The ride consisted of Scarlett blasting music and singing like her life depended on it; honestly, her voice isn’t bad. I enjoyed watching her be giddy and carefree; it's not a side I get to see as often as I would like. I also enjoyed just being together, just the two of us, out on the road.
With Grant working extra shifts to prove he is a ‘respectable public figure’ and trying to redeem himself from the incident with his previous boss, it finally gave me and Scarlett some breathing space. His demotion and the recent move have, so far, worked in our favor. It’s like a taste of what it will be like when we both head off to college. I’ve decided to take a year off from school. I’ll wait for Scarlett to graduate, and then we will start college together, where he can no longer reach us.
Scarlett slides out of the car. “Which store first?” I look at her as if she just grew two heads. She knows me well enough to know not to ask where my first stop will be. She rolls her eyes and lets out a defeated laugh. “Fine, Zumiez it is.” We walk into the adult store, where all my notorious graphic T-shirts come from, and we start searching for the best birthday shirt.
Scarlett is holding up shirts that say things like, ‘Grab me a beer, it's my birthday,’ and ‘Happy Bday to ME’. I shake my head no, but give an A-for-effort smile. I keep eyeing all the racks until I find a T-shirt that hangs just right, as if it were made for me.A black t-shirt with white lettering that reads BLOW ME in big letters on top and ‘It’s my birthday’ underneath the big words, which makes me smirk. There is a candle between BLOW and me, and that makes it ever better. I grab my size and hold it up to Scarlett. She palms her forehead. I seem to have designed my own personal scoring system when it comes to my diabolical t-shirts; the worse the reaction, the higher the score. Scarlett's response deemed this shirt a 9/10—a perfect 10 is reserved for the times she begs me not to buy it, and that is how I know this shirt is the one.
“Come on, Letty, is this not the best shirt?” She turns around and walks away, then returns with a lady's shirt that reads, “I look better bent over.” My face fell instantly.
“It is the best, I found a good one too, didn’t I?” I beeline towards her, standing there with a shit eating grin plastered across her face.Oh, she is SO proud of herself.Taking the T-shirt out of her hands, she laughs. “You don’t like thinking of that, do ya. Well, I don’t like thinking of my brother walking around with a blow me shirt, as if the girls could do anything of the sort with that little shrimp between your legs.” Cocking my head to the side, I give her my best mean mug and flip her off.
“I’m buying this shirt, and I’ll have you know– actually, no, the fuck I won’t even go there. Please, for the love of GOD, go do your girly shit, I’ll come find you after I check out… this one shirt.” She smiles and walks backwards out of the store while holding her hands up in defeat.She will be the death of me.
Walking past the food court to leave, Scarlett spots her best friend, Maddie, working at the taco stand. “Maddie!” She walks over, and shit, does Maddie look good today? Her hair is in spiral curls mid-way down her back,perfect length for wrapping around my hand when…“Levi, come say hi.” Scarlett interruptsmy completely impure thoughts as she turns to wave me over.Gladly, sis.
“Hey, Levi.” She gives a small smile. The sound of my name coming from her lips is killer; her soft, fragile voice laced with hidden desire.Oh, hello, gorgeous.
“Hey, you.” I wink, and Scarlett gives me that look that says, ‘I’d like to kick your teeth in.’ Still, I welcome the disgust, because there is no stopping me from trying this whole ‘sister's best friend’ thing, well, unless Maddie wasn't interested, of course, but the way she's looking at me right now tells me I shouldn't have to worry about that. So, yeah, nothing can stop me. “You still coming Friday to my party?” She nods and smiles. “Wanna see the shirt I’m going to wear?” Scarlett rolls her eyes and tells Maddie it’s disgusting. I lift it proudly, and Maddie laughs, but I notice the light change as her cheeks turn pink. “Think it will work?” I wink and set it back in the bag.
Maddie shakes her head no, but to my surprise, she says, “I’d take the bait.” Scarlett whips her head around, looking at Maddie and back at me.
“Maddie! Levi! No. Absolutely not.” She walks in a circle, completely shaken. “Maddie, you cannot encourage this behavior; he’s an animal, clearly unable to control himself.” Maddie laughs some more before looking back at me with soft eyes.
“Babe, your brother is HOT, feral or not.” Scarlett’s face was hilarious. “Look, I’m just saying, he is good looking, and I wouldn’t mind getting to know—” Scarlett started walking away with her hands over her ears.
“Maddie, at this moment, I hate you. Do not finish that sentence.”
I can't help but laugh and add to the fire. “Don’t worry, Letty, I’ll love her real good while you don’t.” Scarlett walks off completely flustered. Turning to Maddie, I smile and nod towards pissed-off Scarlett. “I'd better put out the fire I just caused, see you at the party, and maybe you can show me how good my shirt works.” I wink and walk away. I feel so very accomplished on this Sunday afternoon.
Getting to the car, Scarlett leans against it, looking ten shades of pissed. “Letty, come on, it's funny.” She shakes her head and smirks. I know she wants to laugh.
“Give me your keys.” She stands with her hand out. “If you’re seriously considering taking Maddie for a spin, I think it's only fair I get to do the same with your car— Any. Time. I. Want.” I damn near threw the keys at her; that was definitely a green light, if ever I saw one. She walks around, and I gladly hop into the passenger seat. It’s all about compromise.
Getting in, she throws her bags into the back seat and starts the car. “Do not break her heart, do not treat her like your usual baseball groupies who let you blow and go. Don’t hurt her, she is the only real friend I have. Her Mom and Dad abandoned her to travel for work. They send love in higher credit card limits. Don’t mess with her like all the other girls, she isnt your toy.” I turn to her and change my demeanor because, honestly, I would never want to jeopardize her friendship.
“I won’t do anything if you really don’t want me to. I love you, Letty. Sure, I love fucking with you, but you mean more to me than anyone else. Just be honest; if you say no, it will be no. I promise, though, that if you say yes, I won’t hurt her. You know the real me Letty, and when she looks at me, it’s like she see’sme.”Unless she wants me to, it's entirely different, but I won’t tell her that.Scarlett shifts in her seat and buckles up.
“Fine. But I don’t want to hear about ANYTHING. AT. ALL. You will be the death of me, I can see it now, Cause of death– bleeding from the ears after having to listen to brother and best friend's sex-capades, no thanks.” She throws the car into reverse and speeds out of the parking lot.
She drives like a NASCAR driver, fast, ruthless, and eager.
Chapter 29
I Promise
Spencer
On my first day back, my mom begged me to stay home with her for one day. My mother and I have always been close. We spent the day doing laundry from our weekend away. With her and Dad traveling two hours away to watch my game, the least I could do was fold some clothes.
“How is sweet little Scarlett?” As her words fall, I instantly smile, because one, it’s cute that my mom is thinking of Scarlett, and two, this is starting to feel like a trap. My mom loves toknow everything about everyone, and then she will give her best therapeutic advice. I fold the towel and look at my mother. Her brown eyes look worried, they seem to have fallen slightly. Her short hair is pulled back in a bright yellow butterfly clip, which makes me chuckle.
“I think she’s doing alright. I haven’t seen her since I’ve been back, but it is on today’s list of things to do.” She smiles at my response, nodding her head. “What is it, Mom?”
My mom has always been an open book; her face reveals all her feelings, whether she wants you to know them or not, she can’t stop herself from expressing them. I can sense her emotions, and it kills me that she won’t tell me. We have always been open and honest throughout my entire life, which has been a significant foundation of our relationship. She allows me to feel any emotion I need, to vent and rage, to cry, to express joy, and to be hyper when too much energy is pent up. She has never made me conceal any emotions; she made me learn how to control them, rather than letting them control me.
She sets the clean, neatly folded clothes into a basket, and sighs. “I know their mom killed herself, and I just can’t help but think what mom would leave her children. I would never leave you.” She places her hand on my knee and gives a gentle squeeze. Then she finds my eyes again. “Spencer, the day you rushed over and asked me to bake with Scarlett, why did you do that? I didn’t ask because I’d do anything for you regardless of the reason, but now I’m curious.” I think back to that day and how Scarlett reacted to walking up to Grant.
Taking a deep breath. “When we got to her house, Grant was home, and her body tensed in a way I’ve never seen. I could feel her fear, Mom. It scared me, and I didn’t want to leave her there. I haven't seen any signs of him hurting her, but somethingis going on.” She nods her head and agrees with my statement.What could be going on?
