"Hi, am I okay to take a seat?" I asked as I reached the table.
All three glanced up at the same time but it was Lauren who held my attention. Her eyes widened and I noticed a faint blush to her cheeks although she did her best to hide the fact by tucking her hair behind her ear casually.
"Scoot up!"
"Sorry, what?" Lauren asked slightly panicked.
I shooed her with my hand, "I wanna sit down, scoot up." I took a drag of my fag and flicked the ash on the ground.
Lauren grabbed her bag that was placed beside her and in her hurry to move it out of the way, she managed to drop it. The contents scattered on the ground and I saw the look of horror and embarrassment on Laurens face as she quickly stood from the bench and bent down to retrieve her belongings.
"Let me give you a hand," I stated trying to make the situation a little less uncomfortable.
"No it's fine I've got it." Lauren reached for a photograph but I managed to pick it up before her.
I quickly analysed the young couple cradling a baby, "Who's this?" I asked as Lauren let out a sigh and swiped the photo from my hand.
"You insensitive prick!"
I turned towards Brooke, "What? I was only trying to help." I sat on the bench confused by her outburst.
"That's her mum and dad," she grunted harshly through gritted teeth.
"Brooke leave it," Lauren gathered the rest of her belongings and threw them into her bag before sitting back down beside me.
"Brooke let's go and get some food," Chanel stood and nodded towards the BBQ.
Brooke narrowed her eyes, "Don't upset her any further." She pointed her finger at me aggressively.
I sniggered, "Fucking hell Brooke, I didn't know you had any feelings babe. Are you feeling okay?"
She stuck her middle finger up as she stood and joined Chanel so they could walk over to the BBQ together.
I returned my attention to Lauren, "I'm sorry babe I didn't mean to ask stupid questions or make you feel uncomfortable."
"Honestly it's all good Ramsey, you're forgiven." She smiled sweetly as she fastened her handbag and placed it onto the picnic bench. I sniggered at her response, I hadn't realised that she knew my name and saw this as an opportunity. "Why you laughing?"
"I didn't know you knew my name babe, that's all. You're not one of these stalker types are you?" I took a lug on my fag as I waited for her response. She was different to the other girls, less self-assured which intrigued me. I didn't know if she'd be able to hold her own or try to seek solace with Woods after our conversation.
"Of course I know your name, everyone knows everyone around here." Lauren picked up a plastic cup from the table and casually took a swig trying to take the attention away from her.
"Okay," I glanced around the yard and pointed to Recon, "Who's that?"
Lauren shook her head, "I don't know is he someone of importance?"
I smiled and nodded my head slowly before pointing to Hound, "And who's that?"
Lauren smiled, "That's Chloe's dad Hound."
"Too easy," I muttered under my breath. "Erm...what about him?" I pointed to Cade, quietly confident that she wouldn't know who he was and my suspicions were confirmed when she shook her head. "Well, that leads me to believe that you know my name for a reason." I took another drag on my fag before I leaned over to stub it out in the ashtray making sure that my knee brushed against hers in the process.
"And what reason do you think that may be?" Lauren was finally playing along and I found myself quickly enjoying her company.
"I don't know if it was you wanting to put a face to a name or you simply liked what you saw and wanted to find out more." I knew I was pushing my luck but I couldn't help myself, I enjoyed banter especially with a beautiful female.
"A bit of both I think you'll find."
"I've got you some food Lauren." Brooke slammed the plate onto the table and sat opposite us.
"Where's Chanel?"
Brooke took a bite of her burger, "She don't wanna come tonight she's being boring."
"What's going on tonight?" I asked intrigued even as to why such a sweet girl like Lauren was bothering with Brooke.
Brooke took another big bite of her burger, "There's a party tonight in High Laver and Lauren and I are going."
I glanced at Lauren to see an uneasy look on her face, "I didn't say I was actually going Brooke." She replied in a small voice.
I watched the interaction between the two of them, Brooke was a bully and I was conscious of how much pressure she'd apply to get her own way.
"It'll be fun Lauren, you need to let your hair down once in a while."
"I know but I don't think Mark would..."
"Oh for god's sake Lauren, he's your brother not your dad." Brooke threw what was left of her burger onto the table and stood. "You're gonna have to take charge sometime in your life." Brooke placed her hands on her hips and glared at Lauren waiting for a response.
Lauren let out a sigh and stared at her lap, "Okay I'll go with you."
"Whoa, hold on a minute Brooke." I waved my hand in front of her but she swatted it away.
"Don't get involved Ramsey, I'm gonna call a taxi." Brooke removed her mobile from her pocket and walked slowly across the yard as she spoke on the phone.
"Lauren, why are you going with her? You're not exactly friends and you have nothing in common babe." I was confused as to why she'd agree to go out even if Brooke had put her under pressure.
"She doesn't have many friends."
"And there's a reason for that, she's a bitch Lauren plain and simple. There must be an ulterior motive for her taking you there."
"Why couldn't it just be that I'm a nice person and she wants me there?" Lauren stood shoving her hand firmly on her hips defensively.
I stood from the bench and placed my hand lightly on her shoulder, "Hopefully that is the reason but I just don't trust her."
"Come on Lauren the taxi will be here in 5 minutes." Brooke shouted across the yard interrupting us.
Lauren stepped back and my hand fell from her shoulder. "I need to go Ramsey," she smiled sweetly before turning to follow Brooke.
"Lauren!" I shouted after her. Lauren turned back around confused.
Taking the pen from my top pocket, I leaned on the table and wrote my mobile number onto a spare napkin. Folding it in half, I walked towards Lauren and placed it into her hand. She stared at it confused as I curled her fingers firmly around the napkin.
"Should you get into any bother, need a ride home or simply want a chat then give me a call."
Lauren's frown lines deepened, "Erm...okay." I released my hand and Lauren assessed me as she folded the napkin and placed it into her handbag.
"I mean it Lauren...anything!"
"Lauren are you coming?" Brooke bellowed from across the yard.
She continued to stare at me deep in her own thoughts, "Thank you." Lauren whispered softly before turning on her heels once more and making her way over to her friend.
I watched as she sauntered through the crowd following Brooke but everything she did, didn't come easy. She was socially awkward in comparison to the other girls and I was worried that her naivety however endearing, would make her vulnerable.
Lauren
"Stop fidgeting babe you look lovely." We stood on the front porch of a huge house in the middle of nowhere. It had taken the taxi driver some time to find the property and we only found it because of the directions given by Malik, Brooke's on off boyfriend as he was already at the address. "We're gonna meet the boys inside," she shouted over the loud music as she pushed the front door open.
The smell of weed was overpowering as we stepped into the front porch and I immediately regretted coming here this evening. I should've stayed at the clubhouse with Ramsey, we were getting along great. I enjoyed his banter and if I was totally honest with myself he wasn't bad looking either.
"What you smiling at?"
I shook my head and glanced at Brooke, "What?"
/>
"You're smiling, what you smiling at?" my gormless expression annoyed her and she grabbed my arm spitefully, "Never mind I don't have time for this. We'll grab a beer from the kitchen and then, go and find the boys."
The feeling of dread washed over me, Malik was obviously with his mates and I'd be expected to make idle conversation with people I had nothing in common with.
I let out a low groan, "What's the matter with you?" Brooke asked increasingly getting annoyed with me.
"Oh nothing, I've just got a little bit of a headache," I lied shouting over the music.
Brooke grabbed two beers from the kitchen worktop and used the bottle opener to remove the lids. "Here, drink this and stop your bloody moaning. Don't show me up tonight, I told Reece that you were cool." Brooke handed me the bottle and took a sip of her drink.
I held the bottle firmly but didn't take a swig, I wanted to keep my wits about me this evening. "And Reece is who exactly?" I asked not having a clue who she was talking about.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "The man of the moment. Only the most popular guy around town Lauren, you really need to get out more."
How was I supposed to know who these people were, I had thrown myself into my studies recently and therefore didn't have much of a social life but I actually liked it that way. I only agreed to come as Brooke made me feel bad every time I turned her invitations down and this made it awkward around school.
Brooke made her way through the crowd and I followed closely behind not wanting to get lost among the throngs of people.
"Hey babe," Brooke snuggled into Malik's embrace. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and peered over her shoulder checking me out in the process. He stared at my face and slowly took every part of my body in before nodding with approval.
"You're right, your mate's fit."
Brooke pulled away from Malik and slapped his arm, "Oi enough of that!"
Malik smirked, "Come here, you know I only have eyes for you."
"That's why he got Trudy pregnant," I said under my breath. I heard someone snigger and turned towards the noise, a guy of around twenty wearing a baseball cap caught my eye and stepped closer.
"Pretty with a sense of humour," he winked and I immediately felt uncomfortable.
"I...erm...oh," Shit! Why weren't the words coming out?
He sniggered and rested his hand on my arm, "It's ok babe, I love a smart mouth."
I took a sip from my bottle of beer hoping it would calm the nerves mounting inside me but I knew that I couldn't consume a lot of alcohol as my body wasn't used to it and I needed to keep my wits about me.
"My name's Reece and you are?" he waited for me to respond but I didn't find social situations easy and I was finding it difficult to interact. Something caught my attention and I turned to see Brooke flapping her arms around and looking angry. I narrowed my eyes not understanding what she was trying to say and Reece turned around at the same time.
"This is Lauren, my friend I was telling you about."
Reece returned his attention to me, "Come and sit with me babe." I glanced towards Brooke and she nodded her head for me to do as I was told. I reluctantly followed Reece to the sofa and was a little uncomfortable by his close proximity.
What the hell was I doing here and why had she put me in this situation? I was annoyed that Brooke had purposely put me out of my comfort zone and I'd be speaking to her later about how she'd made me feel uncomfortable this evening.
"Lauren, is that you?" I turned to see Aiden a guy from one of my classes at school. I didn't know him that well but he was a little animated and I suspected he'd taken drugs this evening. I smiled sweetly as he joined us on the sofa wedging me between them. "Can I get you another drink gorgeous?" he asked resting his arm along the back of the sofa bringing his body into closer contact.
"No I'm fine thank you, I've still got this." I held up my bottle, the contents were now warm but I wasn't accepting a drink from anyone.
"I don't usually see you out at places like this and I've never seen you dressed like that." Aiden leered at me and I immediately pushed myself up from the sofa.
"Brooke!" I shouted across the living room. She drew her brows confused as to what I wanted, "Where's the bathroom."
Brooke pointed to a door directly in the hall, "The cloakroom's in there."
I quickly made my way across the living room and out into the corridor. I reached out for the handle and gave it a rattle but it was occupied. I didn't even want to use the bathroom but this allowed me some space as the evening was getting intense. The music had changed, it was now much darker than before and this had affected the mood of the party. Drugs were freely available and this really wasn't my scene, I was going to use the bathroom to freshen up and then I was going to leave. I'd have to call a taxi rather than Mark because he'd go nuts knowing that I was here with Brooke but it was worth it to keep myself out of trouble.
The door to the cloakroom opened and a girl who looked no older than fourteen stumbled from the room. Where in the hell had Brooke brought me? I waited for her to eventually get out of the way before I entered the small space and eagerly locked the door behind me. Drug paraphernalia littered the top of the toilet cistern and there looked to be urine on the floor and around the toilet seat. I sighed as I closed the lid and nestled on the cold surface, I just needed a few minutes to get my head together before I thought about leaving.
I was an acquired taste, I wasn't a go getter or a regular partygoer but I still had many likeable qualities. If these were the sort of parties I needed to attend in order to be popular, then I was pleased that I wasn't on everyone's list of friends. I enjoyed having fun as much as the next person but this wasn't how I was going to get my kicks. I needed to work hard in order to pass my exams and then I would have all the time in the world for fun and being honest with myself, it wouldn't involve parties like this.
Bang! Bang! Bang! "Hurry up I need to take a slash!"
I rolled my eyes and stood to assess myself in the mirror. A small giggle left my lips as I saw my reflection, this dress was so different from my usual attire and I never wore this much make-up.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Okay, okay I'm coming out!" I unlocked the door and it was forcefully opened by a guy who looked as high as a kite. I was surprised he even remembered to use the toilet in that state. I stepped out and he barged past me, slamming the door in my wake.
I was certainly ready to go home, I needed to find Brooke and make my excuses before it got too late.
Walking back into the living room I glanced around my surroundings, I couldn't see Brooke and immediately started to panic. I took my phone from my handbag and noticed I had multiple missed calls from Mark. I knew I'd be in trouble, he'd obviously realised that I'd left the clubhouse without letting him know. I eagerly flicked through the missed calls but there was nothing from Brooke, where was she?
I felt an arm snake around my waist and turned to see Reece smiling.
"Where's Brooke?" I asked trying to step from his embrace but he held firm.
Reece grinned, "Stop worrying, she said to tell you she's upstairs."
"Upstairs? Why's she gone up there?" I looked around trying to see if there was anyone I recognised.
"Something about it being quieter, come on I'll take you to her." Reece grabbed my hand and led me through the living room and into the corridor. This was just like Brooke, thinking about herself and leaving me with strangers with no regards to my safety. I know Reece stayed here to tell me but I wasn't his responsibility. I followed him up the three flights of stairs, stepping over incoherent people in the process until we reached the top landing of the house. "She's in there babe," Reece pointed to a door to my left.
"Oh okay," I was still a little perplexed but it was certainly quieter up here. Placing my hand on the brass knob I turned towards Reece, "They may want to be left alone. Are you sure she said to come up here?" I didn't want to burst into the room if they were getting down and dirty altho
ugh that probably wouldn't bother Brooke, I'd be mortified.
Reece smiled, "She's cool babe."
I nodded and turned the handle. As I entered the room I noticed it was dark and fumbled to my right trying to find a switch on the wall. The only light came from the moon shining through the window on the far wall but it was still hard to see anything.
I found the switch and pressed it to illuminate the bedroom but I still couldn't see Brooke. I turned to Reece confused, "She's not here she must've left already." I flipped the clasp and rummaged around in my handbag for my phone, "I'll just give her a call." As I swiped the screen, it was knocked abruptly from my hand. I spun on my heels turning to Reece in shock to see the aggression on his face but couldn't understand why. He stepped forward pushing me further into the room and slammed the door behind him.
"What...hold on...Reece you're scaring me." I held my hands up trying to calm the situation as he surged forward. The force of his body hitting mine winded me as I flew back onto the bed. I quickly got my bearings but it was too late he was upon me. Reece grabbed my wrists and forced them either side of my head placing his weight onto my arms as he leaned forward. I tried to wriggle from his clutches but he moved further onto the bed pushing my legs further apart to lie between them.
The room was silent apart from my heavy breathing, I twisted my head from side to side looking for something, anything that would help me get me out of this situation but I was slowly becoming out of my depth.
"We can do this the easy or hard way babe!" My eyes widened and I felt my heart lurch at the realisation of what he was implying. Water pricked my eyes and his small smile spread into a grin as he lowered his head towards my face. I turned quickly not wanting him to put his lips on me, he simply sniggered and I felt his warm moist tongue as he licked my cheek. "Mmmm...I love the taste of fear!"
My breathing quickened and my chest heaved, I felt claustrophobic but I needed to keep it together. Reece moved his head just inches from mine as he looked at me with maddening eyes, "Let's see if this has turned you on." He moved my arms aggressively and clutched both wrists in one hand, his movements meant that he released his body weight from my torso and I bucked my hips trying to find some kind of advantage.
Woods (Aces MC Series Book 5) Page 2
