Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland 1)

“I love it too.” He pulled me even closer and nuzzled into my neck. There wasn’t much space between us before, but now it was as if we were one person.

“Why me?” I said. It wasn’t that I was doubting myself, but I wanted to know what it was he saw all those years ago. Why he’d chosen me.

“It was always you, Em.” He settled me, so that I lay with my head on his chest and he drew slow gentle circles on my back as he spoke. “I guess the first time I really noticed you was at school, at lunchtime. Elliot Small, rotten name by the way considering his size, but that’s… Whatever. Anyway, Brandon was being a real asshole, trying to show everyone what a dude he was. He watched Elliot walking across the canteen with his lunch tray and he stuck his foot out, made the kid fall flat on his ass; spaghetti and meatballs everywhere. The kid was a fucking mess and not just from the tomato sauce. Everyone was laughing. He looked ready to burst into tears and I was just about to head over there and tell Brandon to stop being a jerk when you appeared. A five-foot-nothing firecracker, ready to tear Brandon a new one.”

I remembered that day. That was the first time I spoke to Elliot and we became good friends after that.

“You were fucking awesome that day. You told Brandon he was a piece of shit. Well, without the swearing, but you made him feel like a prized twat. Not many people have done that. Then you helped Elliot stand up, getting spaghetti sauce all over you as you did, and you helped him to a table, even shared your lunch with him.”

“He ate more than I did.” I laughed at the memory. I’d had no idea Ryan had seen that.

?

??You blew me away, Em. You were half Brandon’s size, but I reckon you’d have tried to knock him out if you could’ve. Watching you that day did something to me. Sure, there were other things, but that stands out to me. I knew then that you were the girl for me.”

“Ryan Hardy.” I slapped his chest playfully. “You fell for the geeky, nerdy kid that no one liked.” I said it as a joke, but he didn’t take it that way. He put his hand under my chin to lift my face to his.

“You were not geeky, nerdy or disliked. I put a bloody block on you for Christ’s sake. No one dared to go near you. But they liked you. Why wouldn’t they? They just did a really good job of hiding it. They knew I’d kick their asses if they tried anything.”

“You’re an asshole… And thank you… I think. I really don’t know what to say.” I frowned and smiled at the same time. Confusion was becoming a good friend of mine.

“Em, you’re the girl who flipped my whole world upside down. You might’ve been an afterthought in your parent’s lives, but not in mine. I love the way you’ve never let their negativity get to you. You’ve never let it change who you are.”

“And who am I?” I pushed, wanting to bleed him dry of every beautiful word he had to give.

“You’re the girl who always puts everyone else first. Family, friends, strange guys spilling their meatballs all over the place. You fight for what’s right. God knows you’ve called me and the guys out enough times over the years. You are the girl who makes people feel better just by being in a room. You have this power to make everyone feel good. It’s like a light or, I don’t know, a super power. You’re the girl who everyone wants to be with. The girl who stole my heart.”

I was gone. I didn’t think it was possible to feel any more for this boy lying with me on my bed, but right then he stole the heart right out of my chest and claimed it as his own.

It was official, I was falling in love with Ryan Hardy, and not knowing what to say back to him in that moment, I kissed him. I had no words. Actions would have to suffice.

The factory was located on the outskirts of town. A prime position for the boys’ and far enough away that any noise wouldn’t disturb local residents. I was fast learning that was a win for them. No irate residents, no police presence, more time to party and make money.

Since my first experience at the warehouse, I’d come to respect them for their work ethic and tenacity; albeit for illegal events, drinking, gambling and whatever else they could turn their hand to, but they had a real knack for it. They were driven and focused. All traits that my father had drummed into us from an early age, but he wouldn’t see it like that. If he knew I was standing in the middle of a derelict factory with hundreds of others, he’d have gone completely mental.

“Looks like he’s moved on from Kelly.” Liv was glaring daggers at Zak as he moved through the crowd towards his D.J. set with Eloise Campbell hanging off his arm. That boy sure was spreading the love around like it was confetti.

“You are way too good for him.” I moved so I was standing in her line of vision. Hopefully blocking out Zak’s free-loving ass. “Just don’t look. There’re loads of guys here tonight. Get with one of them and to hell with Zak.”

“Em, I’m happy for you. You found a good one… We hope. But I’m gonna take a break from guys. A man-hoe-liday.” She stood tall as she spoke, proud of her efforts already. I didn’t believe her for a second.

“Okay, Liv. You do you, girl.”

“Oh, I will. I have multiple BOBs to keep me happy.” I stared at her, not having the first clue who Bob was. “You know, Bob. Battery-operated-boyfriend. You have those too, right, Em?”

I nodded then shook my head, feeling like I’d entered another dimension.

“Why would she need one? She’s got Ryan for that,” Effy said then blushed profusely. “I mean… I don’t… You probably… Oh shit.”

“It’s fine, Eff. Like I said, you do you. And no, Liv. I don’t have a Bob, as you put it. But if shit hits the fan, I’ll definitely look into it.”

“I’ll even buy you one myself.” Liv grinned from ear to ear. I’d no doubt she’d give me tips and pointers on how to use it effectively too.

An hour later and Effy was nowhere to be seen. Probably off in a dark corner discussing brush strokes with Finn, Liv had commented and I’d had to agree. Anytime we were with the guys lately, Effy and Finn were drawn to each other. I was glad. Effy deserved some fun. Only problem was, I was stuck playing third wheel to Liv and some guy called Pete who looked like a classic stoner. So much for her man-hoe-liday. Liv was lapping up the attention like the cat that got the cream.

I tapped her on the elbow to let her know I was going to find Ryan. I knew the guys were always busy at the beginning of these nights, but I couldn’t stay away any longer. I forced my way through the crowds and into another corridor where a partially dilapidated staircase led to the next floor.

“Stairs are outta use. The floor’s collapsed up there,” some guy said, looking up at the flaking ceiling. I turned and headed in the opposite direction. “If you’re looking for Mathers and the fight, it’s in the basement. It was dark as fuck down there earlier, but we used the generators and the floodlights are pretty good.”