“What the fuck, Kayla!” Lily shoved me against the wall. “Rebel is out of prison for five minutes and you couldn't keep him out of your bed?”
I was still broken down after the argument with Rebel. Could it really be over between us? The sex was so damn good and something I'd been craving for years. Was I right to tell him we'd been broken up?
“I don't know what I was thinking, Lily. When he showed up at my door, my brain kind of shut off. I couldn't help myself. Seeing him again awakened something that I was lost forever.”
“How did he even get out of prison? He was supposed to rot in there for decades.”
I didn't want to talk anymore next to the bed where Rebel and I just had sex. I led Lily into the kitchen and put the tea kettle over the gas stove to boil some water.
“He told me it was because of overcrowding.”
“Be serious, Kayla. You can't really believe that. Rebel was convicted of attempted murder and they just don't let those kind out for overcrowding.”
“I thought the same thing, Lily. But I think he's telling the truth. He seemed just as surprised by it as I was.”
“What if he really did escape? You could be arrested as an accomplice.”
“Be serious. Rebel wouldn't do that to me.”
The tea kettle began to screech. I took it off the stove and poured the hot water into two mugs. I dipped a green teabag into each cup and handed one to Lily.
Lily took a sip. “Okay, putting aside how he got out. Are you with him now?”
“No. I told him we were broken up. You walked in just as we were arguing about it. He thought I'd be waiting for him until he got out.”
“He thought you'd be waiting decades?”
The green tea was hot and soothed my throat. “Not exactly. He says he's innocent. Thought that I believed that.”
“That man has some serious delusions of grandeur.”
I wanted to agree with her. But Rebel was convinced he was innocent. “He's never lied to me before, Lily. Why would he start now?”
“For starters, his story his completely crazy. And two, of course he would say anything to get in your pants one last time. How was it by the way?”
“What?”
Lily put her mug down on the kitchen counter. “You know what...the sex.”
I flashed back to Rebel between my legs, fucking me hard, making me orgasm again and again. “Let me tell you, he never lost his touch. It'd been so long since the last time. I just really needed to be fucked again.”
Lily giggled. “I have no idea how you lasted so long. Especially with all the fresh meat I dangled in front of your face.”
My phone began to buzz on the counter. I picked it up and it was my father. “Give me one sec, Lily.”
I answered the call. “Hey.”
“Kayla, I thought I'd come over and we can talk about your art show.”
I looked over at Lily and she hooked her fingers into the corners of her mouth and stretched, sticking out her tongue. Lily always tried to get me to laugh with funny faces and it never worked. She wasn't nearly as funny as she thought she was.
“Now is not a very good time.”
“Nonsense, Kayla. I'm already on my way. See you in twenty minutes.”
Arguing with my father was like talking to a brick wall. My dad never took no for an answer. I'd hate to actually work for him.
I clicked my phone off. “Sorry Lily but my dad is coming over.”
“You're very popular today. Should I make an appointment for next time?”
“Very funny, Lily. I'm sorry we have to cut this short.”
Lily hugged me close. “Just make sure to stay away from Rebel. Once he gets his claws in you, he'll never let go.”
“Don't worry. My entire focus will be on getting this painting done.”
“Still got nothing?” Lily walked into the living room where the canvas was covered with a brown tarp.
I pulled off the tarp and revealed the blank canvas. “My finest masterpiece yet.”
Lily bit down on a fingernail, studying the white rectangle. “There's something about it that just pulls you in.” She tried to keep a straight face but failed.
I pushed her away. “Get out of here before my father comes over.”
“All right. I understand. I'll get out of your hair.”
I walked Lily to the front door. “Thank you for worrying about me and coming over. And for the talk. I really needed it.”
“Any time. Just remember to stay away from Rebel.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Mom.” I closed the door before Lily could say anything else.
I checked my phone and it had been five minutes since my father had called. I only had fifteen minutes to make this place look spotless. Artists aren't know for being clean. I also had to get rid of any trace that Rebel had been here.
I stormed through the apartment, dusting and picking up all my paints and brushes. My bedroom was a disaster—sheets and pillows strewn about the room. A smile appeared across my face. Rebel was so damn good in the sack.
I made my bed in record time and was able to fix my hair and makeup by the time my father knocked on the door. I looked at the apartment one last time and took a deep breath before opening the door.
“Hi!” My father stood in the doorway wearing a black expensive suit. His head was full of gray hair that was combed to the side. He was always so proud that he hadn't lost any hair yet.
“Kayla,” he announced, taking me into his arms.
My father walked inside and took in the surroundings. “Did you have somebody over here?”
How did he always know?
“Yeah, Lily was over when you called.”
He seemed satisfied by the answer and moved over to the couch. “I wanted to congratulate you on getting into the art show. I'm really proud of you, Kayla.”
I joined him on a brown chair next to the couch. “Thanks. That really means a lot even if you were the one that got me in.” I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. My father always wished he could have a son. A man to take over his growing empire.
When I told him that I didn't want to follow in his footsteps and pursue art instead, he tried to cut me off. It took a lot of convincing but he finally came around. But I knew deep down that he really didn't approve of my lifestyle.
“I heard some distressing news today,” he said, folding his leg over the other. “Your old ex-boyfriend, Rebel, got out of jail.”
My whole body froze. So that's the real reason my father came over. I couldn't let him know that he had already been around to see me. Rebel and my father were mortal enemies. “How did he get out so soon?”
Lying to my father was the last thing I wanted to do. But I had to do it to protect the both of them.
“Sheriff Buckley told me it was because of overcrowding. I have a sneaking suspicion that something is going on behind the scenes. Have you seen Rebel since he got out?”
Here we go, Kayla. Keep a straight face and mean it. “Nope I had no idea he was even out.”
My dad narrowed his eyes at me and twisted his head to the side. “Well I don't want you around that man. He's bad news.”
“Of course. I've been done with him for years.”
Now if only I could convince myself of that.
“And one more thing.” My dad produced an envelope from his jacket pocket and set it down on the coffee table between us. “Here's your allowance for the month.”
I picked up the envelope and didn't even bother to look at the check inside. It was always the same amount every month. I felt silly taking an allowance from him but it was the only way to keep painting without getting a full-time job.
“We should go out and celebrate. I can take you to that sushi place you love.”
“I'd love to, but I really have to finish my painting.” I pointed over to the brown tarp covering the canvas.
My father stood and walked towards it. “Can I get a look at it?”
The last thing I wanted was for him to find out that I had done nothing so far. “No. I want it to be surprise.”
That seemed to satisfy him for now. We embraced and my father finally left. Did he actually believe me about not seeing Rebel?
After all these strange encounters in a row, my body had a strange energy about it. I couldn't put my finger on it. But I knew what to do with it.
I pulled off the tarp to reveal the blank canvas. I knew exactly what to paint for the art show now.