Ashby Holler Read online

  “Oh shit.” Rolo hobbled to his feet, taking a small step. “I think I just pissed myself.”

  “You’re lucky you did it out here, scumbag. You know, you always—”

  Rolo bashed his forehead against Sasha’s nose, flashing the world to red. She staggered back, and he kicked Vinny in the nuts before taking off in a sprint.

  Tears welled in Sasha’s eyes, rising up in attempts to soothe the sting of her face. She blinked back a watery haze. Vinny rocked on his knees while gasping for air, and Rolo ran across the hillside. Blood dripped down Sasha’s chin as she raised the gun. With one eye closed, she held her breath and pulled the trigger.

  Rolo tumbled to the ground before the shot could echo down the holler. Sasha reached for Vinny, and he pulled away.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  Vinny waved for her to go, his eyes low.

  “Not so great having all that crap between your legs now, is it?” Sasha said with a grin. She trudged through tall brush, toward the whimper beneath a patch of ivy.

  “You shot me!” Rolo screeched, flopping onto his back. His chest heaved as he blubbered and wiggled in the dirt. “My leg! Shit, man.”

  Sasha looked back at Vinny, who cupped his balls as he limped closer. The sun had slipped below the mountain’s peak, leaving only thin rays to light the trees around them. This was taking too long. She had shit to do with someone far more attractive than the loser on the ground at her feet.

  “If I give you a bump, will you jump in the cellar all by yourself?” Sasha asked, only half-joking.

  Rolo stopped squirming, the howls ceasing to flow. His shifty eyes calmed, flying to her. “Yeah. Two bumps, big ones.”

  It might be hard to believe a man would jump to his death for a few lines of cocaine if Sasha hadn’t seen people do worse for much less. Rolo’s pleading eyes stared up at Sasha, and she almost unloaded her gun in his face. Instead, she dug through her pockets.

  “Ellen probably heard that shot,” Vinny said, stepping beside her. “What’s up?”

  “Hold this.” Sasha handed Vinny the gun and pulled a small vial from her coat. Rolo hopped up the moment he saw it, slithering forward. She poured a line of white powder on his palm, looking away as he snorted it up his nose.

  “The other one,” Rolo said through gasps, wiping his blood-smeared nose and licking his fingers.

  “Fucking gross.” Sasha bumped him another fix, cringing. “Your face could be an after-school special.”

  Vinny chuckled, grabbing Rolo by the arm. “Come on, narc.”

  They walked Rolo back toward the truck, stopping next to a metal storm door in the ground. Sasha fished a set of keys from her pants and unfastened the padlock. Hinges squealed as the door opened, and the stench of death wafting into the crisp air sent shivers down her spine.

  Rolo cowered, staggering back. “Right, so—”

  With a kick to the ass, Vinny sent Rolo plunging into the dark hole. After a second of yelps, a thud echoed from far below.

  Sasha peered down, glimpsing only shadows. The seconds of silence provided a hint of relief. She hoped he’d died instantly. A broken neck was better than a slow death.

  “Ahh, shit. Man,” Rolo said, his voice sounding so far away. “Sasha, throw down the blow. Come on, please.”

  She tightened her grip on the vial. Stupid. That’s what she was for feeling sorry for that piece of shit. “Kill yourself with the bones down there, ‘cause we ain’t coming back. Asshole.”

  Vinny closed the door on the screams that bellowed from deep within the mine’s shaft, and Sasha locked it tight.

  “I think you should be my girl,” Vinny said.

  Sasha waited for the butt of his joke, but he held a straight face.

  “What head did he kick you in, ‘cause…?”

  “I mean.” Vinny stepped closer, tucking the gun into her waistband. “If we pretend, it would throw your mom off your pussy stink.”

  She giggled, walking toward her truck. “That’s a super romantic offer, but I’m gonna have to pass. You need to be more chill. You’re the one who’s gonna get me busted.”

  Vinny followed Sasha to the truck, not saying a word the whole ride back. After parking beside the garage, she cut off the engine and turned to face him. His eyes were locked on her, a strange mix of icy warmth in his stare.

  “Candy’s gonna get you caught,” he said in a bit of a huff. “With her bright red hair running up and down your stairs all hours.” He took her hand inside both of his, holding snug. “You need to be more chill. I won’t watch them stomp you again. It’ll go down bad.”

  “Nah, you’re right.” Sasha pulled her hand away, patting Vinny on the arm. “I get it. I’ll be more careful. C’mon.” His eyes lingered on her. She didn’t look; she could just feel them. “My mom is probably flippin’ her shit right now.”

  ***

  Sasha pushed open the door to the backroom, stepping inside.

  “Well?” her mother asked, marching forward.

  “I think we’re cool. He had this on him.” Sasha handed over the slim recorder then tucked the gun back into her mother’s holster. “He was gonna plant it in here.”

  “Did you…?”

  “Yeah, but there’s more.” Sasha sat at the end of the table, plucking a joint from the pile in the ashtray. Her gaze wandered around the empty room before the clink of a zippo lured her stare back. “Where is everybody?”

  “Getting shit ready for Candy’s party,” her mother said, closing the zippo’s lid once Sasha sparked the tip of the joint. “You must be pretty close with her, to get her to do…that.”

  “Not really.” Sasha could hear the sound of jeans rustling behind her, and the scent of Vinny’s cologne filled her lungs. “She’s just another trucker slut trying to fuck her way into the club, but that won’t work with me. No cock.”

  “Hey! Watch your nasty mouth, girl.”

  “Sorry, Mom,” she said, her sarcasm rolling out thicker than the smoke curling from her lips.

  Ellen plucked the joint from Sasha’s fingers, taking a few quick hits. “So? You said there was more.”

  “Rolo was working for Satan’s Crew, not the fuzz.”

  “Shit.” Ellen sat on the edge of the table, hitting the bone again before handing it back. “Is that better or worse?”

  Sasha shrugged, rising to her feet. “It’s a hell of a lot more fun to kill biker douchebags than pigs.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Shower, get ready for the party.” Sasha headed for the door, passing Vinny the joint on her way out.

  ***

  Drops of water splashed against tile as Sasha reached for a towel. It still bothered her, calling Candy a trucker slut. The girls who hung around the club coined the term themselves, saw it as a title of honor, but Sasha couldn’t stomach separatist labels.

  She wrapped herself tight in the towel and walked out of the bathroom. Vinny looked up from the corner of her bed, and she almost tripped over her own feet.

  “What the fuck, dude?” she yelled, grabbing an empty pack of cigarettes from her dresser and chucking it at his head.

  “Your mom saw me come up here.”

  “So?” Sasha stripped off her towel, using it to dry her hair. After a moment of silence, she looked at the bed and into a full-on gawk. “For real? Perv.”

  “God…damn.”

  “Jesus.” She tossed the towel at his face then pulled on a pair of cargo pants. Once her bra was tightly fastened, she turned her glare back to him. “Blood going to your big brain now?”

  “That’s still just…yeah! Hey, come here for a minute.”

  “No way,” Sasha said, crossing her arms.

  “Just a little closer. I wanna see something.”

  Sasha crept forward, standing in front of Vinny. He hooked his finger around her belt loop and pulled her onto the bed. He pressed his body against hers, his rough hand gliding along her side.

  “Anything?” he asked, dragging
his lips along her cheek.

  Her spine was stiff. She felt something, all right, digging into her hip. There was also some awkwardness and a bit of impatience brewing in her chest, but he probably wasn’t interested in that.

  Slowly, Sasha shook her head. Vinny rolled off her, a long sigh sinking his chest. She’d been shooting Vinny down for years, but this was the first time she felt guilty. It was also the first time sparks filled her body when he rubbed up against her.

  Sasha squirmed off the bed, grabbing a brush from her dresser. “So…?”

  “Yeah. I’ll see you later.”

  Vinny’s shoulders slumped as he walked toward the door. She couldn’t stand that look in his eye. The heavy layer of sadness that gripped his face kicked on her best friend instinct, and she rushed forward, blocking his path.

  “I do like you.” Sasha ducked to find Vinny’s gaze, which was difficult since he kept dodging. “A lot. I just can’t like you that way.”

  Vinny’s hands landed on Sasha’s arms, making a light slapping noise, and he moved her aside. “I’m gonna down a few shots and try to figure that out,” he said, walking from the room without a glance back.

  Chapter Three

  Sasha parked in front of Candy’s house, peering in the rearview mirror to adjust her bandana. The clack of heels lured her stare, but the sight of Candy working those hips in her headlights held it firm. She leaned across the bench seat, opening the passenger door. A tight skirt rode up Candy’s thigh as she climbed into the truck. One of the many reasons Sasha loved this old pickup.

  Candy slammed the rickety door shut, looked at Sasha, and leaned back. “What do ya think?” She held the flaps of her white leather coat open, showing off the skimpy black halter top beneath.

  First, Sasha stared at the stretchy fabric, which clung to all the right places. That tiny white skirt wiped her mind clear, those matching thigh-high boots filling it back up with so many naughty thoughts. Then her eyes coasted along the hints of flesh that led to Candy’s pouty lips, and she leaned in. “Delicious,” she said in more of a breath then a word.

  A cute giggle flowed through the cab as Candy scooted closer. “So where are you taking me tonight? Dancing? They just opened a disco in Lexington.”

  “Ah shit.”

  “The club.” Candy moved away, zipping her jacket. “You’re ditching me, aren’t you?”

  “No.” Sasha grabbed ahold of Candy’s tightly coiled arms, wriggling them free. “There’s a surprise for you tonight. It’s just not what I had in mind.”

  Candy’s body loosened, her lips curving up. A trace of lavender rushed into her nose, drawing Sasha toward its sweet scent. She grabbed onto Candy’s silky thigh and squeezed. Tingles ignited under her fingertips, creeping beneath her skin and settling in her toes.

  A horn honked down the block, and they both jumped.

  Sasha shouldn’t feel wrong for kissing her girl in the privacy of her own truck, but she did. The vinyl seat crinkled as she slid away from Candy, back behind the steering wheel. “We should get going.”

  ***

  Cars and trucks littered the compound of Ashby Trucking, a bonfire blazing outside the clubhouse. Sasha killed the engine, music and laughter replacing its rumble.

  “There’s a party tonight?” Candy flipped down the visor, checking her makeup in the mirror. “Nobody told me.”

  “Huh. Strange.” Sasha jumped from the truck, waiting by the front bumper.

  Candy unzipped her coat, waving to a group of men before hurrying to Sasha’s side. “Well, maybe we can just pop in then sneak out and chill somewhere,” she said softly.

  “We’ll see.” Sasha hung back, letting Candy enter the clubhouse alone.

  Cheers overshadowed the thump of speakers, and Sasha stepped inside. She crept behind Candy, who spun to face her.

  “The club threw me a party!” Candy said, her eyes brighter than her smile.

  “A little thank you. Go. Have fun.”

  “Really?” Candy wiggled out of her tight jacket, backing away.

  Sasha nodded, and Candy threw her coat into the corner.

  “Somebody get this bitch a shot!” Candy yelled, disappearing into the crowd that swarmed her.

  After a quick scan of the room, Sasha leaned against the wall. People slung greetings as they strolled by, and girls danced atop the bar, but her eyes followed Candy. The girl floated around the packed space, her flirty grin charming every person in its wake.

  “You’re staring,” Vinny whispered over Sasha’s shoulder, stepping beside her.

  Sasha took one look at his smug face and returned her gaze to the crowd. Vinny blocked her view, grabbing her hand.

  “Dance with me,” he said, flashing a devious grin.

  Guitars screamed through the speakers, and drumbeats rattled Sasha’s chest. “This isn’t dancing music.”

  “So what? C’mon.”

  Vinny tugged her arm, and she dug in her heel.

  “Don’t leave me hanging.” His voice verged the threshold of begging and she gave in, allowing him to guide her away from the wall. His hands fell to her waist, pulling her close. Amid rowdy voices, cackling women, and harsh guitar riffs, they swayed. When she glanced up and into his frosty blue eyes, the noises stopped. Only his hands on her body and those eyes remained.

  “Your mom’s watching us.”

  Bit by bit, Vinny moved Sasha in a circle. She caught a glimpse of her mother grinning and whispering with Chewy, which incited the urge to storm out the front door. Her body grew rigid, and Vinny gripped tighter, keeping her in a gentle rock. He leaned close, his breath tickling her neck.

  “You should kiss me,” he whispered in her ear.

  Sasha flinched, and Vinny slid his hands to her back, holding firm.

  “Don’t pull away. It’ll look shady.”

  Every party for the last six years, Vinny tried this shit. It was her fault for making out with him that one time when they were thirteen. The standard procedure of elbowing him in the gut and strutting away wouldn’t work this time. This time, the sergeant at arms position was open, and the president was watching. Plus, Vinny had that goofy smirk, the one that lit his eyes in blue flames.

  A peck from her best friend was a small price to pay to get her ass in that seat beside her mother. Sasha glided her hands up Vinny’s chest, skating her lips atop his. He kissed her like they were the only two people in the room. Her instincts screamed to pull away, but she didn’t. She couldn’t part from the only lips that spoke kindly to her, couldn’t push away the one set of hands that never hurt her. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, she grinded into him. For being so free with his hands, she bit his bottom lip as she drew back.

  “You’re an asshole,” she said before strolling outside.

  ***

  Sasha sat on the wooden rail of the porch, leaning against a splintered post. Her stare drifted beyond the raging bonfire, ears tuning out laughter. It was that kiss. Her lips still tingled, body still hummed. Vinny did not kiss like that when they were thirteen.

  “So, Vinny?” Ellen asked from behind Sasha.

  Sasha turned to face her mother, getting a lit joint waved in her face instead of the usual wagging finger.

  “It’s not…” Her words bunched up when she caught the look in her mother’s eyes. It had been a long time since anybody looked at her that way, with pride. “We’re just messing around. It’s not serious.”

  “That’s cool.” Ellen leaned against the railing and pointed to the window. “Looks like Otis is taking a shine to Candy.”

  “Really?” Sasha passed the joint back to her mother and jumped off the rail. She peeked inside, zeroing in on bright red hair. Her stomach twisted as Candy nuzzled under Otis’s arm, giggling.

  “Guess the girl found her cock,” Ellen said on her way back into the clubhouse.

  Candy twirled her fingers into Otis’s hair, and Sasha turned away. It should be her in there, inching between that girl’s thighs. Floorboards thump
ed as she rushed off the porch. She hurried beyond a couple going at it against the side of a truck, lifting her hand to block the view of the dude’s hairy ass. The club should respect her, no matter who she fucked. Her steps grew to stomps. She stormed past a bloody fistfight and toward the garage.

  ***

  The rage of the party streamed through the window, disrupting the air with its buzz. Sasha got up from her bed and crashed the windowsill down, barely muffling the clamor. She dropped back onto her mattress, falling against the pillows, and a knock shook her door. Without parting her gaze from the ceiling or bothering to move, she yelled, “Fuck off.”

  The door scraped open, and heavy boots creaked the floor.

  “I’m sorry,” Vinny said, clinging to the doorframe. “That was a dickhead move.”

  Sasha sat up and peeled off her leather jacket. “Shut the door.”

  Vinny hesitated in the doorway, and Sasha kicked off her boots. Like Vinny, her stoned mind hadn’t caught on to her body’s intentions, even after she striped off her top. “Come here,” she said, throwing her shirt across the room.

  Vinny slammed the door closed, dashing forward. His strong arms wrapped around her, and their lips connected. A tremble hid beneath his kiss, his touch, but that didn’t prevent his hands from wandering. It was too late to stop now. Both their shirts were off, hearts racing. They surpassed the point of no return when Vinny’s hand slid between her legs.

  He guided her back to the mattress, and she tugged at his belt.

  “I’ve been dreaming about this for years,” Vinny said, kissing Sasha’s cheek.

  “Don’t.” The belt unlatched with a clink, and Sasha rolled on top of him. “Words just fuck shit up.”

  He drew her to his chest, course palms ravaging every inch of her bare flesh. She almost forgot the feel of a man. Large hands, rippling muscles, their bodies so hard yet soft at the same time, a false security.

  Before Sasha could crawl from a lusty haze, Vinny had her pants off and glided inside her. She wanted it to feel right. Her life would be so easy if she could just like fucking him as much as she liked hanging with him, but each thrust brought a new wave of guilt. His gentle touch radiated affection, and she was using him.