Thanks so much for all the great reviews!
Chapter 14
"You're angry with me." John stared at his feet as they were escorted back to the complex after their shift."
"I'm so sick of being in the middle of this rivalry you two have."
"Back there you said Randy was my friend … You know I can't stand him."
"You two used to be friends. Before I got here. At least that's what people keep telling me. You said it John. There's not much to do but talk or listen to other's talk."
"Ya. We were I guess. But it wasn't some dynamic friendship or anything. I like you better." He smiled sheepishly.
"John, right now, I don't want anything to do with either one of you."
"Taylor." John quickened his steps so he could get in front of her as soon as they were in the court yard. He placed his hands on her shoulder to stop her. "I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have butted in up there. But I saw what was going on today and you're right. I do know Randy. He's manipulative and he takes your weakness and he uses it against you. And when that doesn't work he forces what he wants. Taylor, you know that's true."
Taylor glanced at Randy. His eyes bored into her.
"Baby, normally I would mind my business. I mean, Randy could snap my neck and I wouldn't even know he was near me. But I couldn't stand back and let him take you like that."
"John, I …" She felt terrible. In a sense she had cheated on John. And John had been nothing but wonderful to her.
"I'm not going anywhere." He reassured her. "That don't call him Viper for nothing. He's a snake, Taylor." He sighed and stepped away. "But I think maybe I shouldn't be telling you this."
"I just keep thinking that you are telling me all of this because you know he's a threat."
"Yes. Yes, I know he's a threat. I know he could take you from me just like that." He snapped his fingers together. "But I guess you're right. I shouldn't be telling you these things. I don't want to lose you, but I don't want you questioning what I've said to you about Randy. Maybe it's something you have to figure out on your own. If I have to walk away from you. Then I will. As long as you are happy, that's all I want."
"How can anyone really be happy in this place, John?"
"I'm happy when I'm with you." He gave her a quick, smile, but the sadness showed in his eyes. She wanted to throw her arms around him, but then she caught a glimpse of Randy over his shoulder. Randy walked into his apartment and shut the door.
That night, Taylor joined John's group and they had their normal party. She liked the girls who hung out with them and wished they were her roommates. They had their faults and had both committed violent crimes to get their sentence. But they had been young. Julie was only fifteen when she had brutally attacked a girl in school. Vicky had really not done anything really bad. She had just taken up for herself. Julie was the girl who had attacked her and it was ironic that they were now best friends. They were eighteen now and they would be leaving soon since their lawyers were working out a deal for them.
Mike was there for stealing a car. John had been his accomplice. They had done it for fun and had never thought they would end up in any kind of jail, but the judge they went in front of wanted to make an example out of them. He wanted the entire community to know that money didn't make them above the law.
Phil, Taylor was least fond of. He had a sneaky way about him. He wore his hair long and always seemed to have a new tattoo which he done himself, sometimes during one of their parties. Phil had been part of a group that was often called a gang, but would become angry if you called them a gang. They sold and manufactured drugs with a local drug dealer and when he was caught after a deal gone bad, he refused to name any names and ended up in the home for the remainder of his childhood. He would serve the longest sentence, having been sentenced at sixteen. He was nineteen now and still had ten years in a regular jail to serve after he was released from the youth facility. He had been tried as an adult and found guilty of manslaughter, but they did not want him with the regular population at such a young age.
Ron, Taylor was sure was never in his right mind. He had crazy eyes and acted just as insane. He had stabbed a man the year before. He was the youngest of the men at eighteen. He smoked like a freight train and drank just as bad. He loved to dance and was the comic relief making everyone laugh. Sometimes he would turn around and stare like a mad man and everyone would get silent until he smiled and laughed. He was unpredictable.
But they became like a family to her.
Randy walked in the apartment uninvited that night. Taylor drank down her beer quickly and froze. She was sure it was going to be a repeat of what happened the night he broke John's arm. Was Randy there to reap payback on John for exposing his lies earlier that day?
"You looking for trouble, Viper?" John stood toe to toe with him. He had more confidence with his friends behind him, even though Ron stumbled drunkenly and fell over everything in his path.
Randy stared at Taylor a moment and then back at John. He tilted his chin up and appeared to be swallowing his anger. He stuck out his hand.
John stared at it with surprise. Then gave it a shake.
"No hard feelings." Randy told him. They had a mutual understanding that Taylor did not understand.
"Over it." John told him and handed him a beer. And just like that Randy joined their group. Randy had always been a loner and Taylor knew he had joined them just to be near her. She realized she did not have to go by what John had said. Randy was proving how manipulative he was every day.
Please Review.
