Chapter 5

Mellie

 

“Hahaha, I still can’t believe that you said that to him,” Michelle says while laughing. It’s Saturday afternoon and I just closed my shop for the day. I’m trying to get out of here so that I can get home and get ready to go, but Shell is still laughing about the other night. Okay, I probably didn’t have to end it like that but what is a girl supposed to do when a guy thinks that I would prefer to sit around and look pretty instead of getting all muddy? I’m sure that he didn’t mean anything by it, but I just couldn’t help myself. Do I like being a girly girl at times? Absolutely! But that doesn’t mean that I can’t have fun playing in the mud too!

“I know Shell, you’ve said that a million times since I called you Thursday night to tell you how it went.” And she has. I’m starting to lose my patience at this point.

“Don’t get pissy with me bitch. I’m not the one who let my snarky side out to play on a first date.” Okay, she has point. I’ve been going back and forth wondering if I should text or call him to apologize. I stupidly asked Marc and Shell if I should. Of course, their answers were both and I quote, “Fuck No.” I’m beginning to think that I need to get people in my life with a better vocabulary.

“I know, and I feel bad. I’m sure he was just trying to be considerate thinking that it’s not something that I would fully enjoy.” Unknown to him I’ve been 4-wheeling since I was really young. It’s something that my dad, Marc and I have been doing since I was old enough to hold on. Some of my best memories are of the three of us riding trails all day, especially after a big rain storm. There is nothing like riding around kicking up a bunch of mud. My dad even got me my own quad for my eighth birthday. It was the shit! He had it custom painted bubble-gum-pink with glitter and even my helmet matched. Even my jacket, gloves, and pads were pink. It looked like Pepto Bismol threw up all over me, but I loved it!

“So, you didn’t clue him in that you can probably ride better than he can?” Shell asks, with a smirk. I’m not one to brag but I can ride with the best of them. Even Marc has a hard time keeping up with me.

“Nope,” I say popping the P. We both crack up laughing until my sides hurt.

“Those guys are in for a big surprise in a tiny package,” she says wiping her eyes.

“Yeah, let's just hope they don’t get all whiny like some guys do,” I say. I’ve had a few exes that got all butt-hurt when they figured out how well I can ride. “Alright Shell, I’m outta here. I’ve got to get home and get all my gear ready. I’ll either call you tonight or we can meet up for brunch tomorrow.”

“I pick brunch. I want to hear all about this over mimosas,” she says while I wave goodbye.

I walk into my house and find my brother already getting all of our gear ready. If anything, he is a stickler for safety and always checks my helmet multiple times before he deems it okay. I swear I think that he’s more neurotic than I am some days.

“Hey Bubs, just let me get changed and I’ll help you load up the quads onto the back of your truck.”

“Already done. Just hurry up. We moved the time back an hour to wait for you and I want to get going.”

“Great. Thanks for letting me know that everyone is probably pissed off at me that they had to wait,” I say and can even here how whiny I sound.

“No one's mad, but we do want to do this today so take the lead out will ya.”

I change and hop into Marc's truck in record time. I’m getting more excited and nervous the closer we get to the trails. The park we are going to has more than two-hundred-and-fifty acres of land. I just hope that I don’t somehow make a fool out of myself. I can get really competitive and that really does not bring out the best in me. It’s one thing to be competitive with my brother, but I don’t think all of the guys will appreciate it. I just need to remind myself to just stay behind the rest of them and it should be fine, right? Right.

As we pull into the parking lot, I can see that all of the other guys are already here. Just great. They were all stuck waiting for me. But wow, all of them dressed in riding gear and casually leaning against their quads or trucks, is really an amazing sight. I wonder if I can get away with sneaking a few pictures. I think womankind would thank me for them. They all look good, but damn if Morris doesn’t make my mouth go dry. His shirt is so tight that I can see every ripple of his muscles. And oh, how they ripple. Hmmm, maybe I can get close and count how many times each…

“Did you hear me peanut?”

“Huh?” I look over at Marc and realize that I must have been daydreaming a bit again…opps.

“Will you put your damn tongue back in your mouth and get out of the fucking truck.”

“There is no need to be a jerk!” I say snottily.

“There is when I’ve told you that we’re here and to get out four times.” He says as he hops out of the truck. Okay, daydreamed a little longer than I thought.

I scurry out of the truck and feel strong hands on my hips helping me down at the same time I smell his cologne. Hmmm, I like these hands on me very much.

“Hi,” I squeak. Way to go girl…men love a woman who sounds like a rodent. He’s smiling at me and has yet to remove his hands from my hips. Not that I’m complaining. He can leave those there forever as far as I’m concerned.

“Hey, Mel. I’m glad you came.” Me too but I can think of a few other ways that I would like to come and they all involve you. Shhh, girly parts now is not the time to be a whore…later. I’m about to respond when Rocco whistles and brings attention to the back of the truck where the rest of the guys have now congregated. Hmmm, I didn’t even see them all move.

“Damn man you have a Polaris Scrambler and a Yamaha Banshee! These are two of the fastest ATV’s around. What the hell do you need both for?” Rocco says while looking a little awed. Marc responds with a smirk at me.

“Both of them aren’t mine. The Banshee is Mellie’s baby.” All at once the guys turn and look at me. I can feel that I am as bright as a tomato. Morris looks at me with a smile, while the other guys look at me with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

“So that’s why you just smirked at me like I was an idiot the other night when I told you that you could just ride on the back of mine,” Morris states. At that, Marc starts cracking up and actually holds onto the side of the truck to keep himself upright.

“You told her that she could ride on the back of yours?” Mar asks, while catching his breath.

“Well yeah, I didn’t realize that she had one. What’s so funny?” Morris asks, looking about as confused as the rest of them.

“What’s funny is that she can probably out ride all of us combined and you offered her to sit bitch on yours.” And cue all of them staring at me again. I really wish my idiot brother would shut the hell up. He knows damn well that I don’t like this much attention on me.

“Is that right? She can out ride all of us?” Declan asks, all cockily…at least I think that’s Declan…I’m pretty sure Damon doesn’t ever talk. I look over at the other twin and yup, he is just staring all creepily…that one is Damon.

“Bro, you really don’t want to start with her. She’s nasty…especially if you piss her off first. You’ll be tasting nothing but mud for days if you go there.” Marc is saying one thing, but his eyes are saying something totally different. He’s hoping they piss me off…what a jackass!

“There is no way that I’m getting beat by a tiny woman. No offense Mellie. I know the Banshee is fast, but it takes a certain amount of skill to really drive one.” Declan says, and Rocco decides to add his two cents as well.

“Yeah Mel, we go pretty hardcore. I don’t want to see you get hurt. You really should just try to stay behind us.” At this point, I don’t know whether I want to laugh in their faces or slap some sense into them. Marc is just shaking his head because he knows what my temper is like and these two fools just ignited it. Morris, JJ, and Damon at least have the decency to keep their mouths shut.

“So, you think that I should let the big boys go ahead of me huh?” I ask deceptively calm when I am anything but. And you can almost see the exact moment those two realize that they’ve made a mistake but it’s too late now…the gauntlet has been thrown.

“Now Mel, don’t get all bent out of shape and do something stupid. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Hell, if you want I’ll ride next to you.” Rocco tries to backtrack, but it’s too little too late.

“Oh, don’t worry about me Roc. Like Marc said, I won’t be the one tasting mud,” I say as I walk off to my quad and hop on. Everyone except my brother is staring at me like I’ve grown a second head, Marc’s just gleefully getting ready to watch the carnage.

“And don’t worry. I won’t think any less of you guys when you end up looking like little bitches,” I say as I start my baby up and rev the engine for good measure. Today is going to kick ass!

 

****

Morris

“Man, your woman was wicked out there today. I’ve never seen anything like it. Roc and Dec are going to be cleaning mud off of themselves for days,” JJ says while chuckling.

He’s not wrong either. Gone was sweet and quiet Mellie. She was replaced with a kickass, trash talking, hellion who could ride better than any of us. Damn, if it wasn’t sexy watching her get all pissed off, I might just have to get her mad in the future, just not when she’s on her quad. It was a thing of beauty watching her spray Dec and Roc with mud all day long though. And judging by how quiet and broody they’re looking they know that they’re eating crow.

We all decided to come to Home Plate to grab a few beers and some food. HP is a regular hangout for all of us. The food is decent, and the beers are cheap. And after today, we could all use a few drinks. Some to celebrate while others to lick their wounds.

“Yeah, I didn’t really see that coming. I now really feel like a moron telling her that she could ride on mine,” I say truly feeling stupid. I should’ve known something was up when she only smirked at me and gave me a saucy little comment before shutting the door. Won’t be making that mistake again.

“I tried to warn you guys, but no one listens to me,” Marc says while feigning innocence.

“Fuck you jackwad! You baited us, and you know damn well that you did!” Declan says, and I can see his point. Marc was looking like a kid at Christmas when the whole thing was happening now that I think about it.

“No one said that you had to take the bait. You chose to be stupid all on your own,” Damon says while raising an eyebrow.

“You’re siding with him over your own twin?” Dec asks, and I’m a little surprised too. They may be opposites but are still as close as can be. But his answer clears all of it up.

“Did you really think that she was a fucking novice? That Banshee that she has is close to ten-grand. You don’t buy something like that without knowing how to ride it. Plus, if you had taken a look at her helmet you could see some old mud on it. It was obvious that it wasn’t her first-time riding. You two just couldn’t stop yourselves from being stupid.”

Hands down that is the longest I’ve ever heard him talk. But he’s right, nothing looked brand new. You can tell that there was definite wear and tear. Mellie walks back from the bathroom just as he finishes.

“What did I miss? Y'all are looking at Damon like he grew a pair of horns.”

“Nothing peanut, he was just informing the guys on how to know when someone isn’t a novice,” Marc answers her.

“Ahhh, so you two are still pouting I see,” she says with a smirk while taking a sip of her beer. I swear after today, I don’t think that I’ll ever find a more kickass woman.

“We’re not pouting,” Rocco mutters while slouching down in his seat.

“Right, yeah I can totally see that. If it makes you feel better, we can tell people that we’re all out for a leisurely ride and that I didn’t annihilate you both.”

JJ is choking on his beer while Rocco and Declan are glaring at her. They better knock that shit off if they like their faces the way that they are. I’m just about to say something to them when Damon goes.

“Fuck no, I got it on video of you spraying the hell of out them. Next time they piss me off, I’m playing it for the whole department.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? You're my brother!” Dec is practically fuming he’s so red.

“Well then I guess the two of you should stop being dumb and annoying than,” Damon says while picking up his beer and walking to the bar. We’re all just sitting there in silence watching his back.

“Huh, I didn’t know he actually talked. I kind of thought that he was mute or something. He always just stares,” Mellie says out of nowhere and succeeds in breaking the tension.

“Yeah, he’s been like that since we were kids. I’ve always been the pleasant one.” At that statement, we all just raise an eyebrow “What? I am pleasant.”

“And on that awesome note, I’m going to go talk to that blonde at the bar.” Marc states before starting to get up. “Oh, you know what I need to do first?” Marc asks, no one in particular.

“Get a shot of penicillin,” Mellie deadpans. Rocco is choking he’s laughing so hard. JJ, Dec and I are trying our best to chuckle quietly, but that shit was funny. Marc doesn’t seem too amused though.

“No, you annoying little shit. I needed to see if someone could take you home because I plan to be leaving with her.”

“Again, I state that penicillin would be a good idea. That bitch looks rough.” The four of us aren’t even trying to contain our laughter at this point. I’m laughing so hard that I’m crying.

“You’re such a shithead. She’s hot and looks…friendly,” he says while glaring at his sister. You can tell that they go at each other like this a lot.

“Skankarella looks like a stage five-clinger whose been used up one-hundred times too many. How am I supposed to have nieces and nephews in the future if your dick falls off because you decided to screw most likely to be diseased over there? Do you want to be a eunuch?”

“Are you for real right now? I’m not going to turn into a fucking eunuch! And I mean it, stop sending me emails titled Quality Over Quantity with digraphs about STDs!” He practically screams causing a few people to turn and look at him.

“Those are for your own good since you like to dip your dick in disgusting!” Mel says while looking completely serious.

“I can’t breathe!” Declan wheezes out and I’m right there with him. This is one of the funniest arguments that I’ve ever heard. I don’t even know where she comes up with this shit.

“I’m leaving and not another word!” He says while pointing at Mel who is mimicking zipping her lips but while rolling her eyes.

“And make sure she gets home okay,” he said that while pointing at me before he storms over to the blonde. He doesn’t even say anything to her. He just snaps his fingers and keeps walking. Yet she’s running after him like a bitch in heat. Maybe Mel had the right idea with that shot of penicillin for him.

“That’s so gross! If some douchebag snapped his fingers at me like that, I would never even consider giving him the time of day. I can’t believe that she actually got up and ran after him like that. I honestly can’t figure out who’s the bigger whore,” Mel says, with a look of utter disgust.

“Yeah, sweetheart that’s just one of the many differences between you and that woman. Some have self-respect and class, while others don’t. JJ says while looking at Mel.

“I just don’t get it. How you can just leave with someone that you’ve never met before. For a guy, it may be different. But as a woman, it’s just insane. Especially, when you think about the size differences in men and women. The guy can be a serial killer and do anything to you. And you just willing went with him because you liked how he looked. It just makes no sense to me to not have any self- preservation whatsoever,” Mellie finishes and looks to see all of us smiling at her.

“What?” She asks now looking bashful. Damn, she really is too good to be true.

“Nothing honey. We agree with you that it is a very dangerous thing for someone to do.” I reply still smiling at her.

“Then why are you guys looking at me like that?” She’s scrunching up her nose and looks so fucking cute that it’s taking everything in me to not throw her over my shoulder and get the hell out of here. For once, Rocco actually says something that isn’t completely stupid when he replies.

“We’re just smiling at you because it’s nice to be around a woman who has a good head on her shoulders. These days it’s not very often that we get to spend time with a kickass woman who is as down to earth as you are. Even if you are a bit mean when you’re pissed,” he finishes with a smirk.

“Hey, you two brought all of that upon yourselves. If you had just kept your mouths shut like everyone else did, you wouldn’t be covered in so much mud now.” And snarky Mel is back.

“How is it our fault that we were trying to watch out for you?” Declan asks.

“Bullshit buddy! You two fools decided to time travel to the 1950’s and think that a girl shouldn’t be riding. Well, guess what? You shouldn’t piss off a woman, especially one who can ride circles around your dumbasses,” she says while raising her eyebrow daring them to say otherwise. JJ and I are back to trying to hold in our laughter. I have to say I really like hellion Mel…she’s a fucking riot.

“You’re still mean,” Rocco says without any heat.

“And you’re both still dumb, so I guess we will call it even.” She states with a cute little smirk.

“Honey, how is it that you and Marc haven’t killed each other by now? You both don’t seem like you should live anywhere near each other,” I ask because I’m surprised that they haven’t gone after each over the years.

Oh well, when we were little I tried to mail him to Antarctica a few times, but he’s like a bad case of the crabs, he just keeps coming back.” At that comment, Declan actually spits his beer across the table hitting Rocco in the chest, who is now trying to clean himself while laughing. JJ and I are wheezing to get a breath. But she just continues like nothing is out of the ordinary.

“But in reality, we actually get along really well. It was rough being so close in age when we were little but as we got older he ended up becoming my best friend. Even if he has absolutely no standards and I question whether or not I should get him neutered. I still love the big jerk more than anything,” she finishes and takes a sip of her beer while sitting back in her chair. She has got to be one of the funniest women I’ve ever met.

“How did you try to mail him?” Rocco asks and I’m pretty sure that we’re all curious.

“I would give him a bunch of Benadryl and put him in a box that I marked with big letters Do Not Return to Sender. Then I would put him in my wagon and wheel him down to the post office. Luckily, it was all downhill, so the trip was pretty quick. Unfortunately, he always seemed to wake up before they sent him anywhere. So, they would just call our parents to come and pick him up,” she says while snagging one of my nachos. I don’t even know what to say to all of that.

“How old were you when you did this?” JJ asks.

“I was seven and Marc was nine,” she replies.

“Did your parents get mad that you kept trying to mail your brother away?” I ask her.

“No, they always thought it was really funny. They both have siblings so when we would do stuff to each other they would just let us hash it out. Although, they did tell Marc to stop eating my pink ‘PEZ.’” She says with a cute smirk.

“Why Antarctica?” Rocco asks her.

“Marc hates cold weather. I figured being shipped there would make him the most miserable.”

“I’ll say it again…you’re really mean.” Rocco states and she just shrugs while taking a bite of another nacho. Coolest chick ever!

 

****

Mellie

 

Today was an awesome day, but I’m beat and ready to go home and take a shower. It’s fun to get a little dirty but, it’s a bitch to get dried mud out of your hair. I look over at Morris and I’m about to ask him if he’s ready to leave but end up yawning in his face instead. Great girl…you were doing so well too.

“Tired?” he asks, while smiling at me.

“Yeah, it’s been a really long day since I have to get up so early to be at the shop,” I reply, and it has been. Getting up at the ass crack of dawn really catches up with you. Morris just nods his head, reaches into his wallet and throws money on the table. He stands up and reaches down to help me up also. He knocks his knuckles on the table in that way that only men seem to be able to pull off and says.

“Alright, guys we’re going to get going. See you all on Monday.”

“Bye and thank you all for letting me tag along today,” I say before taking Morris’ outstretched hand.

“No problem sweetheart. It was fun watching you drive circles around those two,” JJ says as he points and Rocco and Declan, who give me a chin lift and smirk each. I wave goodbye and follow Morris out of HP and back to his truck, all the while still holding his hand. His hand is so much bigger compared to mine that it completely engulfs mine. I love the feeling of his calluses against my smooth palm. I wouldn’t mind feeling the calluses in other places either. Down hormones down!

The ride to my house was quick, but not quick enough to keep me from freaking out about whether or not I should ask him to come in. I don’t want him to think that I want to have sex because I don’t. Okay well, I do, but not this soon. I’ve never been what you would call easy and it takes me awhile to feel comfortable enough with someone to take that next step. Even though I’ve known Morris for months, I just don’t feel that we’re at that point. But at the same time, I really like being around him and don’t want him to go just yet. But I don’t want to lead him on either. Ahhh, why can’t life just come with a damn manual? Seriously, this whole dating thing would be so much easier if there were specific rules to follow. Someone really should get one…

“Melanie!” Morris says right next to my ear causing me to jump in my seat. Shit, I spaced out again! I’ve got to stop doing that!

“Huh? What? And did you just call me Melanie?” I ask.

“Yes, honey I did. I’ve been talking to you for a good two minutes without any response. I figured using your full name would finally get your attention,” he says with a chuckle. Omg, kill me now!

“What are you thinking about so hard over there?” He asks, while reaching out and tucking a strand of hair that fell out of my ponytail, behind my ear.

“Oh, um, nothing…nothing at all,” I lie through teeth.

“Nothing huh?” He says looking at me like he knows how full of shit I really am.

“No, well I mean I was just thinking, kind of wondering, you know if you kind of might want to come in.”  I completely blurt out. Yay me for having no filter. What’s next month? Are we going to ask him if he wants us to have his babies? I need a freaking muzzle.

“I would really like to.” Woohoo. “But I can’t.” Damn. I can feel myself pouting, but dammit I don’t care.

“It’s not that I don’t want to Mel. We both know that you’re going to go in and shower.” I nod my head yes, as he continues. “There is no way in hell that I’ll be able to know that you’re naked, wet and all soapy with only a door separating us. I have a lot of self-control honey, but I don’t have that much. I’d end up in that shower with you.” His mouth is saying no, but his eyes are roaming all over my body saying something very different.

“I wouldn’t mind that.” I pant out. When did it get so hot in here?

“Yes, you would.” Why can’t I be a slut just once in my life? “But that’s okay. I don’t mind waiting when I know that I’ll be getting someone incredible in the end.” Awwww. “Plus, we can just consider this the beginning of some really good foreplay,” he says with a wicked smirk and I’m back to painting. Having no morals isn’t the worst thing in the world…right?

“You need to stop looking at me like that Mel,” he says.

“Like what?” I ask, while licking my suddenly very dry lips. His eyes follow the movement and flare.

“Like I’m a lollipop that you want to lick,” he says.

“I really like lollipop,” I smile.

The next thing that I know he reaches over and hauls me over the console until I’m straddling his lap. His lips are on mine in a bruising kiss that are sure to leave my lips swollen and red. But at this moment I couldn’t care less. I moan into his mouth when his hand comes up and yanks out my hair tie. That gives him the opening he was obviously looking for since he thrusts his tongue into my mouth. His one hand is still tangled in my hair while the other is on my ass pulling me into his very hard, and very big erection. Oh, man is it big! My inner whore is screaming to let her out and play and for once I am in total agreement. Just as I’m about to tell him that we should take this somewhere else…preferably my nice comfy bed, he loosens his grip on my hair and ass and slows down the kiss until it’s barely a peck on my lips. He leans his forehead against mine and opens his eyes to look into mine.

Honey you need to get behind your locked door now before we do something that you will regret in the morning,” he says while looking like it’s taking him a lot of effort to get those words out of his mouth.

“We don’t know that I’ll regret it,” I say still panting and very much wanting to do something that I may very well regret in the morning. Damn morals!

“Mel,” Is all he says while raising his eyebrow at me.

“I know, I know. I’m going.” I say and kiss him one last time. The kiss ends way too quickly with him stopping it once again. It would definitely be a knock to my ego if his pants weren’t tented up so much. He opens the door and helps me down. I walk to my door, unlock it and turn and wave goodbye before I walk in. I get a sexy smirk and wink in return. I shut the door and slide down to ground on my butt. I bring my fingers up to my lips and just smile. This day totally kicked ass!