Riveted: Drawn Series Book 1 (9 page)

“What are you doing here?” I asked shakily. He looked at
me like I was a mental case.

“I would ask the same of you,” he muttered.

“Jack put the moves on her and she shot him down,” said
Chloe.

“Not a good idea to be living with him I gather,” he
remarked with a snort.

“Probably not. I feel bad though,” I replied.

“Why? If you told him that you are not ready, then you
are NOT at fault. Seriously!” exclaimed Chloe. Matt nodded in agreement. 

“He was not mad at me. He wasn’t. He is really a nice
guy. I just don’t want him to treat me like some china doll,” I remarked.

“To answer your earlier question, I live here. For now.
And about Jack, don’t worry about it. That’s a huge thing to a guy. To be with
a girl who has never been with anyone else. But you know something, don’t
overthink everything Bleu. It will only make shit more difficult,” he said,
patting my knee. I nodded.

“Thanks for that Yoda,” snarked Chloe. He tossed a throw
pillow at her and she grinned.

“I know I am not a chick, but I am here to talk, anytime
you need someone other than the retarded fairy here,” he said.

“Thanks Matt. That means a lot to me,” I replied.

Chloe stood up and grabbed a blanket. After a moment she
came out of her room with a pillow.

“Here, it’s a good thing that we don’t open until two.
Lie down, get some sleep. Sleeping on it may give you a different perspective,”
she replied. We looked over and Matt was asleep on the other couch. Chloe
turned off the lights and walked to her room. In the darkness, I settled in and
fell asleep.

When I woke up, Matt was gone and Chloe was reading the
paper. She looked up and smiled. She was way too perky for my liking. She was
wearing black capris and a white tank top with a picture of Marilyn Monroe on
it. She had a black bandana tied around her blonde streaked hair that was
braided.

“Hey chica, there’s coffee here. I have to run; I have a
belly dancing class to check out. I will see you at two,” she said, grabbing
her black book bag. She shut the door behind her. Belly dancing? She was a nut!

After she left I took a quick shower and then I left the
apartment. I parked in front of the shop, as the coffee shop was within walking
distance. Jack was outside on his umpteenth cigarette break and he waved me
over. I let out the breath that I was holding and walked over to him slowly.

“Good morning. You look much better this morning.
Although you taking off, it scared the shit out of me,” he said, grinding out
his cigarette.

“Yeah, about that. I just panicked. I know it was not
fair. Next time I will give you a heads up. I ended up crashing at Chloe’s” I
said. He came closer to me.

“I am glad you are okay and that you went to Chloe’s. Did
she tell you I am moving in and Matt is going to live here?” he asked.

“No, but that’s cool. Her place rocks!” I said, not
really knowing what to say. Things seemed to change around here on a daily
basis.

“This does not have to be awkward sweetheart,” he
murmured, coming closer to me and hooking his thumb in the belt loop of my
jeans. He kissed my neck and I shivered, even though it was warm and sunny
outside.

“I felt like a cock tease jack,” I whispered. He
snickered.

“Do you want me Bleu?” He nuzzled up to my neck again.

“Uh yeah. But I am scared,” I replied.

“Don’t be,” he whispered, into my neck.  I stepped
back a bit when we saw Skeeter peek out of the garage.

“So, did you give any thought to what I proposed yesterday?
The tattoo?” he asked. Skeeter popped his head back in the garage.

“Yes. Let’s do it,” I replied. He smiled.

“Really?” he asked his brown eyes wide.

“Yes really,” I said with a laugh.

“That’s cool Bleu, thank you,” he replied. He hugged me
and I sighed as I breathed him in. God he smelled so good.

“When do you want to start?” I asked. He looked
thoughtful for a moment.

“Can you do it tonight after we close? Around ten? I had
a cancellation and the shop won’t be so busy then.”

“Sounds good Jack, see you then,” I replied, turning away
from the shop. He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him.

“You’re not working today?” he asked, concern in his
eyes. I patted his arm and smiled.

“I have that whole thing with Abby remember?”I replied.

“Shit. I am sorry I forgot about that. I did not get much
sleep last night. I could not stop thinking about you,” he replied. He kissed
my lips softly, turned and walked inside. I stood there like an idiot, my
fingers on my burning lips.

Abby was already at a table when I walked up. She was
sitting at one of the outside tables. It was an absolutely beautiful day. She
looked amazing as always in a little pink sundress and beige heels. Her hair
was in a perfectly executed ponytail.  My outfit was nice. A longish man’s
shirt, white with navy blue pinstripes with a wide brown belt, navy blue
leggings and brown flats. My hair was held back with a navy blue headband and I
had on minimal make up. She looked me over and smiled in appreciation.

“What’s up baby cakes?” I asked. She smiled again as I
sat down across from her. The waiter came over and I ordered a mocha latte and
some fruit salad.

“So, why do your lips look like you have just been
properly kissed?”She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. This bitch did not miss
anything.

“Uh Jack kind of kissed me before I headed over here. I
think I am allergic to him,” I replied. She laughed.

“You are crazy! So why are you bunking with him again?”

“Axel is AWOL. He blocked my calls, my text messages, you
name it. He totally sided with Blowjob Barbie and God knows where he is. He is
not talking to me and I left. No wait, he kicked me out. So I was going to stay
with Jack. But that is really not a good idea,” I blurted out. She shook her
head.

“What does that she devil have on him??!” she muttered. I
shrugged.

“I have no clue and neither does anyone else at the shop.
Its hurts though Abs, because I spent my whole damn life being there for him,
sticking up for him. He’s my family!
 
And
the asshole ditches me without confiding in me. And to tell me to basically hit
the road by text??!! What are we 12?” She looked at me as I took a huge sip of
my latte. She was unusually quiet.

“That is cold Bleu. If I could I would kick his ass. This
has got to be something serious, for him to just take off, leave the shop, his
friends and family. This asshole-ish behavior is totally out of character for
him.”

“Yeah that’s what I thought too. Jack said to just calm
down and he would try to see what he could do. But apparently he got the same
message from Axel too,” I replied.

“So Jack…”she asked.

“You are about as subtle as a freight train,” I muttered.
She laughed.

“Well???”

“Calm down Abs. I was going to stay with him. But now, I am
not so sure. He sets me on fire and makes my insides burn. I am scared.”

 She practically jumped out of her seat and into my
lap.

“Did you and he..? You know, did you give it up to him?”
Her hands fluttered in the air and I laughed out loud.

“NO! When I have sex for the first time, it will be with
someone I have genuine feelings for, not someone I barely know!”

 “I am so proud of you, especially after all that I
have been through. But don’t let the chance to have real love. You deserve it,”
she said softly. She frowned and smacked my arm.

“Stop saying that!” she yelped.

“Saying what??” I asked, rubbing my arm.

“I barely know him...blah blah. That is such a bullshit
excuse!!!! I am really tired of hearing it Bleu!” she said, practically biting
my head off.

“Don’t glare at me like that Bleu Drawn,” she said
angrily.

“You don’t understand,” I said softly.

“I will tell you what I do know. That man is sweet, kind
and caring. He is also just as wounded as you are. Maybe more so. You had this
incredible family to support you after your mom was killed. He had this awesome
mom and his piece of shit dad. He went to jail after sticking up for his
family. That is a huge sacrifice to me. Stop being such a little bitch about
this whole thing. Carl, he sucked! I hated him. So did everyone else. Snap out
of your whiny ass bitchy girl fest and fuck that man senseless!” she snapped. I
studied her face and she glared at me.

“Okay then,” I said slowly. She nodded.

“I mean it Bleu. I love you. You are the sister I never
had. Stop holding yourself back and sack the fuck up,” she whispered. I shook
my head and she smiled, patting my hand.

I took a huge sip of my coffee and looked at her. I had
no idea what to say to her. She just tore me a new one

“I have no idea what to say. Seriously. I had no idea you
were holding back as much as you have been. Um, I am sorry?”

“Don’t apologize. Just do something with what I have told
you,” she hissed. I nodded.

“I think you will be alright. And don’t keep shit from
Jack or anyone else okay? Not like Axel has been,” she said softly.

“Ok. I promise. But I really don’t know what to do Abs,
about Axel I mean. No clue. This is not like him. I mean, he is Mr. Tough Guy
and he was always the one to push my Aunt’s buttons. But this, and being with
her??!! I am stumped! And honestly the real problem is not her, it’s him. He
has been acting like a complete douche nozzle!”

“Well there might be someone who can help you,” Abby
said, looking down at the table.

“Who?”

“Your dad,” she replied.

“Are you kidding me? How can my Dad help with Axel? They
immediately start puffing out their chests and acting like baboons when they
are around one another,
when
they are around one another,” I replied.

“You still keep in touch with him right?” She looked at
me and I nodded my head.

“I do. But again, why him?”

“Bleu, Axel is a lot like him, which would explain the
whole posturing thing when they are together. I mean, your dad owned a Harley
shop, was at every Bike Week and bike show. He was in a motorcycle club with your
Uncle Sid. The only thing he did that was out of character was hook up with
your Mom, a nurse, who was so different from him. I know Axel has a lot of
anger and he tends to fixate it on your Dad. Even so, maybe your Dad can help
you figure this situation with Axel out? ”

“You know, I had not thought of that. Anything involving
those two will definitely not be easy, but it’s better than the alternative.
Talk to Dad huh? Yeah. You are right,” I said thoughtfully.

“Axel is stubborn and he is going to do what he wants. He
always has. You have always protected him, even before your Mom died. And I
know that you try so hard to remember good things about your Mom. But you were
little. Besides, even though you were a lot like your Mom, you and your Dad
have always seemed to click,” she said earnestly.

“I am going to make some phone calls today and see if I
can work something out for this week Go to the prison to talk to Dad. Today is
too short of a notice and besides I have some stuff to do tonight and I don’t want
to rush my visit with him,” I replied. She nodded.

“What’s going on tonight? You know I am nosey, so spill
it sister,” she said with a laugh.

“Well Jack is going to start on a tattoo for me. He made this
amazing drawing and I agreed to let him tattoo it on me. I am excited!”

“Oooh, I am so glad that you decided let him give you
some ink. He does amazing work. Have fun!”

 “Plus I have to decide if I am going to stay with
him.” I said.

“Don’t overthink things. Remember what I said not two
minutes ago!”

“Yes Mom,” I said with a laugh.

“Listen, I need a favor from you,” she whispered. I
looked around.

“Um why are we whispering?” I asked. She shrugged.

“My dad has been staying with us, at my house. I need
your help,” she said.

“Um why is your Dad staying there?”

“He kind of set his house on fire,” she replied, looking
down and playing with her spoon.

“What??!!” I cried.

“Quiet down! Everyone around here thinks it was faulty
wiring. Being that he is a retired firefighter, they let it slide. He, uh, met
some girl on the internet and he set the house on fire when he, um,”she
stuttered.

“What did he do Abby?” I asked. The suspense was killing
me.

“He lit candles in his bedroom and they fell off of the
table when they were having sex. It set the carpet on fire and the whole
bedroom pretty much. Dad got burned pretty badly and the house pretty much
burned to the ground.”