Love Bites and Bruises

3. Filthy, Disgusting Habit

CARLY

The jeep rocked my body, abruptly stopping. Chris’s finger tapped me on the shoulder. Withdrawing my earbuds, I placed them into my pocket.

“Hmm?”

“We’re here. Get out.”

“Gladly.” Thrusting the door out of my way, I marched toward Cecil’s shop.

I turned the squeaky, weathered brass knob, opening the glass door.

“CeCe?” Spotting her behind the counter, I raced to her side. Her warm brown eyes met mine while my arm brushed against her graying chestnut hair, embracing her.

“Hello, Miss Carly. How are you doing today?” She tenderly rubbed my back before we separated.

“Good. Better now I’m here.”

I have been painstakingly planning a tremendous blowout to rival my fellow Alphas’ and Lunas’ parties. It’s taken months to organize such a momentous event, and now it was only a few weeks away!

“Is it ready?” I questioned, bouncing on my feet.

“Almost. I did what I could without you, but let’s hurry and finish the final alterations,” CeCe suggested with a smile. I followed her to the back, stripping out of my t-shirt and mini skirt in the hallway. She turned around, opened the door, handing me the plastic garment bag.

“Goodness, you sure are excited, aren’t you?” She laughed at my sudden appearance. I unzipped the black garment bag, stepping into my glorious black and silver sequin dress.

It was everything I had imagined when I gave her the sketch! She brought my masterpiece to life.

“Oh my god, CeCe! It’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to wear it!” Vainly admiring my reflection, I observed the sequins shimmering in the mirror.

“You’re going to look so beautiful! Make sure to send me pictures!” CeCe spoke behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders.

“Sure thing.” She led me to her platform, where she wrapped up the final modifications, including the fabulous black lace train.

This dress was everything I’d ever wanted.

Unable to contain my excitement, I snapped a photo in the full-length mirror, sending it to Stephen and Kyle.

“You know you’re my favorite person, CeCe?”

“Really, why’s that?”

“Because, in a way, you’re like my fairy godmother.” I smiled at the photo of Mom and CeCe on the wall behind her.

“How so?”

“Well, you’ve sewn my dresses for every special occasion since I was little. No matter how ridiculous, you made them for me. Now you’re making the most important one to date. The one I’ve waited for my entire life. My dress for my eighteenth birthday! You have no idea how excited I am to show it off at my party!” I squealed into my hands as my wedges tapped against the white tile. “You’re incredible. You know that?”

“All I did was follow what you scribbled down. You truly have a knack for design. I should mention it to your father. Maybe I could persuade him to let you go to college for fashion design?”

“I wish,” I sighed. “You know Daddy. He’s super protective. I’ll be lucky to attend community college, but I truly appreciate you taking the time to make this for me.” I ran my fingers across the rich fabric.

“Anytime, honey.” She unzipped the dress, then I switched back into my clothes. “I should have it completed in a couple of days. I’ll call your father and let him know when it’s ready,” she assured me, grinning from ear to ear.

“That would be lovely. Thank you!” Hugging her, I kissed the air beside her cheeks. “I’ll see you later, CeCe!”

“Bye, Miss Carly. Take care.”

“You too.” I closed the door, exiting her business. Stepping outside, I saw Chris standing in front of his jeep, smoking a cigarette. Advancing to his side, I pretended to forcefully cough into my hand.

“I thought I told you to quit that filthy, disgusting habit?”

“No. You specifically asked me not to do it near you.” Chris blew out a puff of smoke, arching his neck back, resembling a chimney.

“Same thing.”

“No, it’s not. You were inside when I lit this.” He waved his cigarette at me.

“Okay, so? Put it out.”

“No. Go sit in your seat. I’ll be finished shortly.”

I stomped to the passenger side, slamming the door.

I hate when he speaks to me using his damn tone!

My phone buzzed in my pocket, so I unlocked it, reading the two text messages.

Stephen:

-Damn, baby! You look sexy as hell. The only way I think it could look better is if it was on my bedroom floor. 05/04/2012 5:14 PM

I covered my mouth in awe, reading over those words. Unsure how to respond, I checked Kyle’s message.

Kyle:

-Yass, boo! You look fabulous. So, I guess I know what colors I need to wear now. Black and silver. Your party is going to be so elegant. I know you. I can’t wait to see what your bougie ass comes up with. 05/04/2012 5:33 PM

I smiled at Kyle’s message, replying ‘thank you,’ followed by a bunch of heart emojis, and a winking-kissy face to Stephen. Chris took the final drag of his cigarette, snuffing out the butt with his boot. He ran his hand through his hair and opened the jeep door, settling inside.

“You smell like an ashtray. It’s so unattractive.” I childishly pinched my nose.

“Do you think I care if you find me attractive?”

“I-I didn’t mean me. I meant other people. I have a boyfriend, remember? You’re not even on my radar, Christopher.” Launching himself over the center console, his offensive breath fanned my cheeks. My mouth turned dry as a desert when his brown eyes locked on mine. Chris pulled my seat belt across my shoulder, clicking the buckle by my hip. “Personal space, Hensley, jeez!” I scrambled in my seat. “God, you reek!”

Chris’s lips morphed into a wicked smile, settling back in his seat.

“Why do you care what I smell like, Carly?” He put the key in the ignition, then pulled out of the strip mall’s parking lot.

“Because, unfortunately, I’m stuck with you, and you’re jeopardizing my health with your selfish secondhand smoke!”

“God, you are something else! Heaven forbid the world not revolve around Caralina Rossi!” Chris spat out my name venomously like it was the most bitter, repulsive thing ever to leave his tongue.

“And heaven forbid Christopher Hensley not be such a selfish d**k!”

“Really? That’s the best you could come up with.” As the jeep stopped at a four-way intersection, he emitted a deranged chuckle, side-eyeing me.

“I don’t need to say anymore. It summed you up perfectly. Insignificant, small, and weak.”

“Sweetheart, my d**k would destroy you.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard that line before,” I scoffed under my breath, discreetly pressing my thighs together.

“You have no idea what you’re missing out on.”

“I’m not interested,” I confidently lied. “I don’t need you. I have a boyfriend, remember?”

Chris clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes.

“There you are, bringing ‘that’ up again. Is it to remind me, or yourself?”

The f*****g audacity of this man!

“‘That’ has a name. Stephen. It’s for you. You need to remember your place.”

“My place?” Chris queried through gritted teeth. His face became flushed, radiating a heated stare.

Oh, I set him off. Good. Stupid Alp-hole needs to be taken down a few notches.

The traffic light turned green, and Chris refocused his attention on the road.

I know I should be the bigger person and let it go... but he started it.

“Yeah, your place. You work for me.”

“No. I work for your father.” His knuckles tensed, gripping the wheel.

“He pays you to watch me from time to time and allows you to stay in my pack territory,” I clarified. “How do you think Daddy would feel knowing about the disrespectful, vulgar way you’ve talked to me today? Let’s not forget how you physically abused me earlier, dragging me out of the building to your jeep. Or how you hit my ass.”

“Physically abusing you?” he scoffed. “I bet a spoiled little princess like yourself has never received a real physical punishment in her life!”

“You’re right. I’ve always been a very well-behaved, good girl.” Chris choked and violently coughed. “What? I have!”

“God, stop talking!” He slammed his palm on the steering wheel. After a beat of awkward silence, we paused at another stoplight. While the jeep rested behind a large red truck, Chris turned his neck, connecting his line of sight with mine. “Carly, you realize I have absolutely no interest in you romantically, right? You’re too young for me. You’re the same age as my sister. You’re not my type. At all. You aggravate the absolute s**t out of me. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. My d**k isn’t coming anywhere near you. I doubt you could even get it hard. Sorry to break your heart. I know you’ve been carrying a torch for me for such a long time, but I don’t—let me repeat—I DO NOT think of you in that manner.”

“Well, I’m glad we understand each other,” I acknowledged, maintaining a solid front.

At least, I assume so.

“Go. The light’s green.” Brushing some of my hair behind my ear, I turned away from him, looking out the window. “And please, don’t flatter yourself. I’ve been over you for years!”

Curse him for bringing up my childhood crush!

“Yeah, duh. I know I’m the same age as your sister. She’s one of my best friends. She’s one of the few people who understands how demanding and mentally exhausting it is being an heiress to one of the largest packs in the United States.”

Millie and I haven’t spoken in a while... but she’s still one of my best friends.

“Besides, Stephen’s way sexier than you, and a MUCH better kisser!” Smirking at my reflection, I took another jab at his ego.

“Really? Is that why I still catch you drooling over me?” Chris slammed his fist down on the steering wheel, making me flinch again.

“I do not! You wish!”

“No, I certainly do not. We just covered this. You really should pay more attention. I’m thankful you’ve found someone else to obsess about, stalker. As for slapping you earlier, I was trying to drive. You bent over, showing your lacy blue panties, distracting not only me but the drivers surrounding us.” My eyes widened and I gasped, covering my mouth.

“W-why were you looking? You perv!” I tucked my arms around myself, suddenly feeling so vulnerable.

“IT WASN’T LIKE I WAS TRYING TO! I covered the side of my face, but I needed to see out the rearview mirror. And you know, it was right there.” Chris shrugged. My face blistered in sheer humiliation. “So, I smacked you, knowing it’d get your attention, and you’d sit your ass down.” His phone rang as I opened my mouth to cuss him out. “Shh, your dad’s calling.” He answered his phone, placing it on speaker.

“Sir?”

“Hi, C.J., is Carly with you?” Daddy’s husky voice asked.

“Yep. She’s sitting next to me in the jeep.”

“Hi, Daddy!” I sang, making myself known.

“Hi, pumpkin. How was your day?”

“It was okay. I passed the Calculus test I was studying for!”

“What was your score?”

“Eighty-nine,” I bragged.

“Not bad.”

“Thank you. And Daddy! Oh, my gosh—my dress! I can’t wait! CeCe’s almost finished! It’s so perfect! Ah, I can’t wait!” I bubbled with excitement. Chris rolled his eyes, and I stuck my tongue out in response.

“I’m sure you will look stunning, pumpkin. I’m still out of town. Jared will be too, so it’s just you two tonight.”

“I know, Daddy.”

“I called Elsie, letting her know she doesn’t need to prepare dinner tonight. Do I need to send you two any money?”

“No. I’ve got it covered, Sir,” Chris answered.

“Perfect. Grab some food, then head back home,” Daddy commanded.

“That’s the plan,” Chris returned.

“That’s an order.” He doubled down. “Have fun, you two.”

Daddy’s tone sounded off.

Maybe he’s tired from traveling?

“I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Goodbye, Sir.”

“Bye, Daddy. Love you!”

“Love you too. Bye, C.J..”

He hung up the phone, looking at me.

“Okay, brat, what do you want for dinner?”

“What do you think? Natalie’s. Is it even a question?”

“You know, we could try something new for once....”

“I know, but I love Natalie’s. You asked what I wanted.”

“They do have tasty food.” I could see his defensive walls melting away.

I bet it’s why he’s so moody. He’s hangry.

“Mhm.”

“Fine. You win,” Chris sighed, switching lanes so he could drive us to my favorite restaurant.