by Bella Jewel
He huffs, almost like a semi-laugh, and shuts the door. He comes around and gets into the driver’s side, and we make our way to the Joker’s compound.
“How did Maxine react to you bringing your best friend tonight?”
He rolls his eyes. “Killer, you’re not my best friend. I’m not even a hundred percent sure I like you yet.”
“You like me.”
He glances at me. “Does anything get past that sass? Do you ever let that guard down and show fear, sadness, something?”
“If I recall correctly,” I point out, “it was your shirt I dribbled snot on after your girlfriend locked me in a shed.”
His lips twitch. “Good point. I had to throw that shirt out.”
I grin at him. “Don’t lie. It’s under your pillow.”
His lips twitch again. I’ve decided in this moment it will be my mission to make him smile.
A real, to-his-eyes, beautiful smile.
“I do get sad. I cry every single time I watch Spirit.”
“Spirit?”
My eyes widen. “You know, the kids’ movie. God, we can’t be friends any longer if you haven’t seen it.”
“Woman, I’m a grown man.”
I scoff. “You’re never too old for Spirit.”
He sighs.
“Okay, I’m deathly terrified of storms.”
He glances at me again to see if I’m serious. He sees I am. “How scared are we talking?”
“Scared,” I say. “Like, scared scared.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “When I was younger, I had troubles with my ears and couldn’t hear well until I had an operation when I was five. After that, my parents said everything became really loud for me, and the first thing I heard in full force was a storm. Thunder, lightning—all that scary shit.”
“And you didn’t get over that?”
“I did, but I still hide under a mass amount of blankets if a storm comes.”
“Noted.”
“Will you provide blankets for me?”
He grunts. “No way. Leaving them off might be the only time you actually shut up.”
I grin. “We’re getting along so well.”
His lips twitch again. “Got a question for you?” he asks.
I turn towards him, smiling. “Shoot.”
“Why’d you put that poem in my locker?”
I blink. “What? I didn’t.”
His brows go up. “Mercedes, you’re a shit liar.”
I huff. “Fine. I was trying to be your friend.”
“It wasn’t bad.”
I blink again. “It wasn’t.”
“Nah. You like poetry?”
I shrug. “I do, but I know absolutely nothing about it.”
“You want to?”
“Want to what?”
“Know more about it?”
My heart flutters. Any chance to hang with Diesel, I’ll take. “Yeah, I think I do.”
“Reading, tomorrow night. You in?”
“A poetry reading?”
He nods.
“Are you asking me on a date?”
He rolls his eyes.
I smile. “I’m in.”
“Pick you up at six.”
“For someone who doesn’t like me, you sure do want to spend a lot of time with me.”
He makes a throaty kind of annoyed sound. “Don’t make me regret asking you. I have a gag, if need be.”
“Why do you have a gag?”
His eyes flash to mine. “Do you truly want that answer?”
My heart clenches, but I keep my sass. “Ew, you gag twat-face?”
He makes that huffing sound again, like he’s forcing back a laugh. “Don’t call her that and yeah—only way to shut her up.”
“While you’re . . .”
His eyes flicker to mine again and holy shit, he looks hot when he’s thinking of sex.
“You’re an animal,” I squeak. “Maybe we can’t be friends.”
His mouth moves in a half-grin.
“I didn’t pick Maxine as the playful kind.”
“She ain’t. She lies like a dead fish no matter how you do her.”
I snort and then giggle. His grin gets a smidge bigger.
“Wait, so you are basically fucking a log with a hole?”
He wheezes. “Where the fuck do you come up with this shit?”
I giggle harder until it turns into full-blown laughter. “My God, Diesel. You live a colorful life.”
He shakes his head. “The scary thing is you seem to enjoy that.”
“That gagging?”
“No, the colorful life. Do you like the gagging?”
I think about it, then shrug. “I think I’d be up for that.”
“Jesus, woman, does anything bother you?”
“Yes, Diesel,” I point out. “If you were listening, I already told you.”
He sighs.
I smile.
This is working out just perfectly.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“So, if an electric train is going north, what way is the smoke blowing?”
I stare at Jack. He stares at me.
“You’re trying to trick me, Jack. It won’t work.”
He grins. I grin.
“Then answer the question.”
“Derr, dude. It’s an electric train. It doesn’t have smoke.”
He throws his head back and groans. “Dammit, I can’t beat her!”
Everyone bursts out laughing, and I hold my beer up. “Champion, right here. My brother tried all these on me when we were young.”
“I’ll get you!” he vows.
I put my beer between my thighs and put my hands up as if I’m saying “Bring it on.” Jack shakes his head and grins, standing. “More beers?”
We all nod.
“Tell us about your family, Mercedes,” Matilda says, scooting closer to me.
My heart flutters as I look at all the bikers and kids crowded around the campfire. I can’t tell them about my family, and the more I think of that the worse I feel about it. I shouldn’t have to hide who I am, or who they are from my parents, but deep down I know I can’t tell them. It wouldn’t end well.
“Not much to tell. A mom, a dad, and a brother.”
“What do they do?” Maddox asks, lighting a cigarette.
“Those will kill you,” I point out.
He grins and takes a deep draw. “Something’s gotta.”
God, my dad says the exact same thing. My heart aches and the guilt gets even more intense. They’re being so open and honest with me, showing everything they are and I can’t return the favor. The longer my lie carries on, the worse I feel and the harder it gets to tell the truth.
“My parents run their own car business,” I lie. “My brother works there.”
“You the only one to get out?” he asks.
I shrug. “Yeah. I wanted to go to college.”
“What plans you got for yourself?” Mack asks.
“I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning towards being a teacher.”
Diesel looks to me. “Didn’t know you wanted to be a teacher?”
“I always did, but I’m not entirely sold on it yet.”
His eyes soften, and I have to look away so I don’t blush.
Jack comes back and hands us all another beer, then goes back for round two.
“How you likin’ our cookout?” Mack goes on.
I smile at him. “It’s pretty darn cool.”
He grins.
I blush and look back to Diesel, who is watching me with that same expression he had a few minutes ago. He’s distracted when his phone rings, he pulls it out and glances down at it, scowling before putting it to his ear. “Said I was busy tonight.”
He listens.
“What?”
He stands and turns towards the front gates. We look in that direction and see a pair of headlights shining to the left. Someone is here.
“Why would you come here? You n
ever come here. I recall you telling me it isn’t your scene and you couldn’t ruin your perfect reputation by showing up.”
His face tightens. “You gotta be shitting me.”
He hangs up the phone and looks to me.
“Who is it?” I ask.
“Maxine.”
My back straightens.
“What the fuck is that bitch doin’ here?” Mack grunts. “We don’t even know her, she’s got some nerve showin’ up here.”
“She’s here because Mercedes is,” Diesel mutters and walks towards the gate.
I look to Mack. “Sorry, Mack. I’ll go and—”
“Firstly, don’t be sorry,” he says, his eyes holding mine. “Secondly, you’re not goin’ anywhere near her.”
I blink. “I’m not?”
“No. She locked you in a shed, and Diesel has told me the kind of bitch she is to you. Not riskin’ her doin’ anything else.”
“I can fight really well.”
He grins. “Don’t doubt it, sweetheart, but you’re not goin’.” He uses a dad voice. I don’t argue with it.
“Diesel will sort it out, honey.” Jaylah smiles. “Don’t stress.”
“I say let her go beat that bitch,” Ash mumbles.
Krypt nudges her, and she shrugs. “What? She deserves it.”
“I agree with her,” Molly pipes up. “I’ll help.”
“The fuck you will,” Maddox mutters.
She looks to her dad. “Aw, come on, Dad. It’ll be fun.”
“Won’t be fun. Keep your ass on the seat.”
She huffs but I grin at her, and she returns it. Yep, she’d have my back.
“Where is she?”
I spin around to see Maxine charging in, followed by four of her friends. Diesel barks something at her but she doesn’t stop. She seems to be oblivious to the bikers milling around everywhere. God, I have to give it to her; she has balls. I stand and Mack calls my name, but I’m not going to let her come in and cause a scene because of me.
“There you are!” she snarls, stopping in front of me. “What did I fucking say about my boyfriend and you?”
I cross my arms. “I don’t know. I wasn’t paying much attention.”
Her cheeks get red with anger. “He’s mine! Do you hear me?”
I shrug. “I hear you, I just don’t care.”
She steps forward; I hold my ground. People stand behind me but surprisingly, don’t interfere. I have no doubt they will if I need it, but for now they’re letting me stand my ground.
“I beg your pardon?” she hisses.
“Maxine,” Diesel barks, stepping in. “Leave.”
She ignores him.
“You heard me,” I snap, leaning in close, “I don’t care. Diesel does not belong to you; he belongs to no one. You’re just a spoiled, fake, bratty bitch who thinks she can do whatever you want to whomever you want. And yes, whomever is a word, in case you didn’t understand it.”
She flushes with rage again. “You know what I’m capable of,” she growls.
“Oh, yes, I do. You have yet to see what I’m capable of, so please, keep going so I can show you.”
“He’s mine. He doesn’t even fucking like you!”
“Funny.” I smile. “I’m the one here instead of you.”
She lunges at me, her body slamming into mine. I unfold my arms and wrap them around her to stop myself falling backwards towards the fire. Someone’s hand hits my back and launches me upright, and I take the chance to shove Maxine forward. She skitters backwards, and I throw the fuck down. I’m done with this bitch. I lunge at her and we both hit the dirt hard.
She tries to hit me.
She misses.
I crack her clean in the nose, and she screams in agony as a loud crunch fills the air.
“You and I are done, do you hear me?” I spit, pressing my hands to her shoulders and slamming her down into the dirt when she tries to shove me off.
“You stupid fucking bitch!” she screams.
“Take the warning, Maxine. It’s over.”
An arm curls around my waist and hauls me off. It’s Maddox. He’s strong. I feel like a floppy doll in his arms.
“Get up,” he bellows to Maxine. “And get the fuck out of my club before I make you.”
She looks up at him, and it seems as if it only just clicks to her where she is. Her eyes dart around, and her friends scurry forward to help her up. They only now step in for her, until this point they stood back like a bunch of doe eyed deers.
“And if you don’t heed her warning, then you will fuckin’ heed mine,” he continues. “Touch her again, I’ll find you.”
Her eyes get big, then flick to Diesel. She has blood trickling out of her nose, I’m sure I broke it, or came close.
“Diesel,” she squeaks.
He glares at her. “Get the fuck out. We’re done.”
“Diesel!”
“Now,” he roars, so loudly I flinch.
She bursts into tears and turns, running out with her friends close behind. When the car has started and driven off, Maddox lets me go. I turn around sheepishly and look up at him. “Sorry.”
He studies me, and then grins. “Fuck me, kid. You’re tiny, but you’re fuckin’ wild.”
Jaylah rushes towards me. “Holy crap, I think I love you.”
“That was epic!” Molly breathes.
“Fuck yeah!” Quinn and Phoenix say through their laughter.
Diesel is staring at me, saying nothing. Then he turns and walks off towards the massive cabin amongst the sheds. My shoulders slump.
“He’s mad at me,” I say softly.
“No,” Mack says. “He’s mad at himself. You hurt?”
I glance to where Diesel disappeared. “No. Can I go and see him?”
Mack studies me, then nods. “Yeah, go on.”
I rush off towards the house. When I get in, it’s quiet. Everyone is outside, so it shouldn’t be hard to find Diesel. He’s sitting on the back porch on an old rusty swing chair. I walk over and sit beside him, staring out at the trees behind the cabin.
“I’m sorry Diesel,” I begin. “I shouldn’t have—”
“No,” he cuts me off. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have gotten rid of that bitch back when she fuckin’ started doin’ this shit to you.”
“It’s not your fault.”
He looks to me. “She’s been harassing you and I’ve stayed with her, basically saying that’s okay, and it’s not. It’s not fuckin’ okay.”
I meet his eyes. “I’m fine.”
His jaw tics. “Yeah, well I’m not okay with it, and I’m done with her.”
“You should have been done with her a long time ago, not because of me, but because she’s a freaking psycho bitch who is too good for you.”
His face darkens. “You don’t deserve this,” he says in a low tone, his eyes finding mine as he moves closer. His eyes scan my face and body, checking if I’m okay.
“Yeah, well girls like her live to act the way she does. One day she’ll find someone bigger, scarier and meaner than her, and she’ll come to understand what it feels like to be the victim. I can tell you, she won’t like it.”
“No,” he says, pushing to his feet. “She won’t. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“If you don’t mind,” I say, standing, “I’d like to stay.”
He looks to me, studying my face, his reading a mix of shock and warmth. “Yeah,” he says, his voice soft. “Okay.”
I reach out and take his hand. He doesn’t pull away. “Okay.”
We go back to the cookout.
Hand in hand.
~*~*~*~
“He won’t like it!” Taj says, chasing me down the hall on Monday.
“He will so!” I protest. “Everyone likes muffins.”
“He’s like the king of the college. He won’t.”
“Will so.”
I pull the brown paper bag with a chocolate muffin inside closer to my chest, as if protect
ing its soft, delectable goodness will make him like it. I just finished a morning shift at work and have come in for two afternoon classes. I texted Diesel this morning; he had a full schedule and told me he missed lunch. Good friends feed each other in times of need.
Taj doesn’t agree.
Too bad.
“Pretty sure he’ll never speak to you again if you ruin his reputation.”
“He won’t get a choice; he has to speak to me. I’m like a fly that won’t go away.”
Taj snorts. “Did he tell you that?”
“Yes, yes he did.”
We both laugh as I move towards the table where Diesel and his friends usually sit. As I near, I notice Maxine isn’t there. That’s a first; she’s usually always by his side. It’s strange to see his group without her. Well, that’s what happens when you’re a bitch.
I stop at the foot of the table, behind Diesel. His friends stop speaking when they notice me and he turns, looking up to see me standing, bag in hand, grinning down at him. “Hey buddy.”
He doesn’t look pissed that I’ve approached him on the grounds. I mean, he’s never told me I can’t, but I always hang with Taj and only talk to him during classes. I guess part of me thought he might get pissy if I decided to just join his little group. Plus, Maxine was always part of it, and I didn’t want to cause problems there.
“Hey Killer,” he murmurs, his eyes dropping to my hands.
“I brought you a muffin.”
The entire table goes silent.
“Pardon?” he says.
I wiggle the bag. “A muffin. You said you didn’t eat. Good friends feed each other. I’m being a good friend.”
He blinks.
“It’s not a big deal,” I go on. “It’s nothing fancy. Just chocolate, which I’m sure you like, because everyone likes chocolate.”
His eyes widen a little.
“I didn’t make it, but I’d totally make it if you wanted me to,” I quickly say. “I promise it’d be worth it. Like, mouth-gasm worth it. We can share, if you like, or you can throw it at me and tell me to piss off. Either way is fine.”
He’s still staring at me.
Oh God, he’s pissed.
“Okay, you’re starting to freak me out. If you’re going to get mad and throw the muffin at me, please get it over with . . .”
His friends start snickering, and I’m sure Taj is right; I’m about to get blasted.
But then the strangest thing happens. It’s so unexpected that when it does, the entire table falls silent, mouths agape. That’s because Diesel throws his head back and bursts out laughing. It’s the most incredible, throaty, masculine sound I’ve ever heard, and my entire body breaks out in goosebumps as I take it in. Light practically pours out of him when he laughs, a beauty he keeps so well hidden.