Tucker slipped his hands into his jean pockets and walked with his head down.
He didn’t look like he fit into this kind of rich asshole party. He wore regular clothes. You know, middle class kind of clothes. Something you’d see some guy wearing at a 4th of July picnic.
Once he had passed me, he paused.
He looked forward but not back at me. “You know, that was a pretty good impression.”
I swallowed hard again. “Of what?”
Tucker looked back at me. “Of the assholes in the kitchen.”
He smiled and winked.
Then he walked into the kitchen to another explosion of laughter.
My mind had tuned out whatever pompous joke that had been told.
I raced up the stairs and ran to my room.
It looked the exact same as the first time I entered it when Claire brought me to the house.
There was nothing that said I had been there one night or one hundred nights.
I threw my bag to the bed and grabbed my cell.
It was time to finally reply to Gi’s texts.
* * *
“You need more than a drink, Ti,” Iris said as she sat down on the large blanket in the sand.
“I second that,” Gi said.
“I third it,” I said.
I hugged my knees and had my hoodie covering my bare legs.
It actually was really comfortable out at the beach. Not like the night before when it was damn cold. I told myself that should have been my night to escape. Slip away in the cover of darkness instead of waiting. Instead of spending that one last night in the comfy bed at Claire’s.
Tonight the beach breeze was calm and warm.
It played with my hair instead of throwing it around.
Almost like it was trying to convince me to stay.
“So your father is at Claire’s right now?” Gi asked.
“Right now. In the kitchen.”
“What the fuck is that about?” Iris asked.
“Don’t look at me. I don’t know. And he talked to me.”
“Damn,” Iris said. “How’d that go?”
“I said one word and nodded. I don’t know. It was…” I shook my head.
Gi reached for my hand. “I’m sorry. That’s got to be rough. And Claire knew all along. That’s crap.”
“It’s shady,” Iris said. “But Claire’s known for that.”
“She is?” I asked.
“Iris, shut it,” Gi snapped.
“No,” I said. “What does that mean? She’s shady? How?”
“Just look at what she does,” Iris said. “I mean, sleeping around with a married man.”
“What else?” I asked.
“Just the way she is,” Iris said. “She gets what she wants. No matter what. That’s just how she is. My parents have dealt with her in the past.”
“And look at what she did to you,” Gi said. “I mean, yeah, she took you in, which is crazy nice. But she hid your father from you?”
“She said she was going to eventually tell me,” I said. “She showed me where he lives and explained everything to me. About him. About my mother. Things that happened.”
“Do you believe her?” Iris asked.
I wanted to just jump to the answer of yes but I couldn’t.
All I thought about then was the car accident.
The fake car accident.
The car accident she lied to me about.
“I don’t know what I believe anymore,” I said. “That’s the truth. Between her and the Rulz…”
“Ti, let me ask you something, seriously,” Iris said. “Now that the bet is over. Now that they know about you. What did you think would happen?”
“Not this,” I said. “Not the way I feel right now.”
“We could have told you that,” Gi said.
“I did tell her,” Iris said.
“Are you two here to crap on me or help me?” I asked.
“Sorry,” Gi said. “You’re right. Fuck them. Fuck Pres. Fuck Barr. Fuck Kip. Fuck Claire. Fuck Tucker. Sound good?”
“Sure,” I said.
“No,” Iris said. “What did you think would happen?”
I curled my lip. That switch Iris had that went from friend to bitch was really quick to flip.
And so was mine.
“You know what?” I said. “I’m not sure… but I didn’t expect them to threaten me. And attack me. And scare me with a gun.”
Both their eyes went wide.
“What…?” Gi managed to whisper.
“Yeah, exactly,” I said. “So maybe I was stupid for doing what I did. But you know what? I thought if I could show them they aren’t the great and powerful assholes they think they are, it would help everyone else. I guess that backfired.”
I hurried to my feet and walked down to the water.
The ocean tickled the tops of my feet.
Still so soothing.
Even with the intense rage rippling through my body.
“You know I’m going to drive you crazy about this,” Iris said.
“I know,” I said.
“So just start talking.”
“Or just know we’re here,” Gi said from the other side of me.
I stared out to the dark water and spilled the entire story.
From my planned escape to the object pointed at my back.
“So you think it was a gun?” Iris asked.
“Who knows,” I said. “Could have been his finger. I don’t think anyone is dumb enough to fight back, you know? And their voices… they changed their voices on purpose. So I wouldn’t know it was them.”
“You didn’t see for sure though?” Gi asked.
“Who else would it be?” I asked.
“Why would they…”
“Yeah, exactly,” Iris said. “Don’t finish that question, Gi. We all already know the answer. They would do anything to anyone. Especially Ti.”
“Makes sense to me,” I said. “They acted so nice and gave me the envelope with the money in it and congratulated me. Then they warned me to stay. That it wasn’t safe for me to leave. I bought it too. They looked genuinely worried. Not that I was planning on staying…”
I frowned and looked at Gi, then Iris.
I hung my head.
“It’s okay,” Iris said. She touched my back. “We don’t blame you for it.”
“I ignored you both,” I said. “That was a bitch move.”
“A little,” Gi said. “We were really worried about you.”
“And you know what?” I asked. I laughed. “I’m still here. Just like they wanted. I should have drove out of town faster than ever."
"But you didn't," Gi said.
“Because I’m stupid,” I said.
“No, Ti," Iris said. “There’s another reason why. You know it too.”
“What’s the reason?” Gi asked.
“To face them again,” I said.
“For what?” Gi asked.
“So they don’t get the last laugh at me,” I said.
“That’s my friend right there,” Iris said.
I walked away from them again.
The feeling inside me was sinking.
A stupid and sinking feeling.
There was no need to bother with the Rulz again.
But to think they were going to get to sit back and laugh at my expense…
No.
When I got back to the blanket, Gi ran up to me and grabbed my arm.
“Don’t get comfy,” she said.
“What? Why?”
“We’re heading back," she said. “We’ll just crash at Iris’s tonight.”
“What’s wrong with being out here?” I asked.
Iris grabbed the blanket and tugged, wanting me to get off of it.
She finally looked at me. “Turn around, bitch. Look.”
I whipped my head around.
Everything was dark. Really dark.
Except the gentle glow of a few lights. Red and orange lights.
The lights of a vehicle.
Parked.
Inside, they were watching me.
“How fucking nice of them,” I said. “I guess they’re trying to protect me.”
“Which is why we’re out of here,” Iris said.
I stepped off the blanket and she folded it.
“No worries, Ti,” Gi said to me. “Iris has a lot of screwdrivers at home.”
“I thought the point was to not screw the Rulz?” I asked with a smile.
Gi laughed. “Seriously… let’s get out of here. Let them see you with your friends. Knowing that their bullshit doesn’t bother you.”
“Maybe I should tell them,” I said.
“Don’t,” Iris said.
I put my right hand out and lifted my middle finger. “Too late.”
“I can’t figure out what kind of crazy you are, Ti,” Iris said. “But I really like it sometimes.”
“Don’t get too mushy with me,” I said. “I’m starting to feel untamed.”
“I guess getting robbed at gunpoint will do that to a person,” Gi said.
I looked at the Rulz as they sat in the SUV.
I shook my head.
“I guess so,” I said.
We walked up the beach toward Iris’s house.
My eyes kept wanting me to look back and see if they were still there.
But I already knew the answer.
Now I wanted to know the truth.
* * *
In what would be a shock to the twisted douchebags that got off picturing us having a pillow fight in our bra and panties, we all slept in Iris’s giant bed, comfortably, fully clothed. I was on the edge, curled up in my hoodie, even pulling the strings tight for any kind of barrier between me and the sound coming out of Gi’s mouth.
By morning I rolled to my back and opened my eyes wide, wanting to scream shut the fuck up but I didn’t.
I felt Iris nudge me and I turned my head to see her awake too.
“Hey,” she whispered.
“Hey,” I whispered back.
“She’s the worst, right?”
“What the hell is that sound?”
“It’s like two cats fighting and getting run over by a jagged wheel at the same time.”
“That’s a little graphic.”
“I’ve had time to think about it,” Iris said.
“Just push her out of bed,” I whispered. “See if she wakes up.”
“No, watch this.”
Iris had a devilish grin on her face as she reached across her body toward Gi.
I propped myself up and watched gleefully, like some kind of crazed person.
I blamed the lack of sleep for my excitement as Iris put her hand over Gi’s mouth.
The noise stopped right away.
But then Gi’s eyes opened and she tried to scream.
It was muffled by Iris’s hand.
Gi started to thrash and Iris took her hand away, letting Gi scream.
As Gi screamed, Iris kicked Gi out of the bed, yelling, “Hurry! Get out of here!”
Gi flailed her arms like bees were attacking her and she ran right for the door.
Iris and I grabbed each other as we laughed.
When Gi finally came to her senses, she turned, touched her chest, her bed head sticking up everywhere like she’d been zapped by an outlet, and she looked pissed.
Really pissed.
“You bitch,” she said to Iris.
“Me?” Iris asked. “You kept us up all night. You fucking lawnmower.”
“Tell her about the cats,” I said.
“What cats?” Gi asked. “There’s cats here?”
We laughed again.
Gi jumped to the bed tried and slapping at us. “It’s not funny. I could have died just now.”
“Died?” I asked.
“For real,” she said. “You can’t wake someone up like that. You can kill them. It makes their heart explode.”
“I thought you were going to run face first into the door,” Iris said.
“That could have killed you,” I said. “Death by shut door. Terrifying.”
“What did I miss between you two? Have you been drinking?”
“It’s morning,” I said.
“So?” Gi asked.
“Good point,” Iris said. “But we aren’t drinking. We’re tired because of your snoring.”
“Snoring,” Gi said. “I don’t snore.”
“That’s snoring,” I said. “That was scary.”
“Yeah?” Gi asked. “Scary is someone putting their hand over your mouth while you’re sleeping.”
Iris nudged me again. “That’s one of her biggest fears. Someone breaking into her room and putting their hand over her mouth and then kidnapping her.”
“Oh, damn,” I said. “That’s a pretty good fear to have.”
“See?” Gi said to Iris. “It’s not just me.”
“Or it’s just a good excuse,” Iris said. “No wonder you never have guys sleep over.”
“What?” Gi asked.
“Didn’t Roman leave one night…”
“Shut the hell up,” Gi yelled, her face turning red.
“This is getting good now,” I said.
“Please,” Gi said. “Ask your new BFF about her sleepovers.”
“I don’t do sleepovers,” Iris said. “There is no sleep involved. And when things are done, it’s goodbye, boy…”
“Dirty,” I whispered.
“No,” Gi said. “It’s sadness. Ask her about Bray.”
“Hey,” Iris snapped, her face suddenly turning serious.
“Who’s Bray?”
“Nobody,” Iris said.
She threw the covers off herself and jumped out of the bed.
I looked at Gi.
Gi winced, realizing she had gone too far.
For me it hadn’t gone far enough.
I snuck out of the bed, feeling untamed like the night before.
“Was Bray a boyfriend?” I asked.
“Don’t ask, Ti,” Gi said.
“I just did. Twice. So answer me.”
Iris looked back. “We picked on Gi for thirty seconds. Step back, bitch. You’re not digging into me just yet.”
“No more BFF’s?” I asked.
“Funny,” Iris said. “Isn’t it time for you to leave? Catch your bus out of town?”
“Right,” I said. “I guess I better get going then.”
“Hey, stop,” Gi said. “This is my fault. I brought up Bray.”
“Stop saying the name,” Iris said.
“Wait a second,” I said. “This is your fault, Iris. You messed with Gi. She messed back. It’s all in fun. Who cares?”
“Says the girl who was tongue fucking three guys at once, right?” Iris asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Maybe back home in the dumpster where you lived it was cool to just let guys slide in and out whenever they wanted…”
Iris trailed off.
“Well, finish the sentence,” I said.
“You’re not worth it,” Iris said.
I laughed. “So you got called on your shit and now you’re a bigger bitch. Nice job, Iris. Way to show your true colors.”
“Just get out of here, Ti,” Iris said.
I shook my head and walked away.
I ripped open the bedroom door and Gi chased me down.
“Ti, wait,” she called out.
I stopped in a large hallway. “What?”
“Don’t take that personally.”
“Why would I?” I asked.
Gi sighed. “I shouldn’t have brought him up.”
“Who is he?”
“Bray was her first. Everything. Okay?”
“Oh,” I said. “Damn. Bad breakup?”
“I’m not saying anything else,” Gi said. “I went for a low blow. That was my bad.”
“And I guess I’m not friends enough to know about it?”
“Ti…”
“But you all know about me, right? You know that Devin was my first. And he was my only. But that’s okay, right? And the fact that the Rulz thought I was untouched. All my little truths here and there…”
“Hey, stop,” Gi said.
“Stop. Right.”
“Not like that. I mean… shit. I don’t know what I mean.”
“Neither do I then,” I said.
“You shouldn’t leave alone.”
“Why not?”
“What if… I mean, you were attacked.”
“I wasn’t attacked,” I said. “I was given a warning. And I’m going to handle it.”
“How?”
I laughed. “Call me crazy… but I’m going to go after the Rulz one more time…”
four
four
I drove home and ate a huge breakfast alone.
It was perfect.
So blissful.
And even the chef who cooked… her little hums didn’t bother me at all.
I just took it all in.
I felt like a prisoner eating their last meal.
Because this was it.
One more chance to take a swing at the Rulz before saying goodbye for good.
They made their point. They were more powerful than me. They were smarter than me. They ruled BFH. Whatever. It was all fine by me. Because when my ass was out of town and I had moved on, that’s when they’d feel it. Knowing they weren’t able to break me. Knowing they weren’t able to take my innocence because that was taken by someone else.
It was perfect.
It actually worked out for the better.
I got to see Gi and Iris again.
Everything I needed to know about those two was shown too.
“Can I get you anything else?” the chef asked.
I dropped the cloth napkin down and shoved the plate toward her. “Nope. That was good.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
I wiggled my eyebrows and walked to the backdoor to go out to the pool.
All I had to do was send one text message to get this thing rolling again.
Because it was simple.
The Rulz could be strong and powerful… but you know what?
They were boys.
And boys were fucking dumb.
I took my phone out of my pocket.
“Where did you end up last night?”
I screamed and turned to find Claire sitting in a chair next to the umbrella covered patio table.
Sitting with a glass of orange juice and two pills next to the glass.
UNTamed: a bay falls high novel Page 3
