In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1)

by Sydney Ledger

  “Reese?” I heard someone call out my name with a tone of disbelief. When I turned my head it was Kai. Mother of God! “Kai?” My eyes nearly popped out of my head.

  “Kai?” I heard a familiar voice called out and I turned my head to him. It was Jake’s friend Joey, who owns Club Athens. In Pasadena. What the fuck! “I found them.” He proceeded to talk to Kai, without taking any notice of me. “They are on their way over here now.” And just as the words came out of his mouth, I saw Jake strolling up from afar with a short, chocolate skinned Rastafarian girl. No! I paled. He kissed the girl and she then walked off, meeting up with a group of friends. I’m guessing that’s Kin. “Jake.” Kai called out to him, he then turned back to Joey. “This is the girl I was telling you about, Joe.” Just then Joey took notice of me and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Reese?” He mouthed and I gave him a confused look.

  “Kai?” Joey called out, but it was too late, Jake had already reached up to us and was about to introduce himself, but froze up when he saw me.

  “Reese this is my cousin Jake, Jake this is Reese. The trini girl I told you that I met.”

  “Kai… what the fuck, man?” Jake’s nostrils flared up.

  “Kai? As in your cousin Kai? Didn’t you tell me he was gay?!” I shouted at Jake.

  “Wait… you two know each other.” Kai eyeballed between Jake and me. “Wait… you told her I was gay? Hold the fuck up… is this… NO! This can’t be! What the fuck! This is the girl?” He glanced at Jake, Joey and me. Joey nodded. I was so confused and wanted no part of this. Nor did I want Heath to get wind of whatever the fuck was going on either.

  Unfortunately, at that moment, Heath was strolling towards me, but slowed down when he saw Joey and Jake. “Great, the whole gang is here.” Jake rolled his eyes.

  “What is going on?” Heath asked, finally joining the awkward circle of friendship.

  “I have no idea.” I grabbed my water and hopped off the stool. Ready to bolt past them all when Jake pulled me back by my arm.

  “Reese, what are you doing here?”

  “Dude, this is my country, what are you doing here? What the fuck is going on? And Kai?”

  “I was in Jamaica with Kin, we just came here to meet her friends and let loose. Why do you know Kai?”

  “Why don’t you ask him that yourself.” I rolled my eyes, yanking my arm from his hold and stomped away, pulling Heath by his wrist. As we headed towards our table, Kin stepped out in front of me, putting her hand to my chest.

  “Whoops! De fuck you doing with my man?” She crossed her arms and sized me.

  “Excuse me? No one was with your sorry as man. I’m with my man, over there.” I pointed at Heath and brushed past her.

  As I reached back to our table with Heath, Sal and Adrien looked at me both raising questionable brows. “Was that Mr. Cavanaugh?” Sal asked in disbelief.

  “Apparently.” Heath grimaced.

  “This night just got a whole lot of weird.” I sighed and slumped back into my chair, taking three Jell-O shots back to back.

  “What’s going on Reese?” Heath asked.

  “I, honest to God, don’t know.” I assured him. Salimah kept shooting me subliminal stares, as if asking for the 4-1-1. But I, myself, wanted to know the 4-1-1. I felt so clueless. Everything was happening around me so fast and I didn’t know how to gain control of it. I wasn’t happening to life, life was happening to me.

  The DJ pulled back the Popcaan song upon my request and I grabbed hold of Heath, gyrating slowly and intensely on him. My head was spinning from the alcohol but I was trying so much to disregard the presence of Jake and friends. What were they doing here? And was Kai baiting me all along? What kind of Jerry Springer shit did I land into?

  After my requested song was done, I went inside, pushing my way through the crowd in attempts to get to the toilet. There was a long mirror in the hallway towards it and after I finished up inside I stopped to admire myself, just to make sure I looked good. Junction by Popcaan began to play.

  As I stared at my reflection, trying to make sense of this crazy night, Jake’s reflection appeared, startling me in the process. I spun around towards him. We both froze. This song was a memory; the very song I played at his house before we made out for the first time. And the way his face looked, I could tell he was acknowledging the very same thing. I looked at him apologetically, the memories of what once was toying with my emotions, compelling me to just run up to him and hold him, and never let go. But of course, he just stared at me enigmatically.

  I just shook my head and walked past him. And as I did, I felt his fingers slip over my arm and pull me, straight into him. He jacked me against the wall, pining my wrists over my head, and kissed me. I felt myself almost falling into its trap, as soon as I felt myself fading away into its spellbinding hold, I pulled away and slapped him – hard across the face. “What the fuck are you doing?” I wiped my mouth away in disgust and bolted.

  I walked up to my friends completely infuriated. They could tell something was wrong but I wasn’t about to let them know what had just happened. Instead, I just told them that I was ready to go. Heath knew me better though. He knew it had something to do with Jake, and as much as I wished that wasn’t true, it was. Sigh!

  We left from Coco Lounge and were on our way home. Away from Jake, Kai, Joey, Kin and this entire crazy night. Spring break was supposed to be my time for freedom and now I just felt even more trapped. What the hell was wrong with Jake? He really outdid himself. As if fucking me over and leaving me multiple times wasn’t good enough. He was so full of shit and mind games. Ugh! I was so over him!

  I stared out the window as our car bolted down the highway. Heath’s eyes lingered on me as I did. “Reese?” He broke me away from my daze and I faced him. “Are you alright?” He asked.

  “I’m fine, Heath.” I forced a smile and snuggled up to him. He wrapped his arms around me and placed his chin at the top of my head. “For what it’s worth, I had a splendid time, even if we didn’t party ‘til as late as we planned.” He comforted me.

  Back at Coco Lounge, Jake pulled Kai and Joey aside, his face slightly red from the slap. “What the fuck just happened? Kai?” He asked angrily.

  “Jake, I swear bro, I didn’t even realise Reese was the same girl you hooked up with…”

  “We didn’t hook up! She was my girlfriend.” Jake interjected.

  “Sorry, man. Look, nothing happened between us though, we just kissed and she pulled away.” Kai explained apologetically.

  “It’s time you told her.” Joey interrupted.

  “I can’t, Joe.” Jake sighed.

  “Jake, I think Reese would understand, she doesn’t seem like the kind of girl to be upset over something like that.” Kai said.

  “You make it sound so trivial.” Jake raised a brow.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. What I meant is that she would most likely be more upset that you kept this from her and had her thinking that you broke her heart for your ex. The latter seems worse to me.”

  “Kai’s right, Jake.” Joey agreed and Jake sighed. “Shit, here comes Kin.”

  They all pretended to be unaware of her oncoming presence. “Wah all ah you boys talk ‘bout?” She grinned as she sipped on a drink.

  “Our upcoming weddings plans.” Jake smiled and Kai nearly choked on his drink. Joey hit him with his elbow and Kin sized them.

  “Look, cut de shit. I nuh no fool likkle bwoy and ah know you dumbasses bring that lil Trini ho here. I want to know why!” She shouted.

  “Kin, no one brought her here, she is with her boyfriend, she is from here, and you’re the one that asked us to come here.” Jake reassured her. She paused, her face relaxing a little as his words registered. “Fine. But just remember, if you in anything with dis bitch… she dead!”

  “I know, Kin.” Jake stared at her. “I told you, I love you, I’m over Reese.”

  “Good.” She smiled and kissed him. Joey and Kai glanced at each
other with a faint smirk, the plan was in motion! They were about to murder Kin and make it look like an accident – The perfect crime.

  My eyes shot open at the sound of Adrien knocking on my door, calling out to us. I turned my head to the side to see a naked Heath lying on his stomach exposing his bare ass. His head was buried under the pillow, groaning at the annoying banging sounds.

  “Heath.” I shook him awake and smacked him on the ass. His head popped up from under the pillow.

  “Huh?” He exclaimed.

  “Time to get up.” I got up from the bed, wrapping the bedsheet around my nude body, and opened the bedroom door slightly, peeking through at Adrien. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked.

  “Beach, girl. Yuh forget?” Adrien replied.

  “Shit! Okay, okay. We gonna organise now.” I shut my door and spun around to Heath.

  I woke him up and began packing our bags for the beach trip.

  In a few moments, we were dressed and ready to go. I was clad in my black and mint green coloured bikini and a pair of short shorts. Heath was dressed in an armless jersey and a pair of plaid ¾ cargo pants. Heath and I hopped in the back seat of the car as Salimah sat in the front seat and Adrien drove. She had on her pink bikini and a matching saran wrap around her waist while Adrien wore a ¾ jeans and vest.

  We were on our way to Maracas Bay, a beach on the North side of our island that takes about an hour’s mountainous drive from Port-of-Spain. Heath was in awe at the miles of green land, open water and mountainous views on our journey to the beach. It truly was a magnificent site.

  We stopped at one of the lookouts where vendors sold snacks, sweets, and lots of Trinidadian delicacies. Heath looked over as the deep blue waters splashed against the rocks of the coast down below. “Wow.” He pulled his phone out of the pocket of his pants and snapped a few photos of the view. “Pieces?” He called out and then pulled me into him, his arm draped across the base of my neck, and his chin resting on top of my head. He switched the camera on his phone and took a couple selfies of us. I handed him a bag of pineapple chow.

  “You remember this?” I asked as he took the bag of chow.

  “Yes, I remember when you made this. The yummy fruit thing right?”

  “Jeez, Heath. Ch-ow!”

  “Leave me, Reese. I’ll call it what I want.” He looked at me sharply at the corner of his eyes and I shoved him playfully.

  Chow was a Caribbean delicacy; fruit seasoned with garlic, salt, black pepper, hot pepper and cilantro with a little water.

  He then took a bite and hissed at the burn of the pepper. His face turned red and his eyes flooded with tears. “Oh, that’s hot.” He stuck his tongue out. “But I want more.” He stuck his finger back into the bag to get another pineapple. “What is with you Caribbean people and pepper?” He joked.

  “Ready?” Sal asked as she watched Heath with amusement. The way he downed that chow, it was comical to say the least. We got back into the car and drove for a few more minutes until we finally came down to the beach area. The smell of burnt rubber and salt water strong. That scent was common due to the constant braking of cars when heading down to Maracas.

  We got a park at the parking lot on the right hand side of the road where a few street vendors were selling more delicacies.

  Near the parking lot, there was a huge food place that sold bake and shark – one of our highly anticipated beach foods – and we ordered four to go, dressing them with all the vegies and condiments provided. We then crossed the road. Heath and Adrien held onto either end of the cooler while Salimah and I carried the bags, beach mats and food. We stepped onto the hot white sand. “Oh, that sand feels amazing.” Heath smiled as he dug his toes into it, gripping on the cooler as he and Adrien led the way. We set down our things under a coconut tree and rented four beach chairs, placing them beside our belongings,

  There were a lot of small huts around the beach selling different stuff; some food, some were bars, some were Caribbean souvenirs or beach items. “Wow” Heath kept gasping at the beauty of it all. A beautiful blend of people of multicultural and multi-ethnic backgrounds were on beach mats lounging around taking in the sun.

  “That guy looks like a cherry, thank heavens I loaded up on sunscreen.” Heath joked, pointing out at a really fat Caucasian man that looked almost red.

  “Oh please, Heath, you know damn well you don’t get like that.” We laughed.

  The water was blue, glistening brilliantly in the sun, and the waves climbed higher and higher. Kids were running about on shore while vendors passed by with snacks, lollies, cotton candy, or beach items. There were a couple of boats out on the water, and a helicopter hovering around in the sky. The wind blew wildly, sending our hair in a dangling frenzy as we reclined onto the beach chairs, drinking our beers and eating our bake and shark sandwiches.

  “Reese, this is what you came to Cali to leave behind? You are nuts!” He said as he took a very satisfied mouthful of his bake and shark. “Food is amazing, the people, the different cultures and the scenery. I’m in love.” He smiled.

  We both stared off into the water as the waves crashed onto the surface causing a ruction of foam and sand. The sun hung high near pillowy clouds, burning bright making the water glisten. The waves came in one after another, swelling bigger and bigger with each passing moment.

  Swoosh! The noise of the water breaking, the scent of the salt water, the squawking of the seagulls and the swaying of trees in the wind, the laughter of children and even adults running around and playing, it was like a movie scene. It was then that I realised how much I missed home.

  “Reese, we taking a walk.” Sal interrupted my dazed admiration of my homeland. I turned to her and nodded. She and Adrien then got up, clasping their hands together, and left, walking along the shore.

  Back in Jamaica, Kai and Joey were back at Joey’s place, preparing themselves and packing their bags with the tools and items needed to mess up the brakes of Kin’s car. As far as Kin was concerned, they were still in Trinidad, so they could do the dirty work for Jake while he was at her mother’s home for the family thanksgiving, solidifying his alibi.

  “So how long have you been doing this shit?” Joey asked picking up a suction pump from Kai’s mini duffle bag.

  “Longer than you think.” He grinned maliciously.

  “This doesn’t, at all, seem unrealistic to you, though? How are you supposed to kill her by tampering with her brakes? I mean, won’t she see the warning lights? Or the leaking oil?”

  “My dear friend,” Kai began, taking the suction pump from Joey’s hand and placing his arm on his shoulder. “I’m so crafted and skilled in this shit – u.o.e.n.o. We have advantages. Jake knows Kin to a Tee. He knows the speeds she drives, he knows her reactions to things. The car he rented has a faulty warning light system. It keeps blinking regardless. We mapped this shit out to avoid error. So even when that light really starts blinking, she gonna ignore that shit.”

  “Damn, cold blooded.” He laughed.

  “And as far as the oil, this is why I’ve got these.” He held up the suction pump, hose and wire. “I’m gonna remove the brake fluid from the reservoir and replace it with oil. I already calculated the number of revolutions the axle would make to the point of mal-function, the diameter of the shaft and the length of wire I need to wrap that number of revolutions. I’m gonna fasten one end of wire to a brake hose, and the other to the axle shaft. As she drives, the wire winds around the shaft until taught and then – bam – yanks off the brake hose.”

  “That’s some sick shit, Malakai. Can’t you just loosen the screws of her tyre? Jeez!”

  “Where’s the creativity in that?” He deadpanned. “Plus, the distance it would take to drive from Kingston to her mother’s place, that tyre would give out before she even gets there. When that brake hose pops and that pedal goes all the way down, she’s gonna panic the fuck out, pull on her hand brakes and plunge over the cliff. Easy peasy.”

  “One thing? If they invest
igate the car in the aftermath, won’t they find the wire?”

  “Joey, it’s Jake we’re dealing with here. He’s a ninja.” Kai joked. “He will get to the crash site and get rid of it – duh.” Kai’s watch alarmed and he looked at it. “It’s time, let’s get it done. Kin would be at Hi-Lo Supermarket in a couple minutes.”

  Kin parked her car in a relatively secluded area near the supermarket. Joey pulled up beside her car, acting as a barrier as Kai sneaked out with his duffle bag towards it. He popped the hood of the car, pumped the brake fluid out of the reservoir and replaced it with water. He then slipped under the car, pulled out the roll of wire and began connecting it to both the axle shaft and brake hose, keeping in mind his calculations in order to perfectly execute the murder. After he was done, he crept over to Joey’s car and got in, leaving no evidence of him or what he had done. Joey then drove away from Kin’s car, moving across the road, still keeping tabs on her car from afar.

  Kin jumped into her car and started it up. The warning light blinking. “Dis rassclat light only blink, blink, blink. Fed up!” She kissed her teeth in anger. She paused for a moment, a look of suspicion on her face. She then shook her head and drove out onto the road, accelerating her car as she continued pursuing her destination back to her parents’ house. They lived in a hilly area so the drive to there had a few sharp bends and twenty-foot drop cliffs.

  She called Jake as she made her way up the hilly area, her speed limit almost at its peak. “Kin?” Jake answered. “I got the stuff you wanted. I nearly there, so see you soon.” She informed him.

  “Okay, I love you.” He responded, his face clearly telling a different story as he sat outside in the garden of her parents’ place.

  “You too.” She responded and pushed her foot down on the brake a little but it just went straight down with no response. “What the fuck! Jake!”