I shut off the engine and slammed my head back into my leather seat, heaving breath in and out through my nose like a bull ready to make its’ charge. My eyes caught the revision mirror and the shiner on my cheek was starting to turn a cool shade of blue too. Whilst the odd bruise or two could be assumed on football from the students at school, the guys all knew the truth. What I wouldn’t give just to pummel his ass just once – show him how hard I could hurt him. But again, my mothers drug-affected eyes haunted me and I know what punishment that would bring on her if I went through with it. I couldn’t give a fuck what he dishes out to me, but to her…?
I can’t believe I have to call that piece of shit my father.
I slam the door, taking another heavy breath ready for the façade to take over. I deliberately turn up right before closing time, so I could at least make an appearance and then get the hell out of here before I ended up smashing everything in my path. It was what was expected. I was always having to do things because others expected it. My father, my friends, fucking Amber it would seem… I’m just ready to say fuck it all, but I need to make sure my mom will be okay first. So, I need to start sorting out what I can do about it. If my father was breaking our deal – then I needed to be smart and start making some of my own plans. I needed to start planning my future. A future that didn’t involve being Reed Seniors puppet. I wanted freedom.
That thought seemed to calm me down a little, until I walked in and saw Hendrix standing in an apron with Lucy and her crew. Since when did she start working here? Did she really need money that bad to clean up after these assholes? I tore my eyes off her almost as soon as I saw her, doing my best to play indifferent. This girl was already getting under my skin and I had way too much to deal with right now than to add whatever attraction I had to her - on the top of the pile as well. I had a game tomorrow night, as well as Friday to get ready for, and I had to plan how to get my mother looked after so I could finally stand up to my father. All of that, was far more important than some girl who seemed to intrigue me.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Banks shouts as I plonk my ass on a stool beside him.
“I had a meeting with my father. You know how great they usually go.” I side-eyed Austin, who I’d filled in on the way. He was the only one in our group who I totally confided in. He was like a brother to me, and he was the only one I trusted completely. The rest, they knew not to reply with some kind of joke or remark about that, because honestly, most times I met with my father I only needed someone to speak to me before I wanted to punch their lights out. And they also knew how much he liked to punch things too. Probably the one thing besides my looks - I definitely got from him. Which is why the new shiner on my face was not questioned either.
“Well, you missed a good time bro. Did you see which new girl is suddenly playing waitress? Oh, what I would give to see her in that apron and that apron alone.”
I clenched my fists on my knee, feeling the rage crackling inside me. I’m not here two seconds and already Banks has to mention her.
“Like she may be small, but I reckon she could give it to me like a pop tart,” Banks spurs, all but drooling in her direction. She wasn’t his usual type, but she was innocent looking in her large glasses and that damn braid that rested down her side. She walked that fine line of girl-next-door to vixen, that someone like Banks would just love to fucking corrupt.
“You done?” I grind, realising that I slammed my fist on the table as well.
Banks raises his hands, palm-up innocently. “What’s wrong Pax? I thought you didn’t mind if I had a go at her? I was thinking of hanging around after and offering her a ride….” He wiggles his brows showing me exactly what kind of ride he’s thinking, when all I’m thinking is, over my fucking dead body. And whilst I don’t voice that out loud, the grind of my jaw says it loud enough anyway.
“You wish Banks. Saint Tucker has hands in that pie already.” River nudges his head toward the front booth and I see Lucy, Gabe and Mercedes have all but left, leaving fuck-tard Tucker alone, giving puppy eyes to Hendrix who is now behind the counter.
“He’s such a pain in my ass,” I mutter, knowing there’s someone more I’d hate to see anywhere near Hendrix than Banks.
And that says a lot.
Noone knows the things I do about that snake. He’s so desperate to get into the riches good graces that he would sell his very own soul to the devil himself. And the fact that he is so hell bent on getting Hendrix’s attention is telling me that there is more to that story than what it appears on the surface too. And despite the amount of shit I have to deal with right now – I feel it in my bones that I have to do something about this too. I don’t even have a say in the matter. I just do. Knowing what I know, I’m going to do what I can to get Tucker as far away from Hendrix as I can. That guy is a fucking disease. A problem, whose messes get left to others to fucking fix. I don’t know where this feeling of protection comes from, but before I even hear Banks’ hyena laugh behind me; I’m standing above Tucker’s booth staring down at him.
“What do you want?” he snarls.
“You and I need to have a little chat.”
Chapter Fifteen
Hendrix
I finished tidying up out the back, ready for the cleaner to come in tonight to do the dishes, when the owner approaches me patting my shoulder.
“Good work tonight. If you’re still keen for the place, I’ll see you back here tomorrow at 5pm, and if you survive another night the job is yours.”
“Ofcourse I am. Thank you sir. I’ll be here.”
“You can call me George. This whole sir business makes me feel like a damn soldier,” he adds with a genuine smile. “And here, take this home and put some meat on those bones.” He hands me a frozen steak that is wrapped in cellophane, which was such a fatherly thing to do, that I could almost feel a tear start to form at his generosity.
“Thank you.”
So, I had finally won over the steely guy from earlier! It was definitely worth the punt of coming down here. I had never had such warm people in my life that genuinely cared. This night had totally turned out better than I’d hoped. The surprises continued as I hung up my apron and clocked off, not before being engulfed in a huge hug by young Bella. I was a little taken back but she looked so thrilled I’d be back tomorrow, that it would be nice to have another friendly face to hang out with away from the Academy.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I smiled, watching the excitement sprawled across her face.
The surprises unfortunately didn’t end there though, because when I stepped out of the kitchen door toward the counter, my eyes fell to where I’d left Tucker, only to see another broad body sitting in his place. I narrowed my eyes and stomped toward him, not knowing where this self-righteousness seemed to come from whenever he was near.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped, narrowing my eyes, but the purple bruise that was marking his beautiful face caused the sorrow to wash over me in an instant. “What happened?” I added much softer, my palm automatically cupping his cheek like he was made of glass.
He flinches like I hurt him, but the barely-there touch of my hand wouldn’t have caused harm. “It’s nothing,” he bites back, shuffling to his feet causing my hand to fall by my side.
I narrow my eyes again, and cross my arms over my chest, ignoring the burn of his touch that was left lingering on my skin. “So, what are you doing here then?”
His intense eyes slowly roam me from head to toe before he says, “I’m waiting for you.”
“Where’s Tucker?”
On that question, his eyes narrow angrily. “On his way home if he’s smart, like I told him to.”
“Why?” I snap; but moments pass and he still doesn’t answer. I sigh, tired all of a sudden. “Great. He was my ride.” I took a step back towards the kitchen, thinking I’d be begging my new boss for a call to the cab company, when I felt a warm hand gently grab my elbow stopping me.
And my
god…
I felt his hand all the way through my body. His grip was firm, but comforting and protective at the same time. I had the strangest reaction to this guy which confused the hell out of me. And like my hand, everywhere he seemed to touch me - left a fire in its’ wake.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
I tried to swallow, but the thought of being in a car with him after the way he’s been with me so far, caused me anxiety. I didn’t think I could deal with it. I shrugged my arm out of his grasp so I could turn to face him, and gather my thoughts without his touch clouding it.
“I don’t really get into cars with strange guys I don’t know.”
“Come on new girl, you know me,” he smirks cockily.
My brows lift at that comment. He always seemed to call me new girl when he was playing this game. Well he was in for a shock, because I had no interest of playing it with him.
“Other than the fact that you go to the Academy and are apparently a big deal, no, I don’t know you.”
“Ah now, come on that’s not fair. I’m sure you know me just as well as your new so-called friends.”
“At least they are nice to me, and are trying to be my friend. You, not so much.”
“Didn’t I get your glasses back for you?” He added sweetly, pushing them gently up my face. On the mention of my glasses, how he got them back caused the frown and shudder to appear from what he probably did to get them. It took this half-flirtatious conversation down a way different path that was far more sobering.
“Yeah well, what you do behind closed doors with your girlfriend is your business not mine.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he bites.
“It’s really none of my business. Look, I don’t have a cell phone, so if you can just call me a cab, that would be more than enough to help me out. Since you ran my other ride away….” I add much softer.
“You don’t have a cell phone?” he asks surprised, and I think, a little annoyed. But I ignore his question and slip my backpack on my shoulders and head to the doors without knowing if he was following me. The way I saw it, he had waited already, so I doubted he’d leave me alone outside late at night. A thought I was hoping for when he met me outside in the cool breeze moments later.
“You’re stubborn aren’t you,” he states a little resigned, like our mere conversation was exhausting him too.
I grinned. “I’d like to think I’m smart.”
He seemed to think that over for a bit, before he said, “How about this…? I’ll call Lucy and tell her we are leaving the diner, so she knows who you’re with and when you would be expected at her place. Then there is no risk in letting the big-bad, non-friend drive you there. Deal?”
For some reason, I didn’t want to give in to him. “What makes you think I was going to Lucys?”
He shrugs. “Lucky guess.”
“Can’t you just call me a cab?” I pleaded again.
“I don’t think I know the number.”
He could do this all night, and despite me wanting to push, I was so ready to go to bed. Which is the only reason I gave in.
“Fine.”
Well, that’s the reason I tell myself anyway as I follow his smug-ass to his midnight-blue mustang. I tried hard not to notice how commanding he was behind the wheel, with his dark tee hugging his muscular chest, so snug it was like a second skin. It was like every muscle across his shoulders and arms bulged with such precision that he looked like a total beast in control of this thing as it whipped through the dim streets. Moments later, he presses some buttons on the customised wheel and the speakers came to life. A side glance at the screen showed Lucy’s name flashing. I didn’t delve too much into how he had her number. I probably didn’t want to know to be honest. Given these people grew up together he’s probably been through most of the girls around here, and I wasn’t ready to hear if that included one of my new best friends too.
“You seem to know Lucys’ number just fine…” I muttered, too consumed by my thoughts. But just as Lucy picked up, all the arrogant-god did beside me - was grin cockily.
“Luce, it’s Pax.”
“Ugh, what do you want now?” she sighed dramatically.
I smiled. I actually loved hearing how Lucy too, was so unaffected by him. It made me feel proud of her, that she didn’t let him think he was the ruler of every person on the planet like I’m sure he thought he was.
“I’m just letting you know, that I have a very important package to deliver to you in about twenty minutes. And this package wanted you to know where she is so I don’t murder and then bury her somewhere between the diner and your dorm.”
“You have Hendrix in the car, don’t you?” she asked, but it wasn’t a question that was full of worry like I imagined it would be. It was the total opposite. It was like she was hopeful. Giddy even, if the slight laugh in her voice was anything to go by. A reaction that totally confused me.
“The one and only.”
“What happened to Tucker?” she asked with an actual laugh.
At the mention of Tucker, any lightness Paxton had, melted instantly. “Gone home, like I fucking told him to.”
“Hmm really… Funny that huh….?” she giggled, like she was having the best time ever.
“Just stop pushing him onto Hendrix. He’s a total fuckwit that should have nothing to do with her.”
“Umm, hello? I’m sitting right here!” I whined, waving my hands in front of his face, but they ignored me as Lucy continued. “That’s always been your opinion of him Pax. But whatever you say….” She shuffles around before adding, “I won’t wait up.”
“Oh no, please wait up. You need to make sure I get home!” I butted in dramatically. “In twenty minutes no longer or you trace his phone Lucy!”
The call ended as he laughed out loud. And it was a full-bellied, natural laugh that curled everything from my head to my toes. I’d never seen or heard him so relaxed, which made me way more nervous around him than when he was broody. Broody, I could at least deal with.
I turn my attention out the window noting the tension that seemed to start seeping in. I didn’t know what to say to him, or how to take this gesture. But everything about tonight was just cursing through my mind. Was he just trying to be nice? Or was he a part of some bet to nail the scholarship girl? Or maybe he could finally tell his girlfriend what a complete fool he made of me and maybe finish what she started in the cafeteria….
I had no idea what his motives were, or what this was about, which only made me more curious than concerned. I’d been dealt and handled much worse so I knew I could handle just about anything.
“So, what’s your deal anyway?” I found myself asking before I even realised the words had escaped.
“My deal?”
“Yeah,” I add, my thoughts getting the better of me as I turn to look at him. “Is it because I’m not fazed by your hero status around the academy that it’s become a game to you? A game you have to prove you can win or something?”
“You think you’re a game to me? That’s what you think?”
“Well what else is this? I get ostracized by your girlfriend in front of everyone and teased by your friends. And from what I hear, the Arthur Elite aren’t about making new friends with freshman, or scholarship kids at all so….”
He scoffs, interrupting with, “Banks means no harm. He actually likes you if that makes it any better. And true, we don’t make friends outside our group. At all. Especially not the ones on handouts.” He grinds his teeth at that comment, which instantly gets me angry.
“What, are we too beneath you? Do you classify good people by their bank balance or something?”
He barely looked offended by my tone, if anything, he looked impressed. Again, he never seemed to react how I expected him to.
“Maybe I don’t like them for a different reason to what you think. And I don’t think money makes people good. I’ve had enough experience to know it’s quite the fucking opposite.”
&nb
sp; I tilt my head, the harsh bruise on his face catching the light. “Then why keep your group exclusive to no outsiders? You say it like your offended by the status, but you’re the one who keeps yourself there at the top on your own.”
He glances at me from the side of his face, and as our eyes meet, that same strike hits me hard in the chest again.
“Maybe it’s not for the reasons you think.”
“That’s a lot of maybes…” I whisper, my mind racing with this side to him I’m witnessing and trying to understand what it means.
“Yeah well, when you live a life like mine, maybe is sometimes all there is. Nothing that matters - is certain. Even when you think something will be – it never fucking is.”
I don’t know how to respond to that. I feel like he’s opened up something inside himself that he maybe didn’t mean to. He doesn’t come across like a guy who goes around sprouting his life history or how he feels to just anyone. So, I say nothing instead and welcome the short silence.
“What about you?” he says after some time. “What’s your deal?” He adds, throwing my question back at me.
I shrug. “I’m sure it’s the same story from all of us on ’hand-outs.’ Poor family, shitty home-life, and running away to try and build ourselves a better life.”
“You running away from something. Or someone?” He asks slowly, too slowly, that I almost kick myself for adding that part. Something that Paxton Reed obviously was - was perceptive. Too perceptive for someone like me. So, I shake my head, and fake a smile.
“I just mean, I want more for myself, and it wasn’t something they were in a position to give me.”
Again, I wish I hadn’t added that last part either. But he didn’t comment. His fists tightened on the wheel though, and I wondered if maybe I’d said something wrong. But I didn’t care. It was the truth. And I could be a lot of things to someone like him, but I wasn’t a liar.
Broken Wing (Arthur Academy Book 1) Page 10