Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Rebel

“Whatever. Make your own plans because we’re all busy. You can stay in this hole and cook whatever fancy crap you want.”

It wasn’t late enough in the day to start drinking, but hell if the thought of a couple of shots to numb her right then and there didn’t seem attractive. “Okay, Sarah. I haven’t borrowed anything from you for years. There’s nothing here you need.”

Sarah slowly gazed around the room, taking in the tiny space, the uncluttered bookshelf and counter.

Uncluttered, because Vicki didn’t own a hell of a lot of stuff. And that was fine. It was going to make it much easier when she finally did get to take off and get free. Nothing to weigh her down. Nothing to hold her back.

“You know, there’s room for you at the house.” Sarah sniffed lightly. “I still don’t see why you rushed to move out in the first place. Now that my old roommate is gone, it would be nice to have some company.”

Yeah, right. Like Sarah really wanted the company. She wanted someone to help pay the rent. Her sister also knew why Vicki had moved out. Listening to Sarah having loud sex with random guys was not something Vicki ever wanted to experience again, along with other issues. “I’m good here.”

Sarah rose and headed toward the door, pausing at the picture of their middle sister. “Lynn call you lately?”

Lynn didn’t keep in touch very often, but when she did, it was with Vicki. “She’s doing well.”

Sarah snorted. “I bet. Mom’s still pissed at you for contacting social services.”

“Well, she can stay pissed. It’s been four fucking years already. Lynn is happy, and that’s what counts.” Happy and safe. Vicki suddenly felt way older than twenty. “You know Lynn needed to be in the special education program earlier, and Mom didn’t follow through. The group home is exactly the kind of—”

Her sister cut her off. “Whatever. If Lynn’s happy, that’s great. Just don’t expect Mom to ever welcome you with open arms, not after you pulled that fast one. Got the authorities on her ass and all.”

Another conversation that didn’t need to continue, because it was going nowhere but old paths. “You planning on hanging around for a while?”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Nah. I guess not. If you ever decide to get that stick out of your ass and have a good time, call me. Otherwise, I’ll see you round.”

No wave. No hug. Nothing but back as Sarah left without another word.

First things first. Vicki was getting the damn locks changed on this place. She didn’t think she’d ever given Sarah a key, but obviously, she’d gotten one from somewhere.

Her plans for the following weekend were now easier. No need to go through the motions of being an all-loving family. Mom would be out, Sarah would be partying. Lynn would be celebrating with the caring people in her life, thank God.

Vicki would be the one sitting at home and staring at the walls. Or not. Maybe she’d go for a long ride into the mountains. Pack a picnic lunch and stare at the wilderness for a while.

Tomorrow she’d make arrangements for the locks to get changed. Sometime this week Joel and her would get together for another lesson. A bright shiny spot to look forward to.

It was like wiping away the grime after a long time of not cleaning. It wasn’t going to be easy, making changes. Getting the hell out from where she was trapped. But with the memory of Joel Coleman kissing her senseless, the feel of his tongue over her lips—

Okay, life was looking up. She would cling to that truth for all she was worth.

Of course, when she decided to go grab a few extra bucks to put in her purse, and the cash she kept stashed in the top dresser drawer was gone, she wasn’t really surprised. Guess Sarah had found what she’d been looking for after all.

Vicki sighed.

Clinging to hope for the future didn’t change the fucked-up life she still had to live today.

Jesse sprawled on the couch in front of the television, the screen turned on, the volume at zero. It only took a moment for Joel to put two and two together. Jesse was hungover. Which, since it was past noon, meant he was royally hungover.

The temptation to make loud noises was childish, instantaneous and nearly impossible to fight.

Joel dropped into the recliner and grinned, speaking louder than normal. “Had a good time?”

Jesse narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me come over there and kill you.”

“Moments like this I wish I’d taken trumpet in band class. Or drums. Or—”

“Fuck off and die.”

Joel waited for Jesse to relax back on the couch, his head cradled on the cushions, blood-shot eyes watching the screen without focusing. “It was a good party, I take it.”

“Brutally fun. I don’t think Travis is ever coming home.”

“Right.”

“No shit. He and Ashley were all over each other the entire weekend. I swear I couldn’t see daylight between them most of the time.”

After years of Travis constantly going with someone new, the feisty Ashley was the first in a long time to last more than a week. “I thought Travis said she couldn’t go. Had to hit the States for some meetings.”

“Got moved to next weekend. Trust me, she and Travis were a definite item.”

“He’ll be back.” Joel was more concerned about how to explain what he’d been doing all weekend. Maybe if Jesse had found someone interesting… “You have fun with anyone in particular?”

Jesse shook his head then cringed. “Fuck. No one I’d want to see again, but I had a great time. You should have come, jackass.”

“I enjoyed staying here, thanks. Also, don’t make plans for next weekend. Or not for Sunday. Family dinner, remember?”

Joel breathed out slowly. “Oh, yeah. I can handle Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Mom’s and Jaxi’s cooking? Damn, I can totally go for that.”

“We have to bring something to contribute. You remember that part as well?”

Jesse waved a hand. “I’ll pick up more chicken wings.”

Joel laughed. “You would too. That could get you killed.”

His twin wiggled to a more vertical position and stared across the room. “What’s up?”

“What?”

Jesse frowned. “You’re not telling me something.”

Damn twin connection. “You’re not letting me get a word in edgewise. I had a good weekend as well.”

“Stuck around here and found someone to play with, did you?”

Oh hell, yeah. “Surprisingly, yes.”

Jesse waited expectantly. “Come on, spill.”

Joel went for broke. “I’m seeing Vicki.”

“You shit.”

Not the reaction he’d expected. “What?”

“If I weren’t ready to die, I’d come over there and beat the crap out of you. You said you weren’t interested in anything other than ogling her tits.”

“Hey, that’s enough.”

“What? You telling me you weren’t ogling them the other day in the café? Sure the hell looked like it to me.”

“She’s got more than tits, okay?”

Jesse leered. “She’s got a whacking hot bod and a reputation for putting out.”

And that’s where this stopped. “She and I are going out, so cut the trash talk. Do me a favour, and assume I’m smarter than you and know what I’m doing.”

“Hell, I know what you’re doing.” Jesse wouldn’t let it go. “Was the sex good?”

“God, you are such a shithead. We didn’t have sex. We only started dating.”

Jesse leaned forward on his elbows, upper body swaying. “You’re serious. You took out one of the Hansol girls, and it didn’t end in bed?”

“No. Not yet. It might get there eventually—”

“My God, you’ve been taken over by a pod person or something. What the fuck are you up to?”

Joel looked past the crude words and at the actual concern on his brother’s face. “Vicki’s okay. She’s not like her family, at least not as far as I can tell.”

“If the date didn’t end with her asking you for some cash, I’d say yeah, she is different.” Jesse blinked hard. “I’m still too damn drunk to find a way to say this other than straight out. The Hansol family is known for using sex to get what they want. You really thought about this?”

“Yeah.” It was all he was willing to share.

“Use a goddamn condom. And bring them with you. Don’t use one of hers.”

Joel froze for a second. “What the hell are you… Oh fuck. You’re not suggesting she’s going to get knocked up or something?”

“I’m saying I hope the girl is different, and you’re not usually an idiot, so fuck around with her if you want, but don’t take any chances.” Jesse’s glassy eyes had finally focused; concern chasing more of the liquor from his system.

“You’re such a bastard.”

“Takes one to know one.”

They glared at each other until Joel gave in.

Jesse’s snide but real concern forced Joel to stop and consider. It wouldn’t be the first time a girl had gotten herself out of a bad place by accidentally getting pregnant. But fuck…

Even having to think about it made him crazy, and guilty, because now he was judging her just like everyone else. Definitely showed him, though, part of what Vicki put up with every damn day.

He gave in a little. “I’ll be careful. But in the meantime, you’ll be polite. I think she’s different, and you’re not going to come on to her, or offer to fool around with us, or…”

“Stop it.” Jesse rose to his feet. “You already gave me hell for butting in on your party a couple months ago with what’s her name…Sue. I was a shit, okay? I didn’t think you meant it, but you don’t have to hit me over the goddamn head anymore. Even if you think Vicki is different, I don’t want to be sticking my dick in some girl that half the town’s already had.” Jesse walked to the fridge and poured himself a big glass of orange juice, downing half of it before turning back. “You want some?”