by L A Cotton
“Ignore her,” Ashleigh whispered. “She’s just jealous that people actually like you.”
“She’s getting worse,” I admitted.
“Yeah, but she’s all bark and no bite. You don’t need to worry about Lindsey, Lil. She can only hurt you if you give her the power to.”
I gave my best friend a thin smile as we headed for class. I wanted to believe Lindsey was going to let this thing go. But so long as Kaiden refused to give in to her advances, I feared that I’d always be her punching bag.
Because preying on the weak made her feel strong.
And in her eyes, I was as weak as they came.
I’d been sitting in free period for almost fifteen minutes, waiting for Peyton and Ashleigh to turn up with their surprise, but there was no sign of them.
I tried to focus on the college information packs scattered across my desk, but I was too distracted. Lindsey’s cruel words had stayed with me long after I walked away. She was such a bitch, acting as if I was the one who had wronged her. But I guess that’s what made mean girls mean, their ability to convince themselves that their actions were justified.
My cell phone vibrated, and I snatched it up before Mrs. Creedy heard it.
Kaiden: Last stack, next to the town history reference books.
My heart did a little somersault.
Lily: You’re my surprise?
Kaiden: Come and find out.
A smile played on my lips. He was outrageous. Almost as outrageous as my friends for thinking this was a good idea. It was the library. Anyone could stumble upon us.
And yet… I stood from my desk and disappeared into the stacks. My heart was in my throat, my hands trembling, as I hurried toward the back of the library. It was less frequented down here, a lot of the textbooks old and musty. I’d almost reached the end of the aisles when a hand shot out and pulled me into the last stack.
“Hi.” Kaiden pushed me up against the rows of books, making the air whoosh from my lungs.
“Hi,” I breathed. “What are you doing here?”
“Wishing my girl a happy birthday.” He crashed his mouth down on mine, hungry and desperate. I whimpered against his lips as his tongue curled around my own, so familiar and right. Streaks of desire fired off around my body as Kaiden pinned me there, slowly grinding the lower half of his body against mine.
“We can’t, not here,” I whispered, flushed and breathless.
“Peyton said nobody ever comes back here, and I really really want to give you your birthday present, Lily.” His eyes sparkled with flecks of silver, boring into mine.
“You’re so bad,” I scolded.
“Only for you.” Kaiden buried his face in the crook of my neck, licking and kissing the skin there as his hand dropped to my skirt and disappeared underneath.
It was so bad, fooling around in the school library. But he made me want to be reckless and live life on the wild side for once.
And the truth was, the second he kissed me, I knew it wouldn’t be enough.
“Ahh,” I breathed, as his fingers dipped inside me.
“I’ve missed you this week.” His eyes searched mine, watching as the neatly tied threads of my life began to unravel for him.
“Me too,” I managed to get the words out as he strummed my body in the most perfect rhythm. My head dropped back against the musty old textbooks, as I fought the urge to ride his hand. We were pressed so close together, that if anyone came around the corner it would look like we were just making out.
At least, I hoped so.
“Stop overthinking it,” Kaiden whispered against the corner of my mouth. “Nobody’s watching you except me,” he rasped, rolling his thumb over my clit with such finesse, my legs began to tremble.
“I’m close.” I panted, grasping his arm.
“Come for me, Lily. Give it to me.” He curled his fingers deeper, hitting just the right spot and I shattered, kissing him hard, forcing him to swallow my breathy moans.
Kaiden slowly removed his hand from me and brought his fingers to his mouth, sucking them clean. “My favorite taste.” He smirked.
“Oh my God.” I blushed. “I can’t believe we just did that.”
“Happy birthday, Lily.” He crouched down to retrieve something from his bag and pulled out a small box.
“You got me a gift?”
“Don’t get too excited, it isn’t anything expensive.” He handed me the box, suddenly looking a bit sheepish. “The girls told me it was your favorite.”
I opened the lid and beamed. “A chocolate cherry cupcake from Sprinkles. Thank you.”
“I know it’s kind of lame—”
“It’s perfect.” I reached for him, brushing my hand along his cheek, and kissing him. “I love it.”
And I think I’m falling in love with you…
The words teetered on the edge of my tongue, but I swallowed them down, locking them away tightly in the deepest part of my soul. It was too soon to say them.
“I’m sorry I can’t be at the game tonight,” I said. There were more birthday celebrations tonight. Dad would miss out, but that’s how it went sometimes during football season. Besides, we’d celebrated Wednesday too.
“It’s okay. I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”
I nodded, unable to fight the smile tugging at my mouth.
“Then that’s all that matters.” He smiled back but there was tension behind it.
“Kaiden, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“I spoke to your dad today. He said scouts from Alabama are coming out to the game.”
“They are? That’s fantastic news.” I threw my arms around him. But when I realized he wasn’t hugging me back, I pulled away and frowned. “Isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s all I’ve ever wanted…”
“So what’s the problem?” My heart drummed violently against my chest as something passed between us.
“Kaiden?” I asked again when he didn’t reply. But footsteps came toward us and the blood drained from my face. “I should go,” I whispered.
“Yeah. You go first. I’ll wait and sneak around back.”
“Okay.” I clutched the cupcake box to my chest. “Thank you. Best birthday present ever.” I flashed him the best smile I could muster before slipping out of the stacks and hurrying down the aisle.
It wasn’t until I got back to my desk and sat down that I realized he never smiled back.
The surprises didn’t end there. My birthday celebrations turned out to be a girl’s shopping slash dinner with Peyton, Poppy and Mom; Ashleigh and Aunt Hailee; and Mrs. Bennet and Sofia. They’d hired a sleek back SUV to chauffeur us around, and we had manis and pedis at their favorite spa before hitting Mom’s favorite boutique for a private dress fitting.
“Isn’t this the best?” Ashleigh laced her arm through mine, and we followed the owner through the store to the back where the luscious dressing room was located.
“We have champagne for the moms,” she announced, “and virgin mimosas for the girls. Make yourselves at home while I get Kylie to wheel in the selection of dresses you’ll be choosing from.”
“Choosing from?” I clarified.
“Well, yes, dear, didn’t your mom tell you? You can each pick one dress to leave with tonight. Courtesy of your fathers I believe.”
“Holy shit,” Ashleigh clapped with glee. “Did you know about this?” she asked her mom.
“Of course we did, sweetheart. Happy birthday, girls.”
“Now you don’t have any excuse not to get something knockout,” Peyton said, shooting me a knowing glance.
“Ssh,” I warned, before someone noticed.
“So do I dare ask who you’re all going to the dance with?” Sofia’s mom asked.
It was always a little weird being around her outside of school.
“Oh, we’re going stag,” Ashleigh said.
“It’s the best way, sweetheart.” Mom agreed with her. “Remember our senior Homecoming?” She glanced at Aunt
Hailee. “We went so you could catch Cameron’s eye and ended up bailing and going to that party across the river.”
“Fee.” She shook her head.
“Relax,” Mom chuckled. “They know we were teenagers once.”
“Although we’d like to pretend you weren’t,” Poppy said, and we all laughed.
“I can’t imagine Dad as a senior.” Ashleigh frowned.
“Oh. Your father was quite the—”
“Okay, Fee, that’s enough.” Aunt Hailee clapped her hand over Mom’s mouth. “Why don’t we see the dresses now?”
Mom’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “If you don’t think our daughters are chasing after boys just like we were back in the day then you’re only fooling yourself.”
“That’s what worries me,” Aunt Hailee pursed her lips, flicking her eyes to Ashleigh.
“I think girls get a bad rap,” Peyton said. “It’s quite acceptable for guys to sow their wild oats and play the field, but if a girl wants to enjoy herself, she’s branded a slut.”
Aunt Hailee almost choked on her champagne. “Well, that’s definitely one way of putting it, Peyton.”
“Girls will always be held to a different standard,” Sofia’s mom said. “But as long as you’re being sensible and safe, then there’s no harm in having a little fun.”
“Mom, gross,” Sofia balked.
The shop assistant wheeled in the rack of dresses. “Okay, who wants to go first?” she asked.
Ashleigh’s hand shot up. “Me. Definitely me.” Her eyes slid to mine in question. “If that’s okay with Lily.”
“Be my guest.”
Hopefully she’d take longer than necessary, and I wouldn’t be subjected to parading around in front of them all in a dress I had no intentions of wearing.
But then one caught my eye. A charcoal skater style dress with silver embroidery that reminded me of Kaiden’s eyes.
It wasn’t the prettiest dress on the rack or even the most expensive, but if I had to pick one, that was the one. For a second, I imagined what it would be like wearing it, walking into the school gymnasium on Kaiden’s arm.
And not having everyone look at me and wonder why someone like him was with someone like me.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kaiden
Saturday morning rolled around, and I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Every muscle in my body ached, my limbs heavy and sore.
We’d beaten Levinson, but it had been a tough game. They had a huge defense who quickly anticipated our strategy. They were all over us, but in the end, we’d gotten the win which was all that mattered. And the scout from Alabama had introduced himself, complimenting me on a good game.
When the bus rolled back into the Rixon High parking lot, everyone had gone off to party at Lindsey’s house, but I’d headed straight home. She was starting to give me the fucking creeps, always watching me. Finding any excuse to come over and talk to me. I didn’t know how many times I’d told her I wasn’t interested, but she wasn’t fucking listening. So my new plan was to avoid her as much as possible.
My cell phone bleeped, and Bryan’s name filled the screen.
Bryan: All set for later. You owe me for this!
Kaiden: Thanks, man, I appreciate it.
Bryan: Yeah, yeah. Just leave everything as you found it…
When I’d invited Lily out to celebrate her birthday, I’d forgotten that we couldn’t actually go anywhere public. So I had to get a little creative, and since she seemed to like Bryan’s pool house so much, and the last time we were there ended so fucking badly, I figured we could have a do over.
Only this time, Bryan was going to give us the entire place to ourselves.
A loud crash downstairs startled me, and I leaped out of bed.
“Lewis, for God’s sake, sit down. Before you break—”
Another crash echoed through the house, and I was out of my room in a second.
“Mom, what happ—” I ground to a halt, watching my dad as he stumbled around the kitchen trying to pour himself another drink. “Fuck,” I breathed. “What is he doing?”
“Your father only just got home,” Mom let out a pained sigh.
He could barely stand, swaying on his feet like a tree in the wind. It was one of the saddest things I’d ever seen. My father, the man who raised me, wasted at the ass crack of dawn on a Saturday morning.
“Come on, old man,” I said, approaching him. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“Don’t touch me.” He jerked away from me, staggering against the counter. “You’re his now,” he muttered. “Think… too good for me.”
Tears leaked down Mom’s face as she watched me try to get a hold on him.
“Dad,” I said. “Come on, you’ve got to work with me here.” I managed to hook my arm around his waist, but he turned on me at the last second.
“I SAID NO!” he roared, throwing his fist high and wide. It was a lame punch, but I didn’t see it coming until it was too late, and his knuckles collided with my cheekbone, sending a flash of pain reverberating through the side of my face.
“Fuck,” I hissed, jerking back.
“Kaiden!” Mom cried, but I waved her off.
“I’m okay.” Ignoring the deep burn along my face, the anger skittering down my spine, I shoved Dad hard, walking him through the house. I didn’t even bother attempting the stairs, guiding him into the living room and pushing him onto the couch.
“Not my son…” he murmured. “No son of my mine would ever choose… choose that fucking has-been Ford.”
“Sleep it off, Dad,” I said, glaring down at him, wondering where his life had gone so wrong.
So he’d messed up in high school—we all made mistakes. He’d paid his dues and moved on with his life… except, he hadn’t. His hatred and resentment had only festered over time, growing and shifting into something monstrous and dirty.
Liquor only fed the beast.
I joined Mom in the kitchen. “Oh, baby,” she wrapped her arms around me, sobbing softly into my chest. “I’m sorry, Kaiden. I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Mom.” I hugged her tightly, the words bitter on my tongue.
It wasn’t okay.
Nothing about this fucking shitshow was okay.
“He needs help,” she whispered.
“Yeah.” But getting him into rehab again wasn’t going to be easy.
Mom untangled herself from my chest and inhaled a shuddering breath. One I felt all the way down to my soul. Wiping her eyes dry, she took another deep breath. “Let me get you something for your face.”
“It’s fine, Mom. I’m fine.” But I wasn’t fine. Not by a long shot.
“It’s already bruising,” she said flatly, her eyes filled with regret.
“Yeah,” I said, shrugging her off.
What was another bruise to add to all the invisible ones my father had caused over the years?
The second Lily saw my face she paled. “Oh my God, Kaiden.” She reached for my face. “What happened?”
I inched back, catching her hand in mine. “It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing.” Her eyes narrowed with concern. “You’re hurt and I want to know what happened. Did… someone hurt you?”
“Come on.” I took her hand and led her around the back of Bryan’s house to the pool house.
Bryan was already gone, so it was just the two of us. And he was right, I owed him.
I owed him big time.
“Are you sure Bryan is okay with us being here?”
“It’s fine, I promise.” We slipped inside and Lily gasped.
“What—”
“Surprise.” I wrapped my arms around her from behind and pulled her back into my chest. “I know we couldn’t go out, so this is the best I could do.”
“I love it,” she whispered, tilting her face to mine. I couldn’t resist sliding my lips against her mouth, kissing her. Breathing her in.
Something about Lily settled my soul, a
nd I wanted to drown in her innocence. Bathe in her pure fucking light.
“Happy birthday, Lily.”
“Hmm,” a contented sigh slipped from her lips. “You smell good.” She brushed her nose along my jaw.
“I think that’s the takeout.” I chuckled. “Come on.”
Walking us over to the breakfast counter, I released Lily and started unpacking the food containers. “I hope I got everything right. Peyton helped me out.”
“I’m sure it’ll be great.” Lily perched on a stool and helped dish up the Chinese food. “Will you tell me what happened now?” she said the second I sat down. “Because this is the second time I’ve seen you hurt, and I’m worried.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Kaiden, don’t do that. Not with me.” She snagged a dumpling off her plate and popped it in her mouth.
I let out a steady breath. “It was my dad.”
“He hit you?” Anger burned in her eyes.
“It was an accident,” I corrected. “He was drunk, and I was trying to help him lay down.”
“So how did his fist end up in your face? And what about the time before, huh? Was that an accident too?”
“Lily… it’s complicated.” I released a defeated sigh. “My dad isn’t like yours, okay? He isn’t supportive and solid and there for me. He’s… Fuck, I’m sorry. This is just hard for me to talk about.”
She wasn’t supposed to see me like this. Broken… Weak… Sporting a huge fucking bruise all thanks to my dad.
“I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to get so… so angry. But I don’t like the idea of him hurting you, Kaiden. Maybe you should tell—”
“No!” I snapped, immediately regretting it when she folded in on herself. “Shit, Lily. Can we talk about something else? I can handle my dad, and the last thing I want is him to ruin our night together.”
Her expression softened, but I saw the uncertainty there. “Yeah, okay. But never think you have to hide from me, Kaiden. I want to know you. All of you. Even the not so good parts.”
