Chapter 14

I woke the next morning to a faint ringing, the sound chipping away at my dream until I slowly became aware of the warm body I was lying against. I bolted awake, the room spinning as I sat up. Tucker’s. I was at Tucker’s.

My heart swelled. Last night had been the best sleep of my life. I laid back down, my head in the crook of Tucker’s shoulder, and I stared up at his face, at his long blonde lashes and the way his hair flopped messily over his brow. The way his brow shifted when he started to sense someone watching. His eyes opened, and he treated me with a slow smile, his arm reaching above his head in a long stretch that had his legs shaking the bed.

I laughed. “Is this how you always wake up?”

“Next to a beautiful girl? Hardly.”

I mentally rolled my eyes. Please. We both knew he’d done that before. But it wasn’t like this. “I meant the way you stretch. It’s quite dramatic.”

“It’s satisfying is what it is.” He reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did. You don’t think your parents know I stayed, do you?”

He shook his head. “I locked my door after you passed out. They really don’t bother checking if they think I’m already asleep.”

My chest eased, but then we jumped at the sound of his phone.

“Shit. It’s still in my shorts.”

I shifted so he could pull his arm free, and Tucker got up, butt naked in all his muscular glory, his dick at full attention. He ran around the bed to the bathroom.

“Crap. It’s your sister. Hey, Annie.” He held the phone away from his ear like he’d just been assaulted by the sound. “Calm– Ann– She’s here,” he finally got out. He held out his phone, and I moved to my knees, clutching the covers to my bare chest. I sat on my heels.

“Hey, sis.”

“What in the hell, Izzy? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? You couldn’t bother to let me know you weren’t coming home?” I winced, instantly feeling bad. Tucker crawled back in behind me, and I grabbed his hand as he snuck it around to my thigh.

“I’m sorry. We had such a great night, and then Tucker asked me to stay, and… I’m a complete jerk for not thinking to at least text you. I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, well, I hope so. I about had a heart attack. You weren’t even answering your phone.”

I cringed. “It’s still in my bag in Tucker’s truck. We kind of didn’t stop to get anything out last night.”

Annie paused. “I want to be mad at that, but I can’t. I probably would’ve done the same if Jet wanted me to stay. Not that we ever can in his house. Okay, sorry. I’m rambling now. Come home before you get caught so we can dish. And you owe me about a year on my life.” She hung up, and I lowered the phone, dropping it down on the bed. I looked over my shoulder at Tucker, wishing we were the only ones here so I could jump his bones one more time.

“I’ve got to go.”

“I figured.” He sighed, getting up, and went to pull on a pair of gray sweatpants. I drooled for a minute before he tossed on a hoodie. “It’s chilly out.” He handed me another one from his closet, and I pulled it over my head, tucking my nose into the material to suck in his scent. It was seriously like crack. “I’d offer you sweatpants or something, but they’d never stay up.”

“That’s okay.” I crawled out of bed, the sweatshirt falling to my knees. “I’ll throw my leggings back on and shower as soon as I get home.”

He nodded, waiting for me to finish getting dressed, and then we tiptoed down the long hall upstairs before reaching the marble steps. Thankful they wouldn’t squeak like wood, we hurried down, the sound of the sports channel bleeding out from Chuck’s den as we darted outside. We grabbed my bag, and Tucker walked me home, stealing a long kiss before finally letting me slip inside my house.

I found Annie waiting upstairs, the rest of the house still quiet. She put her book down when I came in.

“Oh, you look like you had a good night. Thoroughly fucked and everything.”

I blushed. “Well, Tucker’s stamina definitely doesn’t hurt,” I blurted out, rushing into the bathroom for a shower.

After dishing and spending time playing video games with Archer and watching a movie with him and Mom, Annie and I headed out, making it a girls’ day for the few hours I had until I needed to meet Leo. We always met later on Sundays, doing the church and family thing the first half of the day.

Starting with fresh mani-pedis at our favorite salon, Annie and I decided to stop by a coffee shop, picking one that was next to a tiny bookstore. We curled up in the armchairs in the corner, the smell of coffee grounds and caramel permeating the air around us, our new paperback finds tucked into the seats beside us as we sipped at our frappuccinos. Megan and Emma came in when we were almost done, and we decided to get scones so we could nibble while we chatted with our friends.

Megan twirled her straw in her pink herbal iced tea. “So, I’ve been hanging with David lately, Izzy…”

“Yeah?” I shook my frap, trying to loosen the ice so I could take another sip.

“Yeah. He kind of asked me out. Would that bother you?”

“Why should it? If you like him, go for it.”

She exchanged a worried glance with Emma. “Well, it’s because of Zane. They’re like best friends, you know? So, if I start dating David…”

My stomach dropped, my interest in my frap now gone. “Oh. Well…” I didn’t know what to say and looked to Annie for help. She jumped right in.

“Jet’s friends with David, and it hasn’t been weird. Just know that if Izzy and I are going to be somewhere that we’re cool with David, but Zane can go hump a cactus.”

The rest of us covered our mouths, trying not to spit out our drinks and food.

“Wow. Love that image.” Emma laughed, and then Megan slapped her hand back over her mouth.

“Oh, no. I completely forgot I told David I’d be here.”

I turned to look where she was staring, and my stomach jumped to my throat as David opened the door, Zane right behind him.

Annie stood, grabbing my arm to urge me up. “That’s it for us, then. Sorry, guys.” She grabbed my cup and napkin, trashing it with hers, and hooked her arm with mine, steering us so she’d be a blocker between me and Zane.

His eyes lit up when he saw us, locking in on me. “My day just got better.” He stepped in front of us, and Annie pulled me behind her back.

“Get bent.” She shoved past him, and we almost made it to the door when Zane grabbed my wrist. He quickly released, sliding his hand further up my arm.

“Wait.”

I yanked my arm to get it free, but he tightened his hold. “Let go, Zane.” I added force to my voice with his harsh grip.

“No. Not without you talking to me.”

“What? Want to try to force her into something again?” Annie hissed, and Zane scowled.

“Mind your fucking business, Annie.”

“My sister is my business. Now, let her go or I’ll yell out date rape to this whole freaking cafe.”

Zane instantly released, and my hand went to my arm, massaging where his fingers had been. I looked down at the ground, following my sister out the door. It wasn’t until we were pulling up at home that I saw the bruises forming on my arm.

I quickly covered them, but Annie saw. “Is that?” She tugged my hand away. “That asshole. Izzy, seriously.”

“Seriously, what, Annie? I dumped him. I don’t want anything to do with him. I’ve told him that. I can’t make him not be a jerk.”

She growled, sticking her fingers in her hair then cutting the engine. “I know. I’m just so tired of him. Why can’t he just leave you alone? Move on?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. I’d be relieved to see him with someone else.”

“See who with someone else?” Jet asked, walking up with Tucker as Annie and I got out.

“Zane.” Annie growled his name. “He fucking bruised Izzy’s arm this time.”

“He what?” Tucker’s eyes flashed dark.

“I’m fine.” I quickly reassured him, but I didn’t think he heard.

“Let me see.”

I held out my arm, and he took my hand in his, the brush of his fingers light as he trailed them over the fresh, purple marks. He looked up, fire and destruction blazing behind the surface of his expression. “Tell me exactly what he did.”

I was done. Zane had hurt Izzy for the last time if I had anything to say about it. I held back as long as I could, until Izzy left to meet Leo, and then I headed for my truck.

“What’s the plan?” Jet hopped in the passenger side.

“I’m going to make sure he never touches her again.”

“Okay…and how?”

Fuck. I didn’t know. “Call David. Find out where he is.”

Jet shook his head. “I’m not putting David in that position. You wanna know where Zane’s gonna be? Off campus?” He pulled out his phone. “There’s another race. Tonight.”

Perfect.

We rolled up around ten, the race already packed, and sure enough, Zane’s Mustang was there. Monty strolled over as we got out, my fists clenching and unclenching by my sides. I was itching to get this done.

“Y’all here to race tonight? I’ve got room in the lineup for one more.”

Jet looked at me, and I saw the guilt mixed with the question in his eyes. He wanted this. Racing had become an itch for him that he hadn’t scratched in a while, not after our last trip here with the girls, and he got a taste of the thrill. I owed him. Giving him a nod, I leaned back against the side of his car, crossing my arms over my chest as I took it all in.

The rougher crowd didn’t bother me, but I sure as hell wasn’t bringing Izzy here again any time soon. I waited while Jet talked to Monty, my eyes zeroing in on Zane across the field. It didn’t look like he’d noticed me yet. Just how I’d prefer it.

Jet eventually took his spot beside me. “You sure about this?”

“As sure as I’m gonna get. He’s scared her too many times, and this time he marked her. After I promised she’d be safe. I can’t let that slide.”

“You sure some of the shit with your cousins isn’t bleeding into this decision?”

My jaw clenched, refusing to listen to his voice of reason. Because this time it wasn’t. Zane had hurt Izzy. Again. Saying he wanted her back was one thing, but touching her?

“It’s not.”

Jet nodded, resigning. Whether he believed me or not, I didn’t care. I’d taken care of that shit with my cousins, and I’d take care of this shit, too.

I bided my time, knowing I had to wait for Jet’s race to finish before I could make my move. Race after race was called up, and I found myself mildly interested in who would win, but none of it was half as entertaining as when we had Annie and Izzy here cheering them on. There was a freshness about their presence. A lightness it would bring to the tone of the night. Now, without them, the feel was much darker. More intense.

Or maybe that was just me. My anger was still festering under the surface. I glared at Zane from across the crowd, a sick, calculative smirk sliding across my mouth when he startled, finally noticing I was there. I cracked the knuckles of my fist with my thumb while keeping it crossed over my chest. He didn’t need any hints at what I had planned.

Izzy: Where are you?

The text lit up my phone as Jet and I watched the next race. We jerked back in a wince when one of the cars nearly flipped, and I gave Jet a ‘sure you still want to do this?’ look. But the resolve and determination that stared back at me told me to basically fuck off if I didn’t understand.

I just nodded and texted Izzy back.

Me: Out with Jet. Taking care of things.

Izzy: Please don’t do anything dumb. I’m fine. Really.

Frustration flared through me. How did she not see what Zane had done today was nearly just as bad?

Me: He fucking hurt you. There WILL be consequences.

Izzy: I appreciate you wanting to defend me, but isn’t there another way?

Me: You ready to tell someone?

Those three little dots lingered on the screen for several minutes before she finally replied.

Izzy: No.

I forced a deep, controlled breath, trying not to let my rampant anger seep over to her.

Me: Then I have no choice.

I stuck my phone in my pocket, ignoring her next few texts. “She’s mad?” Jet surmised, his eyes studying the muscle cars and sports cars around us, no doubt trying to figure out who would be his competitor. What potential advantages and weaknesses they might have.

“No, not yet. But I know she’s going to be. I can’t let this drop.”

“I know.”

“Thanos! Line up next!” Monty’s voice boomed out over the race. “Hernandez! You, too!”

My brow shot up to match Jet’s.

“Well, this’ll be interesting.” I stepped away as he hopped in his car, pulling up to the line for the next race. Classic red next to sleek, new, and black, the two Mustangs waited, engines gunning. It wasn’t long before one of the girls walked up, holding up the white cloth that would signal the start of the race as soon as she let it drop. I stood, arms crossed at the edge of the crowd as I watched my best friend face off with my worst enemy.

The cloth fell to the ground, and the Mustangs took off, Zane taking the easy lead. It was Jet’s skill with the turns that might give him a chance. Zane slid, dirt flying as he rounded the next corner, and Jet gained ground, never quite catching up. He gunned it at the end, flying over the finish line just a second after Zane.

I cringed slightly for my best friend, my footsteps already moving where I needed them to go. My waiting was up.

Zane got out, throwing his arms in the air, and I reached out, yanking his shoulder so he turned around. “Don’t ever fucking touch her again,” I warned, my voice deep with the threat. I slammed my fist into his face. He swayed and grabbed the door before sinking to his knees, falling face first to the ground.

I shook out my fist and strode over to Jet’s car, climbing in.

“Let’s go.”