Chapter Thirteen
Lock waited until Bobby went to bed to give Jack's broken body a good look. They were in the dining room, Jack sitting in a chair, slowly pulling his shirt off, and Lock hated the way he winced.
"Shit, Jack," she muttered after he had the shirt off. "Is anything broken?"
"Not that I can tell," he whispered.
Lock looked over his muscled torso, noting just how strong he was, and saw his tattoos for the first time. She didn't know, well remember, that he had tattoos and she had no idea if he had any piercing, so she was a little surprised.
"What?" Jack was nervous. "How bad is it?"
"I was. . .ummm. . .lookin' at your tatts," she mumbled, staring at the floor.
"Oh!" he laughed. "Go ahead and look. I thought I looked real bad from the way you were staring."
"How many tattoos do you have?" she asked, moving closer to look at them.
"I don't know. . .you can count them. . ." he smiled. "It's sad when someone can't remember something like that. . ."
"One," she touched the Celtic cross on his left arm. "Oh, wait. . .I've seen this one before. . .Duh!"
"My first one I ever got," he said. "Bobby took me to get it--I was fourteen."
"Two, three," she put her fingers on the collar bone tattoos, they were black stars. "Derrr, I saw these too, when we were painting. . ."
"In your defense," he snickered, "I was covered in paint. Keep counting."
"Four," she touched the name 'Evelyn' that was done in old English over his heart.
"Self-explanatory," he sighed. "I was fifteen."
"That's all I see," she murmured.
"Nope, my back."
"Oh, I see," she smirked, walking around him.
Oh my god! she thought, seeing the damage done to the strong back.
His lower back, near the kidneys, was an ugly purple-blue color, and she could see the outline of a fist. She wondered how hard Kett had hit him, the low back was a bad spot o be nailed. She decided to ask him about it after she was done counting.
"Five," she touched the bloody rose on his right shoulder blade.
"Six, seven, eight, nine, ten," she counted the multi-colored star cluster on his left shoulder blade. "All right, now that's all."
"One for each family member," he shivered from her light touch. "And, there are actually two more that uhhh. . .you can't, won't see. . .two bats on my pelvis. . .so that's twelve."
"Right, so now that my question has been answered. . .Time for this," she whispered, trailing her fingertips down his back. "Jackie, is anything wrong inside? Internal injuries?"
"I'm--was--pissin' blood. . ."
"Was or still are, Jack?" she pressed lightly on his low back, hearing him hiss.
"It's getting better, Lock," he whimpered.
She moved back to the front, gently checking his bruised ribs, and made eye contact with the older teen. Jack winced and hissed loudly as she felt for broken ribs, but let her check him. Lock thought some of the ribs were bruised badly, maybe cracked, but not broken.
"Jack," she whispered, "I think you should go see a doctor about this. . .pissing blood is not good. . ."
"No doctors! Lock, please!" he grabbed her hands and terror filled his hazel eyes. "I hate going to doctors! Please!"
"Jackie?" she was starting to worry.
"Lock, I've been to doctors my whole life for beatings. . . I'm sick of making up lies to cover them up. . ." his voice trembled and his hands tightened on hers.
"All right," she said gently, pulling one hand free and running it through his sandy hair. "All right, Jack. No doctors. . .unless this doesn't clear up. . .got it? And if you lie to me. . ."
"I'd never lie to you, Lock," he whispered.
"Good," she smiled, still running her hand in his hair. "Deal then?"
"Deal," he smirked and grabbed her hand, shaking it.
She helped him stand up, hands immediately memorizing the strong body, and she felt light headed. She was still nervous as hell about getting close to these guys, but Jack somehow snuck through her defenses.
His voice. . .his playing. . .screw it, I'll ask him!
"Jackie?" she stopped at the bottom of the steps, he was already four steps up.
"Yeah?" he turned around.
"Tonight. . .when we sang together. . ." she felt shy all of a sudden. "I kinda got the idea that maybe. . .Would you like to try out for the band?"
"Are you for real?!" he was jubilant and came down the steps to face her. "Try out?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Everyone had to try out, even Cooper and he's been dating Connor for like ever!"
"Fuck yes!" he grinned, kissing her on the cheek. "You have no idea!"
She laughed, feeling warm from the kiss, and pointed upstairs. Jack didn't move, he seemed to have a question or two.
"What am I trying out for?" he asked.
"Singing and guitar. . .If I were you, I'd pick a few songs that show how versatile you can be. . .something with an awesome guitar solo," she grinned. "We'll let you rehearse tomorrow and see if Evelyn will let us either do the try out in the garage or at the Noose. . .No, wait."
"What?" he sounded crushed.
"You need to heal up first," she glanced to his chest. "So, let's make it---a week?"
"Done deal," he smiled again, hazel eyes sparkling.
"Night, Jackie," she said quietly, moving off to her room.
"Night, Stray!" he called happily.
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It had been two days since Lock had last looked at Jack's bruises and the teen seemed to be getting better. He had stopped pissing blood completely, which had been Lock's main worry. He flirted innocently with her, almost whenever he got the chance: making faces, sticking his tongue out (which she noted was pierced), smiling at her for no reason, standing behind her when she washed dishes--often resting his chin on her head. . .innocent, fun flirting.
I think I'm falling for the son of a bitch. . .she smirked, looking at the pictures of their paint fight.
"You two are cute as hell!" Ransom smiled, looking at a picture of when Jack had pinned her to him. "I mean it!"
"Leave it alone, Ransom," she warned, loading her camera with fresh film. "Just scan what you want for the slideshow thing."
"I am! But I want more pictures of the Mercers, think you can get some?"
"Yeah, but it'll be a while. . .you know?"
"Yeah. . ." Ransom sounded let down. "Damn! Jack's cute!"
"Thanks," he appeared on the door frame, eating an apple, a huge grin on his face.
"Ohmygod!" Ransom whined, turning a deep crimson and looking away.
Lock laughed, biting her lips together, and leaned on the wall. Jack smirked, taking a bite of the apple, and stared at Lock. The butterflies attacked her again, they had been pretty active lately--due to Jackie, and she rolled her eyes at him.
He has quite the personality. . .when he's not being contaminated by fucks like Kett. . .she thought as he made a face.
"Lock, can I talk to you in the stair well?" he asked.
"Sure," she said cautiously, moving to join him.
Ransom arched her eyebrows, giving Lock a bit of a shocked look, and Lock jabbed a finger her way in warning.
"What?" she asked, pulling the door shut and holding the handle to prevent Ransom for spying.
"Well, first, I was wondering if we could somehow do the try out tomorrow? I've been practicing. . .I'm ready," he smiled, taking another bite.
"Yeah, I'll have Ransom tell the guys tonight. . .Evelyn already agreed to let us steal the garage. . ." she wondered about the glint in his eyes, feeling anxious.
"Cool!" he whispered, setting his apple core on the steps. "Second. . .can I kiss you?"
The question took her by surprise, her eyes widened, and she jumped a little. She'd only kissed him the couple of times, she liked it, but she was scared to death about it as well. She released the handle, leaning back on the wall, and tried to slow down enough to think. Jack moved closer, grabbing the handle, and waited patiently.
Lock, he's strong. . .he could have forced you like the other boys, but he doesn't she reminded herself. He asked this time. . .it's innocent, remember?
Innocent, yes. But lately Lock had found herself wondering how a deeper kiss would feel, not passionately deep--but still more than just lips. She looked into the familiar eyes, seeing the gentleness that the other boys had lacked, and took a dive.
"Yes. . ." she breathed.
"Sure?" he smirked, moving closer to kiss her.
He's even double checking. . .
Lock nodded, telling her body to relax, and felt his mouth press to hers gently. Her hands automatically moved, one to the back of his neck, the other to his waist, and she kissed back. Jack released the door handle, his hands moving like hers, and she felt him back her against the wall. She jumped and pulled back, gasping from the shock.
"Dammit," he mumbled. "Sorry Lock. . .I didn't mean to-."
"It's all right, Jackie," she smiled a little. "Just startled me. . ."
He looked at her curiously, slowly leaning back in, but stopped and stared into her eyes. She felt her heart race in her chest and the butterflies swarmed in her gut, but she also wanted to try this. Somehow, Jackie picked up on this, he cocked his head a little--questioning her. She held the eye contact and nodded a little--she wanted to try.
"Sure?" his lips brushed hers. "Give me a sign and I'll stop, 'k?"
Lock nodded again, eyes fluttering closed as Jack kissed her again. This time he was a little more forceful, not too bad, just pressing harder. Her hand slowly moved into his hair, he pulled himself closer, and suddenly she felt his tongue wet her lips lightly.
Keep going, Lock! she commanded. How else will you erase those bad memories? He's innocent, kind, gentle. . .but stop when you've had enough. . .
His tongue traced her lips again, just as softly as before, and she slowly parted them. His hand supported her neck, and again he traced--this time, carefully moving in. Her body filled with electricity as he explored her mouth, drawing patterns everywhere he went, and then--she met him. Very briefly they battled it out, Lock really noticing the stud in his mouth, but suddenly she had enough--she felt weird and put her hand to his chest.
Jack got the message and left her mouth, only their lips meeting as he gently placed a last kiss. Both of them were panting slightly and he smiled at her.
"You okay?" he whispered, brushing her hair back with one hand.
"I'm fine. . ." she murmured, a small smirk on her lips. "The tongue ring was odd though. . . .but interesting too. . ."
"Yeah?" he snickered. "Enough to maybe. . .another time. . .try it again?"
"Don't push it Jackie. . .I--I'm still. . ."
"Oops," he looked at her with true sorrow, "didn't mean to push you, Lock. . .I'm sorry. . ."
"I know, Jack," she smiled, placing a shy kiss on the corner of his mouth. "You're not like the others. . ."
"Damn straight I'm not," he grinned. "I'm much cuter! According to your friends."
She laughed, covering her mouth to stifle the sound, and he smirked, grabbing the apple core and darting upstairs. Her door opened and Ransom peeked out, on her cell.
"Hey, Lock? Umm. . .I'm on the phone with Coop and Connor. . .they got a temp for the night and were wondering if you'd be up for a show. . ." she talked quick. "They need the cash. . ."
"Yeah, let me go tell Bobby what's up," she said, already heading up the stairs. "What time?"
"Uhhh…seven," Ransom called. "You got an hour to get ready and pick songs!"
Shit! Time's short!
"Right!" she ran up the rest of the way, hoping Bobby would actually let her go.
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Bobby agreed to let Lock go play, he decided he should trust the girl--she was trying like hell to adjust to life with them. It was obvious that she was still terrified of letting anyone too close, but Bobby was bound and determined to prove to the teen that some people in this world are good--even bad asses like him.
Jackie boy seems to have found a way past her defenses, he smirked as he saw the boy flirt with her.
"Hey!" Bobby hollered, standing on the second landing and looking over the banister. "You need a ride?"
"Nope," Lock called. "Ransom's still here!"
"A'ight, have fun kiddo! When will you be home?!"
"Midnightish. . ." she said shyly. "Is that all right?"
"No later than one, got me?"
"Yep, no later than one! I swear! If somethin' comes up, I'll call!"
"A'ight! Go get ready!" he said, moving back to his room.
He sat on his bed, checking the time, and decided to call Jerry. Bobby wanted to have the whole family sneak into the Velvet Noose and watch Lock play, he feared that if the girl knew she was going to have more than the normal fans, she'd not be herself. He wanted to see the real Lock--live and uncensored.
"Hello?" Jerry picked up.
"Hey, Jer."
"Bobby!! How's it hangin'?" Jerry laughed. "How's that new stray doin'?"
"She's doin' all right. . .we've had a couple of moments, but I think things are looking up," he lay back on his bed.
"Moments, huh? I won't ask," Jerry snickered. "What's up?"
"You free tonight from now until around midnight?"
"Yeah, why? What'd you do now, Bobby?" Jer took a harsh tone. "'Cuz I gotta family now. . ."
"I ain't in trouble, you shit," he laughed. "Lock's band is playin' at a club and I wanted everyone to go see her---in secret. . ."
"Sure, I can do that! Sounds like fun actually! What club?"
"Uhhh. . .just come here first, OK?"
"Sure thing, be there soon!"
"See ya, Jer," he grinned and hung up.
Hopefully Ma gets home in time, he thought, going to talk to Angel--he was saving Jack for last. And hopefully this all goes smoothly. . .I don't want to scare the stray. . .