Scarlett Bound

Chapter 8

“You have a jeep! I guess all of your surfer boy style isn’t gone.” I joke as we cross the street to the dark blue topless car. Now that it’s later in the morning the streets are much more packed. People are walking their dogs, kids are playing and cars make their way up and down the block.

“Surfer man, not boy, and it’s nice to know you’ve been paying close attention to what I’m wearing.” He says with a wink. 

I worry if I spend too much time around Devin my eyes will get stuck in the back of my head from rolling them so much. I wonder if that's ever happened to someone before? I’m sure it’s happened to a handful of women at some point because they had to deal with a dude with a huge ego constantly.

I make my way around the car to the passenger side door and hoist myself up into the seat. It’s a good thing I already decided to wear my hair up or this car ride would have been hell. Curls and wind do not go together. Ever. Unless you want that person to end up bald because their hair turned into a giant rats nest.

“Alright, where am I taking us?” He starts the car and carefully merges into traffic. 

“We are going to one of those jump houses. There’s one near my job that opened up a few years ago. I’ve been passing it every day since and have wanted to try it out. Since today is my day, that is what I want to do.” Excitement runs through my veins making me do a little dance in the soft leather seat.

“I like it. This is going to be a lot of fun.” After figuring out the address I type it into his navigation while he continues down the street. It’ll be a lot easier than me giving instructions. I’m not the greatness navigator.

The drive goes by fairly quickly. Music plays and is interrupted by the sound of a robotic voice intermittently. As we drive I point out a few new places and things that have changed over the years. It’s unfortunate but a lot of places out here don’t last very long. They have a hard time getting started when they open so as time goes on they sink more and more into debt which happens quickly out here due to the cost of rent and living.

“It’s on the next block but we should park in the parking lot garage that’s on the block after. There’s no way we’re going to find street parking on a Saturday.”

He shuts off the navigation leaving the music to play. It takes us a minute but we finally make it to the garage. Winding up the levels one after another Devin pulls into the first available spot we come across. 

This area of the city is always busy but during the weekends it turns into a madhouse. If you don’t get here early enough to find parking the lots will fill up and forget about street parking. Those people usually get here at the butt c***k of dawn and plan to stay here for the whole day.

We jump out of the car and he locks it up behind us. I head to the stairs but stop when I notice Devin isn’t following me. Walking back to the car I see him use another key to open up a big black metal lockbox in his trunk. He pulls out a small duffle and his camera bag.

“I understand the camera bag but what's with the random duffle?” I stare at him confused with one hand on my hip. My already short track shorts inch up even higher showing off more leg. 

“Sometimes I get called to do jobs last minute. It happens often enough that I’ve learned to keep a bag prepped in my car. Over the years I also learned that it's always best to be overly prepared. Today is a perfect example.” He says matter of factly as he locks the box back up. He slips the duffle strap over his head and it rests across his chest. With an outstretched arm, he tilts his head in the direction of the stairs indicating for me to lead the way.

My nose wrinkles up at the smell in the staircase. It’s a wonderful mix of piss and body odor. Some drunk people must have thought this was a restroom. As I practically run down the stairs I try not to breathe too deeply. Out of nowhere, a sharp ringing sound fills the stairwell making me almost jump out of my skin.

“It’s only my phone, Letty. No need to be scared.” He laughs at me as he answers his phone. Turning slightly, I manage to give him a firm smack in his stomach. Probably did more damage to my hand then it did to him. That was all solid muscle. I shake out my hand to try and dull the pain. “What’s up, Jackson?”

Shoving the exit door open, I take a deep breath of fresh air. We come out on a side street next to that parking garage. The structure towers over us casting a shadow and providing us with shade. It offers a brief reprieve from the sweltering sun.

“Hurry your slow as up. I’m ready to get my jump on.” I yell as I skip down the street. Devin jogs slowly to catch up with me.

“Yes, that was your sister.” He pauses then starts to speak once again. “We are going to that jumping place on Emerald street. Yeah, I’ll give her the phone.” At the questioning glance I give him he shrugs his shoulder. Taking his phone, I place it up against my ear while keeping up my skipping.

“What up, bro?”

“Don’t, what up bro, me. What the f**k are you doing hanging out with Devin? I thought you hated his guts?”

“Hate is such a strong word,” I say with a quiet wince. “How about we go with a strong dislike.” Devin opens the door for me and we walk into a packed joint. Kids run around like maniacs with their parents frantically chasing after then.

“It doesn't matter what you call it, the point is it makes no sense that the two of you are hanging out. Especially since the Devin and I haven't even had a chance to meet up since he got into town.” I don’t even need to see my brother to know that he’s pouting. Laughing, I step in line next to Devin.

“I see what this is really about. You’re jealous your boyfriend is out with me instead of with you right now. That’s so sweet. I hope I find a love like the two of you have someday.” Both guys groan at the exact same time and say,

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Look if you really miss him so badly then you can meet us here. Invite Gabriel and William too. I’ll invite some friends of mine. We’ll make a day of it, like Devin and I had planned.” When Devin gives me a smile from quoting him, I give him a wink. “But we aren’t waiting for you guys to get started. I want to get my jump on.”

“I don’t know why but hearing you say that makes me uncomfortable.” My brother says slowly as he tries thinking about it.

“Whatever, Devin will text ya the address. See ya!” I toss him his phone back and whip mine out. I open up the group chat I have started with Susie and Rye and invite them to join us. Either they’ll show or they won't. I’m not too concerned about it because I’m just happy to be doing something I want to do. Something I've been wanting to do for years now.

“What package do you guys want to do?” An annoyed teenage girl asks us as she waves us forward. Not even this chicks bad attitude can dampen my mood. I glance over the options. Opening my mouth, I never get the chance to speak because Devin does it for me.

“Two all-access passes please.” He reaches into his jean pocket and pulls out his brown leather wallet. I try swatting at the card he extends to the women but he dodges my wimpy little swing. 

“I can pay for myself,” I argue with my arms crossed in front of my chest. The girl just takes the card. She swipes it, waits for the receipt to print, and then hands them both back to him.

“You’ll both need to sign these waivers.” She says with a yawn. We both read through the paper before signing and dating it. “Next!” We’ve barely turned away from the counter before she calls the next customers up.

“Someone does not want to be at work today.” I lean into Devin and mumble so he can hear me. Laughing, he nods his head in agreement.

“I’m going to go change. I’ll be right back.” He makes his way to the bathroom sign and disappears down the hallway. I find a wall of lockers and put my things in one that's still available. I didn’t bring much with me but I don't want to have to worry about my phone or wallet.

Taking the key, I slide it into my pocket and wait for Devin. The place is packed which isn’t a surprise for a beautiful Saturday. They have different jumping stations set up and the place is way bigger than I thought. There's a foam pit you can jump into from different heights. A room that is completely made of trampolines. I can see kids in there literally jumping off the walls. Further back there's a large area that's a row of trampolines one after the other. 

Devin rounds the corner and comes back into view. I feel my eyes widen. He struts toward me in his red basketball shorts and a tight black tank top. His blond locks are now up on top of his head in a messy bun with a few strands hanging loose in the back that he missed. Having his hair up shows off the sharp angle of his jawline and the piercings in his ears. I also finally get a full view of the tattoo on his arm that I’ve only been able to see bits and pieces of so far.

It’s a very impressive front-facing profile of a growing wolf with ice blue eyes. Behind the wolf are triangles that overlap each other creating a simple geometric design. Underneath the wolf's head, the triangles point to a crescent moon.

“That’s a beautiful tattoo,” I tell him once I’ve done gawking at him. Without thinking I reach my hand out and run my fingers down the wolf's face. The crisp black and grey tattoo looks as if it was a sticker with how perfect the lines are. His bicep flexes slightly at my touch. 

Looking up brings me face to face with Devin who is looking down at me. Somehow we’ve closed the gap that was between us. In my chest, my heart begins to ache. It feels like a deep radiating pain that burrows down into my soul. Sadness then overcomes the sense of excitement that I was feeling. The corners of my lips tilt down in a frown.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asks me softly. His fingers rest under my chin to tilt my head back up to look at him. I hadn’t even realized I looked away. Clearing my throat, I shake my head and put a smile on my face.

“I got a locker for us. You can put your bag in there.” I tell him as I take a step back. Opening the locker, I wait for him to put his bag in. At first, he doesn’t move. He just stands there looking at me unsure of whether he should push me or not. Letting out a sigh he stows away his bag and I shut the locker then lock it.

“Let’s go get our jump on!” I say with a little jump and clap. For the most part, the sadness passes, and the excitement comes back. There's no need to let old feelings come to the surface. I need to leave the past in the past but it’s proving to be more difficult than I thought it was going to be.