Page 40 of Needing More
He looked at Hayden in confusion as the oddly familiar song began to play. From the synthesized chords Vic knew instantly the song was old.
Finally, the lyrics came into play and Hayden's confusion slowly melted into a huge grin as they both finally recognizedDanger Zoneby Kenny Loggins.
"God noooo," the howl emanated from the other side of the barn.
Whipping around, Vic watched as Joel came running out of one of the storage rooms with a crazed look in his eyes. Without a word, both he and Hayden broke out into a run and followed Joel as he sprinted from the barn toward the house.
They all came to a sudden halt at the back door of the house. Lying on the steps of the back porch were three large super-soaker canons. The brightly colored guns sat like glaring beacons on top of the worn faded paint of the stairs.
Joel walked over to the guns first, followed by Hayden and himself. The Kenny Loggins song was picking up, reaching its anthemic chorus as they read the note taped on the back door.
"What happens when you add water to three heathens wearing white t-shirts?
The answer: Wet t-shirt contest."
Cold water hit him like a geyser in the back of the neck. Vic let out a shout of surprise and turned around to see Sapphire holding two white and blue pistols in each hand. Her grin grew larger as she trained each gun on the other two men spraying them without a second's notice.
"Oh, you're dead," Joel growled, turning and swiping the gun off the porch.
Wiping the water from his face with a calm hand Hayden grabbed the remaining two guns. Looking at Vic, he tossed him the large plastic canon and smiled.
The synthesized sounds of the eighties blared over the speakers as they ran around the house. It was easy to find her with Krrsantan happily galloping at her side. Both streams of Hayden's and Joel's guns hit her square in the back as she tried to take cover behind a tree. Her scream of shock pitched high above the song echoed around the property and Vic could see the heated excitement in Joel's eyes as he began to corner her.
Without a second thought, Vic raised his gun and fired at Joel. The high-powered jet of water hit the man in the temple and ear. Vic would have laughed at Joel's howl of anger as he jumped back, but he didn't have time. Joel was rounding on him with his own gun pointed at him. Laughing, Vic dodged and ran from Joel as Krrsantan happily gave chase. Faintly he could hear Hayden shout as Sapphire laughed and could only assume that she was directing her pistols at the man now that she was fighting him one on one.
The fight disintegrated quickly into an all out war. There were no sides and no mercy. By the time their guns ran out they were drenched and tired.
Partially sprawled on the front porch, Sapphire laid down next to a panting Krrsantan.
"My cheeks hurt from laughing so much," she exclaimed.
Hayden was sitting on one of the porch steps while Joel was tilting his head to the side trying to bang out the water in his ear.
Hayden looked at her and grinned. "Where did you even get the guns?"
"I called Booker at the gas station, because I remember seeing them during my very short visit there," she gave a self-deprecating laugh that made all three men tense.
Memories of the blood and broken glass surfaced in Vic's mind. He looked at Sapphire and at her sprawled position on the porch and it reminded him of that day and how he found her lying there so still. Blinking he looked at Hayden and Joel and he could see the flash of something dark in their eyes as they remembered that day.
Sapphire continued to speak, her eyes closed and her hand buried in Krrsantan's fur as he lay next to her. "And he agreed to bring them up here. I met him at the gate, handed him the money, and started my battle plan," she said smugly as she sat up. "That was fun, but I think I really need to get out of these wet clothes." She picked at her sodden clothes with a grimace.
And just like that, Vic could see that his time with the three of them was wrapping up. Saying their goodbyes, they each got on the standing motorcycles parked in front of the house. Vic watched her and waited. Her words from earlier played over and over again in his mind.
"Please, Vic. Please don't do this."
How could she ask that? Not after what they shared in that café. Not when he could remember her trembling body in his hands and against his lips.
His eyes narrowed as she clutched onto Joel's waist and his brother started the engine. As if sensing his growing need, Sapphire turned in her seat and their eyes met once more.
Hope surged within him as he saw the look of worry in her eyes. The tentative smile she gave him said so much. He knew she was warring against herself when it came to him. He knew it was there inside of her, the capability to love him, too.
"Please, Vic. Please don't do this."
Again her words rang in his head as he watched the two motorcycles ride down the lane and onto the road. He was watching his brothers and friends, and more importantly the woman he loved, leave him behind.
How could she ask that of him? How could he just stand by and do nothing?
Chapter 14
