Here Lives a Corpse: A Dark Bully Academy Romance (Here Lies Book 1)

by C. L. Matthews

  “Who was that guy?” Justice asks as soon as we’re inside.

  My body feels the adrenaline wane, and the booze take its place. It’s weird, heavier than normal. Maybe the heart-racing rage that consumed me is now making me both exhausted and drunk.

  “Bridger,” I sort of slur.

  Prudence grabs my arm. “Well, hey there, darlin’. You’re not looking so hot.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “I mean, you’re mighty fine, beautiful. You just seem out of sorts.” He exchanges a look. “I only got her one drink.”

  “Who made it?” Justice questions.

  “Ronnie.”

  “Fucking Christ, Pru. Didn’t you stop to think that maybe, just maybe, she’s a psychopath and would drug Colton?”

  I can’t see the look on Prudence’s face, but I can feel the hatred rolling off him in waves.

  “Fuck.”

  “Yeah, fuck. She’s probably been doped up.”

  “That’s low, even for Ronnie,” Prudence says.

  “Yeah, but she saw us both have a girl, and we weren’t exactly hiding our attraction.”

  I smile at that, unable to hide how much his words please me.

  “Who was that guy?” Prudence asks me as soon as we’re inside, lifting me into his arms, and he smells so delicious. He has this elegant scent about him—sweet, manly, and smooth, like a Penn & Co. cologne I haven’t smelled before. I can’t seem to focus on his question enough to answer because his scent is intoxicating.

  “You smell good,” I groan, sniffing his chest loudly. “Oh my god.”

  Oh my god is right. My inhibitions are very low right now.

  “You smell good, too, princess. Now, rest those pretty eyes so we can make sure you’re okay.”

  I nod into his chest and breathe him in the entire way up the winding stairs.

  “We shouldn’t have brought her there tonight,” I hear Prudence whisper. They think I’m asleep, more than likely.

  “Shut the fuck up, Pru. Not here.” Justice’s bark is probably as vicious as his bite. With a body built like a wrestler, he could probably take and give a beating.

  I wonder why they’re talking about me as if they’ve known me much longer than this trip.

  They get me to my room. Pru sets me down and kisses my forehead softly, and a sigh escapes me. It’s content, but I don’t open my eyes. Justice comes over a second later and kisses exactly where his brother just did.

  “Sleep, princess.”

  They don’t realize I’m not asleep. Maybe whatever drugs this girl gave me will make me forget, but I don’t want to forget how they smell and how much they make me feel.

  I didn’t expect to care either, boys.

  After a few minutes, the fuzziness becomes too much, and my eyes shut. I’ll deal with this all tomorrow, when my body doesn’t feel achy and needy.

  Thirty-Two

  My head throbs as soon as my eyes open the next morning. Two days in this place and I’ve already fucked with my head, body, and possibly my recovery.

  Regardless of how much I drank, I shouldn’t feel this way. Lethargy settles inside me, my body out of sorts but also exhausted beyond repair. Despair isn’t a light emotion, but somehow, it feels extra heady this morning.

  Mel.

  Bridger.

  Blurriness.

  The constant stabbing pain in my eyes makes it hard to think back to last night. This seems much worse than when I drink too much and get a dehydrated hangover. My body feels gross and, shit. My face. I forgot to remove my makeup.

  After rushing to the bathroom where I put my wipes, I go at my face, feeling the sting of the removal as I try taking it off.

  I pop out my contacts, feeling the dryness and slight burn from leaving them in overnight. Fuck, I really shouldn’t have done that.

  After taking a long and hot shower, brushing my teeth, and doing my skin care routine, I dress in sweats, a huge NF shirt that used to be Cassidy’s, and my bunny slippers.

  No one waits outside my door today, which surprises me. I only make it down the vast hallway before I see Justice standing in a doorway, looking right at me. My mouth waters at his shirtless body. He’s so ripped. His abs are like his jaw, chiseled and defined. There’s a massive crest over his chest. It looks vaguely familiar, but the more I stare at it, the less I realize from where. He could be an Adonis statue, and I would believe it, even with that tattoo on his chest.

  “Sleep okay, princess?” he husks, his voice deep from sleep.

  I shake my head, my eyes burning from forgetting to remove my contacts. Ugh. I never go to bed like this.

  “Say the word, and I’ll ease your pain,” he teases.

  I step toward him, and right before I make it, Pru steps out from behind him.

  “Mornin’, darlin’.” Like his brother, his voice is syrupy and thick.

  I love how they sound first thing in the morning—hot, sweet, and damn near irresistible. Southern comfort has a different meaning to it now.

  Justice grabs a wet lock of my hair. “Never thought I’d find green hair so irresistible,” he muses. When Pru leans around him, it brings me to believe these two sleep together. He, too, is shirtless, but he’s only wearing black boxer briefs.

  “Jealous?” Pru taunts, raising a challenging eyebrow.

  “Only that you two slept, and I feel like something took an ice pick to my brain.”

  My words have their face morphing in both anger and disappointment.

  “Don’t worry, princess. She’ll pay for her actions last night.”

  Then it all hits me.

  My drink.

  That chick.

  The pervy dude.

  Bridger.

  Bridger with Mel.

  My stomach revolts, and as if they recognize my need to escape, they move out of the way.

  “It’s the door on the left.”

  Inside their room, it’s so them, blue and cool tones, but, shit, it’s like its own apartment. There are two rooms and a bathroom and a walk-in closet.

  I make it to the bathroom and am hurling my guts out in the next second. One of them holds my hair as the other rubs my back.

  “I’m so sorry,” I apologize.

  “Don’t sweat it, beautiful. It happens.” Pru reassures.

  After I’m sure I’m done, I get up, rinse out my mouth, and pray that today doesn’t continue with this grueling feeling, but the more I think of Bridger with my best friend, the more nauseated I get.

  “We should get something in you,” Justice says.

  A giggle escapes me. It takes him a mere second to realize my mind wasn’t in a clean place.

  “That’s not what I mean, but I’m not opposed in any way.”

  I smile at him, and we leave after they put shirts on. I only momentarily pout at that.

  After going back to my room to brush my teeth, I make my way to the dining room. Roberta, the maid, cooks us breakfast, and the boys sandwich me in on either side of the table. I can’t help but feel comforted.

  As we eat, my body starts feeling better. I’m not as achy and agitated.

  But Mel never came home last night, and that can’t mean anything good.

  I don’t share.

  I’m horrible at it.

  But Bridger was never mine to have.

  And he obviously has no qualms in proving that to me.

  “What are the plans for today?” Just asks, his eyes intent on me.

  I shrug, taking a bite out of my toast. My eyes are dead set on not looking at these two while emotions are piled on thick. That’s my biggest downfall, finding comfort where I have none.

  But that only lasts little time. Pru lifts my chin as I’m chewing. “What’s wrong, beautiful?”

  My body melts whenever he calls me that. He shouldn’t have an effect on me, not this soon. This connection has to be residual sadness from the last time I was with the boys, and seeing Bridger’s lips smeared with Mel’s mouth and how I avoided them for the following few month
s.

  “Nothing,” I lie, feeling my lip tremble.

  As if noticing how sad I truly am, Pru grabs me by the hips and puts me in his lap, my thighs on either side of him. Tears well in my eyes, and I just want to forget and get lost for a while.

  “Talk to me,” he says, his eyes showing the utmost concern.

  If the hardness underneath me wasn’t present, I would almost wonder if he didn’t find me attractive after last night. Who knows what embarrassing shit I did?

  “Can we just go somewhere? Anywhere. I need a distraction.”

  Justice touches my shoulder with comfort. “Anywhere, princess. You name it.”

  Tears finally drip from my eyes, and I’m trying not to fully go emotional teen on these two. That’s the last thing they need.

  Standing with me still firmly in his lap, Pru grips my ass with his huge palms and carries me off. They lead me back up the stairs, and when we make it to their room, I feel an odd sense of peace wash over me.

  “Let’s cuddle, nap, and then we’ll take you on a proper outing.”

  My eyes well with tears. Pru sets me on their bed, and then they sandwich me in as I feel peace for the first time in weeks.

  Sometimes, I wonder if I’m never meant to be alone, whether in reference to being single, sleeping in a bed by myself, or in general. Being surrounded by their warmth and strength makes me feel needed.

  Pru brushes his hands through my hair, and Just rubs small circles into my back. Before I’ve realized, I’m out.

  By the time I wake up, I’m feeling less exhausted and ready to rock the day. Hard flesh hits my butt as I rotate, and I realize it’s Just’s erection. My stomach warms, making heat brush across my face. How did I get to this point? Not just in Tennessee, but wanting to be close to two more guys?

  As I attempt to adjust onto my back, Pru’s hand grips my hip. “Keep wiggling, and we’ll be stuck in this bed all day,” Pru flirts and I try maneuvering to accommodate them both.

  “Please keep wiggling. My dick likes being happy,” Just groans tiredly. “I never knew waking up next to a girl would be so goddamn appealing.”

  “Y-You’ve never done this?” Shame flickers inside me momentarily, realizing I didn’t even think over the question.

  “Nah, we’re not used to spending the night with others,” Pru answers.

  “What about Serena?” I ask.

  God. I’m being brave and stupid all at once.

  Just grumbles.

  Pru chuckles. “Mel has a big fucking mouth.”

  Pulling the covers up, I duck beneath, not wanting them to see how red my face must be. It only causes them to turn toward me, laughing at my unabashed questions.

  Fingers tug at the blanket covering my face, but I keep my eyes shut, squeezing too hard.

  “Look at the princess. She’s blushing.”

  A pathetic groan leaves me, and they’re enjoying every moment.

  “Are you jealous, sweetheart?” Just’s teasing tone takes on a little edge, like he enjoys the idea.

  “I can’t be,” I bemoan. “We’ve just met. This is insane.”

  The blanket is off, and they’re touching me and forcing my eyes open. The intrigue and interest on both of their faces make my heart beat erratically. How is wanting them this easy? They’re kind, whereas my monsters aren’t.

  “I kind of like that you care if you’re the first,” Pru muses. He’s biting his tongue, his teeth pinching the pink flesh as his amusement lights up his features.

  “Me too. Guess it’s a good thing that not even Serena was allowed to stay the night with us then, huh?”

  Digging my teeth into my lip, I grind down on the flesh, needing to be aware that I’m awake, let alone alive. Perfection isn’t realistic, but somehow, these two were sent to me.

  “Yeah, she wasn’t you,” Pru adds.

  “We should get ready for our date.”

  I stare at these two boys and smile. “What about Melissa?”

  They give me a sardonic expression, and I nod with a scrunch of my nose.

  “Do you see Meli anywhere?” Pru jests, waving his hands about.

  I scoot off the bed and roll my eyes as they smile as if they’ve won already.

  Maybe they have.

  “Looks like she’s still gone with that dude. I’d say you’re ours for the day.”

  The mention—or lack thereof mention—of Bridger has me sad, but it doesn’t last. These two shoo me to my room, but at the same time, they walk me the entire way.

  “Put on something comfortable,” Justice offers.

  “So, nothing?” I taunt.

  His eyes darken, and he grabs my chin, holding me against the door to my guest room. “If that’s what you want, sweets, say the word. We can say fuck you to the rest.”

  A shiver racks my frame, but I don’t back down. I bringing our faces close, and the air sparks from our radiating lust.

  “They say you should take a girl out for dinner before she spreads herself for dessert.” It’s teasing, but the words are so breathy it’s hard to tell who I’m trying to convince.

  Pru comes to my side, his fingers skating over my skin as he stares at us both. “Guess we should have an early dinner.”

  “Are you that hungry?”

  Their eyes flick to each other and then to me.

  “Like I haven’t eaten in days.” It’s Justice who releases those words with bite.

  “Get dressed, princess. The longer we’re out here, the more likely we are to hunt you down and keep you as the prize.” Pru’s eyes twinkle.

  The scorching way my skin seems to heat has me rubbing my thighs together.

  Before they can further tempt me, I turn and head into the room.

  Cold shower?

  Cold shower.

  After I’ve showered—sans washing my hair—and calmed my vagina down, I dress in a short black mini pleated-argyle skirt. It’s the schoolgirl kind of design and was almost too much to resist. My top is another cynical one, dead is the new black. It’s a crop top, but I wore a fishnet camisole that covers my stomach while leaving enough to the imagination that you want more. Monochromatic colors my entire wardrobe. Winging my eyeliner and dusting my lips with gloss, I feel like me.

  My boots are my last addition to the ensemble, but before I leave the room, I check my cell.

  Sorry I didn’t make it back. Hanging back with Ridge. It’s a message from Mel.

  Boiling blood, that expression of an intense anger in which you can’t control, that’s where I’m at.

  Without texting her back, I head out, and it solidifies tonight with the guys.

  Whatever they want to do, I want it.

  Even if I fuck them, and Mel hates me.

  If petty was a shade, it would be black, and right now, it adorns every fucking inch of me. If Bridger wants to play and fuck around, I’ll do the same. But worse.

  “Wow.” Pru’s mouth falls open, making me feel hot and overwhelmed. “Fuck, princess.”

  “Goddamn,” Justice groans.

  I rotate, seeing him gripping the back of his neck. His eyes are widened, drawn to my body, and the way they make me feel is unlike anything I’ve felt before.

  Unlike my monsters at Arcadia, these two aren’t afraid of showing their appreciation for me without belittling me.

  “My dick is not going to behave. We should just stay in.”

  I can’t help the giggle that escapes me.

  Justice’s face almost seems to redden. He’s embarrassed? The fact he finds me this hot makes me feel uncomfortable. I’ve never felt like the pretty girl, not since I stopped looking like my brother.

  Cass.

  My mind travels to him, to my monsters and what they know, to wanting more info, to hoping Mel is getting information and not just fucking him.

  Annoyance consumes me. He’s not hers.

  “Ready?” Pru comments, coming up and touching my chin.

  “Yeah.”

  But I’m not.
/>   Is it a betrayal if they’re not yours to betray?

  Thirty-Three

  After they feed me what they call real pizza—which is pretty fucking magnificent—they take me to a local fair. It’s bright and energetic. The energy hits on a different level. Even the teens loitering seem laid-back.

  I really need a joint.

  “Do you mind if I smoke?” I ask them, hoping they won’t get upset. Many people are affronted at the sight of weed, but it’s something that calms me. Just being at an event such as this, my nerves are already frazzled.

  “Only if we can join you.”

  It’s such a simple response, but it lights me up inside.

  They grab my hands, intertwining our fingers and lead me to the far north side of the amusement park. There’s a Ferris wheel over here, a UFO ride, and a fried food shack. The funnel cakes are calling my name, but I’ll wait until after I’ve smoked enough.

  We make it toward the ride. Justice pulls out a few hundred dollar bills. “My girl wants to make out with me at the top of the ride. Give us twenty up there.”

  The ride attendant—a lanky guy in his mid-twenties—smiles at us and nods. “I’ll make it thirty.”

  He lets us pass the rope and opens the little circular seat. After we’re seated, he closes the cage, and the ride starts going up. The sky is dark, night has taken over the sky and the stars are invisible with the cloud coverage and air pollution, but I imagine this full moon and the lake that always calls me back home.

  My tiny purse nestling my phone and everything else rests against my hip. As I unzip it and grab my lighter, my heart feels at ease. Pulling out my little box with my joints, I smile, and relief fills my lungs. There’s something intoxicating about weed in a way that’s indescribable.

  Flicking my Zippo, I light up right as the ride hits the top. The twins watch my lips wrap around the joint, and the hunger they can’t seem to hide presents itself like a promise.

  I take a puff and hold it, offering them the smoke.

  Pru’s hand clasps mine as he leans over, kissing my fingers before wrapping his mouth around it. He sucks in, and his eyes never leave mine. I can’t even look toward Justice because Pru’s eyes draw me in a hypnotic-like trance.