Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1) (16 page)

When the crowd starts booing, I realise I spaced out. Looking to Mason for answers he has an angry expression up on his face, which instantly has me worried.

“What? What happened? Is Malik okay?’’

“Yeah, but Davis the little dickhead just tried to run him off the track. Davis should have been removed, but it looks like they’re going to ignore the fact that he not only just put his own life at risk, but Malik’s and the other riders too. They’re idiots letting him get away with this.’’

“Oh, no! This is my entire fault. Davis wouldn’t have done that if it wasn’t for me. He’s going to get him hurt,’’ feeling sadness hit me and my eyes water.

“This isn’t your fault. Davis is lucky my brother knows what he’s doing out there. Little prick has always had it out for one of my brothers.’’

Not being able to take anymore when they start their second lap, I grab a hold of Denny to get her attention.

“I’m just going to find the toilets, I can’t watch this anymore,’’ I shout over the crowd.

“You okay? You’re looking really pale,’’ she asks looking worried.

“Yeah, I’m good, I’ll be back in a minute.’’

“Okay, I’ll wait here.’’

Taking one last look at the race track, I wince, hoping Malik doesn’t get upset that I missed his race. Maybe once I’ve explained to him how sick it made me feel watching him he’ll understand. He can’t expect me to enjoy that. The way he flies in the air with only his hands on the bike is scary as fuck. Not even horror movies scare me this much and I’m a huge baby when it comes down to it. Sighing, I turn, making my way through the cheering crowd to find the portable toilets.

Finally leaving the toilets after queuing for the past fifteen minutes, I’m glad to be back out in the fresh air. Girls seriously need to learn how to clean up after themselves. There were toilet rolls littered all over the floor, puddles of dirty water covered the floor, and the smell in there had been stuffy and dreadful. I actually heaved a few times wishing I could have just taken a piss in a bush outside. It might have been more hygienic for me too.

Heading back over to where I left Denny with Mason, I hear Malik’s name mentioned a few times making me smile. I wonder how he feels knowing how the people here are proud of him, and that they support him? It must feel good on his part. It sure makes me feel good knowing he’s admired and accomplished so much.

I’m not far from where I left Denny when a foot kicks out in front of me, tripping me up. My hands fly forward trying to stop the fall, but somehow I still manage to face plant into the mud. A laugh to my left makes me tense. I’d know that laugh anywhere. Even after being here only a few months, that laugh grates on my nerves.

Getting up on my knees I try to wipe as much dirt off of me as I can, but it’s no use, all I’m doing is making it worse by rubbing it in. My cheeks are flaming red by the time I stand up, and tears are stinging my eyes from the people around me laughing.

“Oh look, it’s the tramp. I hear you’re used to being on your knees,’’ Hannah giggles.

“Never,’’ I bite out sarcastically, brushing her hurtful remark away and turning to leave. When a hand shoots out gripping my bicep hard, I wince. The nails dig into my skin, and I’m pretty sure it’s hard enough that it’s drawing blood. Trying to shake her hand off, I turn around, my face thunderous when I see her smirking at me.

“Don’t leave. The girls and I wanted you to know that Malik is taking Clarissa home again tonight. We just spoke to her and she said Malik is meeting her after he dropped his neighbour’s granddaughter back. I guess that’s you. I should have known he wouldn’t be with a mousy geek like you,’’ she laughs. “Hell, you could never have kept a lad like Malik happy. I bet he feels like shit having to babysit you all the time because of your parent’s death...’’

I don’t hear what else comes from her mouth. All the blood runs from my face and my legs become shaky.

How did she know about my parents? I didn’t believe what she was saying about Malik was true, but then, how would she know about my parents, that they’re dead if he didn’t tell that girl Casey or Carissa? Or that I lived next door to him. How could he do this to me? I thought I meant something to him.

Feeling angry that I’ve let tears fall in front of Hannah and her group of friends, I turn and storm off. I can hear them laughing behind me, but I keep on walking wanting to get as far from here as possible. I walk past the exit and into the direction of home. Once I hit a familiar street, my walking turns into a run knowing I’m not far from home. I’m seconds away from breaking and I’d rather do that without having to worry about someone recording my outburst or laughing at me.

My phone has been vibrating in my pocket since I made it out of the field, but I’ve let it go to voicemail. I don’t want to speak to anyone, but I know I’ll need to talk to Denny as she’s meant to be sleeping over at mine. I’m just not sure if I can face being around anyone at the moment.

I’m breathing hard by the time I make it home. The lights downstairs are still on so I know my Gram’s is still awake watching her crime TV shows that she watches every night.

As soon as the door opens her voice drifts through from the front room, “You’re back early, everything okay?’’

“Yeah,’’ I lie, hoping she can’t pick up on my clogged throat. “I’m just going to bed, I have a headache from all the noise.’’

“Do you need some paracetamol?’’

“No, thanks though. Night Gram’s.’’

“Night sweet.’’

Rushing up to my room, the tears start falling. I don’t waste time in shedding my dirty clothes and moving to the bathroom where I turn the shower on to the hottest temperature I can muster.

The hot water stings my sensitive skin, and my tears fall away in the flow of the hot steamy water. I try to hold back sobs, but with everything going on in my mind, what happened tonight feels like another kick to my stomach.

By the time I’m finished my skin is red raw, my eyes sting from crying, and my throat feels dry from my sobs. It doesn’t take me long to get dressed and move into bed. Once there I grab my phone not wanting Denny to worry about me or where she’s going to be sleeping.

I have a bunch of messages from everyone, but I don’t bother reading any of them. I just pull up Denny’s number and send her a text.

Me: I’m sorry. I’ve come home. My head is really killing me. I didn’t want to ruin your night, but ring me when you want to come back and I’ll let you in. I’m so sorry Denny. H x

Sinking back into bed the tears start to fall thinking about Malik. They should be at the party soon. Will he already be with her? I feel stupid turning up tonight when he obviously never wanted me there in the first place. If he already had a girlfriend then why has he been pursuing me? Did my Gram’s have anything to do with this? Stupid thoughts keep running through my mind and it’s making me feel sick.

My phone beeps with an incoming text shaking me from my thoughts.

Denny: Hey girl, u didn’t look so good earlier. I would have come home with u. We’ve all been worried sick. Malik went crazy, he’s still looking for u. Mason is ringing him now. Is everything okay? D x

Me: Yes I’m good. Sorry about leaving you like that. I feel like shit now knowing I’ve left you there. H x

Denny: No problem. I’ll let u know about coming back. I want 2 see how tonight goes with Mason ;) He hasn’t left my side all night. Glaring at any lads that come anywhere near me or putting his arm around me claiming me. He even went and got me a drink Harlow. He’s so darn cute. D x

Her text makes me grin, but then it reminds me that I won’t be with Malik again and my heart hurts all over again. How could he do this?

Me: Okay, be safe and make good choices. Just wake me up if you need me, H x

Denny: Always. Speak 2 u l8ter

Putting my phone under my pillow I turn over, crying into my pillow, my eyes stinging to the point of pain that it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep.

A blood curdling scream wakes me up from my nightmare. It’s then I realise it’s me screaming. I’m thankful my Gram’s never hears me during the night otherwise neither of us would get any sleep.

Moving to go get a glass of water, I end up letting out another scream when I feel two strong arms wrap around me.

“Shush babe, it’s me.’’

“Malik? What are you doing here?’’ I whisper, my eyes watering instantly.

“You didn’t wait for me after the race and I got really worried. We all went looking for you, but couldn’t find you. When Mason called to say you were at home I came straight here. Are you okay? Denny said you didn’t look so good,’’ he whispers into my hair.

It hurts hearing his kindness that he left all his friends to come looking for me, because all I can hear is what Hannah said earlier about him babysitting me.

“Malik?’’

“Yeah babe,’’ he answers, his body flush against my back spooning me.

“What is going on with us?’’ I opt for being honest.

“What do you mean?’’

“Well, are we a couple or am I reading too much into things?’’ I ask, hurt evident in my voice.

“Babe, what do you think? How can you even ask that?’’ he asks sounding pissed.

“So you’re not babysitting me?’’ my palms sweating, nervous about his answer.

He sits up suddenly, and all I can do is follow, leaning against the headboard, not able to look over at him.

“What the fuck Harlow? What the hell is going on? No bullshit. Don’t play games with me because I thought you were better than that. Other girls do that, but you’re nothing like them Harlow. What’s going on?’’ his voice strained and body tense.

“Okay. Whose Clarissa?’’

“A girl I used to sleep with before I met you, why?’’

“Were you going to sleep with her tonight?’’

He laughs, which hurts me more, making tears slide down my cheeks.

“Harlow, Clarissa has a boyfriend now. When we slept together it was a mutual agreement. Neither of us wanted a relationship, but when she met her bloke Chad, we broke things off. Now, tell me again what is going on. I know Clarissa hasn’t said anything because she isn’t that sort of girl.’’

“Hannah tripped me up,’’ I blurt out, just wanting to know the truth. Something doesn’t add up. How the hell did she know about my parents? When I hear him growl I turn my head to look at him; his hands are clenched into fists on the bed sheet. Not giving him a chance to speak I carry on. “She said you were meeting with Clarissa. That Clarissa said you were babysitting me because of my parents. She knew about them Malik. How did she know about my parent’s Malik?’’ I cry.

“Hey, babe, it’s okay. I swear to you, I’d never do anything like that to you. As for babysitting you Harlow, you’re more mature than me. Why would you even believe that? Also, you should know I’m yours and you are mine by now.’’

“But how did she know about them? I’ve never told anyone, but obviously you guys know.’’

“To be honest I really don’t know. Her Nan goes to bingo with your Nan, so she could have found out about your parents that way, but I swear on my life Harlow, I have never said anything. Not even to Clarissa. We haven’t spoken to each other in months. Her boyfriend said she works a lot, and is busy with college.’’

“You talk to her boyfriend?’’ I ask confused.

“Babe,’’ he grins at me, his white teeth shining from the moonlight. “I’m the one that introduced them.’’

My body slumps with relief and I kind of feel like a fool running away like that now. I bet it’s what they wanted me to do, so they got him to themselves.

“I’m so sorry. I feel so stupid.’’

“Is that why you ran off?’’

“Yeah, I didn’t care that she tripped me over, it was about thinking you’d talked about me, that you thought I was a burden. It also hurt thinking you meant more to me than I meant to you.’’

“I wondered why your clothes in the bathroom were filthy,’’ he chuckles. “And as for you not meaning anything to me we both know that’s a lie. You mean more to me than you’ll ever know. Outside my family you’re the only person I’ve ever gotten close to. You mean something to me Harlow.’’

“Good, because you mean something to me too, Malik.’’

“Good, because I like being with you. I’ve never been in a relationship, I told you that, but I said I’d try and I will.’’

Not knowing what else to say I lean over giving him a kiss. I’d meant it to be just a quick kiss, but when I feel his tongue against my lips demanding access, I moan into his mouth. I shove my hands through his short dark hair loving the feel of it running through my fingers. I return the kiss wholeheartedly, loving the taste of him.

His hands roam my body leaving shivers in their wake. The whole sensation is making my mind fuzzy, but in a good way.

A very good way.

I love how he can make me forget all my troubles with just a touch and make me lose all my senses with just a kiss. My deep moan pushes Malik back, breaking the kiss. Both of us are breathing heavily as we stare into each other’s eyes.

“Don’t run from me again,’’ he whispers the demand, his face a breath away from mine.

“Never,’’ I promise.

“Come here,’’ he says pulling me closer to him so that my head rests against his chest above his heart. I can hear his heart beating hard against his chest, and the sound has me relaxing against him, listening to the sound. Knowing that I affect him just as much as he affects me has me wanting to dance for joy.

“Tell me something about yourself?’’ I whisper after a moment’s silence.

“What do you want to know?’’

“I don’t know. Um... tell me about your parents.’’

The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them. Malik’s whole body tenses underneath me, making me feel like a total bitch. He’s hasn’t told me much, but from what I’ve guessed it’s nothing good. Why that came from my mouth I have no idea. I’ve known for a while the subject of his parents was a sore spot for Malik. I feel like a right bitch asking about them, but I’m curious. He knows everything there is to know about me. I think.

I’m shocked when I hear him take a deep breath, preparing himself, before he starts talking.

“Well my mom left when we were young, I don’t think the twins really remember her. From what I remember about her she wasn’t that good of a mom. She would never tuck us in bed, read us a story, bathe us, or feed us. Maverick told us once she wasn’t always like that and there was a time she did all those things, but I honestly don’t remember. My dad was a prick to her, beat her down to the point she left I guess.’’

“So you don’t know where she is? You’ve never looked for her?’’ I ask, feeling bad that they never had what I had with my mother. Sometimes when I go to sleep I swear I can smell her. She’d always come into my room when she thought I was asleep to give me a goodnight kiss. When I got old enough to refuse my parents to put me to bed, I must have been around twelve. It never stopped my mother from sneaking in my room to give me a goodnight kiss though. My dad even snuck in a few times, but never every night like my mom. Not once did I ever let on I knew about it because secretly, I loved having them kiss me goodnight. It made me feel loved more and I loved them more for it.