Painted Lines (4 page)

Chapter
6

We
had been summoned to the principal’s office, or that’s what it felt like, when
we were called and told we had to meet with the producer for a meeting.  I had
a feeling I knew what it was all about, but I still wasn’t working on all
cylinders at this point.   I never expected to see who I did sitting there in
the office waiting.  I stopped mid stride and stared at Father Dearest, trying
to work out why he would be here, then it hit me because it was his shop.  Simon
put his hand on my shoulder and gently guided me to the farthest seat from him
and the person that was sitting beside him.

Once
seated, I took a deep breath trying to keep my emotions in control. I’d been
taught breathing exercises by different therapists, sometimes they helped, but
not so much this time.  My hands fisted and I could feel myself beginning to
break out in a cold sweat, but I refused to let him see me break.  So instead
of looking at him I stared toward the producer, Marc, and waited for this to be
over with.  Simon reached out and uncurled my fingers, forcing them straight
and blood flow to come back.  I looked up at him and gave a nervous smile, he
linked hands with me giving me a small squeeze and focused on Marc also.

“Well
it seems we have a small issue that needs to be cleared up,” Marc started as
soon as everyone was seated.  “It appears that Ms. Lewis here seems to have an
issue with Mr. Dyson.”

I
bit back a snort, an issue? Really? What I had against Mr. Dyson was a
restraining order.

“So
Ms. Lewis what do we need to do, to make all this work?  Hmm?”

I
stared at the idiot sitting in front of me, trying to figure out if he was
serious, make this work?  I did not see that happening anytime soon.  Instead
of answering I just stared at him, which caused him to fidget and then look
down at the papers in front of him.

A
voice I hadn’t heard since I was fifteen chose that moment to speak up, “Marc,
now why should my team be penalized for Scout’s issues?”

I
looked towards him and glared my issues?  He wouldn’t know a damn thing about
my issues.  Marc cleared his throat and I looked back towards him.

“Well
I understand your feelings on this, Ace, and I would love to work out a
solution so both teams can compete, with their original members.” He stated
looking at me meaningful.

“Hold
on, are you threatening Scout?” Asked Simon.

“Well
it just seems that since she’s the one with the problem working with Tristan,”
I flinched at that name, “it would be best for all if she stepped down if no
other compromise can be made.”

I
could feel the heat coming off Simon as he was getting more and more pissed off
not that I could blame him.  I cleared my throat, wincing a little.  “Did you
get a copy of the restraining order?”  I asked.

I
heard a snort from the enemy camp but refused to look over there, Marc nodded
his head, “I did.”

“So
then you understand that I cannot be penalized for the restraining order.” I
said carefully.

“The
lawyers are looking it over.” He stated dismissively, as if I couldn’t possibly
understand what the restraining order stated.  “If we had more information
about this, it would be easier to make a decision,” he continued, “so anyone
want to inform me?”

My
father opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it, “There is a gag order on
the case, if anyone associated with the case speaks about it, that person can
be and will be held in contempt, so no we will not be informing you.”

Marc
looked over at my father, I could feel him glaring at me from where he sat, but
I refused to look at him.

“Oh
this is such bullshit, you mean she can have a restraining order against Tris
and not even have to say why?  How is this fair?”  A voice I did not know
stated angrily.

“Life
isn’t fair.” I murmured still not looking over there.

He
snorted, “Like you know anything,” he said dismissively.

Marc
looked at me.  “Ms. Lewis, please you have to understand, I cannot in good
faith just accept that as an answer—” but was interrupted mid rant by someone
walking in the room.  I looked over and there stood Saul, he walked over and
put both hands on my shoulders and squeezed.

“You
okay, Girl?”

I
nodded my head.  “Yes, sir.”

“Uhm,
excuse me, who are you?” asked Marc.

Saul
ignored him and looked over to where Ace sat, “Ace,” he growled.  Ace just
stared back, not looking the least bit happy about him being there.

Marc
realized he was being dismissed as unimportant and cleared his throat.  “How
about we just keep you two at different sides of the building, hmm, that way
everyone gets to compete?”

“Is
that 500 feet away?”  I asked.

“Well
no,” he said looking more deflated.

“Then
he will be arrested,” I stated firmly, “for breaking the restraining order.”

“Fucking
hell, how is that fair, he gets arrested for some slight he pulled when you
were a teenager?” said the unknown voice.

“A
slight?”  I asked quietly, starting to get pissed off by all of this, they were
acting as if what he did to me, what happened to me was a simple case of hurt
feelings, not destroying my fucking life.

“Girl,”
Saul barked.  I realized that I was starting to rise from the chair I sat back
down and took more breaths.

“I
don’t know who you are boy, but since you have no idea what you are talking
about keep your mouth shut, and you,” Saul stated looking at Marc, “someone
wants to talk to you.”

He
pulled out his cellphone hit a number then put on the speakerphone a second
later my lawyer’s voice filled the air.  “Well hello Saul, I take it we have a
problem,” he stated and I heard paper rustling on his side.

“Yeah,”
Saul answered.

“Well
then, this is how it’s going to work, that restraining order states that Mr.
Dyson cannot be within five hundred feet of Ms. Lewis, if he is, he will be
arrested.  It also states that Ms. Lewis shall not be the one penalized for the
restraining order, if you do anything that impedes to her competing based on
this, you will be sued.  Let me promise you this, if we sue you over this the
prize for winning this competition will look like pocket change at the end. 
Now, Scout, are there any other issues?”

I
looked up at Saul and he nodded.  “They want to know why I have the order.”

He
chuckled on his side of the phone; it was not a happy sound.  “There is a gag
order on the case, and let me assure you that if anyone who was associated with
that case even breathes a word about it, I will go straight to the court and
have you arrested.  I will then sue you for many things.  Now Scout if you need
me you have my number, call any time dear, oh and I contacted the police
department for you.”

“Thank
you.”

“Not
a problem, anything else?”

“No,
thanks, Ben.” Saul answered.

“Okay
then, talk to you later.”  I heard a click and looked over at a pale-faced
Marc.

“Anything
else?”  I asked.  When he shook his head I stood and walked out the door.

I
was waiting for Saul and Uncle Matt to finish discussing me as if I was not
there when an arm wrapped around my shoulder, I glanced over and saw Liam
standing there with a smirk. “Ah hell.”

“Harper
Lee, I wish you were a Pony Carousel outside WalMart, so I could ride you all
day long for a quarter.” 

I
laughed and shook my head at him.  “You’re an idiot, did your lines really help
pick up guys?”

“Got
Kale, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,
but from the way I hear it Kale got you, not the other way around.”

He
shrugged, “All worked out the same way.” He nodded towards my father who was
bent over whispering to the person who was in the meeting with us.

“Yeah,
I saw them.”

“Wonder
what they’re talking about.”

“Probably
about how I am the anti-christ,” I grumbled, “what’s funny is that he’s acting
all protective and supporting of you know who, but if Cas came up to him he
would bring him back into the fold in an instant forgetting about the other
guy.”

“And
how pray tell do you know this?”

“He’s
been trying since it happened and Cas just ignores him.”

“I
knew I liked Cas for some reason.” He mumbled.

I
smiled at that, everyone liked Cas.  I leaned into Liam, “I’m ready for him to
be home.”

“I
know Harper Lee, we all are.” He said, hugging me against him.

“Remember
when we first met?”

“Oh
you mean when you nearly took my head off with a baseball bat, yeah not
something I am likely to forget.” He said dryly.

“I
didn’t know who you were, and you were in my brother’s house.”

“Sixteen
year old Scout was scary,” he shivered mocking me.

“Shut
up.”

“You
were what five foot flat?”

I
sniffed.  “Five one,” I corrected him.

“Uh
huh, your brother found it hilarious though.”

“Yeah
he did,” I laughed.  “So what do you think the verdict will be?”  I asked
gesturing towards Saul.

“That
you are not to be left alone,” Liam stated, “because we already decided that.”

I
nodded, nothing new in my life, only this time it wasn’t them being
overprotective asswipes, it was justified.

“I’m
ready to get started.” I said looking over at the other groups waiting to
begin.

“Me
too, once we get working we can forget all the drama for a little while.”

“Exactly,”
I agreed, “I need an outlet.”

“Well
your art supplies are at the house,” said Simon coming to my other side.  “Cam
and Zadok are there as we speak.”

“Yay,”
I squealed clapping my hands, “my baby boy.”

Simon
rolled his eyes.  “I think you like my son more than me, sometimes.”

I
looked at him like he was crazy.  “That’s because I do.”

At
that point, the assistant producer called us to attention and began staging us
where he wanted us to start the first challenge, finally.

We
watched as the host of the show, Eddie Zant, who would also act as a judge,
introduced the next challenge.  I was ready to get started on this.

“So
before you can actually build a bike, you must come up with a concept,” Eddie
stated looking at the camera.  “You’re mini challenge is to create, draft, and
sketch a concept.”

He
looked around, I guess for dramatic effect.  “You have one hour.” He stated.  I
rolled my eyes and looked over at Simon.

“Ready?”
I asked, all three heads nodded and I pulled out the sketchpad I had brought
with me.

“Ideas?”

“Just
do it, Scout,” Simon growled.

“Why
don’t you?”

“Because
we all know you’re better at this, now do it.” He snarked.

“Now
do it,” I mimicked, “like you’re my husband.”  I went to work designing a bike,
asking for input now and then.  I had the draft done quickly then went to work
on a full color concept sketch, including a kick ass paint job.

When
I finished, I looked up at the clock and saw that we still had ten minutes
left, I showed them the draft of all the machined parts, engine, and technical
measurements, and then I showed them the sketch.

“Everyone
happy?”  I asked.

They
all three just stared at the sketch; I was beginning to get worried.

“How
is it you think I am better at this than you?”  Simon asked quietly.

I
shrugged, “’Cause you are.”

“No
Scout, I cannot do what you do.” He said still staring at the sketch.

I
looked around and found every other team still hard at work.  “So everyone
happy?” I asked again.

“Yes,”
they all three said.

“Good,
now I am going to take a nap, wake me when the judging starts.”  With that, I
laid back closed my eyes and took a catnap.

Chapter
7

I
felt something nudge my foot and I opened my eyes to find Eddie Zant staring
down at me.  I couldn’t tell if he was angry or amused, and really couldn’t
care.

“Comfortable?”
He asked.

I
shrugged as best I could lying on the floor.  “Could use a pillow,” I said
looking up at him.

He
shook his head at me and held out a hand, “Get off the floor, Scout.”  I shook
off his hand and rolled to my feet.

“Need
something, Eddie?”

“Just
wondering what you were doing, you only have five minutes left.”

I
shrugged and looked around.  “We’re finished” I noticed all the other teams
were still hard at work.

“You’re
finished?” He asked looking at me like I was crazy, I wanted to tell him that I
hadn’t been crazy yet today.

“Yep.”

“Mind
if I look?”

“Are
you allowed to before the judging begins?” Cocking my head looking at him.

He
chuckled, “Yes, I am allowed to.”

I
nodded over at Simon who had the sketches, “Ask him, he had them last time I
saw.”  Then I sunk back down to the ground and closed my eyes.

“Is
she okay?”  I heard Eddie ask.

“She’s
fine,” snapped Kale, “just tired.”

“Huh.”
Eddie grunted and I heard paper move then footsteps walking away.  I smirked,
Yeah, doubt me, do you?

I
heard someone yell time up but I ignored them and laid there not wanting to get
up.  It wasn’t the most comfortable place I had ever slept, but it also wasn’t
the worst.  Although, I would be bringing a pillow and blanket with me tomorrow
to keep around for catnaps.

“She
can’t sleep here.” I heard someone say.

“Why? 
She’s not hurting anyone,” responded Liam.

“Because
she could get hurt.”

“No,
she won’t, nothing hurts our Scout,” growled Kale.  I sighed—he was in
protective mode.

“Can
I talk to you?”  Simon asked and I looked up and saw he was walking away with
one of the staff, I already knew what that conversation would be like.  Simon
explaining that my meds made me tired, and that it was better to let me have my
catnaps than it was to deal with a tired, pissy Scout.  Heard it before, tired
of it, but not tired enough of it to stop the meds, that would be a very bad
idea.

A
few minutes later, we were all called to attention, and staged once again.  I
avoided all hands that reached for me, earning me dirty looks but I really did
not care.  I did not want to have another panic attack; two in two days was
enough for me, thank you very much.

When
they had us the way they wanted us, the judges came around checking out our
sketches, we were the next to last team in the lineup so by the time they got
to us I was ready to just go home.  Finally, three of the four judges walked
up, I noticed early that Ace wasn’t judging the mini challenges, couldn’t say
that upset me.

“So
who is the artist?” asked Sterling.

Liam,
Simon, and Kale all pointed at me, I scowled at them; they knew I didn’t want
the attention, just the money.

“Nice
work,” said Eddie.  I nodded at him and watched the judges go to the last group.

The
judges walked up to the front of the group and started talking, I ignored it
for the most part, and I didn’t need to hear once again the need of design
concept in bike building.  Finally, they started calling out the worst designs
then the best, we were in the top three as well as Uncle Matt, Ace & Lace.

Uncle
Matt being in the top three didn’t surprise me, but Ace & Lace did, since I
had never seen any of these guys before or heard of them.  I shrugged it off
and looked back towards the judges waiting for them to state who won.

“And
the winner of the first mini challenge is Team Misfit Cabal,” said Eddie who
looked in our direction, “For this, you get first choice.”

I
had no idea what he was talking about first choice, but guessed we would find
out soon.  We were rearranged once more, and I dodged hands and hid behind my
crew.  We were facing the wall where what looked like a sheet was draped around
something; my guess it was the first challenge.

Eddie
walked up, pulled the sheet off, and lined against the wall were beat up retro
pedal cars; I smiled widely.

“Your
first challenge is to restore these pedal cars, you are to restore all the
working parts, though paint job is up to each team, we do not expect the paint
to be like original.  These cars once restored will be donated to an auction
and all proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.”

I
looked over the cars trying to see which one seemed to be in the best shape and
would go from there.

“Team
Misfit Cabal, you won first pick of the car, the other teams will draw
numbers.  So choose who will be picking out your cars and let’s get this
started.”

I
looked over at Liam, “You’re up.”

He
nodded still studying the cars.  I knew he wouldn’t choose the one in best
condition, or the worst, he would go for something in the middle range so he
could get his hands dirty.

“Team
Misfit, your choice.”

I
watched Liam pace in front of the cars then turn around and go back to the one
I had noticed at first, and watched him reach down and pick it up bringing it back
to our group.  I smiled at him, he chose well, this was going to be fun. We
watched as the other teams went through and pick out their cars.

“You
have one hour to get a plan made, and a list of materials you will need.  No
work can be done on the cars today.” Eddie said then we were dismissed to go
back to our stalls.

Once
settled in Liam and Kale went to work inspecting the pedal car’s metal work, if
it worked, how it was made, and anything that needed to be repaired.  Simon
took notes of what supplies we needed, work that needed to be done, and who
would be doing what.  I went to work on the design aspect, paint schemes,
modifications, and the small details that would make it amazing.

“What
kind of shape is the seat in?” I asked.

“It
could definitely use being recovered,” said Liam, “but the frame of the seat
seems to be in good shape.”

I
nodded and went back to my design.  I wanted to keep the paint scheme simple,
and then add some flare with pin striping and possibly lace treatment.  I was
debating color schemes, when I heard a crash, and looked up. I saw a pedal car
upside down against the far wall.  Looking around again, I found the guy who
worked for Ace in the face of one of his teammates.  I went back to work; no
way was I going to be involved into that mess.

At
the end of our hour, we had a game plan on how to proceed, and I was excited
about this project.  I loved that it would be donated to a charity auction.  I
wanted to give them the best we could do.  We packed everything up, locked up
all our sketches and ideas for the night, then locked up our stall giving the
stall key to the assistant producer and left for the day.

We
pulled up in front of the rental and I saw my baby sitting there in the
sunlight and squealed. I jumped off my Ducati running to my pride and joy, my
2009 Iron 883.  I squatted down pulling my helmet off so I could look her over,
make sure she was just as I had left her, and let out a breath when I found her
as perfect as when I had last seen her.  I stroked over her flat black tank,
the purple and silver pin striping, all my own custom work.  Saul bought her
after she was totaled in an accident and we completely rebuilt her from the
ground up, then when I turned eighteen he gave her to me.

“Welcome
back, Stella.” I whispered climbing on and starting her up, her deep rumble
settling me in ways I hadn’t been in days.

I
heard someone clear their throat and I looked over my shoulder to find not only
the three stooges, but also Cam holding Zadok and Saul watching me.

“Should
we give you some time alone?” Asked Liam.

“Yes
please.” I murmured strapping my helmet back on and taking off, I did not plan
to go far, but we needed to reconnect.

Half
an hour later I pulled up in front of the house, I turned her off, letting my
fingers slide against her tank as I climbed off and headed in.  I went in I
found the house in chaos, and smiled—this was home.  People I loved everywhere,
watching TV, arguing, joking, the only person missing was Cas. I walked up to
Simon and held my hands out waiting for my favorite boy, Zadok, Simon and Cam’s
two month old son.

“Can
I help you?”

“Gimme,”
I said wiggling my fingers.

He
looked up at me, “You’re going to bug me till I give him up, aren’t you?”

“Yep,
now gimme.”

He
sighed and handed over my godson. I tucked him against my chest and walked to
the couch to sit down.  He was simply gorgeous, with his café au lait skin,
green eyes like his daddy; he was going to be a heartbreaker.   I rubbed his
back and ignored everyone else, just enjoying the warm bundle that laid against
my chest sleeping.

Cam
walked in, looking over at Simon, he pointed at me, and she laughed.  Cameron
was a gorgeous, sweet girl, and I had yet to understand what she was doing with
Simon. But I loved her so he was stuck with her for life.

“Am
I ever getting him back?” She asked.

“Not
sure,” I replied honestly.  “I kinda like him.”

“Yeah,
I kinda like him too; unless it’s two a.m. then you’re welcome to him.”

“Kinda
missing what he wants at two a.m.”

She
sighed, “Glad we’re here, I missed you.”

“Missed
you too, Cam,” Then I went back to snuggling with my baby.

“So
is Stella, okay?”

“Perfect.”
I whispered getting comfortable to cuddle for a while.

I
eventually relinquished the baby and went to cook dinner for everyone. Since I
hadn’t made Kale his breakfast last night I decided to make it tonight.  I went
to work on stuffed French toasts and kicked everyone out of my kitchen.  I had
learned to cook as a way to relax, one of my therapists had suggested it, and
it turned out that I loved it.  I lived in a house with two men who couldn’t
boil water, let alone cook a meal so they were more than happy to be guinea
pigs for my creations. 

I
was working on slicing strawberries when my phone vibrated in my pocket, I
wiped my hands off, and quickly answered, hoping it was Cas.

“Hello?”

“Hey,
baby girl,” Cas said over the static, “how are you?”

“I’m
good, how are you?”

“I’m
good, but worried about you.”

I
scowled at the phone.  “Why are you worried about me?”

“Got
an interesting email from Saul.”

I
put the knife I had just picked back up down so I did not stab my grandpa.
“What did he have to say?”

“That
he’s there, and you’re having some trouble.”

“I’m
okay, the guys are here.”

“It’s
not the same, Scout,” he growled.  “I’ve been told by my superiors that I may
be coming home early.”

“What?”

“They
aren’t sure yet, no promises, k?”

“K,”
I whispered not wanting to believe what he was saying.

“So
what are you doing?”

“Cooking
breakfast.” I answered still thinking of Cas being home sooner than we expected.

He
groaned, “Damn, I look forward to your cooking.”

“Let
me know what you want your first night in.”

“Okay,
let me think on it,” he said.  “Hey baby, I got to go, we’ll talk soon, k?”

“K,
love you Cas.”

“Love
you too, Scout, and be careful.”  Then he was gone, and I debated between being
pissed off at Saul or elated that my brother may come home early.