The General Store: Where Innocence Goes to Die

by A. L. Moore

  “At the first of the summer, I thought you had a new guy,” I continued, my arms crossed over my chest as she eyed me curiously. “Do you remember that day?” I asked, pausing to examine her expression. “I do, because he almost hit me, leaving your driveway?”

  “Jayson almost hit you?” she asked surprised, her short jean shorts stretched to the max as she leaned across the bed.

  “Not Jayson,” I said, gathering my nerve. “Liam.”

  Her eyes widened, but she recovered quickly. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she insisted, tugging at the blanket.

  A door closed down the hall, and we both stopped talking.

  “Justice,” Liam bellowed. “Justice, where are you?”

  “In the bedroom,” I said, leaning just my head into the hall.

  “I was hoping you’d say that,” he said, spinning me around and kissing me into the room. “Why didn’t you come outside?”

  “I wanted to avoid the show,” I said, my back against the wall. “Tonya doesn’t need your help?”

  He kissed me again, his hands tight on my hips. “Don’t say her name,” he said against my skin. “I don’t even want to think about her. I just want you.”

  Robyn pushed by us to get out the door.

  “What’s her problem?” Liam asked, releasing me long enough to close the door.

  I sat down on the bed, trying to muster the courage to ask him about Robyn. “If I ask you something, do you promise to tell me the truth?”

  “Why don’t I like the sound of this,” he said skeptical, stepping between my bent knees. “What's up?”

  “Did you have something going on with Robyn before Jayson got out?”

  He shook his head, but there was a spark, a brief flash in his eyes that gave him away. “Not like you think.

  “Did she tell you that?”

  “I saw you at her house a couple of times,” I admitted sheepishly.

  “Right,” he said, rubbing my shoulders. “Do you really want to hear this?” I nodded, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. I wanted to stick my fingers in my ears like a toddler. “We hooked up a couple of times,” he said. “That was all there was to it.”

  The air left my lungs. “He’s your brother,” I said astounded at how cavalier he was being about the whole thing.

  “I know,” he said reluctantly. “It was stupid, and I’m not going to bore you with excuses, but seriously that’s all it was, just a hook up. She hooks up with everyone.” Apparently so did he.

  “Is that what you’re doing with me? Am I another hook-up for you, Liam?”

  He kissed my fingertips where my hands pressed firmly together. “Of course not.”

  “Prove it.” I wasn’t sure what I was asking him to do, but I needed him to do something. Anything. Being with Robyn was a secret, a betrayal of the worst kind in my book, and he was openly with Tonya. I wouldn’t be another pawn in his game. How long before I was the one pushed to the side for the new girl Tom hired?

  Holding my clasped hands to his chest, he said, “Go open the door and come back to me.” His eyes smoldered, alight with the challenge I presented. “That will clear things up in a hurry.”

  I knew immediately what he was thinking, and I wasn’t that brave. If Tyler didn’t kill us both, Robyn and Tonya would take turns tearing me apart.

  “Would you really do that?” I asked surprised, my chest burning at the thought of being with him so openly.

  “That’s up to you,” he said, running his thumb across my lips. “It might start World War III around here. Do you think you can handle that?”

  Robyn’s words echoed in my head, “Don’t let him play you for a fool.”

  Staring deeply into his soulful eyes, I called his bluff. “I’m game if you are.”

  My answer was clearly not what he expected. His voice was hesitant and uncertain when he answered. “If it were just Tonya, I wouldn’t think twice, but Ty is crazy,” he said, his hands rubbing the length of my arms. “They both are. If he hurt you…”

  “I don’t think he will,” I said, sliding my hands beneath his shirt sleeves, up to his shoulders. “He hasn’t made a move on me all night.”

  “It’s still early,” he scowled before kissing me slow and deep. “Let’s play it by ear for tonight.”

  I didn’t want to play it by ear. I didn’t want to play at all. That’s why I’d left Mason. Weren’t adults supposed to have things more together?

  ***

  We were coming down the hall when everyone else came through the back door. Robyn was in the living room, making clouds in the corner that smothered out the scent of the vanilla incense. Jayson and Tyler were arguing over who’d won whatever they’d wagered outside. I knew it was only a matter of time before Tonya spotted us. She had her t-shirt tied just below her ample chest, her blond hair breaking free from the rubber band that held it on top of her head. They were all sweaty. It was warm outside, but I knew it was more from the shooting than the heat. Liam gave my hand a tight squeeze and let it go. A sense of emptiness took its place. It didn’t seem to matter if I was here or not. I was just Liam’s distraction between scenes. An extra.

  “You keep disappearing on me tonight,” Tonya said, her abs glistening as she spotted us in the doorway.

  If she’d looked down a second sooner, we’d have been busted.

  She gave me a go-to-hell look as I tried to slip by without touching her. She didn’t make it very easy, not budging an inch. I wasn’t sure if it was because she was older or because of what Robyn had told me about her, but Tonya was extremely intimidating. I’d never been in a fight before, and I couldn’t imagine the feel of her jagged ring against my face would be a pleasant feeling.

  Robyn called my name as I started for the kitchen. I fanned the smoke, tripping over Jayson’s boots before I could clearly make her out. Jayson grabbed me before I face planted the table and pulled me into his lap.

  “What’s up?” Jayson asked, taking his sweet time sliding me over between him and Robyn. Robyn was too stoned to notice, and I was just tipsy enough not to care. “You alright?” he asked, playing with a strand of my hair.

  “I’m fine,” I said, glad to be hidden in the fog. I almost wished Liam had seen me in his brother’s lap.

  “Don’t let them get to you,” Robyn said, her eyes all but glazed over. “Don’t even think about what he’s doing with her when the bedroom door closes tonight.” I started to get up, but she grabbed my hand. “That didn’t come out right?” she laughed. “I just mean, they’re all scum. Not Tonya. The guys are scrum. Tonya’s just a slut,” she said, elbowing Jayson. Jayson’s only response was to grab her face and kiss her. I don’t think he heard a word she said.

  The smoke was starting to get to me. Jayson leaned over me. He and Robyn kissing directly in front of my face. I tried to scoot down and crawl under them, but it was impossible. Finally, Robyn sat up on her knees so that I could get behind her. I fanned the smoke away, surprised to find Liam alone. My eyes searched the rooms for Tonya’s bleached hair, but she wasn’t around.

  “Where you going,” Jayson said, reaching for my hand, his lips on Robyn’s neck.

  “I want to talk to Liam,” I said, shaking him off. “I’m not a damn ping pong ball,” I grumbled.

  I pushed through the cloud, bumping into Tyler. He nearly dropped the open rifle in his hand.

  “What’s up, Justice?” Tyler asked with a wicked grin, blocking my path to Liam. He seemed anxious. His eyes were jumpy, and his hand drummed too close to the trigger for my liking.

  “Just trying to get to the bathroom,” I invented, stepping around him only to fell his long, skinny fingers pulling me back.

  “I’ve got good news. The bedroom is ours if you want it,” he said, too quiet for Liam to hear. I tensed beneath his hand. “No pressure.” His hand ran the length of my arm. “If you aren’t interested, my sister will be a happy woman. She and Liam are next on the list.

  "What d
o you say?”

  “Can you give me a minute?” I asked, looking down the hall to see Tonya step out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair. She was clearly getting ready for bed. The thought was more than I could take.

  Those were my choices? Take on Tyler, or give Tonya the green light with Liam?

  I tried to get Liam’s attention, but he was turned away from me talking heatedly to Tonya. Tyler’s warm hand was on the back of my neck, beads of sweat dripping down my shirt. Before I knew what was happening, he was kissing me. His tongue forced into my mouth. Liam was watching when Tyler stopped. His face showed nothing. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Before he could react, Tonya pulled his hand toward the bedroom.

  “Hold up, Tonya,” Tyler called, his hand strong against the soft skin of my lower back.

  “She’s a tease, Ty,” Tonya said, cutting her eyes at me. “Give it up all ready. I’m tired. Or, I will be,” she said, looking back to Liam. Liam was looking at me.

  Everyone was watching. Even Robyn had coughed her way out of the smoke storm. Tyler’s body was hard against my waist. Jayson was eyeing me in a way I was fast becoming accustomed to in this cabin. I was fresh meat in a jungle of predators.

  I couldn’t take it anymore. I twisted out of Tyler’s grasp and went straight toward Liam. Liam’s eyes questioned my sanity all the way across the room, but he didn’t protest. He grinned a salacious grin when I reached him. His strong arms circled my waist right before I kissed him. I kissed him with everything I had. I kissed him like we were the only two people in the room. Like we were the only two people on the plant. It seemed like time froze as I ran my fingers into his long, thick hair. I had anticipated Tonya or Tyler tearing into us by now, but I was still alive and savoring every moment. Liam lifted me off the floor with one arm, pinning me to him, his fingers in my hair.

  Then, it was as if someone turned the volume up. Tonya's booming voice was belligerent, screaming and spraying spit in my face. Her face looked possessed by a demon as she charged, trying to get around Liam, to me. Liam planted his arm firmly on the wall next to me, blocking her path. Tyler stood frozen until Tonya charged again into Liam’s arm and fell backward. Then, Tyler came alive and rushed Liam. Jayson clearly didn’t agree with my actions, but he quickly stepped in to block Tyler. He was too late. Liam dodged Tyler’s fist, coming back with an upper cut to his nose. Tyler’s blood soaked into his hand, dripping onto the floor. Tonya sat breathless on the floor. Liam grabbed my hand and took off for the door. I didn’t look back to see whose footsteps were coming down the steps behind us. I just held on to Liam and closed my eyes.

  He didn’t stop until we were miles away, but when he did, he looked at me astonished.

  “You’re crazy,” he said, holding my face in his hands. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  “I couldn’t watch you go to bed with her,” I said, between kisses. “I’m not Robyn. I can’t be one of the many.”

  “You’re not,” he said fervently. “I promise you, Justice, you’re not.”

  “Do you think they’ll come after us?”

  “Oh yeah,” he said, both of us pausing to watch a passing car. “Tyler won’t let this go."

  Liam talked excitedly about what probably happened after we left. Recounting the shock he felt when I kissed him. I knew I should care about what he was saying, but I didn’t. Not when he was so close. My heart was beating too fast. It dawned on me that Robyn was right. I could’ve had anyone at that cabin tonight, including her boyfriend. I didn’t want them. Liam’s hands were the only ones I wanted on me. I couldn’t get enough of him.

  I didn’t stop to think about whose lips had been on his tonight. I stepped off the bike and climbed back on in front of him, chest to chest. I kissed him impatiently, stopping him mid-sentence and running my hands around his waist. He maneuvered us further away from the dark road.

  We would most likely go down in flames tomorrow, but that was all the more reason to enjoy the fire tonight.

  ***

  The wind rippled the black t-shirt that lay across the handlebars as Liam rolled the bike to the road. The sky was lighter now, a subtle pink, coloring the morning a new day. A day I hadn't anticipated coming. I'd wanted the night to last forever, but like most things found in darkness it was too quickly gone. Gone with it were the rush of adrenaline that had thundered through my veins in Liam's arms last night and the beauty in the hidden shadows of the night. In the sun, there was no hiding the knotted mess that was my hair or the dirt smeared clothes we'd slept in. There was only a sleep deprived Liam pushing a mud splattered bike up to a busy highway. The adrenaline that had kept me going last night was replaced with fear and regret. Fear for what was going to happen next and regret for more things than I could count on one hand. Looking just like we'd slept on the side of the road, we drove to a truck-stop diner for breakfast, and so Liam could charge his phone and call Jayson.

  Jayson answered on the first ring and said everyone was still asleep. He said Tyler had taken off right after we’d left and not come back. That didn’t sit well with Liam. He was worried Tom would get involved, again. I tried desperately not to think about what that could mean, tucked under his arm, sipping a cup of bad coffee.

  Liam arched a brow and smirked, not touching his plate of scrambled eggs. "It looks like we’re in some hot water," he said amused. "Does your plan go beyond seducing me on the highway, or should I take over from here?"

  I scoffed, "Seducing you?" Is that what I’d done? The very thought that I could seduce a man like Liam was ludicrous.

  I took another bite of toast, hoping to silent my rumbly stomach, and pushed the plate away. Liam gave my shoulder a squeeze and kissed my head.

  "Finished?” he asked.

  I nodded. The thought of having to eat another bite was making me nauseated. I was a nervous wreck and not for the obvious reasons. I knew my impending death by the hands of Tonya or Tyler was inevitable. What kept my face from matching the dirty, white walls of the run-down, old diner was the rough hand caressing my shoulder. What kept me from needing a paper bag to breathe in was the low voice in my ear. What kept me from hitching a ride with the first trucker who stopped, were the liquid brown eyes peering at me from over a chipped coffee mug. Liam was my paperweight.

  "That's good because you aren't going to be very hungry after you hear this.” All the humor was gone from his face. “Your parents know you aren't at Anna's."

  "How do you know?" I chocked, the coffee sloshing out of the mug as my hand released it.

  Liam grabbed the napkin dispenser and started mopping up my mess as it ran like a stream to the sticky, brown linoleum. "Because Robyn's mom called this morning and told Jayson. Your mom was at Robyn’s before daylight, looking for you. The whole neighborhood heard her."

  "Anna!" I said lividly. I couldn't believe she would do that. It had to of been Mason.

  "You better call her." Liam slid the phone across the table. "She may have already called the cops," he pointed out when I hesitated.

  "You really think," I said, chewing on my lip as my trembling fingers started to dial.

  Mom answered on the first ring, "Justice?"

  "Yeah, Mom, it's me."

  “Oh, thank God!” I could hear my Dad in the background. He was raving, incoherent. "Where are you?" she asked. "We’ve been worried sick.

  "I'm okay," I assured her quickly. "I'm with a friend."

  "Which friend?" she asked skeptically. The worry in her voice turned to anger. "I've talked to everyone in your contacts."

  "You don't know him, Mom." She was silent, her anxiety tangible through the phone. "But I'm fine,” I said in her silence. “I promise, and I’m sorry that I worried you.” Still, she said nothing. “I'll be home soon, okay?” Liam raised his eyebrows as I stared at the display to be sure she hadn’t hung up. “Mom?”

  Static popped from the phone and she said, “We’ll discuss this when you get home.” She hung up before I could respond, and ther
e was a note of finality in her voice that made me reconsider who my murderer would be today.

  "I'm dead," I said into my hands. "I'm going to kill Anna when I get my hands on her."

  "You've got her plotting murders now?" Jayson smirked, the chair he pulled from the counter scrapping against the floor as he flipped it around to our booth.

  "How'd you know where we were?" I asked anxiously, checking the parking lot for Robyn. If she knew where we were, Tonya probably did too.

  "Liam and I come here all the time," Jayson said, waving off the middle aged, blonde waitress that eyed him as if he were on the dessert menu. "I thought you kids might want to know I talked to Ty. He's still pissed about you knocking Tonya down," he smirked at Liam.

  "That's bullshit,” Liam seethed a tad too loud for the other customers. The couple coming in the door turned and left. “I didn't touch her."

  Jayson shrugged, taking a sip of my cold coffee. "He knows that, but he's got to have some reason to want to pound you, besides the real one.

  “Good show by the way," Jayson said, nudging my arm with a sly grin.

  I couldn’t help but remember the way he’d watched me last night. I moved infinitely closer to Liam’s side.

  “Tonya was practically foaming at the mouth to get out the door.” He paused, adding more sugar to my coffee. “Tyler nearly knocked her down, again, to get to you."

  "He doesn’t care about his washed-up sister,” Liam argued, handing the bill and a folded twenty to the curious waitress, without looking away from Jayson. “This whole thing's about Justice,” Liam insisted, pounding his fist on the table. “Tell him to bring his punk-ass over here, and we'll settle things once and for all."

  "You know Ty don't roll like that,” Jayson smirked. “He’s not going to come at you head-on.”

  "No, that would require some balls," Liam spit. "He's got to run home to Tom like a little bitch."

  Jayson nodded in agreement, crossing his burly arms. "He wouldn't be Ty if he didn't.

  "What’re you going to do with Justice," Jayson asked, fingering a strand of my hair.