Sixteen
SIXTEEN
MALIK
I sit in Hendrix’s backyard, watching him clean the pool looking like one sad fuck.
“So are we riding tonight?” I ask him.
He sighs and scoops a pile of leaves that have fallen into the blue water, disturbing its peace.
“I don’t know. I kind of wanted to do a few things before Dagen comes in tomorrow.” He doesn’t take his eyes off of the net that dips in and out of the water.
A beer dangles from my fingers, hanging between my spread legs. “You guys are in Waco ninety percent of the time. We never see you anymore. D and I would really like to spend some time with our brother. I mean, we love Day but we need guy time. It sucks missing our third wheel.”
This time he does pause and slowly turns his head to look at me. His brows are knitted together and his bright blue eyes look dark.
“Mal. Dagen is in her last year. We have a house together. I can’t just leave her there by herself all the time. Once she graduates we’ll move back.”
I stand from the lounger and step towards him. “Henny. She’s been on her own for three years. I think she’ll be fine for a week.” His jaw ticks and I see his nostrils flare in anger. “Dagen’s okay, man. What happened to her was horrible, but it wasn’t your fault. She knows that.”
“It was my job to protect her and instead I hurt her. I need to make sure it never happens again.” His voice is choked and he stands rigid.
I grab his shoulder and squeeze. “You both lost so much. It isn’t fair. But you can’t keep her in bubble wrap and stand guard. You’ll suffocate her.”
His shoulders relax and he drops his head with a nod. “I know you’re right. I just can’t help myself. I want to protect her from hurt and heartache. She’s suffered enough in her short life. I want the rest of it to be good.”
“Bro. It will be. You both will have a good life.”
Hendrix is like a tall pine tree. Strong and sturdy, silent and reliable. But when the wind blows hard enough, he bends and howls, fighting against what threatens to break him. Almost losing Dagen just about broke him. It’s going to take all of us, his family, to hold him steady.
“You’re so going to marry her,” I joke, jabbing him in the ribs.
“I am. Hell. I’d marry her now if she’d say yes, but she wants to finish school first. I never thought it was a life meant for me, but I don’t think I’d survive without her.”
I wipe away a pretend tear and sniffle. “Can I be your maid of honor?”
He pushes me off of him with a sneer that holds no weight. “Get the fuck out.”
The net begins swirling in the pool once again, scooping up leaves and pine needles. I watch the ripples in the blue water, thinking about how Dahlia and I jumped in the foamy waters at the beach. I want more days like that. I want to know more about Soleil, and I don’t want to do it under the guise of a helmeted, harmless biker.
“I like Soleil.” I blurt out.
“Huh?” Hendrix looks at me confused.
“Soleil. The mom of my student. I really like her.”
“No shit, Sherlock. A blind man could see that.” He scoffs with a shake of his head.
I take another pull of my beer that is growing warmer by the second. I step over to the grass and pour the last of it out then toss it in the trash can sitting by his backdoor.
“Ask her out,” he says simply.
“I can’t.”
“Why not? Will you get in trouble at work?”
My mouth drops open, ready to explain the reasons why I cannot, but the only thing holding me back is myself.
“You know, maybe a group setting would be best. Dagen’s parents have spoken to us about coming for a visit. I’ll reach out to Vaughan and see if they want to come this weekend. A.J. and Sloane will come along and that will give you a reason to invite her and her daughter to join us. Her little girl…”
“Dahlia,” I add.
“Dahlia. She seemed pretty excited at the idea of meeting Dagen’s siblings.”
“Yeah? You’d do that?”
He dumps the last of the leaves out and walks over to where all of the pool equipment is, and hangs up the net.
“Of course, man. How many times did you help me get out of my own head with Dagen?”
“A whole fucking lot.” He shrugs and I get his point. “Alright. You find out if you can make it happen, and I’ll ask Soleil.”
I throw my arm around my grumpy brother who used to be affection resistant, but who now hugs me back all because of a woman who brings light and love into his life.
“Thanks, Henny. You’re the best big brother ever.” He rolls his eyes, fighting against the smirk that is working its way out. “I’m going home to get my gear and call D. We’ll meet back here in an hour. We’re riding,” I tell him with a pointed look.
Exasperated, he gives in with a nod.
I do exactly as said and within an hour, three Dare brothers are flying down the highway, and Dagen’s family is set to come for a visit. I’m so happy my dancing is more abundant than normal, to Danté’s chagrin. But even his foul mood can’t sour mine. This could be the first step to a relationship outside of the cloak and dagger.
The kids all file into the classroom the moment I open the door, and my eyes search for Soleil. She stands at the back of the crowd, as usual, and I wait for her to look up and catch my eye.
“Bye, Mommy. Have a good day.” Dahlia throws her arms around Soleil’s neck and kisses her cheek.
“You too, little dove. See you after school.” She taps her on her little nose and Dahlia skips away.
“Hey Soleil. Before you go, can I speak with you for a moment?”
“Oh. Um, sure. Is everything okay?” The worry in her voice has it shaking and her beautiful almond shaped eyes grow wide.
“Everything is just fine. Give me just a minute to get the kids settled.” I hold up my finger, then pop into the classroom to instruct the kids to work quietly on their morning worksheets.
When I step back out into the hallway, Soleil stands leaning against the wall, a small smile on her face as she talks with Wesley, a single dad of another student.
My blood boils and I blow out steam through my nose.
“Maybe we can get the kids together for a play date. We could meet at the park and then grab some lunch after. What do you think?” He leans against the wall, his palm flat against the brick and propping him up.
“Well, I need to check my work schedule before I can commit to anything.” I can tell she’s trying to put him down easy, but she’s too nice to come right out and say it.
“Well how about dinner one day this week? Everyone has to eat and it’s nice to be able to talk to a parent who knows what it’s like being a single parent.” His smarmy smirk irritates me.
Or maybe it’s the way he thinks he can step in and steal Soleil away from me. Not that she’s mine, but I certainly won’t let him be the one to show her off on his arm.
“Okay. Sorry about that Ms. Brooks. I have a few that seem to have a problem with the term silent work.” She looks up and smiles with relief. “Good morning, Mr. Collier.”
His smile quickly fades and his irritation mirrors mine. “Mr. Dare. How are you?”
“Good. Just need to go over a few things with Ms. Brooks.” I stick my hands in my pockets and rock back on my heels.
He nods and moves his gaze to Soleil. “Right. Well let me know what you think. I’m flexible so my schedule can be adjusted around yours.”
“Sure,” she tells him, not meaning it at all.
He waves at her and dips his chin at me before walking away. Soleil and I both watch him until he’s out of sight and I hear her exhale.
“Thank you for saving me. I guess the other times I’ve told him I’ll check my schedule then not responded hasn’t clued him in that I’m not interested.”
I grind my back teeth and swallow down the anger that bubbles inside of me.
“He’s asked you out before?”
“Yeah. Under the guise of a play date. It’s super annoying. Any how. What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?”
The words I planned to ask her fly right out the window with the one statement. How am I supposed to ask her to a “play date” even though it’s a pseudo date without her thinking I’m just like Wesley.
“Oh, um. You know what, it’s not important. Don’t worry about. Have a goo–”
“Malik. You sounded urgent just a few minutes ago. It must be important so please, tell me.”
“So, ah, I was wondering…” I close one eye and scratch my eyebrow. “Are you busy this Saturday afternoon?”
“I…don’t think so?” Her answer comes out more like a question and her face says the same.
“You remember my friend, Dagen, from the beach day?” She nods. “She mentioned to Dahlia that she has siblings around her age and if I’m not mistaken, Dahlia was very excited by that. Well, she’s coming to town this weekend and her parents and younger siblings are joining her. So I was wondering if you and Dahlia would like to join us for a barbecue? You can invite Kyle and I’m sure Dahlia would have fun. If…if you want. Or not.”
She blinks then twists up her lips in a sweet smile, and her eyes are bright. “Absolutely. That sounds really great. I’m sure Dahlia would enjoy herself. As for Kyle…we’ll see.” She laughs, assumedly remembering the bar night.
“It’s just going to be those you met at the beach and Dagen’s family. A casual afternoon, nothing fancy. We’ll be at Hendrix’s house so you’ll want to bring bathing suits. He has a huge pool.”
“Okay. Sure. Um, do you want to give me the address or…?”
“I am more than happy to pick you up or give you the address. Whichever you prefer.”
She gives me a slow nod. “Maybe I’ll just get the address. Just in case Dahlia hits her wall and we need to leave before you’re ready.”
My chest falls, disappointed that I can’t extend our time together, my face gives nothing away.
“Great. I'llhave all the information for you at pickup.” A smile crawls across her gorgeous face until it’s beaming. “Have a good day, Soleil.”
“You too, Malik. And thanks for the invite. We look forward to it.” She gives me a wave before walking down the hall.
My eyes watch her the entire way and just before she pushes open the doors to leave, she turns over her shoulder and locks eyes with me. They sparkle and I think I see a hint of what I feel for her reflected in those gorgeous browns of hers.
She disappears from view and I hop back into class, excited and determined not to let kid’s talk about vomit or poop ruin my day.