“Grams, I told you what happened. Why is everyone around here so bent on making my life hell?’’ I say feeling tears in my eyes. If my mom and dad were still here they would have gone down to the school or around their parents houses and had it out with them if something like this was happening to me. Not here though, everyone seems to be okay with brushing into under the rug.
“Hey dear, I know you told me what happened, but your principal tells me a different story. I’m just trying to get the facts Harlow, not blame you.’’
I scoff, “Yeah, why would they take a student’s side over the teachers? That would look really good with the school board wouldn’t it,’’ I bite out sarcastically.
“I see your point. I’m going to go in on Monday to have a word. I don’t like this Davis boy. He’s bad news. Also, you can take your geography lessons either back here or in the library. I’m not having some teacher bully you.’’
“You believe me?’’ I breathe, wondering if I’m hearing her correctly. I thought the whole point of this conversation was because she didn’t believe me. Now I’m confused and a headache is forming.
“I’m always on your side sweetheart. I know what school can be like. Not all teachers are bad though, so please don’t let this ruin your education.’’
“Oh Gram’s,’’ I say, feeling tears fall from my eyes as I reach over to hug her. “That means so much to me. I’ve been so scared that I was on my own handling all of this.’’
“On your own? You’re kidding right? I had Malik here first telling me you were telling the truth, then Max and Myles. Why they just didn’t come together is beyond me,’’ she tuts.
“So you only believed me cause they told you?’’ I ask feeling hurt.
“Oh no honey, I believed you before. Mr. Haynes was in your mother’s year at school. He was an ass then too,’’ she says making me giggle.
“Thank you. I love you Gram’s.’’
“Not as much as I love you, sweetheart,’’ she chokes out, her cold hand reaching to palm my cheek.
The doorbell rings so I take a step back from Gram’s embrace to go and open it. None of Gram’s friends come round really and Mark just walks in without knocking.
“That will be Denny. It’s still okay that we go out, right?’’
“You go out and have fun. It’s about time you went out, just remember your curfew madam.’’
“I will, Denny said Mason can drop me home when he finishes at midnight, so I may be a few minutes late. Is that okay?’’
“He’s such a lovely young boy. Wish he’d settle down. Tell him I said straight home,’’ she winks before I rush to open the door.
I’m excited for tonight. It’s the first time since I’ve moved here that I’ll be going out with anyone other than my Gram’s. She’s taken me to a few places, but with her age, it’s been pretty boring. The market had been the worst, no scratch that, the car-boot was by far the worst. It had been at six in the morning in the freezing cold rain when we got there. She didn’t leave until she had her push-a-long filled to the brim.
“Hey,’’ I say answering the door.
“Hey girl. Let’s go get ready,’’ she squeals before following me up to my room.
Once we’re up there she flops herself down on my bed, emptying the bag of clothes she brought with her.
“Why do you have so many clothes?’’ I ask. Denny is staying the night, but looking at all the stuff you’d think she’s going to be staying here for weeks.
“I brought some for you just in case. You want to look good for your man. Speaking of… what time is he on?’’
“He said he’d meet us there,’’ I tell her confused.
“No, what time does he race?’’ she says rolling her eyes.
“Huh?’’ really confused this time.
“Oh-Em-Gee, Malik didn’t tell you did he?’’
“Tell me what?’’ I ask frustrated.
“He races Harlow. In fact, he’s one of the best that takes part. You should see him in his uniform, hot as hell,’’ she grins.
Malik races? He never said anything. Though, when we were in his room a while back I did notice some bike posters stuck on his wall. It actually hurts that he didn’t tell me.
“Is that even legal?’’
“Yeah, it’s all done professionally. Malik only races over here though and when the money is good enough he will leave town. He’s pretty well known too. People from all around the country come to just watch him.’’
“That’s great,’’ I say, ignoring my hurt feelings. Maybe he thought I knew or that he had already told me. Who am I kidding? Lately when we hangout we’re always locked in a deep, heated kiss. There’s not been a lot of talking going on. Just thinking about his lips has me brushing my finger across mine.
“Come on then. You can wear your black leggings with your brown boots and you can borrow this off the shoulder brown jumper. It will suit you. Will you let me do your makeup?’’
“I thought this was going to be in the middle of a field? Won’t I need wellies and keep my hair up?’’
“God no,’’ she says sounding horrified. “You need to dress up because of the party we’re going to after. I always go dressed for both. Most girls just go dressed in hardly anything. The one year we went we’d had rain for a week straight. Hannah and her possy of friends went dressed up in dresses, high heels, their hair and makeup all done up and ended up looking like drowned hookers by the end of the night,’’ she snickers making me giggle.
“Okay,’’ I agree taking the items from her. “As for the makeup, I don’t mind, but keep it natural and low please. I’ve never worn much of it because my parents said I never needed it, but I’ll let you. After all, my boyfriend seems to be a stud around here,’’ making us both end up in a fit of giggles.
The night air is cold as we make our way down to the field where all the adults and half the school are all either seated or standing. The place is crammed full of people trying to get a good look. When we walk farther in we have to shout over the revving of the bikes and lean in to hear each other. The place is crazy and there seems to be loads going on all at once.
“Where are we gonna be standing?’’ I shout over the roar of the bikes, my eyes trying to search Malik out in the herd of people.
“Over there,’’ she points, pointing to a few people I recognise from school.
We make our way over hand in hand, stopping to say hello to a few people on the way. None of them really speak to me, but I’m okay with that.
“This is crazy,’’ I shout over to Denny, my eyes trying to take everything in.
“Yeah, you should see it after. Everyone goes wild when one of our own wins.’’
“So it’s not only Malik who races from around here?’’ I ask confused.
“No,’’ she says dryly, rolling her eyes. “Davis. It’s why he and the Carter brothers don’t get on. Mostly! He tried to take Malik out one year by causing a crash. The fucker didn’t even get points taken off of him. They reckon his brother threatened the bloke that runs it, which sounds believable; he’s a complete jackass.’’
“Oh my God,’’ I gasp, my heart beating hard to the point I’m scared I’m having a heart attack. After everything that happened yesterday at school, if Davis is out for revenge then he’ll use this as a way to get it. How could she have not told me this before now? Maybe I could have talked Malik out of racing, I don’t know.
“Don’t worry; Malik knows how to handle himself and the bike Harlow. Davis just has a stick up his arse because he’ll never be as good as Malik. In school and out of it, Malik is in his own league. Come on, we’re here to have fun,’’ she grins, easing my stomach somewhat.
I nod my head, just as two large hands come around my waist making everyone around me go wide eyed. Squealing loudly for whoever it is to put me down, I kick out hoping to connect to whoever it is, but end up kicking thin air.
“Hey, that’s no way to treat your future brother
-in-law,’’ Mason teases as he slides me down his body.
Turning around I smack him in the chest, “You scared the hell out of me,’’ I laugh, looking around for Malik.
“He’ll be here in a second. He’s just finishing off with the checks and stuff,’’ he winks reading my thoughts, but his eyes drift back to Denny, and they’re full of lust as he takes her in.
I just roll my eyes, “How come you’re not at work?’’
“I always come to watch the little brother race. Maverick is here to somewhere. Probably off banging the chick that stopped him on the way in.’’ He chuckles when he sees the disgusted face I make. “Don’t worry. He isn’t like me or Max,’’ he laughs.
“I bet,’’ I tell him dryly.
“Where is she?’’ he asks and I know he’s on about Denny. When I turn to find her not at my side, I frown. It’s then that I see her talking to a boy I haven’t met yet. They’re standing intimately close together, laughing at whatever the other is saying. It makes me grin to see this fun, easy side of Denny. She’s always so serious, most of the time. Her eyes keep looking back over to us every so often and at first I thought it was because she was checking that I was okay, but when she laughs again I notice it’s forced.
“Who the fuck is he?’’ Mason growls making me turn back to him. That’s when it clicks. She’s playing hard to get with him or trying to make him jealous and by his tone I’d say she’s doing a bang up job.
“Somebody that obviously likes her,’’ I bait him, hoping to get a reaction out of him, and it does, his whole body goes hard, including his eyes focused on them.
“Why would she like a skinny ass kid like that?’’ he scowls making me chuckle. “Introduce us,’’ he says it so seriously it has me taking a step back.
Introduce him? I don’t even know who the guy is to introduce him to someone. How freaking weird would I look if I did that? Hi boy, this is Mason, Mason this is boy. Yep…, so not doing that.
Thankfully, Malik chooses that moment to walk into our little huddle looking hot as sin. He’s got his racing kit on, and holy noodles, I’ve never seen him look so hot. His one hand is cradled around the helmet that is tucked under his arm; it only makes him look even hotter. He looks so at ease, so well poised, I feel myself becoming hot just looking at him.
He notices me checking him out and a wide grin spreads across his face. I’m still checking him out when he finally closes the space between us. Tilting my head back so I can look up into his stormy dark eyes, I grin, loving how much warmth is there when they greet me.
“Hey hot stuff,’’ I tease.
“Hey babe,’’ he greets with a dry, husky chuckle. “I didn’t know you were coming,’’ he frowns.
Did he not want me to come? Is that why he never mentioned it to me before? Shit. Why did I not think about this before? Crap. Now I’m probably coming off as some clingy girlfriend. If that’s what I am to him, he’s never given us a label. For all I know I could be just a little bit of fun until something better comes along.
“Did you not want me here?’’
“No, it’s not that babe. It’s just that Davis comes here with his brother. His brother is in a rough gang that live on the Linton estate; it’s why I never thought to ask you to come. His brother is a bigger twat than he is. I only thought you’d come to the party.’’
“Oh, well, I’m glad Denny asked me; otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten to see you looking this hot,’’ I wink.
“Hot huh?’’ he asks pressing my body against his.
“Definitely hot,’’ I breathe, my face so close to his I can smell the peppermint on his breathe. His eyes turn a stormy dark colour, almost looking black as he stares down into mine.
“Get a room,’’ Mason coughs into his fist.
“Go away,’’ Malik says not taking his eyes from mine as he brings his lips to mine. The taste of peppermint is strong when he massages his tongue against mine, and I have to bite back a moan. My hands cling to his protective racing gear as I devour him. Every time I kiss him, I get lost in him, the feel of him, the taste of him; he makes me forget everything. He makes me feel hopeful for the first time in a long time.
“Hmmmhmm, you taste so good,’’ he grins.
“So do you, have you had peppermint?’’ I question.
“Yeah,’’ he says looking down at me with soft eyes.
“He looks like he’d spunk the minute she touches him,’’ Mason growls close to us making me giggle into Malik’s chest.
“What the fuck bro?’’ looking horrified at his brother.
“Sorry,’’ Mason says, actually looking sorry, like he wasn’t meant to say that out loud. “It’s just that I feel sorry for her is all. She needs a man to take care of her and all that bullshit.’’
“Who?’’ Malik questions whilst looking at his brother like he’s grown two heads.
“No one,’’ he sighs sounding defeated before pulling his phone out.
Leaning in to give Malik one more kiss, I don’t notice the body walking towards us until it slams into me knocking me back a few steps. Thankfully Malik still has his hold on my waist, otherwise I’d be sitting inch deep in mud right now.
“Sorry,’’ I mumble, although it wasn’t my fault. It’s a habit I think everyone has. Someone shoves past you, immediately you say ‘sorry’, or if someone steps in your way, again, you say ‘sorry’, it can be a curse sometimes, like right now.
“Move your fat ass out of the way,’’ Davis growls and I inwardly cringe. Out of all the people that could have bumped into me it had to be him. It probably wasn’t even an accident either. He most likely bumped into us on purpose just to piss me off.
“Watch where you’re fucking walking dipshit,’’ Malik growls, his whole body tense.
“Or what, Carter? You going to punch me around again? Oh wait, you can’t, you only have one brother with you,’’ Davis laughs.
“I don’t need my brothers to kick your ass,’’ he sneers, taking a step forward.
“Wow, calm down there bro, you don’t want to be taken out of the race over this whining little bitch,’’ Mason says, his eyes glaring at Davis.
Watching Davis closely while he’s focused on Malik and Mason, I take in his appearance. He looks laid back, comfortable with the confrontation, but I also notice the way his back straightens whenever Malik or Mason make a sudden movement. He’s scared; he just isn’t showing that to them and fair play I say, because Malik and Mason are big dudes. I wouldn’t want to go up against any of them. But then Davis deserves an ass kicking after all the shit he’s done to people.
“Yeah Malik, do what your big brother tells you,’’ Davis taunts.
“How about you just fuck off, huh?’’ Mason snaps, obviously losing his patience.
Must run in the family, I muse.
“And why would I want to do that when I’m having so much fun here?’’ his eyes raking up and down my body suggestively making me cringe.
“Keep your fucking eyes off of her. You touch one more hair on her head and you’re a dead man,’’ Malik confronts him, and I clench my thighs together. Who knew Malik’s protectiveness would be a massive turn on for me?
“Don’t tell me what to do you fucking pussy,’’ Davis growls, his temper rising as he takes a step towards my direction. Not wanting to be in the line of fire, I take a step back behind Malik. Davis sees the move and gives me a creepy smirk.
When Davis leans over to say something to Malik my mind goes into a tailspin. I try to block out all the noise around me but it’s no use, I can’t hear what they’re saying to each other over the noise. It must be bad because Malik steps forward with his fist raised ready to throw the first punch.
“Stop,’’ I shout, grabbing a hold of Malik’s arm.
“Yeah, stop Malik,’’ Davis repeats in a whiny voice, giving me an evil smirk. He knows what he’s doing is going to rile Malik up and it’s working.
“Don’t do it bro,’’ Mason says to M
alik before turning his deadly gaze over to Davis. “As for you, you need to watch who you spout shit off to. My brother isn’t going to lose his title just because some wannabe is jealous of him.’’
“Sounds right, you can only fight when you’re all together, I wonder if you all fuck together too? How has sharing Harlow been?’’ Davis chuckles, obviously in the mood for a fight.
“I said my brother wasn’t going to touch you, not that I wouldn’t,’’ Mason snaps just before he lands a punch to Davis’s jaw.
“You’ll pay for this,’’ Davis growls, looking to me with so much hate.
“Why? You off to get your big brother to come sort us out,’’ Mason laughs using the same tone Davis used with him. “There’s a difference between you and us Davis. We’re not bullies, we don’t pick on the weak, and we certainly don’t gang up on people. When you fight one of us, you get one, but it doesn’t mean the rest of us won’t be standing there watching, making sure it’s a fair fight and having each other’s backs. So run back over to your little group of friends and leave my family alone.’’
“Don’t worry, I’m going. Watch your back out there,’’ he sneers to Malik making my heart race. Does that mean he’s going to do something to Malik while he’s racing? Gah, I hate not knowing anything about all of this motocross shit. I have no idea if there’s rules or not or if what Davis just threatened can actually be done with no consequences.
“Babe, ignore him. I need to go get into position, but wait for me. My race is first, but we usually stay around until the end. If you want to though, we can head over to Chris’s, the party is at his tonight.’’
“Okay,’’ I say, leaning up to give him a kiss. “Good luck,’’ I smile, not knowing what else to say.
“Don’t need it babe,’’ he winks before strutting off in his sexy as hell gear.
I watch Malik leave until he disappears into the crowd making me sigh. He’s just left and I’m already missing him. This can’t be normal. I have to keep reminding myself it’s too soon to be this infatuated with someone you’ve known for so little time.
Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1) Page 14
