16. Blakely
Blakely
I straddle his lap.
My throat is sore.
I’m exhausted from the night we shared and extremely satiated.
“We’re not going to tell your dad we broke the bed.” We’ve been arguing for an hour since we woke up. It’s late morning and now I’m screwed because the bed looks like it’s been through an earthquake. It creaked all night because there were a few loose screws. Apparently, we broke a couple of the planks in the center that hold the mattress and now I feel them protruding through the mattress as I lie on it. It looks like a disaster that needs to be fixed.
“Why not, he wouldn’t mind.”
“No!” I use my stern tone. Oh god, the last thing I need is for Milo to suspect anything. It already looks suspicious. He doesn’t need to know that his son and I fucked all night and broke the bed.
Meadow shakes his head, rolling his eyes. “What do you suggest then? ”
Shrugging my shoulders, “I don’t know.”
“Want to swap out our beds in the middle of the night,” he says as a joke but his suggestion doesn’t sound bad.
I nod my head, liking this option, “That’s not a bad idea...”
“What… Nah uh.” He intently nods sideways, “I’m not going to break my back for a bed.”
“Why not,” I grit my teeth, “That’s the only solution.”
He studies me for a moment before he extends his hand, gathers his phone from the nightstand, and dials. “Hey, Dad.”
What the fuck is he doing?
My eyes are wide as saucers while he continues his sentence.
“Blakely needs someone to fix her bed, Chaos and Arrow wanted to check it for themselves and they made a little mess.” That shit-eating grin pops on his face and I want to slap it off.
Jerk.
I exhale all the air I bottled out of my mouth.
“Yeah, no problem she can sleep in my room in the meantime, I’m not always here so it’s perfect.” A lopsided grin contorts his face. “See you later, Dad.”
“Are you crazy?” I squint my eyes. “What is wrong with you?”
“You got what you wanted,” he winks at me, “Now you get to sleep in my bed.”
Why?
I can’t with him.
I just can’t.
He turns everything I say.
Let alone, come up with ‘brilliant solutions’.
Clearing my throat, “How long will it take to fix my bed?”
“I don’t know,” he shrugs, pulling his mouth to the side, “We’re super busy right now so not a lot of staff, it’s pretty much ‘do it by yourself’ around here.”
“No shit.”
His tongue swipes along his bottom lip before he slowly bites it. “You can do me by yourself too.”
Ugh!
I cover my face with both hands before I toss myself backward and his fingers start to draw relaxing patterns along my belly.
“Do you ever stop?” I ask but he remains quiet.
Slipping his fingers upward, he caresses my skin with his warmth. It tickles me everywhere. My toes wiggle with every subtle movement.
“Never, Wilder.” He circles my nipple. “I’m just warming up.”
I feel so beautiful in front of him, like a goddess under his merciless hands. The bruising touch he smeared all over me, allowed me to breathe deeper. Desperate to feel his fingers tracing my skin each moment, I gave in to him. I wanted him to take me and fuck me so good that my thoughts will drift away.
Mission accomplished.
I guess.
“It was one night.” I pull my upper body back up and press my forehead to his. “One.”
“Tell me something real,” he changes the subject.
Creasing my forehead, I contemplate for a second before it quickly escapes out of my mouth, “My last couple of years were a mistake. My ex was a mistake that lasted too long.”
“So was mine.” He adds. “Look at us. Kindred spirits.”
“Who would’ve thought?” I chuckle softly. “What about you?”
“My ex left after my best friend died and my other best friend left because he couldn’t take it anymore. I thought I at least had her but she bailed. Michael warned me all the fucking time about her and I didn’t want to listen. I didn’t want to date again and find someone else when I could just commit to our relationship and give it my best.”
Michael.
I knew they were connected somehow.
“You’re a loyal man, aren’t you?” I tuck his hair behind his ear.
He does the same to me. “Loyal as it gets.”
“I feel the same.” My mouth twitches to the side. “I did the same thing in my relationship. I thought quitting was the easy way out when I could stay and work on it. But sometimes it is not about the easy way out but simply just a way out.”
“Yeah, it is.” He grins. “Let’s take a shower and get you settled into my room.”
We quickly move all my things and I settle in his room. It looks like mine, obviously, minus the scattered toys on the floor that crack me up every time he steps on them and gives the dogs an unappreciative look. We get them out of the way and stuff them in a box.
“You can have my key for now,” he hands it to me.
“Thanks.” I shove it into my pocket.
He clears his voice to say, “Don’t forget there’s some racing tonight. I’ll be back later to get a shower but the room is yours for the rest of the day. I need to help my dad get everything ready.”
Tonight is the first event at The Garage and I’m super excited.
“Okay.” I nod, playing with my rings. “Let me know if you need help.”
“Sure,” he shoots me a small grin before he exits the room.
The blaring music encases us inside an oval they created into a makeshift racetrack. The extensive parking lot is the size of a little city that accommodates us all and has extra free space for the racing laps, I assume.
The air is coated with thick smoke that smells of cigarettes, barbecues, and gasoline.
Blakely
Where are you ?
Three dots appear on the screen.
Lai
I’m next to a yellow car. Hard to miss.
There are like a couple hundred cars out here, I scan the area as I push the phone inside the pocket of my jacket.
As I surf through the crowd more pungent scents of perfume flood my nostrils while I’m paving my way to Lai who’s supposedly standing next to a yellow car that hides somewhere amongst the chaos.
Tail lights flash from every corner against the dark skies encompassing us.
I pass food and drink tables, along with a dance floor area. There’s a game zone, and even a sleeping zone—how fucking crazy is that? But it’s a relief to see they have a drinking and driving policy here and they do everything they possibly can to prevent that from happening.
I spin around myself, taking the colorful neon lights that are scattered everywhere and the cloud of smoke that rolls as some cars and bikes continue to burn their tires.
It’s hard to miss the reverberating sound of Meadow’s red bike and the way it steals everyone’s attention. He races with another bike, lapping The Garage and leaving the other guy to choke on his dust. People cheering, filming the race on their phones as they make another lap around.
Meadow revs a few times before he crosses the finish line and other bikers that stand by rev back.
He’s got an aura of a champion glowing around him that no one recognizes except me.
“I found you , bitch.“ Lai’s voice booms in my eardrums. She’s stealing my attention away and dragging me by the wrist toward my bike. “Let’s go for a ride, and race with the guys and some muscle cars.”
I chuckle knowing she wants to ride with a specific biker.
Brook’s sculpted frame catches my eyes and I grab Lai’s hand, steering her toward him.
“Hey, boys.” I earn their attention. “Think you want to race and show them how it’s done?” I challenge him and his friends.
“You got big balls.” Brook jokes, giving me a friendly hug and I shove Lai in his arms right after. I’ve come to the point that I will do anything for this girl, including showing him what he is missing.
It is new to me but it also feels natural. Have you done something like that, Mom? I feel a sense of pride.
“I already beat you in a race before.” The first time we rode together they couldn’t even catch up with me. “What’s another?” I goad with a smile.
His friends make teasing sounds, growling like a bunch of idiots as I continue to sass.
“Fine,” Brook nods in acceptance, flashing a straight set of white teeth, “Let’s race.”
Lined up on the starting line, once the green flag drops in the air, we hit the throttle and take off.
The tires screech and the road becomes clear and blurry at the edges—it’s a combination that focuses me .
I switch from neutral, bang the gears up, and twist the throttle. I fly forward, taking some advantage and maintaining it as the wheels of my bike smoothly glide along the asphalt.
The wind blows hot on my body as I taste the sweet victory on my tongue, lap upon lap.
The engines are loud in my ears, I focus on the road ahead, zeroing in, and cross the finish line with a wheelie for the third time after three rounds.
I get off my bike and clap my hand into the competitor’s, giving it a firm shake as I peel my helmet off.
“Damn, girl!” Brooks says loudly. “Remind me not to race against you ever again. Your skills are beyond the amateur level.”
Lai jumps at me from behind and I turn to hug her.
“That was INSANE.” She bounces on her Vans, pumped. “You smoked them.”
“I wouldn’t say smoke,” Brook intervenes and we both raise our eyebrows, “Okay, you did. It was a great win.” He smiles adorably at Lai.
Is he…?
My eyes dance between the two.
It looks like she’s about to pass out from cuteness overload.
I give them a moment of peace and check another spot.
As I scan the area, my eyes land on her sparkling black paint and those wickedly gorgeous sounds—where the hell did they find that ’71 Plymouth GTX? I have been a fan of Fast and Furious since an early age .
“Girl, I know!” Lenny’s voice squeals from behind me.
“Holy crap!” I answer back.
“They are so sexy. They have the classics, the expensive muscle cars, and pretty much all kinds. People love this place.“ Her vibrant energy colors her words as she shows me some other cars.
It’s only the first day of my third week here and I feel like I have been through— SO MUCH .
“Desert Peak has that wow effect.” She finishes her tour. “It’s become one of my favorite places. Dean and I are considering moving here.”
“It sure does. And you can be close to everyone if you do, I don’t mind babysitting.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“Aww, I mean we love California and our beach house but maybe someday in the future, after the baby is born and we have more time on our hands we’ll consider the move.”
“I love that for you two.” I hug her, needing that hug myself. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Don’t make me cry.” She chuckles. “I should go to sleep, I’m really tired and it’s getting loud.”
Right as she finishes those words, Dean steps beside us. “Hey mama, let’s put you to bed. I got you all your favorite snacks and ice cream.”
“You know me so well.” She gives him a peck on the lips and waves at me. “Have fun, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I watch as they leave, completely in love with each other like when they first came to Vegas, four years ago.
Meadow’s broad, towering frame moves in the distance, catching my attention next. I stare at him from afar, he is so sexy it should be a crime, even the way he walks raises my body temperature and my pulse to dangerous heights. My breath gets shuddered when the images of what we did flood my brain.
We’re supposed to stay away from each other but I just can’t forget everything that we’ve done. As unreasonable as it may sound, he made me feel safe, sheltered between his strong arms that treated me like a delicate but resilient flower. He was rough and unapologetic but he did it with nothing but respect.
Digging my nails into my palm as I ball my hand to a fist, I manage to shake it off, barely.
It was one night.
One.
Get it through your thick skull.
“Hey, you seem lost in Meadow’s bubble,” a foreign voice penetrates my thoughts.
I scrunch my face in confusion. “And you are?” I stare at a stunning tall woman with blonde hair and a scornful attitude. I don’t recall bumping into her before.
“His ex.”
Oh crap… not this bullshit.
“Look it’s nice and all, he had his fun but I came here to get him back.” She slowly widens her eyes and it looks kind of terrifying.
Why do they always have to be so delusional? Can’t they just listen to the goddamn song and carry on.
We were just for one night and as much as she doesn’t feather my nipples one bit, I still can’t walk away and let her talk about him like that, not to me, not anyone.
“He is not your property and it looks to me like he moved on,” I remain calm which only causes her to lose her fake calm and collected temper.
“You don’t know him as I do.”
I’m pretty sure we’ve been switching so many positions I know him from every angle possible but I get what she is saying, maybe not so much but… “I’m starting to,” I reply. She gave up on him and now she thinks that she can waltz back in when she left him at the most vulnerable point in his life.
“I suggest you walk away without complicating things.” Her words are sharp and fast while her face boils in anger.
Nah, the audacity.
She fucked with the wrong woman.
I scratch my cheek, “Listen, whatever your name is, I may be new around here but I’m not a road you can walk on with your high heels, and I sure as shit won’t take that crap from his ex. You lost him because you didn’t see his beautiful soul when you dated him, you probably saw his fame so why don’t you do us both a favor and run back to your recent ex you neglected to mention aka Meadow’s nemesis that tries to take him out during races.”
There was media coverage about it. I watched them with my dad, including this season that started back in March. I never saw her but I read about it. Her name never stuck.
I go on, “If you breathe in his direction I will tell him to exclude you from the list.” I heard it is an exclusive list for people with certain lifestyles and she strikes me as someone who cares about those types of things since that’s one of the reasons she broke up with him.
As the faceless rider, he has a lot of impact, although he doesn’t strike me as someone who cares about this bullshit.
“What do you know about it?” she questions.
Not much. Yet after all, I dated an actor for three years so his stories finally come in handy.
I stay quiet, not giving away anything with an innocent smile plastered on my face. Dad taught me to never show all my cards at once and whether my hand is weak or strong, bluff.
“You wouldn’t,” her leg starts to fidget in agitation which means I may be right.
“Want to try me?” I taunt, lifting my eyebrow.
“I thought…” she trails off, looking around in confusion.
So I interrupt her, “Leave him alone, he’s been through enough and he deserves a fresh start.”
She glares at me from top to bottom, “And you are… that.” Her voice comes off mocking and condescending but I don’t give a shit. She’s the embodiment of ‘use them and abuse them’ just like my ex.
“I don’t know.” I shake my head sideways. “I guess we’ll find out.”
She huffs in fury, removing her gaze in embarrassment as she waltzes away on her high heels. It’s really hard to picture her with Meadow, but it’s not my business .
Cars start making laps around the track, scattering smoke along the road as people start to gather around them, getting ready for the next race tonight.
“Hey,” Meadow’s raspy voice blankets me like a warm hug. He has a slight smirk as I turn in his direction. Thank god he missed his ex she would’ve ruined his mood.
Those goddamn lips. Look away!
I fight to scrape the stupid smile off my face when I respond with a soft, “Hey.”
“I took the spare key from my dad so you can keep yours.”
“Great.” I nod, playing with my rings back and forth.
Why am I nervous?
“Want to go for a ride?” he nods his chin toward a stunning Mustang.
I point toward the car, “In this car?”
He dangles the keys in front of me, “It belongs to a friend, he wouldn’t mind.”
“Fuck yes!” This is like a dream come true.
He chuckles, the amusement pours from him in quantities. “Want to drive or enjoy the experience?” he eats the gap between us in one long stride, running his thumb across my temple.
Why is he doing this? Those intimate gestures tickle every part of my body.
“Both.” I drag my teeth across my bottom lip.
“Didn’t think otherwise, hop in, Wilder.” He slightly shakes his head sideways.
I run to the passenger seat before he regrets it .
“No.”
I halt in place and up my gaze to meet his, waiting for him to say something else.
“You’re driving first.”