CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Carter
As soon as she leaves, I lay in bed with a huge shit-arse grin on my face. Christ. My mind is spinning. Did that really just happen? I’ve never not gone all the way with a chick before, but fuck me, if what we just did didn’t satisfy me more than any of the others have in the past. I’d give anything to be able to fuck her. Anything. But, I can’t do that to her. She deserves so much better than a one-night stand. That’s all I can offer. I don’t do commitments. Ever.
I’m not sure what time it is when I eventually fall back to sleep, but I do know I dreamt of her when I did. I even woke up with a smile on my face. Shit. That’s not like me. I hope today things aren’t weird between us. I want things to stay just the way they are.
I don’t even notice that I’m whistling when I walk into the kitchen for breakfast, until my mum mentions it. “Someone got out the right side of bed this morning,” she chirps. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you looking so happy. It’s so good to see, sweetheart.”
“Morning, Mum,” I say kissing her cheek and ignoring her observation. My mood actually surprises me as well.
“With everything that went on yesterday, this is the last thing I expected to see this morning. I know how much you love that car.”
Fuck. My car. For a minute I thought she was talking about me and Indi. My head is so clouded with her that this shit with the car completely slipped my mind. The smile instantly drops from my face and that sick feeling I had all yesterday afternoon returns. I’d like to get my hands on whoever is responsible.
“I hope they find out who did this,” she says placing my breakfast in front of me. Suddenly I no longer have an appetite. I don’t know how I’m going to find the money for the repairs. My insurance only covers the other party if I have an accident. That’s all I could afford. “I won’t be needing my car today, sweetie. You can use it to get to school if you like.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“Eat something,” she encourages, gently rubbing my back from behind me. “I’m sure Ross will get to the bottom of it.”
I fucking hope so.
••••
Making my way towards the car I’m not sure if Indi is going to turn up, but I’m hoping she will. I’m surprised my stomach is churning about seeing her. I have no regrets about last night. How could I? I just want things to be normal between us again. I need to pull my shit together and play it cool. Last night was a one-time thing. As much as I’d like a repeat, for both our sakes, it can’t happen again.
I throw my backpack in the back seat just as Indi comes through the side gate. I hate that I have to take my mum’s car today. I hate that someone fucked mine up. God help whoever it was when I find out. Even though I’m pretty sure it’s that prick Brad.
“Hey,” she says walking towards me. “I thought we’d be catching the bus today.”
“Who said I’m giving you a lift?”
“What?” she gasps before narrowing her eyes. “I see you didn’t forget to put your arsehole attire on again today.” I chuckle at her comment. Thank Christ we’re okay.
••••
“I heard what happened to your car,” Brad laughs as I pass him in the hall on the way to my locker. “Sucked-fucking-in.” I had planned on ignoring that prick until I had some kind of proof it was him, but not now. Not after what he just said. Something inside me snaps. My backpack doesn’t even hit the ground before I lunge at him.
I only get a few good hits in before I’m being dragged off him by one of the teachers. “Cartwright, Reynolds, principal’s office now!” he screams pointing down the hall. Great. After all the trouble I got in at my last school, I promised my mum I’d try and keep my nose clean here. Guess I just broke that promise.
The teacher leaves us both seated outside in the waiting room once he’s had words with the principal. “You’ll pay for what you did to my car, cocksucker,” I say through gritted teeth as I glare over at Cartwright.
“Good luck proving it, arsehole. You think I was stupid enough to do it in front of witnesses?” I fucking knew it was him. I rise from my chair, ready to give him another serving.
“Sit back down, Mr. Reynolds,” the principal says sternly from the doorway of his office before turning his attention to Brad. “Did I just hear you correctly, Mr. Cartwright?” Christ, I fucking hope he heard his confession.
“What?” Brad says as the colour drains from his face.
“If I’m not mistaken, I just heard you admit to vandalising Mr. Reynolds’ car.”
“Noooo,” that lying cocksucker squeals.
“So now you’re going to add lying to your list of offenses. I had the police here earlier this morning, making a few inquiries about this particular incident. I think I may need to call them back.”
“I didn’t do it,” he screeches, panic lining his voice. Like shit he didn’t. I’m so glad that smug bastard couldn’t keep his big mouth shut.
••••
I received lunchtime detention for my part in the fight, but Cartwright got his pretty boy arse suspended. Indi’s dad came back to the school and took him away for questioning, and he was later charged with vandalism and malicious destruction of property.
After school was out, Indi and I made our way home. I’m glad last night hasn’t changed things between us. Although we still act like we annoy the crap out of each other, I think we’re actually becoming friends. I haven’t had a real friend since I was a boy.
After the day I found out the true meaning of what a bastard was, I started to act out. The older I got, the worse my attitude became. The friends I had back then were soon stopped from hanging around me. I guess their parents thought I was a bad influence. Maybe I was, but it only served to make me feel more worthless than I already did.
Indi’s dad comes out to greet us when we pull into the driveway. “Hey, Daddy,” she says as he walks towards the car.
“Hi, Pumpkin. Do you mind if I have a few words with Carter?”
“Not at all. I’m going to take Lassie for a walk before I start my homework.” We both watch her walk towards the house. Of course my eyes are glued to her arse again. Well I thought we were both watching, until I turn to face Mr. Montgomery and find him staring at me. Fuck.
“Can I ask what your intentions are with my daughter?”
“We’re friends, nothing more,” I lie. Well it’s kind of true. Friends with benefits you might say, but I don’t have a death wish so I’m not going to tell him that.
“I’m not stupid, son. I see the way you both look at each other.” I nervously shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans. It’s one thing for me to know how I feel, but it’s another for anyone else to know. I don’t like where this conversation is heading. I’m waiting for him to tell me I’m not good enough for his daughter. I know that, but it’s gonna suck to hear him say it. Up until now I’ve liked the way he’s treated me. “It’s the exact same way I used to look at my wife when she first moved to town,” he confesses.
“Yeah. I’m sorry about … you know … what happened to your wife,” I say.
“Thank you.” The sadness I see in his eyes makes me feel bad for him. I’ve never been in love so I can only imagine how he feels, but I can tell that he is far from over her death. “If her passing has taught me anything, it’s to live life to the fullest. You never know what’s around the corner.” He exhales then shakes his head.
“I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for you.”
“It’s been tough, but having Indi has helped. She’s so much like her mother.” I smile when I see his face light up. I’d never admit it, but she has the same effect on me. “Do I need to warn you not to hurt her? To always treat her with respect? She’s all I have and she means the world to me, Carter.”
What? That’s the last thing I expected him to say. “No, Sir,” I answer before clearing my throat. Shit. Is that the right answer, or was that a trick question?
“Good,” he says gripping my shoulder. “I like you, son, but if you hurt or disrespect her in any way, I won’t hesitate to kick your arse. You understand?” When he smiles at me, I feel the corners of my lips turn up. This is not how I envisioned this conversation going. Indi and I will never be more than what we are, but it’s nice to know that her father isn’t repulsed by the idea of his daughter being with someone like me.
“Yes, Sir.” He nods and taps my shoulder like he’s pleased with my response.
“I called past the wreckers this morning and collected your personal belongings from your car,” he says passing me the plastic bag he’s holding. “I threw out the cancer sticks I found in the glove compartment. Don’t let me catch you smoking again, you hear.”
“Yes, Sir,” I answer dropping my head. I feel like a child being scolded, but on the other hand, I like the fact that he seems to care.
“I also found this.” He pulls a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket. Without even opening it I know what it is. The sketch I did of Indiana. Fuck. Why did I leave that on the floor of my car? I should’ve thrown it in the trash, but for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to do that. “Did you draw this?”
“Yes,” I answer reaching for it. He pulls his hand back.
“It’s good. Do you mind if I keep it?” Christ. This conversation is getting more awkward by the minute.
“Sure,” I tell him. I’m sure I could draw another one if I wanted, which I don’t. We’re friends. Nothing more. “You’re not going to show her are you?”
“The picture?” he asks, a small smile playing on is lips.
“Yes,” I answer shyly. I don’t want her to think I’m obsessing over her or anything, because I’m not.
“Not if you don’t want me to,” he says, his lips turning up further. I have no idea why he’s smiling. I divert my eyes. The way he’s looking at me is the same way Indi does. Like he can see straight through me. He clears his throat. “Why didn’t you have full insurance on your car?” he asks changing the subject. I’m grateful for that.
“I couldn’t afford it.”
“Fair enough. The guy at the wreckers owes me a few favours, so I’ve asked him to get started on the repairs to the body. You can sue Cartwright for the damages. His parents can afford it. I’m going to talk to his father about it. He’ll probably agree to pay for the repairs before it comes to that. He won’t want this going public.”
“Thank you,” I say extending my hand out to him. Even though I’m still pissed about my car and the fact it’s going to take weeks, possibly longer before I get her back, I couldn’t ask for a better outcome.
••••
The rest of the week goes by without incident. On the days my mum needs her car, she drops Indi and I at school. The other times she lets me take it.
Ross talked with Cartwright’s father. He was right. He didn’t hesitate to agree to pay for any repairs needed for the car—in exchange for our silence, of course. Fat lot of good that’s going to do. This is a small town. Shit’s already spreading like wild fire.
Late Friday afternoon, Ross comes knocking on my door. “Got a spare half hour?” he asks. “I need your help with something.”
“Sure. Just let me tell my mum I’m going out.” I have no idea what this is about, but I go along with it. Once I’m seated in the passenger seat of his car, he informs me why I’m needed.
“It’s Indiana’s birthday on Sunday, so I’ve decided to buy her a small car. That’s where you come in. I’m working all day tomorrow, so if I’m going to have it here for Sunday, I need to pick it up today. You’re going to need to drive it home from the car yard.”
“Are you giving it to her today?” I ask.
“No. Frank across the road is letting me hide it in his garage until Sunday morning. I’m taking that day off to spend it with her.”
“Okay. Cool. Does she have her driver’s licence?” She’s lucky her father can afford to buy her a car. I know if my mum had ever been in that position she would’ve done the same for me. She always let me borrow hers though, until I could afford to buy my own.
“Yes. Only her provisional licence,” he answers.
••••
It’s getting dark when we arrive back at the house. Ross got me to park down the road for five minutes so he could go in the house and distract Indi. Frank was already waiting out front with his garage door open when I pulled into his driveway.
I had no idea it was her birthday this weekend. It has me thinking, should I get her something? We’re kind of friends. Friends do shit like that I guess. Christ. I don’t want her getting the wrong idea about us.
••••
Saturday, Indi’s dad invites me to come over Sunday night for a birthday dinner. I guess that means I have to get her something now. I’ll admit I did lay awake half the night wondering what sort of gift she’d like before he even asked me. I suppose my mind was already made up.
“Mum, can I borrow your car?” I ask walking into the kitchen.
“No,” Fuckwit says cutting in on the conversation.
“John. That’s not nice,” my mum replies. “Why can’t he borrow my car?” He clears his throat and squirms in his seat. As much as I hate him, I almost want to laugh. He’s usually very calculated with his attacks against me. Guess he’s slipping.
“If he can’t look after his own car, why should we reward him by letting him use ours? How is he ever going to learn his lesson?”
“That’s a little unreasonable,” my mum says holding her hand against her chest like she’s hurt or shocked by his words. If only she knew, ‘unreasonable’ is his middle name. “Carter had no control over what happened to his car. Why should he be punished for that?”
“You’re right, Elizabeth,” he says in his fake-arse full of shit voice. Placing the paper he was reading on the table, he rises from his chair, making his way towards her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he adds sliding his arms around her waist. My mum smiles up at him. Fuck, he has her hook, line and sinker. Of course he doesn’t apologise to me. Arsehole.
“My keys are in my handbag, sweetie,” she says smiling at me. I shift my gaze and hold it on Fuckwit.
“Thanks, Mum.”
“You can wash your mother’s car when you get home to thank her for her generosity,” Fuckwit grunts. Christ I’d love to smack that smug look right off his face.
“He doesn’t need to do that,” my mum says frowning.
“It’s okay, Mum. I don’t mind washing your car for you.” I walk out of the room before either one of them have a chance to say anything else. Or more importantly, before I say something that may upset her.
••••
After two hours of walking around the damn shops, I finally find the perfect gift for Indiana. I’m not used to doing shit like this. I hate shopping. I hate buying fucking gifts, period. It’s something I’ve never done before. With my mum, I always gave her money. I’m sure there were a lot of things she went without, but she needed money more than anything.
I’m grateful the lady at the jewellery store offers to gift-wrap it for me otherwise she’d be just getting it how it is. I have one more thing to get before I get the hell out of here.
When I arrive back home, I stash my purchases in my room and head outside to wash my mum’s car. I don’t mind doing things for her, but I hate that he has asked me to do it. Just another thing that cocksucker can gloat over.
An hour later I’m done. I empty the bucket, wash the sponge and start to roll up the hose when Fuckwit decides to come around the side of the house. “Before you put all that away, you can wash my car as well,” he snaps.
“What?”
“You deaf as well as dumb?”
“Neither,” I reply through gritted teeth. I’d love to knock this prick out. If it wasn’t for my mother, I wouldn’t hesitate. “I didn’t borrow your car, so why should I wash it?”
“Because you live in my house, eat my food and use my electricity, that’s why, smartarse. You’re nothing to me and you’re not a damn charity case, so if you want to continue to live under my roof, you’ll do as you’re bloody told.” I exhale an exasperated breath while counting to ten in my head. The longer I stay in this house with him, the harder I’m finding it to keep my cool. “Get it done,” he adds before walking back towards the house. “You better do a good job as well or I’ll make you redo it.” I hate him with a fiery passion. What I’d really like to do is ram this damn sponge down his fucking throat.
Snatching the bucket off the ground and heading towards the tap, my gaze moves towards Indi’s room. Great. She’s fucking standing at the window looking at me with a sympathetic smile on her face. I don’t want or need her damn sympathy. I hate that she just witnessed that cocksucker handing me my balls.
Once the bucket is full and I add the detergent, I slap the sponge onto the hood of his car. “Hey. You want a hand?” Indi asks from behind me, making me jump.
“What are you trying to do, give me a damn heart attack?” I grumble.
“That’s a little dramatic don’t you think?” she says sarcastically, placing her hands on her hips. I love her attitude. “I was only trying to be nice.”
“Well don’t.” She narrows her eyes at me and I try hard to suppress my smile. Is it wrong that I like getting under her skin?
“You shouldn’t let him treat you like that?” she says as I turn back to the job at hand.
“When I want your opinion, kid, I’ll ask for it.”
“You don’t need to be such an arse,” she says, pursing her lips.
“And you don’t need to be such a busy body,” I retort.
“Fuck you, Carter.”
“Oh I know you’d like that, but sorry. Like I said before, I can’t do that.” She growls at me and turns in a huff, making me chuckle. I think I’ve had enough fun with her for now. “Hey,” I call out as she storms off towards her house.
“What?” She stops walking but doesn’t turn around.
“Thanks for the offer.” When she flips me off over her shoulder I throw my head back and laugh. I’d also like to thank her for lifting my mood, but of course I don’t.
••••
Later that night I’m sitting in my room, sketching, when I hear the side gate next door creak open. Jumping up I take a look. Indiana. Where in the hell does she think she’s sneaking off to this time of night?
Opening my window, I jump out in a flash. “Hey. Where do you think you’re going?” I ask when I move up behind her.
“What the hell, Carter?” she angrily whispers while clutching her chest. “Are you trying to scare me to death?” Smiling, I decide to throw her words from earlier today, back at her.
“That’s a little dramatic don’t you think?”
“Ha ha. I think this is a little different, Carter. It’s dark, it’s late and I’m a girl.”
“All the more reason you need to tell me what the hell you’re doing out here,” I snap. She better not try and lie to me either. I’m ready to lose my shit with her. I’ll haul her arse over my shoulder and deposit her back inside her room if I have to.
“None of your business,” she replies, quickly moving one of her hands behind her back. Yeah I don’t think so kid. I’m not sure what she’s trying to hide, but I intend to find out. Reaching towards her, I grab hold of her arm.
“What do you have behind your back?” I ask.
“Nothing,” she says trying to step away from me. Nice try. I’m way too strong for her and easily manage to snatch the bag out of her hand.
“Give me that,” I say taking it from her.
“No. Be careful with that!” she cries out trying to reach for it, but I hold my hand high in the air. She’s a shrimp so there’s no way she can reach it. When she jumps up to try and grab it, it only makes me laugh.
Stepping back, I lower my arm and look inside. Opening the bag instantly has me gagging. The smell alone should’ve been enough to warn me of the bag’s contents. What the hell? I quickly drop the bag to the ground.
“Fucking shit. What are you doing with a bag full of shit?” She throws her head back and laughs.
“It’s Lassie’s. That’ll teach you for snooping.” She bends down and picks up the bag off the ground before turning and walking away.
“Where are you going?”
“To right a wrong,” is all she says. I have no idea what she’s up to, but if she thinks I’m letting her go out on her own in the dark, she’s mistaken. I go to follow, but when she stops next to the driver’s side door of my stepfather’s car, I’m stopped in my tracks.
My mouth turns up into a smile when I see what she’s doing. She opens the bag and tips the contents out right next to the driver’s side door. It’s still dark when he leaves for work in the mornings so I know he’s going to step straight in it. Fucking brilliant.
When she’s done, she walks straight past me with a cute little smug look on her face. “Night, arsehole.”
“Night, kid,” I chuckle. “And thank you.” I can’t believe she’d do something like this for me. I’m not used to people having my back. She’s taking a big risk as well, especially after the way he carried on when Larry shit on his lawn a few years back.
“You’re welcome,” is all she says as she climbs through her bedroom window. I stand there and watch in awe. For an annoying little shrimp, she’s one kick-arse fucking chick.
••••
I set my alarm for 5:15am. There’s no way I was going to miss the show. My stepfather leaves for work at 5:30am. He only has to go and open up the store he owns on the weekends. He’s usually back by breakfast time. He works Monday through to Friday. He has staff who manage the weekend shift. Don’t ask me what he does. I have no clue. My mum did tell me once, but I wasn’t really listening. Anything she has to say about him doesn’t interest me.
His performance was well worth getting up at the butt crack of dawn. It was hilarious. After cursing his head off when he stepped in the shit, he marched over and bashed on Indiana’s front door. He had no proof it was her, or Larry, but of course I knew he’d blame them.
I couldn’t see the front of her house from my bedroom window, but I clearly heard Mr. Montgomery rip him a new arsehole. I kept my bedroom light off, but Indi didn’t. My eyes were glued on her while I listened to her father going off his nut.
Her ear was pressed up against her bedroom door as she listened to her father tell my stepfather off. A few times she covered her mouth and threw her pretty little head back, laughing at the things he was saying. I could feel my smile growing wider as I watched on. She’s a fucking legend in my eyes for what she did.
••••
I’m not sure what time it was when I finally fell back to sleep, but I know I was beaming when I did. It’s kind of surreal how one person can make such a huge difference in your life. As much as I hate living here with Fuckwit, somehow the kid makes it all worthwhile.
Crazy but true.
Suddenly, I’m jolted out of my sleep by a high-pitched squeal. At first I’m in a daze, but then I remember it’s Indi’s birthday, and going by that scream, she’s just seen her car. Jumping out of bed I rush towards my window, just in time to see her launch herself into her father’s arms.
Sitting there in the driveway is the car her father bought her. There’s a huge red bow tied around it. Seeing her happy like this does something to me. I can’t really put it into words, but I know I’m fucking smiling again. Go figure. I’ve smiled more in the past few months since moving here, than I have in the previous twelve years since my life changed.
I watch on for a few more minutes before I head to the bathroom to take a leak. I want to give her the present I bought her and wish her a happy birthday, but I’ll wait until I go over there tonight. I’ll let her have this time with her father. I know she doesn’t get to see him as much as she’d like to.
For the rest of the day I just hang around the house, mainly in my room. I don’t feel comfortable in this place when Fuckwit’s home. I use this time to put the finishing touches on the drawing I made for Indi. When I’m finished, I place it in the frame I bought for her.
I’m not sure how I feel about giving her this, but fuck me, I want to see the look on her face when she sees it. I drew a picture of her and Larry. It was just from memory, but I’m happy with the way it’s turned out. It was from the first day when I arrived here, when they were playing ball out the front. She’s holding the ball high in the air, and Larry is jumping up trying to retrieve it.
Of course I couldn’t help myself. I’ve titled the picture, ‘My Man Larry and the Kid’. I know that’s going to piss her off. That’s exactly why I did it. Should be good for a laugh if nothing else.