by Rachel Jonas
The smug grin I’m wearing has me feeling good for a while, and it’s only more pleasing when I spot West.
“Uh oh. Here come’s trouble,” Lexi announces, and then takes off before the storm in cleats and shoulder pads approaches. He’s with the team after having been bombarded by fans, but I have one hundred percent of his attention. And, like him, I can’t stop staring.
Soaked with sweat from head to toe, and keeping his eyes trained right in my direction, West reaches me. I’m not even shocked when he breaks from his team to step to me, invading my personal space like always. Only, he isn’t angry like I expect him to be. There’s something else that has his eyes wild this time.
Heat from his breath grazes my neck when he leans in to whisper.
“Well played, Southside,” he admits with amusement in his tone. “But you got one thing wrong.”
I’m shivering and it has nothing to do with the slight chill to the air, but has everything to do with inhaling the scent of his sweat. There’s something raw and primal about it that I’m not exactly hating.
“What’s that?” I finally ask, peering up into his bold eyes, feeling weak in all the wrong ways.
His lips move and I’m all ears.
“We both know which of us is really the bitch, don’t we?” he growls with a smirk.
I’m barely able to process the words when wet heat presses to my lips. The undiluted taste of him is everything to me in this moment, and I don’t even know what’s happening. Unsure of what to do with my hands, they move on their own, and the first place they go is into his warm, damp hair, drawing him closer as the helmet he carried settles against the small of my back.
His tongue pushes inside my mouth and, on instinct, I lean into him, proving him right yet again. He may be the one with the words printed on his uniform, but letting him kiss me like this—enjoying the kiss like this—says so much about me.
He pulls away and his dark stare burns through me, leaving me hot and flustered when he backs off. But he doesn’t leave without smacking my ass first, in front of everyone, marking his territory.
He wants them to think I’m his because he believes I find nothing more repulsive than that, but … I’m not sure what I’m thinking at the moment. However, I’m suddenly aware of having so many eyes on me now.
Most notably, Parker’s.
There’s more hatred in them than usual, more of that icy vibe that’s always bouncing off her. She passes by without a word, but I feel exactly what she’s thinking: I’m in her way, blocking her path to West.
Even though the attention I get from him is pretty damn negative, it’s more than she thinks I deserve.
More than she’ll allow.
Feeling self-conscious having everyone’s attention, I cross both arms over my chest and chew the side of my lip. Then, I start fast-walking it to my car.
What is wrong with me?
I’m screwed up in ways I didn’t even realize, but what’s surprising is … I’m beginning to think West and I suffer from the same strain of stupidity. And, as wrong as I know this is, I’m finding the idea of exploring our warring, explosive natures less and less appalling.
Call me crazy.
@QweenPandora: As expected, our boys brought Cypress Prep another win! All with KingMidas wearing a pair of … uniquely painted pants. Perhaps a little retaliation for a certain tire incident? Who knows? But what we all know, is CPA’s fav new couple has clearly made amends. How can I be so sure? Let’s just say a certain after-game kiss STILL has me sweating bullets, that’s how. Hmm … wonder how SeXyBeAsT feels about NewGirl playing both sides of the field.
Later, Peeps!
—P
Chapter 25
BLUE
I swore I’d never step foot inside this place. It’s cold, it’s heartbreaking. It’s also my brother’s home for now.
Well, at least, until he’s transferred in a week.
The process of getting signed in, waiting for my number to be called, and then getting screened took nearly an hour and a half. Now, here I sit, waiting for Hunter in what looks like my old cafeteria at South Cypress. Small, square tables are spaced out across the room, anchored to the ground with chairs attached. Everything is drab, sterile, and just downright depressing. Everything about this place makes me want to stay on the straight and narrow for the rest of my life. Which, I suppose, is the point.
My knee hasn’t stopped bouncing since I was escorted here by a guard. It’d be nice to check in with Jules, Scar or Lexi while I wait, but seeing as how I had to store all my things in a locker, it’s just me here.
Me and my anxiety.
Every time a figure moves past the reinforced glass on the far wall, I perk up, thinking it might be Hunter. Only to be let down every time. I’m feeling equal parts excitement and dread. It’s been so long since I laid eyes on him, but I know it’ll gut me seeing him in a place like this. Wanting to spare Scar the heartache, I asked Jules to head over and keep an eye on things. I got a ton of pushback from Scar about leaving her behind, but as I sit here, listening to a woman sobbing her eyes out to my left, I know I made the right choice.
This time, when someone passes the glass, it isn’t a false alarm. My heart races faster than I think it ever has as I lay eyes on my brother. Already, I’m fighting tears and I haven’t even gotten a good look at him. What I’d give to just hug him, but I know it isn’t allowed. No touching.
I breathe deep and decide to stand when the guard pushes the door open. Then, in walks Hunter, wearing the bright orange jumpsuit I’ve only imagined him in before today. Now, I’m certain this will be the only way I’ll see him when I close my eyes.
His back is to me for a moment, while his cuffs are removed. Then, I see his face for the first time in far too long, but … there are cuts and bruises on one side. And his eye is practically swollen shut.
My chest tightens and I force air into my lungs, trying to keep my emotions in check. He catches my eyes and his own well with tears and relief. Immediately, guilt sets in for making him wait so long, but among the many things I’m feeling right now, I’m angry.
He’s better than this, better than this place. Plus, Scar and I should’ve been enough of a reason for him to make sure he never ended up here.
“You made it,” he says breathlessly, clearly trying to be strong, but his lower lip quivers when he reaches me.
I’m at a loss for words at first, but then pull it together and manage a smile. Albeit a faint, fake smile, but it’s a smile, nonetheless.
“It’s good seeing you,” I finally say back, lowering into my seat when he does the same.
“Black eye and all, right?” I hear the embarrassment in his tone when he makes the joke.
“It’s … Are you okay?” I stammer.
A casual shrug doesn’t have me fooled. The angry wounds on his face tell me everything I need to know.
“Depends on how you define ‘okay’.”
That’s a fair response, considering.
To lighten the mood, I grin at him. “Did you at least get a couple hits in on the other guy?”
A small laugh leaves him. “One or two, but nothing like the beatdown Ricky told me you put on Loren Pete. What the hell was up with that?”
An easy laugh slips out. “She opened her big mouth at the wrong time.”
“Clearly.” The lighthearted expression on his face begins to fade as we settle into a strange silence.
The culprit? The huge elephant in the room. He’d put Ricky up to harassing me until I showed up here today. Now, here I am, and it hasn’t come up.
His gaze lowers to the table and he drums his fingers nervously on top of it.
“You uh … you and Scar been okay?” He peers up then and I don’t miss the raw emotion he’s carrying.
I shrug. “Depends on how you define ‘okay’.”
When I repeat his response, he chuffs a quiet laugh before lowering his gaze again.
“Mike been staying in line?�
�
The question brings an eye roll out of me. “Mike is Mike.”
Hunter nods knowingly. “Sounds about right.”
Turning to peer over his shoulder, he makes eye contact with the guard who brought him to me, then scoots to the edge of his seat when he faces me again.
“Listen, Blue-Jay, there’s something I need to tell you, and I know you’re gonna be pissed, but you can’t react by asking a shit-ton of questions, okay?”
I’m reluctant, but I nod. “What is it?”
He does that shady glance over his shoulder a second time before I have his attention again.
“You have to be careful out there. I mean, lock the windows and doors behind you, keep an eye out for strange vehicles following you a little too long, people walking up on you in the street.”
My brow furrows and I quickly disregard his wishes to question him. “What are you talking about? Who wants to hurt us? Why would someone—”
“You gave me your word you wouldn’t ask,” he cuts in.
“Well, I’m sorry, but that was before you made the job of looking after Scar a million times harder,” I shout, earning the attention of those seated at the tables around us.
Hunter gives a discreet glance sideways. “Don’t make a scene,” he whispers.
“Are you kidding me?” I’m still a little too loud, but it can’t be helped.
He reaches for my hands to calm me, but quickly draws back when he remembers that’s not allowed.
“Blue, I just … I know everything’s on you right now. I know Mom took off. I know Mike is more of a burden than a help. Trust me, I beat myself up about leaving you to hold everything down every day I wake up in this damn place. But I just need you to trust me,” he pleads. “I hate that the shit I’ve done always seems to hurt the only two people in the world I owe anything, but what’s done is done. Now, all I can do is protect you as best as I can from in here.”
I stare at him with burning eyes and tear-blurred vision. How dare he drag me here to dump even more responsibility on my shoulders, and not even tell me why.
When I stand, he forgets about the boundaries and takes my wrist.
“Riley,” one of the guards calls out, causing Hunter to release me abruptly. There’s so much frustration pent up inside him, but he’s trying to contain it. Trying to keep his cool.
“Blue, I just … I know you hate me right now, and you have every right to, but all I ask is that you watch your back.”
I stare down on him while he sits there, red in the face and fighting tears.
“Is it her family?” I finally manage to ask.
We don’t talk about her ever—the girl whose life he took—but it looks like we’ve run out of options. His eyes slam shut when I fold both arms across my chest.
“Answer me,” I seethe. “This is about Robyn, isn’t it?”
He winces when I speak her name aloud. “It’s not that simple, Blue. I—”
“I shouldn’t have come here.” The words leave my mouth at the precise moment the realization occurs to me.
“Blue!”
I don’t turn because I’m barely even able to walk right now. Everything hurts, inside and out. Life just keeps throwing me one hard blow after another and I’m not sure how much more I can take. As I put distance between my brother and me, I feel more fragile than I’ve felt in a long time. And if I’m going to keep from folding under the pressure, something has to give.
Fast.
Chapter 26
BLUE
“That was it? No explanation? Just ‘Watch your back’?” Jules asks, staring at my reflection in the mirror, waiting for an answer.
“Yep. Pretty much.”
My gaze lowers and my thoughts are all over the place. Jules has been a welcomed distraction tonight, even if the reason for her visit still has me wanting to slam my head against a wall.
I had zero plans to go to the Homecoming dance, but she has a way of pressuring me into things I don’t want to do. Naturally, that got us both into a lot of trouble growing up. She offered to buy our tickets at the door and promises we’ll have a blast, but I’m almost positive we’ll have whatever the opposite of that would equate to.
She made it hard to shoot down her idea by having Scar already settled at Uncle Dusty’s for an overnight visit tonight. Plus, there’s an array of dresses, makeup, accessories, and hair tools laid out on my bed that all look like torture devices to me. After crying my eyes out on her shoulder without explanation after returning home from my visit with Hunter, she instructed me to shower and leave the rest to her.
So, this—me seated in a chair while she does a professional-level makeup job on my face and hair—is me leaving the rest to her.
“There,” she says with a smile, pushing a bundle of beach waves forward over both my shoulders.
I can’t help but to stare because, with the glossy red lipstick she added, it’s hard not to see my mother staring back at me.
“Now, the dress,” she adds with a chipper grin.
I stand in my robe and follow her over to my bed where she’s laid out everything she hauled over from her house.
“Take your pick,” she insists.
I scan the lot and can’t help but notice that every dress looks like I’ll get sent home for indecent exposure, which is when an idea occurs to me. Getting sent home isn’t such a bad plan. At least Jules would feel like I tried to be sociable, while all I really want to do is sulk under a blanket.
“I’ll take this one.”
She eyes me as I grab a black, bodycon number with modest, long sleeves, but the modesty ends there. It’s sure to be tight and short, which should get me kicked out of there and back home in no time.
“Awesome,” she beams. “I’ve got the perfect silver lariat necklace and black bondage booties to go with it.”
“Bondage booties? Sounds like pirate porn.”
Laughing, she rolls her eyes seconds before another wave of excitement hits her. “Oh! And I’ll wear black, too. That way we’ll complement each other when we’re side by side.”
Our gazes lock and she grabs my hands.
“Get excited, girl! You’re about to steal the show tonight.” She pops a brow before saying more. “And if West has a pulse, he’ll be eating out the palm of your hand within seconds of seeing you in this dress. You know, assuming he isn’t already.” Her brow wiggles again, being anything but subtle.
I force a smile, and let it fade the moment she turns her back to gather accessories.
Why on Earth did she have to mention his name?
Right away, last night’s kiss sends a burst of heat up my torso and chest, bringing warmth to my neck and face. This boy burns me up on the inside. With rage, lust.
Our game of cat and mouse is beginning to take a turn, losing some of its predictability, leaving me to wonder if he hates the things I do and say in retaliation or … secretly gets off on them.
Hell, maybe we both do to a degree.
I need so much help.
A heavy sigh puffs from my lips as I peel the dress off its hanger, heading toward the bathroom to change.
Dear, Lord. Please let this night be over as quickly as possible. Before I do something stupid that I’ll definitely regret later.
West
Two hours in and I’m still scanning the gym every few seconds.
Damn girl is inside my head.
Deep.
She probably won’t even show, being a social outcast and all. Her one and only friend at Cypress Prep would never be caught dead anyplace you can’t show up in jeans and a t-shirt. So, yeah, pretty good chance I’m on the lookout for nothing.
Why am I looking for her ass anyway?
Fuck that.
A squeal leaves Parker when I grab her and bring her close, tonguing her down just to help me get that other one out of my head. It won’t work, but I’m committed to trying.
I let Parker go, but she stays in my space, holding me around my waist as she
stares up with a sweet grin. Too sweet. I hate that shit.
She’s practically got hearts in her eyes, dreams of a white picket fence and two-point-five kids. With my ass strapped to a leash.
Never gonna happen.
All this thing between us has ever been is a means of killing time. She’s been something to do this past year, but I’ve been bored for months now.
She’s too … perfect. Too neat and clean around the edges. Might just be me, but I like my girls a little bit rough, a little bit crazy.
Like Southside.
My eyes slam shut when the unwelcomed thought hits me hard and fast.
“Something wrong?” Parker pipes up to ask.
I shake my head and lie right through my teeth. “No, just a headache.”
“Need me to get you something? Water? I think I have pills in my purse if—”
“I’m fine,” I manage to cut in. Girl’s mouth runs a mile a minute.
She settles down and turns her back to me, pressing her ass against my dick as she gets comfortable. I pass a sideways glance toward my brothers and they’re already laughing.
This chick’s harder to shake than a leech.
The music is loud, so Parker’s none the wiser when Dane leans in. “Why don’t you ditch her and go get what you really want?” he asks.
Tension spreads across my brow. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He doesn’t answer with words, but nods toward the door. To where sex in heels and red lipstick has just walked her sexy ass into the gym. She’s way over dressed—like she’s hitting a club overdressed—but she’s hot as hell and she knows it.
Parker thinks my growing hard-on is for her and glances back with a discreet grin.
I haven’t taken my eyes off Southside yet when Dane’s in my ear again.
