Highway Don't Care (Freebirds) Page 2

  She came to a halt about three feet from me, looking so lost that I opened my arms for her and she didn't even hesitate. She walked right into them, and wrapped her arms around my back making fists while clenching the back of my shirt.

  "Are you ready to talk about it?” I asked her.

  "No. But I will anyway.” She said.

  I walked her to the kitchen chair and sat her down very carefully to avoid the wound on her back.

  "Are you hungry? Thirsty?” I asked.

  "Have any coke?” She asked.

  Walking to the fridge, I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t even going to touch the ‘coke’ comment. Picking up a Mountain Dew from the top shelf, I handed it over.

  Eyes wide at the realization that I had her favorite drink; she held out her hand and muttered, “Thanks.”

  I kept the drinks just in case she happened to show up. I wasn’t going to into why I did this, since it wasn’t something I was ready to acknowledge quite yet.

  Ember

  “I was walking out to my car from the side entrance to the gym.” I said.

  I fiddled with the tab on the coke can, flicking it back and forth until it broke off at the letter g.

  Ember

  "I was walking out to my car from the side entrance to the gym.” I said.

  I fiddled with the tab on the coke can and flicked it back and forth until it broke off at the letter g.

  I’ve done this game since I was a little girl, normally breaking the tab off at the desired letter of the alphabet that was the first letter of my crush’s name. This time I didn’t have to, it came off on its own. Hell yes. I started to do a little shimmy until the stabbing pains from the knife slice on my back brought me back to the moment.

  I looked up and saw that Gabe was patiently waiting for me to continue. Apparently, I’ve done this before. Often times I find myself thinking about random stuff in the middle of conversations. It always starts little, and then my mind wanders, and before I know it I’m thinking about what pair of panties would feel the most uncomfortable to wear.

  A throat clearing brought me back the second time.

  "Anyway, I just saw two of the kids get in the car and drive off when I turned to lock the gym up. I walked around the corner of the gym heading towards my car when a large body slammed into me."

  I took slow calming breaths to calm myself, trying to slow my heart rate. My heartbeat didn't speed because of the attempted rape. No, it was speeding because Gabe was looking at me with death in his eyes.

  Don't get me wrong, I’m scared that I was beaten and almost raped. I'm more upset because I wasn't able to defend myself. I never wanted to be that vulnerable again.

  I also never wanted to see Gabe look like this again. If I didn't know him as well as I did, I’d be freaking out. As it is, my heart and breathing sped up. I also was developing a little bit of over active pit sweat.

  Furthermore, it turned me on. The fierce protective look in his eyes did something weird inside of me. It was almost as if my heart knew that he was pissed off enough to kill someone, and it was all because I was hurt. His fists clenched at his sides, veins popping out, skating like ropes all the way up his arm. Sparks flew out of his eyes. His muscles bulged and then relaxed, as if he was physically keeping himself in the chair. All of this because of little old me.

  Chapter 2

  Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.

  -Biker truth

  Gabe

  "What next?" I asked her.

  The question came out sounding calm and remote. Which couldn't have been further from the truth. My mind was fighting my body, my body wanted to kill the "almost" rapist. To pull him apart with a pair of pliers, one chunk of flesh at a time. Starting with his dick.

  My mind however knew that I needed to calm myself and focus on Ember because it was possible she knew more than what she thought she did.

  I made myself remain sitting in the kitchen chair, looking calm cool and collected. The can of Coors in my hand didn't receive the same fate. It had long since bit the dust. It was completely crushed, and now that I thought about it, my hand ached from the grip I had around the crushed aluminum.

  Not like it mattered. There was a sharp pain somewhere in the vicinity of my heart that overshadowed any other pain I had.

  I had a fucked up childhood. On top of my shit upbringing, my three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan only compounded my problems.

  "He tackled me from behind. I was stunned at that point and didn't react much until he grabbed my hair and ground my face into the gravel.

  I was on my stomach when I felt the burn run down my back. I was screaming and trying to fight back, but he was a lot stronger than me. Luckily I had my phone in my hand and was able to speed dial you. I got knocked out at some point, when I woke the guy was gone and there were a few police officers walking up to me. You know what happened from that point.” She said in a flat voice with no emotion at all.

  I studied her face, and sure, she looked frightened, but what also was there was fierce anger. The type of anger that makes you sloppy, and can get you into hot water if you're not careful. During a fight, anger can be used against you. I needed Em to get past the anger, because it was going to wear her down if she didn't get it under control.

  "What's wrong? I mean other than the obvious. What else is going through that head of yours?” I asked her.

  "I'm so fucking pissed at myself. I never should have left there so late, and if I did, I really should have had someone with me. I was also useless. I couldn't fight back.” She whispered.

  I got up, and then dropped to my knees in front of her. I traced the bruises on her jaw lightly with the knuckle of my pointer finger.

  "I'll teach you how to defend yourself, honey. You'll never feel like this again. Do you know how to shoot a pistol?” I asked her while staring into her eyes.

  Ember's eyes were hazel. Sometimes they were blue, others they were green, and even brown in the right light. Now they were a deep vivid green.

  Ember leaned forward and ran her nose along the bridge of mine.

  "Thank you for coming, Gabe.” She said and lightly kissed me on the cheek.

  My hands itched to grab hold of her hair, burying themselves, just to see if her hair was as soft as it looked. Giving in to the urge, I let my fingers run through her hair. It was so silky smooth. Most women's hair I touched had a stiff feeling to it, but Ember's was light, cool, and smooth. Her hair was an odd shade of blonde, white blonde with reddish hues to it when she moved, especially in the sunlight.

  Since she said leaving it down made it into a rat’s nest, very rarely was it down, so I continued to play with it since it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

  I’ve also never taken these types of privileges before. I knew that the likes of her was too good for the likes of me. However, after the scare tonight, I decided that she was going to be mine, whether I deserved her or not. I would give her everything and do anything she asked. Except let her go.

  "And yes, I can shoot a pistol. I can also shoot a rifle, a shot gun, and a submachine gun.” She said with a smile.

  "How do you know you can shoot a submachine gun?” I asked curiously.

  She gave me a wide smile that showed off her beautiful straight teeth.

  "James and Max took Cheyenne and I once. They got us guest passes and we drove up to their base over a long weekend. It was a blast.” She said.

  I let out a deep laugh when I saw the satisfaction on her face. She would enjoy something like that.

  "Alright, in that case, I have a .38 you can have. I want you to carry it on you from now on, but not in your purse, on your person. We can get you a pancake holster for your back, or an ankle holster. Whatever you want, but I want you to carry it on you at all times from now on. We will go to the range as soon as you feel up to it and test your reaction time. Got it?” I asked.

  She gave a nod, and I noticed she was fading fast. The pain meds were kicking in and
she would be out like a light shortly.

  "Time for bed, honey.” I said as I helped her stand.

  She stood slowly, and then picked her can up to toss into the trash. She kept the tab though. She pulled the chain that was around her neck and unhooked it, and then threaded the tab onto her necklace and re-latched it around her neck.

  I gave her a quizzical look, but she waved me off.

  I made my way to the hallway and turned towards the guest room, but Ember didn't follow me. She turned to the right instead and headed into my room. I waited a few minutes for her to come back, but she didn't reappear.

  I broke down and strode to my room, only to freeze in the doorway at the sight that was before me. Ember was on her knees in my bed. My black shirt didn't leave much to the imagination since it had ridden up over her bottom and exposed her plain white cotton bikini underwear. The position she was in was an odd one. Her ass was in the air, with her knees tucked under her. Her arms curled up tightly to her chest, and her hair was a mess all around her.

  The position she was in reminded me of when Sam’s girls fell asleep. They sleep in the exact same position that Ember was in right now. It didn't look the least bit comfortable, but it obviously had to be since she was dead to the world.

  My cock hardened painfully behind the fly of my jeans, and I pressed the heel of my palm down hard against it, looking for a little relief. Didn't help though, only made me that much more aware of it.

  It doesn't matter anyway. Ember could be on the rag, throwing up with chicken pox and I would still want her.

  Heaving a sigh, I walked to the bathroom, took a piss, brushed my teeth and changed into my pajama bottoms. I had to rip the tag off first since I never slept in anything but my underwear. Anyone who ever had to be up in a hurry knew better than to go naked to bed. Always be prepared was my motto. Sure would look funny to be running out of the barracks and looking over to see a friend’s dick swinging. The pants were entirely for Ember's benefit. I didn't want her getting upset with being in bed with me practically naked.

  Grabbing my boots, I shoved my .45 into the left one before opening the door. I turned out the light, and walked quietly to the bed. There she was again. In the exact same position. Placing my boots and gun next to the bed for easy access, I stared down at her sleeping form. I couldn’t make much out other than her silhouette, but what I could see took my breath away.

  I contemplated how to sleep around her since she was in the middle of the bed, but just decided to get in and shove her over some. Well, maybe not shove.

  I eased down beside her and moved her carefully over to the other side of the bed. I laid there stiffly for five or so minutes before finally relaxing enough to reach for the covers. I pulled them over both of us and placed my arms behind my head.

  I was nearly asleep when I felt her creeping towards me. I don't think she was awake because she was making the funniest noises. They were somewhere in between whimpers and moans. It didn't take her long before she was straddling me with her head tucked underneath my chin. I left my arms right where they were. This was going to be a long night. At least the noises stopped when she finally settled.

  Ember

  If I didn't have to piss like a racehorse, I would never move. I was so very comfortable. I knew exactly where I was, too.

  Cracking an eye open, I searched the area for a clock. Finally spying it projecting onto the wall across the room, I focused on it until my eyes cleared of some of the bleariness. Ten till four.

  Good. I had a reason to come back to bed.

  I gently eased off my Gabe bed, and shuffled stiffly to the bathroom. I didn't bother closing the door, because I honestly didn't have the gumption to do anything more than walk straight to the bathroom.

  Since I was already up, I popped a pain pill and drank it down with water from the sink. I hope that it kicked in soon because my back was throbbing. With each step I took, tiny sparks of pain would shoot down the length of the cut, and I had to grit my teeth to keep from whimpering.

  It took me a few pain-filled minutes, but I was shuffling back to the bed in no time. I contemplated walking around the bed but decided I just might die if I had to walk any further, so I went to the same side where Gabe still was.

  I crawled back onto the bed and went back to the same exact position I’d just left. Straddling Gabe with my head tucked under his chin. I wasn't sure if he was awake or not, but didn't want to take anything for granted. I was going to lay on Gabe, because this was the one time I could do it and actually have an excuse.

  All the tension left my body, and I fell into a deep sleep once again.

  Gabe

  She is seriously trying to kill me.

  I honestly thought it couldn't get any worse. However, I was mistaken. I’ve spent the last five hours in a light doze, waking every time she moved slightly. At least earlier, her crotch rested over my belly.

  This time her crotch was nestled snugly against mine. It took absolutely everything I had to keep my cock from going rock hard.

  I thought about the smell of rotting flesh, the sight of a gunshot wound, gray matter leaking out of a blown apart head, and everything else truly disgusting to keep my mind from the party that wanted to happen below my belt.

  Fuck me.

  I've thought about this for nearly a year. Every time I saw her. If she was in the room, I could pound nails with my dick.

  Not that I was good enough for her. I knew that and she knew that.

  My step-father made sure to tell me every day that I wasn't good enough. Or smart enough. Or even halfway decent looking. I constantly heard from him that I was a mutt and would never amount to anything.

  Apparently, half-Brazilian and half white are considered a mutt to him.

  My Brazilian father died when I was twelve of cancer. My mother couldn't afford to work and support us with also paying for medical bills, so she married to make our life better. Little did she know that she was going to turn my life into a living hell all the while thinking she was making everything better. She married for all the wrong reasons. She never loved Patrick. I never once heard her tell him she loved him. He used to say it all the time, but my mom would smile and go about what she was doing. This was what made it so bad for me.

  I look a lot like my father. Tall, at two and a half inches over six feet, with a dark tan. Jet-black hair and a muscular build. Not too bulky, but nothing to sneeze at either. I was literally the carbon copy of my dad. I didn't have one ounce of my mom’s features except for her cerulean blue eyes. Which looked totally fucked up with my dark features. Nevertheless, what do I know? He saw in me the reason my mom would never love him like he loved her. Therefore, he took it out on me.

  He never hit me, but his words could be as cruel as a whip. I spent seven years living in an emotional hell, and my mom never even knew. I wouldn’t have told her though, and he knew that.

  I set out in life to prove that bastard wrong. I kept to myself and tried to make myself invisible. I never spoke unless spoken to; I kept my head on straight, worked thirty hours a week at a local construction company after school and on weekends. I studied my ass off to graduate with honors at sixteen. Then joined the military when I was sixteen. My mom wasn’t too happy about that, but she knew that I was unhappy, and she’d do anything for me.

  I left my stepfather’s home and never looked back. My mom came to me every time I had leave. She would spend the two weeks with me, or sometimes even the rare month at the location where I was stationed.

  Her last visit I knew something was wrong as soon as I saw her. She waited to tell me until I was home that she had cancer. The same type of cancer that took my dad. Lung cancer. Besides, what was ironic was that neither one of them smoked a day in their lives. They both were extremely healthy. We ate right, and we were very active outdoors. My dad worked as the supervisor for a local construction business, he was in peak shape at forty-two. My mom was also active. She was a server at the local diner, on her feet fo
r hours a day; she was also in great shape at forty-eight. It was just a cosmic joke that they both died of the same thing, and were never exposed to it. Just another fucked up thing that happened to the people I loved most in this world.

  Ember shifting on top of me brought me back from my wanderings. A quick glance at the clock showed that it was now five in the morning. Good enough that I could workout.

  I slowly eased out from under Ember and stood. Adjusting myself in my god-awful pajama pants, I pulled the covers just to the top of her hips so I didn't agitate the wound on her back.

  Spinning on my heels, I went to the closet and located my tennis shoes on the floor, grabbed a pair of running shorts from the shelf along with a pair of socks and exited the bedroom. Something needed to be worked out, and it was obvious to me that I wasn’t going to be getting what I really wanted. Treadmill here I come.

  Ω

  An hour and seven miles later, I was dripping sweat, and just climbing off the treadmill when Ember came into the room. She was adorable. Long hair tumbling down her shoulders, nearly to her hips. It looked like she just rolled out of bed, and didn’t bother combing it in any fashion. The t-shirt was hanging off of one shoulder. Still no pants, but the shirt came just to the top of her knees, so nothing good was showing. She was rubbing her face with her hands and yawning.

  “You can go back to bed, there was no reason you needed to get up so early.” I said to her.

  She continued to yawn, but spoke anyway, “I have to be at work in thirty minutes.”

  “I already called the director for you. They know what happened last night, and want you to take a week or two off work. Pending until you are more comfortable and your stitches are out.” I said.

  “Dammit, Gabe.” She said exasperated. “You had no right, I would’ve been okay!”

  “I know you would have been good, but I also wanted them to address the security issue they have there. They won’t have the cameras set up for another week. Therefore, it gives you a little time to heal. I also want to teach you some basic self-defense, just in case you run into this problem again.”