To stand by him
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"your problems are very easily solved." Chris said as we sat in the corner of the pub we met in. "Just take the ring for the day, gamble it and when you win put it back."
"I risk my dad finding out its gone."
"It's in a safe. You really think he's going to go checking on it? Especially when he thinks you're home all day?"
"Chris if he looks for it I'm dead." I said. "It's Charlies ring, I'm not itching to get my ass whipped by him for something I actually deserve."
"Why are you so scared to take it? You know the chances of his finding out are slim, very slim, you might even have it back before he gets home that night."
"I'm not thief." I admitted. A con? Yes. A gambler? Yes. A bit of a cheat? Sure. But a thief? No.
"He robs you of your freedom and innocent and you're not willing to steal a ring?" his words didn't have any bite, he was being practical I didn't like John, or Charlie, but the thing I had to remember was that John did take me in, I could be rotting in the streets or in a home. Not that I thought my home was much better but at least I was fed and warm.
"I can't steal." I said. It was pride, I did have some morals, theft was something I couldn't stand, it was wrong to take something someone spent time making or need to make their lives easier.
"It's more borrowing, you'll bring it back." Chris said trying another approach but to me it still sounded like stealing. I worried my lips and looked away running a hand through my hair. "Anna." he said I turned and looked at him. "We have eight days." It had taken me a few days to actually tell Chris I knew where the ring was, I didn't want to tell him until I knew for sure it was the one Nick had sold. I had talked to Autumn and she confirmed the look of the ring and I felt sick to my stomach, the second she nodded and told me "Yeah that's exactly it. . . .do you know where it is?" I did. But part of me wished I didn't.
"Alright." I nodded. Chris sighed and managed a weak smile. "I'll get it for tonight." I said. "My dad will be out late its Friday." I said. He nodded and said nothing. "Do you know where Nick will be?" I asked.
"Probably at some party, I'll ask Teddy where it is."
"What time is it?"
"Six.' he said glancing at the clock behind him.
"Meet me at seven." I said getting up.
My walk home wasn't eventful which I was grateful for, I had a feeling crawling up the back of my neck that Ace was watching me since it was so close to the deadline. Once I was in the house I took a quick shower, then ate, before slipping on a pair of jeans a white shirt and my leather jacket. I pulled my hair up slowly brushed out the knots.
I was stalling I didn't want to take the ring but I didn't really have a choice, I had to bring it otherwise Nick would never believe I had it.
When I saw it was six forty I knew I had to get the ring and meet Chris. Sighing I went into the kitchen and lifted the sugar jar where the key was taped under. I ripped it off and left the jar, I slowly walked up the stairs to my dads room, to his closet and under the boxes I knew had a few porn movies and sickly enough some family photos. The safe wasn't anything special just a gray lock box the size of a brief case. I gripped the key in my hand the cold metal dug into my hand as I unlocked the safe.
I opened the lid and discovered the small black box as well as a few bags of cash and check books. My dad didn't wear jewelry but there was a pretty sapphire and diamond necklace, which I assumed was a family heirloom. I snatched up the box quickly opening it taking the ring, throwing the box back and slammed the safe shut closing it quickly. Then put everything back in a rush and ran from the closet as if I was going to be caught at any second even though I was the only one home.
I steadied my breath and slipped the ring into my jacket pocket. It was heavy and hot in my pocket but I tried to relax, I was going to be fine nothing was going to hurt me and I was going to put it back when I got home. It would all work out.
I lied to myself all the way to Chris' house.
The party was pretty dead for a Friday night but I wasn't complaining. I turned on my smartass demeanor and Chris and I walked in like we owned the place. We got a couple looks being what looked like the youngest kids there but we walked straight.
"Nick Todd?" I asked a pudgy pug faced boy he gave me a once over before pointing to the back of the house. I nodded in thanks and headed to the back. Nick was there his arm around Autumn who was in a short purple dress and a leather jacket. He seemed to be arguing with someone I didn't recognize.
'You'll get it." Nick snapped.
"It's been three weeks Nick either you pay up or you get beat up." The guys said. He was bigger then Nick but it was the four other boys he had with him that made him look bigger then Nick.
"Whats going on?" Chris asked a random kid.
"Nick owes Steve money hasn't paid him back yet." the guy said simply.
"I said you'll get it!" Nick snapped pulling Autumn closer who just stood there cooly looking almost annoyed by the encounter.
"I'll be back tomorrow, if you don't have it we can just sell your body parts for cash." The guy threatened before leaving with his friends. The crowd left going back their drinking and partying. Nick sat down with Autumn and rubbing his hand over his face.
"Well fancy meeting you here." I said standing right in front of him, he looked up and glared at me.
"What do you want Winston?" he demanded. I shrugged. "Then get the hell out.'
"You gonna make me?" I asked. He glared at me and stood up leaving Autumn sitting on the couch watching with a raised eyebrow.
"With pleasure." he said cracking the knuckles on his left hand.
"Mmmm, you know that's not the way to get my help." I said placing my hands on my hips.
"Your help?'
"Looks like you're into some money issues." I smirked. He glared at me.
"Just get out." he muttered.
"Hey I'm trying to help." I said spreading out my arms.
"At what price?" he asked.
"I ain't looking for compensation, I want a game, one game, I will even spot you twenty bucks." I said pulling out the money wad that contained the money I hustled from him as well as the money I got from Richard. "I don't know what you owe that guy but a twenty should either clear it or help out a lot considering you lost all your money to me."
He glared at me.
"And what I loose it all to you again?"
"Either bet it or keep it, bet smart even if you loose four dollars you still got sixteen. I'm not looking to play for all of it. I told you I need a game to get a good name." I said. He looked at Autumn who nodded seeming to be okay with the game.
"One game?"
"Just one game."
"Fine." I smirked and headed towards a table slowly slipping the ring onto my finger.
…...
"So we're playing Black Jack, I deal and can't hit is I got more then sixteen and you get all the calls you want okay?' I asked, Nick rolled his eyes but nodded.
I slid the twenty dollars in coins and bills across the table to him and the game began.
"Hit." he said after I dealt. A three, he threw in two bucks and I called. "Hit." he said. I hit him again and he got a six. "Stay." he said putting four dollars more into the middle and I called. I flipped my cards over I had nineteen. He had eighteen. I smirked and took the money.
We played again, I busted the second time and he earned sixteen dollars.
The game continued and I purposely lost a couple games until he had forty dollars to his name.
"You letting me win?" he asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah cause I love letting people watch me loose." I said sarcastically. Beside me Chris watched shifting a little bit when I lost. Autumn watching interested as we played and even a couple others were there watching. I took the deck and was shuffling when Nick piped up.
"Where'd you get that?" he asked suddenly pointing to my hand. Perfect. I looked at my hand and held it up to him.
"The ring?" I asked and he nodded staring at it in wonder.
"My dad bought it off some guy a couple weeks ago for my birthday, apparently the guy was moving and needed cash to help pay off the house." I lied continuing to shuffle. "Why?" I asked. He stared at my hand for a few moments.
"I'll play you for it." he said quickly. I scoffed but inside I felt like dancing.
"Be serious."
"I am." he said still looking at my hand.
"You got forty bucks hate to break it to you but I'm no idiot that ain't near the price of this thing." I said taking off the ring and holding it between my thumb and forefinger.
"come on all or nothing."
"No." I said pretending to get annoyed. I needed him to offer up the key or else he would think something was up. He looked admiring at the ring, his eyes flashed and I could swear he was having memories of his mom. "Look I think we're done." I said getting up. 1. 2. 3.
"Wait. I do have something else to bet." he said. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"You needed to play me for cash what could you have?" I asked raising an eyebrow. He fished around in his coat before pulling out a small silver metal key. "A key? Try again." I said crossing my arms.
"Its important." he said. I gave him an unconvinced look, but I couldn't help but have the happiness shine in my eyes and relief wash through me. "With this key you would basically control the entire Oregon police department. You'd be able to access files, computers it opens any door or cabinet its the master key."
That's what Ace wanted? That's what he wanted? A key to mess with the police department, to me it didn't make sense. Why would he want that? Sure he and the law weren't on the best of terms but why would he want to go in there and get into even more shit?
"Anna?" Chris asked nudging me, I realized he had been waiting for me answer.
"Alright fine." I sat down and placed the deck on the table and settled back in my chair. I put the ring in the middle and he slid the key next to it. I told some guy to watch us and if either of us tried to split with the loot then to get us. He nodded and the game began I deal and showed him the bottom card the one we would never see in this game and slammed the deck back down.
"Hit." he said. I hit him and a seven came up. He smirked "Stay." he said. I looked at mine and had to stay.
He flipped over his cards. Seven, two and jack. Nineteen. I looked at him with hooded eyes.
I flipped mine over.
"Twenty." I said. His face fell, straight down. I had never seen a boy so upset, I picked up the cards and placed them in my pocket. "Sorry man." I whispered picking up the key and looking at it before sliding it into my pocket and then picked up the ring.
"Come on." Chris said. I looked at Nick again, he looked destroyed, holding his head in his hands Autumn whispered in his ear and stroking his arm. I had the last piece of his mom, I had dangled it in front of him and then ripped it away. I felt like a bigger jerk then Charlie at that moment, seeing him sniffle and grip his hair in his hands. The ring still in my palm I looked at him feeling the diamonds press into my palm.
"Lets go." Chris said tugging on my arm this time in order to make me move.
I leaned my palms on the table.
"Better luck next time." I whispered to Nick. I was mean, I was a jerk and I was completely stupid as I turned and walked away with Chris.
Leaving the ring on the table in front of Nick.
Yay! We know that the stupid key is for! :P hope you enjoyed the chapter I enjoyed writing it. Let me know what you think. Thank you so much for reviewing and commenting you're all amazing 33
-Lexi-Joe