by KC Kean
“Never. They live there together, alone. And if they say they’re on their way over, then you fucking accommodate them. No questions asked.” They live by themselves?
Dammit. I want to stomp my foot like a petulant child, but I refrain as Charlie grins. “I’m heading out. Maybe lock yourself in your room?” she offers, but Archie interrupts.
“Yeah, apparently that doesn’t work either.” He smirks down at me, finally bringing up the whole Xavier and me situation he found out about earlier at lunch.
Fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck.
Standing, Archie nods in the direction of the beach, and even from here through the glass balcony, I can see them making their way along the water.
This is all part of their mind games. They know they can fuck with me however they like. But what they don’t seem to realize is I’m not as fucking breakable as they might think.
11
Hunter
The only drama that ever takes place at Asheville High is the drama we control, so color me shocked when some mysterious blonde appears, wreaking havoc in her wake.
I watched her saunter past us when she arrived at school, leaving Toby’s jaw on the floor as she rejected his flirting, which was instantly something new.
Toby says drop your panties, and girls will do it, hoping for a moment with an Allstar. Because they are few and far between, and any girl around here jumps at the chance.
People in this town always want something, always, and she’ll be no different.
Then I sat in computer programming, knowing Xavier was pulling his usual shit outside with her, but when she walked in, she was completely unfazed, continuing like she hadn’t been threatened by the school’s ruling Knight.
I was almost intrigued, especially when she said she’d fucked Xavier, because that shit was laughable until he outright confirmed it at practice. I would not have said no to that sharing party. I’m man enough to admit she’s fucking hot, with her hourglass figure, long legs, and perky tits. But there’s something beneath the surface to her that catches me off guard, I just can’t put my finger on it.
But it wasn’t until Roxy purposely slapped Eden’s tray in her hands that I saw the real side of the new girl. The dark, broken soul, numbing all the pain twisting inside her. Unable to contain her rage any longer, she smashed it against Roxy’s face, and that was the moment I was fascinated.
“Let’s go, asshole,” Xavier mutters, hitting my back a little harder than necessary, but that’s probably because he was watching her ass sway as she stormed away too.
Standing at the top of the steps that lead up to our house, Toby grins, dripping wet from racing into the water with Eden. I’m not jealous, but I wish those were my hands on her body.
“Bro, she fucking sizzles against me. I’m officially addicted. No wonder you tapped that ass and kept her a secret.”
Shaking my head, I tear my gaze from Eden’s legs and follow Xavier into the house.
“Shut the gate behind you, Tobias,” Xavier calls out over his shoulder as he deactivates the alarm with his thumbprint.
We didn’t even unlock the house when Toby called out that he saw Eden on the beach, the three of us rushing to the sand to see for ourselves. I didn’t expect Tobias to race off down the steps, my feet moving after him before I even really realized what I was doing, but I could only gape at him as he ran into the water with Eden in his arms.
Stepping into the open plan kitchen, I head straight to the fridge for a water. Xavier flicks his mellow music on like he always does, controlling the sound system through his phone as he takes a seat at the breakfast bar, and I sit across the marble counter from him, the bar stool raised high, but I still sit comfortably. He’s obsessed with Strange Fruits on Spotify at the minute, the chilled vibes seem to make him relax a little.
“Don’t even think about sitting your wet ass on a stool,” Xavier threatens without raising his voice as Toby shuts the door behind him, a pout on his lips.
“Stop being all jelly because I got to have fun in the water with Eden, X. You’re the one that wants to make her off-limits.”
I watch as Xavier’s hands fist on the table while his face remains impassive, and I have to cover my smile at seeing his reaction. If Toby sees, it’ll only encourage him, but I’ve never seen him act like this before. Especially not over a girl.
Pleased with himself, Toby saunters off, just as the old ass house phone starts to ring. Since this is technically Xavier’s house, I sit back in my seat, picturing legs for days, while he reluctantly stands to grab it. Only the school or his mother calls that line, so it would be no use me answering it anyway.
The school might be named after me, but I refuse to have anything to do with the politics, happily letting Xavier do it.
Being Hunter Asheville never offers me luxuries. Only expectation and brutality, which is why Xavier placed me under his wing when we were in kindergarten, and I haven’t left since.
If it weren’t for him, I’d be staring at the confines of my parent’s basement instead of the glass-paneled wall that offers the most spectacular view of the infinity pool seamlessly blending into the ocean from my seat.
“Mr. Bernard, thank you for calling me first. I understand your need for our input on the matter. Let me discuss this with Tobias and Hunter, and I will call you straight back,” Xavier murmurs into the phone, pulling me from my thoughts as he slams the phone down on the counter.
“Tobias,” I yell, knowing he’ll want him here too if his facial expression is anything to go by. I can see his brain working overtime as his eyebrows draw together. It’s always easier to read people's body language than their words.
“Two minutes,” he calls back, and Xavier pulls his face in disgust.
“I’m not waiting two minutes while you wank over the new girl. Get your ass in here,” Xavier barks as he retakes his seat, and the stomp of Toby’s feet as he approaches makes me grin. Xavier was right.
“What’s so important I can’t finish?” Toby moans, literally grabbing his dick through his shorts to prove his point, and Xavier scowls. I can’t stop my eye roll, these two are like oil and water on the best of days, but we’re brothers no matter what.
Ignoring Toby’s question, Xavier continues, tapping his fingers on the counter as he does. “That was Mr. Bernard on the phone. Apparently, Roxy and her parents are demanding that Eden be expelled, and he wants our decision on the matter.” His facial expression gives nothing away as he processes it himself.
I frown in confusion and glare at Tobias. “I thought you said you took care of that?”
The second Archie got Eden out of the cafeteria, we went into damage control mode. Which meant Xavier controlled the chaos amongst the students, I dealt with the teachers, and Toby took care of Roxy. We decide what happens and when it happens, not Roxy or KitKat with their catty moves.
“I did, man. I swear.” Taking the seat beside me, he looks between us with an exasperated look on his face. “I took Roxy to the nurse’s office, and while she lay on the bed with an ice pack on her bloodied nose, I gave her exactly what she said would make it all go away.”
“Did you fuck her?” I ask, cringing at the thought, since we’d already made that mistake before, and we didn’t want her thinking there was a chance again.
“No, I’m not stupid,” Toby answers quickly, throwing his arms out wide. “But I did agree to take her to the fall dance,” he admits, and that almost makes me cringe more. Nobody needs to spend unwanted time with that girl. “Don’t even say it, man. I took one for the team.”
Xavier and I glance at each other, neither of us voicing the fact that he took one for the team for no reason now, apparently. But I’m not going to be the one to mention she broke the agreement, I like watching him stew.
“So why do you think she’s suddenly in school with her parents right now demanding Eden’s expulsion?” I ask, trying to figure out what could have changed. Toby rubs the back of his neck, coming up as blank as I do
.
We run the school. Nothing goes to the teachers unless we want it to, and surprisingly, Xavier hadn’t wanted anything to come of Eden’s outburst at lunch.
“Honestly, there was no issue when I left her. Everything was cool.” Toby sighs, running his fingers through his damp hair, and we both turn to Xavier for guidance like always.
Bracing his elbows on the table, his fingers laced together, he leans his forehead on his knuckles as he zones out. When it almost feels like an eternity has passed, he stands tall, straightening his spine and huffs.
“It’s probably my mother,” he finally murmurs, and I continue to stare at him, waiting for him to continue. “During one of her many lectures, she mentioned that I would only ever see a Grady if she put them there, and I should always stand by the Knight name. I should have probably asked why, but it never really mattered until now.”
Nodding, I instantly understand. His mother would make the devil himself run and hide with all her sly, manipulating games. She’s worse than my parents as a whole, but at least she leaves us here alone.
“So it’s a test,” I say, and Xavier hums.
“Like she’s trying to see your move. How you’ll handle a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, beautiful ragdoll she’s laid at your feet,” Toby chimes in, and it definitely makes sense.
“But why? What’s the motive, and why now? I’ve tried calling her four times since lunch, and she hasn’t answered a single call,” Xavier says, thinking out loud.
“She’s probably waiting to see how you handle the situation first,” I offer, and his jaw tightens, knowing my words are likely true.
“Which means someone in that school informed her of what happened, or Roxy’s mom went running straight to her,” Xavier adds, and I’m already bored of the mind fuck. His mother probably has a mole somewhere planted in the school, it wouldn’t surprise me. “We all know her mom will kiss my mother’s ass any chance she gets, be it out of fear or appreciation, and she’ll have seen Roxy’s face because there was no way of hiding the swelling.”
“What do we do then?” Toby asks, and I find myself answering before my brain can even catch up.
“She stays.”
Xavier stares me down for a moment, not saying a word, but eventually nods. “Agreed, but she needs to learn the fucking rules. I mean, she’s still a Grady, so we fuck with her either way, but rules are rules, and we can’t sway from the path this close to graduation. So I say we have her suspended for a few days.”
“Is that really a punishment for her? She didn’t look all that impressed with being there to begin with,” Toby mutters, and I can’t say he’s wrong.
“True, but it will still teach her who is in charge here,” Xavier throws back, and we nod in agreement.
“I still need to convince her to come to my birthday party, though, so maybe suspend her until Friday?” Toby offers, and Xavier sighs.
“Fine, but I need you to fuck her real quick so we can destroy her. It’s clear what my mother wants us to do, and we need her off our backs for the rest of the year if we want to get out of here. She’ll likely be watching us, and we have to play our roles.”
“Agreed.” Standing from the table, I pull out my phone. “How about you call Bernard back, and I’ll call Archie. We can head over, force her to spend the evening in her room. She’ll see we rule over everything, even in her own home,” I offer, and they both grin in agreement.
“Let’s go, boys,” Toby hollers, heading for the door without a backward glance, but Xavier calls his name and makes him pause.
“We don’t speak to her, not a word. Not until Friday at least.”
Fuck. Sometimes I pity the person on the receiving end of his wrath. He definitely gets his mean streak from his mother, even if I would never admit that to him.
Raised by a monster, become a monster.
12
Eden
Three days. Three fucking days I’ve been holed up in this house alone, no closer to any answers. The distance of my daily runs increases to get me out of the same four walls.
Richard doesn’t seem to give a shit. He hasn’t made eye contact with me once the whole time, not even when he advised me of the principal’s decision. While my mom has done nothing but berate me, so I’ve stopped answering her calls.
Whenever Archie tried to bring up what happened, I shut him down. I can tell he isn’t happy with the situation, but it’s not something he needs to get in the middle of. All my lessons were sent electronically, so at least I didn't fall behind.
Every night after school, Archie has come home with his fucking boys and their cleat chasers in tow, and I’ve made sure to stay out of their sight. So I’ve retreated to my room before they even make it through the front door, making sure my door is locked before I put my earphones in and turn the music up high.
I’m going to be deaf before I’m thirty, but at least I haven’t had to listen to them laughing and joking out by the pool.
I haven’t seen Richard once either, not since he dropped the news about my suspension and hurried back off to his room. Someone is clearly succeeding at hide and seek, which leads me to be in the exact same position as I was when I first arrived. In the dark. I’m ready to start snooping if I have to.
My phone vibrates beside me on the bathroom vanity as I apply my coat of mascara, and I already know it’s Charlie. That girl has made sure to reach out to me every day. She even gave me the heads-up that some rumors have started since Monday’s incident, which even Archie hadn’t wanted to tell me about.
Girl’s got my back, it seems. I still feel very wary, wondering if there’s more to the situation than meets the eye, but deep down, she seems genuine. It’s just this town is already doing a number on me. I’ve never felt paranoia like this. Even in the place I’m supposed to call home, I feel unease, distrusting of this whole fucking town.
I’m expected back at school today. A part of me wanted to flash a big fuck you to them all and not show up, but I know it’ll piss them off to see me show up on top of my game, completely unaffected by their shit, and looking hot as hell.
So, that’s why I’ve opted for heavier makeup today, with some bright red lipstick and my two-piece top and shorts set. It’s black with dusty pink and white flowers scattered across it. The Bardot top makes it playful as the shorts sit just under my ass. I love putting effort into my outfits, and the confidence boost is appreciated.
Please send me home, I beg you. Especially since the girl I smacked in the face with my tray had much less material covering her body on Monday.
Checking the message that flashes across my screen, I was right to guess it was Charlie.
Charlie: Girl, I’m heading out now. You better be there when I arrive, or I’m coming to get you!
She’s bossier than Archie. But I’m not ashamed to admit I’d feel better walking in with her than alone.
“Cookie, let’s go!” Archie shouts as he bangs on my door, and I quickly spray my favorite coconut passion scented perfume before heading toward all the noise he’s making.
Swinging the door open, I glare at him. “I’m ready. Stop making so much noise,” I grouch, but he just grins.
“Oh, they’re so screwed,” he mutters to himself with a shake of his head before turning. “We’re both only children, but you definitely suffer from the only child syndrome much more than I do,” he states with a smile as he takes the stairs first, and I get the craziest feeling of déjà vu with him.
The banter and easiness feels just like it did on Monday, and I’m really glad he took my word when I said I wanted him to be Switzerland. I already know I’m going to get shit today, but he’s still here for me, and I’m happy for him to go be the cool football player when we get to school.
I seem to care enough not to want to ruin his life and reputation while I’m here, and that honestly feels strange.
Archie locks up as I climb into the G-Wagon. As he climbs in beside me, I notice another gym bag in his hand, and he giv
es me a pointed look.
“You have track again today, remember?”
“Thanks,” I mumble, not admitting that I’d forgotten to look at my schedule. But he doesn’t pry, and when he goes to touch the music system, I don’t even complain, letting the indie rock band filter through the speakers.
My body is starting to thrum with nervous anticipation as I put the SUV in drive and head toward the school. I’m a little sad that I already know my way a little around town without the GPS.
Giving Archie free rein of the music seems to occupy him for a while, giving me the peace I’d hoped for, but I know it’s too good to last when he clears his throat.
“Spit it out, Arch,” I murmur, and he instantly lowers the volume of the Livingstone song blaring through the speakers.
“Do you need a pep talk?” he asks tentatively, and I try not to sigh.
“Archie, I already told you, I don’t regret what I did. That bitch started it. They’re like fucking vultures, circling me like prey, and I’m not just going to stand there and let them bully me. That isn’t who I am. So if someone does or says anything today, I’m going to stand my ground.”
He doesn’t respond for a moment, likely trying to come up with an argument that I can’t push back on, but he must see the look of determination on my face because he just chuckles instead.
“Your dad made you a badass bitch, huh?”
It catches me by surprise, and when I turn to look at him, there’s only kindness and appreciation in his gaze.
“A badass boss bitch, actually,” I throw back, and he laughs while nodding agreement.
“Well, good. We don’t have too many of those around here, cookie.”
“Why do you call me that?” I finally ask, my palms starting to sweat as we pull into the school parking lot, and he snickers in response.
“Because if I looked in a dictionary, it would be your face next to the description of one. Hard on the outside, but a softy on the inside,” he admits, instantly continuing and changing the subject as he points towards his parking space again. “Park in my spot.”
