Careless and Reckless — Chapter 33

We just drove around wordlessly for a while, the hum of Wyatt's motorcycle engine the only sound to be heard.

He knew something happened that I didn't want to talk about just yet and he respected that which I couldn't be more grateful for; he always knew when not to push for answers.

What seemed like seconds later it was quarter to eight so Wyatt started driving in the direction of the track but not before asking me if I still wanted to go.

Of course I had said yes, I needed something to distract me. I needed to be somewhere where I could let off some steam and the track sounded like the perfect place.

Before long we arrive but as I'm about to hop off the vehicle Wyatt stops me by grabbing onto my arms, which were encircling his waist, gently.

He starts speaking to me in a low whisper. It's hard to decipher what he's saying because we're both wearing helmets but I just about manage it. "Green eyes, listen closely. This place is dangerous and full of dangerous people. I want you to stay close to me or Eli at all times. He'll be here soon but until then please don't leave my side. I don't want anything to happen to you."

His words send warmth through my entire body, seeming to slightly put out the raging fire with me but, unfortunately, it's nowhere near enough to even begin to ebb my anger.

I nod and he lets go of my arms so I can now get off the motorcycle. I do so, swinging my right leg over and standing up. Wyatt does this at the same time as me but takes off his helmet before me. Everyone turns to him as he does so, loud whispers carrying through the air. He must be quite a big shot here too, no different from normal.

I, too, take my helmet off and shake my hair out once it's off to help ensure I don't have helmet hair. The volume and magnitude of the whispers increase once I've done this, most of the attention now on me.

However, I can't find it within me to care, the anger I hold towards James forcing all my other emotions to one side. All I can think about is how much I just want to scream and punch something which involuntarily sends a shiver down my spine because it's so unlike myself, I've always been rather reserved and, obviously, until today violence has never been something I voluntarily partook in.

Wyatt moves towards me and puts a protective arm around my waist before he starts guiding us in, what I assume to be, the direction of the track.

Within moments of us walking a man calls out Wyatt's name and moves over to where we are. They do this weird handshake thing and begin to fall into conversation.

The man is very big, maybe 6 foot 7, and beefy. His neck looks to be the size of five of mine combined and his hands seem to be five times the size of mine as well. He has a scar running down the side of his neck and several tribal tattoos dotted across his exposed forearms. He has a buzz cut of dark hair and unruly stubble on his face and from my estimate is in his late twenties to early thirties.

"Green eyes," Wyatt says, drawing my attention from the man. "This is T, he's the main man around here. He runs the place and deals with all the bets and things."

T has to bend his neck down a fair amount to look at me but when he does he sends me a small smile which I return along with a nod. "I'm Ari, nice to meet you," I say to him, surprising myself because I wouldn't normally be one to initiate conversation.

"Nice to meet you too," he says in a low voice.

"Finally land yourself a girlfriend, Wyatt?" T teases, now focusing back on Wyatt.

I can feel myself heat up a bit at the insinuation but instead of becoming a blundering mess like I normally would I decided to take charge of the situation. I don't know what's come over me but I think I like it.

I scoff. "He wishes," I say, making Wyatt's eyes widen in surprise.

"Feisty one I see," T chuckles. "I'll leave you both to it. Oh and Wyatt good luck on your race later, you're the fan favourite as always." Before Wyatt even has the chance to comment, T walks away and has disappeared into the crowds of people.

We start walking again but before long we're stopped but this time by a girl. She's a tall, blonde girl with a horribly orange fake tan that gives her a striking resemblance to an orangutan. She's definitely a pretty girl but the way she carries herself makes her seem cheap and easy which is a real shame. She's wearing too much makeup and almost showing enough skin to be in a porno, I think it's probably because she's quite insecure and is trying to cover it up the best way she knows how.

Looking at her outfit as well as most of the girls here, I can see that I do, in deed, fit in. Although her outfit is much more on the slutty side than others they all have the same general vibe to them so at least I don't stick out here.

"Hey Wyatt," the girl giggles in an annoyingly high pitch voice. "Good luck for today, I know you'll do great," she says, now stroking his left bicep, pushing her average sized chest into him, still having not even acknowledged my presence, bitch. I've never been one to judge so quickly but I already don't like this girl. Even though she probably has some deep rooted insecurities it doesn't give her, or anyone for that matter, the right to act rudely.

He clears his throat uncomfortably. "Yeah, um thanks," he says, removing the girl from himself with difficulty.

"I mean I know you'll do great anyway but I thought I'd just share a bit of my luck with you," she says with a wink. "Of course, if you ever want to experience some of my luck firsthand I'd be more than willing to oblige." She twirls a strand of her hair as she tries to look at him in a sexy manner but it just comes across as needy and desperate to be honest.

She now has her hands on his chest and Wyatt looks extremely uncomfortable. He sends me a pleading look and I let out a sigh. Normally, I'd be much too scared to approach this situation but with my new found anger fuelling my every move I have the confidence and courage to do what I do next.

I clear my throat rather loudly but the girl takes no notice. Plan B it is then. "Excuse me, could you get your hands off my boyfriend, you're making him uncomfortable."

Wyatt looks stunned by what I've said and I am as well but he quickly covers it up with a smug smirk. I don't know why I said that but it seemed to get blondies attention.

"Boyfriend," she snarls, moving away from Wyatt, much to his relief, and stalking over to me. She gives me a once over, a look of disgust on her face. "Isn't he a little out of your league?"

Wyatt is about to step in but I motion with my hand for him not to. I have to do this myself otherwise I'll never become the reckless, fearless and careless girl I want to be.

I let out a scoff, eyeing her entire appearance with a similar look of distaste on my face. "I think you've got that a bit twisted. He's out of your league, not mine. I mean, nobody would want to date an orangutan, that would be an act of bestiality."

Her face goes bright red. "You bitch!" She screeches before trying to slap me. I manage to dodge in time thanks to my endless hours of training with my dad but I'm pissed. My expression turns murderous and even blondie looks frightened.

She starts to take a hesitant step backwards but before she can I grab onto her right wrist and clamp my fingers around it in a vice grip which is sure to leave bruises. She looks slightly scared but tries, unconvincingly, to cover this up with a confident smirk.

I yank her closer to me and take ahold of her other wrist as well. She gulps and her confident facade begins to fade away. I lean towards her and when my mouth is by her ear whisper something so softly yet harshly that it surprises even myself. "Listen hear you bitch. Don't ever try that again. I think it's clear who's stronger so I'd be careful who I pick fights with if I were you because next time you might end up with more than a few bruises."

I release my hold on her wrists and she immediately begins to start nursing them. Before she even has time to think, I draw my fist back and punch her in the face, hard, not enough to brake bone but definitely hard enough to leave a good few bruises; that should teach this bitch not to mess with me.

She lets out a scream as she stumbles back, her hands shooting to her face in order to prevent further damage.

"That was just a warning blondie. I'd watch my back if I were you," I call over my shoulder as I walk towards Wyatt whose expression holds a mixture of surprise, shock, pride and something else I can't decipher.

"Didn't know you had it in you, green eyes," Wyatt says as he puts his arm around my waist and we continue walking.

I smirk at him. "Wyatt, this is just the beginning."