Playing with fire harlow.., p.18
Playing With Fire (Harlow Prep Book 1), page 18
Unfortunately, the sound of a guy beating up his girlfriend is all too common around here, but I don’t want Ava knowing that. I don’t want her growing up thinking that’s how relationships work.
“I’m going to get you out of here,” I whisper to her as I rock her back to sleep. “You and your mom. Me. We’re all getting out of here.”
18
Brett
The next morning I wake up to find a bag of donuts on the kitchen counter and a birthday card signed by Kelsey and Ava. They’re both still asleep. I eat a couple of the donuts, then leave a note for Kelsey, letting her know I’m going out.
I go down to the street and get in my car and drive, having no idea where I’m going. I just needed to get out of the apartment. I shouldn’t waste the gas, but hell, it’s my birthday. I can indulge a little today. As I’m driving, my mind wanders to Claire. All last week, I found myself looking for her at school. When I’d see her, I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t help myself. She looked so damn hot in that uniform. The short plaid skirt. The knee-high stockings. Crisp white button-up shirt. I’ve never in my life fantasized about girls in school uniforms until last week, when I saw Claire in that short plaid skirt. Since then, I can’t get that image out of my head, or my fantasies.
Why can’t I just find someone else? Someone I could be with without losing my job? There are plenty of other girls at Harlow, girls I could easily get. Several of them have already approached me, making it clear they’d do whatever I want. I could live out my fantasies with them. But the whole time I’d be imagining Claire. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I always want what I shouldn’t. If it’s off limits, I’m drawn to it. Give me a rule, I’ll break it. It’s just who I am, and I keep doing this shit, even though it gets me in trouble.
When I get home an hour later, Kelsey is still asleep in her room with Ava. I almost call up Terrell, but then remember he’s not talking to me. I could call up one of my other friends but they’re all guys from my old team, and given how they acted when I left on Monday, I’m guessing they’re not talking to me either. Some of them might have a few days ago, but by now, I’m sure Terrell has turned them against me.
My phone rings and I’m thinking maybe Terrell decided to be a friend after all. But when I look at the screen, it’s a number I don’t recognize.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hey, is this Brett?”
“Yeah, who’s this?”
“Logan.” When I don’t respond, he says, “Logan Walker. From school?”
“Yeah, I’m just surprised you’re calling. How’d you get my number?”
“It’s online, in the school directory. So anyway, about the game last night, I thought you did a decent job.”
“Thanks,” I say, thinking he could’ve just told me that at school on Monday.
“How are you getting along with the team?” he asks.
“We’re getting along okay. Why? Did you hear something different?”
“No, but some of the guys can be tough on new people, especially the guy taking my place.”
“I guess there’s a few that haven’t been too friendly, but I don’t have to be friends with them. I’m just there to play ball and hopefully win games.”
“If any of them are giving you a hard time, I can talk you up, tell them I approve. But only if you want me to. It’s up to you.”
“I’m good. I don’t need you to do that.”
“You sure? It’ll make your life easier if those guys see you as a friend and not the enemy.”
“You can tell them whatever you want, but I’m not asking you to. I can handle those guys.”
He’s quiet, and I wonder if I pissed him off by saying that, but I don’t need him fighting my battles. I can take care of myself.
“So how are you feeling?” I say, breaking the silence.
“Better. My hand might be good enough to start physical therapy next week.”
“That’s good.”
More awkward silence follows.
“So I was thinking maybe we could meet,” he says.
“Why?”
He laughs a little. “You’re not interested in making friends, are you?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I guess I’m just not used to people being friendly. I’m used to having my guard up. It’s just how I grew up.”
“If you don’t want to meet, I get it, but I thought I’d at least offer. I was thinking I could tell you about the teams we’ll be playing this season, give you insight on their strengths and weaknesses. I know you said you don’t need any help, but it wouldn’t hurt to know this stuff, right?”
“No, it’d be good. So when are you thinking?”
“Does tomorrow work?”
“Yeah, maybe around four?”
“That works. Let’s meet at the school. We’ll go out to the field.”
“Why the field?” I laugh a little. “Are we gonna be running plays?”
“I thought we’d throw the ball around. Well, you would. I’d watch.”
He wants to watch me throw the ball? Why? Does he think he’s going to coach me? If so, I don’t need a coach. I’ve already got one.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Logan says.
“Yeah, see ya.”
I’m surprised Logan’s doing this. I didn’t think he’d want to help me out. I thought he’d want to see me fail just to prove he’s better than me, but it seems like he’s more focused on making sure we win games.
It’s almost noon but there’s nothing to do so I go in my room and sleep until two. When I get up, I find Kelsey in the living room, watching TV.
“Happy Birthday,” she says in a quiet voice, jumping up from the couch.
“Thanks,” I say as she gives me a hug. “Is Ava taking a nap?”
“Yeah. Was she okay for you last night?”
“She was good.” I go to the kitchen to find something to eat.
“I made you tacos,” Kelsey says, meeting me in the kitchen. “I made them for lunch, but I didn’t want to wake you up. The stuff’s in the fridge. I’ll heat up the meat.”
“I can do it.”
She pushes me aside. “Go sit down. It’s your birthday.”
“Stop bossing me around,” I say, smiling at her.
“I’m your older sister. It’s my job to boss you around.”
“I need to get ready for work. You care if I shower while you heat up the food?”
“Go ahead.”
I shower and put on my uniform, then go back to the kitchen where a plate of tacos is waiting. I scarf down all three of them as Kelsey checks on Ava.
“She’s still napping,” Kelsey says, coming back to the kitchen.
“That’s okay. I’ll see her later. I need to get going.”
“We’ll celebrate tomorrow.” Kelsey hugs me, then stands back, looking me up and down. “You look really good in that suit. How do you not have a girlfriend by now? Aren’t there any girls your age at the club?”
“Yeah, but I’m not allowed to date them.”
“That’s right. I forgot. It’s kind of a stupid rule. You should be able to date whoever you want.”
“What about you?” I raise by brows. “You talk to the pharmacist lately?”
“No.” She half smiles. “But I have to go there later to get a prescription filled.”
“That’s your chance. Ask him out.”
“With Ava on my hip, screaming for me to let her down?”
“Why not? It’s a good test. If he can handle a screaming toddler, he might just be the guy for you.”
“Yeah, I think that might just be enough for him to decide he’d never date me.”
“Just ask him and find out.” I walk to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? How late are you working?”
“Until eleven, but I might go out after that, just drive around or go get something to eat.”
She frowns. “Terrell still isn’t talking to you?”
“No, but I’m over it. I’m not going to beg him to be friends with me. I’ll see you later.”
When I get to the country club, the usual Saturday night crowd is there. It’s just after four, which is when the really old people arrive. They’re always the first ones there. Then the families show up, people with younger kids. After that, it’s mostly middle-aged couples. The same people tend to show up every week and I’m starting to get to know them. I’m not having long conversations with them, like Josh does, but I’ve said more than hello.
Fuck the rule that says you can’t talk to the members. If it means getting a bigger tip, I’ll do it. Just the other night, this guy doubled my tip after I asked him about his car, a restored 1950s Mustang. The guy could’ve talked for hours about that car. He loved that I asked about it, and rewarded me with a huge tip.
“I’m so fucking bored,” Josh says, leaning against the valet podium.
“You should be used to it. It’s always slow before five.”
“I meant this job. I’m sick of it. If I didn’t make so much I would’ve quit by now.”
“Why? It’s easy. You get paid to park expensive cars.”
“Yeah, but I’ve done it forever. I need something new.”
“Aren’t you quitting this job after college? That’s only a few months away.”
“Depends on if I get a job. If I don’t, I’ll be staying here.”
The door swings open and Sherri comes out, wearing her waitress uniform, a short black dress with a white tie around the waist.
“Hey, there, birthday boy,” Sherri says, coming up to me and giving me a kiss.
I back away. “How’d you know it’s my birthday?”
“I saw it on Gary’s desk calendar. He puts all the employees’ birthdays on there.”
“It’s your birthday?” Josh asks. “And you’re working?
“I don’t mind. I didn’t have anything else to do.”
“You get a $50 bonus on your birthday,” Josh says. “You knew that, right?”
“No. When do I get it? My next paycheck?”
“You get it now, in cash. Gary will put it in a card and give it to you at the end of the night.”
“Shit, that’s the best news I heard all day.”
“Why don’t we go out tonight and spend it?” Sherri says, looking up at me, her hands on my chest.
“It’s already spent. It’s going to pay bills.”
“That’s just his way of saying he’s not interested in you,” Josh says. “Get a fucking clue.”
Sherri saunters over to him, a smirk on her face. “Keep it up, Josh, and I’ll tell Gary about you and Mrs. Stern.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” he says, tapping a pen on the podium as he stares straight ahead.
Sherri leans toward him. “Behind the cafe on Beacon Street. Last Wednesday night. You and her going at it against—”
“What the fuck were you doing there?” he asks, backing away. “Are you following me?”
She shrugs. “You broke the rules. I’d hate for Gary to find out. Wouldn’t you?”
“What do you want?” he snaps.
She glances at me, then back at Josh. “You split your tips with Brett and me.”
“No.” I put my hands up. “I’m staying out of this. He can keep his tips.”
“Or he can give your share to me,” Sherri says, her eyes on Josh. “What’s it going to be?”
“You’re not getting a dime from me,” Josh says. “You can’t prove I was with her.”
Sherri gets out her phone and holds it in front of Josh. “You don’t really think I’d forget to record it, do you?”
“You fucking bitch!” He reaches for her phone, but she yanks it back.
“I need to get back to work.” She smiles at Josh. “Just drop off my payment before you leave.”
She goes back inside.
Josh shakes his head. “There’s no way I’m paying her.”
“You really want to risk getting fired?”
“I’m not getting fired. She’s lying. She didn’t get video, and even if she did, there’s no way it’s good enough to prove it’s me. It was dark that night and we were hidden behind a building. If she filmed us from the street, it’d be too far away for anyone to tell it’s me.”
“How long has this been going on? You and this woman?”
He walks over to me. “That was the first time. She called me, asking if I’d drive her downtown and drop her off so she wouldn’t have to deal with parking. Turns out it was just an excuse to be alone with me. I didn’t even know she liked me that way. She never really paid attention to me.”
“I don’t think I know her. Has she been here recently?”
“No. She doesn’t come here very often. Her husband comes here with his friends. Old guy. White hair.” He pauses. “Why can’t I think of his name? He’s a judge. You’ve met him. You even parked his car.”
“Claire’s dad?” I say, thinking that can’t be right.
“Yeah.” He nods. “That’s him. Judge Kaswell. How do you know Claire? I know you’ve seen her here, but I didn’t think you knew her.”
“I go to her school now.”
“Shit, that’s right. I forgot. You ever talk to her?”
“Yeah, sometimes.”
“Don’t be telling her about this. I mean it. You do and I’ll get you fired. I’m not going down alone.”
“I won’t say anything. Do you think she knows?”
“Claire? No. I don’t think she’s close with her stepmom. I wouldn’t be either if I were her. Veronica’s kind of a bitch.”
“Then why were you messing around with her?”
He smiles. “Because she paid me.”
“She paid you to have sex with her?” I say, keeping my voice down.
“She paid me to…” he makes air quotes, “give her a ride. So I did.” He laughs.
A car pulls up to the entrance, a silver Mercedes.
Josh looks at me. “Look who’s here. He must’ve heard us talking. Remember, keep your mouth shut.”
Josh goes up to the car and opens the passenger door, a big smile on his face. “Mrs. Stern. How nice to see you again.”
“Thank you,” she says, getting out of the car, acting like she doesn’t even know Josh. She’s much younger than her husband and a lot better looking. She’s tall and thin with blond hair and a pretty face. Why would she be with Claire’s dad, an old guy who’s losing his hair and has a gut on him?
“Brett, could you get the door?” Josh says.
I realize I wasn’t paying attention and hurry to the door before Mrs. Stern does. I open the door for her.
“And who are you?” she asks, smiling and batting her eyes at me.
What the hell? Is she flirting with me?
“Brett,” I tell her. “I’m new here.”
“He goes to my school.”
I hear her voice and see Claire coming up behind Veronica.
“Hey, Claire.” I give her a quick, professional smile. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you.”
“I got both my girls for dinner tonight,” Claire’s dad says, a big smile on his round, wrinkled face. He puts his arm around Claire. “Let’s go inside, Princess.”
She cringes when he says ‘princess’, which makes me want to laugh.
Claire looks gorgeous tonight, her long dark hair curled in soft waves. She’s wearing a short black dress that clings to her body, and black high heels. It’s a complete contrast from how she looked when I met her, with that frilly pink dress and pink ballet shoes. She looked more like a little girl that night or a prissy princess, but now? She looks like a bad girl, a fucking hot bad girl.
For a second I think maybe she dressed this way for me, then realize that’s stupid. Just because we kissed doesn’t mean she’s interested in me. She was probably just bored and using me for some entertainment. I didn’t get that feeling when we kissed, but maybe I was just imagining there was something between us. She’s moved on from me now. She barely even looked at me at school last week.
“Enjoy your evening,” I say as they go inside.
“Guess she’s back for more,” Josh says, returning from parking the car. He smiles. “Did you see how she looked at me? I bet she asks me to meet again before the end of the week.”
“You’re really going to keep doing it with her? Don’t you think that’s kind of risky?”
“That’s what makes it good.” He lowers his voice. “Between me and you, I’m not really into the older chicks but doing it behind the husband’s back, knowing you could get caught, it adds to the thrill. Makes the sex that much better. And for someone her age, she’s not bad looking. I’ve had worse.”
The more Josh talks, the less I think of him. He’ll do most anything for money. I thought it was bad when I found out he helps spouses cheat, but now he’s sleeping with a member’s wife? A guy he pretends to be friends with just so he’ll leave him a big tip?
Judge Kaswell seems like a nice man, which makes me feel like I should tell him what’s going on. I know I can’t, but it’s going to bother me every time I see him, or see Claire. Maybe I should tell her. Then she could be the one to tell her dad.
What the hell am I thinking? I need to stay out of this. The more I get involved in all the drama that goes on here, the more likely I am to get myself in trouble. And besides, I don’t know the whole story. Maybe Judge Kaswell is cheating too, or maybe they agreed to an open marriage.
Around six, the place gets busier and Josh and I can barely keep up. It means more money in tips so I’m not complaining. I’ve already made two hundred and I still have five hours left of my shift. This might end up being my biggest night ever for tips.
At seven, Claire comes out with her dad and stepmom.
“Josh will be here in a minute with your car,” I say to Judge Kaswell, giving him a polite smile.
He walks up to me. “I heard a rumor you’re now attending Harlow Academy.”
“Yes,” I say, trying to keep my eyes on him and not Claire, but it’s hard because she looks so damn hot tonight.
Judge Kaswell looks back at her. “I assume you know Claire, my daughter? She attends there as well. Come here, Princess.”
