Page 15 of Dark Things (Payback Duet #1)

Brooks

I ’ve had this weird sensation in my chest all night.

Ever since seeing the race, it’s like there’s something itchy inside of my brain, and I don’t know what’s causing it.

I didn’t get close enough to the racers during the race to see or hear clearly what was going on, but I could tell there was something different about the new rider.

It piqued my curiosity enough to watch the end of the race from a closer spot.

And when I saw her rise up on the saddle, it was like going back in time when we used to watch Belle show-jump.

Not quite the same, but the nostalgia pulled something in my chest. I’m wondering if they have anything to do with the two mercs Mario wants us looking for.

Besides the new presence on the oval, race night is the same as it’s always been: dark part of the woods, unsavory characters, and a lot of dirty money.

I wasn’t supposed to be there last night, but when Jimbo spilled about a new horse on the track, I wanted to come and see in person if they’d be a true contender.

Most of our illegal business doesn’t have to do with horses, but I’ve never been one to be unprepared, and if new money is coming to town, I need to know about it.

What I didn’t expect was our new wide receiver to be there with his girl.

How they even know about the little track in the woods or where she learned to ride like that remains to be seen, but I will get to the bottom of it, especially if they’re connected to Ghost and Pitch somehow.

I glance at my phone one more time before taking the last swig of my coffee.

My next class isn’t for another twenty minutes, but I’ve been avoiding the quad and hiding out in the cafe.

I don’t need to run into Mary today. It’s bad enough that I have to take her out again tonight to officially break up, but I don’t need her yapping in my ear all day, either.

The door to the cafe swings open with a bang, far too loud in the little space.

A curse sounds from the spitfire that just walked in.

Her lips pucker in annoyance, like she doesn’t know her own strength, and it’s something she’s annoyed about.

It brings a smile to my face, reminding me of someone else.

“Goddamn it,” she mumbles, making her way over to the line.

She’s not in the same breeches as last night, but her jeans are painted on her curvy body all the same, and her short-sleeve purple shirt with her tattoos on display, doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

She’s beautiful in a way I haven’t seen in a long time.

Most of the girls here are all plastic replicas of each other, Mary included, and it’s nice to see someone living in their own style.

I can’t keep my eyes off of her, and I’m not sure I can let her leave without speaking to her. As she grabs her order, I get up out of my chair and put myself in her line of sight. She stops short and stares up at me, a weird expression on her face.

“You’re Reb, right?” I ask, noticing the shift of her feet. She’s got the most gorgeous green eyes, but what’s really caught my attention is the shape of her mouth. Her lips are so biteable.

“Yeah, and you're the huge-ass center for the Hawks,” she replies, taking a sip of her coffee, those big eyes never leaving mine.

“I am. Haunt talked about you some since the day Colt ran into you, so I figured I’d come say hi, see if you need anything since you guys are new and all.”

What the hell is wrong with me? Like I’m some kind of welcoming committee. But I do need to know what they were doing at the race last night, and I guess this could be one way for me to get the information.

“Like what? Where to get the best gym membership or a recipe for a pre-workout?”

My lips tip into a smile. I like this chick. “My recipes are sacred. I can’t have the whole team running around as big as me. I’d be out of a position.”

“Doubt that, big guy. There’s only so much a smoothie can do. Not everyone has giant DNA. But if Haunt has aspirations, I’ll let him know you’re the guy to talk to.”

She moves around me, but I follow her out of the cafe. She flings the door wide again, but I catch it this time. “Whoa, you’re strong for a little thing.”

Her back goes rigid for a split second, but then she relaxes and continues walking. “Must be the hinges,” she mumbles, walking quicker, but her short legs are no match for my long strides.

“So, you and Haunt. You’re a thing and all?” I ask, already knowing the answer, but there’s something about this chick that pulls on the deepest part of me. If she were open to it, I would share.

She stops walking and spins to stand in front of me, her head tipped back, chest out. “Why does the center for the Skyton Hawks give a shit about my love life?”

Her face is a mask, but her body is humming with something, anger or maybe frustration. “I’m curious. You don’t seem like the type of girl to go out with a football guy. You’re too…powerful.”

I surprised even myself with that statement, but it’s no less true. Her whole aura screams power. It’s like a mini vacuum sucking you in, forcing you to sit up and pay attention .

She tilts her head to the side and studies me for a drawn out moment. I step closer, until her breasts brush slightly against my chest, before I lift my hand and catch a stray tendril of hair that fell from her ponytail, rubbing it between my fingers. So soft.

“First thing you should know about me, Brooks—I don’t like people in my business. Second is, my power doesn’t come from nothing, it’s been honed and sharpened. Next time you step to me, wanting to ask me something, do it instead of hiding behind your dick.”

She spins to go, but I grab her arm. She shifts her weight to a back foot, but she doesn’t try to break my hold. “Why were you racing last night?”

I expected a little emotion, but she doesn’t seem affected at all. “That’s not a hard question to guess the answer to, Brooks. I bet every single jockey there last night can tell you. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure it out.”

“Yeah, but not every jockey was riding a million-dollar horse.”

This seems to pique her attention, but not enough for a full-blown emotional response.

“What are you mixed up with, Brooks Templeton?” she whispers before breaking my hold on her arm.

As I’m about to ask what the fuck she means, a shriek sounds from behind me. I close my eyes, nostrils flaring on the next inhale.

“What the fuck, Brooks!” Mary screeches. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. I shiver before I can think better of it. Still staring at me, Reb clocks all my expressions, and for the first time since I saw her up close, her smile breaks across her face.

I’m momentarily stunned by the sight. Her whole face morphs, and for a moment, I’m lost in the past and the present at the same time. My chest pangs, and my heart aches. My breath hitches, but before I can say anything she’s backing away and turning away from us.

“I told you, bitch; don’t talk to my man,” Mary says.

“Big guy was just telling me about how much he couldn’t wait to see you again. He seemed so excited.”

She winks at me before taking off, and I swear she chuckles.

Fuck.

I spin around and face Mary. “What the fuck do you want?” I growl.

I can’t hide my annoyance this time. If we didn’t need her father for more information about where to look for Belle, I would have kicked this bitch to the curb a long time ago. She’s the last fucking person I want to talk to. Tonight cannot come soon enough.

“Is that anyway to talk to me, Brooky? I saw you with her. You had your hand on her arm. I want you to stay away from that skank.”

If I ever decided to start hitting women, I’m most definitely starting with Mary. I couldn’t even bring myself to touch her the whole time we’ve been ‘dating.’ She makes my skin fucking crawl, but I would do anything to find Belle, even put up with this obnoxious bitch.

It took all afternoon to shut Mary up about Reb.

She went into a whole tirade about Reb at the last football game.

It’s almost like she can smell our interest in Reb and wants to put a stop to it before something happens.

Too bad for Mary this is the last time I’m ever going to be talking to her about anything.

“Why did we even come here? It’s so trashy, I mean look at the booths, there’s duct tape. You should have taken me somewhere nicer. I know Daddy isn’t going to be happy about this,” Mary hisses while we’re being shown to a table in the corner.

Manny’s is a typical mom and pop diner that’s been around for ages, but of course Mary doesn’t see it as the food being the best around; she only sees the lack of fancy decor.

“Honestly, Mary I don’t give a fuck what you tell your father. Sit down and stop being a fucking snob. We’re getting a burger; it's not like they’re trying to serve you escargot,” I reply, sitting down and taking the menu from the waitress.

Mary grumbles while she tucks herself into the chair across from me.

She’s as miserable as ever, but I needed this to happen in a place where she can’t make too much of a scene.

Hopefully, she takes it better than I anticipate, but Staff and Colt are in the truck out back in case I need a quick getaway.

“Whatever, I just want to eat so we can get to the party. It’s bad enough that you made me drive here. I was looking forward to drinking. I didn’t want to take my car.”

I clench my jaw and flip my menu up so I don’t scream in her face. God this is going to be the longest fucking dinner I’ve ever had to sit through, and that’s saying something because I’ve been at my fair share of stuffy, boring, rich people parties since I was a kid.

The bell above the door rings as I place my menu down, and I swear under my breath before darting my eyes away from Reb and Aslyn coming inside.