Alone with Justin and Rory on the balcony something had struck Jess about the brothers. The connection between them went beyond the bloodline they shared. In Justin’s presence, Rory behaved as though his world revolved around his brother’s happiness. The energy passing between them was almost palpable. An arc of electricity leapt around each of them and only seemed to find its ground when they were close to one another.
Jess retreated to the bathroom and tried to distract her thoughts by putting on makeup, and fixing her hair. Her hand faltered as she pulled the comb through her curls. It was impossible to let go of the way Justin and Rory had seemed to communicate without speaking. The two were like one soul inhabiting two bodies. They were two sides of the same shiny coin, and the idea of their intimacy made her ache.
When she was in their space, envy owned her. She desired a connection like the one they shared. As much as she loved her brother he didn’t know her thoughts, or anticipate her movements. Jess sat on the side of the tub and considered there was more to them than what she saw, there was something extraordinary about the brotherhood occupying the next room. There was something bizarre about all of them, and Jess couldn’t put her finger on it, but she liked them, and she felt safe in their company.
Finally able to stand and block out thoughts of the brothers, she continued primping. Someone tapped on the door, and she cracked it to see Justin in the hall. “We were thinking about volleyball on the beach. You up for it?”
What was his game now? Showing up all concerned and caring, and now he wanted to play a game of volleyball? She'd never make any sense of him.
"Sure, if you think it's safe for me to walk that far."
One side of his mouth lifted in a cock-eyed smile, and his iridescent irises seemed to swirl.
They moved in a group down the beach a hundred yards from the condo. A volleyball net had been erected for a tournament during the summer, and the wood was still yellow under the sunlight streaming through the cloud-filled sky. Justin had taken to treating her like a porcelain doll. His hand was on her shoulder guiding her through the sand as though she might not be able to navigate the beach alone. Jess wanted to hate it, but she didn’t, because inside his protection she felt safer than she had, since her dad had passed away.
She pulled a ponytail holder off her wrist and drew her hair away from her face, irritated that it had frizzed in the late August afternoon heat. They were arguing about teams, and laughing at Blake as he balanced the ball on his nose. Jess didn’t see the boy with the dark Mohawk approach. She heard his voice when he called Justin’s name, and instinctively stepped behind Justin fortifying herself in his defenses.
The mood of the group changed upon the guy’s arrival. Justin’s pale skin hardened against his cheeks causing the bones of his face to protrude. His reaction stoked the instinctive fear in Jess’ stomach as she watched him struggle to pace his breath.
“Justin.” The dark eyes were probing Justin, and Jess could see no discernible life behind them.
“Dawson.” Justin said, his voice sounded like a growl.
He glanced back at Jess. His eyes were wide, and the unnamed shade within them seized her. She was certain the color moved as he did.
Dawson turned to Blake, who was still holding the ball and made a gesture with one finger towards the group of guys who had followed him from the water’s edge. “Mind if we play? Our team against yours?”
Blake shot Justin a questioning look, as though he needed permission to speak. Justin turned to the Mohawk. “Sure man, take that side.” He pointed away from Jess and Vi who were now several yards behind him.
“You know him?” Jess said, finding him oddly familiar.
Justin spoke between clenched teeth. “They live in the Quarter. Just stay close. You too, Vi.” Justin turned, pushing Jess away from the net. His strength caught her off guard, and she landed with a thud in the sand at his feet.
“I’m sorry.” He reached out and grasped her hand with his to pull up again.
She had to be imaging his inability to control his strength. “Kind of a coincidence, no?”
The hard stare he cast in her direction chilled her blood. “Just stay back there. Okay?” It was a demand, and despite the irritation she felt, Jess decided not to argue. Dawson glared at her from the other side of the net.
“Like I have a choice.” She forced a smile.
Justin apparently was not amused by her derision. His playful demeanor escalated into frustration, and he stepped in front of her.
Dawson started the game by serving from the far side of the court. His hands moved effortlessly as he punched the ball, but his eyes stayed locked on Jess. She felt the look almost as though he was physically touching her. It felt like a violation, and she tried to signal Vi for help. Vi was watching Dawson, though. Her eyes flicked from him to his teammates and back. The uncertainty surrounding the scene made it difficult for Jess to believe she wasn’t dreaming. Any minute now she'd wake up, and find herself back at the apartment in the Quarter.
“Hey Justin, haven’t seen you around much. But um, looks like you found something to occupy your time.” Dawson spiked the ball with his fist, again.
“I work man.” Justin returned the serve. The ball sailed across the net in a blur, and Jess struggled to keep up.
“You can admit it man, we all need a tasty little distraction every once in a while.” Dawson laughed, and the sound sent thousands of tiny needles into Jess’ brain. She rubbed her temples, and Justin reached back brushing his hand against hers.
When the ball darted across the net, Justin’s hands tightened into fists against his side. Rory blasted him with a look that spoke volumes, but Justin wasn’t calmed.
Dawson’s goons chuckled along with him. They laughed every time he opened his mouth hanging on his every word. “Awe come on, man.” The Mohawk directed his greasy smile back at Jess. “She is a tasty little thing, isn’t she? I didn’t realize you had come to the dark side. Maybe, you can share her with the rest of us.”
Apparently, no longer able to control his impulses, Justin moved from Jess to the net before Dawson finished speaking. Rory and Lathan held his arms, as he and Dawson stood nose to nose only separated by the flimsy twine. “Stay away from her Dawson. Stay away from both of them.”
The warning was severe and menacing. It didn’t sound at all like Justin’s voice. He was brimming with rage, and Jess thought she could see the anger course through his body and highlight the veins of his arms and shoulders. Something in him worked to transform his appearance, and he refused to look at Jess, now. With each word he spoke, his nose grazed Dawson’s and Jess wondered if he would have unleashed his fury had she not been standing there.
Perhaps the sight of Justin’s anger had defrosted Vi’s limbs, because she moved towards Jess swiftly and pulled her farther away from the boys. A sharp pain radiated from the gashes on her arms, making the throbbing in her head seem mild. Jess bit her lip trying to ward off an onslaught of tears.
Jess looked back to the net. Dawson was breathing his words into Justin’s face spit flying from his mouth as he spoke. “You can have her. For now.” His lips curled back over his teeth, and he threw the ball across the net. He broke away from Justin’s stare and glared back at Jess with a perverse grin, before heading down the beach, his entourage in tow.
Justin stood at the net, immobile as the others huddled in the sand chatting mindlessly. His eyes were glued on Dawson, until the Mohawk disappeared against the hard blue sky. Rory placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder, but Justin didn’t move. Jess sat with her feet in the water and waited for the person she knew to reappear.
He finally plopped down in the sand next to her and buried his head in his hands. He didn’t speak. Jess could see the blood still pulsating in his hands and face, and Jess contemplated what wild thoughts must be riddling his brain.
“Did I scare you?” His voice was barely audible, but she heard a hint of humiliation. She hadn’t thought he was capable of guilt, but it was perceivable now as she watched him transform again.
“Yeah.” Even when she wanted to be dishonest, something about him made lying impossible.
He turned his head, still supported by one hand. His face was sullen making him appear childlike.
“I don’t think that guy likes you,” Jess said.
“You’re pretty perceptive.” He smiled, easing the tension between them. “I’m sorry.”
Jess marveled at this break in his usual cool. “So, what happened between you two?”
“He’s just a self-absorbed jerk. The world is full of them.” He rubbed his hand down her thigh. “He’ll use you to get to me.”
“You never give a straight answer. Would it kill you to be truthful?”
“What? What’d I say?”
“You didn’t say anything. That’s the point.”
“What are you gonna do about it?” He pushed her into the sand and pinned her shoulders beneath him. Jess was again surprised by the potency of his muscle. He couldn’t seem to control it, but she was convinced he would never hurt her. Instead of answering she laughed, and his face broke in a glorious smile.
With one swift motion, he rose cradling her in his arms. His lips were on hers again for a second, and when he pulled away, he dumped her into the surf. Jess squealed as the chill of the salt water enveloped her. The fire of the cuts on her arms was relit and she sprang up from the water waving them wildly in an effort to lessen the pain. Jess wiped her eyes the salt trickling into them like razor blades, and reached for his hand. Justin stood on the sand taunting her before he seemed to realize she was in distress. Gripping the hand he offered she pulled him into the water wildly satisfied with the accomplishment.
“Not funny,” he said, dragging them both from the waves.
Water streamed from the dark bangs pasted to his forehead. Jess was besieged by his innocence, and without thought she said, “You’re beautiful.”
Justin chuckled. “No, you’re beautiful.”
Jess burst into a fit of laughter, giggling until her sides hurt. “See I told you, you are full of it.”
He watched her in silence a scornful grin twisting his lips. “You done making fun?”
She nodded.
“That’s why I don’t like you Jess. You have a nasty sense of humor.” He sprinted towards the condo, and Jess followed.