Dart and Dash

Dart and Dash

By Mary Smith

Copyright 2015 by Mary Smith

This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: you are not allowed to give or sell this book to anyone else.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it, and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All rights reserved. Except for the use of short passages for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced, in part or in whole, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording, or any information retrieval system, without prior permission in the form of writing by the authors.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any actual places, products, or events mentioned are used in a purely fictitious manner.

Cover Designed by:
Bailey Ardisone

Dedication

To my mother

“Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.” 

Edgar Allan Po
e

Chapter 1 – Dart

“I hate you.” Dash yelled at me.

“What?” I pretended not to hear him, as I jogged backwards into the end zone, spiking the ball. “I win.” I threw my hands up into the air.

My identical twin brother stalked over to me, staring me down with the same ice blue eyes that I share. “It doesn’t count because I’m still drunk from last night.” He pushed my shoulder.

I laughed in his face, shaking my head. “Dash, you’re always drunk.”

“You do have a point there.” He nodded in agreement. “Come on, let’s hit the weights.”

I picked up the ball as Dash gathered our bags. I couldn’t believe how hot it was today. Then again, it was West Virginia, and I shouldn’t have been so surprised.

We left the practice field of the Marshall Thundering Herd, and headed over to the weight room. It never fails, when I walk into the room, it always reeks of sweat.

An hour of heavy weights, and a hot shower, I was still listening to Dash bragging on his latest lay from last night. I was growing tired of hearing his sexual adventures, but that’s Dash, and he’d never change.

This was our senior year. Dash and I have worked, and pushed ourselves to keep our starting positions on the team. In our sophomore year, Dash’s luck changed when, starting as wide receiver, he tore his ACL, and was out for the season. When Coach gave Dash another chance, he took it, and never looked back.

On the other hand, my position as running back, was harder to achieve. I had battled with another player for the past two years, and hadn’t seen much playing time. But it was training camp and I got the word I was going to be the one on the field. Coach explained my leadership of the team had helped me. I wasn’t sure what he meant until Dash told me that the other player was having criminal issues, issues with professors, and a horrible attitude.

“What are we going to do today?” Dash asked when we jumped into my car.

“Well, I’m hoping my awesome twin brother will help me before he goes out and bags another girl.”

“I know what you’re going to ask me, and the answer is
no
.” Dash crossed his arms.

I didn’t say anything, as I drove us home. I knew Dash better than anyone else, and I knew how to work him in my favor, too.

“I’m not doing it.” This time he shook his head, even though I hadn’t said a word since leaving the practice field. “Nope.”

“Technically, I didn’t ask you anything.” I informed him.

“Don’t you mean ‘yet’? You haven’t asked me anything,
yet
.” He clarified.

“You’re right.” I conceded and pulled into our driveway. “Dash, would you please help move Daisy’s sister into their house?” I officially asked.

“I’m not going to help you move your annoying girlfriend’s fat sister,” he growled at me.

I shut the car off, turning in my seat to face him. “Okay, three things. One, Daisy isn’t annoying, and after four years, you two should get along better. Two, her sister isn’t fat. You’ve never even met her. And three, stop being an ass. You’re going to help.” I opened my car door and headed across the street, where Daisy lived.

Daisy and I have been together since our freshman year. On Dash and my first night on campus, he forced me to go to a party with him. I spent most of the night in the corner, while Dash mingled with every girl there. I was about to leave when I heard her laugh.

The soft giggles traveled to me through the bass of the loud music, and I spun around to see her back to me. My mouth dropped at her hourglass figure and long blonde hair. I had to meet her. I wanted to run up to her, but I calmed myself, trying to play it cool. I tapped her shoulder, and when she looked at me with her golden brown eyes, I was hooked.

“Will you go out with me?” It was the first thing I ever said to her.

“Don’t you at least want to know my name?” she raised one eyebrow up at me.

“I guess I should know the name of my future wife.” I grinned at her.

“Wow,” she threw her head back and laughed. “Laying it on thick there, partner.” Her thick southern accent made me smile. When her laughter died out, there was still a smile on her face, as she looked me up and down. “I’m Daisy.” She stuck her hand out to me.

And from that moment on, we’ve been together.

I first saw Mr. Bowlings, Daisy’s father, in the driveway.

“Dart,” he smiled, and shook my hand. “How the hell are you?”

“I’m good, sir.”

“How’s the house?” he pointed across the street at our two story brick home. Actually, the house belonged to Mr. Bowlings. He was big into real estate and bought houses and apartments. He thought of them as investments and the closer they were colleges the better. At least, that was his motto.

Dash and I had been living there for three years now, and Daisy had just moved into this house. Before, she was living at her sorority house, but now that her little sister, Garnet, was an incoming freshman, they had talked their dad into purchasing this house.

“Well, Dash,” Mr. Bowlings looked over my shoulder at him. “I haven’t seen you since last year when I visited.”

“It’s been a while, sir,” he confirmed.

“What do you need help with?” I asked.

Mr. Bowlings looked in the back of the truck. “Nothing left to bring in, although, if you two could help the girls set up the furniture, that would be a big help to me. I have to get back to Charlotte for a meeting.”

“Not a problem.” I told him.

“Great.” He shut the tailgate of the truck and we headed into the house. I heard Dash mumble under his breath, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to call him out if Mr. Bowlings hadn’t heard him.

I hadn’t been in the house since it was first purchased. I’d been busy the last month at football camp, and then had films to watch with our coaching staff to ensure I was ready for the next couple games. I could tell from the smell it was freshly painted, the colors were bright. Then again, Daisy’s personality was very lively.

Walking in the front door, the living room was on the left. The walls were a light purple, with a lime green couch in the middle of the room. The entertainment stand was as yellow as an Easter Peep, and there were large pink flowers on the wall.

On the right was the dining room. It was the deepest of red that I’d ever seen. The table looked like something out of a gothic movie. The plates on the table were the purest of white. I looked at the room in confusion, because that was nothing that Daisy would have done.

“Girls,” their father hollered out. “Come down here.”

I could hear them giggling, as the raced down the stairs. Daisy was first, and my heart stopped. It happened every time I saw her. She had on a pair of denim short and a green tank top. Her blonde hair was in a high, messy ponytail.

“Dart,” she squealed, running into my arms.

I kissed the top of her head. “Hi, baby,” I smiled down at her. “Hi, Garnet.” I looked up to see the small petite girl. Garnet couldn’t be any taller than five feet five inches, unlike Daisy who was about four inches taller than her sister.

“Hey, Dart,” she gave me a small smile, as she pushed her dyed, fire engine red hair out of her face. Her eyes were not as golden as Daisy’s, but they were a beautiful shade of brown. “Great to see you.”

I nodded and started to introduce her to Dash, but their father cut me off.

“Girl, the boys will help set up the furniture, but there are a few rules.” His voice was stern, as he crossed his arms, and stared down Garnet. “You will come home with a college degree. You will not fail, get pregnant, or get a drug or a drinking problem. On top of that, you will listen to Daisy. Do you understand that Garnet Marie?”

Garnet pushed her hand through her hair again and rolled her eyes. “Got it, Daddy.”

“I’m not playing, little girl,” he barked at her. “I will not have a repeat of your summer. I could have made you stay in North Carolina. Do. We. Understand?” Mr. Bowlings pointed at her with every word.

“Daddy, it was just one little joint and a case of beer. I think there are Congressmen who’ve done worse than that.” Garnet put her hands on her hips.

I could see that he was about to unleash his fury on her, but Daisy jumped in between them. “Daddy, I’ve got it. Nothing is going to happen. You have my word.”

“Yeah, you have her word.” Garnet mimicked, in catty tone.

Daisy cut her an evil look, and then turned back to her father. “I promise there will be no repeat of this summer.”

Mr. Bowlings looked between the girls then nodded. I could still sense his anger at Garnet’s comments. I had spent the summer with the Bowlings, helping him with his real estate company, and I had seen everything that happened with Garnet.

‘Wild child’ was putting it mild. She spent the whole time drinking, doing drugs, and was with a different guy every week. Her father thought he was losing his mind because of her behavior. I tried to help and explained she might be acting out over the death of their mother.

Daisy and Garnet’s mother had died the year before. It was a long battle of cancer, and Mrs. Bowlings had been the rock of the family, and it hit them hard when she finally passed. Soon after that, Garnet hit the rebel streak. Daisy did her best to help, but several hundred miles away, there wasn’t much she could do. That was why she’d gone back this past summer: to help. I was glad I had gone with her, because I knew she would need me, too.

I had asked Dash to come with me, but he’d already planned to help a few football camps for kids. He might be a man-whore, but he has a good heart. I knew it, but others didn’t have a clue.

Finally, their Dad left, and he still looked unhappy with Garnet. I felt bad for her, but I knew she wasn’t as bad as he thought.

“Garnet, you shouldn’t be so hard on Dad,” Daisy ordered.

Again, Garnet rolled her eyes, and then flipped her hair off her shoulder. “Could we please finish unpacking, and get my room organized before school starts on Monday?”

“First,” I pointed over to Dash. “I want to introduce to my brother.”

“Oh, thank God,” she held her chest in relief. “I thought I was still drunk and seeing double.”

“Garnet,” Daisy scolded her as Dash chuckled. “Don’t encourage her.” She pointed her manicured nail at Dash.

“Okay, okay,” I tried to get everyone back on track. “Let’s head upstairs.” I grabbed Daisy’s hand away from my brother’s face and pushed Garnet’s shoulder toward the stairs. Thankfully, they all followed my lead.

At the very top of the stairs was the bathroom, which glowed pink. When I caught a quick glance, I saw that everything in there was a different shade of pink.

“Let’s start in Garnet’s room and then mine.” Daisy delegated.

We walked to the room that was left of the bathroom. There were several boxes sitting in the middle of the room. On top was a stack of clothes on hangers. The bed and mattresses leaned against the far wall. A dresser and a small desk were against the other wall.

However,  one thing held my focus: the colors of the walls. A deep purple with a black swirl overlays, it all matched the thick, plush, black carpet.

“Dart,” Garnet snapped her fingers in front of my face. “You okay?”

“Yep, just admiring the,” I waved my hands in front of me, unsure if this was considered art or décor.

“Well, Daisy would only let me decorate the dining room, so I went a bit overboard in here.” Garnet explained.

“Hey,” Daisy whined. “I think I did a good job.”

“Oh, please,” Garnet scoffed. “It looks like the Easter Bunny had too much candy and then threw up in the living room and the bathroom.”

Dash busted out laughing, and Daisy narrowed her eyes at her sister.

“Dash come over here and help me.” I guided him over to the bed, and started to arrange it.

Garnet and Daisy started on the clothes and boxes. Surprisingly, after we found some tools, everything seemed to move smoothly. There were even a few laughs. Garnet told us where to place all her items, and soon we were done, except for a large red tote in the corner of the room.

“What’s in here?” Daisy opened it. “Oh, look,” she pulled out a trophy.

“No,” Garnet screamed. She jerked it from her hand, and slammed in back inside, sealing it shut. “This is trash.”

“It’s not,” Daisy said softly. “They’re your dancing awards. You should display them.”

Garnet remained quiet as she tossed the tote into the closet and shut the door.

None of us said anything for a moment. I could see the pain in Garnet’s eyes. I knew that look, and I glanced at Dash. He and I had carried that look when our parents died, our freshmen year in college.

Dash and I almost didn’t return to football that next season because of the heartache. It’s how I knew Garnet was processing her pain through rebellion, because Dash was still doing the same thing. Dash’s drinking and sleeping around wasn’t something he’d done in the past, but it was part of him now.

Daisy had told me that Garnet hadn’t danced since their mother died. I had seen Garnet dance a few times. Ballet, tap, hip-hop, it didn’t matter what it was, Garnet was extremely talented at all of them.