Worth Taking The Risk (8 page)

Mitch’s eyes darkened. “That terrorist.” He glared at empty space then turned back to me. “What about her?”

“She sent the pictures.” I grimaced.

“Let me see them.” Mitch demanded.

“No.”

“Girl.” he warned. Can’t he call me by my name? Maybe he forgot…hmm.

“No way.”

Mitch got up and towered over me. “Give them to me.” I shook my head. “You owe me two favors, girl. I ask for it.”

“Two?”

Mitch leaned closer. “The one with your little ex boyfriend scene Is one. Now give them to me.”

“Damn you.”

“Love you too, girl.” he took the envelope and sat down, I took my seat next to him and watched as he went through all the pictures. There were even more than we thought. One when we were walking towards the park. Another where Mitch was seating alone in the bench, where I came back with the water. Together with the ones where we had to pose for her. Then when we got back to the house. The girl is a stalker.

“How did she get so much!?” Mitch snapped. “Wait there’s a letter.” he took out the paper and read it.

“Give it.” I snatched the red paper from him.

Dear Mitch and Keller,

I officially love you guys, I got an A on my report! Mrs. Sullivan loved the pictures, I might even go into photography!

Sorry for stalking you guys, but you two look so cute together *dramatic sigh* I might make you another visit. I found out where you both live so don’t try and hide!

Oh I sent a copy of this envelope to Mitch so you can both have all the pictures.

You make a lovely couple!

With love and admiration,

Samantha Reynolds

“She stalked us!” I said to Mitch. He looked both pissed and amused.

“What is all this about?” Maggie asked.

“Nothing!” Mitch and I said at the same time.

Everyone eyes us suspiciously. Next thing you know Ambrose has the letter and Chad has the pictures. Ambrose began to read out loud.

“Wait! You two are going out?!” Ambrose exclaimed as he put down the letter and snatched the pictures from an angry Chad.

“No!”

“Yes.” I looked over at Mitch startled. He said what?! “I think its fair we tell them the truth,
sweetie.
They’ll find out eventually.”

Am I the only one that notices he’s messing around? YES.

Dad’s mouth was hanging open, Maggie had wide eyes and smiling. Chad looked beyond pissed and Ambrose was laughing.

“He’s kidding. Right Mitch?”

“We don’t need to keep it a secret anymore.” And dear lord he kissed my cheek and placed an arm over my shoulder. I got up abruptly and before he could loose his balance I dragged him to the living room.

“We need to talk.” I told the guys. Once we were out of ear shot: “What the hell Mitch?”

He started laughing. “God that was hilarious.”

“No it wasn’t! You could’ve given my dad a heart attack!”

“Don’t exaggerate. I‘m a great actor aren‘t I?”

“What game are you playing Mitch?”

“One that will have you falling for me.” he winked.

I gawked at him. “You cant be serious.”

Mitch shrugged. “You’re pretty. I wouldn’t mind some fun.”

“I’m not a fucking slut you know?”

“According to your friend Curt you are.” My hand was printed on his cheek after I slapped him. Now he’s going to judge me? I’ve been getting a lot of shit because of that year of sleeping around and now him!? All my friends left me, Ambrose also left but then came back. The only one who came back. Tears threatened to fall so I walked passed Mitch. Oh but he wasn’t happy with that and decided that tripping me with his crutch was the greatest idea ever thought of. My face hit the carpet with a loud thud, I bet its all red.

“What the hell dude?!” Seriously? He just tripped me.

“Its not like I can run behind you or that you would listen to me.” he paused and I glared at him, slowly getting up. “Look I didn’t meant It that way, I was just messing with you.”

“Well go mess with someone else. I haven’t got the time.”

“Actually I have a year to mess with you.” Pause. “Alright I shouldn’t had said that.”

I waited for him to give me a good apology. Nothing.

“Don’t expect me to actually apologize. Take it or leave it, girl.” he extended his hand somewhat.

“Do you even remember my name?” I cocked my head to the side wondering.

“Of course. Now shake hands I’m growing old here.”

“What’s my name?”

He scowled. “You have memory loss?”

“No. I just don’t get why you keep calling me girl when you know my name.”

“You are a girl.” Good point but not the one I want. Mitch sighed as I kept staring at him. “I know your name okay?”

“Then call me by it.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“You will have to eventually.”

“I know.” he smiled. Mitch smiled at me. Then we shook hands.

I made a face. “Whatever, lets just go back before they think that we’re….”

“That we’re what? Having hot jungle sex?” Mitch laughed then we entered the kitchen.

“Idiot.” I mumbled so that only he heard me.

“You’ll love it.” he said seductively in my ear and I shivered.

Panicked I looked at everyone. Dad was staring intently at us but a hint of a smile played at his lips. Maggie was amused but somewhat hurt when she glanced at a really pissed Chad. Ambrose was laughing. That bitch.

“I’m bored.” Mitch hit me with my pillow.

It’s been three hours of not doing anything. We, Mitch, Ambrose, Chad and I, are in my room staring at one another. It was a bit tense thanks to Chad but none of us dared to kick him out.

“Hey Ambrose, who’s Chris?”

“My boyfriend.”

“When will I meet him?” I asked excitedly.

“You won’t.”

“Aw but why?” I whined.

“Maybe someday.”

“What’s up?” startled I looked over at Mitch, he was on the phone. He scowled, winced and groaned. “No, thank god. Aha. No she’s not, the girl is a freaking killing machine! Remember how she nearly broke my arm?” Mitch paused. What is he talking about? “Actually I’m at…” he trailed off and looked at me.

I grinned and whispered: “You have to say it.” then he did something I didn’t expect, he stuck his tongue out then winked.

“What?” he said into the phone. Nodded. “Yeah I’m at the girl’s house.” Pause. “You know what girl Nathan…No, not Melissa. Why would I-? Ugh! I’m at Keller’s house.”

“Loser!” I hissed and lay down at the end of the bed, near his legs.

“Uhm…I’m not sure…”

“What?” I asked.

“They want to come but-”

“Okay. I want to see Alan and talk him out of the date I didn’t agree to.”

“You have a date?!” Chad said really pissed.

“No.”

“Keller, we need to talk.” he had a pained look on his face. It hurt but its true, I never did love him. Hester did. I hurt
her.
And now she’s dead and the guilt has been eating me since then. How many times did we kissed in front of her? It must’ve hurt her.

“No we don’t Chad. Get it over with.” I snapped and tried to get up but was easily pinned by Mitch’s right leg.

“Mitch get off.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Mitch.” I said in a dangerous tone. “Get off.”

“Don’t want to,
sweetie pie.
“ Did he just called me a sweet pie? I started laughing and to my surprise so did he.

“You’re an idiot.”

“So are you, girl.” Mitch grinned. Wow we are laughing instead of arguing.

“You guys do act like a couple.” Ambrose ruined the mood. Mitch instantly moved his leg away from me and I sat up.

“Uh, I’ll go get some water.” practically running out of the door. Why did he have to hint stuff? Now everyone will be teasing me about Mitch.

Chapter 1
2

We all sat down in the living room, talking. Alan didn’t stop bothering me about the supposed date.

“I didn’t agree to anything.” I sort of whined. It seems everyone found our argument interesting because they wouldn’t stop staring.

“You did.” Alan said a bit annoyed.

“I don’t remember!”

“That’s not my problem!” He snapped then sighed. “Alright lets call it a hang out. We’ll get some ice cream and come back here.”

It doesn’t sound that bad. “Okay. Just ice cream and we come back here.”

“Lets go baby!”

“Don’t call me baby again.” I said in a low voice.

Alan rolled his eyes and walked towards the door. “Um can you guys give Mitch some company? We’ll be back in around half an hour.”

“Girl I would like to remind you that I’m older than all of you. Stop fretting.” Mitch rolled his eyes but I could see he was trying hard not to snap at me. My dad and Maggie are in the kitchen. Damn son of the devil he’s trying to make a good impression.

“Not true, I’m three months older than you.” Nathan groaned when Mitch hit him with a crutch on the head.

I rolled my eyes and followed Alan out the door. There’s an ice cream place near home, around two streets away so we walked. Several times Alan tried to hold my hand but I managed to find a use to it before he could actually hold it. Like scratching my nose, swinging it or rubbing my neck. He seemed sort of annoyed by it. We reached the ice cream place and walked straight to the counter.

“Hey Brady.” I smiled at the thirty year old man behind the counter. He’s like another father to me.

“Hey honey. The usual?” he asked.

“Yes.” I smiled when he started to fill up a cone with butter pecan ice cream. When he finished he handed it to me and turned, staring questioningly at Alan. “Oh! Alan this is Brady, he’s my second best dad. Brady this is Alan a…friend of mine.”

“Pleasure. She hasn’t brought friends in a while.” Brady winked and shook Alan’s hand. “What do you want boy?”

“Chocolate is fine.”

Brady nodded. “So Keller, I heard you got a new job.”

“News sure do spread fast. Yeah I’m taking care of someone.”

“With contract and everything I heard.” Brady wiggled his eyebrows and handed Alan his cone, then ignoring him completely. No, he’s not trying to be rude its just that when he’s talking to you he only looks at you and gives you all his attention. He’s a great listener.

“Yeah for a year to be exact.”

“Uh-oh. Who are you baby sitting?”

“Mitch Gaynor.” I said it more like a curse and Brady chuckled.

“Wait. Isn’t he old enough to take care of himself?”

“I’ll like you to explain that to his parents.” I licked my ice cream before it could melt on my hand.

“I take it he’s not a good company.”

I shrugged. “He has a temper.”

Alan chuckled. “He used to be a really sweet guy. Sometimes we thought he was gay. The accident changed him.” Alan said the last part quietly. Maybe they did care about Mitch. Only problem: I can’t imagine Mitch being sweet or looking gay… he does radiates sex waves but its manly, right?

“Right. Well Brady we have to get going, Ambrose and the guys are at my place, you can come if you want.”

“Really? I’ll be there in twenty I have to close and everything. And the ice cream’s on the house.”

“Thanks. Dad will be happy to see you.”

Alan and I walked out. He was pouting. “What’s up with you?” I licked my ice cream and his eyes darted to my mouth, he blinked and shook his head.

“I wanted a real date.”

I sighed. “Don’t start.”

“Am I really that ugly?” he pouted.

“No.”

“Then why don’t you want to go on a date?”

“I’m not ready for a relationship, Alan.”

“It’s just a date. If you don’t enjoy yourself I’ll leave you alone, if you do we can try something more.”

I sighed. “Maybe.”

“Yes!”

I laughed and we kept walking. Around fife minutes later we were three houses away from my place and Alan stopped me. “What is it?” I looked around. Maybe there’s a mad dog near us.

No, no dog.

“You have ice cream on your mouth.” he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

“Alan.” I said in a warning tone but he didn’t care. Deliberately he licked the corner of my mouth and I groaned. Not because it felt good but because I’m getting irritated. My mistake, he kissed me. Out of instinct I kneed him and ran away. Really? I mean REALLY?!

I opened the door and it hit the wall making a loud noise. Chad, Ambrose, Nathan and Mitch looked at me startled. I walked straight to the kitchen and threw my ice cream away. Dad and Maggie where nowhere to be seen. Maybe upstairs? At the moment I don’t care. I’m so not ready for this. Alan kissed me without my permission. Heads will roll.