I scowled as I heard the doorbell ring, closing my eyes to hold in the tears. I proceeded to shake the cake mix over the cherries, ignoring the bell going off again and again. Just answer the door already! I groaned internally, refusing to answer the door to that cheater. Just as I placed the dessert in the oven and set the timer, my father yelled out, "Get the door!" I flinched; I knew that the wolf pack outside could hear it. I threw my oven mits on the counter, growling at them as I stomped towards the door.
I yanked it open, scowling at the brilliant blue eyes that I met. "Danny!" He said, smiling until he saw my expression. I barely glanced at his parents behind himI rolled my eyes, turning and starting back towards the kitchen. "Wait! Danny!" he called, but I ignored him. I felt him clawing at the wall around my mind, but still I chose to act like he was nonexistent. I snatched the knife off the counter and grabbed an apple. Still, he knocked and knocked as I sliced the apple in half.
"Danny, please just listen ta—" he began, placing his hands on my hips. I jumped, yelping as I felt him, the electricity; the blood dripping from my finger. Internally, I cursed him, setting the knife down on the counter and reaching for a rag, but it was already around my hand. I hissed at the hot water, pulling away from Josh, glaring daggers at him.
His face fell as he frowned. "Danny, I don't understand. What's wrong?" he asked, taking a step towards me.
I stepped back, grounding my teeth. Get away from me.
I cringed as hurt flashed through his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head, averting my eyes. I made my way across the kitchen, rummaging through the drawer by the fridge in search of a Band-Aid. "Here, let me get that for you." He said, snatching it from my hand. I flinched, wanting to snap at him, but he and his stupid werewolf speed had already gotten the rag off and was drying the small cut. I hissed again, stepping back as he wrapped it around my finger.
"There, now that wasn't so bad, right?" he asked, his eyes innocent as he curled the trash in his fist.
I scowled at him again, pulling away. I tried going back to my job, but he grabbed my arm lightly, making me turn towards him. "Danny, what's going on? Why ain't ya talkin' ta me?"
I rolled my eyes at his innocent act and again tried to go back to what I was doing. And again, I got one step further before he whipped me back around to face him. "Danny, please! Did I do somethin's wrong? Did I—"
He stopped, raising an eyebrow as I pointed the knife I had grabbed from the counter at him. Go away. I told him, my heart rate rising.
He rolled his eyes. "Yer threatenin' me with a knife?" he chuckled, but his smile was soon wiped from his face. He furrowed his eyebrows. "Why are you threatenin' me? Danny, I would never hurt you."
Too late. I growled, but my spirit suddenly was gone.
I winced visibly as I heard my family's voice ring out. "Mr. and Mrs. Miller! Hi! How are you? Where's Josh?" Destiny asked, her voice rising as she switched into polite mode. I pushed the rag into his hands, frowning as I turned back to the apple, rinsing the knife.
"Hi, honey." Gail said, but I could tell she wasn't very happy. "I think he's in the kitchen. With Danny."
"Really? Well, I'd like you to meet my Daddy, Grant Kimble. Daddy, this is Josh's mom and dad." She said, making me flinch.
Josh let out a low growl as my father spoke. "Nice to meet you." he said gruffly.
"Hello, I'm Gail, and this is Peter. Nice to meet you as well." Gail said, but I knew her well enough to know that her real words were harsh.
Has he done anythin' ta ya, Danny? Josh's words cut through me, bringing me out of my thoughts. I shuddered, brushing my bangs behind my ear. I couldn't answer him. He growled again. "Danny—" he began, but a shrill voice cut him off.
"Joshy!" she shrieked as I heard her footsteps running towards him. I recoiled from her, but I couldn't help the pang in my chest at the thought of them together.
"Destiny." He said emotionlessly, but I could feel the anger coming off of him in waves.
"Well, why don't we go into the kitchen and begin dinner?" my father offered, and soon I heard them enter.
"C'mon, let's go sit down!" Destiny said, pulling him to the table. I expected to relax when he was gone, but instead I tensed as I finished cutting the apple. I put them on a new plate, scooping it up into my hand and picking up the salad bowl with the other. I made my way over to the table, not making eye contact with anyone as I set it down on the table.
"Danny, ya won't be joinin' us?" Gail asked. I internally flinched and groaned. Not the best question to ask. I thought. I figured it'd be best to ignore her, but my father did the talking for me.
"Oh, don't mind her." He basically spit the word. "She's nobody. Just ignore her." He said, waving his hand in the air. The house went dead silent before Destiny started up another conversation, leaving me to serve the dinner.
Josh scowled as Destiny prodded him in the arm. "Baby, you didn't eat any of your food." She noticed as I went around collecting the empty plates. If only I got paid for this, you could call it waitressing.
"Not hungry." Josh almost growled out, hardly glancing at her before returning his gaze to me. I looked away, my jaw clenching. How could I still think his eyes were the most gorgeous thing after what he had done to me? I cursed him and his beautiful eyes as I placed bowls of dessert salad (Destiny insisted we have them instead of the cobbler I had already made) onto a platter.
Peter cleared his throat. "So, um, Danny, she's your daughter?" he asked.
I froze, glancing out of the corner of my eyes to see everyone's eyes on my father. Josh looked ready to rip someone's head off. Grant scoffed. "No way in h*** is that b**** my daughter." I cringed. Now that's the 'father' I knew and hated. I started towards the table with the platter in hand.
I gasped as Josh stood, his eyes blazing and his jaw clenched. "The h*** she isn't!" he growled.
"Joshua!" Gail scolded, but Josh hardly glanced her way.
"No," he said. "He knows very well that Danny is his daughter, but he just doesn't want to admit that he doesn't know how to keep his hands off her and control his temper." His eyes narrowed as he spilled my secret to the whole table—and the fact that it looked as though I had told him.
The table shook as my father slammed his fist on the table, standing along with him. I screamed as caught my foot, cutting off his next words. I fell forward, the platter flying into the air as I knocked into Josh's chest, the sudden impact sending both of us to the ground. He grunted as I landed on top of him, a corner of his mouth picking up as he chuckled. I opened my eyes to find the salad all over us and the floor, the plate clattered to the ground not far away. "You clumsy b****!" Grant yelled, making me draw back.
I scrambled to my feet, not wasting a second as the salt water formed in my eyes and fled up the stairs, closing the door behind me. I retreated to a small indent in the wall, burying myself in the corner and pulling my knees to my chest. I wrapped my arms around my legs, crying as I tried to make myself as small as possible.
Loud voices echoed from downstairs, but I couldn't quite pick out the words. I jumped as a sot knocked sounded. I knew it was him before he even spoke. "G-Go away!" I sobbed, wiping at my eyes.
The door opened slowly. "Danny?"
"I-I said go away!" I snapped, covering my face with my hand.
I listened to his footsteps as he approached, crouching in front of me. I jumped as his hand rested on my knee. I looked up, pushing his hand away. "Don't touch me!" I growled, pushing myself farther away from him.
Hurt flashed across his face. "Why're ya so mad at me?"
"You're a jerk," I replied harshly.
He shook his head slowly. "I still don't understand why yer so upset with me."
I sat up quickly, pushing him away by his shoulders. "You betrayed me!"
He landed back on his palms, his mouth agape in surprise. "I-I didn't! I wouldn't! I would never—"
"You did!"
He frowned, leaning forward so that he rested on his knees. "Ya gotta trust me, Danny."
"Why should I trust you after all you've put me through?"
He threw his hands up in exasperation. "Because I love you."
I gasped softly. "I-I think you need to leave."
His face fell. "But Danny…"
"Leave," I insisted. I could feel the tears coming back.
Josh looked down, frowning, but he stood. He glanced up, looking straight at me. "I ain't givin' up. I'm gonna get ya back."
I closed my eyes, turning my head away. There were footsteps, and then the door shut. Again, there were voice, and the front door shut. I tensed as a car started. They were leaving. I held my breath, listening for my father's voice. Footsteps sounded, getting louder as they came nearer. I stood, sucking in a breath.
Fear clutched my chest as he pounded on the door. I glanced around for something—anything to protect myself. When I spotted the window, I didn't think twice. I flung it open and crawled onto the sill, keeping myself from looking down.
"What are you doin'?" a familiar voice asked. I jumped, gasping as I clutched whatever I could hold onto.
I forced myself to look down, glaring at the boy standing on the lawn. "What are you doing?!"
"Danny," Josh said, sighing.
"Go away!" I spat.
"Danny," Josh yelled. "What're ya doin'?"
"Go away!" I repeated, a little more forcefully.
He ran a hand through his hair. "Danny!"
I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing. "He's coming for me. I-I don't wanna get beaten today."
I heard a soft growl. "Jump. I'll catch you."
"Josh—" I began, but the lock unclicked. I glanced back, my heart catching in my throat, to see the door opening. You better catch me. I thought, closing my eyes and letting myself fall.
Before I knew it, those strong, warm arms were wrapped around me. Arms I had missed. "There," he chuckled. "See?"
"Put me down!" I hissed, opening my eyes and scrambling away from him.
Hurt flashed through his eyes, but I pushed the guilt down. "I love you, Danny." He stated, stepping towards me.
"Sshh!" I said, glancing up at the window.
"No," I grabbed his arm and dragged him around the corner. "Danny, I love you."
"Will you be quiet!" I growled, swallowing those words myself.
He shook his head. "No. I will not. I want everyone ta know. I LOVE—"
I slapped my hand over his mouth. "Ssssssshhh!" My heart replied to that glint in his eyes and I stepped away from him. "I need to get away from him. I don't know what to do." I turned my back to him, crossing my arms over my chest, willing my heart to stop pounding.
"Come with me." He said as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"With you?" I scoffed, raising an eyebrow as I turned back to him. "Ha!"
His jaw clenched and that look flashed across his face again. "Danny, trust me." He pleaded, taking a step towards me.
I stepped back, scowling at him. "Trust you? I tried that once."
"What're ya talkin's about?" Josh glared at me, anger and confusion swirling in his eyes. "I never did anythin' ta you. I love you!"
"Shut up," I snapped. "You kissed her. You don't love me. You only used me to get to my sister!"
"Is that what this is about?" he rolled his eyes, sighing. "I love you, Danny Kimble. Yer sister kissed me." He stepped forward wrapped his arms around my waist. I put my hands on his chest to keep him away. "And I pushed her away. I can't see any other girl but you."
I pushed him away with all my strength, and he stumbled backwards. "Liar."
"Believe me, Danny!" his voice almost sounded begging. "I love you."
"Would you quit saying that?!" I snarled, my fists clenching.
"I ain't gonna quit sayin' it until ya know it's true."
My jaw clenched. "Go away."
He smirked. "I'll take ya with me."
"Drop dead." I spat, whirling around to stalk away from him.
He grabbed my arm and swung me around to face him. "You wouldn't want that, would ya?" He asked in that arrogant voice, but something in his eyes was serious.
I ripped my arm from his grasp, surprised that he let me. "Go die in a hole."
"Harsh." He raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and I instinctively jumped towards him. He took my hand, tugging me. "We've got ta go, Danny."
I tried pulling my hand back, but he held onto me, his eyes hardening. "I ain't going anywhere with you!" I yelled a little too loud.
"Would ya rather take a beatin' fer it?"
I glanced back at the door and heard a gun cock. I turned back to him, scowling. "I hate you."
He frowned. "Glad to hear it. Let's go."