“Sure I do, but only on Thursday’s. I’m far too busy the rest of the week.”
He laughs and my stomach bottoms out. His aura changes and I smile, it making me feel good I’ve made him laugh.
“I’m sure if you were caught, your daddy would bail you out.”
“That’s what I bank on, I wouldn’t do so well behind bars. I’ve heard the prison system doesn’t let you wear your own underwear.”
His lips part to say something when Tariq and Clare barrel into the kitchen, his arms around her and her laughing at something between them. Pushing my chair slightly away, he notices but doesn’t say anything.
“Mary-Ellen said you’ve got thirty minutes to get your guests out of the house before she calls your dad,” I tell Clare, and her easy smile turns into wicked smirk.
Tariq doesn’t have the same reaction, he stills and stares at Darius.
“It’s good, we’re out,” he says and Clare frowns.
“You don’t have to leave. It’s not like he’ll rush home,” she argues.
“Nah, it’s all good, baby, we’ve got places to be.”
Darius pushes out of his chair and Tariq spins Clare in his arms and plants a big kiss on her. I stay where I am while she walks him out, Darius gives me a long stare before he tips his chin and heads out.
It’s not long before she dances back into the kitchen and falls into the chair Darius was sat on moments ago.
“He’s so hot, isn’t he?”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Darius, obviously.”
I’ll admit he’s as hot as Hell. I can see how his gangbanging persona could draw someone in, wanting to feel excitement, not that I’m going to tell Clare that.
“He’s… okay.”
“Okay? You’re out of your mind if you can’t see it. Unless…” Her smirk returns, and I gulp. “Did something happen between you and Darius?”
“Nothing happened, jeez, Clare, I’ve only met him twice.”
“So you spent the night doing what?”
“Talking and then sleeping… me on the couch and him on the armchair.”
Rolling her eyes, she flicks her hair over her shoulder and love bites are peppered down her neck. I fight not to cringe. I’m not judging her but they’re ugly as hell.
“You can’t deny he’s hot, Amelia. Are you sure there wasn’t even a kiss?”
“I’m sure.”
I judged him harshly the other night but listening to him talk I began to see there’s more to him than his reputation, but it doesn’t mean anything would’ve happened between us.
“Do you think Mary-Ellen will tell my dad they were here?”
“I’m pretty sure she already has.”
She runs upstairs to get her phone and makes sure the ringer is on loud. I hate that her dad makes her feel like this, that she has to go to such lengths for his attention. She could move in with me and he wouldn’t notice.
“What do you want to do today?” she asks, keeping one eye on the phone.
“I want to know what you see in Tariq. Didn’t you see their knuckles covered in blood last night?”
