Odin steps closer to me. He grips my chin and tilts my face up until the only thing I can see are his ocean blue eyes. He leans down, placing his lips against mine. A soft kiss that I have come to love from him, before pulling away and whispering in my ear. “Behave, princess.”
Odin steps away from me, and without looking back, he marches over to his bike. Zeus stands next to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into his side. We watch while the other two start their motorcycles and drive away.
Worry is the only thing I can feel. Scared for what might happen.
Zeus
Serena is tense in my arms. I can feel the fear she has for them leaving. I feel it too. Our dads are unpredictable on a good day. You never know what they are going to do.
I’m trying to rack my brain as to what they needed us for.
“Let’s drop my bike off at my mom’s house in case my dad goes looking. Then we can head out of town and spend the evening together.”
Serena nods her head before walking over to her. She waits for me to mount my bike before she starts her car. I wish she were on the back of my bike with me. Her arms squeezing me tightly as we ride through town. Today was supposed to be my day with her riding backpack, but he car was dropped off last night and she wanted the independence of her vehicle. It stung, but I get it.
I rev the engine, feeling the rumble and purr through my entire body. This used to be the feeling I loved the most. Now, it’s Serena's arms around me. The way her lips feel against mine. There is no better feeling in the world.
I pull out of the lot and race towards my mom’s house, Serena following behind me. I just want to stop by, let mom know to cover for me if need be, leave my bike in the laneway in case my dad drives by to see.
I pull my bike into the laneway, not seeing my mom’s car. I want Serena to meet my mom, but honestly, not right now. I need to speak with my mom first so she doesn’t do anything to embarrass me. I love my mom. She was the only person I felt that, or what I thought was love, for a long time. But my mom can be a little bit much for people. After my accident, she became extremely overprotective of me. As a kid, I hated it, but now as an adult, I can understand.
I get off my bike and walk towards Serena’s parked car. “Just wait here. I am going to grab my truck keys.”
Serena nods her head. I start walking towards the front door, wanting to get in and out so I can take my girl out for a little fun. She deserves to have a normal life, and I plan on giving that to her.
The second my hand touches the doorknob, Mom rips open the front door and rushes outside.
Please, please, please.
“Duncan!” My mom yells from the door.
My mom is the picture of grace. Her wavy milk chocolate hair falls to her shoulders. Her light brown eyes shine bright as she looks at me. Her smile is wide and infectious. She is wearing a pair of light-wash jeans and a white blouse.
My mom has always been my safe place. The person I turn to when I need anything. The one who protected me when I couldn’t do it myself. She is the only parent I have in my eyes. My father is just a sperm donor who controls way too much of my life.
I glance at my mom, wishing she didn’t just call me that. It’s not a conversation I have had with Serena yet, and it was something I wanted to do on my terms. Maybe if I am lucky, Serena didn’t hear that. With a glance over my shoulder, I see Serena. Still sitting in her car, her eyes focused on my mom, and her jaw open.
Thanks, Mom.
Serena gets out of her car and walks over to us, obviously not wanting to be rude. I can see a curious glint in her eyes, wondering why my mom is calling me a different name. I close my eyes, take a deep breath. Mom’s face drops slightly when she sees Serena holding my hand, but she quickly recovers and rushes over to us. Mom squeezes me tightly. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. Mom pulls away, giving me a big smile. She glances over to Serena, giving her an equally warm smile.
“Duncan, you didn’t tell me you were coming over or that you were bringing a guest.” Mom turns to Serena. “I’m Bailey, Duncan’s mom.”
“Duncan?” Serena peeks up at me, waiting for answers.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Zeus’s mom.” Mom waves her hand as a fake laugh leaves her. “Please come in, guys. I was just making some coffee.”
Mom leads us inside and to the kitchen. The house hasn’t changed since she first moved into it when I was seven. After the divorce from my father, my mom bought this house and moved both her and me in here. My life changed in the blink of an eye, but it was for the better. Mom was significantly happier without my father.
We walk through the main room, pictures of me growing up lining the walls and on every table. Serena glances at every picture, smiling at each of them. My mom is the type of person who takes pictures of everything. My first tooth that I lost. Every school year picture. Potty training. The works. All of them were displayed for anyone to see.
We all walk into the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air. Serena is practically salivating, wanting a cup. She hasn’t been going to the café in the morning for her usual cup of coffee. Since everything that has happened, she has been more introverted than she was. Only going to school and then home. It’s reminding me of when she first moved here, and she was still with her asshole of an ex.
Something I need to talk to her and the guys about. I am worried about her. I hate the thought of her returning to the person she once was. I love watching her shine. She was turning to the person she wanted to be, and nothing made me happier than that.
Watching her scared all the time breaks my heart. It makes me want to just kill Zane, Ryker, and my dad without thought. At this point, I don’t care if they are her stalker or not. They deserve to die for many reasons. If they are behind it, I vow to myself to make their deaths as painful and long as possible. Nothing on this earth would stop me from achieving that goal.
Mom pours a cup of coffee for herself and Serena, completely ignoring me.That’s a first.I watch as the two of them sit down at the table and exchange small talk. Getting to know each other.
