“Wow, ‘inhabitants.’ That’s such a big word for you.”
The taunt may be going too far given my predicament, but I can’t help it. This guy has always been a pain in my ass, and now he’s trying to take the joy of the Oakson Racing Extravaganza away from me. I have half the mind to spit right in his face and bear the consequences.
He reaches for me then, his hand almost touching my bicep before I pull it away. “Don’ttouchme.”
He laughs, undeterred, as his hand finally grabs hold of my skin. “Come on, blondie. Let me get you home. Or, you can come hang out with us. We’re loads of fun.”
“Get your handoffher.”
When I look up, Axl is there, his eyes focused on where Will’s hand grips my arm. His eyes are dark and his jaw is tense as he takes in the scene.
Will laughs with amusement. “Why am I not surprised? You’re the one who invited her, Ax?”
“You don’t get to call me that.” A tiny growl emits from Axl’s chest as he steps closer, his body trying to form a wall between us. “Let. Go.”
Will looks at him, assessing. There’s a spark of danger lurking in the air and I realize it’s Axl’s scent. His fury is making it potent, like a bolt of lightning will strike any moment. That’s when I see Ledger behind Axl with a few of their other friends. They’re all standing there, waiting for shit to hit the fan, and it sends a wicked chill down my spine.
Will must decide it’s not worth it, because he lets go of my arm a moment later. “Don’t let her ruin the race,freak.” He spits the world in Axl’s face, but he doesn’t budge one bit. Will gestures to his friends and they all leave as a unit, drudging away like they didn’t just turn away from a fight with their tails between their legs.
Axl steps in front of me, his hands coming up to my shoulders in a calming caress. “Are you okay, Stacey?”
I nod, although I’m not exactly sure what Will was even trying to do? Obviously, he was trying to force me alone, but the rest of it can only be speculative. A shiver rolls over me in disgust, and then I look back down at my knees where a dribble of blood runs down.
“Oh shit.” Axl gets down on his knees to look closer, and for two seconds, my mind runs wild. Seeing him like that, on his knees on the dirty ground, makes me imagine things I shouldn’t. Like how his hands would feel pressed against my thighs, or how he would look with his head further between my…
“Did you fall?” he asks, examining my scrapped knees.
I nod. “He pushed me to the ground.”
Axl gets back to his feet, his eyes dark once more. “He didwhat?”
“Yes, but it’s fine,” I say, shrugging. “I just want to enjoy the race.”
He must see how much I mean that because he nods. “Let me clean it at least. Lou should have some disinfectant in his car.”
“Looks like we’re hanging out with Barbie,” Ledger says.
Axl smirks. “Sure are. Come on, S. Our spot is a bit more comfortable, it’s off to the side in the woods.”
We head off, and I finally get to see the group Axl is with without all the distraction. There’s a girl with short, dirty blonde hair and dark green eyes. Her white ribbed tank is cut into a crop top, and she has a red tie around her neck. Then there’s Ledger, who immediately pulls a joint from behind his ear and lights it, giving me a wink when he catches me looking his way. His black hair is pulled up into a bun, the red streaks shining under the moonlight. And there’s someone with a shaved head, his scalp completely bare as he pushes his hands into his pockets and leads the group away.
I don’t really know how to say “thank you.” I’ve never been in a position where I’ve had to use those words before, so looking at this group of individuals who happily went to bat for me makes something foreign pinch in my chest.
“Thanks,” I finally say, my voice small.
The blonde waves me off. “Will has been a nuisance since he got here. I kind of wish you Greenwood punks had kept him. He makes Oakson look awful.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “He should just move out of the state entirely.”
“Now,that’san idea. Maybe we can make that happen.” She reaches her hand out, her short white nails chipped on the thumbs. “I’m Tini.”
I return the handshake. “Stacey.”
“That’s a pretty name,” she squeaks. “And you’re from Greenwood?”
“My whole life,” I say regrettably.
“Stacey is a pillar of Greenwood. Cheerleading captain. Her parents throw all the galas,” Ledger cuts in. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
