Squashing the anxiety at the closed door, not to mention the tank-sized man caused him, Todd played it cool. He found himself standing in a large room that was richly decorated like all else he had seen. He was in an office of some sort. More like a library. One wall was floor to ceiling books, with a ladder that was connected to the wall on a brass track.
"You read all them books?" Todd forced a nonchalance he was far from feeling.
Jared chuckled warmly. "No, not all of them."
Jared was not fooled for a moment. The kid was too stiff to be as cool as he came off. He just watched Todd take in the room and let him set the tone.
Todd could feel those green eyes burning up his back, but he just made like he was checking out the room. There was a fireplace with a statue of running elk on the mantle, a desk with a laptop set up on it with two Navaho blanket chairs in front and a large arched window behind the desk. At the other end of the room there was a big leather sofa and twin matching chairs with a table and fancy lamp between them.
"Crib's pretty butch for someone who's a..."
"Watch it...fruit loop."
Todd just rolled his eyes and continued to scan the room. Photos hung in decorative frames on the opposite wall. Todd gravitated towards them. He instantly recognized a younger Jared in most of them...promise of the tank Jared had grown into, clearly visible in the younger version.
"Memories of happier times." Jared's deep voice came from behind. The obvious family pictures gave Todd a weird feeling in his chest.
"There were no happier times," he mumbled under his breath. Jared was about to say something but Todd walked away and flopped down in one of Jared's chairs. One leg over the armrest with his arms crossed scornfully.
"You wanted to talk. So talk."
The tough rebel was back. Jared walked over and sat at his desk, he leaned back in his chair and studied Todd a long moment. Cold indifference met his perusal, ruined only by the pale color in the kid's face. Todd was still suffering from last night.
It took all of Todd's considerable control to keep from squirming under that stern inspection. Todd slouched further in the over stuffed chair, the picture of abject boredom.
Jared just sat there, idly spinning a pen around in his fingers as he watched Todd.
"Dude!...You got something' to say...well say it so I can jet."
A sandy blonde brow arched menacingly.
"You left the cabin before we got a chance to finish our discussion." Jared kept the pen in constant motion, habit of his in tense situations.
"I'm cool with that," Todd said insolently, as he sat there with his head tilted far back over the arm as he pretended to study the patterns in the stamped copper ceiling tiles. He felt anything but indifferent. But he'd be _d_a_m_n_ed if he would let Jared know it. Jared stopped the pen and gripped it so tightly it snapped. Todd rolled his head over and asked. "Problem?"
Jared was a bit uneasy himself, Todd was so good at hiding in plain sight, maybe the kid was really this cold and calm. He scowled at Todd's belligerent posture and attitude.
"Hell, yes, there's a problem." Jared leaned over the desk and bit off each word firmly. "It-wasn't-cool-with-me!"
"Then the problem is yours."
He wasn't given a chance to react to Todd's gibe. "What do you care any way? Yeah, so I broke into your cabin, big _f_u_c_k_'n deal. I didn't do any real damage. I didn't take anything valuable, food. Just food. What? and oh yeah....a _f_u_c_k_'n can opener... _s_h_i_t_...from what I see here, it wouldn't have broke the bank."
"Because I have money, that makes it okay?"
Todd sat up in the chair. "_s_h_i_t_! I don't know! Who cares?"
Jared stood up, tossing the broken pen on the desk angrily. "_d_a_m_n_ it, Ansley! I do. I care!"
Todd stood up, too, more than a little spooked by Jared's sudden move. "_f_u_c_k_ that! Problem's your's, dude. 'Cause I don't."
That was a lie. Jared couldn't shake the feeling that if the kid didn't care he wouldn't be getting so worked up as he was now. Jared was getting worked up himself...this kid had a knack for getting to him. Taking a deep breath to steady his own temper, Jared tried a different approach.
"Look. Kid....."
"NO, you look. I-am-not-a-_f_u_c_k_ing-kid!" Todd ground out through a clenched jaw. Jared drew several more deep breaths, striving for calm. This was going nowhere. Once more he tried to get the conversation more civil.
"Fine, then stop acting like one so we can talk like adults. Okay, so you're not a child."
Todd started to bristle again. Jared held up his hand to forestall any outburst.
"BUT, you're not yet an adult either."
"I'm eight....almost eighteen...." "That means nothing, Todd. Only that your leeee-galy responsible for yourself. But that's all. You have no clue what it means to be a man, to be an adult."
Todd looked at Jared like he had lost his mind, not unlike a dog does to a high pitched sound. He jabbed his finger to the window and snarled back at Jared. "What the _f_u_c_k_ do you call what I have been doing for four _f_u_c_k_ing years? I've been taking care of myself, by myself. Out there. Not in some _f_u_c_k_ing ivory tower. I think that makes me a man and _f_u_c_k_ you if you don't!"
Jared took a mental moment then calmly answered. His voice firm and deliberate. "No, Todd, I don't think that makes you a man."
Todd opened his mouth but Jared cut him off. "You know how to get by, survive, somewhat anyway. Todd I'm not trying to lessen the fact that you've been on your own and have survived on your own since your were little. 'Cause I'm not. You have been lucky."
"I've been smart."
Defensively fired back at Jared. "I'll give you that. But you don't know how to make it in the world, Todd."
Anger flashed so hot in Todd's eyes that Jared was sure if it were possible, he'd be vaporized in an instant. "The hell I don't know how to make it. I've been making it for four _f_u_c_k_ing years, asshole. I..."
"Wrong."
Todd was surprised by that answer. "What?"
Jared allowed himself a moment of satisfaction at wiping the belligerent sneer off the little rebel's face.
"What the _f_u_c_k_ does that mean...wrong?"
Crossing his own huge arms, Jared just glowered at Todd and stated simply. "Just what is sounds like....wrong. The streets are not the world, Todd. And you haven't been making it. You've been sponging, leeching. You can't spend the rest of your life hustling pool and boosting bikes, Todd. That's no life."
Todd wasn't given a chance to speak to that.
"You don't have the knowledge or skills to do more than survive. Most everything can survive, hell moss survives, but can you grow or become more than what you are? Are you any better off now than four years ago?"
"_f_u_c_k_, yeah, I'm better off than four years ago...anything is better than liv.."
Todd caught himself in mid sentence. He was letting his anger get the better of the situation.
"Better than what, Todd? What were you going to say?"
Todd kept his past close to the vest. He was not about to just spill his guts to this man. He needed to keep a tight check on his temper though. Jared was good and made him tempted to give in. What was up with that? He'd check into all that later. Now he just needed to get out of here.
"Nothing. Just I'm better off than four years ago. You have no _f_u_c_k_ing clue."
Jared parried that answer with another question. "Will you be in the next four?" Getting a little annoyed with Todd's singular vocabulary.
"What the _f_u_c_k_....."
"Do you think you could use another word for awhile kid?"
"_f_u_c_k_ off, Jared."
Jared scowled at Todd, but didn't let his own temper lose. "Not what I was looking for."
Rolling his eyes in aggravation, Todd shot back. "Go to hell, Jared."
Smiling at the dour young man, Todd's remark had little heat in it. Clearly those questions got to the kid. Jared continued with forced levity. "Ah! Much better. What? No answer for me, Todd? "
Todd sat back down. His head hurt still from this morning or rather last night. Everything was blurring together. He wasn't sure what Jared was talking about or tying to say. He rubbed at his temples.
"What are you talking about"
"Will you be better off in the next four years, Todd?"
Todd just shrugged his shoulders.
"With the way you live, all being 18 is going to give you is basically just a go straight to jail card. No, juvie. You also don't have any one to help you. No parents , family, friends, no agency's even, not after 18. You can't make it, you starve. Kid..er...Todd, hustling and boosting and heaven knows what else you do to "get by" it's only a matter of time before you mess up and get caught. Past 17 you go to jail or if it's a minor offense you'd get your sweet ass tossed in a camp till your 21."
Todd was getting really frustrated with this conversation. It made his head pound. "You make it sound like I have never been my own before. Dude! I've been on my own since I was _f_u_c_k_ing 12, okay. I know what I'm doing and I don't need anyone. Man, you got no clue.... "
Jared cut Mr. Tough Guy off. "No, Todd, you're the one who has no clue. Kid you got nothing and no one." It took a large portion of Jared's patience to keep cool when Todd cut him off. _d_a_m_n_ kid had a ready smart ass statement, or answer at all times.
"Don't need'em. How would you know if I have any family or not?" Todd asked as he rubbed his throbbing temples.
"I had Deek check you out. You have no surviving relatives. Not in Arkansas or Arizona."
Looking up with what was akin to angry astonishment. "What! You've been spying on me?" Todd accused hotly.
"No.... not spying. Tracking. It's what I...we do here. We find people."
"Okay, Jared, let's _s_h_i_t_ or get off the pot. What's this all about."
Jared tapped a file on his desk and dove in.
"What's that?"
"Todd, in this file are dates, facts and information..... about you, your past and there is a piece of paper about your future."
Todd looked at the file and then at Jared. The big man was staring very intently at him, he got a queasy feeling in his gut having little to do with this morning's sickness.
"Yeah, what kind of paper?" Asking with more than a little apprehension.
Jared leaned a hip on the desk and picked up the file. "Legal guardianship."
"What!? Bull_s_h_i_t_...You can't just....."
"Oh, I can and I did. I told you before and I'm telling you now. I'm not letting you go, not to the streets and the life you've been living."
Todd sat there and stared at him, disbelief and confusion open on his face.
"I had no trouble procuring the documents and the blessing of the courts. It's all legal and binding by the courts here in Colorado. The courts were all too happy to have one less kid out there on the streets. Hell, with the way things are nowadays I could probably keep you here without the _d_a_m_n_ paper and no one would worry much about it."
Jared inwardly winced at his choice of words. He was handling this all wrong. Too late to change his mind now. "Great just blurt it out. Smooth, real smooth, Jared," he scolded himself.
"But I don't work that way," he finished to take to bite out of his words.
Getting that distant feeling, he always got when he was in an uncomfortable or threatening situation...it was like falling in a hole...Todd swallowed reflexively and tried to calm his insides. He just stared at the floor tying to think.
"C'mon! Don't lose it here, stay sharp!" Todd thought to himself.
"So I don't have any choice, is that the deal?" asked barely above a tight whisper.
Jared hit a button, he could see it in the boy's face. Question was, what kind of button? "No. You do have a choice. A few of them. One, you stay here till your 18. Two, you choose not to and I call the authorizes and you go to a camp."
Jared would never let that happen but he wasn't about to let Todd know.
"Or, three, give me my bike and I'm gone."
"That would be a bad choice. I'd have to hunt you down all over again and then it would just get sorta ugly after that. Either choice, your life on the street is over, Todd. I understand this is difficult for you. Unfair. You no doubt feel blackmailed, robbed. Maybe it is. I can live with that, but I can't live with you living on the streets. I care about you Todd. I...."
Todd got up out of the chair and walked around, clearly upset and mocking Jared cruelly. "I care about you, Todd...I care about you. Why? Why, Jared? Why do you have to _f_u_c_k_ing care so much? You don't know me or anything about me."
"I know a few things about you, Todd."
"That's a bunch of crap. Just 'cause we spent some time together and you got that...that file and whatever is in it, you think you know me? You don't know _s_h_i_t_!"
Jared walked around the desk, leaning on the front edge with long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. Jared watched Todd move farther from him and pace the room. He frowned at the slight hitch in Todd's stride. Todd still favored the leg.
"Todd, this whole file is on you," he said as he brandished it at the boy. "I think I know quite a bit about you."
Todd's face reflected his skepticism. Crossing his arms, Jared recited Todd's past. Date by date. Todd paled visibly as Jared ticked off details of his life. Birth date, school names, Teachers. It was all too frightening. Did he know, did the tank know?
"I know when you boosted your first bike. I know you can't read. How many times you've been to the emergency room, that you're afraid of needles, which by the way makes no sense...uh the tattoos. Well, we can get to that later. I have in here when and w-h-y you ran off at age 12. How you have survived. Hell I can even tell you who your last lover was."
Jared knew he was coloring the truth a bit, the last was not true and he didn't really know why Todd had run off, he had only a few hunches how Todd had managed and he had no clue who the last person was that Todd was with. But it sounded intimidating and judging by Todd's reactions he was doing a good job of that.
Todd was freaked. How could he know so much? He was bluffing. Todd's mind worked lightning fast to think through the numbing fog he was becoming immersed in.
Jared rattled off some more names, dates, and instances. Todd's guard began to crumble under the shock of having his life's secrets revealed...secrets he ran from, kept hidden. Even crossed several states to escape. Jared paid close attention to Todd's reactions...or lack of them now. He was just standing there, rooted to the floor...staring at the floor.
The deeper Jared went into Todd's past the deeper Todd seemed to sink into whatever was going on in that mind of his. What he wouldn't give or pay to read those thoughts. Todd was close to bolting for the door when it hit him that Jared hadn't said anything about the big stuff...other than fighting and boosting a few bikes. So far all Jared had mentioned was some of his minor secrets.
When Jared still didn't touch on any of the darker secrets he began to get suspicious of Jared's facts. It was when Jared brought up his mom that Todd knew then that Jared knew nothing. Todd's defensive attitude rekindled with a vengeance.
"Jared, you don't know _s_h_i_t_!. You don't know what your talk'n about. I wasn't separated from my mom. My mom dumped me, asshole. When I was nine, she left me alone and never came back. So..so don't go make'n up fairy tales, I...I...don't _f_u_c_k_in' need them. I don't know what this is all about. I don't give a _s_h_i_t_ either."
Jared's posture gave away no hint of the tension he was beginning to feel creeping up his neck, carryng with it the promise of a doozy of a headache. Uncrossing his ankles Jared stood. Confused by Todd's reaction not to mention what the kid was saying. Todd was nearly in a rage. Jared tried to get some clarity.
"Abandon you? Todd, your mother didn't abandon you, kid. She was sick...."
Having his most tender spot exposed and rubbed raw inflamed his temper. His mother did abandoned him, left him alone, cold, scared and hungry for days. He was thrown away unloved....unlovable.
"That's crap! You don't know, asshole. You don't know.....anything!"
The kid was in his face, all five foot eight of temper and itching to take a swing at him. Fists clenched and body tightly bunched as he stood in front of Jared yelling at him.
"That's a lie! She dumped me! So...so you don't know _s_h_i_t_! _f_u_c_k_er!!!
Anger and something more sparkled in the brown eyes. In a flash that rocked Jared to the core, he understood. The kid didn't know! Todd didn't know that his mom had been sick. That she had been taken away. All these years his poor little angry rebel thought she left him, that he'd been abandoned. How could he be allowed to believe that? Jared reached out for Todd.
"Todd....."
Todd's body jerked as if he had burnt him; his face a mask of rage and contempt.
"Take your _d_a_m_n_ caring, that file, and shove it, Jared, you don't know ANYTHING!!"
"Ansley, it's true, she was very sick."
The first time his last name was not used as a warning was not lost on Todd, even in his anger, the soft baritone of Jared's voice reached him. Looking at the large man directly in the eye, there was no arrogance, anger, nothing but concern. It scared him.
"You're wrong, Jared."
Jared saw some of the fight go out of the young man in front of him. Todd stood braced like he was daring Jared to take it all back. Carefully, Jared picked up the file and extended it to Todd.
"No, Todd. I'm not. It's all here in here. Go on take it, read it for yourself."
Anger flashed again in Todd's eyes and he clenched his jaw and he slapped the file away. "I c-a-n-'t f-u-c-k-i-n-g r-e-a-d."
Todd could make out a few words and Jared knew it, but this wasn't the time to make that an issue. "I know, Todd. But it's all here. Hospital admittance, death certificate, medical records, what there is of those."
Hurt, confusion, darkened the big brown eyes that flickered from Jared to the file. Todd worked his Adam's apple up and down. He reached out a hand that shook a little.
"Death certificate?" Todd asked in a small voice.
Jared handed over the file. Todd sat back down and opened it. That dark hole came back and numbness washed over him. Jared watched the boy as he sat there staring at the file not really seeing it. His heart broke for the kid. Todd looked so lost just now, his head down as he rubbed his forehead roughly.
"She's dead?"
Jared answered as gently as he could. "Yes, Todd. I'm sorry, I thought that you knew that....that.."
Just as Jared felt Todd's icy demeanor was about to melt. Todd closed the file and standing, handed it back and looked Jared in the eye. His statement was once again cold. All but his eyes. Pain that he could not hide, tears that he would not shed lingered in them. He started pacing very agitatedly across the room like a caged animal.
"Okay...fine..so? She's...dead now. Don't matter none. I haven't needed her in a long time. Her or anyone." Todd said pointedly, his voice was cold and firm but not those eyes. The little rebel was not the best of liars. Frustrated by Todd's attitude and not buying the whole lone wolf bit .
"You're wrong, Todd. We all need."
One emotion Todd never had problems expressing was anger. And he was expressing it now. Loudly. "No, you're wrong, asshole. See, you don't know everything. I don't need you, your pity or your help! I don't need anyone! You don't know me, you don't care about me! I don't know what you want and I don't care, I ain't your f-u-c-k- i-n-g boytoy! So just stay the hell out of my life!"
Todd saw the fury ignite as the tank advanced on him. His intent was clear...smash Todd! Todd leapt for the doors and ran out at a dead run and slammed right into a hard wall of masculine chest. The collision sent him flying backward on his butt, hard. So hard it drove the air from his lungs leaving him gasping on the floor. Before he could recover he was grabbed roughly by the shirt and yanked to his feet. Toes actually. For a moment he thought Jared was going to clobber him.
"Problem, baby brother?"
Todd turned and looked at the man he plowed into. It was like looking into the future. Jared's future. This man was an older version of the tank. Just as wide, just as tall and just as intimidating, more maybe. Deek was standing next to him and so was that runt, Rat.
"Nothing I can't handle, Brian. Just getting
"Todd Ansley, meet my older brother, Brian Sherman.
Brian, meet Todd." Brian looked sharply from one to the other. His
kid brother looked ready to throttle the boy. He was momentarily distracted
by the kid's looks. He was _d_a_m_n_ed good looking and looked much
younger than he expected from all he knew of him. Smaller too. Snapping
back to the situation as it crackled with tension between the kid
and his brother. They needed a time out. "Nice to meet you, Todd.
Deek, would you and Mouse please show Todd the game room? Jared, could
I see you for a moment?" Before Jared could protest, Brian had removed
Todd from his grasp and passed him on to Deek and the trio headed
down the hall with Todd limping along. Deek caught Jared's concerned
look. "He's fine, Jared. I'll see to him." Todd was surprised
to see anyone push the tank around and that's just what he saw. Jared
was shoved into his own study. "What the hell is going on, Jared?
The kid looked like he was fleeing for his life." "He was." Jared
mumbled as he poured himself a glass of water. "Pardon?" Flopping
down on the couch Jared recounted all that had gone on this morning.
Brian listened quietly while Jared confided his frustration. "Well
I don't think killing him will get you many results. Seriously, I
don't put up with that kind of perverted profanity either. But you
can't lose your temper, Jare." Jared looked at his brother. Was
this the same man the raised him? "So who are you now...father knows
best?" Both were silent a moment. Jared concentrated on his water
glass. Brian didn't take lip too well, usually. Brian let Jared squirm
a little before he continued in a firm voice. "No, but I'm learning
from my mistakes. You can't just dump this stuff on him and expect
the little guy to just say "Okay". The kid is confused, undoubtedly
scared. You just dropped a hell of a bomb on him." "The kid is bomb
proof. He is so shut off from everything. Nothing registers, Bry." Brian
was thoughtful a moment. "Some people are like that Jared. They won't
deal with or accept things. Just won't sign for delivery. Just sorta
close up shop. Todd sounds like he's done just that. Jared, he sounds
like he is a very troubled young man." Jared looked at Brian and
scowled. "So, he has no one. He's shut off all his emotions, all but
his stinking temper. _d_a_m_n_ straight he's troubled. And because
he is, I should just cut my losses and toss him back on the street!?" The
older man let Jared rant awhile, his brother needed to get a hold
of the situation. "No. I didn't say that. Just he's not exactly
a willing participant here. Has he signed the paper yet?" Leaning
back in the sofa Jared blew out a big sigh. "No....not yet." "And
if he doesn't?" "Oh, he will. One way or another he will. Besides
it's only a formality that he sign it. Courts have already made me
legal guardian." Brian leaned forward. "Jared you can't just..." "What?
Kidnap him.? No. But he will sign it. I'll figure out something. I
can't turn him loose, Bry....I can't." " Jared sat silently
listening to Brian. He knew everything his brother said made sense.
Brian had valid points, as always. "I hear what you're saying, Bry,
but no, I don't think I'll be awake wondering if Todd will slit my
throat, if that's what you mean. My sleepless nights will be from
whatever is eating that kid up. I'm no shrink...I know that, but they
are not on every street corner anymore....and Todd could sure benefit
from a few couch sessions... I'll just have to do for now. Brian,
I don't know what all I can do for him. Other than a nice home, good
food and well me. Hell, even teaching him to read would be something." Brian
got up and moved to the doors and called down the hall for Deek. "I
know you'll do everything you can, Jared. He's lucky to have you." "Thanks,
Big Guy, too bad Todd doesn't see it like that." Deek came in the
room. "Hey guys." "How's the kid?" Jared tried to sound as nonchalant
as possible...and failed. "Oh, he's a tough little man. I don't
think I'd leave those two alone for long. Mouse is still mad at him
from this morning. Down right moody about it." "Deek any word yet
on Todd's background check?" "Nope, nada." The three men talked
over putting more pressure on the officials in Todd's home state,
and made a few calls earning promises of faster results. Meanwhile
Todd was seated at a table rubbing the ache out of his leg, that dump
on his ass didn't help it any. He was sitting in a large room filled
with all kinds of Arcade games. There were driving games, flying games,
several pin ball games scattered here and there. In the back of the
room was a pool table with a dart board on the far wall. More family
pictures hung on the walls in here too. Deek had left Todd alone
with Mouse, but not before giving Todd a warning before he left. "Don't
even try. You would never make the elevator." Todd sat slumped in
the chair and glared at the door. He was sitting at a long card table.
He crossed his arms and for all intents and purposes.....sulked, unaware
of how juvenile he looked. "Are you crazy or just _f_u_c_k_ing stupid?
Todd craned his neck back to look at Mouse leaning against the door
jam with his own arms and legs crossed. "_f_u_c_k_ you." Uncrossing
his legs Mouse walked into the room and sat down at a game with his
back towards Todd. "Only someone _f_u_c_k_ed in the head would turn
all this down and for what...the streets? Living in dumps with a bunch
of freaks. Always looking over your shoulder. Eating food not suitable
for dogs..If you ain't eating dog that is. Yeah, I can see the appeal
there." "What the _f_u_c_k_ do you know about it. 'Least I don't
get my ass beat like some kid." Mouse looked over his shoulder and
shot Todd a hot look. "Not yet any way," he mumbled. Then said louder
as he turned in the seat to face Todd. "What do I know? _s_h_i_t_!
I know that life on the streets suck. I know that life is good here.
I'm not sleeping in a burned out car at night, eating out of trash
cans, stealing from people to get by or worse. I have people who care
about me, a job, money. I have an apartment that I would never have
down there. So if I do "occasionally" get my ass beat. It's a fair
trade. I usually deserve it anyway." Todd clapped his hands with
exaggerated emotion. Wiping at imaginary tears. "That was beautiful
man! Just beautiful, I'm... Mouse
got up and stormed over to Todd who's condescending statement faded
to cold challenge. "What's your major malfunction, asshole? At least
I'm not alone and scared all the time. Can you say that? Well can
you?" Todd rolled his eyes at him. "I come and go when I want, do
what I want. Can you say that?" Hand on the table in front of Todd.
Mouse leaned in close. "Dude, you don't have a clue what freedom even
is." Todd made to get up but Mouse just shoved him back down in the
chair. "Just because you come and go as you please?" Several times
Todd tried to get up out of the chair but Mouse just shoved him back
each time. Mouse had some strong arms. Todd's temper began to boil. "_s_h_i_t_!
You think that is freedom. You're wrong. I have my freedom. Yeah,
I come and go when I want. But I'm held accountable for my actions.
Dude. You don't have freedom. You just have a very large prison. The
way I see it you're limited as to what you can do and when you can
do it. I don't have to live like a freakin' vampire 'cause I don't
want to get picked up by the cops or camp patrols. Do you have friends,
you know the people you can trust, ones that actually care about you?" Before
Todd could answer or more likely tell him off, Mouse answered for
him. "No, you don't. You can't let anyone get close. Can't afford
to stay in one place for long, can't have more than a one nightstand.
You're under the legal age to be on your own, so you are always dodging
the patrols. But look at what it has cost you. Dude, your whole life
is just a one nightstand. Man, you got no one. You're alone. Dude,
Jared is offering freedom and a lot more. Your one stupid _f_u_c_k_
if you pass that up." Todd finally shoved Mouse away from him and
stood up. Mouse made some points that he didn't want to acknowledge.
He was alone....Todd jerked his mind out of the direction to those
thoughts. He spun angrily on Mouse. "_f_u_c_k_ you. You don't know
_s_h_i_t_" "Oh, I know _s_h_i_t_. I'm talking to it. After your
18 what then? Big deal. You won't have to hide. That's all you have
to look forward to." "I can get off the streets on my own. I don't
ne...." "Yeah? How you gonna do that, brainiack? What can you do?
You can't even _f_u_c_k_ing read!" Todd was ready to swing at the
little blonde. Mouse looked ready to swing back when a deep voice
boomed across the room. "Mouse!" Then more quietly. " Deek is looking
for you." Jared walked into the room and for a moment thought he'd
have to stop a brawl. The boys stayed glaring at each other a moment
longer. Then Mouse gave Todd a disgusted look. "Ain't worth my time."
And walked over to Jared. "The dude is wack. He's all yours, Jared,
but I wouldn't bother." Mouse angrily left them. Jared eye's followed
his straight spine out the door then slid over to Todd who had moved
to the back of the room to the pool table and was calmly rolling the
cue ball back and forth. He was cool and unruffled, when just seconds
ago he was bristling with anger. This kid could sure switch gears
fast or give the impression he down shifted. He was good. Mouse was
hard to piss off. Todd had done that twice in one afternoon. "Making
friends already I see?" "Whatever. Where's my bike. I'm jet'n." Jared
set the file he had carried in down and calmly walked to the back
of the room. He had calmed down but it was clear that Todd was ready
to pick up the fight. Jared had other plans. He moved to the wall
and pulled down a couple pool sticks. "Rack'em," he ordered as he
tossed the wooden triangle at the sullen young man. Todd caught
it easily, scowling at the large man across from him. Dropping the
rack on the pool table he crossed his arms refusing to give up the
fight. Jared nodded at the cue sticks hanging on the wall. "Rack'em.
Your bike is in the garage. You're not going anywhere until we work
a few things out." "Just give me my _f_u_c_k_ing bike and I'm outta
your life." "Sorry? I thought I had been clear that I wanted you
in my life. Besides the bike is not in the best of condition right
now." At Todd's startled look Jared smoothed his ruffled feathers
back down. "Relax. It's not totaled. But you're going to have to do
some work on it before you can ride it." Expelling a big breath,
Todd relented and grabbed the triangle hanging on the wall and began
to set up the balls. He'd use a game to think of some way out of here.
As Todd looked over the pool cues for a balanced one he saw a picture
on the wall of Jared and what looked like maybe his older brother
playing pool. He came up with an idea. Jared flipped a coin in the
air. "Call 'em." "Tails." "Nope. Next time, pal. I'm up first.
Todd don't you remember anything from last night?" Only disjointed
bits and pieces. Nothing to connect. "No, not really....do you?" Todd
watched with a critical eye as Jared scattered the balls with a clean
break. With each pocket Todd sized up his opponent. "Do I? I'll never
forget it. Kid, you pulled a _d_a_m_n_ stupid stunt last night." Jared
sunk four balls before he scratched. "_d_a_m_n_. You're up, hot shot.
Show me what you got." Todd did, he ran the table a while then purposely
scratched, as he listened to Jared recount last nights events. "Deek,
was right. You're pretty good." Todd knew he was more than pretty
good. He hardly ever lost at pool. Jared sunk a couple more and
then scratched again leaving Todd who cleaned up the rest in short
order. Leaning on his pool stick Jared jerked his head at the chairs. "You
ready to talk some more? Calmly?" Todd looked up from racking the
balls up again. "Nothin' to talk about, Jared. I'm not staying." Shaking
his sandy colored head, Jared just sighed tiredly. "Why? Why fight
this?" From under the rectangular Tiffany lamp that hung over the
pool table, Todd looked up at Jared. Brow pinched in confusion. "What
does it matter to you, Jared? Why should I stay? You made it clear
at the cabin that a... " using two fingers on each hand to mimic quotation
marks "relationship with me is a no go. Why the hell should I stay,
what's in it for me?" "Todd that was because your're only17." Todd
rolled his eyes and pulled a face. "What's in it for you, is a home,
decent food... better yet, frequent food. Someone who cares about
you." Todd just shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "Had things
been different, you would have found your face buried in the pillows
after that kiss I woke up to." Jared stated that remark matter of
factly. Even in the low light of the game room, he could see the affect
it had on Todd. Knocked some of the fire right out of the kid. His
cheeks pinked a little. One more mystery revealed about the rebel.
He was bashful. Well when it came to intimacy or so it seemed. Jared
couldn't help but tease him just a little. "That was some kiss,
little man, just like the one last night." Todd missed his shot
and nearly gouged the green felt off the table. He could feel the
blood rush to his face and ears. Those at least were hidden under
his hair. For the life of him he couldn't remember last night...not
much and definitely not kissing the tank. Daring a look in Jared's
direction, then wishing he hadn't, he noticed that Jared looked too
smug to be lying to him. Todd swallowed a groan and tried to ignore
him. Color flooded Todd's handsome features. He fumbled a shot, too.
Taking pity on him Jared got back to the point of the conversation. "But
you're not 18...soon, yes I know, Todd. You're not now and that's
what matters. Regardless of age, Todd, you need the presence of a
man in your life. I don't mean like a lover, I mean someone to give
you love and attention and guidance. You're only 17... no don't interrupt.
I know that you feel older. Look, you know I'm attracted to you that
much we both know. You made it pretty clear it's reciprocated. Todd,
I'm more than just attracted to you. I care about you...a lot. But
at your age you just don't have a clue what you want....yet. So why
not stay here while you figure it out. There's plenty of time for
that. Plenty of time to get to know each other. If it turns out that
you and I have something going, great. I'll be here. I'm not going
anywhere. But until then you could have a home, people who care about
you. Education as high as you care to go. Safety. "Yeah and no freedom." Jared
looked at Todd a moment then nodded "You're right. You won't have
it as you know it now. You'll have rules to follow. You will be held
accountable for your actions." Todd looked at Jared. The guy was
serious. Did he really think that Todd could or would just let go
of control over his own life? Scary thing was, part of him wanted
to, really wanted to. "Look. I ain't interested in playing house,
I told you before I ain't no...." Jared growled a warning. "Watch
yourself, Toyboy. Do you really want to play that card?" Todd did
take the warning in Jared's tone seriously and he knew he got lucky
earlier when Jared's brother showed up. He went back to racking the
balls. Jared read the clear retreat in Todd. Smart boy. Paper or
not, he was not going to put up with any more of that boytoy crap.
He'd paddle that notion right out of Todd. "Dude, why won't you
just give up on this. I don't want to stay." Todd felt stab from a
part of him that wanted to...desperately...and it really shook him
up. He refused to give in or listen to that foreign part. He shoved
it out of the way and let his temper talk for him. "Do you get that?
I don't want to stay." Shrugging his shoulders Jared leaned on his
cue stick. "Sorry you feel that way. I think given half a chance you
would like it here. I won't give up because I care what happens to
you. " This was not getting him anywhere. Todd had been here all
day and he still couldn't make Jared see things his way or just let
him leave. Jared "was" like a tank. Nothing stopped him. So Todd gambled
with high stakes. Everything. Pointing at the file on the card table
with his cue Todd issued a challenge. "You want that paper signed
right?" Jared just nodded "Well, talking ain't gett'n us anywhere.
So here's the dealy-o. I'll play you for it. I win. I walk. Free and
clear." Todd paused. Would he really sign it if he lost? When he
didn't finish the other side of the bet. Jared prompted him. "And
if I win?" \ "You won't." "_c_o_c_k_y little _s_h_i_t_ aren't
you? Too much confidence can be as bad as not enough, Toyboy. So humor
me. What if I win?" Todd looked momentarily unsure then. "If you
win, I'll sign the _f_u_c_k_ing paper all right." "And stay here
till you're 18." Jared finished for him. "Yeah...whatever." This
earned Todd a chilling glare from the bigger man. "All right....all
right...till I'm 18." Jared was quiet a long time. Todd thought
he was going to turn him down. Jared had to think long and hard about
this. There was a lot at stake. If the brat did win and there was
a good chance Todd would. Could he really let Todd ride out? Jared
was a man of principle and had never gone back on his word or a deal.
He decided to take the risk. Let Todd make the gamble, that way he'd
feel or hoped the kid would feel more in control of the situation.
Todd was taking a huge risk himself playing against Jared. Jared knew
himself to be a very good player. He'll let Todd know that too. "All
right, Ansley. It's a bet. But I'll let you know right now. I'm pretty
good, not what I'd call a shark but good enough to challenge you,
Junior. More than fair chance at winning." All he got from the other
side of the table was a look that read "Yeah, right." "Okay, Jared.
How about best out of three?" "Fine. It is a lot to gamble on a
pool game." Todd turned away and examined the other pool cues. "No
_s_h_i_t_. Just my _f_u_c_k_ing life, that's all." He mumbled unaware
that Jared had heard him and was grinning compassionately. A grin
that was gone when he turned back around with a stick he chose. "Wait
here a moment." Jared started to leave the room. At the door he
looked back at Todd. "Todd, you step just one foot out this door and
regardless of any paper, I'll skin you alive. Clear?" He didn't
doubt Jared. The stern look he was getting held the promise of Jared's
words. So he just shrugged his shoulders and bent over the pool table
and sunk a ball in a pocket. "Whatever." Todd cleaned the table
of the balls and was brushing the felt with a mini broom. Removing
any debris that could interfere with a shot. This was how Jared found
him 15 minuets later. When he came through the door he let out a breath
he didn't know he had been holding. He was half expecting to find
the room empty. Calling Todd over to the card table he set the tray
he brought in down. It was loaded with sandwiches, some fruit and
glasses and a bucket of ice for the sodas. "Hungry? How's the stomach
feeling?" Todd did feel hungry. His stomach settled down some. Leg
still giving him twinges here and there. He limped slightly over to
the table and reached for a sandwich while Jared poured him a soda. "Leg
still cramping?" "No." What a liar his little rebel was. Jared
was becoming increasingly intrigued by what made Todd tick. Why he
was like he was. So cold on the outside. Tough as nails hide. He knew
that there was fire underneath all that ice. He'd seen it a time or
two. He was willing to bet that somewhere under all that fire and
ice was an inside that was soft and fragile. Maybe too fragile and
that's why the reason for all the defenses. Todd felt uncomfortable
under the intense looks he was getting from Jared. Made him feel transparent.
Dropping a half eaten sandwich he moved over to the table and started
racking up the balls. "Ready?" Jared followed and pulled out a
coin. "Call 'em." Todd won the toss and made a terrific break. He
ran the table for a long stretch. Jared's turn showed Todd that Jared
was indeed good. Better than good. He was going to be a real challenge.
It was unnerving how quiet the room got with just the clicking of
the balls as they hit each other. Jared made small talk to lesson
the tension. His reward was one word sentences from the kid. Todd
won the first game. The second game was close. The balls were in difficult
positions for both men. Each player's talents came into the light
with each shot. Jared was impressed. Todd was really good, too better
maybe. As impressed as he was, he was also worried. So was Todd. He
hadn't played anyone this good. Not in a long time. Todd's last shot
and he scratched losing the second game. He was calm and cold on the
outside but Jared could see worry and anger in his eyes. Anxiety
made him feel trapped and edgy. Two games down. Recklessly, Todd threw
out a deeper challenge. "Want'a make this a real challenge, Jared?" "What
do you have in mind?" "Up the steaks?" Jared leaned a hip on the
table. "Go ahead, I'm all ears." Todd squatted down and pulled the
balls out on the table. "I win, you fix my bike and I ride out." "Fair
enough. And if I win?" "I sign." "That's already on the table.
What else you got kid. Careful. I am good." Brown eyes flashed up
to green for a moment. "Yeah, whatever. I'll sign and..... " "And
agree to a full medical work up...the works...physical, dental, optical." Jared
waited for the explosion. Nothing happened. Todd just looked at him
like he'd lost his mind, then struggled. "Whatever, dude. I sign and
do the Doctor _s_h_i_t_. Ain't gonna happen but if it makes you feel
confident, what the hell." Jared just smiled and made the first
shot. Both played strong games. Jared saw it as almost a chess match.
Each taking time to think out the strategy of the moves. At one point
Jared called out an impossible shot. To Todd's mind anyway. "Three
in the corner pocket." Todd's face lit up with disbelief and he
snickered at the call. "Dude, that shot's not possible!" A blonde
brow jiggled at him. "You think? Well maybe for you it is." Being
on what he felt was the threshold of victory made Todd careless and
more than a little arrogant. "_s_h_i_t_! Dude you make that shot and
I'll stay till I'm _f_u_c_k_in' 21!." Todd didn't have time to regret
what just popped out of his mouth. Jared advanced on him so quick
that he took an involuntary step back. Just one. The larger man could
see the momentary start he gave him. Taking the younger man by the
arm he put his face close to Todd's. Jared spoke in a low clear tone.
" You really want to gamble that much?" Todd just looked away and
shrugged. Jared was positive he didn't feel as nonchalant as he appeared.
He gave Todd a slight shake. "Are you that sure you'll win, one chance
right now to say no and we'll keep the original bet on the table." Jerking
his arm from Jared's hold. He put himself in a corner but he wasn't
going to back down. Not in front of the tank. Todd just walked away
from him and snapped back. "Are you gonna _f_u_c_k_'n take the bet
or what?" Jared walked over to Todd again, who this time stood his
ground. "Oh, I'll take that bet Toyboy, I win and you sign and stay
till 21." Angry at himself and angry at the tank sized man in front
of him Todd just glared at Jared. " _f_u_c_k_'n talk or play?" Oh,
the little man was asking for it. All attitude and not thinking real
clearly. "Fine. We play." Jared got back in his position over the
table and lined up on the ball. "Three in the corner." The cue smacked
hard and the little round ball jumped over the ball in it's way and
rolled happily along goosing it's intended target right into the corner
pocket. Todd felt sick...really ill. Jared didn't say anything but
just played his next shot but scratched. "You're up." Todd tried
to shake it off. The game wasn't over yet. _d_a_m_n_, Jared was good.
Todd uncharacteristically scratched. He watched Jared closely. He
had really underestimated his opponent. Jared seemed relaxed as he
leaned his long frame over the table to make a shot. Tying some conversation
to get his mind off his mistakes Todd broke the silence. "I don't
get you, Jared. Why should you care? You don't know me. Not really." Looking
up from the perfect shot he just made. Jared smiled. "I know enough.
I know that you've been too long on your own. You need some looking
after, Todd. It's just that simple." Todd watched as Jared missed
his next shot. "Look. Get this through your head. I don't need you.
I don't need anyone to look out for me. All right. I've done just
fine on my own so far." Letting his temper flare cost him a shot.
He scratched. "You do need looking out for, Todd. You could have
proved me wrong. You have had a whole month to do it in. To make some
smart decisions. Adult decisions. But noooooo you run off and join
in with a bunch of mutant's in the Zone. You put your little ass in
danger every chance you get it seems." Todd concentrated on his
next shot and made it. "Maybe I like danger. I do just fine, asshole.
I know what I'm doing. I get by." Leaning back against the wall
as he watched Todd line up for a shot. Jared shook his head. "That's
what I'm talking about. You just get by. Surviving and thriving are
two different things. All you have done is survive. Using short term
skill to do it with." Todd scowled at him for that. "I'm not talking
about the bike, if that's what you think. I know you're a good rider.
Hell, you're the best I've seen. It's the stupid chances you take
with those skills that I'm talking about. Like last night. The pool
hustling and information trading and heaven knows what else you do
to live off of. That alone shows that you take too many risks. It's
like you don't care about anything, Todd. That's a dangerous way to
live." Todd showed some signs of irritation after another missed
shot. "Maybe I don't care about anything or anyone. So what? My life." Jared
was starting to get irritated himself. Todd just wasn't going to give
and neither was he. He was down to just a few balls and decided to
end this game...Now. "So what, huh? It just proves my point, that's
what." He sunk a ball with some anger behind it. "Last night was different.
I...I was...." Todd was getting freaked. Jared was sinking balls with
too fast and with deadly accuracy. Jared didn't let him finish his
own sentence. "Yeah...I know. You were drugged. But were you drugged
before you accepted the challenge?" Todd had no answer for that. He
couldn't remember if he was or not...he was pretty sure he wasn't.
"No? Didn't think so." Todd watched in stunned disbelief as ball
after ball was pocketed. Leaving only one left for Jared. The eight
ball. "Like I said. It's as if you just don't care. Are you looking
to die, Todd?" "No! It's...it's.... _f_u_c_k_ you..to hell with
you man. It's my _f_u_c_k_ing life. So what if I live dangerously."
He shot back with forced bravado. Especially as he watched Jared sink
the eight ball ending the game, the bet and his freedom. "Not any
more kiddo. Games over."
More stories by Frost Spinner