Worth Taking The Risk (12 page)

Chapter 17

The alarm when off and I headed into the bathroom. A really cold shower will wake me up. And it did, after combing my hair and doing a little bit of make up I went to my closet and searched for something to wear. Something Keller like. They wanted the old me, they’ll have just that. Even though I preferred, now, the jeans and plain shirts I grabbed a pair of short shorts and a black blouse that hung low on my shoulder and it was short enough to see part of my bellybutton. I wasn’t about to start wearing heels again so I settled for some converse. And I couldn’t help but feel so exposed. I didn’t dress that slut-y but I did catch attention from people. The tattoo on my thigh didn’t help me much. It was a cross that had my mother’s name on it. I also had one on my hip, and that was very visible now with this shirt. It was a phoenix, Mitch’s (A/N: her brother‘s) favorite animal. And the third one was a crescent moon on the back of my neck, Hester favorite thing to look at.

I thought of putting the hoop on my nose but that’ll be over doing it.

With a sigh I grabbed my phone and car keys then headed downstairs. There were voices and I recognized them all. Maggie, Dad, Chad, Ambrose and was that Brady? What is he doing here so early?

Slowly I walked down the last steps and braced myself for their reactions. “Morning Dad.” I went to kiss his cheek and then turned to everyone else. “Morning. What’s for breakfast Maggie?”

She blinked several times, “French toast.”

“Alright, I’m starving.”

Nobody talked after that and I could feel their eyes on me. Damn it I feel so uncomfortable but I tried not to show it.

Then my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Do you have a dress?”

“Mitch?”

“Who else, now do you own a dress?”

“How did you get my number?” slowly I looked at everyone. Maggie’s cooking, dad’s frowning, Brady’s smiling, Ambrose’s smirking and Chad’s glaring at me.

“That’s irrelevant, do you own a dress?”

“What’s with you and the sudden concern about my wardrobe?”

“Just answer the damned question!”

“Yes I do and don’t yell at me, asshole.” I felt a sharp glare on me but didn’t dare to look up.

“I’ll do whatever I want brat.”

“Brat? You insufferable beast.”

“Shut your stupid mouth and just bring a dress. Black.”

“Black dress? Why am I taking one again?”

“I’m painting you remember? If you don’t want to bring the dress we can always do a nude.” I swear he’s smirking right now.

“Nude? Nude?! You pervert, I’m taking the dress. Hope you have a set of bodyguards because when I get there I’ll beat you up with your own damned crutches and then throw your body to the sea and watch as the sharks rip you apart.”

He chuckled. “Don’t forget the dress. Oh and can you bring me some ice cream?”

I mumbled a thanks as Maggie placed the plate in front of me.

“Sure what flavor?”

“Chocolate and vanilla, hmm maybe…no never mind just those two.”

“Alright, I’ll be there in an hour.” then I hung up.

Suddenly I got nervous, he’s painting me. Memories of yesterday rushed to my mind and I felt myself go red, then I thought of Alan and the color drained from my face. I cant do this to him, I don’t really like him. I’ll have to talk to him.

“Why are you taking a dress?” Dad asked.

“Mitch wants to paint me.” I shrugged and Chad began to choke on his food, everyone else also had strange looks in their eyes.

“I’m sure he has a good reason to paint you, and maybe he’s good. Have you seen some of his stuff?” Ambrose took a sip of his juice.

“No, even though I want to. But if I ask he’ll probably throw me one of the canvas.”

“You two seem to get along just fine.” Baddy chuckled.

I glared at him. “He has his good moments.” I looked at the time. “Damn I have to go.”

“Why, there’s still time.” Maggie frowned.

“Actually I’m running late, he wants ice cream.” I rolled my eyes. “See you tonight. Bye Dad, guys.”

Before leaving I went upstairs and grabbed the only black dress I owned. It was strapless and it reached just above my knee. Then I went out the door and closed it behind me, took out my car keys and unlocked the door, started to get inside when:

“Wait, Keller. Wait a second.”

I turned around and saw Chad coming my way. “What now?”

“I don’t like the familiarity you have with Mitch, or that you’re going out with Alan.”

I scowled. “You don’t need to like the people I hang out with.”

He let out a frustrated breath. “I want my chance, Keller. I really do love you. It wasn’t right how you broke things up. Hester’s not here anymore and she never tried to make a move on me, not seriously. She knew I liked you and I still do. So please ditch that player and come back to me, where you belong.”

I blinked several times. “Belong? I don’t belong to anyone Chad. And we cant be together anymore, I don’t feel anything but distant friendship towards you. So please stop making things hard for us, for you.”

I got inside the car and turned the engine on, it roared with life and I drove away. Faintly I saw Chad’s lips move but I couldn’t hear what he said.

Life’s so unfair sometimes.

When I arrived at the Gaynor’s residence I saw two car’s parked outside. I frowned, I recognized Nathan’s but not the other one.

With a shrug I grabbed the ice cream and got out of the car and locked it. Then I walked up to the house door and searched for the keys, when I found them I opened the door.

“Hello Keller, I’m glad you could make it a bit early today. We were just heading out.” Emma, Mitch’s mother, smiled at me.

I looked behind her and saw Melissa seating comfortably on the couch across Mitch. Alan was seating next to Nathan on another couch, all looking bored.

“Oh that’s Melissa, she’ll be staying here until her parents come back from the trip.” Emma informed. Melissa had a smug smile on her face.

“Since you already take care of Mitch and now Melissa will be here for a couple of days, we can double the payment. It’s only fair.” Richard began to take out a check.

“What? No, no. It’s okay, what you pay me is more than enough. Plus its only a few days right? So I’m fine.”

Richard nodded and smiled at me. “Here’s this week’s check.”

I took it and frowned. “But the week isn’t over yet.”

Emma cleared her throat. “The thing is, tomorrow we are leaving for our beach house, we are having a family reunion. And we were hoping you could tag along.”

“Uh I don’t-”

“We can drive you there and back. It’ll only be three or four days.” she interrupted me.

“I cant leave my dad alone.” I mumbled.

“Maggie can take care of him.” Mitch said but didn’t look at me.

Melissa frowned and then glared at me.

“I’ll have to ask Maggie and let my Dad know.”

Emma grinned. “Great. Now we’ll get going, don’t do anything stupid. If they do Keller, you may spank them.”

Richard chuckled. “Yes you may. Thank you Keller.”

“No problem, sir.”

They both smiled at me and left.

“Here’s your ice cream.” I put the ice cream on the table.

“You brought the dress?” he asked, looking down at the ice cream.

“Yeah, in the car.”

“We should get started.”

“Yeah, but first I need to talk to Alan.”

Alan had this look in his eyes and nodded. I walked to the kitchen, not looking back to see if he was following.

After a long pause I sighed and turned around. Alan was leaning on the table looking at me intently, a small smile on his lips.

“Alan I-”

He grinned and I got even more nervous.

“How can I put this… Um. This thing we have, the relationship, I don’t think its going to work out. I’m sorry but-”

He came closer and surprised me by hugging me. “I know. There’s no need to make excuses or apologize.”

I’m more confused than ever. Why is he holding me like this? Why isn’t he yelling at me or even worse get pissed and ignore me for the rest of my silly life?

“Alan?”

He sighed but didn’t let go of me. “I knew this was going to happen. Everything was sort of rushed. It was a simple crush on my side, I’ll get over it honey. Don’t feel bad.” he pulled away a little to look me in the eyes and smiled again. “I know who you really like.”

“I don’t-”

He shook his head and placed a finger to my mouth, quieting me. Then kissed my forehead and after took a step back.

“Friends?” he asked with a smirk.

I let out a breath of relief and smiled. “Friends.”

“With benefits?” he raised and eyebrow.

I hit his arm after rolling my arms. “Mitch is waiting for me. See you around Alan.”

“I’ll make sure of that.” he winked and we went our separate ways.

He went to the living room with Nathan and Melissa while I went up the stairs, feeling her glare on my back.

Feeling my heart racing with every step I took. Then faltering because I knew Mitch would never take me seriously.

Chapter 18

“Tilt your head, now seat straight. Your eyes looking at the window, your hands on your thighs. No don’t frown. I said back straight!” Mitch kept shouting orders as he started to paint me.

What is up with him?! He’s in a really bad mood, worse than other times. He keeps cursing the brush for not staying in a straight line, the canvas for being bumpy and me for not staying still.

I wanted to grab the paint and throw it at his face. Instead I stayed as still as possible.

Minutes later he sighed. “You can get up now. We’ll continue once we get to the beach house or when we get back.”

I nodded and stretched. “Can I see?”

I started walking towards him and he looked nervous and amused. “Sure.”

I didn’t know what to do. If to slap him, yell at him, hit him…all I could do was stare at the canvas and then at him.

Sure the thing he’d done was beautiful…but there was no sign of me in the canvas…it was just the background. There was a blank spot in the middle and I think that’s where I’ll be painted but at the moment there was no sign of me in it.

I’d posed for nearly two ours, not complaining when he shouted at me. Trying my best to stay calm the whole time.

“Mitch.”

Slowly I turned from the canvas to look at him in the eyes. My hands in tight fists. Without saying anything else I grabbed my clothes and went inside his bathroom, changed into my shorts and put the dress back in the bag. Mitch was standing up when I got out of the bathroom.

Before going out the room I flipped him off. There was a spark of something in his eyes but I didn’t stay to find out what it was.

I walked down the stairs and placed the bag on the couch.

Nathan, who was in a heated conversation with Alan, turned to look at me. “How did it go?”

I just glared at him.

“Ah not good then.”

“I bet he doesn’t want to paint you anymore.” Melissa said and when I was about to snap at her…

“Hey girl, no need to get mad.” Mitch said as he took the last step down and came towards me as fast as he could with those crutches.

“I have every right to be mad.”

“You’re over reacting.” he rolled his eyes.

“Over reacting my ass. I sat there for two hours and when I look I see you only did the background!”

“Yeah well that’s how it works.” he said raising his voice.

“No its not, you could’ve done the background without me. But no. you had me seating there, yelling at me to be still when you weren’t painting me!”

“Alright it was a joke but I do want to paint you, it just…the light was so right and I didn’t want to miss it. You don’t get that sort of light everyday.” he snapped.

“You could’ve told me you asshole.”

“Hey don’t-”

“Shut up!” Mitch yelled at Melissa whose eyes widened in shock. “And if I’m an asshole you’re a tramp.” he told me.

“And if I’m a tramp you’re a dickhead.”

He took a step towards me. “Listen little girl, I asked you in a nice way to paint you. You accepted so now deal with it. I need you there because your body creates a damned shadow over the light. If I get a good light I’ll paint the light first Got it?”

Little girl.

Those two words stung.

I flinched and nodded. He seemed surprised by my reaction and frowned.

Still frowning he sat down next to Melissa. “Never interfere in my business.”