Page 4

Bradley

M y alarm goes off, and I jolt out of my crappy sleep. Last night flooding back as I shut it off.

Ronnie’s sexy smirk, Amber’s little shy smile that isn’t shy at all. Our bodies tangled, heat crossing between us, and my damn head spinning from all the dopamine swimming in my system.

I step outside my room, eyes half-mast, crossing the hallway to the kitchen. I sleep like shit when Ronnie is not at home. At least he texted that he went to sleep in Luka’s apartment after he brought Amber’s stuff here. My foot stumbles over something hard and my lids fully snap when three big suitcases smack against each other loudly, knocking over two trash bags. “Shit, I forgot that was here,” I mumble while a sharp pain surges through my toes.

My little toe screams inside my white sock. Since I can’t do that I only pretend to, opening my mouth wide without making a sound. This always happened back home with my siblings—everything they own is a hazard.

I quickly fix the suitcases back in place and round the small kitchen island to pour myself a glass of water. I take a million inhales to calm myself as I do so.

Footfalls echo down the hall before Amber shows up. “Is everything okay, I heard a loud bang?” Her upturned nose crinkles, her high cheekbones a little pink probably from leaning on them while she slept.

“Yeah, other than my little toe being on its deathbed everything is okay. I forgot your stuff was there.” I drink slowly and she nods, blinking long and hard.

“Almost.” She repeats in a croaky voice.

“For someone who doesn’t own much you sure as hell own a ton of clothes.”

“I love to express myself through clothes. One day I can dress punk-rock and the next like the sweet girl next door.”

“She’s anything but sweet,” I note, finishing my glass. “I strongly believe she has little devil horns hiding somewhere.”

Gaping at me, she rubs her eyes, “I’m heading back to sleep it’s my day off.” She shuffles back to her room.

“Sweet dreams, Bear.”

After she is gone little footsteps resound against the floor and my eyes slide in that direction. Teddy peeks at me, stretching his little legs, and strolling toward me.

You didn’t… I narrow my eyes at him. You slept with Amber.

“This is her first night here, boy, have some dignity,” I murmur. “You took your matching names pretty seriously.”

Sitting under my stool, Teddy looks up at me with his adorable puppy eyes, unfazed and carefree, waiting for his food bowl.

He will never wake up unless it involves food, whatever he can put his paw on.

I open the cabinet under the sink, pour his food into a bowl, and set it for him next to the stool. His crunching sounds engulf me as my phone vibrates against the counter.

Ronnie’s name crosses the screen as I lift it to accept the call but he immediately changes it to a video call.

“Good morning, Sunshine.” His sleepy voice fills the speaker, and his sun-kissed highlights cover the screen before I get a full view of his baby face, now covered with the stubble he’s been growing out lately, and it suits him perfectly.

A grin tugs at my lips, “Good morning, Princess.” I zoom in on that exhausted smile of his, “How was your night?” This man’s dedication to work is beyond admirable and so is his will to help anyone who asks for it.

“Eventful.” His lids close and open haphazardly.

“Why did you stay in Luka’s place?” It’s eight-thirty in the morning and I may have slept three hours overall because he wasn’t here. I know it’s stupid because we’re not together but I worry when he’s out.

“He needs help this morning so I offered to stay for the night and leave before my appointment.”

It’s today, fuck.

“Do you want me to come with you?” I remove a few dark strands that fall on my face to the side.

His eyes follow my movements, never leaving the screen once. “Nah, it’s good. I’ll let you know the verdict when I return.”

“You better,” I point one finger to the screen.

His soft chuckle sounds like a soft whimper and I’m a goner for this shit. Coming here, I never expected to develop all these feelings toward him so effortlessly and fall for him.

“You look good.” He says with no motive but a playful grin.

“I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet.”

“Then you’re a natural beauty.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?”

“Did it work?”

“A little.”

“Just a little?” he contemplates for a moment, “Then I should try harder.”

I swallow thickly, my heart racing and I feel it in my throat in seconds. Now, my cheeks are a hundred percent red. I love it when he doesn’t give in so easily even though he wants to but continues to torture me sweetly with his words and actions.

His mind tries to keep him safe from another heartache, but his body speaks a different language.

“I gotta go and get changed. I’ll see you later.” Ronnie announces and I can hear Luka in the background making them coffee.

“Okay, stay safe.” I end the call, knowing I need to occupy myself until I find something to do so I decide writing can help.

I put my headphones on, music blasting at full volume—that is how everyone should listen to music. My fingers push the keys in the same rhythm as the song, and I find comfort in both actions.

Luka gave me great advice yesterday: life takes from you as much as it allows you to take back. The opportunities are out there, waiting to be harvested. We can’t blame others for our lack of incompetence. If you want something, make it happen. Go and get it. Stop saying to yourself that it’s impossible. The only people who can limit us are ourselves.

My dad used to say the same thing. He pushed me to want more for myself, he didn’t pressure me, just showed me how much he believed in me and my abilities to grow and become who I am today.

I started sketching when I was in seventh grade and a year later, I started selling them at local events with Dad’s help. He had a mouth that could sell water to a shark.

I chuckle to myself.

To become the best you need to learn from the best, that’s how I got here. Luka’s style mirrored my own. Monsters, strange beings, and sexual art are what I tend to gravitate toward but even with four years under my belt as a tattoo artist, I’m still learning every single day.

Two hours go by quickly in front of the laptop while my spicy thoughts take over and translate into words on a page. Once I finish, I scroll up to Amber’s chapter, I promised to read it later, didn’t I? Well, I think now would be considered later.

An amused smirk turns into a bite on the lip, flame spreading through my chest as my eyes drink her detailed descriptions. Swiping my tongue over my dry lips, I snatch a cookie from the jar, needing to bite into something.

The tension between us is rising and an unstoppable jolt of passion crosses through me as the husky sound of their voices envelops me. Their touch is gentle, yet firm, and has me mesmerized far beyond what it should be.

Damn, she’s good at this.

With their heavy arms around me, I feel their thick cocks pressing against my stomach and backside. Just like that, all the shit I dealt with today fades as I get lost in our moment.

Chewing the cookie, I pause. It tastes different… I roll it on my tongue and snap my eyes to the side—Teddy’s jar is open and I immediately spit the cookie into my hand.

Son of a bitch it tastes awful . It smells good but tastes like an ointment—not that I tasted it but I bet it would taste like this cookie if it were tested.

I forgot Ronnie started putting those in a jar.

I tilt the screen down, still disgusted, I sprint to rinse my mouth out in the kitchen sink. With long strides, I stalk to Amber’s room to check on her and peek through the door she left wide open.

She is still sleeping and I’m happy to see her cozy and safe with Teddy beside her. Stifling a moan, she shifts a little and rolls farther to Teddy’s side, revealing the tip of a studded…

Bat?

What…

I have so many questions. Out of everything she could’ve taken out of her luggage, this is the most important thing?

What if she’s a serial killer with a baseball bat? That’s kind of hot, in theory. What if Ronnie was right?

Oh, but what if it’s a sex thing…

Now I’m curious even more.

I slide my phone out of my pocket and call Ronnie.

Passing the hall, I wonder if there’s a reason she has a bat. Did something happen to her? Is it just for protection? Did she use it? Why is she sleeping with it? But I keep these thoughts at bay and creep to Ronnie’s room on the other side of the apartment.

The door is ajar and with a light push, it opens wide. His sandalwood scent lingers. I head toward his closet where he keeps his cologne, well, our cologne—we use the same brand and mine just ran out.

“How can I be at your service?” He answers on the third beep. The sound of traffic in the background is deafening.

“She has a bat. It’s under her pillow as we speak and Teddy is an accomplice.”

I spritz it on my neck and wrists, glancing at the made-up navy blue sheets—he always keeps it clean and organized. The stack of books on the right nightstand hasn’t moved in a week. The bottom drawer is slightly open though…

“Are you on crack?” He sighs. “I had to stop on the side of the road to answer you.”

Inching closer, I gaze down at it from above, trying to see what he has inside without touching anything. I can’t see shit through the narrow gap.

Fuck this. I’ll have a sneak peek.

“No, I’m not. I’m just a concerned roommate. But what if she put something in my food or water?”

I bend down, hooking my finger around the wooden edge of the drawer, and drag it toward me. A midsize butt plug reveals itself to me and my eyes go wide.

A bat, now a butt plug… So many revelations. Not to mention I already know he has bottles of lube in his office drawer.

“I can’t with you. I don’t even know if you’re joking or being serious.” His voice pulls me back. “May I remind you that you pressed to get her inside my apartment? But, it’s just a bat it doesn’t mean anything. I’m almost home, we can address the situation later.”

“Okay, and I was joking. She amuses me, a little unpredictable like you. Ride safe.“ I end the call and pocket my phone.

I shove the drawer back to its rightful place, exit the room, and leave the house. This house is full of kinky fuckers, me included.

The elevator doors almost close but I smoothly stick my boot between them and they slide open.

“Piper…” I step inside, lining my back against the panel.

“Bradley…” Our fourteen-year-old neighbor sneers at me, wearing a preppy outfit.

“What happened that your family was in a rush in the middle of the night?” It looked like an emergency.

“My brother didn’t feel well, we took him to the hospital. He had a fever and trouble breathing.” Traces of concern color her voice but she masks it by maintaining her usual steal expression.

“Is he okay now?” I keep my tone light.

“Yeah. Mom stayed with him and Dad brought me home to sleep for a few hours and get ready for school.”

“But you barely slept,” I voice my thoughts.

“It’s fine. I’ll sleep in class.” She looks away for a moment and the energy shifts. “I see you’re wearing all black again.” Her eyes study me from head to toe, checking every inch. “Meh. I like the new girl’s sense of style.”

I eye her. “Black attire is classy and the new girl is into fashion.”

“I can tell.” Her snarky comments slowly seep into our conversation.

“I see you didn’t drop the attitude.”

“Nope! Just your taste in fashion.” She points to the floor and covers her mouth, “Oops!”

I subtly scrunch up my face.

The way she peers at me with those innocent eyes and her scrutinizing gaze that comes right after—good thing we reached the ground level.

“Well, Piper,” my voice is full of sarcasm as I make the P pop, “You’re sunshine and rainbows as usual.”

“Bradley you’re…” She mimics me with wickedness in her eyes. “The reaper incarnate as usual.” That little girl is roasting my ass nonstop.

Her eyes slide to the side and she merrily exits the elevator as footsteps emerge from the lobby.

“Ronnie!” her voice changes drastically from a condescending prick to a little schoolgirl with a crush. But of course, who can stay immune to Ronnie’s undeniable charm?

I exhale with a snarl.

Ronnie paces the lobby with his helmet in hand. “Hey, Piper.” He greets her back. “Have a good day in school.”

Giving him a fist bump, she replies, “Thanks.” In hurried steps, she exits the door and strides down the street, her tight brownish curls bouncing against her shoulders.

“She hates me with passion,” I turn my attention to him and vocalize my thoughts.

“She doesn’t hate you. She likes the back-and-forth conversations with you. It matches her personality. She enjoys it and you allow it to continue.”

“What are you saying?”

“She likes you.” He doesn’t blink.

“What are you saying?” I repeat it more strictly this time, jerking my upper body forward.

“She sees you as a friend. Probably more than I am. We never had that kind of friendship. We’re more laid back. But you bring those colors out of her.”

“Hmm,” I hum, contemplating. “Do you think she feels lonely, a little left out because her parents are always with her little brother?”

“Maybe. I lived here for seven years and Piper was always like this. Cynical. Bubbly. Moody. A Loner. But always loved to dress up.”

“I’ve never seen her bring friends over, like four months and not even one friend stepped through this hall.”

“Why don’t you ask her next time?” he encourages, checking his phone for the time.

“I don’t know… she ran toward you, maybe you should.”

“She knows me longer.”

“You have an answer for everything, don’t you?” I curl my finger through the short hairs reaching the back of my neck.

“Only what I know,” a playful smirk appears across his mouth.

“I’ll ask her next time.” I follow him as he steps inside the elevator and presses the button to the third floor.

“Weren’t you going somewhere?”

“That can wait.” I had no idea where I was going anyway. Onto serious matters, “How was the doctor’s appointment?”

“Same as always. Everything’s okay.”

“You’re not going to pretend to be okay like they do in the movies where they lie about their health to protect their loved ones.” I arch my brows and lower my chin.

“Nope!” he pronounces the word eagerly. “I’ve been in remission for sixteen years and it stays that way.”

“Lucky unicorn,” I tease. “Are you taking a day off?”

“It is my day off. I’m going to visit Nana and then I don’t know.”

“It’s my day off too, can I tag along?” I bat my eyelashes sweetly.

His eyes dance to the side momentarily before they lock on mine again. “Sure.” What was that? He usually does it when he is lying.

“You don’t want me to come.”

“Of course I want you to come. I was thinking we should invite Amber.”

“Oh,” I clear my voice, “But you’re good? You can tell me anything.”

“Yes, I’m better than good.”

I nod and change the subject. “By the way, the new cookies method is very confusing,” I notify him about my fatal mistake.

Parting his lips, he stares at me in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you ate his treats.”

“I ate his treats,” I say with a heavy heart.

“But I told you I put them there.”

“I am not to blame for this. I’m a victim in this situation and don’t ever, accidentally, eat these cookies. They’re disgusting . I can still taste them in my mouth like a medicine that sticks to your palate and refuses to wash off. Gross.“ I shake my head. “It’s also psychological at this point.”

He just stands there, smiling from ear to ear like the sexiest fucker on the planet. Eyes sparkling.

“What?”

“Nothing,” he casually replies with a smile, blinking softly. “Come on. Let’s see if Amber wants to join.” He weaves his tatted fingers in mine and leads me back to our apartment. The amount of tingles I feel in that small touch is indescribable and drives me crazy.

“No way, Caroline is your grandma.” Amber declares, rushing to get to Nana.

“Amber!” Nana’s booming voice echoes against the thick walls of the restaurant. “What a nice surprise.” Her grizzled hair is tied in a bun, a plastic hat around it, she’s already working and the smell stimulates my brain.

“She knows, Nana?” I ask, confusion washes all over my face.

Ronnie’s eyes move to the side, meeting mine. “I’m surprised as well.” The cute white beanie he picked up before we came accentuates his striking blue eyes that I can’t get enough of and his golden complexion.

“How do you know each other?”

“I was hungry once at midnight and walked into this restaurant because the door was open. Caroline came to greet me. I asked her if she had any food left.”

“And I said wait here.” Nana finishes, all happy and giggly.

“That’s how it always starts.” Ronnie shoots me that knowing look.

“She returned with a pile of boxes, I’m not joking. She even let me do deliveries for her when I needed extra cash.”

“You’re always welcome to help with deliveries, honey, whenever.” Nana clarifies and tucks Amber to her side. “Want to try today’s soup?”

“Oh yes, please.” She rubs her little belly like she did last night. “I’m starving.”

Our eyes trail after them into the kitchen but mainly on Amber’s flare jeans, and white crop top, paired with sneakers—she looks so fine with her little outfits.

“Did she sleep well?” A hint of concern laces his voice.

“I think so. She snuggled with Teddy.”

He shoots me an “I’m impressed” look and says, “That was fast.”

“He is a hard worker.”

“She gave him cookies?” He already knows the answer to that.

“Yup!”

“Come on, boys, let’s make chicken wings,” Nana calls from the kitchen and we stride to her.

Amber’s hands cup a little soup bowl, she’s sitting by the corner next to a wooden desk. Nana stares at a few containers on the island in the middle of the room—one has chicken wings, and the other has sauce ingredients.

“What is it with you and chicken wings?” I ask Ronnie.

“Nana tried to make me every famous dish and I refused to eat all of them because all I wanted, was chicken wings—you can’t fight with a six-year-old.”

“Not with a fourteen-year-old either,” I murmur.

“He was a stubborn kid,” Nana notes, gloved hands dipped inside the food.

“Or as you always like to say I have unique tastebuds.” He breaks into a small laughter.

“True.”

“It became our thing. She makes chicken wings and wraps them in different sauces, I get to try them first each time.” Ronnie explains, “Today, it’s one of her famous dishes in the restaurant.”

“Home cooked meals.” Amber joins the conversation, eating her soup in delight. “Caroline it tastes amazing.”

“I’m glad to hear, honey, I’ll send some home with you.” Nana nods to the fresh box of tomatoes behind me. “Pass them over.”

“You got it.”

Her light movements carry years of practice even though she is over seventy, she moves around like a twenty-year-old. Her subtle wrinkles add a timeless element to her beauty.

“Ronnie, bring me garlic and chilies from the other box.”

Sending us a few more times across the room, she peers up at Ronnie.

“What about your results?” her tone is instantly softer, knowing it’s a sensitive matter to Ronnie.

“Everything looks good. The doctor says I’m the healthiest patient he could hope for.” He doesn’t break eye contact with Nana.

I do notice Amber is staring, her eyes narrowed.

“Okay, you’re not lying.”

“How do you know?” Ronnie’s brows pull together.

“You look to the left when you are,” we both respond in unison, snapping our gaze at each other. Nana shoots me one of her pensive stares that looks more terrifying with her big icy-blue eyes, and I mouth, “What?”

Amber’s little laugh lingers in the background.

“I need to go to the men’s room.” Ronnie strides away, leaving his sandalwood scent behind him.

I turn my head in Nana’s direction catching her staring at me with a suspicious smirk.

“What?” an ounce of embarrassment is laced in it.

“I don’t need to ask for something I already know.” She cackles, washing some dishes in the sink. “If a guy doesn’t drool all over me I don’t want him.”

“Go you, Nana.”

“That’s the spirit,” Amber agrees, gulping down Nana’s soup.

Nana laughs loudly but stops fast.

“Taste,” she orders, putting a chicken wing in my face and I peel it away from her fingers slowly. “I made it this morning.”

Okay.

I bite the meat off it. “Ohhh spicy, I like it.” The flavors sluice against my tastebuds and something a little sweet mixes in there too. “I think Ronnie will love these he’s been into spicy food lately,” I add with my mouth full.

Her eyebrow quirks, smirking again in contentment as if she already figured out I like her grandson.

I don’t hide it and would gladly shout it from the rooftops.

“Caroline, are you awake from the breaking dawn?” Amber inquires, shifting on her stool, and the old thing creaks.

“I run a restaurant, I have to. The staff will arrive later but I like to start early and be alone in my kitchen, dance with the smell of fresh food and my favorite songs.”

“Is he into me?” I blurt out quietly, grabbing a water bottle from the table and downing half of it.

“You’re a big boy, figure it out yourself.” Nana claps her hand on my shoulder and I realize it wasn’t as quiet as I thought. “Never give in so easily. That’s what makes you more desirable.”

“So you’re basically saying he’s into me.”

“Don’t twist my words around.”

“The way you look at each other is your answer,” Amber adds, her beautiful eyes encouraging.

Ronnie returns, his eyes meeting mine and the coil in my stomach tightens as something begins to sizzle in a pan.

“Okay, kids. Time to go, shoo.” Nana waggles her palm and snaps me back to the present. “I need to clean and get this place in shape for tonight’s event—a wedding proposal in my restaurant.” She proudly informs, swinging her body from side to side like a little girl—I guess, in some way, certain parts in life allow us to stay forever young.

“We can help,” Amber offers eagerly and Ronnie and I slowly nod, accepting the sentence because Nana will whoop our asses by the time we’re done.

After long hours, my left ear is traumatized by the endless yelling. Nana is not the grumpy type just loud and pumped that it transfers to her vocal cords.

“What are you doing?” Ronnie whispers.

“Drooling over the food.”

“You’ve been gazing at Amber, for an hour, trying to get a better look at her insides.”

“That is disturbing.”

“Tell it to your face.”

“You’re very saucy today. Is it because we’re surrounded by it?” I fire back.

He turns away from me before a smile slips free. I love making him smile.

“So are you, by the way,” I tease, “When she was making sauce with Nana, you stared. It’s a miracle her bra didn’t snap from all the tension.”

He finally chuckles and drags his white set of teeth over his lip. “I hope she stays. It sucks to give up on something you worked hard to achieve. And she’s still figuring out what she wants, at least, I think she is. It’ll be a shame if she returns home when she could stay here and search for it.”

“Search what?”

“The thing that makes her want to wake up and do it.” He clarifies. “We’re lucky to have found it so early.” Ronnie always makes me think about things that are so trivial to me.

We are lucky.

Ronnie has run the club since he was twenty-three, and I always wanted to be a tattoo artist so I started young. I’m twenty-six-year-old but I started practicing when I was eighteen.

“Have fun, Nana, I love you.” Ronnie kisses her forehead, waving goodbye to the staff working in the kitchen.

“I love you too, honey.” She gives him a quick hug. “And you too, Bradley and Amber. Thank you for coming to see me and for all your help.”

“Our pleasure,” Amber says mid-hug.

“Don’t make me blush, Nana,” I reply.

She tosses her palm down, happily grinning from ear to ear.

“That’s my job,” Ronnie tosses it in the air like an insignificant comment but my eyes encounter Nana’s and she arches her brow as if saying “There’s your answer.”

My eyes zoom in on Ronnie, hopping on his bike and getting ready to head home as the front door closes behind him.

“Safe ride, kids.”