34. Bay
THIRTY-FOUR
bay
Wharf Bay is the only place I can find certain parts for the Nova and it’s not the best place to be in when Cairo Black threatens you to stay out of his shithole.
It’s not totally awful; however, the town could use some love in the looks department. Graffiti is scattered along the brick walls of apartments and abandoned buildings as I stride down the sidewalk to where my car is parked a few blocks away. But, honestly, it gives the city character.
Passing a park, I shoot Levi a text that I’ll be home soon and not to forget to pick Mae up from school. Ellie has been taking the bus home with a few of her friends, but Mae’s school is a bit further to where the bus route doesn’t extend out our way.
I just hit the send button when I’m directly halted mid-step.
“Bay!” I steer my focus in the direction I think I hear the voice, but find no one there. “McQueen.”
Oh, no.
Ignoring the nickname, since I have no doubt of who that is, I pick up my pace, passing a bunch of guys playing a game of basketball out of my peripheral.
Shoving my cell into the back pocket of my jeans, that’s when an orange ball shoots out in front of me, hitting the cracked concrete and causing me to stop on a dime from getting hit.
Craning my head in the direction of the basketball court that’s surrounded by more graffitied walls on two sides to keep it separate from the janky playground, I see a few guys already looking at me.
However, the movement toward me at my right seizes all my attention.
Reeve.
“Bay Bay, motherfuckin’ McQueen.” He smiles at me, big and wide and appearing hella excited to see me. His sandy blonde hair is damp around the edges from sweat, but those hazel eyes…damn they’re pretty. “What brings you out to this neck of the woods?”
Nope. Can’t do this.
Pivoting around to continue back to my car, he only stops me with his next words.
“I’ll just have them carry you back to me. It doesn’t matter.” My nostrils flare as I come face to face with him again. His attention flicks down to my hands holding a few bags and extends his to take them from me. “Stay for a bit.”
“I’ve got things to do.” I pull back on my shit so he can’t pry them from my hands.
“Are we back at that again? You runnin’ away from me?”
“Like you did for me in that library? Yeah, thanks for that.”
Reeve quirks a brow. “He didn’t make you come?’
What the fuck?
“I’m actually going to take your boys’ advice,” I vouch, “and stay away. I’ve been told over a dozen times?—”
“But not from me.” He closes the span of oxygen between us with two steps. “I said to stay away from Emilio and Torin. I’d love nothing more than for you to be around me.”
“Are you insane?” It’s an honest and placid question that just leaks from my lips without a second thought. “I’ve only had several run-ins with your boys, and each one hasn’t been a pleasant way to go.”
Reeve smiles at me. “I knew Torin fucked like shit. The selfish bastard.”
Blowing out a heavy exhale, I try to stay calm and collected. “Listen, Reevie, you’re cute and everything…” His whole face lifts as though he knows exactly what I’m doing today. “But, I really don’t want any trouble as much as your friends might not like to believe I am.”
“I believe you.”
God, seriously? What is up with this dude? I’m not sure if he’ll just agree to everything I say just to fuck me or if he’s dead-ass serious.
“Um…thanks, but just for the sake of not having to keep going back and forth, I should?—”
“Wildfire.”
God, noooooo.
I know when to fight and when to stand my ground, but these boys are only going to take their little posse and chase me down.
I glower at Reeve because he’s the reason why I’m still standing on this sidewalk right now. “You’re such a dickhead.”
“Don’t sweat it, McQueen.” His lips curve higher. “I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf.”
“I’d ask your ass what you’re doing here, but I feel as though you’re gonna lie to me so I won’t.” Another body is added to the mix, and I bite the bullet, knowing that I can’t escape now as I steer my attention to Torin.
I shouldn’t have.
Not when he’s shirtless, the muscles of his biceps and triceps glistening in a sheet of sheer sweat. His tawny hair illuminates the red tints from the bright sun overhead as his gold eyes glisten in pure entertainment that he caught me here when over a minute ago I could’ve been gone without a trace.
“I was just leaving,” I provide up, lifting my bags to show him that I was here for pleasure and not some secret society bullshit.
“She’s scared of you,” Reeve suggests casually as if I’m not standing here.
“Me?” Torin repeats, not sounding too convinced. “I highly doubt that.”
Reeve lifts a finger at me. “Well, she won’t stay.”
“Do you think that it may be because of you?” He tugs his golden irises to Reeve’s tornado of greens and blues.
Reeve slowly shakes his head, myself still being the focal point of his view. “Doubtful. She just doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to love the shit out of me one day.”
“I’m right here,” I emit with a scowl.
“We’ve noticed,” he deadpans, cocky as shit, totally confident that I’m not going to catch him one day with a knee to the head or a bullet in his ass.
He’s probably right to think that.
“Stay,” Torin orders, but it’s casual and calm. “You can see Reeve freak out if he loses the car that he decided was a good idea to gamble today.”
Responding means I’m going to do this, so I don’t.
“You sure she’s from South Shore?” Reeve taunts, crossing his arms over his chest. “I thought this would be more her speed.”
Torin chuckles. “She races cars, dumbass. Not playin’ ball on the court.”
Reeve leans in loud enough to mutter, “I think she’s confused. Probably doesn’t think you know how to play.”
“Why me? You’re usually too fucked up to know left from right.”
“Well, she doesn’t know that, and you look like you have maids who spoon-feed you.”
“Just because I’m good-looking doesn’t mean I don’t know how to use my Charmin ultra-soft toilet paper to wipe my own ass.”
I rotate my head between the two of them, fighting down the smile that wants to take over my lips because they sound like Levi and me.
“I think she believes you don’t,” Reeve says.
“Then maybe she should learn a thing or two about me.”
“I mean…you just took a bullet over two weeks ago and are already out playin’,” I profess. “Not bad, Wildes.”
Torin ignores me when I’m expecting his normal aggravation and keeps his focus steady on his buddy. “Maybe you should use your charm and swoon her ass then. Let’s see if it works.”
“Nah, she doesn’t like that shit,” Reeve claims because he’d know. “She likes the chase.”
I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, fuck that,” Torin claims. “Maybe we should just carry her ass.”
“Touch me”—I center my furrowed brows on both of them—“and I’ll be putting something on you and it won’t be my ass.”
Reeve frowns. Like hardcore appears disappointed. “Damn.”
Torin shoves his friend lightly and jerks his head for me to follow him. “C’mon, Wildfire. I got a spot all picked out for you.”
“How about here?” I counter, pointing to the cement. “I’m not moving.”
Pretty Boy sighs heavily. “Why don’t you be the bad guy for once, Stanton, and grab the girl?”
Reeve runs his palm around the back of his neck. “Not after the stories you and Cairo have told me about her kickin’ the shit out of you. I can’t risk that I might not be able to use my dick for a few days.”
Good choice.
Torin doesn’t wait for my response and proceeds toward me. And, I know he’s not above manhandling me.
I extend a hand. “ Don’t .”
“Then let’s go,” he orders, jerking his head for me to follow, and turns to walk back toward the basketball court.
Reeve waits for me, and I huff that I’m stuck with these dumbasses who would make a bigger deal out of my not listening than if I just do.
Following Torin, he stops in front of a janky set of metal bleachers as I stride across faded yellow lines sprayed on the court and feel the hulky weight of all eyes on me.
“Savannah, sweetheart, will you and your friends move up for me?” A pair of sharp brown eyes latch on to me and I’m taking it that’s Savannah.
“There’s room up there.” She points to a few bleacher spots up with her long hot pink nails. “Better view.”
“That’s fine,” I emit at Torin’s side. “I’ll just?—”
Torin mom-arms me like a child the moment I move and continues to just stare at Savannah.
She tries for a smile instead to sway Pretty Boy. “Torin, you know I like to sit close and watch you play.” She bats her fake eyelashes at him. “You said you’d take me out the next time I came.”
Oh, yeah?
I crane my head to look over at Torin who hasn’t moved an inch. “That sounds nice. Where did you plan on taking the girl?”
“To a special spot I have for bodies if she doesn’t fuckin’ move,” he leers back before Savannah jumps from her spot at the threat.
“You’re being mean,” she huffs then points at him. “The last time we got together, you enjoyed yourself.”
“That’s because you didn’t speak.”
Her nostrils flare as she has a mini-staredown at him. And I kinda feel bad.
“I’m going to go if you don’t stop acting like a dickhead,” I mutter under my breath. “Don’t play fuckboy and not expect her to get upset.”
He leans over, brushing biceps with me, and says, “I didn’t hear what the fuck you said with your whispering all the time, but I do what I want, when I desire, with whoever is at my court.” He straightens his spine and looks at the girl he just dissed. “My court, my rules, my bleachers. Savannah knows that, right?”
She pushes her blushed cheek out with her tongue, clearly pissed, but gives him a curt nod anyway. Shoving her bleached-blonde hair off one shoulder, she sends me a menacing glower, as if this was all my fault, before stomping up a few feet up.
I sigh.
“Now”—the front of my jeans are yanked, and I’m bumping into Torin’s front as he spins to align with me—“I’ve got to go focus on my game. And if you’re not still here by the time it’s over, Wildfire…I’m going to get very mad.”
“Shocker.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Don’t you have someone else to harass or something? Why are you out?—”
“That’s my business, not yours,” he clips back. “Just sit your pretty ass down and shut up.”
I step out of his grasp, but he holds that dense gaze on me. “No cheering for you then.”
“Save it for, Reeve. He’s going to need it.” Then he pivots and strides away, leaving me with the groupies as he receives the full focus of the boys on the court.
Reeve is already talking to a few, moving his hands around while Torin joins him, and it doesn’t take long for them to start back up again.
Torin Wildes, the Prince of The Landings, playing a very human and down-to-earth game. I never thought would be his cup of tea.
And he’s not bad.
He’s quick on his feet and tends to favor Reeve and some other tall guy when passing the ball. Together, they score quite a few times, but I can’t help but notice the way Torin’s blue shorts hug his hips, which only brings me up to his muscled stomach and hard chest.
Thankfully, the prick isn’t huge. The last thing he needs—or I need—is another ego boost.
He already has the crown of The Landings resting on his head.
Nonetheless, he’s fit, definitely a worthwhile eye-fuck, and can hold his own on the court.
A tussle happens when the ball is thrown and Torin lands on his ass, receiving Reeve’s hand to help him up. He doesn’t make a sound as Reeve’s hazels latch onto mine and gives me a playful wink.
Then he slowly peels his black tee off and stalks my way. The ink on his right forearm illustrates all the way up his arm to his shoulder and then collarbone. Another patch of black tattoos on the opposite side along his ribs.
And just when I thought Torin was fit, Reeve is a walking sun god. I can see the slight impression of veins drifting downward underneath his white shorts. The cut edges of each ab along his torso.
He’s a bit skinnier than Torin, but he’s not any less hot.
In fact, he may just be hotter because he’s nice to me.
“Can you do me a favor, McQueen?” He extends his arm and hands me over his shirt. “Hold this for me, baby.”
I notice a beaded necklace hanging from around his neck and a sterling silver cross beneath that.
“Sure.” I’m surprised that the singular word comes out clearly because I can feel the muscles in my jaw loosen by the second to practically drop and drool.
“Couldn’t allow Torin to be the only one you were looking at when we’re out there.” He supplies with a smirk and strides back to his teammates.
Yeah, he’s observant as fuck.
And his mission worked because there’s no way I can not look at him now.
I’m not sure how much time has gone by when their game ends, but Torin and Reeve are all smiles when they come off the court. A few dudes treading behind them and laughing.
“What’d you think, McQueen?” Reeve inquires as he plucks his shirt from my hand. “Gonna come to more of our games?”
“Going to have to say this was a one-time deal.”
Torin chuckles. “Yeah, dude, I’m going to say it’s you.”
Reeve slices over a dirty look to his friend and I take that opportunity to leave.
“Thanks for the invite, guys. I’ll be sure to treasure it forever.” Torin clutches my forearm the moment I attempt to make a move and he’s really irritating me with the handsy shit.
“You’re comin’ with me for a second.”
I heave a brow. “For?”
“You’ll see.” He glances at Reeve. “I’ll be ten. See if they want another game because I could go for a rematch.”
“You lost?”
“Torin missed,” Reeve quips with a victorious smile even though he’s on his team. “Needs to work on his jump shot a little more.”
“Well, if Wilson wasn’t a fuckin’ pine tree, I wouldn’t have so much trouble getting over him.”
“Excuses, excuses,” Reeve sing-songs, reaching for my free hand, lacing our fingers together. “I haven’t gotten a text back from you, McQueen. When are we going to change that?”
We’re not.
Except I think I’ve said enough bitchy things for the day already.
“You know…” He inches closer. “I can be just as much fun as Pretty Boy over here.”
“Doubtful,” Torin retorts before giving me a little tug. I’m dragged around the bleachers to where Reeve yells out that he’ll hit me up later.
It doesn’t matter. He’ll get the same fucking result.
Our path ends at a small bathroom and Torin shoves the door open then places his large palm between my breasts to shove me against the wall.
“Drop your bags.”
“How about I?—”
“Easy or hard way, Wildfire,” he grounds out. “I can go either way right now.”
I aimlessly drop them, showing how exasperated and pissed I am that he’s yanking me around like I’m someone he can just order around.
Yet, maybe it’ll get him to back off me a bit while I figure this all out.
“Good girl,” he praises before finding the hem of my tee and raising it over my head.
“ Wait .” I shove the cotton fabric back down. “What the hell are you doing?”
“You need some padding,” he says matter-of-factly, meeting my confused stare. “And you’re going to give it to me.”
“For what? We’re in the middle of a public restroom and?—”
“I didn’t take you as someone who was shy.” His whole dark brows heave, as if challenging me to not become a prude at this moment. We both know I’m not, obviously.
“You know damn well I’m not, but—” Torin doesn’t give a shit what I have to say because my shirt is heaved up and I’m compelled to lift my arms up for him to remove.
Dropping it to the floor, he doesn’t unfasten his golden eyes from my chest. Allowing himself this moment to observe and study my tits underneath my black bra.
“Get on your knees.” His voice just dripped into an animalist grunt as my expression contorts.
“Excuse me?”
“Get on your knees, Wildfire,” he repeats, wedging my body against the hard wall with his chest. “You’re going to suck me off, and I want to see if you swallow.”