Cursed Love: Cursed Love (Cursed, #1) (10 page)

Yeah, the note was great and all, but seriously, who does that?

It’s as though a piece of me is missing and she’s only been out of my life for a few hours.

I don’t know what to do, what to think, or how to act without her here. I guess I didn’t realize what a big part of my life she really was.

That stupid fucking saying plays through my head…
You don’t know what you have ‘til it’s gone.

Well, fucking no shit. I didn’t know what I had with Jo or how much it really meant to me. What I thought was a friendship was apparently more than that. How is one to know that they’re in love when they have no clue what the fuck love even is?

I need to find her, to get her back, and to let her know just how much I really
do
care about her.

The closet door shuts and I’m pulled out of my thoughts. God, I really need to get my shit together.

I stand here and watch as this Etty girl examines the house. She’s gone as far as to look in every nook and cranny, even the closets. I don’t know what the hell she thought she’d find in them, but whatever.

Heading back downstairs, I assume that she’ll follow me. When I make it to the first floor, I turn around and she isn’t behind me.

What the hell is this chick doing?

It’s a fucking house—either you want to live here or you don’t.

I need her to bust a move so I can get to the shop. With Jo now gone, I need to make sure that all of our shit is in order. Between today and tomorrow I should have enough time to get through everything, but knowing that this is now a task I need to take on, I hate the idea of it.

Damn it to hell, Jo, why did you have to pick up and leave?

Fuck, this is a mess that I created and now I have to pick up the pieces on my own.

Out the corner of my eye, I can see Etty walking down the stairs. Her light steps barely make a sound as she makes her way down to the first floor.

When she first fell into me at the door, I was immediately taken aback by her appearance. She’s not like the girls that hang around the shop or at the house with Daulton.

She’s not like any girl I’ve ever met, especially not like Jo.

I’m used to seeing girls covered in tattoos—that’s not what threw me off. She’s just different; I don’t know why or what it is about her.

It’s almost as if she has a hidden secret, something that no one knows but her. I’ve only just met her, but I can tell that she’s not acting herself. She’s putting on a front to hide who she really is…maybe I’m just an idiot making shit up as I go, but then again maybe I’m not.

My eyes follow her as she makes her way down the stairs and into the living room where I’m sitting on the couch. I move my arms behind my head and rest my back up against the couch.

She’s petite, a tiny little thing with a lot of flare. Her hair is an odd color of blue and is tossed up on top of her head in a messy knot. Her skin is a pale white color and her eyes are a wild shade of blue that almost looks purple. Her thin frame is so small. She has two full sleeves of ink that run up as far as I can see with the t-shirt she’s wearing.

Walking into the living room, she stands in front of me with one hand on her hip. She’s got a spunky attitude and it shows in her expression.

I look her in the eye and raise my brows, waiting for her to say something. From the first moment I met her, about thirty minutes ago, there’s been more silence than anything else.

She bites on the side of her cheek and puckers her lips while swaying her hips back and forth.

I lean forward and rest my elbows on my legs while giving her a smirk.

Such a sassy looking girl—little does she know that I’m one of the most sarcastic and difficult people she’ll ever meet.

I can totally be a nice guy, but when I feel like I do right now I can also be one of the biggest assholes on the planet. I’m interested to see how well she does with the shit I give her. If she can pass the Linc test, she’ll be a friend for life.

“So, what do you think?”

She lets out a laugh.

I shake my head and scrunch my brows.

“Did I miss the joke? What’s so funny?” I ask.

“I’m laughing at you. You asked what I think…think about what? The house or your lack of hospitality?”

I stand from the couch and walk toward her, putting my hands in my pockets.

“You’ll have to excuse my lack of a house warming party, but you have to realize I just found out you were coming. I didn’t have the time to invite guests or decorate with balloons and streamers.”

She lets out another laugh and covers her face with her hands.

“You’re something else, aren’t you?”

“I guess you could say that,” I reply with a smirk

“Well, to answer your question, I
do
like the place and if the price is what Daulton says it is, I’ll take it. The only thing is I don’t know how long I’ll actually be staying in town. He said I could have the place for six months. I’m just not sure if I’ll stay after that.”

The wheels start spinning in my head and I can’t quite put my finger on what this girl is up to. She comes into town and only plans to stay for a few months? Something is up with her and I’m finding that I have to figure out what it is.

“To be honest, it doesn’t really matter how long you stay. As long as you keep the house in good shape, pay your rent, and stay on your side we’ll all be fine.”

“Don’t worry; I won’t bother you guys and the bachelor pad. I’ll be looking for work and hope to be gone most of the time anyway.”

Well, shit, I may have just struck gold with this chick.

“What kind of work are you looking to do?”

She leans to the side and looks to the ceiling. Once again biting on her lips, she seems to be deep in thought.

“I really don’t know. I guess anything that will provide a paycheck.”

“What skills do you have?”

She crosses her arms in front of her chest and starts to pace around the room.

“The past few years have given me experience in things I’d rather not mention. Other than that, I’ve never really had a job before.”

I don’t know where this girl came from or what the hell she was doing before, but what the fuck? She doesn’t look like a drug lord or a trouble maker, but shit, I don’t need another loser tenant.

“Okay, let me just say that if you’re into any illegal shit, this won’t work. We just kicked out a guy for growing weed throughout the whole house.”

A laugh escapes her lips.

“Please, drugs are the last bit of trouble I want to get involved with. You don’t have to worry about me; I’ll keep my nose clean.”

I nod my head and give her a half smile.

“Good, as long as we’re clear on that.”

“Completely clear, scout’s honor,” she says, holding up her two fingers.

“So, back to this work business, I own a tattoo shop downtown and our girl just left town for personal reasons. I’m going to need some help with stuff until I can find a permanent replacement. Would you be interested?”

The look on her face is priceless, it’s as though she found her lost puppy dog or she just won the lottery.

“Really?!” she squeals.

I let out a huff and laugh to myself.

“Yeah, the spot is open if you want to give it a try. I’m actually heading over there after we’re finished here. You sure this is the place you want to stay for the next six months? Once I have you sign the lease, you’re locked in. No excuses.”

“Like I said, you don’t have to worry about me. I already told Daulton I’d pay the full six months up front. I won’t cause you any trouble and I’ll stay out of your way as much as possible.”

“Sweet. Let me go get the lease and I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable, this is your home now.”

I walk toward the door and turn to face her. She’s just standing there staring off into space. Her small frame turns to me and I give her a smile.

I see myself out the door and over to our side of the house. This is going to be good having a chick next door, especially if she can help out with Cursed Magic.

The way I see it, it’s a winning situation for all of us. I have a new tenant to pay rent, she has a house. I need help at the shop, she needs a job.

Score!

Grabbing the papers from the table, I head back over to the other house.

Etty is sitting down on the couch picking at her nails when I walk through the door.

“Hey, I have the lease,” I say, walking toward her with the papers.

She stands and walks to the kitchen.

“Do you have a pen?” she asks, turning to face me.

“Shit, no.” I reply, holding my hands up in the air.

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but unless you want me to sign this in blood, we need a pen.”

I roll my eyes at her as she gives me a cute smile.

“I can go grab one, hold please.”

She reaches her arm out and grabs my shoulder.

“Don’t go. I have one in my purse.”

“Nice, she’s cute
and
resourceful,” I say while nudging her in the side.

She digs through her purse and pulls out a black pen and a wad of cash.

I set the papers down on the counter and she signs on the dotted line.

“Alright, lady, you’re now locked in for six months of living next door. I hope you’re ready for the time of your life. Dault can get kinda crazy with his frequent visitors. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I think I can manage just fine as long as I don’t hear you snoring through the wall.”

“I make no promises,” I reply with a wink.

Etty smiles and leans her hip into me.

“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

“Agreed. Now let’s get to the shop so I can teach you a thing or two before we open up Tuesday.”

“Show me the way.”

I lead her out of the house and to my car. For as shitty as I felt a few hours ago, my mind is in a totally different place. Etty may be the distraction I need to help me forget the pain of Jo leaving town.

Not that I’ll ever stop missing Jo, but for now this is exactly what I need to get my head in the right place.

Etty and I seem to have a similar sense of humor and wit about ourselves. I’ve always been the odd man out—the one no one could quite understand.

I’ve been the black sheep for far too long. It’s time for me to stand up for what I love and believe in.

Since Jo’s left, it’s just me and the shop. Other than Dault, Cursed Magic is all I have left. I need to regain my thoughts and remember why I moved here so many years ago.

Etty is here to start a new life, from a past I don’t know, but I think having her here will be good for both of us.

If nothing else, I’ve made a new friend—something I need now that Jo’s gone.

Chapter 12

Watching out the car window as the town passes us by, I feel a bit uneasy about where we’re heading. I’m out of my element here. Even though I’ve been forced to stick by Rick’s side for the past few years, being on my own and with another man has me a bit anxious.

As we drive through town, there are tall brick buildings that look as though they’ve been abandoned or are just really run down. I’m not used to this; actually, I’m totally out of my comfort zone right about now.

When Linc said he had a job at his shop for me, I was floored.

I don’t know what happened to the other girl that was working for him; he just said she left for personal issues. As curious as I am to find out, I don’t feel it’s my place to ask what happened, at least not quite yet.

Since arriving in Alabama, things seem to be coming along way too easily for me.

I ran into Daulton and
bam
I have a place to live. Then I met Linc, and again,
bam
I have a job. Not that I’m not appreciative of my chance luck, it’s just that I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Life has sucked for far too long; I can’t imagine that fate would have turned for me this quickly. Until something goes wrong, I guess I’ll take what I can get, when I can get it.

As much as I want to believe this may be the place for me to start over, I can’t fight the fear that one day there may be someone coming to look for me. If and when this happens, I don’t know what the hell I’ll do.

I’m still alone, all by myself. I can’t count on anyone to keep me safe from what Rick could do to me.

He’ll kill me for sure.

I don’t know how long I can hide, but if he comes looking for me I’ll have no other choice but to run again.

Involving Linc and Daulton is not an chance I’m willing to take. I’ll have to pay close attention to the people around me. If something looks suspicious, I’ll just leave. I can’t let him hurt innocent people at my expense.

He's a certified monster and is capable of anything and everything.

I want to be strong—I want to remain a fighter—but the fear of Rick will always remain dormant in the back of my mind.

A loud sneeze echoes through the inside of the car and I’m quickly pulled back to reality.

“Bless you,” I say, turning toward Linc.