Flawed (Caught By The Bad Boys Book 2)

by Raathi Chota

  “Hi, Carter.”

  “You okay?” He leaned forward as I squirmed.

  “Yes!” I turned away, but it was too late, because being the annoying player that he was, he saw it.

  “No freaking way, and here I was going to tell you what night I had!” Carter exclaimed as he tugged on my scarf. I smacked his hand away as I turned to him.

  “Not helping!”

  “Aww, Lana wants to cover it up so she won’t get into twouble,” Carter cooed as he pinched my cheeks.

  “Are you gonna help me or just make fun of me?” I asked as I slapped his hands away.

  “Ugh, please, Lana, you’re talking to Carter Halls, professional hickey star and sex god.” I rolled my eyes. “You wanna see mine?” He raised his shirt.

  “No thanks.”

  “This is how you do it,” he said as he began to fix my scarf. He lifted it up and took a quick glance at it. “Damn, that’ll take a few days to go away.” He whistled.

  “Just fix it, please,” I begged. Carter continued to adjust my scarf as I glanced over his shoulder. My eyes widened as I spotted Blake walking down the hall. “Shit!” I muttered as I pulled away from Carter and looked at my locker.

  “Wha—oh, ’sup, bro?” Carter greeted.

  “What are you two doing?”

  “Oh, nothing! Just enjoying this lovely day!” Carter laughed nervously as I shook my head in disappointment. My thoughts went back to the day of the drugs, and he tried to play cool, yet he was the worst liar ever.

  “It’s raining outside,” Blake stated.

  “I don’t care. It’s still a lovely day,” Carter said uneasily. Blake raised a brow at his friend’s weird behavior.

  “Are you trying to hide the fact that you didn’t get laid last night?”

  I scrunched my nose up at the thought of why Blake assumed that, of all things.

  “No! I did get laid, in fact by twins. Goddamn, bro, you mus—”

  “Okay, eww! I don’t want you guys standing by my locker and talking about that stuff.”

  “Yeah, you got plenty of that last night,” Carter mumbled as Blake walked to the other side of my locker. I sent Carter a glare as Blake leaned on the locker next to me.

  “You coming to detention?” he asked.

  “Like I have a choice.”

  “How’d you get it signed?” he asked, and I tried so hard not to grin.

  “Levi forged my dad’s signature,” I said, then turned to Blake. “I heard he came to your house?”

  “Yeah, turns out we have a lot in common, and he’s not such a bad guy, right, Carter?” Blake asked. Carter nodded.

  “He said something happened between you two?” Carter asked.

  “Yeah, one day he was here, and then the next…he was gone,” I mumbled, then pressed the books against my chest. Carter’s eyes flicked to Blake then me as the silence stretched between us. The bell rang as I shut my locker. Blake walked off while I went with Carter to Miss Rosa’s English class.

  ***

  I stared at the detention slip in my hands as I walked to the classroom. I thought Thanksgiving would be the last. It was all Blake’s fault; I did nothing. Well, I did do nothing as in not participating. I let out a sigh as I pushed open the door. There were a few people already there. It was the same girl and boy from the last time who asked if I was in the right place, then a few other people along with Blake. I glanced at the teacher’s desk and resisted the need to roll my eyes. I’d prefer Mr. George who slept, or even Coach Harris, but Mr. Bronx?

  “Lana, you need an invitation to sit down or what?” he asked as I handed him the slip. I gave him a blank look as he read the sheet then let out a chuckle. I spun around and sat behind Blake. He stood up, then sat on his desk, putting his feet on the chair to face me. “Hey, redhead?” Mr. Bronx piped up as he looked at us. Everyone turned to look at the girl and boy who were in the back of the classroom. She bobbed her head to absolutely nothing. The guy widened his eyes as he stared at Mr. Bronx. Blake and I turned back to the teacher, only to see his arm stretched out. We watched as the guy rose from his seat and strolled to the front. On the way, he stumbled and almost fell as people snickered. I watched as he pulled out a bag from his jacket and gave it to Mr. Bronx, who had his legs on the table. My eyes widened as I glanced at the bag of weed. “Don’t know why West hasn’t expelled you two yet,” Mr. Bronx said as he shook his head.

  “Word would get out that his students are smoking weed and shit,” the guy stated, then slowly walked back.

  “You should consider going to church once in a while,” Mr. Bronx said as he observed the bag. “And while you’re at it, dunk your head in the holy water.”

  I watched as Mr. Bronx stuffed the bag in his jacket, probably to get rid of it later. He then went back to his phone as I looked up at Blake. He already stared at me with a blank look. I raised a brow in which he squinted his eyes. I awkwardly fiddled with my scarf because I was worried he might see.

  “Err…so you and Levi are getting along quite well, I see?” I asked.

  “Yeah, he’s all right.” Blake shrugged. “Cool car, though.”

  “Uh huh. He loves racing with it,” I said as Blake turned to me.

  “How do you know?”

  “He told me.”

  “Oh, okay…damn. I’d love to drive his car in a race.”

  “I thought you were the typical motorcycle guy?”

  “So you think I can’t race?”

  “I never said that!”

  “You were implying it.”

  “No, I wasn’t,” I replied. I felt someone’s gaze on us and wasn’t surprised when my eyes flicked toward Uncle Griff.

  “Okay, then I’ll prove it to you that I’m not just the ‘typical motorcycle guy’ and can actually race,” Blake said.

  “How?” I asked, suddenly interested that he wanted to prove something to me.

  “By racing,” he said with a smirk. “Against Levi.”

  I let out a snort as Mr. Bronx watched us in amusement. Blake didn’t seem to find it funny as I stared at him.

  “With what car?”

  “I’ll borrow one of Ethan’s.”

  “You’ll never win. Like Levi said yesterday, he always wins, and he’s been doing it for years.”

  “Well, he hasn’t gone up against me.”

  “Even if he did, he would win,” I stated with a smirk molded onto my face. It was the truth; Levi loved his car, and he was damn good.

  “Okay, tell you what…next time there’s a race, we’ll go against each other with a few other people. When I win, then you’ll know I’m not a typical motorcycle guy.”

  “And what if you lose?”

  “Me losing is like Carter not getting laid in the past forty-eight hours…impossible.”

  “Okay, but don’t come crying to me when you have to get out of that car and see everyone cheering Levi on.”

  “You want a bet, Willson?” Blake asked as the corner of his mouth rose. From the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Bronx wave his arms and mouth the word no. I turned back to Blake and nodded with a smile. “If I lose, which will be a tiny chance, then you can decide on the punishment.”

  “And if you win?”

  “Then you have to kiss me.”

  Chapter Five

  Lana

  I walked down the empty hallways as I thought over what I had agreed to with Blake. I knew Levi would win, so that I wouldn’t have to kiss him. I didn’t want to mainly because of the night when we were about to kiss, he pulled away. Now suddenly, he wanted to kiss me. I’d make sure Levi wins. I exited the school to see Blake on his motorcycle. Once he noticed me, he tossed the helmet toward me—I caught it.

  “Wanna take the scenic route home?” he asked as he got onto the bike.

  “Err…sure,” I answered as we put on our helmets. Blake started his motorcycle, and off we went. I didn’t even know that there was a scenic route to my house. Thankfully the weather cleared up as Blake went thr
ough a back road. The sky faded with a few clouds, yet it looked so aesthetic. Trees rushed past us as we drove on the smooth road. Blake looked over his shoulder as if he wanted to say something. He pointed forward so I leaned to the side. The view was fantastic with a straight, flat open road. There were very few cars as we drove on. I leaned in to Blake and said, “It’s incredible.”

  “You get a better look if you see above,” he yelled. I sat back with a puzzled look on my face as I tried to think of a way to see above. I sat for a few seconds until my face broke into a smile. The craziest idea ran through my head as I lifted myself up. “Be careful!” Blake called out as I stood on the foot peg. Once I was balanced, I glanced up to take in the view. With the beautiful skyline and never-ending road, it looked breathtaking. A bright smile crept up on my face as I sat back down and laughed. All good things had to come to an end as we soon arrived at my house. A smile was molded onto my face as we took the helmets off.

  “That was amazing!”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Well…I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I said, then spun around. I glanced up and saw Levi against the porch frame with a grin.

  “Harley Davidson. Nice one, dude,” he said and looked at Blake’s bike.

  “Thanks,” Blake replied. They started talking cars, so I walked into the house. Mom and Jade were in the living room watching a soap opera. I greeted them, and they silenced me as their focus was on the TV. I rolled my eyes as I walked upstairs and into my bedroom. I shut the door and turned, only to see that the bed wasn’t made up. I scoffed because Levi must’ve gotten back into bed after he dropped me off. I quickly made up the bed and arranged my room a bit. I sat down in my desk chair and began my homework. I turned on my Beats Pill and hit shuffle.

  ‘Primadonna’ by Marina and the Diamonds echoed through my room as I did my homework. I put the book in my lap as I propped my legs on the desk. I bobbed my head to the beat as I filled in the formulas. The sooner I got it done, the better.

  “What crap is this?” a stinging voice asked. I glanced up to see Levi enter my room. I squinted my eyes as he collapsed on my bed. I also noticed Blake leaning against my doorframe.

  “It’s not crap! Marina and the Diamonds is fantastic.”

  “You do realize that’s due next year?” Blake asked as he entered the room.

  “Yeah, but I don’t want to do it during winter break.” I shrugged as he stepped closer. Levi took my phone, and I rolled my eyes and turned to Blake. He strangely inched closer and towered over me as he rested his hands on my desk. We locked eyes as I saw his left arm. I heard a drawer open then close as Blake raised his hand. I stared at him and then at the pack of cigarettes in his hands. Our faces were inches away as he stared at me with a blank look.

  “What is this?”

  “From the shape of the box and the smell, I guess it’s cigarettes,” I sarcastically replied as Levi snorted.

  “These are mine,” he said as he twirled them in his hands.

  “You gave them to me,” I said as I shoved him away with my pen.

  “Nope. These are the ones I bought from the store months ago, then Parker started getting them for me,” Blake stated as he stood up straight.

  “Well, then I must’ve got it somewhere else,” I lied as I took off my glasses.

  “Sneaky,” Levi added. I watched as Blake opened the pack and saw that there were only three gone. I hadn’t used that pack yet, even though I had it the longest. I finished my others, then I’d probably use his.

  “Get ready.” Levi snapped me out of my thoughts.

  “Where are you going?” I asked as they stood in front of me. Levi still had my phone in his hand as he scrolled through it.

  “My house.” Blake smirked as I sighed.

  “I don’t think there’s a need for me to go,” I said, then turned back to my work. A second later, “Stacey’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne played. I looked up to see Levi bobbing his head.

  “Now this is incredible,” he said as the song played. I watched in amusement as he lip-synced the song. Levi used my phone as a mic as he swung his arm around Blake’s shoulder. Blake soon joined as they belted out the lyrics.

  “Stop,” I whined as they sang the chorus.

  “Will you come with us?” Levi asked as they rocked back and forth. I shook my head and crossed my arms, then Levi turned up the volume. My eyes widened as I reached for my phone, but he ran away as the music played. “Blake!” Levi called out, then tossed my phone. Thankfully, Blake caught it as he raised his arm so I couldn’t get it. They laughed as I jumped for my phone.

  “Lana, turn that music down!” Mom yelled as I groaned.

  “I will!” I replied. Blake threw it back at Levi as I spun around. I watched as Levi jumped onto my bed and sang. Very soon, Blake ran up and joined him.

  “I just made the bed up!” I yelled as I tried to push them off. “All right, I’ll go!” I yelled over the music as they jumped. They immediately stopped, and Levi turned off the music. They jumped off and walked toward the door.

  “I’ll be waiting in the car,” Levi said, then exited the room. I let out a sigh as I ran my hand through my curly hair. I picked up my phone and shoved it in my pocket, then put on my glasses. I walked down the stairs and into the living room to be met by my mother and Blake.

  “Where are you going?” she asked as Jade sat down beside her.

  “Blake’s house.”

  “Okay, don’t stay out too late.”

  “Axel will be there,” I blurted out. Blake had a puzzled look on his face as Jade stared at him. My mother smiled as she gave a curt nod.

  “Tell your brother I say hi,” Mom said.

  “Err…yeah, his birthday was a few days ago,” Blake said in an ominous tone.

  “Well, tell him we say happy belated birthday,” Mom said, then turned back to the TV. I squinted my eyes as I watched her. I followed Blake out the door as we walked to Levi’s car.

  “What was that about?” he asked as he got onto his motorcycle.

  “I have no idea…my parents know Axel.”

  “Hmm…must be because he got arrested or something.” Blake shrugged as he started his bike.

  “Yeah,” I mumbled as I walked toward the black Mustang.

  ***

  “Make yourselves at home,” Blake said as we stepped into his house. It looked the same as last time. It seemed cleaner. The vase that Blake and I fixed stood above the fireplace. Blake soon disappeared, which left Levi and me alone, yet I heard voices from the other side of the house. “All right, come on,” Blake said as he came into the room with a toolbox in his hands.

  “Why are we actually here?” I asked as Levi and Blake walked to the kitchen.

  “Touch up my car for the next race.” Levi winked as he accepted a bottle of beer from Blake. He offered me one, but I kindly declined as I sat on a stool by the island. I watched as the boys opened their bottles with their teeth. I laughed. The garage door was right next to the fridge. Blake opened it, and they walked out and left me in the kitchen as they touched up Levi’s car. I became suspicious as to why Blake wanted to help with his vehicle.

  “Fancy seeing you here, pumpkin.” I glanced up to see Axel Gunner. He sat opposite me with a guilty look. I raised a brow as he spun around and opened the fridge. Once he took out a bottle of beer, he faced me. “Look, about the other night, I was drunk and stupid.” He sighed as he twisted the top off. “My bad, pumpkin.”

  “You’re not good with apologies, are you?” I asked, and he chuckled.

  “You know me so well, pumpkin.”

  “Heard it was your birthday a few days ago,” I said. Axel’s eyes lit up as he took a sip of beer, then nodded eagerly. He stood up and walked to the back door.

  “Guess what I got for my birthday?” he asked. Before I even thought about it, he waved it off with an excited look. “Wait, don’t guess…his name is Scruffy.” He opened the door.

  “What kind of name is Scruffy?�
� I said and tilted my head. My eyes widened as a black greyhound entered the kitchen. My hands gripped the edges of the island as the dog jumped on Axel. The dog barked, which showed his sharp, scary teeth. I loved dogs and preferred them to cats, but this dog seemed to frighten me. The dog’s appearance was beyond scary as I bit the inside of my cheek.

  “Scruffy, meet Lana.” Axel shifted Scruffy’s head toward me. With one look, Scruffy released himself from Axel and darted toward me. My eyes widened as Scruffy ran toward me as he barked. He jumped on me, and we fell to the ground. I let out a scream as Scruffy hovered over me and barked uncontrollably. I thought he’d bite me as I shut my eyes. “Bad Scruffy!” Axel called as I opened my eyes. Levi was above me with Blake on my left and Axel on the right. They pulled Scruffy away from me as I frowned. Blake held his hand out, which I gladly accepted. He pulled me up as I glared at him.

  “You could’ve told me you got a dog,” I grumbled as Levi and Axel put Scruffy outside.

  “You never asked,” Blake stated as he brushed me off. I shook my head as Levi and Axel laughed. Axel didn’t have many tattoos like Blake and Levi. In fact, he only had a few on his hands. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

  “We met at a party once.” Axel shrugged as he sat back down. Levi and Blake walked back into the garage and left me alone with Axel, who tried to hurt me twice. The quietness was soon interrupted with an engine.

  “That’s my girl,” Levi cheered, and I pictured his smirk. I noticed someone entered the room—a female who looked to be my mother’s age. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a bun with a few strands stuck out. She wore black glasses and a formal black suit.

  “Hey, Momma,” Axel greeted as she set her bag on the island. It made sense as the standard features seemed to come from Blake and Axel. Yet I didn’t imagine her with glasses.

  “Hi, baby.” She smiled as Axel got up to kiss her on the forehead. She turned to me with a warm smile as she took in my appearance. I shifted awkwardly as I held my hand out.

  “Hi, I’m Lana Willson,” I said as she gently shook my hand.