by Megan Lowe
“Wait!” I shout. “I know where you can get your money.” I wait for the blow but it doesn’t come.
“Is this just to avoid a beating?” Connor asks.
I open an eye and find his fist is resting in his other hand for the moment.
“No.” I shake my head. “My sister’s boyfriend, you were right about him. He is an FMX rider.”
“I already know this,” Connor says, a bored lilt to his voice. “He’s already paid your debt off once, you think he’ll do it again?”
“No, but I do know he has a hundred-thousand-dollar bike in his apartment.”
Connor’s expression turns thoughtful. “A hundred grand, you say?”
I nod. “Uh-huh.”
“Interesting, but why are you mentioning it to me?”
“He doesn’t need it anymore, so you could take it, sell it,” I say.
“I could.”
“Please,” I plead.
“Seems you’ve got a thing for having Mav,” he sneers the name, “save you.”
“Do you want the bike or not?” I ask, feeling braver than I am.
“A hundred grand should be enough for me to call you square.”
“I don’t owe you anywhere near that amount!” I protest.
“It’s either that or I take what you owe from your blood and that fine-arse sister of yours.”
I see red at the mention of Aubrey. “Leave her out of this!”
Connor just laughs. “So what’ll it be, tubby?” I sigh, and give them Mav’s address. “Good choice,” Connor says, and pats my face.
“So we’re good?” I ask.
“Sure, until next time.”
“Just leave me alone, Connor. You’re getting more than what you’re owed. You don’t need me anymore.”
“But that’s where you’re wrong, tubby. Each time you owe me, I end up getting more than what I’m owed, so I think I’ll keep you around. You could always say no,” he says.
“Whatever,” I mumble. He motions to the guy behind me, who lets me go. I collapse onto the floor.
“Oh, and Josh,” Connor says, grabbing hold of my hair and yanking me to my feet. Before I can brace, he shoves his fist into my stomach. “That’s for fucking me round in the first place.” He turns and leaves, whistling as he goes.
I feel sick at the bargain I made, but what choice did I have? And what I said was true. Mav doesn’t need his bike anymore; he barely rides it. Besides, he’s the reason I’m in this mess. If he and Aubrey hadn’t ignored me and made me feel like shit, I never would’ve gone back to Connor. On second thought, I don’t feel bad. I have nothing to feel bad about. They should be the ones feeling bad over the way they treated me.
My phone rings and snaps me out of my reverie. I look to see who it is, and Aubrey’s face pops up on the screen. I know this will be about the break-in. Do I answer the call? Can I answer it? What do I say if I do? The ringing stops before I have to worry about the answers to that. She calls again and I know I can’t ignore it. It’s obvious something is wrong and if I don’t talk to her, it’s probably only going to increase their worry over me. That’s the last thing I need. Not that there needs to be any worry. I can stop gambling whenever I want to. I just don’t want to. I know what Aubrey’s going to say, what she’s going to accuse me of. She’s going to say that I dug myself a hole that I couldn’t get out of. Well, I did get out this time; it was all me. I didn’t need perfect Mav to come to my rescue. But still, the fingers will start pointing. After all, who else is there for them to blame? All roads are leading back to me, to my “problem.” Because everything is my fault, it makes sense, right? Because I’m the screw-up. Never mind the fact that they’re shitty friends. Oh no, that doesn’t matter, not in their perfect world. Guess it’s not so perfect anymore. Serves them right for treating me like shit.
She calls back two more times before I finally answer. It’s time to put my game face on. For me to pretend that I’m the good brother, the good friend, that I’m not still hurt over their treatment of me, that I’m simply sulking. For me to pretend that I didn’t orchestrate this whole thing.
“It’s about time,” she says in greeting.
“Sorry, my phone was buried at the bottom of my bag. What’s up?” I figure playing it cool will be my best bet here.
“Mav’s flat was broken into, his bike’s gone,” she says.
“Oh shit, no way?” This shit right here is Oscar worthy.
“Yeah, the place is a mess.”
“Who would do something like that?” I ask.
“We have no idea.”
“Did you need me to do anything?” I ask.
“What? Oh, no, I just thought I’d let you know what’s going on and ask if you’ve heard from Connor lately?” And there it is. They’re already setting me up to take the blame, just like I knew they would. Because everything is always my fault.
“You think I had something to do with this?”
“No! We thought maybe Connor was pissed at Mav for something and that he may have contacted you and said something that might help.”
“Nope, sorry, haven’t heard from him in ages,” I say.
“Okay, well if he gets in touch with you, let us know?”
“Sure thing,” I spit out before I hang up. I knew it. I knew they’d try to blame me. Well fuck them, and fuck Mav with his tattoos and fancy bike. I don’t need them, either of them. I’m fine on my own.
Chapter 24
Aubrey
Mav’s flat is a mess. His stuff is strewn everywhere, and most of it will have to be replaced. The police showed up, took photos, and dusted for fingerprints, but they’re not optimistic. After they’re gone, we begin the task of cleaning up.
“You’re basically going to have to replace everything,” I tell him.
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know.”
I go over to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “At least you have insurance.”
“I couldn’t give a shit about replacing all this. It’s my bike I’m most pissed about,” he says.
“Can you not get another one?” ’Cause you know, hundred-thousand-dollar bikes just grow on trees.
He blows out a breath. “I can get a stock bike, but what makes that bike great is that it was customised for me. Getting those parts takes time. More than that, though, they took it for no reason. The bike is pretty much worthless.”
“I thought you said it was worth a hundred grand?” I say.
“Only when I ride it. The bike was made for me, what I like. The setup and the parts were custom made for me. They wouldn’t fit another rider.”
“Could they not strip it and sell the parts?”
“They could, but it wouldn’t be worth nearly as much. They’d maybe be able to get ten thousand for them, and that’s being generous,” he says.
We finished cleaning up as best as we could before Mav checked into a hotel for the night. I would’ve joined him, but I wanted to get home and check on Josh. Even though he said he was fine and hadn’t heard from Connor, I still felt like something was up. Twintuition? Maybe, but regardless, something was up with my brother and I wanted to find out what.
He’s in his bedroom when I get home.
“Hey,” I say, standing in his doorway.
He jumps at the sound of my voice. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry.” I take a seat on his bed.
“I figured you’d be with Mav.”
“I was. We only just finished up cleaning his apartment and he’s checked into a hotel.”
“So why are you here?” he asks.
“I live here.”
“Technically.”
“No, not technically, I do live here,” I say.
“When it suits you.”
“What’s going on, Josh? Why are you acting this way?” I ask. This isn’t him.
“What way am I acting?”
“Like you’re angry with me.”
�
�Why would I be angry with you?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.” I hate how standoffish he’s being.
“Why are you even here, Aubrey? We both know you’d rather be with Mav, like you are most of the time.”
“Are you jealous I’m spending so much time with him?” I ask.
“Why would I be jealous?”
“Ah!” I yell in frustration. “Cut the crap, Josh, and tell me what’s going on. I know there’s something.”
“Using your twintuition, are you? I thought we didn’t have that since we’re not really twins,” he spits.
I sigh. “I shouldn’t have said that. You know it’s not what I meant anyway.”
“I know exactly what you meant,” he says.
“Whatever,” I dismiss that comment. “I just thought I’d come home and check in with you, see how you’re going, all that sort of stuff.”
“You mean check to see if I’m the one who sold your boyfriend out,” he spits.
“What?” I ask, shocked. “No! Where the hell did that come from?”
“I’m not stupid, Aubrey. I know what you and Mav think of me. You think I have a gambling problem and I can’t be trusted.”
I scoot closer to him and grab his hand. He tries to pull away, but I hold on tighter. “We don’t think that at all. Do we think you should talk to someone about your gambling? Yes, we do. But we know you can be trusted, Josh. We do trust you.”
He tears his hand out of mine. “Do you hear yourself? ‘We.’ It’s ridiculous.”
I’m taken aback. I thought he wanted Mav and me together. “I thought you were behind Mav and me?” I ask.
“You know it’s only going to end badly, right? Then it’ll all be my fault,” he says.
“Why are we going to end badly? And why would it be your fault?” I’m so confused as to why Josh is acting this way, saying these crazy things, and what could possibly have caused it.
A sad, almost pitying look comes across his face. “You know why, Aubrey.”
I cross my arms. “No. I don’t know why. Why don’t you enlighten me?”
He sighs and pats my knee. “You know what sort of guy he is, Aub. You’ve known all along, you’ve just fallen for his charm. We both know he isn’t the long-term kind of guy, that sooner or later he’s going to up and leave you.”
I see red. “He’s your best friend,” I grit out.
He shrugs. “Just because he used to be my best friend doesn’t mean I don’t know what kind of guy he is, what people are saying about him, about you.”
“What are they saying about me?” I ask.
“That you’re a bikie slut.” He has a smug look on his face. My hand stings as it connects with his face.
“How dare you say that to me!” I cry, springing to my feet. “More to the point, how could you say that about your own sister?”
“I can say it because it’s true,” he says, defiance in his eyes.
“But you know it’s not!” I’m almost pleading with him at this point.
“I know what I see, and that’s enough to make up my mind. Besides, it’s not like you’re without your own judgments, Aubrey.” He sneers my name.
“I don’t know why you’re acting this way,” I sob, tears flowing down my face. “Mav has been nothing but kind to you. Hell, he even bailed you out from all that trouble with Connor. And I’ve always been there for you.”
“Until you weren’t.”
“When have you needed me and I didn’t answer?” I ask, throwing my arms out in frustration. “Is this about your gambling? Are you gambling again?”
“For the last fucking time,” Josh says, throwing the TV remote at the wall closest to me. “I’m not gambling, and even if I was, I don’t need your help.” I stare up at my brother, someone I’m not even sure I know anymore.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“Just someone you shared a womb with for nine months.”
I shake my head and move towards the door. “I don’t know what’s happened to you, but no matter what, if you need me I’ll always be here for you.”
I grab some clothes, shove them in a bag, and walk out the door.
Chapter 25
Mav
I flop back onto the soft hotel bed and blow out a breath. What a fucking day. I call Park to see what we can do about trying to put together another bike and how long it’ll take. The good news is it’s a while before the Extreme Games, so it gives us a bit of room. If I want to compete, that is. I haven’t decided one way or the other, but if I am going to go, this throws a major spanner in the works. A list of people who could’ve done this runs through my mind, but no one really sticks out. I mean, obviously Connor is on the list, but neither Aubrey nor I have had any contact with him in months. Sure, we’ve seen him out and about but he hasn’t approached us or anything.
The lock beeps and I lift my head to see Aubrey come through the door. I made sure she got a key when I checked in, you know, just in case.
“Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were going home,” I say.
She sniffs, and I realise she’s been crying. I jump off the bed and crush her to my chest. She clutches me tightly and breaks down. I run my hand over her hair and up and down her back, hoping it helps soothe her. Eventually her tears stop and she steps back, leaving two wet patches on my shirt.
I cup her face. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head but says, “I’m fine, sorry about that and your shirt.”
“Fuck the shirt, and you’re obviously not okay. Tell me what’s got you so upset, sweetheart.”
She sighs. “It’s nothing.” I give her a don’t-give-me-that-shit look. She sighs again. “Can we sit?”
I nod and drag her to the bed, climb on, and pull her into my lap. “Tell me what happened.” She runs a finger along the neckline of my shirt. “Aubrey,” I say.
“Ugh, fine. I went home to check on Josh. When I called him to tell him about your flat he seemed a bit off, so I wanted to talk to him, see what was going on, you know?” I nod. “From the outset he was hostile, like he was angry at me, but when I asked him what I did he kept saying I didn’t do anything.”
“Okay,” I say. It’s strange that he would be angry at her, but that can’t be what upset her that much.
“Then he started in on us. He said some really horrible things that I don’t even want to think about, let alone repeat, and yeah, I just have no idea what’s gotten into him.”
“Do you think he’s gambling again?” I ask.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I hope not, especially after what happened last time. I asked him if he was and he told me it was none of my business and even if he was he didn’t need my help.”
“Didn’t need or wouldn’t need your help?” I ask.
“Huh?” she asks as she blows her nose.
“Did he say he didn’t, as in present tense, or did he say wouldn’t?”
“What’s the difference?”
“Well, if he said didn’t to me, that means he’s currently gambling. Wouldn’t implies that if it was to become a problem again in the future he wouldn’t ask for your help.”
“Oh.” Her eyes go wide. “He—” She stops and swallows loudly. “—he said didn’t.”
“Fuck,” I curse.
“You don’t think…? Surely he wouldn’t be that stupid? After everything that’s already happened?” she asks, and I shrug. “Do you think he had something to do with the break-in at your flat?”
I squeeze her tight. “I certainly hope not, but if he’s in deep again and desperate, anything is possible.”
We hold each other, lost in our own thoughts. “So what now?” I ask after a while.
She shrugs. “You need to get your apartment fixed up, and I think we need to seriously consider the possibility Josh is gambling again and did have something to do with the break-in.” She sighs, and I hug her tighter. “How could he be so stupid?” she asks angrily.
“We don’t know he is g
ambling again, or that he had anything to do with what happened today.”
She gives me a look that says “I know you’re trying to think the best but please don’t humour me.” “Who else could it have been, Mav? You have no enemies on the Coast, you’ve made no waves, and no one else in your building was targeted, so it wasn’t random. The only trouble you’ve been involved in was when you paid Connor off for Josh. It all fits.”
“Okay, say you’re right,” I say.
“I am right, as much as I don’t want to be.”
I pull her to me and kiss her forehead. “I know, sweetheart. I hope you’re wrong too. So how do we go about either proving or disproving all this?”
She sighs. “I’m going to have to confront my brother.”
“Are you sure? I mean, Josh and I are supposed to be friends.” I don’t like the idea of Aubrey doing all the work and bearing the brunt of whatever Josh is going through right now.
She cups my face. “I love you for wanting to shield me from all this, but I know my brother. He won’t open up to you. This is all on me, I’m afraid.”
“Fine,” I say. “But I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it, you just have to accept it,” she says.
“I don’t do that either, but I trust that when it comes to your brother, you know best.”
“Thank you.” She kisses me chastely. I sigh and envelop her in my arms. Automatically she snuggles closer, trying to be as near to me as possible. I kiss the top of her head and eventually we both fall asleep, thoughts of our families heavy on our minds.
Chapter 26
Aubrey
After class the next day I stop off at the supermarket and pick up the ingredients for Josh’s favourite dinner. He’ll probably see straight through me, but I figure it’s worth a shot. It makes me sick to think his gambling’s got him in such a mess again. I hope to God I’m wrong, but in my gut I know I’m not. When he walks in, I’m busy in the kitchen.
“What’s all this?” he asks.
“Cooking dinner. Lamb shoulder, your favourite.”