Page 10 of Medusa's Revenge

“I might like you being my nightmare,” I whisper in her ear. She shivers, which is what I wanted from her. “I’ll see you later. I’ll also stop by to talk to Donald about this.” I wave the envelope. “It was nice meeting you, Merida.” I walk to the doors that open to the apartments but stop when I hear Amelia yell my name. I spin around, smiling at her.

“Merida?” Her hand is on her hip. I walk toward her.

“The red curly hair reminds me of the Disney badass archer Merida. She was protective of her brothers, too.” I grab one of her curls and curl it around my finger. “It’s not an insult, I promise.” She doesn’t remove my hand right away. She stares up at me with those beautiful green eyes. She blinks a few times before smacking my hand away.

“My name is Medusa or Amelia, not Merida.” She walks away from me, and I watch her hips sway. Damn, that girl is my subsequent heartbreak. I chuckle to myself as I knock on Donald’s door.

“Noah.” Donald looks at me with a grandfatherly look like I’m about to get my ass whooped with a switch.

“I believe this is yours.” I showed him the envelope.

“You paid for my groceries. I’m not an old man who can’t pay for things.” Donald stands straight up and stares at me.

“I didn’t think you couldn’t pay for your groceries. My grandfather and mother taught me to pay it forward. I had the extra money to put all the groceries together, making it easier for the cashier. I meant no disrespect to you and your wife. I’m sorry if I did that. It was also a thank you, even though I didn’t know it then.”

“Would you like to come in for dinner? My beauty made her spaghetti and meatballs.” I nod, and he lets me in. “Honey, this is the new neighbor and the kid I was bitching about earlier.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” I hold out my hand, but she pushes it away to pull me into a hug. I hugged her back.

“I invited him to dinner,” Donald tells his wife, and she smiles.

“Do you need any help?” I ask her as I’m just standing around.

“No, sweetie. You and Donald talk. He was pretty mad at you earlier. Thank you for the groceries.” She looks at her husband, which makes me smile. Donald waves me over to the living room. I sit on the loveseat, and he’s on the recliner.

“What did I do that you needed to thank me for?” Donald gets right to the point.

“I got a job yesterday. Your tip about the diner, driving around getting the things for my apartment and groceries, I saw the hiring billboard.”

“Oh, you’re welcome, but I have money and don’t need you paying for me.”

“I have money too. I’m a trust fund baby. I never have to work daily, but I love working with my hands. I’m a mechanic.”

“Where?” Donald leans forward.

“Tanner’s. He’s a great guy.” Donald sits back and nods. We talk about the area, Arthur, and even Tanner. Charlotte made me promise to come by once a week because I need to freshen up. She gave me the leftovers for work tomorrow. Donald took the money back on the condition that I be honest with him when I buy them groceries. He is allowing me to help once in a while, but not every time. It’s a small victory.

My cell phone rings as I shut the door. It’s my mom.

“Hey, mom.”

“How is my favorite son?” She chuckles. “I’m calling to hear how your first day of work went,” I told her about TJ, Ruby, working on cars, and my dinner with Donald and Charlotte. She chimes in once in a while with a question, or a million. We talked for about an hour. It always makes me miss her more when I have to get off the phone with her. I shower, get ready, and climb into bed when I hear some yelling from Sally’s apartment. Sounds like two guys and her are going back and forth. I get up and throw on a T-shirt, since all I have on are my boxers. I’m at my door, ready to open it, when Sally’s door opens. I get to the peephole to see what’s happening, and two burly men come out. One turns to face Sally, whose face is red from either crying or yelling and whispers into her ear when those brown eyes widen. She nods slowly, trying to convince herself to do as he says, butshe swallows hard. She’s terrified. They leave, and I swing open my door quickly.

“Are you all right? Do you need help?” My tone is unwavering.

“Didn’t I tell you to butt out? We are not a building full of family.” Sally snapped at me, but I noticed a slight tremble in her hands.

“When there is yelling, and it comes into my apartment when I try to sleep, it becomes my problem. I’m just asking if you’re okay. Forget what I asked.” I close my door and lock it back up. I need to figure out how to set aside my need to help because Sally is in something and wants no help from anyone.

Chapter Nine

Medusa

Merida? Really? I’d never heard that one before, but there was something about how his deep voice said that name. It sent shivers down my body. I watch him as he walks away and hear Arthur chuckling behind me. I look over my shoulder, giving him my best death glare.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.” He chuckles, rubbing his hands together. “I needed something for entertainment.

“Knock it off. He works for my brother.” I turn around and follow Arthur into the dojo. I remove my boots. “I need your take on something.” He motions to go on with a wave of hishand as he prepares for his next class. “I haven’t talked to TJ or Michelle yet. I’m thinking about telling TJ about the note. He knew about them growing up, but I always kept her in the dark, but Michelle knows nothing.” Arthur rolls his eyes. He thinks I'm baby Michelle. I hold up my hand. “I don’t need a lecture from you. I already got one from my girls.”

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