Stuck between two bad boys

I was running out of time and I knew it. It was already the first day from the three days James gave me.

I walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist. I got dressed in the clothes I already brought out. I decided to wear a black hoodie over black trousers.

I needed to find a job, to get something legal to do. I walked to the first shop, it was a flower shop. I had no idea what it felt like to be florist but I was willing to find out.

I greeted the man I met. He looked a lot like a man in his early sixties. I explained how badly I needed job and could the evening shifts while he rested but he refused.

“Sorry kid, I can’t employ you.”

I swallowed hard at his rejection. He didn’t even want to give me a chance.

He kept looking at me from head to toe and I figured it immediately.

“Fucking wrong choice of clothes,” I muttered to myself. I shouldn’t have worn an all black, it made me look fierce.

“Hey, I can take it off,” I said and removed the hoodie, leaving my rumpled T-shirt.

“Still can’t employ you kid. You look like a bad boy and I can’t risk it.”

“But I don’t go about looking for trouble or-”

“It’s not about that. I have a wife who I believe would freak out if she sees you.”

So he was not going to employ me because of his old wife? Fucking hell.

“You have tattoos and you-”

Just as he was talking someone entered the shop. I kept quiet as he turned back to greet the woman.

“Meet my wife,” he said and I turned to the woman.

“Hell no,” I blurted in shock.

The old man raised his brow waiting for an explanation but I didn’t have any to give.

I turned around and left the shop without any more word. There was no way I was going to work for Martha’s husband!

I walked down the street and reached for my bag. I printed some posters with Emily’s picture. I was going to share it round the area and paste it on the damn walls of the city.

I walked closer to paste it but realized Emily’s mission person poster was already there. I looked at my right and found Emily’s mother still pasting some on the wall. Behind he was Xavier, who held most of the posters.

I walked toward them and she saw me immediately. When she saw the posters on my hands, a small smile crept on her lips.

“Devin,” she called. “Thank you.”

I gave a small nod, I didn’t have anything else to say. She pulled me in a hug and I returned the hug. I needed one and Emily wasn’t there to give me warm hugs.

A frown fell on Xavier’s face. His jaw squeezed and he twitched his lips, turning his face away. When she pulled away from the hug and apologized for getting too emotional, I gave a slight nod and took my leave.

Since they had pasted Emily’s picture already, I left to the next street. I kept walking till I saw a car following me. I recognized the car at second glance, it was James.

“What do you want?” I asked, still walking. He kept driving and making sure to be at same pace with me.

“Get in the car Devin.”

“No, leave me the fuck alone.”

“I said get in the car,” he repeated and I paused. Why was he asking me to get in the car? Was he going to threaten me again and ask me to stay off Emily’s case?

James was so predictable but this time around I could barely think of what be wanted. I opened the door and lowered myself in the passenger seat.

His cologne filled the air and I just frowned. I wanted him to say why he called me immediately so I could return to what I was doing.

James didn’t say anything, instead he drove off. He kept driving without a word till he reached the driveway miles from my house.

“Where the fuck are you taking me to?”

“Relax kid, i’m just giving you a free ride.”

“I didn’t ask you for a free ride!” I yelled back.

The moment the car came to a halt, I flung the door open and climbed out. I wasn’t going to say thank you because I didn’t ask him for a ride. He ruined my plans by bringing me back home using a different route and now I didn’t paste the posters anymore.

“Devin!” He called as I walked away.

He followed me and caught up with me at the doorway.

“I just need a drink.”

I raised my brows at him. It was the same thing he said the first day I met him and found out Emily was his daughter.

“Just fuck out!” I roared and left. He walked behind me despite asking him to fuck out.

He got inside the house and leaned by the wall.

“What exactly do you want?” I asked him.

This,” he responded and a punch followed.

I had never been caught unaware in a fight before. I was always at alert to block fists before they got to me but I didn’t see James’ fist coming.

“Fuck,” I growled when I realized he had broken my nose with just a bloody punch.

I held my nose as the pain was excruciating. Blood filled my hand and I swallowed hard looking at my blood.

Before I could stand properly, James used his elbow on my neck and kneed my stomach. I tried to block his fist from throwing another punch but I only ended up on the floor.

He marched my chest and made me spit out the bloodied clot that formed in my mouth.

“I warned you,” he said, sending another kick to my waist.

I tried to turn to stop the kicks. He lowered his stance and banged me against the wooden chair.

“James-please-”

“I begged you but you didn’t listen. I warned you that I would fucking kill you.”

He stood up and shoved out bucks of money. He threw them to the floor and stepped closer to me.

“Get yourself treated.”

How would a same man beat you this bad and ask you to treat yourself? I could barely move, i’d need an ambulance to get the fucking treatment.

“Do you realize you could get arrested for this?” I blurted out.

He laughed at my threats and sat on the chair.