Love Me Always (I Hate You...I Think) (13 page)

It was a street race like what Kimmy told
me the guys do at the tournaments every weekend.
Harper was popular amongst the crowd. People
hollered and tried to wave him down but he
continued up the line of cars and backed us into an
opening between a Shelby cobra and a 1973
corvette. The only reason I knew the cars was my
dad loved vintage cars and made models of them a
lot while I growing up. I use to help him all time
glue the little pieces together.

Harper pulled off his helmet. I took that as
a cue to get off. It took a moment but I got off the
bike.

"Being short sucks," I grumbled pulling off
my helmet. Harper chuckled taking it from me and
hanging it from the handlebars.

"
You’re not short," he smirked. "You've got
beautiful long legs. You just haven't ridden much.
It'll take some getting used to, babe."

I felt the hair on my neck prickle as he
called me babe. I didn't like that little pet name.
Ignoring it, I looked around. Harper quickly
wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me
off before I could.

"Best not to look at anyone unless you're
looking to get raped."
My eyes widened.

"This is not my usual hang out, but my
father controls the other races and I didn't want to
be followed there. Just don't make eye contact with
anyone and stay by me at all times. Trust me no
one will touch you as long as you're with me," he
whispered.

Harper's hand on my waist at least stayed at
a respectable place. He didn't try anything stupid.
We headed up to one warehouse in particular that
seemed to be busy with people coming and going
out of it. We headed up to the doors and Harper
greeted a tall black man like a lifelong friend. They
fist bumped.

"Haven't seen you around in a long time
Jackson. I was beginning to think rich living
spoiled you," the man grinned.

"Nah, just issues at home. You know how
my old man is," Harper smirked.

The man turned to look at me, "Well, well,
well, where have you been hiding this one?" The
man winked at me.

"Eh, she's been hanging with the bats,"
Harper laughed. Heat rose up in me. He was
making fun of me. I knew that Oliver's gang
symbol was a bat. He had it tattooed on his back.

"Oh, this is Oliver's girl?" the man raised an
eyebrow at me.
"Yes," I said giving Harper a look. Harper
frowned but the man laughed.

"Better watch this one, Harper. I've known
Oliver a long time and he doesn't take women with
a grain of salt," the man scolded.

He looked back at me then, "My home is
your home, doll," he gestured for us to come into
the warehouse.

"I'm Edwin, but you can call me Eddie.
Oliver and I go way back. I've heard about what
happened to you. Losing your memory is tough."

"Thank you," I smiled. I liked Eddie. He
seemed like a good guy. Harper was put out but I
found it amusing.

"You take care of her Harper," Eddie said
thumping Harper on the head before he wandered
off.

Harper grumbled to himself and led me
through the hallway into what looked like an arena.
There were many people gathered around a
cage. A few men were walking around taking bids.
"Who's fighting tonight?" Harper
questioned one of the bookies.
"Monroe Joplin and Freddie Depry, startin
up first," the rough looking old man said.
"Get me 5 on Freddie," Harper told him
putting a roll of money and handing it to the man.
The guy nodded and headed off.
"You just handed a random guy 5,000
dollars?" I stated giving him a weird look.
He laughed. "It's how it works. Don't
worry; he's not stupid enough to steal from me."
"Why is everyone afraid of you?" I asked
him.
Harper looked over at me with a frown,
"Well, because of who my dad is," he muttered.

I stared at him a moment. He had been
somewhat cocky tonight. It was painfully
annoying. I don't think that even under different
circumstances I could like Harper. He gave off a
vibe I couldn't place but sure didn't like.

~Fire Inside~

We took our seats front row on the
bleachers. People were still greeting Harper and
wanting to sit with him, especially women. Harper
kept his left arm secure around my waist though
and motioned off everyone.

In a way, it rather made me feel special that
he would rather spend his time with me. I mean
what normal guy wants to hang out with an
emotionally shattered girl? He was competing with
a guy I didn't remember. No, actually, there wasn’t
a competition, Oliver already had my heart and
would always but Harper didn't know that. Why
was he trying so hard?

"Sorry about all this. I thought we'd have a
good night here, but it seems we're getting
bothered more than anything."

"It's ok," I told him not even looking at him.

My eyes, at the moment were preoccupied
with a trashy looking girl a few rows next to us.
She was Latino and beautiful, with sun kissed skin
and black wavy hair. However, she was dressed in
a tube top and a skirt that barely covered her ass.
She was short even with 3-inch heels, but
something about her brought my blood to a boil.

"Do you know that girl?" I asked Harper.
He leaned around me to look, "The one in
the tube top?"
"Yeah."
"That's Roxanne. Do you know here?"
Harper asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"I think so, but can't remember," I muttered
glaring at her. I don't know why I had so much
hatred for this girl.

She must have felt me staring at her
because her eyes went up and she made eye contact
with me. A look crossed her face and she smirked.
Waving off the two men who were talking to her,
she sauntered over to where we sat.

"Well, look who it is," she spoke in a high
pitched annoying voice. It was like nails on a
chalkboard. I just glared at her.

"Oh, what's wrong sweetheart. You don't
remember me," she laughed.
"No she doesn't," Harper told the girl.

"Harper, baby. What are you doing here? I
thought you hung out more at the starlight fight
ring?" She purred placing her hands on his hips and
leaning to the side just enough to notice she had no
underwear on and you could see a shaved bikini
line. I jerked my eyes away from her in disgust.

"I thought Ever would be more comfortable
here," Harper said squeezing his arm around me.

Roxanne laughed again, "So you're with
Harper now? I heard you lost your memory but I
figured Oli would still keep you. You move pretty
fast."

"How did you know I lost my memory?" I
questioned.

"Everyone knows about what happened
with Oliver and Jason. Word got around pretty
quick about Eien's betrayal and Oliver's girl getting
shot. Many gangs were thinking that Oliver would
step aside from gang leader and were planning to
go in and take his spot."

"Bullshit. Oliver wouldn't step down and
he'll beat the living shit outta anyone who tried to
take his territory."

"I thought you didn't remember?" Harper
asked darkly.
"I don't remember a lot but I know Oliver
wouldn't back down from anything," I spat at
Roxanne.
"Still as bitchy as Ever," then she grinned
and laughed at her own lame joke.

"Maybe since you're here with Harper I'll
go down and pay Oli a little visit. I'm sure he's
lonely know that his only whore isn't around."

A switch flipped in my brain and before I
knew what was happening I had tackled Roxanne
to the ground and was punching her in the face.

She screamed in shock and I heard people
cheer about the sudden fight. Roxanne reached out
grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling back.

Ignoring it, I grabbed her head and
slammed it into the floor. She released my hair and
I punched her repeatedly in the face until she was
screaming for someone to get me off. Arms coiled
around my waist. They were going to pull me off.
Twisting my hand into Roxanne's hair, I held on to
her head and continued to beat her. Before long, we
were finally separated.

It had lasted only a second but in that time
Roxanne's face was swollen and bloody. Her nose
had to have been broken with the amount of blood
pouring out. At some point, I clawed my
fingernails into her throat and now there were
angry red scratches going from her jaw to her
chest.

"Fuck with me again bitch, I'll put you in
the ground!" I yelled.

I shocked myself at my words. I had never
felt so angry toward someone like this before in my
entire life. The people around were shocked and
excited it seemed by the sudden brawl.

I could hear them whispering about who I
was. About me, being Oliver's girl and my memory
lost. They were also talking about how I just fought
like Oliver, and he must have taught me. I twisted
away from Harper and spun around to look at him.

His eyes were dark as he glared at me. I
don't know why he looked like that but it was
annoying.

"I'm going home," I told him storming off. I
didn't need him to get my memories back. I didn't
need anyone but Oliver. Eddie appeared next to me
then.

"Hello doll. Would you like a ride home?"
he smiled looking back at Harper who had yet to
move. He was just standing there. Clearly, he
wasn't taking me home.

"That would be great, Eddie. Thank you," I
smiled.

I followed him outside, news must have
spread quickly about Roxanne and my fight as
everyone was staring.

On the other hand, perhaps it was her blood
splattered across my shirt. Either way the
whispering continued. Instead of keeping my head
bowed and not making eye contact, I glared at
everyone. They can all kiss my ass.

"Hey Eddie," a boy come running up. He
was dressed in all black with chains hanging from
his pants. The kid had to of been seventeen or so.

"Ever," the boy greeted. I knew instantly he
was part of Oliver's gang. I tried to grasp for his
name but didn't know it.

"I'm Robbie," he offered with a smile.
"Sorry," I frowned. He shook his head.
"It's cool."

"I was about to take the young lady home
but since you're here I think it would be best if you
did," Eddie smiled. He looked down at me then.

"I'd say try to stay out of trouble but I
believe you can handle yourself just fine."
"Thanks," I muttered. He gave me a brief
pat on the back and left.
"Some of us came down here to get in the
race so we'll take you home," Robbie told me.
I followed him over to where some other
guys were leaned up with their bikes.

"Hey Ever," another guy greeted. I knew
him instantly as Marcus, "What are you doing
here?"

"Marcus, right?" I asked. I didn't know how
I knew his name I just did. He grinned brightly.
"You’re getting your memory back."
I nodded. "Yeah kind of. Do you know a
girl named Roxanne?"
Marcus made a face, as did the other four
boys including Robbie.
"Why?"

"
I don’t know her either but I just beat her
face in. Could you tell me why I hate her so
much?"

Marcus roared with laughter along with the
others.

"Is that who's blood is all over you? I
thought we were all about to get in trouble with
Oliver. And Roxanne is a crazy whore. She has
wanted Oliver for over a year now but he has never
given her the time a day."

"Why would you get in trouble?" I asked
raising my eyebrow, Roxanne completely
forgotten.
"Well if we bring you home covered in
blood he'll eat our faces off," Robby replied.

I nodded. Oliver probably would. That is if
I went to his house. I thought about it for a
moment. I really did need Oliver right now. I
shouldn’t have left him in the first place.

"Sorry about you guys missing out here. I
can find someone else to take me home. I'm sure I
could call Jake or Leon to come get me."

"Nah, it's no problem. It's complete shit out
here anyways. Not even that much of a challenge
really," Marcus frowned looking around. He glared
at someone behind me; some people must still be
staring.

"Let's get out of here," he told me pulling
off his jacket and handing it to me. I put it on and
climbed onto the back of his motorcycle. The
others started there’s and we headed out of the race
strip.

“Were you hanging with Harper Jackson?”
Marcus asked.
“Why?” I questioned. Maybe he knew
Harper too.

“
He’s over there staring at you. I can’t
stand the little prick but he’s dangerous as hell.
Probably kill all of us with one freakin hand.”

“Harper?” I asked shocked.

“
Yeah, he’s Weasley Jackson’s kid. Oliver
use to work for Weasley. Crazy freakin nuts all of
them.”

“Weasley...” I whispered. How do I know
that name?

We were entering the city when Marcus
spoke again, "I know you've been staying at your
own place. Do you want me to take you there?"

"No, I want to stay with Oliver tonight."

I saw him smile before he turned his face
away. I shook my head. All of Oliver's guys really
wanted me to be with him.

"I think Oliver's over at the courts. He goes
over there sometimes."
"Courts?" I questioned. What courts?

My question was answered when we passed
Oliver's house and took a turn going up a different
road near the club. There was a small park with
basketball courts. About fifteen people, was there
playing Oliver being one of them.

"I'm surprised he's here," Robbie mentioned
as we parked. The game had stopped and Oliver
was coming up to the fence.

"Why?" I asked Robbie.
"He hasn't been out here since you two
started dating."
"Hey,
what’s going on?" Oliver asked
confused leaning against the fence.

"Oh, you know. The usual being stupid and
beating people’s faces in," I told him shrugging
and unzipped Marcus's jacket and handing it back
to him.

"Holy hell who did you murder?" Logan
questioned jogging up next to Oliver.
"She tried to murder Roxanne,” Marcus
chuckled.

"Where-" Oliver started. "Never mind," he
muttered looking away. Walking up to the fence I
reached through and grabbing his hair pulling him
into the fence. He looked shocked but relaxed and
pressed my lips to mine.