Page 4 of Rocking for the Rebel (Rejected 3)

Chapter 2

Joey

“What happened this time, Ricki?” I ask, carefully taking in the swelling and bruising on her face. I’ve been friends with Ricki for as long as I can remember; she’s always been one of the few good memories of my childhood. Just like the memories of Ricki, I don’t remember a time that my brother wasn’t in love with her. I always said that if I was going to love a girl, my guidepost has always been my brother’s love for Ricki.

“Same ol’ same ol’. Let’s not dwell on the inevitable. So, that’s her, huh? She’s gorgeous. Looks like Avril Lavigne,” Ricki says, smiling, or at least trying to, but I can tell the split lip and bruises makes it hard for her.

“Yeah, I think she hears that a lot. I think she finds it as a compliment, though,” I say, smiling.

“She seems perfect for you, really. I’m glad you’re finally making your move, but from the tear-streaked face, I’m not sure she took it well?” she questions.

“It’s not like that. Well, not yet. She doesn’t know how I feel about her yet. I was trying to figure out the reason she was crying when we found you in here. Seriously Ricki, why do you keep going back there?” I ask, but I already know she’s going to blow me off.

“Tell me all about Lexi. Do you think she would die my hair like hers? I think I would look awesome with purple streaks,” she says, but just as I open my mouth to answer her, the door to the kitchen bangs open. Twisting around from the noise, there stands my brother, looking like a mad as hell gorilla, ready to burn the world down.

“What in the actual fuck, Ricki! Why the hell didn’t you call me? Why did I have to find out from Joey’s girlfriend?” Landon asks, storming into the room. If the guy could spit fire, this whole damn building would burn down.

“Oh, calm the hell down, Landon. You’re ruining the mood for these two. Let’s get out of here and leave them alone,” Ricki says.

“I am going to fucking kill him. This has to fucking stop, Ricki. I won’t take your excuses anymore,” Landon says, stomping right over to Ricki, picking her up bridal style and carrying her out. Ricki, of course, being the smartass she is, gives us a wave worthy of any reigning queen and calls “good day” to us over my brother’s shoulder. All the while, Landon grumbles and huffs, cursing his woman under his breath.

When they finally leave, I look over at Lexi standing by the door.

“So is this where every girl hides out in this school or just the rockers and stoners?” I ask, chuckling.

“Honestly, I come here at least once a day during the week, and I’ve never seen anyone in here before,” Lexi says, shrugging. “Do you think she’s going to be okay? What happened to her face?”

“Ricki has a bad home life and fucked up family. Landon has tried getting her out more times than I can count. Every time he tries, she always has her reasons to stay, but that’s their story to tell,” I say, not fully understanding their relationship myself, but trying to give her some sort of answer. The last thing I want Lex to think is that I’m keeping secrets from her. Unfortunately, this time it’s just not my place to relay the history.

“Sorry for having to take care of that instead of you. What happened this morning? Whose ass do I have to kick?” I ask, being completely serious but enjoying the chuckle it gets out of her. This girl has no idea the lengths I would go to for her.

“It really is nothing. I thought I had a fucked up home life, but I’m coming to realize I might just have been a bit dramatic,” she says, worrying her black lipstick-stained lips with her bottom teeth.

I can tell she’s trying really hard to avoid looking vulnerable with me. She doesn’t realize I see her, and I refuse to accept her trying to hide from me. I walk right up to her, pull her lip away from her teeth, and kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her. Immediately, she leans into my touch as if she’s desperately seeking my warmth, the warmth we generate together. I’m kissing her with so much passion even the breeze from the open window seems like it’s burning me alive. I push her back, moving us until I feel her hit the wall as she fights to control the kiss.

She may be feisty, independent, and unpredictable, but what she doesn’t realize is that she has released a beast inside me that won’t be controlled. I’ve never had this all-consuming need before, but a switch flipped inside me with one touch from Lexi. No other girl has ever had this effect on me, and no one else ever will. Right now, I know she’s feeling vulnerable, even if she doesn’t want to show it. No fucking way I’ll take advantage of her, so I slowly pull back.

“Tell me, what had you upset, baby?” I ask, and when she opens her eyes, I see she’s trying to build up those walls again, so I kiss her again. When I pull back this time, she takes a deep breath before responding.

“It seems so stupid and small now,” she says, taking a breath before continuing. “I was eating breakfast with my family this morning. They are super religious, and let’s just say I don’t fit into the mold they set out for me. Basically, they told me that if I don’t change everything about myself, everything that makes me, they will send me to this religious camp. They have to wear uniforms and do all these ridiculous activities. It’s basically a military camp, with probably brainwashing and whatnot to go along with it. Lucky me, I’ll be getting the whole package treatment,” she explains, and my blood runs colder with every word she speaks.

“There is no way in hell I’ll let them send you away, especially when I just got you, and I do got you. Fight it all you want, but make no mistake, I know you feel what I feel,” I say, cutting her off as she opens her mouth to argue. I know she’s about to say something else smart, but I cut her off. “Don’t argue with me. It was all in the kiss, baby, so don’t try to deny it. Either way, you’re mine. Want to fight me? Fine, I’ll chase your ass down for the rest of our lives. I’m not playing around, Lexi, not when it comes to you. Look, if you’re that worried your parents are going to send you away, all you gotta do is call me. I’ll come get you no matter where you are. You can stay with me, or we’ll figure something else out. I swear, no one is going to take you, not on my fucking watch. Plus, you’re eighteen. They can’t force you.”

“The last thing I want to do is drag you into my drama, Joey. I’ll figure it out. No worries,” she says stubbornly. She’s cute, feisty, and I want to laugh, but hold it back. She’s completely convinced I’m actually going to accept that answer.

“If it helps you sleep better at night to think I’m actually going to let that slide, then that’s fine. I’ll just have to take care of everything myself,” I tell her, smiling.

She smiles back but tries to hide it. The quirk of her lips is too much to resist, so I lean back into her and drop a hard, bruising kiss on her already swollen lips. Her hands skitter over me, caressing each area she touches until they land on my chest. This girl has no idea what she does to me. I need to slow this down before anything happens; now is not the place or time. I want to get to know her. I want her to know me and my fucked up existence before she commits to me forever. As hard as my body tries to resist it, resist all that is Lexi, I pull back.

“We should probably get to class,” I tell her even though I know I won’t be going to class at all today.

“I’d already planned to skip today. What class are you going to?” she asks me in a daze, looking down at my lips again. I give in and kiss her quickly one more time before pulling back.

“Well, looks like brilliant minds think alike. I planned to skip today too. I was going to head into work early and pull a few extra hours,” I tell her, grabbing her hand and start leading her out of the kitchen and down the hall.

“Where do you work?” she asks, not letting go of my hand.

“At an old junkyard a few miles from here. I used to do all the grunt work, but now my brother and I help the old man rebuild cars,” I tell her, smiling proudly. I can take apart any engine and put it back together with my eyes closed from working there for so long. It might not be a perfect job, but I’ve learned a lot working there that I know will come in handy for the future.

“Oh, that sounds pretty cool. I guess I’ll ride around for a bit until I know my parents aren’t home. No way I’m going back there until I can lock myself in my room alone. I’m scared of what might actually come out of my mouth if they try to force this shit,” she says, trying to be strong, but I know it’s bugging her more than she’s letting on.

“Why don’t you come hang out with me? I won’t force you to work or get dirty, but you could come hang out at least,” I say, shrugging like it’s no big deal if she says no. What I really want her to do is stay with me forever, though. We will work on a day-to-day basis for right now, forever will come. I can be patient, and I know Lexi is worth it. After all, she’s my end game. She just doesn’t know it yet, but she will.

“That actually sounds like fun, and don’t let the skirt and fishnets fool you. I have absolutely no trouble getting dirty. I have a pair of old ripped jeans in my car I can put on. Will you teach me how to work on the cars?” she asks, and I can actually see the excitement in her eyes.

“I’ll teach you everything you want to know. If you’re still interested after that, we can move on to motorcycles,” I tell her and watch her eyes light up, brighter than I’ve ever seen. Damn, that’s a complete turn-on. Lexi is fucking perfect. Looks like I just found a new shop buddy. I’ve got to say, she’s a lot better view than any of my brothers.

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