I chuckled, pulling away. “Sure thing, but I only have one stipulation: we drive fast.”
“Yeah, kid. You and I are going to get along just fine. Hey, you hungry?”
“Starved.”
He brought me into the large home. The crisp smell of warm bread and smoked ham alerted my senses. My mouth actually watered at the anticipation of knowing I’d put some real calories into my system. Mom had us on cardboard diets at home. To curb it, I usually ended up at White Castle in the middle of the night.
We passed through the living room where a couple of kids sat around playing Wii. Well into their game, they ignored us as we headed into the kitchen.
“Derrick, whose car is that outside?” A petite black woman came into the kitchen from the hall. She was quite becoming, and had a smile that was very familiar to me. She must have been related to Lacey somehow.
Derrick gestured to me. “Mama, this is Drake. Drake, Mama.”
Her smile brightened. “Nice to meet you, Drake. You hungry? I hope my boy offered you some food.”
I laughed. “He did, ma’am.”
She waved off my comment. “Stop with that ma’am stuff. Call me Gladys. I got some cornbread in the oven, and collard greens and ham on the stove. Help yourself.”
I fought in a groan. Calories.
I quickly prepared my plate, filling up every visible space, and took a seat at the table. Derrick and his mama stared at me with wide eyes as I ate. I put down so much and in such large amounts that I was sure I looked like I’d never seen food before in my life. My binge reminded me of the days I had before a big swim meet in high school. I had to eat lots of carbs and in massive quantities to prepare for the laps.
Derrick’s mama leaned in. “Is your mama not feeding you, boy?”
I froze on the massive bite I took of cornbread.
Derrick chuckled. “He’s from the North Shore, Mama. I can imagine he’s missed out on your good cooking.”
He didn’t know the half of it.
“North Shore, huh? Quite different I suppose.” She laughed. “Anyway, enjoy. I’m going to go try to pull these kids off that game so they clean up their rooms. I curse the day I ever bought the damn thing.”
She left Derrick and I at the table, and a few groans coming from the living room sounded right after. I chuckled as I dived back into my plate of food.
“So what brings you to my neck of the woods, man? You sounded pretty desperate on the phone,” Derrick asked.
The real question was: what didn’t bring me here? “The party at the good ole’ country club just wasn’t doing it for me. I needed some air, I guess.”
“Yeah, I can imagine. What do you guys do for fun over there anyway? I work in the kitchen so I don’t really see much.”
I shrugged. “Nothing worth noting. Sipping drinks around the pool while we talk about mommy and daddy’s money.”
“Well, your problems could be worse. At least you don’t have to hustle.”
“I guess.”
“You should do more than ‘guess.’ You got life pretty good up there, man. I wouldn’t be taking it for granted.”
Poking my fork at my greens, I didn’t respond to that comment. The last thing I came down here for was a lecture. I got enough of that from my parents.
“Anyway, I hear from my Aunt Naya, Lacey’s mama, that Lacey’s got a job up that way working for a family.”
I stopped my poking.
“Anyone you know?”
Scratching the back of my neck, I let out a breath. I guess there was no reason to lie to him. “Yeah. She’s actually working for my family.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Your family? Isn’t that hitting a little too close to home after what happened between you guys?”
My head shot his way.
He laughed. “Margot filled me in. Said you two hooked up.”
If it had gone that far, I wouldn’t be here right now. If I got into bed with that girl it would be damn hard for me to get out. “We didn’t hook up, but I guess we did have moment.”
“A moment, huh?”
Fire brewed inside me just thinking about it. “Yeah, a strong moment. It doesn’t matter, though. My mom would never approve of us dating for obvious reasons.”
“What do you mean by obvious?”
Derrick’s tone went weird just then, and it had me uneasy.
I shifted in my seat. “Well, I wouldn’t let my kid date anyone that worked for me. I’d be worried about them sneaking off all the time.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.”
Awkwardly, I looked away.
“Well, regardless of the status between you two, can you do me a solid and look out for her while she’s up there? She’s in a new environment, and I just want to know she’s being cared for. She’s really something special, my ‘cus.”
I smiled. “Sure thing.” She was something special that Lacey Douglas.
A few short chirps hit the air, and Derrick reached into his pocket.
While he studied his phone, I took in the last few bites of my meal.
“Hey, uh, Ty’s out front.”
My teeth stopped chewing. I swallowed what I had in my mouth in a large lump.
“He’s, uh, asking about the car parked out front of my house.”
Well, hell. First the guy took my money, and now he was about to get my ride.
Standing up, Derrick put his phone back in his pocket. “Sorry, man. I didn’t know he was coming over.”
I stood as well. “What should I do?”
“You probably should head out. He shouldn’t give you any problems.”
Shouldn’t or wouldn’t? I guess I’d trust his judgment. It was still technically daytime, and I wasn’t in an alley.
“Hey, when we go out there don’t mention Lacey’s working for you. Actually, don’t mention you know Lacey at all.”
Before I could ask him why, he led me outside. Tyrone and three of his posse circled my car, studying it with bottles of beer in their hands. When Tyrone looked up, he tilted his beer bottle toward me.
“Eh, Mini Warbucks, didn’t expect to see you here today. I guess we know who was brave enough to drive his car to the West Side, boys.” He gestured to his crew.
His friends nodded, eyeing me as I came down the porch steps with Derrick.
Tyrone put his large, scaly hand on the hood of my car. “What are you doing down here anyway, man? You’re a long way from the country club.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Derrick spoke first.
“He just came to see me. Mama hooked him up with some grub,” he said.
Derrick looked calm, but his body language wasn’t as casual as it was inside. He was tensed up and holding direct eye contact with Tyrone. He said I didn’t have anything to worry about, but he wasn’t acting like it.
Tyrone wiped his lip with his finger after taking a drink. “You guys all buddy-buddy now? I wasn’t invited to the party.”
Before Derrick could respond, I cut in this time. “I came over unexpected. He didn’t know.”
Tyrone smirked. “Right.”
“Anyway,” I said, taking my keys out of my pocket, “I was just heading out.” Giving Derrick a quick shake, I said, “Tell your mama thanks for the food.”
“Will do.”
I went around to the driver’s side of the car, but didn’t get in. Tyrone’s hand was still on the hood. Refusing to give off the expression that I cared, I waited. It would just set the guy off if I acted like his actions bothered me, so I stood patiently.
“This is a nice ride you got here, Mini,” he said, running his hand in a small circle over the red paint.
“Thanks. Brand new.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” Lifting his hand, he finally stepped away from the car. “I, uh, wouldn’t come back around here if you know what I mean. You got a pass today. Don’t waste it.”
Chapter Twenty
Lacey
When I opened my eyes it was still dark outside of th
e window of the guest room. Blinking a few times, I rose up. I didn’t mean to fall asleep without checking to make sure Drake got home by curfew. He told me he would be on time, and I did trust him, but I was still a bit paranoid since it was my first night on the job.
The bedside clock read 2:45 a.m., and I got up out of bed. It might already be too late, but I needed to check on him anyway. There was no getting back to sleep until I eased my mind.
When I left my room, I went to the right first. Pushing open the door, I saw Adele. She slept belly down on her bed with her hand draped over the side.
Her phone was on the floor directly under her hand.
Poor thing. After she didn’t catch Drake at the country club she must have tried to call him all night. Creeping in, I padded to her bed. I put her phone on her dresser, then tucked her in so she was sleeping properly.
Smiling, I stepped back from her. She looked so angelic when she slept, not the snippy little thing I usually encountered. I needed to figure out a way to make it through to her. She wouldn’t even talk to me after we left the country club. She spent all night in her room; refusing to even eat the dinner I prepared for her. Maybe Drake could help. He was her brother after all.
I left her room, then went to the one on the other side of my door. Drake’s room.
Sneaking a peak first, I saw him. Sleeping belly down, his hand was draped over the side of his bed.
I snickered. Like brother like sister.
Feeling it was okay, I came in. I knew he was home now, but I wanted to make sure he got in on time. I had no idea if his parents were home or not. If they were home, they naturally would have checked on him to make sure he followed his curfew. If he turned up late when they checked, then I’d have to prepare myself mentally for tomorrow.
I padded just as softly to his bed in the darkened room. Gently picking up his arm, I placed it properly. There was enough room on the edge of his mattress to sit so I did. Once there I didn’t move right away. I knew I should have, but I didn’t.
Shirtless, Drake’s perfect back took my attention. The light of the moon from his window exposed it more. His sheets rested just below two magnificent back dimples and the cotton material of the thin bedding encased a round toosh. The sheets formed over his butt so perfectly I would have guessed he didn’t wear any clothing while he slept.
I shook my head. Surely, he wore something, right? It was more uncommon to not wear clothes to bed than it was, right?
Convincing myself of the thought, I shook his shoulder. “Drake?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Drake
Drake.
Lacey called out my name as I pushed into her. I claimed her. Possessed her. Her body was smooth; hot, everywhere I touched her. And I touched her everywhere.
Drake.
She moaned when I touched her there. She really liked being touched there. I’d have to remember that for the future.
Drake, wake up.
Wake up? My eyes shot open. Lacey’s chocolate-brown eyes stared right at me.
In a panic, I grabbed my sheet and rolled off the opposite end of the bed. Wrapped up in the bedding, I hit the floor.
She gasped from above. “Drake? Drake!” she whispered her call, shimmying my bed with her movements. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”
She didn’t appear above me yet, so I held up my hand so she wouldn’t. “Lacey, don’t look down here.”
The movement on my bed stopped. “Why?”
“Because I am naked.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“I’m naked, Lacey. Can you please hand me my jeans beside my bed?”
“Oh my God, Drake. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come in here. Oh, I’m so sorry.”
My lips tight, I nodded once against the hardwood floor. “I’ll wait.”
“Oh, right. I’m so sorry.”
Shimmying sounded from above, then my jeans fell from the air and hit my head. I managed to get myself untangled from the bedding, and got the faded-washed pair on.
“Are you still naked?”
Chuckling, I pushed myself off the floor.
Hand on her chest, Lacey stared wide-eyed at the edge of my bed. “God, I’m sorry. I just came to see if you made it home on time.”
Shaking my head, I joined her on the bed. “I did make it home on time. Don’t worry. My parents weren’t even here when I got in.”
“Oh, great. Do you know if they’re here now?”
Glancing out my window, I looked at the garage. Dad’s Bimmer sat in the drive. “Looks like it.”
“Oh. I should probably head back to my room then. I don’t want them to catch me in here.”
When she got up, her perfect, round ass took my attention. In little bed shorts, she jiggled all the way to the door.
“No. Don’t go. I want to know how Adele’s party went,” I said, not really caring at all. I kind of just wanted to watch her exit again after she told me. “Don’t worry about Father and Mom. They’re on the first floor.”
“Oh yeah. That’s right.” She came back and retook her seat on the edge of my bed.
My lashes flickered, and my gaze made a beeline for her chest. She was bra-less—in a tank top. Brilliant. I fought in a groan. She couldn’t be this close to me without an accident occurring. Building up my strength, I said, “Could you take a seat on my desk chair? I don’t think you should be this close to me like that.”
Following my gaze, she dipped her head. “Oh, um. Yeah. Do you have like a shirt I can use to, um—”
With closed eyes and tight lips, I pointed to my door. “There’s a robe on the door.” I opened my eyes to get one last look at her ass before she covered it.
After she got the robe on, she took my chair. “Better?”
“Much. Thanks.”
“Sorry for all the trouble.”
“No big.” It was actually the highlight of my night. After I left Derrick’s, I just kind of drove around and ended up at what had come to be my favorite spot in town. I discovered the vacant overlook of the city the first week we moved here after a blowup with Father. It was now my refuge if I needed time to myself. And I needed time after I was so callously banned from Lacey’s side of town for simply being there.
“I’m glad you asked about the party, Drake. Things went terrible after you left the country club.”
“What happened?” She seemed like she had everything under control when I left. Unless that asshat Cooper approached her. He better hope that’s not what she was about to tell me.
“Adele’s friends completely abandoned her. They moved the party to one of their houses.”
I squinted, confused. “Why?”
“They didn’t like the menu she prepared.”
I scrunched up my face. “The menu? That doesn’t seem like a good enough reason to move an entire party.”
“Well, there was something else.” She bit at the space where her lip ring used to be.
I missed that lip ring. Ignoring what she did, I asked, “Okay? What?”
“They wanted to watch movies in a home theater, and your parents don’t have one.”
I nodded. Adele’s friends sounded worse than the lot I was stuck with earlier.
“Okay,” she huffed, “and there was something else.”
“Which is?”
“They uh . . .”
Okay, now that lip ring had to come back with the way she was biting at her mouth. I’d have to convince her it was okay to wear on the job.
“They wanted you there,” she rushed out, “and when Adele said you wouldn’t be, they decided they didn’t want to come over. And why weren’t you by your phone, Drake? Adele tried to call you and—”
“Wait.” I held up my hand. “Step back. Rewind. Why would they want me there—”
“Because they thought you were hot, okay?”
My snort turned into a chuckle. The chuckle turned into full out laughter.
Reaching out, she smacked my arm
. “It’s not funny, Drake. Your sister called you at the country club. When she couldn’t get a hold of you, she ran after you to see if she could catch you. When that didn’t work, she demanded I take her home. The car ride was awkward and silent. Then, when we got home she yelled at me, said it was my fault her party was a bust because I tried to keep her from bothering you. She spent the rest of the night in her room trying to call you.”
I sucked in a breath. “Damn.”
“Damn is right. I don’t know what to do. She completely hates me, Drake. What if she never talks to me again? You should have seen the look on her face. She was completely shattered when we got home.” She put her head in her hands, shaking her head.
Sighing, I grabbed one of her hands. The rolling chair pulled her over as I tugged her hand to make her stand. I then sat her down beside me and wrapped my arm around her.
“We probably shouldn’t do this, Drake,” she said this, but she didn’t pull away.
“I know, but are you going to stop me?”
She shook her head against the crook of my neck.
“There is nothing wrong with this. I’m just a friend comforting a friend, okay? That’s all this is I promise you.” And I meant that. I really did.
When she nodded that familiar scent of cherry and vanilla wafted from her curls and filled my nose. Even with the fire that burned inside me from the smell, I kept our touch platonic. This was what she needed right now. Not the other thing. I would look out for her, just like I told Derrick I would.
“Drake, her friends were just so cruel and shallow. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Not even when I went to high school. I didn’t think they were worth brothering you so she could impress them. I don’t know. Maybe I just shouldn’t have said anything.”
I sighed. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my sister it’s that she needs support.”
“Support?”
“Yeah, support in her decisions and choices. The best thing you could have done today was let her try to find me. She would have realized she couldn’t, and let it go. When you intercepted that process, the rage went your way. So the best advice I can give you is don’t fight her on anything. Let her learn from her own mistakes.”
The Space Between Page 10