Chapter Thirteen
The crisp air rushed through the open windows of Fallon’s car as she drove toward Tula, the hard beats of Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” blasting on the radio. A sweet, fresh smell mingled with the musty scent of wet dirt that permeated the air. In the distance, a lightning bolt split the sky as a low rumble of thunder threatened another downpour. Fallon loved the rain, especially the smell of it before and after a good storm. When she was a child, she’d run outside and twirl around as the large drops fell on her face and hair. She loved the way the parched ground soaked up the water, the trees grew brighter, and the hot silver rays from the sun pierced the gray skies. To her, rain created life; it was life’s blood.
As she drove down the old highway, she felt weightless, giddy, and happy all at once. She was bursting, and the most wonderful kiss she’d ever had still scorched her lips. He’s amazing. The way he kissed her not only took her breath away, it was beyond awesome. No man had ever kissed her that way—not that she had a lot of men kissing her. James had been more interested in touching her, and when they did kiss, it was wet and uncontrolled. But Diablo made her toes curl, her heart pound, and her insides explode. His kisses seared her skin, and their intensity hit her right between her legs. And he wants to see me again even though I didn’t put out. She giggled and turned the volume even higher. I really like him, and I think he really likes me. He wants to be with me.
After James Thornhill had humiliated her, she’d stayed away from men. She didn’t trust them and, to be honest, she’d never known a nice man in her twenty-one years. The men her dad had asked her to fuck rarely kissed her. One of them, a man in his mid-forties, had kissed her, but she didn’t feel anything. But she felt everything with Diablo, and she craved more.
It seemed like such a long time until Sunday. She stretched her arm out the window and let the cool wind caress it as tiny drops of water covered it. The time she’d spent with Diablo had been the best in her life since her mother had left.
When she entered Tula, her muscles began to stiffen. Turning the radio off, she willed the creeping anxiety in her to stop as she made her way to her home. When Fallon entered the house, it was quiet even though both Shanna’s and her dad’s cars were parked in the garage. Since it was early afternoon, she’d thought they both would’ve been gone. The carpeted stairs muted her footsteps, and she hoped she could make it to her room before either of them saw her.
As she walked to her room, Shanna’s voice rang out.
“It’s a lot of money. The little bitch’s been a pain in the ass for a long time, so it’s time we cashed in on her.”
Her dad answered, but she couldn’t hear what he was saying. He was always soft-spoken unless he was pissed; then the whole neighborhood could hear him. She figured Shanna must be right by the master bedroom door because Fallon could hear her clearly. Their master bedroom was larger than a lot of people’s homes. Dad must be on the other side of the room. I wonder who they’re talking about.
“I keep telling you she has no fucking clue about the money. I took the letter the minute I saw the law firm’s return address. I figured it was important since it came from lawyers. They just assumed she knew her grandmother died.”
More garbled responses from her dad. I wish I could hear what Dad’s saying. Maybe I can get a little closer. But fear of detection rooted her to the spot. She tried to make sense of what Shanna was saying, and a suspicion niggled at the back of her mind that she may be the topic of the conversation.
“We have to make it look like an accident. You’re good at creating accidents.” Shanna’s high-pitched laughter grated her nerves. “I’ll pretend to actually like the freak. She’s so desperate to have a friend, that won’t be a problem. We have to make it look good, because I have no intention of spending the rest of my life locked up.”
The color drained from Fallon’s face as her pulse pounded in her ears. They’re talking about me. What’re they saying about an accident? Are they planning to hurt me? I can’t believe Dad would do that. Then a memory long buried deep down inside began to take shape, reaching out to drag her back to a late afternoon in autumn when she was in high school. No! I don’t want to remember! Shallow breaths in rapid succession indicated she was on the verge of a major panic attack. She cried out, then quickly placed her hand over her mouth to stop any more sound from coming out.
“Wait a sec. I heard something.”
I can’t let her see me. I can’t let her know I heard them. She knew she couldn’t make it to her bedroom fast enough because of her gait, so she slipped inside one of the guest bedrooms and hobbled over to the closet, closing the door just in time. Through the narrow wooden strips on the closet door, she saw Shanna pop her head through the doorway and look around the room. After a few seconds, she went away.
Fallon stayed in the closet until she heard the tires squeal as Shanna pulled out of the driveway. She waited to hear her father’s car drive away but the sound never came. He must still be in the bedroom. Then she remembered her dad was having car trouble and the mechanic couldn’t work on it until the end of the week.
Slowly she opened the closet door. The house was as quiet as a tomb. Relief flooded over her as she reached her bedroom, locked the door, and sank down on a chair. Maybe I just imagined what I heard. I don’t even know what they were talking about. A letter from a law firm? Why would they write to me? It must be someone else. It just couldn’t be her. Her paternal grandparents had died long before she was born, and her mother’s parents disowned her mother when she’d married Fallon’s dad. Could they have been talking about Mom’s mom? My grandmother? Why would a lawyer want to find me? Just saying “grandmother” seemed awkward, but a shiver of anticipation ran through her. Maybe they have some information on Mom. Maybe my grandmother found out where she is and doesn’t want to contact me directly. Excitement fluttered in her belly, and she made a mental note to do a search and see if she could locate her grandmother.
She went to her room and stared out the window, scanning the view that’d brought her comfort and heartache for so many years. She’d longed to be someone other than herself, so she’d pick out a house in the distance and pretend to live there with the life she always had inside her but no one would let her come out until Diablo. Looking at the houses dotting the landscape, she realized that she didn’t want to be anywhere other than right where she was. Diablo was a part of her ordinary life, and she wouldn’t trade that for the world. In that moment, as the crisp breeze blew through her hair, she decided she’d get a job and move away from the only life she’d ever known, away from her dad and step-bitch. And if fear threatened to hold her back, she’d just have to face it straight on and do it anyway.
Excitement coursing through her body, she took out her phone and tapped in Diablo’s number.
Fallon: I had a really good time. Just wanted you to know.
She caught her breath when she heard the ping. It always thrilled her to hear it, knowing he was close to her.
Diablo: Me 2. Everything good @ home?
Fallon: Not sure. They didn’t hear me come home, but my car’s parked on the street. Anyway, they’re gone now. I’m looking forward to Sunday.
Diablo: Oh yea!
Fallon: I know you’re at work. I’m thinking of you.
Diablo: Good 2 know. I think of u 2, & fantasizing bout doing some nasty stuff to u. ;)
She swallowed and touched her warm cheeks. As she reread the text, desire unfurled deep in the pit of her stomach and she clenched her legs. Remembering how wonderfully he kissed, she brought her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes, replaying the way he held her while he crushed his mouth on hers. A ping brought her out of the moment.
Diablo: U still there?
She sucked in her breath.
Fallon: Yeah. Just remembering how you kissed me. It was nice.
Hurriedly, she sent the text before she chickened out.
Diablo: I plan on kissing u a lot more. U felt good in my arms.
Fallon: I liked it. I better go. Talk to you later.
Diablo: K. If shit happens, call me. I’ll come get u.
Fallon: Ok. Bye.
She beamed while she reread their texts over and over, feeling like a schoolgirl. A low rumble in her stomach reminded her that she was hungry, so she went downstairs to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she saw it was stocked full of platters of food: deviled eggs, canapés, sliced fruit, raw vegetables, and several quiches. That’s right. Shanna’s having her kissing ass luncheon tomorrow. She pulled out a couple of the trays, took out a mocha yogurt, and sat at the table.
As she ate, her phone rang, and dread filled her. She wasn’t ready to talk to her dad; he’d ruin the good feeling that was humming through her. Relief spread over her when she saw Sylvia’s number flashing instead of her dad’s.
“Hi, Sylvia. I was just thinking about you.”
“Hey, girl. Were you thinking good thoughts about me?” Fallon could hear the smile in Sylvia’s voice.
“Of course. Actually, I wanted to know if you were up to hanging out tomorrow. Shanna’s having some hoity-toity luncheon, and I want to be as far away from it as I can.” She didn’t share the fact that Shanna had ordered her not to be around because she thought she’d be an embarrassment.
“Sounds awful. I wish we could go shopping, but tomorrow won’t work. I have to do some personal stuff. What’re you doing now? I wanted to know if you’re up to coming over here for a bit, and then we can go get something to eat. You know I’m dying to hear about your time away from your dad.”
“How’d you hear about that?”
“Your dad was so pissed off that he was venting about it with us. He had no idea where you went and he was asking us if we did. I was pretty sure you were with that good-looking biker, but I didn’t say a word. Were you with him?”
Fallon giggled. “Yeah.”
“I knew it! You gotta tell me all about it. So, can you come over?”
“Yeah. I’ll just freshen up and be there in twenty minutes. Where do you want to go eat? I feel like a burger.”
“Big Daddy’s has the best burgers in town. We can go there, but first you gotta tell me everything. Deal?”
“Deal. See you soon.”
Less than thirty minutes later, Fallon pulled in behind the warehouse and took out her keys, letting herself in through the back door. The main room where they held the fights was empty and eerily quiet. The ring seemed smaller without the combatants in it and all the spectators crowded around it. She shuffled across the concrete floor and went upstairs. Entering the family room, her muscles stiffened when she saw Emerald and Heidi sitting on the couch. She took a few steps back, hoping they didn’t notice her, but vultures always sense their prey.
Emerald looked over her shoulders and sneered. “Look who just came in. Your dad’s gonna beat your sorry ass, bitch.”
Heidi turned the volume on the television down and laughed. “Where you been hiding?”
“It’s none of your business,” Fallon said as she walked farther into the room.
Emerald stood up, an evil grin making her face look distorted. “You’ve forgotten your manners since you threw your little tantrum. Your dad said you’re an ungrateful, spoiled brat. You know my mom and stepdad tossed me out when I turned sixteen. I didn’t live in a fancy house and have a dad who paid for everything.”
“Maybe she was with a man,” Heidi said.
Emerald tilted her head back and laughed loudly. “A man? What man would touch that?” She pointed at Fallon, her nose crinkled in contempt.
“Never know. Some men are real desperate and will put their cock in any pussy.” Heidi glared at Fallon.
“If anyone wanted her pussy, it’d only be for Charlie’s money.” Emerald fixed her stare on Fallon.
Fallon straightened her shoulders, looked at each of them, and said coolly, “Fuck you.”
The room went quiet, the only sound the ticking of the wall clock. Then Emerald’s face darkened and she leapt in front of Fallon, shoving her back so hard that she stumbled and fell backward. Emerald loomed above her. “Don’t you ever say that to me again, bitch.”
“What’s going on here?” Sylvia’s voice broke through the tension in the room.
Emerald waved her hand over Fallon. “She’s got a real attitude and I don’t like it.”
“We were just chilling on the couch watching our program, and she comes in here like she owns the place, giving us shit,” Heidi said as she leaned against the back of the couch.
“I highly doubt that,” Sylvia said as she helped Fallon up. “What happened?” she asked Fallon.
“The same shit. It makes Heidi and Emerald feel better to pick on me because they’re so damn insecure. And Emerald, you’re so jealous of me it’s pathetic.” Fallon brushed off her backside.
“Me jealous of you? What a joke.” Emerald took a few steps closer.
“Why would she be jealous of you? She’s pretty. You’re not. She can walk right. You can’t. It’s a no-brainer, stupid,” Heidi said.
“Stop it! Both of you. If you keep this up, I’m going to tell Charlie. He’s not going to like what happened here.” Sylvia held Fallon by the arm. “Let’s go grab that burger now,” she whispered. Fallon nodded.
“Charlie doesn’t give a shit about her.” Emerald’s words pierced Fallon’s heart because, deep down, she knew the bitch was right. Emerald glared at Fallon. “I had your dad’s cock way before he hitched up with Shanna. I can make him do whatever I want. You just remember that.”
“She still does it with your daddy.” Heidi snorted. Fallon’s eyes widened. “That’s right. When Shanna’s being a bitch and won’t let your dad near her pussy. Emerald takes care of it, and if she’s not around, I step in.”
Fallon wanted to smack the satisfied smirk off both Emerald’s and Heidi’s faces. I have to get out of here. “Let’s go,” she said to Sylvia as she walked away. Sylvia followed as the other two women laughed and said things to each other in hushed voices. Fallon turned around. “You need to stay away from me. I’m sick of your shit, and I won’t put up with it anymore. And I don’t give a damn what my dad does or who he fucks.”
“You bitch!” Emerald rushed toward her, but Sylvia pushed her back. Then she and Fallon headed down the stairs and out the back door.
“Emerald is such a slut. I’m sorry she said all those things to you. Don’t pay any attention to her.” Sylvia slipped into the passenger seat.
Switching on the ignition, Fallon shook her head. “I don’t. She means nothing to me. It makes her feel better to make people around her miserable. She’s a bully. I had my fair share of them when I was in school. I meant what I said back there. I’m done with her, Heidi, and Cassie. And I don’t give a shit what my dad does. I guess I’m done with it all.”
Sylvia gently patted her shoulder. “You must’ve had a hell of a good time with Diablo. You came back with an attitude. I love seeing it.”
“I’ve always had attitude inside me, but I felt alone and dependent on my dad. I was always so scared he’d make good on his promise to throw me out.” She pulled into a parking space in front of the restaurant.
Seated at a table, a ginger ale in front of her and a beer in front of Sylvia, Fallon put the menu down and took a sip of her drink. “You know, a part of me is scared to death that Diablo is just being nice to me because he feels sorry for me. I’m afraid he’ll leave me,” she said softly.
“From what I saw when we were at the diner and he came up to you, he seemed really into you. And the way he looked at you at the warehouse afterward was intense. I’ve been with more men than I want to admit to, so I have more experience in reading them than you do. Diablo doesn’t seem like he just wants to get in your pants and then move on. He doesn’t seem jerky like a lot of guys. He strikes me as someone who plays it straight.”
“I think the same thing, but you never know.”
“If you want any hope at happiness, you need to take a chance with him. Love isn’t foolproof. It can be wonderful and it can hurt, but never having it is worse. You gotta start living.”
Fallon nodded. “I know. I’ve been thinking about that. I’ve been wanting to move out on my own for the last couple of years, but I’ve been too afraid to do it. The last few days I’ve been on my own felt fantastic. It made me think that I could really do it. If I needed something, I know Diablo would help and—”
“And you got me. You know I’ll help you out as best I can. You can do this, girl.”
Fallon smiled. “After all this time, I think I’m ready. I’m going to check to see what jobs are available in Alina and apply for them. Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m going to do this.” Heat flushed her face.
“You need to. You’re going to be twenty-two this year. It’s time to spread your wings. You need to start experiencing and interacting with life. I’m so excited for you.”
“If it were up to my dad, he’d always have me with him, making sure my wings were clipped. I can’t figure out why he wants me around when he’s mean to me most of the time.”
“It’s probably a matter of control. Some people are like that. They never want family or friends to leave them until they decide they can go.”
The waiter placed a cheeseburger in front of Fallon and a half-pound burger loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon, and barbecue sauce in front of Sylvia.
“No wonder you’re so slender. You barely eat,” Sylvia said as she picked up a fried onion ring and put it on her burger.
“It’s just the way I’m built.” Fallon squirted ketchup on her cheeseburger.
“You’re lucky. I’ve been battling my weight since I was a kid. It’s a pain in the ass. So Diablo must like slender women. I heard bikers like real curvy women with big boobs.”
“Really? I’m not sure what he likes.” She glanced down at her chest. “If he’s looking for big breasts, mine are definitely not.”
“He likes you, so he’s good with your boobs. Anyway, you’d look ridiculous with big ones on your slender build.”
Fallon giggled as she pictured herself with a huge bust. “I would look ridiculous.”
“Have you seen him naked? I bet he’s really hung. The big guys are.” Fallon shoved a few fries in her mouth and shook her head. “He didn’t have you suck him or anything?”
Putting her drink down, she laughed. “No. It’s not that he didn’t want to, but I’m not ready.” She looked away.
“And he’s good with that? Wow… he’s a keeper. He definitely respects you, girl. You got this one.” Sylvia opened her mouth wide and took a bite of her burger.
For the rest of the afternoon, they talked about Diablo, their dreams and hopes for the future, and their disappointments thus far in their short lives. As Fallon grabbed the bill, insisting on paying, happiness spread through her. I’m going to do this. Tomorrow I’ll go to the library and surf the net for jobs. I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this. She didn’t dare stay home and use her computer. She wanted to be away from her dad and his wife. Besides, she always loved going to the library; it reminded her of her mother and all the times they’d spent roaming the aisles in search of books.
When she arrived back home, it was early evening. No one was home, and Fallon went to her room and locked the door. She opened her closet and looked at her oversized clothes, deciding that since she was on the road to change, she’d go through her clothes and choose which ones to leave behind. As she was moving the outfits she was going to take to one end of her closet, she heard Shanna’s car pull into the driveway, followed by another one. Anxiety replaced the gaiety she’d been feeling.
A mix of light and heavy footsteps on the stairs made her stomach gurgle and her nerves fray. The footsteps should have gone away from her room, but they were heading toward it.
Shit! I won’t let them ruin my mood. I won’t….
A heavy knock on her door. “Fallon? Open up. I want to talk to you.”
She held her breath, frozen in the middle of her walk-in closet.
Another heavy knock. “Did you hear me? Open the fuck up.”
Fallon moved over to the window and opened it. She climbed out and sat down, hugging her knees as she rocked back and forth.
The knocks became pounds and she rocked hard, humming loudly to block out her father’s voice.
Then it was quiet. She strained her ears to hear her father’s retreating footsteps, but she heard Shanna’s voice.
“Just let her be. You can talk to her in the morning. I have the luncheon tomorrow and I’m nervous as hell about it. I don’t want a lot of drama right now. Anyway, she’s old enough to spend some time away from the house. You need to lighten up.”
“I’ll speak to you in the morning,” her father said, his hand slamming against her door, making her jump.
Then he went away. Shanna had cooled his ire. Shanna had helped her. She’s up to no good for sure.
For the next few hours, she sat outside, even though her body shivered and was covered with goose bumps as the cool air blew over her. The roof, the night, the lights from houses twinkling like tiny fireflies in the distance were her refuge, and she wasn’t ready to leave their comfort. Her phone vibrated against her thigh. She hoped it wasn’t her father sending her hurtful, vindictive messages as he often did. She opened it.
Diablo: Everything good?
She smiled and brushed away the hair from her face. It is now.
Fallon: Yeah. What are you doing?
Diablo: Thinking bout my sweet pea.
Fallon: That’s nice. I wish I were with you.
Diablo: U will be. Soon.
Fallon: Nite.
Diablo: Nite.
He makes me feel so wonderful. Tomorrow I’ll get up super early and be out before Dad or Shanna are even up. She went back inside, washed up, and slid under her down comforter. Glancing out the window, she took comfort in knowing that Diablo saw the same sky from his window. Instead of thinking about her dad and how angry he was, Diablo was on her mind. She knew the dark shadows of her dreams would be replaced by bright colors and sunlight.
That night, she welcomed sleep.