Page 137 of Straight to Me

“That’s pretty lame, for someone your age.”

“Someonemyage?”

She laughs, making me do the same next to her.

“Yeah, aren’t you meant to be going out drinking, or getting knee deep in the snow?”

Utterly shocked, I know exactly what she’s talking about, but there’s no way on earth she should be talking so freely about cocaine at her age.

“Lauren, no. What are you talking about?” My face turns hard as I enter professional mode with her.

“You know what I’m talking about, Mads,” she semi laughs, then recognising my expression hasn’t changed, her face drops like a lead balloon.

“How do you even know what that is? I don’t want you joking about that. It’s not funny Lauren, I’m serious.”

“Ugh, you’re not going to give me the whole ‘drugs are dangerous’ talk, are you? Been there, got a million t-shirts, remember.”

“Do I need to give you another one?” I ask questioningly.

She stands, plonking her book into her bag. As she does, a bike, not too dissimilar to Dean's, tears through the carpark, stopping directly in front of where we were just sat. “Lauren, step back.”

She does as I say, but her eyes are wide, fascinated by the bike. Travis stands, taking off his helmet. His hard eyes glare at me and I freeze. How did he find me? I don’t even have to ask, knowing that Dean has sent him, but how did he know where to come?

“A Road-King, nice!” Lauren floors Travis and me with her forwardness and bike knowledge in front of the intimidating newcomer. He looks at me confused by what’s happening. Lauren inspects his bike admiringly. “Shame this bad boy doesn’t support Bluetooth, hey big guy.”

Travis looks to me, then points to himself in disbelief, mouthing big guy? “Uh yeah, real shame.” Looking back to me, his face has softened. “Mads, need you to come with me,” he grumbles. Pursing my lips, I cross my arms across my chest.

“How did you find me?”

“Does it matter? He wants you at the clubhouse.”

“Well, you can tell him I say thanks, but no thanks.”

“Look, if I don’t get you there, he’ll probably kill me with the mood he’s in… that you’ve graciously put him in.”

“The moodI’veput him in?!” My blood boils. “Lauren come on, it’s time we left.”

Travis raises his eyebrows. “Okay, I’m coming,” Lauren says looking up to him. “Hey, can I take a picture? I like Harleys.”

“Sure, whatever, so long as you help get Mads here to come with me.” Lauren smiles widely, nodding her head.

Outraged by his involving her, I shake my head in disbelief. “Stooping pretty low there aren’t you, Travis? Blackmailing a child.” He glares daggers at me.

I wait with my arms crossed for Lauren to take her picture. “Lauren, a word.” She looks at me, then to the bike again before walking back to me. “We need to have a serious talk about a few things by the looks of it. Will you meet me tomorrow?”

“What time, tomorrow?”

“I’ll meet you here at lunch?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Fine,” she huffs, walking away with a wave. “Cheers big guy!” she shouts back, smiling at Travis.

Once she’s gone, I turn my attention back to the man in front of me.

“Thank you, that will have made her day.”

With a shrug he says, “I aim to please, Mads. Now, let's get you to the clubhouse.”

“Why?”

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