Under Currents (19 page)

After her aunt and uncle climbed in their car, she walked toward her own car. She whistled for Ally and Scott who were swinging on the church playground. They ran toward her.

Frank came up behind her, grabbed her wrist, and spun her around. “I heard you had a little trouble on the highway the other day.”

“Yes, and I’ll see John in court.”

“I have the chief in my pocket. Ned will back John up.”

“I took my complaint to the state. I'm suing John and the Faith Police Department.”

“You bitch. He was just teaching you a lesson.”

“You’re the one who needs to be taught a lesson.”

He twisted her arm behind her back and leaned close until his lips touched hers. She turned her head, stopping the kiss and tried to squirm from his hold.

“Let her go,” shouted Scott, beating his little fist against Frank.

"No-no-no, Scott. He'll hurt you."

“You going to tell that jailbird, McGregor?”

“I’ll tell Grandpa.”

A car pulled up, and Uncle Bob jumped out. “Frank Grear, let my niece go.”

“Or what? You’ll call the police? Everyone in town knows she’s whoring around with that ex-con.”

“My mother is not,” Scott yelled—his face livid with anger. “Caleb has a girlfriend, and it’s not my mom.”

“Let her go, or Noreen is calling the police. They'll hate arresting one of their own.”

Frank dropped her arm and turned to Bob. “Watch yourself, old man. You’d hate to have an accident one evening coming home from the tire store.” Frank chuckled in a devious manner. “Have a fatal blow out or something.”

Chapter Eleven

Frank stormed away.

Julie placed a hand on Bob's arm. "Thank you."

"You're shaking."

”Frank has that effect on me."

Her aunt left the car and joined them. “Lordy mercy. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

“So until now, you thought I was lying?”

Guilt shined in Noreen's eyes, and she nodded. “I’m sorry, but we believed Frank.”

“My mom doesn’t lie. Caleb is not her boyfriend,” Scott said, anger etched in his youthful face. “He’s not even our friend anymore.”

Ally shook her head. “Caleb, doesn’t talk to me anymore. And I miss him.”

“Again thanks for interfering, Uncle Bob,” Julie said. “I hope Frank’s threat was just a bluff.”

“I can take care of myself,” he said as he slid inside the car. Noreen joined him.

Julie leaned down to the window. “Don’t forget what I said about Devin Vincent. The man’s been living like a king, thinking he got away with murder while an innocent man took the rap and went to prison. Can you even start to imagine how it would feel to be accused of something you didn’t do? And to serve time for it.”

Noreen stared at her, but it was clear that her mind was somewhere else. Her expression grew sad, and tears filled her eyes. “Let’s go home, Bob.”

Her aunt and uncle drove off, but Julie knew she’d given them something to think about. She hadn’t seen her aunt this heavyhearted since Amy’s death.

♦♦♦

It had been difficult to stay away from Julie and her kids, but Caleb had done it. Still at night, Julie’s image slipped into his mind instead of Casey’s. His heart tightened at the thought of not having Julie. As desperate as he’d been, it was outright stupid to put Casey off. A woman like her was all an ex-con could expect. But he also doubted Casey was the type who could settle down with one man. She would dump him for the first guy that came along who offered more. He wanted something permanent.

Casey’s definitely not a class-act like Jules.

He dressed and left his house.

When he walked outside, Julie stood at the clothesline. His body stiffened, and he stared across the yard at her. His heart filled with regret as he longed to hold her in his arms, longed to kiss her.

Neither spoke a word, nor smiled, just stared at one another, and Julie’s expression remained despondent and forlorn.

He forced himself to turn away. Julie would eventually find a man who would love her, who she could love back. A decent man who was reputable in the community and had the means to provide for her.

Before reaching Casey’s duplex, he’d become even more determined to keep Julie out of his life. He knocked and waited.

Casey opened the door immediately. “Let me grab my purse.”

“Sure. Take your time.”

He straddled his bike and helped her on behind him. After checking in both directions, he sped onto the road. Her arms wrapped snuggly around him, and her full breasts pressed against his back. Her strong cheap perfume made him want to gag.

Caleb parked and escorted Casey inside Faith's small skating rink. After several minutes, his eyes adjusted to the dark area, lit only by multi-colored lights flickering and blinking above the rink. Loud rock-n-roll music played, and people zipped around the rink.

It’d been years since Caleb had skated.

I’ll probably fall on my ass. But what the hell.

“It’s like having sex. You never forget how. I’ll hold you up.”

Caleb managed to stand, and true to her word, Casey placed her arm around him. After his legs slipped and slid in all directions, he finally steadied himself on both feet. A couple of times around the rink had him skating with confidence.

Scott stood on the sideline. Caleb scanned the dimly lit area for Ally or Julie. Evidently, the kid had come with friends.

Good.

When the DJ announced it was backward skate only, he decided to sit it out with Casey on the side of the rink. Mostly kids took to the floor.

Scott circled the rink four or five times but never looked in his direction. Had the kid seen him?

In the dimly lit room, Casey placed her hand on his crotch. An erection rose like the mast on a windjammer. She whispered in his ear. “My roommate will be gone. I don’t want any excuses this time.”

Caleb offered her a smile and nodded. “It’s time.”

"Amen to that."

Deputy Grear stood across the rink with two little girls. Did he have kids?

“Who you starin’ at?” she asked.

“Frank Grear, the cop.”

“He’s friends with my brother. He’s a real lowlife. Stay away from him.”

“Are those his kids?”

“No, his sisters.”

Like a skilled hunter, Grear zoned in on him.

While he had the jerk's attention, Caleb pulled Casey in his arms and kissed her-long and hard. He wanted to make sure Grear saw it. He hated using Casey. But girls like her thrived on being used. They weren’t happy unless some man had them in bed, treating them like shit.

♦♦♦

Casey couldn’t decide. Sometimes she’d swear Caleb preferred men. She’d put that thought aside until she noticed his interest in Frank. Since Caleb had left in a panic anytime she suggested he stay, she wondered if he started preferring men in prison.

If he couldn’t perform tonight, she’d maybe point out the obvious. After seeing how afraid he was of getting it on with her, she doubted the rumors about him and the woman who owned the rafting place in Faith were true. Besides, Casey had met another guy the night before and had promised to meet him in a bar later that evening.

After a few more spins around the rink and a couple of hotdogs apiece, Casey suggested they return to her place. On the ride back, she decided if nothing happened today, he was out.

She left him standing in the small living room of her duplex. “Let me get things ready,” she shouted. “Make yourself at home. There’s beer in the fridge.” Then she recalled he couldn’t have alcohol. “Sodas too.”

She lit seven purple candles and spread them around the room before closing the blinds making it dark. She slipped from her jeans and tennis shoes into spiked heels and a special bra she’d ordered. She already wore the matching thongs.

“Caleb, come on back. I'm ready.”

Caleb rounded the corner of her bedroom and stood in the doorway. "Sweet heaven, you're hot.”

“Oh, baby. I'll make you think you've died and gone to heaven.” Casey sat on the edge of the bed. "Come to me.”

Caleb stood between her legs and let Casey unzip his jeans and yank them down.

“Take them off. Don't back out on me.”

"Trust me, I won't. I need this."

“Well, baby, you’re as hard as ice.”

Impressive.

“I’ll make you melt. Let’s get a condom on that bad boy.”

She started fitting the condom over him.

“Oh God,” Caleb moaned. An expression of horror masked his face, and he went pale. "Shit.” He went off like Old Faithful.

“Damn, son-of- a-bitch. I’ve had to fight to keep you hard and turned on and now this.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that it’s been so long.”

“Get out, Caleb.” She'd wasted enough time on him.

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“No. You know what your real problem is?”

He gave her a baffled look. “What?”

“You’re gay.”

“I’m what?”

“You heard me. Gay. Gay. Gay. I don’t think it’s me you were thinkin’ of just then.”

“Then who the hell was I thinking of?”

“It was obvious at the rink you were interested in Frank Grear. Hate to inform you but he’s straight.”

“Frank Grear! Hell, I hate the man. Of all the ridiculous notions. I’m not gay. Give me another chance and I’ll prove it to you.”

“Just leave. I might as well tell you now. I’ve met someone else, so don't come back.”

Casey had expected him to be angry, but damned if he didn’t look relieved. Maybe he’d go home and think about what she’d told him and admit it to himself. Come out of the closet. She glanced at his awesome body. Sad. What a waste of masculine flesh.

He dressed and left. Outside, he started up his bike.

After blowing out the candles and turning on a lamp, she stood and stared at her body in the mirror. None of this would be wasted. She’d bring the guy from the bar back home with her. He’d appreciate the thongs and bra.

She heard the front door open and called out. “Caleb, is that you? Are you back?” No one answered. “Ann, you home?”

Her roommate didn’t reply.

Heavy footfalls echoed in the hall. She glanced up. Frank Grear stood in the doorway, his lustful eyes devouring her body. She went rigid. “What the hell are you doin’ here?”

“Lover boy didn’t stay around long.”

She shrugged. “Leave, Frank.”

“You look really good.” He undid his pants and slipped them down. When he couldn’t get them over his boots, she used it as an opportunity to grab the phone to call for help.

Frank grabbed the phone, clicked it off, and tossed it on the floor. He removed his boots, allowing his pants to slip off his feet. “McGregor’s got you primed up.”

“He didn’t do anything.”

“You’re lying. There’s a condom in the trash.”

“Well, it ain’t how it looks. Trust me.” Casey glanced at the clock. She had two hours before she’d promised to meet Danny. But Frank wasn’t the kind of man to walk away from.“Frank, I don’t want to do this. Please just leave.”

He slapped her so hard her ears rang. “I’ll leave when I’m damn ready.”

She tried not to show the fear inching up her spine or that her heart pounded uncontrollably. Casey learned early in life, fighting a man off only made them more determined. Rather than fight Frank, she surrendered.

“Frank, put a condom on. I’m not on the pill.”

“Shut up.”

“Okay, but if I get pregnant, you’re paying to get rid of it.”

She stared into space, trying to occupy her mind with something other than what he was doing. Afterwards, she rolled over and stared up at Frank. “You've had your fun. I’m meeting someone in an hour.”

As he drew his arm back, she expected another slap, but instead his fist made contact with her cheek. The pain vibrated through her skin, muscles, and bone. She held her face.

“I’m not finished with you.”

“Yes, you are.” She tried to shield her face from another blow.

His actions were so fast she didn’t see the backside of his hand until his ring made contact with her lip. The pain brought tears to her eyes, and blood oozed from her split lip.

Oh God, he might kill me.

Don't argue.

“I’ll be dropping by again. You can count on it.”

By the time he left, all she could do was lie in bed and cry. Both her cheeks and bottom lip hurt. What really scared her was his promise to return.

♦♦♦

Sunday, Julie and her kids sat with her parents on the long church pew. Ally colored on the church bulletin, and Scott folded his into an airplane.

It had stormed all morning and didn’t show signs of stopping. Boats and Floats would be dead today, so she told Dana and the others to lock up and leave.

As the choir entered, the pianist played soft music. The quiet minutes before the service offered a time to reflect and pray. The pianist stopped playing and stared to the back of the small sanctuary. Julie and the congregation twisted around to see what had caught the lady's attention.

Caleb walked down the aisle toward the front and sat several rows up from her on the opposite side. People stared, but no one spoke to Caleb. Julie wanted to reach out to him, to leave her seat and sit with him, but resisted. He’d made it clear he wanted nothing more to do with her and hadn't even spoken to Scott and Ally.

The rumors about them had let up some, and people gossiped more about him being with the girl from Eminence. Sad, but she had listened to every word, wanting to learn more about the girl. The girl was a twenty-one year old named Casey from Eminence. Scott had seen Caleb with the bimbo at the skating rink.

Julie forced her gaze from Caleb and caught a glimpse of Arnold Bridges checking her out. The doctor had moved to Faith two months ago.

Though tall, Arnold had narrow shoulders. She figured she had more muscles than he did. But at least, he still had his hair.

Arnold smiled at her, and she smiled back. The man hadn’t been in town long enough to hear about Frank’s claim on her. Hopefully, Frank had finally given up.