Damn it, I did sound like an asshole. “You shouldn’t be inviting people to your house,” I tell Waylynn.
“Okay,” she agrees in a small voice.
“Somebody want to fill me in?” Bates says, and Waylynn’s eyes go wide, and her mouth falls open. I know she couldn’t have just noticed him. He’s a big guy, so what’s with the reaction?
THREE’S THE CHARM OR CURSE?
Waylynn
I feel woozy again.Just when I think I’ve come to terms with Oswald’s and Gravlin’s voices being so similar to the ones I’ve heard in my head since I was a kid, it happens again. When the guy Oswald called Bates speaks, my brain threatens to short-circuit, because for the third time in my life, the shit I thought was only in my head is somehow invading my real life.
I lean my palm on the cool counter to ground myself, hoping no one notices. When did it become so hard to act normal? Thankfully, Oswald starts speaking, and it gives me a few precious moments to regain my equilibrium.
“Damn, Memphis, you’re not her dad.”
“I know I’m not her dad,” Gravlin grits out between his teeth, “but if she invites you over, who else is she going to invite here?”
Even as distracted as I am, I feel the insult in those words. He thinks I’m dumb or too trusting.
“Jesus Christ, Memphis, do you have any idea how that sounds?” Oswald pulls his head back as if his brother’s words surprised him.
Bates drops his hand on Gravlin’s shoulder in what seems like a show of support. “He’s just trying to protect you, man. You know what cleat chasers are like.”
“Cleat chasers,” I whisper the word to myself as the meaning dawns on me.
“No, no, that’s not what—” Gravlin starts.
“I would like you to leave now, please.” My voice is soft when I interrupt. Why do I feel like crying?
“Waylynn.” Oswald turns to look at me with wide eyes, and he’s shaking his head back and forth slowly.
“I would like youallto leave now, please.” My voice is firmer but still not as forceful as I would like. I pull my phone out of my pocket and grip the thing like a lifeline. Gravlin’s eyes dip to my hand as if he understands why I have it clutched in my palm without me saying it.
“Oswald, let’s go.”
“He didn’t mean that, he just doesn’t know you,” Oswald implores.
“Youdon’t know me,” I accuse. “Leave, please.”
“We need to go.” Gravlin places his hand on his brother’s shoulder much like Bates did to him, only Oswald shrugs off his touch when he jerks his arm away.
“I’m sorry, Waylynn. None of that… I’ll go. I’m sorry.” He looks at me for two seconds longer, then pivots and damn near bowls his brother over to push him toward the exit.
Bates’ eyes bounce around, but he moves pretty quickly himself and hauls the door open, making himself the first one out. I rush over to the door once it’s closed and flip the deadbolt. I can hear the muffled sounds of angry words being exchanged, but fragments of sounds are piercing my mind too, warring with what’s real and what isn’t.
I back away from the door and haul ass up to my room, where I turn on the television and increase the volume to drown out the words I can’t deny I heard in my head and the ones that were coming from outside.
Oswald, Gravlin, and their friend are not healthy for me to be around, no matter how much I wish that weren’t true.
Bates
Memphis must really notlike this chick. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him talk to a woman the way he did her, which is too bad because she’s…stunning. That’s not a word I usually use to describe someone. Usually it’s hot, fuckable, cute, or hell, even beautiful, but not stunning.
Why the hell would Oz call us over here if he knew how Memphis felt about her? But he seems pretty surprised by his brother’s attitude too. “Somebody want to fill me in?”
The girl lists to the side like she might fall over, but she slaps her palm on the counter and recovers. Oswald doesn’t seem to notice, he’s too busy chewing Memphis out.
“He’s just trying to protect you, man. You know what cleat chasers are like.” I watch her mouth move, the tip of her tongue peeking out and touching the middle of her top lip, but I can’t hear what she says. When her lips seal again, it’s only for a breath because she asks us to leave, even adding a please.
