Dirty Deeds

Fakers

Tommy

“What the f**k, Knox?”Shane asked me as I entered the kitchen, having bid the girls adieu, “You just let this b***h in here and expect us to accept her?”

I nodded, “I sure as f**k do.”

Glenn shook his head, “So, did you already sleep with her or what?”

“Or what,”I said, grabbing a beer from the fridge.

Donnie and Shane looked shocked and my brother smiled at me. His devilish appearance made him seem older than he was.

“Huh? That’s a first,”Glenn snickered, “You suddenly respect women or is it just her?”

“I’m not going to force myself on one, Glenn.”

Not like I had to tell that to my brother. My level of horrible didn’t extend that far.

Donnie laughed, “So, you got turned down? That’s f*****g amazing. Tommy Knox got turned down by Tori Loomis—of all people.”

I flipped him off and walked to my room with my beer. There was only so much taunting that I could take from these assholes right now.

Tori had to be driving herself insane with plenty of what-ifs, especially with Hazel and Lexi at her side.

I told the girls to be nice to her and let her feel comfortable. They would not go against my wishes so I was secure in that fact.

My phone buzzed.

My damn mother. I didn’t need her crap tonight.

“Yeah, Mom, what’s up?”

“Where’s the money, Thomas?”

I sighed, “Nice to hear from you, too, Mother. I’ll get it to you by tomorrow night.”

“That’s not good enough!” She stammered, slurring her words, “I need more than that now.”

I closed my eyes and fought back screaming at her. She’d probably taken the money we gave her and used it on dope instead of giving it to Hector

“How much?”

“800.”

A f*****g convenient store isn’t going to hold that much money.

“By tomorrow night? I don’t think so,” I knew how we could get it, but it killed me to ask them.

“He’ll kill me!”

“Shouldn’t have taken it for yourself, Mom! You told us we didn’t have to worry so what’s it gonna be? How long do we have to be your pawns?”

“Piece of s**t like your father… ”

“That’s not gonna get you anywhere,” I said, calmly.

Silence.

“If I die, it’s on your hands! ”

I chucked the phone across the room and went to grab another beer.

Glenn was pissed. Apparently she’d talked to him first.

“We have to get the money,” he was saying as I chugged my second beer.

“Why? She hates us, Glenn! She can rot in that place for all I care,” I seethed, “If we get the money, we go straight to Hector—not Mom.”

Glenn sighed and walked away from me.

He knew better than to test me.

Tori

“Your room is so cute!” Hazel smiled as Lexi expressed her thoughts about my girlie room.

Cute. My room is cute. I admit it hadn’t been really updated to fit my mood since I was about 13. I liked the pink frilly things and girly cuteness, but it certainly didn’t fit my attitude.

“Thanks?” I hesitated, “We’ve got some leftover pizza and stuff if you’re both hungry?”

Lexi and Hazel both nodded. I felt so out of place in my own house. I knew Tommy was trying to get them to accept me, but this was strange. I didn’t need fake friends. Hell, I didn’t need what Tommy Knox was offering at all!

“So, Tommy seems really interested in you,” Hazel said as I warmed up the pizza and bread sticks. I saw her glimpse Lexi for a brief second and I knew my insecurities were showing.

“I’m pretty sure he takes interest in anything with a v****a,” I quipped, checking the oven more than I should have to have something to occupy my movements.

Lexi laughed, “He does like his women. ”

I sighed, “I’m sorry to disappoint him, but I’m not going to be one of his women. ”

Hazel laughed, “We’ll see about that. That’s what we said.”

“Why give him what he wants?”

Lexi looked shocked. “Hello? Have you seen Tommy or are you blind? The man is so hot. I was a little taken by his large stature when we first met, but he’s perfect in every way possible.”

I didn’t like that Lexi was so into Tommy and not that I was jealous. It made it harder for me to understand what game they were playing. I wasn’t going to share anyone—if that’s what they had in mind.

Dinner was actually enjoyable though. We had a lot more in common than anticipated. The girls had been out of school, but working honest jobs as well as jobs for Tommy’s gang.

“See this?” Hazel held up her wrist, a diamond bracelet dangling from it, “I don’t typically wear it, but Shane got it for me. I love it. I could never get this without being associated with them. ”

“But did he steal it,” I pointed out, “That’s not love. That’s theft.”

I thought about Tommy and all of the romance novels he took from the library—just for me.

“It’s how he shows it.”

What a twisted way of showing it, I thought to myself.

Hazel shrugged, clearly not caring about my judgement.

“Well, tomorrow I have school, but we can watch some movies or something if you like. I apologize if this isn’t your ideal evening,” I didn’t know why I was apologizing. It wasn’t my fault they were forced to come here.

“Sounds good to me,” Lexi clapped, “Got any beer?”

I scrunched up my nose, “My dad might have some whiskey.”

Before I could say another word, Hazel found the bottle and three shot glasses. She poured and lifted her glass

“Oh, I don’t drink,” I smiled, pushing my glass away.

“One shot. That’s all I ask,” Lexi batted her eyes at me.

Frowning, I grabbed the glass and brought it to my lips. Giving in wasn’t getting me anywhere and neither was NOT giving in.

“Here’s to us!* Hazel giggled.

I downed the shot and coughed.

“Oh, girl! Tommy brought home an innocent little lady,” Hazel said, pouring another for herself and Lexi.

I blinked a few times, trying to pray the burning sensation away from my throat. I’d only drank maybe once or twice in my life and didn’t care much for it.

Tommy was right. Maybe I was too much of a good girl. Look where it gets me.

Before they could pour more, I grabbed the bottle and returned it to the counter, rinsed out the glasses and placed them in the cupboard.

“Movie?”

Lexi nodded, “You’re not one of those rom-com chicks, are you?”

I was, actually.

“My dad has some action flicks if that’s more your style?”

I didn’t know I’d be sitting there watching the Fast and Furious collection all night long, but it was actually nice to have people around other than my dad.

We headed to bed about 11. I put the girls in the guest room and they were happy to be on their own, I could tell. My dad had messaged me a few times asking about the sleeping situation and I told him just to come in through the side door so he could go straight to his room without startling them.

My phone buzzed once I was alone in my room, door locked behind me, knife underneath my pillow. I wasn’t taking any chances, even though I didn’t think Lexi and Hazel were an issue.

I checked the message.

Tommy....

Hey. Sweet dreams, beautiful.

I rolled my eyes, but didn’t respond.

I was not going to fall for his cheap tricks.