by K. G. Reuss
I bit my bottom lip for a moment before answering.
Rosie: Promise?
Fox: Yes. Always.
I smiled to myself.
Rosie: OK.
He sent me a kissy emoji that had me grinning as I fired up my laptop and went to the Mayfair site. My cursor hovered over APPLY.
"Screw it," I muttered, clicking the link.
"Good morning," Fox greeted me Monday morning as I stepped out my front door. He reached out and snagged my backpack off my shoulder.
"Good morning to you," I giggled as he gave me a quick kiss before leading me to his Jeep.
"So, I guess I'm riding with you today?"
He let out a laugh and opened the passenger door. “How did you know?"
"Girlfriend intuition," I ventured nervously. He tensed, his eyes fixed on me.
"What did you say?"
"Girlfriend?"
He hauled me close to him and planted his lips on mine in a deep kiss. "I love the sound of that."
I blew out a nervous breath and smiled.
"Officially official?"
"Absolutely." He grinned at me. "But I thought you already knew that."
I shrugged. "I had a hunch."
He laughed and closed me in the Jeep and went to his side and got in.
"Did you apply to Mayfair?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I did.”
He reached out and twined his fingers through mine before bringing our hands to his lips where he pressed a kiss to mine.
"You'll get in. If I have to work two jobs to pay for your tuition, you're going. All of us being there without you next fall won't work."
"How do you even know we'll all last that long? You and Cole piss me off sometimes," I joked.
"Boyfriend intuition." Fox winked at me, causing me to grin wider.
We spent the rest of the ride to school doling out playful banter that just felt right. Everything had changed between us in a good way. All of Mona's words from the party weeks ago faded in my mind. Even Ian's threats were left hazy. I knew I had to deal with them soon though. The feeling I may have waited too long weighed heavily on me. If he hurt Jamie. . .
Guilt ate at me. I'd been selfish, ignoring the Ian problem. I deserved for Jamie to hate me. I should have been there for her sooner. What if he already hurt her? What if. . .
"What's wrong?" Fox called out as he parked the Jeep in his spot in the parking lot.
"Huh?"
"You're a million miles away."
"Oh," I let out a nervous laugh. "I don't know. I was thinking about Jamie."
Fox frowned, his eyes raking over my face. "She'll come around. I'll talk to her if you want me to."
"No." I shook my head, a tight smile on my face. "It's something I need to do."
Fox kissed my hand again. "If you need me though-“
"I know."
The answer seemed good enough for him because he got out and came to my side and helped me out. We walked side by side, not touching until we reached the sidewalk. It was Ethan who reached me first and wound his arm around my waist.
"Dibs," he called out, smirking at Cole who scowled back at him.
"Not fair. I was texting Colt."
Ethan shrugged. "You snooze, you lose, brother."
"Dick," Cole shot back.
"Easy now, boys. There's plenty of Sunshine to go around," Enzo chimed in, casting me a smile. "Right?"
"Yes," I answered. Cole's eyes darkened as they raked over me in my low-slung skinny jeans and black scoop-neck.
"I can't wait to put that theory to the test," he growled. "Are you feeling better?"
"Only one way to find out," I teased. Cole took a step toward me, but Ethan pulled me away.
"Sorry, Cole. I'll be taking my girl now."
"Asshole," Cole called out as Fox and Enzo laughed. When we were away from them, Ethan spoke again.
"I had fun Saturday with you. You surprised me."
"I surprised me, too," I admitted. "But I wanted it, so I took it."
"You have no idea how hot it was."
We stopped at my locker, and I grabbed my books from inside. "I think I have some idea."
Ethan's smile widened as he let out an easy laugh.
"Hey, wait up," Enzo called out as we merged with hall traffic. We paused, waiting for him.
He didn't hesitate to plant a kiss on my lips, not even caring if half the student population saw him do it while Ethan held me.
"People will start talking," I said, glancing around at the students who were already whispering or giving us odd looks. "I thought Fox and I would be a couple until things settled down?"
"Sunshine, where have you been? They've been talking for weeks now." He snaked his arm around my waist, separating me from Ethan who didn't fight the intrusion. "Anything we do now, we do together. If we're all with you, then we will be with you in all ways. Get me?"
I nodded, accepting the decision as we rounded a corner to find Ian and Jamie together. I made to avert my eyes, but not fast enough to not see the surprise on Jamie's face at Enzo's arm around me or the look of anger that clouded Ian's face.
"Hey, Jamie," Enzo called out. "Looking good."
"Fuck you, De Luca," Ian snarled as Jamie's face flamed red.
Enzo let out a soft, dangerous laugh.
"And fuck your whore too.”
It happened so fast, I barely had time to register it. One moment Enzo was walking with me and Ethan, and the next he was fighting Ian. They exchanged blows, Enzo dodging most of them as Ian fumbled around trying to gain an upper hand.
Jamie cried out as Enzo swung on Ian, knocking him into the locker, a cut over his eye appearing.
Ethan moved me aside and dove into the fray, separating the two.
"What the fuck is going on?" Cole growled, stepping past me with Fox in tow.
"Ian. You little fucking leach, what did we tell you?" Fox snarled. Ian wiped at his bloody nose and glared at the guys.
"I think he needs a reminder," Cole said, taking another dangerous step forward. Ian's eyes wavered as he glanced between the guys. A circle had formed around them as students watched.
"Or maybe you do," Ian snapped. "I'm not afraid of you."
Fox's dark laugh made chills course through me. "Try me."
"Stop," Jamie called out in a shaky voice. She made her way to the center of the circle and blocked what she could of Ian from the guys. "You guys are bullies. Ian told me how you beat him up."
"You mean his unfortunate ladder incident?" Cole asked innocently.
"Did he tell you what he did to make the ladder crash into his face?" Ethan said.
My heart thrashed wildly in my chest. I dodged forward and gripped Fox's arm, his muscles tight beneath my hold.
"Please," I whispered urgently to him. "Don't."
"You will get what's coming to you, Hall. You fucked up," Enzo snarled, backing away and reclaiming his spot at my side. Ian stared the guys down, but I could see his tremors. Enzo urged me back.
"It's over. Back the fuck up," Cole called out to the crowd. People began scurrying away.
"Jamie." I made to step forward as she and Ian turned to go. She stopped and stared back at me.
"Don't talk to me, Rosalie. Ian's right. You’ve become their whore. You're no better than they are."
My mouth went dry at her words. She turned and followed Ian.
"Don't listen to her," Ethan said, giving my hand a squeeze.
"I'd floor her ass too if she wasn't a chick," Cole huffed, glaring after her. "No one talks to my girl like that."
"It's OK," I choked out, sagging against Enzo. "S-she's just mad."
"She's just a fucking idiot," Fox snapped. "You can't help people like her, Rosalie. You need to let it go. We could have outed him right here."
"I don't want anyone to know," I whispered, pulling away from Enzo and staring up into Fox's blue eyes. "What if no one believes me? Then I really will be what they say in their eyes."
"Yo
u will never be what they say," Fox hissed, cradling my face in his hands. "Do you understand me?"
I swallowed hard. "It's more complicated than that."
"Well, I'll uncomplicate it," he grunted, releasing me. "I promise you that, Rosie."
Something about the way he said it, or maybe it was the dark look in his eyes, made a chill rush down my spine.
Thirty-Seven
With the guys' grueling football schedule and practices, we didn't see each other much outside of school. Their coach kept them exhausted with training and studying their opponents in the upcoming games since they had a shot at states.
By Thursday, I was missing their deep kisses and playful touches in hidden parts of the school. Hoping to catch Fox before he went to practice since I couldn't find Enzo to discuss trying to work in a musical audition rehearsal for me, I rounded a corner and came to halt. Fox and Juliet were in a deep discussion. Fox told me they'd broken up weeks ago, so anger raced through me at the sight of them together.
I backed up around the corner and peeked around. He stared down at her with no emotion on his face. I ground my teeth as she rested her hand on his chest. I was just about to go out and claw her eyes out when he pushed her hand away and shook his head at her. I wished I could know what they were saying to one another. Whatever it was, Juliet was pissed, stomping her foot at him. He shrugged at her and backed away.
She stared after him as he turned and walked away. I watched as she called out to him. He didn't stop. He didn't look back.
I moved back around the corner, breathing out.
It's nothing. He clearly put the stops to whatever she wanted.
I stayed after school that night, singing in the auditorium, hoping to listen to the acoustics and get a feel for things. I planned on waiting for the guys after practice, so when I finished, I made my way to the football field.
"Rosie?" Fox called out as he walked off the field, his hair wet with sweat.
"Hey, Sunshine!" Enzo greeted me with a grin, his dark eyes shining as they raked over me.
Cole's eyes lit up, and Ethan broke into a jog to get to me. My heart warmed to see them so excited.
"Hey," I said, giving them a nervous smile.
"What are you doing? Is everything OK?" Fox asked, his worried gaze sweeping over me.
"Yeah. I, uh, was practicing my audition in the auditorium and thought I'd come to see you guys."
"Nice," Cole grinned, kissing me quickly.
"And what else?" Enzo narrowed his eyes at me as Ethan kissed my cheek.
I twisted my fingers nervously and looked to Fox.
"I saw you with Juliet in the hall," I blurted out. The surprised look on Cole's face as he darted his gaze to Fox let me know he didn't have a clue what was going on. Even Enzo and Ethan seemed surprised.
"What the hell is that about?" Cole demanded. "I thought that shit was over."
"It is," Fox growled, taking my hands in his. "It was nothing. She wants to get back together. I told her no way."
"Great," Enzo grunted. "Now she’ll get pissed because she didn't get her way."
Ethan sighed and shook his head.
"I won't let her bother you, Rosie." Fox squeezed my hands.
"So she knows about me? Officially?"
"How could she not?" he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Aside from seeing me with you, especially with Cole that day, she'd be stupid not to get it. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about, Rosie. I swear on my life."
"She better not," Cole broke in. "Don't fuck up our shit by getting that bitch involved, Fox."
"I'm not," Fox snapped at him. "Trust me."
Cole grunted and looked away, a muscle popping along his jaw.
"Seriously, Rosie. Nothing." He leaned in and kissed me before resting his moist forehead against mine.
"You're so. . ."
"What?" he murmured. "What am I?"
"Gross," I finished, pulling away from him and wiping my forehead. His face broke into a grin, and the guys laughed.
When he reached out and tugged me to his body, I didn't resist, but something deep in my belly sent a warning.
And as much as I hated it was there, I knew I had to recognize it. Juliet was a threat. Enemies never disappeared. They only got worse. Ian was a prime example.
Thirty-Eight
I went to the game on Friday night. I sat in the stands, watching as Fox threw touchdown pass after touchdown pass. Cole scored a majority of the goals while Enzo blocked. Ethan was the kicker. I hadn't known these things about the guys. All I knew was that Fox was the quarterback and that they all played. I had no idea how amazing they were though. Or how damn good they looked in their blue and white uniforms.
Cole scored a final touchdown with a few seconds on the clock. It was a complete shutout; the guys winning 33-0.
The crowd cheered and rallied around them. They'd knocked out another team in the playoffs. I tried to get to the guys, but it was impossible as people swarmed them. Sighing, I gave up and walked to my car, hoping to just catch them when they came to the parking lot. Cole wasn't throwing a party, promising we'd all hang out together instead tonight and finish what we'd been trying to start since we all became official.
I let out a gasp as a hand grasped my arm and whipped me around.
"Ian," I breathed out. My pulse thundered in my ears as he glared down at me. He sported a black eye where Enzo had punched him.
"Hey, Rosalie," he growled.
I let out a squeak as he hauled me roughly to a dark corner of the building and slammed me against the brick wall. My head banged off the bricks, blurring my vision.
"Stop," I hissed, struggling as he held my arms with his one hand. "Ian-"
He clamped his other hand over my mouth.
"Stop fucking moving or I swear I'll fuck you right here, Rosalie."
I stilled at his words, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
"Listen closely. I'm done fucking around. The little stunt with Enzo was cute, but I want what's due to me. You will give it to me. Do you understand me?"
I shook my head and let out a whimper behind his hand as he pushed my head harder into the bricks.
"I know you think the guys want you, but they don't. Friend to friend, I'm here to tell you they keep a notebook with the name of every girl they've all fucked inside it. Your name is listed in there. It's all a game to them, Rosalie, and you've been blinded by them. I'm giving you a way out. Be with me."
He removed his hand from my mouth and stared at me.
"You're lying."
"No, I'm not. Mona even told you. Juliet is in on it. You're a fucking joke and you didn't even know it. That's what's so pathetic about all this. We can get them back, Rosalie. Join up with me. They deserve to pay."
I shook my head at him, hating his words sounded like there was truth to them.
"You really don't believe me?" He let out a bark of laughter and reached into his back pocket. I tensed, debating on running, but Ian was fast. I wouldn't stand a chance.
He pushed a black notebook into my hands. The same notebook I'd seen the guys with.
"Take it with you. Read it. Call me when you're done. Maybe give it to them. They've been looking for it."
He backed away as I clutched the notebook to my chest before turning and leaving me standing in the dark.
I stared down at the notebook, sickness and a sense of dread washing over me.
Thirty-Nine
Cole: Where are you?
Fox: Rosie, we're waiting. I stopped at your house on the way to Cole's but no one is home. Call me.
Enzo: Sunshine, you're an hour late. Where are you?
Ethan: I'm worried. We all are. Please call or text when you get this. You were supposed to be here almost two hours ago now.
Fox: We just went to your house. You aren't answering your phone. Rosie, you're scaring me.
I shut the screen off and stared out at the dark lake in front of me. I'd driven to
the beach and walked to the edge of the water and sat with the notebook in my hands. The memory of Fox's story of the lake monster surfaced in my mind. I scoffed, shaking it away.
I hadn't worked up the courage just yet to check inside the thick notebook, terrified of what I'd find.
But I had to. It was getting late, and I was tired. Not that I planned on going home. I knew Fox and the guys were probably at his house, waiting for my return. It wasn't like I had Jamie to call for a place to crash.
Sighing, I turned on the flashlight on my phone, and with shaking hands, flipped open the notebook.
Lists of names greeted me. Pictures of girls next to the names. Descriptions of things the guys had done with them. Commentary on all of it from how big their boobs were to how good they were at sex or blow jobs. Some girls had five stars next to their names. Some had one. It appeared like they passed the book back and forth between them, adding comments as they went along.
Each page I flipped left a growing sickness and a rush of disgust gnawing at my guts. When I got to Mona's page, I paused. Cole scrawled about her shyness. Ethan wrote she was sweet, but not much else. Fox said she turned him down. Enzo said he wasn't interested but would fuck her if they wanted to. She earned a two-star rating from them.
My stomach twisted into knots as I flipped to one of the last pages and saw a picture of myself. I was sitting alone at the lunch table, a book in my hand, my long red braid over my shoulder.
Rosalie Bishop
Amazing rack. Tight body. Beautiful.
I swallowed down the bile in my throat as I continued to read. Fox vetoed me. Cole demanded me. Enzo said he was game. Ethan said I was smart, and he needed help in calculus. Someone drew obscene artwork of my body. There was commentary on the day Cole and Ethan talked to me on the bleachers.
Shy. Didn't seem opposed to the idea. Gorgeous body. Beautiful face. Scares easy.
There was more on Fox and the cafeteria.
I'll do it just to get back at her. That's it. I fuck her first. You guys can have the leftovers.
It moved forward to Cole's party.
