Helios Awakened (The Helios Chronicles #1) (19 page)

“No, it’s alright,” she said, watching the whipped cream swirl around her cup. “We were pregnant once but, umm, I lost her.”

“Oh Callie, I’m so sorry,” Madison said as she set her cup down and made her way around the counter to wrap her arms around her friend.

“I think it was harder on Jay than it was on me and that is really saying something.” Callie sighed as she wiped under her eyes.

“Have you guys tried again? I think you two would be great parents.”

Callie smiled. “He is afraid to. I got pregnant by accident the first time so he is very cautious now,” she said with a shrug. “He wants us to live together but I can’t really do that right now.”

“Why not?”

“Well, my dad died about four years ago. It really affected my mother emotionally as well as financially so I decided to stay at home, help my mom and take care of my little brother.” Callie laughed. “Well, he’s not so little anymore. But one day, though, Jayden and I will live together and start a family. We have time.”

Madison nodded and Callie glanced at the bag Madison had on the counter, pulling out the magazine that was peeking out. She grinned and flipped through the pages and stopped suddenly.

“Oh Madison, we should do your hair like this for the concert.”

Madison laughed at the absurdity that she and Callie were indeed talking about hair.

“What's so funny?”

“Andrew had joked earlier that he was experiencing his adolescence, you know, hanging with the guys while the girls talked hair.”

Callie started laughing. “Well then, we better do our nails and start gossiping about everyone in town. Hmmm, let’s start with Brie,” she said with a wink.

“We could be here for days.”

“No doubt, huh?” Callie said with an eye roll.

They laughed and pulled out the rest of the magazines from Madison’s bag. Callie had always been a bit odd, so she never had the whole girlfriend experience. Her cousins were very popular and made sure to tell her every chance they got that she would never fit in. But Callie had never really minded as she had Jayden, which was more than any of them could ever say.

Outside, Andrew and Jayden worked diligently on the bikes for a good two hours, changing the oil and spark plugs, adjusting the timing and tweaking the motor. Andrew was in his element. It had been a long time since he had worked on a bike and even longer since he had actually hung out with someone that didn’t want anything from him besides his company. He and Jayden had had wonderful conversations throughout their time. They talked about everything from their favorite bands, such as Audioslave and Linkin Park, to their favorite beers, Heineken, hands down, but mostly they talked about motorcycles.

“Hey Jay, can I ask you something?” Andrew asked as he wiped his brow.

“Yeah sure. As long as it isn’t you asking me what my most embarrassing sexual experience was.” He made a funny face and when Andrew arched his brow he mouthed 'don't ask'.

Andrew laughed. “No, it isn’t about sexual experiences, although, with that look you just gave, I must say I am curious.”

Jayden handed him a bottle of water. “No way, man, not going there.”

Andrew chuckled and nodded. “Fair enough. So, umm, you and Callie have been together a long time, right?”

Jayden cocked his head. “Yeah, hmmm...” He closed his eyes for a second and then smiled. “Known her since I was twelve but we didn’t start dating until high school, why?”

“Well, it seems like you really love her.”

Once again, Jayden cocked his head at Andrew, wondering where he was going with this line of questioning. “Yeah, I do. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Why?”

“I guess I’m curious why you two never got married or anything.”

“Ahhh,” Jayden said, taking a couple of gulps of his water. “Well, basically I don’t believe in the institution of marriage.”

“Really? Why?”

Now Andrew was really confused. He didn’t have a lot of dating experience, none, in fact, but he always assumed if you loved someone, you married them.

“It’s sort of a biased system if you think about it, besides, why should I have access to rights my parents don’t have.”

Andrew was thoroughly confused now. Jayden noticed the look of befuddlement on his friend’s face and tapped his shoulder lightly before sitting down on the bike Andrew had been working on. Andrew stood up and looked at him.

“My parents have been together for thirty years, yet they are not allowed the same rights as me. What makes my love for Callie more acceptable than the love my parents have for one another? It’s ridiculous, that’s what it is,” Jayden said, feeling his anger start to boil to the surface. “I won’t marry until my fathers are given the right to do so. Callie knows that and is perfectly okay with it.”

Andrew stared at him, his mouth parted. He wasn’t sure what to say. He had never really thought much about it. Aside from the gay men he knew of in prison and the men on Hollywood Blvd who sold themselves to other men, Jayden’s parents were the only gay couple he had ever met.

“It’s discrimination. Like you, man?”

Andrew glanced at Jayden who was fuming.

“They discriminate against you because of what happened a long time ago. No one asks questions, they just say things like freak, pervert, even though it isn’t true. That’s what my parents go through. In Texas...” Jayden stopped talking and looked down, breathing in deeply, trying to control his temper. “People are sick, man. I just can’t stand it sometimes.”

“I’m sorry, Jay. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No, it’s just... It pisses me off, that’s all. Sorry, man.” Jayden began to run his hand through his hair before realizing he had grease all over his fingers.

“Uh, Jayden.” Andrew motioned towards Jayden’s hands.

Jayden looked down and laughed, shaking his head. “Serves me right. Sorry, man, let me kick my soap box out of the way.”

“Hey, look, it’s cool. I honestly don’t know a lot about politics or any of that stuff. I was on the streets for a large portion of my life and I guarantee that no one was coming up to me doing an opinion poll. I was curious, that’s all. I...” Andrew ran his dirty hands across his thighs and then looked at Jayden. “I have only known Madison for a short time and I know that I love her and I guess I wanted another guy’s perspective. I...” Andrew sighed and looked down.

“Hey look, I’m really sorry for going off there.” Jayden stood and tapped Andrew’s shoulder, causing Andrew to look up. “Madison is real cool and you two make a great couple. Trust me; I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Callie when I was twelve. TWELVE! I have only been with her and can’t even imagine being with anyone else. When it happens, it happens. My dads have always told me that love is not something you can control. You don’t get to pick who you love, you just love.”

Andrew nodded and then smiled. “I like that.”

“What the hell, man! Aren’t the chicks supposed to be the ones talking about feelings and shit,” Jayden said, laughing.

“Nope, they, my friend, are talking about hair,” Andrew said with a smirk.

Jayden pointed at him and laughed. “That’s good. Hey, let’s get the girls and take these out, okay?”

“Hell yeah.”

Two hours later, Jayden and crew were pulling into the Piute Mountains to race. Madison had laughed at how quickly Andrew had jumped out of the truck to help Jayden unload the bikes. She felt a small arm around her waist.

“Yes, Madison, when the bikes are around we’re basically nonexistent,” Callie stated with a nudge of her shoulder.

Madison laughed. “I bet if I was naked on that bike he would be singing a different tune.”

“Hmmm, maybe, but most likely he would just screw you and then go riding. At least that’s what Jayden did when I tried it,” she said with a giggle.

“Ooohh, you little hussy,” Madison replied with a laugh. “But I do think you might be right.”

Madison snickered and shook her head as they walked up just as the boys had settled in on their bikes. Madison strode up to Andrew who was just about to put his helmet on.

“So I don’t even get a kiss before you ride off to traverse the difficult terrain?” Madison asked, arching her brow.

Andrew gave her his best crooked grin, the one he knew she loved. He grabbed her by the waist and yanked her to him, planting a kiss on her that immediately set Madison on fire. His tongue whipped in and around her mouth before he sucked on her bottom lip. All Madison could do was moan shamelessly as her hands wove into his hair. At this point, she was ready to straddle him right then and there. Who cared if people were around? By the time Andrew pulled away from her, Madison was weak in the knees and filled with desire. Her eyes were still closed as she swallowed reflexively, trying to regain her bearings.

“To be continued,” he said huskily before slipping his helmet on and starting the bike.

“Indeed,” Madison muttered as she watched him drive away, Jayden right alongside him.

“Oh God, Madison, you two are ridiculously hot together,” Callie said with a laugh.

Madison sighed. “What that man does with his mouth is unbelievable,” Madison muttered more to herself than anyone else.

“I bet,” Callie giggled yet again. “Come on, let’s go hangout inside the rec room.”

“Hey, Callie?” Madison asked as they started walking.

“Yeah.”

“Would you say that Jimmy is dangerous?”

Callie stopped walking and a moment later Madison stopped as well, realizing her friend was not next to her. She turned to find Callie staring at her with great concern on her face.

“What did he do?”

Madison sighed. “Nothing really, it was just a weird encounter.”

“He’s an asshole, Madison. What happened?"

Madison drew her bottom lip into her mouth. She was hesitant but knew she needed to tell someone, to figure out if what she thought was actually correct. So with a quick exhale, she explained everything that had happened in the bookstore. Callie listened quietly as Madison told her tale but internally she was seething. She had always hated Jimmy and his group of cronies. They were always starting trouble with everyone, especially Jayden.

“Have you told Andrew?” Callie asked after Madison was done talking.

Madison shook her head. “Not yet.”

“You need to tell him, and tell Jayden’s dad as well. Whether you want to believe it or not, he threatened you.”

“Yeah, but it’s just his word against mine, the girlfriend of the man who beat the crap out of him. To be honest, I think he did it so Andrew would do something and get sent away.”

“That may be true but you can’t keep that from him. He needs to know what happened.”

“I know. I’ll tell him tonight,” Madison said, looking back towards where Andrew and Jayden had gone.

Meanwhile on the course, Andrew was in heaven. Next to being with Madison, riding was his most favorite thing to do. The trails on this stretch of land were beautiful and there was a part of him that wished he could stop and sketch it all. He and Jayden raced through various sections and he was sure that the smile on his face would be etched there for days. They stopped on a large plateau where several other riders were resting and talking.

“No fucking way! Jay, are you racing again?” A guy with long stringy hair said above the roar of the bikes.

“Nah, just riding with my buddy. Andrew, this is Todd, we raced together sometimes.”

Andrew nodded and reached his hand out. “Nice to meet you.”

“You guys should come with us this weekend. We’re gonna go to Dove Springs.”

“We can’t this weekend. We’re going out to Lake Arrowhead for a concert. Maybe next time.”

Todd nodded. “I’ll let ya know the next time we go. Later,” he shouted as he put his helmet back on and peeled out.

“I worked on that bike he’s riding,” Jayden said, watching him in the distance. “I swear he’s rough on them.” He continued watching as Todd popped a wheelie and then left everyone in a cloud of dust.

“Short route or long route?” Jayden asked with a smirk.

“Long route,” Andrew said, putting his helmet back on. Definitely the long route!

Jayden nodded and slipped his helmet back on. They took off again and continued along the trail, stopping a few times so that Jayden could point out different things along the way. By the time they headed back to the trail head, Madison and Callie were sitting in the truck. Thirty minutes later they were back on their way to Bakersfield and Andrew and Madison were on his Harley.

“Just stay,” Madison whined as she slipped off the bike.

“I’m dusty from the trail and dirty from the bikes. I want to go shower and I can’t do that here,” he said, kissing her pouting lips.

“Alright, fine,” Madison conceded with a sigh. “Hurry back.”

“You got it, baby,” he said as he started his Harley.

Madison watched him pull away and then walked inside the house. She had started a roast earlier in the day so that she didn’t have to worry about dinner, and when she entered the trailer her senses were flooded with the delicious aroma. She saw her grandmother in her chair and walked over to kiss her cheek.

“Who’s winning?” Madison asked.

“The Dodgers!” Her grandmother said and wagged her finger at Madison when she rolled her eyes.

Madison laughed. “I’m going to make some biscuits and then we can eat, okay?”

“SLIDE!” Her grandmother shouted at the television. “SAFE!”

Madison shook her head and walked into the kitchen. For as long as Madison could remember, her grandmother loved baseball. Madison’s grandfather had proposed to her outside of Dodger stadium back in the day, her grandmother had said that they had even taken her mom to games when she was little. Madison suspected that she always watched the games as a way to stay close to her grandfather who had passed away a long time ago. Madison smiled, thinking that was the kind of love she had for Andrew. Madison sighed happily as she started pulling out the ingredients for her biscuits.

“Oh, Maddie, your mom called and asked you to call her.”

“Do I have to?” Madison glanced at her grandmother who was giving her a disapproving look.

“Fine.” Madison sighed as she pulled out her phone and dialed her mother.

“Hello?” Jacqueline answered.

“Hey Mom, Grans said you called.”

“Yes. Your grans sounds like she is doing better. How long are you planning on staying out there?” Jacqueline asked.

“I don’t know, why?”

“Well, I have a good commission coming through and thought maybe we could look into getting that nurse we talked about before, then you could come back sooner and not use up all of your savings,” Jacqueline said enthusiastically.

“I don’t want to hire a nurse. I like taking care of Grans. Besides, I don’t want to leave just yet,” Madison said quickly with a slight edge to her voice that her mother picked up on immediately.

“Madison Nicole Ellis. Have you hooked up with one of those trailer trash, not going anywhere with their life, losers out there?” Jacqueline asked with bite. “You have, haven’t you? You can really pick ‘em, can’t you?” Jacqueline said, not masking her disappointment.

Madison was silent for a long moment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mom,” she finally said.

“Madison, trust me, no man is worth throwing your life away for.”

“Bye, Mom,” Madison said as she hung up.

Madison muttered a few expletives under her breath. When her phone started ringing again, she glanced at it and saw that it was her mother’s cell number. She ignored it, and, after the third time, it finally stopped ringing. She caught her grandmother looking over at her several times but she didn’t say anything. Her grandmother had learned a long time ago to stay out of any conflicts between her daughter and granddaughter as it was never worth it. Madison glanced at the clock with a sigh and shoved her biscuits in the oven.

~*~

Once her grandmother had gone to bed, Madison had immediately pulled Andrew into her bedroom where they had made love. Madison got lost in their kiss as she always did. After several minutes, she rolled off of him and grinned as they assumed their typical sleeping positions. His strong arms pulled her back against his chest while his other hand wrapped in her hair. Andrew’s mouth nuzzled into her neck, pressing soft kisses wherever he could reach. She entwined her hand with his and ran her other along the fine hair on his arms. She loved feeling him so close to her, she loved everything about him.

“I had a great time today. Did you, baby?” Andrew whispered.

“I did. Callie and Jayden are great. But...” Madison trailed off wondering if now would be the time to tell him about the bookstore.

Andrew tensed slightly. “But what?”

“I ran into Jimmy at the bookstore,” Madison said, feeling Andrew’s body stiffen behind her.

“Did he say anything to you?” Andrew asked, trying his best not to sound angry.

“Yes,” Madison replied hesitantly.

“What?” Andrew asked through clenched teeth.

Madison didn’t say anything right away. This was not turning out very well. Madison heard the anger in his voice and could feel the fury seeping through his pores. This was exactly what Jimmy had wanted. This was also why she had held off telling him when it happened initially.

“Damn it, Madison, tell me what the fuck he said,” Andrew asked, harsher than he intended.

Madison jumped slightly in his arms. She had seen him lose control with Jimmy at the lake but she had never heard his anger directed at her, it frightened her.

“Madison, you need to tell me what he said. NOW!”

Andrew could sense that she was afraid, and that wasn’t his intention, but he also felt that she needed to be honest with him so that he would know what he needed to do about the situation.

“He just alluded to the fact that because I am with you that I must like it rough and...” Madison was hesitant about telling him the next part if he was already angry.

“AND WHAT!?” Andrew asked loudly as he abruptly turned her around so that he could look at her.

“He said I must like to be taken and that he could take me as well.”

Andrew’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared. He was enraged, ready to kill Jimmy for what he said, what he implied. He got out of the bed and quickly pulled his jeans on as he paced the room like a caged animal ready to pounce.

“He threatened you. That’s what you’re saying, right?” Andrew fumed.

“I don’t know, I guess,” Madison replied timidly.

“That sounded like a threat to me. I’m going to fucking kill him,” Andrew said as he went to hit the wall but pulled back and instead his hands tore into his hair.

“No! No, you’re not!” Madison said with tears in her eyes.

Andrew was shaking his head, torn between finding Jimmy and comforting Madison. But in all honesty, he was a little angry at her for not telling him right away when he could have searched him out, confronted him. He didn’t even know where to begin. Where did Jimmy live? He wondered as he grabbed his shirt from the floor and slipped it on.

“Wait! What are you doing? Are you leaving?” Madison asked as she slipped out of the bed and reached for her clothes.

Andrew took a deep breath. “Madison, I need a cigarette. I need to calm down,” he said and started for the door. As he opened it he turned to her. “You should have told me earlier.”

Madison closed her eyes and nodded. “I’m sorry,” she said as the door shut behind him.

Andrew made his way outside and quickly lit up. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do about this. The vengeful and animalistic side of him wanted to hunt down Jimmy and tear him from limb to limb. Madison may have believed that Jimmy was a harmless threat but Andrew knew otherwise and he would be damned if he let anyone hurt her. He couldn’t bear the thought of Jimmy touching her, taking her as he had said he would do. Andrew was on his fourth cigarette when he heard the door open and felt a hand on his lower back. He dropped his cigarette and turned around sharply, grabbing Madison and lifting her into his arms.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Andrew said fiercely.

“I know that but I’m more afraid that he will hurt you.”

“The only way he could hurt me is if he did something to you.” Andrew lowered her to the ground and wiped her tear soaked cheeks.