Unlucky You

Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

Saniya.

You working?

No, with my sister, what’s up?

I’m with Raiden. He wants to thank you for his jacket .

Awww, he likes it?

Like is an understatement. Is it cool if I call so he can tell you?

I blinked at the text a few times before a smile split onto my face. The more time we spent together, the more comfortable Grand had become discussing his son. He would offer small details or stories about him and their time together but I hadn’t met him yet. To know he was allowing me to talk to him felt like a big deal.

Yes, that’s cool.

As soon as I hit send. My anxiety kicked into overdrive. What was I supposed to say? What if he asked who I was? Would Grand expect me to answer or would he? And shit…

When my screen illuminated with a call, and instead of his name my face showed on the screen notifying me it was FaceTime, I almost dropped the device. My fingers swiped over the sleek glass and I was blessed with the visual of deep brown eyes and a square jaw covered in dark hair I experienced each time his head was between my thighs. This man was too damn sexy for his own good. I couldn’t control my grin which had me peeking at my sister who was in the kitchen on the phone speaking animatedly with her hands to our father.

“You just gonna sit there grinning at me?”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“‘You’re pretty ass was sitting there lusting after me. I was letting you have your moment.”

My smile expanded but I rolled my eyes, blushing more. “Whatever.”

“I know I said I was gonna call but before I put him on, I wanted to be sure you’re cool with meeting him like this.”

“I don’t mind meeting your son.”

Grand searched my face to be sure but then glanced to the side and smiled. “Hold on, let me get him. He’s burning up the damn cul de sac.”

Once again I was smiling like an idiot. “Can I see?”

“Yeah, hang on.” He flipped the camera briefly, allowing me the visual of jean clad legs in motion on the pedals while a helmeted head leaned over the handlebars. When Raiden whizzed past, I saw the massive skull patch I’d ironed on the center of the jean jacket Grand had purchased for him. He called Raiden over, flipped the camera back toward his handsome face, and kneeled next to his son, bringing both of them into the screen after he helped him out of the helmet.

The kid was unreasonably handsome with a head full of curls cut low on the sides and eyes that felt familiar because they were replicas in shape and hue of his father’s. His entire face belonged to Grand.

“Daddy who’s this?” He frowned, pointing at the screen.

“Saniya. Remember when I told you my friend put the patches and your name on the jacket for you.”

“Yes, sir. She did it?”

“Yeah and since you wanted to tell her thank you, I called so you could talk to her.”

His face split into a partially toothless grin. “Thank you for making my motorcycle jacket. You spelled my name right.”

I sputtered a laugh then placed my fingers over my mouth to get my smile under control. “You’re very welcome and I had some insider information with your name. Your dad helped out to make sure I spelled it right. Do you like it?”

“Yes, ma’am. I like it. I got this too.”

He walked out of view. A few seconds later I was trying to make out the image of something blocking the camera until Grand pulled Raiden closer to his chest so the helmet he was holding wasn’t obscuring their view.

“You have a helmet too? That’s pretty cool.”

“My daddy got it for me. I like motorcycles.”

“Me too but I’ve never been on one.”

His face scrunched. “Why not?”

“I’m kinda scared. They’re fast.”

He smiled widely. “I’m not scared.”

“You’re not?”

He shook his head, exposing another peek at that toothless grin that was so fucking adorable. “I’m not scared. My daddy can get you a bike like mine. I ride a lot. That’s why I’m not scared. He taught me how to ride my bike so I can ride a motorcycle too.”

“Hmm, that might work. Maybe if you ask him, he’ll teach me.”

“Daddy, can you teach your friend how to ride so she won’t be scared to ride a motorcycle?”

“Saniya, you want me to teach you how to ride?”

The way his voice lowered and the look in his eyes let me know he wasn’t talking about teaching me to ride a damn bike. My mouth dropped open but I quickly recovered. “Yes, I would love for you to teach me how to ride.”

“I got you.” The deep vibration of his tone had me rolling my eyes then he addressed his son. “Raidy, go get a few more rounds in. It’s almost time for you to head inside.”

“Okay…” he sang and disappeared but a few seconds later I heard his voice. “Daddy, what’s her name?”

“Saniya.”

The phone jerked down and his toothless grin was on the screen. “Bye, Saniya.”

“Bye, Raiden.”

His image was replaced by the older version of him. “Oh God, how do you tell him no? No wonder why he hustles you. The kid is adorable.”

Grand laughed. “I don’t, which is a huge fucking problem.”

I laughed. “I can see that being an issue.”

“You have plans later?”

“My sister will be here for a little while but after that no. Why? You plan on starting my riding lessons today.”

He smirked sexily. “We’re definitely starting those today, but nah that’s not why I asked. Tali’s racing tonight and asked if I would pull up.”

“What kind of races?”

“Shit… bikes, cars, anything he can be reckless with.”

“Do you race?”

“I haven’t in a long time but I support him.”

“You want me to go?”

“It doesn’t start until midnight. So if you’re cool being out that late, then yeah, I want you to go.”

“I’m down.”

“Aight, I’m about to get Raiden inside to spend some time with him before I head home. How late will your sister be there?”

“Not sure, why?”

“We can start those riding lessons before we head to the races.” The low rasp of his voice had my stomach flipping in anticipation.

“Daddy, look. It’s Saniya’s new boyfriend and he’s going to teach her how to ride.”

I turned, trying to figure out when my sister had ended up behind me, and I all but died when I heard my father’s voice.

“Boyfriend. This is the first I’ve heard of a boyfriend.”

I glared at my sister over my shoulder and seriously considered snatching the phone from her hand which was still on FaceTime with our father who now had a clear view of my phone which put Grand in his line of sight.

“Me too. Looks like she’s keeping secrets from both of us.”

I glared at my sister who smirked and shrugged when my eyes narrowed more. “Who’s this boyfriend, Saniya?”

“Can we not right now?”

“If he’s really your boyfriend, I want to meet him, soon .”

“Noted.”

I shot my sister an evil glare, and she walked off to my bedroom, before I gave Grand my attention.

“Sorry about that.”

His expression was relaxed, which I was grateful for. “It’s cool. I kinda threw my son at you.”

“You didn’t throw him at me. You asked. Meen did not. I might have to skip tonight. I quite possibly may be busy strangling my sister,” I groaned and he laughed lightly

“I don’t have siblings but I have Tali. He’s damn near just as close so I get it. I’ll let you deal with her and will shoot you a text when I’m heading your way.”

By the time I wrapped up the call with Grand, Sameena was no longer speaking to my father. So I rushed the bed, straddled her waist before she could process what I was doing, and smothered her with a pillow.

She yelped and bucked me off her, grinning as she rolled away from me and sat up, raking her fingers through her braids. “When are you going to let Daddy meet him?”

“I don’t know if he will.” I rolled over onto my back and shoved the pillow I used on Sameena under my head.

“Why not?”

I blinked at the ceiling a few times before I turned my head toward her. “We’re not there and I don’t think we ever will be.”

“He’s a ten outta ten, Ny, and you already admitted the sex is double that, so what’s the problem?”

“He’s not exactly available and I don’t know that he ever will be.”

“Oh shit, are you creeping?”

“No.”

“You must be if he’s unavailable.”

“Emotionally unavailable,” I admitted. “Remember when I said his life was complicated?”

She nodded while I climbed off the bed, lifted my iPad from the dresser, and pulled up one of the articles I’d found about Grand. I handed it over and sat cross-legged, hugging the pillow while she read and swiped.

“Well damn. That’s definitely complicated.” She frowned and kept reading. After a few minutes she dropped the iPad next to her and her eyes were on me. “He just got out?”

I nodded. “So emotionally unavailable because of his son’s mother?”

“Yep.”

“But y’all are fucking?”

I shrugged and she stared at me silently for a minute then shook her head. “Leave him alone.”

“I tried.”

“That shit right there is not going to end well. You’re already invested, and if all he’s offering you is sex, you’re gonna get hurt, Ny. The only time you do detached is when you are the one detached.”

“We’re just…”

“Chillin’. That’s what he’s saying but not what your heart is screaming right now.”

“And what is my heart screaming?”

“That you’re already more invested in him than he is in you.”

I rolled my eyes. “How do you figure I’m more invested?”

“Just like you know me, I know you. You’re in deep, sis, which isn’t your style. I don’t know what’s different about him but something is definitely different. This isn’t just chillin’ for you, and if all he’s offering is dick, then leave him alone.” She crawled across the bed and kissed my cheek. “I have to go.”

She was gone and I was left with the harsh reality that even if I wasn’t more invested in Grand than he was in me, I was invested. I also wasn’t going to leave him alone. So if things ended badly and I got hurt, the only person I could blame was myself for not being smart enough to stay away.

“Stay close.”

Grand had my hand in his and walked slightly in front of me toward the crowd, but a gentle tug granted me his eyes over a shoulder. “What’s up?”

“Should I be worried that you want me close?”

His smile was threatening in the best kind of way when he turned back to me. His hands found my waist and jerked my body into his. “Do I need to remind you of what having me close feels like?”

I groaned deep in my throat at the feel of him, thick and hard, pressed into my stomach. “No, but that’s not what you mean. You were warning me.”

He hooked my chin and dropped his mouth to mine, speaking against my lips. “Things can get a little wild. There’s a lot of money exchanging hands.”

“Got it.”

We were moving again. Grand shouldered through the sea of bodies using his to shield my path until we reached the clearing. There were cars and bikes parked in rows and groups with bodies posted up near them or on them. A chaotic blend of music, voices, and engines revving blended rhythmically, solidifying the vibe as to why everyone was here.

Someone called out to Grand and I followed the direction, recognizing the man I had seen a handful of times. His eyes were on me while a smirk played at his lips when we were heading in his direction. Dark jeans, black biker boots, and a black leather jacket covered his tall, lean frame. As soon as we were close enough, he lifted from a bike and approached, locking his arms over his chest.

“What happened to I’m not here for him?” He smiled smugly at me and I shrugged.

“Things change.”

“Indeed they do.” He grinned, cutting a glance at Grand before his eyes were on me again. “You been out here before?”

“No. It’s not really my scene.”

“You sure?” The smugness of his smile caused my frown to deepen.

“Yes, I’m sure. I don’t see the thrill in watching a man risk his life driving like a maniac just for an adrenaline rush.”

“Damn that felt personal.” He laughed and I shrugged.

“It’s just not my thing.”

“Never say never. You might change your mind when you see me cross the finish line.” He winked and turned to his cousin. “Let me holler at you for a minute.”

Grand jerked his chin toward Tali before he stepped away then turned to me. “Give me a minute and stay right here.”

They stepped away and I moved closer to Tali’s bike and removed my phone to turn on the flashlight, admiring the midnight blue color with a matte finish. Silver accents blended with the brushed chrome finish. The bike was custom and looked expensive so I changed my mind about leaning against it to wait while they finished their conversation.

Instead I stood close by and did a quick search of what I could see from my vantage point. We were on the south end of Highway 290 where the trains bypassed the city to circle Diamond Falls. There weren’t any buildings or streetlights, so the only thing illuminating the area were headlights from the bikes and cars.

“Alright, muthafuckers. Let’s get this shit started,” a man’s voice yelled from nearby. I swung my head to find him standing above the crowd on the back of a pickup truck. The voices and music lowered as he rubbed his hands together.

“We have three races tonight. Winners qualify for a spot on the roster of Crash or Burn. This is the last round. So if you get to line up, consider yourself lucky.”

A few engines revved and shouts echoed from the crowd. The firmness of Grand’s body moved behind me. His arm hooked loosely around my neck so I relaxed against him. Tali stepped up beside us but leaned against his bike. “I better be on that fucking list.”

“Why is there a list? I thought whoever wanted to race, could race.”

“Not for Crash or Burn. First place is a hundred grand, second seventy five. Third through fifth get twenty-five grand each and bragging rights for the next year along with top selection for any of the races. They get to pick who they line up with.” Grand’s voice was a deep rasp so close to my ear that my body hummed with awareness.

“That’s a quarter of a million dollars. Who the hell funds these races?”

“Not the kind of people you want to piss off, so whatever you’re thinking, don’t.” Tali cut a glance my way.

“I’m not a…”

“ Reporter . I know but you’re nosy as fuck which is how you ended up with him. The last thing you need are pictures circulating of what goes on out here with your name attached. Trust me, you don’t want to piss these people off. I saw that article on Inside Track.”

“My name is not attached. Just my pictures.” I frowned, not sure how he’d connected the two, but then again, I was there…

“You were the only one walking around all night with a gotdamn camera, pretty. It wouldn’t be hard to figure out, not for me or anyone else who gave two shits about you potentially exposing them.”

“I’m not crazy enough to attach my name to everything I do and I’m careful,” I admitted.

Tali grinned but I could tell he wasn’t convinced. However, we were all distracted when the guy began calling out the line up.

“First to the line, we have Marcus and Jackson. The second race is Tali and Neshawn. Last one of the night is Dev and Tony.”

My eyes went wide at the mention of Neshawn racing. He raced, but it never crossed my mind that he would be out here tonight. Twice in one week was too much of a coincidence.

“Is that why you asked if I’ve been out here before?”

“I’m just looking out for my people.”

“Did you know that was who you were racing?” I stiffened at the growl in Grand’s voice when he spoke from behind me.

“I didn’t know for sure but knew there was a chance.” Tali’s tone was laced with amusement. From the few interactions I had with him and how he was now interacting with his cousin, I sensed he wasn’t the type to take much seriously. He was amused by the idea of me being with Grand while he raced my ex which he confirmed seconds later. “He pissed you off at Hef’s. Now I’m going to piss him off out here and take five stacks from him when I’m first across the finish line.”

“You purposely wanted him to bring me so we could see you race my ex?” I narrowed my eyes at Tali who returned a charmingly handsome smile similar to Grand’s. Their likeness was more defined when they were smiling.

“I like to fucking win and I also like when people see me win. Who I win against doesn’t matter but knowing I get to embarrass your ex is definitely a fucking bonus.” He winked and extended a closed fist to Grand which he met.

“You’re a gotdamn idiot,” Grand growled, shaking his head, but Tali seemed unbothered.

“Let me go get this money.” He lifted his helmet, swung his leg over his bike, and revved the engine after he started it up. With his helmet tucked under his arm, he turned his eyes on me. “Wanna give me a good luck kiss?”

“Only if you want me to break your gotdamn jaw after she does.” Grand grilled the hell out of Tali who only smiled wider.

“Chill, cuz. I was just trying to see how serious this was.” He lifted the helmet and angled it on his head, then his eyes darted between the two of us, grinning wildly and shaking his head before it was completely encased in midnight blue with a matte finish that matched the body of his bike.

“Who the fuck is Tali and how is he on the roster?” someone yelled at the guy who announced the racing line up. Grand tapped Tali on the shoulder before he pulled off and motioned to the truck. Tali lifted his helmet and Grand moved closer. “You didn’t pull any bullshit to race tonight, did you?”

“No, why?”

Grand pointed to the two men again. “He just asked who you are and how you get to race tonight.”

Tali shrugged. “I earned it.

He swung his leg over the bike and began stalking toward the truck. Grand glared at me, mumbled stay here, and jogged to catch up with him.

“Why the fuck are you questioning why I’m lining up?”

“Because you haven’t lined up here before. How the fuck do you qualify?”

The guy who announced the fights jumped down off the bed of the truck and shoved the man back. “Didn’t you lose to Kessler?”

“What does that have do with anything?”

“Tali beat him. Twice , which means he qualified.”

“I’ve never seen them line up.”

“He raced in Crescent Falls.”

“But that isn’t here. How do we know that shit was legit?”

“I fucking know. If you know what’s best, you’ll fall back. My race, my rules. And if you want to line up at my races, you’ll shut the fuck up.”

Even from where I was standing I could see the guy wanted to argue but another man stepped to him and gently pushed him back. “Let it go, Roc.”

When they made it back to where I was standing, Tali mounted his bike and moved closer to the starting line. Grand had my hand again and moved us closer to the shoulder of the road so we could see the race.

The first two bikes edged slowly to a guy standing between them until they were perfectly aligned then he raised his arm. After an intense pause, a light flickered above his head and I realized he was holding a flashlight which signaled the start of the race. The sound of screeching tires and revved engines followed as the two bikes darted past him.

“You and Tali have an interesting dynamic.”

“What do you mean?”

“You definitely have the sibling vibe. But if I had to guess, when it comes to the two of you, he spends a lot of time being the problem, which means you end up being the solution.”

Grand smirked and hooked an arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest. He dropped his chin on my head since I fit perfectly beneath him. “Tali acts before he thinks but he can mostly take care of himself. There wasn’t always a need for me to be the solution but if I need to show up for him, I do. Same as he shows up for me. He was here for Raiden while I was gone. I owe him a lot.”

The endearment in his voice expressed how much he appreciated that Tali stepped up for his son and it tugged at my heart.

“I’m glad you have him.”

I felt the rumble of his laugh through his chest. “Yeah, me too.”

After the first race ended, the winner did a victory lap, showing off as he raced back to the starting line and lifted his front tire just before he whizzed between Tali and Neshawn who lined up for their race. The crowd went wild with cheers for his exaggerated performance and I grinned when Tali dropped his head and revved his engine. I had a feeling his victory lap would be just as elaborate.

Tali won his race. After the first one, we congratulated him and then left. When we made it back to my place, I was blessed with riding lessons that seemed to benefit Grand more than me. We showered and climbed in my bed. I hated how much I liked the idea of him being here. My sister was damn sure right about one thing, if he couldn’t give me more than this I would be on the losing end of this thing in the worst way possible. With my heart.