Hello everyone!
Sorry for the slow update but time's have been a bit stressful as I'm still working and currently home schooling my kid's!! Send wine...Lots of wine!
I hope each of and your families are safe and healthy! Sending you all a prayer no matter what corner of the world you're hunkered down in! Love ya💓
Now let me hear your thoughts on this book so far?!?! I'd love to hear what you think of Duel and who you hope he ends of with!! I already have a few rooting for Zoe and some for Chelly!!
Do you think Chelly is just too nice and innocent for Duel?
Will Duel be able to stay out of trouble and will Demarco be forced to remove him from the family??
Love to hear your thoughts!!
Buzz, buzz, buzzz.
My eye's slowly popped open as the sound of my phone vibrating woke me up. I was sitting at my desk in my bedroom originally studying for the upcoming exams. Obviously I dozed off with my head buried in the book. Lifting my head from the book I saw a damp spot on the opened page. Swiping my hand over my mouth to remove any remaining drool, I picked my phone up and saw an unfamiliar number.
"Hello". I answered in a voice mixed with sleep and uncertainty at who may be on the other end.
" What up melon? "
You can say that I was wide awake now at hearing Duel's voice. "I'm about five minutes from your house. Hope your old man is home?"
" No". I shrieked as I caught my appearance in the mirror above my desk.
"You can't just pop in unannounced. I have to okay visitors with my parent's first" . I said in a near panic attack.
"Too bad, so sad. I'll be there in a few". Duel said as he disconnected.
Glancing at the time my heart beat even faster. It was only ten in the morning. Since it was Saturday my mom would be busy in the kitchen making lunch and getting a head start on her Sunday baking while my dad would be preparing to meet the men of the church for their routine round of Saturday golf. Oh my dad wasn't going to like this at all. Jumping out of my oversized t-shirt gown, I slid on a pair of jean shorts and a old concert tee. Not that I'd ever been to a real concert but I'm a collector of old eighty band shirts. The one I just tossed on represented Guns N Roses.
After raking a brush through my hair I flew downstairs. Thankfully both of my parent's were in the kitchen together. "Dad, I need to ask you something and quick".
Dad looked over at me. "Okay".
But before I could explain the unexpected visitor the doorbell rang out and too me it seemed to ring in slow motion and sound like doom. "Hold that thought" . My dad said as he went to answer it.
Following behind on my dad's heels I watched in horror as he opened the door. "Can I help you?"
" Hi. I'm here to see Chelly". Duel said with his mouth in a crooked grin.
"I'm sorry but I haven't been told of any company today. Chelly hasn't informed me".
" Sorry dad. It was spur of the moment ". I piqued up.
My dad glanced at me and thin said. "Make it a quick one. This is a busy morning for us".
Duel was allowed entrance and I inwardly groaned at his attire. My dad surely wouldn't like this. Duel had on holey jeans paired with a untucked shirt. His wavy hair seemed a bit wind blown but I thought it only added to his sexiness. "What's your name son?"
" Duel Harper ". He said extending his hand.
My dad gave a questionable look. "Never heard of that name around here?"
" I'm originally from New York. My grandparents own a home here and I'm spending some time here".
"I see". My dad said and I knew that he was silently assessing Duel.
" May I ask you a question Sir? "
"Yes, go ahead".
" I'd like to take Chelly out tonight? "
I already knew what my dad's answer would be but I couldn't help but admire Duel's braveness. Most guy's, Blaine included never was so straight to the point with my father. Duel didn't seem to even flinch. "I'm sorry son but Chelly has other obligations today. Perhaps if I see you in church tomorrow and forthcoming I'll consider it. I don't know you well enough to entrust you with my daughter. Now if you will excuse us, we have thing's to see to".
With that my dad showed Duel the door. Once Duel was gone my dad turned to me. "How do you know this fellow?"
" I met him at the library ". I lied.
Dad gave me a skeptical look. "I don't take him for the library type. Looks like trouble to me. Make it clear to him that there will never be a date between the two of you and then steer clear of him. Now go fix yourself up and drop by on Blaine. He could use some cheering up".
" No dad". I whined. "We broke up and I don't want to see him".
Dad grinned and patted my back. "It will pass. Blaine is good for you. Now run off to see him".
I huffed upstairs angry at my father. Why can't he get that I don't want to be with Blaine? Why does he have to be controlling? Switching clothes I decided to go on out. I'll just make my visit with Blaine brief just in case my dad follows up on me.
The weekend rushed by and I hadn't heard a peep from Duel nor had I contacted him. I was too embarrassed to after the way my dad handled his surprise visit. How could I ever explain my dad's behavior or tell Duel what he wanted me to. Maybe I won't hear from Duel after this. He probably think it's too much trouble and I don't blame him. I'd run to if I could.
Wednesday rolled around and I was a bit excited. Today my art class was taking a senior trip to a major art museum at the state capitol. The bus ride would take about an hour but it was worth it. I always enjoyed a ride into the big city. However I wasn't expecting a surprise. As I was riding along on the bus I noticed a car in the next lane and instantly knew who it was. I grinned as Duel kept even with my window waving and making goofy faces.
Once at the museum we all filed off of the bus and soon as I entered there stood Duel waiting. "What are you doing here?" I asked a bit awed.
" Hey, not a bad choice for our first date". He smiled.
"How did you know I was coming here?"
" I have my ways". Duel shrugged.
"But this isn't a date. You heard what my dad said". I reminded him.
" Yea I did but I don't care. Do you always do what your dad wants you to do? "
"For the most part". I answered then continued as Duel held my attention.
" we can't be seen together here. My classmates as well as my teacher knows my dad. They'll question him about you".
"Oh my little melon live a little. I sense there's a wild side lurking behind those eye's. After all you had on a Guns N Roses shirt on the other day. Welcome to the jungle baby. You're going to die". He quoted from their popular song.
I had to laugh but quickly sobered up as I realized I was no longer with my class. Duel had intentionally lured me away while we were engrossed in talking. "Oh no, I've got to find my class. I'll be in so much trouble" .
"Relax Chelly. You're with me now. We will walk around a bit then head out for lunch. I'll return you back to school on time. Live melon. Live." He encouraged with that oh so bad grin of his.
Without thinking of all that could go wrong I rashly agreed. Duel and I had a blast and he was so fun and daring. I felt like every minute with him was a new adventure. There was so much laughter and I felt so free. Duel was right, I felt wild and wanted to do thing's that I'd normally frown upon. We chased each other along the sidewalks bumping into other pedestrians. We made obnoxious jokes about some of the art we saw and laughed so loud that security reprimanded us. But what really took my breath away was watching Duel walk into a unique candy shop and slyly stuff item's into his pockets. Yes, that scared me but he was so good at being a bad boy that I was captured, blinded by all of his wrong doing.
On the way home I kept stealing side glances at him and found myself wanting to kiss him but I wasn't bold enough to make the first move. As we pulled into the school I noticed that we had beat the bus back. I didn't think anything else about it until my phone rang. "Shhh. It's my dad. I've got to take this".
" Where are you? " My dad asked frantically.
"I just got back to school".
" What is going on then? Your teacher just called me. The bus is still at the museum as cops are tearing up the town looking for you".
Oh God no I prayed. This was bad. "I'm okay. I just hitched a ride back with a friend" .
"Get yourself home now. You've got a lot of explaining to do. I've got to inform your teacher that you are safe". My dad roared and hung up on me.
All the good feelings that I had exited my body as dread flooded in. This was bad and I knew I was in deep trouble. "I've got to go". I told Duel and rushed out of his car.
" Wait Chelly". He called but I just kept running toward my old van.