Moonshine (3 page)

3

and a half

Moon

             
I was so close to her lips that I could smell her cherry Chap Stick or lip stick or whatever it was she had smoothed over her lips. I wanted to lick each one of those lips so bad, just to feel how they felt against mine. Would she have freaked out? I thought about kissing her anyway, and then apologizing my ass off and pretending that I did it on accident. Just one taste was all I needed. Yeah right… One kiss would have sent me over the edge and I would have made love to that girl right there in the school hallway.

             
I am just glad that I got out of there when I could. I couldn’t even look at her face to see her reaction. I slammed my fists onto my steering wheel and jerked my head back against the seat. I am not going to wait any longer. I will tell her tonight that I love her. She’ll either love me back or she won’t, no time to dwell. As soon as the year is over she plans on leaving for college, and I can’t let her leave without telling her how I feel. I’ll regret it forever. My chest was aching all the way down to my stomach with every thought of losing her. I won’t let it happen. I won’t lose her.

4

Shine

When I made it to the field everyone was already there waiting for me.

             
“Sorry I’m late.” I said. Melody rolled her eyes.

             
“It’s all right we were just stretching,” Katie said. She was one of the sweeter girls on the squad. I really love all the girls on the team; I just have the most problems with Melody. Don’t get me wrong. She could be a real snotty bitch, but she was a part of the team. I have been cheering with this squad of girls since middle school. We are a dysfunctional family. You always have your favorites though, and Katie has always been the nicest to me. Plus, she is the only one who doesn’t go on and on about how hot Moon is.

             
“You know how I feel about people being late,” Melody glared at me. “You can stay late and make it up with five laps around the track.”

             
“Okay,” I sighed. I hate that she’s captain. I swear the girl loves making me miserable. I know it’s because she is in love with Moon, but dang. It’s not my fault that he doesn’t love her back.

             
Practice was grueling. Our stunts have gotten so difficult. Last year our squad placed runner up at state, and this year we were expected to go to Nationals. We have a real shot this year, and I plan on working my butt off to make it happen.

             
After my five laps I was exhausted, and alone. All of the girls had left to go home already and I was hoping that I had some kind of a ride waiting for me out front. When I walked off the field to the parking lot, there were only two cars. I didn’t recognize either of them. I walked into the locker room to get my cell. Maybe someone had called. I grabbed my phone out of my bag and checked it for missed calls. I had a text from Moon and from his mom. I opened the one from Moon first.

Moon- I talked 2 mom 2 make sure you had a ride and she said she would b there to pick u up as soon as she left work. Ok?

              I quickly texted him back.

Shine- Ok! Thanks! Quit worrying about me. I will see you later tonight. XO

             
I opened the text from Moon’s mom Lisa.

Lisa- I am running late Shine honey. I will be about another twenty minutes. See you soon!

Shine- That’s fine. I will hit the showers while I wait. Thanks again!

             
Judging by the text message, I would say that I have at least fifteen minutes before she arrives. I grabbed my plastic toiletries bag and my flip flops, and I went to the shower room to grab a quick shower. I stayed under the hot steamy water as long as I could. My muscles ached from today’s grueling practice. I gathered my things and wrapped myself up tightly in my towel. I was dripping water with every step I took towards the locker room. As I was putting away my things I heard a noise. It must be Lisa.

             
“Lisa, is that you?” I asked, peeking around the lockers.

             
“Nope, it looks like you are stuck with me.” I was startled. It was a man’s voice and one I didn’t really recognize. I tightened my towel around me a little tighter and took a step back.

             
“Who’s there?”

             
“It’s me,” the man said before coming around the corner to face me.

             
A loud sigh escaped my throat. “Mr. Morgan,” I placed my hand up to my heart and released the breath I’d been holding. “You scared the crap out of me. I wasn’t expecting you. Where’s Lisa?”

             
“She couldn’t get away from work in time so she called me.” The man staggered with every step he took. Each step brought him closer and closer. Mr. Morgan is Moon’s dad and to be perfectly honest I can’t tell you the last time I actually spoke to him. In all of the years that I’ve known him, we have maybe spoken to each other twice. He just wasn’t ever around. Being a lawyer kept him away a lot, I suppose. Moon barely spoke to him either. He and his dad didn’t have a very good relationship. I only know what Moon has told me and none of it’s good. The man was a crappy father, an even crappier husband.

             
“That is nice of you Mr. Morgan, but I don’t want to keep you from work or whatever you had going on.” I said not feeling too comfortable with him being there. I actually hoped that he would leave. He was giving me the creeps.

             
“I was leaving the bar anyway.” He stepped closer to me.

             
“Okay,” I replied stepping back from him again. The man was obviously drunk. There is no way in hell I am letting that man drive me anywhere. I had to think of something. “Why don’t you go wait outside by the car and I will get changed and meet you out there in just a minute?” Once I get him away then I can call Moon. Good plan Shine.

             
“That’s not going to happen. I’m not going anywhere.” He grabbed my wrist and held it so tight that I couldn’t help but wince. He was close enough now that I could smell the bourbon on him. He was holding me too tight.

             
“Mr. Morgan, you’re hurting me.” I swear that his grip got tighter.

             
“My name is David, girl. Quit calling me Mr. Morgan. Now, you will do as I say.” His other hand reached up and pushed the wet hair from my face. “You are a beautiful girl. I can see why my boy is so in love with you.” I flinched at his touch. What? Moon in love with me… What the hell was he talking about? “You have the hottest little body I have ever seen.” His hand was on the top of my towel and I tried to push him away. Why is he doing this to me?

             
“David, please. Can we just go now? I am sure my parents are starting to worry about me.”

             
He shoved me back against the locker room wall. “I told you that you are going to do what I tell you to do.” I was breathing heavy trying to catch my breath. What is this man going to do to me? My body started to shake. David is a large man. He’s almost as big as Moon. He’s at least six foot and well over two hundred pounds. His brows were scrunched tightly and his blue eyes were glaring at me.

             
“What do you want?”

  He licked his lips before he yanked the towel from my body. I used my free hand to try and cover myself. Those eyes felt like they are burning a hole through my skin. Oh my God. “Please don’t do this. Please,” I pleaded. He grabbed my other wrist and slammed me hard into the wall. It felt like my skull bounced off of the concrete behind me. I blinked several times trying to regain my focus. He shoved me hard down to the ground and straddled his self over top of my legs, holding them down. I cried out for help as loud as I could, but my voice sounded like a shell of itself. The scream earned me a hard smack across the face. The pain rolled off of my face with the sweat. This can’t be happening?

“Shut the fuck up! Don’t you dare scream again.” He now had both of my hands held tightly above my head with just one of his large hands. I was struggling hard to break free. He used the other free hand to place tightly around my neck. His fingers were digging into my skin and I could barely breathe. “Quit fighting me. It will feel so good.”

My chest heaved up and down as the sobs escaped my
body. He is going to do it. He’s going to take my body right here. “No, no, no, no, no…. Stop it, please” I was begging with every breath I took.

He freed his hand from my neck and put it between my legs. He rubbed me hard and fast with his fingers and I tried to kick and free myself, but I couldn’t.  I am totally useless. “It feels good, right? I told you that it will feel good, so damn good. Oh,” he moaned. I cl
osed my eyes tight and prayed for someone to help me, to save me from this monster. His hand moved from my body. I let out the largest sigh, hoping like hell that this madness was over. Then I heard the sound of his zipper.

“Please stop this. Don’t do this to me. HELP!” I screamed again as loud as I could. “Somebody help,” I tried to yell again, but his fist landed hard on my face. Over and over again he hit my face. The pain wouldn’t stop and I swear the bones in my face were broken.

“I told you to keep your mouth shut you little bitch.” Those were that last words he spoke before he entered my body. It hurt so bad and I couldn’t even scream. I couldn’t move. Why? Why was this happening? I was getting sick at my stomach and I could easily puke. I still might before he is done with me.

The scruffiness of his beard scratched my face each time he pounded himself harder inside of me. He whispered horrible things in my ear that would haunt me forever. One thing stuck out in my mind and he repeated it several times. He said, “Ryker won’t want you now. You will be all used up. He won’t want a slut.” He laughed like it was some kind of a sick joke, like he was doing this so Moon would not want me anymore. Ironically
, I wanted to laugh. This man thinks Moon wants me. It’s not going to matter because no one would want me anymore. Not after this.

I could feel the tears pooling in my ears as they slid quietly from my eyes and down my face. I focused on the broken square tile on the ceiling just above me. The tile would not come to life and save me from this man, but it would save me fr
om his familiar eyes. I couldn’t look into those eyes and it wasn’t because of the fierceness, but because they were Moon’s. An exact replica of Moon’s eyes, and I could not picture him. Not now, not while my life was being sucked away. Each minute that ticked by left me more and more broken, hopelessly broken and a shattered shell of myself.

He moaned loudly and caused me to shiver and then he released himself inside of me. I sincerely wanted to thank God that he was done with me, but how ironic would that be. He yanked me up from the floor so fast my head spun. I could feel the wetness start to run down my leg. I gagged several times as my body was trying to throw up. I needed to so badly
, but I was empty.

             
“Let’s go.” He pulled me by my arm to go with him. “Put your clothes on now. We have to go.” I stood there kind of lost for a moment, having trouble coming to my senses. I was unsure if my body parts would actually move if I told them too. “Move now! We’re going to get in that car and I’m going to take you home. You will not say one damn word about this. Do you understand me, Girl? Not one fucking word or I swear that you will pay. I am a high powered attorney and you will not win against me. No one will believe you.” He rambled on as I continued to put my clothes on. I don’t even know what I put on and I am not sure I even got all of my things. “Nothing happened. Do you hear me?” His voice rose again. I flinched at his words, but I could barely open my eyes to see him. The left one was so swollen that I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to open it, at least not for a few hours. He grabbed both of my arms and squeezed them tight. “I said do you hear me? Do you understand?”  He was so close to my face and his breath still smelled like liquor. My stomach was in knots. I couldn’t speak so I just nodded my head. I understand. I understand that I will be taking this secret to my grave. I just wonder how in the hell I will explain my face.

5

Moon

             
“Hey mom, where are you?” I yelled for her when I came into the house. “Papaw let me off work early and I wanted to shit, shower and shave before seeing Shine.”

             
“Watch your mouth boy.” She yelled from the living room. I rolled my eyes.

             
“Hey Momma, how are you?” I found her reclining in the lazy chair resting her eyes.

             
“Hey Son,” she patted my cheek when I leaned in to kiss hers. “I am so tired. I had to work late and I’ve been in meetings all day. I swear, I’ve maybe been home ten minutes, and my cell has already rang three times. Stupid thing, I am about to turn it off. Oh yeah, do you mind finding whatever for dinner because I am seriously too tired to cook. I hope you don’t mind.”

             
“That’s fine, Momma. I had planned on eating at Shine’s anyway.”

             
“That sounds good. How was your day?” Her question was asked in the middle of a yawn. She looked really tired.

             
“Long, but the best part of it still hasn’t happened yet.” I wagged my eyebrows. “I have to hurry up and get ready she’s probably waiting on me.”

             
“Oh honey, she’s not home yet. Your father went to pick her up and they haven’t got back yet.”

             
“Why is dad picking her up? I thought that you were going to do it. I mean he’ll probably act like a douche and is he even sober? Did you talk to him?”

             
“Calm down. It’ll be all right. I spoke to your dad about an hour ago and he was fine with picking her up. He sounded okay. Grouchy maybe, but he said that he’d go get her, and he sounded fine on the phone. Now quit worrying.”

             
“Fine. I’m going to go upstairs and get a shower before she gets home.”

             
I didn’t stay to argue any longer. When it comes to dad we just don’t see eye to eye. She’ll defend his sorry ass to the grave even though he is a drunk bastard. He’s not abusive, well not physically anyway. Sometimes when he yells at my mom I want to strangle him. I know that I can take what he dishes out to me, but she loves the man so much and he still talks to her like she is a dog. She excuses it because she says that he’s really stressed out and tired. Maybe she doesn’t realize that he has been out at the bar all night and has drank himself into a stupor. I laugh to myself just thinking about it. When he comes home from being out all night I try and get to him first so that he won’t say something stupid to momma. I know he won’t hit her, or at least he better hope he doesn’t. The screaming is bad enough and it always makes momma cry. He’d be stupid if he tried to lay a hand on me. He knows I will lay his ass out. I can take him. His bark is worse than his bite. I know that he’s nothing but a worthless piece of shit. Part of me hasn’t made plans to go away to college because I don’t want to leave my mom by herself with him.

             
He wasn’t always this way. It started about the time he joined the Barrett Firm, about two years after we moved here. Once he made partner, it was all downhill from there. The late night business meetings started, and soon after it turned into all night business meetings. Now we never know when he will decide to grace us with his presence. When he does show up he’s usually so drunk he can’t stand up. I’m so sick of it. Sick of him, and the thought of him alone with my girl makes me want to punch something.

             
I slammed the door to my bedroom and blasted my radio. I better text her to make sure he even showed up at all.

Moon- Hey Shine baby has my dad showed up to get you yet?

              I snatched a pair of boxers from my drawer and some loose gym shorts off my bed. I sniffed them first. Smells clean enough. Looking at my phone, I expected a text back and there was nothing. I’ll try her one more time before I jump in the shower.

Moon- You gonna text me back or what? Where you at? I am just checking on you so text me back soon. K?

             
Tossing the phone back onto my bed, I grabbed my clothes and went to get a shower. I hadn’t been under the water five minutes when I heard pounding on the door.

             
“RYKER,” Mom yelled through the door. “OPEN THE DOOR.”

             
“WHAT IS IT?” I yelled back.

             
“OPEN UP, HURRY” She was practically screaming.

             
“What,” I yanked the door open. I was dripping wet and standing there in nothing but a towel. “Mom, what’s wrong?” My mother was crying and shaking. She was literally freaking out and unable to catch her breath. “Momma,” I pulled her too me. “What’s going on? Please talk to me.” I rubbed the back of her head.

             
“It’s, its, your dad.”

             
I grabbed her shoulders shaking her. I may have shaken her too hard, but I got her attention.

             
“We have to go to the hospital now. Your dad has been in a car accident.” She said frantically, but she never looked at me. She was obviously not telling me something.

             
“Oh God, where is Shine?” Mom sobbed really hard, and could barely speak.  “Shine was with him. Wasn’t she? Is she okay? FUCK!” I yelled. “Let’s go now.” I hope she’s okay. Nothing can happen to my girl. She has to be okay. I was going to tell her that I love her tonight. I groaned and punched the wall so hard that I swear my knuckles broke.

             
“Ryker,” Mom said.

             
“I’m fine. Let’s go. He better hope like hell she’s okay. Come on.”