The devil

For a moment, I contemplate how to kill him and get away with it. Money is an extremely sore subject for me. Always has been. On the outside, my family looks like they do pretty well. And we would be…if it weren’t for my father’s bad habit of needing to be bigger and better than everyone else around him. His spending habits were easier when he still had my mom’s trust money coming in, but he blew every cent of it—leaving nothing for me or my brother like she wanted.

In the last three years alone he’s purchased two boats, four cars, a vacation home, and tons of other expensive things he’ll never be able to pay off in his lifetime if he doesn’t stop.

I can’t even afford to go to college unless I get a full scholarship or take out a massive loan. Which of course, I’ll be forced to do because my father won’t allow me to be a disgrace and embarrass him.

And yet Damien can spend all his father’s money on drugs and walk around intentionally looking like a bum.

“You’re a scrub, Damien. You’re not rich because you’re intelligent and earned your money with your brain. You’re nothing but a trust fund baby who will end up dying from a heroin overdose by thirty.” I leer at him. “Don’t worry, though. You’ll leave behind three ex-wives who took you for whatever they could, and five kids who hate your guts because you’re a shitty father.” Amusement lines his face as I continue. “As for my bedroom skills, you don’t know shit because I’m sure as hell not screwing you.”

He blows a stream of smoke in my face. “A bit hypocritical, don’t you think? You just told me my future and you don’t even know me.”

“You don’t know me either, asshole.”  

“No, I don’t.” He stares at me for a long moment, pondering. “Well…I do know some things.”

I hate myself for feeding into whatever bullshit game he’s playing, but curiosity won’t let it go. “Like what?”

I’m not sure what to make of the expression on his face. I can’t tell if he hates me as much as I hate him, or if it amuses him he a

“I know your dad’s a senator. I know you wear preppy shit like khakis and polos. I know you’re on the debate team. I’ve heard you a few times—you’re not bad…but you could be better.” He takes a step in my direction. “I know your twin brother can be a dick…it’s why people respect him more than you.” He smirks. “I know Gerald Douglas was supposed to win the race against you for student body president, but you rigged the votes.” He fixes my collar and winks. “I know your dad’s credit card got declined at the country club the other day—because I fuck one of the waitresses and she couldn’t stop laughing about it when I saw her later that night.”

He inches closer and it’s all I can do not to deck him. “And I know you never gave a shit about your little girlfriend—because if you did, you would have gone after her…instead, you’re locked in here with me.”

Tension locks my jaw when his lips hover over my ear. “You’re just mad she played you and made you look like a sucker. Because Cain Carter can’t be anything less than perfect, can he? He has to remain in complete control and be an angel at all times. He has to color inside the lines and stick to the script. Just like his daddy taught him.” His voice drops to a whisper and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “We both know you don’t hate me because I fucked your girlfriend…you hate me because I fucked her better and live my life the way you wish you had the guts to.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the sound of something clanking outside catches my attention.

Damien, the fucker, chuckles under his breath. “That must be Bagels.”  He throws his cigarette on the ground and steps on it. “Catch you later.” He starts walking toward the door but pauses. “If you ever want to stop being a pussy and have some fun, you know where to find me.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

His cruel, mocking laughter as he walks out of the shed has me thinking up ways to hurt him.

But it also has me wondering what it would be like to be Damien King for a day and live life the way he does.

To break all the rules and not give a fuck about the consequences.