Loverboy (20 page)

I feel Nick’s hand come down on my knee. “Stop thinking about it, you. Focus on what’s in front of you.”

I had to admit it was one of the harder things I have done. Thinking about those three poor women, all of whom were probably younger than me. I had known what they had been through. Their final moments before death had certainly not been happy ones. I could feel the tears poke at my eyes when I realized that it could have very well been me. I remain focused on the TV and the movie. I take in each moment of the
Fratelli’s police chase as they dart through Astoria and pass each kid on their way. I can nearly feel myself breaking down until they pass Chunk and he smashes himself, his pizza, and the strawberry milkshake all over the window. Maybe that’s all that I needed. I start to laugh. So hard in fact, that I snort.

I hear Nick laugh next to me, more than likely at me and not the movie. I cover my mouth and remain focused.

“So,” he says. “Did the kid not see that coming?”

I give my head a little shake as, for some reason, I fight a little more laughter.

“And, you just find that hilarious,” he says.

I nod. “That’s right, I do,” I tell him, now bringing myself under some control.

“And, just how many times have you seen this?” He asks.

I shrug. “Way too many to count.”

I glance over at him as he smiles and gives his lips a lick.

“And, you could just watch this over and over,” he says.

I give him another nod as the main characters are all together and they’re currently trying to put the penis back on the statue upside down. I let out another loud laugh, this time controlling myself enough not to snort. I hear Nick let out a loud and comforting laugh as I feel his hand on mine suddenly. I glance over at him as he smiles, and he motions for me to lean in closer to him. I feel my face heat up as I adjust myself on the couch to place my body against his. His arm falls around me, and immediately my head finds that perfect spot on his shoulder to settle in to. It’s not even half way into the movie that I feel my eyes become heavy and I eventually let myself drift to sleep.

* * * * * *

It’s the loud bang on the door that finally catches my attention. I let my eyes open, and see that the TV and Blu Ray player have both been turned off. The light above the stove has been turned on for a little light to see. Nick is off the couch, but the running water in the bathroom tells me exactly where he is. The knocking happens again, and without thinking I pull myself sleepily from the couch to unlock the door and open it. I’m greeted with such a force that I’m blown to the ground. I feel the back of my head and elbows hit the hardwood in such a way that it stuns me more than hurts. I shake myself from the shock and sleep as I realize that there is a man on top of me. I stare up and realize he’s wearing a black ski mask. He grins through the hole around the mouth. I open my mouth to let out a scream, and before I can his hand clamps on it hard. Immediately, I begin to cry, wiggle, fight, and squirm. His hand comes down and meets my face hard, and I let out such a loud whimper that can be heard through my entire apartment. I hear the bathroom door fly back and footsteps dropping heavy on the floor as they become closer. I hear one loud click, and I know Nick is ready. I feel the man climb off of me, and I gasp for air as I try to crawl back on the floor.

“On your knees!” Nick calls out.

Without hesitation, the man in all black drops on his knees.

“Hands on the back of your head!” Nick says as he steps closer to him.

I can’t help but to feel relieved as I realize it’s all over. I run my hands down my face and feel that my cheek is beginning to throb. I look up, and Nick already has him and he’s pulling his hands behind his back.             

“Look, I’m sorry, Man,” I hear the guy say in a familiar voice.

“You can tell that one to the judge,” Nick says as he reaches for the mask and begins ripping it from his face.

I look up and my mouth drops. “Jason! What the hell are you doing?” I scream.

“Charlie, I…”

Nick doesn’t let him finish as he gives him a shake, and I now see that Nick now has his hand cuffs and he’s tightly latching them to Jason’s wrists behind his back.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Jason?” Nick asks, kicking my apartment door shut.

Jason looks up at him, but doesn’t answer.

“Do you realize what the hell you’re doing?” Nick asks.

Again, Jason only stares.

“You sit your ass right there,” he says, pulling out his phone. “Get comfortable.”

Nick makes his way over to me and begins helping me off the floor. He begins talking to the police department on the phone as he silently but gently inspects the throbbing spot on my face. He swipes his finger across his phone when he finishes, and turns back to Jason. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He asks, as he rushes to turn on a few lights.

“I just,” Jason pauses. “I just wanted to scare her.”

“Scare her?” Nick asks. “You just wanted to scare her?” Nick lifts my chin tenderly with a few fingers. “This is scaring her?”

Jason shakes his head. “It must have been my ring; I didn’t mean to,” He says.

“You wanted to scare her, but you didn’t mean to hurt her,” Nick says. “What are you fucking stupid?” Nick snaps at him.

“Will it work in my defense?” Jason asks.

Nick growls. “I should just fucking shoot you where you sit, you little dirt bag!” Nick turns to me to look at my face again. “Are you okay?”

I nod. “I think so.”

He runs his finger over the worse part of the spot and I wince. He makes a face at me. “Anywhere else hurt?”

“I hit the back of my head,” I say, bringing a hand up to rub it.

“Charlie, I’m sorry.”

Before I can reply, Nick does. “You sit down and shut the fuck up.”

“Am I going to jail?” Jason stammers. “I didn’t break in, I came in behind someone, and she answered the door.”

Nick shoots him a dirty look. “You bet your ass you are,” Nick answers. “I’ll make sure you get a nice cell mate too. One that thinks you’re real pretty.” He turns back to me and takes my face in his hands.

“Nick, I’m so sorry that I opened the door,” I say. “I was just so tired; I heard the knock and wasn’t thinking.”

He shakes his head. “It’s okay. I just want to make sure that you’re okay.”

I can feel my body beginning to relax and I nod.

“You might have a little cut on the spot on your cheek,” Nick says, looking at it once more. “I’ll take a closer look once Tweedledum here is gone.”

I nod as another knock on the door makes me jump. Nick eases me. “It’s just the police,” he tells me softly.

I nod and pull my sweater around my body as he lets them inside.

They move quick as they pull Jason from the floor and read him his rights.

He looks at me with scared eyes. “Charlie, are you just going to let them take me to jail?”

I nod. “Yeah, I am.”

“It was all a joke,” he shoots back.

“Some joke,” I say as one of the officers is talking to Nick.

“Charlie, come on,” Jason begs.

“Goodbye Jason,” I say, giving him a little wave as Jason is ushered out of the door and down the stairs. I bring a hand up to my cheek and give it a rub as Nick is locking the door once again.

Nick heads toward me as I give my cheek another rub. “You sure you’re okay?” He asks.

“I really hope so,” I say, now realizing that the spot on my face is beginning to puff outward. “Is it bad?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “It’s not as bad as you think.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“It’s okay,” he says. “It’s not your fault at all.”

“Even though I’m the one who opened the door?” I ask.

“But, his dumb ass was the one acting stupid.”

I nod and straighten my sweater as I pull it back around my body. “I know.”

“Are you really okay?” He asks.

“I’m fine,” I snap.

“Charlie,” he says. “Do you need to talk?”

“I don’t always need to talk, Nick.”

He purses his lips and brings a hand up to rub the back of his neck. “I’m sorry.”

I let out a sigh. “Nick, no.” I say, shaking my head. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I pause. “I just.”

“You thought it was him.”

I nod. “I was sure it was him,” I told him. “I was even more sure that when you had him that this would all be over.”

He licks his lips. “You should let me clean your cheek.”

“Is it really that bad?” I ask, bringing a hand up to rub it.

“Just a small cut in the center,” he explains. “Better to clean it, just in case,” he tells me, reaching for my hand.

I extend my hand to him as he trails me to the bathroom, where he instructs me to sit on the toilet. I obey, having a seat as I point to the medicine cabinet. “How old was your sister when she was,” I stop.

“She was eighteen,” he tells me, opening my medicine cabinet to pull out the first aid kit. “Just turned eighteen, in fact.”

“Um,” I take a breath, tucking a stray wad of hair behind my ear. “What happened?”

He squats in front of me as he dabs a cotton ball onto the top of the antiseptic bottle. “It was late,” he says. “She had just gotten off work, and she was walking in the parking lot to her car.”

“Wrong place, wrong time,” I say softly as he brings it to my cheek, swiping it a few times.
             

He nods. “Just like you.”

“I just can’t comprehend why this happened to me,” I say. “Why it happens to anyone. To your sister, to those girls they found tonight. Why? Why?” I ask.

He blows tenderly on my cheek to help it dry. “I wish I had some kind of answer. I wish I could have given one to my sister, to you. But, I don’t. I can’t.”

“I’m just so angry and feel so,” I pause as I realize tears have now begun to roll from my eyes and down my cheeks. “Used. So dirty.” For the first time since I had been taken, I feel myself having a real break down. I finally let myself let everything go as I weep uncontrollably. “Because I chose to go through a park that I loved, it made me some target for some sickos. They took me; they beat and raped me repeatedly. They tortured me. All because they got such immense pleasure from it.” I look Nick in the eyes. “They got pleasure, because they knew how much pain I was in, Nick.”

I can tell that, for once, Nick is unsure of what to say. He places everything in his hands on the ground and wraps his arms tightly around me as I have the breakdown that I needed months ago.

- 10 -

Nick

I let her cry into my arms, releasing everything that needed releasing from her system. She talks to me until her tears take over and turn slowly into uncontrollable sobs. I run my hand up and down her back as I let her lean into me and cry. She pulls away slowly, wiping at her red eyes and nose.

“I’m sorry.” She whimpers.

I reach behind her for the box of Kleenex and extend them to her. She quietly takes a few and wipes her eyes and nose. “Thank you,” she tells me, tossing the used Kleenex in the trash can behind me.

“I think you needed that,” I tell her.

She nods and laughs slightly. “I think you’re right.”

“Better to get it all out, than to hold it all in,” I tell her.

She nods and rubs at her eyes.

“Now you really have to be exhausted.”

She nods. “For once, I really am.”

“You should get some more sleep then,” I tell her, pushing her messy hair back.

She nods.

“You want to try sleeping in your bed?” I ask. “Might be more comfortable for you than the couch.”

She takes a long breath and thinks for a moment. Finally, she nods. I smile, taking her hand and lead her to the bedroom, where her neatly made and untouched bed has sat for the better part of a week. She takes a breath and turns back to look at me. “Are you...”

I stop her. “I am sure you can do this.”

She slowly lets go and begins to trail to her bed. I stop her quickly, reaching for her hand. “Hey,” I say, softly. “I was wondering, do you have any nice dresses?”

She gives me an odd look. “Yeah, why?”

“Well, I was just wondering, that maybe,” I pause to clear my throat as I feel a bit of nervousness wash over me. “I could take you on a real date. You know, go out for a nice dinner. One that requires more than just jeans and a tee shirt,” I tell her.

“Really?” She smiles.

“Yeah, really,” I say. “I mean, we’ve been out of this apartment before. Why not out to a nice place.”

“I would really like that,” She tells me, smiling.

“I know a few places we could go,” I say. “I’ll make some calls; see if I can get us reservations. Does later tonight sound okay?” I ask her.

She nods. “Sounds perfect to me.”

“We’ll have to get ready at my apartment,” I say. “If that’s okay. I don’t have much here.”

She nods. “It’s okay, as long as you have a private place for me to change.” She laughs.

I nod. “So, it’s a date then.”

She smiles. “It’s a date.”

I smile and turn to leave her to go to bed when I feel my hand being grabbed. I turn to look at her, and she smiles. She steps close to me, stands on tip toe, and plants her lips to mine. “Goodnight, Nick.”

“Goodnight,” I tell her, smiling as I
head from her room. I suddenly can’t contain that feeling that I’m walking on air.

I head into the living room and lay back on the couch. I stare at the ceiling for a while, just to make sure that I don’t hear Charlie stirring in her bed. Eventually, everything grows quiet and I feel myself falling into a deep sleep.

* * * * * *

I am completely surprised at how quickly the day has passed after the Jason incident, as Charlie has been calling it. I have managed to talk our way into some reservations at Giovanni’s, an upscale Italian restaurant that everyone
wants to get into at least once in their life. Luckily, I know a few guys at my department who frequent it with their wives, so we were in the minute I called off their names. I sit on the couch, waiting patiently as I left Charlie in her room to gather the things together that she needs. The plan is for us to change at my apartment, since I have nothing appropriate to wear to this place, and head straight to dinner. I feel a little silly, despite being in this apartment with her for weeks, I am nervous for a first real date. A proper one, anyway.

I hear Charlie’s footsteps as she makes her way down the hall. I see that she’s carrying a black garment bag, that’s slung over her shoulder, and another small bag. She smiles. “I think I’m ready,” she tells me.

“Okay,” I tell her and smile.

“You know,” she says. “I’ve never been to your apartment.”

I laugh. “No, you haven’t.”

“You told me when I first met you that you’re messy,” she says. “Remember?”

I nod. “I am; I wasn’t lying. I’m a guy, living by himself.” I walk over, taking the bags from her. “Are you sure you’re okay with going to my place?”

She nods. “It’s fine. I just realized I’ve never been there before.” Her lips curl up an into a little grin. “It’s kind of a big deal to me; I’ve never actually been in anyone’s house that I’ve dated.” She thinks for a moment. “If I didn’t want to, I would tell you; I’m just saying that I’ve never been before.”

“You really haven’t had the best luck with guys, have you?” I ask.

She gives her head a shake. “And sounds like you haven’t had the best luck with girls, huh?”

I take a moment to think to myself. “No, they ended up being,” I pause. “A waste of time, to put it lightly. My prom date senior year for example,” I start. “She ended up in the boys bathroom with the lead singer of the band that night.” I let out a laugh. “But, enough about stupid ex’s; this is all about me and you.”

“So.” She smiles. “I’m curious, you said you play piano. I was wondering, do you have a piano?” She asks,
sweet enough to change the subject of my bad prom experience.

I nod. “I do,” I tell her as we make our way to the front door. “But, most of the time I don’t have time to play.”

“You do?” She asks. “As in, it’s in your apartment?”

I nod as I make sure to triple check the locks on her door. “Yeah, collecting dust as we speak.” I turn to face her.

“I don’t know if I could or not,” she starts. “But, could I talk you into playing for me if we have time?”

I smile. “Do you really like piano?”

She gives me a nod. “Like I told you, I wanted to play, but didn’t have the knack or talent for it.” She gives me a smile. “Does that mean you’ll play for me?”

I grin. “How could I possibly say no to you?” I ask and smile. “But, only if we have time. Which we won’t have, unless we get going,” I tell her, reaching for her hand.

She gives me a bright smile that I love and nods.

* * * * * *

Naturally, when we reach my apartment and I unlock the front door, I realize that it’s in much worse shape than I remember. And, that’s being nice to myself. It’s horrendous. Clothes seem to be lying everywhere, magazines are plastered all over the coffee table; it’s definitely not how I wanted her to see it. I kick a few random items out of the way as I invite Charlie in, who doesn’t seem to pay any mind to the random spots of clutter.

“I’m sorry that it’s a mess,” I tell her. “I normally would have cleaned it.”

She shakes her head. “Honestly, it’s okay.”

“Well, first things first,” I tell her. “Let’s get ready, and I should have time to play something for you. Might be short, though.”

She smiles. “That’s okay.” She glances around. “So, where can I get ready at?”

“Oh,” I tell her, taking her hand to lead her to the larger bathroom. “Right in here,” I say, locking the door that leads straight into my bedroom. “I’ll be right in my bedroom if you need me,” I point to the door, “right through here.”

She smiles and thanks me as I give her privacy and trail into my bedroom to get ready myself. I open the door to my walk in closet and begin digging for something presentable. I haven’t been in a real suit in years; surely I have to have something in here. I begin pushing back random articles of clothing and come across a pair of black tuxedo pants. I step out and toss them onto my bed. I return to the closet in search of a shirt and tie. A white button up and plain black tie should do the trick. I try to keep in mind how long Charlie may take to get ready, but I still find myself finishing way before her. I head toward one of my counters where the friend I have watching my apartment has been piling mail. I begin shuffling the endless array of bills and junk mail, tossing the junk into one pile and the bills into another. I begin opening a thick envelope of pictures from my mom when I hear the footsteps behind me. I turn to see Charlie in a black, long sleeved short dress. She’s taken the time to carefully and neatly pull her hair in a fancy bun as well as make up. It’s also the first time I’ve seen her in a dress.

“Do I look,” she starts.

I immediately stop her as I toss the envelope back onto the counter. “You look beautiful.” I feel my mouth hang open for a moment as I struggle to think of how to make it close.

“Thank you,” she says, her cheeks filling with a light pink. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“You can’t notice the spot on my…”

I stop her again. “No.”

“So,” she says. “Do we still have time for you to play something for me?” She asks, staring at the old upright piano that had once belonged to my grandmother.

I nod. “Actually, we’re going to play something together.”

“Play, together? Me, play the piano?” She shakes her head. “Oh no, Nick, I can’t play, I shouldn’t. Matter of fact I have no idea how.”

I smile wide and offer her my hand. “I’ll show you.”

She takes my hand and begins trailing behind me as I lead her to the piano. I motion for her to sit before sitting down next to her. I lift the lid off the keys and place my hands on them before I let my fingers start dancing across the keys. As soon as I start, I stop and smile. “Okay, now you try,” I tease.

She looks at me as though I have lost my mind. “I can’t even play chopsticks.”

I smile. “
Here.” I stand and motion for her to do the same. I turn the piano bench around and have Charlie sit on the edge, closest to the piano. I carefully straddle the bench and sit behind her. “Give me your hands,” I say into her ear.

She obeys, and I gingerly place her hands over mine as I work them over the correct keys.

“This really isn’t such a good idea,” she warns.

I begin slowly playing a few notes, moving slowly and carefully so her hands stay on top of my mine. Her hands and arms move in sync with mine as I continue to play. “See? Not that hard.” I smile.

She turns to look at me for a moment. “Does this really count as me playing?” She laughs softly.             

I smile wide as my playing slowly stops. “You really are beautiful.”

I can see her cheeks beginning to fill with color once more as I move in slowly to press my lips lightly to hers. She turns slightly, to face me more as I my hand moves up to her cheek. I feel her adjust once more on the small space enough to get her arms around me. I can feel her heart thumping deep in her chest as she leans in a little closer. I feel her hands begin to shake as one trails up my back, slowly past my neck and into my hair.

I pull away slowly. “Are you okay?” I ask. “I’m sorry if I,” I pause. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want to. I just really wanted to kiss you.” I smile nervously.

She blushes and smiles nervously. “It’s okay. It’s just that...” She stops and bites down on her lip for a moment. “It’s that I want to. And, I don’t know if that’s the right thing to be feeling right now.”

I smile and run my thumb along her cheek. “I would say it’s the right thing, since both of us feel that way.”

She grins wide and moves back in to plant her lips to mine. Her arms find their way back around me. Her fingertips find their way to dig in my hair in such a way that I can feel my own body shake. For the first time, I let my hands trail down to her waist and give her a nudge toward me. I hear her make a slight noise, and I yank myself back and lick my lips. “I’m sorry.”

She smiles and moves her lips back to mine. I take a moment to comprehend and now feel my own heart thumping in my chest. I push into her and feel her body give and press into the piano. I hear a few random keys as this time I decipher the noise from her to be a soft moan. I pull away again, this time out of fear of not being able to stop if we go further. I take a long breath and stare at her. Her bright blue-green eyes smile happily at me. She gives me a little knee-weakening grin, and gives me a slight nod
as her cheeks turn bright red.

“Are you…” She stops me with a silent nod and smile. I take one of her hands in mine and bring it to my lips, placing a kiss on the back before getting off the bench. I help her up and slowly lead her into my bedroom.

* * * * * *

Her soft moans feed me for hours. I touch and kiss every inch, every curve, and every exposed spot of her body. The large Phoenix on her back whose wings trickle around to her hip, her smooth belly that would rise and fall quickly as I find spots she enjoys my hands and lips on. My favorite by far was the way her back would arch, pushing herself into me as her nails would dig into my back, raking downward and back up again.