“Which room?”
I nod to the door behind him, and he throws it open, dumps the sheets on the bed and reaches for my hand to swing me through the door. He kicks it closed behind him and he pushes me against the wood, Zach’s old poster crinkles against my back.
Leo winds his hand through my hair and presses his lips to mine. He isn’t as soft as he was earlier, this kiss is more urgent and needy. He’s taking what he needs from me and I’ll let him have whatever he god damn needs for a moment.
As much as I want to be up here kissing him, if we’re too long my dad will come looking to see what’s keeping us.
“Help me make the bed, and I’ll let you kiss me again.”
“You’ll let me, huh?”
Nodding my head, I dip out of his arms and dart across the room. I shake out the sheets and notice blotches of blood on his knuckles across his right hand.
“What happened?” I ask, jerking my chin at his hand.
“Sara’s dad fell on my fist a few times.”
“He fell on it?”
“Yeah, well, that’s how I remember it anyway,” he grins and it’s cold.
“Why? What happened since I saw you this afternoon?” I ask, tucking the edges of the sheet under the mattress.
“Didn’t you see Luca’s face down there? That girl’s dad hits her and when Luc stepped in, he hit him too, and you know none of us was going to let that slide. We asked the girl if she wanted to leave with us and she said yes, so dad brought her here. Did you see them a lot at school when you were there?”
“Sometimes, they’re always together when I did.”
“I caught them together at the club when my dad was in hospital, I don’t think anything happened between them, and my brother’s adamant she’s his friend, nothing more.”
“You can be friends with the opposite sex.”
“Can you?” he growls.
“We’re friends, aren’t we?” I smile sweetly.
Let’s see what he has to say about us, whatever us is.
“I’ll let you know when I’m done with you.”
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline and I struggle to release them again.
“When you’re done with me?”
He dumps the pillow on the bed and takes a step back towards the door.
“I don’t know many people who want to be my friend after I’ve finished with them.”
“What if you’re never finished with me?”
His eyes dance around playfully and I swallow heavily.
“Then I guess you’re a lucky, lucky woman and I’ll be fucked,” he winks.
He manages to escape through the door before the pillow I throw at him lands on the floor where he was standing moments before.
With the bed made, it’s definitely not as much of a mundane chore when you have help. Mom has been on my case with chores around the house lately, telling me she’s preparing me for being on my own at college in the dorms.
I make it to the top of the stairs, and Cas and Alannah are waiting by the front door talking with my parents.
Leo is stood by the bottom of the stairs and I have to force myself not to go and stand beside him.
Luca and Sara walk into the hall and their hands are clasped tight together.
“What if I stay here on the couch?” Luca offers, not giving up. It’s actually very sweet.
“I got your girl safe from her dad, I’ve promised you both I’ll sort this out, but I’m tired and my patience is wearing thin, son. I’ll bring you back in the morning and you can see for yourself that she is okay here.”
Luca is relentless, and he isn’t happy when Sara pulls her hand out of his and nudges him forward.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” she says, her voice timid and soft, she braves it up and looks at Cas, “Thank you, Mr Jackson.”
He nods once at her and opens the door. Goodbyes are said, and I nearly miss catching Leo’s attention while he’s too busy on his phone.
With my mom and dad stepping outside to see Cas, Alannah and Luca off, he pulls himself up the banister and quickly plants a kiss on me, before darting out the door, leaving me with a crazy huge smile on my face. There’s no point trying to hide it, I couldn’t if I tried.
“He’s like Luca, he makes things happen.”
I forgot she was standing there. Leo isn’t obviously worried about her seeing, so I’m not going to worry either. Or maybe he forgot. Either way, I’ve had the best day of my life today and nothing is going to bring me down tonight.
“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
She follows me up, still holding onto her bag, and steps gingerly into Zach’s old room.
“My brother doesn’t live here anymore, you’ll be okay here.”
“Your dad is real nice,” she tells me.
“He is, and he won’t let anyone near you while you’re here.”
She smiles but I don’t think she believes me.
“Do you need anything before I go to bed?”
“No, thank you.”
“Okay, well, my room is next door and the bathroom is opposite.”
“Oh, one thing, where can I plug in my phone charger. Luca gave me this phone and it hasn’t got any battery left.”
She digs it out of her bag and passes it over. I look behind Zach’s nightstand and find a free outlet, shoving it in, she seems a lot happier when the screen lights up.
“Thanks.”
“Luca gave this to you?”
It looks brand new and expensive.
“Yeah, so I could call him if I needed him.”
“How often do you need him?”
I can’t believe I asked her that. It’s not my business what goes on between the two of them.
“Too often.”
I can’t imagine what it must be like for her, to need a boy, a fifteen-year-old boy at her age, it’s sad she only has him to depend on.
“Well, if you need me, I’m across the hall.”
I leave her to herself and close the door behind me. Mom is sitting at the top of the stairs and makes me jump.
“I’ve text Zach, letting him know there is a guest in his room in case he came home tonight.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes, Zach isn’t coming home, not to sleep anyway.
“I’m pretty sure she’ll fall asleep messaging Luca, he brought her a phone, you know.” Raising her eyebrows, she looks as shocked as I did when I heard.
“Okay, it’s getting late and I have work in the morning. Alannah said she’ll be here early so expect visitors in the morning.”
I don’t say another word and open my door. My phone is vibrating on my dresser and I get to it just in time before it cuts off and Leo chuckles when he hears my breathlessness.
“I like it when you’re panting.”
My cheeks heat instantly and I’m glad he’s not here to see the blush creeping up my neck.
“You just left, what do you want?”
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Nothing that I know of.”
“Good, I’ll pick you at nine, at the top of your street.”
“Where are we going?”
Thoughts of the cabin flash through my mind but he says, “It’s a surprise.”
I hate surprises.
No I don’t, but I don’t like not knowing.
“Fine, I’ll be there.”
I smile down the line and wait for him to speak. It’s silent for a moment and I’m about to think of something to say when he speaks again.
“I want you to know that today meant something to me, you trusted me to…that’s special to me.”
“I hear you,” I murmur.
“Okay, get some sleep, you’re going to need it,” he chuckles, lightening the mood and I smile.
“See you tomorrow, Leo.”
“Goodnight, India.”
The night never lasts long and I’m up and ready far too early. Sara is no where in sight when I walk into the kit
chen. Mom is already dressed and ready to leave the house, leaving dad to roll in last, yawning and in need of coffee.
“I need you to stay with Sara for a couple of hours until I get back,” Mom says, grabbing her car keys from the bowl on the counter. I thought Alannah was getting here early?
“I can’t, I have plans.”
“What’s so important that you can’t help your mom for a couple of hours at this time?” Dad asks.
“Nothing,” I lie.
Mom’s phone rings and she stops to answer it. The call only lasts a minute, and then she’s running upstairs.
Dad and I listen to Zach’s door open and then close, and then she’s coming back down.
“She’s gone. The bed is untouched, she left this on the nightstand.”
It’s a piece of paper with, thank you, scribbled across it.
“Lana wanted to know if Luca was here, he’s gone too. Looks they’ve run away together.”
“Great, that’s all Cas needs,” Dad sighs.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket and I take it out, keeping it away from dad’s eyes.
‘Sorry, can’t make it today. I have to look for Luca. I’ll make it up to you. L.’
Great. You do something nice for someone and they end up shitting on your plans.
“So, are you coming to help me or what?”
“Yeah.”
It’s not like I have anything else to do now.
Leo
There haven’t been many times when dad can’t calm mom down. Today is one of those times. Luca slipped out during the night, when mom went to check on him this morning his bed was still made, and the freak out began.
“We’ll find him, mom,” I try to soothe her.
“I’m going to kick his ass myself,” she mutters, completely ignoring me.
“Let’s not forget why he’s done this, it’s not like he’s been taken,” Dad says, and something in his tone manages to shut her up.
She sits at the table and her leg won’t stop shaking.
“Where could they have gone? It’s not like either of them have a car. I doubt she has any money and Luca can’t get into his money yet.”
Dad’s face falls and he rushes upstairs.
“He’ll be okay, mom. He’s trying to protect the girl, he’s smart, he’s not gonna put them in more danger.”
“He’s fifteen, Leo. Until I see for myself, I’ve learned to expect the worst.”
Dad swears from upstairs and both mom and I rush to the bottom of the stairs as he appears at the top.
“I’m going to kick his ass myself. He’s taken everything, twenty thousand dollars and my glock.”
Shit.
The front door opens and we all turn expecting to see Luca, but Slade and Sparky walk in.
“What’s his number, I’ll track him down,” Slade says, and mom sighs a breath of relief.
The old timers have always kept close eyes on us and Slade has tracked us down more times than one when we were teenagers and lord help us if we turned our phones off so he couldn’t pick up a signal.
I walk around them and head outside and sit down on the porch steps. Luca has pissed all over my plans today and I’m pissed with him.
He may be fifteen but he’s strong and he’s not stupid. Whatever he feels for this girl, it’s strong enough for him to go against our parents and that alone, proves he’s old enough to look out for himself.
I should be with India right now and I’m not.
I light a cigarette and pull out my phone. If I’m messaging her, I won’t have time to plan all sorts of shit to pay Luca back.
I listen to the yelling coming from inside and it sounds like Luca dumped his phone outside Slade’s house.
Until I’m told what to do, I’ll see how India is.
‘I forgot to ask how you are feeling today?’
Her reply is almost instant and a grin spreads across my face as I read her words.
‘Real good.’
Another message quickly follows.
‘You?’
‘Yeah, babe. I’m doing real good too. What are you doing now?’
I inhale on the cigarette before it burns down to nothing and flick the butt across the drive.
‘Mom roped me into helping her at the shop. Is Luca back yet?’
At least I know where to find her when Luca decides to show his face again. The fucker better be found today.
‘Not yet.’
I shoot the message back and think of what else to say. This is all new and I realise I don’t actually know much about her. What she likes, her dislikes, everything but the one thing I do know she likes, me.
‘Do you regret yesterday?’
Her message comes through and I frown, rereading her words.
‘Fuck no, why would you ask me that?’
‘Everything normally looks different the next day.’
‘Is it different for you?’
‘Yes, but I don’t regret it.’
“Nor do I. In fact, I liked it so much we’re going to have a repeat later.’
It takes a while for her to reply, I almost think I’ve scared her off.
‘I was hoping you’d say that.’
My dick throbs and I squeeze my phone a little harder than necessary.
‘You’re killing me here, you’re going to destroy me if I don’t see you soon.’
‘I feel like you’re going to destroy me, leaving me wanting you and you’ll go back to being Leo the ass-face.’
I look up and Luca is strolling up the drive. Alone, carrying his bag over his shoulder, he keeps his head down as I stand and walk over to him. I shove my phone in my pocket, knowing I can deal with India face to face in a short time now my baby brother is home.
“Mom…Dad,” I yell over my shoulder, “Luca’s back.”
Now he’s home, I can get on with my day and see India.
“Are they pissed?” he asks, like a dumb fuck.
“What do you think?”
Mom rushes out first and hugs him before whacking him on the arm. Yelling at him, neither he or I can make out what she’s shouting. When mom gets mad, she gets squeaky and good luck trying to get away from her.
Luca looks over her shoulder to dad standing on the porch. When dad gets mad, he goes quiet. It’s much worse than mom’s hollering.
“Babe, let me talk to him,” he finally says and mom sighs.
She looks between the two of them before going inside. Slade and Sparky make themselves comfortable on the porch swing and I’m surprised they haven’t snapped the ropes and landed on the deck. It’s old and no one has sat on it for years.
“Get up here, boy,” dad growls, leaning against the post and lights up a cigarette.
Luca takes his time and stands before dad, waiting for his ass ripping. I’m sticking around for this.
“I get that you wanted to help your friend, I get you didn’t trust anyone but yourself to keep her safe, and I get that you thought you were doing a good thing. It makes me proud as fuck that your mom and I raised such a decent kid, but we didn’t raise a fuckin’ thief,” he snarls.
He takes a drag on his cigarette and exhales the smoke before carrying on.
“You’ll put every fucking penny back and my gun, and you’ll do it now.”
Luca’s throat bobs heavily and he drops his gaze from dad.
“About that, I don’t have it anymore, when I woke up she was gone and so was your money and gun.”
This isn’t good. Dad doesn’t say a word. His stare is hard and so cold it sends a shiver down my spine.
Sparky lets out a low whistle and the vein in dad’s neck bulges. He steps closer to Luca, and you can see him physically fighting the urge to kick his ass. He quickly turns and heads inside.
Sparky pulls himself up from the swing bench and walks over to Luca.
“You’re lucky your dad doesn’t raise his hand to you, cause you’d be bleeding all over the yard right now if he did.”
“I didn’t want him getting her back. He always gets away with it. She has bruises and has a couple of bad scars because of him. She has to live with them forever, you wouldn’t know what that feels like for a girl.”
He might not know how it feels for a girl, but Sparky knows how it feels to live with scars. The scar on his cheek is a constant reminder of when he was captured back in the day.
“I know more than you think I do. You should’ve trusted your old man to help her. If you saw some of the things he went through for your mom, you’d realise you ain’t so different.”
“Luca!”
Dad beckons him inside and Sparky nudges him towards the door.
I take out my keys and head for my bike.
“Now he’s home, I’m out,” I yell behind me.
“JJ said you were out of town today with a girl you’ve got yourself. You’re a good brother to Luca,” Sparky tells me.
“Like you said, he’s my brother.”
I leave Luca getting the riot act in the house and ride into town. I park up across the street from Kristen’s shop and scout around for her car. India’s ride is out front of the store, but I can’t see Kristen’s car.
I cross over and see India playing on her phone through the window. I take a moment to watch her. I swear she hasn’t changed since last week, but she has in my eyes. I can’t work out why now, or just why, but she has, and I struggle to think about anything but her when she’s not around.
I push through the door and she looks up at the ding from the overhead bell. Her smile blows me away.
“Hi.”
“Hey.”
The silence becomes awkward, and for the first time in my life I’m fumbling over myself around a girl.
“I heard Luca’s home, my dad called my mom and told her.”