Anchor

Part 7 - Breaking ground

    Uncertainty swirled around me. I didn’t know if staying put in the bedroom away from the other two would be best for me. After a hefty pause, I bit the bullet. I followed the muffled voices back towards the stairs. I made sure to let my footsteps take their time so I could listen a little longer to the downstairs conversation unfolding. Ben was still there. Probably still sitting in the same spot on the sofa. He knew what he was doing. I just had to figure out why he did it. More importantly I needed to know exactly who he was. The thought that I had just kissed a stranger on the sofa of the person who took me in made my skin crawl. And at the same time, my palms sweat and my tummy ache.

            “I’m not stupid, Ben. I can’t believe you would stoop this low. If Stellan knew you were here he would lose his s**t and then you go and f*****g seduce the girl. Who told you about her?”

            “News travels fast. What can I say? The thrill of the hunt is overrated, baby.” I was right, he did know exactly what he was doing and I was putty in his hands. How could I have been so reckless?

            “You’re walking a fine line. Don’t expect me to step in when he comes for you. Fuck.”

            I had almost fully descended the stairs. The grip I had around the banister being used as an anchor, stopping me from flying off the handle at Ben. I observed him sitting there, one leg draped over the other with his arm spread over the back of the sofa. I was surprised his big ass ego fit through the door.

            “I wouldn’t dream of getting between you and your brother, Jo. I honestly would have thought you would be happy to have me take away your little problem. I mean come on, baby, I’m not the only one who knows about her. I can take care of her. Far better than you or Stell can for that matter.”

    I had heard enough. He just loved the sound of his own voice. I held my arms tightly at my sides and charged into the living room prepared for battle. They both focused their attention on me, Ben looked smug in the chair whilst Jodie looked a mix of anger and hurt. I bet she couldn’t wait to tell Stellan about this.

“If you’re both done talking about me then I think it’s only fair I get my say.” I narrowed my gaze at Ben first. “I don’t know who you think you are but I am not someone for you to just f**k with and I would sooner take my chances in the pits of hell than go anywhere with you. You egotistical prick.”

He let out a deep chuckle before running his hand over his mouth. I could see it was all a game to him. Nothing I said mattered. Jodie moved to stand between us, attempting to block his view of me. She was still in her pink dressing gown but it took nothing away from her intimidating stance, she could be in a bunny outfit and still seem scary.

“It’s time you left, Ben. Now.” Her words exuded authority.

Ben lent forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Sorry to have wasted your time, Jodie. I promise next time I’ll make it a quick visit.”

Rage coursed through me and my knuckles were white from squeezing my fists. I imagined pounding them into his head repeatedly. And then he flashed his winning smile as he stood to leave and I became a weak willed girl aching to be touched. I should be put down. It took a lot to stop myself from moving closer to him. Suddenly the door burst open as if sensing my eagerness for him to leave already.

Jodie reached behind and placed her hand over my fist. Ben turned to the door before turning back to us with a small laugh. “I guess that’s my cue.”

    Both of us let out a breath upon his departure. Jodie ran to the door and slammed it behind him. She locked it and as if that used all her strength she slid her back down it until she was seated on the floor. Her head dropped into her hands and she looked like a broken woman. Seeing no other option, I sped to her side and planted myself next to her leaning against the wall. Her dark glossy locks drifted over her face and I hesitated with a shaking hand before pushing one side behind her ear. I expected a grilling or at least one of her tirades against me. But nothing. We sat in silence for what felt like hours before she finally spoke up.

    “We can’t tell Stellan about this. I need to think first before he finds out. Please.” She lifted her head and her eyes pleaded with mine. 

    I wouldn’t even know what to say to him so I agreed with her. However I was concerned why she was adamant about not telling him. Earlier I was sure she would want to rat me out about the kiss. Again, it shouldn’t matter, he was just a friend who happened to save my life, or was it someone who saved my life who just happened to become my friend? Either way I considered him a friend even if he didn't see it that way. 

    “I wouldn't even know what to tell him."

    "You and me both," she sighed.

    "Uh, what did he mean when he said he's not the only one who knows about me?"

    Also, what's there to know? 

    She hesitated, "Ben spouts so much s**t, I think he just wanted to get a rise out of you. Just forget about it."

    Lies. 

    He didn't even know I heard him say that. 

    I guess I'd have to get my answers elsewhere. 

    After our brief pity party by the door, she eased into the kitchen dragging me along by my hand. “Sit,” she parked my body in front of one of the kitchen stools. The cupboard door closed with a bang and she returned with two small glasses and a glass bottle of brown liquid. Desperation to break through her walls and make a friend seeped to the forefront of my mind. She filled both glasses and slid one towards me, small drops of brown liquid spilling over the rim of the glass and onto the counter. Between my thumb and forefinger I lifted the small glass and sniffed the substance inside. Never before had I seen a drink of this colour, in real life at least, of course on television shows and movies it was a given. I knew it was alcoholic and I was consumed by a rush of excitement at finally trying it. Jodie threw her head back, letting the drink glide down her throat. It only took a second for her to refill and go again.

            I winced as the burn hit my throat. At the time it seemed like a bad idea to continue but the woman sitting in front of me already had treble the amount drank as I and she looked as cool and collected as ever. A small laugh escaped her full pink lips and she covered her mouth with her hand, almost shocked at her own reaction. I knew it was at my expense, I didn’t look pleased with my first taste and my tongue was still sticking out my mouth in shock. It was a nice laugh none the less and I fully intended on hearing it again, so I poured more and more until my body didn’t feel like it belonged to me anymore.

            “That man. That f**k-ing man.” Jodie was past the point of finishing a coherent sentence.

            “Yeah, that man! Wait,” I hiccuped, “What man?” Admittedly I wasn’t too far behind her on that scale.

            “Benjamin f*****g Tate. He. Was. My. Everything.” She took another shot after the admission I was not expecting. From an outsiders perspective, I would have said they were old friends, her resting b***h face made it hard to work out what she was truly feeling. “I gave him all of me.” She sniffed and took yet another shot.

            “He is not worth your… your time. Look at you,” I threw my index finger towards her face. “You are hot s**t. He should worship you.” For the first time since I had arrived, she smiled, a genuine smile that lit up her entire face. She was just a girl who found it hard to let people in, and now I could see why. Her hand encased my finger and dropped it to the counter. We didn’t move. The smooth swaying of the room around us the only indication time hadn’t stopped. With my free hand, I grabbed the nearly empty bottle and let the last few drops trickle into our glasses.

            “f**k it. You actually-” she inhaled her drink, “are not that bad. If you had a d**k I’d probably be all over you.” She sung the end of her sentence.  

Turns out she didn’t hate me.

“You like me.” It was more of a statement than a question.

For a split second, the guilt I felt towards Stellan evaporated. Without thinking I lunged for her, our fronts collided as I wrapped my arms around her and we hit the ground. Too wrapped up in the buzz from the alcohol, I barely noticed the cold hard floor pressed onto our cheeks.

            “You’re crushing me.” Tears of laughter sparkled in her eyes. My sides hurt from laughing and I eased my grip around her allowing my eyes to close, practically dead from the drinking.

I must have drifted off because my eyes shot open to the sounds of loud music pumping from the living room. The kitchen was lit solely by the moonlight that filtered through the window. I groaned, using the stools to stand. My footsteps guided me in the direction of the beat. It was late but I doubted I had slept no more than twenty minutes.

            Jodie was dancing around the living room, a new half drunk bottle of spirit in her hand. Her dressing gown was undone revealing her lacey blue underwear that covered her large bouncing breasts. Her stomach was as flat as  She didn’t seem to care as I staggered in and she danced towards me. The bottle passed from her hands to mine and I reluctantly took another swig. The beat was too enticing and I swayed my hips along.

“Yas girl” Jodie called out, wolf whistling. I’d never danced in front of anyone before. Usually it would be me in front of my mirror, but now I had an audience. Apparently more than I had expected too as I had not realised Stellan stood over by the door. Over the loud thumping of the music I dropped low, lifting my arse slowly from the ground. Seductively I swished my hair back and found my rhythm. I wasn’t trying to make a show of it but I was having fun with Jodie, these types of antics I had been missing and slowly I had started to get mad at my dad for keeping me away from it.

She noticed him before I did. Lightly I heard her mutter and “Oh shit.” Her hand patted my shoulder and I swung around, locking eyes with him.

            “Well, what have I missed then?” His voice was deep.

I wondered how much he had seen. Obviously, I was in no state to answer so I did the next best thing. I brought the bottle to my lips, wrapping my lips around it and letting its contents flow down my throat.

Jodie laughed, “Oh s**t, that’s- nope. Bed. I’ll just go.”

As she stumbled past Stellan, she avoided eye contact, giving him a pat on his back as before crawling up the stairs.

            The room span faster and his rugged face was nothing but a blur. A blur that had moved with lightning speed. A blur that had taken the bottle from my hands. A blur that lifted me bridal style with such ease and a finally a blur that had placed me back in the comfort of his bed.

            “I see you and Jodie have been getting along.” He tucked the cover around me. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t get home sooner. Seems like you had quite the evening.” Did he have FOMO?  A bucket appeared at the side of the bed on the floor and I was grateful I wouldn’t have to attempt to walk anytime soon.