Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives)

by Hansen, Marita A.

  “It’s probably my flatmates,” Kelly said.

  Voices started up from the other end of the house. Tama looked down at his cock. Shit, worrying was making him soft. He fiddled with the condom. Someone banged on the door, causing him to jump.

  “You in there, Kelly?” a girl asked.

  “Yep, but I can’t come out.”

  “Is someone with you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re wasting your time with Kelly, hun. She doesn’t put out.” The girl sniggered. “Unless you’ve got tits.”

  “Stella!” Kelly’s face reddened. “Will you let up?” She turned to Tama with a sour expression. “See what I mean? She harasses me constantly.”

  Tama frowned. That chick’s voice sounded familiar.

  “Yeah, whatever, chica,” Stella replied.

  “Why you guys back so early?” Kelly asked.

  “I didn’t wanna stay any longer. The girl next to me kept screaming her bloody head off every time she fell asleep. Anyway, I’ll leave ya to your lover.” Footsteps and laughter receded into the next room.

  Tama climbed over Kelly, and slowly inched into her. He didn’t want her screaming with others in the house.

  He grimaced as her nails dug into his shoulders. “Relax. I’ll take it easy.”

  “But it hurts.”

  “So do my shoulders. Let go.”

  She dropped her hands and grabbed onto the duvet. Tama started back up again. Shit, she was so damn tight she was squeezing the life out of his dick, and it was fuckin’ wonderful. His shoulders tightened, straining to keep control. Ignoring her whimpers, he started to move in and out. Fuck, she felt great. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d banged a virgin.

  “It hurts. I wanna stop,” Kelly said.

  “Just lemme come first.”

  “But it hurts,” she whimpered again, pushing at his hips.

  Tama pulled partway out, then thrust hard, burying himself deep. Kelly squealed, and clamped onto his arse.

  Oh God, that did it. With a few “Fuck, yeahs!” he came.

  A loud whoop sounded from the next room. “About time, Kelly! Looks like I was wrong about you being a lesbo. But then again...” Stella’s laughter punctuated her words, “...you could still be bi.”

  “Shut up, Stella!” Kelly shouted.

  Sniggering, Tama withdrew and jumped off the bed. He pulled off the condom and dropped it into the bin. “I’m gonna take a shower,” he said, reaching for the door.

  “You can’t go out there,” Kelly replied.

  He rolled his eyes. Why were chicks so prissy about nudity? “Okay, I’ll put on some clothes.”

  “It’s not that. Zane will shoot you.”

  Tama stopped. “Eh? Why the fuck would your flatmate wanna shoot me for?”

  “I told ja, he was pissed off that you rooted Stella. When he found out he went psycho and bashed her.”

  Tama screwed up his face. “I don’t know what the fuck ya talkin’ ‘bout.”

  “Well, Zane hates you, so just stay in my room—”

  “Not when there’s a gun in the house. I’m outta here.” He pulled on his gruds.

  “Don’t go. Can’t we just lie down and talk?”

  “Talk?” he said, doing up his jeans. “What for?”

  “Please, Tama...” She hesitated, watching as he tugged on his T. “If you stay I’ll suck you again.”

  Only if you’re high, he thought. “Not here.” He slipped on his hoodie and jacket. “But if ya want you can come with me.”

  A smile lit up her face. “Okay.” She scrambled off the bed, and grabbed the bra and G-string.

  Car doors slammed.

  Tama went to the window and pulled back the curtains a fraction. Naf, Corey, and Mikey were climbing the front stairs. “What the hell are they doin’ here?”

  “Who is it?”

  “My mates and cuz.”

  Tama opened the window and stuck his head out as Naf knocked on the front door. He waved his arms about, trying to get Mikey’s and Corey’s attention. Shit! He didn’t want to yell at them or the others inside would hear. Tama whistled. Both Mikey and Corey turned to look at him.

  “Tama?” Corey said. “What’re ya...”

  Tama put his finger to his mouth.

  A loud, “What the fuck?” came from the lounge. Stella stepped onto the porch and looked his way, her expression furious. “Tama’s in the house!” she screamed.

  “Oh fuck,” Tama said, recognising her.

  Something crashed in the next room, followed by a male voice, “You fucker!”

  “Get outta here!” Tama yelled at his mates. “He’s got a gun.”

  Mikey and Corey jumped down the stairs, Naf following close behind.

  “Kelly, block the door.” Tama climbed onto the window-ledge, and pushed himself through the small opening.

  The handle jiggled then a loud thud came from the other side. “I’m gonna shoot ya, ya bastard,” the male shouted.

  Kelly struggled against the door. “Stop it, Zane, you’re scaring me.”

  Tama landed on the concrete, then fell onto his side as Stella threw herself at him. “Get offa me!” Pushing her away, he got to his feet and bolted for the car.

  Zane shot out the front door. “Duck, Stella!”

  Tama leapt into the back seat, and pulled the door shut just as a bullet hit the side of the car. “Go!” he yelled at Naf.

  Another shot rang out as Naf reversed.

  “Get outta here!” Corey screamed next to Tama.

  Naf swung the car around and gunned the accelerator. A bullet went flying through Tama’s open window. Both Tama and Corey swore and ducked. The bullet exited out Corey’s closed window, leaving behind a hole and cracks. Naf picked up speed.

  After a minute Tama sat up. “Shit, that wuz close.” He pushed the button to wind up the window, then gaped at the bullet hole in the door.

  “You’re a mofucka, Tama,” Naf yelled. “You almost got us killed. And that psycho shot up my car.”

  “It’s your bloody fault for turnin’ up,” Tama said, annoyed he was getting the blame. “Plus, I didn’t know the chick lived with that psycho.”

  “Your cock’s gonna get us all killed one of these days,” Naf spat.

  Mikey moaned from the front.

  Naf glanced over at him. “What’s wrong—” His eyes widened. “Mikey’s been hit!”

  “What?” Tama leaned through the seats. “Stop the car!”

  Naf pulled over. Tama jumped out and yanked open the front door. Blood stained Mikey’s left hand.

  “Oh shit.” Tama pulled off his jacket and hoodie. “Move your hand, Mikey.”

  Mikey dropped it and moaned again, his left side covered in blood.

  “Oh God, no, no, no...” Tama pushed the seat back and climbed over Mikey. He covered the wound with his hoodie and closed the door. “Hospital. Now!”

  Naf planted his foot on the accelerator.

  Tama put pressure on the wound. “You’re gonna be alright, Mikey, you’re gonna be alright.”

  Mikey closed his eyes.

  37

  Jayden

  Jayden stared up at the hospital ceiling. His stomach hurt like hell, but what hurt more was the way Tama had beat him, not letting up even when he was bawling and begging for it to stop. How could Tama do that to him? They were like brothers, tight since primary school. Plus, he didn’t blame or hurt Tama for sleeping with Leila. Why couldn’t Tama do the same for him?

  Jayden hoped Leila was suffering. He hated her. She deserved all the pain she got. She used him for money and Tama for sex, yet would have dropped them both for Nike. Well, at least Leila did something right by him. Since the police hadn’t shown, he guessed she mustn’t have laid charges.

  Fingers brushed his cheeks. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

  Jayden looked at Annie in surprise. He hadn’t realised she’d entered the hospital room or that he’d even been crying.

  Annie
leaned over and kissed his forehead. It was probably the only part of his body that wasn’t damaged. What with Nike hurting his gonads, Annie’s father punching his face in, Tama kicking his gut and then bloody Nike making things worse, he felt like he’d run the gauntlet.

  His mood lifted as his gaze fell on Annie’s necklace. He picked up the attached ring, and turned it over in his hand. It was the one that he’d given to her at thirteen. He couldn’t believe she’d still kept it. It was a cheap rip off he’d gotten from a second hand store with his pocket money, the tiny cubic zirconias mere speckles in the silver band.

  He lay it against her crimson sweater. “I wanna replace this with a gold ring and put it on ya finger.”

  “Oh, honey.” She leaned down, and kissed his sore lips.

  He didn’t care about the pain. He grabbed her head and kissed her harder, slipping his tongue inside her mouth. She tasted good, like the spearmint gum she liked to chew.

  She pulled back. A red blush burned her cheeks as she glanced around the room. Jayden found her shyness sweet. She was the complete opposite to Leila, who was brash and loud.

  Carefully, he sat up. He winced and ran a hand over his ribs. Bloody Tama! He didn’t know whether he wanted to ever see the bastard again.

  “Do ya need a nurse?” Annie asked.

  “No, I just need my baby.”

  She smiled at him. He thought she looked lovely with her curly brown hair and sweet dimples. Unlike her prick of a cousin.

  He frowned at the memory of Nike arguing with Annie. “Did Nike tell ya more about what happened to Leila?”

  “Yeah ... he visited her in hospital.” Annie dropped her gaze. “He said she wuz smashed up bad.”

  Jayden squeezed his eyes shut. Fuck it. Why did Nike have to stick his nose into everything? Although he didn’t give a stuff that he’d hurt Leila, he did care what Annie thought about him.

  “It’s alright, I know she pushed ya to it,” Annie said.

  He opened his eyes and stared at her in amazement. “You still want me?”

  “Of course I do. I love you.”

  He continued to stare.

  She fidgeted. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Why ya starin’ at me?”

  “Sorry, you’re just so amazing.”

  She giggled. “Do ya want anything? A Coke or chips?”

  “Nah, I’m fine,” he said, feeling distracted. He was ecstatic that she wanted him, but ... something didn’t feel right.

  Dread filled his gut as he scanned the room. The old fart on his left, with wrinkles so bad you had to scrape them off the floor, was mumbling. Across from him, a middle-aged woman was jabbering to a man who looked like he wanted to slit her throat. A car horn tooted outside, followed by a gurney trundling down the corridor. Although it wasn’t quiet, the noise level scared him.

  “What’s wrong, Jayden?”

  “Where’s Lil Jay?”

  “Don’t worry about him, he’s fine.”

  Jayden shook his head, praying that she hadn’t left Lil Jay with her parents. If her dad got his way he’d never see his son again.

  “Where iz he?”

  “At Mum and Dad’s.”

  “Oh God, Annie,” he said, bringing his hands to his head. “Why’d ja do that for? Your dad will never lemme see him again.”

  “He’s our child, not his.”

  “Did Nike tell ‘im what I did?”

  “Yeah. Dad yelled his head off, screaming that I wuzn’t allowed near you again.”

  “I’m so sorry, Annie.”

  “Don’t be. I told him I wouldn’t see you again and he backed off.”

  Jayden’s face dropped, along with his hands. “Is this why ya here? Ya leavin’ me?”

  Annie smiled. “Don’t be silly. As soon as you’re good enough to leave the hospital, I’ll get Lil Jay and we can take off.”

  Jayden let out a sigh of relief. “Sheesh, ya had me goin’ there for a mo. I’m a bad influence on you, li’l Miss Goody-Two-Shoes.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I hated it when you used to call me that when we were kids.”

  “Well, I should stop callin’ ya that, since ya did put out way too quick.”

  She raised a hand as though to whack him, then stopped. “You’re just tryin’ to rile me.” She leant down and kissed his mouth.

  “Annie, stop that!”

  Annie bolted upright. “Dad?”

  Jayden breathed in sharply.

  38

  Tama

  Tama stared down at his hands. They were covered in Mikey’s blood. His cuz hadn’t been moving when he and Naf carried him into the hospital. No moans, nothing.

  Naf pushed Tama. “You gotta get outta here, before the pigs show.”

  Tama steadied himself and looked around the foyer. People were staring, some on rows of yellow seats, others leaning against the white walls.

  “Sir, he’s in shock,” a female voice said.

  Tama turned towards her. It was the same nurse who’d helped him with Leila yesterday. No it wasn’t, this chick had smaller tits. Behind her, the nurses’ station looked busy as patients and paperwork were dealt with.

  “Sir, please take a seat,” the nurse said.

  Tama slumped down in the seat behind him. The woman on his right detached her baby from her breast, and shifted further down the row. Tama watched as she rushed back to grab her purse, her baby now crying.

  Naf and Corey grabbed one of Tama’s arms each and pulled him up. “You can’t stay here,” Naf said. “The pigs’ll be comin’.”

  Tama pushed them away and sat back down. He didn’t care if they came; he wanted to be here for Mikey. No matter what he’d said before, it was his fault that his cuz got shot. Zane was shooting at him, not Mikey. His hands began to shake. He couldn’t take it if Mikey died.

  Naf squatted down in front of him, his voice gentler. “C’mon, Tama. It’ll do Mikey no good if you’re thrown in the slammer.”

  Tama stared at Naf. “I did this to him.”

  “No,” Naf gritted out. “That mofucka did it. If you want to do sumpthin’ for Mikey, we’ll go back and get him.”

  Tama shook his head. “I need to wait for Mikey. I promised my aunty I’d look after him.” He looked down at the blood on his hands. “I did this.”

  Naf sighed. “Don’t cha wanna see Mikey again?”

  “Of course I do,” Tama snapped. “Why wouldn’t I? He’s my cuz.”

  “You won’t if ya stay here, waiting for the pigs. They’ll stop ya from seein’ him.”

  Tama’s gaze flicked to Corey as the younger Connor started nodding.

  “We gotta go now,” Naf said. “You’re too recognisable now with your tat. They’ll haul your arse away in a second.”

  “Okay,” Tama replied. “But only if Corey stays; I want someone here for Mikey.”

  “No probs,” Corey said.

  Tama stood up and followed Naf towards the exit, then took a sharp turn as two pigs walked through the sliding doors. Tama quickly headed for the toilets and pushed open the door, with Naf close behind.

  “Shit, did they see me?” Tama asked.

  Naf shook his head. “I don’t think so. But you need to cover up your tat.” He took off his hoodie and passed it to Tama.

  Tama pulled it on, covering his head with the hood. “Check where they are.”

  Naf opened the door a fraction. “They’re talkin’ to Corey.”

  “Can we get past them?”

  “Nah, they’ll see us.”

  Tama walked over to a urinal and unzipped his jeans. He took a leak, zipped back up, and wiped his hands on his jeans.

  Naf screwed up his face. “Wash your hands; you’ve got blood all over them.”

  Tama glared at him. “Cunt, ya didn’t hafta fuckin’ remind me.”

  Naf’s face fell. “Sorry, man, I didn’t think.”

  Tama went to the sink, and ran the tap. He scrubbed his hands, watching as Mikey’s blood ran down the drain. He had to see his aun
ty. Yeah, she’d dobbed him in, but she still needed to be told in person. This sort of shit couldn’t be done over the phone.

  He dried his hands on Naf’s hoodie.

  Naf’s face hardened. “As soon as we get outta here we should go kill that fucka.”

  “No, my aunty needs to be told first. Then I’ll go gut the bastard.”

  Naf opened the door a fraction, and peered out. “I can’t see the pigs or Corey anymore.”

  “Let’s piss off then.” Tama pushed past Naf.

  Halfway across the foyer, a woman gasped, “Oh God, no!” Tama turned. It was Nike’s mother. Her fat face looked horrified.

  Naf grabbed Tama’s arm. “Pigs straight ahead.”

  Nike’s mother screamed, “He stabbed my daughter!”

  Two cops, standing at the other end of the foyer with Corey, snapped their heads around.

  Naf shoved his keys into Tama’s hand. “Go! I’ll stall ‘em.”

  Tama took off.

  39

  Nike

  Nike trudged down the dark street and up his driveway. It was weird coming home without the van. He’d been couriering since he’d left school. Although he wouldn’t miss it, he still felt nervous about the new job, especially with what he’d learnt about Craven. But hell, there were also dangers working for Ash. The only difference now was he was going to get paid better.

  All the lights were off in the house. Damn, Jess must be sick, because she never went to bed this early. He slipped inside, tiptoed past the cot and into the bedroom. Feeling knackered, he undressed and got into bed.

  “Ow!” He switched on the bed-light and looked down at the baseball bat on his pillow, then at Jake lying asleep next to a fully clothed Jess.

  “What the hell’s goin’ on?”

  Jess bolted upright. Jake opened his eyes and started crying. Nike moved the bat onto the bedside table and picked him up. “Well?”

  Jess rubbed her eyes. “Where have ya been? Didja get my phone message?”

  “No, I—”