Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives) (32 page)

“Calm down, man,” Naf said. “No use bustin’ yourself up.

Tama glared at him. Naf took a step back. Tama didn’t care anymore. The rage he’d felt at ten had come back. All he wanted to do was to hit something until it caved in. He wanted to do that to his aunty then gut her, but the bitch would be at the hospital. Right now she was probably by his cuz’s bed, touching him with her disgusting fat hands. He should be there, not her. Shit, he wanted to scream.

Tama shoved the brothers out of the way and headed for Naf’s room. Like hell he was going to let her get away with it, but first he had to deal to Nike, because once he went for his aunty he doubted he would make it out of the hospital without getting caught.

Naf followed him. “What’re ya gonna do?”

Tama stopped at the doorway, the memory of Nike bashing him flashing through his mind. “You got a softball bat?”

“I’ve got a baseball bat.”

“Same diff, retard. Get it for me.”

Naf looked confused. “What for?”

“Time to pay back Nike for what he did to me as a kid.”

“But he’ll probably be at work.”

Tama sneered. “Then Jess can keep me company while I wait.”

44

Jess

Jess stood in the doorway to Rory’s study, watching him tapping away at his computer. He was completely focused on the screen, seemingly unaware that she was there. Memories resurfaced as she took in the rest of Nike’s old bedroom. The single bed she’d lost her virginity in was gone, replaced by a filing cabinet and a wooden desk. The walls, now stripped of Nike’s Cortina posters, looked barren. Books were jammed into shelves in the far corner, and a standalone wardrobe stuck out from the wall by the door.

“Can I read your book?” she asked, walking over to the desk.

Rory jumped in his seat. “Shit, ya gave me a fright. When didja get here?”

“Just under forty minutes ago. Sorry, I didn’t realise you were in here until I went to the toilet.” She stopped to rub her stomach, hoping she didn’t have to run to it again. God, morning sickness sucked.

“Oh yeah ... Sally told me someone broke into your house. Lucky nothing was taken, aye?”

Jess nodded, realising he hadn’t been told about the knickers incident.

“Anyway, congrats on the baby news,” he added.

“Thanks,” she replied, not feeling exactly grateful.

“Is Jakey here?”

“No, he’s with Sally.”

“You’re lucky she took the day off to be with Maia.” He turned back to the computer. “All this Tama shit has really shaken her. Hell, it’s shaken me.” He picked up a pencil and dropped it on the desk, then repeated the action. “She’s not only worried about Maia, but she’s scared for Nike too. Thinks he’s going to get hurt.”

Jess swallowed. “He’s not.”

“I hope you’re right, because that boy doesn’t know when it’s good to back down.” Rory started tapping on the computer again, his jawline clenching and unclenching. “He always rushes into shit without thinking.”

Jess went to object, then closed her mouth. Rory was right. “You still writing the same book or is it a different story?”

He stopped typing. “I’ve giving the fantasy one a breather so I can fix up my Sci-Fi novel.”

“Can I read it? I like Sci-Fi. I’ve watched
Star Wars
and the cartoon version with Nike. And, I absolutely loved
Return of the Jedi
with those cute Ewoks.”

Rory pulled a face. “Yeah, I betcha did. Those fuckin’ stupid teddy-bears turned it into a chick flick. If it wasn’t for Princess Lea’s bikini that film would’ve been a total write off.”

Jess smiled. “Nike says the same thing. He keeps tellin’ me they should’ve roasted the Ewoks for dinner.”

“That’s a first.”

“What is?”

“Nike agreeing with me.”

Jess sighed. She’d always thought Nike was a bit harsh on Rory. Yeah, the guy should help out Sally more, but he did seem really dedicated to his writing.

“Well ... can I read it?” she asked.

“Nope, I’m doing another rewrite. Some other writers reckon I need to jack up my first few chapters, so I’m reworking them.”

“No probs.” She swore silently, remembering she’d forgotten to put out the rubbish. “Can I borrow your car? I need to nip home and put the rubbish out.”

“Sorry, I’m heading to the gym soon. But I can drop you off, if ya want.”

“I can’t stay there. Nike doesn’t think it’s safe.”

“I don’t see why. We’ve been burgled before, and it’s never driven us out of the house. Anyway, what’s the worry? Sally said nothing was taken.”

“Sumpthin’ gross was done to my stuff.”

“What?”

“I’d rather not say.”

Rory swivelled in his chair. “C’mon, I wanna know. What’d they do?”

Jess scratched her head, feeling embarrassed. “Some guy...” She cleared her throat. “Um ... wanked off on my knickers.”

Rory’s mouth dropped open. “You’re fuckin’ kidding me?”

She shook her head.

“That ain’t right. What fucked up loser would do that?”

Jess shrugged.

“Well, I’ll give ya a lift there and back then. I’ll just save this, then we can head out.”

“Thanks.” Rory had been a real surprise lately, doing things she wouldn’t have expected from him. Usually he was permanently attached to his computer when she visited. But lately, he seemed like a different person. Jess liked it, hoping it lifted Sally’s spirits too.

Rory logged off the computer. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Jess followed him, her mind switching to Nike and his new job. She rubbed her stomach and smiled.

45

Nike

Nike trudged down the main street of Remuera laden with bags of clothes. Talia looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. He smiled back, although he wanted to tell her to carry her own sodden bags. For fuck’s sake, he was meant to be a chauffeur not some rich bitch’s bag boy.

“Just one more store,” she said.

Nike followed her into a lingerie shop. Pink walls lined with underwear reminded him of Jess’s knickers. Last night he barely slept, getting more and more worked up over the break-in. Since he didn’t know who the sicko was, he had no idea how he could fix the problem. His mind went to Tama. Christ, his family was having a bad run of things lately. And with Maia getting out today he had to find Tama quick. Straight after visiting Leila, he planned to question the Connors then Trey. One of them was bound to spill if he pressured them enough. It shouldn’t be too hard. Jayden had been easy and he didn’t even have to try at Mikey’s. The kid’s mum was really nice, quite happy to tell him everything, and had continuously apologised. Not like it was her fault.

He sat down on the heart-shaped couch in the middle of the shop and placed the bags next to his feet. Across from him, Talia flitted between the colourful displays of knickers and bras. She glanced over at him and smiled. He forced out another smile, then looked down at his feet. Although he knew squat about fashion, in all the other stores she’d asked his opinion on every damn skirt, dress, top, and sprayed on jeans she’d tried on. At least here he wouldn’t have to do that.

A woman with a stroller walked into the shop. She looked in her early forties. Probably the baby’s grandma, he thought. But then again she could still be the mother. Unlike Claydon, he’d noticed a number of older women pushing around prams and strollers today.

The woman was staring at him. Man, he must look like a proper twat decked out in his chauffeur uniform and sitting in a lingerie shop. He hoped his job didn’t involve working for the boss’s wife too often, because it would drive him nuts.

“Excuse me, Sir.”

Nike looked up at the sales assistant. Roughly about his age, she had brown hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. Her black skirt and white blouse suited her curvy figure perfectly.

“Yes?” he said.

“The lady you came with needs your help.”

Nike picked up the bags and followed her to the ... Oh hell, no! The assistant directed him to a changing room then left. He stood rigid, staring at the white door, wanting to bolt.

“Nike, are you there?”

“Yeah,” he said softly.

“Good.” The door opened a fraction. “Come in.”

He stayed still. “Guys aren’t allowed in there.”

“Don’t be silly. Hurry up.”

“Um ... I’m not comfortable doin’ that.”

“Well, I can’t come out.”

He stood quietly biting the inside of his mouth.

“Oh, come on, you’re being silly. Girls at the beach wear just as much. And I need your opinion. I want to know if Nigel will like it.”

Swearing under his breath, he slipped into the changing room with the bags and closed the door.

“Does this look good?” Talia said, smiling.

He swallowed as his eyes moved over her body. She stood in front of him dressed in a frilly red bra and a tiny pair of knickers, her skin tanned all over.

“What about from behind?” She twirled around.

His eyes widened.  Scrap that, they weren’t knickers, it was a G-string. His gaze went from her arse to her tits as she spun back round. Even though she was skinny, she was still almost naked and she had a damn fine pair of tits. His embarrassment grew along with his dick.

“Well … do they look good?”

“Yeah,” he replied hoarsely. He dropped the bags and grabbed the door handle, desperate to get out.

“Wait, Nike. What about this?”

He looked back and slammed into the door. “Fuck!” His eyes bulged as she dropped the bra on the ground.

She laughed. “That’s exactly my thought.” She placed a hand on his chest, running it down until she cupped his erection. “I like you, Nike. Looks like you like me too.”

“I-I-I’m married.”

She started undoing his belt. “So? No one needs to know.”

He grabbed her hand. “No, I’m happily married.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t you wanna make your boss happy?” She unbuttoned and unzipped his pants with her other hand. “I can make you happy too.”

No way was he going to cheat on Jess. He wasn’t going to do to Jess what Leila had done to him.

He grabbed her other wrist. “No. I can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can.” She smiled and pushed up against him.

Now he understood why Saul and Ash had warned him. She must have done this shit before. “Saul—”

Her face darkened. “Fuck Saul!” She yanked her hands free and stepped back. “Did that bastard tell you not to touch me?”

Nike nodded as he zipped up his pants.

“Well, as long as you don’t tell him what happened, we’ll be alright. Capisce?”

He nodded again, hoping that meant she would let him go.

“Just get out.” She waved a hand.

Nike slipped out, almost tripping over his feet. He buttoned his pants and started doing up his belt. An elderly woman walked in, her gaze unimpressed.

Intensely embarrassed, Nike rushed out. Hoping no one else had seen, he sat down on the heart-shaped couch and stared down at the floor. After a few minutes, Talia appeared and paid for her purchases. Without a word, she handed him the bags then left the shop. Nike followed, wishing he hadn’t left his last job.