Taming Amanda (Book 1) Jacob's Broken Mercenaries

Chapter 3

Amanda

I slip the baggy grey sweater over my head and survey myself in the mirror. Mom and dad are coming today, so baggy clothing is my best attempt at hiding my new figure as much as possible. Aside from my appearance, I almost feel normal again. I hear mom's voice and rush towards the door,

"Mom, so nice to see you! Hi daddy!"

I hug them both, awkwardly trying to cave my chest in. Dad walks by looking around, and mom stares at me quizzically.

"have you done something different with your hair?"

Yeah, that's it, mom, my hair. Jeez, that's the least of my problems. Here goes with the lies,

"yeah, I got extensions. Do you like them?"

She studies me sideways,

"oh, well, yes. They're very shiny and long, dear. I guess I'm just surprised you felt up to a salon visit, but I'm glad you're feeling better. You look better, too. It's almost like you gained ten pounds in just a couple of days."

Mom eyes me like I'm a jigsaw puzzle, and she's dying to put together the pieces but doesn't know where to start.

"I got new lipstick too! It plump's your lips. like collagen without the injections."

"did you put it on your bosom too?"

I snap around at my father's voice. His queer look gets me defensive, and I cross my arms,

"it's a push-up bra, look I've felt really shitty lately, and I thought maybe some self care would do the trick."

"I'm sorry, pumpkin." Dad coos coming over and placing a kiss on my head and hugging me before continuing, "were just worried is all... Why don't you move back home for a little? You can still keep your apartment. If money becomes an issue, I will pay for it."

Oh yeah, that's exactly what I need. Two sets of judgmental eyes following my every move,

"I just need to go back to my normal life. I feel fine! Actually, I barely remember anything. I was drugged ninety percent of the time."

My parents share a look of incredulity that makes me sigh and roll my eyes.

"Anyone want tea?"

I busy myself in the cupboard, ignoring my mother's penetrating gaze at my back. She was always the one to call me on my lies. I've never felt so alone in my entire life. Even sitting in that cage, I had Austin. I pause when my mind catches on his face. My memory of him is still vivid, and I miss his calm, comforting support.

"I would love a tea, dear."

"What?" I say, turning around at dad's voice, oh yeah! Tea.

" Sure. Coming right up."

I quickly grab the box and cup, placing a pouch in. My mom grabs my shoulder, and I flinch, stepping back, "Are you sure you're alright?" She asks her concern, obvious.

"what makes you think I'm not?" I reply with a well placed laugh.Even to my own ears, it sounds way too defensive to be true.

"Well dear, you have been stuck in that cupboard for a couple of minutes starting at the tea, and you haven't even turned on the kettle."

I shake my head and switch on the stove, checking the kettle for water. "I'm just tired is all, I haven't been sleeping all that we'll. Trust me, I'm much bett-" A knock on the door interrupts me, and my mom leaves to answer as I stand there dormant.

"Oh, that's probably Katie dear, I invited her." My mom yells from the other room. Oh, really? Thanks for that mom, this won't be awkward at all. I look to dad, and he gives me an apologetic expression like he knows what I'm thinking.

"Amanda! Oh my God, I missed you so much." Katie squeals, embracing me in a tight hug that threatens my air supply.

"Wow! You're looking good! Like, fantastic! You smell good too. Did you get extensions?"

She leans back, looking me over. I feel my cheeks heat,

"yeah I was feeling kinda down."

"No doubt" She replies, still looking me up and down. Movement behind her draws my attention, oh, great! Michaels here too? The whole cavalry. Jeez, I was not prepared for this. Katie's going to know something's up.

"Good to see you again, Amanda." I smile at him, and he sniffs the air, giving me a sideways glance. I don't have time to investigate the meaning behind it because Katie pulls me away, leading me to the bedroom. "Sorry Mr. and Mrs. Carrington, but I have a women's thing I really need Amanda's advice on. I'll have her back in a jiffy."

She pulls me into the room, spinning me around like a rag-doll. "What the fuck has happened to you? And don't give me that extensions shit. It's the serum, isn't it.? What's happening?"

Jesus, I don't even know where to start. I'd love to tell someone but embarrassment, fear and shame make speech damn near impossible. I stand there shaking my head side to side looking into my best friend's eyes speechless as tears stroll down my cheeks. She hugs me and they flow free on a silent sob. Katie cradles me as I shake with sorrow. I tell her everything. About the pain, my weakness, my body, what sort of helped, what happened in the alley and there after. Now she's the one speechless.

"We'll figure it out Honey." Is all she can say. An exasperated laugh slips, then another, until I break out into uncontrollable laughter that scares me and I think of Katie. I halt, taking a deep breath.

"Are you going to be okay? Maybe you should stay w-... Actually, I hate to add to your mountain of bullshit, but there's another reason I came." Katie looks sympathetically at me and it spikes my ever-growing anxiety,

"Oh no, that face doesn't look good! What's wrong now?" Her eyes break away from me as she looks to the door.

"I don't think it's over. We got a phone call a few days ago, a warning of sorts telling us to leave town."

"What? From who?" I demand, already panicking. She steps closer checking to see if the door is closed before continuing, "I don't know exactly, but it seemed genuine. They guy said he would be in danger for even telling us but he says this whole thing is bigger than John and they are coming after us. Michael has slept little if at all since and I've been a nervous wreck. Michael won't leave. He's a stubborn French ass and says running is non way to live."She smiles affectionately while poorly mimicking his deep voice and French accent. Despite all the crazy, I can't help but laugh, feeling happy for her,

"You love him, don't you?" I pry even though I know the answer I still want to hear her admit it.

"Ugh, is it that obvious?" She laughs, its light and her eyes are filled with adoration when thinking of Michael. An edge of jealousy creeps in and I push it out. She deserves this. I on the other hand need to stay away from men. Far, far, away.

Katie and Michael leave shortly after. My parents are a lot harder to get rid of. I love them but I really just want to be alone and their concern for me is making me feel worse. After two teas and watered down honey for me, they finally decide I'm well enough to be trusted alone and reluctantly leave.

About five minutes later, I hear a knock. I look around for my mom's purse on the way to answer the door, but see nothing in the open or on my counters. She's famous for leaving it there. When I open up it's not mom,

"Austin?"...