Painful Consequences (3 page)

“When we admit to having our problems, then we also come to terms that we are responsible to do something about them. I’m a heroin addict. It controls my life, my way of thinking, my relationships, everything. I’m a slave to the drug and will stay that way until I can submit to the process of being free. In the meantime, I have no control, no freedom, and no peace,” one man said.

“I’m an alcoholic,” another man said. “My love for the bottle took priority over everything in my life. I lost my family, my job, and my home. I’m also diabetic, so the booze is also taking my health. I can’t stop. Like Carl said, I’m a slave to it. I know I shouldn’t, but I keep going back to my addiction. I don't need a reason either. I simply do it because I can. It will kill me if I don’t let go of my refusal to see the truth about myself.”

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting to get a different result but nothing ever changes. For all of us, it’s called addiction,” Reed said, receiving nods.

Brittany scowled, “I’m nothing like any of you. I’m not an addict, and I shouldn’t be here.”

“Yeah, well, I’m Santa Clause and work with a bunch of elves at the North Pole,” one of the men in the group retorted.

“Kraus, lay off the kid. It hasn’t been that long since you were in denial,” another man said.

“We all have our stories, and we all have failures and successes. Sometimes, getting through one day of being free from the web of addiction can be the biggest success any of us could ever hope for. The key is recognizing that success,” Reed said gently, watching Brittany as she seemed to struggle not to cry.
The kid is probably frustrated
and
angry,
he thought.
I can't blame her
. “Let’s call it a night, shall we? I’ll see all of you Thursday.”

Brittany stood still as the group pushed by her to leave. A few came up to her, welcoming her to their little circle, only to find themselves being brushed off like flies.

“The first meeting is always the hardest, Miss Wallace. Some of these people have been through hell and back and have forgotten what's it’s like to take the first step. It takes a lot of courage to come here,” Reed said, approaching her.

“You know damn well that my idiot brother dragged me here against my will,” Brittany retorted, looking up at him with another defiant glare. Reed stood easily at about 6’1”, was of an average build, with a flat, slender waist and veined forearms. His muscles were notably well honed and chiseled under his snug shirt, and he knew that his work-outs and running left his body in pristine condition. He wondered if Brittany even noticed because, frankly, he wasn't the wealthy drone she needed to once again live in the manner to which she was accustomed.

“Most of us do, my dear. Would you like to grab some coffee while we wait for Brett to come pick you up?” Reed asked, holding the door for her.

“We live close by. I’ll just walk home,” Brittany stated, starting down the sidewalk.

Reed blocked her path. “No way. It’s not safe, and it’s too dark. If you like, I will drive you, but you are not walking anywhere.”

“You can’t tell me what to do, Reed. Goodnight.”

Reed grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face him. His blue eyes were blazing angrily. “Don’t think for a minute that I am stupid enough to just let you wander off at ten o’clock at night. I’m a cop, and I’ve seen every vile thing under the sun. There is no way I will let you walk into danger.”

“You can’t stop me. Holding me against my will is illegal. And touching me without permission,” she yanked her arm away, “is assault.”

“Actually, it’s battery. Get your terms right before you use them,” Reed corrected.

“Fuck you. Hey!”

“Come on, we are going to the diner to wait for Brett. He can deal with this ugly little mouth of yours. What a shame, too. You seemed so pretty at first.” He opened the glass door and gently pushed Brittany inside the small restaurant, pointing to a booth. “Sit,” he commanded. She sat, glaring at him for his insult.

Reed ordered coffee for both of them and a slice of apple pie. He studied the girl, mesmerized by the darkness of her brown eyes, a light gold band around her iris. Her lips were full and smooth, with high cheekbones and a soft, natural curl to her dark brown hair. And her body… It begged to be made love to.

“You look Greek,” he observed.

“From my mother’s side.”

“You’re a twin?”

“I thought we already established that.”

Reed inhaled deeply. Getting this woman to have a civil conversation was going to take more than a cup of coffee and sharing a pie slice (which she refused to touch).

“Do you like animals?” he asked, attempting to change the subject to something less provocative. When she nodded, he launched into a description of Harry and how he managed to live with the stupidest bird on the planet.

Brittany spewed forth with a low, throaty, and very sexy laugh. “He meows? Like a cat? What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s dumber than dirt and has identity issues. I had a stray cat that used to come and yowl at the front door for food. I guess Harry thinks that if he meows, I’ll feed him. Damn bird likes his grapes.”

Brittany lost her composure and starting chortling so hard that she started to cough. Reed grinned, handing her a napkin. “It’s nice to know you can laugh. Lemme know. I’ve got a million stories about that stupid-ass talking pigeon. I’m glad you weren’t drinking something. It’s not fun blowing soda out of your nose.”

Brittany wiped her eyes. It had been a long time since she had laughed to the point of tears. She tried to straighten her face, but kept lapsing into uncontrollable giggles. Reed’s boyish smile of cheesy satisfaction didn’t help.

“Did I miss something?” Brett asked, entering the diner and pushing his sister over to sit in the booth next to her.

“Reed was just telling me about his parrot. Could we get a pet? Please?” Brittany asked, handing him her coffee.

“Maybe. If you’re a good girl and stop putting me through hell. How was the meeting?” her brother asked.

“Boring and stupid. Do I have to go back?”

“Yes,” both Reed and Brett answered together.

“But why? Brett, I’m nothing like those guys. I only smoke weed now and then and can stop anytime.”

“I’m one of those guys, Britt. Don’t you remember when I said I didn’t need help? I got shit-faced and almost killed us both. No, you are going, and you’re not to give me anymore grief about it,” Brett said firmly.

“Besides, it’s court ordered. If you don’t go, I have to report it. I don’t want to be the one who puts you in the slammer. I wouldn’t have anyone to tell Harry-related bedtime stories to,” Reed added.

“On that note, let’s get you home. She turns into a pumpkin if she’s not in bed by midnight,” Brett informed Reed as they stood.

“Please have a chat with her about strolling alone at night, too. She seems a bit stubborn,” Reed commented, watching Brittany pull away from her brother’s protective embrace.

“Again? Sis, I’m going to be turning prematurely gray because of you.”

“Maybe you should think about turning her over your knee instead,” Reed teased, ignoring the look of death shot in his direction.

“Oh, I’ve thought about it. Believe me. She’ll push me too far one day and BLAMO!” Brett smacked his right hand loudly against his left, making Brittany jump.

“Shut up, Brett! I don’t need your comments either, Lt. Simms. Goodnight. And thanks for the coffee and the babysitting,” Brittany said sarcastically, nose up in the air as she turned on her heel and left the two men standing at the register.

“I know it’s none of my business, Brett, but that girl sounds like she could seriously use a good spanking,” Reed frowned, watching Brittany as she leaned impatiently on Brett’s Honda.

“I won’t disagree with you. Trust me, that day is coming real soon.”

* * *

“Did you have a good time with Reed? He seems to be a pretty decent guy,” Brett asked as they drove home. Brittany snorted her reply. Brett attempted more small talk without any response. He finally grew silent and more annoyed. “Did you really try to walk off after the meeting?”

“I’m a grown adult, Brett. I can do what I want to do, and no man can tell me otherwise,” came the snobby reply.

“A grown adult would have enough sense to keep herself safe. There is nothing between town and our place except the woods.”

“I’m not afraid of the big bad wolf.”

“Maybe you should be. We’re home. Plan on getting up with me in the morning to take a walk,” Brett ordered.

“Why? I like sleeping in.”

“Because I said so. I walk in the morning, and you will be going with me. Every day, rain or shine.”

“Like hell I will.”

“You just keep pushing, don’t you? I’ll see you at six.”

“Six? In the morning?
No one
gets up at that time unless they’re crazy!”

“Brittany Jean! Get your little butt out of bed, now!” Brett pounded on the door.

“Get a fuckin’ life, Brett,” came the reply.

Brett growled, pounding again. “I’m not in the mood for this today. Open this door, or I swear to God, I will kick it in!”

“Fuck off, I’m sleeping.”

BAM! Brittany suddenly sat up in bed as the door flew open, splintering at the hinges. Brett stalked over to the bed and ripped the blankets away. His sister squealed, wearing only a short tank top and panties.

“Get dressed now, or I will dress you myself.”

“Get
out
of here, you goddamn, mother-fucking pervert!”

Brett had enough. With a snarl, he sat on the bed and yanked Brittany with one strong arm over his lap. Her panties were on the floor with her bare bottom raised high on his knee before her first loud protest. In one fell swoop, that same bottom bore the mark of his work-hardened hand.

“OWWW!” Brittany wailed, trying to reach behind her to block another blow.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” Brett stated, grabbing her wrist and holding it firmly to the small of her back as he wrapped his free leg over her thighs, “This time you will see I mean business. Like I said, I’ve had enough!”

His broad palm whooshed down upon her right cheek and was quickly followed by another blow to the left side. Brittany shrieked out her objections, all the while calling him every curse word she could think of. There was no way she would let him make her cry!

“I love you, sis, but I can’t tolerate this vicious disposition anymore,” Brett said as he fired rapid, searing whacks to her squirming, reddening backside. “I intend to help you make major changes in your life whether you want to or not, and if this is how I need to do it, then it’s your choice!”

“Let me go!” Brittany shouted, unable to escape his hold or relieve the agonizing pain brought by his hand as it unmercifully focused on the pale flesh between her rounded hind end and her thighs.

“I will let you go when I darn well feel like it. And if I hear one more curse word directed towards me, I swear that I will take a hairbrush to this little behind of yours,” Brett promised, watching as her skin started to turn a crimson red. He quickened his strokes, pounding her bottom with a blur of biting swipes that made her rump bounce like she was being stung by wasps. She was pinned tightly under his left arm and between his knees, her backside high in the air for the repeated punishment delivered in solid, unwavering spanks.

“Please, stop… I’m sooooorrrry!” Brittany cried out, the tears suddenly gushing from her eyes. She had never felt anything that hurt so badly!

Brett paused. “What are you sorry for?”

Brittany was crying so hard that she could not get the words out. Brett heard stutters of “brat,’ “mean,” “cussing,” and “not minding you,” mixed between her sobs. He sat her up next to him on the bed and looked into her red face.

“You’re breaking my heart, Britt,” he told her. “Please, go back to being the sister I adore. I don’t know who you are anymore, and it hurts.” He held her tightly as her tears subsided, then kissed her forehead and stood up. “Get dressed and let’s go. No more stalling.”

“But…okay,” Brittany sniffed, unable to find the strength to argue with him. He nodded, knowing that her bottom hurt way too much to risk another bout of his new method of ensuring her cooperation. She remained silent as she slipped on a pair of sweats and her sneakers, and together, they left for their walk.

The early summer morning was lovely. Birds flitted in the tree branches, and a slight breeze tickled the leaves as they walked through the quiet forest. The sound of a runner caught their attention, and within minutes they were face-to-face with their new neighbor. Reed.

“Hey! Where did you come from?” Brett asked as Reed skidded to a stop with surprise.

He pointed down the path. “Just bought the cottage near the stream. How about you?” Reed asked, catching his breath.

“The log house down that way. Wow, we’re close by. What do you think of that, Britt? It will be good to have a friend near us, don’t you agree?” Brett asked, eyeing his quiet sister. She was facing the ground, keeping her still red face away from Reed's watchful eyes.

When she did not answer, Reed filled in the silence. “Let me know if you hear Harry. He likes to scream for help when I take him into the shower.”

“I thought parrots liked showers,” Brittany said in a shy voice, glancing up.

“
Normal
parrots. Mine thinks he’s a cat, remember? Hey, maybe we can get together sometime. You two like grilling?” Reed asked, raising his eyebrow upon seeing Brittany’s red nose and slightly puffy eyes.

“If it’s food, then I like it. Britt’s a killer cook, too.”

“Are you saying she might want to poison me?” Reed teased, eliciting a small smile under her veil of hair.

“No, not you. I’m on the poison list today. She finally pushed my patience.”

“Uh-oh,” Reed said as Brittany’s face took on a bright blush. “Well, I’m sure everything will be much better now, won’t it, Britt?”

“You wish,” she muttered.
“Do you know of any rocks I can climb
under
right now? This is so embarrassing!”