by Kay Manis
Chapter 25
-RORY-
My hands were unsteady, my tricks were shit, and I was wringing wet with sweat. The heat in Miami was brutal this time of year. Unfortunately, this event was outdoors so there was no escaping the ruthless humidity that invaded every nook and cranny of the city. I was on edge and I had no idea why.
That was a lie.
The call from my mother had rattled my cage. Not only had she wanted money—again, this time she threatened to go to the police with charges that were completely absurd. She threatened to tell the authorities that not only had I molested my own sister, but I’d introduced her to drugs at the young age of twelve. It was classic Marion Gregor, blaming other people for the shit decisions she’d made in her life.
Just when I thought I’d put that part of my life to rest, in came my mother, threatening to fuck up the one good thing I had going in my life.
Hindley Hagen.
I’d been half-skating and half-searching for her the past hour, worried sick.
I hadn’t talked to her since yesterday morning, which was unusual for us. I’d texted her several times too but I knew she had a late night at the office, preparing for this weekend’s trip.
God, I hoped our lack of communication didn’t have anything to do with Axel, but my mind told me it did. He was her job now. Fuck, that tore me up. Almost as much as thinking about my sister.
Images of Shelly had haunted my dreams for days.
In all this time since I’d left Colorado, I’d never forgotten one single detail of my sister—her golden blonde ringlets that bounced every time she moved. Those enormous green eyes that lit up anytime she smiled. Her petite frame that could hide in my shadow. I smiled as I remembered the way she would throw her hair back behind her shoulders when she laughed.
Her laugh.
God, I missed her laughter more than anything, that infectious sound that you couldn’t help but join in.
I’d forgotten how much I loved her, how much I missed everything about her. Every time I heard Hindley laugh, it reminded me of Shelly’s. I adored them both, but for very different reasons.
I’d tried to protect Shelly as best as I could growing up. I’d been naive to think Victor had started his molestation of my little sister only after I was thrown in jail though.
If I let myself think about it, which I rarely did, I was sure his attacks had started much earlier than that. I hadn’t been able to stop him, hadn’t been able to do a damn thing about it. That realization was what I’d tried to block out for years through drinking and drugging.
* * *
I knew Shelly had turned to drugs as an escape from her fucked up home life like I had. Eventually, it had turned into an addiction at a very young age.
My friends who kept up with her after I left home would give me updates on her from time to time. None of them had been able to stop her. Somedays I would watch her from a distance until I turned pro and started traveling. Every time I returned to Denver, I would try to find her but never did.
My intent had always been to make it big in the skateboarding world, sock away a few bucks, then go back and save her. By the time I had enough money to support her, it was too late. My mother blocked me from seeing her and convinced Shelly I had been the one to molest her.
It broke my heart to know she wanted nothing to do with me. To this day the fact haunted me. My inability to protect my sister was what made me so desperate to guard Hindley so closely. She was the first person I’d let back into my heart since my sister had died. This time I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
It wasn’t jealousy that drove me—well, not completely. I was afraid. Afraid something would happen to Hindley, afraid I wouldn’t be able to protect her, afraid I would lose her like I’d lost Shelly.
Trying to tamp down my dark thoughts, I studied the course. I always mapped out my routine for hours before a competition but it was useless at this point. My head was fried. I tucked my skateboard inside my bag and grabbed a cab. I would go back to the hotel and take a cold shower.
With the X Games only three weeks away, I had to shake off this feeling and get my head in the game. Something inside me felt off though and I wasn’t entirely sure I could blame it on my mother. This weekend would be huge for me but not necessarily in the way I wanted. A sinking feeling sat in my gut like a hot boulder.
I returned to the hotel and rode the elevator up to my room. Opening the door, I tossed my bag onto the floor before pulling out my suitcase. I grabbed the journal I’d packed, opening to the page of my last entry.
I ran my fingers over words covering the page.
Shelly
Shelly
Shelly
Everything about her had been pure and good. Until Victor McKinney had entered our world, taking away her innocence and then eventually her life.
A knock on the door brought me back. My heart raced at the thought of seeing Hindley. Just the anticipation of seeing her again calmed my frazzled nerves.
I flung open the door, thinking how amazing it would be to have Hindley join me in the shower.
“Hey, Rory.”
I studied the man in front of me who obviously was not my Drunk Girl.
“Luis?” I glanced around the hallway. “What are you doing here?”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
Yes, I wanted to say.
“No, come on in.” I opened the door further and ushered him in.
“Expecting someone else?” He laughed.
I ignored him. Denial was the only option I had.
He sprawled out on the sofa, his legs extended beneath the coffee table.
Luis Marquez was a good man. I’d sensed it the first time I’d met him at the law firm when I first signed with Hindley and her team. He’d had a strong handshake and always looked me square in the eye. Even though he was an attorney, he never looked down on me or was condescending like Michael had been a time or two.
Jack had informed the firm a week ago that if I couldn’t have Hindley, then I only wanted to deal with Luis, no more Michael. So far, they’d conceded to my wishes.
“So, what’s up?” I asked, dropping into the chair next to him.
“Ah, nada, just wanted to stop by and touch base with my favorite client.”
The man was handsome, suave and sophisticated, but strangely enough I never felt intimidated. He felt like an old friend, someone I could talk to openly.
Hindley told me he was aware of our relationship, and for the most part, he seemed cool. She felt comfortable with Luis, safe, and that always eased my mind.
“So I’m your favorite client.” I chuckled.
“Actually, you’re my only client, but I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“I’m more of a babysitting project than a client,” I said.
“Whatever it is, I’m glad I’m here. Miami feels like home.”
“Because of the Latino culture?”
“No, because of the heat. We didn’t have air conditioning when I grew up.”
We both laughed. Luis could always lighten the mood.
“Matt from Sonora Water is going to be here for the competition,” he said. “I’ve hired a photographer to take some photos then we’ll push them through some of the top sports mags to get them published before the X Games. You need the exposure. Word got out about your hand and some people in the social media world aren’t so convinced you slammed it in a door.”
“Whatever,” I said. “I don’t give a shit what people think.”
“Well, you better start giving a shit because the less the public likes you, the less sponsors like you.”
“Fuck,” I grumbled. Luis was right but I didn’t like to admit it.
“Skating for yourself costs money. These swanky hotel rooms don’t come for free, you know.” He waved his hand around the large living area.
“Fine. I’ll be squeaky clean from here on out. Wouldn’t want you staying at a discount chain of motels.”
Luis rubbed his nails on his shirt. “Please, like that’s ever going to happen.”
“So, where’s Hindley?” I asked, trying to steady my voice.
“She’s at the Ravens’ football camp on the other side of town.”
“That’s right. I forgot.”
“Don’t worry. She should be here soon.”
Not soon enough, I wanted to say. I pushed up from the chair and paced the large room.
“What’s going on with you, man?”
I stopped and stared down at him. “What do you mean?”
“You look like a rooster strutting around the hen house.”
“What?” I laughed. “Is that some Mexican metaphor bullshit?”
“First of all, I’m from Brazil, not Mexico so that’s enough of a reason right there to beat the shit out of you.”
I chuckled, knowing that he very well could.
“And second, no. My boyfriend’s mother, who’s whiter than a KKK rally, introduced me to the saying many years ago when I couldn’t make up my mind if I was good enough for him or not.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “Good enough for who?”
“It’s whom.” He smiled. “Good enough for Teddy, my partner.”
I remembered Hindley telling me about Luis and his not-so-stellar past. He’d been a player like me, only with dudes. I tried not to dwell on that image. I mean, I wasn’t a homophobe or anything, but still, his story sounded eerily similar to Hindley’s and mine.
After years of partying and drugging, Luis had found someone worth changing for. Even though he’d treated his boyfriend like shit in the beginning, apparently Teddy kept coming back and eventually helped Luis deal with his past. That’s what Hindley did for me.
I was a nervous wreck because I hadn’t seen her. She was my rock, my anchor, and I felt like I was floating out into the open seas without her.
“You deserve her, Rory.”
“Who?”
“You know who, dumbass.”
I turned in time to catch him rolling his eyes at me.
“She’s come alive since she met you,” he said, “like I did when I met Teddy. I admit I discouraged her at first.”
I glared at him. “Why?”
“Don’t get pissy, man. It’s not for the reason you think. You’re totally worthy of a woman like Hindley. I don’t want to see her get hurt, professionally or emotionally.”
Luis was right. I had the potential to harm her in both capacities, and the thought sent shivers down my spine.
“Relax, Rory, everything will be fine. She’ll be here.”
As if on cue, a light knock came from the door.
I nearly tripped over my own feet to answer as quickly as possible. I flung open the door and saw Hindley standing before me, her hair a gorgeous mess from the humidity outside, her cheeks stained red from the sun. Our eyes locked and my breath caught in my throat. She was captivating. And mine.
“Well, I’ll be shoving off.” Luis pushed by me.
I barely noticed. My eyes were glued to the goddess in front of me.
“See ya in a few, doll face.” He bent over and kissed Hindley’s cheek.
“Okay,” she said, her eyes never leaving mine.
“You two have it bad.” I heard Luis mumble just before I pulled Hindley into the room.
My mouth was on hers like a starving man. I had to taste every inch of her.
“Rory,” she moaned. “I’m a sweaty mess.”
I carried her into the bedroom and tossed her on the bed, tearing off her shoes and skirt within seconds.
“Rory.” She laughed, trying to cover herself.
I smiled when I saw Hello Kitty staring up at me. “For me?” I asked.
“Always for you,” she whispered.
I crawled on top of her and captured her mouth, claiming every part of her as mine. This was what I needed. She was what I needed, a soothing balm for the anger that raged inside of me, a sedative to calm the horrible memories flooding my mind.
“Come back to me,” she whispered against my lips.
I smiled at the words coming back to haunt me. “Sorry.” I pulled back and stared into her dark brown eyes. They reminded me of the hot fudge syrup I’d drizzled all over her body only a few days before. How had my mindset changed in such a short amount of time?
She pushed me over so we were both lying on our sides. “What’s going on, baby?” she asked.
Her concern baffled me. I still didn’t feel worthy. I wanted to shield her from anything bad in this world, especially if it came from me.
“Hey.” She tapped my temple. “Right here, with me.” She wasn’t allowing me to leave her, mentally. “Is it your mom?”
I rolled onto my back, letting out a deep sigh as I cradled the back of my neck with both hands.
She rolled over so that her body was molded to my side as she gently stroked my hair with her hand. She didn’t ask more questions, instead she littered my face and neck with soft kisses.
Yes, this was what I needed. Hindley Hagen. And I would be damned if I screwed it up.
I rolled her onto her back as my hand grabbed the bottom of her shirt and slowly dragged it off. Smooth creamy skin lay underneath.
She moaned as my mouth moved over her body, licking, sucking, caressing her. I tucked one finger into her bra and slid it down, exposing her breast for my banquet. My mouth sucked in one nipple and she bucked against me.
“Rory,” she cried.
I raised up, afraid I might have moved too fast. “What is it, baby?”
“I want you,” she moaned.
I smiled. “I want you too.”
Her hands made quick work of my shorts, dragging them down my legs with ease. Her small hand slipped inside my underwear, squeezing and stroking.
“Jesus, Hindley, you’re going to end this before we even start.”
She giggled and lifted up, kissing my neck. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Get naked,” she said, sitting up and removing her bra.
Who was I to argue? I stripped off the rest of my clothes and made my way back to the bed but stopped just before I reached her.
“What?” she asked.
“We need a condom.”
“I have an IUD.”
“A what? Is that contagious?”
She swatted at my chest. “Not an STD, silly.”
Well, thank God.
“It’s a contraceptive they put inside of me. I don’t need condoms anymore.”
“Are you sure?” Contraception was not something either one of us took lightly. Although I wanted to spend my life with Hindley, the thought of kids had never entered my mind. I was too fucked up to ever be anyone’s father, and although we’d never talked about it, I hoped she would understand that one day.
“Yes, I’m sure. It’s safer than the pill and just as effective.” A slow smile spread across her face as she slid her panties off and tossed them at me. “Care to join me, Mr. Gregor?” She patted the space beside her on the bed.
Fuck yeah, I did.
Without another thought I blanketed her body, spreading her thighs and sliding inside. She was more than ready for me. The feeling of being skin on skin was unreal, like nothing I’d ever experienced in my life.
I’d been using condoms since the first time I’d had sex, never once going unprotected. I didn’t trust a woman with contraception, especially once I’d started making money. Having a kid was a sure-fire way for them to make off with my cash.
But now here I was, driving into this beautiful woman who trusted me, believed in me, and sacrificed everything for me. Nothing had ever felt more right in my life.
I wanted the moment to last forever and tried to stave off my release but the sensations were too much.
“Hindley,” I moaned.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here for you. Just let go.”
Her raspy voice was my undoing, and with no trace of thought or reason, I spilled insi
de of her, letting every emotion I had pour into this woman I adored.
She held me tight, taking in everything—all my self-doubt, my worry, my guilt. She was my safe place, the person who accepted my past and loved me in spite of it. Her arms and legs were wound around me, reassuring me that she was my anchor.
My heart hammered, nearly beating out of my chest, my body pulsating with desire. My need for her overwhelmed me.
I wanted her.
I cherished her.
I loved her.
Clutching her body to mine, I vowed to never to let her go no matter the cost. I couldn’t exist without Hindley Hagen. I didn’t exist without her.
Chapter 26
-RORY-
“How’d your meeting with the quarterback go?” I asked Hindley as we waited in the lobby for Luis.
She rolled her eyes, knowing I couldn’t give a shit less. I hated anything or anybody that took her away from me. And right now, Humberto Sullivan was at the top of my list.
I’d done my own research on him. I needed to know who Hindley was dealing with and I refused to let her walk into situations unarmed anymore.
By all accounts, Humberto seemed like a decent guy. His mom was from Guadalajara and had married a man from the Bronx. He’d been a star athlete since high school. He’d never gotten in trouble that I’d found, and had earned a full-ride scholarship to Notre Dame, graduating with honors. He was talented and smart as shit.
The guy was a poster child for the All-American dickhead. Not only that, but he had a clean reputation, was a stand-up guy in the community, doing volunteer work out the ass. According to all the Internet websites, he was one of the most sought-after bachelors in all of sports. And as if that weren’t bad enough, the dickhead was insanely good looking too.
At the ripe age of twenty-three, it seemed Humberto Sullivan was ready and poised to make it big. The only reason the Ravens didn’t have him at number one was due to a small thumb injury from the previous season.