"What's important is that you do care and you act." — Charlotte Lunsford
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Chapter 16
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Luke

I had made it to the stop sign when I texted one of the brunettes. I didn't even have time to turn the phone off before she was accepting my request.

I grinned at the normalcy. Normalcy, that's what the hell I needed. Not some green-eyed, Snow White lookalike, smart/foul mouthed brat.

My eyes narrowed in the mirror at her house. I could still see that damn doormat, and that brown mailbox even from here, or maybe I was imagining it. Even though the heat was high, I still felt my skin cool and crisp from her house, or the outside, or both.

I huffed, pulling onto the road. I tried to redirect my mind to the brunette I'd have under me tonight. The distraction. The cold beer. The—

Fuck.

Maggie was going to freeze. She was going to freeze, and she was going to haunt my ass for it. I knew it; I could already hear her in my ear, cursing me so bad, she'd be kicked out of hell.

I didn't even check for troopers before I did a U-turn. The car followed my sick twist, roaring until I cleared the spot. I didn't let the wheel go until I reached where I needed to be.

I knew for a fact I left the car running this time. I heard the engine teasing at me, but paid it no mind. Instead, I focused on Maggie's foreseen torment, and that was the thing that willed me inside of this place.

I'd never even been here before; I usually paid someone else to handle these things. It couldn't be too hard, though.

The inside of the building was still decorated with Christmas decorations despite it being early February. The smell of coffee, and pencil shavings swung right at me the moment I stepped in. The chairs were empty, and facing a wide open space with a desk and computer.

The woman behind the counter was petite, with blonde streaks of hair that were graying at the roots. "Welcome to—" her eyes fell to me before widening. I refrained from rolling my own. "Oh, Mr. Vaudest," she chuckled nervously, adjusting her posture.

"That's me," I responded dryly.

Her coffee-stained teeth flashed at me as she swept a hand down her shirt. "What a pleasure—"

I didn't have time for this. Maggie was probably a fucking icicle by now.

The thought made my voice much rougher than I ever intended. "Yeah, yeah, I know already. I need to pay Maggie Norris's bill." I thought over my words for a minute before I remembered what Maggie told me. She said that her brother, specifically, forgot to pay, so his name was probably on the bill.

My attention fell to the woman, again. "Try Jax Norris if her name doesn't show." She was still staring at me.

I rolled my eyes, yanking my arms over my chest. "Can you speed it up? It's urgent."

She blinked out of her trance, her eyes crinkling at the ends as she straightened up. "Y-yes sir, my apologies." Her fingers clicked at the keyboard with a sense of urgency.

I flicked my head at her. "You take cards?" I asked, pulling my wallet out. "I have cash if not."

She flashed another trophy-winning smile. "Either is fine, sir," she answered with an eerily steady tone. I didn't bother returning the smile.

"Okay, Jax Norris..." she trailed off into herself before clicking something. "It says that he is behind on two payments. Would you like to pay both in full?"

Shit. Two months. How the fuck did they survive that long, and in the coldest months of the year?

"Both in full," I responded to her before I paused, gazing up at the woman. "Actually, can I pay up the rest of this year?"

There was no way in hell was I giving Norris the opportunity to freeze to death, and probably drive me to my own with her hauntings. She wasn't getting out of our arrangement either, not this easily.

The ladies' eyes widened in shock before she nodded so heavily, some of the strands fell in her face. "Of course, sir." I saw her chest rise and fall much quicker than necessary as she typed. "The payment total will be—"

"I don't care," I responded with a blank expression. "Here." I handed her the card. Her shaky fingers nearly dropped it, before she finally got a grip.

I waited impatiently, staring holes into the back of the computer. Finally, I heard the sound of the receipt printing. The woman handed me my card, then offered the receipt, but I rejected.

Her smile lit up at me. "Alright, it should be restored by tomorrow evening—"

I froze. "Tomorrow? The fuck do you mean tomorrow?"

Her eyes widened, bouncing between me and the screen. "Well...it usually takes one business day for the payment to process and—"

A day? "Shit," I hissed.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I thought you were aware." Her skin went ghost white. "I can offer you a refund or—"

"I don't give a damn about the money," I snapped at her. I didn't, it was the fact that I had no idea if Norris would make it through the night in the cold. Her skin was like ice when I touched it.

I huffed, willing myself to calm down. It wasn't the woman's fault, she only worked here. I needed to get away before I did something stupid, though.

I jerked around from her, walking through the front door with brewing frustration. Now what?

I didn't think Maggie could last another night. She was so sick already, and the cold wouldn't help. Waiting surely wouldn't. She needed to get warm, and soon.

Warm. Heat. Warm.

My mind was beginning to click like it had with the paintbrushes. Maggie had said it was stupid, and that correlation was, but this one wasn't.

I nearly broke the handle from the hinges of my car as I pulled it. The moment I got in, I put it in reverse and drove to the nearest store. All of the buildings weren't too far from Maggie's house so I'd get back there soon enough.

I rushed into the building, not bothering to even find a parking spot. I parked near the front and didn't bother turning the car off.

On my venture, I knew I'd attracted the eyes of many of my dads' supporters; some of them even tried to wave or say hello. To refrain from telling them to kiss my ass, I just pretended I didn't hear them.

By the time I made it back to my car, I was nearly buzzing with anticipation. I didn't know if she'd woken up again, or if she was still asleep, or if her pulse had slowed again or if it had stopped.

That last thought had me breaking all sorts of traffic rules until I was in her front yard, again.

I hauled the item into my arms. "You better be alive, you little brat," I hissed as I shoved the door open with my shoulder. At least I knew she hadn't woken up.

I pushed through the chill before I finally got to her room, again. It was just as I left it, but the thing that made my nerves fall, were the loud snores.

I released a breath I never even realized I was holding. "Oh, thank fuck." I nearly fell with relief at her rising chest, but I couldn't. I had to hook this shit up.

I searched her room until I found a safe spot. Once I had it plugged in, I glanced behind me to see Maggie still in the trenches of slumber. Dried drool printed on the outskirts of her chin, her lips parted to release a snore so loud, it resembled a dog'd growl.

A chuckle fell from me before I could attest. I held back the second one that itched so bad to get out. Instead, though? I pulled my phone out, then switched to the camera. I recorded her snores until I had enough to tease her over, then shoved the phone back into my pocket.

I stared at her, my smirk falling the longer I did. I hadn't asked myself this enough apparently: what was I doing here?

I didn't have a straight answer. I didn't have a technically answer, I had nothing, but confusion.

I didn't like her. She didn't like me. I'd shove her out of a plane if I had the chance. She'd run me over without a second thought to it. 

Yet, I'd found myself running in circles the moment that clock hit 8:00 this morning. Because I'd been worried about what she thought of me. Then, I saw her condition and freaked the fuck out because I thought she was dead.

I got my answer, I should have been gone long ago. Except I wasn't. I went, and did everything I thought of to make sure she'd be okay. I'd practically spent the day being her caregiver when I was supposed to be balls deep in a brunette right now.

It was all so fucking confusing.

And, the most conflicting thing? I didn't feel any regret about it.

It pissed me off. My lips pulled into a scowl as I glared down at her. I'd been around her too much. That was it. I only wanted her to get better so that we could work on my building, then we could finally leave each the hell alone.

This was simply business, and to my own advantage. I was selfish, I always had been, and I always would be. I had done this for me, and me only.

I needed to get out of here before she made my head explode, though. Even while she was sick and asleep, she managed to make me want to pull my hair out.

I lifted my eyes from her, falling  onto the counter where I had left the pills and the water. They were no longer there. She'd taken them.

I guessed she'd need more water when she'd wake up, again. With an eye roll, I took the glass and left to the kitchen. This would be the last thing I'd ever do for the little brat.

While the water filled, I glanced around the kitchen, carefully.

Didn't sick people have to eat something? Or, would they throw up? What if they choked?

I placed the glass down, and pulled my phone out. I didn't look this question up. My fingers tapped at the screen until I was to the group chat.

Me: Do sick people eat?

I leaned against the counter, glaring down at the phone as I awaited a response. Seconds passed before it vibrated.

Levi: The fuck do you think?

I had to stop from calling the bastard, and cursing his smart-ass out. I wasn't joking right now.

Me: So...is that a yes or no?

Kade: Why are you asking? You good?

Levi: All that shit-talking caught up to you, huh?

Kade: Levi, shut the fuck up.

Levi: You first, Ryder. You're going to join him soon, so watch out.

Kade: Don't make me catch a flight just to beat your ass, again. You know I will.

Levi: I'd like to see you try, bitch. Such a shame Kimberly would have to see her boy get beat like that.

Kade: Bring her name up again, and I'll be down there before Raven even gets to tuck you into bed.

I groaned at the incoming messages. These two were the most ignorant motherfuckers I'd ever met. Usually, I would have joined them in their pissing contests, but not right now.

Me: Can you both tuck your dicks away, and shut the fuck up?

Levi: Fine.

Kade: Fine.

Levi: Don't copy me, bitch.

Kade: My bad, fucker. I forgot that vocabulary of yours isn't very big.

Levi: You know a lot about things not being very big, don't you?

I planted my head against the wall with a groan.

Me: Does. A. Sick. Person. Fucking. Eat.

Kade: Soup, they eat soup.

Me: Like normal soup?

Levi: No, of course not. Never normal soup. Goat milk soup with a little dash of honey? Heals all, trust me.

Kade: Ignore him.

Levi: I'm just saying...try that shit and you'll never go back.

Kade: Chicken soup helps with colds.

I nodded to myself. Chicken soup. Okay. I focused on the phone, again.

Me: Appreciate it.

Levi: You good, though?

Kade: Kimberly & I can make a list of food, and liquids you'll need. I'll have it delivered to your apartment if you're too fucked up to go get it.

Levi: Yeah, I'll get some medicine to you if you need it.

Me: No need, I'm good.

Kade: You sure?

Me: Yeah, thanks.

Levi: Don't die on me yet, fucker. I need someone to help me jump Ryder. You know he always puts up a good fight.

Kade: I'm going back to bed. Both of you can kiss my ass. Levi, I'm blocking you for the next twenty-four hours. Don't call Kimberly to get to me, again, either.

Levi: You know I will. Love you too, fucker.

I chuckled at them. It was nice to know that out of everyone and everything, I had those two fuckers in my corner. They were both idiots, and assholes but they were my brothers, nonetheless.

I felt the phone buzz, again, but paid it no mind. Placing it on the counter, I began my search through the cabinets. I knew Jax was a cooker, and it was definitely visible. Every square inch of the cabinets were full with some type of ingredient.

I cursed with relief once I found the can of soup. I pulled it from the cabinet, tossing it up in my hand.

Except, I didn't know how to cook it.

Shit.

I was too impatient for this shit. I eyed it carefully, tilting it around in so many directions, my hand started to ache. Finally, I managed to figure it out. Levi would be cracking up if he saw me attempt this shit.

The best part was that the soup was technically already made. I needed to heat it; I couldn't fuck that up too bad.

Once I had it open, I poured it into the first bowl I found. I let it heat in the microwave for the suggested time I read, then pulled it out. I don't think I fucked it up too bad.

The steam curled around the skin across my fingers, but I maintained my grip on the bowl, and the glass of water.

By the time I made it to her room, the heat had spread over the room effectively. I placed the soup down on the nightstand, then the water, right beside it.

I turned to face her. This time, she was on her back. Her expression didn't appear so uncomfortable anymore, instead it was smooth and rested. I watched her closely before I set my hand against her forehead. She wasn't exactly warm, but she was definitely cooling down.

Thank fuck.

I searched the room, slowly, my eyes bouncing over every surface. It wasn't how I pictured it, but I hadn't expected much.

The walls were a dark blue. There was a dresser facing Maggie's full-sized bed. A nightstand on one side, a dark sofa facing the other. A flat screen hung on the wall, in direct view of whoever was on the bed.

Just like the outside, there were pictures along the wall. They were all of the same people, not one stranger in sight.

I wasn't sure if I maybe skipped one, but I was pretty sure of one thing...I hadn't seen one picture of her parents. If they were dead, she'd still have some, but there were none, none at all, so that had to mean that they were out of the picture. I tried not to dwell on it too much, though, it wasn't any of my business.

My attention fell from a picture of her, and Kimberly, then jumped to the next. I felt my eyes narrow as I stepped closer. This one was different. It was a boy.

I didn't say a man, I said a boy.

He had a head full of shaggy, chestnut brown hair, and dark black eyes. His arm was wrapped around Maggie, a sly grin on the fuckers' lips. Her own hand was entrapped with the one that hung around her shoulder, a large smile lighting her face. They appeared to be at a carnival. He had to be her boyfriend.

I crossed my arms, glaring back at the picture. Involuntary, I felt something brew at the bottom of my stomach until I felt in every inch of my bones. Something about that fucker in the picture didn't sit right with me.

I shook my head, my eyes falling from the picture. It was none of my business. Anyone that had the mental capacity to be with Maggie was a brave soldier.

I shrugged off a breath. Relief slowly wrapped me in its embrace the longer I watched her chest rise and fall. She wasn't going to die.

I already knew she wouldn't want me here the moment she woke up. I didn't want to get smacked into heavens' gates, so I was getting out of here.

Before I did, I searched the room for what I needed, then stepped to her side of the bed, again. I wrote a small note, tucking it under the water, before I moved my eyes over her, again.

It wasn't her that stopped me this time. It was the glint under her pillow.

I blinked, running a hand across my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. I had barley gotten any sleep last night, so that could have aided my hallucinations. I reopened my eyes, but it was the same.

I craned the upper-half of my body, narrowing my eyes. I wasn't losing my mind. It was there.

There was a knife under her pillow.