Bastard (6 page)

I turn and place the key in the padlock. I’m feeling bad for being so snappy with her now. I’m lucky to have a friend that cares so much. I hate that Carter Reynolds gets under my skin like he does.

“My mood is that bad huh?” I ask with a sigh as I place my books in my locker and get out what I need for my next class.

“Yep.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on you,” I apologise as I hook my arm through hers as we walk down the corridor towards her locker.

“Tell me what he did to upset you, Indi.”

“He told my dad about Brad. I’ve now been forbidden to see him.”

“What? No way. See, I told you he had the hots for you.” Of course she’d see it like that. It has nothing to do with how he feels about me. He’s a prick, plain and simple.

“He doesn’t have the hots for me,” I state.

“Yes he does. You didn’t see what I saw yesterday. He was definitely cut when you were on Brad’s lap.”

“If he has the hots for me, which I don’t believe for a minute, why did he have that skank, Jennifer Darcy, sneaking in his bedroom window last night?” She stops walking and pulls me over towards the wall so we don’t get bowled over by the other students rushing to get to their next class. Facing me, the first thing I notice is her eyes. They’re almost bugging out of her head from shock. Even in my mood, it brings a smile to my face.

“What? No fucking way. Really? God she’s a whore. Didn’t take her long. I can’t stand that human mattress.”

“I know right. Can you believe it? She was there for hours too. I know exactly what they were up to,” I say angrier than intended.

“Oh. My. God. You like him,” she screeches, slapping my arm in disbelief.

“What? I do not.” I try my best to act unaffected by her comment, but I fail miserably.

“Bullshit. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t have the hots for him.”

“I don’t,” I answer looking down at the ground. Fuck.

“Holy crap. You do,” she says slapping my arm again. Ouch. I hate that she knows me so well. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten. Inseparable you could say. I guess being in each other’s pockets for the past twelve years will do that.

“Stop hitting me,” I whine as I rub my arm.

“Well admit it then.” She raises her hand likes she’s going to hit me again. I have to hold back my smile.
Bitch.

“Fine. I like him, and hate him if that’s even possible,” I admit, finally making eye contact with her. Of course she’s beaming when I do. 

“I knew it,” she says smugly. She’s such a know-it-all sometimes.

••••

God I wish she hadn’t figured out this thing, whatever it is, that I have for Carter. She hasn’t shut up about it all day. I’m surprised she isn’t talking weddings and babies, that’s how bad she’s been. At lunch I even threatened to move to another table if she didn’t let up. Thankfully that was enough to get her to stop.

She’s boy crazy. Always has been. She’s not only pretty, but has huge knockers so the guys love her. What is it with them and boobs? Me on the other hand, I like boys, but I’m not obsessed. I guess that’s why she’s so excited now that she knows how I feel about Carter.

Once school’s out, I’m in two minds on what to do. Part of me wants to catch the bus to defy him. How dare he order me around like that? The crazy part of me wants to be near him. Don’t ask me why. It’s not like he’s pleasant to be around.

As I stand here contemplating what to do, two arms slide around my waist from behind. “Hey there, beautiful,” he whispers in my ear. I know straight away that it’s Brad.

“Hey,” I reply, turning in his arms.

“We still on for Saturday?” Before I have a chance to answer, Carter appears beside us.

“You ready?” he asks. His voice is calm, but I can tell by his facial expression he’s anything but.

“Ready for what?” Brad says looking between the two of us.

“We’re going for a drive,” Carter replies all smug.

“You’re what?” Brad snaps glaring at me.

“He’s giving me a lift home. That’s all. We live next door to each other.” My gaze moves to Carter. I shoot daggers at him.
Troublemaker.

“Actually, that’s not entirely true. We are going for a drive. I have to get a few parts for my car on the way home. I told your dad I’d be taking you with me.”

“Whatever,” Brad says to Carter, dismissing him before turning his attention back to me. I can tell he’s not impressed. “You gonna be online tonight?”

“Probably,” I reply, shrugging.

“Okay. I’ll message you later. I’ve got to get to football training.” I find his question and answer a little strange. We’re friends on Facebook, but he’s never messaged me on there before. He’s liked a few of my posts in the past and commented on some pictures I’ve put up, but that’s it.

When he leans forward and places his lips on mine, I’m taken aback. He’s never kissed me at school before. Well apart from the goodnight kiss I got when he walked me home from the party, he’s never kissed me. I’m sure it’s only for Carter’s benefit.
Men
. I’m surprised they don’t flop out their dicks and compare sizes.

CHAPTER SIX

Carter

I don’t know why seeing his lips on her right now bothered me, but fuck me it did. I thought after my hook-up last night I’d get this thing with her out of my system.
Wrong.
If anything it’s only cemented the fact that I have feelings for her. Which surprises me. I thought I was incapable of shit like that. 

Whilst banging the blonde’s brains out, I hate to admit that her long, dark, silky hair, big green eyes and lips that I’m dying to taste crossed my mind more than it should have. It not only scared me, it pissed me the hell off.

What is it with her? I hate that she’s so easily drawing me in without even trying. I hate that I can’t seem to stay away. I hated it when that prick’s lips were on hers just now. I wished they were mine.

I should just drop her off at home. Better still let her get the damn bus. I can’t even tell you why I demanded she be in the car park this afternoon. Yes I can. I wanted to be near her. I also promised her dad I’d keep an eye on her.

That’s so fucked up. He thinks I’m protecting her from all these horny teenagers. When, in fact, I want her just as much, if not more than they do. If she’s got me this tied up in a matter of days, I hate to see what condition I’m going to be in when I leave here in a few months’ time.

The quicker I turn eighteen and get away from this place, the better.

We make our way towards my car. Neither of us speak. Maybe that’s a good thing. Christ, I hate this feeling I get when I’m around her. It’s foreign to me.

We’re not even out of the street before she opens her smart mouth. “What did you say to my father about Brad yesterday?” she snaps. Even though I can feel her eyes boring into the side of my head, I stay focused on the road ahead.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, kid,” I lie, trying hard to hold back a smile.

“Bullshit, Carter.” I don’t know why I like hearing my name coming out of her sexy mouth, but I do. I’d prefer it if she was saying it while I was buried balls deep inside her. Shit. I feel my dick twitch. Why did I let my mind go there? “I demand you tell me what you said.” Playing it cool, I shrug. “I mean it … so help me.” I chuckle at her words. What’s she going to fucking do?

“So help me what?” I say turning my head to look at her. Of course her eyes are saying everything without a single word leaving her mouth. It only makes me smile. Not the desired affect I’m sure.

“He’s forbidden me from seeing him. I want to know why,” she seethes.

“Your father’s a wise man. I’m sure he has his reasons,” I state calmly. Her hand is clenching the door handle so tight her knuckles have turned white. The anger is just rolling off her in waves. Seeing her like this makes my dick stir. She’s fucking hot when she’s mad. A real little spitfire.

“God you irritate me sometimes,” she retorts.

“Ditto, kid.”

“I’m not a damn kid. Pull the hell over,” she says through gritted teeth.

“What? Why?” I ask surprised.

“Because I’d rather walk than suffer one more minute in this car with you.” I laugh at her comment. Things don’t usually amuse me, but fuck me, she does.

“It’s not funny, arsehole. Why are you so hell bent on ruining my life?” That statement really gets under my skin for some reason.

“Ruining your life. Is that what you think I’m doing?” I snarl. When she folds her hands over her chest, pushing her perky little tits up, I turn my head and focus on the road again. I don’t need her tits distracting me.

“Yes,” she replies with way too much attitude. It makes my blood boil that she thinks I’m trying to ruin her life, when in fact I was only trying to help her.

“Why, because I told your father Brad was bragging to his mates that he was going to invite you to his house this weekend, to get into your pants?” I practically scream. What I say, and the way I say it, takes her by surprise. Her beautiful green eyes widen and the colour partially drains from her face.

“What?” she asks in a horrified, disbelieving tone.

“Yes. Just before he pulled you onto his lap yesterday, that’s exactly what he said.” I try to speak a little calmer this time. Even though she’s getting on my nerves with her attitude, I don’t want to scare her.

“He did not,” she barks.

“Believe what you want. You think I’d make that shit up?” I look in her direction as I speak. I can tell by the shocked look on her pretty face she believes me.

“He actually said that?” she whispers. I can clearly hear the sadness in her voice.

“Yep,” I answer. Her head turns towards the passenger side window. She doesn’t speak another word for the longest time. I kind of feel bad now, but she needed to know. That guy is a snake.

“Where are we going?” she eventually asks when I turn onto the main road that heads towards town. I’m still getting used to navigating my way around this area, but thankfully Ross is good at giving directions.

“I told you. To get parts.”

“I thought you were making that up to piss Brad off,” she states.

“Why would I do that?” I ask reaching over to grab my cigarettes.

“Because you’re an arse.” Her comment makes me chuckle. “You do know Jennifer Darcy is the school slut, right?” she informs me. Who the fuck is Jennifer Darcy?

“Who?” I have no idea who she’s talking about.

“Jennifer Darcy,” she repeats.

“Never heard of her. Might need to look her up though,” I joke.

“She’s the girl who climbed through your window last night,” she says in a disgusted tone.

“Was that her name?” I ask smirking.

“You’re a pig.”

“You almost sound like your jealous,” I tease, because that’s exactly how it sounds, and that surprises me.

“Hardly,” she scoffs.

“You are, aren’t you? I bet you wished it was you sneaking through my window last night instead of her.”

“You’re delusional,” she says when I pull up at a red light. I look in her direction. My eyes lock with hers. I’m shocked by what I see. I was only messing with her, but by the way she’s looking at me makes me think there’s some truth to what I said. Surely she couldn’t wish that. She acts like she can’t stand me.

Something passes between us. I’m not sure what, but I almost want to reach out and touch her. Kiss her. Whatever it is, it’s quickly broken when the car behind me sounds his horn, alerting me the lights have now turned green. Suddenly, I don’t like where this is heading.

I should’ve let her catch the damn bus.

••••

We travel in silence for the next twenty minutes. When we reach our destination I pull into a parking spot. “You gonna stay in the car? Or do you want to come with me?” She shrugs before answering.

“I guess I’ll come,” she says removing her seatbelt.

Indi’s dad recommended this place to me. Apparently he’s been friends with the owner since high school. He deals in new and used parts, but specialises mainly in classics. Ross was going to call him today and let him know I was coming in. He said he’ll look after me.

Indi falls in behind me as we head towards the shop front. From the street you can see it’s attached to a large factory type building. That’s probably where they store all the parts.

The bell chimes above the shop door when we enter. A man in his mid-forties walks out from the back room. “Well if it isn’t little Indiana Montgomery,” he says as he makes his way around the counter. “Look how much you’ve grown.” She’s grown? How fucking small was she? She’s only pocket-size now.

“Hi, Mr. Gregory,” she says hugging him.

“Let me look at you.” He pulls back, studying her face. “You look just like your mum did at this age. God rest her soul.” What? Her mum’s dead? Looking at her face I see a fleeting moment of sorrow pass, but a smile quickly takes over. I’ll admit I did wonder why I hadn’t seen her mum around, but it never occurred to me she didn’t have one. That makes me feel sad for her. Growing up, I would’ve been lost without my mother. She’s all I have. Here I thought she had the perfect life. I guess I was wrong.

“My dad says that a lot,” she replies with a sad smile, and he gives her a sympathetic look.

“You must be Carter,” he says, eventually turning his attention to me. “Ross told me you were dropping by.”

“Yes. I am,” I answer, grabbing hold of his extended hand.

“Warren. Warren Gregory,” he says.

“It’s nice to meet you, Sir.”

“So you’re after parts for a ‘75 Monaro I believe?” he asks.

“That’s right.”

“You’re in luck. Come out the back and I’ll show you what I have,” he says, turning and heading towards the door over by the far wall. Indiana and I follow.

••••

I’m beaming by the time we leave. That place is like spare parts heaven. I got everything I needed, plus I was able to put a few of the larger, more expensive things aside until I can come up with some more cash. Fuck knows how I’m gonna do that. My cash fund has just about run dry. I may need to find a job.