12. Bay
TWELVE
bay
“They buy it?”
With my hand firmly placed on the wheel, I drive home, taking my time and slowly filtering through all my emotions.
That was intense. And so not planned.
And since I didn’t know the boys were going to show up out of nowhere, I thought it was just going to be a solid night of racing, hanging out with the guys before coming home to eat and then crashing.
Not the emotional turmoil that’s turning my stomach right now.
“Yeah,” I extoll, releasing a heavy exhale because I’m finding myself relying on Reeve’s carefree self and maybe looked forward to it.
“Regretting it?” I shake my head against Levi’s question, because I can’t.
It had to be done. I agreed to this and, at the end of the day, my family has to be safe against Emilio.
End of story.
“No,” I reply calmly. “Nice neck grab.”
I swear I hear Levi shifting uncomfortably in the passenger seat. Juice would be driving, the windows down, because I can hear the wind softly blowing inside, and I can tell he’s frowning.
Everyone is fucking frowning tonight for different reasons.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“When have you known me to be a wimp?” I jeer, trying to lighten the mood but my voice doesn’t help any.
“I haven’t,” he replies. “You know you’re tougher than the boys.”
“ Hey ,” I hear Juice bitch in the background, and I allow my lips to curl for the first time in the last thirty minutes at my own set of boys who have never, ever let me down.
“What do you think happened to Green Mohawk?” I ask, making a left-handed turn.
A chuckle resounds from the other side of the phone. “He probably shit his pants on the way back to his car. I don’t think we’ll see him again.”
“Good. We have enough assholes to deal with on a daily basis.”
“Speaking of assholes, that Stanton prick seems to like you. I felt it.”
“Levi…” I balk at his comment. “Are you hurt?”
He scoffs, his pride rising to the forefront of this conversation because there would never be a day that he’d admit that shit. Especially someone from his rival. “He hits like any other bitch. Plus, I wanted to see what they would do.”
“I guess we can take man-handling women off the list of shit they’ll let slide.”
“Good to know. I guess I don’t have to worry about one of them hitting you while I’m no longer in the picture.”
“Stop saying that,” I carp out, hating the idea of Levi not being able to come see me when he wants. “I really hate this, and you’re not making it any better.”
“It has to be done,” he retorts softly. “Emilio will move quicker now that I’m gone. I just need us to find a way to get him alone so I can end this.”
“We can end this,” I argue. “I’m not allowing you to do this alone.”
“I’d prefer it that way. Less witnesses. You can’t claim or lie about anything because you weren’t there.”
My brows knit. “You’re talking like you’d get caught.”
“You never know.”
“You’re pissing me off.”
He chuckles lightly. “Not any more than what I felt from Torin. You must not have seen the hit to the ribs that I’m currently still nursing. The only one with half a brain was Cairo because someone had to watch all of us before someone died.”
Because the dude hates me. No need to throw any extra energy out there.
“Eh, I’m unimpressed,” I deadpan.
“He’s leery,” Levi counters as I stop at a red light. “I would be, too. You’re still South Shore at the end of the day, and this could all be a game. The fucker is smart, since it is. We’ll need another encounter. Show them that we’re not just fighting. That we’re actually finished.” I groan at my distaste for all this. “I’ll make it quick, I promise.”
“That’s what he said,” Juice follows through before I hear him howl from getting punched. It’s just Levi and Juice’s relationship. It’s like clockwork.
“Leave him alone,” I chide lightly. “He’s just trying to lighten the mood.”
“I’m on the phone,” Levi retorts. “Geezus…they’re like kids.”
“We’re right here, dickhead,” Hot Rod claps back before I hear some rustling around on the phone.
“If you touch me again, I’m going to have your balls in a jar,” Levi clips out which has me grinning around because my best friend needs to be humbled every once in a while.
“Focus, Lev,” I remind him. “If you want to do this again , then let’s hurry and get it over with. And if you touch me again, I’m going to have your balls in a jar. I have a reputation, you know.”
“Is that including choice words? I can’t treat you special.”
“Give it your best shot. It’ll be the only time you’ll be able to do it. Besides, I’ll have to clap back at you with whatever pops up in my head. Maybe you were cheating on me and I caught you or something.”
“You’re an asshole,” Levi grounds out. “Why do I need to appear like more of a prick?”
“Because you are one,” I hear Hot Rod comment in the background, followed by a grunt from, I’m sure, Levi’s fist. “Tell Bay to come join us in Brightdale for dinner.”
“She can’t, dummy. We just broke up.”
“Then she can come by the house?—”
“Is he having withdrawals from me already?” I tease, back to cruising down Main Street.
“Apparently,” Levi grumbles. “Dude acts as though he’s never gonna see you again.”
“And I’m sure you’re thrilled to get a break.”
“I just rolled my fuckin’ eyes.”
I smile. “I am.”
“You would . Keep the boys on a leash. The closer you seem to be getting to them, the more Emilio is going to think he can rope you in. If you appear to be trainable and unaffected by them being The Landings, it might make a whole lot of difference.”
“This is the dumbest plan ever.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t have many options.” I don’t respond to that, because I had this thrown all in his face. “Stay the fuck out of trouble, Astor. I’m going to be a nervous fuckin’ wreck.”
“Don’t be,” I convey. “I remember the code word.”
“You have to stay in contact with me at all times. I want someone there with you every step of the way. I can’t have you hurt or dangling off a roof.”
My nose scrunches. “The fuck?”
“Hey, I told you what happened to Henry. And that was from Torin . You’re going to be around this motherfucker, and I’m gettin’ eaten up by it.”
“Lev…I promise I’ll be okay.” He sighs. “I promise.”
“When do you want to do round two?” He doesn’t sound happy about it. Just like I feel. We’ve been inseparable since we were kids. Now we have to steer clear and spit out ugly things to each other. “I was thinking at the Beach Fair? Hurry up and get it out of the way.”
Now I’m huffing in frustration and shrinking back from the idea. “Yeah…let’s just get this shit over with.”