Demented Souls Collection: Books 5-8

Chapter 10

Beth woke to the cheers of the crowd as Jimmy Fallon took the stage. Normally she enjoyed the Tonight Show, but tonight she was just too tired. Instead of watching her favorite part, the opening monologue, she picked up the remote, turned the TV off, and got up. Her phone was already plugged in for the night, so she didn’t bother with it as she staggered into the bedroom. After double checking the alarm, she stripped out of her clothes and slid quietly between the sheets. Sleep was upon her almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Beth sat upright as the alarm startled her awake. It took several slaps at the nightstand to make her alarm stop screaming. She looked around, glad she was alone as she couldn’t get her mind off Sadist. First the steaming kiss they’d shared, then her dreams last night, where things had gone much further. She wished for a moment she’d been brave enough to invite him in when he’d brought her home. She’d wanted to, but couldn’t bring herself to do it, not on the first date. What if he hadn’t wanted her as badly as she wanted him? The humiliation would be too much. There was no point in going over and over something that was done and couldn’t be changed, she reminded herself. It would only make her crazy. With a sigh, Beth threw back the blanket and got out of bed. She had a long list of things to do today and she might as well get started.

In the bathroom, she pulled her hair up into a messy pile on top of her head and pulled on the shorts and t-shirt she wore around the house sometimes. It was time to clean the house and do laundry. She’d shower and run errands later. Still half asleep, she shuffled into the kitchen and fumbled with the coffee pot. It took a couple tries but she got coffee started, then picked up her phone to check f*******: while she waited.

A text message caught her attention instead. Her stomach flipped when she saw the message was from Sadist, and she didn’t even know what he’d said.

In the seconds it took for the message to open, her emotions were all over the place. Did he want to see her again? Or maybe he was blowing her off. Finally, the message opened, and she was able to read it, immediately she typed up a reply.

Beth: I get it. I was exhausted last night and fell asleep early. I’m up now, though.

I get it. I was exhausted last night and fell asleep early. I’m up now, though.By the time she’d finished typing and hit send, the coffee was done. She poured a cup and leaned one hip against the counter as she took the first drink and waited for the stimulant to hit her brain. There had been a spike of awareness when she’d seen a text from him, now that she was waiting for a response, it had faded. Now, at least for the moment, she was going to have to rely on the caffeine to wake up her brain.

She’d been working for a while and had gotten the house picked up and about half her laundry done when her phone chirped and vibrated in her pocket. Figuring it was Mom checking to see when she would be there, Beth finished loading the dishwasher and started it before pulling out her phone and going to the living room. She fell back on the sofa and pulled up her texts to find the message wasn’t from Mom after all. It was from Sadist.

Sadist: Are you busy tonight?

Are you busy tonight?Beth’s heart raced. He wanted to see her again. She did some quick calculations and tried to figure out what time she could get away from her parents’ place.

Beth: I should be free after 7.

I should be free after 7.She dropped the phone in her lap and let her head fall against the back of the couch for a minute. She could sit and wait for a reply from him or she could go take a shower and get ready to leave. The sooner she got to her parents’ house the sooner she could get back here. Then she could do something with Sadist, if he got back to her. Standing, she went to shower.

Beth had her head tilted back under the shower spray rinsing the shampoo from her hair when her phone chirped on the counter. She had to resist the urge to get out and check it now. Instead she finished her shower, reminding herself it had been more than ten minutes since she’d sent her message, he could wait the five more it would take for her to finish. Once she’d wrapped her hair in a towel and used a second to blot the water from her body before she picked her phone.

Disappointment shot through her when she found the text had been Mom asking when to expect her. Beth replied, letting Mom know she should be there soon, then went to the bedroom to get dressed.

She’d pulled on her jeans and had her shirt halfway on when her phone chirped. Beth’s heart leapt. Maybe it was him? Nah, it was probably Mom reminding her to pick up the groceries. She let the phone sit while she finished dressing, combed her hair and pulled it up. When she picked up the phone, she found it hadn’t been her mom after all.

Sadist: How about dinner at 8?

How about dinner at 8?Beth: I’d love to. See you tonight.

I’d love to. See you tonight.Sadist: Great, I can’t wait.

Great, I can’t wait.Excitement raced through her as she grabbed her purse on her way out the door. She was running late and still needed to stop on her way to her folks.

Beth carried a half dozen bags of groceries she’d stopped to get, letting herself in without knocking. It took several trips and she’d just brought in the last load and set it on the counter with the rest when Mom came into the kitchen. Betty went to the counter, opened a bag and started putting things away.

“Thanks so much for this. I’ve been so busy making sure your father stays put and doesn’t hurt himself, I’ve not had a chance to get to the store. Be sure to tell me what I owe you so I can write you a check.”

“The receipt is in one of the bags, but it’s not a big deal, Mom,” Beth said on her way out of the room. She didn’t mind shopping for her folks, but now she wanted to check on Dad, then get the chores done so she could be home in time for Sadist to pick her up. She passed through the living room, not surprised to find it empty, on her way to her parents’ bedroom. The door stood ajar and she eased it open as quietly as she could, in case he was resting.

She found him sitting up with his tablet in one hand. He looked a lot better than when they’d brought him home from the hospital a few days before. The trip and so much movement had been painful and exhausting. It had left him pale and drawn. She’d spoken with Mom every day, but she hadn’t seen Dad since, as Beth and her siblings were taking turns taking care of the animals while Dad healed and got back on his feet.

“You look good.” She stepped into the bedroom.

Dad looked up and started to smile, then grimaced as he set his tablet aside.

“I feel pretty good as long as I don’t do that.”

“Do what?” She frowned, worried.

“Move.” He gave her a wry smile.

Beth shook her head slowly. “It’ll get better, you just need to take it easy and give your body a chance to heal.”

He shot her a frown. She knew Dad well enough to know that if it took the average person three months to heal, he thought he could do it in six weeks, maybe eight tops.

“I know, I know. Aside from the pain, you feel better than you have in years, and you want to get up and do something. But take your time, rest and heal.”

He started to protest but she cut him off before he got a word out.

“If you won’t do it for you, do it for Mom. She’ll worry herself to pieces and that will only bother you more.”

Dad narrowed his eyes. “When did you get so bossy?”

“I’ve always been this way, Dad. It’s just never been aimed at you. Are you taking the pain meds like your doctor said?”

“Your mother doesn’t give me any choice. She comes in here with pills every few hours and watches me take them. I’m lucky she doesn’t check my mouth when I’m done to make sure they’re gone.”

“You are lucky, because I know how difficult you are, but I’m just as bad. I’d do it just to annoy you.”

Dad shook his head and chuckled only to stop mid-laugh. “Owe, owe. Laughing hurts.” He picked up the small pillow they’d given him at the hospital and hugged it against his chest.

“I’m sorry.” Beth stood. “You rest. I’m going to go do the chores so I can get home. I have a date tonight.” She kissed him on top of the head and headed for the door.

“Is it someone serious? When do we get to meet him?”

“Not serious yet.” She paused and looked back. “It’s only our second date, but I really like him. We’ll see.” She didn’t wait for a response, instead leaving him to rest, pulling the door almost shut like she’d found it.

In the kitchen, Mom had put the groceries away and was tearing a check out of her book as Beth walked in.

“This is for the food.”

“Mom, you don’t have to do that.”

“No. I know, but I don’t want to take your money. You might need it for something else.” She stood and watched as Beth pulled out her phone, pulled up her banking app and deposited the check. Beth had learned long ago, some things weren’t worth the argument. She left the check on the counter and went out to take care of the animals.