Page 29 of Stag

Istared at my phone, already halfway out of my tent, but for the worst possible fucking reason. It was almost seven thirty, the best possible time for a booty call, or even just a hangout, but where was I heading? Community Service. Fuck.

Misery filled me, frustration soured every breath I took, and fury followed swiftly, because at fucking last, someone wasn’t pushing me away, and I couldn’t even take her up on it.

“This is fucking typical,” I cursed as I headed for my ride, staring at her message, and wondering what the fuck to do. I wanted to say yes to her. Wanted to take my fucking opportunity to get to know her at last, without the bitchtwin getting in my face and ruining it.

“FUCK!”

I kicked dust at my ride as I approached it, then instantly wanted to apologise to her. Why was I punishing the only thing that mattered to me aside from the woman I wanted too much.

“Brother, look at me. Is it them again?” Harley was beside me, and groaned when he saw the look on my face.

“You don’t have to do anything they want, okay?”

I was almost touched by his words, although he’d helped put me in that fucking situation in the first place, so I was still pissed at him.

“It’s not that. It’s the woman I like. She wants to meet up, but I can’t skip my fucking penance again, can I?” I frowned. “Can I?”

He shook his head firmly, pointing at my phone. “What were you planning? Can it be for after, although, fuck, that’ll be like three or four in the morning, right? Is she okay?”

I shrugged. “Who knows? The extent of the message is saying she needs to get out for a bit. Fuck. What if the insane sister is fucking with her? I should go to her instead of to the crew, right?”

He groaned, shaking his head again. “You keep ditching, and you’ll end up banged up, brother. That’s how this shit works. You do that, and you definitely won’t get to see her.”

“This is so fucked up! I’m only having to do this because her sister fucking accused me of this shit, while I was trying to look out for her!”

“Maybe the sister is obsessed with you,” Harley half joked, but it wasn’t what the real problem was, was it?

“No. I think she’s obsessed with her own sister.”

He glanced around the campsite that was formerly our clubhouse, and was now home to an almost constructed main building, and a bunch of weird tents.

“I’d say she could hang here, but there’s really nothing to do here, and she won’t know anyone.”

He was right, but it was killing me not to do something. My phone buzzed again, and I stared miserably at the screen.

Claudia: Never mind. It wasn’t a big deal. I’m watching a movie with my sister now. Another time?

Fuck fuck fuck!

Me: Yes. God, I’m so sorry I didn’t reply fast enough, I was trying to rearrange some stuff.

I couldn’t exactly say I was on my way to community service for stalking her, could I? I could leave it vague, and hope she never asked. Did she know? Was I hiding it for no fucking reason? The only person who I could ask other than her was the bitchtwin. Fuck that.

Fuck everything. What a disaster. The one time a chick, I mean, lady, actually wanted to spend time with me, and I couldn’t even fucking reply fast enough. This is why nobody fucking gives me a break. This is why I don’t even deserve one. I’m a waste of space.

“Brother, look at me. This isn’t the end of anything, okay? She’s fine. She’s not pissed. She gave you a chance, and there will be others. Look, you’ve got two nights left of community service. Get those out of the way, and then you can go on as many dates as you like, okay?”

“I fucked it up, that’s what it is. I shoulda answered right away. Fuck everything else. She should come first.”

“And she will. But you didn’t mess up. She likes you, brother. She likes you, okay? This will happen, but just keep being respectful and that’s how you won’t mess it up.”

He patted my shoulder. “Get going, or you’ll be late. We don’t want your sentence getting extended.”

He was right. I hated it when people were right about shit like this. I wanted an argument, but there wasn’t one to be had. So instead, I got on my ride, while Harley climbed on his, and I went to slave all night on a road crew. This is my penance, for so much more than ‘stalking’.

Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the site to be told my ‘penance’ was completed and signed off already. What the fuck. Did I argue? Did I hell.

I got on my ride, and headed right back to town, but not home. I went to her place. I just wanted to check it out, and make sure she was safe, even though I couldn’t go near enough to get caught. I couldn’t believe she’d wanted to see me, and I’d missed my chance, even though I ended up being free.