Half-smiling, Troy went into the shower rooms. A few guys were already here, and he ignored them, finding a shower and running the water.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Goldie enter the bathroom, flanked by two guys who looked just as mean as he did. Troy tried to ignore them. He did not want trouble with them.
“Hey neighbour,” Goldie called out to him, approaching.
Troy felt his hands shake, but he ignored him.
“Oi, I was talking to you,” Goldie hissed, grabbing Troy’s shoulder and spinning him round so they were face to face. Troy winced as pain from his cuts shot through him. “You forget your manners?”
“I don’t want any trouble,” Troy said quietly, averting his gaze from the golden teeth. “I just want a shower.”
Goldie laughed, and a few flecks of spit flew from his mouth, landing on Troy’s face. He resisted the urge to wipe them off. The two guys with Goldie laughed too, though it didn’t reach their eyes, and it stopped as quickly as it had started.
“That’s a bit rich coming from you,” Goldie said, serious again. “You used to love stirring up trouble, didn’t you? You and your filthy girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Troy murmured, knowing who Goldie was referring to. He tried not to think about Brandy at all.
“She ditched you, did she?” Goldie smirked. “Probably because she had a real man. After me, I guess you’re not much to compare to, eh?”
Troy swallowed hard, not wanting to rise to the bait. He hoped Goldie would get bored and move on from this torment. He lowered his eyes to the floor.
Goldie was having none of it. His hand shot out, grabbing Troy under the chin and forcibly lifting his head so they were eye-to-eye.
“You remember what your brothers did to me?” Goldie hissed, eyes flashing angrily. Troy felt his body shaking, unsure what to do or how to pacify the situation. Goldie’s anger did not seem to be fading. “They battered me, remember? Broke my legs. That hurt. You ever been hurt like that?”
Troy shook his head, Goldie’s hand still holding his chin. Goldie grinned, his gold teeth glinting. He ran his tongue over his chapped lips, and Troy shivered.
“You’re going to find out,” Goldie said softly, leaning closer. “Your brothers are finished. You don’t have nobody to protect you now.”
Troy looked into his eyes, willing this just to be a threat.
“You know why I’m in here?” Goldie asked, smiling playfully. “I killed your brother. You should’ve seen his face after I blew it halfway across the dance floor.”
His two mates chuckled at that, but Troy was unable to react, his body too tense with fear. Goldie frowned, clearly frustrated that his words were having such little effect. Troy wondered if he had wanted to provoke a reaction.
“Damn, did prison break you this fast?” Goldie sniggered. “Normally takes a few years.”
Troy bit on his lower lip, hoping his fear would not betray him.
“How about I break you even more?” Goldie smiled. “Like I did with your precious little girlfriend.”
He nodded at his two mates and they retreated to keep an eye on the door. Troy glanced around, realising that the bathroom had cleared, and that they were the only ones who remained. He felt the spray on the back of his legs from the shower behind him, the water hot now.
Goldie slapped Troy’s face, grinning wide. Troy blinked hard, fighting the tears, suddenly realising what Goldie intended. He took half a step back, and Goldie’s fist hit him hard in the side of the head. He staggered backwards.
The floor was slippery and as Goldie landed another punch, Troy’s bare foot lost its balance on the wet tiles and he hit the floor hard, pain shooting from his knee and coursing through his body. Goldie landed a kick to his back, and Troy went to the floor.
“Please,” Troy cried out, as Goldie’s hand tore the towel from him.
“Begging?” Goldie laughed, standing over him. “Ask your girlfriend how that worked out for her.”
Troy felt tears stinging his cheeks, the cold tiles pressed against his stomach and chest, as he heard Goldie’s towel and washbag drop to the floor and his hands gripped his waist.
* * *
Tyrese lifted his fourth pint to his lips.
The barman was keeping an eye on him but knew better than to say anything. Tyrese knew that he was probably drinking too much, too quickly, but it was his brother’s funeral. What was he supposed to do? He was alone, nobody else cared about his brother, except for his mum who had barely shown her face and scarpered back home first chance she got.
This was what Trent would want, Tyrese thought. Drinks and more drinks. It was how he had lived his life, so Tyrese convinced himself that he was doing this to commemorate his brother. He had nothing better to do, he reminded himself. He had no hope of controlling the Goldsworth alone, and he had no desire to do it either. His record meant he could hardly go for an office job. Whatever way he looked at it, he was finished.
He took another long drink.
The pub doors opened, and he did a double-take as Brandy walked in. She caught the barman’s eye. He gave her an eyeful and poured her a vodka. Brandy knocked half the drink back in one, before she noticed Tyrese at the end of the bar.
He nodded in her direction. She hesitated, glancing quickly at the door. Tyrese remembered the last time he had come face to face with her, the beating Trent had given her. No wonder she was checking out her escape route.
He gestured her over, and Brandy picked up her drink and slowly made her way down the bar towards him. Her eyes were suspicious, lips thin. She was nervous.
“Don’t worry,” Tyrese said, taking another drink. “I’m not out for trouble.”
Brandy eyed the empty pint glasses on the bar in front of him.
“You want another one?” Tyrese asked, surprising himself with the question. Brandy shrugged, and Tyrese ordered another round. Brandy drained the last of her drink, and Tyrese quickly surveyed her. He had never had much to do with the girl, even if she had spent most of her time round at the flat when she was with Troy. She looked different now, hardened by her time locked-up and motherhood, he guessed.
“I heard about Trent,” Brandy said slowly, not looking at him, as the barman slid their drinks to them over the bar. Tyrese noticed she did not offer her condolences. Not that he could blame her. “Is that why you’re here by yourself, knocking them back?”
“Something like that,” Tyrese muttered, finishing his pint and reaching for the fresh one. Brandy watched him. There was a long silence.
“Well, thanks for the drink,” Brandy said, picking up the glass and taking a sip, drinking this one slower. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”
Tyrese surprised himself.
“You can stick around, if you wanted,” he said. Brandy’s eyes widened in surprise. Tyrese shrugged. “I mean, looks like you could do with a few more vodkas.”
“And you want the company?” Brandy asked knowingly. She glanced at his phone, lying discarded on the bar beside his wallet and keys. “You not got any mates to call?”
“I guess not,” Tyrese said, shaking his head.
Brandy shrugged and sat down on the bar stool next to him, her hands wrapped around her drink. Tyrese nodded, pleased to have some company, even if it was her.
* * *
Kojo put an arm around Scarlett’s shoulders and was pleased when she relaxed against him. The flat was empty. Clint was out with Aurora and Angel, and his mum had gone out. Kojo had not bothered to ask where she was going, excited for having the flat to himself.
He was impressed with Scarlett’s outfit. She looked pretty, and he was relieved that things seemed as if they were back to normal between them. He was glad he had gone around and apologized last night. He wondered if she still harboured some resentment, but her body language told him that she did not.
Her phone vibrated but she ignored it, and Kojo felt her shoulders tense against him. He wondered who she was avoiding.
Was it another boy? The thought sent a jolt of jealousy through him.
“Who was that?” Kojo asked, trying to sound as casual as he could. “You’ve been ignoring texts since you got here.”
Scarlett sighed.
“It’s my sister,” she said. Kojo relaxed, his jealousy fading. He felt stupid for thinking she was that kind of girl. “We had a row.”
“It’ll be fine in the end,” Kojo assured her.
“Do you think I should message her back?” she asked, twisting in his arms to look at him. He saw the worry in her eyes.
“No, give it some time,” Kojo said. He only half-believed his own advice, but he did not want to spend their time together talking about her sister. He resented her older sister. Interfering cow, he thought. “Let her cool herself down.”
“You’re right,” Scarlett smiled, relaxing against him again. She kissed him on the lips. Kojo felt himself stirring. Since he had lost his virginity, felt what it was like to be inside a girl, he had been thinking of little else. He wanted to experience it again, and he wanted it to be with Scarlett.
He kissed her back, deeper this time. Her hands went to his chest. He hoped she would not prove Kent right and turn out to be frigid. His hands shook slightly as he slid them under her top. Her body tensed but she did not stop him.
Encouraged, Kojo shifted his body, pulling her into his lap. He could sense she was nervous, but his desire was thick and overpowering and he did not want to stop.
He pulled away from her and she looked at him, questioning. Her eyes were wide, innocent, and he wanted her. He smiled reassuringly as he stood up and offered her his hand. She took it, though her look was anxious now.
Leading her into his bedroom, he just hoped she would prove how much she liked him. He knew she liked him, and he did not think she would offer any resistance.
* * *
Sanjay walked down the street, his thoughts still on Naz and whether his cousin had what it took to take out Jayden tonight. His cousin was a pushover, but he was certain that Naz wanted to prove himself, show him that he could be trusted, and that meant he would no doubt do what he was told. At least that was what Sanjay hoped.
If not, at least Sanjay could take charge of the situation and deal with Naz later. Whatever happened tonight, Jayden would be dead.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, checking for messages. Nothing. He grimaced and hoped that his plan was working. Everything had to fall into place for tonight to go off perfectly. Killing Jayden was just part of the plan.
Nearing the pub, he slowed his pace, but his hesitation was short lived. The pub door swung open and Brandy walked out, cigarette in hand.
He caught her eye and ducked down an alleyway. She joined him, lighting her cigarette, and he smelt vodka on her breath.
“You get it?” Sanjay asked.
Brandy nodded and pulled a phone out of her purse. Sanjay grinned, taking Tyrese’s mobile from her.
“You got my money?” Brandy asked, blowing smoke over him.
Sanjay pulled a wad of cash out and she took it, stuffing it down her bra. She smiled, giving him a wink as she backed out of the alleyway.
“He still on the drink?” Sanjay asked her.
“Yeah, he’s knocking them back,” Brandy replied. “Luckily he’s getting the rounds in.”
“Just keep him drinking.”
“You going to tell me why I’m doing all this?” Brandy asked. “You didn’t go into details on the phone this morning. And why me?”
“I was going to ask Adrianna, but you’re the second person I thought of when I was trying to think of girls who had it in for the Banks brothers,” Sanjay replied. “And don’t worry about why you’re doing it. Just keep him drinking, and maybe there’ll be a few more notes in it for you.”
Brandy shrugged, flicking the cigarette into the gutter and heading back towards the pub.
Sanjay watched her go back inside, pleased that the first part of his plan was working. He slid Tyrese’s mobile into his pocket and set off down the road.
* * *
Troy heard the footsteps retreating and then there was silence. Goldie and his mates had gone. He lay on the tiled floor, his body aching, the spray from the shower still splashing his skin.
The side of his face pressed against the floor ached, and he imagined the outline of the tile ingrained on his cheek, and on his chest. His body ached and he felt shame wash over him, though he did not move, made no effort to reach for his towel or cover his nakedness as he lay there.
He shuddered at the thought of what Goldie had done, the pain and the grunting in his ear, the smell of Goldie’s sweat and stale smoke as he pressed against him, his breath hot on the back of his neck.
Goldie had laughed as he had pulled his trousers back up. The thought made Troy feel sick. He had was defeated. He was finished. This was game over, Troy thought, knowing he could never tell anyone what had happened, what he had let Goldie do to him. The thought of his mates’ reactions, or Tyrese’s, did not bear thinking about.
He heard voices outside and he forced himself off the floor, reaching for his towel. He grabbed his wash bag and stepped into the shower, letting hot water wash over his skin, though he imagined he could still smell Goldie’s sweat on him.
In his washbag, he found the razor. He shivered, his fingers shaking.
Taking a deep breath, he slid the blade across the flesh of his upper arm. A drop of blood oozed out of the cut, then another. As it mixed with the hot water, it became slick and ran down his arm dripping onto the floor and swirling down the plug hole. He bit his lower lip against the pain and drew the blade across his skin again.
* * *
Kojo relaxed against the pillow and closed his eyes. He could really do with a joint right now, he thought. The sunshine slanted through a crack in the curtains, and he looked down at Scarlett, in the crook of his arm, her head on his chest.
The sheets were damp against his skin and he knew he would have to do the laundry himself later, so his mum would not notice the smear of blood on the white sheet. It had been Scarlett’s first time and she had moaned softly in his ear, grasping his body tight. He had found himself wishing that this was his first time too. Being with her had been so perfect, and he wished that this memory could replace the one of the blonde, her tears and stiff body resisting him as he had taken her by force. In contrast, Scarlett had been so open to him. That was how a first time should be, he thought, forcing himself not to think about the blonde. She wasn’t worth his thoughts.
“How are you feeling?” Kojo whispered, running a hand through Scarlett’s curls. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Scarlett looked up at him, and he thought he saw a flicker in her eyes. Perhaps he had hurt her, he thought, remembering her moaning, the way her body had twisted underneath him.
“No,” she said, and he could tell if she was sparing his feelings. “I’m sorry for, erm, the blood. I didn’t realise -”
“Don’t worry,” Kojo reassured her, kissing her forehead.
“It’s just it was my first time,” Scarlett whispered, as if ashamed, and Kojo held her tighter in his arms.
“I know,” he assured her. “You were great. I wish it was my first -” He stopped at once, seeing the hurt flash across her face, her muscles tense against him with surprise. She had thought it was his first time. He swallowed hard. “I mean, I only did it once before, you know, and that didn’t mean anything. You’re basically my first,” he stammered, backtracking. “I wish you were my first, I mean -” He trailed off.
Scarlett opened her mouth to speak, but she froze as keys sounded in the front door. Kojo’s pulse quickened.
“Where are you woman?” his father bellowed. “What’s a man got to do to get some food around here?” He heard his father’s heavy footsteps in the hallway and the bathroom door open and slam shut.
Kojo jumped out of bed, pulling his clothes on. Scarlett did the same, glancing ashamed at the blood on the sheets. T
hey dressed quickly, as pipes creaked into life and his father began to whistle in the shower.
“I’m sorry, I thought he’d be out all day,” Kojo whispered, as Scarlett finished dressing and they crept into the lounge to get the rest of her things.
“Don’t worry,” Scarlett said softly, and he frowned at the look on her face. He could see her disappointment, but he could not tell if it was his father coming back or because he had admitted that she was not his first. He wanted to question her, put her mind at ease, but his father’s presence stopped him.
“I’ll text you later,” Kojo said, as he showed her to the front door.
“Sure,” Scarlett said. “Promise.”
He kissed her lightly on the lips and then she was gone. He closed the front door behind her.
“Is that you woman?” his dad shouted from the shower.
“It’s just me,” Kojo shouted back.
His dad grunted and resumed his whistling. Kojo retreated to his room, pulling the sheets off his bed and bundling them up so he could wash them before any questions were asked.
* * *
Scarlett glanced wistfully back at Kojo’s front door before walking slowly down the balcony to the stairwell. She ached between her legs and she wondered if everyone felt that discomfort after their first time.
It was not the dull ache that bothered her though. She wondered who Kojo’s first time had been with. She had not even questioned whether he had been with anyone else, assuming it was his first time too. She felt embarrassed now, that he was her first and that she was not his. He had been kind, and his panic, his stammering, endeared him to her. At least he had said that he had only been with one girl before her, and that reassured her a little.
As she made her way across the courtyard, she could not quite shake her jealousy that another girl had been with Kojo before her. She tried to forget about it, but she conjured images of other girls she had seen at school or around the estate, wondering who had been his first.
Her phone vibrated and her heart fluttered, hoping it was Kojo. Her elation crashed when she saw another message from her sister.
The Goldsworth Series Box Set Page 143