Myles (Carter Brother#3)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Did you know I beat up a couple of kids from your year? Yeah,’’ he nods, his temper rising. “My Granddad thought they mixed Max and I up, that it was Max getting into the fights. It was me. I hated watching you walk down those halls enduring everything they did. And all along your fucking mother was the cause of it all. She’d been hurting you long before then hadn’t she?’’ he asks, finally looking at me, and that’s when the blood drains from his face when he takes me in. I’m shaking like a leaf sitting on the edge of my bed, tears streaming down my face. “I’m so fucking sorry. Shit, Kayla, I… I didn’t mean to. Fuck!’’

  He grabs me from under my arms and lifts me in the air, sitting me down on his lap. I cuddle into him, my body cold from the shaking. When I feel the fleece throw-over, thrown over me, I cuddle up to him tighter.

  His breathing is hard and ragged, and I know he’s trying to rein his temper in for me, and I love him for it. Maverick warned me he was going crazy over this; it was only a matter of time before he exploded over it too.

  “She started hurting me when my dad took me out of the all girls’ boarding school. Katherine, who looked after me the majority of my life died when I was thirteen. She was everything to me and showed me love that my parents never. When my father told me I’d be moving home, back with them, and attending a public school, I’d been so thrilled. I loved my parents. Well, I guess I loved the idea of them.

  “My dad and I had a good relationship. He’d come see me every weekend and a few times in the week when he was passing through, but most of the time our visits were scheduled in the holidays. My mother was always distant. I’ve never really had a relationship with her, but at thirteen years old, I guess I wanted one. Then I came home and she was just so formal,’’ I tell him, remembering sitting down at the large oak table, the smell of the food the cooks were busy making in the kitchen and then stilled conversation at the table. It was nothing like I had experienced with Katherine. She’d always make me laugh, talk about our days and make fun of stupid commercials. I even tried to make one up at the table with my parents to break the ice, but my mom looked at me with a horrified expression, telling my father they didn’t pay thousands of pounds a month for me to be raised like that.

  “You okay?’’ Myles asks when I get too lost in thought.

  “Yeah,’’ I croak, then cough. “Anyway, the weekend after I was back, my dad had to leave again for work. I guess that’s when it all started,’’ I tell him, not wanting to dive into it anymore. He knows all he needs to know and that’s as far as I’m willing to go, for tonight anyway.

  “Does your dad know? He has to have seen the bruises,’’ he tells me, his fingers still running through my hair, making me sleepy.

  “If he does he acts well at hiding it. It’s laughable how you and Maverick guessed so quickly about what I’m going through, but my own father, who I live with, doesn’t know a thing,’’ I laugh, but sob at the same time, my throat hoarse, and dry.

  “Maverick?’’ he asks confused, a hint of hurt laced in his voice.

  “Oh, um…Well, he came over before you turned up. He wanted to talk to me. He told me some things, and the way he said it made me realise a few things. Please don’t be mad at him. He loves you; he was just worried about you. I guess with my situation hitting so close to home with you all, he was worried how it would affect you. I dunno,’’ I shrug; feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.

  “He didn’t tell me. Did he upset you?’’ he whispers.

  “No, God, no. He honestly just wanted to talk to me before you did. He wanted to know my reaction and explain that me not talking to you was hurting you. I’m not ready to tell you everything, I don’t know if I’ll ever be, but I don’t want you to worry over me because of it.’’

  “I’ll always worry about you,’’ he tells me, leaning in to kiss my head. “Haven’t you realised yet? No matter what is ever going on I’ll always worry about you. Because you, Kayla Martin, are everything to me.’’

  Chapter Eighteen

  KAYLA

  Another week at school has flown by. I can’t believe how quickly it’s gone. I’ll be finished soon, and will be able to start looking for colleges, work, just something to get me out of that house, away from her.

  This is the first Saturday I’ve arrived at the Salvation food bank feeling happy. After Tuesday I thought Myles would treat me different, look at me different, but he hasn’t. It’s been refreshing.

  “Morning, Joan,’’ I sing happily when I walk in carrying one of the food boxes from outside.

  “Well, aren’t you a sight, child. If I wasn’t mistaken I’d say you were in love,’’ she teases, winking at me.

  I laugh. I love how easy going Joan is. Even the volunteers half her age aren’t as laid back as she is. It’s one of the reasons I love helping her out.

  When I don’t say anything she stops what she’s doing with her chart. She gives me a once over before grinning mischievously at me.

  “If only we could get our Max all loved up,’’ she grins evilly. “I knew my Myles would, and I know for a fact I couldn’t have picked anyone better for that boy, but Max, now Max I’m going to have fun with,’’ she chuckles.

  “I don’t think Max is the settling down type,’’ I tell her, not wanting to crush her hopes, but I also don’t want her to get her hopes up.

  “Oh, Kayla, you have a lot to learn. That boy is going to get what’s coming to him sooner or later. We had to drive down to the station last night because he got caught trespassing and vandalizing someone’s barn.’’

  I gasp, not believing Max would do such a thing. “Oh my Goodness, why would he do that?’’

  “That boy will never learn. Even with a firm talking to from his Gramps and I, did he still sit there and have that cocky, lazy smirk on his face. Anyway, it got me thinking what punishment would be good enough and then I realised falling in love,’’ she sings sweetly, but her grin looks anything but.

  “I don’t think that’s going to work, Joan. He loves a lot of girls,’’ I choke out, feeling awkward.

  “Sit back and watch dear, all will be revealed, real soon,’’ she laughs, and then walks out. I stare at the open door where she left not sure whether to feel sorry for Max or Joan.

  “Hi, lady,’’ a sweet voice says from behind me.

  I turn around not seeing anyone, but then I feel someone tugging on my top, so I look down. A cute girl, around four or five years old is standing in front of me. She looks so freaking adorable. Her clothes aren’t the cleanest, and they look like they’re two sizes too small, but her chubby cheeks, blonde wavy her, and her big blue eyes are what stand out.

  “Hello, pretty girl,’’ I greet, kneeling down.

  “My mommy is gwetting t’us some food. Do woo need food too?’’ she asks sweetly.

  “Everyone needs food, Sweetie. Want to go see what toys and girly clothes we can find if your mommy says it’s okay?’’ I ask, not wanting to overstep anything.

  She nods her head excitedly, grabbing my hand and dragging me out of the side door, into the main hall. This is where we ask the people who come in to wait, have a cup of tea and biscuits to wait while we get their bags ready.

  “Mommy, dis wady sways I can gwet some new twoys and cwose. Can I?’’ she asks sweetly, looking up at a middle aged woman. She’s dressed in trousers that are tearing at the bottom from being too long for her, and has a t-shirt that has faded from the amount of times it’s been through the washer, but even with that she is still beautiful, just like her daughter.

  “Oh, Pippa, I don’t think…’’

  “If it’s okay with you I can get her some bags done up of clothes while she picks out a few toys she likes. We had someone bring in a big order of donations, so it’s fine.’’

  She smiles at me warmly, and I can tell this means something to her. She’s obviously a single mom, having trouble paying the bills, keeping a roof over their heads and keeping a growing child fed and clothed. I’ve seen so
many families like this since starting and it breaks my heart.

  “If you’re sure? Dean, do you want to go with your sister?’’ she asks a boy around eight or nine years old. He’s sitting on one of the chairs chewing a cookie, looking like he’d rather be anywhere than here. He shakes his head no and his mother turns back to her little girl and smiles.

  “Be good, and listen to this nice lady when she tells you what to do, okay?’’

  “T’way, Mommy,’’ she smiles widely, before grabbing my hand again. I show her the way through to the back, where we don’t usually let anyone other than staff come in and show her the toys. She squeals loudly talking about Santa Clause coming early while looking at everything like she only has seconds before moving onto the next item she sees.

  I giggle watching her for a few seconds before moving over to the clothes. I grab the box of girl’s dresses and from what I guessed of her age I start rummaging through, picking a few dresses and folding them up on the table. I do the same with the trousers, tops, and being lucky, I find a nice warm coat the right size for her. I smile when I find enough things to tide her over, then notice the boy’s box labelled eight to nine. Not knowing the boys still I still walk over and make another pile just for him.

  When I’m done I fold them all into the big shopper bags that we have especially for the clothes and walk over to Pippa to find her playing with a soft rag doll. It’s a pretty little thing, and even I had to admire it when I saw it a few weeks ago. Apparently one of the ladies who volunteers for the church makes them. They are beautiful.

  “Do you like her?’’ I ask, sitting down next to her, quietly putting the toys she’s thrown out back.

  “I wove it. I want it, pwease?’’

  “You may. Would you like some books and jigsaw puzzles too?’’

  She nods her head yes, but her attention is focused on her doll. I smile and move over to the end of the isle where I noticed a few boys stuff that was given in second hand. When I notice an old Nintendo Game boy, I snatch it up along with the games brought in with it, and bag them up for the boy. I’m just praying he doesn’t already have one.

  When we’re done I’m carrying out two shopping bags filled with clothes and a pair of shoes for each kid, a plastic bag with a book and jigsaw for Pippa, who hasn’t let go of her doll and another shopping bag with a few bits of women’s clothing that I guess were their mom’s size. They’ve all got tags still on them, so I’m hoping it won’t offend her.

  When we walk out her mother’s eyes bug out and she rushes over to us.

  “Oh my God, we can’t possibly take all this,’’ she rushes out.

  “It’s fine. We need to get it cleared before our new donation boxes come through. I hope you don’t mind, but I picked up some outfits for both the kids. I guessed their sizes, so if they don’t fit, just bring it back and I’ll find something new. We also had some women’s clothes donated a few weeks back. They’ve all still got their tags on. I was hoping that they might be some use to you, if that’s okay?’’ I blush, hating this part of the job. I feel like we’re sticking our noses up at them, when we’re not. We just want to make them feel welcome, and know that we only want to help make their home life easier.

  The woman’s eyes well up and she nods her head as the first tear falls free. “Thank you. Thank you so much,’’ she chokes out, taking the bags from my hand. I quickly grab the Game boy, I left on the top in a separate carrier bag to give to the boy.

  “Hi, I’m Kayla. I got you this. I weren’t sure if you already had one,’’ I tell him quietly, as I hand him the bag. He looks bored when I first hand it over, until he looks inside and his eyes bug out like his mom’s did earlier, then his face lights up like Christmas lights. It’s times like this, I love volunteering here. Nothing can get much better than this.

  “No way! Mom, look at this?’’ he shouts grinning, before rushing over to his mom to show her his new game. My chest aches watching them, and feel my eyes fill with tears watching the look of pure happiness on their faces. It’s nice how little things like a second hand Game Boy can please a boy.

  Most of the kids I grew up with weren’t happy unless they had top of the art gadgets, or handbags. Yes, handbags at ten years old. It’s like the newer the generation, the earlier they think they’re adults. It’s alarming.

  Needing to finish unpacking the food orders, I turn to walk around, when a hard body jolts me forward, tiny arms going around my legs. I smile big when I turn around to find Pippa smiling.

  “Tank you,’’ she smiles real big.

  “My pleasure, Sweetie.’’ Giving her a hug, she wraps her tiny arms around my neck and squeezes making me laugh. She’s so freaking cute.

  She gives me a peck on the cheek before running back off to her mom, who is waiting by the door holding her hand out for her. I watch them leave with a smile in my face before turning around to find Lake watching me.

  “Oh hey, didn’t know you were in today. You been hiding?’’ I smile.

  “I was in the back stacking some shelves. That was real sweet what you did for that family,’’ she says quietly.

  “It’s what we do.’’ I shrug her words away, knowing anyone of us today would have done the same. Well, maybe not everyone. There are a bunch of girls who volunteer who do nothing but take the piss out of people coming in needing help. Its people like them that stop us helping more people. It’s the same with charity shops. People turn their noses up at the idea of going in and selecting items, but then they have no problem buying second hand items off Facebook. It’s the same and if anything charity shops clean the clothes before hand, well, at least we do.

  “Not everyone here would do what you just did, Kayla. Take a compliment,’’ she winks and walks with me to storage room.

  “Joan wants me in here with you. One of the girls is getting on my nerves and I think Joan knows I’m seconds away from snapping.’’

  I’m surprised she has said so much to me. Even when we went out for lunch the once she hardly spoke to me about anything. I’m a shy, quiet person, so keeping conversation was really hard. I also find myself feeling confident around her.

  “What have they done this time?’’ I ask, not needing to ask what bunch of girls has said stuff. It’s the same group of girls I mentioned making people feel uncomfortable earlier. I don’t know why they let them still volunteer.

  “The same. Not knowing when to keep their mouths shut,’’ she shrugs, as she starts emptying a box.

  “I don’t know why no one has said anything to them by now. They’ve been like this for as long as I’ve known them.’’

  “It’s because some of their parents donate big to the church. I already made a complaint about them. I can’t afford to get into trouble by saying something back to them.’’

  “Is that why you haven’t said anything back to them when they’ve been talking shit to you?’’ I ask bluntly.

  “Yeah,’’ she sighs. “If it was a few years ago, I’d be all up in their faces, yelling to demand what their problem was, but I suppose it’s my punishment,’’ she says, the end part at a near whisper that I barely hear her.

  Opening my mouth to question her further, I’m stopped short when Myles walks in looking handsome as ever.

  “Hello,’’ I grin, surprised to see him here. “What are you doing here?’’

  I rush over to him and give him a kiss, then before I realise it I’m blushing, forgetting we have an audience. I look shyly at Lake, who just grins and shakes her head.

  “Go, I got this covered,’’ she says before I can speak.

  “Well, that saves me asking,’’ Myles chuckles. “I was wondering if you’d come out with me.’’

  “Like a date?’’ I ask scrunching my nose up.

  “Cute,’’ he mutters, confusing me. “Yes, a date. Mason needs me to clean out the storage unit at work, so I thought I’d come take you out now.’’

  “Okay then. Let me just check with Joan.’’

&n
bsp; “Already asked her. She didn’t even let me get my words out before she said make sure you spoil her,’’ he grins.

  I grin back. That sounds like Joan. Then I remember our conversation earlier and open my mouth to tell Myles to warn Max, but then close it. I think seeing what she has installed for Max will be much more exciting if he doesn’t see it coming.

  *** *** *** *** *** ***

  “Where we going?’’ I ask once we get out the taxi.

  “We are going to a roller disco. They have an over eighteen one here at the leisure centre,’’ he tells me as he points behind me.

  Oh my God. He has to be joking. Please tell me he’s joking.

  “Please tell me you’re joking?’’ I ask wide eyed, fearing for the people’s lives who I’m about to take.

  “Nope,’’ he grins, and I can’t help but melt at the sight. He’s so freaking hot when he grins like that. I think I’ve said this a few times before. Or maybe every time he grins.

  “Do we have it rented out for ourselves? Do people know you’re going to let me loose on there?’’

  “You can’t be that bad,’’ he laughs, looking at my deer caught in headlights expression.

  “No! No because I’m worse than bad, I’m freaking terrible. I’m like Bambie learning to walk when I put on skates. I tried it once when I was thirteen. I took out two front teeth from a girl my age, and nearly broke a little boys arm skating over it. Then they kicked me out after I skated into the DJ box and smashed his system to the ground. This is a disaster,’’ I yell, not caring I’m getting people’s attention.

  Instead of taking me seriously, he laughs. He laughs so hard that his face turns bright red, to the point he looks like he got face painted.

  “Don’t laugh,’’ I hiss, stomping my foot, but it just causes him to laugh harder.

  “This is just… I wish I brought Max now,’’ he says through laughter, moving to take out his phone.