If At First

Part 17 - Chapter 16

I walked down to the small beach near the gates and for a few long minutes I sat in the sand, digging my toes in and burying them in the cool depths while I stared over the calm water.

What was I doing here? How did I let things get so out of hand? Andy's a wreck, and because of me owes money he has no hope of ever finding; My grandmother might be thrilled to find herself back at the top of the social climb, but the moment anyone finds out about me she's doomed to fall so irredeemably far from that ladder she'll never see it again, and just to be sure I'll never find happiness, I fall for someone I haven't the remotest chance of ever attaining, and who allowed my younger brother to lose nearly fifteen thousand dollars to him in a poker game.

And I was afraid I might not have a productive summer.

Eventually I entered my grandmother's house, as usual, through the kitchen. "Hey Bev,"

"Tabitha! Oh, now where have you been, sweetie? You've had a guest waiting for you for some time now."

"Who? Didn't you tell them I was out?"

"I did, but he said he'd wait." She replied, avoiding eye contact. "And don't forget that Michelle is here and she'll want you as soon as she's finished with your grandmother."

"I know, I remembered. Where is he? Front room?" Beverly nodded and I went directly to the front of the house. I hoped it was Haven waiting in there. He could maybe be back by now and the embers of fury building in me about his evening with Andy were glowing brighter by the hour. I had to find out why he would do such a thing, and I was quickly reaching the point where I couldn't wait any longer. But when I walked into the front room –or maybe it was more like I stormed in,– it wasn't Haven lying in wait.

"Fitch?" I jumped.

"Tabitha," he asked without preamble, "where's Andy?"

"Why?" I closed the door to dissuade any curious passing ears.

"Because I would like to know, and I would like you to tell me." His eyes were hard and black, and he stalked toward me forebodingly. I instinctively took a step away. "Well?"

"Well," I answered, "I sent him away. He was only supposed to be here for a few days, and had some things to take care of at home. So he left."

"That," he breathed slowly, "is disappointing." His voice was slow and deliberate. "There are some things I need to discuss with your brother, and I would appreciate it if you could recover him." He took another fluid step toward me, studying his manicured fingers. "I would hate to be forced to seek other avenues of attaining what I want."

"Wh- what do you want?"

"That would be between your brother and I."

"Like I've said, he's not here," I said, my irritation temporarily overcoming fear, "So you're going to have to settle it with me."

He looked up at that, malicious pleasure in his grin. "Alright," He replied smoothly. "I'm amenable,"

"I take it he owes you money?"

"Oh, a little. It's nothing I'm sure you can't handle." He smiled. I partly expected horns to shoot out of Fitch's forehead and wondered what I ever thought was attractive about him.

"So what do you want then?"

"You."

"Me? What for?"

"Well I'm guessing that the titles to his villa in Spain and the yacht and cars which he lost in our little game last week aren't in your power to turn over." He came closer and slowly ran a finger along my collarbone. I cringed and took another step away. "But since we're currently at a loss for the presence of your brother, and he does seem to be particularly fond of you, I'll be happy to hold you as collateral until either I'm satisfied that you've repaid his debt, or until we can get our hands on Andy so he can."