Chapter 8: You said what now?!
*Chapter contains cursing. Some sexy stuff... ;)*
We all sat awkwardly around the square table, all but one side of the table is filled. Kurt stared at the chip in the wall, saying little to nothing. Joe on the other hand was livid with sunlight, chattering away excitedly about his work and recent catches up stream. I smiled, politely responding back to his remarks, occasionally throwing a question Kurt's way. Once the noise of chatter calmed down, the sound of Woody whistling away and the sound of hot sizzling pans entered the room. My fish, although eaten days before by the boys was replaced with Joe's identically caught fish. Something else sizzled on the stove, spinach and garlic perhaps.
"So Jinx, why were you naked yesterday? Did you get some?" Kurt spit out the water he was sipping on, fusing his face red. Heat rose up to my cheeks.
"J...Joe! That is a personal matter!" He wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
"So you did! Ohhh Jinx you are a naughty girl! So did..." A loud 'bang!' echoed, vibrating the table as well as silencing Joe's banter. Kurt and his balled fist remained down; nothing but awkward silence filling in the tense gaps.
"It is her business Joe. Not our own. Butt out." His seat screeched to life, scraping in protest against the hard wood floor. Woody took this time to bring out a large serving platter, steam rising off the freshly cooked morsels.
"Where are you going Kurt?" Woody asked gruffly, setting the tray in the center of the table. Woody briskly took place in his seat, looking up at the back of Kurt's body.
"I am going to eat later grandpa. I am sorry to inconvenience you." Kurt practically dragged jail chains by the way his feet stomped up the stairs. The only true way to tell he was secure was the loud slam of his door. Woody sighed, furrowing his brow in aggravation and concern. We ate in silence and occasionally, I would steal glances at the stairway as if by some magical power Kurt would come back to eat. Woody and Joe at majority of the food, glancing at my scarcely eaten plate with the rest pushed around to appear to have been touched.
"Here," Joe sighed, handing over a pre-made plate of the dinner. "Can you take this up to him? He usually does not eat during the day and if he does not, he will end up in the Clinic." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, sighing slightly once Woody left the room to clean.
"It was my fault for bringing up that type of topic and I am sorry. It was not my place to assume let alone make accusations." I stood up, patting his shoulder with a smile.
"It is okay Joe. Maybe one day I will be able to tell you, but for now it is a touchy subject."
"Well yeah masturbation is a touchy subject." I rolled my eyes at his lop-sided grin, running up the stairs until I hit the last door on the end of the hallway. The wood echoed at my touch, calling out to any listening ears.
"Kurt? It is Jinx. Can you open up please and eat something?" No response. I knocked again.
"Kurt? I am coming in." I shifted the plate securely into the crevice of my left arm, using the now free hand to twist the knob. It shifted easily within my palm, unveiling the hidden cavern behind it. A rush of earthy scents rose up, mixing and shifting in the nature built room. Everything from the bed frame to the dresser to the mirror could be identified as a homemade fixture made of the same pine growing around the land. The sheets, a clashing dark royal blue against a white sheet and pillow fixture stood out the most in comparison to the rest of the room. A few worn down outfits from previous days scattered about among the floorboards, the cleaner sets just previously washed were folded nicely upon the dresser on the opposite side of the room from the bed. In the far right hand corner next to the dresser laid a door most likely leading to a bathroom. A waterfall of water sizzled from behind the door, quickly shutting off into a murmur of silence. Without warning, the door slammed to life, flying into the wall with a hard smack. The hinges whined as the settled into place revealing a figure covered waist down in steam. My jaw almost hit the ground. Kurt looked like a completely different person. His hair, due to the water and lack of army band attire, remained slicked down to the nape of his neck. A few strands that decided to rebel curled slightly in front of his ears. And boy did working as a carpenter have its perks. Kurt hid his prized six pack abs under all those layers of clothes now revealed their dripping splendor to my owl sized eyes.
What I have failed to notice was the only piece of clothing wrapped around his waist, held fast by his left hand.
"Jinx?!" Kurt jumped slightly, his face fusing to life with an embarrassing red shade. I snapped out of my daze, blinking slightly until full realization dawned on me. Here I was ogling a guy, fresh out of the shower, meaning he was naked. My face fused to life as well, turning away to make things less uncomfortable. I held out the food, keeping my head turned away from his gaze.
"T..they sent me up here to g...give you f...food." The dish rattled unsteadily within the outstretched hand, nearly leaping to death from the grasp. I spun on my heels, walking robotically over to the tiny wooden nightstand. Somehow, my foot slipped on a flat surface.
"Jinx!" It was like a slow motion moment in a movie. I never really thought those types of things existed but I guess they do. Kurt ran over at hyper speed, wrapping his arms around my frame. Warmth not only spread into my face, but around my body in a warm flame of tan. There was a loud thud, the only real sound to break the silence was the dish of food, rolling away and then rattling to a standstill. The landing was not hard thanks to Kurt, but anyone could get the wrong impression. Kurt's muscular arms remained wrapped protectively around my waist while my hands seemed content on the top of his chiseled chest. His eyes gazed into mine with uncertainty; a faint tint of pink hitting is prominent cheek bones. One hand released its hold upon my waist, slightly brushing the tips against my fire red cheek. His lips, full and welcoming parted slightly, wishing to speak a word but remained silent. And then, something poked at my inner thigh. If his eyes could get any wider, they would be rolling away from his sockets and into a hole to hide.
Joe took this moment of awkwardness to walk in.
-0-
The week past in a hazy blur, mostly me avoiding Joe from his embarrassing questions and Kurt for… well the little bump in we had. Let me tell you, it is not easy working one minute and then jumping into a nearby bush as soon as you see one of the brothers. At least twice I fell on some sort of rock and twig induced pile. At one point I shared a bush with a stunk that thankfully did not spray me!
"Why so down Jinx? It does not seem like you." Alex came up to the house on this cloudless day since it was his day off. To tell you the truth it was quite shocking to see him in formal attire rather than the usual button up, black slacks, and white scientist lab coat. Today he decided to wear a soft moss green tee shirt, molding to his body practically showing off the faint outline of some abs he was working on. Instead of slacks, he wore dark blue demi jeans and casual white running sneakers. We and I really mean he decided to drag me from my sanctum, saying it is a perfect day for herb hunting not bumming in the house. I pouted along the way, internally glad to be out of the house and away from the possibility of seeing either of the boys. Everything was perfectly fine, until Alex curiously watched as I jumped into a bush as Joe and Ray walked by, fishing poles in hand.
"You would not believe me if I told you." I mumbled, feeling the sting of forest floor burn bubble up.
"I am sure it is more logical than your recent obsession with bush hopping." He muttered in return, bending down to examine a pastel green herb. He examined it a few times over before adding it to the beige woven basket. I sighed, picking up a pink herb a few feet away. It is light in color, almost the color of the sunrise's pink but with a tint of purple. The herb looked like a heart, slightly smaller than both my hands cupped to hold it.
"Now tell me what is wrong." Alex sat down next to me on the floor, examining the herb within my hands. He nodded, telling me silently that it was good for consumption.
"You are not letting this go are you," I sighed, running my hand through the strands of my hair. It pulled out of my ponytail, falling back down into a stringy mess in my face. The sky looked a bright robin's eggshell blue today with a few cotton ball clouds dotting it. There were a few birds flying over head at one point, but the land lays silent right now.
"Nope. Now tell me what is eating at you." So, much to my protest, I explained to Alex the predicament, occasionally taking my gaze off the sky to gage his reaction. It stayed the same for some time, until I told him about the little… accident.
"So I was putting his food up on the nightstand when my clumsy self tripped over some floor boards. Kurt tried to catch me before I fell and it landed…how should I put this…" I made a gesture with my arms of me laying on top of Kurt, hands pushed against his chest, heads nearly level with each other, and feet intertwined at the base. Then Kurt's position, laying flat on the ground with his muscular arms around my waist, eyes wide with shock, and his legs gripping onto mine for dear life. I picked my head off the ground, only to wish I hadn't. Alex's face grew dark, a purple swirling aurora circling behind him. His hands transformed into fists, shaking with what looked like rage lining his face.
"I WILL KILL HIM!" He roared, springing to his feet. I army crawled the best I could across the dirt, clutching desperately at his shoes for some sort of grip. Despite being so pissed, he is a slow stomper. Like Godzilla only less threatening, longer arms, and definitely not green. My hand, thank the goddess, gripped the hem of the jeans, halting his foot in mid stomp.
"Alex calm down! It was not his fault!" I huffed, tugging his leg roughly back. Demonic eyes stared down at me, sending the aura of evil snaking down towards my gripped hand.
"It was an accident. Do not hurt him pleaaaaseeee?" Puppy dog eyes always did the trick in my hometown, maybe it will work for him. It was. The inner debate to listen to reason and seek out inner destruction battled ruthlessly. Back and forth his mind seemed to waver, eventually settling with reason. I let go of his foot, rolling onto my back with a wide grin.
"Love you Alex," I cooed, smiling up as he bent over my head providing an overcast of shade.
"You are lucky I love you Jinx." He shook his head, lending a hand to pull my dusty self off the floor.
"Now that the issue is settled, how about we get some lunch?" As if on cue, my stomach gurgled to life like a monster reaching out to gnaw at my hand. Alex laughed, mussing up my hair like a small child. I whined in protest, attaching my hands to my hair to settle it down.
We walked hand in hand as a father would his daughter. There were a few words exchanged, but nothing majorly important that needs to be repeated. As we approached a small light shack, the small print of words on the swinging sign became readable. Perch Inn swung happily in front of a window lined with a picnic basket drape. Once the door swung open, held open by Alex, it took all I had not to squeal. It looked like my grandmother's summer cottage I use to go to when I was a kid. Each perfectly arched window hid behind a red and white drape half way in between. About fifteen lightly tanned tables scattered about the dark dirt wood floor, each adored with two to four seats. In the center of each lay a pure virgin white candle, lit with a dancing flame. A counter made of the same color as the tables is pushed back towards the end of the Inn, lined with various sized and shaped bottles.
"Hey Alex! Long time no see stranger! And who is this pretty lady?" A south western voice bellowed from the position at the bar. A girl most likely in her early twenties sat on top of the bar, giving me what looked to be a once over with her fiery red-brown eyes. She nodded once, bobbing the few blonde strands that were not hoisted to the back of her head across her face. She jumped off the counter, showing off her badass outfit. Demi blue vest opened up to a white tank top and matching blue skirt billowed straight down to her skin tight black leggings. Each arm bore two skin tight black arm bands. Over all, she was quite stunning.
"Hey Gwen this is Jinx, the new rancher down the lane." Gwen smirked, grasping my hand into a wild hand shake.
"Nice to meet ya Jinx! It is so nice to finally have someone take over that draft farm! Say do you have any horses yet?"
Alex snickered, or was that the air around me? It is kind of hard to tell when your head is being bobbed at the speed of light.
"Okay Gwen I think you scarred the poor girl enough." The world stopped being blurry, but still spun on a weird angle. A blurry Gwen took a step back, an impish grin presiding on her face.
"My bad… So are you here for some lunch?" Alex nodded. Gwen led us to one of the tables toward the outer left in sight of everything but hidden from anyone who walked in. She handed us our menus, quickly scribbling down our drink.
"So what do you think of this place?" Alex said once Gwen departed. His head laid in his propped up hand, tilted slightly.
"I like it a lot actually. Better than my hometown that is for sure." There is no crazy ex here to attempt to kidnap me so already this is nice.
Gwen took this moment to deliver our drinks, an herbal tea for Alex (seriously I never get how people can drink that sort of thing) and a berry soda for me. She smiled a big impish grin again, preparing her notepad for the order.
"I will have the usual please." Alex said, passing forward his untouched menu. She quickly scribbled something town, turning her gaze in my direction. Of course I did not look at the menu, so instead of fanning through it like an idiot, I pushed it forward as he did and said, "I will have what he is having." Gwen definitely raised a questioning perfectly arched eyebrow, but put another tally mark at what she had written.
Alex and I continued to chat, mostly about his research into the herbal arts of plant collecting. Basil once told me when he was visiting the city about such arts. It was winter here and since plants die in the winter, he ventured off to find new plant life and somehow ended up in my hometown. A little bell chimed, and it took all that I had from freaking out. Blue walked in, a timid smile lighting up his features. To the left of Blue, a fiery orange haired girl babbled enthusiastically about a topic. From her oil stained, worn down blue overalls and dirt encrusted sneakers, it was evident that she did something with the ores or maybe invented or both. She seemed nice for the most part, but something felt really off in my chest seeing them together. It is like a pressure beating painfully against the ribcage.
"Ah it looks like Ann and Blue are here as well. Do you want them to join us?" Alex broke my stare, giving a questioning stare. I stuck my hand up in a stop gesture, shaking my head left to right.
"Ah no…it is okay. They are probably on a date or something…" I picked up my berry soda, letting the sweet blue and grape flavors wash over the bitter bile burning on my tongue. I could feel Alex's gaze linger on my dropped eyes and then I heard their voices.
"Blue could you help me with my invention today? I feel it is almost done and just needs that final tweak!" Blue chuckled, most likely rubbing the back of his head.
"Of course I can help Ann. After all, your inventions never cease to amaze me. However," his voice grew deep with concern. "You should really be careful not to harm yourself in the process."
I could practically feel Ann's smirk through my mind, her hand reaching forward to grasp his. She faked a gasp, a look of playfulness sweeping her eyes.
"Thee Blue is worried about me? Someone call Alex! Someone kidnapped the Blue we love!" He laughed, a deep hearted laugh that sent my heart soaring into a pitter patter of butterfly wings.
"Ann please! You know I just worry about you…" Gwen coughed, breaking me from the conversation. I glanced up, feeling the numbing beat of pain rap at my ribs once again despite the smile shinning on her face. She set a bright beige plate in front of me, a silver lid placed over it to make it more of a mystery.
"Eat up kids! Made from the bottom of my heart." Gwen winked, sauntering away with the silver lids. Alex quickly dug into his dish and I just stared at what lay before me. It is pasta, penne points smothered in a thick gooey cheese sauce. Diced black olives and grilled cubed chicken danced along the top, occasionally popping out from under the white sea.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Alex mumbled, shoveling the food into a black hole. I blinked, staring blindly into his dark eyes. He knew this was extremely unhealthy for him right? Or did he get something he thought I would like?
"Do you really like this?" I asked, taking a forkful of the food into my mouth. The familiar flavor exploded into my mouth, filling every flavor cavity with the gooey parmesan, mozzarella, and provolone cheese. The chicken, grilled with basic salt and pepper instantly flared to life with the heat of a jalapeño pepper essence. The black olives cooled the heat slightly, throwing juices over my slightly burnt tongue. It is pure heaven.
"Of course I do. Why else would I order it?" Alex was a nice eater, but with this dish, it got all over his face. I stifled the laughter building in my throat, gesturing with my thumb to wipe the bit of white from his cheek.
"Well because…" a faint blush rose to my face. "I like this sort of thing. So I kind of figured…"
His booming laughter startled me, nearly dropping the food onto my lap.
"You are too funny Jinx! Yes this is what I normally eat now hurry up and eat it before it gets cold. Gwen will have your head if it gets that far." I smiled, digging into my food with delight.
"So how was everything?" Gwen asked, moments later. Both dishes were emptied to the very core, not a single drop of cheese sauce or dot of black olive left. She smirked, knowing the response without having to ask. Of course the food is naturally good, but I never thought it was this godly. I will definitely have to come back a lot when I can get some income. Or maybe just learn how to cook…yeah right.
"It was superb as per usual Gwen." She glanced towards me, flashing a dazzling smile.
"It was really good," I smiled, showing most likely bits of black olive, chicken, and left over cheese sauce in my teeth.
"Good. Do not be shy to come in a lot. I love having people try out new dishes I create or just seeing them reduced into a mess of happiness in the chairs." She turned towards Alex, nudging his shoulder with her elbow. "This one is on me."
"Are you sure?" Alex seemed hesitant and I definitely was against it being free. A meal that great should be paid for not given out for free.
"Think of it as a welcome to the island gift from me Jinx." Gwen sauntered off, quickly running off to check on the other guests. Despite her free meal, Alex and I chipped in, throwing a good amount of money on the table. He helped me up, laughing as I once again nearly tripped over the floor boards. I swear I should have a handy cap sign wrapped around my neck and a warning sign saying: Danger! This chick can knock anyone down as she falls. Be with at your own risk.
"Jinx?" Ah shit! I was hoping to avoid this confrontation. Alex gripped the upper portion of my arm tightly, feeling my displeasure of hearing his voice.
"Hi Blue," I said in a friendly manor, spinning Alex around with me. His hand left my upper arm, wrapping protectively around my waist. It really did not matter right now.
"This is Ann," He began, gesturing the girl who sat directly next to him. She gazed up at me, a warm friendly smile on her face. "She works at the Junk shop with her father Michael. Ann invents a lot but tends to nearly hurt herself in the process." Ann lightly shoved Blue, giving the impression of mock hurt.
"Blue I cannot believe you would say such a thing in an introduction! That is just mean." She pouted her bubble gum pink lips out, drawing Blue's gaze to them. My heart stopped, feeling the butterflies beat faster than the speed of sound painfully against my insides. Blue leaned into Ann, giving her a slight peck on the pouted lips. Ann eased back, the hurt replaced by the feeling I was almost foreign to. Love. To be cherished and treasured like a rare jewel. To be spoiled beyond means just to show they were thinking about you. To be embraced sheltered from the world and all of its grievances. Tightness circled my waist, bringing me down from realization. Blue was just playing me this whole time. He had a girlfriend and yet I followed him like a lost puppy. There is darkness surrounding the area, leaving my hollowed body alone in the shadows. A haunting smile appeared on my lips, not exactly reaching my eyes.
"I am so happy for you guys. Alex and I will leave now right Alex?" He squeezed harder, gazing down at my face for any trace of emotion. He would find nothing for nothing is left.
"Are you and Alex dating?" Blue blurted suddenly. Ann cocked her head to the side in curiosity as well, both noticing the arm holding me up. Before a singer word was uttered, a voice broke in.
"Yes we are Blue. Do you have a problem with that?" All the playfulness left Blue's face, darkening and raising his defensives up.
"It was just a question Alex. No need to be snippy about it." Alex snorted, fire burning in his eyes.
"Well why don't you just make out with your girlfriend Blue. We do not have to stay here for this Jinx. Let's go." I got dragged along, feeling the movement but not in control. From behind, eyes blazed heatedly, but that did not matter. The sky changed, clouding over with thick grey clouds to cover such a fine blue day. In the distance, thunder could be heard and lightning clapped the sky.
"The nerve of that guy disregarding your feelings! He should know better! After all the shit he put you though you would think there would be some common courtesy to spare your feelings! But no! He instead rubs salt into the wounds! . . . Jinx?" Alex was now eye level, his body crouched down, gazing up with a look of concern. A water droplet fell straight onto his face, hitting his cheek bone dead on. Another one fell, hitting the other side of his face with less accuracy than the first. Water started to pour down onto his face faster and instantly, I was covered in a chest. His hands released my pony tail, letting the strands fall flat down around my head. The warmth of his hand strummed through each batch of strands, muttering comforting, incoherent words. Wetness began to fall down my face, staining the shirt I was leaning on. It just dawned on me then. I was crying. A surging pain thrust through my chest, releasing all the tears and pent up screams into the air.
Blue had taken my trust, stolen my secrets, but he had hit one spot that I thought was too soon to declare.
He had broken my heart.
Author's Note: Yes I know I have not been updating and im sorry! T.T So much going on and its…2 in the morning right now so it is not as great as it should be. Thank you so much for being patient and how did you like that twist? The real drama has yet to begin yet. :D