Hollow

  Knox

  People from the outside equated life in a small town like Hollow Point, Pennsylvania with lazy days and slow paces. Small town. Small problems. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The less money, the more we struggled. The less outside influence, the more hate bred within our own walls.

  I groaned, dropping my wrench on the table as I looked down at my grease-stained hands. The day had been dragging on, but I had to get this order done for my client. Some big wig asshole had needed a custom bike for filming, and if I did a decent job, it might be the extra push my shop needed to get myself out of debt and finally not have anyone to answer to.

  I looked at the clock before letting out a string of expletives. “I knew that motherfucker wasn’t going to show.”

  Pulling out my phone, I typed out a quick text.

  He didn’t show. Don’t worry. I’ll get the money.

  I stepped out into the sun, tilting my head up at the sky. It was overcast, and if I didn’t get on the road soon, I’d probably be caught in the rain.

  Straddling my bike, I put on my helmet before revving the engine. Birds scattered from the trees at the startling noise as I pulled out onto the road and headed toward the high school to collect on a debt.

  ***

  The parking lot was empty aside from a few teacher’s cars. I parked behind a school bus as I lit a cigarette and walked over to the chain link fence.

  The coach was yelling at the football players as they got back into formation to run another play. I missed those days on the field when I could get out my aggression by slamming into someone. Now I had to resort to other measures to relieve my stress. The method was different, but the result was always the same. Violence.

  Player number fourteen turned around, and I nodded when he caught sight of me. Taking another drag, I dropped the cigarette to the ground, stepping on it with my sneaker.

  The boy shook his head before saying something to the coach. He pulled his helmet from his head, running his hand over his sweat-slicked hair before jogging over to the fence.

  “You forgot to stop by my shop today.”

  “Come on, Knox. I had practice. We have a game in a few days. You know how Coach is. He’ll bench me if I don’t show.”

  “You can’t play football if I break your fingers, Bryce.”

  He took a step back before shaking his head. “I need a few more days.”

  I nodded as my eyes danced over the field. “Fine. But when times up this becomes Hellion business.”

  TWO

  Riley

  I gathered my honey-colored hair, wrapping it around the curling iron and waiting for the curl to set before moving on to the next section. My cell phone buzzed, and I rolled my eyes before glancing at the screen.

  Audibly groaning, I typed in my passcode and rolled my eyes as a picture of Shelly popped up in my messages. She had her arm draped over my old boyfriend Stephen and the caption said they missed me out in sunny California.

  “Whatever, bitch,” I muttered and finished doing my hair, not bothering to respond. I would be back there soon enough after my father finishes filming this season of his show Barracuda. I begged him to just let me stay out in Los Angeles, but he didn’t think I could be trusted with only the house staff to keep an eye on me. I scrolled through my picture folder and found a snapshot of Shelly, a hundred dollar bill rolled up tightly and stuck into the end of her surgically altered nose as she sniffed Vicodin off the bathroom counter at a Club Purge. I mass uploaded to my social media accounts, tagging her with the caption Don’t have too much fun without me. My phone began to chime in rapid succession as people started to like and share the image.

  Another message flashed on my screen and this time, it was Tatum sending me her address. She’d finally gotten the balls to contact me three days after I’d given her my number. I was tempted to tell her I’d changed my mind but if I didn’t get out of this place I was going to go crazy. My father was still on set and even though this house was the nicest one in town, it was lonely.

  I typed out a quick reply before finishing getting myself ready. I changed into a pair of torn up jeans and a fitted t-shirt. Everyone around here seemed to be very casual, and I wanted to do my best to blend in.

  Grabbing my purse, I hurried down to the first floor of the expansive home. Piper scrunched up her face when she saw me.

  “Where are you going dressed like that?”

  “The mall. Where are you going dressed like that? The corner?” I hurried to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water before turning to the cross the family room.

  “Funny. Give me a second. I’ll grab my bag. I could use a few things,” she called out from behind me with hope in her voice.

  “Like a personality?” I spun around, my eyes narrowing at the woman who had singlehandedly ripped my family apart. “You’re not invited. Besides, aren’t you two heading to New York soon? There are plenty of stores there.”

  Her mouth snapped closed, and a flicker of hurt marred her face, as much as the Botox would allow before she brushed her long, dark hair over her shoulder. “Nick wants us to spend some time together. Get to know each other. Come on, Riley. We could be like sisters.”

  I swallowed back the bile that rose in my throat as she mentioned my father or the fact that she wanted to be like a sibling to me. “Well, Nick seems to have forgotten he is already married. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before you screw up and the trash takes itself out.” With that, I turned and hurried out of the front door and down the stone steps.

  My car was back in California, but My father had gotten me a black 300S drop top to drive while we are here. He refused to get me anything too flashy saying that if I wanted to fit in, I needed to keep a low profile. Glancing over my shoulder at the expansive home, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. He needed to learn to take his own advice. Not that any of it mattered. These people would be in my past soon enough… and that included Piper.

  Slipping into the car, I typed Tatum’s address into my navigation system and drove down the cobblestone driveway and onto the main road. This place was nothing but hills and fields with the occasional boxy shaker style home. I could see why the show was being filmed here, but I couldn’t imagine spending my entire life in such a small town.

  Tatum’s house was about fifteen minutes away, but it felt like a million miles from the type of places I knew. I had to park my car along the street. Her house sat back a few feet from the sidewalk and was between two other homes, leaving a narrow path on either side to the back door.

  “How do people live like this?” I mumbled to myself as I stepped onto the old, warped wooden porch and hesitated before knocking on the door. Everyone must know everyone’s business in a place like this.

  After a few seconds, I heard the muffled voice of a female, I’d assumed was Tatum. The front door pulled open, and my eyes widened at the muscular chest in front of me. Holy hell. My eyes traveled upward, over the bullet hanging from a chain around his neck, until my gaze locked with dark, blue eyes that were narrowed.

  “You lost?” He asked, his voice was deep and somewhat raspy as if he’d just woken up. He ran his hand through his short, dark hair causing it to stick up haphazardly and my fingers twitched wanting to do it myself. Maybe a small town wasn’t so bad after all.

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “You don’t look like you’re from around here.” The right side of his mouth turned up in a grin, revealing a dimple in his cheek. You look like trouble.

  “Thanks,” I replied, taking it as a compliment. “I’m here for Tatum,” I explained in the sultriest voice I could muster, flashing him a seductive grin.

  His eyes had traveled down my body before they landed back on mine, narrowing. “Why?”

  “We’re going to the mall.” I wasn’t offended by his question. Tatum didn’t seem like the type to have many friends and even dressed down, I stuck out like a sore thumb with my vibrant blonde hair and thousand dollar bag
.

  He took a step back, leaving little room for me to slide by him and into the living room. He smelled of sweat and cologne and his smile widened as I struggled not to brush against him as I entered. He seemed to find it entertaining that I was cautious of him.

  Glancing around the cramped space full of mismatched furniture, I gripped the handle of my purse as I stood awkwardly in the center of the room.

  “You can sit down, Princess. You won’t catch anything,” he joked as he walked around me, his lips so close to my ear it caused an involuntary shiver to snake its way down my spine.

  I sank down on the edge of the love seat as he traipsed into the kitchen and leaned against the railing of the staircase, the muscles in his back flexing as he stretched out over the banister. My eyes danced over the expansive tattoo across his shoulder blades that read hellraiser in large ornate script. “Tatum, you have a friend,” he called up before smiling back at me. “I thought you were lying,” he joked before Tatum replied.

  “Shut up, Knox!”

  He laughed, shaking his head before pulling open the fridge and bending over to look at the contents. His sweatpants hung low on his hips, and my eyes traveled down his back, over the tattoo before my gaze locked on his cute butt.

  “Ready?” Tatum asked, and I jumped, my hand going to my chest.

  “Shit, you scared me. You’re like a freaking mouse.” Standing, I brushed off my bottom.

  “Tell Greta I’ll be back later,” Tatum called to Knox before looking back to me with a huge smile. She was way too excited to go to the mall. I could only imagine what it must be like in a place so country.

  “You don’t think she’d want to meet your new friend here first?” He asked, and I could tell it was because he didn’t think she’d approve. As if the delinquent in the kitchen thought I wasn’t good enough for Tatum.

  Tatum groaned, her eyes looking to me and pleading for help. I shrugged, not knowing what to say.

  “Come on, Knox. It’s just the mall,” she whined, waiting for his approval.

  He was silent for a moment before nodding. “Fine. Go. But you better be back here at a decent time. It’s a school night. I better not find out this was some scheme to hang out with Bryce,” he warned.

  ‘Thank you,” she squealed before pulling open the door stepping out onto the porch.

  With one final glance at Knox, who winked as our eyes met, I followed Tatum out of the front door and hit the unlock button on my key fob. Tatum laughed as she pulled open the passenger door. “You don’t need to lock your car around here. No one is going to steal it.”

  “You’re way too trusting.” I slipped into the driver seat and pushed the button on the dash causing the car to start.

  “Wow, that is neat.”

  “Your car doesn’t have push-to-start?” I asked as I pulled out into traffic. “I thought that was pretty standard.”

  “I don’t have a car… yet. I’m saving up.” She shrugged as she stared out of the passenger window as if she was seeing the world for the first time. “If I’m lucky I may get one by the time I’m thirty,” she joked.

  “Do you even have your license?”

  “Of course, I do.” She looked over at me, her brow furrowing as I smiled before turning into a parking lot of a gas station. I’d had my own car since the day I’d gotten my permit, and I couldn’t imagine being a teenager and not having that freedom.

  “Good. I’m tired of trying to navigate this place.” I put the car in park and got out of the car, walking around to her door and pulling it open.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Get out.”

  “You’re kicking me out?”

  “God, you’re pathetic. You’re driving,” I groaned, but her delighted squeal caused me to smile.

  “Really? But what if I wreck it? I can’t afford to pay-”

  “Just get out and drive before I changed my mind.” I could cross my good deed off my list for the day. Helping the less fortunate had always been a passion of mine.

  ***

  Bryce was waiting for us at the food court with a few of his friends from the team. I didn’t miss the way he glanced at me as his arms wrapped around Tatum. It made my skin crawl that he was blatantly ogling me in front of his girlfriend, not that I could blame him but I liked Tatum. It didn’t matter what I said to her, her response was always sweet. She wouldn’t make it a week in Los Angeles.

  “You guys want to go catch a movie?” he asked, nodding to the theater that was down the West wing of the mall.

  “Tate and I have some serious shopping to do.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her back from his embrace. “You’re just here to hold the bags.”

  “Tate huh?” His eyes went back and forth between us. “Since when do you like to shop?” His gaze is settled on hers. I pulled her closer to my side.

  “Since she has me here to help her with fashion advice,” I replied.

  “I thought you said we were going to spend time together, Tatum?” He was practically whining, and I wanted to turn away so I wouldn’t have to watch him humiliate himself.

  “I said you could carry the bags,” I shot back.

  “Whatever. I’m just gonna hang out with the guys. I’ll catch up with you later.” He gave Tatum a kiss on the cheek before shooting a glare in my direction.

  We watched him walk away before I squealed, “Let’s go spend some of my father’s money!”

  ***

  Tatum talked nonstop about anyone and everyone at our school. I had enough dirt to bring the entire town to its knees, but she didn’t seem to worry about what could be done with the information. She was trusting me, and she barely knew me. Tatum had a lot to learn about the world, and I was looking forward to taking her under my wing.

  “You know,” I took a drink of my frappe as I studied Tatum’s face. “You would look super-hot with some layers and highlights.”

  “Oh, thanks,” her cheeks darkened as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “That’s kind of expensive, though, isn’t it?” Her nose scrunched up as she took a sip of her drink.

  “Come on.” I stood, walking toward the closest salon with Tatum trailing behind me. “I’m sure my father can claim it on his taxes as charity or whatever.”

  Tatum let out a loud laugh, and I stopped, staring out her like she’d just had a mental breakdown.

  “What?”

  “You’re funny,” she explained.

  “That’s a first. I like to think I’m more cruel with a touch of sass.” I raised my eyebrow, and she laughed again.

  “We are a sarcastic bunch. It’s in our DNA. I think you will fit right in here.”

  I struggled against a smile. I never really fit in back home. Where I’m from we were all too busy trying to stand out.

  ***

  I explained to the hairdresser what I wanted her to do before I disappeared into the mall, leaving Tatum to get fixed up. A project was just what I needed to take my mind off not being back home, and Tatum was practically a blank canvas. Besides, I couldn’t be seen in public with someone who looked like she was nearly homeless.

  While I waited, I slipped into a clothing store and picked out a cute blue dress, with matching slingbacks that would look great against Tatum’s pale skin. I grabbed a few outfits for myself as well, before stocking up on my makeup supply.

  When Tatum finally emerged from the salon, she looked like an entirely different person.

  “I don’t even recognize myself!”

  “That’s a good thing,” I quipped, and her smile faltered for a second. “I just mean, it’s nice to change things up every once in a while. Keep the guys on their toes.” I winked, and the happiness returned to her. I wasn’t used to people being so damn sensitive. It was obnoxious, but Tatum would make a good ally. She knew everyone. “Come on, let’s complete the look.” I looped my arm in hers and pulled her into the nearest restroom, shoving the dress bag into her hand with her new shoes.

  “I can’t walk in th
ose.”

  “It’s not that hard. Besides, how are you going to wear heels to prom if you don’t get some practice in?”

  Reluctantly, she took the dress and the shoes and slipped into a stall.

  I touched up my mascara and smeared some gloss on my lips as I waited.

  “This is too tight,” she called out and I rolled my eyes.

  “It’s supposed to be tight so people can see what you’re working with.”

  “I don’t even know what that means,” she groaned as the stall door opened and I caught her reflection in the mirror before spinning around to face her.

  “You look beautiful,” I praised her.

  “I walk like a linebacker.” Taking a few steps toward me, she wobbled, and I grabbed her hands to keep her from spraining her ankle.

  “I’m sure Bryce will like you even more. I always thought those football guys were a little experimental if you know what I mean. Why do they need to smack each other’s asses all the time?”

  “I’m not sure they really do that in high school.”

  “Whatever. It gets easier. Here. Grab the sink to steady yourself.” I placed her hands on the porcelain and pulled the mascara from my bag. “Now we work the real magic.”

  Knox

  “Will she be home for dinner?” Greta asked as she put a tin of muffins into the oven.

  “She didn’t say.”

  “Will you?” she asked, as I kissed her on top of her head.

  “I’ll try.”

  I headed out the door as the sun began to sink. The rain had held out all evening. I rode over to The Hollow Hole, walking past the bar and into the backroom that was off limits to the general public.

  “Hey,” I nodded to the man we referred to as Father Time because he looked like he was a hundred years old. Living life on fast women and fast bikes had taken its toll on him. “I need a favor.”

  “What’s new?” he asked with a laugh that soon turned into a hacking cough. He grabbed a scrap of paper and a pen, sliding it across the desk. “Write it down. I lost my memory about the same time I lost my looks and you know we need to keep records.”