Page 34 of Sinister Hearts
“Are you ready,” she asked, breaking my train of thought and grabbing her leather jacket.
“Yeah, hop on.” I smirked and handed her her helmet.Because that’s what it was. It was hers.We pulled up to the brick-walled arcade, both of us in awe at the significant change. It was still our Ellm’s Arcade, just with some polished tweaks.
“It looks exactly as I remember it.” Faye hopped off my Harley. I noticed her silence during the ride here—something was bothering my girl. I could sense when anything was wrong with her. No matter the time nor the distance. I knew she had been struggling for weeks. I felt her dread like a knife stuck in my lungs, suffocating my air. I had to get her out, away from those walls where I know she lets her bad thoughts win and they caved her in.
The arcade buzzed with game commotion galore, filling the air with noises, and charms from all the games chirping and ringing in every corner, and the aroma of freshly made churros and buttered popcorn.
Everything was renovated, from the freshly painted brick walls, to the gothic style hardwood floors—horror being the theme of the arcade. Vintage horror comics and films hung from the painted walls in gold frames, spooky decorations hung from the lights, and little bats and witch hats swept across the ceiling. The bar was full of people who were drinking and playing pool and other games. Whispers and stares began to buzz as we walked through the arcade. I squeezed my girl’s hand tighter, so she knew I was right here with her, and not giving a damn what these lowlifes thought. Some of the games were new, except a few, and I led her to one in particular.
“No way?” she gasped, and sat down at the wheel, pretending to drive it. “I can’t believe they kept this one!”
“I can,” I said cheekily.
“What did you do, Jax?” Faye asked me suspiciously from behind the arcade wheel.
“Okay, I may have convinced the new owners to keep this one,” I mumbled, hiding behind my hat.
Faye smiled wide. “Why?” she asked, gazing at me with her doe-brown eyes.
“You know why,” I said, as we stared at each other intensely in utter silence, the energy between us becoming intense.
“So, are you ready to get your ass kicked again, or what?” she asked me teasingly.
“Is that a challenge, Faye Robles?” I challenged her right back, sensing the sparkle in her eye.There she was, my little ljos.
We played games, and the hour went by quickly. Too quick for my liking. And we finally sat down for some pizza. Faye didn’t hesitate to dive in. I just watched as she ate.
“What?” she asked, looking up at me with pizza in her mouth. I tried so hard not to laugh.Some things never really change.
“Nothing, just memories,” I replied, handing her a napkin, the moment catching swiftly between us. Faye looked away, breaking our eye contact as I wiped her mouth.Gods she was beautiful, even with sauce on her face.The truth was, it wasn’t just about getting Faye out of the house. It was about talking to her about what the fuck we were doing. Not that I didn’t enjoy making her come, but her and I have always been much deeper than that. I needed to talk to her. I needed her to know this wasn’t just sex. I wanted her fully. I wanted her. My heart was pounding inside my chest.
“Hey, before we go, I wanted to talk to you,” I said, stopping her as we stood outside the arcade doors.
“About what?” Faye asked nervously.
“About this. Us,” I said, pointing between us both. Faye was dead silent. I could tell she was looking for her words. She was waiting for me to say whatever was on my chest. Words I’ve wanted to say for five years, and now here was my chance.
“Well, if it isn’t the high school sweethearts,” a pesky annoying voice interrupted us. I knew that voice anywhere. Cindy Martinez. Fuck, she would be here. Of all the days. “Well, looks like you’ve moved on fast, and went right back to Little Miss Too-Good-For-This-Town Robles,” Cindy spat at Faye.
Faye looked at me, embarrassed and hurt. Her stare beat me to a bloody pulp.Fuck.I may have forgotten to mention Cindy and I were in a relationship for four months. Fourexcruciating and painfully dull months.
“What the hell is she talking about, Jax?” Faye asked, livid.
“Cindy, you and I have been done for eight months,” I said sternly.
Cindy looked at Faye, disgusted.
“You and Cindy dated?” Faye whispered, looking at me for answers.
“Awe, you didn’t tell her, Jaxy poo, that you fucked me in your barn?” Cindy said snobbishly, as she chuckled with her friends, walking off into the arcade.
I am so fucked. I felt Faye’s eyes burn into my skull like a red laser beam. Faye became furious and hit my arm with her purse.
“You pinche puto! I knew it! I knew this was some sick fucking game to you! You fucked her in your barn, where you had me the other night? You bastard!” she screamed, hate seeping out of her eyes, the betrayal marking her. It forged her like a hot rod iron. Faye stood there and I didn’t know what to possibly say to calm her down. Except for everything I shouldn’t say. Which I was getting too good at.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize we were supposed to go over our dating history in the last five years. Plus,youwere married, remember? To an older man, months after miscarrying our child?” Regret filled my lungs as soon as the words spilled out of me, like a seeping volcano ready to explode.Yup, I had done it. The look on her face said everything I needed to know. The regret had taken me in an undertow.
“How long are you going to use that against me?” she seethed, her eyes spewing pure hot hatred at me. My throat suddenly became constricted.What the hell?“I thought we were past that?” Faye shouted at me, as I tried to gasp for air.
