CHAPTER TWO

As I sit down to share dinner with my father, I struggle not to let my curiosity get the better of me. However, Brianna’s face has been at the forefront of my thoughts for the duration of the day. At the very least, she could have explained why she wanted to keep her distance. I prop my chin up in my hand as my dad sets the table, watching with a sense of boredom. I’d offered to help him prepare dinner, but as usual, he wasn’t one for seeing my hands dirtied in any way. He scoops a hearty helping of beef stew into my bowl, offering me a plate of rolls. I take one of the doughy delights off the plate before allowing him to pull it away. My father sets the food in the center of the table, taking a seat opposite me and serving himself a helping as well.

“Dad… what do you know about Brianna… Brianna what? I don’t even know her last name.” I mutter, and he considers me curiously for a moment before quirking a smile.

“Brianna Walker, is her name. As far as what I know, well, there’s not much to tell. She rolled into town with only the clothes on her back, looking for a job. She’s done pretty well for herself in the time she’s been working for me, but… well. I don’t ask too many questions.” The older man replies, and I sigh dramatically, stirring my stew as means of a distraction. “Why? Interested in trying to befriend her?” He continues, watching me very carefully.

“I guess.” I reply quietly, not really knowing what my intentions are. My father smiles warmly, reaching across the table to grasp my hand.

“You’ve always been such a sweet girl, Kitten. But be careful with that one, alright? She seems nice enough, but… well. Her interests could be less than… pure.” He says hesitantly. I quirk a brow, drawing my hand back to myself. Truthfully, for the time being, her intentions seemed more pure than even my own. I don’t voice that thought, however, giving my father something to stress himself over being the last thing on my mind.

Glancing at the clock, I make quick work of finishing up my meal, eager to spend some time with the girls. My father laughs at how ravenous I seem, but I’m not particularly concerned with looking like the perfect picture of etiquette. I dab at my face with a napkin before moving to dispose of my leftovers. I dump the remaining stew in my bowl into the trash, setting the bowl and spoon in the sink before darting towards the door.

“See you later, daddy! Don’t wait up.” I call out, hearing him sputter in response. I don’t give him time to argue, however, simply rushing out the door and towards my car. The girls are supposed to meet me at a club downtown, though I’ve never been one for the club scene. A bit of excitement in this snore of a town has to do me some good, however. I shift my car into gear, backing out of the driveway. I can see my father peeking out the door, and for a brief moment, I almost feel bad for making him worry. Steeling myself, I drive away, resolving that he has to allow me to grow up and spread my wings at some point.

The drive to the club is a short one, and I park across the street, seeing the girls waiting for me on the sidewalk. Jana is there, as I’d hoped she would be, and I call out an enthusiastic greeting as I slip out of my car. I dart across the street to meet them, and we make our way into the club, flashing the bouncer our ID cards as we pass.

“Kitten, it’s been so long.” One of my high school friends, Marissa, laments. The group seems to agree, and Jana comes back from the bar with our drinks.

“Too long.” I say agreeably.

“So…” Jana begins, dragging the word out. “How’s college?” She says with a cheeky smile. Marissa cackles, giving Jana a slight nudge.

“She means the boys!” Marissa giggles. I pale, averting my eyes and fidgeting uncomfortably.

“Oh...they’re nice.” I offer, not wanting to follow this train of conversation. Truth be told, all the relationships I had off at college were fleeting, with scummy frat boys. The girls seem oblivious to my unease, chatting about boys and who they’re dating and what not. “I need to freshen up.” I offer as an excuse, slipping away from the table. I make my way in the direction of the bathroom, breathing a sigh once I’m far enough away from my friends. What I also hadn’t mentioned was my seemingly budding interest in women. As I’m about to step into the bathroom, someone catches my eye stepping out of the men’s room. It’s Ronald’s from my father’s bakery, and he spots me immediately. I try to make an excuse to leave, but he moves quickly, grasping me by the wrist and pinning me against the wall outside the restroom.

“Hello, Kitten. How about we go somewhere a bit more private? I’ve been itching to see you since you got here…” He says with a sly grin, and I try to shove him away.

“Not even if you were the last man on earth.” I bite out. He hesitates for a moment, before pressing me more firmly against the wall, grasping my breast in his hand. I cry out in protest, but he presses his free hand across my mouth to silence me.

“I wasn’t really asking, Kitten.” He says darkly. He mashes his lips against mine, and I’m left to struggle helplessly in his strong grasp. Tears spill down my cheeks, and as he trails a hand down to my hip, he’s suddenly ripped away from me by a pair of strong arms. I gasp for breath as he is yanked away. “What the hell--” He begins, cut short by a fist slamming into his mouth. He stumbles back, and I gasp, laying eyes upon my savior. Surprise jolts my body as I see the last person I would have expected to come to my aid.

“Brianna…?” I mutter, watching as the taller woman shoves Ronald against the wall once more. He squirms in her grasp, making petulant threats that it’s obvious he can’t hold true on.

“Get out of here, Ronald. If I see you do anything like this again, I swear to God, I’ll see that you regret it.” Brianna rasps, shoving him away from us. Ronald struggles to catch his footing, but manages to right himself, glaring angrily at us.

“You’ll be the one who regrets it, you dirty dyke.” He spits, and Brianna lunges threateningly towards him once more. He squeaks, turning tail and darting back into the club. My legs feel weak, and I feel inexplicably dizzy as I stare at the other woman. She turns to consider me, gaze sympathetic.

“Are you okay? Let’s get you home, kid.” She mutters, stepping hesitantly towards me and offering her arm. She seems to think I’ll bolt, but truth be told, I couldn’t be more relieved to have been saved by anyone else. I jolt forward, throwing my arms around her and burying my face in her chest. She stiffens, obviously not having anticipated the sudden show of affection. I can’t blame her. After all, we’ve known each other for all of an hour, total.

“Thank you.” I sob against her chest, and she rests a hand on the back of my head, running her fingers tenderly through my hair. “I… I can’t go home right now. I can’t let my father see me like this. He’d never let me out of his sight again.” I sputter, drawing away from her and feeling the panic begin to creep up on me. She hesitates, reaching out to me to rest a hand on my arm.

“Calm down. Ah… hell. You can come to my place for a bit, if you really can’t go home. It’s not like I can just leave you to wander the streets.” She mutters, rubbing the back of her neck. Tears continue to spill down my cheeks, and as inappropriate as it is, I can’t help but take in how beautiful she truly is. Perhaps it’s the fact that she saved me from Ronald, but somehow I feel like that’s not all there is to it. As she takes me by the arm, I allow myself a glimmer of hope that she will allow me to get to know her better.

“Thank you.” I repeat as we step out of the club, into the cool night air. She sheds her jacket, placing it over my shoulders.

“Don’t sweat it.” She murmurs. In that moment, I’m certain I’ve never been more enamored in my life.