Page 29 of Wild Cub

The silence is deafening. “I’m going to say this only once: Stay with Michelle and Matthew’s tonight until I get done and do not leave their property. Disobey me, and I will lock you up in a safe house and not look back. Go to Michelle and Matthew’s after work, no pit stops. Do. You. Understand?”

I swallow thickly, more turned on than I should be. “Yes, sir. What a temper you have.”

“Darlin’, you haven’t seen atemperyet. Now, be a good girl and do as you’re told. Have fun with your friends. You’re in safe hands tonight. I’ll see you soon.”

Either I have a death threat on my life or someone is overprotective since I have brought him into the fold. I hang up the phone before I could say anything else. I immediately dial the one person who would love to see the old me, rebellious and wild.

“You wanna come to a bonfire at Michelle and Matthew’s?”

“Can I bring the rum?” Britt asks, her excitement palpable.

I laugh. “Would I say no to you?”

“You’re starting to sound like the old cousin I know and love.”

After work, I see the prospect tailing me. I don’t know his name, and I don’t ask. Fuck it. He wanted someone to babysit me? Fine. I’m the queen of tap dancing around commands to piss someone off.

The prospect, a term I never thought I would use in my life, seems young, like fresh out of high school. He’s a cute kid, with curly ginger hair and freckles dotting his cheeks. He looks lean underneath the plaid shirt and faded jeans. Medium build, poor kid. I hope they don’t break him.

“Hey Sparky, we’re stopping by my place so I can change and pick up my cousin.” I start to get in my car.

Sparky boy looks bewildered. “Ma’am, he wanted you to go straight to Matt’s place.”

I look back at him. “You gonna tattle on me to A.J.?” I know he hates that nickname, but he ain’t here.

His face twists in discomfort. “I’m just following orders, ma’am.”

“Sparky, you have two choices. I can be your friend, or I can make your life a living hell. Let me say this again. I am going home to change and take care of my dog and then I am taking my cousin and we will be going to the bonfire. Do I make myself clear?” My dad used to say that I can stare into someone’s soul and scare them straight to the grave. Most of the time, it works. This is one of those times.

Sparky gives me a nod and I head home to change into some shorts that may or may rise a bit in the ass area, plus a t-shirt. Brittany is already there, bottles of rum in hand.

“Who’s the participation trophy in your driveway? And do I have a feeling that he could do some damage at the same time?” She peers through my office window.

“Oh, that’s Sparky. Jackson has him acting as my personal watchdog. So, I’m taking the therapist’s advice and bringing myself back to life.”

“And that’s why you’re bringing me along, hoping to awaken the soul even more?”

I smile. “And to piss him off.”

Brittany laughs, knowing full well I mean it. This has been a long time coming. She grabs my arm before we head out, “Matthew still have the four wheelers?”

“Yeah, why? Where is your mind going to?” She’s cooking something and I’m all for it.

We drive to the house with Sparky on our tail. I’ll try not to get him in trouble, but I make no promises. “Let me get this straight. He wants you to stay around his people and not leave the property?”

I nod my head. Britt’s mouth curls with the devious smile, “Take the four wheelers. Ride in the back. Piss him off. He wants to be overprotective after you told him that you can handle yourself.. Do it.” She sets a challenge. I will gladly accept that.

I can see the light of the bonfire from the street. The ash and burning fire smell surrounds me, and seeps into my soul.

“You coming Sparky, or are you just going to stand out here all night?”

He grunts and moves behind Brittany and me as we enter the backyard. I finally hear the bumping of music. I anticipated that Michelle would just have the family over, but there are a few extra people I’ve never met. Something attacks my legs, and when I look down, I see Allie hooked onto my leg.

“Sasa, you’re here!” Her cute smile distracts my racing mind. What is it about her smile that makes it so easy to love her?

I crouch down to meet her eye to eye. “You miss me or something, kid?”

“Paint? Sasa came to paint?” I pause for a moment to think about what she’s talking about. Then I remember the art set I got her; maybe she’s talking about that.

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