The Crash Zone (The Zone Series Book 2) Read online

  “Or something. I had a stay-cation, they found me…Holy shit, that’s how they found me!” I had meant that last part as an internal thought over saying it out loud but I couldn’t stop myself. Davis and Dane found out where I was from Davis’s colleagues, they must have been discussing my meeting them.

  Nikki looked confused, but knew not to ask any questions, so I continued after taking a deep breath.

  “My brother and Dane came to my hotel and then I went… I went into rehab.” I say putting the lid on the blender and turning it on. I refrained from looking at Nikki until I turned off the blender. She had a smile, but she didn’t say anything further at that moment.

  I placed a shake in front of her and started to drink mine.

  “So the reason you don’t have anything other than non-alcoholic beverages, is because you are sober?” It would seem like she’s being cautious over how she chooses her words.

  I nod and I take another sip of my drink.

  “So you calling me tonight, was because you simply enjoy my company and not because you’re fucked up?” She asks.

  “Well, I’m fucked up, but yes I do enjoy your company as well.” I smile.

  ***

  It’s several hours later and I am dick deep into Nikki for the 3rd time tonight. She’s pulling at me and gasping for air as my hips pump into her over and over again. I’m trying hard to get to the point where I can come, but sober sex seems harder. This is hilarious because it should be the other way around. I pull out, grab her hips and turn her around. My hand aligns my dick up with her entrance and I push in, she gasps and after three pumps I can feel the tingling sensation at the base of my spine. I start to pump faster as I reach around to rub at her clit, but her hand is already there.

  She’s moaning louder as I thrust faster and harder into her, two more thrusts and I am straining as I release into the condom inside her.

  “Fuck!” I groan as I lean my head down on her back. She’s braced on my bed and is still catching her breath.

  “I thought you weren’t going to be able to. Holy crap, I feel faint.” She breaths out as I remove myself carefully from her. She turns around and sits on the edge of the bed.

  I hand her a damp washcloth to clean up and sit next to her.

  “I haven’t had sober sex in over a year.” I admit.

  She doesn’t have to say anything, I know she knows what I’m talking about. Nikki is the only one of any of the girls that I’ve messed with that does, that’s why I called her. I didn’t have to hide any random thoughts and she wasn’t one to ask questions.

  “You staying over?” I ask.

  “Nah, I should get home. I have a day date tomorrow, I would rather not be doing the walk of shame in the morning with a date a few hours later, what kind of lady would I be?” She mocks.

  “Only the classiest of ladies.” I smile. I like the banter that we have, it’s too bad she isn’t my type of girl.

  Chapter 14- Davis

  I avoided my brother for the majority of the weekend by staying at Katrina’s house. Lately, we’ve been having discussions of moving in together. I’ve put off the decision and further discussion until Sunday afternoon when Katrina’s parents and my parents made lunch plans with us.

  “Davis dear, you lovebirds have been together for several years now, is that so?” Katrina’s mom started. I felt Katrina’s hand go frigid against my knee where it’s placed. I lower my hand and squeeze it.

  “Yes sir. It’s nearly 4 and a half years.” I smile as I fork some salad into my mouth.

  “You two living together yet?” Her dad asks.

  “We’re talking about it, actually recently we’ve been discussing it more.” I state.

  My mother smiles as does Katrina’s mother.

  “Why the sudden interest on whether Davis and I are cohabitating?” Katrina asks.

  “I want to just make sure that you’re protected, a young, beautiful young woman living alone can be quite daunting.” Katrina’s mom explains.

  “Plus, we like Davis.” Her father chimes in.

  “It’s something that we’re considering strongly sir. Although, I have some responsibilities to my brother, whom I currently live with, I would say it’s a strong possibility soon.” I say, trying to make it sound good and to not provide too much personal information about Max.

  “How is he doing? He won’t return our calls.” My mom asks.

  “He’s good. He throws himself into work now, kinda like how he did after the accident. But when he gets home early – he seems bored. Sometimes, I don’t see him, which worried me at first, but since he got back, he’s strictly in a work and home pattern.” I explain to my mom who has a worried look on her face.

  “Please have him call us.”

  “Davis is avoiding Max right now.” Katrina laughs.

  “Why on earth would you be doing that?” My mom asks. I shoot Katrina a quick glare.

  “He… um, dated a co-worker of mine. He didn’t know we worked together. But he found out before the weekend, so I just don’t want to answer any stupid questions that I would feel uncomfortable with answering yet.” I shrug seeming unaffected.

  “Davis was a chaperone at his schools 5th grade dance. His co-workers picked him up, it was like a date!” Katrina is loving this.

  “And you were okay with Davis going to a dance with this co-worker?” Katrina’s father narrowed in on her.

  “Daddy, he was working. And plus, I’ve met them. They’re really nice.” She smiles rubbing my thigh.

  Her father then narrowed his gaze on me. “Face your demons boy. Don’t avoid the inevitable.”

  I nodded and again glared at Katrina as she smiled brightly at me.

  The remainder of our lunch conversation reverted to our parents, our input was requested very little after that.

  I may need to speak with my brother, but I wanted to talk to Sammie and Tatum first.

  ***

  School starts in a week or so and all the teachers are back to work for meetings and beginning of the year planning. I got to the lunch table first on Monday. Tatum was sitting in her usual spot with what looked like a lunch for a sumo wrestler. I took a seat across from her as she forked bits of a pineapple into her mouth and hummed.

  “I’m avoiding my brother because of you.” I state taking a bite out of my apple.

  “Why?” She asks innocently after finishing her bite.

  “He figured out who you and Sammie were. He wants information, and I honestly don’t know what to tell him. You present as an anomaly to him; you ditched him, creating a chase, whereas he had no opportunity to kick you to the curb the next morning.” I was blunt, but I didn’t know how else to put it.

  “That’s what I was trying to avoid. Look, just say I haven’t told you anything, and I’m not willing to. I’m a private person.” She offers.

  I think about it for a moment that can work. He would buy it, but his annoying texts about wanting to talk to me over the weekend proved otherwise.

  “We’ll see what happens. Look, I don’t mean to be a jerk, but he’s my brother and you’re my friend. I’m in a tough spot.”

  “I understand. If I knew he was your brother when we first met him, I doubt things would have played out the way they did.”

  “He can be charming. And he has my natural good looks, so I don’t blame you.” I smile.

  Chapter 15- Tatum

  I feel like complete and utter crap.

  This week has been torture. I’ve wanted to call in sick, but I can’t afford to do so.

  To add onto feeling like shit, I am feeling guilty for putting Davis and his extremely hot brother in an awkward position. I know it’s not actually my fault, but I’m the common factor in this.

  It’s Friday night and I’m standing in my kitchen picking at the upside down pineapple cake that I made. I’ve been craving Pineapples lately. I’ve order pizza and made sure my 2nd topping was pineapple, I went to the grocery store and bought at least 10 cans
of pineapple. I’m living off the juice. It tastes so delicious, and it immediately makes me feel warm inside.

  My dinky apartment is just that, dinky. I live in a 700 Square foot, 1 bedroom palace of the college area. Sometimes my neighbors throw crazy parties that keep me up all night, sometimes I hear the ghetto birds flying overhead with their loudspeaker on providing descriptions of someone to be cautious of, but you can’t understand what they are saying. My apartment complex is gated and it’s off of one of the main streets. It’s not entirely in the worst part of town, but it’s not in the best part of town. This is my apartment, and it’s my home. For 1 person, it’s got enough space and I like it.

  The buzzer from outside the gate buzzes into my space. Sammie must be here. I buzz her through and moments later she’s walking in through my door.

  “Hooker. What on earth are you doing?” She asks placing her reusable bag on the counter in front of me.

  “Having my cake.” I smile with a mouthful.

  “Did you eat all of that by yourself?” She asks pointing.

  I look down and over 75% of the cake is gone. Holy crap!

  “Um. I might have. It is just too good to put down. I’ve been all about pineapples lately.” I practically moan.

  She fingers a piece and mimics me in my moan.

  “That is good. But probably not something that will help you feel better if you’re sick. You should be eating soup and stuff like that.” She smiles as she removes a can of chunky chicken noodle soup from her bag.

  I have a can of chopped pineapples sitting next to me on the counter, and I spoon a few over the piece of cake that I’m about to fork. Sammie is staring at me like I sprouted a third eye.

  “Are you for real?” She asks staring at me as I put the piece in my mouth and nod with each chew.

  “Are you pregnant?” She asks.

  I stop nodding.

  “Of course not, to be pregnant would imply that I’ve had sex. I haven’t had sex in a month and a half.” I say.

  “When was your last period?” She asks getting motherly.

  “What are you my doctor? I don’t remember, I’m not pregnant Sam, I’m fine. I just really like pineapples right now. Don’t you get random cravings from time to time?”

  “No. But pregnant ladies do.” She smirks.

  “Shut up you hag. I’m fine.” I smile and pull out a pot for my soup and open the can with my can opener. I put the pot on the stovetop and wait patiently with Sammie watching my every move.

  “Okay, fine. What’s on the DVR?” She asks changing the subject quickly as if it never occurred.

  “You choose, I’m cooking a master piece over here.” I smile.

  I finished warming up the soup and as I’m walking over to the couch, Sammie is going through the DVR for something to watch.

  “You have nothing but crap on here, can we order on demand?” She asks.

  “Sure.” We settle on a comedy and we laugh our asses off. Sammie falls asleep towards the end of the movie and I’m back to wanting some pineapples.

  I’m in the kitchen eating out of the can. I can’t be pregnant, can I? I shake my head, that’s absurd. I look at the clock on my stove. It’s only 9pm, its early still. I put my pineapple down on the counter, grab my purse and keys and slowly and quietly leave my apartment with Sammie sleeping peacefully on the couch.

  I’m in and out of the drug store just ask quickly as possible. I won’t know anyone in this neighborhood, but I still don’t want to run into anyone. I’m back home, just ask quick. Sammie hasn’t moved, and so on my way to the bathroom, I fork a chunk of pineapple in my mouth.

  What do I have to lose. I’m not pregnant, I can’t be.

  Chapter 16- Max

  Monday morning I’m staring at the same spreadsheet that’s been on my screen for the past 30 minutes and I haven’t been able to focus on a single line. I pinch the bridge of my nose and then rub my eyes.

  “Sup?” Dane walks in my office and plops down on the chair in front of my desk.

  “I can’t focus man.”

  Dane sits up straight. “Are you, do you…” He trails off, unsure of what he’s going to say next.

  “No, I’m good there. My mind is jumbled. Dav is avoiding me like the plague, I’m tired and I’m just bored.”

  “You’ve been working late man, you should just go home. Go hit up the beach or something.”Dane says.

  “Maybe. Feel like playing hooky?” I ask, I don’t want to be alone.

  “Let me check with Talia if I can clear my afternoon meeting. I’ll be right back.” Dane leaves and within 5 minutes, he’s standing in my office doorway with his belongings.

  I stand up and shut off everything and we leave the building.

  “Meet at your house? I’ll change at home and then be over.” Dane says as he heads to his car. I nod and get into my car and then I’m pulling out of my parking space.

  I pull into my driveway and run inside the house. I change into shorts and make myself a milkshake. I’m checking my messages, one from my sponsor and one from Leo. I’ve been making meetings a few times a week; Leo and I kept to our word and have gone to the majority of them together and I’ve gone to a few during the day when I’d been stressed.. I have been doing relatively well and haven’t had any sudden urges to drown myself in drinking except for Friday night.

  Over the weekend, I got bored after Nikki left and resorted to a 4 mile run instead. That’s my game plan now, I drink my milkshakes, go to a meeting and I go for a run. If I didn’t call Nikki over Friday night after Davis and his friends left, I may have been tempted. And even though I met Nikki through the bar, she would be considered as part of my life back then, part of what made me toxic. But she is a human being, and while it may be strange when all I really want from her is sex, we do have some strange friendship, so I can’t completely drop her, right? But now that she knows I’m sober, the ball is in her court. I’m not interested in her in a relationship sort of way, so whatever happens will happen. I’m not actively searching her out, I needed to do something on Friday to let off the steam I was feeling and the best answer was to fuck someone. It was different, being sober. But it was familiar because it was Nikki, but not in the familiar like I want to be with her feeling. I could have resorted to going to another meeting, but I needed to let out my frustration, not talk through it for once.

  I need something thrilling right now, something out of my normal. I know I shouldn’t be making huge changes in my life at the moment, but I need to do something. As I’m standing in the kitchen drinking my milkshake, I continue to think of what I need to do. It’s then that I’ve figured out what I needed.

  Dane shows up at my house not too much later, he walks in and looks around my space.

  “I want to do something, exciting.” I explain.

  Dane has a worried look on his face. “Should I be afraid of what this would entail?”

  “Not exactly. C’mon, I’ll drive.” I’m purposely being discreet, so Dane can’t talk me out of my decision.

  ***

  A little known fact about me that Dane or anyone was unaware of is that when we were in college, for the fun of it I got my motorcycle license. I took the basic riders course, followed all the strict rules that are given about not riding at night, on the freeway or allow anyone to ride with me for the months that I had my permit. I never purchased a motorcycle at the time, but I have kept up to date on maintaining my license.

  Never would I have thought that I would be sitting on a blacked out Sportster frame Harley gliding through the streets following Dane back to my house. I never thought I would ever purchase a bike myself, but I’ve always been slightly jealous of those who did. Now, I understand it. I understand that riding a bike keeps you busy and alert as well as my adrenaline is pumping just from the rumble that I’m sitting on. My left hand is working the clutch and putting on my turn signal, my left foot is also switching gears. My right hand is pressing for my front brake as I go into the turn,
and slowly I stop accelerating as I pull into my driveway.

  I push down the kickstand and disembark from my new ride. Dane has exited my car and is now walking to me.

  “How did it feel? Better than when at the dealership?” He asks inspecting the bike.

  “Much better. It felt liberating and smooth.” I answer strapping the helmet to the back of the bike. I leaned down and placed my hand along the front end with the manufacturer’s logo. You would think that I’m petting a dog with the small deliberate strokes I’m leaving along the lines of the bike.

  Behind me, the crunching of pavement as a car pulls up to the curb in front of my house. Thinking it was Davis, I didn’t turn around but when I heard a car door open and close, I shouted behind us.

  “Dav! Come check out my new baby!”

  “Um, Max… that’s not Davis.” Dane quietly says which has my attention.

  I slowly turn away from my new purchase and my eyes meet with the leggy brunette, Tatum. I don’t know whether or not to blink in case this moment is a mirage but I do stand and smile. I’m afraid to be the first one to say something to break this moment, but I do anyways.

  “Nice to see you again, Tatum.” I smile then turn to Dane. “Dane, this is Tatum, we met at the hotel during my… errr… vacation. Tatum, this is my buddy Dane.”

  Dane steps forward and shakes her hand and nods.

  “Can we talk, privately… inside?” She asks quietly.

  “I was just gonna get going anyways. I’ll call ya later. Tatum, nice to meet you.” Dane practically runs to his car, parked in front of the vehicle Tatum got out of.

  I inclined my head towards the house.

  “Didn’t think I’d see you again.” I simply state nonchalantly leading the way.

  I’m conflicted with how I feel about seeing her, about her showing up. If I was the dick that I usually am, I would attempt another go to hump and dump her. But she seems troubled, and now I’m curious as to why she’s here. Another part of me is angry with her, even though her actions were the actions that I had done to many women. Overall, the new leaf that I turned in rehab has me being the better person that I’m working towards being, so I plan to go into this conversation with an open mind, then maybe I’ll go for a drive along the coast on my new bike.