The Thorntons didn’t like to feel challenged, and when they did, they had no problem putting whoever it was in their place. I wasn’t sure if me signing the forms the doctor needed triggered this response, or if it had been building, but I didn’t agree with it. For now, there was nothing I could do, but I wasn’t going to stand down.
Chapter 9
Creed
While adjusting my black Hublot watch on my wrist, I made my way downstairs so I could prepare to leave. Tonight Dylan and the rest of his crew were hosting a race and I was on my way to watch. It had been a while since I’d seen them in action. I had my bottom grills in tonight as I wore dark Levis, and a white, football mesh Off-White jersey with black Off-White tennis shoes.
When I got to the living room, Nakyra was curled up in the corner of the couch with her tablet on her lap andCriminal Mindsplaying on the TV. Bella lay in front of the couch asleep.
I wasn’t sure if Nakyra had her aids on, so I walked over and tapped her shoulder. Just like I thought, she turned her head with a question in her eyes then reached for her ears.
I grinned at her. “You got plans tonight?”
She shook her head. “Just this.” She wet her lips. Sadness rested in the pockets of her eyes. I knew it was because of my parents. She had come home three days ago upset that my parents had barred her from Rome’s hospital room. At first she must have thought they were joking, because when she attempted to go back to the hospital the next day, she was turned away. Since then she’d been locked in the house. I was surprisedto even see her in the living room. She had either been locked in her office or bedroom.
Her eyes fell back on her tablet and she continued speaking.
“I was thinking, there’s this Mexican dish I’ve been wanting to try, but Rome doesn’t like spicy food so I was gonna make it tonight and—” Nakyra’s words halted when her eyes landed back on me once I walked in front of the couch. “Or not…”
Wetting my lips, I looked her over. Before I could even speak, disappointment transformed her face, as if she knew I was about to shut her down.
“I actually already have plans tonight.” My hand brushed over the top of my head.
“Oh. Right, of course you do. I shouldn’t have just assumed, sorry.” A forced smile formed on her face. “I’ll just put the leftovers in the fridge and you can grab some if you’re hungry later.” Her shoulders sank forward. Seeing her like that had me feeling guilty, but I couldn’t say why. Maybe it was because since I’d been staying here, we typically ate together. I believed Nakyra was lonely and enjoyed having someone around to talk to. Now that she couldn’t go to the hospital, she didn’t even bother leaving the house.
“Come with me,” I suggested, digging into my pocket for my phone to check the time.
“No, it’s fine. I don’t want to impose. I’m good at entertaining myself.” She glanced back down at the tablet on her lap.
“You’re not imposing. In fact, the more the merrier. Since being here, all I’ve seen you do is go to the hospital and come back home, outside of when you went with Summer. It’ll be good for you to get out the house.”
She scraped her bottom lip with her teeth. An uncertain look flashed over her face. “I’m not good with crowds. Sometimes it gets too overwhelming.” Her hand brushed over her right ear.
I thought about it for a second. “If it gets to be too much, we can leave. I think it’ll be good for you though. All you do is sit in this house and be in your feelings. Don’t let my parents win and you need some excitement in your life.”
Her lips twisted to the side and her eyes shifted behind me in the direction of the TV. Silence passed between us.
“C’mon… don’t make me beg.” Her eyes landed back on me. One side of my lips tipped upward.
“I have to shower and get dressed.”
“I can wait.”
Her eyes scanned me and she brushed her hand over the top of her ear again. “Okay. Fine.” A soft smile split her face.
Walking over to the couch, I took a seat with my legs gapped and pulled my phone out. “Go ahead and handle your business. I’ll be down here waiting for you.”
____
“Where are we?” Nakyra asked as I parked my truck and turned it off.
The dirt parking lot was full of cars. We were on the outskirts of the city in an abandoned area. The races always took place in off the grid areas to avoid the police.
I turned to face Nakyra. “Ever been to a street race?”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head.
I smirked. “Then prepare yourself because you’re in for a treat.”
