Cruel Boy Page 22
She looks away, and so do I, and I listen to the melancholic sound of the waves crashing into the beach. After a while, she leans sideways against my shoulder with her head, so I lean back onto hers.
“I’m sorry for hurting you,” I say.
“And I’m sorry for hurting you too,” she answers.
We both look at each other, and I smile at the sight of her beautiful face. There’s no one else I’d rather have next to me right now. And I cup her face with my hands and kiss her harder than I ever have before.
* * *
Coming home has never been this hard. After everything was said and done at the beach, Sam and I went our own ways. Sam needed to take care of Monica and help her out, and I needed to wrap things up with my dad and talk with my lawyer.
But damn, I never imagined it’d be this hard.
I walk inside my house with a heavy burden on my shoulder, knowing I have to tell my dad everything that happened. I close the door behind me and walk into the kitchen. He’s sitting at the table, drinking a cup of tea with my lawyer. That’s odd.
“Nate … You’re here.” He turns around in his chair, looking not at all surprised. “C’mon. Sit.”
I do what he asks and sit down beside him. Dad scoots a cup of tea my way. “Cops contacted me a few minutes ago.”
“And?”
“They explained everything that happened.”
“And your involvement,” the lawyer adds.
I sigh. “Look, I can explain—”
The lawyer raises his hand. “No need. I’ve seen the videos.”
I frown. “How?”
Dad grabs my hand. “Your friend … Sam.”
My heart goes haywire when he mentions her name.
“She sent us the videos and proof,” the lawyer adds.
Dad smiles, and tears appear in his eyes. “It’s enough, son. It’s done.”
“What?” I gasp, completely dumbfounded.
“This is all the police need to prove their case.” The lawyer clears his throat. “And it also means you’re not longer being investigated.”
Dad squeezes my hand. “You’re innocent. I knew it. I knew it all this time.” And he leans forward and pulls me in for a hug.
It’s the most unexpected hug I’ve ever had, and it’s one I’ll cherish for the rest of my life too.
Chapter 34
Sam
After I hugged Mo and told her I’d be there for her 24/7, I dropped her off at home. She told me not to worry, and that she’d tell her parents and get help to process what happened. I believe her. She’s a strong girl who knows how to handle herself, and if she needs me, I will be there for her, and she knows that.
When I came home and told Mom what happened, she broke down and cried with me. I don’t think I’ve ever had such an intense cry and hug with my mom, but tonight, we did. And even when I’ve stopped crying, she can’t, and it always makes me laugh.
“Mom, stop,” I say, sniggering.
“I just can’t. I don’t know how,” she says, picking up the bottle of wine and pouring herself another glass.
“And quit doing that too,” I say, snatching the bottle away and placing it back in the cabinet. “Enough wine for you tonight.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right. After this glass,” she says, taking another big gulp. “Gosh, I can’t believe my little girl pounded the living shit out of the popular school kid. And two of them.”
“They deserved it,” I say, sitting down next to her. “Glad they’re going to jail.”
“Hopefully, they won’t come back to your school,” she says.
“Fuck no. I doubt it. After all the proof I sent to the police, they’ll surely go away for a long time.”
“Good.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “You’ve grown up so quickly. I can’t believe it.”
“Mom, you’re messing up my hair,” I muse.
She shrugs. “Sometimes a mom’s gotta remember what a gem she has.”
“Aww …” I smile.
“It’s true. And …” She sighs. “I’m sorry for not being there for you these past few months.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Well … with my ‘boy toy’ as you call him.” She makes air quotes with her fingers. “I got caught up in my affair with Randy. And I’m sorry about that.”
“Where is he, actually?” I ask, looking around.
“Not here,” she says, blowing out some air. “And he’s not coming here anymore either.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
Is she for real?
“I broke up with him,” she says.
“Noooo,” I say in an exaggerated tone.
She sighs out loud. “You were right. He was a jerk.” She rolls her eyes. “And sometimes, moms really should listen to their daughters.”
I hug her tight and smash my cheek against hers. “I’m proud of you, Mom.”
“Of course you are,” she says.
“No, I mean it.” I look into her eyes, and say, “You deserve a better man.”
She smiles at me, and I kiss her on the cheek.
“You’re sweet,” she murmurs. “And right. I deserve so much fucking better than sloppy seconds.”
I laugh. “Exactly.”
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye. “So you won’t mind if I date around a little to try to find the right guy?”
I shrug. “You date who you want, I date who I want … Everyone’s happy. As long as it’s not one of my classmate’s daddies. Or my teachers.”
Mom laughs out loud, and then she holds up her hand for a high five, and I hit it hard.
“Sounds good.”
* * *
Nate
I put on my best clothes and check my phone. There are some new messages from Sam since I went to shower, so I check them out.
Sam: Have u told your dad about ur raps yet?
I smile. That’s so like her. Always pressing me to plant a bomb and explode shit just to start anew. But I get it.
Nate: Not yet.
Sam: U should. Asap.
That was quick. Guess she was waiting for a reply.
Sam: Just saying. U should do what u like, not what ur forced to do.
Sam: Besides, I think they r amazing.
Nate: Really?
Sam: :D <3 Gimme more
Nate: Sure … after you give back the one u stole
Sam: Oops …
Her reactions make me grin like crazy. She was the first to know about my lyrics, but it feels good. Even though she stole one of my personal belongings, I’m not mad. I know she didn’t do it to spite me, and I know I’ll get them back eventually.
I always thought I’d be ridiculed for my rap lyrics, that I’d become a laughing stock, but the longer I think about it, the more I realize I don’t care.
Sam’s right. I should do what I love, regardless of what other people think.
So I gather my courage and my notes, and I go downstairs.
My dad’s on the couch, watching his usual sports program, and I clear my throat to grab his attention.
“Dad.”
He turns around, and when he sees I’m serious, he turns off the TV. “Son?”
I sit down beside him and swallow away the doubts I have. “I’ve been meaning to show you something.” I pull out my papers from behind my back and show them to him.
He takes them from my hands and inspects them, and my whole body tenses up at the sight of his face turning rigid.
“They’re rap lyrics,” I say.
“I know what they are,” he replies.
“You do?” I frown, confused.
“Of course,” he says, adding a gentle smile. “I used to write these.”
My jaw drops. “What? For real?”
“Oh, you think I didn’t do this stuff in my time?” He laughs. “I did all sorts of stuff.”
“Really?” I’m amazed. I never imagined my dad actually writing down his thoughts, let alone l
yrics. But maybe I don’t know my dad as well as I thought.
“Yeah, and to be honest, these are quite good. I already checked them out a few weeks ago.”
My jaw drops. “You did what?”
He shrugs. “They were on your desk.”
“So? That’s my room.”
“In my house,” he says, raising a brow. “And a dad sometimes has to know what his son is up to.”
“You could’ve just asked me, you know.” I snort. Typical.
“You know you wouldn’t have told me the truth.” He hands the papers back. “Not while that whole ‘thing’ with that dead girl was going on.”
I make a face. “Right.” I don’t like discussing Nina. Especially not now that I’ve finally been taken off the suspect list. “Can we not mention her again? Like ever?”
He licks his lips. “Well … all right. As long as you promise me you won’t ever get involved in stuff like that again.”
“Of course not,” I say. “I’m not saying I’ll be the perfect student, but I’ll try my best.”
“Good,” he says, and he pats me on the shoulder. “Then it’s all fine by me.”
“So you’re okay with me writing these?” I ask.
“Of course,” he replies, shifting in his seat. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because of football,” I reply, gazing down at the papers in my hand. “And I kinda like this more.”
He frowns. “You don’t like football?”
I rub my lips together. “Well, I know there’s a scholarship attached, and I’m definitely still going to go for it, but this,” I say, pointing at my words. “This is where I leave my soul.”
He takes a deep breath and nods slowly. “If that’s what you prefer, then you should do it.”
I gaze at him. “You’re not mad at me for saying that?”
“No,” he says, casually as if it means nothing. But it means the world to me. He smiles softly and squeezes my shoulder. “I want you to be happy, son.”
I can’t help but wrap my arms around him and give him a big bear hug.
“Thanks, Dad,” I mumble.
“It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you give it your heart,” he says. “Make your momma proud.”
The mere mention of her name makes me tear up but in a good way.
A burden has fallen off my shoulders that I didn’t know I was carrying, and I feel as light as a feather again and ready to face the world.
“I will,” I reply.
And for the first time since she died, I know I mean it, one hundred percent.
I will fight for what I believe in.
I will make my family … and myself … proud.
Epilogue
Sam
“BLT and Coke!” one of my co-workers yells at me, and I immediately go to work. I grab the sandwich and layer everything on top, then I pour the Coke into a cup and bring it all to the front. “Here you go!”
“Thanks,” the customer replies, and her smile is enough to make my day worthwhile. Though the cash is definitely much better of course. A girl’s gotta make some cash, after all.
Mom won’t fund my private shopping trips, so I have to make sure I’ve got enough to spend. So I work hard and toil every weekend, knowing this’ll also add a nice line to my resume.
I move back to the preparation area and wait for my next order.
“Can you take over my register?” one of my co-workers suddenly asks, rubbing her stomach. “Sorry, gotta go to the toilet.”
“Sure,” I say, and I take off my apron and move to the counter while readjusting my hairnet. “Welcome to BB’s BLT’s, what can I get for you?”
“I’d like a Sammie Sammie, please.”
What?
I look up and spot a familiar face that makes me grin from ear to ear.
“With some mayonnaise on the side, please,” Nate adds, and he gives me that smirk again, the one that makes my heart flutter and my body sing.
“A Sammie Sammie? Gotta be more specific than that,” I retort.
He leans onto the counter with those big bad muscles of his, flexing them quite nicely as he speaks. “A Sammie with anything and everything you have,” he muses. “Have you got some Sam-plers?” The way he pronounces the words makes me snort.
“Of course, but it’ll come at a price,” I joke back, leaning against the cash register.
“Oh … I’ll pay whatever the cost, any currency.” His tongue briefly darts out to wet his lips, and I don’t know why, but I can’t stop staring at it and wondering what else he can do with that tongue of his.
“Okay,” I reply, winking. “A Sam-pler Sammie coming right up … or down, whatever you prefer.”
“Hmm.” The groan that leaves his mouth makes me weak in the knees.
I didn’t think I could ever love the name Sammie, but it’s starting to grow on me, just like a particular asshole named Nate.
“Yeah, can you guys take it outside?” another customer says. “I’d prefer not to listen to some skeezy shit.”
We both snigger.
“Sorry, sir,” I call out to the customer, and I turn back toward Nate. “I’m a little bit busy if you can’t tell …”
“Oh, I know, but I have all day to wait for my Sammie Sammie.” He adds an irresistible smile.
“Sam? I can take over now.” My co-worker’s back from the toilet, and she nudges me to step aside. “Isn’t your shift over?”
“Oh yeah, you’re right. It’s Sunday,” I reply, and Nate bites his bottom lip in response. “Early leave time.”
“Perfect,” he says, and he taps the counter with his keys. “I’ll wait for you outside, Sammie-Sam!”
With a big smile on my face, I quickly leave the customers to my co-worker while I take off my outfit and wish them good luck. Then I march outside to where Nate’s parked his car right in front of the door. He throws open the passenger side door from where he sits in the driver’s seat, and says, “Hop in!”
And with the biggest grin on my face, I do.
I don’t know where we’re going or what we’re gonna do, but with his hand on my leg and his lips on my mouth, any place is fine by me. I just know that whatever happens from now on, I can take it all with him by my side.
* * *
Nate
I drive us toward the same deserted cliff where we were before, but this time, it’s different. Everything’s different. With the sunset in the background, it’s a beautiful setting for a rendezvous.
“So why did we come here exactly?” she asks as she leans back against the hood of my car.
I close the door and saunter toward her, gazing at the horizon for a moment to appreciate the view.
“No reason. I figured it’d be a great place to start again.”
She glances at me with one eye closed and her arms folded. “Start what?”
I lick my lips and stand in front of her, putting my hands down on the hood on either side of her body, and I lean in to say, “Us.”
“What makes you think I’ll let you?” she muses.
Always the coy girl. “Intuition.” I rub my nose against hers. “Besides, we already forgave each other, didn’t we?”
“Hmm, we did.” She cocks her head and rubs her lips together. “But I never heard anything about us.”
“Could there be, though?” I ask.
“Do you want there to be?” she retorts, placing her hands beside her on the hood.
I smirk, and I grab her face with one hand, and say, “If you’ll have me.”
Our lips graze as she says, “Only if you make it official.”
I blink a couple of times at the naughty grin on her face. “Sammie-Sam … will you be my girl?” I ask.
Her tongue briefly darts out as a smile spreads on her face. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I smile against her lips and kiss her hard. I wanna kiss her until the sun goes down and day turns into night every fucking day. And I don’t stop, not even as my lips travel all
the way down her neck to her collarbones. My fingers can’t stop themselves from ripping open her shirt and taking what’s mine.
And with a giggle, she lowers herself onto the hood and lets me claim her, lets me kiss her body and rip her panties down from underneath her tiny skirt, lets me kiss the secret places between her thighs that no one but me will ever touch.
And I murmur, “Mine.”
* * *
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Read on for an excerpt of A Debt Owed!
Excerpt of A Debt Owed
Charlotte
Present, Age 23
A bird locked in a cage won't ever be happy. One day, it’ll fly away into oblivion.
This diner where my father waits for me makes me feel like a caged bird. His mere gaze makes me choke on my own breath again.
Nothing has changed.
I shouldn’t have answered his desperate call and come here. But I can’t turn away now. It’s too late; he’s already seen me.
What if he has something important to say? What if he’s sick or dying?
I don’t want to be that jerk who doesn’t show up when it’s the last time you could ever see each other. When it’s the last time a father and daughter could make amends. Everyone desperately wants to love their parents, even the damaged ones. The ones who use and break without a single thought. That’s my father in a nutshell … and for years, I let him.
But not anymore. I’m finally working hard and living on my own without his help, and I’m proud of it.
But no pride reflects in his eyes. Nothing exists except misery and hatred.
“Charlotte,” he mumbles, and I bend over to kiss him on the cheeks. “Sit down, we have to talk,” he says, and he snaps his fingers at the waitress who glares back at him.
Way to get to the point, Father.