Unsocial

by Dykes, Nicole

  Adam looks at me, trying to see if I'm lying, "So, I'll never tell."

  I laugh and shake my head, "Sorry, but he’s an amazing man, and I won’t do anything to mess things up.”

  "Well damn, Dylan’s a lucky man.”

  I jerk my gaze to him, and I know he reads the truth all over my face. "No, I'm the lucky one." He smiles and nods his head at me. “Adam, you can’t tell anybody about this. We have to keep us secret for a few more months, okay?”

  “Just make sure he treats you right.”

  “He does.”

  “Come on, let’s round up your friends and head back to the pit so I can check my bike and eat. I’ve only got a couple of hours before the final race.”

  I motion for Dylan, Jax, and Luke so Adam can eat and prep his bike. I hop out and join them back at his motor home, and then he announces that it’s time to eat.

  Luke adds, "No shit, I'm starving!"

  We all take a seat around the picnic table underneath the awning hooked to the front of his rig, and somehow I end up between Dylan and Adam. He reaches into his pocket for his phone, and I take the opportunity to scoot closer to Dylan so that our thighs are pressed against each other. Adam calls for a delivery of double cheeseburger with bacon and fries, prerace tradition or superstition, probably both. I laugh and have to tease him about it.

  “Hey, I’m on top, I’m not messing with my system,” He defends.

  Jax looks at Adam and laughs, “So, you have to eat the same thing before every race? What else do you do?”

  Adam snickers, “Kiss a pretty girl.”

  Jax grins, "That would have to be a given. Need me to scare up one or three?”

  Everyone chuckles at Jax’s offer. “Nah, no need to do that. Brooke’s kisses were always lucky back in the day.”

  I feel Dylan stiffen next to me, so I reach and squeeze his thigh with my hand, trying to calm him. It takes a minute to calm down, but he eventually does have I begin making soft strokes up and down. Like he never said anything to get a rise he changes the conversation back to racing until our food arrives. Dylan is staying mostly silent beside me.

  “So, Dylan, have you and Jax ever thought about sponsoring either an individual or a team?”

  Jax answers, “We were approached by a formula racer about two years ago, but we were pretty new, so it didn’t go past discussions.”

  “How about now? I’ve got Husqvarna for an international sponsor. In the states, I race for Fox and Propel. If you guys are ever interested, I would race under you and even help you put together a team of three or four.”

  Jax and Luke and even Dylan perk up at the suggestion. Luke especially seems impressed. “Does that mean our shop would be doing the customs on your bikes?” he asks.

  “Yeah. Right now I have a friend who’s been doing it, but it’s not his real his profession. He’s good at what he does, but since it’s just him, he has trouble keeping up with what I need sometimes. Especially if I’m across the pond.”

  Luke pulls out his phone and thumbs through pictures of some of the work he’s done in the shop the past few months, and damn if I’m not impressed. But so is Adam, “Damn, that's some fucking cool work. Are all these your designs?

  “Yeah.” He flips through some more images. “This is what I did to my truck.”

  Adam takes his phone and flips through some more before handing it back. “I will definitely be talking to you guys some more. I like your work, Luke.”

  Jax looks pleased, "We have some good work coming out of our Oklahoma City shop too. Our graphic designer there has some of his work in Top Gear and American Muscle. If you ever get down there and want to take a look just tell our receptionist, Joy, that Dylan and sent you. She’ll get Joe to show you around the shop.”

  Wait, did he say, Joy, as in the Joy that was all over him at the Christmas party? I move my hand off Dylan’s thigh and look up at him. He reaches back for my hand replacing it on his thigh again and shakes his head.

  "Hell yeah, I'm in Oklahoma a lot actually. You both are in Kansas now?”

  Jax nods, "Yep, I moved up here when Dylan did."

  Adam nods, "Damn, I don't think I've ever had a friend that would pick up and move their life around for me.” He looks over at me, "Not even a girlfriend."

  Luke looks over at Adam, "So is that why you guys broke up?"

  He nods, "Yep, I had to get the hell out of Kansas and see where racing would take me, and Brooke wanted to stay and go to college."

  Not to mention Adam and I weren’t a forever couple, but sure we can go with the short version.

  Luke shakes his head at me, "You're crazy."

  Adam laughs, "That's what I thought at the time. Brooke Porter will always be the one that got away.”

  Dylan is tense next to me. I have to laugh at Adam’s wistful voice, “Whatever. I don’t remember any broken hearts, especially when I called you two weeks after you left and you were partying with, what was it, three women? You even sent me selfies.”

  “Dude, no shit?” Luke looks star struck. Someday I’m going to tell him that Dylan is the man he needs to look at star struck, but I have no idea how that would go over right now with Luke and I both knowing about Dylan’s past with women.

  When the food arrives, we all dig in. Wherever these burgers came from knows burgers, and I also have to wonder if they deliver to Overland Park as well.

  Adam turns to me once again, "Hey, how is Alex?"

  "She's doing great. She's managing a salon right now, but eventually, she wants to open her own place.”

  "Nice, she always did amazing shit with scissors. Coolest cuts on the track."

  Luke asks Adam, "You know Alex too?"

  He nods, "Oh yeah, those two were inseparable in high school. And she dated a buddy of mine for a few months. You've met Alex?"

  Luke nods, "Yeah, she's cool. She was over at our house with her brother on Thanksgiving."

  Adam scowls, "Ah, Trevor. Now there’s an asshole I don’t miss. Alex dating anybody these days?” Adam and Trevor never got along. His question was directed at me, and my eyes momentarily went to Jax. Adam picks up on it and looks at Jax, "You and Alex?"

  Jax and I both shake our heads, and I say, "No, Alex isn't dating anyone at the moment."

  Adam smirks at Jax, "But you guys had something, though, right? Doesn't surprise me, you would be her type."

  Jax grins, "Alex is cool.”

  Luke looks surprised, "You hooked up with Alex. Nice, she's hot."

  I shake my head at Adam, and he catches my silent warning. "Sorry, probably not a suitable conversation with a kid at the table."

  I sigh because, by the look of Luke’s scowl, he doesn't think of himself as a kid and doesn’t appreciate being called one.

  Jax thumps Luke on the back, "Please, this kid probably gets laid more than all of us these days."

  Dylan finally speaks, "Don’t encourage that shit, Jax.”

  Adam laughs, "Why the hell not? Now’s the time for him to get as much as he can.”

  "He’s a junior in high school."

  "Uh huh, and you weren't getting laid at his age?" he asks disbelievingly.

  Jax chuckles next to him, "Oh, he was. I've heard stories."

  I look at Adam, "You're right, totally inappropriate.”

  Jax looks at me, "Oh lighten up."

  Dylan looks at Jax, "I'm just saying he needs to be worrying more about school than chasing skirts.”

  I know this isn’t easy for Dylan to be saying because he doesn’t want to sound like a hypocrite. But I'm proud of him for at least trying to speak up.

  Luke finally puts an end to it, “You fuckers need to worry about your own shit, and I’ll worry about mine. There ain’t no problems with me and chicks because everyone knows the score.”

  Everyone finishes eating, and the guys follow Adam over to his bike so he can do his pre-race checks to his bike. I clean up our trash, and before long the four of us are heading back to our seats in th
e grandstand while Adam heads to the waiting area for the final race.

  One again, Luke and I are on the edge of our seats yelling for Shriller the Thriller, and he doesn’t disappoint us or the rest of the fans. He no doubt proved tonight why he is number one on the national circuit. As previously arranged, we meet him in the Winner’s Circle, so we can congratulate him before leaving.

  Adam gives me a hug, and I have a feeling Dylan is watching. I also know that he’s just about at the end of his rope, so I keep the hug light. But of course, my dumbass ex just has to goad my boyfriend who has no choice but to stay silent. “It was really good to see you, Brooke, you sure you don't wanna stay with me?”

  I shake my head, "It was good to see you too, jerk. Take care of yourself."

  We say a final goodbye, and the four of us file out to the parking lot. It’s been a long day, and as much as I was happy to see Adam as well as introduce Luke to him, I need a break from all the testosterone. When I get in the car and look over at Dylan, I’m greeted by an icy stare and the royal silent treatment for the ride home, and I hate it.

  Dylan parks his car in front of my apartment building a little after 10 pm. "Thank you for the ride."

  Dylan nods, "You're welcome. Do you need me to walk you up, it’s late?"

  "No, I'll be okay. It's just right there."

  Luke and Jax tell me bye, and I make my way inside. I thought Alex would be awake to question me about seeing Adam, but she’s already in bed. I make my way to my room quietly, and then decide to shower to wash away the grime from the track. I hate how Dylan and I left things. I don't want to talk to him over the phone or texts. So, while I’m in the shower I get the bright idea to sneak in his room and talk to him in person, and I’m hoping some angry sex might be on the table. Win/win. I know he's never been in a relationship before, and I also know he's committed to making us work, so there is no point in letting any feelings from today fester.

  After getting dressed, I leave Alex a note saying I had to go on a call out. I’m hoping she doesn’t find it until the morning so she’ll think I slept here, that way I can sleep at Dylan’s. I’ve missed my man, and we need some time.

  I park my car down the block and walk to Dylan's French doors of his bedroom, and briefly think to myself that maybe I should have sent him a text first. I knock softly on the doors. Nothing. Great, this was a stupid idea. I try again a little louder, and then when he doesn't open, I pull my cell phone out to send him a message. As I pull up a new message the doors open and I see Dylan standing there shirtless, barefooted, and his jeans are unbuttoned like he just pulled them back on. My panties get wet, and my nipples harden. Just the sight of him and pleasure zings through my blood. Good lord he is sexy.

  "Brooke?"

  I give him a small smile, "Hi, can I come in?"

  He nods keeping his voice low, "Of course."

  I go inside his room, and he closes the door behind me. "What are you doing here?"

  I should jump right to talking, but first things first. I walk closer to him, wrap my arms around his neck, and kiss his sexy lips. He seems surprised at first, but then takes charge and kisses me with the intense hunger I crave from him.

  It’s hard, but I pull back because I know we need to talk. I put my hand on his chest and try to get some of my wits back. “Sorry about today.”

  He backs away a little, "What for?"

  I sit on his bed and pat next to me. He reluctantly joins me, "I'm sure it wasn't easy to be around Adam."

  He shrugs. I love the tough guy attitude most of the time it's sexy, but right now I need him to talk to me. "It wasn't that bad."

  I look into his eyes, "Dylan, don’t lie. I was there and felt every one of your looks and every change in your mood.”

  He rubs the back of his neck obviously frustrated, "Alright, it fucking sucked. I wanted to rip that cocky mother fucker’s head off most of the day. And it wasn't just that he kept touching you or that he kept hinting that he would love to fuck you. The worst part was not being able to say a goddamn word.”

  I nod, "I know."

  "Yeah, and you introduced me as a friend. A fucking friend."

  I stay calm and patient. "I had to. Jax and Luke were standing right there."

  "I know that, but it sucked."

  I place my hand on his thigh, "I know, it was difficult for me too."

  "And then all the times you two were alone together. I'm sure he hit on you more than once.”

  “We mostly just caught up. Talked about our careers."

  “Then what was that shit about him asking you if you wanted to stay with him?"

  “That was just to get a rise out of you.”

  “What?”

  “He asked me earlier if I wanted to stay the night with him, and...”

  Dylan jumps up from the bed, "I fucking knew it. See and I couldn't do a damn thing about that."

  “And I told him I had a boyfriend, and he answered me, “Dylan is a lucky guy.” I’m pretty sure he caught on to all that pissed off possessiveness you were shooting at him. He was actually pretty cool about it. He even told me he hopes you treat me good, which I told him you do by the way.”

  Dylan throws his hands up, "That's not the point. Why the hell do you have to hang around all of your exes?"

  "I don't. I only see Adam maybe once a year. And Trevor doesn’t qualify as an ex if you think about it. Do you lump all your one-night stands as your exes?” I question.

  “Not fucking hardly, but I never see them again. Once I’m done, I’m fucking done….literally.”

  “Oh, and Joy, you don’t see her after you slept with her? She works for you.” My voice is all kinds of bitter.

  I have no idea how this conversation went so sideways.

  "She was a fucked up mistake, and the night after it happened I moved up here. Jax is just worried about firing her; that’s the only reason she still works for us.” He sighs heavily and sits back down beside me on the bed. “Brooke, I've known you for a little over eight months, and I've met everyone you've slept with, except for that weasel dick from college, but still I had to see him."

  I guess that's true. He continues still keeping his voice low, "And can't you find just a normal guy."

  I look at him complexed, "They are."

  He looks at me from the corner of his eyes, "Right. We have the fucking rock star, the motocross champion, and the hot shot lawyer. Completely normal."

  I can't help, but to let out a small giggle, "You're right, I mean how will you ever compete with that? With you just having two insanely successful custom shops grossing millions in your 20s. And your looks, yuck! I mean you are practically hideous."

  He cracks a grin and turns to me, "I don't know how to deal with being... being..."

  I smile and touch my forehead to his, "Jealous? Possessive?"

  He nods, our foreheads still touching, "Yeah, I'm not the jealous type or the possessive type."

  “Well you were today, and I’m probably fixing to set feminism back about 100 years, but I think my boyfriend being all jealous and possessive is very sexy. And I think he needs to show me who I belong to so I don’t forget ever again.” I say innocently, teasingly.

  He sits up, "This would just be a fucking lot easier if I could tell all those assholes that you’re mine.” He growls.

  I smile, "I am yours."

  "You’re goddamn right."

  He kisses me deeply pushing me back on the bed. He grabs the hem of my shirt as I reach to push down his jeans. After he sucks one of my nipples in his mouth, he makes short work of the yoga pants I threw on. Soon we’re naked and panting. Our hands roam with urgency over each other’s bodies laying claim. Finally, Dylan laces both of my hands in his on either side of my head and stares down at me, looking all the way into my soul. “Say it again,” he demands.

  I wrap my legs around him tightly and return the soul penetrating gaze, “I’m yours.” His erection is already nudging my entrance and easily slides in, further c
laiming me as his. We lie there a moment just savoring. When I can’t stand the anticipation any longer, “Take me, Dylan.” I urge.

  Without breaking eye contact he pulls back, and on the next stroke, he impales me swiftly and deeply and urgently, which sets the pace for our race to completion. We meet on the cliff, and fall at the same time satisfied only for the moment. With Dylan and me, there’s always going to be the need to lay claim to each other, and our secret only perpetuates that need.

  I look up at him, how is it that we only met less than a year ago? He leans down and kisses me again before showing me again exactly how I’m his.

  The next couple of weeks pass swiftly. Other than getting to sneak in to see him at night a couple of times, we’ve only been able to text or have random calls. Our jobs are keeping us too busy to make this forbidden relationship easy on either of us. It’s not like I can get off work and see him or spend the evening with him. I hate the weeks without a Tuesday meeting. Everything has been going so good for them, which of course is wonderful and what I want, but I have caught myself wishing lately that someone would get into a tiny bit of trouble so I would have a reason to see Dylan. I crave Dylan's body and not only that just being held by him.

  There are so many nights after getting off work from a bad day that I need to see him, have him hold me, and make me forget for a while how fucked up my job can sometimes be. Like tonight. Today was bad for me. My client, Sarah Freeman, decided to go back to her abusive boyfriend, which meant my day started off going to see her in the hospital.

  Seeing her lying in the hospital bed, broken and beaten was bad enough, and then I had to take the kids to a temporary foster home, and I hate it every time I have to drop kids off somewhere. I stayed a while to make sure they were comfortable in their temporary home, at least, I hope it’s temporary. Sarah’s track record isn’t looking too promising, and there’s only so much I can do before my hands are tied.

  Once I made it to the office, I had a meeting with a particularly nasty lady who hates me because I tried to get her involved in programs to help her out of a bad financial situation, and frankly all she wants is her welfare check.