Kicking and Screaming (9 page)

JACKSON

I was about to rush into the room when I heard what was going on, but checked myself at the last minute. I made a quick call knowing exactly what would happen if I did.

It was probably not very nice what I was about to do, but neither was the way she kept treating her own daughter.

I’d been on my way to her to steal another kiss or two maybe, or just be near her, since it seems I couldn’t be away from her for too long without feeling her absence keenly.

The words I overheard left me feeling cold with rage. If not for Michael I would’ve let her have it, but the wedding was still pending and I didn’t want any friction for him, but as soon as it was over...

Then I heard her call her an embarrassment and that was the last fucking straw.

Is this lady for real? Unbelievable. No wonder the Firefox is the way she is. I opened the door and walked in as if I hadn't overheard the whole conversation.

"Maxie...oh, sorry Cynthia, I wasn't aware that you were here."

"Oh Mr. Collins, do you make it a habit of entering a lady's room without asking?" She gave me what I was becoming to think of as her sickening sweet smile.

"Not really no, but this is a matter of great importance. Maxie, my mother is on the phone, I made the mistake of calling to tell her I was bringing you home and as she's your biggest fan she's about to combust."

I passed her the phone, not missing the sour look on Cynthia's face. You have no idea lady, before I’m through you’ll eat every word you just said to her.

Since Cynthia was such a society maven, I'm sure she knew who Delilah Collins was, and the fact that most of American society would give their eyeteeth to have an audience with her.

It must really burn her to know that the highly esteemed Delilah Collins was all atwitter over her own seemingly under appreciated daughter.

I was even more sure now of my hasty offer to take her home with me. I had no doubt that in my home, she would find the acceptance and support that was so dismally lacking in her own.

Maxie seemed surprised at my intrusion and I could see from the sheen in her eyes that she was near breaking point.

I willed her with my eyes not to let one tear drop fall. I wasn’t sure I could restrain myself from strangling her mother if that happened.

I passed her the phone and ignored her mother. It looked like she’d been in the middle of packing so I started folding stuff while she talked with mom.

MAXIE

His mother sounded rather nice on the phone and it amazed me how much of a fan she was. I was starting to actually feel a little excited about this visit after all and not only because I was looking forward to more of his kisses.

I won’t look too closely at the fact that it was his company I was most looking forward to though.

I still had that one nagging question left to answer, but the more time I spent around him, the more I was growing to believe that there must’ve been some kind of misunderstanding.

"Aren't you a little old to be living at home with mommy and daddy?"

He grinned at me as I handed him back the phone; my mother had left in a huff after I'd started talking to Delilah on the phone.

Whatever, I really didn’t have anything more to say to her at this point anyway.

Jackson hadn’t said anything but I was hoping he hadn’t overheard our conversation, especially the part about me maybe getting married soon.

"It's a compound, we like living close together, kind of like what you do here, except without the battle stations."

"Very funny; so when exactly are we leaving?"

"In a hurry to be alone with me are you?"

I could feel myself blushing under his stare.

"Don't flatter yourself, I would just like to know how much time I have to get myself together." I could feel that stupid blush spreading across my face; drats.

"In that case, I think we'll be leaving sometime tomorrow, no sense in hanging around here any longer than that, since Janet and Michael are ready to go anyway."

"Fine, now will you excuse me? I wouldn't want anyone to think we were being inappropriate."

I could’ve backed away when he moved towards me, but I didn’t. Instead I held my breath as he took my face in his hands and brought his lips down to mine.

The kiss, like all the others before, made me weak in the knees and not a little light headed. My eyes remained closed for a good half a minute when he lifted his head away from me, and my pulse was still racing.

He ran his thumb across my bottom lip and said the strangest thing. “I think you just might be right after all.” He had the most perplexed look on his face.

“Right about what?”

Instead of an answer, he just brushed our lips together one last time before heading for the door. “I’ll tell you some other time.”

My heart beat like bird’s wings in my chest at the possibilities. Was he just toying with me? What if I started building sand castles in the sky and all he was after was a quick romp in the hay?

Then I’d just have to maim his ass or something, teach him to mess with the wrong one. With that settled in my head it was easy to go back to my daydreaming about what if.

Mommy dearest tried to corner me again later when I went downstairs, but I told her off and sent her packing. She was done.

I don't think she realized that the more she was against me going with Jackson, the more I wanted to go. Just knowing that it was sticking in her craw made the pending trip all the more exciting. Petty I know, but like I said, I get my kicks where I find them.

Miranda and Jenny were being their usual spiteful selves, but they knew to stay out of my way or so I thought, until I got back to my room after raiding the kitchen to find them laying in wait.

"OUT." They came towards me with their faces set; oh yeah, the last time they tried this trick I'd damn near scalped both their asses.

"We want to know...." Jenny started, but I pretty much didn't care what they wanted. I really wasn't in the mood for them right now; I'd had about all I was willing to take of their shit.

"You have two minutes to get the hell out of my room or else."

I squared my shoulders and cracked my knuckles.

It’s the only time I didn’t worry about my precious hands, when I was about to kick some ass.

The rest of the time, I had to be very careful, especially since the shits were insured for an obscene amount of money.

"We're not kids anymore Maxie, you can't take us both on. Now, you've taken everything else but you won't be taking Jackson Collins from me, no way. He doesn't even want you, if not for that stupid piano of yours...."

"Wanna bet?" I didn't even let the twit finish. I guess she was feeling left out since I'd already brained Jenny baby's dumb ass.

For someone with all that lip she sure was a sorry match; I'd barely got my hands around her throat before she started screaming bloody murder.

Jenny was caterwauling at the top of her lungs but she didn’t get too close I noticed, or tried to stop me from killing her nitwit sister.

“I warned you didn’t I? Now look at your stupid ass.” I choked her until she was just at the point of passing out and then dropped her.

“You’re next bitch.” I caught her right before she reached the door and pulled her back by her hair.

With all the noise she was making I was sure the whole neighborhood had heard her by now so I had to be quick.

Since this one was so fond of her face I decided to hit her where it hurts. Two quick short jabs to her precious nose and one to the eye.

“I hope you didn’t have a shoot coming up any time soon. Next time I’ll leave a mark that will last you a lifetime. Now get the hell out of my room and stay out.”

I guess they were feeling brave or they really wanted this guy because they actually came at me again.

I’d been trying to spare them since they were my blood after all, but shit, if they wanted to play we’ll play.

Jonas didn’t teach me to fight for nothing you know.

***

It didn't take long for the others to come running, by then I had Jenny baby in a headlock and had kicked Miranda in her side, winding her.

"Imp let her go."

"Nuh uh dad, this is my room so you know I didn't go looking for trouble, they came after me." I put an extra squeeze on her head for good measure.

"I know that, but you can't beat up on your sisters it's not lady like."

I snorted at that because he knew I had no qualms about being a lady, that's Cynthia's deal not mine. I did let go of my idiot sister when I noticed Jackson lounging in the doorway watching me.

"You see Conrad, I don't think we should be letting her go anywhere, not with this sort of behavior what ever will the Collins think?"

Oh you'd like that wouldn't you mommy dearest, make me pay for their crap as usual.

"I daresay my mother has witnessed her fair share of sibling rivalry eh Mike."

"He has a point Ms. Cynthia." Mike was trying not to smile at me, I did so love my brother in law to be; he got me.

"Are you all packed and ready to go? There’s been a bit of a change in our plans, the plane's waiting."

Jackson finally pulled away from the door and came towards me. His eyes looked like death, but his manner was laid back and relaxed, huh.

I gave the nitwit one final jab to the ribs; she got the message, I'm no longer willing to put up with their shit.

Janet will be out of the house soon and I had no more ties here, I was giving serious thought to thwarting dad's rules and finding a place of my own when the whole wedding deal was over.

"Seems you only behave when I have you in my arms." Jackson whispered those words as he went past me to collect my luggage.

My foolish girl's heart did a roll in my chest and my breath caught in my lungs.

I really need to have a talk with Sophie and see if maybe there had been some sort of misunderstanding a few years ago. The thing is, I hadn't spoken to her in a long, long time.

“Mr. Collins I don’t think...”

“Leave it Cynthia, she’s going.” Dad walked over and hugged me before pulling back to look down at me.

“Sorry imp, I didn’t know, that’s no excuse for being a piss poor dad, but I’m sorry all the same. From now on I’ll do my best to see they leave you alone.

You really want to do this? You’re not just running away?”

“No dad I want to.” I took a quick look at Jackson as I said it and blushed.

If anyone could read my feelings it would be dad, I didn’t want to give too much away too soon.

“My poor Maxie, always wearing your heart on your sleeve.” He kissed my forehead before ushering the others out of the room.

I heard the nitwits yelling about my punishment but tuned them out.

“Let me see your hands.” Jackson had stayed back when the others had left and was now lifting my hands for inspection. There was a tic in his jaw that I hadn’t noticed before and I wondered if he was angry on my behalf.

“We’ll ice them on the plane, the sooner I get you away from here the better. I don’t know how you survived this long.

I’m sure you’ll tell me that you couldn’t help yourself, but please don’t risk your hands again, it would be a great disservice to the world, if you couldn’t play again. Let’s go Firefox.”

***

JACKSON

I practically carried her out of there. I couldn’t quite believe that things had gone as far as they had.

I should’ve known with the way she’d been strung so tight since I arrived, but I just assumed that it was the norm for the family of girls.

I couldn’t help wondering if my presence had helped to escalate the situation, that and whatever it was that she thought she knew about me.

Whatever the reason, I was appalled. I also found it funny that her mother seemed to think it was Maxie’s behavior that was at fault, when she was the one I held most to blame.

I had no doubt that my mom’s brand of TLC would go a long way to making her feel welcomed in my home, in fact I was relying on just that to kind of smooth the way for me.

“Goodbye sir, I guess I’ll be seeing you at the wedding in a couple weeks. It was nice of you to have me.”

I shook her dad’s hand while keeping her next to me. I wasn’t sure what she would get up to next if I left her alone.

“Thanks Collins, you make sure you take care of my girl you hear?”

“I will, that’s one thing you never have to worry about.” From the look he gave me, I knew he got what I was saying to him.

“Bye imp, try to relax and have some fun will you?”

“I will dad, I’ll see you soon. Don’t forget to bring Jonas when you’re coming. He’s gonna try to get out of it so you might have to shanghai him.”

“Not to worry imp I know all about it, I’ll see that he’s there. Now you two run along before your mother finds something else to hinder your leaving.”

With our last goodbyes out of the way I took her hand and led her past her mother and sisters who weren’t looking too pleased by this turn of events.

“Ladies...stop it.” I admonished her under my breath when she growled at them and dragged me past.

She tried to release my hand as soon as we were out of their sight but I held on tight.

“Oh no you don’t. Begin as you mean to carry on I always say.” I squeezed her hand and kissed her temple before seating her in the car and buckling her in.

***

MAXIE

His home is ginormous. It's what I’d expected, but still, seeing is believing.

On the plane ride over here he'd been so sweet and attentive, it's almost as if he thought I was hurt by my family's behavior and was going out of his way to make up for it.

Little did he know that I'd grown immune to them and their antics a long time ago.

I felt a huge rush of excitement when the pilot announced that we were about to land.

I looked out the window at the sprawling estate down below and felt a touch of trepidation.

People who lived in places like that didn’t go for girls who came from middle class families.

Whose fathers didn’t have a couple extra zeroes at the end of his portfolio.

Yes I make good money and have done as much as I can to keep my family in the style they thought they should be accustomed to. A lot of thanks I get for it.

But we were nowhere near this caliber. My palms grew sweaty and my pulse raced. What if mother was right? What if I was nothing more than an embarrassment to him? Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“What’s that look about Firefox?” He took my hand and raised it to his lips.

“Nothing, just thinking that’s all.” Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered what Sophie had said two years ago anyway.

Now that I no longer had the buffer of my anger between us any longer, I was beginning to see that it had all been a foolish dream.

There’s no way he would’ve gone for me then or now. He was probably just being nice because of Michael.

“Hey, I don’t think I like what you’re thinking.” He tugged on my hand and the look on his face pulled at my heart.

“And how would you know what I’m thinking?” I tried for a light touch but I don’t think it worked.

“It’s written all over your face, now cut it out. This is supposed to be a time for fun, remember?

And now that you no longer have your sisters here to bother you, you can relax. Besides I’m here, that alone should be incentive enough for you to smile.”

“Conceited ass.” I fought back the grin and rolled my eyes at him.

“There she is.” He grinned and pecked my lips like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I looked out the window with a silly grin on my face. He was still holding onto my hand.

It was a short ride from the airstrip to the main house. He’d tried pointing out different things to me on the way, but I couldn’t seem to concentrate.

Now that we're here I'm a tad bit nervous, because now I'm on his turf. The tables have shifted and I’m out of my element.

I was never this nervous before a performance in front of thousands of strangers, but being here in his home, so close to where he slept, was giving me butterflies.

Maybe I’d lost my mind in the last day or so; it was probably thanks to those damn kisses of his.

Like the one he’d planted on me just before we left the plane after Janet and Mike had already deplaned. It had left me weak and stupid.

As for those two, it was as if no one else was around, they barely noticed us.

"Welcome to my home Maxie, it's taken me two years, but I finally got you here."

"About that, if you say you tried to contact me two years ago, how come you didn't know who I was when Michael and Jan got together?"

"He didn't tell me her sister was called the Dove, in fact all he could talk about was Jan. I'm not even sure he knew who you were; why is that do you think?"

"It's a long story, maybe I'll tell you one day." Or maybe not, that was something I tried to avoid at all cause.

It was yet another dark chapter in the life of the great Maxie Dove.

Why was I feeling so sorry for myself all of a sudden? It was so not like me, I usually just roll with the punches as they say. But for some reason, being this close to Jackson, with all the old feelings rearing their ugly head, I felt vulnerable and alone.

He was studying me again so I gave him a little half smile to throw him off the scent. It didn’t seem to work though because he took my face in his hands and looked into my eyes.

“Whatever is bothering you, I promise it will be okay.” He got a strange look on his face after imparting those words; then he dropped his hands and stuffed them in his pockets. Weird.