Love, loathe, betrayal - a gang story

chapter 44

I close my bedroom door and take a deep breath before dialling his number, after two short rings he picks up. "Florence; I'm so happy you called" the lack of use of my nickname doesn't sit right with me and feel like a bullet through the chest to hear his voice cold and hoarse on the other side. I can't believe I avoided him for so long. "Your avoiding me." He starts "I-" "with good reason but can I ask you how you found out about Sydney?" I sigh "Seb told me" I say simply "oh, I swear it didn't mean anything the kiss was a dare anyway I was drunk and childish." I'm a little confused I let him carry on anyway "we are young and stupid we both knew the relationship wasn't going anywhere and-" I cut him off "that isn't an excuse to make up a bet like that!" I explode on him but he fall silent. "A bet?" He says confused "yeah you know, between you and your mates who can sleep with her first!" "Excuse me?" Is all he says "I just want to know why you thought that was okay?" "Wait what? Flo never slept with anyone I was 15 when I was with Sydney all I did to her was kiss another girl at a party I broke up with her straight after though. I know that's not an excuse but I never slept with anyone!" My head is spinning rather Clay is a really good lair or Seb completely bullshitted the whole story "so you didn't sleep with anyone for a bet?" I ask dejectedly "no of course not is that was Seb told you? And you really believe that?" He replies sounding genuinely hurt. I can't believe Seb would do something like this to his own brother. "Seb told me that's what happened and to be careful around you, he did seem thrown off when I told him you would have only been 15 or 16 and he just replied saying you were a messed up kid." "Son of a bitch, why would he make that kinda thing up? I swear to you Florence that never happened I was definitely in the wrong crowd but I'm not a monster." He is nearly in tears I lay down on my bed and sigh "you believe me right?" His voice cracks on the other end of the phone, he sounds so broken and helpless. "Flo?" "Of course I do, Any idea why he would want to turn me against you?" I ask him sternly "I have no idea." It suddenly hits me how cold I've been towards him, he must have been so confused and I'm embarrassed I believe Seb over him, a single tear escaped my eye and I sniffle.

"Are you okay?" He asks " I just feel so bad for believing him, I should have spoke to you about it" I admit "it's alright you have no reason not to believe him." "Yes, yes I did your not like that! When did you last speak to your brother?" I ask "urm, yesterday he hasn't been acting weird or anything." "Don't worry we'll get to the bottom of it. I promise" "thank you for giving me a chance to explain I know what I did to Sydney wasn't nice but it was nothing like that." "I know" "I miss you, you know Stella storm does too" I smile "I miss you both too." The Conversation shifted to other things and I feel myself starting to miss the trailer park and my room in Wills caravan, watching movies in clays caravan, walking round the place with Danny and Jordan and going on going with and my self defence lessons from them. My stomach even grumbles at the thought of Antonio's food.

I find out that they're planning an attack on the Luxes soon and the Blood Baxter's has stayed quiet. I feel extremely worried for the upcoming attack on the Luxes, they are low class scum but I'll give it to them, they're strong. "I need to help." "No Flo, your safe where you are. Will might have my head for just telling you about it. You're safe where you are." Clay pleads me to stay here but I can't just sit back and watch.

I'm meant to be going back this weekend to see Layla and some of the others anyway, that could be my excuse to stay for a while.

Friday come around, I say bye to my mum and Will picks me up I keep quiet in knowing their plan to attack. "How was your week?" He asks as we set off back to our home town, "good I went on two long walks with mum" I say proudly "that's great! Clayton seems a lot happier recently, probably knowing your coming back," Will smirks and gives me a quick wink. My stomach does a somersault. "I've missed everyone and I was wondering if I could possibly stay at the compound please?" I ask and Will sighs "I thought you were staying with Layla?" "Yeah I was but i'd like to stay with you, truth is I actually haven't asked to stay with Layla yet." I admit worried for his reaction "you what? This was your plan wasn't it? Fine you can stay at the compound but any sign of danger and your going to Layla's!" "Thank you." I smile. "But you only leave to see Layla I don't want you getting yourself into more trouble okay?" "Okay, okay."

I get excited shivers as we approach the gates to the compounds. We park up and the first person I see is Jordan. I went up to him and embrace him in a massive hug. "Woah, Florence I wasn't expecting you back so soon." He replies wrapping his arms around me too. "I've all of you," "we missed you too!" Danny and Lucas come to greet me to "Flo your back?" I suddenly hear an excited squeal from behind me and I'm lifted off my feet. I see black biker gloves, rings, a gold bracelet, "Demi!" I spin to face her and give her a proper hug. She has fishnet tights on with a denim skirt and a mesh top with a neon pink under bra. Her hair loosely curled on her shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back today?" "Surprise." And we both giggle.