“Yes,” I bit out. My gaze swept the yard beside me. Jay held my stare, not blinking. A few others stood around me, some were frowning. “Your friends look confused.” My tone was scathing.
“They don’t understand why I haven’t kicked your ass for the punch.”
“Why haven’t you?”
“Because if she was my girl, I would punch the first fucker I saw too.” He lit a cigarette.
“I will go through you if I have to.”
“No need.” He took a deep inhale of his cigarette. “She okay?”
“Some fucking bastard spiked her drink.” My fists clenched again and I watched Jay glance quickly at his brother. “She was only with you and your brother and she says she left the drink unattended to play pool with you. So, it happened when she was with you.”
Aaron nodded as he listened. “She wasn’t with me, but she was only where we were.” His eyes turned to his brother; his face blank.
“So it had to have happened with Jay or your group of friends.” I could feel my temper surging again.
“Calm the fuck down,” Aaron ordered me. “You swing for me again and I will put you down.” He rubbed his jaw. “We do this together.”
“You’re going to help me?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice. I noted Jay’s jaw dropped too.
“I’m not on board with anyone getting their drinks spiked.” He looked at me. “Be smart.” He turned and started to walk across the yard. I followed him, wary about him helping me. I was conscious of Jay and the others behind me but focused on Aaron. We entered the garage and Aaron looked around quickly. “Jim, you need to step out for a minute.” He gestured to three others. “You go too.” The man called Jim looked like he wanted to ask questions but one look at Aaron’s face and he and the three other guys all went through a side door.
Aaron called some of the other guys working there. “All of you, in front of me now,” he barked out an order. “You.” His sharp gaze landed on me. “You stand here beside me.”
“What’s going on?” A guy with a dark beard asked.
“His girl...” Aaron hesitated when Jay made a sound of protest. “His friend’s drink was spiked on Saturday night when she was in the Roadshack.” Aaron’s hard glare swept over them all. “We’re going to find out what you saw and who it was. Do not piss me off.” Aaron started barking out questions as I watched them all. I genuinely hadn’t expected him to help me, but I think even he knew I was close to just punching my way through his friends.
“Gregor, why do you look so guilty?” Aaron suddenly snarled at a lanky ginger guy. He seemed to shrink under both of our stares.
“It’s nothing—” he started.
“Don’t fucking push me.” Aaron was pissed. “Tell me.”
“I thought I saw Gerry hanging about the table where her drink was,” the guy answered.
“Who the fuck is Gerry?” I demanded taking a step forward.
“Now why don’t we let Gerry speak, before you start throwing accusations and punches,” Jay said to me from the side-lines.
“Who the fuck is Gerry?” I asked again, my glare landing heavy on Aaron.
“This is Gerry,” Jay said. He pointed at a big guy, on the heavy side, with greasy hair. He looked nervously at me and then Aaron.
“Speak,” Aaron commanded.
“It was a joke,” he blurted. I made to move but Aaron’s grip on my arm held me firm.
“Wait,” he warned me, his eyes never leaving Gerry. Gerry was now sweating nervously, looking like he wanted to run. “Speak fast.”
Gerry’s eyes flicked to Jay. Was he looking for help? Reassurance?
“Why you looking at him?” I snapped. “Why is he looking at you? Did you know?” My focus now on Jay.
“No, I didn’t fucking know,” Jay snapped. “I don’t need to spike Arielle’s drink…girl’s mine for the taking.”
My eyes narrowed but I couldn’t say anything, she had been with him after all.
“Just fucking tell us,” Aaron snapped at Gerry.
“Jay mentioned he hadn’t been laid yet, that she was hot but not easy,” Gerry said desperately. “I was just trying to loosen her up.”
This time Aaron couldn’t hold me back. My fist connected with Gerry’s jaw before he could raise his hands in defence. My follow up jab knocked him to his knees, the next few punches had him laid out cold at my feet. I have never so strongly wanted to kick an unconscious man in my life. Aaron had no issue, a quick kick to the bastard’s ribs made me feel strangely satisfied. I turned to Jay who immediately stepped back.
“Easy now, I didn’t know,” he said. “Aaron, tell him.”
A hand on my arm—again—halted my stalking towards Jay. “Easy.”
“Do you believe him?” My focus was still on Jay.
“I’ve seen him with her, she doesn’t look like she’s fighting him off,” Aaron said quietly. Jay’s smug smirk had me grinding my teeth. “I think you’re done here.”
I tore my glare from Jay and looked at Aaron. His gaze was unwavering as he regarded me. “You can let me go,” I shrugged my arm out of Aaron’s grip. “Anything happens to her again and I won’t bother asking questions.” I turned and left the garage. Walking across the yard I could still feel the anger coursing through my body. Despite having knocked out the guy responsible, it was Jay’s smug face that was fuelling my temper. Was he really ignorant of the whole thing? I had my doubts. Getting into the 4Runner I pulled out my phone, I phoned Matt.
“Hey, where are you?” he immediately asked.
“Had an errand to run,” I answered easily.
“Bullshit, why weren’t you here for Bit this morning? She’s looking for you,” he grumbled.
“She’s okay though?” I asked.
“Yeah she’s fine, almost back to normal,” he sounded relieved. “Where are you?”
“Aaron’s garage,” I admitted as I started the engine.
“You been in?” he demanded.
“Yeah, I’m heading to school now. Meet me there?”
“Obviously,” he grumbled. “You okay?”
“Yeah, see you soon.” When I got to school, I parked and headed to our usual coffee shop. Matt was already waiting for me. I quickly relayed my morning to his ever-increasing outrage.
“Because he isn’t getting laid?” Matt’s face was incredulous.
“That’s what he said,” I confirmed.
“Are you sure you hit him hard enough?” Matt demanded.
“Yes, although I wouldn’t mind punching him again,” I admitted grimly. I glanced at Matt. “He said Jay knew nothing about it.”
Matt nodded as he thought. “You don’t believe him?” he asked me eventually.
“No,” I sighed in frustration. “Although Aaron decided to put in his two cents and remind me that Ari doesn’t look uncomfortable when she is with Jay.”
Matt looked at me in sympathy. “I have to agree with him, though it kills me.”
“What the hell does she see in him?” I snapped.
“I can’t answer that.” He shrugged. “Aaron’s going to defend his brother, but I dunno, I’ve seen Bit with Jay…she’s happy with him.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
“I also just don’t get that vibe from him,” Matt continued, ignoring my sarcasm.
“He’s a dick.”
“You’re biased,” Matt’s tone was reproachful.
“I don’t care. He’s a dick. I can’t believe you don’t see it.”
“I didn’t say he wasn’t a dick,” Matt grinned at me. “I’m just saying I can’t see him needing to drug a girl.”
“I want him away from her,” I said softly. “Hopefully the only good thing to come out of Saturday will be to make her more cautious and she’ll keep her distance from him.” I mean she wasn’t an idiot, Saturday had to be a wakeup call for her. Surely?
Driving up to my house later that day I realised Ari was obviously an idiot. I mean why else would
she be standing outside my front door with Jay. She was holding flowers. He had brought her flowers? What a dick. Sorry my friend tried to get you date raped, here’s a bouquet. Someone needed to explain to me why she was falling for this? Getting out of the car I headed towards them. I didn’t miss her hand slipping into Jay’s or his smug grin in my direction. Just walk past them, don’t engage.
Of course, Ari wouldn’t let me walk past her, she stepped towards me and I hesitated. “Are you okay?” Her face full of concern.
No. Why the fuck are you with this fucking loser again? I couldn’t say that to her though and I would never give him the satisfaction of knowing how pissed off I was. Of how insanely jealous I was. “I’m fine. It’s all sorted.” I smiled a fake smile. I went to walk into the house but her hand on my arm stopped me.
“Cole…”
I wanted to speak to her, I did, but all I could see was her holding his hand. “I said it’s fine. Aaron and I had a long talk with Jay’s friend.” Are you listening to me? Jay’s friend…connect the dots Ari! I looked at him and he was watching me back. “Jay.” I walked past them because I couldn’t stay out here with them. I would punch him and shake some sense into her. I stopped for a brief moment when I was on the other side of the door, letting out a long sigh.
“Cole, is that you?” Connor’s voice sounded from the kitchen. Closing my eyes briefly I forced a smile onto my face and headed into the kitchen.
“Hey,” I greeted him and Corey.
“How was your day?” Connor asked me.
Where to start? I thought sardonically. “Good.” I crossed to get a drink from the fridge. “How about you?” I could do small talk with my brother. I heard the front door opening and closing but tried to concentrate on what Con was saying. Ari came into the kitchen and Corey immediately screamed in delight when she saw the flowers. The urge to roll my eyes was strong. I listened to their inane chatter about Jay and had to reign in my emotions; I think I failed.
“Huh. Well like I said before, he’s okay. Brother, not so much. Stay away from Aaron,” Connor warned her and again I felt the need to roll my eyes.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m dealing with,” Ari snapped at him.
I knew she wouldn’t be able to rein that fire in, I moved off the counter I was resting on to get her attention. Ari registered my unspoken warning and turned to Corey who was handing her the vase of flowers.
“Cole could you help me?”
I studied her through narrowed eyes as she fluttered her eyelashes. Seriously?
“I’m still weak from the food poisoning.”
You do not want to mess with me right now Ari. I could hardly say no though, Connor and Corey would think I was a bastard. Corey was already wary of me. I placed my water down and roughly took the vase from her. I heard her surprised gasp and felt slightly vindicated when she realised she shouldn’t push me. Not today. Crossing the room, I dumped the flowers onto her dresser before turning to her. My face must have warned her how pissed off I was because she took a step back. No, you don’t get to run baby. I crossed the room to her, stopping in front of her and reached passed and closed the door behind her.
“Colton—”
My finger pressed against her lips, I didn’t want to fucking hear it. “Shut up,” I instructed her. “You will not talk to me about today. I don’t want to hear how sweet your boyfriend is.” I took a breath to try and calm myself down. “Your boyfriend whose friend drugged you, so he could get laid.” Her eyes widened. “Yes, that’s what the fucking bastard did it for. Jay’s not getting laid, so he thought he would ‘loosen you up’.” Disgust and anger surged to the surface again. I should have hit him harder. She tried to speak and I pressed my finger firmly against her soft lips. “I will not listen to any fucking excuse that Jay didn’t know. I am not a fool. I know exactly how those sick fucks operate.” She looked scared of me, which was just pushing all my buttons. “If you want to stay with that gutless shit, do so.” Open your eyes Ari! “We told you about the situation. Matt and Theo think Jay is ignorant of it all.” I leaned into her more. “I am not an idiot. Your boyfriend knows more than he lets on.” Ari looked like she was going to cry. Fuck, I wasn’t supposed to be the one who made her cry.
I needed out of here, away from her. “I’m done with this.” I walked out before I did something stupid, more stupid than scare her. I was handling this all wrong.
I can’t believe she told them, it was all I could think as I went to wake Matt, Theo, and Connor.
“What’s wrong?” Matt muttered as he sat up.
“My dad’s here and your mom,” I sighed as he looked at his watch. “Ari told.”
I left before he could ask me any questions. I didn’t have time to shower after the workout I’d just done downstairs, but I could change into dry clothes. I can’t believe she told was followed swiftly by, I told them she would never be able to keep it to herself. I hated being right all the time. We sat in the dining room as Connor tried to explain his fuck up. When I heard the whole story, I genuinely couldn’t believe he had been so naïve. Naïve? Or just plain stupid? It was a tough call.
My dad was pissed. His temper was like mine, only he had better control of his. But I knew it would be a long time before he trusted me again. I tried to avoid looking at Ari, she looked like she was in hell, her guilt written all over her perfect face. The fact my dad thanked her for being so brave and confessing all to Mary Ellen, made Ari’s shoulders slump further. I knew what she was thinking, hell must have frozen over for my dad to be thanking her. He asked her for more coffee and she hurriedly left the room.
“I’m sorry Dad,” Connor whispered.
“You should be,” Dad snapped at him. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I think it’s obvious he wasn’t thinking,” Mary Ellen commented dryly. Her sharp gaze swept over all of us. “None of them were.”
“Mom…” Matt started but her sharp look had him shutting up and slinking further down in his seat.
Ari came back into the room, mumbling that Mrs Green had taken over coffee duties. She sat beside Mary Ellen again and looked at the floor.
“Can I have a moment with my sons?” My dad asked the room.
Ah fuck, here we go. As the room emptied, she looked at me once and hurriedly looked away. I didn’t know if it was avoidance because of yesterday or today. Both probably.
“What a fuck up,” my dad declared to the room. I snorted in agreement. Connor was still staring at the floor. “Connor, please explain to me properly what on earth you were thinking?”
As I listened to Connor mutter his way through a bullshit reason and my dad firing questions at him, I thought about Ari. Surprise, surprise, I snarked to myself internally. Had it been what I said to her yesterday that made her do it? For spite? No that wasn’t Ari. It was more likely that she was just so overwhelmed that when she spoke to Mary Ellen, she unloaded to a parent. She had no one anymore but us, and I grudgingly admitted to myself, it did feel better knowing my dad knew. The weight was off my shoulders, even as I half listened to him chastise Connor, it meant we wouldn’t have to go into that ring again.
“You’re not innocent either.” He directed his attention on me.
“I know, Dad. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough, Colton. I thought I taught you better than this?” His disappointment was heavy.
“I know,” I admitted. “I went to negotiate but the guy who works for the loan shark, took one look at the three of us and came up with the crazy idea.” I ran my hand over my hair. “I knew I couldn’t get the money to pay him back in one go. This seemed like a reasonable solution.”
“Fighting?” My dad’s scorn was thick. “Fighting was a reasonable solution?”
“Desperate times…” I muttered.
“This is not how a businessman conducts himself, Colton!” Dad was on his feet. “You let him have leverage over you, never ever give them leverage. How many times have I told you thi
s?”
“I know.”
“And you brought the others into this? Irresponsible.” Dad paced the floor. “All three of you, how would that look to clients if you had been caught? Even worse if you had been hurt? I thought you were smarter than this.”
“I didn’t see another solution.” I met his glare, honesty was all I had left.
“Arielle saw a solution! Tell a parent,” he snapped. “If you can’t act like an adult, how am I supposed to treat you like one?” His anger seemed to diffuse. “How can I let you run my business?”
Fuck. “It won’t happen again.”
“Of course, it won’t happen again. Jesus Christ that’s not even a reassurance.” His phone started ringing. “That’s the office.”
I stood, dragging Connor with me. “We’ll go, let you take the call.”
Dad snorted as he answered. “Connor, you stay.”
I hesitated but one look from my father had me inclining my head and walking out of the room. I stood in the hall for a minute, I needed to clear my head. The front door opened and Matt’s dad, David, walked in.
“Bit of a mess I hear,” he greeted me.
“Yeah.”
“Where is Mary Ellen? Is my son still breathing?”
Despite the situation I couldn’t help but laugh. “Patio, having breakfast.”
“Jake?”
I pointed to the room behind me. “On the phone, Connor is still in there.”
“Okay, I’ll get my wife first and then go calm your dad down.” He winked at me. “Don’t worry son, we’ll have this mess cleaned up by lunchtime. I’ve made contact with the so called ‘businessman’, we’re heading out soon.”
“I’m sorry.”
“We all think we’re invincible when we’re young.” He gave my shoulder a pat as he walked past me.
I don’t think I deserved his easy acceptance of the situation, but I was so grateful not to have another person look at me with disappointment, I took it greedily. I went into the kitchen and got a drink, declining breakfast from Mrs Green. Mary Ellen came in moments later followed by David. She frowned as she moved through the kitchen and headed to my dad. Yeah, David would accept it, but Mary Ellen would take a bit longer to calm down.
Cole: A Boulder Series Novella Page 9
