Eight
Holly
I’m carrying my folded clothes in my laundry basket back to my room. I’ve just spent the last three hours of my day off in Green Tree Inn’s laundry room. It might sound crazy to some, but being able to do these ordinary, everyday things means everything to me. I spent a year with a man who controlled every minute of my day. I wasn’t able to cook or clean because, according to Steven, it was beneath me.
I open my door and see a man bent over, looking inside my fridge. What the fuck? Did Steven find me already? I drop my laundry basket on the bed, and quietly grab the baseball bat I keep under there. As quiet as I can, I walk behind the man and swing, hitting him in the back of the thigh.
He hits the back of his head on the top of the fridge and shouts out “Son of a bitch!” My bathroom door flies open and out walks Quinn staring at the baseball bat in my hand and then at Jasper sitting on the floor of my makeshift kitchen, fridge still wide open.
“What the hell are you two doing in my room?”
“Shit Holly. You fucked up my leg!”
“Stop being a little bitch and get up,” Quinn says, sparing him a glance, before walking toward me.
“Put the bat down Precious. We’re not here to hurt you.” My fingers are clutched around the handle tight, and I can’t make myself let go. I thought this was it, I thought my past had caught up with me.
When Quinn reaches me, he glides his hand down my arm holding the bat and slowly, but confidently he takes the bat out of my hand and throws it on the bed. I’m shaking, adrenaline running through me. I slump to the ground and rest my head on my knees, facing the opposite direction of the guys.
After a moment Quinn sits beside me, hip to hip, and begins to rub my back. Eventually, Jasper hobbles over to us and sits on my other side. He grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. I’ve had to be strong on my own for so long now, I admit, it’s nice to give some of it over to two men who can take it.
“I didn’t know it was you, Jasper. I’m sorry I hit you.”
He squeezes my hand and smiles down at me. “I’ve been through a lot worse Doll, I can take it. I am going to have a nice size bruise on my leg. You’ll kiss and make it better, won’t you Doll?”
I shove my shoulder into his rib and he laughs. “You’re a violent little one. I’ll remember that for later.”
“Let’s take a ride Precious. There’s a stretch of back road we take when things get heavy. I think it’ll help to clear your mind.”
I think about it for half a second. “I could use a ride. Let’s go.”
Quinn and Jasper both stand and reach out their hands, lifting me up.
“Put on a pair of jeans, those leggings aren’t going to cut it on the bike baby. If you have boots, get those on too. The last thing we want is for you to get sick.”
“Give me a few minutes.” I go to my basket and pull out the thickest jeans I own and a thermal long sleeve t-shirt. I go to the bathroom to change, closing the door behind me.
“Aww baby, you could have changed out here. I would have kept my hands to myself… for a minute.” Jasper mutters the last part, but I catch it. Jasper is the funniest guy I’ve ever met. He always says what’s on his mind and doesn’t care what anyone else is thinking. Then there’s Quinn who is more reserved and loyal to those he loves. I wonder what it would be like to be one of those people.
I walk out ready to let it go and be free of memories floating around in my head. There’s not enough time in this life to keep reliving shit I can’t change. I vow to myself as I sit on the back of Quinn’s bike, that I’m going to start living for me and letting things happen as they will. I’m tired of holding back because of what could happen.
We drove for hours through the countryside of PA. The scenery is much different here than in Georgia. When Quinn and Jasper pulled over at one of the shops on the way back I found the most beautiful hand stitched quilt I had ever seen. I couldn’t bring myself to buy it, but it was hard letting it go. I did buy a few candles that were locally made. I can’t wait to burn them.
Instead of turning in the direction of Green Tree Inn, they veer off and take a different route. A few minutes later and we’re pulling up to a large two-story home surrounded by trees and miles away from any neighbor. When Quinn parks his bike, I jump off, thankful for the reprieve. The home is beautiful and looks well taken care of. I wonder where we are.
“What do you think?” Jasper asks, coming to stand next to me, staring at the house.
“About what?”
He nods at the house, and I look at the details that have been put in from the large wrap around porch to the three rocking chairs they have sitting there.
“It’s a beautiful home. Who lives here?”
“We do,” Quinn says, standing on my other side. “How about we make some dinner before we take you home for the night?” He wraps his arm around my shoulder. I don’t hesitate to wrap my arm around his side and walk with him as we follow Jasper up the steps of the porch into their home.
I excuse myself to use the restroom and freshen up. On my way back to the kitchen, I walk through a newly renovated living room with a beautiful fireplace. I don’t know who took the time to decorate in here, but the simple tree and white Christmas lights hanging from the window bring me back to a simpler time. One where my nana could care for me before she got too sick and I was put in foster care. I feel the Christmas spirit for the first time in a long time, and it feels incredible.
I walk into the kitchen to find the guys sitting at an island drinking a couple of beers. “Are you two doing the work on this place? It looks great.”
“Thanks, Doll. We’ve been working on it ever since my mema passed a few years ago, and left me the place.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. It never does get any easier. I lost my nana when I was real young.” I say, placing my hand over his.
Jasper spreads his legs and pulls me in between them. He wraps his arms around my waist. “No, it doesn’t. She was ready to be with my pops again, it was her time to go.”
I lean in and kiss him on the lips. I want him to know that I care, that he’s important. It quickly turns from something sweet into something more. I pull back, out of breath and needing a second to regain my composure.
“I couldn’t help it, baby. Plus, you promised to kiss me better this morning.”
“I promised nothing of the sort. I didn’t agree to that!” I smack him in the chest laughing. He’s too much sometimes. I look over at Jasper who’s watching us with a huge grin on his face.
“Well, I was promised dinner. What are we having?”
“Tacos good with you Precious?”
“Tacos are perfect. Are you making french fries?”
Both the guys look at each other when I ask, and it cracks me up. “Do you have potatoes? There are these fries I used to make when I lived at the girl’s home.” It just slips right out as quickly as the thought came into my head. I’m not ashamed of how I grew up, but sometimes it makes people uncomfortable.
“That’s nothing to be ashamed about Holly.”
“I’m not ashamed. It’s part of who I am. I claim it. My past usually makes others feel awkward, so I usually steer away from that conversation.”
“We want every conversation. Good, bad, indifferent, we want it all. We’re the two people in the world that you can be yourself with and not worry how we’re going to take it. Don’t worry about our feelings Precious. I joined the Army in the middle of my senior year of high school because my dad kicked me out since I was eighteen. Not everyone’s story is sunshine and rainbows, but we overcome and move on. Those pains will always be there, but we can stack a bunch of good memories on top, so they don’t hurt as bad.”
For a quiet man, his words are heard loud and clear. I walk up to him and wrap my arms around is middle, squeezing him tight. He’s right. Not everyone’s story is going to be pretty. I love that he gets it. He’s not trying to change me or hold me back from being who I am.
We spend the rest of the night cooking tacos and fries and drinking beer. When we’re finished we play a game of Phase Ten and Jasper spanks our ass, but we have fun playing and tossing stories around about what life was like when we were kids.
They drive me home eventually and walk me to my room, yet again leaving me at the door with a kiss. This time though, their kisses are long and filled with promises.