Hooked on Trouble by Kelly Siskind

Author:Kelly Siskind
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2017-01-10T05:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Nico

Josh and Raven are head to head, the two of them poring over his sketchbook. Raven has that look about her—hands restless, electricity in her eyes—like when she sets up a photograph. All night my focus has been glued on her. How she never seemed to judge the peeling paint in the dining room. How she laughed at Josh’s stupid jokes and complimented my mother’s food. She didn’t get grossed out or turn her nose up when my siblings smeared gravy and mashed potatoes on each other.

My last girlfriend, Lisa, refused to spend time in my apartment. She said it was too cramped, but I saw how she’d scrunch her nose at the used coffee table and sparse furniture. Alex, before her, would always have plans when I’d invite her to my mom’s. With me, my girlfriends were sweet and fun, but it was like they wanted me to be something I wasn’t. Tonight they would have curled their lips in distaste, and I would have apologized later and would have somehow felt less. Having Raven here makes me feel like I’m more.

Josh bounces his knee as she mentions something about an art class. “What program?” I ask.

He shrugs, but there’s nothing casual about the way he’s vibrating. “Raven thinks I could be a creature designer or something. Maybe go to school for it.”

“She does, does she?”

She glances at me, questioning. “These sketches are unreal, and he has a flair for the morbid. I offered to hook him up with a friend who does special effects makeup.”

“Sounds cool.” Perfect, actually. Exactly what Josh would love. His talent has always been undeniable, but I don’t know much about art and how to make a living doing it. One night with Raven, and he sees clearer, dreams bigger. A knot forms in my gut, a tug-of-war pulling me apart—pride and excitement for Josh warring with false hope. Dreams purchased with fool’s gold.

Gold I could have offered up.

Even after that fucked-up meeting with Alessi, I’ve found myself contemplating his offer again. Being a dirty cop. Crooked. Corrupt. Makes me sick all over again. Can’t believe I keep giving the idea life. Gut hollowing, I shake my head. What matters is the now of things. Raven showering my brother with compliments and telling him how good he is. That matters. Keeping that light and laughter in her eyes is important, too. I sit beside Raven as they talk their art talk. My knee brushes hers, that tiny skirt riding up nice and high. If Josh weren’t here, if we were at my place, I’d slide my fingers up the soft flesh of her inner thigh. I’d graze my thumb over her underwear to see if my closeness turns her on as much as hers does me. I’d slip my fingers inside and touch her and stroke her and make her feel so damn good.

When I can’t wait any longer, I lean toward her ear. “I need to get you home.” My voice sounds huskier than I’d like.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.