“Oh, shit. How many people are involved in this stuff?”
My jaw clenched. “This wasn’t my idea.”
“What are we doing with this one?”
I took a left, going toward the harbor. Factories, metal shops, and wastelands were the only thing out here.
A flicker of lights popped up behind us, letting me know the follow-car was ready.
“Salvage yard.” I grinned. “I should pay someone to smash it.”
Even saying it, I couldn’t bite back a grin. I could finally fuck Rhett back. I knew he’d get me back, but fuck, that would be worth it. It was time to fuck with his life as much as he’d done mine.
I met Raquel in the middle, our minds sharing the same thought, and pressed a deep kiss on those luscious lips.
Fuck. Not with her in the car.
Drop it off.
The follow-car would take us home.
I broke it off way too soon, but I had no doubt, when we got home, we’d make up for the last week. My phone buzzed from my pocket.
I pulled it out.
Rhett.
No follow-car? Rookie mistake.
My eyes shot to the rearview. The car was gone.
I showed the screen to Raquel.
“What’s a follow-car?” That panicked question came from her.
“When we pick up, we always have two things on us. A fake ID and a follow-car. If you get pulled over, pass the ID to the cop while the guy behind you does some shit to distract the cop so you can drive away.”
“Smart.”
“That’s exactly why we do it. Until tonight.” I paled. Rhett actually fucking set me up. “I bet he didn’t even change the plates.”
Raquel’s eyes went wide. She probably wasn’t following, but she knew this was bad. “We’re almost there, right?”
I nodded. “Two minutes out.”
“It’s gonna be fine.” She slid her hand on my leg. I don’t know who she was trying to comfort. Me or her.
But the energy only grew in the car. Her promises did shit, because as soon as I saw those blue and red flashing lights come over the hill, we were fucked.
Rhett snitched.
“Roman.” She squeaked out.
I’d get out of it, a slap on the wrist while my parents flew home and donated to the police station to let me walk. My parents would stay home and ride my ass until I left for college.
They’d stick it to Raquel.
Fucking Rhett.
He knew what he was doing this time.
I didn’t slow down. I could tell her to run, but they could shoot.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Goddammit!
They were on my ass now. I could keep going, but it would only cause more problems. They’d call for backup.
Every decision we make has consequences. And sometimes, after a horrible choice, we have to make the best of it. Whatever happens next, at least Raquel won’t be gunned down for running. We won’t be charged for evading arrest after a chase.
I made a dumbass choice tonight, and now the person I love most in the world will pay for that.
I hit the brakes, veering off on the side of the road. The salvage yard was just fifty feet ahead of us.
“I’m so sorry, Raquel. I fucked up. You should’ve been nowhere near this.”
Tears formed in her eyes. “I talked you into it.”
“I should’ve fought harder.” I reached for her hands. “My dad will get me out of it, but I don’t know what he’ll do about you. I don’t give a shit about me. Just go with them, don’t fight. Don’t give them a reason to add an extra charge, okay?”
She nodded, and those tears hit her cheeks.
When the flashlight hit the window, I rolled it down.
A middle-aged cop towered over the car. His eyebrow arched. “License and registration.”
I reached for my wallet and handed him my real ID. There’s no point now.
He smirked, jerking his head in a nod. “You’re making this way too easy, Mr. Pierce.”
“It is what it is,” I mumbled back.
He nodded his head at someone behind him. Raquel’s door flew open, and another officer tugged her by the elbow. I was seeing red.
I had to get my temper in check. If I lost my shit, it would only be worse for Raquel.
“Just go. It’s going to be fine,” I tried to use a calm voice, but it broke at the end. “I’ll make sure it is.”
Her arresting officer started going over her Miranda Rights. I never took my eyes off her in the rearview mirror. This needed to be burned in my brain for all of eternity.
This is what happens when you’re reckless and impulsive. You don’t suffer, the ones who love you do.
My fist gripped the steering wheel when they put her in the backseat. The officer drove off, leaving me and this dick head.
“Your dads on the way, get out,” he barked at me. “Must be nice to steal a fucking car and get away with it.”
I threw the door open just as the cruiser she was in passed me. She looked so small in the backseat. Her hands behind her back, her face pointed down not even bothering to look at me.
“I don’t give a shit about me.”
He grabbed my elbow, hurled me up and walked me over to the cruiser. I didn’t say a thing. I didn’t fight.
If I did, it would only be harder on her.
I’m doing this for her because I just fucked her entire life up. And the shittiest part? I’ll walk.
And Raquel will be a felon.
Because of me.
I was released the next morning.
I stared at a dirty, off-white wall all night long. No sleep.
Grandma was there to pick me up. I didn’t call her.
She looked too perfect to be in a jail waiting room.
I had to walk fast to follow her out.
“You’ll never see that boy again.”
I didn’t respond.
I just stared at the inside of her car now.
I just wanted to lay in bed. Away from everyone.
Twelve hours later, my parents entered the interrogation room I was being held in. Mom, fucking hysterical, grabbed me as if I was her life force, and pulled me into a hug as sobs racked through her tiny body. Her wheat blonde hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, bobbing around in my face as she shook.
Usually calm and collected, dressed immaculately, the woman clinging to me was free of makeup and wearing athleisure clothes, straight off the plane. I almost felt bad for her. Almost. While I was looking at the woman I’d hurt, the one who gave me life, I was also staring at the cold bitch who dropped me as soon as I turned eighteen to chase her husband around the world.
At some point in her life, she’d decided that staying with me during my last semester of school was second class to making sure her husband didn’t dip his dick in his secretaries every night.
Dad slid in next, cold, and calculated. He stood to the furthest corner of the room, arms crossed at his chest and a scowl planted on his face.
Mom took a step back, her hands gripping my biceps. She looked me up and down, tears streaking her face. “Tell me it isn’t true.”
“It isn’t true,” I deadpanned.
“Cut the shit.” Dad said.
My jaw clenched. Not now. “Where’s my friend I came in here with?”
He ran a hand down his face. “That’s the least of your problems, kid. Grand theft? Seriously? Do you know how many strings I’ll have to pull to get you out of this?”
“As many as you do for Rhett?”
His face was a ripe tomato. He crossed the space between us, clasping his hand on my shoulder, he shoved me back.
I stumbled but took it. If I’m going to throw a fist at this dick, it’ll be at the house. Not in a fucking police station where every cop would blow his dick if he wrote a big enough check and asked nicely.
<
br /> “Let’s get the fuck out of here.” Dad boomed.
Mom shrank into his side, sniffling as they walked out. I trailed behind them, wanting to get the fuck out of here. I’d deal with their shit later. I just wanted to get to Raquel.
So, I played their game.
I slid into the back of the Escalade, but my eyes were glued to the parking lot. Scanning every square inch in case I saw her.
Fuck.
“They took my phone and wallet.” I shot up.
“I have it,” Dad clipped back.
“Give me my phone.”
“No.”
I clenched my fist. “I’m eighteen years old.”
“THEN GOD DAMN ACT LIKE IT!” I swear to God the car shook and Mom sobbed harder.
I snapped my eyes shut.
Deep breaths.
In and out.
Ten times.
A coping mechanism I’d learned by Ryder when I wanted to rip Dad’s fucking head off. So that’s all I did the rest of the way home.
Watched the town streak by. First businesses, downtown, smaller houses, and when the yards grew bigger and the fences turned to stone, I knew we were about to turn in our driveway.
I didn’t say anything, and neither did Dad. Mom just fucking cried. I couldn’t tell if it was for show if she finally realized she’d fucked up by leaving.
We pulled into the circle drive, not bothering with the garage. Another Escalade was parked in front, along with Ryder and Rhett’s rides.
This wasn’t good.
I jerked up, grabbing the back of the seat.
“What’s going on?”
“What should’ve happened a long time ago,” Dad retorted as he slid out the driver’s seat. Mom was on his heels, following like a lost puppy.
I vaulted from the Escalade, striding behind them into the house. I passed through the foyer, storming behind them. Dad stalked toward two men in the back of the room, barking demands.
But I veered off to Ryder and Rhett.
Ryder was as pale as Casper and Rhett was grinning like he’d killed some kid’s goldfish. Psychopathic fuck. I’d deal with him later.
“Ryder, what’s going on?”
Sighing, his eyes darted between us. “They’re buying it. Well, kinda, I think they just want to get you away from this dumbass.” He jerked his thumb over to Rhett.
“So, you’re staying full time?” I jerked my head to the side. “Who the fuck are they?”
“Dad’ll tell you.”
Shit. This wasn’t good. He was barely looking me in the eye. I took a step closer, hoping the parents wouldn’t hear. “Where’s Raquel?”
He shook his head. “She was booked. She posted bail about an hour before they came.”
I ran my hand through my hair, tugging it. Christ. It kept getting worse. Her mom and grandma know by now. I was hoping like fuck I’d get out and post her bail before they knew.
I glanced behind me; Dad was still talking to the guys. “Cover me? Tell them I’m in the shower.”
Rhett shoved me back, cackling. “You want Ryder to cover for you while you sneak into the chick's house that landed you in this shit?”
Dad’s head jerked in my direction.
The color drained from my face. “What did you just say?”
“I can’t watch anymore of this. I’m going to lie down. Grab me when we’re heading out for the airport.” Mom hysterically announced her departure like she was on the tarmac before running from the room.
“I filled them in on everything. They know Raquel pulled you into all this shit. You fell for some broke chick from Pinewood. Greg Hendrix’s daughter of all the fucking girls in the world Roman,” more laughter from him, “It had to be her.”
I was toe to toe with Rhett now. “They don’t believe shit that comes out of your mouth.”
He just shrugged, as cocky as ever. “Where’s the lie? Greg Hendrix’s daughter, you in a stolen car. I warned them a while back you were involved with the wrong crowd.”
My last fucking nerve for the night.
I shoved him back, swung, and he ducked. Ryder was between us, pushing me against the wall. “Don’t do this shit. It won’t end well right now, and you know it.”
God I fucking hated all of them, but he was right.
Rhett shot me a wide grin and looked at Dad. “Should you tell him or should I?”
Dad brought his hand to his forehead. “Rhett, this isn’t a laughing matter. Your brother could’ve been in serious trouble last night.”
“Agreed, Dad. I think your plan is what’s best for Roman’s future.”
My eyes slid from Rhett to Dad. My chest was rising and falling in slow motion. My heart was lodged in my ears as I readied myself for whatever was about to come out of his mouth.
“Dad…”
He clenched his fist before resting them on the back of the leather couch in front of him.
“You’re going back with me and your mother. We leave for the jet in fifteen.”
“The fuck I am!”
Sighing, “Don’t fight this, son. Maybe in a year, you can come back and start university.”
“I haven’t graduated! I have three weeks left!”
He shook his head like this conversation had aged him a decade. “I’ve talked to your school. You’ll email whatever assignments are left and they’ll mail your diploma.”
“THIS IS BULLSHIT- “
A vein popped out of his head. “Whatever you think, you have no one to blame, but yourself.”
I closed the space between us, standing inches away. “And what about you, huh? When the fuck are you gonna take responsibility for the shit you did?” My heartbeat thumped in my ears. Anger bubbled. I was going to kill him. “Look at fucking Rhett! And me? You leave your high school kids at home to raise themselves? What the fuck do you think is going to happen?”
He shoved off the couch and stood off with me. “What did I think would happen? I thought I’d have one decent ass son who could take care of his own shit without me having to pay off fucking cops and bail him out of jail!”
I swung on him. Not just for me, but for Mom, for Ryder, Raquel, hell, even for Rhett.
And he wasn’t smart enough to duck. Because something they don’t teach you while you’re sitting behind a desk? Playing golf or fucking your best friend’s wife? Is how to dodge a punch.
He went down like the coward he is, cradling his jaw. He looked up at me with fire swimming in his eyes as he pushed off the floor.
“I’m not going,” I spat out at him. “I’m eighteen. I don’t have to go any-fucking place with you.”
Dad looked over my shoulder and nodded. Rhett was on me in seconds, squeezing my shoulders.
“I was hoping you’d resist,” he said.
And then a prick in my neck.
Mother fucker!
“I didn’t want it to come to this.” That was Dad. He was fuzzy.
“I did,” Rhett laughed.
“Put him in the Escalade. Grab Amelia, wheels go up in thirty.”
I was falling to the floor before someone grabbed me.
I’d never forget anything these assholes did to me.
My eyes slid shut, and oddly enough, I welcomed the darkness. Raquel greeted me on the other side of consciousness.
I didn’t know where the hell I was going. Or what would happen.
All I knew is that one day, I’d find my way back to the black-haired, blue-eyed girl who was growing dimmer in my head.
She waved goodbye.
And a blackness enveloped around me.
I have always had a crazy imagination and I loved writing. So, I started writing Forever Careless to see if I had it in me. It was too much fluff for me, however my friends loved it. So, I wrote another, this time I pushed to boundaries of fluff.
One day, while in an awfully bad mood, I thought of a story without a happy ending. One with real problem
s and real people. A story that was awfully close to my heart. It nagged me constantly. Months later, I sat down and started Hazed. At first, he was going to be a part of the Forever Series. Just come in and wreck their lives. Instead, I went another route.
Only weeks later, hazed was finished. I was obsessed with it. It took me over a year to finish my first novel and weeks to finish this one. I knew what that meant. I liked to write about bad people who do bad things. I like to get inside their minds and feel their crazy. So, if you are looking for hearts and flowers, you will not find them here. My stories are real, and they are not pretty.
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Dare Me: The Pierce Boys of Georgia, Book One Page 22