The cold air was clearing her head and her temper slowly dissipated as she reached the street she was looking for. The small white house was on the corner and she hurried up the path, hoping that Jazz would still be in.
The front door was opened by Jazz, and seeing the look on Jessie’s face, she quickly stepped aside and they went into the lounge.
“You all right, Jess?” she asked, settling herself down on the couch.
Jazz’s Afro hair was sticking out at unusual angles, and Jessie gathered she’d just woken up. That meant they weren’t going to bother with school today. Thank God.
Jessie sat down on the other couch and groaned.
“Mum found some weed and started going on about it.”
“Shit, what did she say?”
“Just the usual crap,” Jessie replied.
“Sounds like you need a pick me up,” Jazz said, and began rolling a joint.
A few minutes later, Jazz passed Jessie the joint and threw her a lighter.
“Cheers, Jazz, you’re the best.”
She lit the joint and savoured the taste, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the room, watching it rise up before spreading out and disappearing into the air.
Taking another puff, she passed the joint back to Jazz.
“This is good stuff,” Jessie said, feeling her body relax.
“Yeah, sure is,” Jazz said between puffs, “But what did you expect? My brothers got the best stuff round here.”
“Sure do,” Jessie nodded.
“Damn right,” came a male voice from the doorway.
Jessie and Jazz span around. Corey stood there in a dressing-gown and ruffled hair, a crooked smile on his lips.
“You idiot, nearly gave me a heart attack,” Jazz snapped.
“Give me a drag, then,” Corey said, taking a seat next to Jessie.
Jazz reluctantly passed the joint over and Corey took a deep drag. Jessie watched him with interest. She had always liked Jazz’s brothers, Jayden and Corey. Not only were they attractive, but they were a powerful force, and they hated Tyrese and his gang almost as much as she did.
“Want some?” Corey asked, holding the joint up to her.
Jessie nodded and took it, her fingers brushing against his. Corey caught her eye and smiled. Jessie placed the end of the joint carefully between her lips and inhaled, filling her mouth with the smoke. Removing the joint, she parted her lips and let the smoke drift out, aware that she had Corey’s attention.
From here, she could see his smooth chest in the gap of his dressing gown, and she longed to run her fingers across his skin, lower and lower.
“So, Jess, how are things?” Corey asked, licking his lips.
His eyes took in her long, shapely legs and the unbuttoned blouse. Jessie knew that he wanted her. She would get him.
“Okay, I guess,” she replied.
“Her mum’s giving her shit,” Jazz added from the other sofa.
“Damn,” Corey said in sympathy. “Well, you can stay here as long as you want, right?”
“’Course she can,” Jazz said, “She’s my best mate.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Corey said, smiling. Jessie smiled back and licked her lips.
* * *
“Don’t worry, I’ll sort it all out,” Troy said, his arm firmly around Brandy’s waist as they walked down the road towards the school gates. “I’ll show them who’s boss.”
Brandy seemed pacified and pressed closer against Troy’s side.
“What are you going to do?” Brandy asked.
“Just leave it to me.”
Troy felt Brandy tense at being kept in the dark, but she remained quiet. He was relieved, he didn’t want an argument with her, especially not this morning. He knew that today would make or break his ambitions. Killing Jayden would be hard. Not emotionally, but it would take patience and he’d have to get him alone. Even with a gun, he didn’t want to risk a full blown fight with anyone but Jayden. They had guns too, and he knew the odds weren’t good if he found himself up against more than one.
“Look at them, laughing at me,” Brandy growled from beside him.
Troy followed Brandy’s gaze to the opposite side of the road, where Zoe and Sasha were walking arm-in-arm, giggling together.
“You still not sorted it out with them?”
“Obviously not. Not that I even want to. Stuck-up cows, I don’t want anything to do with them anymore.”
“What about Zoe?” Troy asked. “She knows too much. What if she starts talking?”
Troy hated the fact that Zoe knew so much. She was boisterous and loud, jumpy and unpredictable, and he didn’t like her.
“She won’t say anything, don’t worry,” Brandy said. “She knows better than that. She thinks she’ll be sent down if she talks, and she’s had the baby.”
“You sure?”
“She won’t blab, trust me,” Brandy repeated.
Troy felt himself relax slightly. Brandy had a point. Zoe knew the odds were stacked against her and with a baby to protect, her silence was as good as guaranteed.
“Don’t let them get to you, babe,” Troy said, sensing Brandy still watching their retreating backs. “Just ignore them.”
“I’m trying, but it ain’t easy. They’re everywhere I go.”
“Like I said, just ignore them,” Troy repeated.
He still didn’t understand why Brandy was so annoyed. She’d fallen out with Sasha before. Zoe was usually there for her, but he didn’t see her as any great loss. They’d probably be back to normal within a week anyway. And if not, what did it matter? Sure, he’d miss getting glimpses of Sasha’s cleavage, but that was about it.
“What does it matter anyway?” he asked. “They’re stupid cows. You’ve still got me.”
“I know.”
“And Clint and the guys,” he hesitated.
“Not for much longer.”
“What do you mean?” Troy asked.
“When we had the fight, Aurora was there,” Brandy said.
Troy gritted his teeth. Not more about Clint and Aurora. He didn’t want to hear about how loved-up they were. He still thought about it every night. Clint getting to kiss her, when it should have been him getting the pick of the girls.
“So what?”
“Her and Clint had sex,” Brandy said. “On Saturday night.”
Troy was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected that. He had known that it was only a matter of time before Clint would move in for the kill, but he’d managed to convince himself that it would never happen. That Aurora would remain a virgin, ripe for him to pluck when he wanted to.
“Right,” he managed, noticing Brandy looking inquiringly at him.
“Is that all you’re going to say?”
“What do you want me to fucking say?” Troy snapped.
Brandy rankled in silence, whilst Troy thought about this latest development. He was annoyed now, something he’d been trying to avoid. He needed a clear mind if he was going to take out Jayden tonight. Now Brandy had filled his mind with thoughts of Aurora and Clint fucking, Clint’s hands all over the girl that he wanted.
And why was Brandy so annoyed by it? Was she just annoyed that she’d been the last to know, or was she jealous of Aurora? Maybe both, he thought.
When they reached the school gates, he made excuses and left Brandy standing on the pavement finishing her cigarette alone. He glanced back and she looked menacingly at him. Fuck her, he thought. He had to find Clint.
* * *
Aurora listened as Zoe and Sasha chatted animatedly whilst she applied her lip gloss in the school bathroom. She had walked to school with Clint, and when he’d left her in the corridor to join Tamar, his heated kiss had removed the last traces of gloss she’d already applied before leaving the flat.
“Did you see her face? She was so pissed,” Sasha was saying.
“I know, but she deserves it,” Zoe added.
“Who are you talking about?” A
urora asked.
She could guess at the answer, but Sasha confirmed it for her.
“Brandy, of course,” she answered. “Anyway, enough about her. I’ve got some news.”
“Good or bad?” Zoe asked.
“Really good.”
“Ooh, what is it?”
“I’m seeing Wright again tonight.”
“So are you a proper couple now?” Aurora asked.
“Yeah,” Sasha said. “Well, I think so. I think that’s what tonight’s all about. At the moment, we’re still kind of open. You know, not exclusive. On the phone he sounded really keen, so I’m guessing he wants to ask me out.”
“For real?” Zoe asked.
“Yeah, exclusive and everything.”
“Congratulations,” Aurora said.
Sasha pulled them both into a hug and Aurora couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.
“Eugh, how gross,” came a voice from the doorway.
Sasha released them from her embrace and they all turned around. Aurora thought she’d recognised the voice and she wasn’t disappointed. Brandy was standing in the bathroom entrance, a sneer on her face. Her lip was still swollen, but it had gone down since yesterday and she’d covered the scratches with make-up.
“Look who it is,” Sasha said dryly.
“Don’t worry, I’m going,” Brandy said. “I don’t want a part in your threesome, thanks.”
Brandy turned on her heel and left the bathroom.
“Typical Brandy,” Sasha said. “Always a snide remark.”
“We just have to ignore her,” Zoe said. “She’ll soon get the message.”
“Yeah, come on guys, we’ve got class,” Sasha agreed. She hooked her arms into Zoe and Aurora’s and led them out of the bathroom and down the corridor.
As Sasha began discussing the outfit she’d be wearing tonight, Aurora caught a glimpse of Brandy’s mane of dark hair disappear through the front doors and out of the school.
* * *
Clint was surprised when Troy grabbed his arm and steered him into the toilets. Tamar, not wanting to be left out, followed.
“What’s going on?” Clint asked, throwing Troy’s arm off his own.
Troy looked agitated.
“Come on, spit it out.”
Clint looked at Troy’s face and noticed for the first time that he looked tired. Tired and stressed. Maybe it was the guilt, Clint thought. Or he’d just had a late night with Brandy.
“I’ve got to show you something,” Troy said, his voice low. Then he looked around, “Where’s Amal?”
Clint shrugged and they both looked to Tamar.
“I dunno, he wasn’t outside his when I went past. I thought he was skiving,” Tamar said.
“Fine, whatever,” Troy said, “Look at this.”
He reached into his rucksack and pulled out a crumpled shirt.
“Your laundry?” Tamar laughed, “Fuck sake, man.”
“Shut your face.”
Clint watched as Troy gently unfolded the shirt to reveal a small black handgun.
“Fuck,” Clint said. “Where the hell did you get that?”
“Never you mind,” Troy replied.
“What you going to do with it?” Tamar asked.
“What the fuck do you think I’m going to do with it?”
“But who?” Clint asked.
“Best if I don’t tell you, just in case,” Troy said. “I’m doing it tonight, though.”
“You sure about this?”
“Yeah, man, ‘course. It’s payback, innit.”
“Payback for what?”
“Who cares?” Tamar said. “You tried it out yet?”
“Nah, too risky. But I know how to use it,” Troy replied. “It’s piss easy.”
“Wicked,” Tamar said, eyes still on the gun.
Clint watched as they both eyed the gun with adoration. He could guess where he’d gotten the gun. Tyrese and Trent had access to all sorts. And they’d probably asked Troy to carry it, now that he was officially part of the gang.
Clint shuddered. The thought of somebody dying in just a matter of hours, because of the gun lying in Troy’s palm, right in front of his eyes, made him feel queasy.
“You don’t have to do it, though, bro,” Clint said, looking in Troy’s face.
Tamar guffawed.
“I know I don’t you tit,” Troy said, wrapping the gun back up in the shirt. “I want to.”
“Whatever, man,” Clint said.
Troy carefully put the gun back into his rucksack and pulled it over his shoulders. Clint was uncomfortable here. He wanted fresh air and a cigarette. Troy had changed. He’d smiled at the thought of killing somebody. Taking another life. He wanted to.
Clint followed Troy out of the toilets and into the corridor, Tamar trailing behind him, bouncing around in excitement like a puppy that had been given its first chew-toy.
“Remember, mouths shut, and not a word,” Troy said under his breath.
Clint and Tamar nodded and as they traipsed out for a fag, Clint knew the game was changing.
* * *
Jessie watched as Jazz blew smoke lazily into the air and held out her arm to pass the joint to Corey. Corey took it and held it out for Jessie.
“Ladies first,” he said, and Jessie took it gratefully.
Her head was in a bubble of pleasure, the morning’s argument with her mum long forgotten. They’d been smoking weed for hours and now she couldn’t be bothered to get up off the couch.
After taking her turn, she passed the joint back to Corey, who finished it. Jazz began gently snoring from her couch, her arm thrown across her face.
“Some people can’t handle their weed, eh?” Corey laughed, dropping the joint into the ashtray and leaning back on the couch, looking at Jessie with interest.
“I guess. We did have a lot though.”
Jessie wished her words would come out properly, but they sounded slurred and disjointed to her. They’d smoked so much. Maybe too much.
“School’s just about to finish,” Corey said, looking at his watch. “Guess you can write it off.”
“Yeah, I didn’t want to go in anyway.”
“Not a fan then?”
“No way.”
“You’ve got nice eyes.”
Jessie was surprised by his remark, but flattered. He slid along the cushion, closer to her, his arm casually draped over the back of the couch, inches away from her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she managed. “You do too.”
As she said it, she realised he really did. The whites were slightly bloodshot, but that only made him more appealing. He had a look of danger about him.
“I’ve never heard you talk about a boyfriend before,” he said, coming closer still.
“Yeah, well, I don’t want to get tied down. You know what it’s like.”
Jessie wondered if Corey would see through her lies, but he didn’t seem to. He seemed to hesitate, as if detecting her nerves. Shit, Jessie thought. She wanted him badly. She wanted him to be her first proper fuck. He couldn’t back away now.
Before he could change his mind, Jessie dropped her hand to his thigh, the cotton dressing gown soft to her touch. Corey swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on her. Sensing her opportunity, Jessie leaned forward and closed her eyes, her lips finding his without guidance. Her lips parted and his tongue slipped inside her mouth. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer towards him.
She tried to move her legs, make it easier for him, but she didn’t have to. He pressed hard against her, his kisses coming quicker now.
“Do you want to come upstairs with me?” Corey asked between kisses.
Jessie couldn’t speak, but murmured her consent. He moved away from her and took her hand, half-dragging her upstairs.
He showed her into his bedroom and closed the door behind them. Before Jessie had time to look around, Corey’s lips were on hers again, his hands fumbling with her school uniform. Her shirt fell to the floor a
nd she suddenly felt exposed. This was her first time, did she want it to be when she was stoned? Corey’s hands ran over her skin, her breasts, and Jessie felt herself melt into him. She wanted him badly.
He pulled her skirt down and she kicked it away from her as they made their way to the bed, lips still locked together, stumbling over clothes that had been discarded on the floor.
When they hit the bed, Jessie lay on top of the duvet as Corey dropped his dressing gown on the floor and pressed himself against her once more.
Jessie closed her eyes and groaned with pleasure.
* * *
“You sure this is a good idea?” Tamar asked.
“Shut up,” Troy replied. “It’ll only take a minute. Then you can fuck off.”
“What if he’s sick or something?”
“Then we’ll be less than a minute.”
“I bet he’s just been skiving. There’s no point disturbing him. Try ringing him again.”
“His phone’s off,” Clint said.
Clint knocked again on Amal’s front door and waited. Behind him, Troy and Tamar paced anxiously. Clint was starting to regret bringing them with him. With no sign of Amal all day at school, and his phone turned off, Clint had decided to pay him a home visit. Troy and Tamar had reluctantly come along, after pressure from Clint. Clint realised he should’ve let them get on with whatever they wanted to be doing. Tamar was supposed to be meeting some girl, and Troy obviously had his own plans for the evening, of which he wouldn’t tell anybody the details.
“Come on, nobody’s answering,” Tamar said from behind him. “Let’s just go.”
“You fuck off if your bit of skirt can’t wait five minutes,” Troy responded.
Clint was about to tell them that they could both fuck off, when the front door opened. Amal’s mother stood in the doorway, her dark, pleasant face bordered by a red hijab.
“Is Amal in?” Clint asked, smiling at the short woman.
She shook her head and her lips quivered.
“Do you know when he’ll be back?”
She shook her head again and sighed.
The Goldsworth Series Box Set Page 27