I followed behind Kenosha as we made our way into the bakery where she worked. It was packed with teenagers and young adults. You could tell they were hipsters, they probably spend most of their time on Tumblr or something.
"Hey Kenny!" A skinny white boy said to Kenosha.
His long black hair was pulled up in a ponytail. His beard was wild and his tattoos covered every unhidden part of his body excluding his face. Typical hipster.
He wrapped his arms around Kenosha and gave her a tight yet gentle hug.
"Hey, Adam. This is my brother, Mutt. Mutt this is my friend, Adam." Kenosha said with a smile.
The Adam guy looked at me with a questionable look before reaching out his hand for me to shake. I shook his hand and then quickly stuffed my hands back into my hoodie pocket.
"You never told me that you had an adopted brother." Adam said to Kenosha.
Kenosha looked at me, forcing a smile before looking back at Adam.
"Guess I forgot. Anyway, what time is it?" She asked.
Adam looked at his wrist watch and said, "3:40. You've got twenty minutes before your shift starts."
"Thanks."
As Kenosha and her buddy kept talking, I headed over to a small circle table. I climbed on the stool and looked around the bakery. This seems like something Kenosha would come to for her free time.
A bell rang, indicating that someone was coming in the store. I looked up to see a familiar face walk in the store.
It was the man from the bar, only he didn't seem so...empty. He had a smile on his face as he waved at the happy customers. He wore his signature black suit and nice dress shoes.
When he walked pass me, I got a hint of his cologne and the man smelled good. Which was a major turn on for me.
I watched as he stopped right in front of Kenosha and Adam. All three of them had the biggest smiles I've ever seen. Kenosha then looked my way and motioned for me to come over.
I stood up and walked over to the trio. Kenosha put her arm on my shoulder and said, "This is Mutt. He's my brother."
The man looked at me with his beautiful brown eyes. He held out his big hand for me to shake.
"I'm Taylor." He said, his voice deep and smooth.
I shook his hand and said, "Well, you already know my name."
"You look so familiar." Taylor said, squinting his eyes.
I smiled. Yeah, this was the guy from the bar.
"You've probably just seen him around. Mutt gets around." Kenosha stated.
Taylor looked at Kenosha and then back at me, "Have I seen you before?"
I shrugged my shoulders and replied, "What Kenosha said."
I wonder if Kenosha or her friend or anyone in this store knew that Taylor spent his Friday nights at the bar a couple of blocks away from here. They most likely didn't. I did, though. His secret was safe with me.
Taylor turned his attention back to Kenosha and his wide smile returned.
"You're brother moved in across the street from me." Kenosha stated.
"Really? Tell your family to stay clear of him, you know how Bonnie is." Taylor said.
I didn't think Bonnie was bad. I liked him, in my opinion, he's really cool. He wasn't afraid to do or say what was on his mind.
"I'll make sure and tell them that." Kenosha replied.
She wasn't going to defend him? Then so be it.
"I like Bonnie. He's alright." I crossed my arms and said.
Kenosha looked at me and gave me a look that said "don't" but I ignored her and waited for Taylor to say something back.
"You've met him?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah, two days ago. He's a cool guy."
"No offense Mutt-"
"My name's Max." I said before this Taylor guy said anything stupid.
"Max, no offense but you don't know my brother. He's a junkie." Taylor said, lifting the corner of his top lip.
"He's your brother." I stated.
"Mutt." Kenosha warned me.
By now we were getting stares. I'm not going to lie, Taylor and I were a little loud. I could tell Taylor didn't like the attention that we were getting. He looked around, noticing the gazes.
"You must be the black sheep of the family also." Taylor whispered to me.
"Fuck did you just say to me?"
"Mutt, stop. I think it's time for you to go home." Kenosha said.
"No. This guy is disrespectful as fuck."
"Listen to your sister, Mutt."
Did Kenosha not hear what this guy was saying? I know he's her boss and she needs this job but...fuck her job!
I punched the guy in his fucking throat, causing him to fall on the ground.
"MUTT!" Kenosha shouted, "Leave!"
Of course everyone all looked at me like I was the monster. Everyone had their eyes on me, they all looked scared. Pussies.
I stormed out of the store, knocking a stool down in the process.
I began walking down the street, back home. It wasn't that far in car but on foot, it would take me at least two hours. I wish this town had taxi's, bus's even. Stupid small town.
I kicked down a trash can out of frustration. I didn't feel like walking honestly.
Beep beep.
I turned around. There was a black car behind me. My first instinct was to run because I owed a lot of people money but once I saw that it was Bonnie, I sighed, relieved.
"Where, you going? I'll take you."
•••
"Thanks for the ride, Bonnie." I said.
"No problem, I was coming back from the store. Ran out of beer." He said.
I nodded. I noticed how many beers he had in the back of his car. If it didn't look like he was having a party, I would think he was an alcoholic.
"Can I ask why you looked so upset?" He asked.
"Huh?"
"When you kicked over the garbage."
"You saw that?"
He laughed and nodded his head.
I pondered whether or not I should tell him that I just walked out of the bakery because I punched his brother in the face. I didn't know how he would react. Just because his brother was an inconsiderate asshole didn't mean he was.
"Got in an argument with some guy in the bakery." I said.
Bonnie stared at me, holding back his laughter. As he tried his best to hold in his laugh, I couldn't help but smile. I guess that triggered him to just burst out laughing. I didn't see what was funny about me getting in an argument but here I was laughing anyway.
"Everyone who goes to that bakery are modern day hippies. How'd you get in a argument with one?" He asked.
I smiled. He was right.
"Okay, it wasn't just some random guy, it was your brother." I said.
Bonnie continued laughing, which shocked me. Maybe him and Taylor hated each other.
"My brother Taylor? Over what?" He asked.
"You." I said, trying to ignore how weird that must sound to him.
Bonnie laughed even harder.
"Fuck Taylor. He's a goddamn prude." Bonnie said.
I smiled, finally realizing Bonnie was a little drunk. How come I didn't notice before?
"Yeah, thanks again for the ride." I said.
"No problem."
I unbuckled my seat belt and got out. Just as I was ready to close the car door, Bonnie said my name.
"Yeah?"
"G'night."
"Night, Bonnie."
I closed his car door and made my way inside the house. Adrian and Xavier were on the couch with their girlfriends, indicating that mom was not home. I tried to sneak pass them but of course, Adrian had to see me.
"Mutt! I thought you were with Kenosha." He said, standing up.
"I was." I simply said. I walked towards the stairs, only for Adrian to step in my way.
"Gabriela, I'm sure you remember Mutt. The faggot drop out." Adrian chuckled.
"Oh yeah. You broke a lot of hearts coming out." She said.
"Too bad." I told her before turning back to Adrian. "Move."
"No. My rooms up there. What if you go in my room and start sniffing my boxers? I don't want you sniffing my boxers."
I rolled my eyes. I didn't need this shit.
"Well, my rooms up there. I'm going to my room."
"I don't think you're going to your room. What do you think, Gabriela? Do you think Mutt is going to his room?"
"Nope." She replied.
Bitch.
"Adrian. Move." I demanded.
He shook his head and crossed his arms. I heard Xavier and the girls laughing behind me. I didn't think this was funny. I was seriously considering putting my hands on this boy.
"Adrian, man. Move outta my way!" I shouted, getting irritated.
"You mad? Hit me." He said.
"Just fucking move, dawg."
I didn't say that. It actually surprised me when I saw who said it.
"Thought you were sleep, Marcus." Adrian said.
"Well, I'm not and you in my way. So move fo I punch you in the jaw."
Sure enough Adrian moved. Xavier sucked his teeth when I walked upstairs. I made sure to flip them off before disappearing into the hallway.
I walked in my room and took off my shirt. Plopping down on my bed, I retrieved my phone from my pocket. I turned it on.
Immediately my phone lit up with notifications and text messages. I'm not popular, I'm just saying. But I made sure my Instagram was never dry.
One text from Jermaine, two text from Oliver, and a text from mom. I read their texts.
Jermaine: Drop by today
Oliver: We haven't chilled in a while babe
?
Mom: Please get some milk from the store. We ran out.
I sighed. I did not feel like getting milk and I just got in the house.
"XAVIER, MA SAID BUY SOME MILK FOR THE HOUSE!!" I yelled out for him to hear.
Now, I gotta reply to Oliver and Jermaine.