Painful Consequences Read online

  Brittany glared at her brother. She could see his heart aching beneath his dark brown eyes. She sighed, nodding, “Very well. I’ll try it if it shuts you up.”

  “Good girl. And you can try being a little less obstinate, okay?” He patted her hand. “Let's get you home and settled in. Britt? I love you. You know that, right?”

  She did not answer him back. The only thing she wanted was a joint…

  * * *

  Reed hummed to himself as he finished unpacking his boxes and looked around at his new place in Topanga Canyon, a small, quiet, and secluded bohemian community located in the bosom of the Santa Monica Mountains. The stunning little town was reported to be a favorite spot for hikers, bicyclers, and motorcycle riders, complete with winding roads through picturesque cliffs. Acres of forested land were peppered with multiple streams and waterfalls, magnificent rock formations, and massive overlooks with panoramic views of the mountains. Coming from the flat, barren plains of Bakersfield, Reed already determined that this tiny little hideaway was the closest place to paradise that could ever exist on the face of the planet.

  His new home was just as perfect as the land that surrounded it. The external walls were comprised of hand-mined river rocks, set precisely and lovingly to build high, solid walls meant to withstand even the worst fires so common to the area. Inside, the ranch-style home housed three bedrooms with individual baths, high ceilings with large, stone fireplaces, and a spiral staircase of welded iron that led to the master bedroom overlooking the open living room. Light permeated the rooms through strategically placed skylights and large, double-paned windows. The kitchen had been modernized but still maintained the feel of old country; with a large pizza oven and a brick backsplash. Adding to the charm was a small workshop, a woodshed, and a good-sized yard with a pool and Jacuzzi. Trees and thick hedges lined the fence along the property, assuring him privacy, although his nearest neighbor was a quarter acre away with a stream bed between the properties. The house was a moderate distance from the station, a good hour’s drive in normal traffic, but well worth it. It needed some fixing up and a few tweaks, but otherwise, the place was perfect.

  He mused over the girl he had met in the little diner down the road. She had obviously walked there, which implied that she and her brother lived somewhere close-by. Interesting coincidence, if he was the type of man who believed in such things. No, everything had a purpose and a reason, including his loud-mouthed, squawking African Grey parrot, Harry.

  “Will you shut up, already? I fed you,” Reed grumbled, eyeing the bird with annoyance.

  “Feed me! Feed me!”

  “How could something be so stupid? Here, you worthless piece of shit,” Reed handed the bird a grape as it climbed off its perch and onto his arm.

  “Piece of shit. Piece of shit.”

  “Yes, you are,” Reed agreed, scratching the animal’s head. Harry ruffled his feathers and started to meow. Stupid bird. He had served one purpose, though. He had bitten Nancy several times, pissing her off to the point she demanded that Reed choose between her and the damn bird. Reed trusted animals’ instincts. He chose the bird. That was the end of Nancy and her endless whining, complaining, and psychotic demands.

  Never again, Reed promised himself. Either the next woman in my life will be nice and compliant, or I’ll get a cat. Harry meowed again. No, make that a dog.

  * * *

  Brittany pouted, not saying a word as Brett continued his lecture on the short drive back to their house. He got out, opened the door for her, and waited for her to move. After a few moments of her refusing to budge, he simply reached in and pulled her out by the arm.

  “You’re hurting me, you asshole!” Brittany hissed, yanking her arm out of his grip.

  “I’ve had just about enough of this garbage from you, Britt. Get your butt in the house and pick which room you want. Not mine, either.”

  “I changed my mind. I’m not staying here. I don’t need to listen to your crap 24/7.”

  “Really? I thought we had this discussion a few minutes ago. Where do you plan on going if you aren’t staying here with me? Stephen's? He’d put up with your shit, but Rina won’t. You’ve run out of options, sister dear. You’re stuck with me, and you will find a way to be civil, or else.”

  She simply glared at him, arms crossed and thinking of a myriad of ways to make him miserable. Silently, she followed him into the cozy four-bedroom log cabin-style home that he had gutted out and completely refurbished with his brother’s help. Brittany, used to living in the plush adornments of the Beverly Hills mansion with her parents and having servants to meet her every need, wrinkled her nose. Hell, her bedroom at home was bigger than her brother’s whole upstairs, and the mansion was always immaculate.

  “This place is filthy,” she sneered, her hands on her hips as she distastefully studied the room.

  “Agreed. That will be part of your rent. You’ll cook and clean for me.”

  “You’re insane.”

  “That or get a job. Let’s see, what can you do? Spend money? Make reservations? Oh yes, show the world how mean and nasty you are. Hmm, I doubt anyone has a job that fits those amazing qualifications.”

  “I intend on finding a rich man to marry!” she huffed.

  “Wonderful goal, sis. Be real. Who in their right mind would marry such a shrew? Yeah, you’re pretty, but I’m willing to bet you’re as frigid as you are rude.”

  “How dare you!” Brittany shrieked.

  “I dare because I’m the only person in the world who isn’t afraid to tell you how it is. You’ve reached the end of your rope. It’s the streets or me. Like I’ve said, I’ve had enough. We all have, and things are going to change.”

  “I hate you!”

  “No you don’t. Now go find what room you want and stop the tantrum. I’m tired, and I have work in the morning.”

  * * *

  Reed yawned, reading over the mandatory court slips he had been handed by the rehab facilitator. He raised an eyebrow, recognizing one of the names. Interesting… No wonder there was such a fuss the previous afternoon between the brother and sister. The members of the AA group slowly trickled in, making their way to their ‘regular’ spots. Reed looked around the room. There was no sign of Brittany Wallace. Figures. Spoiled kid like that probably thought she was too good to be here with the rest of the group.

  Just as he approached the podium, a ruckus from the back of the room caught everyone’s attention. Reed lifted his eyes to witness Brett as he dragged his sister in by the upper arm and sat her down forcefully in a chair. Brett glanced up, waved a friendly greeting in Reed's direction, and greeted several people on his way up the aisle.

  “Hey, Reed, happy Monday. The captain told me you were starting tonight. He doesn't give any of the newbies time to settle before they are assigned to facilitate. This is a tough group, but good people. At least,” he thumbed his sister, “most of them. She’s on court orders, so good luck.”

  “You’re not staying?” Reed asked.

  “No way! This is my first break from meeting in over a year, and I don’t have the patience to deal with anymore of the brat’s attitude this evening. I also need to finish a traffic report and don’t wanna be up all night. These are my peeps, they’ll help you out,” Brett said humorously. “Y’all keep an eye on my sister. This is her first meeting. And be nice to the newb. I gotta work with him.”

  “Are you…?”

  “Ten years, clean and sober,” Brett nodded. “Booze junky.”

  “15 for me. Same deal.” Reed relaxed. “And her?”

  “Fresh off the weed and shop lifting. Keep an eye on her for me, okay?”

  “Gladly. Would you like me to take her home after the meeting?” Reed asked hopefully.

  Brett eyed his scowling sister. “I don’t think I know you well enough to subject you to a one-on-one with that ugly temperament. She’ll be fit to be tied and will want to unload as soon as she has some privacy. You seem to be a nice guy. You do
n’t deserve that.”

  “Thanks,” Reed said, hiding his disappointment. She had seemed cordial when they met. Maybe all women were like his ex… Yes, he should really consider getting a dog.

  After introducing himself and giving a brief background regarding his journey to sobriety, Reed opened the forum to share and discuss the Twelve-Step program for those who were unfamiliar. Because he was a new facilitator, it was decided to start at step one.

  “I admit that I am powerless over drugs and alcohol, and my life has become unmanageable,” Reed began.

  “This is bullshit,” a voice piped in from the back of the room thirty minutes into the meeting. Brittany stood up, her expression incredulous as she glared at the members of the group, “Are you people serious? Do you really think quoting this ridiculous mantra can help you?”

  “Would anyone here care to address Miss Wallace’s question?” Reed asked calmly. Several hands came up.

  “When we admit to having our problems, then we also come to terms that we are responsible to do something about them. I’m a heroin addict. It controls my life, my way of thinking, my relationships, everything. I’m a slave to the drug and will stay that way until I can submit to the process of being free. In the meantime, I have no control, no freedom, and no peace,” one man said.

  “I’m an alcoholic,” another man said. “My love for the bottle took priority over everything in my life. I lost my family, my job, and my home. I’m also diabetic, so the booze is also taking my health. I can’t stop. Like Carl said, I’m a slave to it. I know I shouldn’t, but I keep going back to my addiction. I don't need a reason either. I simply do it because I can. It will kill me if I don’t let go of my refusal to see the truth about myself.”

  “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting to get a different result but nothing ever changes. For all of us, it’s called addiction,” Reed said, receiving nods.

  Brittany scowled, “I’m nothing like any of you. I’m not an addict, and I shouldn’t be here.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m Santa Clause and work with a bunch of elves at the North Pole,” one of the men in the group retorted.

  “Kraus, lay off the kid. It hasn’t been that long since you were in denial,” another man said.

  “We all have our stories, and we all have failures and successes. Sometimes, getting through one day of being free from the web of addiction can be the biggest success any of us could ever hope for. The key is recognizing that success,” Reed said gently, watching Brittany as she seemed to struggle not to cry. The kid is probably frustrated and angry, he thought. I can't blame her. “Let’s call it a night, shall we? I’ll see all of you Thursday.”

  Brittany stood still as the group pushed by her to leave. A few came up to her, welcoming her to their little circle, only to find themselves being brushed off like flies.

  “The first meeting is always the hardest, Miss Wallace. Some of these people have been through hell and back and have forgotten what's it’s like to take the first step. It takes a lot of courage to come here,” Reed said, approaching her.

  “You know damn well that my idiot brother dragged me here against my will,” Brittany retorted, looking up at him with another defiant glare. Reed stood easily at about 6’1”, was of an average build, with a flat, slender waist and veined forearms. His muscles were notably well honed and chiseled under his snug shirt, and he knew that his work-outs and running left his body in pristine condition. He wondered if Brittany even noticed because, frankly, he wasn't the wealthy drone she needed to once again live in the manner to which she was accustomed.

  “Most of us do, my dear. Would you like to grab some coffee while we wait for Brett to come pick you up?” Reed asked, holding the door for her.

  “We live close by. I’ll just walk home,” Brittany stated, starting down the sidewalk.

  Reed blocked her path. “No way. It’s not safe, and it’s too dark. If you like, I will drive you, but you are not walking anywhere.”

  “You can’t tell me what to do, Reed. Goodnight.”

  Reed grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face him. His blue eyes were blazing angrily. “Don’t think for a minute that I am stupid enough to just let you wander off at ten o’clock at night. I’m a cop, and I’ve seen every vile thing under the sun. There is no way I will let you walk into danger.”

  “You can’t stop me. Holding me against my will is illegal. And touching me without permission,” she yanked her arm away, “is assault.”

  “Actually, it’s battery. Get your terms right before you use them,” Reed corrected.

  “Fuck you. Hey!”

  “Come on, we are going to the diner to wait for Brett. He can deal with this ugly little mouth of yours. What a shame, too. You seemed so pretty at first.” He opened the glass door and gently pushed Brittany inside the small restaurant, pointing to a booth. “Sit,” he commanded. She sat, glaring at him for his insult.

  Reed ordered coffee for both of them and a slice of apple pie. He studied the girl, mesmerized by the darkness of her brown eyes, a light gold band around her iris. Her lips were full and smooth, with high cheekbones and a soft, natural curl to her dark brown hair. And her body… It begged to be made love to.

  “You look Greek,” he observed.

  “From my mother’s side.”

  “You’re a twin?”

  “I thought we already established that.”

  Reed inhaled deeply. Getting this woman to have a civil conversation was going to take more than a cup of coffee and sharing a pie slice (which she refused to touch).

  “Do you like animals?” he asked, attempting to change the subject to something less provocative. When she nodded, he launched into a description of Harry and how he managed to live with the stupidest bird on the planet.

  Brittany spewed forth with a low, throaty, and very sexy laugh. “He meows? Like a cat? What’s wrong with him?”

  “He’s dumber than dirt and has identity issues. I had a stray cat that used to come and yowl at the front door for food. I guess Harry thinks that if he meows, I’ll feed him. Damn bird likes his grapes.”

  Brittany lost her composure and starting chortling so hard that she started to cough. Reed grinned, handing her a napkin. “It’s nice to know you can laugh. Lemme know. I’ve got a million stories about that stupid-ass talking pigeon. I’m glad you weren’t drinking something. It’s not fun blowing soda out of your nose.”

  Brittany wiped her eyes. It had been a long time since she had laughed to the point of tears. She tried to straighten her face, but kept lapsing into uncontrollable giggles. Reed’s boyish smile of cheesy satisfaction didn’t help.

  “Did I miss something?” Brett asked, entering the diner and pushing his sister over to sit in the booth next to her.

  “Reed was just telling me about his parrot. Could we get a pet? Please?” Brittany asked, handing him her coffee.

  “Maybe. If you’re a good girl and stop putting me through hell. How was the meeting?” her brother asked.

  “Boring and stupid. Do I have to go back?”

  “Yes,” both Reed and Brett answered together.

  “But why? Brett, I’m nothing like those guys. I only smoke weed now and then and can stop anytime.”

  “I’m one of those guys, Britt. Don’t you remember when I said I didn’t need help? I got shit-faced and almost killed us both. No, you are going, and you’re not to give me anymore grief about it,” Brett said firmly.

  “Besides, it’s court ordered. If you don’t go, I have to report it. I don’t want to be the one who puts you in the slammer. I wouldn’t have anyone to tell Harry-related bedtime stories to,” Reed added.

  “On that note, let’s get you home. She turns into a pumpkin if she’s not in bed by midnight,” Brett informed Reed as they stood.

  “Please have a chat with her about strolling alone at night, too. She seems a bit stubborn,” Reed commented, watching Brittany pull away from her brother’s p
rotective embrace.

  “Again? Sis, I’m going to be turning prematurely gray because of you.”

  “Maybe you should think about turning her over your knee instead,” Reed teased, ignoring the look of death shot in his direction.

  “Oh, I’ve thought about it. Believe me. She’ll push me too far one day and BLAMO!” Brett smacked his right hand loudly against his left, making Brittany jump.

  “Shut up, Brett! I don’t need your comments either, Lt. Simms. Goodnight. And thanks for the coffee and the babysitting,” Brittany said sarcastically, nose up in the air as she turned on her heel and left the two men standing at the register.

  “I know it’s none of my business, Brett, but that girl sounds like she could seriously use a good spanking,” Reed frowned, watching Brittany as she leaned impatiently on Brett’s Honda.

  “I won’t disagree with you. Trust me, that day is coming real soon.”

  * * *

  “Did you have a good time with Reed? He seems to be a pretty decent guy,” Brett asked as they drove home. Brittany snorted her reply. Brett attempted more small talk without any response. He finally grew silent and more annoyed. “Did you really try to walk off after the meeting?”

  “I’m a grown adult, Brett. I can do what I want to do, and no man can tell me otherwise,” came the snobby reply.

  “A grown adult would have enough sense to keep herself safe. There is nothing between town and our place except the woods.”

  “I’m not afraid of the big bad wolf.”

  “Maybe you should be. We’re home. Plan on getting up with me in the morning to take a walk,” Brett ordered.

  “Why? I like sleeping in.”

  “Because I said so. I walk in the morning, and you will be going with me. Every day, rain or shine.”

  “Like hell I will.”

  “You just keep pushing, don’t you? I’ll see you at six.”

  “Six? In the morning? No one gets up at that time unless they’re crazy!”