Page 71 of Toxic Wishes

Get it together, Colt.

A faint smile brushes her lips as we pull up to my house. “Thanks, that was fun.”

“Hanging out with my mom was fun?” I raises an eyebrow at her. She really must not get out much.

“Ya,” she laughs through her answer. “Sure as heck beats what I have to go inside and do now.”

“What’s that?” I picture her masturbating in that tiny room all by herself. And blink to erase the image.

“I need to prepare for school tomorrow and get situated because I won’t have as much free time by next weekend.”

“Why?”

“I start my new job at Shifters, bartending.”

“Oh,” Shifters was a bar downtown, and it had a bad reputation because it was located next to the slums.

Plus, the idea of men hitting on Abigail all night didn’t sit well with me. Do her parents know about this? Why would they let her work in a place like that? But then again, I’m not her father, and it’s not my place. Besides, I don’t know why I’m acting like she’s so much younger than me. We’re only six years apart since she said her birthday is in November. Mine is in January, so when she turns twenty-two, I’ll be shortly turning twenty-nine.

“Do you need help with Bodie? I can make you a snack before I get on the computer?”

“No, it’s fine. I got him.”

We hear a faint snore and turn to look in the back seat.

“Now that is adorable.” She whispers as she looks over the top of her seat at him, taking him in as if he’s a methodical creature we rescued from the bottom of the ocean.

I stare at her. Her curly hair cascaded down her back, and her tiny shorts cupped her butt perfectly. The sun rays from the windshield shone directly on her, making her look stunning, even on a simple day like this.

She turns to face me as if she feels my gaze on her. “Thanks again for inviting me.”

Her words are simple, but they feel like a loaded thank you. Thank you for letting me stay here, for treating me with respect, and for including me. I wasn’t sure, I knew I liked making her feel welcome. I enjoyed taking care of her, in a way. I liked seeing her carefree. It made me wonder what she was like when she let loose and let those curly locks run wild

25

Abigail

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Berthold Auerbach

“I’m sure you look great,” Mel says into the phone.

It was my cousin's wedding today, and I knew I had to dress to impress and do my makeup as best I could. I never wore foundation, even when I went out, but I knew there would be nonstop pictures, so I wanted to be prepared no matter what angle I was taken off guard by.

“Remember what I taught you. When you smile, don’t over-smile. That shows wrinkles, and your right side is your better side, so always lean to the left when taking group photos.”

Mel’s dad worked with many celebrities and models, so she knew many tips and tricks to help the camera love you.

“You know I’m still not going to like the pictures.”

“Stop it. You sent me a photo of your dress, and you look fucking hot. I’m surprised Colt hasn’t ravished you already.”

“Would you stop?” I said with agitation. “That’s Josh’s brother.”

“So what? I dated Josh, not you.”

“And my cousin's ex, or whatever they are. And did I fail to mention I can’t stand him?” I added.

“You don't have to like him to fuck him. And didn’t you go to his mom’s house with his son?” She reminds me.

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