Taken (Dark Desires 1)

“And kissed,” Suzie said, unsure why she was blushing.

“That is it. We just kissed?” Jeff laughed and moved closer to her.

“Not us. Don’t you see? Now he doesn’t have to know about you. Now, he can decide what happens without feeling betrayed. Isn’t that great?” Suzie said with a smile.

“How is that great? You didn’t tell him the truth. The truth is you want me,” Jeff said and he stepped right up to her enveloping her in a kiss. She pushed him to let go but he deepened the kiss and touched her where he knew he could get her attention. She moaned and wrapped her arms around him with passion.

A gasp was heard behind them and they pulled apart. Jeff stood still and stared as Suzie whirled around to see Jared looking at them. “YOU! You’re the other guy?”

“I thought you wanted to share?” Jeff made a bad attempt at a joke. It infuriated Jared and he stormed towards them. Suzie put her hands out towards him.

“Jared, wait. I can explain,” she pleaded. He looked at her and stopped like he was ready to listen. Then quick as a flash, he spun and punched Jeff in the face. Recoiling, he moved to punch Jeff again though this time Jeff blocked him.

“The first one, I earned. Now stop or I am fighting back,” Jeff said calmly.

“Fuck you. Your filthy hands were on my girlfriend. What is wrong with you? Of all the girls you could pick, it had to be her? Why?” Jared asked fists still clenched.

“It just kind of happened. You were gone. You asked me to take care of her.” At this comment, Jared swung again and Jeff blocked the punch again. Infuriated, Jared attacked Jeff and they grappled for a while, bumping into things in the tight studio space. “We’re not doing this in Mom’s studio. You want to figh

t, let’s take it outside.”

“Fine, but I am going to kick your ass,” Jared said storming out the door, ignoring Suzie.

“Not likely, pretty boy,” Jeff laughed.

Suzie followed urging them to stop, not knowing what to do. Outside, fists were flying as both brothers landed punches, grappled and wrestled each other. Their loud shouts of anger and fighting brought over their mom and dad who shouted at them to stop. Finally their dad had to step in separating the two of them and pushing Jared who refused to let it go. Jeff stood at the ready staring his brother down as Jared tried to get past his dad.

“Cool it both of you or I am getting the hose,” Helen said. “Talk to Dad about it and don’t come to the house until you can be civil.” Then she guided Suzie up to the cabin.

They sat on the deck and Helen brought Suzie a hot drink (spiked with rum) and sat down beside her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” Suzie said. “You’ll think I am horrible.”

“Not likely. In fact it has happened before,” Helen said, her voice calm and steady.

“What?”

“Yep, the oldest boys had a very similar fight over Melissa.” Helen said with a laugh. “Boys will be boys.”

“Jason’s wife?” Suzie asked.

“Yes, she dated Jeremy first.” Helen told Suzie who asked how that worked out. Helen spoke of soul mates and said that she knew all her boys would find who they were meant to be with. She then explained that she had guessed the truth from Jeff’s behavior and painting and had already discussed it with him. “It will all work out dear.”

Suzie was uncertain but was relieved she did not have to lie anymore. Helen encouraged her to be honest about her feelings but Suzie did not know if she could. She knew how to be with Jared and it matched her job and life, it fit. But Jeff, he made her feel things she thought were fiction. She desired him and felt breathless thinking about not being with him. There were no easy answers.

After what seemed like forever Jared walked up the yard toward her. He sat down across from her and did not look at her or touch her. “I should have seen it. But I was too busy trying to make you who I wanted you to be. I see now you and I will not work out. We want different things. So let’s try to be friends okay?”

“You’re breaking up with me?” Suzie asked, tears in her eyes.

“Yes. I cannot pretend you are something you are not,” he said sadly and then walked away.

Suzie sat on the deck swing and rocked, feeling more alone than ever. Helen had come to check on her and informed Suzie that Jared had left and they would make sure she had a ride back home. A long time passed and the place was silent. Jeff joined her on the deck when the cabin went dark.

“I thought you would come to me,” he spoke quietly, putting his hand on her shoulder.

“I didn’t know what you wanted,” Suzie replied.

“I want to paint you,” Jeff said and he scooped her up and brought her to the studio. “Now be with me.”