Secrets on Oriole Street

Chapter 1: A Dangerous Deal

Roy Eberhardt bolted out the door, his sneakers slapping against the pavement as he bypassed his usual bus stop. His heart raced—not just from the jog, but from the burning need to see Beatrice Leep. West Oriole Street loomed ahead, her street, and he pushed on until he reached her house. The sidewalk was empty, the morning air crisp with secrets. He paced, racking his brain for a believable excuse if anyone spotted him lurking like some desperate creep. Then, the front door swung open, and there she was—Beatrice, all sharp edges and untamed energy, striding out with a smirk that could cut glass.

Roy sprinted toward her, nearly toppling her over in his haste. 'What the hell happened yesterday? Where’s your brother? Did you see the paper this morning? Did you—'

Before he could finish, Beatrice’s hand shot out, slapping over his mouth with a force that made his teeth clack. Her palm was warm, slightly rough from years of soccer and god-knows-what-else, pressing hard against his lips. Her dark eyes glinted with a mix of annoyance and amusement as she leaned in close, her breath hot on his cheek. 'Easy, cowgirl,' she drawled, her voice low and teasing. 'You’re gonna wake the whole damn neighborhood with that yapping. Let’s go wait for the bus. We’ll talk… and I’ll let you touch my butt on the way.'

Roy froze, her hand still muffling him, his eyes widening to saucers. He mumbled against her palm, the words garbled until she finally pulled back with a wicked grin. 'What did you just say?' he stammered, his face flaming red, unsure if he’d heard right or if his horny teenage brain was playing tricks.

'You heard me, Tex,' Beatrice said, folding her arms over her chest, her stance all confidence and challenge. 'It’s part of a deal I’m offering. You want answers? You gotta play by my rules.'

Roy blinked, his mind spinning. 'What kind of deal? I mean, I’m not complaining, but… why?'

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. 'I’ll tell you everything—every dirty little secret about my messed-up family. But in exchange, you keep your mouth shut. And as a bonus, you get to cop a feel while we walk. Fair trade, don’t you think?'

Roy swallowed hard, his throat dry as sandpaper. He wasn’t about to say no to touching her, not when she was looking at him like that—like she owned the world and he was just lucky to be in it. 'Deal,' he croaked, trying to sound cooler than he felt. 'I’m in.'

Beatrice’s smirk widened. 'Good boy. Now, let’s move before someone sees us playing footsie out here.' She started walking toward the bus stop, her stride purposeful, and Roy fell in beside her. Hesitantly, he reached out, his hand hovering for a split second before settling on the curve of her ass. The denim of her jeans was rough under his fingers, but the firmness beneath sent a jolt straight through him. His cock twitched in his pants, already half-hard from the sheer audacity of it all. She didn’t flinch, didn’t pull away—just kept walking like it was the most natural thing in the world.

'So,' Roy started, his voice a little shaky as his hand lingered, 'about that tooth. You didn’t really fall down the stairs, did you?'

Beatrice snorted, tossing her hair back. 'Hell no. I bit a ring off Lonna’s toe. My mom’s old topaz charm—stolen right out of Dad’s sock drawer. That witch had no right to wear it.'

Roy’s jaw dropped, his hand tightening instinctively on her ass. 'You… bit it off? Like, with your teeth? While she was awake?'

'Damn straight,' Beatrice said, flashing a feral grin that showed the jagged stump of her broken incisor. 'Wasn’t easy, either. Snapped the tip right off. They’re gonna cap it, make it look brand-new. Lucky for me, Dad’s got dental.'

'That’s insane,' Roy muttered, his fingers tracing small circles now, unable to stop himself. 'You’re insane.'

'Maybe,' she shot back, unbothered. 'But Lonna deserved it. Shoulda seen her face—screaming like I was some rabid dog. Anyway, what’s got you so worked up about the paper?'

Roy fished the crumpled news clipping from his pocket, showing her the ad for Mother Paula’s groundbreaking. 'Another pancake joint. Just what the world needs,' she groaned, rolling her eyes. 'And no, I haven’t seen Mullet Fingers since Sunday. Shit hit the fan when Dad caught him in the garage. Then Lonna pitched a fit, and he bolted. Now Dad and her aren’t even speaking. House feels like a damn powder keg.'

Roy’s hand slid lower, brushing the edge of her thigh, his pulse hammering. 'Sounds like hell. You need a place to crash? I’ve got room.'

Beatrice laughed, sharp and biting. 'Sweet of you, Tex, but I’m good. Dad says he feels safer with me around. Lonna thinks I’m dangerous and crazy. She’s not wrong.' She shot him a sidelong glance, her eyes smoldering. 'You like dangerous, don’t you?'

Roy’s breath hitched, his grip tightening as heat pooled in his groin. They were almost at the bus stop now, but the tension between them was electric, crackling like a live wire. He could feel himself getting harder, the thought of her wildness driving him crazy. And as they slowed to a stop, her gaze flicked down, catching the bulge in his jeans. 'Looks like you’re enjoying this deal a little too much,' she teased, her voice dripping with mischief. 'Careful, cowgirl. We’ve got a long ride to school—and I’m not done with you yet.'