X-Treme Measure (16 page)

Then the fucker at the table full of DB’s said, “Come on, baby. Go fetch me a drink.”

Oh, fuck no did he just talk to her like that. I got up and I knew how I looked. That fuckwit and the boy next to him looked over to me and George finally turned. His eyes landing on mine, his face paling, and this wide eyed, scared shitless look came over his face. I smiled menacingly. Knowing what I was going to do to this guy and probably the shitheads he was with.

“Problem over here?”

Moriah looked up at me, gave me a subtle shake of her head in which all I could do was laugh.

“Babe. He isn’t going to talk like to you like that. And he for sure as hell ain’t gonna touch you like he just did.” And to him I said, “Or he’s going to wish he heeded my previous warning.”

His eyes bulged and he scrambled out of the booth, pushing Moriah into me. I wrapped her in my arms and her hands fell to my chest.

“Sorry. I need to take care of my other guests.”

“Go ahead, babe. I’ll keep my eye out.”

“Uh, no. You need to leave. I don’t need you here, I can handle it all on my own.”

“Moriah. I just can’t do that.”

“I’m still mad at you.”

I nodded and let her pass. Before turning, I said to the three shits and said, “Tip your waitress. And be very generous. Or I’ll make sure you wake up in a hospital.”

Then I went back to my seat, and began eating. I paid close attention to the three douchebags as I ate the Ribeye steak someone placed before me. It didn’t take them long before they finished and left in a hurry.

I ended up staying for the rest of her shift. How could she deal with these punks that come in here? We were close to the university but didn’t those fancy boys go home to their mommy’s?

I was sitting there, waiting for Moriah when I looked out the dark window. And there she was already half way to her car already.

“Dammit.”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I hurried after her, calling out her name as I raced from the restaurant. Thought she’d get away, did she? Silly woman.

She just got to her car when I reached her, grabbing a hold of her arm. “Moriah. I’m sorry, okay?”

She ripped her arm out of my grasp before turning to face me, this mad-dog expression on her face.

“I don’t give a shit. How you treated me earlier, and last night, well, that won’t ever happen again. I don’t need that in my life. I have goals that I have to reach and you weren’t in them anyway so no big deal.”

I would have fully believed her if there weren’t tears bubbling in her eyes.

“Then why are you about to cry, Moriah?”

“Because I’m mad! You treated me like I was a piece of garbage! I only thought being a couple was going a little fast—

“And making love with men is what? What you do with friends?”

SMACK
!

Fuck. My head snapped to the side as I felt the sting of her hand connect with my cheek.

“Sorry. That came out bad.”

“Came out bad? Fuck you, Daniel. It’s no wonder why you’re single.”

I rolled me eyes, knowing she was just lashing out in her furious anger. Rightful anger but still. That smack hurt like a bitch.

“Then why are you still single?”

“Because no man is worth giving up my dreams for. And I’m only twenty-two for crissaskes! I’m young, I shouldn’t be attached with anyone! I should be living me life. And last night only brought that right back, slapping me in the face, telling me I should have left well enough alone.”

Her face was so close, I couldn’t do anything else but cup her cheeks and lay what I hoped to be the gentlest kiss she’s ever had. Maybe that would calm her. Maybe.

SMACK
!

Then again, maybe not.

“Don’t ever kiss me again. You come here, being all he-man, protector lord guy and chase off my guests—

“You call that guy with his hand touching your ass a guest? Come on, Moriah. That little fucker deserved it. Why are you being so damn stubborn?”

“Because you hurt my feelings! No one has ever talked to me the way you did and you expect what? A free pass. You fuck up and assume WRONGLY! And you want what? Another chance? One thing you should know about me, Daniel is you hurt me once and that is the only time it will ever happen. I’ve never felt like what you made me feel last night. Cheap and disgusted with myself. Now let me alone.”

I had no fire left after that. I let her go. She got into her car and she drove away.

God, I was so fucking stupid. I never wanted to make her feel like that.

I blew it.

I had to make this right. I wanted to see her. Be with her. I wanted to get to know her. It couldn’t end like this. One perfect night together was all we would ever have?

She had to let me make this right. She only gave a person one chance? Didn’t she believe in second chances? What the fuck with this tightening feeling squeezing my chest?

Why was I even thinking about pursuing this girl anyway? Why did I want her like I couldn’t get enough of her? I should know better. But I liked her. Like—
liked her
liked her. Like a man obsessed. Not crazy obsessed but I didn’t want to just give this up. She was real and honest and sweet. I wanted more than what I’ve had. More than I’ve ever had before. Which wasn’t much outside my mother and Reighlyn.

Was I ready to be in a relationship? I thought so because all the other women I’ve bedded before never held a candle to what I was feeling about Moriah. If you would have asked me that a few months ago I would have said a swift hell no, but once Moriah stepped into my life. Her beautiful energy, and vibrant spirit entrapped me. She genuinely cared about people. About Reighlyn and she was sweet to my mother.

I didn’t want no one touching her or flirting with her. I cared about what she thought.

That’s why I wussed out and spilled my guts to her. When I have never told anyone any of that shit before. My goals. My dreams. What guy spilled his guts out after laying down with a girl?

Those other women were just that. Women. I didn’t know them or even remember their names. And I never wanted to. I was going to make this right.

I’ll give her a few days. Let her anger settle and calm down. Because I wasn’t going to give up. That shit was for cowards and pussies. I was neither. She would just have to learn to forgive me. Because this wasn’t our end. Far from it.

I should have forgiven him. Why didn’t I just forgive him? I’ve only been hurt a few times in my life and those were bad enough. I promised myself after my parents hurt me time after time. Never again. Lesson learned. Like that old saying goes,
fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me
. I mean, they were loser parents only looking for a score or a fix.

I was seven when they left me at school and ‘forgot’ to come pick me up. How you can forget you have a child at school is beyond me. When I babysat neighbor kids in my teens, I had managed to save up about two grand. I figured I could either use it for Drivers Ed and then the rest as a down payment on a car or buy a used one. Whichever came first. Well, I didn't have a bank account, that would have required asking my parents for help and when I had, they said I didn't need one. I could just stash the money in a safe place. I did and when I got the job at Chili’s, I had decided to go get a used car. I saw one that was 1,500 dollars and in good but rusty condition. I went for my money, only to find it was all gone. When I confronted them they just told me I didn't need so much money. What was I going to do with all that? I learned they used it on weed.

I made sure I got a bank account when I got a job and my first paycheck. I had to search for my social security card, and I found my birth certificate and shot record with it, and I took them all. They didn't need them. Along with the savings and checking account, I got a safety deposit box that I placed those documents in. I might feel somewhat obligated and responsible for my folks, but they weren't going to ruin my future.

I had one friend, Bailey, who grew up next to me, in the same rundown neighborhood. We had been best friends all the way up until sophomore year in high school. I had crushed on a boy, Dylan, who had been really nice to me over the last few years. He was a year older than me and I was too shy to ask him out or even talk to him.

Well, Bailey was the exact opposite of me. She went up to him and they ended up together. Not for long, but still. She knew I had a crush on him, that I wanted to talk to him. He said hi to me and had always been sweet to me. When Bailey got her claws into him, no more Mr. Nice Guy. And that’s when she started acting all snarky and snippy with me. As if I grew two horns and a mole on my nose. She began treating me like I was dirt. Like some trailer park white trash loser. When she was no better than me.

That’s when I learned she had given up her virginity to Dylan and when that ‘glow’ wore off he broke up with her. I’d say that was justice, but that was just so distasteful and I told him off. Bailey and my relationship might be in shambles but that shit was still wrong. He was surprised at my outburst. What was so messed up was Bailey had come up to me later, telling me how I didn’t know what I was talking about, that I was nothing but a nonsensical virgin that no one wants.

I figured she was just lashing out, upset, but then she started spreading rumors about me and they lasted. All the way to graduation. While she only got admitted to a community college, I got an academic scholarship at the University of Houston. I felt it to be a just reward type of sitch. Nana boo-boo rang in my head but that had not made me feel better. But still…a sick pleasure coursed through me. I had dreamed about going to U of H. I had visited there once; it was the only university I had ever visited, but I instantly loved the atmosphere. There was just something magnetic about it. I made sure I graduated in the top ten percent of my class and I did. I made it.

I only went home during the summers because I couldn't afford to live in the city. Although I loved it.

I didn't want to go back to my parents. Better to have found a place now than at the beginning of school year I would take too long and I wouldn’t be making as much in Liberty as I did here in the heart of Houston. It was the right move to make for me. That way I know what to expect and be comfortable by the time school started again. Ashley was a great roommate.

Now, it was eight days later and I was still holding on to my anger.

Sigh.

Fine. Not anger because I hated being angry. It was pride. I was holding onto my pride at being rejected and then treated like I was his property. I mean—what the hell? Right?

First he kicks me out of his apartment and then he turns back around and tries to beat up on my customers saying they had no right to touch what was his? Ugh. Gimme a break. Alpha-male bullshit.

Although some small part of me liked the possessiveness. No one ever thought of me as theirs before and I liked it, a lot. Then I remembered him being a complete dipshit.

I hated having inner struggles. Maybe—just maybe, next time if he approached me, I'd just be like, ‘let's start over.’ With that in mind I got out of bed and showered.

I was off for a chance, and I wanted to just slug around the house and binge out on Netflix or Amazon. I heard ‘Orphan Black’ was a good series and when I went to get comfy on my bed my phone buzzed with a text.

From my mom.

Is there any way you can come home? It's an emergency. Dad is sick
.

That was shocking. I called her and when she answered, she was in a panic.

“Moriah! You need to come home, your father is not feeling very well. I think we need to take him to the hospital! We can’t afford an ambulance.”

“It'll take me about an hour to get there.”

“That's okay! It's early! I just really need your help, Moriah. Please.”

“Yes, of course. Let me get dressed and I'll be on my way.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much!”

Click
.

Wow. That was quick. She didn't even say bye. That thank you felt weird. Really weird. I wouldn't let that stop me though. They were my parents, however bad they were.

More quickly than I thought, I pulled up into the dirt road of Trailer Oaks. I looked at the trailers that I grew up around and they still hadn’t changed much since I was here last.

My phone rang and when I looked down, it said ‘Daniel Home’. What was he doing calling me? Now, of all times!

Muttering underneath my breath, I picked up and said hello.

“Moriah! It's Reighlyn!” Her voice was full of moxie.

My shoulders sagged with relief. I thought I'd be ready to talk to Daniel. But evidently not. My racing heart slowed and went back down to normal as she talked about what her plans were for the day.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m pulling up to my parents’ place. My father is sick.”

“Daddy! Moriah’s dad is sick! That's awful.

I didn't hear what he said but it mellowed Reighlyn’s excitement.

I stepped out of my car and walked up the stone steps until I knocked on the door.

“Just hold on Reighlyn, okay?”

“Okay.”

When no one answered, I tried jiggling the door knob and it wasn't locked. Opening the door, I slid in, the lights very dim. What the hell?

“Mom? Dad? Why is it so dark in here? Why are there blankets over the windows?”

I stepped further in and brought out my phones light to see around me.

“You stupid girl!”

What? I felt a hard shove on my shoulder blades, and I tripped forward, my hip catching the edge of the TV center. I dropped my phone, where it slid underneath the couch. Crap.

Reighlyn!

“What was that for? Turn on the lights!” I looked up to see my father, who looked as healthy as he usually did, bracing his fists on his hips. Then a light clicked on and my mother was taking a drag on her cigarette. A puff of smoke rolling out of her nose.

“We had to get you here somehow. You don't answer our calls, or respond to my texts. It's like we don't even exist for you anymore! You got all uppity when you went to college and now you're too good for us?”

Whoa. This was messed up.

“Uh, I never said I was too good for you. I’ve been busy. I don’t have the scholarship anymore. I had to find a place near the school so I could continue going there. I only have one year, maybe two tops and I graduate.”

SMACK
!

The force of my father’s hand against my cheek radiated through my face. It stung as the sharp pain vibrated through it. My glasses slipped off and flew too far for my hands to find and grab. I saw my father with blurry eyes bring up his foot and then a loud crack. Great. He broke my glasses.

“You just didn’t want to come home. You’re ashamed of who we are.” Mom’s voice was gritty and full of disgust.

Something about them accusing me of being a snob snapped a cord inside of me.

“Ashamed? I’ve been ashamed of you my entire life. Dad gets injured at work and it’s like you abuse the system like it’s your own personal checking account. Has he actually tried to get a job since his disability? No. Have you? No! You’ve left me at school for hours. I had to walk home and when I get back here, I get punished because dinner got cold as you
waited
for me.

I mean really? I was a kid. You should have picked me up. But oh no, you conveniently forgot. You stole money from me like it was your right. If either one of you had a job, you wouldn’t have oh what was it? ‘
Had to take it because I didn’t need it.
’ I was saving that money for a car. I got a job at Chili’s and I had to start paying rent! I was sixteen. Then I get a car and you make sure you use it as much as you could and I was generous to even let you drive it. I have paid for everything I’ve ever needed since I was sixteen. You both are nothing but moochers. Any friends y’all had are gone, they got tired of you using them beyond friendship. Of course I made sure I stayed away. I didn’t want to come home. What kind of home is this? It’s run down, roach infested, and neither one of you even care! About anything!”

I could barely make them out, but I could imagine my mother’s face was turning red with anger at my words. I wasn't going to stand by and let them verbally abuse me.

Then I heard her yell out in a murderous rage and the next thing I knew she had flown herself on top of my already bruising body and started wailing on me like I was a punching bag. My father of course doesn’t do anything. He just stood there and let her hit me.

I couldn’t cover my face well enough and I felt a few fists against my head. I was probably going to get a black eye. And get knocked out.

“Stop. Please, please stop!”

Why couldn’t I get her off of me? The pain in my hip when I hit the entertainment center throbbed painfully and my face already felt swollen.

I tried bouncing her off of me but my mother was just a little bigger than I was. And evidently, in her anger, stronger than me. I couldn’t stop her.

I just wanted to curl up and let her until she stopped. It’s not the first time she’s hit me. But never like this. I’ve never defied them with such ferocity before. I knew how she was raised wasn’t all that great, but it was no excuse to beat up on your own child.

“MOM! PLEASE STOP!” I was huddled down, in a fetal position, my arms covering my face the best I could when all of a sudden her heavy weight was off me instantly.

“Stay the fuck right there.” A deep voice full of concealed rage registered and then I felt soft but warm, big hands gently touch my arm. I couldn’t help but try to fight him off. I held my eyes closed tight as I tried punching the offender away from me. “Baby. Moriah! It’s me. Daniel. I’m here, baby. It’s me, Danny.”

I stopped immediately and put my hands down. I peeled my eyes open, one was a little hard to do, but I heard him wince and then a growl let out as he abruptly stood and walked away. I could barely see them. Only the blur of Daniel’s broad back covering up my entire view.

“Hey, get your hands off my wife. Who the hell do you think you are? I’m going to call the police!” My father started walking to Daniel, hands raised when Daniel’s hand snapped out, clenching around my father’s wife-beater. With easy strength, he threw my father in front of him and shoved him down to the floor next to my mother.

“You could try. If you ever come near Moriah again, I won’t be as forgiving. Her own parents. No wonder why she’s so alone. Well, no more. She is mine and I will not allow her to be hurt by either of you anymore.”

Everything else faded when that one word repeated in my mind over and over.
Mine
. He still believed I was his. Even though we argued and I told him I wasn’t going to be with him.