“Aren’t you going to say sorry?”
I walked back to his table.
“Sorry for what?” I snapped.
“For this.” He said pointing to his nose. “You just hit me out of nowhere and left. I expect an apology.” I looked at him. I know what I was going to do if I stood here any longer. I would probably drop the pizza and attack him.
“You shouldn’t expect shit from me. All the times you grabbed me, did you say sorry? Fuck you.” I breathed heavily. “You made my life miserable. I started drinking because of you.” That’s not true but it just came out. He stayed quiet. Nobody knows that he grabbed me harder then he should have and how he hit me once, except Bryan of course. He’s the only one I told. The group stared at me . “I should have punched you years ago.” I took another deep breath and walked away.
“You don’t know what you’re taking about.” Zach said.
I turned to face him.
“What happened, Zach? You weren’t always such an asshole.” I said. He didn’t say anything. Whatever. He’s not my problem. “I hope you work things out with Sophie.” I said walking back over to my table. “Because you’re not fun when you’re a dick.”
I made it to Alex and sighed.
“Can we go? Zach’s here.” I said.
Alex turned around, saw him and then nodded.
“Yeah. Sure. Here, don’t forget the keys.” He said taking the pizza from my hands and handing me the keys.
“You still trust me?” I asked surprised.
He nodded and said, “Always.” Wow.
When he got in the car, Liam came out. “Emily…”
I was just about to open the driver side door. “What!” I didn’t mean to snap at him but it was just in me.
“Is it true? The stuff you said in there?” Liam asked.
I glanced inside. The guys looked at me with surprise, probably because the car. I looked at him. “Why would I make it up?” I said.
He nodded.
“I’m not good friends with him. I’m just here because I know the other guys. If he gives you another problem, let me know.”
“Sure.”
I started the car and glanced up at him. He smiled and went back inside. I put the car in drive and drove.
5. Everyone Knows
It was 5:30 pm when I drove us back to my house. I parked the car and handed the keys back to Alex as I dug in my purse for my own. I opened the front to be welcomed into complete darkness. I guess my family is still dealing with “the situation.” I turned on a light, just to make sure they worked and they did. Good, I don’t need to be reminded of that night.
We walked into the kitchen and I got two glasses out. “I asked for Pepsi but they didn’t have it. What would you like to drink?” I asked. Who’d have thought I’d be asking Alex Payne for a drink. Definitely not me.
“Whatever you have is fine. I don’t mind.” Alex said. I’m very aware that his eyes are on me. I looked for soda everywhere but couldn’t find anything warm. I looked in the fridge. Of course there they were. Does my family know I hate cold soda? I tilted a Coca-Cola at him and he nodded. “Sure.”
Alex set the pizza on the table and we ate. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until the pizza was gone. I was still craving another slice. “Do you want to go back to my room?” I asked. God, desperate. “I mean…we have a pool table in the basement but basement’s aren’t my thing so I’d really like to not go down there. And my Xbox is upstairs. Mom doesn’t like the bitching down here.” My mom would kill me if we were alone upstairs but I don’t care anymore.
“You play Xbox?” I saw the surprise in his eyes. “I have to see this.”
We went upstairs and plopped onto my bed.
I turned on my phone to see the latest updates. As it was getting started, I looked at my window. It’s cold in my room. I can’t believe I didn’t notice. Alex glanced at the window.
“Did you leave that open?” He asked. I shook my head. I walked up to it and found a note: Emily, you should make sure your windows are locked before you leave the house. Alex glanced over my shoulder to read it.
Something fell downstairs and we quickly turned around. “Stay here. And close that.” He said. I closed the window and followed Alex out. “What did I say?” Like he is going to tell me what to do in my house. Please.
I turned on the hallway light. Nobody was there. Then I heard the front door close. I expected it to be my family but when no one talked or even walked up the stairs, I knew something was wrong. Alex glanced at me and I shrugged my shoulders. I went to Declan’s room and found his lucky baseball bat he kept by his door. Alex raised an eyebrow at me.
“It’s better than nothing.” I whispered. Alex shook his head with that smile of his on his lips. He grabbed the bat from me and again, we touched. It felt nice.
We headed downstairs slowly. Since the stairs are next to the front door we didn’t have to walk much. The lights were on and we didn’t see anybody. We opened the front door…no one.
“Let’s make sure everything’s locked.” Alex said. He doesn’t know where he’s going so I led the way. We checked all the windows and the back door. Everything was locked. After what happened on Saturday, I removed the spare key from under the plant and set it in the table in the entryway so I wouldn’t have to worry about that.
When everything looked good, we went back up to my room. A text message came in a few seconds later. I expected it to be Tiffany or Bryan hearing about my outburst at Quinn’s Pizzeria but it was unknown. Him.
Him: Emily, you’re not suppose to have guests in your room when nobody is home. You’re being a bad girl. What did I tell you about that?
My eyes widened at the thought of him in my house again.
Alex glanced over my shoulder and read the text. “He texts you?!”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I said.
“Why isn’t he in jail?” Alex asked holding my eyes. “Emily, you went to the police, right?” I shook my head ashamed. “Fuck!” Alex said standing up and pacing my room. I just watched him. “Did you at least go to the hospital?’ My silence was his answer. “Emily…” His eyes found mine and my heart stopped. “Did he use a condom?” I honestly don’t know. And I’m ashamed to answer his questions. I’m a stupid teenage girl who didn’t do anything right. “Does anybody know?” Alex finally asked.
“No.” I said barely over a whisper.
He came back to my bed and sat down. Who knows what he’s thinking about but he stayed quiet for a while. I didn’t want to interrupt so I sat back and stared at my hands.
“Is it all right if I spend the night? I want to make sure you’re safe. At least until your family’s back.” Alex finally asked. I nodded.
I laid down a few minutes later and looked at him.
“Why do you want to be around me? I know why but you never talked to me before. We only talked during school and that was because it would be weird not to.” I said. “The walk to the party was the real first conversation we had. Why did you stick around?”
He held his jaw and looked down at my bed. “You want the truth?” I nodded. “I always thought you were too good for me. The people you hang around… I felt like you probably didn’t want to get to know me.” That was exactly the way I felt about him. He never initiated the conversation before. I would say hi and he would smile, say hi back then look away. I’m too good for him. Are you serious?
“That’s funny because I thought the exact same thing about you. I wondered if you heard about the rumors and decided I was bad news.” I said.
We laughed at the thought. If we both had the courage to talk to each other, things would probably be different now.
My phone chimed, breaking the moment. I glanced at Alex who glanced back at me. I grabbed it and saw it was Declan. “It’s just Declan…They took longer than expected and will be home in a few hours.” It’s already eight pm. Where could they possibly be?
Alex got up and walked over to a
chair on the right side of my bed. “What are you doing over there?” I asked confused.
“I said I would spend the night. You can go to sleep and I’ll drift off later.” He wants to sleep in my room. In that chair.
“Don’t be ridiculous, my bed if big enough for both of us and then some. That chair is not comfortable.” I said. Alex just stared at me. “I will not go to sleep unless you are on this bed.” I said clearly. I would never tell a guy to get in bed with me but that isn’t the case here. I’m just being nice. He walked over to the bed and laid out on the comforter. I sighed. “Hold on.” I got up, walked over to my closet and grabbed a black comforter. It was the only non-girly one I have. I grabbed his sweats he lent me from the top of my dresser and told him to change.
“I’m comfortable in these.” He said. I rolled my eyes. He’s wearing faded jeans that makes him look sexy as hell but they don’t look comfortable to sleep in.
“Yeah and I’m comfortable going to sleep in heels. Go to the bathroom and change.” I said.
“I didn’t know you were so bossy.” He said as he grabbed them from me. I gave him a look and he smiled. It will take a lot of me to control myself with him in my bed.
I didn’t change. Just in case Declan, Scarlett or my mom walk in here, they won’t get the wrong idea. I left my bedroom light on and the door open. That should convince them. “You should get some sleep. Friday is always a busy day at school.” I said facing him.
He looks good under my black comforter. Yum.
“Are you going tomorrow?” He asked. I thought about it. I don’t think I’m ready to see anyone or tell anyone yet.
“I doubt it. I’ll put the alarm on for you.” I said.
“No, it’s fine. I’m a morning person without anything to wake me up. You sleep in late.” Alex said. I smiled.
“You’re too nice. And by the way, you never told me where you were hiding him?” I said pointing outside to the car. “I would remember if you drove me home in that.”
“I was getting it touched up. I used the Audi. I promise that when I see you again, I’ll bring Bumble Bee.” He said. We laughed.
He wants to see me again. Yes! But then I thought about Bryan. Maybe to some people I’m a slut. I almost had sex with him and now I have Alex lying in my bed. Nothing will happen though. I’ll try to keep that promise.
“Don’t try anything.” I said.
“Like what?” His eyes bore into mine. I almost lost myself and leaned in to kiss him. Almost. I looked away and hid under my blankets. Guys are guys. The only thing on their mind is sex. And right about now, so am I. I have to control myself.
“You know what.” I swiped a stray hair off my face. “You call him bumble bee.” I said with a smile. “That’s exactly what I wanted to call mine.” Transformers really hooked me in.
My eyelids became too heavy for me to keep open. They eventually closed and the only thing I remembered was the smile on Alex’s face.
***
The next day I woke up around 3:00 pm and Alex wasn’t on my bed. Right…school. I changed the bandage and I have to say, I’m proud. It looks good. I’m not a doctor but the cut looks like its healing.
I heard the front door close so I looked out of the window and saw Mom and Scarlett leaving. Before I went downstairs, I changed my shirt and jeans but kept on the sweater from yesterday.
“Declan, where is Mom and–oh…hi.” I said confused. Alex was talking to him. “I thought you left.” I said.
“I did. I came back.” Alex said.
Declan looked at both of us with raised eyebrows.
“Well, I guess I’ll leave you two alone. By the way Alex, sweet ride.” Alex glanced my way and smiled. Declan went upstairs. I don’t know what is going on but my family is purposely leaving me alone with a guy. Do they think I’m lonely and need a man? But Alex isn’t a bad choice. I don’t mind one bit.
“What did you do today?” I asked.
“Nothing really, skipped school, woke up late.” He said that like he did it all the time. Oh, we’ve got a bad boy in the house.
“I knew I should have put the alarm on.” I said walking into the kitchen to grab a water bottle. “Do you want one?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine. I should go. Your brother asked if I could check out your mom’s car. I did, it was fine.” I don’t know what he’s in a rush for but I guess I can’t keep him waiting any longer. He does have a life.
“All right, see you soon?” I asked. Alex nodded. I walked him outside and saw him drive away in the Camaro.
***
I don’t know how I can still be sleepy but I went to my room, crawled into bed and fell asleep again. Declan came into my room some time later. “Em, wake up. It’s five o’clock. You slept all through Friday and Saturday. What’s up with you?” He’s lying. “Come downstairs. Mom wants to talk to you.” That’s all he said. Shit, he’s not lying.
I pulled the “Life of the Party” sweater over my head. I think I pulled something because it felt like something tore on my skin. I went downstairs and walked into the kitchen where my family was sitting at the table.
“We have something to tell you.” Mom said. “We got everything figured out and we’re not going to be moving.”
I pulled my head back in surprise.
“What? How?” I asked. They all looked at each other like they have a secret not worth sharing.
“Someone bought the house and left it to us. It’s ours again. Since the owner paid it in full, we don’t have to worry about the payments. I got my job back too. Declan and Scarlett still can’t go to school but we could probably work something out.” Mom said. I smiled. This is great. This is what I wanted.
So I left them and headed upstairs to talk to Tiffany and Bryan.
Declan walked into my room with a weird look as I grabbed my phone. “He didn’t tell you?” He asked. What is he talking about? “You guys have been spending some time together. I thought you knew.”
I raised an eyebrow at him.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Alex…he bought the house.” Alex? What the hell? “He said he would buy it. He didn’t want you to move away because you have something to do in Boston. Didn’t say what but it sounded serious.” Alex bought the house? That’s not right.
I don’t know what the hell is going on but I am going to find out.
I put some flats on and left my room. Declan followed me out. “Where are you going?” He asked.
“Can you bring me to Alex’s place? I think I remember the way.” I said. He stared at me like I was an idiot. I guess I am. “Okay, I’ll drive myself then.” I grabbed Mom’s keys and went outside.
“Okay, I’ll drive you. What are you going to do there?” I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. I can only focus on getting to Alex’s place.
I remembered the way and we got there in fifteen minutes. Declan came to a stop in front of his house and I got out and ran up the stairs. As I was getting out the car I felt like my skin was tearing again. I’ll have to check on that later.
I rang the door bell a few times and Alex finally answered.
“Hey, what are you doing here? Did you–”
“What the hell did you do? Did you buy my mom’s house?” I asked. “I really don’t understand what’s going on.” He stared at me, not denying anything. Then he walked back inside his house and I followed.
“You asked me to find a way to get you not to move. I found a way. I talked with your family and they didn’t like the idea at first but then they thought of what was best for you. They decided to take my offer and it worked out fine.” He said.
“What offer?” I asked. Everyone is leaving me in the dark.
“I offered your mom some money for you to get your own place. She didn’t like the idea so then I mentioned I can buy the house and give her some money to help out.” He said. What?!
“How much did you offer her?” I asked. Oh, God. Do I really want to know this? He did
n’t answer me. “How much?”
“A few million.” I’m sorry? I can’t believe what he’s saying. I stared at him in disbelief. What? A few million? He must have known what I was thinking because he said, “Emily, I have money. After my family died, I inherited everything. I wanted to help you out.”
I can’t stop looking at him. He looks so…confident. How could he do this to me? And act like it’s all right? It’s not all right!
“Is that why you stuck around? You wanted to see what the fuck was happening to me. Am I some kind of charity case? We don’t need your money, Alex. Is this some pity thing? I was raped and that was the perfect way for you to feel helpful. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe…you.” I snapped.
“I did it because I care about you. It was selfish but I didn’t want you to–” His eyes moved behind me. Alex tensed up and I turned around. Declan was there. Fuck.
“Emily…you.” He ran over to Alex and punched him. “Did you do something to my sister?” Declan snapped.
Shit. I put my hand on Declan’s arm.
“Declan, he didn’t do anything. He was helping me. So I thought.” I said dragging my eyes over to Alex. He has his hand on his chin.
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you say anything to me?” Declan asked staring Alex down but talking to me.
I couldn’t see straight though. Everything was getting blurry. A second later, I felt something warm dripping down my stomach. I put my hand under my sweater and when I removed it, there was blood.
“Declan…” I had the same feeling on my face. I raised my other hand and sure enough, there was blood coming from my nose. Both Alex and Declan looked at me.
I feel woozy. I staggered back and before I knew it, I was falling to the floor with both Alex and Declan trying to catch me.
***
I woke up in the backseat of my mom’s car. Alex held me in his lap, I assume Declan’s driving. “What happened? Where are we going?” I asked.
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