Devious Read online

  “I can't talk to you now. Call me when you are sober or at least in the right state of mind,” he snapped. “I don't understand you sometime.”

  “What does that even mean?”

  “I'm so over you.”

  “Baby, but...but...”

  My eyes began to get blurrier and I searched the outside area for Tyler—but he was gone. All I could see were hundred-foot trees that danced in the cool wind. I rubbed my palms on my body, waiting to see if Tyler would come back for me. A man was not supposed to leave a vulnerable woman alone on the street. Maybe Tyler was not a man—he was an asshole. And it barely took me until that moment to realize it.

  I stood up with wobbly legs with my arms extended for support. I knew I did not live far from the bar, so I headed west—wherever west was. I spun around, trying to see the homes, but all the homes looked alike.

  I could have asked a kind gentleman from the bar to drive me home in his pickup truck. Except, there were no kind gentlemen willing to drive me home without something in return.

  I began heading west as if I knew where west was. Mama always told me, “When you're lost, head west.” That was probably the worst advice I ever received.

  “You're going the wrong way!” shouted a man, with the voice of Johnny Depp.

  I jumped in fright, too afraid to reply back. I could not see him, so I began to walk faster through the grass; or at least I tried to in my six-inch heels. “Oh my gosh, it's the murderer,” I whispered to myself. “My dad is coming to pick me up. He'll be looking for me!” I lied to the man.

  The man laughed, his voice getting closer. “You shouldn't be around here alone. You know this town isn't the safest anymore.”

  I opened my already big eyes wider as the man stood right in front of me. He was all tattooed, shirtless with jeans on. And he had shoulder length black hair and a cigarette hanging out his mouth.

  “Miss, are you okay?”

  I turned around to walk the other way. But, my knees gave out and I collapsed onto the wet lawn. I could hear the man running over to me. He leaned down for me, with a cigarette still hanging out his mouth. I shoved him off my fragile body and jumped back up. “I'm fine!”

  He leaned back and shook his head in confusion. “Did you just come from that bar?”

  “Why do you care?”

  “Come inside and rehydrate yourself. You look so pale,” he insisted as he pulled me.

  “That's my skin color, you jerk. And if you think I’m going to get naked because I’m drunk, you're wrong! You may have been told things, but Leanna Vita Cruz does not sleep around every Sunday night. I have values.”

  “I'm Christian.”

  “So, you have values too?”

  “No, that's my name. I live here,” he chuckled. “I've seen you around riding in roofless cars.”

  I rolled my eyes. “With boys—I’m positive you've seen me with boys.”

  He smirked and his face began to get clearer as I began to sober up. He did not look so scary anymore. Maybe unapproachable to an average person because of his sleeve tattoos, but I liked tattoos. If he were scary, it would be too late—I would already be on his murder list.

  “I've never seen you around,” I muttered. “Are you new here?”

  “Nah, I’ve been staying with my dad and helping him out. I lived in Hollywood, but I finished film school so I had to move back home.”

  “Oh, so you're older...” I rolled my eyes again.

  “And?”

  “That's all this town has to offer—old sick men.”

  “I'm not that old—only twenty-three.”

  “You didn't say you weren't sick,” I snapped as I sat on the curb.

  “I have a bad stomach flu now...so I would be lying,” he joked.

  I laughed, and put my head down. “I'm fine, Christian. I’ve just been a little uneasy lately.”

  “Do you mind me asking why?” Christian said as he sat down on the curb next to me. He offered me a cigarette and I snatched one before I could even think about it. “You're a very pretty girl. Why would you be so...I don't know...out of it?”

  “Well, the love of my life, as cheesy as that sounds, hates me, my mom is gone, and I don't know where my father is—and I have a fear that I might one day reproduce with a half-brother or something. My mind is always busy. I want to pass out from being drunk but my brain won't shut off. I guess life is just too beautiful,” I mumbled.

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, I’m damaged goods.”

  “Leanna?”

  “Yes?”

  “Let me take you home. I would hate to turn on the news tomorrow morning and your picture is on TV as the next victim.”

  “No, that's okay. I live down the street. Seriously...”

  “I'll walk with you then. You probably don't want to ride in my beat up car.”

  I turned around and stared at Christian's black Honda that was missing it's passenger window. “What happened to it?”

  “Aw, I got into a fight and some asshole through a rock into the window.”

  I chuckled. “That's the story of my life...minus the car.”

  “I don't really know what that means, but that's funny.” Christian lent his hand out as he stood up. He pulled me to my feet and stared at me for a second. “What street do you live on?”

  I pulled my heels off and wiggled my toes in the lawn. “Um, that way...” I said, forgetting the name of my street and then realized I was on my street. “You don't have to walk with me,” I teased as I began to walk away, “honestly I don't really trust you.”

  “I know you're joking,” he winked. “Because, you have that wicked smirk on your face.”

  I began to run as the water sprinklers sprayed out ice cold water. Christian ran too, still a few steps behind me. I turned to look at him, and he smiled.

  He was thinking about me.

  ***

  I was waiting on the porch for Derek so he could take me to school. It was a surprisingly hot Monday morning so I wore my infamous jean shorts and a plaid shirt. I kicked a rock with my converse tennis shoes as the seconds dragged on. “Typical late men,” I said to myself as I curled my hair on my finger. I yawned and frowned at my ghostly appearance in the reflection of the window—I hated being hungover.

  My neighbor, Mrs. Carol pointed at me from across the street, “Waiting for one of your men?” she mocked. “Pathetic slutty girl.”

  “Shut up, you old hag,” I muttered and continued to kick rocks as she checked her mail.

  Tyler pulled up to my curb and he waved for me to get in his car. “Why didn't you call me?”

  “Maybe I’m not sober,” I said as I walked to his truck.

  “Leanna, you have to think about your future. You won't be pretty all your life. Maybe if you're lucky your looks will last until your forty, but until then you need to take things seriously.”

  “Are you going to feed me bullshit all the way to school?” I snapped as I sat in the passenger seat with my arms folded.

  “Nope, but I worry about you all the time.”

  I rolled my eyes and pointed at the gas station, as I noticed his tank was low. Pissed off at the gas prices, he pulled into the only gas station in our town. For once, the station was not packed with cars waiting and he got a spot instantly.

  I got out the car, so I could get some chips since I did not eat breakfast. I did not cook—so I did not eat that morning. I was expecting Derek there early to cook me some food, but he was probably hungover too. As I walked inside, I turned to see who called my name.

  “Leanna,” said the familiar voice again. “Yo, hippie girl.”

  I went down the snack aisle and it was Christian waving at me. “Um, hi.”

  “Do you remember me?” he asked.

  “Of course I do,” I teased. “You're Alejandro, right?”

  “You're funny.”

  “How do you know I’m joking?”

  “Because when you are joking, you smirk. I told you this befor
e.”

  I paused as Tyler came inside the gas station. “Yo, Leanna get me some chips too.”

  I nodded and grabbed the closest bags of chips while still holding eye contact with Christian. “What are you doing today?” I said as I stared into his green eyes.

  “Um...I'm going to see where I can fix my window. I might have to go into the city to get it fixed,” he said as he picked up some gum. “What about you?” he asked with his eyes on Tyler.

  “Um...I have school.”

  “So, is that the love of your life you where telling me about? He looks like Ken.”

  “Who is Ken?”

  “Barbie's boyfriend.”

  I laughed and walked away. “You're going to make me late,” I said. “I'll see you around.”

  “Bye, Leanna.”

  I walked back to Tyler's car, and sat in the passenger seat with Christian on my mind. As I opened my chips to eat, Tyler hopped into the driver's seat, instantly driving off.

  “So, you know that man?” he said, with his eyes narrowed.

  I stayed silent, stuffing my mouth with chips. I did not want to reply to such an obvious question because it would just cause problems. Tyler knew I wanted nothing more but him. He liked to use that against me. Because of him, I did not even have best friends. He was all I wanted—and that was scary.

  “Leanna! I’m talking to you!” he shouted as he snatched the bag of chips out of my hand and threw them out the window.

  I leaned my head out the window as I watched the chips fly through the empty fields. “Why'd you do that?”

  “I thought you wanted me?”

  “I do.”

  “Then prove it. I always see you talking to other men but not me.”

  “We have nothing to talk about.”

  And that was quite the truth. Besides being attracted to Tyler, I had nothing in common with him. I sometimes wondered why I liked such a preppy twenty-one year old who looked as if he belonged in New York. I just loved the way his handsome brown eyes stared at me and his half-smile made me bubbly inside.

  I banged on the car door for him to let me out.

  With an attitude, Tyler slammed his breaks and unlocked his truck. “If you're going to act like a brat don't call me no more!”

  “Fuck you.” I jumped out the car and slammed the door shut. Before I looked at him, he drove off, leaving me in the middle of just dirt and tumbleweeds.

  I began walking back toward the gas station, because it was closer rather than the school. Ten minutes went by of me walking through the desert and I felt relieved to see Christian leaning over his car, sweating and drinking a beer.

  I flipped my hair and skipped over to him. “Boo!” I screamed, attempting to scare him.

  He jumped, nearly hitting his head on the car hood. “Leanna?”

  “Yes, it's me,” I beamed.

  “What happened? Didn't you leave?” He searched the gas station for Tyler.

  “Um...nope,” I said. “What are you doing?”

  He stuck his head back under the car hood. “This car is shit. Now, it won't even start,” he laughed as he sipped a beer. “I'm so over it.”

  “There is a food place a block away,” I said. “Do you want to walk with me?”

  “Don't you have school?”

  “I'm an A student. Missing one day won't hurt.”

  “You're an A student?” he said shocked.

  “Why does that shock you?” I snapped. “Do I not look smart?”

  “Honestly, yeah. You look pretty dumb.”

  Not only did my intelligence shock Christian, but my mom and teachers were stunned. I barely attended school but when I took all my test I would get such high scores. Maybe that was a reason people did not like me much.

  I spent most of my time doing my makeup and buying new clothes. Probably once a month I actually studied and somehow everything I studied stuck in my head like glue.

  “Yeah, I’m starving,” he said. “I'll go with you.”

  “My treat,” I smiled.

  Christian walked with me, continuously looking over his shoulders. It was just typical me, going away with another boy. He was just another man on my list. It was sad for a girl like me, so young to have lists.

  That says something about certain people.

  Chapter 3

  Kinda Outta Luck

  Bright red lights awoke me as they flashed through my windows. I put on my robe that was at the edge of my bed, and ran to my window. I opened my red satin curtains and witnessed the commotion of nearly the entire block screaming in agony.

  I hurried to my front door to join the crowd as more ambulances arrived. Christian waved at me while smoking a cigarette and I ran over to him.

  “What is going on?” I asked.

  “Another murder.”

  “Oh my gosh!” I screamed, afraid that someone was murdered so close to my home and even closer to my window. “Mrs. Carol was murdered?”

  “Yup, the poor old woman,” he said. “I hate to say it, but she didn't have many years left. And she wasn't the nicest lady on the block either. She always used to call my dad about me walking through her grass. It was like 'what the hell?' We have no sidewalks!”

  “Yeah, I hated her too. She used to call my mother saying I was sneaking boys into my window,” I added. “It's just scary because it seems so random.”

  The police came and pushed everyone back from the crime scene. They tried as hard as they could to get everyone back into their homes. As everyone began to huddle up and swap story ideas on what could have happened to poor old Mrs. Carol, I listened in.

  The biggest rumor was that it had to be someone from the bar, that was just a few homes down. But all the men from the bar insisted the same crew was there and no one was a suspicion. Also, the murder had happened in the daytime and her grandson found her the next morning.

  My biggest concern was making sure all my doors and windows were locked. Maybe now everyone would learn the benefit of using the lock on the door. We did not live in Beverly Hills and even people were murdered there.

  “They both died the same way,” Christian said as he walked me home, which was just across the street.

  “Who?”

  “Mrs. Carol and that old pervert dude. Well, police think they did, considering the gun shot to the head and how their bodies were left at the scene with very minimum blood. Also, they have the same bruises on their arms and lips!”

  “Maybe it was some weird game?”

  “That old pervert dude deserved it though.”

  “You knew him too?” I said as I unlocked my front door. “I hated that man.”

  “Yeah. This lady used to work at the car shop and he would always bring his car in to take her photo. He was disgusting.”

  I held the door open for Christian to come inside. “Don't worry, I don't bite,” I smirked and my eye twitched from excitement.

  Christian walked inside with hesitation. “Um...”

  “What?” I snapped.

  “Nothing...”

  I sighed and went to my kitchen to mix some tea. “I cannot believe I was sleeping through all the commotion,” I yawned. “I have no idea why I’ve been so sleepy.”

  Christian walked around the living room and picked up photos that sat around the room. He occasionally laughed at some photos. “You're a redhead?”

  “And?” I snapped. “Put those embarrassing photos away.”

  Christian handed me a photo of me and Lola. “Who is this?”

  “My baby sister. My mother did not know she could still have babies after she hooked up with some hockey player three years ago. She was so embarrassed that she wanted me to claim Lola was mine.”

  “So, did you?”

  “No way. That was just bad on both ends.” I sat next to Christian and drank some green tea. “I'm really freaked out about these murders. I’m not sure if I should tell my mother. She'll probably hear about it in the morning.”

  “So, where is she?”


  “She's in NYC about to be on some TV show.”

  “Well, New York would not talk about this small town unless various people were killed.”

  “Well, let's not doubt it.” I opened my laptop and searched for Mama's email. When I found it, I read it again. “Read this email.”

  Leanna, Lola misses you. I somewhat miss you too LOL. Isn't that weird when mother's use LOL. Anyway, we made it to New York and I met the art director. You know Benny, your uncle? Well, he lives here and his husband...or boyfriend...or something...he's gay...they will help me watch Lola. The show will premiere in three weeks. Recording starts in three days. I’m so nervous and excited. So, now I have major diarrhea.

  I hope Derek is being good to you. And I hope all the doors stay locked. No boys over! I swear if I turn on the news and see your beautiful face, I will kill you. Wait, you'll be on the news because you're already dead. Oh, I’m blabbering. I love you, doll. And I miss you. Love mommy.

  Christian began to laugh. “Wow, she's insane.”

  “Yup, that's my crazy Mama.”

  I walked to my window and all the ambulances were gone. I thought of why so many came in the first place. Well, obviously to pick up her body. That was a weird thought. My eyes went back to Christian, who was drinking his tea with little sips.

  “Maybe I should go home. I know you have school later in the morning,” he sighed.

  “Sadly, I know.”

  With an odd smile, Christian walked toward the door. He handed me back my glass and attempted to unlock the three locks I had. “No one will ever kill you.”

  I chuckled and waved goodbye. I hated saying goodbye.

  Because I was lonely again.

  ***

  I was waiting on the porch for Derek once again. The sky was covered with a gray cloud, making our town seem even more morbid. Every time I heard a loud truck drive by I thought it was Derek. Then, I remembered every man in this town had a truck and they were just headed to the bar.

  I never realized how close Christian lived to my house, as I could see him sitting on his porch. It was strange how I had never seen him before until that one night. I knew his father very well, Johnny Clarke, the owner of Clarke's Car Shop. That was probably the only car shop in town. However, Johnny never mentioned his son before.