different and there was no way he’d be able to take the motorcycle in it. I pulled up next to it, and when I got out, I saw a big burly man get out. He was covered in tattoos, dressed in black, and had one of the hardest faces I had ever seen on a man. I gulped and almost backed away. But I had always promised myself never to judge a book by its cover, so I went forward regardless.

  “Uh, hi, can I help you?” I said.

  “You live here?”

  “I sure do. Do I know you?”

  “I’m looking for Silas.”

  “Oh,” I said. “He doesn’t live here anymore.”

  “Are you covering for him or something? I know he lives here,” the man said.

  “Uh, sorry, but who are you?” I asked. I was officially starting to feel nervous now. The man was glaring at me, and his dark brown eyes had no trace of kindness to them. Why was Silas hanging out with a man like this?

  “Let me call Silas.”

  “Uh, okay, well I’m going to go inside then. I hope you find him.”

  “No. You will wait right here,” he said.

  I waited while he called Silas and listened nervously to the exchange between them. I couldn’t hear what Silas was saying, but I didn’t like the way this man was talking to him.

  “If you want to see your girlfriend alive again then you will get back here immediately and give me the damn box,” he said.

  I was just about to scream when he put a hand over my mouth and told me that he would shoot me if I shouted. I believed him, so I just nodded and prayed that he would let me go. He told me to get in the car and then drove off, ignoring my pleas. He drove for about twenty minutes, but it felt like hours, and during that time he didn’t say a word to me. It was only when we got back to his place that he finally opened his mouth.

  “Why the fuck didn’t we go to your place?” he said.

  “Uh . . .”

  He shook his head. “I’m such an idiot. We should’ve gone to your place. That’s where the box is anyway, isn’t it? Or have you guys done something with it? Have you hidden it? Have you sold it? I told him not to open the box. The idiot! I thought I could trust him.”

  The box? What was he talking about? “Uh, I don’t know,” I said meekly.

  “You don’t know? Of course you know. The two of you are in cahoots. Aren’t you? Just like him to bring a stupid girl into the mix. So, what did you do with the box? This would all be so much easier for you if you just told me the truth.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t know anything about a box.”

  “Of course you do. Don’t lie to me!”

  “I’m not lying. I swear. I honestly have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “Silas knows. I gave him the box to look after. Did he tell you anything about it then? Didn’t you see a box?”

  I shook my head. What the hell had I gotten myself into? I should’ve gone back to Paisley’s house for the night. Why hadn’t I said yes to her?

  “I didn’t see a box. And Silas didn’t tell me anything. We’re not even talking right now. He moved out.”

  “The thing is, how can I believe you?”

  “Please, you have to believe me. I haven’t done anything!”

  “So are you saying that Silas did it then?”

  “No!” I said. I suddenly felt desperate to stick up for Silas. I didn’t know who this man was or why Silas was in trouble with him but I knew that Silas wasn’t a bad person. He might have kissed another girl, but he wasn’t bad. I knew that the only person that I was to be scared of was this man in front of me. “Silas is innocent.”

  “Ha! Of course you would say that. Okay, let’s see if your innocent boyfriend cares enough about you to come and get you then, shall we?”

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” I said.

  He laughed. “Well, then you’re in even more trouble. I don’t like liars, and I don’t like people who take things that do not belong to them.”

  I didn’t know what to say or what to do. I didn’t even know what he was talking about. I kept quiet and looked down. A tear fell down my face and dripped onto my knees. The man laughed when he saw that I was crying. He started calling me weak and told me that Silas didn’t have too long to come and get me.

  “Your days are numbered, my pretty girl. Or, you know, you could just tell me where the box is.”

  I was trembling now. My legs seemed to have taken on a life of their own. “I don’t know anything about a box,” I said. Why couldn’t he hear that I was telling the truth?

  He laughed. “Well then, I guess your fate is now in the hands of the man you say is not your boyfriend. Will he save the day?”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Silas

  I called Garren immediately and told him that I had to pull out of the tour for a while. He was upset until I told him what was going on. The moment he heard that Riley was in danger, he told me that I had to go and sort it out. He seemed distraught, and I was happy to hear that he was on my side.

  “I know I’ve been pushing you, Silas. It’s only because you’re talented and everyone wants to hear more from you. But this is far more important. Family and loved ones come first. And I know how much this girl means to you. But what is going on? Do you know this man?”

  “I know him, and I have a package from him. Well, I just stored it at home when I left. But I have no idea what it is. I wouldn’t have taken it if I thought there was something strange going on. I know lots of people don’t like this guy, but he’s always been good to me. I guess that’s what you get for being too trusting. Listen, I have to go. Please explain to the guys for me. I’ll keep you posted and will get back as soon as possible.”

  “Good luck, Silas. Let me know if you need any help. And be careful. Please. This guy sounds dangerous.”

  “I don’t think he’s dangerous,” I said. “But I think maybe he’s gotten messed up in something he can’t get out of. I don’t know. But I’m going to phone my brother so that we can deal with him together. I won’t be alone.”

  After that, I called Dominic up and explained what was going on. He told me that he was going to do some digging to find out what was going on and to find out where Able was. He told me to call him the moment I got back home. I called the airport and thankfully managed to get a flight out almost immediately.

  The flight home wasn’t long, but it still seemed like the longest time of my life. With every passing minute, I kept wondering what was happening to Riley. I kept calling her but couldn’t get through. I thought of calling up Paisley, but I didn’t want to get too many people involved in case it worked against me. I didn’t want to anger Able any more than I had already.

  “Nervous to fly?” the woman next to me said.

  My legs had been shaking uncontrollably since I’d gotten into the plane. I looked at her and smiled. She reminded me so much of Annie.

  “I’m okay. Just a few things I have to sort out when I’m back. I’m nervous about that. I just want this flight to hurry up.”

  She patted my arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll get there soon. You’ll sort things out.”

  I liked that she didn’t ask me what was going on. A simple encouragement and a nice smile went a long way. I thanked her. A little bit later, I saw her looking at me with a frown on her face.

  “Everything okay?” I said to her.

  “You know, you just look so familiar to me. But I can’t place it.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe I just have one of those faces.”

  “What’s your name, son?” she asked.

&nb
sp; “Silas. Silas Aarons.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re that singer!” she gasped.

  It was the first time someone had recognized me in public. I had dreamed of this moment my whole life, and now that it was here I didn’t care for it at all. But she seemed like such a nice lady. I smiled at her.

  “Uh, yeah, that’s me.”

  “Oh my darling boy, you have quite the voice on you. I heard you on the radio the other day. And then, when I turned on the TV this morning, there you were again. What a nice surprise to be sitting next to you. Would you mind if you signed something for me? My daughter thinks you’re just amazing.”

  “Of course,” I said. “Actually, I have one of those Polaroid cameras. My manager gave one to me as a gift. Let’s take a photo together. I’ll sign that.”

  I took the photo and waited for it to print. She squealed with delight as the photo came alive on the paper, and once it was dry, I signed it and handed it back to her.

  “You’re a wonderful lad. Whatever is going on, I hope it’s not too serious.”

  I sighed. “I hope so too. Well, thanks for taking my mind off it. It’s been nice sitting next to you.”

  “Aren’t you just so sweet. Thank you. And look, we’re almost there!” she said.

  She took my hand and squeezed it as the plane finally came to land. I wasn’t sure if she was nervous or if she just wanted to comfort me, but either way, I just let it happen. As soon as the plane landed and we got off, I gave her a hug and then rushed off to call Dominic.

  “Meet us at Remo’s Café,” he said. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes or so. I have news.”

  I jumped into a cab and told him where to go. Remo’s Café was thankfully only a short drive away. When I arrived, I saw that Dominic was already there and he was sitting with some other guys from the motorcycle club that I hadn’t seen in years. I hurried over to them and sat down.

  “Hey, I got here as quick as I could. Hey, guys, I didn’t expect you to be here,” I said as I said hello to them all.

  “Silas, we have some news,” Dominic said. “We’ve done some digging, and it looks like Able has been running drugs out of the motorcycle club. That box you have is more than likely full of dope.”