Trouble Maker

Chapter 1: The Dedicated and Delightful Detective Decker.

Note: This is more a slow burn story, although I think it’ll be worth it in the end. There’s a large age difference between the main character and love interest (18 and 35 respectively), so if that bothers you, don’t go further ahead. There’s also a lot of swearing.

————

The first time I met Will Decker, I was just eighteen and Dad had died. I was flunking out of school and also causing a lot of problems for my older sister, Kate. Well…I wouldn’t call it causing problems, I’d call it ‘reacting’. Reacting to a bunch of runt-faced, fuckwits who I am ashamed to call my peers.

I go to school which a bunch of twats. There. That’s the summary.

I know I’m not the easiest to get along with, but I’m not a twat. I’m other ‘t’ words. Like temperamental, tumultuous, tetchy, tarty…the list goes on. But I’m no twat. I pride myself on the fact that unlike most kids my age I’m only moderately self-obsessed. I’m also not a bully.

But teachers don’t care, because when you’re at the centre of pretty much every single conflict in school, it kind of becomes easier for them to just assume I’m actually the one responsible. But I’m not. Am I involved? Yes – peripherally. Responsible? No. Nine times out of ten, I’m not the one starting things.

I wasn’t always the centre of the school’s drama circuit. It all started when I slept with Micah Lorne just after Dad had died. Micah is in my year at school and for a period of a week we kind of dated.

In my grief-stricken stupid teenager mind, I’d decided that Micah was my everything, and so I gave him my everything. Which is a nicer way of saying we fucked and then he dumped my slutty ass. Because as it turned out, Micah wasn’t my everything. He was just a horny teenager.

He’s also a massive dick, because after that he went and told everyone at school that I was a hoe-bag. And the rumours started from there and soon I transformed into the St Chesterfield’s bicycle, because apparently everyone was sleeping with me.

So not the case, by the way, I learnt my lesson after the Micah thing and haven’t fucked anyone since. But you know what teens are like. You sleep with one guy, one time and automatically you’re a slut.

Because of this I get in trouble a lot. I don’t take this shit silently, when girls call me a slut or try and trash my locker, sometimes I use my fists to settle things. And that…well…did I mention I’m temperamental? Ok, ok. I know what you’re thinking.

Lucy, you don’t need to use your fists, violence doesn’t solve anything. All it does it get you in trouble.

You’re right. You’re so right, except you’re also wrong, because these teenage dill-weeds are also incapable of using their prefrontal cortexes and so sometimes the only way they learn is through physical consequence. Kind of like Pavlov’s dogs, minus the electric shocks.

The harassment’s only escalated since the beginning of the year. And because it’s just Kate and me now, and Kate works a million hours a week as a cop, she no longer trusts me by myself at home. (You throw a house party one time and it gets out of hand, and suddenly you’re the bad guy. Sheesh).

So that’s kind of the short version of how I ended up getting babysat by my sister’s colleague/friend, detective Will Decker.

It’s simple maths: I am a hose-beast, plus I attract trouble, plus I also occasionally misbehave, equals me being babysat by a thirty-five year old stick-in-the-mud.

I know, I know. It sounds all very dramatic. You can imagine my absolute delight at having to be babysat by my sister’s boring-ass co-worker even though I’m legally an adult. And don’t get me wrong, I’d been resisting it for as long as possible, except at the beginning of term two I was suspended from school for getting into a punch up. As soon as Kate saw the bruises and split lip that was it. My freedom was over. Detective Will Decker became my official babysitter.

I didn’t think he’d become my actual everything. But there you go.

————

It’s Monday evening and I’m trying to avoid doing my homework. I’ve been on suspension starting today for getting into a punch up with some girls at school. Kate was furious when it happened, and it was the last straw for her, resulting in me being deemed unfit to be without supervision by an adult twenty-four/seven.

The door bell rings and I make my way the the front door. As per Kate’s threat, I know this must be her co-worker. He has to babysit me tonight because Kate has an evening shift at the cop-shop and I can’t be here to make sure I don’t do anything stupid…er.

I open the door, dramatic sigh in hand and I’m met with the terrifyingly blank face of a guy who I can only assume is my sister’s work mate. He’s a six foot something, broad shouldered, rugged, scruffy looking beast of a man. No at all the scrawny, nerdy detective type I’d imagined. More the brooding, film noir-esque type. I’m going to have a hard time mowing over this guy.

I get a brief thought that maybe Kate’s asked him to look after me for some ulterior motives. He’s pretty cute for someone who looks like he’s in his damn forties, and I’d bet my entire life savings (seventy-five dollars, thank you very much) that she is into him.

“You must be the dedicated and delightful Detective Decker,” I give him my warmest, cheesiest smile. The kind of smile that says ‘I am an angel, I am an innocent’.

He looks at me and blinks. Oh boy, not one for humour or appreciation of alliteration apparently.

“My name’s Will. I’m here to look after Kate’s sister, Lucrezia.”

“That is me.” I say, and he seems somewhat surprised. Or I think it’s surprise. Kind of hard to tell because did I mention his face is freakishly vacant of expression?

“You’re not as young as i’d expected.” Will’s eyebrows kind of quirk downwards. I think it’s supposed to be a frown. I don’t know what he was expecting. Probably for me to not be eighteen. Because who needs a babysitter for an eighteen year old?

“Very true, so I don’t need to be babysat, Bye now.” I try to close the door, but he reaches out and stops me. Evidently a bad move on my part because he is ridiculously strong. The nerve!

Did I mention, I am eighteen years of age, and I so don’t need someone to take care of me.

“I’m doing this as a favour to your sister, so I’d appreciate it if you let me in.”

“Well, I release you from your favour and set you free. Bye now.” I try to shut the door again, but he’s like the fucking hulk and my weak-ass muscles can’t even make him budge.

I give Will one of my steel-y, fuck off looks, but he’s not even slightly bothered. It’s usually enough to get adults to back off – I know because whenever I give it to Kate she just sighs and leaves me alone. But no, not this guy.

His face doesn’t so much as twitch – it’s like he’s made of marble, i’ve seen more expression come from a dead person. He could be a robot – and there’s no way in hell i’m letting a fucking robot into my house.

I sigh loudly, giving him my best I’m-a-teenager-I-will-make-your-life-hell looks and say, “I don’t need to be babysat.”

“Evidently you do,” his deep voice is gruff, like he doesn’t speak much.

Although I hardly care, he’s one of Kate’s work mates, and therefore probably a boring ass stick-in-the-mud like most cops. Will gives the barest nod, eyes lingering on the fading bruising on my cheek and the healing cut on my lip. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, nothing on his face it giving him away, although I can’t imagine his thoughts aren’t any different to anyone elses.

‘Who the fuck is this kid?’,’She’s a trouble maker’, ‘why did I agree to look after my friend’s baby sister?’

God only knows why he’d agree to do this shit-fuck of a job. Maybe he’s sweet on Kate, but she’s like a fairy princess – all blonde hair and giggly and sugary. And this guy? He’s giving me Colin-Firth-as-Mr-Darcy level brooding. Except he’s not as hot as Colin Firth and not nearly as sophisticated. Upon further analysis, he could be a Heathcliff, and I can’t fucking stand Heathcliff-types.

I frown and realise it’s the first time i’ve been able to make that expression without it hurting too much. Those kids really did a number on me.

“Whatever,” It’s the only thing I can be bothered to say at this point, and move to let the guy in. He looks like he could bench-press a piano and i’m seriously doubting my ability to take him on. I know when i’m going to lose a fight, so might as well just let him in.

Suddenly emotion flickers across his face, barely for like a split-second. But it’s there and it looks like…surprise? I guess I can still mess with this guy. Maybe this evening won’t be so wasted after all.

Kate walks through from the kitchen and I can see her visibly brighten. My suspicions are confirmed, she is so in to this guy, it’s not hard to tell. Although God only knows why she thinks it’s a good idea for someone she actually likes to look after her troubled little sister. I don’t know about you, but i’d keep any kind of guy far away from the mess in our lives. At least at first, you know?

His expression doesn’t seem to change. Although I’m thinking he’s a gruff, silent, tortured type from our brief interaction, so its probably hard to tell whether he’s happy or sad because his face is like stone. Soooo not usually Kate’s type. She usually goes for jocks, and this guy is fit, but he’s also steely as fuck and unkempt which is kind of a stereotype for a detective if you ask me.

“Hey Will, thanks so much for helping me out this week,” Kate chirps, adjusting her cop belt.

Will nods, adds nothing further to the conversation and I don’t know why i’m surprised by this, because literally from the get go he’s been fucking mute and anti-social.

“You’ve met Lucy, hopefully she behaves.” Kate says that last part to me, giving me her parental look which means ‘don’t mess up, dickhead’.

“I do not need a babysitter,” I add in a last ditch effort to get this guy out of my house. I turn to Will, “I’m eighteen. Eighteen year olds don’t need babysitters.”

He seems to give it some thought and amazingly says something, “That’s typically true”. He gives Kate a raised eyebrow.

“She’s not a normal eighteen year old.” Kate says, throwing me a glare, “She’s had a traumatic and…terrible year. She’s had a lot of problems at school and made some bad choices. Both her Doctor and me are under the impression the she is unsafe to herself unsupervised at this time.”

I can’t stop my mouth from gaping open, what a narc. I decide I don’t like Kate in front of Will, she’s all judge-y and brutal. She’s never this direct to me, although has confirmed my suspicions that she thinks i’m turning into a hose-beast. Will just gives me a questioning look with that eyebrow of his and I shrug.

“Well, questionable choices or not, I think we can all agree that I didn’t deserve this,” I point to my face, gesturing to the fading bruises.

Kate just pats me on the shoulder, “Those questionable choices resulted in some bullying and rumours and a suspension,” she shrugs apologetically at Will as if to say, ‘sorry, she’s a handful’ and I’m kind of annoyed. She’s supposed to be on my side.

“I lost my virginity to a guy in my class named Micah,” I blurt out, I figure if Kate wants to be all ‘Look after my poor deranged sister’ , he can at least know what he’s getting into. After I see he’s made no reaction of judgement I continue, “after Dad died I kinda freaked out and I thought he loved me. I don’t know why since we’d only just started dating. So I went to him and then these rumours start.”

“You sleep with one guy and rumour mill starts that you’ll sleep with any guy.” Will says thoughtfully.

“Yeah, did Kate tell you?”

He seemed to give it some thought, “No, guys are assholes.”

“Yeah,” I nod, “You’re surprisingly cool with this information then? You don’t have any follow up questions.”

“Nope,”

“Like about why I have a black eye and split lip?”

“It makes sense now in the context of everything.” he shrugs, “You have sex with a guy. he breaks up with you, calls you a slut. Now everyone at school thinks you’re a slut. Some girls think you’ve slept with their boyfriends, you get into a fight, you get suspended.”

“Wow. that is ridiculously accurate.” I know I’m staring at him wide-eyed.

“He’s a good detective.” Kate offers. Will just looks at us both blankly. It should be disconcerting, but actually it’s quite calming now.

“You just might be,” I can’t stop the astonishment from hitting my voice, “Did I mention those other bitches didn’t get suspended? Do you think that’s right?”

“That you got suspended and they didn’t?”

“Yeah,”

“No,” he shakes his head.

“Exactly!” I throw my hands up in the air, “Thank you!”

I can see why Kate likes Will, because he’s turning out to be kind of okay. I turn to Kate and it leaves my mouth before i can think properly, “You should date him.”

Kate loves that I’ve said it, and Will just looks kind of floored, I can see his neck turning a shade of red. Good to know he’s capable of feelings like embarrassment. I can use this to my advantage.

“Ok, well sounds like you guys are going to be fine. Call me if you need anything,” Kate says her last goodbyes, making sure to give Will a list of names and numbers and I decide i’m done with this little foyer interaction.

Time to go be a teenager and hide in my room.

Just because i have to be babysat doesn’t mean i have to talk to the guy. I amuse myself with staring into space while laying down on my bed. I don’t really use my phone much anymore, get too much abuse on it, so that’s no good. That also rules out the computer, so no fun their either. Just plenty of time to stare at walls, and ceilings and floors. Join me in living my best life.

At about 6.30pm there’s a knock on my door. It’s obviously Will, but I’m in the mood to be difficult, so instead of saying, ‘come in’, i say:

“Who is it?”

there’s a pause, “Will”.

“Will who?”

There’s another long pause followed by an audible sigh, like he can’t quite believe he’s doing this.

“Will Decker.”

“The name’s not familiar…” I reply.

“Dinner’s ready. Come down if you want some.” no attempt to open my door, nothing further. I hear the patter of feet walking down the stairs. I don’t want to go down, but my stomach is rumbling with hunger.

I stalk downstairs, and peer into the kitchen. Will’s sitting at the kitchen table eating what looks like green covered pasta, but as I watch Masterchef, I know it to be Pesto. Kate and I aren’t usually cooks and we don’t go out to dinner much, so I don’t often get the opportunity to eat things outside of overcooked meat and Coles salads.

He looks up briefly and acknowledges me with a glance, before turning back to look at some sheets in front of him.

“There’s pasta in that pot, help yourself.” he mutters, obviously absorbed in the sheets. I grab a bowel and fill it up a little more than usual.

You deserve it, you’ve had a traumatising year according to Kate.

I contemplate whether I should sit down at the table or go somewhere else. But my curiosity wins, and I sit myself opposite Will and start chowing down.

Not gonna like, it is fucking delicious. I have to take breaks from eating otherwise I’m going to get stomach cramps from how quickly I’m inhaling the food.

In a moment of weakness for my socially-starved brain I speak up, “What are you doing?”

“Reading,” he replies curtly. Doesn’t even look up. What an asshole.

“What are you reading?”

“Work.”

“Ohhh, like a detective case?”

The corner of his mouth tilts upwards and I realise its supposed to be a smile, “Yeah something like that.”

“Anything interesting then?” I ask, half curious, half trying to be annoying because I can see he’s trying to concentrate.

He puts the papers down and gives me a long long, his eyes give unwavering attention now and it’s slightly intense. His eyes are hard, but his mouth is kind of soft, like he wants to throttle me, but he also feels sorry for me.

He stares at me silently for a few minutes and then opens his mouth, “You’re different to your sister.”

“Well done, Detective Decker,” I roll my eyes.

“You look different too. It’s almost hard to tell you’re sisters.”

“They should promote you to Captain Obvious at work.”

That one earns me another upwards mouth tilt. Look at this, he can be amused.

And he’s right. Kate and I are different, like the sun and moon. She’s blonde, and tall, she has an athletic body which i’d die for. She’s sweet, kind and mostly not a pain in the ass. She likes hiking and camping and all manner of outdoorsy things (Gross). Whereas I’m average height, average dark hair, average build. In fact I am best generally described as ‘average’. Well ‘average’ and ‘sarcastic’.

“You guys have the same father?”

“As far as I know, Decker. What a rude question!” I huff, “I mean I know my sister’s like Marilyn Monroe and i’m Bette Davis, but seriously. Cut a kid some slack. I’m traumatised, you can’t be mean to me. The school counsellor told me that I’m a tender young thing and that the adults in my life need to be gentle.”

He snorts, Will Decker actually snorts and I realise he’s not as old as I thought he was. He’d looked almost 40 easily before, all frowns and serious face. But relaxed and joking-ish? He’s kind of hot.

Perish the thought.

“Thanks for dinner,” I nod, “It was really nice. But don’t you dare think you’ve done a good babysitting job.” I add afterwards.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“We still have three hours until Kate comes back,” I continue, “I could decide to try and go out for a night on the town, or bring a gentleman caller around, or throw a house party. So don’t get comfortable.”

Will just nods, and apparently we’re done with this conversation because he returns his attentions back to the sheets.

I clear the table and wash up. I trek to the lounge room and sit myself on the couch for a while and try to read some god-awful hiking magazine which Kate subscribes to.

————

Three hours later and Kate is walking through the door. She’s looking around excited, although cautious, like she’s worried she’s going to step on a bomb.

I see her walk through to the kitchen and can hear he talking to Will. A part of me is a bit annoyed, they’re having a quiet conversation and I just know it’s about me. I tip toe into the kitchen and peer around the corner. Kate is leaning over Will, looking down at the file.

It’s kind of nice seeing her so comfortable about a guy that she’d be so close to him. Kate doesn’t really date much but I can see that she really quite likes Will. She’s leaning towards him, lowering herself to lean over his shoulder. All very intentional. On his part he doesn’t seem to mind. But then his gaze snaps up and I’ve broken the spell because he sees me.

Fuck, Lucy – you dumb bitch. You’ve ruined their moment!

Will looks almost like a deer in headlights, which is kind of funny. Like he’s feeling a tad nervous and I wonder why that is.

“Hey guys,” I smile, waving at Kate.

“Hey, shouldn’t you be in bed?” I can tell she’s kind of annoyed. Who wants their baby sister around as a cock-block? I get it.

“Just about to go up. Thought I’d say hi.” I wave to Kate, “and bye,” I wave to Will.

Will’s mouth is titling upwards again, but this time I don’t know what is amusing him. Maybe because I’m being nice and normal, and in fact have been relatively normal and well-behaved despite my earlier threats.