24. Chapter 24
24
Grey
“ K elly hasn’t been answering her phone. It’s been two days,” I reminded Malak. He looked at me with that broody furrowed brow look, his arms folded over his chest.
“I’m aware, dill weed,” he said.
I scoffed, “Hey, you’re the one who let her leave” I told him, “Which, by the way, I can’t believe you fucking let Kelly leave with Rose to go back to our hometown.”
Malak stepped closer to me, waving a handout, “You could’ve stopped her yourself.”
“You told me not to get involved, not to force her into anything,” I reminded him. “If it weren’t for you, I’d have just tied her to a chair again, this time to actually keep her here.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure that would’ve turned out well. What did you want me to do?” Malak asked. “I’ve been texting and calling her, trying to see what’s going on. What else can I do?”
This time it was me who was folding my arms. I looked to the side from where we stood in the living room, eying the keys to Malak’s car on the coffee table. My eyes narrowed.
“Go to her,” I told him. “She hasn’t even called to see how Taylor’s move went. Is that not weird?”
My heart was beating hard just thinking about Kelly being in some sort of trouble. I knew she was just supposed to be going to see her family to deal with the bullshit with her sister, but not answering her phone for two days?
“You’re so worried, you go,” Malak insisted. Though I could see it in his eyes, when he looked over at the keys as well. He was worried too.
“If you were worried, you wouldn’t be calling her every three hours.”
Malak growled and stepped over to me, grabbing the front of my shirt.
“If we go, and Kelly gets pissed off at us, it’s on you,” he told me.
“Fine, whatever,” I mumbled. My face was hot just being so close to him.
I tugged away from Malak’s grasp and watched as he stepped over and aggressively grabbed the keys from the table.
“Let me grab some shit,” Malak insisted and disappeared into the hallway. I opted to grab a bag of stuff too, not sure how long we’d be gone.
“I gotta call someone to check up on the club while I’m out,” Malak said as he came out of his room.
“Sure, sure, let’s just get going,” I huffed. My gaze shifted around. It was definitely strange not having Taylor around. The extra room. I wondered if she’d be worried about Kelly, too. I shook my head, trying to get it together. Guilt crawled in my stomach as I wondered if I had something to do with Taylor leaving.
“Nah,” I mumbled to myself. I couldn’t go there.
A moment later, I was stepping out of the door behind Malak, down the stairs, and tugging my leather jacket on the right as the cold air hit me.
“How about I drive?” I asked.
Malak scoffed, “Hell no,” he replied as he pulled the keys out of his pocket. I watched Malak spin them around the tip of his index finger, almost to tease me.
I rolled my eyes and rushed ahead of him with a smirk, pulling at my lips. My arm swung out in his direction and I just barely managed to snatch the keys from his hand.
My sneakers scuffed against the pavement as I rushed towards the car.
“Hey!” Malak called after me.
I snickered just as I rounded the car, jostling the contents of my bag slung over my shoulder and made it to the driver's side.
My breath was pushed from my lungs as Malak’s strong body crashed into mine, slamming me chest first against the door before I could get it unlocked.
“Don’t fuck with me,” Malak growled.
Blood rushed to my ears, and I shifted on my feet, smirking.
“I thought you liked to be fucked,” I played.
One of Malak’s enormous hands grabbed my shoulder and turned me around, pressing my back against the door.
“Look, I know you’re a little brat, and this is just to distract yourself from being worried about Kelly, but if you’re so worried, we need to get going,” Malak insisted, his gaze piercing my own.
“I was just messing around,” I huffed.
Malak shook his head. “Look, dilbar , next time if you really wanna get railed against the car, just ask.”
My entire face turned red, my cock twitched, but I shoved him just enough to scoot my body out from between Malak and the car. He gave me so resistance. I tossed the keys in his direction, not hearing them clatter to the pavement, so he must’ve caught them.
The car unlocked, and I opened the passenger door, tossing my bag to the floorboard and sliding into the seat. The car rumbled to life as I closed the door.
“You know, you have all this money from the club. Why don’t you get a new car?” I asked him, “You’ve had this piece of crap since we met.”
Malak rolled his eyes and put on his seat belt before speaking.
“I have not,” he insisted, “I got this a year after we met.”
I leaned back in my seat, arms folded. “Yeah, sure, it’s still at least twelve years old.”
“She’s been reliable to me, no reason to get a new one,” Malak replied.
I shrugged, “I’m just saying, if I had enough money,” I rubbed my hands together, “I’d be cruising in a 1963–”
“Wait a minute, why’s a car from 1963 better than this one?” Malak cut me off.
I motioned with both hands. “It’s vintage! This ain’t vintage, it’s sad.”
“Shut the fuck up and put your seat belt on,” Malak snapped.
I chuckled and quickly put my seat belt on as the car pulled back out of the parking spot.
The ride was quiet and tense. Only a few hours' drive, but I wasn’t much of a fan of being in a car for longer than ten or fifteen minutes.
“So, you’re just worried about Kelly?” I asked Malak.
“What?” he asked, glancing over at me for a moment and away from the highway.
“Rose is there too,” I reminded him, “With Kelly, and they kind of have a thing.”
Malak sighed. His hand that was on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles lightening.
“I’m aware,” he replied. “Are you worried about Rose and Kelly?”
I blinked. “What? No,” I told him, “You’re the one who cares about Rose.”
“Mhmm,” Malak hummed out, “You’re a terrible liar.”
“And you didn’t even answer my question,” I said, tilting my head to the side.
Malak clicked his tongue. “Yeah, man, I’m worried about Rose and Kelly being there. I don’t know what Kelly’s fathers like, but based on what he said to her over the phone, I don’t trust him. Especially if he’s anything like Rose’s parents.”
I eyed Malak. “Yeah, Joseph Matthews isn’t exactly someone who would approve of either of us.”
Malak’s brow furrowed. “Why does that matter?” he asked.
I shook my head and tilted it against the headrest. “It doesn’t. Just be prepared for things to go rough.”
“Oh, you mean besides us showing up to check on Kelly…and Rose, without saying anything?” Malak asked.
“Has Rose been answering your calls?” I asked him. He didn’t answer. “I didn’t think so. How would we warn them if they’re not answering?”
“What do you think could have happened, Grey?” Malak asked. “Really? I know your family is there and they’re pieces of shit, but they didn’t go to get caught up in them.”
I sighed, “No one ever does.”
When Malak pulled the car into the driveway, there was only one other car in it. Malak looked over at me and I could see he was wondering the same thing.
“Other cars are probably in the garage,” I mumbled and stepped out of the vehicle after taking the seat belt off.
Uncertain how things were going to go, I left my bag in the car and watched as Malak did the same.
The sun was a couple hours from setting, but the porch light was not yet on on the house. I could see a light through the windows to the front of the house, but didn't see any movement behind them.
"What are you standing there for? This was your idea. You go to the door," Malak said.
"way to throw me under the bus," I mumbled and headed for the front door.
I actually felt anxiety creep up from my stomach into my throat as I reached for the doorbell. Joseph was not a man that I enjoyed dealing with. But I was prepared to make me someone that he didn't want to deal with, either.
I could feel Malak's presence behind me as I pushed the doorbell and listen to the multi tone chime go off. Nothing happened. I waited another moment and then push the doorbell again. I could hear voices on the inside of the door, but couldn't make out what they were saying. A second later, the door unlocked and pulled open 1/4 of the way. A pair of familiar blue eyes and a blonde bob peeked out from the opening in the door. I watched Rose's eyes widen.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" Rose pulled the door open the rest of the way and I'd me and Malak as Malak came to stand beside me.
With the door open completely, I could hear the sound of Kelly's voice, strained and upset from inside the house.
“I could ask you the same thing,” I said, my attention locked on the sound of Kelly’s voice. Was she arguing with Lindsey?
“What?” Rose asked, confusion lining her voice.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled, my head jumbled and pushed past Rose to get into the foyer. My eyes landed on Kelly a few yards away, her phone tucked against her head. My hands balled into fists.
“Neither of you were answering your phone,” I heard Malak explain from behind me. “coming here was Grey’s idea though.” His boots thudded against the floor.
“Oh please,” Rose scoffed, “We both know damn well that Grey can’t get you to do anything you don’t already want to do.”
My jaw tightened, but I moved towards Kelly, who looked at me. Her beautiful brown eyes widened as she processed that I was there.
“Dad, no, we haven’t ‘resolved’ things. It’s been a day and a half,” she stuttered, an angry look in her eyes. She waved her hand at me, but I shook my head. Her hand went rigid, and she pointed towards the living room.
“Go.” Kelly mouthed.
“No.” I mouthed back.
I felt both Malak and Rose’s presence behind me.
“You okay?” Malak whispered to Rose.
I turned to look at Rose, gauging her expression. Her brow was furrowed, but there was something different about her. She seemed, despite the clearly tense situation, more relaxed. She was wearing clothing more casual than I could ever remember seeing her in.
“Yes,” Rose replied quietly, “Just dealing with Lindsey and,” she waved a hand toward Kelly, “Joseph.”
My back tensed at the mention of Joseph. Politicians. I didn’t like them and they didn’t like me.
“Look, dad, there isn’t anything I can do about Rose, there’s nothing you can do about it, and unless you’re planning on coming home soon, why don’t you just stay out of it?” Kelly snapped, turning to face us, “Are you going to be home soon?” there was a pause, “I didn’t think so. Worry about Lansing.”
Kelly took the phone away from her ear and hung up, shoving it into her cardigan pocket. Her frustrated face grew even more so as she looked at us.
“Why are you here?” she asked, looking between us.
“You weren’t answering your phone,” I said, and looked over my shoulder, “either of you.”
Kelly blinked, and suddenly her shoulders relaxed a bit, her face softened.
“Oh, God,” she sighed, “I’m sorry, I’ve been avoiding calls from my father and,” her face flushed, I watched her gaze shift away from me and to a face behind me, “I’ve been busy.”
Malak stepped around me and closer to Kelly.
“You gotta let us know that you’re okay,” he said, and looked over to Rose, who had stepped beside me, “Both of you.” His eyes darkened as he looked back over at Kelly. “Next time, you answer your phone, got it?” His voice rumbled.
“Yes,” Kelly replied, no hesitation, her nose pink. I felt my own body heat, and if I truly lacked any self control as Malak thought, I might have replied to him as well.
I looked over at Rose, who had a strange look on her face. It was a look that I recognized, because I felt it too. Jealousy. I hated seeing that look on her face almost as much as I hated feeling it myself.
In that moment, realizing in some ridiculous manner I cared for all three of them made my stomach tighten.
“Got it,” Rose replied quietly.
I took a breath and shoved my hands into my jean pockets.
Kelly looked over at me and Rose. “What were your plans after getting here and finding out we were okay or not okay?” she asked.
I opened my mouth to reply, but realized there wasn’t really much of a plan. I shrugged and a small smirk formed on my mouth. One of my hands moved up from my pocket and rubbed at the back of my neck.
“Well, personally, I was gonna kick ass if you were okay,” Malak said. “Other than that…” he trailed off and tilted his head to the side.
Kelly chuckled weakly and shook her head. “Well, I guess you two can stay the night then, have dinner,” she said, if you don’t mind Rose?” she asked.
Rose licked her lips. “I don’t mind,” she said. My gaze moved to her neck. I saw the marks there at the edge of her shirt collar for just a second, and I suddenly realized just what kind of busy they both had been.