Tales of A Tomboy: Britain Read online

  A chorus of little voices, including Annie’s, yell as the kids clap.

  Song after song the lady sings, and with each passing minute I want to drive a stake into my ear. I’m in my own personal version of hell, but I can’t leave because Annie is having a wonderful time. When the woman finally finishes, I do a happy dance in my head and then take Annie to get her picture taken with her.

  As we head back downstairs, she chatters happily about her favorite songs. We’re heading toward the door when I bump into someone walking toward us. “Um…I’m sorry.” I look up and up until I’m looking at the face of the guy from the coffee shop last week…FML.

  He eyes me closely and then rolls them just like before. “You’re a mess,” he tells me before looking down at Annie, back at me, and walking away.

  If my niece wasn’t with me right now, I’d give that asshole a piece of my mind. I’m not a mess—he’s just a big ol’ piece of crap. Fuck him and his stupid handsome face. Outside, I load Annie into my car, which she loves riding in. She says it purrs like a kitty. Of course that’s because she’s heard me talking about my baby like that.

  I talk her out of McDonald’s and she agrees to Arby’s. After we eat, we head to the school to pick up Bridgette. While we wait, Annie plays on the gym equipment with other kids.

  “Are you Bridgette’s mom?” I turn toward the voice. He’s tall and lean with blond hair. His eyes are covered by sunglasses and his arms are covered in colorful tattoos.

  “Um, no, I’m not. I’m her aunt.”

  He steps closer to me. “My daughter Kyra is her buddy. I’m Alex.” He holds out his hand to me.

  I’m terrible at small talk, but still stick out my hand anyway. “I’m Britain.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too.” I’m saved from further small talk when Annie yells for me to come watch her. “Um…well, I need to get to my niece. See you around.” I feel his eyes on me as I walk over to the playground equipment. I’d deny it if anyone ever asked, but it makes me feel good after the asshole from the coffee shop and then today at the library dismissed me like I was an ugly dog. I know I’m not ugly, but I’m just not desirable to the opposite sex. Most guys are intimidated by the fact that I know more about cars than they do. Of course, I don’t really give off the “flirt with me” vibe, either. Who would believe that a healthy twenty-four-year-old woman has never really been kissed and really has never dated? Beth’s tried encouraging me to date, too, but to be honest, the opposite sex scares me—well, all except my dad, brothers, and the guys from the shop, because they’ve all been in my life as long as I can remember.

  My parents had me talk to a counselor when I was younger after the incident happened, and even though I was six, I remember every moment of therapy. Luckily Margaret was an amazing person to talk to, and to this day I still meet with her when the memories become too much to bear.

  When I reach Annie, I look behind me and see Alex is still watching me. I give him a small smile and feel my cheeks heat up as he smiles back. Maybe once Bridgette is out I’ll ask for his number—start with baby steps. A phone call isn’t a big deal, and if that goes well, then maybe it’ll lead to a date. It’s time to start living my life before I wake up one day and it’s practically over.

  A few minutes later, kids start spilling out of the school. Bridgette is tall for her age, so she’s easy to spot as she comes toward me in a full sprint. I catch her right before she slams into me. “Auntie Brit, I had a great day.”

  I hug her tightly. “That’s great, sweetheart. I know how much you love school. When we get home, you’ll have to tell me what you learned.” Both girls hold my hands as we make our way to my car.

  “Britain!” I turn at the sound of my name being called and find Alex, Kyra, and a little boy who looks just like his dad moving toward us. We stop and Bridgette runs toward her little friend—they hug each other. “The kids and I are going to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. Would you guys like to join us?”

  I want to go…I don’t want to be afraid to take chances with guys. Fuck me, I’m turning into a sissy. “Yeah, okay. That sounds good. We’ll meet you there.”

  We all walk in the same direction, and his truck is actually parked behind my car. I hear his whistle from behind me. “Is that a Chevelle?”

  Here we go…as soon as I tell him I work on cars and rebuilt mine, he’ll run as fast as possible in the other direction just like everyone else. “Yep. I rebuilt it with my dad and brothers. I’ve always loved cars, and working on them. We all work together at my dad’s shop. Lancaster Family Automotive Center.”

  “Wow…Impressive. I’m a bit of a gearhead myself. I work construction, but cars are my passion. I have a 1967 Chevy Impala hardtop. If you watch Supernatural, it’s like Sam and Dean’s car.”

  I love that show, and I love the car more. “That’s awesome. It’s a beautiful ride.”

  “Maybe I could bring it by your family’s shop and let you take a look at it?”

  It’s nice that he suggests somewhere public, and he has no idea what a relief it is. He doesn’t seem to be turned off by my occupation and my love of cars. Even if nothing happens, which I’m certain it won’t, I can at least say I tried. I start to sweat and try to keep my face neutral instead of letting him see the panic on my face. “Sure, you just may have to call and see if I’m working.”

  “Okay, awesome. We’ll meet you at DQ.” He walks by us and I watch him load up his kids into his truck before I do the same with my nieces. My palms sweat as we follow behind the huge red Ford F-150—typical dude truck. We pull into the parking lot of Dairy Queen. After both girls get out, they grab my hands and Kyra grabs Bridgette’s and we make our way inside.

  Both girls order a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate and I order my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard. We all sit outside with our frosty treats, and the girls attack their cones with vigor. “Are you into sports?” The question catches me off guard.

  “Um…Yeah, I love the Bears, the Cubbies, and the Hawkeyes. My brothers and I go to Cubs games at least three times a year.”

  “Good to know.” He leans in close. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but…you like men, right? I only ask because I’d love your number but didn’t want to assume.”

  I feel my hackles rise. “Uhh…assume what?”

  He shrugs and at least has the intelligence to look a little embarrassed. “Well, the car thing and the way you look have been throwing me mixed signals, that’s all.”

  Is this guy for real? “Excuse me?” I keep my voice steady, not wanting to upset the girls.

  I should be sad or disappointed, but I’m so used to it by now that I don’t know why I got my hopes up even a little bit in the first place. Something like this always happens.

  He pushes his sunglasses up on top of his head, and that’s when I see he’s got the darkest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. He looks me over and I don’t like it. “Well I mean, you don’t wear makeup or anything, but you don’t really dress anything like the women my sister dates, either. They’re called butch, right?”

  On behalf of the sisterhood, I’m a little freaking pissed he said that. Aren’t we supposed to be loved for who we are and not what we look like or what we do?

  “I have no idea,” I snap, “because I’m not a lesbian, but I’m sure your sister would be so proud how educated you are.”

  He flinches and turns his head so he’s looking off somewhere in the distance. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I feel like such an ass.”

  When the girls are finished, I excuse us and take them inside to the bathroom to wash their hands. I’m so irritated right now, and it’s bullshit that I should change who I am so I don’t become the crazy cat lady.

  Back outside, Alex is wiping off both kids and looks up at me. I paste on a fake smile. “We’re going to take off, but thanks for inviting us.”

  “Okay yeah, sure. I’ll call the shop and bring up the Impala for you to see.” He leans
in and gazes right into my eyes. “Again, I’m really sorry.

  “That sounds good, and it’s fine—whatever.” The girls walk with me to the car and we head home.

  ***

  Keith steps out onto the back deck and hands Beth her glass of wine and me my beer. I just told them the whole story about Alex. During dinner, Annie asked what a “wesbian” was and I spit my water all over the table. We told her that it means girls who like girls like her mommy likes her daddy, and she quickly moved on to another topic like any four-year-old girl would do.

  “That motherfucker questioned your sexual orientation because of your job and the way you look…” Keith, forever my champion, is pissed right now. “And he told you that in front of his kids and mine?”

  I nod my head, because I’m honestly scared to answer him. He’s really mad. Ever since I can remember, he’s always had my back. Don’t get me wrong, Marcus has too, but maybe because Keith is the oldest he’s always felt some duty to protect and watch over me.

  Keith knows what happened to me even though he’s never brought it up. I also know that he hates my real mom.

  Why did I have to meet Alex today? It stirred up shit that I was happy not thinking about…ever.

  Keith squats in front of me and grabs my hands. “You’re fucking beautiful and you don’t need motherfucking makeup, or to do your goddamn hair. You know what’s even better? Your beauty on the inside is so much brighter than the outside. I hope he comes to the shop, because I’m gonna kick his ass.”

  I blink away the tears that are filling my eyes. I don’t cry—I won’t allow myself to do it. When I was little and after everything happened, I cried all of the time. One night I listened at my parents’ door and heard them talk about how worried they were that all I did was cry and that maybe they needed to take me to the hospital. Somehow, I found the strength to dry my tears and never let them fall again.

  “Keith, I’m okay—seriously, don’t do anything. I honestly doubt after what he assumed that I’ll ever talk to him again.”

  He looks me over closely, and I know he can see the strength I pretend to have. I take a swig of my beer and cover my mouth as a burp slips past my lips. Keith just shakes his head. “You’re a pig.”

  Just as Beth says, “Gross, Brit.”

  “Sorry, guys. I needed to lighten the mood.” I drink down the rest of my beer. “I’m heading downstairs. Keith, I’ll see you at the shop in the morning. Night, Beth.” I hug my sister-in-law, kiss my brother’s cheek, and head inside and down the stairs to my little apartment.

  Tomorrow’s a new day.

  Chapter Three

  Silas

  My alarm clock goes off—the loud beeping causes me to open my eyes slowly. A soft warm body is tucked into mine. Fuck, I fell asleep and Dorie took it upon herself to spend the night. They don’t ever spend the night.

  It keeps things casual, just the way I like it and just the way I want it. My life is complicated enough without some fuck buddy thinking they can “fix” or “change” me. Nothing’s broken—I’ve never had my heart broken, and I’ve never broken anyone’s heart. I just prefer to be commitment free. Will that change someday, maybe, but I don’t count on anything happening soon, and definitely not with her.

  I ease out of bed and get dressed. I’m just sliding my t-shirt on over my head when I hear movement behind me. “Why didn’t you wake me?” Her voice on a good day is grating, and when I don’t want her to be here, it’s even worse.

  Schooling my features, I turn around. “Babe, what are you doing here? What is my number one rule?”

  She rolls her fucking eyes at me. “No spending the night.”

  “Then what are you still doing here? I’m not cool with this, Dorie. I don’t like it.”

  She climbs out of bed quickly and throws her clothes on. I can tell she’s angry, but every woman I take to bed knows the rules, and it pisses me off when one of them tries to bend them. They’re never blindsided, so I don’t know why they do this shit and act surprised when I get pissed.

  “Fine, I’m leaving, and you’re an asshole.”

  I shake my head and cross my arms over my chest as I watch her finish getting dressed. She doesn’t even look at me after she finishes. I can only shake my head as she stomps down the stairs. When she reaches the front door, she flips me off. “Don’t ever call me again. I’m no longer your booty call.”

  The door slams and I’m finally alone. I move through my loft and lock the front door before jumping in the shower. Once I get out, I dry off and then throw on jeans and a t-shirt. I pad through my place and sit down at my desk, logging onto my computer.

  Several years ago, I developed an app for my sister—she’s dyslexic and it’s helped her finish high school and get through her college classes. Then I was able to patent and sell it. Within the first year, I made my first million. I’ve developed two more apps since then, and now one of them is used by the grade schools.

  I boot up the latest project I’m working on, a tutoring app, and it’s cool because it doesn’t give you the answers to any questions. It takes you step by step until you get the right answer yourself. If you still can’t get it, there’s a live help line and they take you even further. After you work out the answer, it emails you the steps you took to get it right so you can keep the notes for later.

  My best friend Jeremiah does a lot of the marketing for me. He runs his own marketing firm, and I’m his biggest client. He makes a decent percentage and owns stock in my company. I’m starting to grow faster than what I can keep up with. I already use a couple of freelance programmers.

  My other best friend Stefan has been on my ass to get an office space and finally expand properly. I’ve definitely got the cash to do it, but maybe a part of me has always been a little scared to make the leap.

  Of course I can’t work out of my place forever, either. I need an office, conference room, and a larger server than what I have now. I pull up my email and shoot a quick message to Stefan.

  “Okay, I’m ready. Set up some showings of office spaces around town.” I hit send and lean back in my chair. I’m really going to fucking do this.

  I take a deep breath and get to work doing some last-minute tweaking on the tutoring app. My phone rings a few hours later, and I glance down to see it’s my sister. “What’s up, Heather?”

  “Hey, big brother. I was just wondering if you want to meet me for dinner. I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”

  My baby sister always has a bone to pick with me. “What did I do? Just tell me now so I’m prepared.”

  “One word: Dorie.”

  Shit. She works with my sister, and I knew it was stupid to hit her up, but she gives good head. I wasn’t going to say no to her. Plus she likes it a little rough, just how I like to give it.

  “Baby sister, I know you think it’s your business what I do, but it really isn’t. She knows the deal and she got pissed when I made sure she knew I wasn’t happy with her. Yes, I shouldn’t have touched her in the first place, but I did and now it’s over.” My sister thinks I treat women badly, which I don’t—I just have rules.

  I’m worth a lot of money now and I’m not letting any girl try to con or trap me into anything. My dad’s old boss had gotten his side piece pregnant and she ended up getting a lot of money from him, including destroying the guy’s marriage. Of course the guy was to blame, too. I don’t plan on getting married probably, but I would never cheat…ever.

  “Well, she was a bitch before you slept with her and now she’s worse, so thank you so much for that.”

  I shake my head even though I know she can’t see me. “Shouldn’t you be happy that I’m not with her then, because she’s a bitch?”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. Do you still want to meet for dinner, your treat?” Even if she offered to pay, I wouldn’t let her. She’s a special education teacher’s assistant when she doesn’t have class and is beta testing another app we’re working on for kids with developmental disab
ilities. Heather doesn’t make a lot of money, and I try to help her even though she doesn’t always let me.

  “Sure. Do you want me to scoop you up later, or do you want me to meet you somewhere?”

  “I have errands to run later, so why don’t I just meet you at Bud’s at six?” I’m going to meet my financial advisor and discuss financing for an office space. I stare out my window, which faces downtown. The river is in the background. I paid a mint for this place for the view alone, but it was worth every penny.

  “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

  I hang up and stare out the window. The blonde that I’ve literally run into twice flits through my mind. God, I was such a dick to her, but I’ve never had that kind of reaction from looking at someone before. She was totally not my type, either. I like my woman tall, with big tits and a nice ass. From what I can tell, the blonde’s tits were on the smaller side and she was a petite thing with no ass, but there was some sort of spark there.

  At the coffee shop when she’d fallen, it took all I had to not help her up, but then she would’ve seen that I had half a boner, and I would’ve been embarrassed as fuck. Oh well, I’ll probably never see her again.

  A short while later, I save my work and lock my computer. I change into my dark gray slacks and blue dress shirt but forgo the suit jacket and tie since it’s fucking hot out. Slipping on my black loafers, I shove my wallet in my back pocket and head out. In the underground garage, there are two beeps when I hit the unlock button on my key fob. I climb into my black Porsche Cayenne Turbo. After I bought my loft, I bought my SUV. I wanted something sportier, but I live in the Midwest and it doesn’t make sense to drive a sports car when winters can be hellish. I paid for this thing outright and got it with all the bells and whistles.

  My sister and I were raised by a single father who struggled to put food on the table and clothe us—I swore that would never be us again. Thanks to my business, I was able to buy my dad his little bungalow on the river. He sacrificed so much for us after Mom took off. It’s been nice being able to give back to him.