Vicious Boys by Nora Cobb
Chapter Fourteen
Dom
Everything that happened yesterday was surreal. My body is still trembling with adrenaline as I recall everything that I saw yesterday. Luna strung out and almost naked while some guy ogled her breasts while choking his thin dick. I should’ve ripped his head off. And those two assholes filming her; I should’ve gone back with a bat. I don’t want to picture it again.
I had no idea what people did in those places because I refused to accept what went on. Mel knows what happens. It’s a mill to him—fast, easy income that keeps him going when he produces a bomb. It still wouldn’t have mattered to me except now it happened to my friend. I will always blame myself for what happened to Luna. I should’ve known something was wrong.
Hesitating, I stare at the front door to Vicki’s house. I press the doorbell and place my duffel bag filled with some of Luna’s clothes down at my feet. Luna hasn’t been on campus since we left for the interview, and Vicki gave me her key to get into their suite. Luna’s pictures are no secret at the school. This morning, I heard a random comment spoken by some guys hanging outside of the student center. The scrawny one held his phone in front of his crotch while thrusting his hips. I knocked the phone out of his hand, cracking the screen. He whined until I grabbed his neck. I made it clear the next time I’d crack his face. Those neckbeards better stay away from Luna. No one better make a rude comment or give her a bad time. I’ll ruin the asshole who does. I know who I really want to get, but for some reason, Silas is protecting Talia.
Vicki opens the door. “Hey, come on in.” Her gaze stays on the floor, and she looks pale. I pick up the bag, and I will myself as I enter. I may be able to handle rage, but sadness? Being here for Luna will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Looking around, I step into the hallway and glance toward the staircase.
“She’s upstairs lying down,” replies Vicki.
I frown, annoyed that she reads me so well. “It’s probably a good idea. Do you think we should go up and check on her?”
Vicki’s eyes widen as soon as she understands what I’m implying. “She wouldn’t do that. Dad had a doctor come by last night to check her out. The drugs are out of her system. She’s upset, but she wouldn’t do that. ”
Unfortunately, anyone might do something extreme after what she’s been through. “Let’s just keep an eye on her. Have you heard anything else from your dad?”
She shakes her head. “He’s off at a meeting, but he called his lawyer.” She glances over her shoulder and lowers her voice. “Luna’s parents hired their own lawyer. He implied that we might need one for breaking and entering.”
I remember the day Greg almost caught me with Vicki and told me off in the driveway. I could’ve taken it the wrong way, but I didn’t. It felt strange having a father reprimand me for what I had done. And then it got weirder when he told me to always use a condom. He chewed me out for being with his daughter and then turned around and gave me advice. I wish my dad could pull his head out of his ass long enough to give a damn.
“How did your dad react?” I ask.
“Dad was furious when he heard about it,” she says. “He really likes Luna. He’s not going to let the assholes get away with anything. He’s trying to track them down, but Davey Barton was just a front.”
Slowly, I nod my head, neglecting to share my suspicions. My feet move forward like my shoes are stuck to the floor. I really want to go upstairs and check on Luna, but I can’t. The thought of being an emotional coward makes me frown. Instead, I enter the kitchen and head straight for the couch. Sitting down, I lean back, close my eyes, and indulge in a little peace for a quick moment.
“How are you doing?” Vicki asks.
“Honestly, I feel like shit,” I tell her, rubbing my eyes. “I should’ve known, Vicki. I sensed something was wrong. The place didn’t look right. I should’ve gone in there with her.”
Vicki sits on the edge of the couch, far away from me. I wonder how long this shit is going to last between us—this pretending that we just don’t care about one another. I like Luna, but I’ve fallen for Vicki. She’s perfect to me—that wildness mixed with vulnerability. She’s been a part of this fucked-up world, but she’s not too jaded to be surprised by the good things that still exist. Vicki makes me feel like I’m not alone, and I don’t have to hide the dirt in my past.
“Don’t blame yourself,” she says, “Unless you plan on blaming me…and Luna. Nobody knew they weren’t legit. How could we know?”
“I should’ve known,” I raise my voice, still pissed with what I didn’t do. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but my father invented that scam. Tricking eager but naïve girls into taking off their clothes.”
“That wasn’t the same,” Vicki argues, “they drugged her.”
Suddenly, Vicki stops talking, and I know why. She remembers that my dad drugged her. She had a closer call than she probably wants to remember. Our silence dominates all the other sounds in the room. I scowl at the scenery out the window while she studies the chipped polish on her nails. I’m wound up, and it frightens me. I punched that guy’s face off, and I’d like to drive back there and punch it again. I pull my hand through my hair, building up my nerve to go upstairs to Luna.
I’m about to stand up when Vicki speaks to me. “I’m sorry I snapped at you yesterday.”
I shake my head dismissively. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I didn’t take it personally. ”
She continues, “I did know that guy in the corner. I know him from Jersey.”
“Yeah, it was obvious.” My response is calm, and I hope she doesn’t think it’s a dig. “Your eyes gave it away. You didn’t want him near you.”
Vicki keeps looking at her hands. “I met him when I was an addict. We went to different schools but hung out at the same parties. When I started doing the harder stuff, he was at those places too. I’m surprised he’s still alive. He’s skinny as shit.”
***
Luna wraps her arms around me in a tight hug when I finally go upstairs to Vicki’s bedroom. I’m just relieved to see her, and I forget my fears that pale compared to hers, except for one. Her body trembles as I give her a bear hug, and I wish I could make her shaking end. We sit on the bed, and she rests her forehead on my shoulder.
“You know I care about you,” I whisper as I hold her.
Luna nods. “I know.”
“And I’m really sorry all of this happened, especially to you.”
She wipes a finger under her eye. “It’s not your fault that I’m stupid.”
“Luna,” my voice cautions her. “You’re anything but stupid. No one would ever accuse you of being that.”
She sighs and places her hand on my opposite shoulder. Her breathing becomes regular, and so does mine as we cling to each other, sitting on the edge of Vicki’s bed.
“Let’s lie down,” I whisper.
She nods. I pull her lithe body against me as I scoot us into the middle of the bed and under a large comforter.
“I’ll do whatever I need to do to make this right,” I tell her. “I have to.”
“I don’t blame you,” she speaks softly. “Please don’t not talk to me because you think I might hate you. I need my friends.”
I grin as relief floods into me, knowing that Luna doesn’t hate me. At that moment, I think of Mel, but I shut out that sick feeling of dread. I’ll drive up to Malibu tonight and speak to him. I’ll tell him that this can’t continue, not when I take over. It’s time I made demands. He’s going to have to clean up his business first. And I want Barton kicked out of this town. I better not see that bastard again, along with my father’s other cronies.
The bedroom door opens a little with a soft creaking sound, and Vicki peeks in. She sees us lying together on the bed, snuggling under a comforter, and I wonder what she’ll say or do. Maybe she’ll act pissed later because I give a shit about another girl that isn’t her. But instead, Vicki smiles softly and steps back into the hallway, shutting the door.
