If it wasn’t for my mom's refusal to believe me when I told her how Victor touched me and made me uncomfortable, maybe I wouldn't have to hide. She thought I was overreacting, and my teenage mind was running away with me. “I'm sure he was just concerned honey and your mind is making it bigger than it is. I know he's not your dad, but he does care about you. You need to let him in.” I tried again, to tell her that’s not why, that he even hits Colin, but I was dismissed.
How could she not believe her own daughter?
I got so pissed, seething really, I would have sworn there was smoke coming out of my ears. I ran out of the room, slamming her bedroom door hard enough to make the house rattle. I didn't make any more than a foot to my room when Victor stepped in front me with his evil snarl. The words that came out of his mouth next scare me to this day. “I should put your bare ass over my legs and spank you till you can't sit. I bet that straightens you out.” I swear I saw him adjust his junk and walked away like nothing happened. I got to my room and lost my breakfast.
I would call my dad in a heartbeat and have him take me away, but that would mean leaving Colin. Plus, my dad doesn’t even get visitation until the summer. My mom screwed him over good in a custody battle after he moved away. I don’t know how she did it, but she did.
There’s a rap on my door and Colin’s voice echoes through the wood saying my name. “Come in,” I close my book and toss it to the bed.
Colin slips into my room, the smell of his Dove soap fills the room as he closes the door behind him. “Hey, I wanted to see if you wanted to go see a movie?”
“Is that really a question? Anything to get out of this house.”
“Then get dressed because the movie starts in an hour. I don’t want to miss the previews.”
“Okay.” I shoot out of the bed and rush to him before he can make his escape. My arms slide around his shoulders and I push him into the wall. Like clockwork his hands land on my ass, pulling me closer into him. He leans and kisses me. My tongue slips into his parted lips, but before it can meet with his he pulls away.
“We can’t.” He makes no attempt to release my ass and his erection is telling me yes, he wants it too.
“Maybe, not here. Maybe we could skip the movie and do something else instead,” I purr in my most seductive voice and my eyes flutter in a plea.
“We’ll see. Now, get dressed.” He lifts me in his arms by my ass and carries me over to the bed. I hang on around him like a chimpanzee, as he tries to drop me. “You’re a pain...” His fingers meet my armpits, ready to tickle, and I give in and fall to the mattress below.
“But I’m your pain.” I giggle as he hops on the bed over me, nuzzling his face in my neck. He kisses and nibbles his way around my collar and pulls my shirt up over my boobs. He gives each one a kiss and works his way to my stomach. I thrust my hips hoping he’ll go further south, but instead, he twirls his tongue in my belly button. My hands reach for his hair and he looks up at me with a playful grin. His mouth opens, and he blows a long, wet raspberry on my stomach.
“Ugh, you bastard.” I push him away, laughing so hard that I have tears in my eyes.
“That’s what you get for being my pain.” Colin rises to his feet looking cheeky as fuck. “Now get dressed.”
Snatching my pillow, I throw it at his departing body. It misses due to my shitty aim and he leaves my room. I don’t move from my bed and realize how much I’ve missed just goofing off and playing around with him. It’s been so hard just to be us under Victor’s guard. When we do go out, we spend most of the time making out because I’ve also just missed his lips on me.
I bounce down the stairs, in a comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt. My hair is up in a high ponytail to expose my neck, giving Colin easy access during the movie.
Colin isn’t downstairs yet, and I go to grab my jacket off the hook. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Victor’s icy voice grumbles from the couch. I don’t turn to him, and I wrap myself in my jacket as if it was a protective cloak.
“The movies,” I say meekly, turning to him, my eyes on the ground. His black eyes unnerve me, so I avoid eye contact at any cost.
“It’s a school night.”
“I know, but Mom lets me go out as long as I’m home by ten thirty.” At least she still lets me have this freedom like I used to, considering no one can come here.
“And how the hell do you plan on getting there?”
“I’m dropping Abbs off at the movies with her friends, then I’m meeting up with Rick.” Colin lies coolly walking over to me, grabbing his keys from the ledge. “I’ll have her back by ten.”
Victor’s eyes dart back and forth from me to Colin and back to me as he takes a swig of his beer. I can see the hamster wheel spinning in his head from overthinking. It’s not like the first time we ever used this excuse, so I don’t understand when his nose flares like an angry bull ready to charge.
It causes me to take a step back, and Colin moves in front of me acting like a human shield just in case Victor busts a cap.
“We need to go, or you’ll miss your movie.” His hand rests on the middle of my back, nudging me to the front door and away from Satan.
“Colin, a word.” Victor walks over to us, and Colin tells me to wait in the car for him.
I do as I’m told, even though I don’t want to leave him. It’ll just make matters worse if I don’t go.
Closing the door behind me I step into the cool evening. The clouds are gray and threatening to rain, something it hasn’t stopped doing all week. The doors on Colin’s Camry are open and I settle into the passenger seat to watch the front door intently.
My heart beats rapidly out of my chest, wondering what Victor could be saying to him. It seems like forever, but it might have only been minutes when the door swings open and Colin stomps out of the house. He looks pissed and practically rips the driver door off the car.
He doesn’t say anything as he turns over the engine and peels out of the driveway like a NASCAR racer.
The air in the car is freezing and it has nothing to do with the AC which is still on full blast. He’s grinding his teeth as he drives and doesn’t glance my way.
“Colin, what happened?”
His body tenses, but he still doesn’t turn to me. “Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you. You were fine and now you’re not.”
My eyes watch the needle on the speedometer rise, he’s going twenty over the speed limit on this winding road. I grab the handle of the door as if I'm going to have to brace for impact.
“Can you slow down? You’re going to have us killed.” His eyes glint down to his speed and he raises his foot off the gas. “Thank you.” My head falls back into the headrest and I close my eyes. Knowing it's going to be a long night if he doesn’t loosen up.
I don’t say any more, giving him time to stew over whatever is going on. Though by the time we make it to the theater he still hasn’t said a word and the tension in his body hasn’t relaxed.
“What movie are we seeing?” I ask looking at the name and times of the movies hanging over the ticket booth.
“Speed Demon three,” he says aggravated and yanks out his wallet.
“That doesn’t seem like a fun movie to make out in. Explosions and a bunch of cussing, kinda kills the mood,” I tease and bump his shoulder.
Come on, Colin, lighten up.
“It’s the early release day. I wanted to see it before everyone else.”
I’m in shock that I got a full sentence out of him; too bad it came with an attitude.
After we get the tickets, Colin gets into the popcorn line and I tell him that I’m going to use the bathroom. He nods, clicking away at his phone. I find myself tempted to leave, call a cab, or something, to get away from his bad mood. For now, the bathroom will have to do to give me a minute to gather my thoughts.
Snatching the paper towel off the dispenser, I dry my hands and lean myself against the wall, not ready to go back out th
ere yet. I want to spend time with him, talk about anything and goof off. I’ve missed him. And even though I see him in the mornings, it’s rushed and I tend to feel used. Weekends we do what we can to just to hang out, while also trying to squeeze in time with our own friends. Now that we’re alone, it’s like I don’t exist.
Tossing the brown towel into the trashcan, I take a steady breath and make my way back to the auditoriums. I’m halfway down the hall when someone calls my name. The familiar voice makes me turn around and stop. Dean rushes to me and pulls me into a hug.
“Hey, you. Did you come to see the new Speed Demon movie?” His bright smile blinds me, as he holds onto me now at arm's length.
“Um, yeah.” I can’t hide the disappointment in my voice because there goes any chance of making out with Colin in the back row.
Well, if there was any chance right now considering his mood.
His arms drop to his side releasing me from his embrace. I glance over his shoulder wondering if there’s anyone else from school here going to pop up. “Anybody with you?”
“Billy and Tatum. Is Tamara or Sandy with you? We could sit together I’m sure.”
“No, Tamara is studying and Sandy I'm sure is lost somewhere with her tongue down Ryan’s throat.”
Dean lets out a deep chuckle. “God, I think they’ve gotten worse. I was just glad when Billy and Tam stopped doing what the fuck they were doing. I couldn’t watch anymore.”
Tamara and Billy ended their hook up a week ago. According to Tam, they were just having fun and it was never meant to be more. Her words crushed me, knowing that’s the only thing I’ve ever gotten Colin to say about our lack of better term, ‘relationship.’ It’s clear that we have an expiration date… and I ended up falling in love with him, even though I know he’s going to end up breaking my heart.
I don’t know how I know, but I just have a strong feeling.
“Yeah, it was—”
“Abbs!” Colin bellows from behind me. My head spins to him and his narrow-darkened eyes, tell me he’s pissed. He waves me over, the anger coming off his body in waves. I hold up my finger telling him to wait a minute and turn back to Dean, who looks just as pissed and hurt.
“I thought you said you couldn’t date, Abbs?” he hisses through his teeth. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me the truth and say you had a boyfriend.”
“Dean,” I start to explain when Colin knocks into my arm. The popcorn hangs in his left hand as he has a stare down with Dean.
“What’s going on?” Colin manages to ask calmly, but I can hear every ounce of disdain in his voice for the person in front of me.
“Dean, this is my step-brother, Colin. Colin, this is Dean…we go to school together.”
Dean pales to the color of the theater’s white walls and scratches the back of his head nervously. “Sorry, Abbs. I just assumed.”
“It's fine. I get it.” And I do. Dean has never met him, so it would be hard not to think this is a date.
“It isn’t fine. I just like you, Abbs.” I gulp loudly and feel the walls closing in around me. Why did he have to say that? “It’s nice to meet you, Colin.” Dean puts out his hand for Colin to shake.
Colin eyes it for a second and I can make out the sound of his teeth grinding. “Yeah. You too, man.”
I'm pretty sure Dean picks up on Colin's hostility and releases Colin’s hand as if it were on fire.
“You like my sister, huh?” he questions Dean, not sounding at all like a protective big brother, but a jealous ape. What the hell does he think he’s doing?
“Um, yeah. I’m hoping once she can start dating…” He smiles, but it washes away when Colin cuts him off, twisting his head to me with a cocky smirk.
“Oh, I didn’t know you couldn’t date, Abbs.”
“Didn’t think you would care,” I snip, trying not to bite his head off. “Mom wants me to wait since she said that boys are a distraction. Problem?”
“Not at all,” he sneers, with the matching venom I'm giving him.
Dean clears his throat and both of our heads snap to him. I already forgot he was here.
“I'll see you guys inside, okay?” he asks, walking backwards towards the theatre.
“We have tickets for the 3D,” Colin grunts and Dean nods, turning around to make a quick getaway.
I can only imagine what the hell is going through his mind right now. How am I going to explain what just happened to him at school tomorrow? Hopefully, he’ll believe it was just a sibling spat.
Just add it to the pile of lies, Abbs. This makes what, one-hundred-million?
My nails dig into my scalp, trying not to pull my hair out. “What’s wrong with you? Dean’s my friend, and if you don't want people to know about us, well, you raised some bright red flags now by acting like a jealous buffoon.”
“You should’ve told me about him asking you out,” he grits out, and I can hear the anger boiling in his voice.
“Why? It’s not like I said yes to him, as you can tell. And he is just a friend.” I emphasize the last words, hoping he’ll get the fucking hint.
“But you didn’t tell him no, did you? You told him that you couldn’t date, and that’s different. He’s obviously waiting for you.”
“I've known Dean since Kindergarten, Colin. And I didn't want to be mean and ruin our friendship. Plus, why do you care? You'll just be getting rid of me once you finish having your fun with me.”
His finger brushes his nose, stifling back an evil chuckle. “Really? So, you want, what? A replacement holder?”
That’s the answer I get? Not an ‘I’m never getting rid of you, babe!’?
“That’s not what I meant. You're just getting pissed over nothing. I didn’t say yes, so it’s not even a big deal. Get over it”
“We’re leaving.” He throws the tub of popcorn into the trashcan with enough force that some kernels jump back out, flying to the ground. He grabs my hand roughly and pulls me to the double doors. An older couple standing in the corner look at us with heavy interest.
“Why?” I yank my hand from his hold and he turns back to me, inching closer to me.
His nostrils flare, sneering at me. “Because I'm not sitting around with a guy who has a hard-on for you.”
“Why are you doing this, acting like this?” My voice cracks from my unshed tears, doing my best to continue to stand my ground.
“The only one doing anything is you, Abbs. Now let's go.” He reaches for me and I back away before he can grab me.
“No. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Fine! Be a brat and go hang out with Dean for all I care. I mean he is who you want after all.” His hissing words hit me like a kick to the chest. It hurts to breathe, and I find myself trying not to fall over.
He hasn’t acted this cold to me since the night before my party. Not even when he got jealous over his friend did he become so cold. What happened between him and his dad that turned him into this dick? My cheeks are warm and wet, and I realize I’m crying in the middle of the theater. I want to crumble right here from my achy heart. My hazy eyes look around the hall and I notice the older couple has disappeared. Just like them, I need to get out of here. Away from him.
I somehow manage to collect myself just enough to storm past him. Bolting out the doors, I notice the sky is dark and the clouds appear to be crying for me as well. Not caring that I’m going to get soaked from this sudden rain storm, I run.
“Abbs!” Colin calls from behind and I pick up my pace. But it’s hard with the rain falling and my vision a little blurred due to my tears. I'm kicking up mud from the grassy/dirt median and my clothes are now weighing me down. “Abbs! Stop!”
“Fuck off!” My voice booms through the air like thunder.
Fingers grip tightly into my waist pulling me backward. My body crashes into his hard chest and we both go falling back to the muddy ground. Mud splatters my face as the rain continues to pour down on me.
“What the fuck is wrong with you
?” I scream, wiggling myself out of his hold. He releases me, but as I try to make a move to stand, he rolls me onto the ground beside him. My back is now covered in the cool, sopping mud.
Colin hovers over me and my hands swat at his chest. “Stop!” He gets ahold of my wrists and pins them to the ground beside my head. His feet lock down on my legs to keep me from kicking.
“Get off me, Colin,” I scream, ready to hock a loogie in his face.
“I'm sorry." His eyes plead with me to listen, but I don’t want to hear it, especially lying on the ground next to the road.
“You’re sorry? Whatever.”
“I am, but why didn't you tell me about Dean?”
“Why? Why?” I taunt. “Because it didn’t matter! Because when he asked I was delirious with a fever and there was other shit going on where I didn't think it was important anyways! And because…” I bite my tongue, threatening to say something I shouldn’t right now. “Colin, just get off me.”
He relents and frees me from his capture. He stands and stretches out his hand, which I willingly take to get out of this mud. We’re both drenched, our hair caked in mud that's running down our backs. I have no idea how we are going to explain this to my mom and Victor.
“I still don't get why you’re so upset, anyways. It's not like you tell me when you get hit on.” The chill from the rain has cooled my anger, but there's still a fair amount of steam coming off me.
He comes toe to toe with me and pushes away a heavy wet strand from my face. “Abbs, I—” His eyebrows knit together, and he sighs heavily as he looks towards the ground. He shakes his head and grips the fabric of his jeans before looking back at me. “You see, the thing is—”
A car honks as it speeds past us in dangerous proximity. It whips up the water from the road making me jump back before I can get wetter than I am. What an ass. Colin curses at the fleeing car as he pulls me back to him.
“You okay?” he asks, and I nod, wrapping my arms around myself. “We should get out of this median before we get hit.” Putting his arm around me he leads me back to the movie theater parking lot.
So Wrong So Right Page 8
