Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Isn’t it meant to hurt?’’ I blurt out, wondering if what all my friends said now is lies.

  “It did at first. To be honest the whole time it stung, but the way he made me feel… God, it felt so good. I’ve never experienced anything like it.’’

  “So why are you crying?’’ I ask confused.

  “Because when we woke up this morning he saw the blood on the sheets. He had taken one look at it then at me and freaked out. He said some really horrible things. After all the sweet stuff he said last night, and over the past week, I never thought he could be so vile. Especially after what I gave to him last night, whether he knew or not about me being a virgin.’’

  Her tears have my heart breaking for her. I want to tell her everything is okay, but I know nothing about the situation she’s in to comment. I wonder if it’s him that she’s been constantly texting all week. I’d secretly hoped it would be, but with Denny you never know. She’s sociable, but she doesn’t have many friends as such. Yeah she talks to people, hangs out with them, but I seem to be the only person she goes out with or really talks to.

  “What did he say?’’

  “He said I was too young, that the evidence on the bed was proof of that. Then he continued to rant to himself about how he shouldn’t have given me his number, that he knew it would end up like this and blah blah blah. I just sat there with the sheet still wrapped around me with tears running down my face. He turned to me with a sad look on his face when he heard me cry out. I thought he regretted what he said and that he really wanted me,’’ she sobs.

  Rubbing my hand down her back to comfort her I start to feel like I’m at a dead end. How can I give her advice when I don’t know what I’d do myself? I’d be in the same state she is in now.

  When her sobs turn quiet she locks eyes with me, her eyes sad and distraught, “I knew he never loved me last night, I knew what I was getting into, I guess I just hoped he would change his mind. All week he’s been flirty and fun, but never pushed past those boundary’s until last night.

  He told me I was just a kid that should be with boys my own age. I tried telling him I didn’t want to be with anyone else and that the boys at school were all immature jerks,’’ she breathes out before looking at me. “Apart from Malik,’’ she adds. “ All he could answer was that I was acting like a kid, that it was nothing more than a one-night stand and he couldn’t be with someone my age. When he said he thought I understood that last night I cried even harder. He told me to get dressed and go home, that he never wants to talk to me again. Oh and the best part?’’ she sobs. “He told me not to brag to all my friends about fucking him, that it’s embarrassing.’’

  “Oh my God, what a complete fucking jerk,’’ I snap.

  I cannot believe he has treated Denny like this. Yeah, he’s a player, but I honestly thought they had morals over in that house. The way their granddad has raised them I honestly thought they had more compassion towards people, especially women. Feeling angry, I grab a pair of jogging bottoms and a hoody to put over my tank top.

  “What are you doing?’’ Denny asks through her tears.

  “Going to give him a piece of my mind,’’ I cry.

  “No, no please don’t. I can’t handle any more heartache or embarrassment,’’ she pleads, almost convincing me.

  “No Denny. You’re my friend and I know for a fact if this was reversed you’d do the same. He shouldn’t lead you on to just throw you out like that. Don’t worry; if anyone else is there I won’t say anything. Be back in a minute,’’ I tell her before giving her a hug. “Why don’t you lie down? You look like you could use some sleep.’’

  “You don’t mind?’’ she asks looking longingly at the bed.

  I chuckle, “No I don’t mind. Trust me that bed is used to tears’’ I tell her.

  “Oh yeah, don’t think you’re off the hook either about last night. I didn’t believe your excuse for a second,’’ she says raising her eyebrows at me.

  “Okay, okay,’’ I tell her holding my hands up in surrender. “We can talk about it later once you’ve had some sleep. Have you got to be home by a certain time?’’

  “Yeah, I have curfew at nine.’’

  “Okay, get some rest.’’

  *** *** *** ***

  Storming into the house, I ignore Mark’s greeting and curious gaze and make my way upstairs to Max and Mason’s room.

  Thankfully Gram’s didn’t stop me from leaving; she just said she wanted a word once I got back. After seeing the state of Denny this morning, I’m sure she knows what I’m up to. I’m most likely in trouble for having Malik sleep over.

  “Hey, what the fuck?’’ Mason screeches as I storm into the room.

  “You,’’ I shout poking him in the chest. “You are a piece of fucking work. I thought better of you than to do that to Denny. How dare you use her then discard her like tomorrows trash. How dare you?’’ I scream in his face.

  “Harlow, don’t get involved,’’ he growls.

  “Get involved? My friend is in my bed as we speak crying her fucking eyes out whilst you’re here acting like you didn’t just break her flipping heart. You meant something to her Mason and you knew that. Why would you treat her like this?’’

  “I didn’t promise her anything Harlow, and if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk to you about this right now. It feels really uncomfortable,’’ he says running his hands through his hair.

  “Well I hope it was worth it,’’ I snap, moving towards the door.

  “I am sorry,’’ he whispers before I step outside into the hallway.

  Before leaving I turn around to look at him in the eye, “It’s not me you should be apologising to,’’ and with that I slam the door behind me and I walk back downstairs, ignoring the amused stares from Mark and Maverick on my way out.

  My walk back home is slower than the walk over here. I think about Denny heartbroken upstairs in my room alone. It reminds me of how I felt last night when I thought Malik had betrayed me.

  My thoughts come to a halt when the front door flies open with Malik storming out with an angry expression. I take a moment to ogle him; he’s wearing his running shorts with a tight tank top showing off his impeccable muscles. Fuck! He looks hot.

  “Your Nan is crazy,’’ he cries, throwing his hands up in the air.

  I take a step back from him, shocked by his sudden outburst. Then I take a look behind him and find Gram’s grinning from ear to ear.

  What the hell has she done now? I groan.

  “What did she do?’’ I demand, giving her a glare which just makes her chuckle.

  “She never told me you were at mine, she said ‘Go on up Malik, she needs to get up to eat something’, so being the good boyfriend that I am, I walk upstairs and get into bed with my girl…’’ I can’t help it, I don’t let him finish before I burst out laughing. “It’s not funny Harlow. One, I got into bed with another girl,’’ he says making me lose my smile. “And two, I scared the fucking shit out of Denny. Look what the fuck she did to me!’’ he says showing me the bruise forming on his jaw.

  “I’m sure she didn’t mean to,’’ I tell him softly, trying to hold back my grin. Actually, I’m pretty sure Denny wouldn’t have cared which Carter brother it was as long as she got to let out some aggression she’s holding in.

  “Didn’t mean to? I would have said the same thing had she not started bitching about me being a Carter and sharing the same blood. I’m going home to shower. Let me know when it’s safe to come back,’’ he says giving me a quick kiss before walking off muttering about how crazy women are.

  I look back up the path to Gram’s who is wearing a massive grin on her face and can’t help but return it with a grin of my own.

  “You’re trouble, you know that don’t you?’’

  “Sweet girl, you have a lot to learn. It will teach him for sneaking into our home when he thinks I can’t hear him. Does he forget I watch crime shows every night? The boy needs to be sneakier if he
thinks he can get past me.’’

  “I’m taking that this is about last night then?’’ I blush. I step past her to get inside, heading towards the kitchen. I need a cold glass of water or juice since my throat still feels raw from all the crying I did last night. I also need a cup of tea to wake me up.

  “Yes and no. I want to know what is going on with that boy from school. I had a phone call this morning from another parent checking up on you, saying she saw a dispute between you, Craig, Mason and Malik last night. She also said her daughter saw him verbally abusing you too. Now, I’ve spoken to Malik and he assures me they’ve got everything under control, but I need to hear your side of the story.’’

  “He’s a bully,’’ I shrug.

  She doesn’t know what he did to me at school. She got the same made up story I told Mr. Rogers when he noticed my face.

  “Is that why you never told me that he hit you at school?’’

  “What?’’ I gasp, my head snapping up to look at her stern face.

  “Yes, I know. I made Malik tell me this morning before he went on his run. Well, he didn’t tell me, I kind of… well… I suppose some would say I manipulated it out of him, so don’t be mad at him.’’

  “I didn’t want you to worry.’’

  “Sweet girl, I worry about you all the time anyway. There will never be a time when I won’t worry. Why you couldn’t come to me I’ll never know, but you are making a complaint even though you don’t want to press charges.’’

  “What? No. That’s just going to make it worse Gram’s. People like that don’t need any more ammunition.’’

  “No, what they need is a cane across their backside to straighten them out,’’ she says seriously making me grin.

  “I dunno.’’

  “Well I do, so I’ve called a good friend of mine from church whose son is a police officer. They’ve called him to come around to advise us on what to do. He’ll be here in about an hour or so.’’

  “What? You’ve already called them? Gram’s you should have spoken to me first,’’ I stress, knowing in my gut this is going to make it all much worse.

  Sensing my fear she comes around the table towards where I’m leaning against the cabinet by the sink. When she hugs me, I return the hug.

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you. That boy is pure evil. Getting this on file will help you if there are any other incidents in the future, but I don’t think there will be.’’

  I’m not so sure about that, but I don’t voice it out loud. Instead, I nod my head giving her another hug, which she returns.

  “Now, about having a boy in your room,’’ she says making me groan.

  “We didn’t do anything. We just talked then went to sleep.’’

  “Oh I know, I’m the one that woke him up this morning.’’

  “Huh?’’ I asked confused.

  “I’d come in to check in on you and you were both dressed this morning. When I walked in Malik had woken up, I scared the bejesus out of him,’’ she cackles. “Should have seen his face, it was like he freaked out over the thought of spending the night with me.’’

  Not able to help it I laugh with her, loving her easy banter and personality. My parents would have gone ballistic had this happened under their roof. Then again, I’d never do it with them, but for some reason Gram’s puts a lot of trust in me and I’ll never betray her trust like that.

  “Gram’s? What if we weren’t dressed? I mean, wouldn’t you have been embarrassed seeing him… us… you know?’’ I blush, feeling my cheeks heat.

  “Oh no honey, in fact I was hoping I’d get to see a bit of Malik’s body, but he pulled the blanket over him too quickly that I didn’t even get a nipple,’’ she tells me sounding really disappointed. “He did assure me he had boxers on though.’’

  “Gram’s,’’ I scold, smacking her arm lightly, not believing what I’m hearing.

  “Oh shush, I may be old, but then they do say life begins at fifty,’’ she winks.

  “Gram’s, you’re sixty five,’’ I remind her rolling my eyes.

  “Exactly,’’ she says confusing me as she makes her way around me to the sink, pouring her cold tea down the drain.

  “Now go get dressed, the policeman should be here soon.’’

  “Okay,’’ I groan, rushing off up the stairs to get changed. I contemplate on running around to Malik’s to curse him out for telling Gram’s about Davis, but I know how manipulative she can be when she wants something. I knew she never believed me when she asked the other night. Her eyes were calculating and she asked far too many questions.

  *** *** *** *** ***

  Denny is still asleep by the time I’m showered, dressed and back downstairs. Malik waits for me in the living room watching something on the television.

  “Hey Rambo,’’ he greets teasing me.

  “Yeah yeah, he had it coming,’’ knowing he’s talking about his brother.

  “Yeah he did,’’ he says, a dark look crossing his face.

  “How are you feeling now, baby?’’ I giggle looking at the slight bruise on his jaw.

  “Laugh it up,’’ he says, pulling me down on his lap.

  When he starts nuzzling my neck, I start squealing, making him chuckle. As soon as he stops, I give him a stern look, slapping him on his arm. Damn he looks hot. He’s now wearing a black t-shirt with worn out denim jeans with his trainers and he looks really fucking hot, especially with the cap he’s wearing. It’s the second time I’ve seen him wear one and I have to say it’s my favourite item for him to wear.

  “What?’’ he asks smirking and I realise I’ve been staring at him for far too long.

  “Sorry. You look really good in a hat,’’ I grin.

  “I do huh? Maybe I’ll start wearing them more,’’ he grins.

  “Kids, the officer is here.’’

  “Kids?’’ Malik scoffs before he raises his eyebrows at me. “Police?’’ he questions right as my Gram’s answers the door.

  “Yeah,’’ I say rolling my eyes, moving off his lap to sit next to him. “You shouldn’t have said anything. You should have known she would go right to the police.’’

  “Hey kids, this is PC Denmark, he’s come to take a statement from you Harlow,’’ my Gram’s says in a business like voice.

  Standing up, my legs start to shake when my eyes meet the officers. Ever since my parents died they’ve shaken me up. It could be a passing police car, the mention of them or even seeing a community officer, it doesn’t matter; I become a nervous wreck. I’m pretty sure a few of them wanted to stop me with how shifty I looked.

  “Hello,’’ I whisper, my voice shaky.

  “Hello Harlow. I’m PC Denmark. Your Grandma said you’ve been having trouble with a Craig Davis from school.’’

  “Yeah, you could say that,’’ I mumble feeling uncomfortable.

  “Just talk me through what’s been happening then I’ll let you know what we can do to help,’’ he says softly.

  “I don’t want to press charges though. I know how all this works and I don’t want to make it worse.’’

  “We’re here to protect you Harlow. If you don’t want to press charges then that’s your choice, but I do advise against it. If anything else happens though, you’ll at least have this on file.’’

  “Okay,’’ I agree, chanting ‘I can do this’ over and over in my head.

  “Start from the beginning. When did you first meet Craig?’’ He asks waiting with his pen and pad.

  “On my first day of school in our registration class, I’d gone to sit down next to him, but he smelt funny. Like beer, alcohol and smoke, so I got up and moved, which he didn’t like. Then things went from there I guess. First he tripped me up in the school dinner hall and stepped on my hand…’’

  “In school?’’ PC Denmark interrupts.

  Didn’t I just say school dinner hall? Idiot. That’s what I want to say, but instead, I just nod my head, “Yes.’’

  “Didn’t
the teachers see this? Dinner ladies? Cooks?’’

  “I’m not too sure. No one said anything or came out,’’ I tell him, my eyes looking to Malik who just shrugs.

  “Okay. Have you spoken to the school principal, or another teacher about what’s been going on with Davis?’’

  “No,’’ I say slumping down in my seat. I never wanted to make matters worse, but I guess I should have told someone sooner.

  “Well, if it’s okay, I’d like to go in and have a word with the principal. See if there’s anything they can do on their side.’’

  “Like what?’’ Malik speaks up.

  “They could try keeping an eye out for her. Separate them from each other during their shared classes. Every little bit helps Malik.’’

  “The teacher watched while they chucked something in her hair Friday, and she was the one that ended up in trouble.’’

  “He’s right there,’’ my Gram’s says heatedly.

  “I’ll have a word. We can only try right? Now, have there been any more incidents?’’

  “Yes. When I was sitting outside of school he threatened me. I can’t exactly remember what was said now. It feels like it was ages ago when it happened. He hurt me though. The worst of it was the other day. Friday morning he came up to me before the bell had rung. He grabbed my arm and smacked my head against the locker,’’ I tell him.

  “Can I see?’’

  “Yeah,’’ I tell him lifting my hair from my bruised eye. It’s faded loads, but it’s still visible. Then I lift up my jumper showing him the faint bruises on my arms.

  “Did none of the teachers see this?’’

  “One teacher did and pressed me to tell him, but I didn’t want to. I was scared I guess and like I said, I don’t want to make things worse.’’

  “Look, I’ll be straight, I know you said you didn’t want to make a report against him, but I do think the next time you should. I’m going to give him a warning to stay away. It’s not a restraining order, but it has the same effect. If he keeps harassing you after, then we can take things further. I’ll also talk to the school principal. I know they have a strong policy against bullying, so they should cooperate with us.’’