Worth Taking The Risk (3 page)

“What are you doing?” I asked as he started to chop some vegetables.

“Chicken soup. I’m in the mood for it. Maggie cant come and make dinner to us, Chad is home today. Maybe you can-”

I know where this is all going. “Do you need help?” he shook his head and sighed. “Call me when dinner’s ready, I’ll be upstairs.”

Chad was attending a college on the other side of town. Even farther than the Gaynor’s mansion. He lived in a small apartment near the college and came to visit when he could manage. How do I know about all this? Maggie likes to brag about how successful Chad is been in medical school. I still cant believe he went for that career. Its unbelievable that the reckless Chad was already settled in a career while I staid back and took care of dad. No, I don’t resent anything or anyone. Truth is that I don’t know what I could study. I’m good at photography and I really like it. I also took sculpting lessons in school and that went very well. But the materials and camera were expensive. With a sigh I sat down on my bed and grabbed my phone.

“Hello?”

I panicked. Why did he had to answer?

“Hello?” he said again, a bit annoyed. His voice was deep and still had that rough edge.

“Is Maggie home?” I managed to ask.

“Keller? Is that you? Baby-”

“I’ll call later.” I was about to hang up but he yelled not to.

“Give me a second, she’s in the kitchen.”

I sighed in relief, Chad still had the power to make me choke on my own words after all this years.

“Hey darling. How did your first day go?” Maggie asked enthusiastically.

I could hear mumbling behind her voice. Apparently Chad was going to listen to the conversation.

“Well I didn’t expect to take care of someone older than me.” I mumbled and fury rose as I remember how he slammed the door on my face.

“You’ve done it before.” Maggie paused. “You expected a little kid with your brothers name, so you could enjoy taking care of him. Am I wrong?”

“I’ve only done it once and didn’t plan on doing it again.”

“You’re avoiding the question Keller.”

I took a deep breath. “Maybe I was a little enthusiastic. But this guy is infuriating! He slams doors on my face every time he gets the chance to. Manages to make me want to punch him. And acts as if I don’t exist! Now I have to pamper him, give him his therapy and-”

“Therapy?” Maggie interrupted a bit confused.

“Yeah he had a car accident and his left leg got injured. Mitch is angry at everyone because of that.”

“If you don’t want the job maybe we can work something out.” Maggie said gently.

“I signed a contract, for a year. And they pay me a fortune a week. It’s the Gaynor’s after all.”

“The Gaynor’s?!” I heard Chad said in a far away tone.

“Shh!” Maggie scolded. “Well you’re taking care of their only son. How many hours a day?” her motherly mode set in.

“I don’t know. There will be times I’ll have to sleep there. Emma and Richard travel a lot and they don’t want to leave Mitch in that condition.”

“That’s not acceptable! You cant be alone with a boy older than you. Keller you don’t know what he might try to do to you.”

“Maggie, the guy hates me. If he tries to do something, which I doubt, I’ll kick his ass. Ambrose thought me how.” I smiled a little as I remembered my best friend.

She laughed a little. “Of course. I heard he might come to town, maybe he’ll visit you.”

“It’ll be nice to see him again.”

“Keller dinner’s ready!” Dad yelled.

“Maggie I have to go. Uhm see you tomorrow.”

“Be careful with that Mitch. Once of this days I’ll have to see him. Goodnight darling.”

I hung up. Maggie always came on mornings, I just hope Chad doesn’t tag along. That will be very unpleasant.

-

I woke up and slipped on some black skinny jeans. A light blue shirt and my converse. Pulled my hair back into a pony tail and my bangs clipped back. I held my breath and let a relieved sigh when I saw Maggie and Dad having breakfast. No signs of Chad.

When I kissed my father’s cheek for goodbye he held my hand. “Darling aren’t you going to eat?”

“No. Emma called yesterday, she and Richard have an important meeting and I have to be there to feed Mitch. He cant cook, apparently.“

“Want me to go with you? I can cook you both something.” Maggie suggested.

“No thanks, he’ll snap at you and I’ll probably beat him up with his own crutches.”

“Keller.” Dad scolded.

“Sorry, he drives me crazy. Well I’ll see you tonight.”

When I was pulling out of the driveway I saw Chad standing on my window. Even though I could only see half of his face I knew it was him. I felt sort of betrayed. Why did he hide?

To not make things any more awkward.

I sped off to the Gaynor’s residence. As soon as I got there, Emma and Richard excused themselves.

I went to the kitchen and looked for something to cook. Maybe I should wait and ask Mitch what he wants, I don’t want him throwing the plate at me if he doesn’t like it.

Three hours passed and it was already eleven. I walked up the stairs and knocked on his door. No answer. I tried the knob and it was unlocked.

There he was, asleep. Some black paint on his cheek, he looked adorable. Then I remembered his attitude and I scowled. Here I was starving and he was relaxed and asleep. I went to open the curtains and he still didn’t wake up.

“Mitch. Mitch.” I called his named and nothing.

I went to his bathroom, got a small towel and drenched it in water. I walked back into his room and squeezed the towel until his face was wet.

Mitch gasped and sat up instantly. He looked confused then he saw me and annoyance took over. “What the hell?!”

“It’s eleven, time for breakfast.” I said and looked around for his crutches.

“They’re on the couch.” he pointed to them.

I went to grab them and gave them to him. “Alright. I already washed your face so go dry it, brush your teeth and get dressed. I haven’t cooked anything and I’m starving. We’ll eat downstairs.”

Mitch scowled. “I’m not a little kid.” he said as he got up from his bed and went to the bathroom.

“Stop acting like one and I’ll believe you.”

He flipped me off and went inside the bathroom. While he was doing his thing I proceeded to make the bed.

Mitch came out still wearing boxers and nothing else. “Where’re your clothes?”

“In the closet.” he mumbled.

I gave him a get-to-it look, he turned away blushing. Oh. Oh!

“Okay tell me what you want to wear.”

Mitch looked at me surprised then nodded. He picked up some faded jeans and a plain white shirt. He sat on the bed and slipped the shirt over his head. He blushed again.

“It’s okay you know?” I said as I slipped the pants up to his knees. “You can lean on me.” I told his and he did.

I pulled up his pants to his waist as he held my shoulder. “I can button them.” he mumbled.

I placed my hand on his arm to steady him. “Alright lets go.” Now that I think about it, why cant he dress by himself? Its only his left leg that’s injured…

“I’m not going downstairs.” he stopped at his door, before he could slam it on my face I pulled him out. He stumbled a little and glared at me. “It’s a long way down. It hurts.” he blushed again.

“I’m supposed to get you in the pool. I doubt you want to jump from the second floor.”

He cursed and I waited for him to get down the stairs.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Pancakes.”

I chuckled. “Okay.”

He sat on once of the kitchen stools while I cooked. Ten minutes later we were both eating in silence.

Mitch opened his mouth to say something but the door bell interrupted him. He started to get up but I put my hand on his shoulder. “I’ll get it.”

I practically run to the door when the bell became more insistent. I thought it might be Emma who forgot her keys and I opened the door without asking who it was. “Emma did you forget your-” I couldn’t seem to get the words out, I swallowed. “Chad?”

Chapter 5
There he was, standing in front of me with a half smile on his face. His blue eyes stared at mine intently. Jeans and a red shirt made up his outfit, his hair was messy as if he ran his hand through it many times. Chad hadn’t changed, physically that is.

“Hey Keller.” His voice was different, more rough. Of course things changed since we were fourteen.

I swallowed, my throat was suddenly dry. “What are you doing here?”

Chad raised his eyebrow. “To see you of course.”

“Who told you were I worked?” I asked defensibly.

“Mom. Its not hard to find the Gaynor’s mansion you know? It’s quiet a house, I bet its interesting to work here.”

I wanted to say no but I didn’t dare. “Of course.”

He took a step forward. “You are being rude. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

At his movement I took a step back and shook my head, trying to keep my face unemotional. “Chad I’m working. Please leave.”

“No Keller, I’m tired of you running away. I still want you, baby.” He took a grip of my arm, pulling me to him. “If you could only forget-”

“I can’t forget Chad. My sister loved you, I never felt that way. Sure I wanted you, but its not the same. It was never going to last.” I pulled free and composed my face once again.

“I don’t believe that. You don’t believe that. We were comfortable around each other. I still want you Keller, like the first day, I feel crazy about you. This isn’t you Keller. You’re not the quiet shy girl that Hester was, you are loud and happy. Free to do what ever you please. Where’s the girl I fell in love with?” Chad placed his hand on my cheek and my eyes closed.

“She’s gone Chad. Now leave please, Mitch is waiting for me. Whatever there was between us is gone. Get it over with. I didn’t love you before, I don’t love you now.”

“I cant let go of you. I wont.” he gripped my arm and pulled me to his chest, my eyes widened and I felt the sour feeling of panic. I struggled to get free as he started to lean down, eyes glued to my lips.

“Don’t you dare Chad.” I said angrily. He didn’t hear me or decided to ignore me. His lips pressed to mine and I punched his chest and tried to hit him in the groin but he wouldn’t give me
much space to move. I bit his lip but he didn’t move away, tears were running down my face. Being kissed by force isn’t one of my favorite things to do.

Chad let out a groan and pulled away, that gave me the change to take a step back. “Are you alright?” The voice startled me. Mitch placed a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded and looked over at Chad. “Leave.”

“What the hell was that? What did you hit me with?” he snapped at Mitch.

Mitch gave a goofy smile. “Crutches come in handy.”

I swear that if this was a different scenario I would laugh at his face and at Chad for getting hurt by Mitch. Sadly all I could do was glare at Chad.

“Who are you to come here and intrude in our business?” Chad spat, really annoyed.

“Kissing someone roughly and having fun is one thing. Taking someone by force because you couldn’t get your way is low, real low.” Mitch shook his head. “You heard the girl, get out of my house.” he pointed to the door with his crutch.

Chad scowled and glanced at me. “See you around Keller.”

Don’t think so. Not at all. I went to lock the door and walked back to the kitchen, Mitch at my heels. I graved Mitch’s empty plate and my full one, placed them on the sink and began to wash them. Keeping my hands busy helped me calm down. I was glad Mitch didn’t ask anything, if he did I wouldn’t be able to answer. Its not his business either way.

“Lets go to the pool. Your mom told me what I need to do.” I said flatly to Mitch and walked to the garden, in the middle was the pool.

Once inside, me fully dressed and Mitch without pants, I began to move his leg. “This isn’t working, what you need to do is move the leg. Walk, exercise it or something. Like this you aren’t making any efforts.”

“What are you? A nurse?” Mitch said coldly.

“A friend of mine had an accident and recovered by exercising his legs. Like this you aren’t even making an effort to get better.” I scowled back at him.

“It hurts, how would you know about that? Try this out, its easy pitchy to walk around with crutches. So much fun!” he yelled at me, eyes feral.

“Its supposed to hurt mister! If it doesn’t then how are you going to heal, huh?” I said in the same annoyed and loud tone he used.

“Don’t use that tone on me.” he snapped.

“What tone?” Confused for a second I stared at him.

“The tone you use on little kids apparently. I’m not a kid, for the damnedest sake I’m older than you! I should be the one doing the babysitting, little girl.” Mitch said angrily.