by Fiona Palmer
Trent squared his shoulders, his cocky smile filling his square face. ‘Bring it on.’
Jaz walked over to the grassed area and beckoned him to follow. Trent looked at his mates questioningly. Kaino and Ben shrugged while Marcus waved him on.
‘You ready?’ Jaz asked Trent, as she stood in front of him. He nodded, and before he’d finished Jaz had him on the ground in a series of swift movements.
‘What just happened?’ he said from the ground, while his mates were bent over laughing.
‘Man, that was awesome,’ said Ben, as he gave Jaz a clap.
That was the start of the rough and tumble. All the boys wanted a go at taking her down. Jaz tried to be careful and not hurt them seriously, but being typical thrillseeking guys they bounced back. ‘Let’s go again,’ said Ben as he got up from the grass.
‘Dude, she’s just going to lay your arse out on the ground again. Give it up,’ said Marcus. ‘Can you show me how you spun Kaino around and locked his arms up? That could come in handy if we ever get into trouble.’ Marcus’s green eyes were swimming with awe as he gazed at her.
‘You planning on a few pub brawls later?’ she teased.
‘No, but you never know these days. I had a drunk guy want to fight me a few weeks back at a bar. Lucky the bouncers came. So how did you do that?’
Jaz grabbed for his hand and spun him around so his body was pulled up against hers. She had his arm locked behind his back and one of her arms around his neck.
They stood like that for a while, it seemed. The warmth from his body was nice.
‘So, what’s my safe word?’ he said. ‘How do I get you to let me go? Not that I really want you to.’
Jaz noticed that his mates had gone back to the concrete area, leaving them all alone on the grass. ‘I could let you go, or you could try to break out of my hold.’
‘And how would I do that?’
‘You could try and kick me. Your legs are still free.’
‘I don’t want to hurt you.’
‘You won’t,’ she said. If only Marcus knew how much she was capable of taking. She’d had years of sparring with Tick and Bags, who always managed to connect a punch from time to time. Then there was the knife attack where she got cut and she sat through Ryan stitching her up. She was sure she could take anything Marcus was willing to throw at her.
She must have sounded a little cocky, because Marcus hooked his leg around hers and yanked it, pulling them off balance. They fell backwards onto the lawn. Jaz waisted no time, flipped over on top of Marcus and held his hands against the grass by his head. ‘Not bad, not bad at all.’
‘I have my moments,’ he said with a smile. ‘Even though it didn’t really come off like I’d hoped, I’m rather happy with the outcome.’
Marcus was cute when he smiled and Jaz was enjoying herself. It was nice to have a guy generally interested in her, one that wanted to spend time with her. Why did Ryan keep floating back into her thoughts? Jaz moved to lie on the grass beside him. She saw the disappointment in his eyes flash briefly.
‘So,’ he said, propping himself up on his elbow. ‘I have this thing next Saturday night which I need a date for. Would you be interested?’
‘I might.’ She tilted her head to the side, watching Marcus watch her intently. He stretched out a finger and ran it along her cheek to move her hair from her face. It felt nice.
‘It starts at eight, you’ll have to wear a dress and I’ll be in a suit.’
‘Oh, one of those dates. Your school ball?’
He nodded. ‘Wanna come? It might be fun but I can’t promise you any wonderful dancing.’
Jaz laughed. ‘Good, because I’m not sure I’m that good either. Just as long as there’s no Sprinkler moves or Chicken Dance, I’m in.’
‘Awesome. I’ll come pick you up. Oh, um…actually my mum will want photos.’ He pulled a face.
‘Hey, that’s okay. I get it. My mum’s the same. I can catch a taxi to your place. Then we can go together from there?’ Yes, a way to get closer to Marcus and his family.
‘You sure?’ A little line appeared on his temple.
Jaz raised her hand and pressed it away with her thumb. ‘Yeah, I’d like to see where you live.’ He caught her hand, drawing it away from his face but keeping it wrapped tightly between his fingers. It was sweet and his hand was warm.
‘You know, I’m really glad you were having a bad day when we first met, but for me it was just more proof that my lucky shirt was doing its thing.’
Jaz laughed out loud.
He raised his eyebrow. ‘Too corny?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘It was nice.’ Jaz lent over and kissed him quickly on the lips before lying back on the grass. ‘So tell me all about your folks. What’s your mum do?’
Marcus lay down beside her but didn’t let go of her hand. They looked up at the sky as they talked. They were oblivious to the sound of the guys at the skate park, of time ticking by and the people walking past.
Even two hours later, when Jaz finally headed home, they continued to text questions to each other about themselves. The only thing that stopped it from being completely normal were the notes Jaz wrote down that she thought might be relevant for the Agency. She finished jotting down what Marcus said his parents do job-wise, and then sat staring at the photo she’d taken of him on her phone.
Jaz couldn’t help but think of how Marcus had dropped her home but didn’t try for a goodbye kiss. She could tell he was interested, he’d held her hand for most of their time together, but as for wanting to move things along? Well, he was being really sweet and gentle. He was surprising her. He didn’t fit any of her pre-drawn conclusions about how a son of a possible drug dealer would be. Maybe she had watched too many movies!
Jaz had an idea and sprang from her chair. Using her phone, she took a photo of their last family portrait and sent it to Marcus.
Here is my family. My half-brother Simon & stepdad Paul. Yes, I know I’m the odd one out.
His reply was quick.
Only because ur beautiful. Nice family.
And as she’d hoped, he followed that text with a family picture of his own. His dad and mum just looked like parents. Well-dressed parents who loved their son. You could see it in their eyes and the way they each held a gentle hand on Marcus. Was it just his dad who was shifty or did his mum know about the business too? Did Marcus know, she wondered? Kids are pretty clever, he’d have to know something was going on, wouldn’t he? Maybe MTG had it wrong? It wouldn’t be the first time that someone had jumped to conclusions, right? But then, that was why Jaz was here, to make sure.
Jaz was ending up with so many questions, her head felt heavy. She printed out the photos Marcus had texted. She’d do a drop at the cemetery again soon with what she’d collected.
She climbed into bed later that night, her head spinning with thoughts. What kind of dress to get for the date. Getting her info delivered. Talking to Pax about a listening device for the Sinclair’s house. Missing Anna. Worrying about Taylor. Thinking of Marcus and how cute he is. She thought back to when he’d changed his shirt, his chest bare except for a silver circle on a black leather necklace. She’d been preoccupied with his tight stomach muscles but she remembered the silver circle had a dragon on it. But the way the dragon curled it looked like a snake. And then it hit Jaz. Finally, she remembered where she’d seen the tattoo on that bad guy who broke into Taylor’s house. Reaching over to her bedside table she grabbed her phone. She needed to talk to Ryan urgently. She knew she shouldn’t text him but she hoped something coded would be okay. Quickly she thought of what to say.
Hey u. I found ur lucky shirt. Will return it asap. x
If his phone was in the wrong hands, surely this wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary. Jaz sent the text and lay back onto her pillows, still holding her phone against her chest. Her heart was racing. She just hoped Ryan understood she needed to see him. And it was the thought of seeing Ryan that had her tossing and turning all night
.
Chapter 10
It was Thursday afternoon and Jaz still hadn’t heard from Ryan. It was killing her! Every time she got a text, she’d hold her breath hoping, exhaling when it was from Marcus or Anna and Taylor. She was feeling so tightly wound that she’d snap at any moment.
‘Hey, I’m here,’ said Anna as she joined her at the table. They were at Molly’s, which was their favourite coffee shop. It was a tiny, unassuming building amongst the other shops, and it was cosy, with a warm rustic feel. Each chair was different, all wooden or old school. There was nothing new about this shop, except for the kitchen side of things. There were exposed old bricks and photo frames with old posters and black and white pictures. They had been coming here since Anna found it when they were thirteen. Mr and Mrs Marlette had owned and operated it since the girls can remember, and they always looked after their regulars.
Anna sat beside her and picked up the menu, even though she knew everything on it. ‘Is Tay coming?’ she asked.
‘I’m here already,’ he said, behind her. He had the biggest grin and Jaz got the feeling he liked Anna’s question. He squeezed her shoulder before sitting down. ‘I just ordered for us all.’
‘Except there is going to be one more,’ said Jaz. Then she sat back and waited for the question.
‘Who’s coming?’
‘Is it him?’ said Taylor, leaning forward on his elbows. He wore his favourite black AC/DC Tour shirt and his slouch jeans. They were his casual clothes, but Taylor could still make them look great.
‘It is,’ said Jaz, before waving her finger at them. ‘And I want you guys to be nice, okay.’
‘Scouts honour,’ said Taylor with a mischievous grin.
Anna’s jaw dropped. ‘Tay only just told me you had a possible guy. I didn’t believe him though. I was certain you weren’t over Ryan.’
Jaz hoped they didn’t see her flinch. Of course she wasn’t over Ryan and she felt bad for lying to them, especially Anna. Anna knew where her heart belonged so it was no surprise she found this news about Marcus hard to swallow.
‘Marcus is really nice and I want to see where this goes, okay?’
Anna squinted at Jaz and she felt her interrogating eyes burn holes in her head. Sometimes Anna was just too clever. ‘Has Ryan really gone? Are you really trying to move on?’
‘I’m trying.’ That was the only reply Jaz thought Anna would believe. But it wasn’t the truth. One couldn’t just try to get over Ryan. ‘Oh, he’s here,’ she said, pointing to the black car. Jaz was glad for the distraction from her thoughts and from Anna’s curious looks.
‘Is that his car? Nice,’ said Taylor.
They all watched as he parked on the opposite side of the road. All eyes remained on Marcus as he walked towards the shop with a bag in his hand.
‘I must say, he’s no Ryan but he is cute,’ said Anna. ‘Nice clothes and his hair is sexy.’
‘Anna,’ grumbled Taylor.
‘Please be nice.’ Jaz shot them a look as the door opened.
Jaz stood up and waved to Marcus, whose carefree smile lit up his face. His jeans hung low on his hips and he was wearing his rusty-coloured lucky shirt again. Jaz bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Did he own any others?
‘Hey, Jaz.’ He went and stood beside her and gently touched her arm. Jaz felt that if they weren’t in front of her friends that he might have kissed her cheek. And she wouldn’t have minded one bit.
‘Marcus, I’d like you to meet my best friends.’
Marcus held out his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Taylor and Anna.’ Her friends shook his hand with awed expressions.
‘Jaz mentioned us, did she?’ asked Anna as she watched him sit down. She also watched how Marcus tucked his hair behind his ear with his long fingers. Hard not to blame her, he made it look very sexy.
‘Yes, of course. You guys are all she talks about.’ Marcus turned and winked at Jaz. ‘Here, which tie will suit your dress?’ he asked, handing over a bag.
Anna lent across and pulled out a tie while Jaz got the other two. ‘What do you think?’ Jaz said to Anna.
The ties were soft greens. ‘I think this one is closer to your dress colour,’ said Anna, holding out a sage green with thin silver stripes through it.
‘Yep, I agree, this one,’ she said, taking it and handing it to Marcus.
‘Sweet. So do I get any hints on what it looks like?’ he asked.
‘Nope, it’s a surprise,’ said Jaz. She had thought about using her one from her ball, but that was the dress she wore when Ryan had kissed her, then she thought about borrowing her mum’s red one, but that had memories of Ryan also. So instead she went out and got a new one in soft sage green.
‘It’s floaty and sexy and sweet all in one,’ said Anna. Jaz rolled her eyes. ‘What? You gotta give him something.’
Jaz ignored her friend, but thought the lilac shirt she was wearing with Little Miss Blabbermouth fitted her perfect. They had both worn denim skirts today, something Taylor had certainly noticed when she caught him staring at the length of Anna’s flawless cream legs.
‘Do you want a coffee?’ Jaz asked Marcus as she started to rise.
He put his hand out to stop her. ‘I can get it. Be back in a tick.’
Jaz watched his jean-clad butt as he walked to the counter. Hard not to, really. He was narrow and lean, young and firm. A hand squeezed at her arm and Jaz turned to see Anna smiling at her. She mouthed the words ‘OH MY GOD’.
‘I know, right?’ Jaz glanced at Taylor who was just shaking his head. ‘Hey, why didn’t you bring Ricky?’ Taylor flinched and Jaz wished he’d do something about it. At least he could tell Anna how he felt and let her decide from there.
‘I did ask him, but…’ Anna’s voice faded away.
‘But?’
‘He feels uncomfortable around Tay.’
‘What?’ That made Taylor sit up and take notice. ‘What do you mean? I’m not scary!’
‘He feels a little intimidated by you. I can see where he’s coming from. You’re gorgeous, Tay, you’re good at everything and you’re really sweet. That’s a hard act to follow.’
God, if Taylor hadn’t just turned into a beetroot. He was lost for words, staring at Anna, who was picking at her fingernails.
‘And he said you seem a bit gruff towards him.’
Taylor’s eyes dropped to the table and Jaz had to stifle a giggle behind her hand. Of course Taylor was gruff around Ricky. He had the girl he liked.
‘I’m sure he just got Tay on a bad day. A lot has been going on with the break-in and his dad,’ said Jaz, hoping to give Taylor a break.
‘Oh yeah, true. I didn’t think of that. Sorry, Tay. Is your dad any better? Have they got any leads?’
‘Nope nothing. Maybe that’s what’s got Dad so tense lately, knowing the guy is still out there. He’s looking worn out. I told him he needs to take holidays, have a break.’
‘That’s probably a good idea, Tay,’ said Jaz. Taylor probably needed one too. Nothing worse than not feeling safe in your own home. Even when his dad had doubled the security on the house.
She looked for Marcus, who had made it to the front of the queue and was ordering. He must have felt her eyes on him as he turned to smile at her, which she returned.
‘I’m here anytime if you need anything. Just call,’ said Anna, reaching over to hold Taylor’s hand.
Jaz almost wished she could give them some privacy. Poor Anna was so clueless to the effect she had on Taylor. But years of people call you names because of your strawberry red hair, freckles and intelligence had knocked her confidence. Jaz knew she didn’t think she was worthy of Taylor’s love apart from friendship. Anna didn’t know just how perfectly beautiful she was. Flawless and sweet.
‘I got us some chips to share also,’ said Marcus as he sat back down. ‘I missed lunch so I’m starved.’
‘So you all ready for the ball? What time shall I get there?’ asked Jaz.
‘Around eight-ish
. I don’t care if we arrive late. I want to get away from the folks as fast as possible so Mum doesn’t fuss.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘I’m apologising in advance for my mum.’
Taylor began to laugh. ‘You haven’t met Anna and Jaz’s mums yet, so I wouldn’t worry too much. You should just be lucky you have her,’ Taylor said with a sad smile.
‘Tay’s mum passed away a few years ago,’ Anna said softly.
‘Oh, sorry man. That’s rough,’ said Marcus. He picked up the saltshaker and rolled it through his fingers. ‘My sister died when she was young. Not as young as Jaz’s sister though. Rach was seven. She drowned in our pool. Since then, Mum’s been more protective of me as I’m all they have now. Are you and your dad close?’ he asked.
Jaz reached under the table and squeezed Marcus’s leg to let him know she cared. He found her hand and laced his fingers through hers.
‘Sort of. He works a lot.’ Taylor shrugged.
Their coffees arrived, giving them a break from the deep conversation. After they all took a sip, it went back to safer territory like school and skateboarding.
‘I prefer going to the range and having a shot. Clears the head,’ said Taylor. ‘And I don’t end up with grazes or bruises.’
Marcus looked confused. Jaz watched him carefully for a reaction of any sort. ‘Tay means shooting guns. He loves it,’ she added.
‘Wow, really? Guns?’ Marcus screwed his face up. ‘Isn’t that weird?’
Jaz liked his reaction. It didn’t look like he’d been around guns, so that was a plus.
‘No, just something I’ve grown up with. My dad has a gun collection. It’s no different to any other sport.’
‘Yeah, dude. Whatever you say,’ said Marcus with a chuckle. He shot Jaz a look as if to say ‘is this guy for real’.
All it did was confirm that Marcus’s dad didn’t walk around with guns or have guards with guns near his kid. And kids find stuff hidden in their parents houses, so if his dad had them around the house somewhere, it was more than likely Marcus would have found them by now. Jaz realised she kept basing her opinions on drug lords from TV shows. Ones with armoured cars, armed guards and vicious dogs. She had to keep remembering that people didn’t have to look like a bikie or the mafia to sell or import drugs.