Baby

Chapter 4

"Hell no, Laila! I said no!"

"Come on Baby it will be fun. Please...for me."

She knows I can't resist her when she uses that tone. My sister and I are three years apart. We have always been close. Even if I had been ready to tell my parents that I am gay I still would have told her first. She hugged me, told me she loved me, and that I would always be her bratty little brother.

"I always wanted a sister," Laila teases as she turns me to face the mirror. The face staring back at me looks similar to Laila's. I'm wearing a long black wig, eyeliner with mascara, and clear lip gloss.

"I used to dress you up like a girl when we were little. Do you remember?"

"Not really. I look like you."

"Hello ladies. You are all looking lovely today."

A thrill shoots through me at just the sound of his voice. He doesn't seem to recognize that I'm the same boy that he unknowingly seduced last night.

"Pippa don't forget we have dance lessons in an hour," Jagger says.

"We are just finishing up here. Please make sure to return the wigs before you leave."

"Before you take it off say cheese!"

"Laila!" I throw the wig on the table before running after my sister. I can't believe she took a picture!

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After dinner there is dancing in the gazebo. I would never have agreed to come here if I had known there would be this much dancing. I'm standing off to the side taking a breather from twirling my mom around when I spot Riley headed towards me. Before she reaches me she veers off tapping someone on the shoulder, Jagger.

"Where is Pippa?"

"She's taking a break!" Jagger snaps.

"As long as it isn't an all night break."

I'm planning my escape when my dad blocks my exit and Riley steps in front of me.

"Baby...want to take a walk?" Not really but I see my dad giving me the thumbs up.

"Sure."

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat." Eating is innocent enough, right?

As I follow Riley up the path I think I can hear shouting. Stopping I stay still and listen.

"What's the matter?" Riley asks.

Shushing her I can faintly hear, "Help! Can somebody help me?! Please!"

I take off towards where I think the voice is coming from and as I get closer I can make out that it's a woman.

"I'm coming. Call out again so I can find you." I turn the flashlight app on my phone and swivel around searching through the trees and bushes.

"I'm here! Help!"

Finally I spot a pair of legs sticking out from under a bush.

"How the hell did you get under there?" I wonder kneeling down to find that its Pippa who needs help.

"A guests dog got loose and I followed him here. As he ran into this bush I fell over a branch and twisted my ankle. Here take him," Pippa explains handing me a tiny poodle.

Handing the dog off to Riley I work on getting Pippa untangled and free of the bush. Once I pull her out I scoop her up into my arms.

"Wow, you're stronger than you look," Pippa exclaims before letting out a painful moan. Her right ankle is swelling and is a pretty purplish blue. Her face, arms, and legs have suffered various scratches.

"I can't get a hold of our nurse on staff," Riley says.

"Let's take her to the clinic and I'll call my dad."

Twenty minutes later my father has had a chance to give Pippa an examination declaring that she has a bad sprain.

"You need to stay completely off your foot for two weeks."

"I can't! Dancing is my job and we have a gig in one week," Pippa groans.

"You need to take care of your body so that you can continue dancing," my dad says.

"Thanks Dr. Handler. Let me walk you out and take Mrs. Browns dog back to her. I'll see you later Baby."

"Baby, is it? Thanks for your help. Can I use your phone?" Pippa asks.

"Sure. I'm glad I heard you."

"Pick up, pick up," Pippa mutters as the phone rings. "Jagger it's me. I'm sorry! I didn't have my phone and I got hurt in the woods. Can you come get me at the clinic? Thanks."

"Shit, shit, shit! I never should have ran after that damn dog," Pippa moans after ending the call.

"Is there anyone that could fill in for you?"

"No. I don't get paid if I don't work. We are relying on our performance at the Drake Hotel to get hired with them for the winter."

"Pippa! What the hell happened?" Jagger demands as soon as he walks in.

"I went chasing after Mr. Pickles and fell. I left my phone in the studio and had to wait for someone to hear me. Now I'm out for two weeks."

"Fuck..."

"I'm going to get going. Follow my dads orders so you don't hurt yourself further," I say inching my way towards the door.

I close the door on Jagger gathering Pippa up into a hug. I rub my chest hoping the ache there will go away.