Black Kat Read online

  “Yeah.” Gwen nodded. “Same thing.”

  Joan motioned to the role of old newsprint the pair had gotten at the store. “You have paper left over, right?”

  “You’re gonna outline Morgan?” Gwen’s younger brother, Robby, snickered. He was thirteen and about as immature as little boys get. “Naked? ’Cause you’re in love with him?” He spoke with a cooing tone.

  “Mom.” Gwen pointed angrily at him. “Tell Robby to shut up.”

  “Gwenie and Morgan sitting in a tree…” Robby teased.

  “Mom!”

  “Robby, stop teasing your sister.”

  “You gonna draw his bone?”

  “Mom!” Gwen whined. She then turned to Morgan, who had just walked in through the kitchen. He was wearing sweats, his hair wet from a recent shower.

  “Gwen wants your bone-er, Morgan.” Robby giggled like a chipmunk.

  Gwen balled her fists. “Morgan, kill that kid.”

  “Why?” He shrugged.

  Letting out an annoyed huff, Gwen went to her mother and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you later, Mom.” Then, pulling on Morgan’s arm, she dragged him to the door. “I hate little brothers.”

  Morgan led her out to his truck. It was one of his father’s and had Tanner Construction written on the side. Gwen hopped into the cab, wrinkling her nose when she saw the large duffle bag on the seat. “Let me get that.” He grabbed it and the hockey stick and held them as he waited for her to sit down.

  “Thanks.” Gwen set her supplies at her feet. “God, I wish Dad would get me a car. But Sam’s the oldest one at home, so he gets one first.”

  “And he chauffeurs all his bratty siblings around. I wouldn’t say that’s lucky.” Morgan shoved his stick in her hand and put his bag on her lap. Now, she hardly had room to move. He started the engine and pulled away from the curb.

  “He’s on a date with Olivia tonight.” Gwen watched out the window, the lights of Main Street whizzing by. “He took her to a movie and dinner.”

  “Classic.”

  “It’s probably better than where you took your last date.”

  “So, are you excited to work at the snack bar?” Morgan changed the subject, not seeming to want to talk about dates.

  “Yeah.” She sent him a smile. “Thanks for the reference.”

  “No prob.”

  “So, why don’t you have a date tonight, too?”

  “I do.” He laughed. “A homework date with the little ice princess of Vinton.”

  “I’m not little.” Gwen sighed. “I’m almost seventeen.”

  “You’re sixteen until December.” He chuckled.

  “And you’ll be twelve till you’re fifty.” A pout set onto her mouth as she gripped his duffle bag with tense fingers. “All my friends have boyfriends but me. I feel like such a loser.”

  “Who cares about that? Why do you need a boyfriend, anyway?”

  “Because I just do.” Gwen glared out the window. “And because of you and my stupid big brother, no guy will date me.”

  Morgan didn’t answer, instead he turned up the music.

  She continued, “I just feel so out of the loop. I’m tired of staying home every Friday night while my friends go out with their boyfriends. Jenny’s got one now, and she never has time to hang out with me. It sucks. Instead of going on a date, I’m spending my Saturday night doing your homework.”

  “What’s wrong with hanging out with me?”

  “Nothing.” Gwen released a breath through her nostrils. “I like hanging out with you.”

  “Well, I’d rather be playing games on Saturdays, but they don’t start until next month.” He then went on to talk about hockey, and once he started that topic, he didn’t stop. He spoke the whole way to his house.

  When they got there, she grabbed her things, but Morgan got ahead of her. He held the door open, letting her in before him. The lights were on inside, something that seemed to sour his mood. His house was much bigger than hers. The right side had tall windows, most of the home built by his father. There wasn’t a lot of furniture, the space usually clean because Kent, Morgan’s father, wasn’t home much. And Morgan spent most of his time either at practice or at Gwen’s.

  They walked into the kitchen, Morgan’s pace quick. Speaking under his breath, he held Gwen’s arm and guided her along. “My dad’s home tonight. Sorry. I thought he was going out.”

  “Morgan!” Kent shouted from the other room. “Christine and Destiny are here. Come out and say hi!”

  “I got homework, Dad!” Morgan sounded annoyed.

  “Who’s that?” Gwen looked confused. She watched Morgan grab a few drinks from the fridge and some chips. He did it quickly then tried to usher her toward the hallway.

  “Morgan?” A young blonde walked into the kitchen. Her eyes settled on Gwen and they narrowed.

  “Destiny?” Gwen seemed shocked.

  “Gwen?” Making a disgusted face, Destiny put her hands on her hips. “What are you doing here?”

  “Me,” Morgan answered sarcastically then tapped Gwen’s arm. “You wanna take your stuff downstairs? I’ll meet you in a bit.”

  Gwen nodded, following his suggestion. She felt somewhat uncomfortable here. She had studied with Morgan before, but never at his house. It was always at her house with her brother down the hall. The only time she’d been here was when Morgan threw parties. His dad would often take contracts for jobs in other cities, sometimes being gone for six months at a time.

  For the first time, it was sinking in. She was alone with Morgan. And it felt awkward. She never used to feel this way around him.

  She went to the basement and set up her supplies. It was quiet, the air slightly chilly. It was a big, open space, with a pool table in the corner and also a bar. Her gaze moved to the stairs when she heard footsteps. Then, pink slip-ons appeared, and she knew it wasn’t Morgan.

  “What are you doing here, Gwen?” Destiny walked toward her.

  “Homework with Morgan. And I don’t need your help, so go back upstairs.” Gwen then turned as Morgan bounced down the steps at a quick pace.

  “Hey.” Morgan nodded in greeting to Destiny then looked at Gwen. “So, you ready?”

  “Yeah.” Gwen watched him slam down a soda and the bag of chips.

  “Nice snack, Porky Roberts,” Destiny whispered in Gwen’s ear.

  “Seriously. We’re trying to work.”

  “I just wanted to watch the television.” Destiny walked away and sat on the couch.

  Gwen moved closer to Morgan. “I hate her. Make her leave,” she said quietly.

  Morgan shrugged. “Just ignore her.”

  Gwen glared at him, pulling on his arm when he went to step away. “She’s in my ballet class.” There was a hurt look in her eyes as they pleaded with him. “She makes fun of me all the time.”

  “She’s a bitch. So what? I didn’t invite her.”

  “Do your own homework.” Gwen grabbed her things and started for the stairs.

  But Morgan grabbed his things, too. He caught up to her. “Let’s go up to my room, then. Dad’s leaving soon, anyway.”

  The words made Gwen shiver, but she tried not to let it show. Instead, she spoke in a shaky voice, “Okay…” She followed him upstairs and to the second floor where his bedroom was. Now in his room, her eyes darted over the furniture. It was as she expected. Messy, with hockey posters covering the walls. His bed wasn’t made.

  “So…” He picked up the clothes on the floor and added them to a bigger pile in the corner. “There’s not much room in here, but…” He sighed as he scratched his head nervously. “I guess we’ll make it work.”

  “Thanks.” Gwen bit her lip as she nervously wrung her hands.

  “No prob.” He watched her curiously, his gaze narrowing on her skittish actions. Gwen never acted like that around him. “What’s your beef with Destiny?”

  “Because I’m not anorexic like she and the other girls are, they call me fat all the time.” Gwen walked fart
her into the room and sat on the bed. Letting out a tired sigh, she rested her elbows on her knees. “When we were downstairs, she called me Porky Roberts.” Her sad eyes fell on his. “Do you think I’m fat, Morgan?”

  “No, you’re fine.” He seemed a little uncomfortable with the conversation. “People call me ice prick all the time. Everyone gets teased. Don’t listen to her.”

  “Sorry about that.” Gwen watched him take out his book and flip through the pages. “I mean, calling you that.”

  “No worries.” He sat on the bed next to her, laying the book between them. As soon as their thighs touched, he moved over a little. “So…umm…we start with the drawing, right?”

  “Yep.” She reached over and grabbed her roll of paper. “Let’s see.” Standing, she looked around. “We can tape it to the wall, and I’ll trace your outline.” She handed it to him. “You’re taller than me, so you stick it up.” Grabbing the tape, she handed it to Morgan. Then, he stood in front of the paper with his arms held out to his sides a little and his legs apart. Gwen started tracing.

  She startled when the door opened. Drawing her pen to her chest, her eyes met with Kent’s. He sent her a wicked grin then looked to his son, who stood stuck up against the wall.

  “Hey, Gwen.” Kent chuckled. “You got my boy pinned, eh?” He motioned to Morgan, who was sending his father a dirty look. “I’m drivin’ up to see Mom tomorrow.” He put his hands in his jean pockets. He was a broad shouldered man, his hair blond and his face unshaven. “You wanna come?” Morgan’s mother was temporarily living about ten hours away while attending graduate school, and Morgan seemed to resent her for it.

  “No. I got homework.”

  “’Kay.” Kent sighed. “But Mom misses you. I’m sure she’d love you to come visit.” He waited for Morgan to change his mind, but the sour expression on his son’s face showed he wouldn’t. “I’ll see you Monday then, okay?”

  Morgan nodded, watching Kent leave. Gwen continued with her outlining in silence. Her pen glided along Morgan’s slender frame, her eyes trying to focus on the line of the pen instead of the handsome man inside of it.

  “Done.” Gwen stepped away, and they both admired the outline.

  “How about you add the bones on that side, and I’ll add the ones on this one.”

  “’Kay.” Gwen grabbed the book and set it on the floor between them. She started drawing the bones of the foot. Morgan turned on the radio, the music loud. They worked quietly for a few minutes before Gwen spoke up, “Sam’s pretty jealous you got into the Kats and he didn’t.”

  “He’ll get in next year. Just you watch.” Morgan grinned as he drew his bones quickly. His weren’t as neat as Gwen’s.

  “I’m excited to brag that I know one of the Black Kats.”

  Morgan’s eyes narrowed on his pen lines, annoyance in his voice. “Why?”

  Gwen wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He had totally shot down her attempt at flirting, and it hurt. “Well…” She paused, drawing slower as she recuperated. “Because it’s cool. I mean, like, because you’re in the big leagues now. It’s way better than playing with the Eagles.”

  “Yeah.” But Morgan’s attention seemed to be on the homework.

  They spent the next half hour drawing then Gwen sat back and let Morgan label the bones. She jumped onto his bed and grabbed his computer. “Can I use this?”

  “Sure.” Morgan wiggled his nose as he wrote.

  Gwen opened the laptop and was welcomed by a picture of the Black Kats’ logo. His desktop was messy and cluttered with icons. She found the internet explorer symbol and opened a page. “So, is your dad, like, dating Destiny’s mom behind your mom’s back? Because I didn’t see Destiny’s dad.”

  “My dad?” Morgan chuckled. “No.” Morgan paused, looking over his shoulder at Gwen. She was absorbed in the screen, a finger paused at her lips. “Christine’s Mike’s wife. Dad knows him from way back. They come over all the time.”

  “Mom said your mom and dad were high school sweethearts. You miss her, don’t you?” Her expression softened as she watched Morgan walk over to her. He sat on the bed and leaned up against the wall.

  “I wish she’d just come home. She cares more about gettin’ that doctorate than her family.” He let out a tired sigh, his stare going to a picture with his mom that hung on the wall. He was in grade school and holding up a big trophy. “I know you hate me sticking around so much, but I don’t have a family like yours.” He captured her gaze and held it. “It’s quiet here without her, and Dad’s drinking more…”

  He looked away. “It’s not like home anymore. At your house, it feels more like a family. I saw what you wrote about me.” His eyes narrowed. “Do you really hate me?”

  “No.” Gwen touched his knee, but then quickly withdrew it when she felt butterflies well in her stomach. “I just hate when you and Sam gang up on me all the time. You just make me mad sometimes. Like my big brother or something.”

  “Yeah…or something.” Sighing, Morgan laid back against the wall.

  “So…” Gwen smiled cheekily. “Since you’re my brother, can I wear one of your jerseys to your next game?” She made a praying motion with her hands. “Since you don’t have a girlfriend or anything?”

  “I guess.” Morgan regarded her strangely, his brow lowered slightly.

  “And let me brag about you.” She shoved his shoulder playfully. “Because you’re a Black Kat.”

  “And you’re porky.”

  Opening her mouth wide, she looked at him with horror. Moving the laptop, she quickly shoved it under the bed. “Don’t call me that, you stupid…” She grabbed a pillow and started smacking him with it. “Ice prick!”

  Morgan held up his hands, warding her off. “Porky Roberts,” he teased.

  “Shut up!” Gwen sat up on her knees, leaning over him as she hit harder. Morgan grabbed the other pillow and started fighting back. Her hair was now sticking up wildly, but Gwen didn’t back down. She was used to playing with the boys. This time was no different.

  After it escalated, Gwen started kicking him. She abandoned her pillow and, instead, tried to pin him. She was fighting back viciously, grabbing and yanking at his shirt. It didn’t help that Morgan was laughing hysterically and repeating the phrase “Porky Roberts” over and over again to fuel her anger.

  Grabbing hold of his shoulders, she slammed him backward and straddled his hips. Heaving, she glared at him with a great fire in her blue eyes. Morgan’s gaze darted over her expression, a very excited look in his eyes. She didn’t notice because she was still fuming.

  “I checked you, Morgan. Now apologize.” Feeling a hardness poking through his thin track pants, a great fear washed over her face.

  “Get off me.” Embarrassed by his arousal from the play, Morgan shoved her off roughly. He spoke in a very angry voice, his eyes not meeting hers.

  Instead of addressing the issue, she continued the fight. “I am not porky.” She sat up against the wall with her arms folded in front of her. She pouted for a few seconds as she glared at her lap.

  When he sat next to her, he pulled his knees to his chest. He pointed to his project. “How do I look on the inside?”

  “Fine.”

  “You wanna play a game or something?” He stood.

  “Sure.” Gwen nodded. “I’m going to beat your ass at air hockey.”

  “I doubt it.” He grabbed a jersey out of his closet and threw it at her.

  Gwen looked at it, her hands going over the name Tanner on the back. “I can have this?” She sent him a bright smile.

  “Yeah.”

  She rummaged in his backpack. “You got any gum?”

  “Get outta there.” He darted for her, but Gwen had grabbed the small tin of beef jerky inside his bag. “That’s my shit. Give it back.” He tried to rip it from her hand, but Gwen sat on her knees and held it behind her back.

  Dodging him playfully as he lunged at her, she managed to get past him. She took off down the hallway as s
he giggled, Morgan hot on her tail. She slid around the corner, her socks slick against the shiny wood. She almost fell over, but regained her balance when she caught the wall.

  She headed toward the stairs, but Morgan smashed her into the wall. Gwen let out a whine as he pinned her, his thick fingers searching her back as he looked for the can. Gwen shoved it down the back of her jeans then pushed him backward. But Morgan’s grabby hands reached down her pants and retrieved his tin.

  Out of breath, Gwen glared at him as she rubbed her sore shoulder. “You’re supposed to yell ‘check’ when you do that. Otherwise, I’m not ready for it.”

  Morgan glared at her and headed back to his room, Gwen following him. She leaned up against the wall, watching him place his goods back in his bag. “That stuff is nasty. You and Sam need to stop that.”

  Morgan walked over to her, pushing her forward and out the door.

  “I mean, like, how do you kiss girls with that crap in your mouth? Ick.”

  “I’m not gonna kiss you, so why do you care?”

  “Because.” Gwen followed him down the stairs. “It’s still gross. They should call you guys the Black Cows, the way you—”

  “I don’t do it very much anyway, Gwen.” He sighed as he turned on the air hockey table. He held his hand over its surface, and the cool wind churned up, escaping through his fingers. “I actually only eat canned jerky.”

  “Liar. Let me see your mouth.” Gwen went over to him and opened his mouth. Morgan tried not to laugh as she narrowed her eyes on the inside. He then bit down on her finger, Gwen letting out a squeal.

  She slapped his arm in retaliation. “Jerk.” Speaking under her breath, she went to her side of the table. “I’m just worried about you guys.”

  “Stop being my mom, Gwen.”

  “Well, yours isn’t—” Gwen caught herself before she mentioned Morgan’s mom again. She turned back to him, but he just sent her a sly grin. She could tell he had heard it and was letting it slide. “So…” Gwen sighed as she grabbed the puck. Then, she glared at it. It was one for ice hockey. She scowled as she pointed to the table. “Where’s the plastic puck?”

  “What’s wrong with that one?”

  “It hurts my fingers when you hit me. I want the little one.”