Hi everyone! Oh gosh, it's Christmas! Merry Christmas/ Happy holidays. Want to say I'm grateful for everyone sticking through this story because it's taking me a while to update each chapter. I'm sorry about that but I hope this holiday is special for you, please enjoy this short chapter. - Jewelie
Chapter 10:
"I don't want any stupid tamales Linc! I want to go to the taco truck, please. It's the last Friday I'm here with you at work, and I, need to go." He whined. The guys from the crew gathered around the truck, and Linc didn't notice because his little brother was too busy embarrassing him at work. Jerry walked up to Linc and whispered in his ear. Linc had talked to Jerry about Michael that morning and told him if he ever came near Michael again, he'd kill him. Jerry didn't doubt that for a minute and knew Linc would, so he told Linc he'd never be alone with Mike again. So, to Lincs surprise, when Jerry whispered, he could use his work trailer to "talk" to Michael he felt his message to Jerry got through. At least that was a positive, and as Jose laughed like a donkey as the heat beat down on Lincs back, he grabbed Michael's left arm roughly.
Lincoln turned to Jose first, "Shut it already, and everyone go take your lunches. Jesus, it's like you've never seen a teenager have a tantrum before!" All the guys slowly started to disperse as Jose swore in Spanish under his breath heading into his truck and Linc sighed. He knew the guys wanted to see Linc whip Michaels ass, but he wouldn't give them a show. Michael still had a scowl on his face and didn't seem to mind the ruckus and embarrassment he just caused. No, in his teenage mind he thought the bigger the fit, the more likely Linc was to cave. Yet, he knew that wasn't true, Linc never gave into tantrums, and he'd been warned. He was told if he threw a fit while Linc was at work his ass would pay for it.
Linc gripped Michael's arm tightly and came in close so only Michael could hear him. Michael hated feeling Lincs hot breath in his ear and couldn't help the whimper that escaped his mouth. "Jerry just offered me his office as he went to lunch so that I could beat your ass. I will give you a choice but think very carefully about it. We can go into the trailer, and I could turn your ass a cherry red or you can go to the taco truck." Michael shook his head yes without hearing the second part, he just wanted to see Kim again. "If you choose to do that, you will pick a switch when we get home. You will get twenty with it, and bedtime spankings for a whole week. Just so you know LJ will be with us next week. So, your four-year-old nephew will be witness to your spankings." Lincs voice was low and gravely. Lincoln was praying Michael would see reason, but his brother was dead set on seeing Kim.
"I'd like to go to the taco truck." Linc shook his head and let go of Mike's arm. "Alright, as long as you understand the consequence. You're old enough to understand the consequences of your decision. He hoped Mike would change his mind, but Mike shrugged and started walking to the taco truck without caring what Linc thought. He just wanted to see Kim and talk to her, even though he knew when school started, he'd be able to see her every day. Was a whipping worth it? As Mike slowly walked towards the taco truck, he had this knot in his stomach, what had he done? Linc stood dumbfounded for a minute, then sighed grabbing his food. Jose came out from the truck's cab and put down the tailgate. He sat down and Linc walked over sitting on the warm black cab scoffing, "That kid will be the death of me." Jose laughed, "Yeah, he might be, but I think he's just a teenager you know? Sick in love, like a puppy, we've all been there."
Linc laughed, "Yeah, I was like that with my high school sweetheart Veronica. We grew up together though and went through a lot. We're still friends, but it's just different with Mike. I mean, I had my Mom and my screwed-up Dad. Mike never even met our father, and our Mom died when he was young. It's been a rough road ya know?" Jose shook his head yes in sympathy and slapped Linc on the back. "You're doing a good job Linc, the kids pretty respectful and a good person." Linc laughed so loud, "Really? After everything he just pulled, I've never been so embarrassed, but you're right. He's usually a pretty good kid, with great grades. I'm pretty proud." He grinned.
Mike arrived at the taco truck and had a couple of dollars, so he grabbed a bottle of water. "Guess who?" He felt warm hands over his eyes, and he felt a smile creep up across his face. He laughed turning and Kim kissed him, her warm spit and her gum swapped mouths. "Whoa, gross." Mike spit the gum out and Kim laughed. Suddenly all of Mike's worries melted away as she grabbed his hand and drug him to a table she was sitting at. They laughed for a few minutes and talked. Mike felt truly comfortable, and Kim was so beautiful. Mike glanced at his watch and realized it was time to go. "What's with you? You seemed fine yesterday, but today you're distracted. Do you not want to be here with me? Kim rolled her eyes and Mike felt panic go through him.
"No of course not, I love being here with you, and this week's been the best. I just, I'm still grounded, so I sort of snuck here." Kim giggled and leaned towards Mike kissing him passionately, "Oh, my little rebel, that's so romantic." He rolled his eyes and smiled, "Yeah, yeah." He laughed kissing her back. Minutes later he hugged Kim a final goodbye and started his journey back. The journey more seemed like an execution as he cringed thinking how upset Linc would be. As he walked onto the job site, he noticed everyone was packing up to go. Mike looked down at his watch, it was only 1, and usually, they worked until four or five. He saw Linc and casually walked up to him hoping to soften the blow. "Hey Linc, um, where's everyone going?" He tried to keep his voice level even though he wanted to just burst into tears.
Linc looked at him, but he tried to stay calm. Mike had made his choice and he respected him for that, his kid brother was growing up. He just wished he'd think through the consequences of his actions. "We got cut early, it happens sometimes, and I think Jerry didn't want to pay extra labor." Lincoln shrugged and started walking towards the bus stop. He didn't even bother to look behind himself because he knew Mike was following him. Eventually, the moment Mike dreaded came too soon and he hung his backpack on the coat rack. He stood in the archway of the kitchen staring at Linc as he grabbed an ice-cold beer from the fridge. He wasn't sure if he should talk, and he internally cringed at the idea of mentioning his spanking.
Linc sat at the table and motioned for Mike to sit down as well. Linc tried to stay calm and formulate a plan quickly before he spoke. Mike looked remorseful and that was at least a blessing because Linc didn't have it into him to fight. This for the first time in years had been a black and white case. "So, you meet with that chick?" Linc ruffed out. "Yeah Linc, I saw Kim and we hung out for a little while." Michael tried to keep any attitude out of his voice. "Tell me, do you think that 45 mins. Is worth a switch'en? I just can't imagine it would be." Michael gripped his hands together on the table and felt them begin to sweat. "I remember you told me Linc, that when it happened to you, that you cried a lot. Were you, were you younger than me?" Linc laughed, "Nope, about the same age actually, and Dad did not go easy on my ass." He grinned thinking of the memory, but he wouldn't be as harsh as their Father. No, because he remembered young love, it was like the world would end if he couldn't see Vee. So, he wouldn't hold it against Mike.
Michael looked up directly into Lincs eyes, "It sounds stupid, but I think it was worth it." Linc snorted standing up chugging his beer. He fished into his jeans pocket pulling out his switchblade, "Alright then Mike, then you know what to expect. The tree right in front of the apartments, it's like birch and it'll make a great switch. Take this blade and go cut two, make sure to take the leaves off. I'll show you how to smooth them out when you get back in here." Michael groaned, but he knew the deal he made and those 45 mins. with Kim were amazing, it was worth it.