Bayward Street (19 page)

I leaped down the stairs. Layla threw her guitar from her shoulder as I pounced on her.

“Lay…” I gasped, stunned she was here. “Holy hell, you have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

“Likewise sister,” she answered, pulling back but keeping her hands on my hips. “Jesus I thought you’d gone back to him. I cried for like two days. And here you are. Cody came and told us what was going on. I couldn’t believe it.” I noticed Cody standing awkwardly by the doorway, a quiet smile on his face.

“I heard that you were here,” he said. “Heard there was some trouble at school and figured you’d need her just as much as she needed you.”

“Awe, Cody.” I grinned. He’d spent enough time around us to know how close we were. Being without Layla was like losing a lung. I was struggling through, but just barely. I think the only reason I’d made it this long was because Heath had taken up the slack. But seeing her now, I wasn’t sure how I’d made it the past week without her.

She looked up at the massive home, her eyes wide like it was the first time she was seeing it. “This place will never get any less impressive,” she said as if reading my thoughts.

“I’ll let you guys have some time.” Cody smiled before reaching for the door handle.

I grabbed his arm. “Wait, Cody. Thank you.”

Layla rushed over and wrapped her arms around him. He seemed surprised at first, but smiled and squeezed her back. “No problem.”

Cody disappeared out the door, and I dragged Layla up the stairs to my room.

“I can’t believe you’re here. You have no idea how much I’ve needed you the past week.” My body, now feeling a little lighter dropped onto the large bed as Layla wandered around the vast space, taking in every detail.

She finally stopped at the window that overlooked a beautiful garden below and part of the pool. “I thought something horrible had happened. I kept expecting you to show back up at Bayward.” Her voice was soft now, the excitement passing.

“I’m not allowed to, Lay.” Regret filled me, I’d accepted these conditions, but I needed her to know that I would have if I could.

“What do you mean?”

I sighed, scrubbing at my eyes. The longest week of my life finally taking its toll on me. “The judge made it one of my conditions that I couldn’t return to the streets. Not even to see you. She said it would show that I wasn’t prepared to make my life better.”

She pulled her fingers through her hair. “Is it better?” I could hear the sadness in her voice. She tried to hide it, but I knew her so well.

“To be completely honest, school has been hell. But Heath and his family and their friends, they’ve helped me through.”

She nodded. “I’m really glad you’re happy.” I could hear the tears in her voice as it cracked.

“Lay, I’m not just doing this for me. Heath’s mom, she’s gonna help me get you guys off the streets.” I leaped off the bed, taking her hands in mine and gripping them tightly.

She chewed on her lip. It was weird to see Layla so broken down, and guilt settled in the bottom of my stomach. “How can she help?”

“It’s going to be amazing, Layla. There’s this house, and you can all live there and go to school and get jobs. They’re going to help.” I hadn’t heard from Helen, but Heath said she’d called and said everything was going well. I didn’t want to get Layla’s hopes up, but I could see the look in her eyes. She was worn down, and the sparkle I usually saw was gone. I needed to give her something, something that might keep her fighting.

“I don’t know, Fay.”

“Just trust me, please. If it doesn’t work, I’ll come back. Fuck the court and the judge and the law.” My heart twisted at the words. Sure, school had been hard. But if I could make it through and get an education, my prospects for a better job and a better life were much higher. The thought of leaving Heath and his family tore me up, but I tried not to let it show.

My conscience wouldn’t let me leave my friends to suffer while I lived here, even after the fight I’d had to take on since I’d been here just to make it through. That was unfair and selfish and made me feel ill just to think about what they were going through while I had this big house and bed and food.

“Don’t come back.” Tears dropped onto her cheeks, and my usually strong, brave friend began to break in front of me.

My eyes narrowed. “Lay, what’s going on?”

She wiped at her cheeks, and I felt my own eyes begin to fill, just seeing her like this broke me inside.

“Kyle’s lost it. He’s drinking… a lot. Lee’s freaking out. Andre, Coop, and Phee are all ready to pack their shit and go. No one knows where Daisy or Sketch are. We are falling apart.” Her bottom lip quivered.

“Kyle’s drinking?”

Kyle had always been so strong. He was the one we all looked up to, the one who made sure we kept our spirits up. He brought us together, made us a family.

“Lee thinks he’s stealing it from their uncle’s club. He’s scared Kyle will get caught, and their uncle will fire them. That was their chance at a real job, money that could get them a house and a life and he’s screwing it up,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what’s happening, Fable. Things were never great, but we had each other. It’s gone downhill so fast I feel like we’re gonna hit the bottom and explode into tiny pieces.”

I threw my arms around her, squeezing her tightly. “We will figure it out, I promise,” I whispered in her ear.

“I don’t have anyone else,” she choked. “I can’t lose you, too.”

I pulled her onto the bed, and she laid down with her head on my shoulder, her tears drenching my T-shirt as she cried. Knowing Layla, she would have been awake for days, stressing and worrying about what was going to happen. I felt horrible, like my family was falling to pieces and I was part of the reason.

We laid in silence for a few minutes as she let all her tears out. I let her have that moment. It was so rare to see her like this, but I realized that everyone at some point needed time to break down and just cry before they stood back up, said fuck you to the world, and carried on.

“You wanna go swimming?” I asked.

Layla’s sobs turned into giggles, and I smiled. “Hell yes,” she whispered.

We jumped off the bed, and I pulled the spare swimsuit from my dresser and threw it to her.

I stepped into the bathroom and began to pull off my jeans. The waistband rubbed against the back of my legs. “Ouch,” I said unconsciously.

The bathroom door swung open behind me. “Are you alrig… holy shit.” I quickly pulled them back up and swung to face her, but my head hung low, not wanting to look her in the eye. “What the hell are those on your legs?”

“Bruises,” I muttered. Suddenly swimming didn’t seem like such a good idea. I rushed to do up the button on my jeans.

“And where did they come from?” Layla asked, her voice tight. “Heath?”

“No…” I gasped, looking up at her in shock. “Heath would never.”

“Then you better start fucking explaining, Fable.”

I pushed past her, out the bathroom door and back into my bedroom. “I told you, school hasn’t been so great.”

“Tell me,” she demanded, following me and not letting me escape.

“I’m handling it, okay?”

“Tell me!” Her voice was fierce, and suddenly I had my friend back. The one who took no shit and dealt with problems head on. “So help me God, you don’t tell me I’ll ask Heath. Or Braydon.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, but she met my glare with just as much intensity, folding her arms across her chest and daring me to challenge her.

“There’s a girl, um… she hasn’t been too welcoming.” The words were sarcastic. I told her about Jay. The flyers, the notes, the bathroom encounter earlier today.

She pursed her lips. “And the boys haven’t stopped it?”

“They don’t know.”

She threw her hands in the air. “Why haven’t you told them, Fable? This is serious. She hit you with a fucking bat!”

I clenched my fists. “It’s my word against hers, Layla. And you forget, I’ve been in this situation before and look how that turned out. She’s a model student, I’m the girl who gets angry and tries to kill one of her parents. Who do you think they’ll believe?”

“It’s not the same,” she said, her voice lowering, becoming gentle. “This is different. Heath would believe you, he would help you to stop her. He has power, remember.”

“I can’t risk it.” My shoulders slumped, my fight dissipating as fast as it came. “I’m falling for him, Lay. If something happens and I’m taken away, I lose everything. The chance at a real life, the chance at being with him, and worst of all, the chance at helping you guys get off the streets. It all means too much to me. I can’t give it up now. I can’t go back and prove them all right, that I’m just some troubled crazy kid who’s out of control.”

She took a step forward. “Does she have anything on you? Anything she can use?”

I shook my head. “No. I’ve held back. She’s baiting me. I think she’s realized that the subtle approach wasn’t going to work, and she needed to amp things up. She needs me to retaliate.”

“If she has nothing, then there’s no problem. Fuck her. Let her throw her tantrums, but don’t let her think she’s fucking won. That’s when they think they can do it to others. You’re stronger than that.”

I looked into Layla’s eyes. They sparkled, the force behind her words filling me. She was right. I’d avoided the party today because I just didn’t want to deal with it. I thought I was being smart. Taking the time to recuperate. But I was just showing her that she did have the power over me that she thought she did.

I never fought back against my father.

My submission simply pushed him on, it made him feel invincible, it made him stronger, and the torture only got worse the more I backed down. I said I’d never do that again, and here I was slipping back into that routine, that comfortable place that had never done anything for me before but bring me pain.

I needed to show Jay that she couldn’t break me that easily. I’d spent too long gluing the pieces together to let her shatter them again. I wasn’t going to give up Heath. And I wasn’t going to give up on my future or my friends’ futures. I wasn’t going to settle for any less than what I deserved. And I deserved to be happy.

Layla watched me contemplate. She stood strong beside me, letting me gather my thoughts because she knew that I was going to come back fighting.

“Screw swimming. You feel like going to a party?”

Her lips turned up, and her smile grew wider. “Fuck yeah.”

“Flick,” I called as Layla and I raced down the hall to her room. Both of us laughing in excitement.

God, I’d missed her so much. She knew me. She knew how my brain worked.

We ducked in through the open door.

Flick was sitting at her desk on her laptop, she jumped as we entered, slamming it closed. “Where’s the fire?” she joked, but her voice shook nervously.

“We need dresses,” Layla interrupted before I could ask her if she was all right. “Sorry. I’m Layla. Nice to meet you.”

Flick smiled. “I’m Felicity. And why do you two need dresses?”

“We’re going to the party,” I told her. Not able to keep from smiling.

She seemed to brighten excitedly. “Oh gosh, that’s awesome. Come on, I’ll find you something.” She rushed over to her closet and started rummaging. “You’ll need something flowy. Bray said it was a pool party, but I don’t really see you in a bikini.”

My face screwed up, and Layla laughed. “Flowy is good. Sexy too.”

Flick turned and eyed me carefully. “What about a soft floor length maxi dress?”

“Woah, woah—”

“Perfect! Sexy, summery, girly.” Layla hit me with a sharp look. She knew I didn’t do girly. “Heath will be all over that.” She wiggled her eyebrows and Flick giggled softly.

I couldn’t help the blush that spread through my body. As much as I hated the idea of putting on a dress, the idea of Heath liking it sent a quick thrill through me.

Groaning, I slumped in defeat. “Fine.”

“I think I have the perfect dress.” Flick clapped happily.

Flick dived back into her closet and clothes started flying out after her as she dug deeper.

“Woah girl.”

“Here it is,” she stated gleefully. She spun around, holding out a stunning white dress that took my breath away. It was simple, casual, but beautiful all the same. It was floor length and floaty. The top part was a halter neck that scooped very low in the front and was completely backless.

So I guess I wasn’t going to be wearing a bra.

Subtle sparkly beads were sewn around the edges and they were just enough to change it from a plain white dress to something that could be worn out to a party.

“I… I’m…” I stuttered, trying to express just how weird I felt about wearing a dress anywhere. I’d lived forever in denim. I had the odd miniskirt, but even then it was always paired with black tights or ripped stockings. That was as girly as I got.

Flick walked over, holding the dress out to me. “You’ll look amazing in it. Together with your black hair. Wow.”

“I don’t know, Flick,” I replied nervously as she handed it to me. It felt soft and silky, and I could only imagine what it would feel like against my skin. “I can’t even wear a bra.”

She giggled. “You’re not meant to. It will support you, just like a bikini top.”

I gnawed on my lip nervously. “You’re sure about this?”

Her smile was soft and encouraging. “Trust me, Fable.”

There were those words again. They seemed like a running theme with people in this family. But I did trust them. They’d effectively saved my life. So far, I had no reason not to.

She walked back over to the closet and stuck her head in again. When she popped out, she had a beautiful baby doll style dress. “This is for you, Layla.”

Layla looked stunned for a second. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

Laughter burst from me. “Hypocrite!”

Flick stepped forward, holding the dress up against Layla’s body. It would fall at about her knee and was the most beautiful emerald green color.

“Braydon likes green,” Flick commented with a smirk.

“What,” Layla protested, but Flick just shook her head.

“I’m quiet, but that doesn’t mean I don’t hear things that go on around this house.”

I laughed, and Layla hit me with a hard glare that only spurred me on.

Holding the dress against me, it fell all the way to the floor. “I guess at least it’s long enough to hide my shoes, so they won’t look stupid.”

Flicks eyes widened in horror. “Oh no, no, no. No way. You need sandals. Maybe something in your hair. Some makeup, too…” her voice trailed off as she disappeared out the door and down the hall.

I was beginning to wonder what the hell I’d got myself into.

A little while later, Flick made a phone call. Apparently the Carsons have a driver that they can call on when they need it. Flick said she uses it when her parents are away, and her brothers are busy with sports.

She gave the driver the address to the party and waved at us from the front door as we pulled away.

I shuffled nervously, and Layla reached over and grasped my hand. “This is weird,” I told her.

“You should probably get used to it because this is going to be your life, Fable. Just remember, you deserve this. There’s no one else I want this for more than you.”

I squeezed her hand. She deserved it too. And I was going to fight to get her what she deserved.

It was Heath that filled me with comfort when I was feeling out of place, and awkward which I knew were both completely likely right now. We drove up into the hills overlooking the city. I wasn’t even surprised as the houses only became more and more jaw-dropping and amazing. They were mansions that little girls dreamed of having when they were older. Dreams that very rarely came true.

They were never my dreams, though. Growing up, I wished for things that were more realistic. Parents who loved me, three meals a day, friends that would make me smile when I was sad. Only recently had any of them come true, and even then, I was still waiting for them to be ripped away.

Pulling up outside the large mansion, I swallowed the lump in my throat, but Layla gave me a soft shove and forced me out of the car.

Maneuvering the long dress was a struggle on its own. I wasn’t used to it. First off, dresses were never my thing, and second, I’d never had anything as nice as this so I was conscious of making sure I didn’t dirty it or rip it.

Layla powered through the front doors which were wide open and had people mingling outside. I caught a few surprised looks but rushed to keep up with Lay, who seemed on a mission.

There were guys in swim trunks and girls in bikinis even though they seemed completely pointless as they were teamed with high heels and rich jewelry. I wondered how many of them actually intended on swimming or were simply using the party as an excuse for fancy dress.

Music pumped loudly as Layla ushered me through the stunning home and into the backyard. I realized then why Braydon had been so excited to come. There were two massive water slides that started at the top of the hill behind the house. When they reached the bottom, they suddenly curved upward, throwing people into the air before they dropped into the large pool at the bottom. I watched as two boys jumped on at the top, screaming the entire way down. When they hit the up ramp they both flipped backward before dropping feet first into the water.

“Fuck me,” I muttered to myself.

Layla laughed. “When Heath sees you in that dress, you may just get that wish.”

I couldn’t stop the blush from crawling up my skin. “I hate you,” I muttered like a pouty child.

“Oh, you’re gonna love me soon.” She grabbed my hand and led us through the crowd of teens, who screamed with joy as another person hurtled down the waterslide at top speed. I heard a splash and the people around us raised their arms and glasses with a cheer.

We managed to break through the crowd, and Layla gave me a shove, drawing my attention to her finger which was pointing away from the pool.

While most of the crowd seemed content to stand around the pool, dancing and listening to the music that pounded from the house on a large concrete pad. There was a beautiful grassed area off to the side that was quieter and held only a handful of people. The group lay out in the sun on blankets and chatted as they drank.

It was quiet, more exclusive, as people from the other part of the party seemed not to drift over to them. The vibe was more chilled out, which was more my style and I knew it was more Heath’s too.

“Come on,” Lay said, grabbing my hand.

They didn’t notice us as we approached, and that was not Layla’s fashion at all.

“Hey, rich boy,” she called, drawing their faces to us. “What’s a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?”

Braydon and Heath both climbed off the ground. Heath’s eyes ran the length of my body, and I had the sudden urge to take a step back, the heat in his eyes I could feel from even this far away.

Braydon, on the other hand, lit up with a boyish grin, his eyes all for Layla. “Show me your tits,” he called back as the brothers both made their way toward us.

Layla laughed. “Dream big.”

Braydon laughed with her, but Heath just walked toward us quietly. The fact was that he could be screaming at me for all I knew, and I would have no idea because all I could hear was my heart pounding as my eyes watched the way he moved.

He had a short sleeved button up shirt on, but it was left open. A pair of khakis rode low on his hips, accentuating his trim waist. Every part of him was toned and sexy and tanned. His shoulders and biceps stretched against the material of his shirt. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he flexed and it ripped right off. I wouldn’t mind either. It seemed to be a crime to hide a body that beautiful. My fingers twitched, desperate to reach out and touch him. Knowing the second I did that the world around me would melt away.

The power in his body drew me in every single time. It screamed safety and security, and I desperately wanted him wrapped around me because that was my serenity.

Before I knew it he was in front of me, his hand reaching out to grasp my waist and dragging me to him. The gentle squeeze, and the way his breath fanned across my neck as he dipped his head told me everything I needed to know. He was going just as crazy as I was. Our bodies were in sync, he felt these feelings too, and a rush of euphoria spread throughout me.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered. I turned my head slightly so my lips brushed the side of his face.

I smiled. “It’s a bit different, huh? The dress isn’t really me, but your sister insisted.”

“Doesn’t matter what you wear. Doesn’t matter how you look. It’s seeing you happy and smiling that makes you look so damn amazing.”

I pressed my lips to the side of his face, enjoying the way that his skin wasn’t soft but instead bristled and rough. Heath wasn’t a teenage boy. He was all man. Physically and mentally. It’s what made him so strong yet so serious. It’s what drew in the girls, and I’m sure even a few women.

But his eyes were all for me.

And I knew now more than ever that Jay wouldn’t win this fight.

I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of this feeling.

Never.