I shook my head. I didn’t understand, he made it sound like Connor was abusive to me when we were together. He wasn’t. Ok apart from putting people in the hospital he had always been sweet to me. Well there were the arguments, but that’s because I put it down to us both having fiery tempers. But I never felt that I was badly treated by Connor.
Matt nudged me and I looked up. “C’mon Bit, let’s get some coffee on the way home,” he suggested. My whole face lit up at the mention of coffee and Matt laughed at me. We started walking across campus.
“You know I wasn’t badly treated by Connor when we were together Matty. You make it sound so bad,” I said as I hooked my arm through his. He grunted in reply. “Matt?”
“You didn’t see it and I always put it down to you being too close to it. Plus let’s be fair, you weren’t exactly switched on around us all the time. If there was a book involved, you were out of it.” I flushed as he shrugged again. “I used to get wound up all the time when he spoke to you sometimes or spoke for you. Man, that used to kill me. You would just be reading or doing homework and when he finally got your attention, you’d just agree,” he shook his head again, “And I would be like Jesus Ari, speak.”
I swallowed as we walked, wow. That was just wow.
“Colton used to get worked up worse than me. Eventually we realised we just had to leave the room to remove ourselves from the situation. Theo worked hard those years to stop major fall outs,” he chuckled as he reminisced.
How was this the first I was hearing about this? I remembered when I first found out about Connor fighting and that comment from my classmate in the hall, telling me I was always in my own head or in a book. Had I been like that throughout my whole relationship with Connor? I frowned as I thought about it. I needed to take time to think about this. I was kind of freaked out that I hadn’t noticed. Did this mean I was totally spaced out or that I just hadn’t cared? If I hadn’t cared, is that why it was so easy to fall into Colton’s arms that day?
Matt nudged me again. I looked up at him and his grin was sheepish. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s none of my business and I have no right to be getting on his case, or yours, about the way he treats you. It’s just so frustrating! But you’ll be nineteen soon and are more than capable of looking after yourself. Sorry Bit, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
I shrugged, “I don’t think I ever noticed, what does that say about me?” I admitted as we started walking again, “Let’s get that coffee, I definitely need it now.”
Matt laughed at me and pulled me in for a squeeze. Seriously though, I wasn’t sounding like a good person, really was I? Why did any of them bother with me? I obviously wasn’t reciprocating in this friendship. Had Connor always been so controlling, even before the end of the relationship? Had I truly just ignored it because it was easier to read a book and disappear inside a story?
God, I wish I could talk to my dad. Dad always knew how to get me to deal with things and put things into perspective. Not for the first time I regretted that I was in this muddle with them again.
As we walked across campus to the coffee shop, I wondered if it would have been easier had they not been at CU? I would be able to go about my life without these confusing encounters. However, that was probably what got me into these messes, not wanting to deal with things. If they weren’t here, how else would I know I was seemingly oblivious to most things?
Thankfully, the school week was uneventful, no one waited for me outside of class. Classes ran smoothly and on Friday, Robbie joined me in class again. I looked up with a smile when he sat beside me. He smiled somewhat sheepishly and then in true Elle fashion, I behaved like our problems hadn’t happened. I had too much drama going on to add Robbie onto the list. He seemed equally eager to not venture into that territory either. A fellow avoider. I knew I liked him for a reason.
Robbie suggested coffee after the last class of the day and despite the guys warning me about him and his intentions, I agreed. We were strolling out of class when Robbie turned to me with what appeared to be a ‘eureka’ look.
“Want to go to Pearl Mall and get a coffee and maybe some pie there?” He suggested. I felt my face light up. I was thinking cheesecake from that little cake shop on the corner is exactly what would make my week perfect. I nodded eagerly and with a grin, he looped his arm through mine and off we set. Pearl Mall wasn’t too far from campus and the silly heatwave was still making all residents of Boulder forget it was October. Therefore, a nice leisurely walk was exactly what we needed before indulging in cake and coffee. I had walked into class this morning from my apartment, so the walk home would definitely help ease any guilt about cheesecake. Not that I had ever felt guilty about cheesecake.
The walk over to the Mall was pleasant. We chatted about inconsequential things which were light-hearted and safe. We made the detour to the cake shop and I emerged with two slices of cheesecake on the agreement we were going to swap halfway through.
Coffee was ordered at the café and then we grabbed two outside seats to spoil ourselves. I was enjoying my mango key lime cheesecake immensely when Robbie cleared his throat. Uh-oh, this could only be trouble. I almost put my fork down. Almost.
“Did you do anything during family weekend?” He asked. Ok, so he wasn’t going into that other territory, he was being sensitive about family weekend. This I could handle.
“Yeah, Matt’s mom kind of adopted me and we spent the weekend between Matt’s classes and mine,” I smiled fondly at the thought of the care Mary Ellen had shown me during the weekend.
“He the one that punched me?” Robbie grumbled rubbing his jaw in memory. I rolled my eyes.
“No. That was Theo. Matt’s the other blonde one,” I explained. I didn’t bother defending Theo for his actions or apologising. After all, Robbie had been out of line and although I did not condone the violence, there was wrongdoing on each side.
“He’s got a hell of a right hook,” he muttered. I didn’t engage and then he smiled at me. “Time to swap?” He picked up his chocolate mousse cheesecake and as discussed, we swapped slices. First mouthful and I groaned out loud. Good grief, that was…so good. The cheesecake was like velvet, the biscuit base was perfection and do not get me started on the chocolate mousse topping.
I opened my eyes to see Robbie fixated on me. I flushed. He hastily looked away and scooped up some of my cheesecake. I was slightly embarrassed, probably not the best reaction to have over cheesecake.
“Darling?” I turned quickly and beamed as I noticed Jay walking over. His hair was tied back, he had his overgrown stubble look going for him again. I watched his tall broad frame approach the table in appreciation. A white long sleeved t-shirt did nothing to hide his muscles, ripped jeans that hugged his frame and black biker boots completed him. I didn’t even care that he watched me appraise him. His grin was wicked as he stooped down to my level, his eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Like what you see?” His voice was low and husky. He winked as he leaned forward and dropped a kiss on my lips. His attention then turned to Robbie. His demeanour didn’t change as he held out his hand.
“Jay.” He introduced himself.
Robbie looked confused but extended his hand and shook. “Robbie.”
Jay nodded as he pulled up a spare chair. He pulled the chair close to me and draped his arm over the back of my chair. He picked up my fork and helped himself to my cheesecake.
I launched forward and grabbed the fork. “Mine!” I shrieked. Jay threw his head back and laughed.
“Man, that is some good cake, you don’t want to share?” He asked me as he reached for the fork. I leaped away from him and he bellowed with laughter.
“How do you two know each other?” Robbie interrupted us. Jay swung his head round and grinned.
“Mutual friends. Arielle’s friends are friends of my brother,” Jay explained. Robbie’s eyebrow rose.
“Her friends? You mean the blonde guys?” Jay rocked back in his
seat, he took in Robbie’s brown hair and colouring.
“You got something against blondes?” He quipped. Robbie flushed. Jay laughed and settled the chair down with a thump. “I’m joking man. Yeah, the blondes and the Dawson’s. They hang with my brother,” Jay explained.
“Who’s your brother?” Robbie stabbed his cheesecake, I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not. Either way I felt bad for the poor cheesecake.
“Aaron Jonson,” Jay answered looking straight at him. Robbie’s head snapped up. Jay grinned at the reaction.
“Aaron Jonson is your brother?” He stuttered incredulously. Jay leaned back again grinning at his discomfort.
“Yeah. You know him?”
“No. Heard of him,” Robbie looked at me and looked away. “Obviously,” he muttered, “everyone knows your brother.”
They did? News to me I thought. My head was turning like I was a tennis umpire in a final match at Wimbledon. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and this time I was paying attention.
“What’s the big deal about Tattoo Neck?” I asked impatiently. Jay snorted a laugh and Robbie paled slightly.
“You don’t know?”
I shrugged. “I know I can beat him at pool,” I answered smartly. Robbie looked worse.
“You hang out with him?”
Jesus wept. What was the big deal, was he God? No.
“He’s just a guy Robbie,” I replied. I looked at Jay who was smiling at me in a weird way. Almost, proudly?
I was definitely missing something important. I startled when Robbie pushed back from the table.
“Where you going?” I demanded.
“Sorry Elle, first the guy punches me, then I get almost attacked by the other one and now you’re hanging out with Aaron Jonson? I just want a quiet life, yours is too complicated.” And with those unbelievably perceptive words, Robbie left. I sat dumbfounded staring after him. I turned to a chuckling Jay who had reached over and was eating Robbie’s cheesecake with his hands.
“Where did you find him?” he chortled as he licked his fingers.
“Coffee shop,” I muttered, still a little bewildered. Jay laughed at me again and then reached over for my cake.
I stabbed his hand with my fork. He howled but I knew I hadn’t hurt him.
“I may be confused but I am not stupid. I don’t share cheesecake or my pie,” Mortification immediately followed the sentence as he howled his laughter.
It took Jay a good few minutes to settle down. I ate my cheesecake, studiously ignoring him while he calmed down.
When he pulled himself back together, I looked at him. He was still grinning at me. I flushed and soldiered on.
“What’s the big deal about your brother?”
He leaned back cockily again in his chair. I narrowed my eyes at him. His grin got bigger.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about darling,” he answered.
“I’m not worried. I’m curious.” I heard myself snap at him. It didn’t deter him at all, the grin, if anything, grew wider.
“Curiosity killed the cat,” he mocked. I threw my paper napkin at him.
“Good thing I’m not a cat,” I retorted. His grin turned downright dirty. I held up my hand to stop him before he made one joke of the feline persuasion. “Don’t.” I warned.
He laughed at me again and then jumped to his feet. “C’mon, time to go. All the cake’s gone.” I sighed in resignation, it was true, we had eaten all the cheesecake. Good things never lasted I lamented.
He pulled me out of the chair and dropped another kiss on my lips when I was standing. Matt was right, he was too free with his kisses. However, I couldn’t say I minded.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I stooped to pick up my bookbag. He deftly removed it from my arm and slung it over his shoulder.
“Movies,” he answered as he strolled off. I hurried to catch up, when I did, he slung his arm over my shoulder again and pulled me into him. I knew instantly that this was different than the way Matt or Theo walked with me. I mean it was still an arm over the shoulder, but Jay tucked me into him easily. There was no gaping, not a spare inch between the two of us.
“What if I don’t want to go the movies?” I asked as I looked up at him. He paused and looked down at me, his eyes ran over my face, lingering on my lips. I felt the heat creep up my cheeks.
“Well what do you want to do?” He asked me, pulling me closer. My breath caught, his eyes hadn’t left my lips and without thought, I licked them. He groaned as he shifted and pulled me flush against his front. He was staring down at me and I knew he must be feeling my racing heart. I shrugged slightly, I couldn’t think of a word to say.
“Jesus darling, you are gonna straight up kill me,” he moved away much to my disappointment and resumed walking. “Movies,” he declared and hooked me under his arm again.
It took the walk to the movie theatre before my pulse calmed down to normal. My reaction to Jay always confused me. Colton didn’t confuse me. I knew exactly what I wanted from Cole and that was him. All of him. Every single bit of him. Jay? I didn’t know if I wanted to be his friend or tear his clothes off.
I was pretty sure that was considered extreme and if I had a girlfriend, she would probably tell me to go with the latter. I was free and single and that wasn’t changing anytime soon. Since the girlfriend’s advice was actually my own, I wasn’t completely sure why I wasn’t following it.
Saturday morning, I woke up smiling. Jay and I had gone to the movies and then he had taken me for a burger. He had walked me all the way home and then ended the night with a very sweet, very soft kiss at the foot of the stairwell. I had gone on a proper date with Jay Jonson. No drama, no nonsense, just me and him and…no pressure.
Ok so I knew it wasn’t perfect. He was free with his kisses but not information. He was as tight lipped about his brother and his activities as the guys were. Jay was just more charming with it. He deflected with such suave confidence that I forgot what I had been asking until I was home or alone again.
Matt and the others, meanwhile, just tended to bite my head off and immediately started lecturing me, whilst still telling me nothing, which made me angry and caused the tension.
The reality was therefore that neither side was talking and in the middle of it all was me, none the wiser. I should just ask Tattoo Neck directly I mused. Though my stomach immediately clenched at the thought. He did scare me a little, but that could be nothing! All the cloak and dagger stuff that was going on, he was probably a lovely guy and my imagination had painted him to be a monster.
He makes Colton fight my mind whispered. He makes Colton fight. I got the distinct impression Colton wasn’t happy about the situation. Someone who had the power to make Colton Dawson do something he didn’t want to was probably best avoided. I got up out of bed. Yeah, so I wouldn’t be asking Tattoo Neck anytime soon. I didn’t care if that did make me a chicken.
I padded to my kitchen to set the coffee pot on. As my French roast brewed, I made some toast. I needed those slices stone cold before the butter was going anywhere near them. Once breakfast was prepared to my satisfaction, I wandered back to my bedroom and out onto the balcony to enjoy the early morning sunshine.
As I settled back, I heard my phone ring. I was so tempted to ignore it, but I had given Jay my number last night. With an excited grin I jumped up and dashed to the bedside to answer. My smile dimmed a little when I saw the call was from Theo.
“Hi,” I answered.
“Hey Lil Bit, how are you?” Theo sounded edgy. Concern bloomed in my chest.
“I’m good. How are you guys?” I heard Theo draw in a breath.
“All good. Bit bashed but ok.” I almost dropped the phone. This was Saturday, oh my God they had been fighting last night and I had forgotten. I had been with Jay at the movies. Icy dread replaced my concern, is that why he had taken me to the movies? To distract me? No, surely not.
“Are you all ok?” I whispered. I could feel tears buildi
ng up behind my eyes.
“Yeah, nothing a few ice packs won’t cure.” A sarcastic laugh followed. “Look I shouldn’t be calling; I am going to get even more bruises for this...”
“More bruises?” I cut in. I felt a tear slip over.
“Don’t worry about it, they look worse than they are,” Theo drew in a breath. “I need you to come here and distract Connor,” he rushed out.
In a million years that was not what I was ever expecting him to say. “What? Why?”
“He can’t look at us too closely, we got more marked up than usual. He’ll ask questions. He’s stupid but he isn’t blind. We need a distraction. You’re the best kind of distraction I can think of.”
Gee thanks. I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted or not. Although I knew it was Theo trying to lighten the mood.
“Please Lil Bit. I wouldn’t normally ask…” I heard him curse under his breath. Then I heard Matt’s voice. I heard Theo muffle the phone and then a door closing.
“Lil Bit?” He asked me again.
“You tell me everything today,” I said firmly. “Everything.” I repeated.
“OK.” Was the reluctant reply. It peeved me off that he was asking for this but was still reluctant to share the reasons why. Nevertheless, I was determined, they had played all their cards, the game was up.
“I’ll be there in twenty.” I hung up.
I switched the coffee off and jumped into the shower and quickly got dressed in jeans and a simple t-shirt. I slipped on my sneakers as I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
I parked up at the house with two minutes to spare. I was good I mused to myself as I got out and headed for the front door. Theo opened it before I approached. I gasped when I saw him. He mumbled a hello as he pulled me into a tentative hug. I returned the hug briefly but was soon pushing out of it to get a look at his face.
He had bruising along the upper left side of his face; his left eye was slightly swollen and he had a split lip. He moved stiffly, and I guessed that most of the damage was to his body, which was currently hidden under a long-sleeved t-shirt and faded pair of jeans. I glanced at his feet which were bare and gasped again at the bruising to his toes and feet. Theo visibly flinched at my reaction and pulled me into the house.
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