“Still don’t get how he pulls it off,” Flynn said.
“Innocence,” I said. “They fall for his shit. Then they regret it.”
“Okay, we better get moving,” Leo said.
“If things get heated down there, feel free to throw a punch or two,” I said. “Say it’s from me. Get this shit really going.”
“Oh, I’m ready,” Flynn said. He made a fist. “I’m so fucking ready.”
I swung my other foot over the railing and jumped off the porch.
I pulled my hood up and walked down the sidewalk, sliding into the night.
Nobody noticed me leaving as they were all pushing forward, wanting to catch sight of Leo and Flynn on street rides. The war was real. And it was fresh. Everyone thought something big was at stake here, but it was far from that.
I had a point to prove and nothing was going to stop me.
Even when I looked back and saw Aira looking back at me.
Someday she would understand.
Or maybe she wouldn’t.
The thoughts pelted the inside of my mind as I walked to my SUV.
When I got inside, I put my hood down and started the SUV. I crept forward and looked down the street. It was just a sea of people.
I drove slow and quiet along the dark side streets, cutting along empty vacation houses. I rubbed my jaw and thought about what was happening with Aira. Someone was messing around. Either to get to her or to get to me. And West showing up there was not going to work. He was pressing buttons that he had no idea what they were going to do.
Anger started to climb through my body.
I looked in the rearview mirror and while I couldn’t see what was in the far back of the SUV, I knew what was there. It was all part of the plan. The race was just the beginning.
What came next was a direct message from me.
* * *
I had the windows down and was dying for a smoke.
That would come soon enough.
I waited and listened for the sound of the engines.
It was really quiet for a couple minutes.
But then I heard it.
The four street ride engines battling for speed and distance.
Leo and Flynn knew what to do and when to do it.
If not, they were going to end up getting hurt too.
I put the SUV into drive and slowly moved forward. I went down the street a little bit, right at the end of a long turn. I turned the SUV so it was sideways and I backed it up as far as I could go.
I was tucked away and hidden.
So I waited some more.
The sound of the engines got louder by the second.
I heard the drop off of Leo and Flynn as they cut back on the throttle, slowing down.
That’s when I slammed on the gas pedal and moved forward back into the middle of the road.
Nick and Dean came around the turn.
When they realized there was a vehicle blocking their way, they had no choice but to drop their rides to the street. Watching it was a beautiful thing. The two of them hitting the ground, their street rides spinning in circles toward my SUV. The street rides stopped moving almost right at my feet. Nick and Dean rolled along the street, bouncing and scrapping along.
I laughed to myself and got back into my SUV.
I cut the wheel and started to drive, but I didn’t drive away.
I just needed the back to be facing them.
I moved fast and got back out of the SUV and went to the back, where I opened it and then I turned to look at what I had done.
By then Leo and Flynn had come around the bend, going as slow as we had planned. They came to a stop and waited for me to give any further signals.
Nick and Dean were on the ground still, slowly trying to sit up. It was a good thing they wore protective gear or else this could have been much worse.
“Looks like you lost your rides,” I called out. “Damn shame too. You look like you were going to win that race. And here I thought you were on the other course. Shit.”
Nick wrestled his helmet off and sat up. “You trying to kill us?”
“No. If that were the case, you wouldn’t be talking right now. I have something else for you.”
I nodded to Leo and Flynn.
They got off their street rides and hurried toward me.
They each grabbed a gas can and started to pour gas on Nick and Dean’s rides.
“Fuck, no,” Dean said. “Wes…”
“Here’s how this works,” I said. I took out a cigarette and lit it. I took a drag and exhaled. “One word is said about this to anyone. One word. And I’ll come back for more. That even means those who see what’s happening. It’s up to you two to keep their mouths shut. You did this to yourselves. I came to throw punches and you came to try and take me out. It’s only right…”
I took another drag and I flicked the cigarette at Nick’s ride. It was instantly engulfed in flames.
“You two head back,” I said to Leo and Flynn. “I’ll be right there.”
I lit another cigarette, took a drag, and flicked that one at Dean’s ride.
The flames swallowed up the ride.
They both scrambled to get out of the way.
I wasn’t sure what would happen next. Each street ride did have a gas tank, so it probably was only a matter of time before things started exploding.
But that wasn’t my problem.
That was theirs.
Once I was comfortably behind the wheel of my SUV I drove back through the side streets to where the race had started. There was still the same group of people there. And there was still races to be had. But soon enough the murmurs of a fire would spread - like fire - and they’d all go to inspect.
I spotted everyone as I started calling them in my head.
The way my world and Aira’s world had collided happened in more than one way.
They all came toward the SUV, Flynn with a grin on his face as he had his arm around Charlotte.
My eyes searched for Aira as she stayed back with Kailey.
“I’m out of here,” I said to anyone listening.
“I second that,” Leo said. “Where to?”
“Jett’s,” I said. My eyes scanned along everyone. “You all coming?”
“I’ll be there,” Flynn said.
“That means I will too,” Charlotte said.
“You drove us here,” Kailey said to Charlotte.
I looked at Aira. “Want a ride, darling?”
“I bet she does,” Emma said. “Not from you though.”
“Shut up, Emma,” I said. “I’m sure some BFH guys would love to give you the train tonight. Just chew on a pillowcase for a little while they treat you.”
“That’s disgusting,” Kailey said.
“What are we doing with these street rides?” Leo asked.
“Drop them off at the shop,” I said. “We’ll sell them or something.”
“Maybe Nick and Dean will make you an offer,” Flynn said with a laugh.
Leo laughed too. “Fuck, that would be awesome to see.”
“You’ll meet us at the shop?” Flynn asked.
I looked at Aira again. “No. Charlotte will meet you there.”
“I will?” she asked.
“You will,” I said. “And then you’ll bring Leo and Flynn to Jett’s. I’m taking Kailey, Emma, and Aira.”
There was silence.
Everyone casually looked at Aira, waiting for her to fight back.
She stepped forward and looked at me with deadly eyes. I’d never seen a girl look at me the way she did.
“Whatever,” she said.
She grabbed the handle to the back door and opened it.
One way or another I wasn’t going to let her slip away for good.
Chapter 8
Aira
The word awkward wasn’t enough.
I wasn’t sure how it happened but apparently mine and Wes’s relationship had been the center of everyone’s world.
Because without us together and all over each other, nobody really knew how to act.
Wes crashed down to the sand with his back against one of the logs around the fire pit. It made me hate him a little because I wanted to curl up in his arms, between his legs, sip whatever he was drinking, and get lost in time with him.
Flynn put on some music which gave us noise but that was about it.
Things got a little interesting when Ryker and Walker showed up.
Walker went right for the drinks, hitting fists with Leo. They quickly turned away and started talking. Leo was animated with his hands, making noises and stuff.
I still didn’t know exactly what had happened with Nick and Dean.
The race had begun and four street rides took off and only two came back. Which meant Wes probably set up Nick and Dean and he beat the hell out of them.
My eyes moved to Wes and he was staring at me.
I swallowed hard.
He slowly lifted his drink up and nodded to me.
I turned my head away.
Kailey was a foot away from me, arms crossed, a look on her face that could have made the fire freeze. There was no resting bitch face Kailey. It was active bitch face and she was locked right on Ryker.
Emma stood with us. “This is interesting.”
“Little bit,” I whispered. “What’s the plan, Kail?”
“See what he does.”
Ryker looked back at her and nodded.
“A head nod?” Emma called out. “That’s it?”
“Emma, shhh,” Kailey snapped.
Ryker turned and came toward us. “What’s the problem?”
“You tell us,” Emma said.
“I don’t have a problem,” Ryker said.
“What? No flirty comeback?” Emma asked. “No comment about me or what you want from me?”
“Right,” Ryker said. “Fine. I would cut off my right foot to see you naked, Emma. Sound good? But I’d rather get a drink for Kailey and say Hey to her.”
“Must be a family thing,” I said.
“Excuse me?” Ryker asked.
“You heard me,” I said. “A family thing. Same thing you do is what your cousin does. Morons. Assholes. Jerk offs.”
“Jerk off this,” Ryker said.
I don’t know how he did it, but Wes defied movement with how fast he was suddenly there. His fist balled around Ryker’s shirt.
“What the fuck did you just say to her?” Wes asked.
“Nothing,” Ryker said. “Typical bitch stuff here, bro.”
“Watch your mouth,” Wes warned.
Ryker pushed off Wes, which made all of us step back.
“Oh, damn,” Emma whispered.
“Fuck this,” Ryker said. “I texted you, Kailey. I’ve been trying to talk to you since…”
“Since you fucked her,” Wes said. “We all know. You fucked her. Great job.”
“She hasn’t answered me,” Ryker said.
With that, Ryker walked away.
Wes turned his attention to me. “You okay?”
“Perfectly fine,” I said.
“He texted you?” Emma snapped at Kailey.
That was enough to get Wes to walk away.
“It’s my business,” Kailey snapped back.
I watched over my shoulder as Wes strutted back to his spot.
He was lost in thought. That was a dangerous thing. Because I never knew what was going through his mind.
“Aira, back me up,” Emma said.
“Uh… yeah… totally.”
“What?” Kailey asked.
“What?” I said.
“Tell Kailey she’s a bitch,” Emma said.
“You’re a bitch,” I said.
“Aira,” Kailey said. “It’s not that easy.”
“How?” I asked. “You obviously saw something in him. Unless you were just looking for a hookup. If that’s the case, tell him that. You used him for his dick and now he can fuck off to someone else.”
“Jeez,” Emma said.
“What?” I asked. “I’m backing you up. And it’s your fault too, Emma. The way he wanted you and the way you acted back. You made it weird. Or something. I don’t know. If you don’t want to fuck him, then tell Kailey that for real and move on. Why ask him to flirt with you? That was a bitch move.”
“Thank you,” Kailey said. “Sorry, Emma, but that was a bitch move.”
“Fine,” Emma said. “I like the attention a little. I thought he was ignoring you, Kail. If I knew you…”
“I don’t know what I know,” Kailey said.
“Oh god, you actually like him,” Emma said. “That’s why you’re being stupid.”
“You’re stupid,” Kailey yelled.
Emma started to laugh.
Kailey elbowed her.
“Unless you two are going to start kissing, Kailey better go talk to Ryker,” I said.
“Now you sound like a guy,” Emma said.
“Whatever,” I said. “Don’t be stupid.”
“You’re stupid!” Emma yelled, mocking Kailey.
She laughed even harder, this time Kailey joining in.
Just like that, their little bitch quarrel was over.
I moved away from them, not exactly in the mood to talk about guys, texts, feelings, or sex.
Yet I found myself gravitating toward Wes.
He slowly moved from the sand to the log, his eyes not leaving me.
“What did you do tonight?” I asked him.
“I took care of things,” he said. “And I didn’t throw a punch.”
“Seriously?”
“Look, darling.” Wes showed me his hands. He made fists. No blood. “Not a mark. I didn’t feel like throwing a punch tonight.”
“You sick or something?”
“Maybe just missing something,” he said.
I folded my arms and pretended like that comment didn’t get to me.
“So does this mean the craziness is over?” I asked.
“Do you really want me to answer that?” he asked.
“Nope,” I said. “Because it’s never over.”
Wes stood up. “Hey, darling. Getting real for a second. If West ever comes near you, call me. If anything else happens to you… weird stuff… call me. Whoever is doing that to you-”
“You won’t punch them, right? You’ll do something else?”
“Trust me, Aira,” Wes said as he closed in on me. “I find out someone is messing with you, I will use my fists. I will destroy their life. You don’t deserve it.”
“You don’t know that,” I said. “You don’t know everything about me.”
“Yes, I do,” Wes said.
There was this moment between us right then. A fire crackling next to us but a bigger fire raging between us. I had the sudden urge to jump forward and throw my arms around his neck. I just wanted him to hold me, love me, and tell me it was going to be okay. I wanted everything to be okay. But we were too far away from that.
There was no more okay.
Wes slowly started to reach for my face.
My jaw quivered and teeth chattered as though I were cold.
The tips of his fingers on his right hand touched my left cheek.
My lips parted as I sighed.
“Hey, bro, just got the text that they couldn’t get the rides put out,” Flynn said, entering our moment.
“What?” Wes snapped.
“The fires. They wouldn’t go out. Nick and Dean had to call for help. They’ve been telling everyone there was an animal in the road or some shit. It’s fucking beautiful.”
“What fire?” I asked.
“We set their rides on fire,” Flynn said. “Made them drop their rides first and then poured gasoline all over them. Then Wes tossed a lit cigarette to each one. Boom. Just like that… message sent.”
“Fire,” I said. I looked at Wes and swallowed hard. “Fire?”
“What?” he asked. “I told you I didn’t throw a punch. I needed to make a bigger
statement.”
“A fucking fire?” I yelled. “Are you kidding me?”
“Aira…”
I backed up. “You’re an asshole, Wes. I swear on my life. I hate you so much right now. A fire? After what I went through. You decide to set things on fire? What if…” I gasped for a breath. No, Aira, not now… don’t do this now… “what if the fire spread to a house? Huh? Or if the fire got to you? Or even them? I mean, they’re jerks… but fire…”
“Aira, take a breath, darling,” Wes said.
He reached for my shoulder and I smacked his hand out of the way.
My right hand soared through the air and connected with his cheek.
The slap was loud enough that everyone looked.
Flynn covered his mouth for a second and then called for Charlotte.
She came rushing to my side and tried to put herself between me and Wes.
Wes touched his cheek and then grabbed Charlotte by the waist. As he moved her out of the way, Flynn grabbed at Wes’s arm.
“Don’t touch her,” Flynn said.
“Nothing I haven’t touched before,” Wes said.
Charlotte’s face turned a deep shade of red.
I pushed away from Charlotte. “I fucking hate all of you. I’m going home.”
“I’ll drive you,” Charlotte said. “Let me get you home safe.”
“Don’t fucking leave, Aira,” Wes said. “Or let me take you home.”
“You’ve done enough,” I said to Wes. “Fire? Seriously?”
He stood with his jaw clenched tight.
Charlotte touched my back and I shook her away.
I crossed my arms and left without saying goodbye to anyone.
Fuck them.
Fuck them all.
* * *
I opened the car door and waited a few seconds.
I stared forward and swallowed hard.
“Aira?” Charlotte whispered.
“Did you fuck Wes?” I asked.
“No.”
“Are you lying to me?”
“No,” she said in a louder voice. “No. I never slept with Wes.”
“Why did he say what he said?”
“There was a time at a party when we… whatever.”
I looked at her. “Whatever? Do you think I’m in the mood for whatever right now?”
“We went into a closet, Aira. Okay? It was a couple years ago. We kissed. He felt me up. I touched him over his jeans. It was all of five minutes. Okay?”
HIDDEN CREEK DARKNESS: a hidden creek high novel Page 7
