“Here, this is for you.” He released me and held out the rose.
I brought it to my nose and breathed in. It smelled so good. “Thank you, Marshall.”
“Anything for you,” he said as he towed me down the hall. “We better get moving. Mr. Perrish said he’d give me a detention if I was late one more time this semester.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I carried Marshall’s rose with me to my classes and took every opportunity to inhale its fragrance. It was really sweet of him to have gotten it for me. Although, I couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment. We’d been dating or hanging out or whatever we were doing for almost three weeks now. Didn’t that warrant something more than a $2.50 rose from the grocery store (I knew that because there was still a price tag on the plastic sleeve around the rose.). Not that I was ungrateful! I wasn’t. I just wondered what his gift said about our relationship.
After school, I went home and took a shower and redid my hair and makeup before the game. Mom and dad took me out to eat at my favorite restaurant for dinner before dropping me off at the school. They’d gotten me some accessories for the truck I was inheriting from Josh. A hot pink, furry cover for the steering wheel. A crystal to hang from the rearview mirror and a black and pink cheetah print seat cover for the driver and passenger seats. Josh had even ordered a keyring online and had it shipped. It had a bunch of charms on it, a lipstick tube, a small high heeled shoe, a pair of sunglasses, and a teddy bear holding a red heart. It was cute and so me. On top of that, mom and dad promised a trip to Syracuse to see Josh over Halloween.
Dinner was great, and I loved the gifts from my parents and Josh. I couldn’t wait to go see him in October. It surprised me how much I missed my brother, but it eased the sting of it to know I’d see him soon.
First and ten, do it again
Go. Fight. Win.
First and ten, do it again
Go. Fight. Win.
It was five minutes into the first quarter by the time I arrived at the game. We were up by a touchdown and Connor was on the field, the ball in his hand as I trudged up the steps of the bleachers. The cheerleaders, led by Connor’s girlfriend, Brittany, jumped and hollered as Connor’s pass connected with Clint Moore down the field.
I didn’t care much for football, but I definitely had a thing for the players. I’d been dragged to games since Josh was in second grade and I knew enough about the game to know when to get excited about a play and when to know the refs had made a bad call, but sometimes I’d rather just stay home and watch a rom-com with a bag of peanut butter M&M’s. Oh, well.
“Did you know Kenzie’s been tutoring Marshall?”
The words reached my ears from somewhere behind me. I probably wouldn’t have picked up on them at all except for hearing Marshall’s name. I sat down and tried to remain unobtrusive as I continued to listen to their conversation.
“Right. Tutoring,” another, more snarky, voice said.
“No. I’m serious. I guess he’s failing Math. Marshall’s never been known for his smarts,” the first voice responded.
“Still, there’s no way Marshall’s spending that much time with any girl and not getting something out of it. And I’m not talking about help with Math,” snarky girl said.
Giggling from the first girl. “I know. He’s such a player. Have you seen him with that sophomore girl?”
My face burned as I realized they were talking about me.
“Oh, yeah. Poor girl is way out of her league with Marshall.” Snarky girl wasn’t holding back. Just from her tone, it was plain how she felt about Marshall.
“Seriously. But do you really think there’s something going on with Kenzie?” giggle girl asked.
“I wouldn’t put it passed him,” snarky girl replied.
The girls moved further up the bleachers until I couldn’t hear what they were saying anymore. But they’d said enough. Tears stung my eyes and my body felt overheated even for the chill in the evening air.
Was it true? Was Marshall spending time with Kenzie? I knew who Kenzie Patterson was. She was a senior, too and really smart. I was willing to bet she’d graduate top of their class or at least second. It wasn’t surprising she was a math tutor. It was surprising that she was Marshall’s tutor and he hadn’t told me. Kenzie wasn’t a nerdy smart girl, she was a beautiful smart girl. Beautiful. Smart. Rich, too, if the car she drove was any indication. If Marshall was spending time with Kenzie, then I definitely had something to worry about.
I felt sick to my stomach. Should I go? Should I stay? Would I ask him about it? I was supposed to go with him to the party after the game. I was tempted to call Dylan but then I remembered he was out with his family tonight. And really, I shouldn’t be relying on him anyway. He would be leaving on Monday and then who would I fall back on? No one, that’s who. I just needed to get my own act together. I could confront Marshall about Kenzie. I didn’t need to run away just because of two gossipy girls. I didn’t even know their names, for heaven’s sake.
The game went by in a blur. My mind raced with all the possibilities until I was about to explode from the tension and worry. I slowly made my way down the bleachers and up to the school to wait outside the locker room for Marshall to come out.
“Hey, Eden.” It was Connor. I glanced around for Brittany. She was usually stuck to his side with Gorilla Glue, but she was nowhere to be found.
“Good game,” I congratulated him.
He smiled. “Thanks. Happy birthday. Allie told me it’s today.”
“It is, thanks.” Connor was such a nice guy.
“Who’re you waiting for,” he asked.
“Marshall.”
Connor’s smile slipped. “Really? Are you guys a thing?”
Where had Connor been? I’ve been to two parties with Marshall where Connor was present as well.
I shrugged. “I guess. Kind of.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. “Marshall’s not always the nicest guy, Eden.”
This again! “He’s alright.”
Connor hesitated like he wasn’t sure what to say next but knew what he wanted to say. “Yeah, well, just watch yourself, okay?”
“Okay, Connor.” I shrugged off his warning. Everyone kept warning me about Marshall, but I hadn’t seen anything from the guy himself that worried me. Was this just a case of an undeserved bad reputation? Either way, I was tired of hearing about it.
“Okay. Well, have a good night, Eden.” Connor turned to walk away with a little wave.
“You, too, Connor.” I watched as he made his way to the little room where Allie taped ankles and bandaged cuts for the school’s athletes.
“You got a ride, Alberta,” I heard him ask from the doorway.
“Connor!” Allie hissed loud enough for me to hear. Connor just grinned but a second later I saw her hand snake out to grab him and yank him into the room.
Sighing, I wondered if any guy would ever look at me the way Connor looked at my best friend.
“Ready?”
Jumping, I grabbed at my shirt over my heart. “You scared me to death.”
Marshall grinned. “Sorry.” He was so not sorry.
“Great game,” I told him.
“Thanks. It’s your birthday. Let’s party!”
Looking back, I realized I should have listened to Dylan and everyone else. I should have questioned him about Kenzie when I had the chance instead of brushing it aside once my hormones got involved. I would always wonder how different things would have turned out for me if I had taken their advice and stayed far away from Marshall Simpkins.
Chapter 13
Eden
The bonfire was blazing by the time Marshall drove us out to the field behind Jared’s barn. Cars were parked haphazardly. Several tents were set up here and there. More than a hundred people mingled. Red plastic cups were passed around. Couples made out. Groups of kids laughed. Several danced to the music blaring out of someone’s truck.
Pulling m
e by my hand, Marshall headed straight to the keg resting on Jared’s tailgate.
“Dude, good game,” Jared congratulated Marshall as he handed us cups of beer.
“Thanks, man,” Marshall said before chugging back the whole cup and holding it out for more.
Jared laughed as he re-filled the cup. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Eden. Eden, Jared. It’s Eden’s birthday.” Marshall accepted the cup and took another long draw but didn’t drain it.
“Welcome to my party, Eden. Happy birthday.” Jared glanced between Marshall and me. “Have fun, kids.”
“Plan on it.” Taking my hand again, Marshall headed toward a group of football players. We mingled. Marshall never let go of my hand and I felt like I finally made it. I was at an exclusive party with all the popular kids and a hot guy holding my hand. Across the field, I caught sight of Connor and Brittany. As usual, she was plastered to his side, a plastic cup in her hand. I wasn’t all that surprised to see Connor with a bottle of water clutched tight in his hand rather than a cup of beer. I don’t think he noticed me.
As the night progressed, Marshall filled his cup several more times. I didn’t care for the taste of beer and didn’t want to get drunk. The more Marshall had to drink, the more handsy he got until he had me backed against a tree away from all the others.
“I think I like those sandals as much as the boots,” he told me between kisses, his hands everywhere.
“Thanks.” I didn’t know what else to say. I felt dizzy and excited. It was late. There were still a lot of kids around, but most of them had paired off. Some made use of the tents, others were in cars. A large group still sat around the fire, laughing and talking. The music had mellowed. Connor and Brittany left hours ago.
I wondered how much longer it would be before Marshall took me home.
I told my parents I was going to Allie’s after the game. They hadn’t checked up on me the times before, so I wasn’t worried about that. I hadn’t even called Allie to ask her to cover for me. I knew they would just go to bed and I’d slip in the house after the party.
As Marshall became more aggressive, I started thinking about the things those girls had said earlier. But they weren’t right. I knew they weren’t. Marshall liked me. I was his girlfriend now, right?
I wanted to ask him. I wanted him to slow down. I wanted him to never stop kissing me. I wondered if I should tell him to stop. I wondered if he would if I did.
Dylan
The sound of my phone vibrating under my pillow woke me up. My gaze darted to the red numbers on my alarm clock beside my bed.
2:25 AM.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I scrambled for my phone in the dark. Who would be calling me after two in the morning?
Shit.
“Eden? What’s wrong? Where are you?” She didn’t answer fast enough. I reached for the jeans laying in a wadded-up heap on my floor and began pulling them on. “Eden.”
I paused, my hands on my pants button, my phone wedged between my cheek and my shoulder and just listened.
She sniffled.
My heart stopped. My mind went into overdrive going down every horrible scenario and trying to decide who I was going to have to kill.
Eden sobbed through the phone.
I finished buttoning my pants and threw a rumpled t-shirt over my head. Not wasting time with shoes, I shoved my feet into pair of leather sandals instead, pausing just long enough to grab my keys and wallet off my dresser before heading out of my room.
“I’m coming, Ed. Where are you,” I asked softly.
“Jared’s,” her voice was barely above a whisper and I strained my ears to hear her.
Jared’s?
What the f-?
“Jared’s? Eden please tell me you didn’t go to a party at Jared Carter’s.” I was going to bust Marshall Simpkins up!
“Please, Dill.” Her broken voice gutted me.
“I’ll be right there.” After quietly closing the side door, I skirted around the trash bins to my truck. I started the engine and backed out of my drive. Jared’s house was outside of town. It’d take me ten minutes to get there if I broke every speeding law along the way.
Eden cried into the phone the entire time. I kept my eyes open for cops. Friday nights were prime for handing out tickets and catching underage drinkers. I’ve managed to keep my record clean and didn’t want to ruin that now, but I had to get to Eden. I kept up a steady stream of nonsense the whole way, not even knowing what I said just so she would know I was still there.
“Okay, where are you? I’m almost to his house.” I searched the trees surrounding the property.
“By the road,” she whispered.
I spotted her bare legs first, the headlights on my truck lighting them up like glow sticks. Slamming on the brakes, I launched from my seat and ran to her. I’ll never forget the way she looked as I approached, her beautiful hair tangled around her bare shoulders and her arms crossed protectively around her middle.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. As soon as my arms were around her, the floodgates opened, and she sobbed against my chest.
A war raged within me. As much as I never wanted to let this precious girl go, I longed to find Marshall and kill him with my bare hands.
Eden trembled in my arms and the knowledge that she was freezing penetrated my fury induced haze. There was a blanket and a hoodie in my truck. Without even thinking, I hiked her up on my hips like I would my little sister. She wrapped her legs around my waist and buried her face in my neck.
I carried Eden to my truck and opened the driver’s side door. Flipping the seat forward, I reached into the small cargo space behind and grabbed my sweatshirt and a blanket. I threw them across the console into the passenger seat and then adjusted the driver’s seat until it was as far back as it would go. Eden held onto me as I lifted us both into the truck and positioned her across my lap.
As much as I wanted to grill her about what happened, I knew I wouldn’t. But I had to know one thing.
I cleared my throat. “Do I need to call the cops? Do you need to go to the hospital?”
She lifted her head off my chest. Her eyes filled again sending new rivulets of tears down her cheeks. Fresh sobs ripped from her throat, but she shook her head.
It wasn’t enough. “Eden, if he hurt you, we have to go-”
“No!” she barked through her cries. She unwrapped her arms from my waist and swiped at the dampness on her cheeks, struggling to get ahold of herself.
“No,” she shook her head. “It wasn’t like that.”
I didn’t believe her. Pain sluiced through my body as the reality of the situation settled deep into my soul. Eden. My best friend’s baby sister. The girl I lo-
No. I couldn’t go there. If I did, I’d leave her and go find Marshall Simpkins.
“Are you sure, because-”
“Dylan, it wasn’t like that. He pressured me, but he didn’t force me.” Her face crumpled as she said the words.
“Oh, Ed,” I sighed, pulling her head back down to my shoulder and wrapping her as close as I could without crushing her.
I didn’t know what to do. Should I make her go to the hospital and call the cops? I knew Marshall and I could just bet he’d pressured her. I should never have let her be with him. I should have told Josh. He would have talked to her parents and they would have made sure she stayed away from Marshall. She would have hated me. It would have ruined the fragile friendship we’ve been building over the last few weeks. But it would have been worth it. I would have given up anything to protect her from this heartache.
She cried in my arms for what felt like forever, until I had to get us out of there. The longer we stayed, the more tempted I was to beat Marshall and not just for Eden but for all the girls he’d treated the same way. The desire to call Josh and tell him to get the next flight home so we could show that jerk what happened when you messed with our girl about crippled me.
Instead, I lifted Eden of
f my lap, pulled my sweatshirt over her head, and then tucked the blanket around her legs before buckling her in. I drove home slowly. The last thing I needed now was to get pulled over. What to do with Eden, though? Should I take her to her house?
“What did you tell your mom and dad?”
“Allie.”
Of course, her mom and dad would never suspect anything if Eden was supposed to be at Allie’s. I wished with all my heart Eden had gone there like she’d told them. She probably wished the same thing.
“Okay.” I thought for a moment. I could take her home, but I worried about her being alone and I knew she wouldn’t want her parents to see her like this. I could take her to Allie’s, but Eden probably wouldn’t want to drag Allie into this, especially if it meant getting Allie’s mom involved and I didn’t know how to avoid that. Sighing, I scrubbed my hands over my face. “You can come stay with me, Ed. Or I can take you home.”
Eden curled into a ball against the door and closed her eyes. We weren’t far from our street, now. She was going to have to decided.
“Ed?”
She was silent for another long moment before answering softly. “Can I stay with you, Dylan? Please?”
Chapter 14
Eden
Dylan parked the truck in front of his house. I wanted to go home but was grateful he didn’t insist on taking me there. Just thinking about what would happen if my parents found out what had happened that night- I shook my head. I just wanted to forget about all of it.
As soon as he parked, Dylan jumped out of his seat and came around to open my door. Without a word, he unbuckled my seatbelt and picked me up, blanket and all.
“I can walk,” I protested, although I didn’t know if that was true or not. My whole body ached, and my legs felt like jelly.
Dylan ignored me and made his way to the door on the side of the house near the garage. He opened it without even shifting my weight and before I knew it, he carried me down the stairs to the basement apartment in his parents’ house and into the bathroom at the end of the hall.
The Perks of Hating You ( Perks Book 2) Page 8
