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Current Chapter Posted - Saturday, July 30th 2016
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{ Chapter 22 } : This Is Inevitable
By the time I got my shit together and hopped off the counter, it was too late.
I felt the slam of Sam's bedroom door down to my core. I flinched inwardly from the message that gesture sent.
But it didn't discourage me. No. If anything, it only added more fuel to the flames crackling through the hazy smoke. My heart palpitated from Sam's meaningful words and I knew that maybe I had to stop acting like a coward. I'd never had a boy speak to me like he did. It was time to face my attraction towards Samuel Adams.
It was time for my meaningful words. "Sam." I knocked softly on his door. "I'm sorry."
No answer. Utter silence.
And so I began with a brave breath. "I get it. I so get it. I...I don't go around hoping for random guys to come help me when I'm in distress. I...I don't wake up next to random guys either. Never have. Not ever. Not now. I don't try to admire their amazing tattoos when they aren't looking...I don't look forward to seeing random guys...I don't go around smoking with them either. I don't go around wanting their comforting touch when I'm feeling down." My forehead falling forward against his door. "Those are things I only have with you."
There. I said it. The admission left me feeling vulnerable and scared for what could come next, but I'd never take it back. A huge weight was lifted off my chest.
No words or sound again, so I raised my fingers and pressed them on his door. As if he could see, feel, and understand my peace offering. But nothing ever happened.
I held my breath.
The echoing sound of my text message broke me out of my daze and I drew away from Sam's door. Disappointment sunk low inside of me and I felt like I'd ruined something good before it even started.
Hurt and rejected, I turned away to my room and pulled out my cell.
Race tomorrow? I'll send you the details later. I really want you to come, Anna.
-Nicholas
* * *
My mind didn't register the drive or what Gabriela was mumbling from the passenger side of my car as we headed to Nicholas's race. I parked one block away from where it was taking place, in order not to create suspicions and make it easier to escape if it boiled down to the cops breaking it apart.
Pretending that I didn't know where we were headed as Gabby dished out directions to me was no use - I knew the map to this place like the back of my hand.
I'd been to this track a million times - much to my chagrin - enough to make it feel like a trip down memory lane. But it wasn't a tidbit I shared with my best friends. That dirty secret you'd take down to the grave, that's what this was. My heart beats mirrored every pounding step of my thigh-high heeled boots against the pavement.
Located in the east, this part was joined at the hip with the sketchier part of town. One minute you were walking down a picturesque-perfect cobble stone street, and the next second it had morphed into dirty stained concrete.
As we turned the corner of the street, entering a brief alleyway leading to the large clearing that would no doubt be housing a variety of fancy and supped-up vehicles, the sight of red bandanas and inky black tattoos - sighs of gang affiliations - were a reminder that this was partially a bad idea and that my heartless-ex ran in these circles due to his father's illegal affairs.
Gabriela and I ignored the catcalls and wolf whistles thrown our way as we sauntered down the declining pathway. Her tight creamy leather ensemble - a sleeveless dress barely reaching her mid-thighs - didn't exactly scream conservative. Coupled with my signature boots and short white romper, we weren't the kind of duo that didn't attract attention.
I blocked out the unnecessary attention we were showered with, but it was no use. I felt my ears heat up in anger at some of the things the younger guys said. I'm sure if I looked now, I'd recognize a handful of Joey's goons.
Upon arriving at the outskirts of the field, I sucked in a horror-induced breath as I took in the massively crowded area. Not once did I recall there being this many people at one of these races. This was only one third of the places where they held illegal street-racing.
Gabriela must have noticed my frozen state, because she scrutinized me with narrowed eyes as she looped her arm with mine, dragging me into the terrifying mosh pit. "C'mon, you're not backing out on me."
I would never back out on Nico again, not if I could help it. As much as I wanted to hightail it out of this clearing, for him, I would stay.
"He said he'd be parked somewhere in the middle," I informed Gabby as she made us walk around in aimless circles.
I noticed old familiar faces of patrons - the regulars who'd always be gambling and making bets - the ones I wanted to avoid like the plague. With my head ducked and gaze lowered, I let Gabriela bring me to our destination. I prayed to blend in with the crowd.
Skimpy clad girls and guys both with money and no money loitered the entire area. A variety of music blared from different stereo systems - a mixture of classic rock, hip hop and r&b - as I saw wads of money being exchanged.
There were so many cars parked along the grassy field encasing the entry of the race track - a long strip road crossing a quarter of downtown. Some stood leaned against their cars for inspection while some sat perched on the hoods. It resembled a scene out of a Fast & Furious movie.
"Eh, ladies, where are you going?" An obnoxious perverted voice yelled.
We ignored it as we continued walking faster.
"Let me get a good look at those never-ending legs, Mami," Another slurred.
More robust laughter rang out but I kept my teeth gritted. Not releasing a single syllable.
"Ugh," Gabby echoed my sentiment."Are these creeps always so foul-mouthed?"
Basically. But I didn't voice out my thoughts in case someone heard.
We walked further and then Gabby said, "Oh, I see them - Well, I see hot-piece-of-a$s Nathaniel."
She'd met Nate once before and when I'd told her that Nicholas's crowd would most likely be there, she jumped at the opportunity. A part of me wondered if it was because she wished to see Hunter.
Arms looped together, we practically sprinted towards the other side of the street to the clearing where Nate and a few other guys sat on a makeshift picnic table, under the awning of a tent. Amongst the lingering males, two of them were Sam and Cade, the bartender from Danny's Grill.
Gabriela was salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs. "My ovaries are aching. I need to procreate with one of these beings."
I laughed. "It's open season."
"That, it sure is, baby."
Oh, yeah. I was totally ogling the eye-candy, too. One particular blond-haired-green-eyed candy.
Today, before leaving the house, I'd totally chickened out until I begged Gabriela to come with me. I needed to face my past - it had shaped me - but it didn't mean I had to do it all alone. Of course, at the mention of drinks, hot guys, and fast cars, she was all game.
I didn't tell her that the skeletons in my closet began from here. That most of my roots stemmed from nights like these, people like these, and moments like these.
"We're here," I stage-whispered more to myself than her.
Gabriela took off, her fiery red hair billowing long and shiny in the breezy night as she sauntered flirtatiously to the boys table.
I tried not to look at Sam as I threaded my way through the thickening crowd. By the time I'd reached, Gabby seemed like she'd already made introductions. Nate was on his feet, kissing both of her cheeks in greeting until he spotted me.
"Anna," he rumbled in his raspy voice, before crossing to me. "Hey."
Nate was the first to greet me, wrapping me up in his solid and warm form. I was surprised for a split second, hence the reason for my delayed response, but I reminded myself that we were trying again. I banded my arms around him and hugged him back. His squared diamond stud dented my cheek as we embraced.
"Glad you could make it," he husked lowly for me to hear. "I thought he'd kill me if you didn't show up."
I frowned.
When we pulled away, my gaze averted from Nate's amused face until they connected with...Sam was watching me with a lazy look in his eyes. I hadn't missed the flicker of annoyance or mild scowl on his face when I'd pulled away from Nate.
I swallowed thickly. Sam took a leisure pull from his bottleneck, keeping those wild half-mast emeralds on me. He was sitting on top of the table surface, his broad shoulders curved in, his thick veined forearms balanced on his knees. His chin was tucked but he kept perusing me from under those thick lashes.
Oh, God. There we go again. It was back. The moment. The kick of adrenaline pouring through my veins, awakening me. I felt something strong and powerful pulsing through my system as electricity coursed between him and I.
Sam's tongue snaked out to wet that bee-stung bottom lip and he drained his beer in one shot, never releasing me from his captive gaze. His Adam's apple bobbed with his swallow and then he was reclining back, depositing the empty bottle next to him, and watching me with that hungry, predatory glint in his eyes. He looked so ruggedly handsome in that moment, with his wet lips, light stubble, intoxicated eyes, and windswept blonde hair that I wanted to punch him.
A virility god. An untamed beast locked in his golden cage, prowling. A bad boy above all bad boys with a heart of gold.
The moment halted in a standstill and I spiraled down into a dilemma. Should I...go talk to him? Say hello? I was no longer certain after our last showdown where he basically admitted that he didn't give every girl his special treatment. Where I basically admitted that I didn't give just any guy my special treatment...
Sam's eyes did all the talking and confirmation as they swept up and down my length, taking in the thigh-highs he loved so much, flaring in color when they stopped at the bare skin of my upper thighs revealed by my itty bitty romper and soaring in a needful emotion when they stopped at the cleavage unmasked by my deep-plunge front.
Maybe I was glad with my choice of attire after all, as his storming gaze finally collided with mine, showing me their approval.
I realized that everyone had gone to ignoring us as we got locked in a staring match. I took in his army green bomber jacket, torso-clinging white shirt, black ripped jeans and black combats. There was something so badass about those boots.
Keeping his eyes on me, he slowly - almost like a stri*ptease, I kid you not - peeled off his jacket and rose to his full height. I panicked, sucking in shuddering breaths and turning away from his intensity.
God, what was wrong with me? Samuel Adams had found a way to weave himself under my skin and I couldn't fvcking get him out. I hated to admit that he was on my mind more frequently than I 'd like. And, I hated to admit that I looked forward to our banter - regardless of how fvcked up it sounded.
"Anna?" Gabby's soft lull pulled me out of my reverie. I whirled around and glanced at her. "You...um...okay?"
My cheeks were no doubt a different color and my entire body was flaming from the closeness of Sam. "Y-Yeah."
Sam swung his legs over the table and stood up. Never. Fvcking. Looking. Away. From. Me. I knew that look. Oh, god. I knew that look.
"I-I," I stuttered uselessly as he advanced towards me. "Um..."
From my peripheral vision, I saw a gathered party nearby, handing out beers and water bottles to the partygoers of the race and I dashed towards them. At these kinds of illegal events, there was always someone handing out free booze.
Shouldering my way into the thick sea of people, I was startled when I felt a warm palm on my bare shoulder. I closed my eyes. Of course, he caught up to me. He always did. My tender skin sizzled where he touched me and I blushed even more - in embarrassment or relief, I didn't know.
"What are you looking for?" His rough whisper caught me off-guard.
"Water," I breathed out.
Sam bypassed me and his broad shoulders and tall frame had everyone parting away like the red sea. Two seconds later, he was back with my ice cold water bottle.
His shirt whipped at the hem in the breezy night air and he lowered his head, dark blonde hair flopping endearingly into his forehead. I was nearly his height with my added heels, but I still had to tip my head back if I wanted to kiss him. Not that I was thinking about it. Not that we were kissing.
My eyes fluttered closed the second Sam pressed the cool bottle against my warm neck, right underneath my jaw. The gesture was strangely...sexy.
"You look a little too hot," he husked in that dark voice meant to tease.
I understood his double-meaning. My hands rose up to close in the crook of his elbows. He used his other hand to cradle my jaw. Swiping the pad of his thumb across my lip, he gathered a bit of my hot pink lipstick and smirked.
"I'm fine," I whispered. My body hummed with his proximity, but the cold from the bottle was calming down my raging hormones that always seemed to be running haywire in Sam's presence.
He chuckled darkly. "That you are."
I smiled with mirth. "What are you doing here, Sam?"
"Heard you'd be here. Wanted to see you. Needed it, actually."
My smile struggled to stay in place as his words sunk in. This boy. My lips parted. Reaching up and mimicking his actions, I swiped my manicured thumb pointedly across his bottom lip and smiled darkly despite the pounding ache in my chest.
He exhaled once roughly and closed his eyes, a crease crinkling the skin between his brows. My rugged blond Adonis looking so perplexed and lost.
"Why, Sam?" I murmured and caught a surprised breath as he dragged the bottle down the column of my throat. The cold seeped through my hot skin.
"She's not my girlfriend," he hushed to me. Despite the loud raucous surrounding us, I could still make out his words and they made leeway for something big and titillating. Hope was making an appearance again.
I swallowed. "I know, Sam."
His eyes snapped open and he narrowed them. "Do you?"
Now I do, I thought silently.
"I can't get you out of my head."
"You told me that before," I murmured. I can't get out of my head either.
He moved his hand lower, the bottle lightly teasing the low neckline of my romper. Little water rivulets trickled down my jaw, my neck and the little valley bxtween my brea$t$. Sam leaned down until his nose rested just underneath the underside of my jaw, his free fingers grazing my tender skin to catch the water droplets. I was shaking as I felt his soothing touch. Felt the intimate feel of his fanning breath against my throat.
I wondered what kind of picture we must have created for the world to see. Standing huddled together in nothing but our bared hearts and confused minds. Two broken pieces joined together with a single touch to create a full half.
Sam once asked me why we kept finding ourselves in each other's presence. I'd chalked it down to a mere coincidence back then. Now I didn't know. It felt like more. It felt inevitable. This. Us. Inevitable.
"Did you mean what you said last night?" His ragged words imprinted themselves in my skin. "About me being the only guy who you..."
He had heard me. "Yes, Sam." I craned my neck back and my fingers sought his face. "I meant every word." I locked gazes with him. "Did you mean what you said..."
His eyes flickered with emotion and there was that heart-throbbing-panty-melting half-smirk I loved so much, curving the corner of his mouth. "I meant every fvcking word I said to you."
My chest burst open with his words and now I couldn't contain the grin twitching across my mouth. "Sam."
He smirked a little, leaning down again. He opened my palm and curled my fingers around the bottle of water he'd gotten me. "Anna. Drink."
I opened the cap and took a hearty swing. I licked my lips when I was done because I grew to realize quickly how much Sam liked that. "Where does that leave us, Sam?"
His brows furrowed and he finally stepped away from me, but kept the material at the small of my back fisted in his hand.
"What does that..." I was already cringing at my words, but we needed to stop walking in circles. Right? "What does that make us?"
The light dissipated from his expression and he averted his eyes to the ground. "I don't know."
I didn't move a muscle nor did I inhale.
"I'm not good with shxt like this, Anna," he confessed hoarsely. "I think about you a lot...but I don't know what to make of it..."
Those words hit me square in the chest like piercing arrows and I gulped painfully. He did not just say that to me. Axis tilted. I drew in a strong breath. "You don't know, Sam?"
But God, I think I did. I was weaved too far into Samuel Adam's web and it wasn't good. I needed to catch myself before I went crashing down like an avalanche.
He didn't say a word, but willed me to understand with his eyes.
I needed words this time. No more second guessing and playing by gestures.
Backing away, I shot his familiar bitter words at him. "Then I guess we're wasting our time here, Sam."
* * *
Not once did I spare Sam a glance as I watched the races. I kept a safe distance from him, feeling his gaze burn into my back like laser beams. Anger pulsed and radiated off of him in waves. I mustered all my strength not to give in and look at him.
Nicholas won both of his races. I blended with the crowd as I clapped and cheered for him along with Gabriela. A few people had recognized us and given us discreet head nods. It didn't bother me though. Being recognized surprisingly. I felt calm and in control of the situation, knowing things had changed and I wasn't one to relapse into my old habits.
The wind whipping through our hairs, the sound of laughter and hollering drifting into the air, the stench of alcohol wafting in the area, and the screeching noise of tires skidding made for an exhilarating experience that had adrenaline pumping through my veins and I think I finally understood an ounce of why Nicholas loved doing this so much.
He was definitely made for the track. Made to race. The way he was so in tune with his car was incredible. I'd sat with him a few times in the passenger side when he'd driven me home back in the days, and I always noticed with how much vigor and confidence and controlled ease he'd drive his car. It's like he was a part of it.
When he went flying through the finishing line, the crowd erupted and I found myself filled to the brim with pride. That was my best friend. I yelled at the top of my lungs when he got out of his car, broad grin spreading across that handsome daredevil face as he collected his due from everyone.
But my grin faded when I noticed the other driver getting out of his car. He'd lost and seemed like he wasn't taking it so well as he strode purposely towards Nico. Something about this guy was off. He was big and burly and had ink running up and down every possible inch of exposed skin. The red bandana on his head spoke volumes though. It was the red flag during a war.
My heart thudded. Shit. Why was Nicholas fvcking around with people like him? The last thing he needed was trouble from anyone in a gang.
It got so heated in a matter of a few seconds that I barely had the time to blink. One second Nico was shoving wads of cash in his wallet with a cocky smile. Then next second Big and Burly had him pressed against his car with his hands going for his thr0at.
Nicholas didn't appreciate being threatened. His eyes narrowed. Pushed into the side of the car, Nico shoved back, before drawing his fist back and clocking the guy in the face. I gasped and made a dash for him as more people screamed in delight for a fight.
I was quickly shoved to the side by a passing Nate. He glared at me. "Stay out of this."
I was shell-shocked by the ferocity in his voice that I stayed rooted to my spot, even when Sam hurried to where the boys were trying to break it apart. Big and Burly had his backup there within moments and they were a lot more than Sam, Nate, Cade and the rest of their crew.
Gabby was by my side in a second, dragging me with her. "Let's get closer, come on!"
Nicholas had managed to land a solid punch in the guy's eye and I knew it would swell tomorrow. It was a myriads of push, pull, shove, punch, chokehold.
They went crashing to the ground, before Big and Burly rolled on top of Nicholas and punched him in the chest in successive blows. I screamed along with Gabby as Nico flinched. He gained momentum in a few seconds, flipping Big and Burly and delivering his answering punches to his meaty head.
The guys couldn't stop it. They were too far gone and the energy pumping through them was impossible to shatter.
"This is my hood, King," Big and Burly shouted as Nicholas pinned him to his sleek white mustang. "You don't fvck with me here."
Nicholas's fist grazed Big and Burly's jaw this time. Sweat was smeared across his face, a crease wrinkling his brows and a vein throbbing painfully in his temple. "You wanna act like a pu$$y now, Rambo?" he spat in his face as the crowd behind him cheered. Their faces were partially illuminated by the lamppost shining over the hood of his car. "You don't fvck with me. Get that through your head. You. Ain't. Worth. Sh*t."
A battle-cry ripped through Rambo's mouth and he tried to lunge forward, but Cade seemed to have a grip on him, holding him down against the hood. That's all it took. That was all that was needed.
All hell broke loose at that gesture. Fists flew from one side to the other and it was a horror show. I watched in fear as Nate struggled to hold off Nicholas from killing this so called Rambo guy. Sam was holding his own with another one of the goons and Cade looked like he took a heavy punch from Rambo. A few other guys tried to either stop the fight or take part in it, but it was all in vain.
I'd had enough. Scared or not, I jumped in, finding my way through the cheering crowd until I was close enough to the guys. Nicholas caught my eyes and stopped struggling. With a last diss to Rambo, he spat in his face and smirked with a blo0dy mouth.
"Get the fvck off my turf," Nicholas warned in a low accented voice. Rambo had a broken nose with bl0od dripping, a fvcked up eye and a most likely damaged jaw. "As long as I'm racing these streets, you don't own jack-sh*t, Rambo. You can tell Carlos to pick up his stray dogs and lead them back to where they belong, and it sure as fvck isn't this part of town."
"You'll regret that, King," Rambo said weakly as two of his goons helped him up from the hood of Nicholas's car. His shirt was tattered and his bandana was lost somewhere. Beneath it, he had a black buzz cut and soul-shuddering black eyes. "You think you're all mighty, but you're fvck all."
Nicholas's answer was a cocky laugh and a fearless gleam in his eyes. "I didn't earn my name for no reason, Ramirez. You remember that." He spat on the floor again. Nicholas was winded but he was barely showing it with the way he hid his bruised cheek and pained pants. "While you're at it, tell your chica to stop prancing around in my face. I don't fvck sloppy-seconds, even though I know I could fvck her tenfold times better than your m0therfvcking tiny a$$ d*ck could."
That was the last straw and Rambo's control snapped. He lunged forward and only got throttled. "You'll regret that, King. I'll make sure your a$$ knows better than to fvck with the Hermanos Del Este."
Rambo yelled out orders and directions and in a few minutes, they were all out. The crowd began dispersing, since this was usually the time where the risk of the police arriving was high.
Nicholas took mere moments to wipe his face before his twinkling eyes fell on mine. How he could still find amusement despite everything was beyond me. He stepped forward.
"You came," he breathed, so shocked. I flinched a little. "Anna."
I walked towards him but he was the one to close the distance between us and engulf me in his arms. I squealed when he lifted me off my feet unexpectedly and leaned back, kissing me once and hard on the cheek.
That was even more unexpected. "Nicholas?" I touched his battered safe carefully.
He chuckled under his breath. "Homeboy certainly doesn't like my hands on you."
I didn't need to be told twice that homeboy was Sam. When I was put back on my feet, I glanced over his shoulders and caught Sam seething quietly in his corner. Fists clenched by his strong thighs.
"You didn't need to kiss my cheek," I mumbled back low enough for only Nico to hear.
The grin split his face. He leaned closer again. "Needed to see his reaction. See. Feelings. We discussed this." Nicholas playfully ruffled my hair to end the conversation.
"You killed it out there, Nico."
"Damn straight I did," he smirked. "I'm really happy you made it, Anna."
I smiled at him and punched his shoulder. "I'm happy I made it, too." Then my face morphed into disdain. "You shouldn't have fought that guy."
He ignored my scolding. "I need a quick beer before we head out," Nicholas announced over his shoulders to the rest of the guys, including Gabriela, who he sent a wink for good measure. "Hey, mamacita."
"Right back at you, Papi." She blew him a kiss.
Nicholas flushed a little. Funny how he was just discussing about fvcking and sloppy-seconds and now he was blushing.
"I shouldn't have fought him, but he didn't need to be a sore loser either. He got what he deserved," he murmured to me as we walked.
"You're lucky the guys were there to save you," I teased him, but truthfully I was surprised how he held up his own in that fight. Those strong muscles flexed and rippled with each punch and I was impressed.
"I didn't need them," Nico teased right back, snagging an arm casually around my waist and leading me towards the table where a few unopened bottles of beers sat. "I was good on my own."
"Who was that guy anyway?" I finally asked the question I feared. I'd known many of the boys from that gang years ago. While most were actually decent, there was always a bad seed in a pack of wolves. "I've never seen him."
Nicholas sat down and I sat opposite of him. Gabby took the opportunity to sandwich herself between Nico and Nate, and I noticed how the latter was hitting it off quite well with her.
Sam slid next to me and I sucked in a deep breath when I felt his thigh brushing mine. Then his hand settled low and possessive on my lower back. I didn't have it within me to tell him to put his hand elsewhere. Cade was the quietest as he nursed the black eye forming on his right side.
Nate went around opening a few beers for us and I declined politely since I'd be driving tonight.
"You were amazing out there tonight," Gabby said close to Nico. He blushed, no doubt affected by her charm. She was having the time of her life teasing him. "Anna, you never told me he was this cute."
Nicholas choked on his alcohol. "T-Thanks."
Gabby threw us all a playful expression as she angled her body towards Nicholas. "So tell me more about the fvcking part. I'm quite interested by that."
Nicholas's cheeks flamed and he tucked his face into his chest a little as the guys laughed at him.
Then tension ebbed in the circle and it's like we'd all forgotten that a fight broke out not too long ago. Nate was on his second beer as he discussed some kind of business with Cade. Gabriela helped Nicholas count his cash, a whooping four hundred dollars.
Sam's hand on my back played as his thumb swept up and down my spine. "Talk to me," he said to me gravelly.
"There's nothing to talk about." I stiffened as his breath hit my bare shoulder. We were in front of everyone...did he not care?
"Disagree." His mouth ghosted over and my skin tingled where he touched me. "Look me in the eyes for two seconds, Barbie."
I was just about to do that, because damn it, the pull of his voice was too strong, when Nico finally looked at me and saluted me with his beer. "Ramirez Diaz."
"What?"
"The guy I was fighting with. Ramirez Diaz. He's the son of the right-hand man of those hermanos. Thinks he's the big sh*t, but he relies on daddy diablo's weapon trade business to make money. He's also known as Rambo."
I knew enough about the gang to know the nasty stuff that went on there. I'd gotten a glimpse of it when I was with Joey, since his father was connected to their illegal affairs. I wanted no part, and I assumed neither did Nico.
I gave him a head nod to indicate that I understood.
"Who fvcking names their child Rambo?" Cade grumbled from somewhere down the table.
Nicholas snorted. "Satan itself, apparently."
We hung around for half an hour more and by then Cade was plastered, Gabby was hanging on every word Nate fed her and I was trying my best to ignore Sam's heated touch and intense eyes.
We were getting ready to leave since there was practically no one left when a group of girls sashayed past us to get to a parked car close to our table. Nicholas's eyes immediately drew up like bees to honey, and his expression flickered between awe and annoyance.
A black-haired beauty slowed down beside us. She was young and beautiful with her mocha brown eyes, thick lashes, Megan Fox lips and caramel skin tone that hinted at her Latina heritage. She was glaring pointedly at Nicholas with a fierce, set-in-stone pout on her mouth.
"I hear you been talking sh*t again, Papi," she said in a low sultry voice.
Nicholas tried to drag his gaze away as he took a swig of his bottleneck, but to no avail. "Go away, Alieza."
She huffed out a long breath and dragged her long red nails through her pin-straight hair, the same color as the blood red lipstick painted across her mouth. "That's obviously not what you want...if you're still using me in the same sentence as fvcking and your d*ck."
The boys in our table obviously knew her as they cheered and whooped. Every muscle in Nicholas's body tightened taut like a bowstring and I thought his muscular chest would rip through the black cotton tee he was wearing from anger.
"Alieza," Nicholas growled, nearly rising to his feet as he looked at her His eyes sparked and flared with interest and something else... "Stop playing with fire you stubborn chica. Leave now."
She was a little on the shorter side, as Nicholas towered over her. Something told me she made up for it with her firecracker personality. She was wearing cut-off jeans shorts that nearly exposed her b*tt cheeks and perfect Latina derriere. Alieza didn't seem to care that Nicholas was breathing fire down her back as she looked at him with her chin raised defiantly. She folded her arms and that did nothing but push up her brea$t$ over the low neckline of her white tank top...and I noticed that she wasn't wearing a br-a...and had her n*pples pierced. You could see it through the sheer material of her shirt. Nicholas couldn't keep his eyes off those babies either...and I shared an awkward, but knowing look with Gabby.
"You started it," she hissed back. "Next time you want to talk about fvcking me, Nick, make sure you do it straight to my face. Not to my boyfriend's. Then maybe I can do something about that l0ng and th*ck neglected c0ck of yours."
Nicholas stumbled back, anger and embarrassment blanketing his face. "Jesus, Alieza." His accent kicked in. "Detente. Do you have no filter? You're fvcking loco. Leave now and run away to your boyfriend before he finds you here and goes berserk again."
A devious gleam crackled in her eyes and she laughed airily. "Might be worth it," she purred as she walked past him. "Still waiting for you to deliver on that promise, Papi. The one where you said you'd b*end me over the hood of your stunning mustang and fvck my brains out. Right after you ate some pu$$y. How that sound to you?"
"Alieza," Nicholas growled low in his throat, his face heating up. I stifled my shock. "You don't even know what you're saying. Cut the bullshxt. Before I azotar your Latina culo."
"Kinky. Knew you had a thing for my a$$, from the way you drool like one of Carlos's dogs whenever you look at me. I'm taken though, so you might want to ease up on the naughty threats." She winked at him and grazed her hand over his stubble as she sauntered away. She sm*acked his a$$ from behind. "You did good tonight, I'll give you that much, King."
"Don't touch me," Nicholas snarled at him, fuming. His entire body shook as he glanced at her walking frame over his shoulder. "Tell Rambo to tie a m0therfvcking leash on your neck so you don't go straying away. A gag, too. Cut off half the sh*t that tumbles out of your mouth."
Her demeanor shifted and anger thudded across her exotic face. "If you ever call me sloppy-seconds or a puta, Nicholas, I will chop off your d*ck. You mark my fvcking words."
"Well, damn." Gabby said with wide eyes. "That was something."
Nate was quiet with his hands tensely cradling his beer. He stared a little too hard at the wooden surface of our table.
"What's wrong?" I asked him quietly.
Nicholas filled in for him as he sat back down in his bench. The mood was now sour. "She's Rambo's girlfriend. Enjoys fucking with my head and twisting my words around. Always parading herself in my face at every opportunity she gets. And, she's Nate's ex-step sister."
Sam choked on his beer and his hand fell away from my back. I stared at both of them, mouth agape. "Err, what?"
Nate smiled wryly, never lifting his face. "It's complicated."
"She's hot," Gabby remarked, her eyes tracking her sauntering frame in admiration. "If I swung that way, I'd fvck her."
Cade snapped his fingers at Gabby as if she'd just given a brilliant idea to him, the drunken glazed quality of his eyes rising to prominence. "Yes. That I'm down for. A m0therfvcking threesome."
Gabby looked at him funny. "I didn't say I'd fvck you."
Cade looked crestfallen with his mouth hanging ajar, and Sam burst out laughing. "The only thing you'll be fvcking tonight is your fist.
"Or Ella's pu$$y," Nate added, finally snapping out of his reverie. "When you win her back, that is."
Nicholas snorted, taking a swig of his beer. "If he can even get it up, that is."
They laughed roguishly as Cade sat there, drunk and embarrassed. "You fvcking a$$holes."
I think Nate kicked him under the table and shot a glare at Nico down the table. "And if I ever hear you disrespecting Alieza like that, I'll personally kick your a$$."
Nico rolled his eyes. "She's fvcking jailbait. I want to stay away from her. She just can't stay away from me. Maybe you should tell her to stop going around and talking sh*t. I won't need to snap back at her then."
"How old is she?" Sam asked.
"Seventeen," Nate replied and his face scrunched like he hated saying it. "Doesn't look like it though."
"What is she doing with that...Rambo guy?" I asked out loud, but more to myself. She seemed like she could do so much better, despite her stirring-shit type of persona.
Nicholas was the one to answer this time, as his gaze cut somewhere far-off in the distance. He sipped his bottleneck. "Fvcking beats me."
* * *
When it was all over and done, we all said our goodbyes, split up and Gabby and I started walking back to my car - even if Nicholas had offered to drive us there.
"What a night, eh?"
I looked at Gabriela and let out a ridiculous laugh. "Tell me about it. I'm ready to hit the sack."
We walked further, until I felt like there was something in my shoe. I stopped sideways and leaned against a brick wall. Gabs looked at me with impatience, so I told her to take my keys and start the car. I'd be there.
It started drizzling then, light rain coating my skin in a sheen layer.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Sam approaching me. His bike wasn't parked too far away. He had a determined look in his eyes, shoulders squared and hands in his pocket. I leaned my full weight against the brick wall and watched him, looking so strong and physical as he neared.
"We need to talk," he pressed in a low voice that caressed me. "You're not leaving yet."
I cocked my eyebrow. "Really?"
A light twitch touched his lips and he glanced up at the heavens and then at me. "Really."
But something else reached me first. Or, I should say, someone else.
Joey Donald's voice whispered out hauntingly beside me. "Anna?"
And I whirled around, feeling my heart drop to the pits of hell.
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A/N's: Hope you lovely enjoyed that, despite the mistakes! That was a loaded chapter :) 1. JOEY RETURNING? 2. ALIEZA (literally pronounced A-lie(like a lie)-za) Nate's ex-step-sister and most-likely Nicholas's future fling? 3. Anna and Sam FINALLY GETTING SOMEWHERE WITH THEIR FEELINGS? Leave me your thoughts <3