Ride For Me (The North Shore Crew #1)

by VR Baucke

  He conjured up a vast array of feelings, changing from one second to the next so fast it was giving me whiplash. Truth be told, I was both looking forward to, and dreading, seeing him again. And that wasn’t a situation I was used to. It was only a matter of time before our paths crossed now that he was living and working with Mace. At least we managed to avoid the awkward ‘morning after a hook-up’ situation.

  Standing in my kitchen after lugging a boot full of grocery bags from the car to the bench, I paused to catch my breath. I didn’t mind food shopping; it was the unpacking I hated.

  Muttering under my breath and surveying the load, I cursed Mickey for weaseling his way out of shopping again. However, his absence did mean I had the house to myself tonight. When he and I decided to flat together, we had agreed to take turns and share like adults. Luckily for us, we were incredibly in-tune with each other, and living together was simple. We knew exactly how the other was programmed and, to be honest, being separated still didn’t feel right even after twenty-six years.

  Opening the music app on my phone and connecting to the Bluetooth speaker, I scrolled through looking for something that would get me pumped and energised. Increasing the volume until the music drowned out the world, I closed my eyes and let the melody penetrate my soul. The procrastination immediately began to subside and I soon melted into my happy place.

  Shamelessly moving my body to the beat and singing at the top of my lungs, I shimmied around the kitchen, opening cupboards and chucking in items. Just as I was collecting up the empty bags, a loud voice boomed over and above the volume of the music.

  “Party for one and I’m not invited?”

  The ear-splitting screech that escaped my mouth didn’t even come close to describing how much of a fright I got. I literally jumped as I high as I could while flapping my hands spastically in alarm. Once my feet re-connected with the floor, I stood pressing a hand to my heaving chest and panted hard.

  Gage clapped his hands over his ears and ducked in reaction to my shriek. Goddamn, I was having chest pain as I turned down the music. Gage’s alarm gave way to hilarity which he failed miserably at suppressing. His shoulders shook and his hand, despite being pressed over his mouth, utterly failed to disguise his laughter. Obviously, my pain and humiliation were comical to him, and the fact he caught me dancing like a maniac really did make me cringe and die a little inside.

  “Jeez you scared the crap out of me!” I cried, still too shocked to be fully embarrassed at this stage. “I actually think I just had kittens. What the blazers are you doing here? And how did you find out where I live?”

  He ignored my questions which caused my blood pressure to elevate further. I glared, not saying a single syllable while he filled the room with his deep, rolling laughter.

  “If you’ve come here to mock me, you can leave,” I finally snapped.

  He held up his hands in surrender while his chest still vibrated. “Hey, if I get to see you dancing like that again, then I’m officially your stalker, Sunshine,” he chuckled.

  I snorted. This was preposterous. I raised my brows as he invited himself in and leaned his hip against the bench. Despite his smirk and the ghosts of his laughter not long passed, the air of sadness around Gage never seemed to leave. Something about him was foreboding, and him being in my kitchen made it hard to breathe. His scent swirled around me and my inner self clawed at the walls, desperately seeking a grip to hold onto while outwardly willing myself to remain calm. I spoke to his back as he bent and started collecting the scattered bags.

  “So, speaking of stalking, how did you actually get my address? You’re so lucky Mickey isn’t here; any hint of an intruder and he’s prowling around with his nunchucks at the ready. He hardly needs an excuse to throw them around.”

  Gage twisted his head to look up at me. “Are you serious?”

  Seeing me nod, he raised his brows then pointed an accusatory finger at me “You’re both fucken insane.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment,” I sassed.

  Dammit, he’s provoking me and I knew it.

  Gage stood and balled the bags before tossing them onto the bench top behind me. He paused, looking me over, searching my gaze for something I wasn’t sure I could give him. The moment between us stretched out until he pressed a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat.

  “Can, I, uh, come in?”

  I felt my eyes flare at his audacity before my unchecked burst of laughter broke free.

  “Bit late for that, isn’t it?”

  Gage’s dark-brown eyes warmed as a full and genuine grin made the corners crinkle. With that, his entire demeanour changed to show a handsome, more likeable side of the broody, scowling Gage I had become accustomed to.

  I ducked my head when I realised I was staring at him. “Uh, so… Coffee?” I offered from under my lashes.

  His smile was smaller this time, yet no less warm. “That’d be nice.”

  Thankful to have a reason to move out of his orbit, I bit back my smile once my back was turned and reached for the mugs. Mickey, damn him, had purposely shoved my favourite one right at the back of the shelf where he knew I couldn’t reach it. Completely forgetting about Gage’s presence for the barest of moments, I cursed Mickey as I rose on the tip of my toes and stretched my arm to full extension.

  “Let me help.”

  Gage’s body lightly pressed against my back and a tanned forearm appeared in my vision.

  “This one?” he queried, holding up the mug that had Cactus pictures all over it.

  “Yes,” I whispered, acutely aware of his warmth seeping through my clothes.

  His low chuckle reverberated around me while his smell made me want to sigh. I held my breath so it didn’t come out shaky, and only let it out once he stepped back a pace.

  Dayum!

  I fought to calm my pulse before I turned and forced a breezy smile onto my lips.

  Without asking, Gage made two coffees—both the same—and handed one to me with a nervous smile. We still hadn’t exchanged a word. I mean, what the hell was there to say? Everything, yet, nothing was needed right now.

  I met his eyes expectantly. Tension rolled off him in waves, emphasised when he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck then looked up at me from under his brows. Clearing his throat, Gage broke the silence.

  “I confess, I blackmailed Mace into giving me your address.”

  Note to self; maim Mace.

  “And since he agreed to tell me, I believe that speaks volumes about my non-dodgy character,” he added, the cocky side of him now back.

  Taking a sip of hot beverage, I countered his pretentious comment. “All that tells me about your character is that you will shamelessly use any form of persuasion to get what you want.”

  I rotated my hand around in a get on with it gesture.

  Gage let out a resigned sigh and fingered the handle of his mug.

  “Look, the truth is that I don’t know what the fuck came over me the other night—I’m sure you felt it too—but, I apologise for how I treated you...” he trailed off and looked at me like he expected me to be able to provide those answers. “There’s no excuse.”

  Wow, an apology was unexpected. I shrugged off his expectant gaze, weighing the responses of my heart versus my head. I knew I needed to formulate a calculated response and take this easy; I didn’t want to get his back up again since I actually enjoyed seeing that softer side of him.

  “Um, what happened was er...” I felt the flush rising on my cheeks.

  No way was I admitting how much I enjoyed our kiss and how my body begged for a repeat. Ignoring the heat on my face, I shook my head, dismissing the treacherous thoughts from my mind. I had to stop the mixed signals, for both our sakes. Taking a deep breath and reining in my feelings, I decided to take the plunge.

  “I can’t explain what’s between us, but, regardless of what either of us feel, I don’t want to be just another notch on your belt.”

  The millisecond
the words passed my lips I knew it was the wrong way to phrase what I wanted to express. Gage reared back like I had slapped him again, and undeniable offense darkened his expression. Guilt immediately churned in my stomach; it wasn’t my intention to offend him, however, I’d done just that.

  In my line of work, honesty and direct explanations were crucial, nevertheless, honesty was not the best policy in this instance. I opened my mouth to salvage the situation. “Look, Gage, that’s not what I m-”

  Gage took a step into my space and silenced me with his yell. “Save the bullshit, Sunshine. You know sweet fuck all about me, and what’s on my belt is none of your goddamn business. You can stick your coffee you know where!”

  Turning on his heel and storming from the kitchen, he slammed the front door back on the hinges and disappeared from sight.

  I stood glued to the spot, unable to comprehend how the atmosphere had flipped on its head in an instant. The door still hung agape as I listened to the rumble of his bike accelerate down the street.

  Disbelief grew into irritation. Sure, I had inadvertently touched on a highly sensitive nerve, but that was no excuse for turning up at my house uninvited, throwing around accusations then storming out without an explanation; from either of us. My day had officially turned to shit. Grabbing my phone, I fired off an SOS text to Kimmie.

  L: Had a visit from Batman. It went well… NOT!!

  L: Come to mine later for goss and a movie! And bring wine!!!

  K: What, no hot sex?

  L: KIMMIE!

  K: Ok ok. I’ll c u in a bit!

  With that priority taken care of, I turned my attention to the root of my annoyance.

  Mason Montgomery Westbrook.

  L: Thanks for sending your maniac cousin my way to stalk, flirt, then dress me down before storming out. NOT APPRECIATED! *flicking you my middle finger right now*

  I waited for a reply that never came. Mace’s silence which meant either one of two things; one, he was working out to loud music and didn’t hear my text, or two, he was hunting down Gage to put his muzzle back on.

  I hoped it was the latter. Since the heat had now dissipated from my coffee and it had been tainted by Gage’s bullshit, I tipped it into the sink and huffed as I wrenched open a cupboard. I needed food A.S.A.P.

  NINE

  LIL

  KIMMIE ARRIVED IN a flurry of bags and cheery tones. The crew had a ‘no knocking’ policy at each other’s houses, so when we arrived it really was bowl through the door like you own the joint. So, it didn’t surprise me when she waltzed straight in and sang out, “Hey biarch,” from the kitchen.

  I could hear the gentle clink of wine bottles being loaded into the fridge and then the rustling of other various packaging. Snacks!

  “Wassup!” I whooped coming into the room.

  “Well, you know, just coming to rescue a friend in need.” Kimmie pressed her lips together and eyed me. “So, spill. What happened? You really didn’t get some, did you?”

  Surely the answer was clearly visible on my face. To be honest, ‘getting some’ wasn’t at the top of my priority list right now.

  I pointed a finger at her. “For me to tell you about it, there must be wine.”

  Kimmie’s eyes briefly pinged to the clock. “Midday, shmidday,” she scoffed, “It’s always five pm somewhere in the world so now is as good a time as any!”

  “Fuck I need this. Honestly, Kimmie, that man is a walking contradiction, and he riles me simply by being in the same room.”

  She didn’t bother hiding her grin. “You know what I’m gonna say, aye?”

  “Gah, don’t bother.” I set my elbows on the bench and cradled my head in my hands.

  “You can cut the sexual chemistry between you two with a spoon. All that pent-up lust just gagging to come out...”

  “Jeez, Kimmie, you need to shut your mouth. This isn’t purely for your entertainment! I can handle a lot of bullshit, but never has someone made me want to bludgeon them to death one second then throw myself at them the next.”

  Kimmie’s snickering turned serious as she slid a brimming glass of wine across the bench at me.

  “So, what went down this morning?”

  On a huff, I ripped into a packet of chocolate favourite biscuits and plucked one out. After cramming it into my mouth and groaning in ecstasy, I motioned for Kimmie to follow me to the lounge. She was moving before she had even picked up both her glass and the bottle of wine; we were in this for the long haul.

  Only once we were comfortably slouched on the couch did I give Kimmie the low-down of my run in with Gage. She sat at the opposite end with her legs tucked up and listened intently. After much demanding from her, I then went on to tell her about my dirty little secret—that also involved Gage—from the barbeque last weekend. Her light blue eyes grew comically wide as she implored for the dirty details, which I shared but skipped the finer particulars about what had stirred within me that night.

  Finally satisfied that she was up to date with the goss, Kimmie leaned back, took a sip of wine then let out a long breath.

  “Wow. I can see why that required alcohol. You guys are explosive, and I haven’t worked out if that’s a good or bad thing yet.”

  “I know,” I grumbled and picked at my nail.

  There wouldn’t be an issue if I never needed to see him again, but now that he was residing at Mace’s, there was no way I wouldn’t see him.

  Kimmie seemed to be contemplating something else as she swirled her glass in circles. Long seconds passed before she voiced her thoughts.

  “There must be something big, like really big, in Gage’s past for him to react like that. I mean, everyone’s got baggage, right? But from what you’ve told me about this morning, his reaction seems a little excessive.”

  I ran my hand through my hair then tugged it over one shoulder. “Yeah, I guess so. And I actually feel really terrible about it. The worst part is, I was trying to not make a big deal out of telling him how I felt but it totally blew up in my face.”

  “Yeah,” she grimaced. “That wasn’t the best way to put it.”

  “Fuck, I know!”

  I took a deep breath and exhaled forcefully. My life had been simple and uncomplicated for years now, right up until the point where Gage Westbrook had turned it completely upside down all over again.

  I shook my head and contemplated everything while sipping wine. Kimmie silently topped us both up and I watched her as she set the wine bottle back on the ground.

  “Once I hear from Mace, I’m sure he’ll be able to shed some light on Gage. They’re cousins after all. And honestly, how much do we know about the guy? Basically nothing.”

  “Yeah, I’m assuming they’re reasonably close since he’s up here working for the family business,” Kimmie reasoned.

  “You’d think so. I just don’t want to make the situation worse by poking around for information. I mean, the guy makes me want to tear my hair out, but I’m sure he’s not that bad. But holy shit, Kimmie, if you’d have seen how he kissed me at your party you would have died. It was so fucking hot.”

  That admission marked the point in time where the wine started to take effect and I was beginning to feel careless over the complexities of Batman.

  Kimmie threw her head back and laughed. With a finger pointed my way, her eyes grew sultry. “Hey, I saw the way you looked afterwards, and holy hell, babies had practically been made orally.”

  “That’s so terrible!” I yelled through a burst of laughter and threw a cushion at her face.

  I gasped when the cushion knocked her glass and sent a mini wave of wine sloshing onto her leg. Our laughter filled the room until she used the cushion to soak up the spillage.

  “Dammit, Kim, don’t use that! I’ll need to wash it now.” I pouted and snatched it from her hands.

  “Yeah yeah. You’re lucky I’m wearing shorts! I hate spilling drinks when I’m wearing pants. So uncomfortable.”

  “Tell me about it, girlfriend. Hey, pa
ss me the shnacks,” I asked, drawing out the sssshhh part. “You should totally stay the night!”

  Kimmie quirked her mouth off to the side as she mulled over my suggestion; she liked to sleep in her own bed so I added some tempting crumbs to sweeten the deal.

  “That means we can have more wine, order pizza and have a movie marathon. Theeeen, you can sleep in Mickey’s bed so I don’t kick you all night. And don’t worry, he changed his sheets this morning so they’ll be jizz free.”

  Disgust slammed onto Kimmie’s face. “Ugh! Gross, Lil! And, where’s Mickey gonna sleep?”

  I fended off the cushion she pegged my way while trying not to spill more alcohol on the decor.

  “He honestly won’t mind,” I assured her. “It’s not like you’re some random I picked up on the way home and offered a bed for the night.” To put her out of her misery wondering where my darling brother was, I added, “He’s out at some rave bar and I’m not expecting him home until mid-morning. Which means, you can totally stay the night.”

  Despite being appalled, I could tell Kimmie felt uncomfortable at the thought of sleeping in Mickey’s bed—uninvited. She mulled my proposal over for a short while before throwing her head back in defeat.

  “As long as you’re sure Mickey won’t completely flip out when he finds out that I stayed in his room! Maybe I should text him to see if it’s actually okay.”

  “He won’t care. Anyone else and he would, but with you, I can guarantee he won’t.” I held her stare until she threw up a hand.

  “Gah! Fine! Go on then, top me up!”

  “Ha! Now who’s got a rubber arm!” I cheered while topping up our glasses. “Promise me you won’t go sniffing his underwear.”

  Kimmie’s mouth fell wide as she laughed at me. “Gross! Now who’s the creepy one!”

  I fended off another wayward cushion attack while laughing hard. “Okay okay okay okaaaay,” I wheezed. “I’ll stop teasing now I promise.”