Hating & Loving Him

Chapter 2: Come On Over

Getting in the car after dad continuously called for me to hurry up and pestered me with questions like "When did you turn eighty?" and "Can you move any slower?" I began tying my shoe.

He's always in a rush even if he's an hour earlier than scheduled.  I think it roots from the fact the cops never made it on time to save my mom and we were stuck helping a kid get down from a tree while my brother was bleeding out in the tub.

Wow, that's a bit dark, I apologize.

Buckling up I looked for where I placed my damn rice crispy treat. I could've sworn I just had it.

Then realization dawned on me as dad backed out of the drive way, my eyes longingly staring at the garage door closing.

I left it on the damn counter.

"Crap." I muttered.

This is how my days going to be I guess. Just one of those days.

He let out a sigh which I figured was for me but nope, "Naomi's dog got loose again, the damn things more trouble than Nicholas." (Nicholas the tractor stealing kid.)

Dad eyed the dog running around the street barking at all the cars passing and chasing the people on their jogs. That dog is a menace but he makes the days worth while. Especially watching people shoo him away and run like they mean it on their morning jogs.

Smirking at the Dalmatian, I watched dad drive slowly past the dog avoiding hitting or catching its attention.

"Chief, Janice and Coop said the Miller boy came by and burnt their barn down. Let us know if you see him." Officer Andy, or Anderson if you want to be on his good side, spoke through the walkie talkie.

Dad sighed and called them in to do a search for him. Ace doesn't make anyone's lives easier here and in fact he costs almost everyone a hell of a lot of money. I remember last summer he rode my dads cop car into the bar that shoved him out. So mature.

When I say he's a rebel, I really just mean he's a nuisance who hates following rules and cares about only himself. Can't blame him though, his father taught him that.

As for my own dad, he's taught me to understand that everyone has secrets and ugly sides, he says it's important not to label a person. He's a great parent, always has been, even when he was terrified about being a single parent. In fact he's a great person in general, everyone loves him.

Guess that's good for me, everyone loves me too because of him.

"Here we are, the library." He pulled in front of the double doors that I felt so at home with, and I hopped out in excitement before the car even came to a halt. "Geez kiddo, one day you'll break your damn ankle." He commented handing me my bag and giving me a small smile.

Smiling back at him, I shook my head and leaned in "Bones heal, but knowing someone got to my book before I did..that won't heal!" I said watching him laugh and sigh "I'll walk to the office when I'm done." He nodded "Be safe." I gave him a thumbs up "Always am dad." I responded wanting to just go get my damn book already.

A couple years back, dad had me try to train to fight in case of emergencies. I didn't take it seriously, and honestly it seemed a bit over dramatic. After all, I spend most my time in three very safe guarded places: the library where no bad things ever happen, my home with my armed dad and of course the police station that is filled with guns and trained officers.

Heading into the library I went for my favorite section, mystery. There is something about mystery that has your toes curl and your mind a jumbled perfect mess with all these possibilities and thoughts.

Making it there I grabbed the first book I saw, reading the back and sitting down on the floor to read it. I adjusted a bit, before eyeing the authors photo and noting her other books I've read.

She's got the whole dark and gloomy yet sadistic nature.

Five pages in I already knew the bad guy and his reason. I'm a mystery solver I used to watch Scooby Doo and always know the end result before it even occurred. I ruined it for my brother all the time. He used to beat me with the pillows if I ruined it, I hated it back then but I'd give anything for it now.

Flipping to the last few pages I began reading, glad I was right as usual. "You know the most interesting things happen in the middle right?" I looked up at the bad boy, my mind jumbling on one question: what is he doing in a place like this? It's like seeing a book nerd in a sports store.

I'd guess that the only reason he's here is because he's searching for something...or someone. More specifically a peeping Tom.

The other question wrapping in my mind which followed suitably after that thought: The library is no longer a safe haven.

Oh god this is about last night I just know it. Usually he doesn't give me a second glance but he is right now. Actually he's giving me not just a glance but his entire f*****g attention! Normally if he catches me watching, he just ignores it but this time was serious.

This time, I saw the fight. "Yeah. I uh..." I went to explain myself but just gave up while leaving that statement open and sort of lingering in the air.

He stood with challenging arms crossed, legs spread a little. The stance that says 'I'm a badass ask me for a ride on my bike, I totally got one.' kind of stance. It's kind of annoying. I feel bad for the try hard, but he still creeps me out.

"You know its not nice to watch people in their homes." His voice was tempting me, he wanted me to say sorry. Maybe I should, but maybe I just don't know how to physically speak to him while he's staring at me all intimidating and scary-like.

God I wish the floor would open up and eat me. How embarrassing, he's probably wondering how many times I've watched him change...or do other extra curricular activities for that matter. Which would be many in case he wanted to know.

Giving myself a mental kick to speak, I pushed the words out almost shouting them "Im sorry, its just that the walls are thin and its not easy to ignore." I was trying to hold my strength and dignity while rushing the words out.

His eyes scolded me a bit before he gave a small nod "I know I hear you cry a lot." He said like a smack to my face. "Sometimes I wonder if there's a damn off switch." Oh god.

I felt a blush roll up to my face. Dammit. Note to self cry into the pillow! Into! The! Damn! Pillow!

Quickly moving up to my feet, I leaned into the book shelf "My dads out looking for you, because of the barn thing." I gave him a look over to see if he would show any signs of weakness or fear, but there was nothing.

Rebels and their reputations.

He nodded "Everyone is. I just don't feel like being found yet." He began scanning the books and kept a lingering finger over the spine.

This is my sanctuary where my guard gets let down and I feel safe. The library is amazing and now it's tainted. He tainted and destroyed a good thing.

"Listen peeping Tom, what are you like thirteen?" He asked pulling a book off the shelf and eyeing the cover.

I went to say no, that I was actually nineteen in three months but it wouldn't come out. It just stuck in my throat worried that if I corrected him, maybe he'd shoot me. (He's gotta have a gun, right?)

He scoffed and tossed the book to my feet causing me to jump back, "Keep your pretty lips shut and we'll be on good terms. Maybe try socializing, get yourself a life, a friend. You know what that is right?" He asked eyeing me over before smirking softly and walking out. Under his breath he muttered "Freak" and I couldn't help but sink back to the floor in my own anger.

Jerk. I need to remind myself why I don't turn his ass in.

A reason...one reason....

Shit, well there is the fact he knows where I live. I really don't like that guy, he's just so dramatic for a guy.

In the end, I pity him more than I dislike him though, after all he knows no better. The guy got beat all his life, his fathers a piece of s**t, used to lock Ace out of the house naked and other times would beat him so bad Ace would have to stay in his room till the bruising and swelling went down. All he knows is violence.

My dad refuses to step in because Mr. Millers wife was my moms best friend. When my parents split for two years, our moms spent every day together. I never spent time with them because I'd been with my dad in Tennessee.

Picking the book up I put it back on the shelf and then went to go grab my depressing book. I even picked up the other books he knocked down on his way out and put them back muttering curse words at his immaturity.

Going to the checkout I glanced down at my two books one depressing the other romance. Wow, defines my life.

Beginning my walk, I stopped as I heard the grunting noises and sounds of metal clashing and banging onto the floor.

The alley was slim and full of metal trash bins and bags. Something told me it wasn't just a dog or cat though.

Especially when a guy began yelling for someone to pay him his effing money.

Heading back cautiously, over there I noticed Ace fighting a guy twice his size and losing. I made it out as fast as I could but realized familiar eyes where on me. Then that feeling left as fast as it came.

If he didn't want to kill me then, he does now.

Now at the station, I sat behind the front desk alone because most of the officers followed my dad on a search for Ace. It cut from the search they where supposed to be on which was for a little girl named Abby. She's a sweetheart, but we all know her mom took her. The parents are filing a divorce and the dad won full custody. The Mom isn't a bad woman, she just has a bad past.

So instead of the entire dispatch searching for the girl, only half is. The other half is looking for the boy who knows no better. I didn't feel like telling them where he was.

He did say he wasn't ready to be found.

Placing a sticky note to hold my place in the romance book, I laid it on the desk and smiled at the deputy who was holding a teenager my age by the cuffs.

I knew exactly who that teenager was too, and when another teenager followed behind cursing under his breath, I felt a small grin on my lips.

My older brother Max had two little imps that always went everywhere with him. Seth, a dirty looking kid who always smelt of ramen noodles and Derren, a squarish headed kid who always painted his nails dark blue.

They both smiled up at me, "Katie, looking good kid. You get a new haircut?" Seth asked as he licked his chapped lips. I didn't say anything because at that moment my dad walked in while holding Ace in cuffs.

Seth and Derren tensed up and looked away, "Oh s**t, Ace." Seth spoke soft.

I looked at Ace, he stood with his chin held high and his arms flexed to show his muscle. Typical Ace crap, always trying to look like a hard ass. I'm sure it's all a facade but it must be tiring to always keep that up.

Dad gestured to the cell "Katie mind opening the cell for me?" I grabbed the keys, and my book and headed to the back where the cops brought all three guys. I put one in each cell while ignoring the two imps.

Placing Ace in the last one and trying to ignore the goosebumps I got when his arm brushed mine, I locked it quick.

That is as close as I ever want to be with that guy.

The cops and my dad headed out to fill out paperwork and go help on Abby's search. I sat at the small desk in front of the cells to make sure they didn't do anything to get out.

For the rest of the hour, I continued reading while I tried to ignore the crude comments of Derren and Seth who finally showed their perverted sides.

Dad finally showed up and we spent the next four hours putting in the information into the computers while I made the phone calls for all the parents to come pick their delinquent children up.

We picked up Chinese food on the way home and I ate on the drive home before going to my room to finish my book.

It was beyond intriguing!

Well, it was....

Until around nine thirty when the room across from mine lit and in stumbled the guy. With him was a brunette with long hair and a skinny body that made me feel self conscious.

She's like those tan bimbos.

I watched with a bit of interest, not between the two but the moment.

It all seemed interesting, up until he backed her into the window sill and began kissing her neck. Only, that wasn't the weird part, the weird part was the fact he was staring and watching me directly.

His eyes boring into me before he ran his hands over her body and they made out heavily. At one point, he lifted her up and practically f****d the girl into the window.

I watched and wanted to look away but his eyes just kept staring into me while he went at it. It felt uncomfortable in every possible way and I'm sure my facial expression told him that.

God damn, one of us needs to look away now!

Turning my face, more like forcing it down, I eyed my book and pretended to read the words.

After a good fifteen minutes, I dared a look back over and saw the girl was gone and he was sitting on his bed in his jeans only. His eyes running over me before he smirked.

I think he's trying to mess with my head.

He nodded his head for me to come over and I laughed a bit dumbfounded before scoffing and shutting the curtains.

Idiot.

What the hell is he getting at?