Things are Complicated

Chapter 12: Hatred can make you feel so small

By the time D managed to navigate his car into the driveway of my house Leah had practically stabbed me with every ounce of guilt at her disposal. Past debts of helping with my homework, favors for getting me out of trouble with the principal for fighting, eating her ice cream when she went to the bathroom during a bathroom break- yah-de-dah…

D gave me a short sympathetic glance, mumbling a pathetic ‘sorry’ for letting the truth slip out. My pleasant reply consisted of the twin gun salute- sometimes these birds just need to fly.

Jett pulled up beside us, glancing at a vehicle that had been following us for that last mile or so. He ducked his head down until it turned up the block before getting out. Leah forced him to drive her car so she could rain down the guilt parade and squeeze out more info from D’Angelo. Despite the fact that Jett had his license revoked for several DUI’s, he eventually succumbed to her badgering and took her keys.

Before we even left the parking lot, I was tempted to get out and ride with Jett despite the awkward silence that sat between us. If Leah wouldn’t have followed me, I’d have walked home but I opted for the shorter ride.

“Stay in the car,” D order Leah immediately after I opened my door.

“Not a chance,” She tried to open it but even when she pulled the lock it wouldn’t budge.

D’Angelo got out of the car with a smug grin and followed me inside, at the door he pressed the lock button and his lights flashed. Thankfully his vehicle contained sound well, because all I saw was Leah climbing over the front seat, mouth moving and face red.

“Child lock,” D explained as I kicked off my shoes in the front entry.

The house seemed quieter, a dull gray light stretched down the hallway occasionally echoing into vacant rooms. Holding my breath, I turned my attention up, waiting to hear the dull tapping of a keyboard or cursing but nothing.

“Where’s your mom?” D asked as he peered into the living room, than down the hall.

“Don’t know,” My face started to throb again.

“Ah…” D shoved his hands in his pockets shivered slightly. “Maybe I should stick around to… you know, help with your homework. I can grab my bag and show you the notes I took if you want.”

“Nah,” I waved him away and marched up the stairs. “I should probably take a nap or something…”

Inhaling a deep breath I felt a lump at the back of my throat as I stared at the pale door to my mother’s study open and empty inside. Stomping past it, I quickly dropped my bag and wet shirt off in my room.

On the way back down stairs I see my mother’s car pulling in and my stomach jumps into my throat. D is peeking through the curtains, still shirtless and I realize I forgot to change. Clutching the hem of the soft fabric, I start to chew on my bottom lip and debate if it’s too late to go back upstairs.

“Can I get my shirt back?” D looked at my hands. “Jed?”

Just as I turned to jog up to my room, my mother opens the door. Jett and Leah are right behind her and both bump into each other as my mom stops to take in the sight of D’s bare chest.

“D’Angelo? Where is your shirt?” She brushed back her wind-blown blonde hair out of her eyes. “Oh sweetheart, go grab one of Brien’s old shirts before you catch a cold.”

Mom shooed him down to the basement, waving him to move along without complaining. No one defied that woman’s green-eyed, heavy lidded glare especially when she pursed her lips. That only suggested she had more to say if he suggested otherwise.