Dart and Dash (2 page)

“Let’s take a break and order some pizza.” Daisy’s over joyous voice broke the silence and sadness in the room.

Dash pushed off the doorframe. I reached for Daisy’s hand and moved toward the stairs, leaving Garnet alone.

Chapter 2 – Dash

“Are you fucking serious?” I grumbled, standing in the girl’s kitchen. “This looks like something from a 1950’s movie.”

Garnet giggled behind me. “I said it was just like out of
Back to the Future
.”

The whole area was black and white complete with swivel stools at the breakfast bar, and a small vinyl dining table. All that was missing was an old fashion malt machine.

“I like it, and it looks just like the Pinterest pin that I copied it from.” Daisy defended.

“Well, if it was on Pinterest, then say no more.” I tossed my hands in the air, taking a seat at the bar.

“Enough, Dash,” Dart whispered a warning to me.

I clamped my mouth shut even though I wanted to continue ragging on Daisy. I knew I got under her skin, and I loved it— mainly because she was easy to rattle.

“So, Dash,” Garnet hopped on the stool next to me. “Why is that we’ve never met?” She batted her brown eyes at me.

Before I could say anything, her sister jumped in answering the question. “Because I don’t want you to get the clap, crabs, or pregnant from him.”

“Oh,” I faked gasped. “I’m hurt by that, Daisy.”

“Yeah, right.” She turned away and sat on Dart’s lap at the table.

I chuckled at her and turned back to Garnet. “In truth, I’m not sure why. In the summer, I’m busy with work and camps. I could never get to North Carolina to see Dart when he stayed with your family.”

Garnet nodded. “I understand. We never made it up here either.” Her voice was a little sad, and I knew she was thinking about her mom.

I had tried to make it to their mother’s funeral, but I was in Cleveland at a football camp. I wasn’t able to catch a flight out in time. As much as Daisy and I didn’t get along, I knew how much she had been there for Dart when our parents died in an accident, and I wanted to pay my condolences. I hated that I’d missed it.

“I need a beer.” Garnet jumped off her seat, strutting over to the fridge.

Not a bad ass, I thought staring at her swaying hips. I would totally fuck her. Even if she was Daisy’s little sister, but I really shouldn’t, because I know that it would cause issues with Dart and Daisy.

“I want one.” I told her.

“Garnet,” Daisy chastised.

“No,” she barked at her older sister. “I’m not driving. I’m not even leaving the house. I’m going to have a beer.” Garnet pulled out four beers. She sat two of them on the table in front of Dart and Daisy and then handed me one, before jumping back onto the stool.

“Garnet, are you all ready for classes to start?” Dart asked her after a moment of silence.

She flipped her bone straight hair off her shoulders and shrugged. “I guess so.”

“I wish you would try out for the dance team.” Daisy smiled sadly at her.

Garnet didn’t say anything, instead taking a drink from her beer bottle.

“Have you chosen a major?” Dart asked, trying to stay away from the dance issue.

That was Dart. If he knew someone was uncomfortable or even sad, he wanted to alleviate it. Even if that meant changing the subject and pretending the initial one hadn’t happened. I swore his soul already had angel wings attached.

I was nothing like my brother, contrary to what he thought. Dart was the only person I cared about; everyone else could leave me alone. Well, except when I was horny and wanted some
company
. I’ve never been one for relationships. In fact, I’ve never been on a date. What’s the point of wasting all that money, if you’re just going to have sex? I just skip the beginning and middle stuff and go straight for the end game.

“English.” Garnet answered.

“She’s going to be a teacher, like Mom was.” Daisy added for her.

I caught Garnet rolling her eyes, and she chugged the rest of the beer. “Anyone want another?” She tossed the bottle in the recycling grabbed another.

It looked like Mr. Bowlings had a point about the drinking problem. I sipped my beer, still watching her. The small talk continued, mainly Daisy talking about her sorority’s charity events. If there was one thing that Daisy was good at, it was talking. I’d be surprised if Dart even gets a word in during their conversations.

The pizzas arrived; Dart and I polished off two of them, while the girls shared the other. When we finished, we all went back upstairs and finished Daisy’s room. I wasn’t surprised that most of her boxes were shoes, purses, and clothes.

By the time we were done, I couldn’t stand being in the room with Daisy and her high-pitched voice another moment. She would squeal with the opening of each box. I’ve never seen anyone excited about her own possessions.

I didn’t even say good-bye. I just headed across the street to my house. The whole day started catching up to me and I lay down on the couch, putting my arm over my eyes. I was almost asleep when my phone began to vibrate in my pocket.

I groaned, pulling it out, and looking at the display. It was a mass text from one of the guys on the team. They were having a party at their place. Now, this piqued my interest.

A party of that size would bring out one of favorite things…girls. Of course, there would be an Ohio River size of alcohol flowing, which even made me even more interested. Maybe this night wouldn’t be a total loss to me.

I settled back into the couch just as Dart came through the front door.

“You get the text?”

“Yep.”

“You going?”

“Yep.”

“So, are the girls.”

I opened my eyes. “You think we should let crazy Garnet loose with the whole team?”

“She’s not crazy; just a little wild,” Dart clarified. “I think she’ll be okay.”

“I’m not so sure. I mean she downed those beers faster than I did.”

“I’ll watch her. Plus, Daisy will be there too.”

That statement made me laugh. “Please, Daisy will be gossiping with every girl there, and you’ll be following her like a lost puppy. Garnet will probably be with a different guy every five minutes.” I knew this because I had seen it with other incoming freshmen girls.

It was their first time away from home, and they thought they could handle anything put in front of them. In the end, those girls would end up puking their guts out on Fourth Avenue the moment they left the bar.

“Dash, stop being an ass. You don’t know Garnet. She’s going to adjust to college life fine.”

I ignored him closing my eyes again.

“I’m going to get ready. I’m driving the girls over; you want to ride with us?”

“Nah, I’ll take the bike.” I mumbled, letting the sleep finally take me.

~~

When I woke up from my well-deserved nap, I almost thought about not going to the party. Who was I kidding? I was Dash Terrance, and I wouldn’t miss a party. I rolled off the couch and hit the shower.

As I was getting ready, I heard Dart talking to Daisy on the phone. He yelled he was leaving, but I didn’t answer him back. I laced up my motorcycle boots and headed out the door. The party was down toward Ritter Park, so I didn’t have that far to go. I jumped on my 2012 Kawasaki 2X-14R. If I’d ever love anything more in this world than my brother, it would be my motorcycle.

I started it, and the vibrations of the bike and the sounds overtook me. I couldn’t explain the sensation I got every time I was on the bike. It was almost like sex…almost. I slammed the visor of my helmet down and pulled out of the driveway.

After I found a spot to park, I followed the sounds of the bass and the crowd of people on the porch. I heard several teammates yelling my name and someone handed me a drink.

I pushed through the people, checking out each girl to see who might be going home with me tonight. Red, blonde, brunette, there was a wide variety for my choosing. A hard slap on my shoulder brought me out of the menu that was on display for me.

“Bro, what the hell?” Dart’s looked sternly at me. “You just got here and already you’re looking to leave?”

I smirked at Dart. “I’m only browsing. I haven’t decided who will be on my dessert plate tonight.”

“You’re a pig.”

“That isn’t a new topic.” I chugged my beer, still glancing throughout the room. “Holy shit.” I choked on my drink.

“What?”

“Is that—,” Unable to finish the statement. I only pointed.

“Oh, I see you’ve noticed Garnet,” Dart chuckled.

My mouth was hanging open. Her red hair hung loosely around her shoulders. She had on a deep emerald green corset that accentuated her hourglass figure.  Much shorter than Daisy, her matching green mini skirt displayed her killer legs.

“No, Dash,” Dart growled. “I know that look.”

“What look would that be?”

“You know what I’m talking about. Garnet is off limits to you.”

I rolled my eyes at my twin brother. “Whatever,” I told him and turned my attention back to Garnet.

Chapter 3 – Garnet

The alcohol raced through my veins and I swayed my hips to the music. I let it overtake me, as it always did when I danced. Dancing was something I loved to do, more than breathing. Since Mom died, I couldn’t really give a fuck about anything but drinking and sex.

It kept my mind away from the fact that my mom was gone. She was my best friend and for the last year of her illness, I was the one that took care of her. Dad was always too busy with whatever business deal he was into, and Daisy was trying to climb the sorority ladder to be more popular.

Immediately, my head spun to Daisy. Growing up, I’d always looked up to her. I was very shy as a child, unless I was dancing. That’s where I shined. Daisy helped me out of my awkwardness when I started middle school. She taught me how to put on makeup, paint my nails, and flirt with guys. I thought we were best friends and would never grow apart, but we did.

When Daisy left home all I heard about was how proud my parents were of her, how great she was doing, and how amazing it was that she had Dart by her side. It’s not that I wasn’t proud of her or what she was accomplishing; I was just lost in her shadow.

When the tempo of the music changed, I decided it was time for another drink. I stumbled through the crowd to the kitchen, where alcohol bottles lined every inch of counter space. I found a bottle of Three Olives Cherry vodka and filled my glass, and then added a splash of Coke to it. I took two large gulps, letting it burn down my throat.

I walked back into the living room, stood in the corner for a moment, and looked at the crowd. More people were beginning to pile into the small house, and I started to feel smashed into the wall. My head was feeling fuzzy as I quickly downed the rest of my drink. I figured I should go find Daisy, since I told her I wouldn’t leave her side, but I totally did.

I was pushing my way through the sweaty people toward the front door, when I slammed into some guy’s back.

“Sorry,” I shouted over the music. “Hey, Dash,” I said when he turned around.

“Hello, Garnet, you look drunk.”

“Is that a compliment?” I could feel myself swaying from side-to-side.

“Trust me; it’s not. Where’s your sister?” he grabbed my arm to hold me in place.

“Um…” My head fell back and I tried to figure out what I was thinking.

“Shit. Come on, let’s find her.” Dash jerked on my arm, causing me to almost fall. He continued until we were both outside.

It was so humid you could have cut it with a knife. Right now, however, my only concern was enjoying the tingling sensation from all the alcohol in my body. I closed my eyes, trying to take it all in.

I could hear Daisy’s voice but it sounded far away. She and Dash were arguing, at least I thought they were. He released my arm, and I fell up against something hard. When I cracked my one eye open to see, it was Dart’s car. I rotated slightly seeing, Daisy and Dash in front of me, with Dart in between them.

“Don’t tell me how to take care of my sister, Dash,” Daisy yelled at him.

“Well, maybe if you watched her more closely, she wouldn’t be so drunk, and falling all over the place.” He pointed at me.

“Everyone calm down.” Dart told them. “Let’s get her home.”

“I wanna stay.” I said. Well, I think I said it.

“Hell no, get in the car.” Dash opened the door. “I’m done babysitting.”

“Grow up, Dash.” Daisy continued to raise her voice, “You helped her outside, that was it.”

“Excuse me,” Dash stepped closer to my sister. “Weren’t you the one that told your dad that you would watch out for her?”

“I know what I told him,” she growled at him. “I was letting her have some fun.”

“You bitched at her earlier for a couple beers and now look at her.” Dash continued with the same tone.

“Enough, both of you.” Dart opened the front passenger door. “Daisy, get in, and let’s go home.”

She cut Dash another mean look before reluctantly getting into the car. I finally fell into the backseat.

I lay out on the plush soft leather and closed my eyes, letting the alcohol-induced calmness take me over.