Norma Jean

chapter 13



Norma



It’s been a week since she died. I’m completely numb. I can’t remember anything truly important happening in my life without my Grammy being there. Every birthday party, graduations, holidays and award dinners. She has been there my entire life, and it’s so hard to imagine that she won’t ever be there again. I’ve lost an important part of my life and I just don’t know how to handle it.

My mom is a complete wreck. I’ve had to pick her up off the floor several times. Even big bad Marley is lost. I’ve never seen my cousin cry and the moment I told him, he started bawling like a baby. They are all looking at me like I’m not upset about it. But how do you tell them you’re the sole reason she is dead? You don’t.

The fire marshal said the fire was started by gasoline poured throughout the house and they found a lighter at the beginning of the trail. I saw the lighter, Creed bought it at a gas station in Arkadelphia one night. It was gold with black skulls painted across it. He used it to light his joints.

Though the fire wasn’t what killed her. It was a heart attack. I wonder if Creed came into her house and scared her so bad she died. I’m not sure though, my Grammy was a tough lady. I wonder how many people in this town sigh in relief that she died with all her secrets. Between you and me I think she used those secrets to pay her bills.

“Norma?” Chance calls from the living room of my mom’s house. He should have gone back to school. He shouldn’t have to be here taking care of me, while I take care of everyone else. I really don’t think Marley has left my living room in a week. My mom and aunt have hardly left her bedroom. I can hear them crying at all hours. I feel for them.

“Yeah?” I call back hoping he will come back here. I can’t face my family. I haven’t left my bedroom in a week. The funeral is today and I’m sitting in here in my underwear trying to find something to wear. My Grammy wouldn’t want us to wear black but then again the entire town will be there, if only to thank God their secrets are safe.

“You gotta get dressed smalls.” He states when he enters my bedroom. He looks good, decent. His short hair is artfully styled to make him look nice. His suit is very dark blue with a matching tie. His under shirt is white and peeks out of the jacket. His pants fit perfect exposing the muscles in his legs when he moves.

“I can’t decide what to wear.” I look up at him with the same expression I have given everyone else who has tried to talk to me. I have no emotion to give to them. I locked them down deep where no one can reach. Like I said, I’m numb.

“Wear whatever you want. I don’t think anyone will care. Your Grammy was famous in this town for being…out going. I doubt they expect you to wear black.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into his chest. I feel safe here, but how long will that last? How long before Creed takes everyone I love away from me?

“I know. I just want to look nice for her.” I snuggle into his arms and pretend I never have to leave. For some reason he doesn’t judge me for what happened, even though he knows. He knows who did this. We told the police Creed threatened my family and that the lighter found was his. I just hope they can find him before he hurts anyone else. That hope is wasted though. If Creed doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be found. He has low life’s all over this state who would hide him. I guess being in the drug game makes you allies for life. Which is complete bullshit.

“You will, Norma. She would just have wanted you to be there, that’s all. And to support your family and take care of them. You can do all of that, I know you can.” He smiles down at me and I try to lose myself in those hazel’s I love so much.

“How can I be there for them, if I’m the reason this happened.” I ask feeling a wall crack. I shouldn’t be talking about this. It will only make me feel and that’s something I never want to do again.

“Creed is the reason this happened. They say you don’t know a sociopath is a sociopath until it’s too late. Which is exactly what is going on here. He got too close to us and knows how to hurt us. He thinks we wronged him and now he’s trying to make us pay for it. That’s why he was flipping that damn lighter in the back ground while I was on the phone with him.” His eyes get really big and I can tell he didn’t mean to say that.

Now I do feel something. Complete and total hurt. “What?” I whisper out like maybe I can pretend he didn’t just say that.

“When I was on the phone with him, he was opening and closing that lighter. I didn’t think anything of it but apparently he was putting it to use.” He looks at me with pleading eyes. Chance knows me so well. He knows I’m about to go off on him, and I can’t say he’s wrong.

“You knew he had that lighter this whole time? We could have called someone! They could have stopped this!” I scream at him. I’m so f*cking pissed I’m shaking all over and breathing really hard.

“I didn’t know he was going to set your grandmother’s house on fire, Norma! Jesus if I had known that I would have stopped him. Do you realize how many places he could have been at? I had no clue he was at your Grammy’s. I swear that to you Norma Jean.” He tries to grab my hand and I brush him off. I can’t look at him right now let alone touch him.

“It doesn’t matter! You could have prepared me! You knew he was going to set something on fire and kill someone! You knew!” I scream and scream at him not caring who hears us, even though I should be. My family is here and they loved the woman we are about to go see buried. They shouldn’t hear this.

“How did I know it was a threat, I thought he was just being annoying. He used to open and close lighters all the time and he knows it gets on my nerves. Norma if I had known he was going to set your Grammy’s house on fire I would have told you. I wouldn’t have let this happen to her. I promise you, girl. I promise.” I hear the truth in his words but I don’t care at this point. I just want to be mad and lash out at someone, and who more perfect then the one I love the most. He needs to be far away from me, I’m dangerous to be in love with.

“You need to leave. I’ll see you at the funeral.” I state apathetically. I turn away from him and suddenly realize I’m still in my underwear. I stalk past him and head into the bathroom slamming the door behind me. I stand in front of the mirror and stare at nothing. I am nothing.

Chance knocks on the door but I don’t answer. “I love you smalls. Forever and always.” he simply states and I hear him head to the front and then out the door.

I crawl into the empty bathtub and finally cry for my Grammy. It’s something she would hate but I don’t care. I’m alone and hurting.



*****



The preacher says some things about what a great woman she was. I don’t listen. I know how my Grammy was and while she was a great woman she had her flaws. But I don’t care about those, she loved me no matter what I looked like or how I acted. It was unconditional and besides my mom, no one has shown me that. I will miss her the rest of my life, but she will live on in my heart.

We throw handfuls of dirt and roses down to the coffin. My mom and aunt are crying their eyes out and Marley is holding himself up using me. Figured I would be the only one who could keep it together. Though if you think about it, I’ve been keeping it together for years.

I was the laughing stock of my school for an entire year. I could have gone in there and gunned down everyone but I didn’t. I pretended they weren’t there even though everything they said hurt. I was beaten and abused by Creed for nearly two years and I didn’t let it break me. I should have run screaming but that would have made me end up dead. I should have told someone who could do something, but again that would have made me end up dead. I survived.

I even survived my love for Chance Duncan. As harsh as it might sound its true. My love for him knew no bounds. We share the same soul and leaving him was the hardest f*cking thing I have ever done. I survived him once and I sure as hell will do it again. Yeah I know, who would have thought I was this sappy.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Norma.” Caden Harper, Chance’s roommate stands in front of me all of a sudden. I take in his blond hair and light blue eyes. He has laugh lines around his mouth and I smile on the inside. I wonder sometimes what it would be like to be that happy.

“Thank you.” I say but as I stare into his eyes I see pain. Lots of pain. I know it’s not for my Grammy or me, since he doesn’t know either of us. It leaves me wondering what this happy male could have gone through for there to be that much pain in his eyes. I squeeze his arm as he passes and he looks back at me surprised. “It will be okay. Whatever it is, it will be okay.”

His eyes cloud as if he might cry but he doesn’t. He nods his head and walks off towards the rest of his friends. I may never be okay or live a happy life, but I have faith that Caden will.

“Norma.” Comes Chance’s voice. I turn sharply and hit his chest with my face. He catches me before I fall on my butt.

“What the hell?” I say glaring up at him. His eyes roam over my black skirt and panty hose that show off my legs. My sweater is black and tight and his eyes stay a little too long over my breasts.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. I called your name a few times.” He grins and I want to grin with him, but I can’t muster up the strength.

“Sorry I was lost in thought.” I reply and look over at my mom. She is in her favorite dress. It’s sparkly and gold and looks amazing on her. She wore her heavy black coat over it. I turn back to Chance so my mom can have her goodbyes.

He grabs my wrist gently and start tugging me over to his truck. And yes it’s the same old white one he has in high school. “What are you doing?” I ask as I try to pry his fingers off of me. No use, he is just stronger than me.

“Kidnapping you.”



Chance



“Just get in the truck Norma.” I say when she folds her arms over her chest. It is the only thing I can think of to keep her safe. Creed doesn’t know where I live in Fayetteville. I talked to Marley before the funeral and he is going to keep an eye on his mom and aunt.

“No. You have no right to do this. It’s my life and I’ll do whatever the hell I want.” She sneers at me before turning to walk away. Caden blocks her path which only makes her stomp her foot like a little child. “What the f*ck, Chance! I can take care of myself!” she practically screams at me.

“I know you can Norma, but the circumstances are against you. Creed is out there hurting people you love. I won’t let him get to you.” I pull her back into my arms holding her close. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you and I did nothing to protect you.” I whisper close to her ear.

Her limbs loosen but I can still feel the fight in her. “And I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. Do you think he is just coming after me? No he’s going to come after you too. I need to be far away from you so that doesn’t happen.” she pleads.

I turn her in my arms to face me. I gently push her hair behind both ears and stare into her violet eyes. “Nothing is going to happen to me, I swear it. He doesn’t know where I live in Fayetteville. He doesn’t even know who I live with. He can’t find me there and that means if you come with me, he won’t be able to find you either.”

She huffs before replying. “That doesn’t matter. He can still hurt the people I care about here. He won’t stop until he completely ruins me.”

“Mason and Marley are on it. Do you really think I would leave if my family wasn’t looked after? No I wouldn’t. I’m not that kind of man.” I see the fight leave her eyes. She knows like everyone else Mason and Marley wouldn’t let anything happen to anyone on their watch.

“Fine. But I’m not happy about this at all.” She shoves past me and climbs into the truck, slamming the door.

“What a firecracker. I bet y’all have amazing sex.” Caden chuckles staring at Norma in the truck.

“That’s none of your business. Thanks for helping though, I’ll see y’all at the house.” We nod and go our separate ways. It didn’t take any convincing on my roommates parts. After Creed went after Norma’s grandmother they want her safe from him. That bastard is lucky I haven’t found him yet. Going after a poor defenseless old lady is the lowest of lows.

I climb into the cab of my truck and turn the keys, the vehicle roaring to life. Norma sits with her feet under her and her arms crossed over her chest again. She looks completely pissed off and she will just have to stay that way. I would go to jail to protect her, kill even. That’s how much she means to me.

“I’m not sharing a room with you, if you think this is going to be about sex.” she says out the window, watching the scenery fly by.

“It’s not about sex. Though I wouldn’t turn it down if that’s what you want. I honestly want you to be safe and this is the only way I know how. I’m sorry you don’t like it but you can get over it.” She turns her head towards me with her mouth forming a perfect o.

“I don’t like it because I have another overbearing alpha man trying to control my life. I’m still dealing with the last one, I don’t need another one nipping at my heels.” She glares her violet eyes full of fire. When we were together in high school we never fought so this is all new to me.

I pull the truck over to the side of the road and grab her arms gently. I say making sure her eyes are on mine, “I f*cking love you Norma Jean. That a*shole doesn’t know what the meaning of the word is. I would never control you, never lay a hand on you. I wouldn’t even make you f*ck me in public. Don’t you ever compare me to that freak again. I only have your best interest at heart, like I always have and always will.” I kiss her harshly putting my point across.

When our lips part I think she might slap me but she surprises me by kissing me deeply, her hands fisting into my short hair. It quickly gets out of control with us trying to devour the other. The windows fog up making the outside world disappear and leaving us in our own little world.

Her hands leave my hair and trail down my body. I feel strung tight and I’m waiting for her to let me go. Her little hands find their way into my pants where she fists my cock forcing a groan out of my throat. “Smalls.” I whisper into the thick air.

She raises onto her knees kissing me like it’s with her last breath. Her hand pumps my cock until I feel like I’m ready to blow. I don’t know how we went from fighting to this but I hope I can pull it off again and again. I lift her dress up and rip her panties and throw the destroyed lace into the floorboard. “F*ck me, Chance.” she pleads around our lips.

I shake off her hands and pull her down onto my lap, her sex sliding over my cock. I swear my eyes roll into the back of my head. “Anytime, anywhere.” I say as I enter her slowly. She is wet and ready for me. I want her like this every damn minute of the day.

Her hands grip my shoulders as mine grip her hips pulling her up and down. The sensations are incredible and I wonder if the sex will be this way the rest of our lives. God I hope so.

“Chance.” she chants over and over again. I grin against her neck as I place deep kisses along the sensitive skin. “God, I’m gonna come so hard.” she rasps out.

“Not without me.” I growl pulling her harder against me with each motion. “Look at me.” I pull her face until her forehead is against mine and that’s all it takes. Her eyes light up with her climax and I swear I see stars as I come inside her.

After a moment we catch our breaths and she slides off my lap. I grin at the dazed look on her face and stuff myself back into my pants. I sit back in the driver seat and she sits right in the middle. Just like she used too. She grabs my hand, lacing her fingers with mine and lays her head on my shoulder. “I love you, too.” She whispers closing her eyes. All I can do is grin like an idiot.



*****



“Dude are those panties?” Caden asks when I open the driver side door in front of the house. He opened the passenger side door to help Norma carry her stuff, which we stopped by her moms and got.

All I can do is roll my eyes. Figures he would see those even though it’s dark and the panties are black. “No seriously. You ripped them?” he questions sounding astonished, grabbing the lace out of the truck floor.

I hate to admit it but my cheeks flush. I don’t think I’ve blushed since I was a little kid and my mom said something embarrassing. “Shut up.”

“I knew you two had amazing sex. Dude give me details.” He looks generally interested but I flip him off and head after Norma who already headed into the house. “I haven’t gotten laid in months and you flip me off? I need to live through you! Come on Chance tell me!” he pleads following close behind me.

I turn forcing him to stop quickly. “What I do with her, is none of your business. It’s no one’s business except for Norma and me. Get that through your head.” I glare at him hard before I turn to actually make it into the house.

“You are a total buzz kill.” He mutters behind me, making me grin cockily.

I find an unexpected sight when I enter the living room. Teagan and Norma are sitting on the couch. There are sleeping bags laid out on the floor and a bowl of popcorn sitting on the coffee table. Caden heads straight for the food but Teagan slaps his hand away. “God Caden! This is for our slumber party, go away.”

Slumber party? I throw a questioning look at Norma who shrugs her shoulders. “Teagan and I were talking about how much we loved Pretty Little Liars. She happens to have all three seasons on DVR so she decided to have an all-night marathon.”

“Okay.” I say slowly. I kind of hoped she would be sleeping with me tonight but it looks like I get my cold bed to myself. Bummer.

“Sorry Chance. I figured Norma needed a nice little girl’s night. You understand, right?” Teagan says looking up at me expectantly.

I can’t help but to grin at her little girl demeanor. “Yeah, I don’t care. As long as you don’t make me watch any of that shit.” I walk over to kiss Norma on the head and whisper in her ear, “Love you smalls.”

She smiles up at me and I head up the stairs to my own room. Alone.

I pass Declan’s room and there is a card table set up. He and his little brother Marcus sit in two of the four chairs surrounding the table. “Hey since the girls are doing their thing I figured we could do our own. Though I’m not sleeping with all of you in the room.”

“Sweet cards! And whiskey!” Caden exclaims claiming the seat next to Marcus.

I shake my head at him and walk into the room. “Cool, I guess.” I mutter sitting next to Declan. He deals out the cards and we start playing poker. I’m not good at this game at all. I can’t even tell you the rules or even how to play. Though we aren’t using real money, so I’m not losing anything.

“So Chance you were going to tell us details on what happened in the truck with Norma.” Caden says slyly making me glare in his direction.

“We seriously just had this conversation. Shut up because I’m not going to tell you anything.” I set my cards down to smack him on the back of the head.

Of course this piques Declan’s curiosity, “What happened in the truck?” I glare at him as well and then over at Marcus for extra measure.

“Dude he ripped off her panties.” He smirks at me when my entire face flushes yet again for the second time tonight.

Marcus and Declan look over at me like that haven’t ever seen me before. “I honestly didn’t know you had that in you.” Declan states clearing his throat.

“Me either.” Marcus throws in.

I roll my eyes. “None of you has had or will have sex with me, so how the hell did you know what I had in me or not?” I ask raising my eyebrows.

Declan blinks several times before answering. “Well you have a point there.” He clears his throat again. “I just meant you don’t seem to be that kind of aggressive in the bedroom.”

Caden chuckles about to reply when the girls yell out downstairs. We all get up and rush to the landing but nothing seems out of place. “What’s wrong?” I call out.

Their heads turn up to us and Norma says, “Toby is dead!”

Damn Pretty Little Liars.