As we pull off the road and onto the grassy embankment, I notice both sides of the road are already overloaded with other vehicles. And not just any cars either, but Mercs, Camaros’, and other expensive badges I didn’t even recognise. We slid out, but the cool breeze whipped around my exposed arms and I hugged my frame to try and keep myself warm as we wound our way through the overgrown track towards the sound of hushed waves and the bright blaze of a flame. The voices became louder and more boisterous, until we hit the sand that opened to the main beach littered with a sea of people. There was a bonfire lit in the centre of the crowd, and everywhere you looked there was a depth of Academy colours. Bellows from guys near a keg, who were cheering on one of their own who was guzzling it whilst in a handstand, to the shrieks and laughter from the girls in their bikinis and summer dresses, as they drank and danced to music. There was a buzz in the air, and it only made my stomach feel all that more unsettled for some reason.
“I’m going to find Gabe and get us some drinks,” Mercedes states as she saunters off, leaving a worried Lucy behind, her eyes, scanning the scene before us like I was.
“Luce, you okay?”
Her frantic eyes met mine, before she schooled her features, and offered me a small smile. “Yeah, it’s just… I just thought we should check on Austin. I hate the Arthur Elite and all, but he has kept Amber off your back so I want to make sure his stupid ass is okay. It’s the least I could do for him after he’s been looking out for you and all.”
I nod slowly, realising that maybe Lucy had more concern for Austin than I may have thought. I followed her through the crowd, seeing that there were also people from the other team here too. The blue and yellow colours of the Eagles were also in masses, and I worried that maybe what started on the field would continue here as well. I grabbed Lucys’ wrist, as we continued on, but as we found our way to the opposite side of the fire, her phone rang.
“Hello?”
We shifted off to the side as she listened, sighing heavily after a short time.
“How is he that wasted already? He barely left before we did,” she added, glancing around hastily. “Okay. Okay. Wait with him, I’m coming.”
“Everything okay?” I ask, as Lucy tucks her phone in her bra.
“It’s Gabe. Mercedes called and he’s passed out near the keg with the Lake Shore boys. They are making a bit of a mockery of him, so she needs my help to get him home.”
“I’ll help.”
“No, I need you to stay Hendrix. You know, just make sure Austin is okay.” Lucy shrugged, but there was a vulnerability there, as she glanced back down at her phone again. When her eyes met mine, there was no judgement there when I asked, “Wouldn’t you rather see if he’s okay Luce? I can go and help Mercedes with Gabe?”
She looked sad, glancing down at her phone again like it hadn’t given her the answers she was after or something. “He hasn’t answered me anyway, and besides, I couldn’t ask him if he’s okay without making it a big deal okay.” Her eyes glistened in the moonlight, causing me to touch her arm softly with mine. I nodded.
“I’ll make sure he’s okay.”
She smiled kindly. “Thanks Hendrix. I won’t be too long, and then I’ll come back for you.” She tugged me forward and wrapped her arms around me, before she pulled back and added, “You know, I’m so glad you came here. You’re a good friend.”
As I watched her walk away - I smiled. I really liked my friendship with Lucy too and I couldn’t help but wonder what the deal was with Austin and her. I noticed that he too, had some warm eyes for her, but why weren’t they together if they felt that way about each other? Something else I could add that made no sense to me.
I sighed as I watched her walk away before glancing around the beach, and realising I was now on my own. I carefully trekked around the masses, most of the faces becoming a blur of people I didn’t recognise, when I finally spotted Austin on a log in the near-darkness just to the side of a smaller fire away from the main crowd. He was alone, and draining a beer like it was his oxygen. I took a breath and steeled my spine, before taking a confident seat beside him.
“You drowning your sorrows with all of your friends here?” I ask lightly, causing him to slowly raise his brow at me groggily.
“Look who’s talking? When you’re coming to a party with all of yours new girl?” he asks, nudging me with his shoulder playfully.
“Touche,” I chuckle, as I take in the sight of his face; my brows furrowing with worry. “Are you okay?”
He shrugged like it was nothing, but stared at his beer for two seconds before angrily emptying it down his throat.
“Fine.” He crushed the can in his hand, adding, “That guy had it coming.”
“Had it coming? Didn’t he hit you, or do you have a concussion?”
He tossed the can away angrily. “I got a shot in don’t worry. I just wish I did more to that piece of shit.”
I raised my brow. “So, it seems there’s more to that story besides the rivalry between his and Paxtons’ family then...”
Austin glanced at me subtly like he was wondering just how much I knew, before sighing like he was exhausted all of a sudden. “Oh, it’s definitely a story between their families, not that everyone knows to what extent though.”
He was silent for awhile, so I just gazed out at the calm waters lapping the shore, with the fire blazing against the dull sounds of the party. I had never spent much time on the coast, but it had a serenity about it that was oddly soothing. I took it all in, absorbing everything it gave me as we sat side by side in silence. I wasn’t sure if Austin wanted me to get him to elaborate or not, I guess I didn’t want to press him if he didn’t want to. But then all of a sudden, and out of nowhere he broke the serene silence.
“Did you know he slept with Lucy?”
“What?” I snapped, turning my head toward him hastily.
He shrugged. “Happened when she was fifteen. She was rebelling against her father and she just gave her first time to Dawson like it was nothing.” Austin cracked open another can and began guzzling more beer. He swayed a little on the log, so I held his shoulders to steady him.
“But she was only fifteen? He would’ve been what…? Eighteen?”
He shrugged again. “Their families would never allow anything to come to light about that stuff. So don’t even bother with the legalities of it all. Noone knows either - only her father. And I guess, lucky me as well.” He kicked the sand beneath his feet before adding, “She’s just… she was too good for that lowlife. To just give herself away to that punk like it was nothing. Like she was nothing, when she’s….” he paused, staring off into the water lost in thought.
I softened my gaze, seeing the sincerity behind Austins eyes, but taking my time before I replied. “So, can I ask you something?” His hazy eyes glanced at me. “Does she know how you feel about her?”
He froze suddenly, like he was only just realising I was here. Like he couldn’t believe he just told me half the things he just somehow confessed.
“What do you mean?”
“Come on Austin. It’s obvious that you more than like her.”
He tossed the can away. “You don’t know what you’re fucking talking about okay,” he bit angrily, causing me to pull back insulted at his brash tone.
“Okay, sorry. Just forget I said anything. I was just making sure you were okay.” I stand and take a step away, when Austin grabs my hand causing me to stop in-front of him; staring up at me with bloodshot, pleading eyes.
“I’m sorry for yelling okay? It’s just… you can’t say things like that about me and Lucy. Promise me you won’t repeat that.”
I shook my head, wondering what the worry in his gaze was for. But even as I found a reassuring smile cross my face, the mere frantic look on his – caused me to school my features to a more solemn expression.
“Okay, Austin. I had it wrong. I won’t say anything, I promise.”
He squeezes my hand, still looking up at me
sorrowfully. It was like he was so sad, and I wanted to be able to help him somehow. But when Austins eyes strayed from me to something behind me – the chill down my spine only intensified as I felt the words before he even spoke them.
“Won’t say anything about what?”
Austin couldn’t drop my hand fast enough as I spun to see Paxton standing behind me. He looked fierce in his Academy zipped hoodie, and that messy – just-had-a-shower look he perfected like no one else. He had two beers in his hands, and as he caught me looking at them, he reached down and passed one to Austin.
“Austin?” he edged, grinding his jaw when neither of us answered.
“Nah Pax, we’re sweet,” Austin skated, downing his beer too quickly.
“I was just checking on him. You know, making sure he was okay.”
“Is that right?” Paxton didn’t appear to like my answer, but hell to him and whatever weird game he was playing. I was having none of it right now.
“Yeah. Austin’s been a good friend to me,” I snapped, causing Paxton to smile sinisterly.
“Really? And did your good ole’ friend here tell you that the only reason he has been so attentive is because I told him to be.”
I tensed my jaw. “He may have mentioned that. But he’s still been a good friend to me, no matter the reason.”
“Agree new girl,” Austin muttered warmly.
But again, Paxton didn’t like that answer either, shooting daggers toward his friend.
“Well good thing, he seems to do his job so well then huh..?”
“She’s like a little sister to me Pax,” Austin mumbles sadly, still guzzling away.
I shake my head, not interested in listening to these strange messages or deciphering such weird conversations between them, so I turn to Austin below me. “Just, let me know if you need anything okay Austin?”
He softened his drunken gaze on me, adding, “Thanks new girl. Back at ya’.”
I take a step away, further from the main party when I feel Paxton right behind me.
“I’m not finished yet.”
I turn, sighing heavily. “What is it now Paxton? Come to warn me away from Austin too? Just like Tucker?” At the mention of Tucker his eyes narrow, but he doesn’t say anything, so I add, “Look I’m tired of these games okay. Just leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that,” he whispers like he almost didn’t want to say it.
I shake my head. “Look maybe in your world you can play the field with whoever you want while your fiancee’s okay with it – but I’m not that girl.”
“Fiancee?” he bit, rolling the word off his tongue like it was sour. “Who told you that?”
The intensity behind his gaze was unsettling, so I shrugged and shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I hate you for kissing me and making me like you, even when you give me a million reasons not to.”
He takes a slow step toward me, like a predator who’s caught his prey. “You like me?”
Shit, I did say that. I take a step back, but he only mirrors me and comes closer.
“Did you even hear what I said?”
He smiles arrogantly. “Yeah, you said you like me.”
“That’s all you got from all of that?”
He shrugged, pushing up my glasses slowly. “It’s all that matters.”
I stare at him for a few seconds, before I see his eyes fall to my lips again. My heart and brain are at war again because no one has ever had my pulse racing like Paxton does. But this can’t happen again. I won’t allow it. My brain finally kicks into gear, and I force myself to take a few more steps away from him before he can follow me.
“Please don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Do whatever you think this is. I haven’t questioned you about why you got Austin to watch over me at school. I’m grateful if it means I don’t have to worry about Amber getting in my face. It means I can just concentrate on my classes and that’s all that matters to me right now. But this. The other stuff…” I add, waving my arms between us. “Just. Don’t.” I wrap my arms around myself again, the wind sending chills across my skin. He notices, his brow furrowing before un-zipping his Academy sweater and gently draping it over my exposed arms. The gesture so caring, that all I could do was stare up at him as he tucked it carefully around me. He was so gentle almost like he was wrapping a fragile piece of glass, and for one second - I was swept up in it. But my eyes pleaded with his, and I could see so much in his intense gaze that stared back. The lust, the need, the regret…. There was so much playing over his face, that I could’ve taken a million photos. And for the longest time we just stood there, his hands still softly cupping my elbows.
“Why did you do it?” I whispered, quietly breaking the silence.
“Do what?”
“Kiss me? Was it a dare or something? Something to pass the time…”
I had to know. And despite me being terrified of the answer, the seriousness of his expression told me that whatever he was about to say - would be the absolute truth.
“I wanted to.”
“But… your girlfriend. Amber….” I muttered questionably, glancing down disappointed in him. “Does that mean nothing to you?”
I felt his hand tug my chin upwards, until my eyes set themselves on his.
“I wouldn’t know what it means, because it’s not real. None of it is.”
I furrowed my brow confused.
He tilted his head, like many things crossed his mind.
“Not everything is as it seems….” He said sadly, his thumb caressing my face where his hand rested. “But if I had you? I know it would mean something.”
Holy hell. And here with the words again. I couldn’t do this. I wouldn’t.
I stepped back again, trembling this time, until his hand fell away.
“Stop saying stuff like that to me.”
“It’s the truth. And you’re one of the only people I find myself wanting to be honest with. You’re the only person I can be real with. And in this sea of people, how fucked up is that?” He says, almost defeated. My heart was racing. This was the Paxton I thought I saw days ago. The one who dropped the façade of being the god of the academy with the Reed last-name sprawled across his back. In these moments, he was just a guy who caged too much emotion inside of him that was dying to be unleashed; Was itching to be heard.
“So, what is the truth?”
Silence stretched between us once more, before the crowd suddenly erupted causing us to glance toward the fire. In the middle, Amber and her friends all arrived with their pom poms raised high in the air, chanting the Academy name and causing the crowd to yell loudly. Paxton shuddered.
“I’ve got to go.”
He didn’t even turn back around as he stalked across the sand, grabbing Austin by the scruff of his shirt and dragging him toward the fire with him.
I couldn’t watch.
It somehow felt like he was pulling my heart on a string, the further he stalked away from me and the closer he got to the party.
The closer he got to her.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Paxton
It felt good to finally get back to our dorm after tonights shitstorm of a party. The high of having played my ass off, to fists flying everywhere, before the run-in on the beach with Hendrix and then having to deal with Ambers loose hands – was all crashing down on me. I dropped Austin on his bed falling heavily beside him in exhaustion, when lugging his heavy-ass up two-flights of stairs after a full game of football – was more than enough exertion for one night. I’m more than certain my legs will be paying for it tomorrow too. I glanced at him faced down on the mattress, but his passed-out ass was still snoring loudly so I got up, shut the door and headed back downstairs. It was clear through the lack of noise echoing through the place that Banks and River were not home yet either, so I all but fell on a stool in our oversized kitchen, letting the day wash over me. I leant my head in my hands, my fingers splaying through my dark-blonde hair. W
hether or not I would actually rip it out – was yet to be known, but I knew I felt more on edge than I had in my entire life. So many things were going on right now, and all of them out of my control. But amongst the anguish, one thing stood out. There was something I realised tonight. Something that I always knew, but cemented itself in my very soul – was that I liked her. I liked her a lot.
More than I should.
Hendrix. That girl had carved herself inside me so deep that not even I understood it. But the hope. The hope I always held onto all these years that my mother was somehow still inside me – was something I felt closer to more than ever when I was around her. She made me have hope. Hope that I could build the life that I wanted. The life I choose. And without consequence to those I cared for. If that meant seeing my mother back to her former self, playing ball, or having the girl I wanted to – somehow being around her made me feel like I could actually do it all. Have it all.
So many things played through my head. Things like whether I should come clean and tell Hendrix about my fathers business, the elites and this thing with Amber. She’s already heard so much shit about an engagement anyway, and the more time I spend with Hendrix the more I don’t want to lie to her. It almost seems too simple just to spill my secrets and tell her the truth. That it was all just a lie to me, and it might buy me some time to get my mother the help she needs to get away from my father; whilst also keeping her life safe here. But telling Hendrix, meant that I had to tell her what Amber had over me. Her photos. Which would also lead to her knowing how much I knew about her past and how I had that information too. It was one thing for her to understand pleasing my father, but how would I explain the reasons I was doing this to please Amber as well…? I knew when I first met her that she had a story, but now that I know what it is, I wanted her to be able tell me on her own terms. And in her own time. I wanted Hendrix to trust me enough to bleed her soul to me so that I could be the one to bear that burden for her. To protect her. To show her she’s safe here, with me. I didn’t know how Hendrix would react if she knew I had her entire history in my possession, as well as the queen-bitch as well. That… I wasn’t sure she would understand.
Broken Wing (Arthur Academy Book 1) Page 18
