Page 2 of Pedal to the Metal

"Wait! You’re already out and at home, but you didn't tell us," Alivia says sounding hurt and I don't think it's her acting ability this time.

"Why didn't you call us Londynn?" Creed asks me.

"I don't know. I told my parents but neither showed so I just took a taxi. Listen, it's no big deal just head over here, and we'll head to lunch. I'm starved," I say trying to lighten the mood and it seems to work since the subject is dropped for now. They said their about thirty minutes away, so I have time to change and touch up my makeup.

As I stand in the fully stocked, extravagant walk-in closet I shake my head. This is an obscene amount of clothes for anyone to own. I used to pride myself on all the materialistic things I had been given. However, after that night three months ago it all just seems so shallow. I actually think it started the beginning of my senior year in high school when I realized that my life wasn't really mine. My parents expected me to do as they pleased. My mom had married my dad because it was good for her father's business, and he came from the wealthiest family at the time. He had been guaranteedto succeed.

I don't think my parents ever really loved each other. Their marriage was just an arrangement that would both help them personally. They were all about the appearances, it didn't matter that my father was a functioning alcoholic nymphomaniacthat has slept with every office manager who had had ever worked for him. Curtis Parrish was one of the most sought-after plasticsurgeons in California. Women and Men came to him from all over and paid him a ridiculous price to keep looking like their child's sibling instead of their parent. My dad was handsome and could be incredibly charming, but he wasn't going to win any daddy of the year awards, but I guess young pretty office managers don't care about that. No, all they care about is that Curtis Parrish is tall, standing at 6'3", broad shoulders, lean physique since he's an avid runner. He keeps his salt and pepper hair slicked back where it curls just at his collar. However, it totally works for him because he has that total George Clooney thing going on that all the ladies seem to go for. His square jaw, perfect nose and teeth and deep hazel eyes seal the package. Never mind, the fact that he's extremely wealthy, I'm sure that has nothing to do with it.

However, I'm sure many look at my parents and see the appearance they try so hard to convey. I'm sure many know the truth and blame my father but it's not just him. My mother is walking cliché. She's a self-medicated whore who has had an affair with every pool boy, personal trainer and gardener we've ever had working at this house. I get what the guys see because my mom is gorgeous. She's 5'9" without her heels, slender, with medium length hair that is currently a sandy blonde. Her blue eyes are striking as well as her face that she has bought over the years. Patricia Parrish was no mother, she was like this house. This house was not home just a place that five people had rested their heads. Three children had been carried by Patricia Parrish, but none had been loved.

I had been so lost in my thoughts that I had forgotten about Alivia and Creed until I heard them coming down the hallway. As they entered my room, I ran to them and pulled Alivia into my arms first. Her tiny stature was not showing today thanks to her five-inch wedges. Alivia Gomez was all of five feet one inch with every Latin curve. Her long black hair was thick and curledperfectly. She smiled at me, exposing her dimples in her baby face cheeks. Her brown eyes were full of love, and it made me happy to know that I at least had friends I could call family.

I didn't have time to turn around before Creed Eisenhower pulled me into his strong arms. Creed wasn't much taller than me at five feet ten inches, but he was practically a genius. He attended the same private high school as Alivia and me, but he attended on a scholarship which was strictly given due to his brain. His floppy brown hair was pushed to one side and his glasses almost hid those caramel-colored eyes that made all the girls stare. It didn't help that they were framed with some amazing lashes. Since his braces had been removed last year, he smiled constantly causing lines to form around his mouth but it suited him.

"We've missed you, Londynn! Now, let's go eat because I'm starving," Alivia said grabbing my hand and pulling me out into the hallway. I may not have the family I dreamed of or the freedom to do what I want with my life, but I did have these two amazing people to call my family.

****

Jagger

Pulling back into Los Angeles after five years was the last thing I wanted to do, but my brothers needed me now. With my father’s death and Jovi still in school they were going to need the extra pair of hands at the shop and bar. As much as I'd like to keep running from my past, it was time I faced it. I drove through L.A. until I reached the neighborhood I had called home. North Hills, Los Angeles is not a desired place to live. Its home to the lower middle class with small houses built in the 70s and 80s. A lot of the homes had become run down over the years, but it was still home. As I made my way through the neighborhood, I came upon the curve in the road that hadchanged everything for me. Pulling over to the side of the road I parked and stared out the windshield. My heart rate picked up as that night came back to me in flashes. Every time I closed my eyes that night came back to me, I didn't want to start living that daily hell while awake too.

I got out of the car gathering the red and pink carnations I picked up at the store and made my way out to the cross that had been placed in the memory of the lives lost. My brothers had told me about this, but I had never seen it with my own eyes. Somehow Ace had managed to make it from hubcaps left at the shop. It was beautiful shiny silver, but it was a simple cross that read, “Harlyn Bexton & Harper James" with two pairs of wings dangling from each side. My eyes stung but I couldn't move. I was rooted in this spot just like I had been that night. I leaned forward and placed the bunch of carnations next to the fresh daisies laying there. “Hi, my angels, sorry I've been gone so long. I'll be around now or at least I'm going to try. It's hard without you two. I love you both."

As I got up, I made my way back to my car without looking back. Once I was behind the wheel again, I felt that hole in my heart. Pounding on my steering wheel made it seem better, but it was just an illusion. Why did I think I could come back here? I pulled back on to the road and headed towards my childhood home. Pulling into the driveway I stare at the house that I was raised in; it hasn't changed a bit. The single story with white siding and two steps leading up to the teal door my mama had insisted on. I remember painting that door as part of my punishment for my first speeding ticket. It wasn't really punishment though since it made my mama so happy. The big tree in the front yard shaded most of the house. The brick planter boxes that lined both sides of the front of the house, a punishment for Bowie at one point, were full of every color ofdaisy. No doubt in my mind that these flowers planted here, and the ones laid by the cross were because of Sadie, Axell's fiancée.

I got out of the car, grabbing my luggage from the trunk and made my way to the door. According to the driveway only Bowie was home. When I got to the door I paused, I didn't know if I should just go in or knock first. Twisting the door handle I felt it was unlocked so I went inside. As I stood inside, I took in the small three bedrooms, two-bath house. To my left was the living room where my brothers and I use to fight over the remote. My brothers had laid new carpet and the furniture was now a leather sectional. I could see from here that the kitchen had been painted through the bar that overlooked the living room. It was white and pale yellow now. Down the hallway was the three-bedroom doors, Axell and Sadie, Mine and my youngest brother Jovi.

I took in the house and the smells. This was the house that had taught me everything. I had grown up in this house with two parents who loved fiercely. They had always taught us that as long you loved fully and tried to do what you thought was right then nothing else mattered. As long as you had a roof over your head and food to eat then you should not complain. There was always someone else out there who had less than you, so you should be thankful for what you had regardless. I had once believed all of that, I have believed that if I worked hard and loved harder that my life would be complete, and it was until Harlyn was taken from me. Now, I don't believe in any of that. Maybe, it worked for my parents but not for me.

My parents had been high school sweethearts and married two days after graduation at the courthouse. No big ceremony, no big dress and no big ring but there had always been an abundance of love. Shortly after they were married, they found out they were pregnant with Axell, the first of five boys they would have and raise in this house. My dad had worked at Carl'swhich was a car repair and body shop. It was the only job he ever had he started working in high school and worked there until Carl gave it to my father because of his age. Dad had then added the bar on the other side of the building a couple years later.

This house had been all my parents could afford when they first married but they kept it. My parents had twenty-one full years of love before my mom lost her battle with cancer that was twelve years ago. Jovi was just three at the time. My dad had always been a strong man, he had that don't mess with me look but the day my mom took her last breath I saw him cry for the first time. My parents were complete opposites. Ronald James was that rough and tough kind of guy who loved 80s rock and American muscle cars. For as long as I could remember he had long hair that was always in a ponytail, a full beard, multiple tattoos on his arms and chest. He cursed like a sailor and never backed down in a fight and smoked at least a pack of a day. He was tall at almost 6'4" and all muscle. My mom Annie had been 5'3" with a lean and curvy build. Her shoulder length chocolate brown hair was always straight. Her blue green eyes were always kind, and her smile could light up a room. To most people my parents made no sense, but it worked.

Four months ago, my dad had left to be with my mom. They all said it was a heart attack, but I think it was a twelve-year broken heart. After losing Harlyn I understood how my dad felt all those years. It had only been five years for me, and I still had a tough time finding the strength to keep going sometimes. Maybe having five mouths to feed at home was what he needed to keep pushing. I felt for Ace and Jovi the most. They had the least amount of time with our mom and now Jovi was losing time with dad too. I took a deep breath before heading towards my old room. As I opened the door, I found my room had been changed a lot. Probably, because Ace had moved into my room when I had moved out into my own place with Harlyn after high schoolgraduation. The room was clean and showed no signs of anyone living in it before. It looked like a guest room that I was sure was done by the hands of Sadie. I couldn't even begin to imagine what she had found left behind from me and Ace. Although at this point, I am sure it wouldn't faze her she knew the five of us were hell on wheels.

I unpacked my belongings, while I was hanging my clothes in the closet, I heard the back door open. Bowie's body was in my doorway before I turned around. “Well hell! Looks like my baby brother is finally back and planning on staying?" he asked.

Bowie was the next to oldest and had a lot of my mom's physical traits with his blue eyes, chocolate brown hair and tan skin. He was at least 6'2" and all muscle like our father. Tattoos covered his biceps now, no doubt thanks to the tattoo shop that he and Ace owned together. His hair was messy like he just got out of bed, and he was clean shaven. “Figured you guys might be able to use some help around here now. Figured it was time to stop hiding."

"Well, it's good to have you back Jagger," he said crossing the room and pulling me into a hug. I might be younger, but I had at least two inches on him and about 20 more pounds of muscle. “Does Axell know?" He asked.

"Yeah, I told him I was considering it but not to tell anyone until I was sure." I replied.

"Well, damn I guess that explains why Sadie has been cleaning on this room all week," he said rubbing his chin.

I finished hanging up my clothes, “She didn't have to do that. I could have cleaned it myself."

He chuckled, “You didn't see the mess Ace left it in."

I laughed, “Yeah I guess I didn't. After I'm done here, I'm heading over to the shop to see Axell, you want to come?"

"Hell yeah! I'll go change." And with that he was gone from my room leaving the back-screen door to slam shut with a bang.Bowie lived in the little one room shed outside. My dad had added it while we were in high school and called in his man cave. According to Axell, Bowie now lived there. He came back in the house with all the swag of his ladies’ man reputation. “Let's go see our big brother!" He said as we left the house and made our way to my '68 Camaro SS. Bowie let out a low whistle while assessing the car. “Now, this is nice, not as nice as my Fastback but still nice. Vegas must have treated you well.

I just shrugged as we got in the car and backed out of the driveway. Bowie turned up the radio and started singing and playing air guitar to ACDC. I couldn't help but laugh, I think it was the first real laugh I'd had in five years. Maybe, returning wouldn't be so bad after all. I might not be that naive boy who believed that love could conquer everything but that didn't mean I couldn't find some purpose or strength by being surrounded by my brothers again.

Chapter 2

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