Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives) (7 page)

Nike knocked on the front door, hoping that his ex didn’t answer. Swearing started up inside, soon followed by footsteps. The door creaked open and Leila poked her head out, her afro out of control.

Her eyes widened. “Whatcha doin’ here?” she hissed. “I told ja to email me back if you wanted to get together.” She pulled up the strap on her nightie and glanced over her shoulder. “Gimme fifteen minutes, and I’ll meet ya at Claydon Beach.”

It pissed Nike off that she assumed he was there for sex. He was sick of her dirty emails, and had told her enough times to quit sending them. Although Leila obviously didn’t have a problem with cheating on Jayden, he could never do that to Jess.

He jammed his foot into the doorway as Leila went to close it. “I ain’t here for you,” he said, irritably. “I wanna talk to Jayden.”

Her face dropped. “You’re not gonna tell him about my emails ... are you?”

“No, I need to know where Tama is.”

She looked at him suspiciously. “Why the fuck do ya wanna know that for?”

“He stabbed Maia.”

Leila’s eyebrows shot up. “He what? Is she alright?”

“She will be.”

“Jay didn’t tell me,” she muttered, looking annoyed.

“So ... You gonna let me in?”

“Sure.” Leila opened the door wider.

Nike stepped inside. The lounge looked different from how he remembered it—better. Although the beige couch was now stained and tatty, the shelves were no longer lined with bottles, and the smell of beer had died along with Leila’s mother. He’d heard that liver disease had finally taken her, no doubt caused by all the booze she’d poured down her throat. Such a shame. He’d liked Leila’s mum, she’d been a friendly lush.

“Jay, Nike’s here,” Leila shouted.

Nike walked past Leila and headed for her old bedroom. There was no way Jayden would come out for him. In school he’d made the guy’s life miserable, pushing his head into toilets and knocking him about. Yeah, his temper had been bad back then. But the creep deserved it for knocking up his cousin.

“Nike!” Leila followed. “You can’t go in there.”

Nike opened the door and was greeted with a stunned looking Jayden.

Jayden jumped out of bed, wearing nothing but a terrified expression. “No, mate, I’ll talk...” he gabbled, holding out his hands.

Nike gritted his teeth, annoyed that Jayden knew why he was there. Tama had obviously come around last night.

“Where’s Tama?” Nike asked.

“He ... he wouldn’t tell me ...”

Jayden was shaking from more than just the cold. It irritated Nike even more. Jayden was a few inches taller and wider, but still couldn’t stand up for himself. He had no balls. No, that wasn’t right, from what Nike could see Jayden had some, they were just fucking tiny.

“Bullshit!” Nike took a step forward. “Where is he?”

Jayden backed up. “I dunno.”

Nike shoved Jayden into the window. “You’re a bloody liar.”

“Nike! Leave him alone.” Leila grabbed his arm, and yanked him back.

Nike wrenched his arm free. Although he couldn’t stand Jayden, he wasn’t going to hit the twat. His short fuse had gotten him into enough trouble in the past; he didn’t need an assault charge added to his failures.

“Tell me, or I’ll smack ya,” he bluffed.

“I-I dunno,” Jayden stuttered. “Honest.”

“Stop lying to me!” Nike shoved him again.

Leila grabbed his arm. “C’mon, Nike, he knows nuthin’. Let’s go to the lounge and talk nice, aye?”

“Leave, Leila.”

She pulled at him. “No! There’s no need for this.”

“There’s no way I’m leavin’ until he tells me where Tama is.”

Leila let go and pushed herself in between them. Nike instantly stepped back, the contact making him uncomfortable.

“This isn’t Jay’s fault,” Leila said. “This is between you and Tama. Why the fuck would Tama tell Jay anything? He would’ve known you’d come straight here.”

Nike grimaced. What Leila said made sense. Jayden always gave up way too easily. Hell, Tama would have been stupid to tell the giant pussy anything.

“Then tell me what time he showed up, and what you gave him?” Nike asked.

“About one in the morning, and I gave him weed and a coat hanger,” Jayden answered in a rush.

“Shit!” Nike pushed back his hair, knowing what it meant. Tama had probably stolen a car. How the hell was he supposed to find him now?

“Did he mention any names?” he asked.

“Nah.” Jayden grabbed his briefs and pulled them on.

“Take a guess.”

“Probably Mikey’s, possibly Sledge’s. Sledge’s sis likes Tama, and always gives him cash,” Jayden gabbled as he picked up his jeans. “I’m really sorry ‘bout Maia. I slapped Tama ‘cross the head for it.”

Nike nodded, appreciating the sentiment. “Anything else?”

“Nah, sorry.”

Nike sighed. Jayden appeared genuine, but it didn’t make him feel any better, he was still getting jack shit. He already knew about the guys Jayden had mentioned, and fully intended on paying them a visit later.

“Do ya think he went up north?” Nike asked. “I heard he’s got an uncle up there.”

“Possibly,” Jayden replied.

“Where?”

Jayden shrugged. “Dunno.”

Nike knew Jayden was bullshitting him now. Jayden and Tama were best mates. The two had been tight ever since primary school.

Nike moved Leila aside. “You’re a bloody lousy liar.”

Jayden backed up into the window. “No, I’m not lying.”

“It’s Kaitaia,” Leila said.

Jayden turned on Leila. “You bitch, ya didn’t hafta tell him.”

Nike glared at Jayden for a moment. Christ, he really couldn’t stand him. He turned and left the room, not wanting to waste any more time.

Footsteps followed close behind. “Wait up, Nike,” Leila said.

Nike stopped in the lounge. “Whatcha want, Leila?”

“Didja get my last email?” she whispered.

Nike blew out a sigh. “Yeah ... you gotta stop sending them. I ain’t leavin’ Jess.”

“But, you said you’d always love me.”

Nike rolled his eyes. “For fuck’s sake, I wuz fourteen and you cheated on me.”

“How many times do I hafta say I’m sorry? Please, Nike, I made one mistake—”

“Two mistakes,” he snapped. “Or have you forgotten about crying rape?”

Leila dropped her gaze. “I panicked. I didn’t want to lose you. I love you, Nike.”

Nike sniffed. “Funny way of showin’ it by sleeping with Tama.”

“I never meant to do it. I wuz drunk.” She glanced over her shoulder then back at him.

“Why the hell should I believe anything you say?” he said.

“Cos I’m tellin’ the truth. Why can’t you see that?”

“Because you’re a liar, just like your bloody husband.”

Leila slapped his face. “I am not!”

Nike closed his eyes and breathed in deep, trying his best to calm down. He felt her hands run over his cheeks.

“Sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to hit ya.”

He opened his eyes and pushed her hands away. “I’m not your baby. I’m married and in case you haven’t noticed so are you.” He pointed at Jayden, who filled out the passage doorway.

Jayden looked devastated. Nike knew the feeling. For once he felt sorry for the guy ... but then again, maybe he’d finally got some justice for his cousin.

Jayden turned and walked away, the bedroom door slammed behind him.

Leila started crying. She looked from the doorway to Nike as though conflicted. “Please, Nike, I need to be with you.”

“Stop it, Leila. This isn’t good for anyone.”

“Then leave Jess.”

He sighed. It was useless. She wasn’t going to let up. He peeled her fingers off his arm.

“I’d leave Jay in a second for you,” she blurted out. “I only married him cos I wuz mad with you for gettin’ hitched.”

Nike stared at her, completely taken aback.

She fidgeted as his silence continued. “Say sumpthin’, please.”

He turned and walked out the door.

8

Leila

Leila waited until Nike was out of sight before she headed back to her room. Jayden was lying on their bed with a pillow over his face. She sat next to him and brushed her fingers across his bare chest. “I’m so sorry.”

When he didn’t move she tried to pull the pillow off, but he gripped it tighter.

“C’mon, Jaybaby ... you know Nike and I ‘ave history, but you and me, we’re the present.” Yeah, she knew it was corny, but he needed it right now.

“Go away,” he said, his voice muffled.

She slipped her hand down the front of his pants hoping makeup sex would bring him round.

Jayden grabbed her hand and yanked it out. “Fuck off!”

Leila slipped her hand down again. Jayden never stayed mad at her for long once she got him going. He always forgave her. Yeah, he called her
bitch
a lot, and lately
ho
, but he never meant anything by it. He was a big softie when she put on the charms.

She leaned over and nuzzled his ear. “I didn’t mean to say that to Nike. He just upsets me so much. But I love you more. I really do.”

Jayden yanked her hand out and sat up so fast she fell off the bed.

Leila landed on her butt. “Whatcha do that for?”

She looked up and froze, shocked by his expression. She’d never seen him look so angry. His usually soft face was hard, his big lips pulled back into a sneer. This wasn’t her sweet Jaybaby and it frightened the hell out of her.

Jayden pushed up out of bed. Leila got to her feet and quickly backed up into the wall. He placed his hands either side of her.

“Jaybaby, you’re scaring me.”

He glanced at her chest then her face, with a look that she could only describe as violent. He’d only ever been gentle with her. He wouldn’t hurt her ... would he?

Jayden’s gaze dropped to her chest again. He went to say something, but stopped, his harsh expression now uncertain.

She slipped off her nightie, wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed into him.

“Get offa me!” He pushed her away and backhanded her.

She felt his ring slice her top lip, and tasted blood as he hit her again. A punch landed across her jaw, knocking her to the floor. She would have screamed, but nothing came out. This wasn’t real, Jayden wouldn’t hurt her. He was romantic, bought her roses on Valentine’s Day, remembered her birthday and took her to sappy movies. This wasn’t real!

He stood over her, his face furious. “You humiliated me,” he yelled. “Why didja even marry me?”

She couldn’t tell him it was because of Nike, he’d go even more ballistic.

“Answer me!” he yelled.

She jerked back. “Cos I love you.”

“Bullshit! You’re a fuckin’ liar.” He covered his face. “I also know ya fucked Tama when I wuz at work.”

Leila felt sick. She pulled herself up. Her legs were shaking so bad she was surprised she could stand. She grabbed onto the window ledge. The curtains were closed. Jayden could do anything and no one would see. In a panic she yanked one side across and opened the window. Across the road, in front of a row of brick flats, the Sprat boy was juggling a soccer ball. He didn’t notice her, his concentration fixed on what he was doing. Leila wanted to scream out to him, but couldn’t.