“So you get it?” I asked.
I rolled to my back and he hovered over me again.
“Of course I get it,” Wes said. “I wasn’t mad at you when I saw the blood or realized what it was from. You did what you felt was right. I hate that you felt it.”
“I just needed it… and it became my dark secret. At the end of a bad day or even a good day, I could just sit there and…” My eyes filled with tears. It was a horrible thing to go through. To feel that way. To put that blade to my skin and press, waiting for the rush of pain. “I knew how to do it so I didn’t actually hurt myself. And I could keep everything hidden.”
“Just never again, darling,” Wes said. “And if that feeling ever hits you, you have to call me. Text me. Find me. I’ll be there in a heartbeat to hold you. I’ll keep you safe from it.”
Tears leaked down my cheeks into my hair as I nodded.
“Wes?”
“Yeah?”
“I want you again,” I whispered.
“I know you do, darling,” he whispered back.
We kissed and my body warmed up instantly. Not to mention what his body did. I felt him against my leg, growing with each kiss.
“You don’t have anything,” I whispered in between kisses.
“There’s other ways,” he said without missing a beat.
His right hand rested between my legs, cupping against my warmth, pressing inside me.
I reached down and touched him, losing my breath again.
Wes put his lips to my ear.
I groaned as he began to touch me.
I turned my head a little and put my lips to his ear.
“Wes… I’m in love with you too…”
Chapter 23
Wes
I gripped the coffee mug tight and lifted it as I watched Aira eat pancakes. I had my chair turned around and straddled it. We were on the north shore eating at a little dive diner that had the best damn pancakes in the world. Margie ran the place and lived above it. The place was closed in the off season but not for me and a few others.
Watching Aira the morning after twisted my heart in a hundred directions. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d get us a place together. All I needed to do was settle some shit at the shop and around town to keep things cool and calm, then I could get my own place. Ma would probably get pissed at me for it, but she needed to figure out her own life too. If she wanted to work third shift and prove she didn’t need Pop’s money, so be it. It drove me nuts because Ma helped with the shop too. Just because my old man was a piece of shit who screwed everyone over and took off didn’t mean Ma was the same.
She knew it.
Pop told her all the time about it.
Ah, fuck it.
I rubbed my jaw and reached across the table and took Aira’s hands.
“Yeah?” she asked, smiling.
There was this look about her. That she was happy. And if that was because of me… then damn.
“We just have to be careful,” I said.
“Of what?”
“This town, darling.”
“What’s so bad about it?”
“The secrets,” I said. “Hidden lives up to its name. You can’t turn your back on anyone or anything.”
“Wes, you say stuff like that… what does it mean?”
“There’s a lot of bad blood. And you’re tied into me now. Getting close to me is risky. You’ve seen it already.”
“What? Those guys on those motorcycles? I hate those kinds of motorcycles anyway. They’re too pretty. I like it rough and gritty.”
I laughed. “You’re fitting right in then,” I said.
“I survived Cherry’s, didn’t I? Even though your pretend sister acted like a bitch.”
“Hey,” I said. “Take it easy with her. She means well.”
“Oh? She straight up said she loves you.”
“I know.”
“You know?” Aira said. She pulled her hands away. “Oh, this is great. I sleep with you and you confess love for someone else?”
“I didn’t say I loved her.”
“You do love her, Wes.”
I swallowed hard. “Of course I do, darling. Like a sister. I held her dying father’s hand and told him I would make sure she was okay.”
“And you don’t think that’s given her the wrong impression?”
“No. I’ve made it clear what I was to her.”
“But she said…”
I sipped my coffee. “Aira, she was trying to make you jealous. And angry.”
“It worked,” Aira said.
“She’s used to people leaving her. Or dying for that matter. You know, she’s lived with Cherry for a long time and she has not unpacked her bags?”
“Oh, so you’ve been in her room?” Aira threw at me.
“Fuck. Aira. Can you listen for a second?”
“Fine,” she said.
She folded her arms and had this bitchy look on her face that swept me off my feet.
What was it about a mean girl that turned me on?
Especially Aira.
“Everyone in her life is dead or gone,” I said. “Except me and my family. She never unpacked at Cherry’s because she’s waiting for Cherry to die. Then she could get shipped somewhere else. It’s really sad, okay? She said that to you to get you pissed. So you’d do this and we’d break up. She’s afraid she’s going to lose me.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Aira said.
“I didn’t say it would. But it's the truth.”
Aira went back to eating. “Whatever, Wes. All I know is the last time I had someone telling me about a friend…”
“I’m not that guy,” I said. I stood up and threw the chair out of the way. “I’m not some fucking loser that’s going to screw around on you.”
“I didn’t say you were,” Aira said. “I’m just trying to do what you said to do. Understand this town. Keep myself guarded. Everyone has a secret, right?”
Now she was using my own words against me.
It irritated me but made me love her even more.
“I love you, Aira. I hope you know that and I hope you believe that.”
“The crazy part is that I do,” she said. “Now take me to class, Wes.”
“You sure you don’t want to skip and fool around all day?” I asked.
“That’s tempting. But I have no idea when Julia is coming home.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “She could find us. It’s just love.”
“Gross,” Aira said. “Now you sound like your cousin.”
“Don’t ever compare me to him,” I said with a smile. “Come on, I’ll drop you off.”
“Drop me off?”
“Yeah. I have to hit the shop and take care of some stuff. I’ll be there later.”
Aira didn’t question me.
Even though I just lied to her.
I rode up to Tech and parked in the teacher’s lot near the curb closest to the building. Noelle was already outside, sitting in the grass with her back against the building, listening to music, writing in her notebook.
I sent her a text to get her attention.
When she saw me, her face lit up and she hurried to her feet and ran to me.
As she hugged me, I stood there, wondering if everything Aira said was true.
Which was why I was there.
I didn’t want to tell Aira I was going to see Noelle because I didn’t want her to take it the wrong way.
This was personal.
This had to do with all the years Aira wasn’t in Hidden.
Noelle kissed my cheek and stepped back. “What’s up?”
“What did you say to Aira?” I asked.
Noelle’s face dropped. “What do you mean?”
“She was pissed at me, Noe. You told her you love me?”
“Yeah? So?”
“You think that was smart?”
“Why not? Everyone lies to each other around here. It’s crazy. So I told he
r the truth. You know I love you, Wes.”
“Not like that, Noe,” I said. “We’re not that. We never…” I rubbed my jaw. I didn’t want to set her off or send her off the edge. “I’m not leaving you. I’m not going anywhere. You knew about Aira though.”
“I know,” she said. “She’s prettier than me.”
“Don’t say that,” I said.
“So she’s not?”
“Don’t put me in that position, Noe. What you did was kind of dumb.”
“I’ve never seen you like that, Wes,” she said. “I’m sorry. You always get excited when you see me. You’re the only person in the world who understands me.”
“Of course I am,” I said. “I’ll always be that person too. And I hope you find someone, Noe. You deserve to find someone. And be happy. You don’t have to hide behind your past. Who cares? You’re so damn strong.”
“Thanks, Wes,” Noelle said. “I’ll talk to Aira. I mean, I meant what I said though. But I don’t want her mad at you. Everyone was just all over her, you know? I tried to play nice. I was the one who was there for a lot too. I know you knew her before me. But you were a kid. I was there when so much happened.”
“I know you were,” I said. I touched her arms. “So was I, Noe. I was there for everything too. And I’ve kept my promise. And I will keep my promise.”
“Okay. I just want you to-”
“Look at this,” a voice said.
“Lovers reunite,” a second voice said.
“How fucking perfect,” a third added.
I turned and let out a laugh.
I was face to face with Nick, Dean, and Ryland.
“Wonder what Aira’s going to think of this,” Ryland said. “Fucking your main girl last night and now visiting your side piece the next day.”
I curled my lip.
“Did you sleep with Aira?” Noelle asked me.
“That’s nobody’s business,” I said.
“That’s a yes,” Ryland said. “Sorry, Noelle. But I warned you too.”
My hands balled up into fists and I jumped forward.
Ryland could not be near Noelle. That was my fucking rule. It was for her own safety after what happened.
Nick and Dean stepped forward.
“I’ll fucking take you both on,” I said.
“That’s a good idea,” Ryland said. “But not something you want right now.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked Ryland.
“Paying a friend a visit,” he said.
Nick and Dean laughed.
“Who?” I asked.
Ryland lifted his right hand and made his pointer and middle fingers walk across the air.
What the fuck did…
“Walker,” I whispered.
“Oops,” Ryland said.
I looked over my shoulder at the building. Then at Noelle.
“Go find him,” I said. “Text me what they did.”
“No worries, Wes,” Ryland said. “We thought about breaking his jaw. To keep him from talking anymore. But it’s better if he could talk. So he could cry like a bitch.”
“Like he did when we danced on his face,” Nick said.
I swung a left and cracked Nick in the jaw.
He flew back and Dean charged at me.
Dean shoulder tackled me into a car.
Pain shot through my shoulder and ribs.
I lifted my knee and hit him in the stomach.
He moved back and took a swing.
I dodged it and punched him in the jaw too.
But Nick was right there, swinging at me.
He clipped my lip, just enough to smash it into my teeth.
I tasted blood instantly.
“Not yet, boys,” Ryland said in a calm voice. “He’s got bigger issues to deal with.”
“Fuck that,” I said. “Come on.” I showed my fists. “Let’s go, pussies. All three of you. Come on.”
The anger built like a wildfire.
Inside Tech Walker was curled up in a bathroom after getting his ass beaten for asking around about the motorcycle parts. Which meant Ryland and his goons had something to do with it. To fuck with me. To fuck with the shop.
“You might want to get back to HCH, Wes,” Ryland said. “Poor Aira…”
“What?” I asked.
“Well, I mean, it’s only fair she knows about you and Noelle.”
“What the hell did you do?”
Ryland grinned. “I mean, if that were me… I’d want to know if my other half was getting tongue fucked by someone else.”
“Nobody…”
I stopped talking.
Ryland followed me. Had Nick and Dean beat up Walker. Watched as I texted Noelle. Hugged her. She kissed me. We talked.
Anything sent as a picture would be taken the wrong way.
“You’re a fucking piece of dirt,” I said. “That’s the best you’ve got?”
“Oh, that’s not even the worst part of her day,” Ryland said.
“Oh yeah?” I asked.
I stepped forward and Dean put a hand out.
I shoved him back and turned, ready to knock Nick out.
“He’s just upset that the truth is out now,” Ryland said. “Poor Aira. Getting caught like that.”
“Caught?” I asked.
Ryland shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t think she’s going to be around here much longer. She’s a risk to herself, Wes. So sad too because she’s so pretty.”
I wanted to knock him out.
No.
More than that.
I wanted to take him out. For good.
But when he started to laugh, I rushed to my motorcycle.
I had to get to HCH.
I had to figure out what was happening with Aira.
Chapter 24
Aira
It all happened so fast.
It was a normal day.
Sort of.
I got off Wes’s motorcycle and kissed him. I heard the sound of ooohhh behind me and turned to see Kailey, Charlotte, and Emma standing there, waiting for me.
The second Emma saw me, she dropped her jaw and pointed.
Somehow… she knew.
She called it out and my red face gave it away to everyone else.
The four of us stood there outside talking about what had happened. I spared plenty of the details but that was okay. It was exactly what it was. I spent the night with Wes. And anything that was once innocent about me was all gone.
Kailey hugged me and told me I looked beautiful.
Charlotte wanted to plan a double date with Wes and Flynn.
I laughed because that would never happen.
There was no way I could see Wes sitting somewhere on a double date.
They all had me laughing as we walked through the halls.
My eyes looked for Wes but he was nowhere to be found. I had no idea where he gone or what he was doing. Or why.
I turned the corner to go to my locker and saw two people standing there.
Principal Henders and Miss Carson.
“That can’t be good,” Kailey whispered to me.
“Maybe they heard your screams of pleasure last night,” Charlotte said.
“And this morning,” Emma added.
They were all giggling but I wasn’t.
Principal Henders and Miss Carson were waiting for me. At my locker.
“Need you to open this,” Principal Henders said.
“That’s what I planned on doing,” I said. “Something wrong?”
“Aira… please…,” Miss Carson said. “It’s going to be okay.”
“What is?” I asked.
I turned the lock and had no idea what was happening.
The locker wouldn’t open right away like it always did. I had to give it a little smack like Wes taught me.
When my locker opened, everything looked normal.
At least for the first second.
Then I gasped and covered my mouth.
“That’s what I feared,” Principal Henders said.
“Please let me talk to her first,” Miss Carson said.
I stepped away from the locker, tears filling my eyes.
Someone had gotten into my locker and put razorblades in it. With a taped piece of paper over my mirror that had a list of how many times I had hurt myself.
Of course, it wasn’t the truth.
It was all made up.
Except my dark secret was out…
“Aira, we can help you,” Miss Carson said as she touched my back.
“What’s happening here?” a voice asked.
I turned my head and saw Mika strolling through the hallway.
A bitchy smile on her face.
My jaw quivered as I tried to hold myself together.
This made no sense to me.
Except…
There was only one person who knew my dark secret and knew how to get into my locker…
“It’s not mine,” I said, sounding totally guilty.
Principal Henders stood with his arms crossed. “I’m being patient here, Aira. What you had in your locker is considered a weapon. At the very least I should have the police here.”
“But we don’t want that,” Miss Carson said as she stood up. “We just want to help you. It’s been a hectic time for you, Aira. The fire. Moving. And if you’re thinking these thoughts…”
“I’m not!” I yelled. I burst into tears again.
I felt so alone. So cornered. I felt betrayed.
I lifted my head. “You want the truth? Fine. It’s the truth.”
“You hurt yourself?” Miss Carson asked.
“I used to,” I said. “Used to. When I was in my old town. That’s what I’m trying to say. Since I moved her… I feel good here. I would never bring that to school.”
“So how did it get there?” Principal Henders asked. “You know how many times I’ve heard this story?”
“I know. But I’m telling the truth.”
“Aira, why was that there then?” Miss Carson asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Nobody even knew…”
Wes did. But he wouldn’t…
“What does that imply for us then?” Principal Henders asked.
“You need to believe me,” I yelled.
“What I believe is what I see, Aira,” he said. “And what I got was a letter on my desk stating you were thinking bad thoughts and had a way to end things in your locker. That right there warranted me to call the police. But Miss Carson begged me to wait. Against my better judgement I did.”
Hidden Creek Secrets (Hidden Creek High Book 1) Page 18
