Under My Skin (Shady Falls Series Book 2) (14 page)

              “You don’t own her.” Jake’s snarling voice was low as he stepped up and glared down at Grant. “You can’t tell her what to do.” Jake, Cade, and Monique now stood in front of us. Jake looked furious. Monique had a smirk on her face, and I didn’t understand what she could possibly be gloating about.

              Surprised that Jake was intervening on my behalf, I just froze. I knew nothing good was going to come from a confrontation, but I was powerless to stop it.

              “Why don’t you mind your own goddamn business?” Grant grumbled.

              Jake took a step forward, jaw clenched and fists bunched, his face was contorted in an anger I hadn’t seen in him for a long time. The fury was palpable as it rolled off him and settled around us all. My gut clenched, terrified that Grant would say something more that would make Jake break the fragile control he had over himself.

              Cade moved in next to his brother, ready to dive in the middle of what would most likely be a one-sided fight.

              Snapping myself out of my stupor, I kept my eyes on Jake, but touched Grant’s arm to get his attention. His skin was clammy and his arm trembled, probably from fear. “Please don’t,” I said, more to Jake than Grant. Then turning my attention to Grant I said, “Come-on, let’s go find the private box.”

              “Yeah, okay,” Grant mumbled. I mouthed an apology to Jake and Cade turned, Grant followed without another word.

              I weaved my way through patrons to the private elevators that Julius described. A concierge stood outside the door, checking passes and giving directions.

              “Passes please,” the older man said with a congenial smile.

              I handed him the passes and waited as he scanned them and looked them over. “Y’all are guests of Mr. Fuller. Glad to meet you. Y’all are gonna to take the elevator to the top level. Turn right as you leave the elevator. You’ll find The Pit Lounge. His mother and sister have already arrived.”

              Taking the passes back from the older gentleman, I smiled. “Thank you so much, Sir. Have a nice day.”

              We entered the elevator and the moment we were inside, Grant yanked his hand from mine. He approached and cornered me in the small elevator. “Don’t ever tell me what to do again. I’m not some lackey you can just push around.”

              Placing my hands on his chest, I pushed him back a little and glared. “Fine, next time I’ll let you deal with Jake on your own. You’re lucky he didn’t do anything.” I made myself stand a little taller. That old spark of confidence I felt in the parking lot was now burning brighter. I was done being intimidated by him. I wasn’t going to take his shit anymore. “Whether you like it or not, if you intend on hangin’ around me, you better get used to my friends. I ain’t givin’ them up for no one. We ain’t even datin’, Grant.”

              He pushed back into my space and stared down at me with anger and heat in his gaze. He always tried to intimidate and bully me to get what he wanted. I never realized it before, but I was starting to see it more often.

              “You think you can talk to me like that? I don’t like the way he looks and talks to you. And I definitely don’t like the way you look or talk to him.” He snarled. Reaching his hand out, he grabbed the back of my hair in his grasp and held tight. The bite of my hair pulling away from my scalp made me flinch, but I wasn’t about to let him think he could manhandle me. “You’ll shut your damn mouth and do what I tell you. When you’re with me, you’ll do as I say.”

              I pressed my head back into his grasp, causing his grip to loosen, and then yanked away quickly, forcing him to lose his hold on my hair. With my momentum, I placed my hands flat on his chest and pushed, hard. It was enough to give me a little space.

              “If you think I’m gonna let you put your hands on me and push me around, you’re outta your mind. Now you need to back the hell off me, or I’ll see you escorted outta here for harassment.”

              Shock and surprise crossed his face, then a slow smile stretched across his mouth. He stepped back and seemed to look at me differently. His eyes raked over my jean-clad legs and racing T-shirt. “You’re sexy as hell when you’re pissed!” He caught my arm and yanked me into him. Wrapping his arms around my body, he clasped my ass in his hands and lifted me off the ground, about to pin me to the wall when the doors finally opened. A hunger burned in his eyes as he slowly lowered me to the ground. I could feel the hardened length of him pressed against my stomach as my feet touched the ground. My skin crawled at the thought of his hands on me and I knew I could never be with Grant, not ever.

***

The atmosphere at the track was infectious. Just being there around the excitement made me want to stand up and cheer. The deep rumble of the race cars and earsplitting cheers erupting from the crowd were all consuming. The first time Jake took me to a real race at the dirt track in our town, I was hooked. Everything about being there – the excitement, the cheers, and the roar of the cars racing around the track – was intoxicating. We went every weekend when we were kids. Jake and Cade would take turns racing while Toni took care of the cars.

              Remembering everything good I had when I was younger made it even harder to be happy with my life now. I was excited to be around my friends at a race, though. It was fun to sit with Margie, Char, and all of the guys while we watched Julius race to a fourth place finish, but there were so many things about the day that were also annoying. The way Grant hovered made me nuts. I knew I needed to cut this off, but it didn’t seem like the right time or place. I’d have a talk with him. I’d send him on his way, but not here. Not like this.

              So instead, I dealt with the way he was always there, close behind. Even when I accompanied a very pregnant Char to the bathroom, he was waiting outside when we exited. He interrupted every conversation I had with Gage, Cade, Jake, and even Gage’s brother-in-law, Roy. If Jake came within five feet of where I was, Grant grabbed my hand or tried pulling me into his lap. It was like he was laying claim or something.

              “What’s his problem?” Margie asked once when Grant went to get a drink. “He’s way over possessive. Is he always like this?”

              “I don’t know,” I said, honestly. “I mean he’s always too clingy, but I can’t take this anymore.”

              Margie glanced around before she locked eyes with me once more. Probably seeing who was within ear-shot. The guys were outside on the deck watching the race and Grant was over talking to the bartender. He constantly flirted with other women right in front of me. I should care, but I didn’t.

              Char sat with us, she didn’t know everyone, but she had sat back most of the day and observed everyone and their interactions. She probably had a clearer opinion about this group than me. Taking her cue from Margie, Char looked around too before she leaned in, creating our own little huddle.

              “Look, Mia,” Margie started, “I know we usually only hang out when Toni’s around, but we’re friends, right?”

              “Yeah.” I nodded immediately. “Of course we are.” I didn’t have many around Mooresville, so I was happy Margie considered us friends.

              “Good, because I only say this because we’re friends. That guy’s no good. He’s controlling and insecure. That’s a bad combination.” Margie looked to Char for backup. None of us knew each other well, but these two were acting like they’d known me forever. It was nice, but also kinda weird.

              “I have to agree, Mia,” Char said, her deep southern accent was even stronger than mine. Char was striking, her reddish bronze skin and dark eyes were beautiful against her poker-straight, glossy almost blue/black hair. “He follows with his eyes every time you get up and move. If one of the guys even comes near you, he’s up and in your space. But right now, he’s over there talkin’ to the barely legal bartender.”

              “He’s the type that would turn into a stalker,” Margie said. They both sat quietly while took in what they said. I knew they were right, so I confided in them.

              “Truth is,” I whispered. “I intended on cuttin’ this off a while ago, but he managed to get himself invited somehow.”

              “Just watch, honey. You know what Toni went through, don’t let it happen to you.”

              Margie’s warning echoed through my brain. I knew what she was talking about. You never could be too sure about those guys and Grant did get a little scary in the elevator. The difference between Grant and guys like Toni’s ex was Grant didn’t get pissed when I challenged, he got turned on. But I didn’t know what would cause him to snap and become aggressive.

              Once the race ended, we all sat around and talked and waited for Toni, Kyle, and Julius to join us. Through all the conversation Grant only made rude, condescending remarks under his breath. He was like a child who wasn’t getting his way. It was both infuriating and embarrassing.

              Grant sat to the side, away from the others who had already started celebrating Julius’ second place position in the championship standings. When I approached he immediately started to complain.

              “Do we seriously have to sit here and wait for them to get up here? It isn’t like you don’t see them all of the time. Besides he just got fourth place in the race.” Grant complained.

              “Grant,” I said softly but firmly, “Yes, he got fourth place in this race, but Julius just got second place overall in the championship standings. They had an amazing season. I want to celebrate with them.” I didn’t understand why he didn’t just leave if he was so miserable, especially since he had his own car.

              “You know,” Jake cut in, “you can leave any time you want. You came here on your own, you can sure as hell leave on your own.” I hadn’t even realized Jake was close enough to hear Grant’s whining.

              Grant whipped his head around, his eyes narrowed on Jake. “I don’t think this is any of your business, pal. Why don’t you worry about your own woman over there?” Grant asked, gesturing toward Monique.

              “Just stop,” I huffed, exasperated. His constant hovering and complaining throughout the day had worn on my nerves completely. I couldn’t take his whining anymore. “I’m not leavin’. I didn’t come all the way to Florida just to leave. We’re here to see Toni, Jules, and Kyle. We’re here to celebrate with them.”

              “You heard the lady,” Jake barked. “So either sit down, shut up and have fun – or leave.”

              Without another word Jake went across the room and sat with Cade. Monique stood nearby, staring between Grant and me. I wanted to ask her why she was staring at us, but then Grant’s over-exaggerated sigh pulled my attention away from her. He threw himself back into his seat and made a big show of how annoyed he was. He didn’t say another word, but he was clearly pissed and he was going to make sure everyone knew exactly how he felt.

              Instead of listening to Grant’s ridiculous over-dramatic sighs, I decided to step out and get some fresh air. It felt like all of the oxygen was being sucked out of the room every time Grant spoke. And if Monique didn’t stop pawing at Jake, I was going to rip her eyes out of her head. She was obviously one of those who touched people as they talked and laughed. Since she spent most of her time talking with Jake, her hands were constantly on his arm or his thigh. I couldn’t take seeing him with another woman. It made me physically ill.

              In the hall, I repeatedly sucked in ragged breaths, trying to calm my raging heart. I didn’t know if it was Grant, Monique, Jake, or all of them who finally drove me to flee but I couldn’t take any of it anymore.

              Who knew one stupid mistake as a kid was going to follow me for the rest of my life and ruin everything? I wished I could go back.
If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets.
I snickered to myself remembering a Scottish nursery rhyme my father used to read. The stupid things that popped into my head when I was stressed.

              I leaned back against the cold block wall and closed my eyes. The chill seeped through my shirt, cooling my heated skin and helping my tense muscles to relax. I felt my racing heart finally slow down and the churning in my stomach started to subside. The never-ending confrontations with Grant wore on me so much I would become ill from the anxiety, afraid of another confrontation. Adding Jake and Monique to the mix certainly amped up my unease.

              How could I ever compete with her? She was gorgeous, and apparently extremely successful. I didn’t even have my own place to live.

              An overhead vent blew heated air down on me, expelling the chill from my body while my thoughts finally quietened. I felt more in control of my raging emotions. Maybe I could finally finish out the day without feeling like I was having a nervous breakdown.

              I ignored every noise other than the constant hum of the heat vent that brought warmth down on my chilled skin. Doors opening and closing, and constant murmuring of distant conversations meant nothing to me while I was in my little world.

              “Mia?” a feminine voice said, jarring me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see Monique standing in front of me. She had a confidence about her that made her even more beautiful than she already was. It was no wonder Jake was with her. I realized then that I was no competition at all.  “What are you doin’?”