by L. E. Bross
I suck several breaths into my lungs to try and settle. And then I realize we’re still alone.
“I thought you said Riot was just outside?”
“I lied.” He grunts like it’s no big deal. “You have a date with Luc?”
His quick change of subject has me nodding before I know it. He drops his head and says something under his breath.
“Friday night? He’s bringing you to the race, isn’t he?”
I nod again.
“Fuck. You know this only ends one way, right?”
When I nod hesitantly once more, he scrubs his hand over his face.
“Why Luc, Ever?”
I want to answer him but I can’t.
“Okay, tell me one thing then. Are you going out with him to fuck with Ry?”
I’m not, but before I can figure out a response, Baz swears and storms off down the hall. Students start to trickle in and I make my way to class, not waiting for Meri. I’m pretty sure that my new friend is in the past. I’m sure Trey will spin a story that paints me as a villain and she’ll never want to talk to me again.
One day, I had one perfect day of high school before it all fell apart around me.
Just fuck my life.
Riot effectively ignores me in English, proving that Baz has no idea what he’s talking about. His brother definitely doesn't like me. In fact, he goes out of his way to ignore me for ninety minutes.
Aine has been shooting me death glares all class, like I’m to blame that she hooked up with this Justin guy instead of Riot. Meri is absent and I don’t want to think about why. She’s probably avoiding me. I send her a text asking if everything was okay, but she never replied.
I guess my one and only friend isn’t anymore.
I leave English with my feet dragging and constantly check over my shoulder. I’m not going to get ambushed by Trey again. Just as I’m shutting my locker, Meri waltzes up and grabs my arm.
“Oh my god, remind me to brush my teeth five times a day. I had a cavity filled this morning and my face is still numb. Do you think it would be a good time to get my nose pierced since I can't feel anything? Do you think Novocain is a valid reason not to have to take the quiz in Calculus?”
She keeps chatting as we walk to class and I can’t tell if Trey said anything to her or not. She’s acting the same, well maybe a little chattier than normal, but nothing screams fuck off, bitch.
“Do you think Novocain numbs the brain, too? I can’t afford to fail another Calc test.”
I chuckle in relief. At least for now, Meri doesn't hate me.
“I think you’ll be okay,” I assure her. Despite what she says, her grade is second highest in the class, just behind Baz.
“Oh, I heard Luc asked you out this morning. Why didn’t you text me? We’ll have to go shopping tonight and get you a super sexy outfit to wear. Something that screams I want to have your babies.”
A couple of girls look at us and I drag Meri along faster. Can’t even think about the rumor that will fly from that little tidbit.
“Are you sure they didn’t give you something besides Novocain?”
“Unless they jabbed it into my gums with a wicked long needle, I’m sure. I have a low tolerance for pain before the endorphins kick in. I am high on life, baby. And a filling. And maybe a peach five-hour energy.” She stumbles and clutches her stomach. “Oh crap, I don’t feel so good.”
I help her into the bathroom where I hold back her hair for her and after she’s done, I drop her off at the nurse’s office. I get to Calculus just in time to take the quiz and since Baz is the first one done, he’s out of the room before I can talk to him.
Pretty sure he’s avoiding me after this morning.
Meri is feeling better when I check in on her, so the nurse says it’s okay for her to go to lunch, but to eat something soft and easy on her stomach. As soon as we walk through the doors, my gaze goes to the table where we sat yesterday.
Trey is glaring at me, almost as if he’s daring me to sit there. I can’t deal with him again today. Not when the sight of him makes my stomach twist into knots. There’s no way I’ll be able to eat anything.
“Crap, I think I left my book in English, you sit and I’ll be right back.”
I leave Meri at the door and quickly turn away, hurrying back down the hall. I’ll tell her that I couldn’t find it or that Mr. Reynolds needed to go over my homework, but the truth is I’m running.
It’s not just from Trey, it’s everything.
I just need to catch my breath and regroup and figure out what the hell I’m going to do. I think I need to talk to Peter and find out if there’s another option available. Maybe he can explain again why I can’t just break into the Hooks’ house, because going to school for three more months? I’m not sure I’ll survive.
My boots thump loudly in the empty hallway and I veer to the right before I get to English. There’s a door that goes outside and when I push through it, I find a covered alcove. There's a cement path that I think might lead to the baseball field, but I’m not going anywhere. I just need a minute alone.
I drop my bag and lean back against the brick, closing my eyes.
“You ran out of there pretty damned fast, Peep. Is that fuckwad bothering you again?”
I can’t even say I’m surprised to hear his voice so close, because my body somehow knew Riot was there even before he opened his mouth. I crack one eye open because I’m too exhausted to fight with him right now.
“Baz told me what went down this morning. What did you do to make Trey come at you like that?”
I huff out a laugh and drop my head forward, then rub two fingers against the spot between my eyes. The ache started right about the time Riot walked into English and has only gotten worse.
“I don’t know, Riot, what do I do to make you come at me constantly? Because it just seems to be going around. For someone who literally stepped foot into all this a couple of days ago, I don't have the answers.”
“Then tell me what you’re doing here and it will stop.”
I push off the wall and lean down to grab my bag. “Not doing this again. Obviously I’m not fucking Peter, but the rest…”
I shrug. I’m not out to hurt him despite what he thinks. I’ve already lied to him once, but I can't seem to do it again, even if it’s by omission. I stop and look up into those grey eyes that pin me in place every damned time.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Ry.”
His pupils expand and he takes a step closer, crowding into me. My world becomes one hundred percent focused on him. On the space he takes up. He doesn’t scare me the way Trey did. The scent of his cologne, the way his eyes go stormy the longer we stare at each other, fuels other feelings.
“Say that again,” he demands, breathing faster now.
I pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about. I didn’t mean to call him Ry. It just slipped out, but playing it back in my head makes it sound intimate somehow. Every encounter just seems to make it worse.
I wish I could walk away from him. That I could quit this disastrous attraction that steals my breath before it ruins both of us. Because he wants a truth I can’t tell him.
I have to get close to Luc and it’s only going to piss him off when I do.
Everything is based on a lie and as soon as I get what I came for, I’ll be gone. I don’t need to graduate from Everly. I don’t need a fancy car or a mansion or an unlimited black card.
I don’t need to get tangled up in a guy that might make me forget what I’m doing. I might have to live with him, with them, until the job is done, but I don’t have to tell them anything about me.
I’d like to think we can reach some kind of truce, but the way he towers over me, almost forcing me to concede, says otherwise. It’s all or nothing with him and all I have is nothing. It’s a twisted, viscous cycle that won’t end the way he wants.
“I have to go.” I go to duck around him, but at the last second he reaches out and snag
s my wrist. He’s not holding tight, but his touch seers into my skin. It feels like he’s branding me as his and we both know that’s not true.
“You didn’t answer the question.” His voice, his lips, are way too close to my ear. No one else is here so there’s no need to be so close or whisper.
“I did, you just refuse to listen,” I tell him breathlessly.
His gaze drops to my lips and I nervously lick them, only to realize that was a huge mistake. His pupils are blown, not a spot of color left, and the hunger filling them has my entire body aching to be touched.
“You are trouble, Peep.” His deep, raspy voice raises goosebumps over my arms. “But the thing is, I like trouble.” He steps fully into me and snakes an arm around my waist, holding me tight against his body. “And I really fucking like getting into trouble.”
His innuendo sends a wash of heat settling between my legs. There’s no one around. No one to see us. No one to stop us.
My mouth goes dry when he curls his fingers around my jaw.
God, I want to give in so badly.
“What the fuck is it about you I can’t stop thinking about?” he growls, his gaze piercing mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “Why won’t you get the fuck out of my head, Ever?”
Maybe Baz was right after all. Riot slides his thumb along the edge of my jaw then glides over my bottom lip. My lips part on their own.
“You tie me in fucking knots, you know that? From the second I saw you.”
His admission floors me.
“You hated me on sight,” I remind him.
“Fucking right I did,” he chuffs against my lips. “Because I knew you were going to bring me to my fucking knees. You’re raw, fucking damaged like us. If I split you open, you’d spill out all your darkness just like we would. We’re the same.”
God, he really does get it. I melt against him and slide my arms around his waist. I don’t want to fight it any more. He sees me exactly like I am. I’m tired of feeling bad. I just want to feel good, even for a little while.
“Ry?” I whisper and am instantly rewarded with a guttural groan that vibrates against my chest. He sounds like a damned man and I’m his salvation. He lowers his head, lips a breath away from mine, and every atom in my body goes on alert.
This is what we’ve been dancing around for days.
The door flies open and slams against the wall.
I startle but Riot doesn’t move. If anything his arms tighten around me.
“Shit, sorry.”
“The fuck do you want, X?” Riot asks, closing his eyes and resting his forehead against mine. Our breath mingles and it feels more intimate than our almost kiss. It feels like I’m exactly where I belong. I dig my nails into his sides and he shifts his hips forward, letting me know how much he wants me.
X chuckles. “Hey, I’m all for a little voyeurism, but I just wondered what Ever was going to wear on her date with Luc Friday night.”
Riot goes rigid and his eyes fly open, pinning me with fire. And not the kind that makes my knees weak.
“The fuck is he talking about?”
“Thanks so much, X. Really appreciate the concern for my wardrobe,” I say with a groan. The fucker laughs. I would have told Riot, just maybe not yet.
“Anytime, babe. I’m always here to help.” Except he’s not because I hear the door slam shut and then he’s gone.
Leaving me alone to deal with the shit he just started. Fucking troublemaker.
“You’re going out with Hook? Why?” Riot searches my gaze, his wild eyes almost frantic as they try to find something in mine. Something that says X was lying.
I press my hands between us and push him back a few steps, breaking our contact.
“Because he asked, Riot. Why else do people go on dates?”
“Not him.”
I bristle because I’m so tired of him telling me what to do.
“Why not? He seems nice enough.” I tilt my head and look at him. “Unless you want to tell me why you guys aren’t friends anymore. Give me a reason not to.”
If I can find out, maybe I can use it to dissuade Peter’s course of action. We might be able to find another way into the safe. Except judging by the glare aimed at me, Riot isn’t going to share.
I shove at him and he moves back a couple more steps.
“I’m not part of this pissing match you guys have going on,” I grit out. “I’m neutral. I’m Switzerland. So until you can give me a real reason not to go out with him, I’m going. End of discussion.”
Riot must not have a good excuse, because after a murderous glare, he storms past me and slams back into school. I expect things to go back to how they were, with him in my face giving me orders, but it doesn’t. Not only does he avoid me at home for the rest of the week, he’s not in English class either. X and Baz are in our shared classes, but neither of them talk to me. It’s as if I don't exist. I have no idea what’s going on , but if they’re trying to show me they’re mad I’m going out with Luc, message received loud and clear.
I pretend I don’t care, hanging with Meri in school, eating lunch in the library under the guise of studying, and spending most nights alone on my balcony. Luc texts Thursday night to make sure we’re still on, and since Riot hasn’t given me any reason not to go, I confirm.
When Friday finally rolls around, I watch the guys roll their bikes out of the garage from the safety of my balcony. Just before they take off, Riot tilts his head and looks up at me. Even though his visor is down, I can feel the weight of his stare.
I swallow against the lump in my throat.
Give me a reason, Ry.
But X says something and they take off.
I slip into the new clothes Meri picked out and check myself in the full-length mirror.
This outfit sends a message all right, I’m just not sure who I want to receive it. I can't deny that I want Riot to see me tonight. Make him see what he’s missing. It’s a bitch move but he walked away and hasn’t even tried to talk to me.
He thought I was going to bring him to his knees? Well tonight that’s exactly what I plan on doing. And I’m going to use Luc to do it. He’s using me to get under Riot’s skin, then I’ll use him to do the same. And get access to what I need, too.
Win, win for me.
The house is quiet when I go downstairs to wait for Luc. I wonder if Peter spends so much time at his office because of it. Maybe it reminds him of what he lost. My heart grows heavy imagining what it must have been like before, when the boys were younger. They’re a handful now, I can't imagine what they were like at Belle’s age.
I shake off the nostalgia when I hear a car pull up. Luc is in a truck with his bike in the back. He’s already dressed in his gear, while I’m wearing a flouncy skirt that just hits the top of my knees and a corset-style top. At least Meri conceded and agreed I could wear my knee-high black boots.
I didn’t tell her that this was my official first date. What Nate and I did would never be considered dating.
Luc jogs around and opens the door.
“Love the skirt.”
He gives the hem a flick and I bat his hand away playfully. I have to keep him interested enough to invite me to his house.
“Figured you were a jeans kind of girl,” he says, helping me up inside. His gaze drops to my bared thighs and he grins up at me. “But I’m not complaining at all. You look hot.”
He slams the door, then comes around and gets in.
“This is going to be fun.” The gleam in his eyes tells me he’s not talking about the date or the race. My stomach already hurts at the thought of seeing the guys, but especially Riot, when I’m with Luc. It feels like betrayal which is ridiculous.
I don’t owe them anything.
After two quick turns, Luc drives down the dirt road toward the track.
My heart beats louder the closer we get.
I don’t think this is a good idea. My knuckles are white by the time he parks. The track is lit up like th
e first night and there are even more people here. Maybe because it’s a Friday night? I look but don’t see any of the guys. Not that I’d be able to pick them out in this crowd.
“I’ve got to get my bike unloaded. You should text Meri. I think she's here with Trey. We should all go out next weekend.”
I shrug non-committedly. No way am I getting near Trey.
I text Meri and soon enough, she bounds over.
“Holy shit, I knew that outfit would look killer. And the boots make you look kickass. Come on, I saved us our haybale.”
With a quick wave to Luc, I let Meri drag me away.
As we pass the beer cooler, I look over and see Riot. He’s staring right at me. Or my legs anyway.
His gaze lifts slowly and even from here, I see the way his eyes narrow when he takes in everything. I lift an eyebrow and shrug, then with a smile, follow Meri into the crowd.
Let the games begin.
Tonight Baz races in Trey’s heat and it’s obvious from the start that Trey is gunning for him.
Meri grabs my arms when they fly by, her eyes wide.
“What the hell is Trey doing? He’s going to get kicked off the track or wreck.”
Sure enough, on the second lap, he kicks out at Baz’s bike which makes him take the corner too high. His bike flips and Trey goes flying, but he rolls to his feet and runs after Baz like it was his fault.
A guy in an orange jacket goes over and starts waving his hands at Trey. There aren’t official officials at the races, but a few volunteers step up to monitor the races when they run. I recognize the other guy as Trey’s brother.
Meri jumps down. “I should go make sure they don't kill each other. They don't really get along great. I’ll text you later?”
I see Trey storm off and for the first time, wonder if Meri is safe. Does Trey act like that with her? I’m positive that if Baz hadn’t shown up at my locker, Trey would have hurt me. I stare after Meri, watching as she makes her way along the edge of the track. When she reaches him, I hold my breath, but a second later, she steps into him and he wraps his arms around her, burying his face in her neck.
