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I call out to them. “I’d stay inside and wait for your ride.”
She doesn’t listen, and in less than three minutes, they’re back inside, waiting by the door. She refuses to look in my direction, as if I’d ever been interested in that petty little mind-fucker.
I start wiping dirty glasses clean with a stained rag. I’m fucking with Olivia’s mind, but that’s no joke. What happened to me when we were kids wasn’t some trivial prank. My life was fucked with, and once broken, it will never be right. Olivia fucked me good without ever touching me, and I’ll move on after I pay her back.
***
The rest of the evening is quiet with only a few regulars coming in. Winston stays after closing, sticking to shots of cheap whiskey as he sways on his stool. Last week, he was almost hit by a Range Rover while crossing the street against the light. The driver gave no fucks as the monster SUV tapped Winston’s leg with its bumper. I risked my ass pulling him out of the street. Now, I watch him sink into an alcoholic haze and wonder why I’d bothered. Why should I give a fuck about anybody, especially about her?
“It’s almost two,” says Norris, eyeing Winston whose forehead is on the bar. “We can lock him up in the back office.”
“What if there’s a fire?” I ask, smirking.
“I’m not letting him stay in the bar surrounded by alcohol unsupervised.” Norris frowns at me. “Did you check with the school again?”
“I’m sure I’ll get in,” I reply, avoiding his stern gaze. “Fancy schools love taking on hard-luck cases. We make them look good.”
Norris doesn’t laugh at my sarcasm. “Well, true or not, keep trying.”
Once everything is secured, including Winston, Norris locks up the bar and heads home for the night. Now, I can take a break. Unlocking an outside door, I head upstairs to my one-bedroom apartment above the bar—four walls painted white with a narrow twin bed shoved in the corner. I lock and then bolt the front door and stand motionless. I listen for noise, but no one else should be up at this hour. Norris has four apartments he rents in the building, and including mine, two of them are occupied. The old lady with the cat avoids me. She told Norris that I looked like a thug and he should kick me out. I had to laugh because the other apartment is rented by a shady guy called Biggs. We ignore one another and give each other space when we pass each other on the stairs. He’s the one I’d watch if I were her.
My world consists of one block in a dangerous part of downtown, but my life wasn’t always like this. I was raised in Knoxville, Pennsylvania, known for its far-reaching hiking trails that lead to the Appalachian Trail. I know the trails in my sleep. I could walk every step blindfolded. I know every inch of it as well as I know Olivia.
Satisfied that no one is awake but me, I toss my tired body onto the bed. Bad move, as the mattress sags under my weight and the lumps press into my limbs. I ignore it and reach under the bed, checking for the duffel bag I keep close at hand. I slide out the thick canvas bag and then slip out the lockbox inside. I double-check that all my cash is still there and then add the email I printed off this morning in the back office.
Congratulations, future student. You have been waitlisted…
I scared Olivia so badly that I almost didn’t have the stomach for doing it again. Almost. When I need a reminder of why I’m doing it, why I’m going after her, I pull out the letter from the state, announcing that the rest of my sentence has been deferred in light of my mother’s passing. I wouldn’t have had a sentence to defer if Olivia hadn’t made it that way. My fingers feel for a stiff slick surface and pull out a photo of a young Olivia taken by the lake. Her beautiful face glows brighter than the sun behind her head as her blonde hair disappears in a platinum haze. I wanted her back then more than I want her now. I fold all my papers up carefully, and instinct makes me watch the door as I put everything away. Everything I own is under that bed. Everything but her. And Idoown her.
***
In the morning, I make Winston wait to be let out of the back office as I call the number on the admissions letter again to see if anything has changed. I hope he hasn't made a big mess to clean up. A recording prompts me to press four to check my status for updates. I smirk when I hear thewonderfulnews. I’m off the waiting list and should contact admissions immediately to start classes.
Norris will have to give me fewer shifts, but I really don’t care what he needs to do. I don’t care if I’m attending that pretentious school. All I care about is that it serves my purpose to get closer to Olivia.
When I go downstairs to the bar, Norris is there, and Winston is gone. Norris pushes a soapy mop around the office floor, but regardless, I can smell the stench. The garbage can is knocked over, and the smell is coming from inside. I avoid looking at the sick spilling out of it.
Norris nods toward it. “Take that out back and hose it off, will you?”
I leave to get a rag. “I got in,” I call out. “I’m going to Wakehurst.”
Norris watches me when I return to the counter. “Do more than show up, Eli. Or you’ll be cleaning up after Winston for the rest of your life.”
I don’t crack a smile when I see the somber look on Norris’ face. “I have plans,” I tell him, “and I intend to see them through.”
Chapter Five
Olivia
I miss the ball again during practice. An easy shot sails past my crosse, and the easy screw-up doesn’t go unnoticed by my captain. Nicola Spenser scowls at me as I fumble the ball again when I go to pick it up off the field. The petite brunette marches toward me, looking like a six-foot Amazonian about to rip me a new one. She calls a time-out before getting in my face.
“What is wrong with you?” she demands. “Physically, you’re here, but where’s your head at?”
“It’s nothing,” I tell her. “I’m just having an off day.”
“You mean an off week.” She shakes her head in disgust. “I’m going to have to bench you if you keep it up.”
I don’t mean to, but I suck my teeth. “That’s a bit harsh, Nikki.”
