by J. L. Perry
“I’m not a damn kid,” I snap. “I’m one year younger than you.”
“Huh. You could’ve fooled me. You look like you’re twelve.” Abruptly removing my seatbelt, I get out of the car.
“Fuck you,” I say as I slam the car door shut. So much for not letting him ruin my day again.
CHAPTER THREE
Carter
I sit and watch her walk down the street towards the school. Why does she make me feel bad for being mean to her? I almost want to drive up beside her and tell her to get her sweet arse back in the car. Fuck that. Not happening.
Damn her arse is fine. My eyes are glued to it. Today she’s wearing these sexy as hell skin-tight jeans. Why does she have to be such a babe? Why can’t she be an ugly fucking troll or something? I feel my dick stir in my pants. Hell no. I need to get some action today—anything to get her face, those lips, and that sinful arse of hers out of my head.
I lose sight of her when I pull into the car park. That’s probably a good thing. Having her living next door is bad enough. Knowing how she affects me, and having to see her around school every day, isn’t going to be fun.
Parking the car, I grab my backpack and head towards the school office. My mum said I have to go there to pick up my schedule.
••••
By the time lunch rolls around, I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve managed to avoid Indiana all day. I’ve even managed to organise my first hook-up with a pretty blonde. Don’t ask me what her name is. I’ve forgotten it already. The name’s not important anyway. I’m only up for a bit of fun, nothing more.
After I grab something to eat, I make my way towards a table. “Carter,” one of the guys from my math class calls out. “Come sit with us.” He seems like a cool enough guy so I head over to him and his friends.
“Thanks,” I say when I take a seat at the end of the table. He proceeds to introduce me to his mates. There are at least ten of them. I’ll never remember all their names.
Brad, the guy sitting opposite me sizes me up. I hate it when people do shit like that. I feel like I’m being judged. “You’re a pretty big dude,” he says flicking his head my way. “Have you ever played football? We could use a guy like you on our team.” He’s one of those pretty boys. The kind the girls seem to fall all over. Smug bastard. I don’t usually associate with his type.
“Nope. Not a fan of sports. Running around the field with a ball seems like a waste of fucking time if you ask me. The only physical exercise I like to do is the bedroom kind.” The other guys at the table laugh. He doesn’t seem impressed though. Fucker.
“You don’t just run around the field with a ball, you dick. It takes skill.”
“Whatever you say, man,” I shrug, like I don’t give a shit. He’s obviously offended by my comment. I choose to ignore the fact he just called me a dick. I’ve already made one enemy today, Indiana. That’s enough for one day.
The table goes quiet. I’m sure they’re waiting to see where this goes. I’m guessing nowhere unless he decides to call me another name.
I pick up my food and start eating. When I look up and make eye contact with him he’s glaring at me. If he thinks that’s going to intimidate me, he’s seriously mistaken. I don’t scare easy. I stare him down.
“Hey Brad, here comes Indi,” I hear one of the guys say. My head snaps towards the entry. What’s it to him? She’s walking towards our table. She has a friend with her. She’s not bad. I might need to add her to my list of conquests. I’m sure that would piss Indiana off.
“You tapped that yet?” one of them asks. I’m presuming he’s asking if he and Indiana have got it on. Why that pisses me off I have no idea. That cocksucker better not say yes.
“Not yet, but this weekend my parents are going away. I’m gonna invite her over,” he chuckles. The cock sitting next to him gives him a high five. I’d like to high five his fucking face.
“I bet you can’t get her to go all the way,” another one adds. Fuck. Am I going to have to take on this whole damn table?
“How much?” Brad asks.
“Fifty bucks.”
“You’re on,” Brad answers reaching over the table to shake his hand. Seriously, they’re making bets on her now? “It won’t be the first cherry I’ve popped and your fifty will make it all the sweeter.” He rubs his hands together when he says that. Like hell will he be having her over this weekend. I have no idea how I’m going to put a stop to this, but I will.
As the girls walk past, Brad reaches out and pulls Indiana onto his lap. “Hey, beautiful,” he whispers in her ear. It instantly gets my back up. Why do I care that his hands are on her? But fuck me, I do.
“Brad,” she giggles, trying to get up off his lap. I want to tell him to let her go, but I keep my mouth shut.
“Don’t make any plans for Saturday night, okay?” he murmurs in the crook of her neck. She pulls her head back and smiles at him. She has a pretty smile. When she’s around me, all I seem to get is a scowl. I guess with the way I treat her I deserve it.
“What’s on Saturday night?” she asks.
“You and me. We’re going to do something. Just the two of us,” Brad answers.
“Like a date?” she asks. When he looks around at the other guys sitting at the table and smirks, it takes everything in me not to lunge at him. My blood has reached boiling point. I try to act unaffected when the guy next to me mumbles, “A date with his bed.” I swear I want to knock him out.
“Yeah, a date. I’ll call you, okay?” Brad replies, smiling at her sweetly. Fucker. There’s nothing sweet about him. He’s a fucking snake.
“Okay.” He lets her go and she rises from his lap. Her eyes quickly scan the table before landing on me. The smile drops from her face and her eyes narrow. That makes my lips turn up for some reason. Sure I’d prefer one of the smiles she gave that fucker, but I like that my presence affects her.
“Hi. You must be new here,” I hear her friend ask. Tearing my eyes away from Indiana, I find her friend smiling down at me. She’s even prettier up close, but has nothing on Indiana.
I can feel Indiana’s eyes boring into the side of my head, so I decide to turn on the charm. “Carter,” I say, plastering a huge grin on my face. I extend my hand to her friend and she takes hold.
“I’m Megan,” she giggles, batting her eyelashes at me. That shit pisses me off. I hate it when girls act this way. Like the rest, she’s putty in my hands.
“Let’s go,” Indiana snaps grabbing her elbow and dragging her away. I chuckle. If talking to her friend pisses her off, I may have to do it more often.
Indiana
“I think I’m in love,” Meg says as I drag her away from that arsehole. He can put on the charm for her. Why didn’t I get that kind of greeting when I met him? God, he gets on my nerves. I hate that seeing the way he was with Meg just now made me jealous.
“You need to stay away from him,” I demand as we weave our way through the other students, making our way towards our table.
“What? Why? Have you heard something about him?” she asks.
“That’s my new neighbour. The one I was telling you about.”
“Shut the fuck up,” she says looking over her shoulder in his direction. “No way. That hottie is your new neighbour? Damn girl, you get all the luck.”
“Don’t let his good looks fool you. That’s all he has going for him,” I say.
“With a face like his that’s all he needs,” she laughs.
“Meg,” I exhale, frustrated. “Please.”
“Okay. Don’t get your panties in a knot. Anyway, I think he has the hots for you.” Her comment makes me laugh. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
“Trust me. He doesn’t have the hots for me. He can’t stand me,” I admit as we take our seats. Maybe I should’ve sat on the other side. I have a clear view of my infuriating neighbour from here. Pulling my lunch out of my bag, I realise I suddenly have no appetite. That smug bastard is eating his food like
he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Oh, I beg to differ. I saw the way he was looking at you when you were on Brad’s lap. If I’m not mistaken, those gorgeous brown eyes of his turned green.”
I ignore her observation. She must be seeing things. I know how a guy acts when he’s interested. Carter’s definitely not interested. “What do you think I should do about Brad?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“Are you seriously asking me that? He’s been chasing you forever. Go out with him. He’s a babe. Anyone else would kill to be asked out by him.”
“Well I’m not just anyone. I’m not sure if I want to be serious with a guy yet. You know what his reputation is like. He’s going to expect sex.”
“So give it to him. You’re nearly seventeen Indi. You can’t hold onto your virginity forever.” She’s right. I know that, but I don’t want to give it up to just anyone. I was hoping to give it to someone special.
Brad and I have hung out a bit. Mainly in a group. Never on our own. Well, except last weekend when he walked me home from a party. He kissed me goodnight. Technically it was more than a goodnight kiss, but it never went any further.
It’s not like I haven’t made out with guys before. I have. But, now we’re getting older, the guys expect more than kissing. I know I’m ready. I’m just not sure if Brad is the one.
“Stop overthinking this,” she says reaching for my hand when she sees the worried look on my face. “We’ve been over this a thousand times.”
“I know. It’s just …”
“Just what? At least he’s had experience. He should know how to please you. My first time was horrible.” I laugh at her comment. She was fifteen when she lost her virginity. It was the first time for both of them. Going by what she’s told me, it was a disaster.
I try to put it out of my mind for now. I only manage to pick at my lunch. My gaze keeps wandering towards the boys’ table. Damn my traitorous eyes. Instead of looking at Brad, they’re focused on Carter. I can’t help but notice all the pathetic girls that walk past his table whispering and giggling like a bunch of morons when they see him. It infuriates me to no end.
••••
After fifth period, Meg and I run into Carter in the corridor. “Hi, Carter,” Meg purrs. Bitch.
“Megan,” he says nodding his head. At least he uses her name. That makes me jealous too. I shouldn’t let it worry me, but it does. “If you want a lift home, meet me in the car park,” he adds turning his attention to me. I choose to ignore him. After the way he acted this morning, he’s delusional if he thinks I’ll get in the car with him again.
“He doesn’t seem as bad as you’re making out,” Meg says on the way to our next class.
“Don’t let him fool you. He’s a monster.” She laughs at my observation.
“He was nice enough to offer you a lift home. That’s got to count for something.”
“Yeah, and he gave me a lift to school as well. Trouble is, he stopped at the end of the street and told me to get out of the car. He was worried if people saw us together it would ruin his reputation.”
“He said that?” she asks, shock clearly evident in her voice.
“Yep.”
“What a bastard,” she says pursing her lips.
“I know right. Now do you see where I’m coming from?”
••••
I steer clear of the car park after school and opt for the bus instead. Sure it will take me a longer to get home, but it’s worth not having to put up with Carter’s rudeness and insults. I’m surprised he even offered. It was probably a ruse to fool Meg into thinking he’s actually a nice guy, which he’s not.
CHAPTER FOUR
Carter
I waited ten minutes, but when she didn’t show I made my way home. I kind of figured after the way I treated her this morning she wouldn’t show up. Her loss. Even though I’ll admit I’m disappointed, I’m not going to dwell on it.
When I pull into the driveway at home, I reach over and stow my cigarettes in the glove compartment. My mum hates it when I smoke. I don’t do it often. I only started back up when I found out she was marrying Fuckwit. Smoking calms me, and lord knows I need it when I’m around him.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to living here, in this house, or this neighbourhood. It’s too fucking perfect. I hate perfect. People like me will never belong in a place like this. I’m flawed. The families that live in these kinds of areas are usually showy, pretentious and fake. Too good to be fucking true. Just like my stepfather. Fuck I hate him.
I exit the car just as someone pulls into the driveway next door. My first thought is it’s probably pretty boy dropping Indi off, but I’m surprised when an older man gets out.
“Afternoon,” he says making his way towards me.
“Hey,” I reply, flicking my head in his direction. I wonder if this is her father. He may want to kick my arse if she’s told him how I’ve been treating her.
“You must be Elizabeth’s boy. She told me you were moving in over the weekend.”
“Yes. Carter. Carter Reynolds¸” I say as I offer my hand to him.
“Nice to meet you, son. I’m Ross. Ross Montgomery.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Sir.” I’m surprised that him calling me son doesn’t piss me off. I hate it when my stepfather says it. I suppose he only does it to antagonise me. Arsehole.
“Nice set of wheels. A 1975 Holden HJ GTS Monaro.”
“It is. You know your cars,” I say in a surprised tone.
“I’m a petrol-head from way back,” he chuckles. “My old man used to have one of these. Are you doing it up yourself?”
“Yeah. I’ve done a bit to it. Some of the parts are hard to find, and a little pricy for a seventeen year old,” I laugh. “I’ll get it finished one day.”
“I used to spend hours helping my dad work on his car when I was a teenager. If you ever need a hand with anything, I’d love to help out.” His offer makes me smile. Why couldn’t my mum have married someone like Ross Montgomery?
“I’d like that,” I tell him honestly, because I would. With my track record, I usually have my guard up around strangers, especially older males, but for some reason with him I don’t. After all, my father never wanted me, my grandfather rejected me, and my stepfather hates me with a passion. Ross seems like a genuine guy though.
I like him already.
“Can I have a look under the hood?” he asks.
“Sure.” I reach inside and pull the lever and follow him around to the front of the car.
“Do you know much about the mechanics of the car?” he asks as he waits for me to open the hood. I watch as he runs his hand over the paintwork. A small smile plays on his lips. I love that he appreciates this car as much as I do.
“I was lucky the guy I bought the car off still had the manual, but no, not much. I’m learning fast though.”
“Well, when you’ve got some spare time, I’d be happy to show you what I know.”
“I’m free now,” I say way too eagerly. The thought of working on the car with him excites me for some reason. Not sure why. Maybe it’s because no one has ever taken time out to help me in the past. Except my mum of course, but she knows shit about cars.
“Okay. I’m working the night shift later, but I can spare an hour or so. Give me a few minutes to change and we can get started.”
Stepping away from the car, I reach for his hand again. “Thank you, Mr. Montgomery. I really appreciate your offer.”
“Don’t sweat it, son. I’m happy to help. And please, call me Ross. I’m going to enjoy this,” he says smoothing his hand over the hood when I close it. “I haven’t worked on a car for years. These days they’re all computerised.”
As we stand there chatting, Indi walks across the front lawn. She must have caught the bus home. “Pumpkin,” her father says when she wraps her tiny arms around his waist. He leans down and kisses the top of her head. “How was school, baby girl?”
&nb
sp; “School was okay.” She looks my way and narrows her eyes. I feel the smile on my face grow. I may not think much of her, but I like her spunk. I love that my antics get under her skin. I also admire the fact she gives as good as she gets. Most girls in her position would cry.
“Have you met Carter yet?” her father asks.
“Yes, we’ve met,” she replies dryly. “I’m gonna go and do my homework. Did you get the meat out of the freezer?”
“I sure did,” he says.
“Okay, I’ll get started on dinner soon.” When she walks away we both stare after her. My eyes are glued to her arse. I’m pretty sure her father’s aren’t.
“She’s such a good kid,” he says. “I’m lucky to have her.” I don’t reply. How can I? My feelings for her are all over the place. I hate and lust over her all at the same time. It’s totally fucking with my head.
••••
After I’ve changed I head back to the car where Ross is already waiting. He’s laid out some tools on the ground. Apparently they belonged to his father. He seems really keen to help me. I can already tell I’m going to enjoy spending time with him. I hope he will feel the same about me too.
He reminisces while we work and has some funny stories. Time goes by pretty fast. I’m really enjoying hanging with him. He’s not only a nice guy, but he’s taught me a lot already.
“What do you think about your daughter dating?” I ask out of the blue.
“Why?” he answers frowning at me. “Do you want to date her?”
“Me? Fu … Ummm no.” I can’t believe I almost drop the F bomb in front of him.
Cocking his head he asks, “Why wouldn’t you want to date her?” He says it like he’s offended I don’t want to. Jesus. Why did I even bring this up?
“I just heard something today at school.” I know that it’s low of me to tell her father what Brad said, but there’s no way I’m letting her go to that cocksucker’s place on the weekend. Especially now I know what his intentions are. I’m not jealous or anything. Well that’s what I’m telling myself. It just doesn’t sit well with me.
