“No Joan it’s fine,’’ Malik chuckles, and fuck me he has a sexy chuckle, all throaty and masculine. Jesus, where the hell did these Carter boys come from? I realise I’m still staring at Malik when he gives me a cocky knowing smirk. It’s then I realise grandma is still talking to me and my face begins to redden.
“Huh?’’ I ask diverting my attention away from Malik and his handsomely good looks to my Gram’s who is standing there grinning at me. Glad to know someone finds my discomfort hilarious.
“I asked if you wanted me to go get you some food. You never ate much yesterday and I bet with those disgusting school dinners you never ate there either.’’
“How do you know what the food at school tastes like?’’ I ask after swallowing the tablets she hands me.
“I dated the cook for a few weeks a few years ago and he gave me food poisoning twice, that dreadful man,’’ she scolds sounding disgusted. “I talked to the school board about it, but with the funds being so low now they can’t afford someone with more experience. I even offered my own services, but apparently I’m too old to be working in a kitchen. I’m the same age as Miss Jane,’’ She shouts towards the end, clearly offended which makes me chuckle.
One thing I learnt quickly about Gram’s and that is if she feels strongly about something she gets all riled up and is determined to get her point across until someone listens. God help the person who disagrees is all I’ll say.
“Um, well, I did try the soup, but I never really had much of an appetite,’’ I lie, not wanting her to go on another rampage if I tell her the food is in fact, disgusting. I’d only had a spoonful when I ungracefully spat it back into the bowl, wiping away the remains with a napkin.
“I’m going to fetch you some real food from next door; I’ll be back soon,’’ she says, standing up from her place on the bed.
“Grandma you don’t need to do that. Why don’t you go have dinner as planned and I’ll have something later when you’re back?’’
“I’m not leaving…’’
“Go on Joan, I’ll walk with you. I’ll grab some food for Harlow and I to have and I’ll stay with her…’’
“I am here,’’ I squeak, pissed at them for talking about me like I’m not here.
“I don’t know son, she took a nasty turn earlier, it doesn’t feel right.’’
“If you were here or not, she would be resting in bed right?’’
“Hello,’’ I say waving my hand at them.
“I suppose,’’ Gram’s answers sceptically, completely ignoring me.
“I give up,’’ I mutter. “I may as well start talking to my wall.’’
“Well then that’s settled. My Granddad has missed you like crazy and has been going on about dinner since he picked us up. Go spend some time with the crazy old fool and I’ll keep Harlow company. ‘’
“You’re such a lovely young man Malik,’’ she coos.
“I know, I follow my Granddad,’’ he winks making her giggle. Yes, fucking giggle.
“Come on then, let’s go. Honey? I won’t be long, just make sure you relax, Malik is going to keep you company while I’m gone,’’ she says softly making me groan.
“Grandma? I’m not deaf, I was here when you were talking about me like I weren’t here,’’ I mumble.
“Okay dear, see you soon,’’ she says before walking in front of Malik to give me a kiss on the forehead. My eyes close from her soft kiss, wishing my mom and dad were here at times like this. They’ve always taken care of me when I’m ill or feeling down in the dumps. My eyes water again knowing they’ll never be there when I need them, but I refuse to cry anymore. Not in front of Malik anyway or Gram’s, it will only worry her more and I know she’s still trying to deal with my mom’s death too.
I hear the front door open and slam shut fifteen minutes later from Malik coming back with food. I’ve still not had time to process what happened, and instead lay here wondering if they’ve all read my emails from Lilly. I can’t think too much over the actual email, I know it will break me all over again. Losing my parents is still raw for me. I don’t think I’ll ever get over losing them, but I know with time it will get easier.
At least I hope so anyway.
The pain is so unbearable at times that it feels like it’s choking the life out of me.
I smell the food before he even enters the bedroom. My heart is pounding in my chest, half from nerves the other from the butterflies swarming in my stomach knowing we will be alone together in my bedroom. I’m still in complete shock that Gram’s has let him stay in my bedroom alone with me when she isn’t even downstairs to keep an eye on us. My parents would never have allowed a boy in my bedroom, let alone leave me alone in the house and in my bedroom. At least I don’t think they would have, I’m not sure. They were pretty outgoing, easy parents to have. Whenever friends moaned about their parents and how unfairly they were treated I always felt blessed having parents like mine.
“Hey, how are you doing?’’ Malik asks, walking into the room with two steaming plates of food. It smells delicious, making my stomach rumble loudly. “Hungry?’’ he chuckles.
“Starving,’’ and on queue my belly grumbles again. “Gram’s wasn’t wrong about the school meals,’’ I chuckle quietly feeling nervous.
He grunts in agreement handing me the plate with a slice of lasagna and two pieces of garlic bread. It looks so yummy and smells so good it has my mouth watering.
“This smells so good,’’ I tell him, taking the knife and fork he hands me from the bag he brought.
“Your Nan packed us some drinks, cutlery and chocolate cake for dessert,’’ he chuckles. “She gave me a run down on what I’m allowed and not allowed to do too.’’
“Huh?’’ I ask confused. “What did she say?’’
“That under no circumstance can I lie beneath the sheets, no kissing or cuddling, and no drinking.’’
“She didn’t?’’ I laugh, thinking my Gram’s really is crazy and also kind of embarrassing, but in a funny way.
“She did,’’ he laughs. “She’s a special one you’re Nan, but she’s also one not to be messed with.’’
I take a bite of the lasagna, moaning at the delicious taste. My God it tastes so fucking good. Gram’s was right, this lasagna is the shit.
From the corner of my eye I notice Malik has his fork frozen halfway to his mouth. When I look up to see what’s wrong, his eyes are burning into me, the colour of his eyes darker than the usual dark brown colour they normally are.
Oh my! I can’t take my eyes off him, my body feels like it’s burning all over. He really does make me feel crazy things when he’s around. I lick the sauce off my lip unconsciously, but Malik notices, his mouth parting, making a growling sound. A fuzzy feeling starts in the pit of my stomach, especially when my eyes flicker down to his lips, wishing he’d kiss me.
Where the hell did that come from? I think as my eyes follow the curve of his full, plump lips. They’re a blood red colour, beckoning me to feel if they’re as soft as they look. My reaction towards him is startling and I have to shake myself out of the dangerous thoughts I’m having.
“Stop looking at me like that,’’ he groans, making me jump.
Shit, how long have I been staring? If he didn’t think I was a creeper before then he certainly does now.
“What?’’ I ask, feigning innocence.
“If I kiss you I won’t be able to stop. Eat your food please,’’ he says, like we’re having a normal conversation between friends.
Feeling my cheeks heat, and not wanting to embarrass myself any further, I carry on eating my dinner, giving Malik sly looks when I think he isn’t looking. A few times he catches me looking, but just gives me a knowing smirk then carries on eating like it never happened. How can he do that? Maybe because he doesn’t look at you like you’re looking at him, my inner conscious taunts.
Once we finish our food Malik gets up and places the plates on my desk before sitting back down on the bed next to me. Awkwar
d silence fills the air, neither one of us talking until I blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind.
“Why is there a shed or something that’s not finished at the back of your garden?’’
“What?’’ he asks, snapping out of his daze.
“Oh, is it not yours? I just presumed because of it being at the back of your garden. At first I thought it was a shed, but it looks too big and it’s obviously not made of wood,’’ I ramble feeling like a complete idiot.
“Oh that,’’ he grins. “Granddad has had enough of us living under the same roof. Don’t get me wrong, we all get along, but there are times when we fight and bitch at each other and it can get out of hand. Maverick and Mason started the plans for the house at the back once they got planning permission and started building it the end of last year. They’ve had to stop the work for a few weeks because neither have had the time, so they’re planning on hiring someone to come and finish it.’’
“Ohhh,’’ I mumble, finally understanding. “Who will be moving into it once it’s built?’’
“Mason and Maverick hopefully, which means Myles, Max and I get a bedroom each. So far Mason and Max share a room, Maverick and Myles share and Granddad and I both have our own room,’’ he shrugs.
“I thought the eldest would get their own room,’’ I wonder out loud. Lilly’s younger sisters have to share a room, but Lilly being the eldest got to have her own. I thought it was right of passage or something.
“Yeah, but Mav is hardly at home. Most nights he ends up sleeping in the flat above the club. Since Myles is the quiet one out of us all he got to share with him. Max and Mase are both wild cards, too loud, always out on the go like they got ants in their pants, so it seemed fitting they share,’’ he chuckles.
“Still, doesn’t explain how you got your own room,’’ I smile. “I mean, you still could have shared with Myles.’’
“Yeah, I had a few problems a few years back and didn’t handle shit well, and ended up lashing out on my brothers when I got into one. Nothing major,’’ he adds quickly seeing the horror on my face. “I’d just lose my temper, or I’d have a nightmare and kick out and stuff. It wasn’t ideal for anyone to share with me. I guess no one really wanted to change rooms after that,’’ he shrugs, his head bowed like he’s embarrassed or can’t believe he told me all of that.
I get a feeling he hasn’t told anyone that before. I understand why too. I don’t want people to know about my parent’s death. I hate all the questions I get asked, especially from inconsiderate, small minded people who ask the questions like did you see? Did you have to identify their bodies? Are you going into care? Why didn’t you die? Stuff like that. And trust me, I got asked these, a lot!
“Makes sense,’’ I nod, not sure on what to do or say next.
“Want to watch a movie? I’ve got one packed just in case you didn’t have any,’’ asks Malik.
“Or they were click flicks,’’ I add teasingly, sitting up against the headboard.
“That too. I need to keep my man card intact,’’ he smirks.
“I just bet you do,’’ I flirt grinning at him playfully.
Shit, now I’m flirting. What the hell has gotten into me? The boy has just watched me have a major freak out and I’m flirting with him.
“Oh I do,’’ he winks, making me blush.
He walks over to the DVD player not letting me see what film he’s about to put on, which doesn’t bother me really. I’d be surprised if I haven’t already seen it. I’m a huge movie nerd, so there isn’t much I haven’t seen.
“Scoot over,’’ he tells me once he gets back over to the bed after grabbing the remote off the bedside table.
“What?’’ I squeak.
“Scoot over, I’m kinda cold, and I like to be comfortable when watching a film. Now move it lady before I sit you on my lap,’’ he grins.
“You want to lie in my bed?’’ I say and he nods. “With me?’’ confused as to why he would want to be near me after everything he’s seen tonight.
“Yes, now move it.’’
When I don’t move quick enough he lifts me up with his strong bulging arms, making that fluttering sensation come back in full force from the feel of his warm hands touching me. I’m so shocked at his sudden movement that I don’t even let out a squeal, instead, a gush of air leaves my mouth on a sigh. Being this close to him has me wanting to snuggle into him, to breathe in his intoxicating scent that makes my head dizzy.
For some reason as nervous as he makes me I feel comfortable with him, like we’ve known each other a long time. Yeah I’m still a little nervous when I’m around him, but come on, it’s not every day a girl gets a hot guy like Malik in their bed wanting to watch a movie with them.
He places me across the bed gently, keeping one arm around my back when he seats himself in the bed and wraps the blanket over us. Having no other choice but to rest my head on his shoulder, I relax into him feeling content just lying here against him. Something about his scent reminds me of safety and that’s something I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s refreshing.
When the rolling credits come up I know the film immediately, I love it.
“The Hunger Games Catching Fire, I love this film,’’ I tell him clapping my hands excitedly.
“You’ve seen it?’’ he asks shocked.
“Um yeah I have,’’ I ask confused. “Why do you sound so shocked?’’
“I just pictured you as a Twilight, Notebook kind of girl, that’s all,’’ he says, his chest vibrating against my ear as he talks.
“Oh, I’ve seen those too, but I’m not a one genre movie kind of girl. I love anything from the oldies to the newest action or horror films. I don’t have a particular taste, same goes with music. I like what I like; I don’t need to label it. In fact, this is one of my favourite films. I’m excited to go watch MockingJay Part One, but haven’t had a chance,’’ I shrug against him, really wishing he wasn’t here for a second so I can try to do the mockingbird whistle. No matter how many times I’ve tried to whistle the tune I’ve never succeeded. I do, however, make a good voice impersonation of Effie Trinket when she says, ‘May the odds be ever in your favour.’
Thankfully, I say it in my head and not out loud because I’ve already made a fool of myself enough times today in front of him.
“I guess that’s a good way to be, I hate watching sappy romantic movies. I like action, blood, guts etc. Music however, I agree with you on, my taste varies. I haven’t seen the new Hunger Games; it’s why I brought this over. I want to refresh my brain before going to see it.’’
“How close is the nearest cinema around here?’’ I wonder.
“Oh it’s not too far actually. If you catch the bus into Wellingborough, it’s five minutes from the bus stop.’’
I don’t say anything else as my mind is completely focused on the movie playing, loving the part where she steps in front of Gale when he’s being whipped. So sweet and brave of her to step up like that.
My headache is starting to ease off a little, but the tablets my Gram’s had given to me start to make me feel a little drowsy and it isn’t long before I’m falling asleep cuddled against Malik like we have known each other forever and not just met today.
Chapter Four
Arriving at school the next day students kept giving me funny glances, some even downright laughed when I walked past.
Finally reaching my locker I ignore the few snickers from students around me. I look around nervously not having a good feeling in my stomach. It feels like it’s tied up in knots. I don’t even know what I’m nervous about, I just have a feeling something bad is about to happen.
I make eye contact with a bunch of girls whispering among themselves trying to gauge their reaction, but they quickly turn their heads away when they see me looking. I’m starting to wonder if one of the Carter boys have already told the school what happened at their house last night, but I know if they did my Gram’s would go crazy lady on their asses.
I’ve not known her long, but I know enough to know she’s loyal to the fucking bone and doesn’t like taking shit from anyone.
I sigh with relief when there aren’t any notes stuck to my locker door. Maybe they’re taking up an extra English class before they write their next note.
Opening the locker nothing could have prepared me for what happened. I mean no one. The picture of a naked woman with her legs spread open that is taped to the inside of my locker door doesn’t bother me. Not even the picture they’ve gotten of my face stuck to the naked model bothers me. No, what bothers me is the foul smell coming from inside the locker. It smells like a lad’s gym locker with dead fish, it’s making me heave that badly.
Noticing a white plastic bag on the bottom shelf of the locker, I slowly open it, taking my time in case something crawls out and attacks me. I’m cautious as fuck worrying something is dead in there because that’s what it smells like. My assumptions are right and I have to take a step back dry heaving near the floor next to me, my eyes watering. They’ve put a gutted fish in my locker. I’m wondering what the big joke is over a gutted fish when I hear everyone laughing. Seriously? Could they not get any more cliché? Or act less immature?
“Hey what’s…. what the hell is that smell?’’ Myles groans beside me dry heaving himself.
I want to hide my face in embarrassment, but I know it will only give whoever did this the satisfaction of knowing they’ve gotten to me. Myles hisses when he looks inside the locker, his eyes raking over the picture before he rips it down with a growl.
I honestly thought I’d had Myles all pegged last night, but I was totally wrong about him. I honestly thought he was the sort of lad to keep to himself and avoid confrontation at all costs, but from the glares he sends the girls that are giggling tells me that isn’t the case.
“Fucking immature twats,’’ he grumbles, making sure they can hear him.
“Do they do this to all the new girls or am I special?’’ I ask, my voice sounding stronger than I feel.
“No they don’t. Fuck! Hey what’s that?’’ he says, picking a card from the bag with the dead fish in it. I never noticed it before, but then, I wasn’t really looking as I was too busy trying not to throw up in front of most of the school. Trust me that shit took skill on my part. I’m still breathing through my mouth, so I don’t have to smell it.
Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1) Page 5