Paige and Chloe

by Aimee-Louise Foster

  Rex was from the Travelling community and had already been frowned upon because of his divorce, he had also been shunned and had moved from the site because of a bad relationship with one of the elders. That's one of the reasons he found us, he'd always had the sense of family values but when he became an outsider, he still wanted to belong and found a new family with the Aces. He still upheld his values including not dating outside of his own community but because of these incidents with Brooke their relationship was strained, although I personally thought Brooke was being troublesome to get attention, she wanted love from her dad not material items. Things like this just highlighted how mature Chloe was in comparison to other young women of her age. Fucking hell I needed to stop thinking about her!

  I walked to the buffet table still grinning from the expression on Rex's face and reached out to grab for a plate at the same time a slim tanned arm brushed mine.

  "Sorry, please go first." I used my manners as always, letting the lady go first and turned to see Chloe's beautiful smile.

  "Ever the gentleman." She picked up the plate, "Are you enjoying yourself, you've looked a little tense all day?"

  "And how do you know that?" I followed her around the buffet table as we placed various foods onto our plates.

  "Because I haven't been able to take my eyes off you."

  Chloe continued to stroll around the table but didn't look at me, she was trying to make it look as if we were making idle chit chat but I could feel the underlying sexual tension between us. I needed to have her again, even if it was only one more time to get her out of my system.

  "Chloe I think that..."

  "I love your dress Chloe, the colour really suits you." Amy joined us at the buffet table making sure that everything was in order as she had produced the catering for today's celebrations. As she turned towards us, I saw the cogs turn in her head as a smile crossed her face, "Oh, I erm didn't mean to interrupt." She whispered.

  "You didn't!" I stated abruptly before throwing my plate onto the table and turning to stalk out of the clubhouse. As I passed the group, I noticed that Diesel and Hound had just seen the commotion and shook my head annoyed with myself. If Amy had picked up upon the vibes between Chloe and myself, it was only a matter of time before someone else did.

  "Go on and have some."

  I caught Brooke trying to fill Lauren's glass with Vodka as they sat outside in the yard.

  "I don't like it Brooke."

  "Nor do I but I drink it to get drunk. I'm meeting Malik and a couple of guys from college later if you want to come?"

  "She won't be going anywhere with you." I spat as I sat beside Lauren at the table.

  Brooke huffed, "Well I suppose you're gonna tell my dad now, that you caught me drinking?"

  She had the nerve to cross her arms and glare at me.

  "I'm more concerned that you're hanging around with Malik, he's far too old for you." He was well known in the area, a bit of a wide boy and had been in and out of prison for petty crimes. He was also too old for Brooke and he'd lead her astray easily. What was Rex playing at for letting this go on?

  "That's none of your fucking business."

  I stood and leaned over the bench, Brooke instantly regretted her words as she recoiled seeing my fury, "Don't goad me little girl, you may be able to talk to your dad like it but I won't hesitate in taking your outburst out on your boyfriend, and fuck him up further for fucking you when you were a minor."

  The shock registered quickly on her face by the fact I knew such personal details about her.

  "You wouldn't?"

  "I fucking would. I suggest you think a lot harder in future, about who you're dating. You know your dad wants you to marry a traveller."

  "Malik loves me!" she shouted, tears stinging her eyes.

  "Oh please, if he loved you why did he get Trudy pregnant?"

  Again, shock registered on her face at how I knew that Trudy was pregnant with his child. I'd overheard a conversation at the club recently as Trudy's sister Pearl worked for us, but I wasn't going to tell her that.

  "It was a mistake, she said that she was on the pill!"

  That statement was fucking priceless! I laughed and sat back down on the bench, I'd never heard anything so ridiculous, "You're a Jeremy Kyle show waiting to happen." Lauren sniggered at my sarcasm as Brooke stomped off clearly upset.

  "That was a little harsh!"

  "Well she annoys me. She has a dad that loves her and would do anything to make sure she's provided for and she treats him like shit." I pulled Lauren in for a hug, "I'm so pleased that you'll never be on Jeremy Kyle because you're normal."

  She scoffed "Normal?"

  "Yeah normal." I kissed the top of her head but she shuffled out of my embrace to look at me thoughtfully.

  "That's a little hypocritical about what you said regarding Malik's age. He's only twenty-four."

  I shrugged looking confused.

  "Chloe is eighteen and you're twenty-six."

  "It's different."

  "How?"

  "She's an adult and I didn't shag her when she was a minor."

  "And will Hound fuck you over because you shagged his daughter?" she whispered as I saw the glistening of her eyes.

  "I still don't know where you're going with this Lauren?"

  She let out a sigh, "I don't want to see you get hurt, I couldn't bear to lose another family member."

  I pulled her in for another hug and now understood why she was getting upset, "That's not going to happen Lauren, I promise."

  "Are you going to see her again?"

  "I really don't know. You can't help who you fall for."

  "But is it worth losing everything?"

  "It won't ever come to that." I said hopefully.

  The celebrations had gone well, it was now early evening and the party revellers had thinned out a little as the families with young children had gone home. The party was in full swing so I took myself outside to get some fresh air, I needed a break to clear my head although I was pleased that Lauren had taken herself home a little over an hour ago. She was a good girl, she didn't like being surrounded by large groups of people and preferred to be at home which was a relief. I was pleased that she had explained her concerns, I just hoped that I had done a good job in reassuring her that everything was going to be okay.

  I sat on one of the picnic benches in the yard, lying on top of the table to look up at the stars that were just starting to appear. It was peaceful out here, and would hopefully give me the time I needed to reflect regarding the situation with Chloe, although it may have just been taken out of my hands already. I let out a loud sigh and closed my eyes breathing in the cold crisp air.

  "Penny for your thoughts."

  I didn't need to open my eyes, I knew that Chloe had just joined me as I could tell by her silky voice and the smell of her distinctive perfume.

  "Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked walking closer, I could feel her body lean against the bench so that her arse touched my out stretched hand.

  "Not at all babe, where do you wanna sit though?" I asked, opening my eyes and sitting up so that I could see her shy expression.

  "Just here will do fine," she smiled as she perched on the bench.

  Chloe rubbed her arms indicating that she was cold, "Here have this." I stood and removed my cut to place it around her shoulders, it swamped her but I briefly wondered what it may be like if she wore my brand.

  "It smells like you!"

  "Is that a good thing?" I asked humorously, I didn't want her to think I smelt.

  "It most certainly is, heavenly."

  "You say the sweetest things Chloe." I wasn't used to being with women that spoke like Chloe, she was a breath of fresh air.

  "I just tell it how it is." She turned so that she was facing me fully, "I've liked you for what feels like forever. I know that I'm only young but I know how I feel and I know what it means. When you gave me the necklace for my birthday, I hoped prayed even, that you
felt the same way about me as I do you but when you acted like you weren't bothered it hurt, really hurt."

  "Chloe look..."

  "No please let me speak, I may not get another opportunity. Last night was fantastic, I don't know if it's because a relationship between us is forbidden or the fact that you're just gorgeous but it was how I had imagined it would be. The problem I have, is that I know I'm going to get hurt one way or the other. If we see each other and the club finds out they'll stop us and you'll get hurt, and if we don't pursue what could possibly be amazing, I'll be miserable thinking about the what if? The thing is I'd like to see you again. I don't know if you want to and I don't even know in what capacity we could possibly see each other but I know I enjoy spending time with you Mark."

  She stood and paced in front of me, finding it difficult to make eye contact. "I know that you have more to lose than what I do, and that you would be in a lot of trouble if the club finds out but don't you ever just wonder what it may be like, to be able to walk in the park holding hands or go out on a date for the world to see?"

  "Come here." She glanced around the yard eagerly.

  "It's okay, it's dark no one will see us." I pulled her closer so that her mouth was only a breath away. "I've liked you for a while now also Chloe but I've had to keep my distance because you weren't eighteen. I agree, last night was fantastic but I'm sure it's because we're just fucking good together as well as me being gorgeous." I smiled a cocky grin as Chloe rolled her eyes.

  "I've tried to fight it, lord knows I've tried but I too can't help wondering what if. You're right in saying that I'd be in trouble so if we see each other, even as friends we need to be careful and just see how things materialise. If it does work out then I'm prepared to take the fall out and if it doesn't, well hopefully we would've had a bit of fun along the way and it won't cause too much hurt."

  I saw a flash of excitement cross her face before she leapt into my arms to kiss me, her inhibitions clearly disappearing. I wasn't so daring, I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her close to my chest as I strolled backwards towards the edge of the yard so that we were completely out of sight of everyone. I deepened the kiss as she grinded against me but I pulled away when I heard the heavy metal door swing open from the clubhouse.

  "Woods, are you out here man?"

  Thank god I had used my judgement and moved us over to the shadows, my heart rate increased at the thought of being caught but Chloe smiled and kissed my neck with a devilish grin, "Yeah CJ, what's up?"

  "Locke's kicking off can you give me a hand?"

  "Yeah sure, give me a couple of minutes." I heard the sound of the metal door slam shut, letting me know that we were alone once more, and quickly lowered my lips to hers to give her one last kiss.

  "I've gotta go babe, I'll be walking Doris around 12.30pm tomorrow afternoon, do you want to join me?"

  "I'd love to." She said with a huge smile.

  I couldn't give her what I knew she and I so desperately wanted but we would have to take it a day at a time. "Go on, use the side door to go back inside, I can't leave you out here on your own."

  Chloe removed my cut and placed it on the bench, as she turned I couldn't resist smacking her on the arse and laughed as she let out a playful yelp.

  Once she was safely inside, I strolled across the yard heading for the main entrance knowing that if CJ was asking for assistance, Locke was in a bad way. He got a little excited every so often which usually resulted in him getting drunk and shouting shit about how much he loved us and didn't want to let us all down. I never got to the bottom of his rants, he usually passed out before he could tell us more but CJ was his closest mate, I'm assuming he knew more than most.

  I entered the building to see Paige leaning seductively against the wall making sure her breasts jutted out in her unnatural pose. She turned when she heard the door and walked towards me, making me stop in my tracks as she grinded her body against mine.

  "Do you want some fun Woods?"

  I grabbed her aggressively by the wrist before she could touch my chest. Paige annoyed me, she was everything I hated in a woman but I disliked her even more because of the pain, and hurt she'd caused Chloe. As she tried to pull away I noticed the track marks on her arms indicating her drug use.

  "You need to get your shit together Paige and fast!" I stated looking at her arms.

  "Don't fucking tell me what to do, I aint your bitch."

  "Paige, I really don't have time for your shit, I have grown up stuff to attend to." I stepped around her and stalked down the corridor.

  "I saw you kiss Chloe, what's to stop me from telling Frank or even better telling Duke?"

  I turned and stomped towards her, pushing her up against the wall with my hand around her throat with pure hatred oozing from my body. How could twins be so fucking different?

  Paige grabbed for my hand trying to prize it from her neck, I was losing it, I needed to let her go but she brought out the worst in me. I had never assaulted a woman before but Paige could most certainly tempt me.

  I let go of her neck and she instantly rubbed it, gulping for air as she breathed heavily. "I wouldn't have had you down for a man who enjoys it rough." She smiled but continued to rub her neck, "Chloe is so boring you need a real woman. Maybe I could be persuaded to change my mind." Paige moved her hands to cup her breasts and pushed them together so that her cleavage was visible at the neckline of her dress.

  She was such a vindictive bitch and her close proximity was annoying me, I needed to get rid of her, "Do what you want Paige. I've got more important things to worry about then play games with a fucked up little girl crying for attention." I turned in search of Locke, as he was my main priority at this moment in time.

  Paige

  That's one thing a bloke should never do, goad me because they'll only live to regret it. I leaned against the wall and pulled out my phone from my handbag to scroll through my contacts until I found Duke's number.

  Can I please speak to you about something really important? Paige x

  Can’t your dad deal with it?

  That wasn't a bad idea actually but I wanted to hurt Chloe more than I did Woods, although he had been fucking rude to me. I'd speak to Duke first and if I didn't get the outcome I was looking for then I would happily tell Frank and sit back and watch the fireworks exploded around me and for the first time in forever, it wouldn't involve me.

  No, I really need to speak to you.

  Drop by the club tomorrow lunch time.

  That’s great.

  There wasn't any point hanging around here anymore, I wasn't in the mood to congratulate my parents for twenty-five years of blissful marriage, it was a fucking joke. I was bored and there wasn't any action here, I needed a little pick me up and decided to drop in at my dealer’s house before going home.

  I pushed the heavy metal doors open and walked into the yard to see Locke pacing around, his behaviour had caught the attention of other club members and CJ and Woods were trying to talk him down. I rolled my eyes as I got into my car but I suppose it wouldn't be a proper party without a row or a punch up.

  Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up outside my dealer's house to see a party in full swing. I knew that I'd be invited to stay and offered money to strip but I just wanted to get my brown, which would give me the desired buzz and help me forget for a couple of hours.

  I stepped over a few party revellers sprawled out on the ground in the front garden, Kids parties attracted people from all walks of life but this one looked like it may get out of hand any minute from the noise and amount of people. I quickly made my way down the hallway and into the kitchen at the back of the property where I knew Kid would be.

  "Well hello sex kitten, have you come to liven up the party?" Kid asked pushing a young girl from his lap and standing to greet me.

  "Ha-ha!" I said dryly, leaning behind him to help myself to one of his fags. "I need two wraps," I stated lighting the fag and quickly took a drag before placing the
notes into his hand.

  "What's the rush babe, stay and have a drink." Kid placed his arm around my shoulder and tried to pull me onto his lap as he sat back on his chair.

  He'd been my supplier for the past year after being recommended by one of the punters at the club, we weren't allowed to take drugs or drink excessively if we worked for the Bird Cage, but there were always ways around it. Natasha said it clouded our judgements and we could put ourselves in danger, and that's why the club did random drugs tests. Fortunately during the last round of drugs tests I was able to use a sample from Tiffany, she was furious when I asked her and had explicitly told me to get my shit together before the next round of tests, but that was easier said than done when I was carrying so much baggage.

  "Stop fucking about Kid, have you got the wraps or not?" I pulled myself from his embrace and placed my hands on my hips, I wasn't in the mood to be cocked about.

  "Chill Paige, I'll get you your wraps." He nodded in the direction of a scrawny looking young man who scampered off to get what I'd asked for. He looked like he needed to ease his own drug use and wasn't the best advocate for the merchandise Kid was selling.

  I sniggered to myself as I nodded in appreciation, and continued to smoke my fag as I glanced around the kitchen at the other party goers but I felt an unnatural rush of blood run through my body, when I saw a pair of hooded eyes looking in my direction.

  Cade took a swig of his beer and continued to stare as I found myself feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny. What the fuck was he doing in Kids house?

  "Are you sure I can't tempt you to stay?" Kid pushed some tabs across the table, pulling me from my thoughts.

  "Not my thing, I don't want to be up all night I just want a nice rush and a couple of hours to forget about everything."

  Kid smiled and picked up the tabs, placing them onto his tongue before swallowing them with a swig from his bottle.