WITHIN THE SPAN of a week I had learned that the art of being nonchalant was a specialty I did not possess in the slightest. I knew James was catching on that there was something off with me and the menstruation excuse could only be used so much. It was simply a matter of time before he pieced it together and figured out I knew. Until then I had to draw as little attention to myself as possible.
Now that it was common knowledge James quit his job, we had a lot more free time to spend together which I would have loved in any other situation aside from this one. I really did enjoy hanging out with him, but whenever I looked at James or thought of him, all that would flood through my head was that he was doing drug deliveries again, and I was dating a felon.
Well, breaking into his house and destroying his motorcycle weren't exactly legal either but this was different. If James got caught not only would he go to prison, but he wouldn't get to attend college in the fall, and he'd destroy the relationship he finally mended with Helena after so long. I planned to stand by him no matter what, though personally, I'd prefer if the guy I was dating wasn't behind bars.
"Dani?"
I snapped out of my daze.
"Weren't you listening?"
"Amber," I said very slowly, hoping my words would resonate with her. "You're talking about your date with my brother. Sorry I'm not the most receptive."
She grimaced. "Sorry, should I stop?"
I shook my head. "What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't hear about your romantic life?"
She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed the life out of me. "I love you so much!"
"Save those words for my brother," I teased.
"Shut up!" She smacked my arm before beaming at me. "Dani, the date was perfect. Brent was such a gentleman too! We watched a movie, he bought me dinner, and then he asked me to be his girlfriend!"
I pretended to be surprised. "You're kidding! What did you say?"
"Yes, of course!" Her smile faltered. "If that's alright with you."
I had to refrain from smacking her upside the head. "Of course that's alright with me, stupid. I want you to be happy."
Cue another bone shattering hug from her. "You're the bestest friend ever!"
"I'm pretty sure that's not a real—"
"Just shut up and appreciate the moment."
I chuckled as I hugged her back. I was beyond appalled that anyone saw anything remotely attractive in my twin, but if Amber was happy then I was as well. She and Brenton together was something I was going to have to learn to live with.
"Holden's here!" Speaking of my brother, he popped his head into my room where Amber and I were. I pretended not to see the lovey eyes they were giving each other.
"Let's go," Amber said and we went downstairs with our laptops.
Since college applications were due soon we decided to invite our friends over and apply together. I hated almost all of Brenton's friends and Amber was my only really close friend so she, Brenton, Holden, and I agreed to meet up.
"Looking grumpy as always, Parker," were Holden's greeting words.
I glowered at him. "Are you asking for another nose job, Rollins?"
Brenton and Amber quietly watched us, unsure if we were joking or not. When they didn't see any blood or punches being thrown, they deduced we were on good terms.
"Can we have some snacks?" Amber asked as she sat on the couch in the living room.
Brenton nodded. "Of course, babe." He then turned to look at me. "Go get snacks."
I grabbed my brother by the ear and dragged him to the kitchen. "The least you can do is help."
"Why do you have to be so violent?" he whined, clutching onto his ear for dear life.
I released my overdramatic brother and made us bowls of chips, cookies and pretzels while Brenton poured drinks. "So..." I started, making my twin arch an eyebrow.
"What is it that you need, Evangeline?"
"Well, Wilhelm," he cringed at my choice name, "I was wondering if James could come over and apply with us."
Brenton frowned at me. "Dan, I don't think that's the best idea. Mom will flip if she finds out."
I folded my arms across my chest. "Why does your partner get to come over and mine can't? That's not fair."
"I know," he said with a sigh. "And I can't tell you how sorry I am for telling Mom all that shit to begin with."
I waved him off. "It's all in the past."
"So you're not mad about that anymore?" he asked with a hopeful smile.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Until Mom accepts James I'm still mad."
Brenton handed me a glass of juice. "Drink something cold. Maybe it'll extinguish the fire that is better known as your soul."
"Hilarious."
~*~
Once Holden and Amber left I met up with James on his porch to catch up. I had to keep mentally reminding myself that he was only revisiting the dark parts of his past to help him afford school. The more I told myself that the less negative feelings I harboured towards the entire situation. All I could do now was try to forget about it and focus on the amazing guy I was dating.
"I just finished applying," I told him as we sat on his porch.
"After the way your biology grade's skyrocketed, you'll get in anywhere," he said with a smile. "I applied too." I couldn't stop the massive grin forming on my face. It gave me so much happiness and relief that James actually applied. He had a brilliant mind and had the capabilities to do amazing things if he pushed himself. "What if I don't get in because I missed a year of high school?" he suddenly asked.
The worry and anxiousness laced in his voice made me frown. "James," I took his hand in mine, "any school would be lucky to have you. When they see your grades you'll be a shoo-in for every school you applied to." I paused as I thought over my next words despite already knowing the answer. "What are you going to do about your money situation now that you quit the diner?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I'll figure something out."
I pursed my lips, not really sure what to say. We both knew how he planned on figuring it out, but there had be some other way. That couldn't be the only answer. Any lingering thoughts I had were interrupted when a car pulled onto the driveway. I glanced at James who had his jaw clenched, a dangerous look in his eyes.
"You should go," he said without sparing me a glance.
It was like I was frozen in place as the figure exited the car, stepping into our view. He was a big, burly man with dark hair, stubble, and a beer belly. His already irritated expression worsened when he saw us. "You," he pointed a grubby finger at James, "I told you to fix my muffler."
"I forgot, Tate," James responded, his voice void of emotion. I had to silence myself from inquiring who in their right mind would name their child Tate?
"If you want to live in my house you better start following my damn rules, boy. You stopped listening ever since you started spending more time with..." His blue eyes snapped to me. "Her." I felt an involuntary chill run down my spine from the iciness of his words but I didn't say anything. James wasn't looking at me but he was still holding onto my hand, which I was grateful for. This didn't go unnoticed by Tate who stared at our intertwined hands, a dark look on his face.
"Bobby was right," he snarled. "Your girl's nothing but a rich bitch who's distracting you from what's important."
James released my hand and stood up. "Don't call her that again."
"Or what, boy?"
"I'll fix your muffler," James said, stepping down.
"You bet your punk ass you will." Tate took a step forward. "But don't you dare threaten me on my property again or you can go back to the streets where you belong. Just like your daddy."
That last part was enough to set James off. He lunged forward before immediately stopping himself. Instead of hitting Tate, James hunched his shoulders forward and looked down in defeat.
Tate laughed boisterously. "If you're gonna talk up then at least be a man." He raised his hand and I instantly closed my eyes, wincing when I heard the audible slap. I opened my eyes and gaped at James who stood there, clutching his cheek while he still looked down. It baffled me that he wasn't fighting back but I figured he feared he'd have nowhere else to stay if he upset Tate. "You're not gonna fight back?" the aforementioned jackass taunted. "Looks like your daddy raised a bitch."
"Shut up," James said in a low voice.
"What, you think because you have a rich girlfriend you don't need me no more?"
James didn't answer.
"She's gonna leave you when she finds out you're nothing but a worthless piece of shit like your dear old daddy."
"Watch your damn mouth," James warned, but his anger only seemed to be fuelling Tate.
"You," he called, looking straight at me. "Did you know Jameson over here used to be a drug mule? He gets it from his father."
I wanted to tell him I was already aware, but I knew better to keep my mouth shut.
"Shut the hell up!" James clearly had enough and without thinking he swung his fist. It connected with Tate's jaw and I could hear the sound of bone on bone from here, making me grimace. Tate threw a punch back and James fell back, staggering from the blow. Tate was ready to launch another but I intervened before things could escalate.
"Hit him again and I'm calling the cops," I warned, stepping in front of James to shield him.
He cackled. "He ain't no minor, I can do as I damn please."
"My mom's a lawyer," I continued even though that was a bit of a fib. Technically she was a paralegal which meant she wasn't officially a lawyer but who needed to know the minor details?
Tate slowly dropped his hand and scowled at me. "I don't like you."
"What a bummer," I said monotonously before dragging James by the arm.
He stumbled behind me confusedly. "What are you doing?"
I casted a look at Tate, who was already glaring at me, before looking at James. "You're not spending the night with that whack ass hick."
"I can't stay at your house," James protested.
I wrapped my arms around his to prevent him from leaving. "You can and you will. Now let's go before my mom comes home."
My brothers were in their rooms, Mom was at work and Niko wasn't home so I took this to my advantage and let James inside. We went upstairs to my room and I made him sit on my desk chair as I got the first aid kit to tend to his wounds. It was kind of funny — in an incredibly morbid way — how the last time we were in this same situation we could barely stand each other, and now things were completely different.
"It felt like forever ago," James said, voicing my exact thoughts.
I smiled down at him. "I was just thinking about that."
He returned the smile with one of his own. "I'm grateful that despite everything we— shit!" James roared as I dabbed his cut with a cloth damped in antiseptic cream.
I gave him an apologetic look. "Oops?"
"Yeah, okay." He snatched the materials from me and tended to his own wounds. Tate sure did a number on James' nose, which was sporting a nasty cut and a lot more blood than I'd like in my bedroom. Sure it was nothing like what I did to Holden but it was still pretty bad. While James was cleaning his nose I went downstairs to get him an iced pack. While I was walking up the stairs I happened to run into Alex who was giving me a strange look.
"Why do you have that?"
"Why do I have what?" I asked as I slowly put the pack behind my back.
"The thing you're hiding," he scoffed.
"Since when did you get so nosy, Mom?"
He folded his arms across his chest. "You didn't answer my question."
"I just fell and bruised my leg," I dismissed.
"Oh, really?"
I pushed past him and walked back to my room. "Bye, nosy." When I entered back, I glanced over my shoulder to make sure Alex wasn't following me.
James watched me amusedly. "Why do you look so paranoid?"
"I think my little brother knows you're here," I said as I handed him the iced pack.
His lips curved into a frown. "I should leave. I don't want you getting into trouble."
I stepped in front of my door to block the path before he could leave. "You're not going anywhere." The last thing I wanted was for him to go back to Tate who seemed to be capable of doing a lot more damage.
"I'll be fine," he promised.
I didn't move from where I was standing. "You're not leaving, and that's final. I'll get you some clothes to change into."
Since Niko hadn't been back for a while I didn't have any recent opportunities to steal his clothes so I had to borrow Brenton's clothes again. When I heard the shower running I used that as my opportunity to sneak into his bedroom. I leafed through his closet, nearly shrieking and crying when I touched his jockstrap, but despite the overwhelming desire to burn my hand I still continued looking for clothes. I found a long-sleeved navy blue shirt and a pair of black pyjama bottoms, so I took them from his closet before he could finish his shower. I was tiptoeing back to my room when I heard someone clear their throat. Alex, who clearly had nothing better to do, was standing outside of his bedroom with the same suspicious look as before. The only difference was he was now dressed in space-themed footed onesie pyjamas.
"Why are you taking Brent's clothes?" he questioned.
"To wear them," I responded instantly.
"What happened to Niko's clothes?"
"They're in the wash."
"Didn't Brent do the laundry two days ago?"
"He forgot to do my load," I dismissed. Why did this kid have so many questions?
"Does he know you took his clothes?"
"Yes," I lied straight through my teeth.
"Why do you have such quick answers?" he grilled me, raising an eyebrow.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why do you have such quick questions?"
"That doesn't even make sense," he argued.
I rolled my eyes. "Go to bed, Alex." The last thing I needed was for my ten-year-old brother to bust me for sneaking in a boy again. I entered my room, making sure to shut the door behind me, and I gave James the clothes.
"Can I go to the bathroom?"
"No!" He raised his eyebrows from my immediate response. "Brent's taking a shower," I explained. "And I don't want Alex to see you."
He shrugged his shoulders before stripping right in front of me. My jaw slacked as I watched him take off his clothes, unable to peel my eyes away from his toned and muscular body. Noticing my reaction, James smirked. "All you have to do is ask, neighbour."
I immediately stopped ogling and scowled at him. "Shut up."
His stupid smirk only broadened as he finished changing. "Show's over for tonight. Let me know when you want a part two."
Being the mature seventeen-year-old I was, I grabbed the closest object to me, which happened to be my backpack, and I threw it in his direction. James caught it with ease and shook his head. "I'm not even surprised by how light your backpack is. How the hell were you passing your classes before me?"
"Aren't you a comedian?" I said in a flat voice.
James took a step closer to me. "Is someone's feelings getting hurt?"
When I didn't respond he came right in front of me and slipped his hands under my thighs to pick me up as he threw me on my bed. I grabbed onto his shoulders and pulled him down with me, making him land on top of me. I let out a squeal as James dug his fingers into my sides, which only made the sadist continue tickling me. I covered my mouth to muffle my screams so neither of my brothers heard, but that didn't last too long when my door swung open.
"Dan, have you seen my PJs? It's the second pair I... My eyes!"
I shoved James off of me as I stared wide-eyed at Brenton who looked traumatized. He had his cell phone in his hand and a horrified look on his face.
"Brent..." I started slowly, unsure of what the hell I was supposed to say after being walked in on. I was so used barging in on my brothers that I didn't know how to react now that the roles had been reversed.
My idiotic twin turned his phone's back-facing camera to us. "Do you see what I have to deal with?"
"This is why you put a sock on the door," a voice from the phone said.
My ears perked when I recognized the voice. "Niko!" I jumped off my bed and snatched Brenton's phone to see my better brother on the other end of a video call.
"Looks like you've been busy," he teased, a full blown grin on his face.
"Okay, never mind, goodbye."
"Wait!" he said before I could give Brenton his phone back. "Let me say hi to my future brother-in-law."
I shot him a death glare as my cheeks reddened which made my twin gag. Scared of Niko saying any more embarrassing things I turned the phone so he could see James. "Hey," James said with an awkward wave. I felt bad for the guy, it must have been an uncomfortable situation for him to be in a girl's bedroom and have her two brothers barge in — physically and virtually.
"Good luck with your application," Niko spoke. "The dean's my best friend's dad, so I'll throw in a good word for you."
James smiled at him. "Thanks, that means a lot."
I raised my eyebrows at James. "You applied to Penbrooke?" I never would have guessed that school to be his top choice. Sure it was a good university but James had an Ivy League level brain. When he nodded I dropped the phone and wrapped my arms around his neck. "That's so exciting! I'm so happy for you!"
"Hey!" Brenton cried as he picked up his phone that was now on my floor. He dusted off his phone before shooting me a glare that soon turned into a look of concern when the reality of a boy in my bedroom dawned upon him. "Why the hell are you two alone in your bed?"
"Brenton Wilhelm Parker, what did I say about interfering in Dani's love life?" Niko scolded from the other end, making me immensely grateful he was on the call.
Brenton's lips curved into a pout. "But she snuck a boy over!"
"Do you want me to list all of the shit you've done?" Niko threatened Brenton.
He looked at his phone glumly. "No."
"Good. Let Dani have her fun." Niko paused. "But I swear to God if you even think about having sex under this—"
"Okay, that's enough, thanks," I dismissed before he could further mortify me. "Time for you both to leave now."
"You better keep him hidden from Mom," Brenton warned. Just as he opened my door to leave, the youngest Parker barged in.
"I knew it!" Alex exclaimed when his eyes locked on James.
"Good job, genius," I said with an eye roll.
Brenton shook his head at us. "Yeah, yeah, it's bedtime for you." He threw Alex over his shoulder and carried him out of my room.
"Bye, James!" Alex said as he flailed his body in Brenton's arms.
James chuckled as they left. "I'm starting to think you're not the craziest member of your family."
I smirked at him. "I knew I was dating you for a reason."