by KC Kean
“I’m good, thanks.”
“Are you sure? I feel like I owe you or something for entertaining him so much.” Her smile is appreciative, and I shake my head.
“It was no trouble at all.”
She mouths her thanks before grabbing the bag at her feet and heading for the bathroom.
The other team has the ball, so I pull my phone from my bag and frown when I see a message from an unknown number waiting for me.
Glancing around like someone will wave to say it was them, I roll my eyes at myself before clicking the message open. My heart stills as I read the words over and over again.
UNKNOWN: YOU’RE GOING TO END UP JUST AS HE DID - SIX FEET UNDER AND ALL ALONE. YOU MAY JUST STILL BE ALIVE WHEN WE DO IT.
Who the fuck would send that? I can only assume they’re referencing my dad, but why?
My fingers tremble with nerves as I hit dial on the number, refusing to let these people get the better of me, but the call goes straight to voicemail.
Is this Tobias?
He stole my fucking number earlier today from Archie, but this shit’s just not funny. Wetting my suddenly dry lips, I glance in their direction on the edge of the field to find Archie already frowning up at me.
My confusion and concern must show on my face as he asks if I’m okay, and I wave my hand dismissively, not wanting to distract him from the game.
“Oh my god, I’m nosey as hell, but who on earth has sent you that?” Bethany gasps, snatching my phone from my hand as she balances Cody on her hip, her face a picture of genuine horror.
“I don’t know. I don’t recognize the number, and I tried to call them back, but there was no answer,” I admit, slightly taken back by her intrusion, but I can feel that she means well.
She hits the number again, holding the phone to her ear to double-check, but it goes to voicemail again.
“Why would someone even send something like that? It’s so typical of this stupid town.” She sighs, looking out to the field as I slip my phone back in my pocket when she suddenly waves for someone to come to her.
Following her line of sight, I find Hunter taking the steps two at a time to get to her. The crowds around us look on in confusion as he leaves his helmet in place and walks off the fucking field while they’re in the middle of the game.
My eyes flicker to the coach, who doesn’t even offer him a backward glance, and mere seconds later, Hunter is standing in front of us.
“What’s wrong? What’s going on?” he barks, glancing between the two of us, and I shake my head, murmuring nothing, but Bethany has an entirely different idea.
“Someone is sending Eden threatening messages. I’m not fucking happy about it. If I find out it was one of you guys, I’ll gut you. Do you understand?”
“What are you even talking about, and language, Beth. Cody can hear you, you know,” he grumbles, reaching his hand out to softly stroke Cody’s cheek as he does, a complete contrast to his harsh tone.
“Don’t play dumb. You boys know everything that goes on in this town. Someone’s threatening to bury Eden alive. If it wasn’t one of you three, you better find out who.”
“Show me,” he grinds out, his eyes burning into mine, but I shake my head.
“Can we not do this while we’re in the middle of a game? I’m fine, and I’ll figure it out. Alone.” I cross my hands over my chest defensively, but Hunter continues to stare me down.
“What’s going on?” Tobias calls out, drawing even more attention our way as he saddles up beside Hunter.
“Oh my god, nothing. Please, just please go back to the game.”
“Someone’s threatening to bury her alive,” Bethany repeats, and I stare at her with wide eyes. Who is this woman, and why doesn’t she shut up? “Don’t look at me like that. I’m doing this for your own good,” she states, and I bury my head in my hands, too afraid to look and see how many people are looking.
“Hunter, T,” Xavier calls out from the bottom of the steps, causing an eerie silence to fall over the people surrounding us, and I groan.
“Please,” I whisper, and Hunter must see the pleading in my eyes because he nods once in understanding and pats Tobias on the shoulder to go.
“Do not leave this spot without someone, understood? We’ll look at the message after the game.” I nod reluctantly, but that doesn’t seem to be enough. “Understood?” he repeats, and I sigh.
“Understood, now please, p-i-double-s off,” I say, covering my lips from Cody, even though I spelled it out, and he’s got noise defenders over his ears.
With that, he finally descends back down the stairs, but everyone is still looking, including the cheer squad. Charlie offers a reassuring smile while Roxy and KitKat stare at me like I just kicked their dog or something.
For fucks sake.
I don’t need to deal with them on top of all this, unless it was them?
Shaking my head, I focus back on the game, needing the distraction. I’ve not heard from my mom since I tried to call her back the other day, and now I’m getting messages like this. I hope she is okay. What if she called with a warning or because she was in danger and I didn’t answer?
Fuck this town, and its mind fuck abilities.
I need to party, drink, and forget all about this shit.
25
Tobias
As we make our way down the beach, the sun has set and the party is in full swing at Archie’s. I can see the campfire roaring from here as people fill the space in groups, dancing, singing, drinking. The atmosphere continues from the win earlier, and it’s a high I never want to come down from.
“Can anyone see her?” Hunter asks, talking about Eden, but I don’t see her pretty blonde hair in the crowd.
“Maybe she’s still inside,” I offer, but he doesn’t relax, and neither does Xavier.
We have never rushed to someone’s aid before, not mid-game and definitely not for a girl. But the fear written in Eden’s eyes, along with Bethany’s, had Hunter off the grass and climbing the stairs as quickly as he could. I have no idea who he was rushing to get to first, but the two of them together had him acting without thought.
The dark words of the threatening message linger in my mind. Threatening to bury someone alive is deep, even for us, and what’s worse is we have no idea who it came from.
Bethany made Eden pass all the information on, and she sent the details to Hunter, who has left the computer scanning for information on the number. Hopefully, we’ll get something, but so far, it’s just dead end after dead end.
Eden pacified Bethany, letting her walk her to her SUV with Charlie, and as much as she said she was okay, concern had washed over her.
“I need to see with my own eyes that she’s here,” Hunter mutters, stressed out more than I actually expected him to be.
“Fuck me, is this you pussy-whipped?” Xavier murmurs, and Hunter shoves him, not offering a response, and the slight grin on Xavier’s face surprises me. “What? Don’t be so sensitive, Hunter.”
“Shut up, Xavier,” I grumble, fixing my favorite black hat in place. “You’re showing your little green-eyed monster again.” He grunts in response, biting his tongue on whatever he wants to say as Roxy stops in front of him. “I’ll leave you with that,” I murmur, indicating the disaster that is Roxy Montgomery, and continue heading for the house.
He told us earlier how he wants to dig into some information with the Montgomerys, and sadly, the best way to do that is with that bitch.
“Fuck. You find Eden, bring her down so I can see she’s safe, and I’ll hold KitKat off so X can try and get details on what the disagreement was between the Montgomerys and his mother,” Hunter says, glancing over his shoulder, and he’s right. KitKat is all up between them, which means he’ll be there forever if someone doesn’t distract her.
Patting him on the shoulder, I take the slope up the side of Archie’s house, smiling at everyone calling my name as I enter through the front door and come to a complete stop at the b
ottom of the stairs.
Holy mother of sweet baby Jesus. Is this what it looks like, standing at the gates of heaven, staring up at an angel?
Eden stands at the top of the stairs, her long blonde hair is straight and slick down her back. Her bright blue eyes look even bigger with her fancy makeup shit, and her bright red lips are begging to be smeared.
Letting my gaze drop, I take in her outfit. In a khaki green lace bodice, her tits are perfectly on display. The sexy look is finished off with a pair of jeans and a thick black belt, and her pretty red toenails peeking out of her sandals.
I have never paid attention to a woman’s outfit so much in my life, but her presence demands it, forcing me to burn every inch of her to memory. But my concern is it’s going to have the same effect on all the guys here tonight.
“Stop fucking staring at me,” she grumbles, breaking my trance, and I grin as she approaches me.
“I just can’t seem to stop myself.” Biting my lip, I don’t move, letting her come to a stop right in front of me.
“You’re not even trying.” The pointed look she gives me only makes my dick harder as I mindlessly stroke a finger down her arm, watching as she shivers at my touch.
“But I don’t want anyone to take you. You’re mine.” My eyes are locked on hers as the words slip from my mouth, her lips parted with a gasp as her coconut scent wraps around me, pulling me in deeper.
The moment is broken as Charlie clears her throat, coming to stand behind Eden. As if remembering herself, Eden steps by me and out of my reach.
“Where are you going?”
“Wherever you aren’t,” she throws back at me, not even looking over her shoulder as she walks away.
Charlie smothers her grin as she follows after her, clearly enjoying this little game of cat and mouse Eden is playing with me. I watch every step Eden takes, heading outside to the pool area, and I don’t miss all the guys checking her out as well.
Following behind her, the pathway clears as people move out of my way. The frown on my face is likely encouraging them not to approach me.
Eden stops beside Archie, whose eyes are fixed on little Charlie James in her denim fitted dress. Interesting. As long as his attention isn’t on Eden, I don’t care. Watching as they head down to the beach with a few of the other guys on the football team, I pick up my pace, not liking her closeness to Billy. His bulky shoulder brushes up against hers, and I’m close to losing my cool.
“I didn’t think you were the type to lose your sanity for a girl.” Xavier is walking towards me, four drinks in his hands as he stares me down.
“I didn’t either,” I admit, walking beside him as we near the bonfire. Eden sits to the left with Archie and the others, while Hunter is on the right with KitKat and Roxy.
The bonfire is massive tonight, the crackling sound settling my soul. The relaxing atmosphere, with the ocean off to our right, is what I enjoy about these parties.
“We never differ from the plan, though, Tobias. Not even for golden pussy, you remember that.” Taking off to join Hunter, he drops down into a deckchair, and Roxy instantly climbs in his lap. I can see the cringe in his eyes as he encourages her, but she’s not paying enough attention to notice.
With a deep breath, I head towards Eden, watching as she glares across the roaring flames at Hunter and Xavier. My brothers are doing what is necessary to get answers, but I like the hint of jealousy in Eden’s eyes.
Drink in hand, she looks away from them, sipping the fruity alcohol with a straw. Her lips wrap around the tip, her cheeks hollowing ever so slightly as she drinks, and my mind instantly pictures her down on her knees before me. My cock in her hands instead, and her big blue eyes peering up at me as she takes my length.
“You’re staring again,” Eden calls out, looking at me with a grin on her lips, and I take that as my cue to join her.
Charlie sits to her left, while Billy leans in on her right. Standing in front of him, I give him my most bored expression.
“Thanks, Billy, but I’ve got it from here,” I state, pointing over my shoulder for him to get the fuck up and go.
“But we were just talking about Eden’s football knowledge,” he argues back, not moving, and that’s his biggest mistake.
I can feel Eden’s eyes on me, watching to see what my reaction will be, and I can’t help but grin at her. The challenge in her eyes, daring me to push back and fight for her attention, has me shrugging.
“No stress, man, you stay where you are.” Spying an empty deck chair out on its own a little farther around the fire, looking out to sea, I fix my eyes back on Eden’s. “Please, may I manhandle you for just a moment?” I ask, and I think the fact that I asked and didn’t just haul her away catches Eden by surprise.
“Since you asked so nicely,” she murmurs back, her voice huskier than usual, and I scoop her up into my arms before she can change her mind.
She wraps her legs around my waist, and her eyes don’t leave mine as she places her hands on my shoulders.
“Billy, get the shots, will you,” I say over my shoulder, watching as he sags in disappointment as I carry her away.
Dropping down into the chair, I’m thankful there are no arms on it so Eden can keep straddling me, her legs draped over mine as she gets comfortable in my lap. Stroking her hair behind her ear, I grin at the sparkle of mischief in her eyes, rubbing my other hand up the outside of her thigh.
“You had to pick somewhere with only one chair, huh?” She doesn’t try to move away. If anything, I feel her move closer, her eyes widening as she brushes against my hard cock in my jeans beneath her.
“Are you not comfortable or something?” I murmur, a challenge in my eyes this time, and she doesn’t disappoint. Not backing down, she inches closer, her tits close to grazing against my chest as her fingers stroke the back of my neck.
“I can make do.” She smirks.
Just as I’m about to lean in closer, a bottle of tequila is placed between us, with an angry Billy holding it out. Taking it from his outstretched hand, I meet his gaze, letting my anger at his approach shine through in my eyes.
“Billy, it’ll serve you well to remember who the fuck I am and what I’m capable of. Do I also have to remind you that Hunter marked Eden as off-limits?” His eyes widen as his lips pop like a fish, trying to find a reason for the shit he’s pulling, but I cut him off before he can. “Fuck. Off. Billy.”
I roll my eyes at the quick change in his demeanor as he scurries away. Eden raises her eyebrows at me, and I scoff. “Please, he didn’t put up much of a fight, now did he? Besides, you want me. Otherwise, you’d have said no to the manhandling.”
Without saying a word, she takes the fresh bottle of tequila from my hands, unscrewing the cap and bringing it to her lips in one swift move. I watch her throat as she swallows the liquid down before she holds it out for me to take.
Repeating her same motion, I take a shot of tequila straight from the bottle before placing it in the sand beside us. I want a buzz, not complete intoxication. There is something much sweeter I’d like to be drunk on right now.
“So, Billy says you know football, huh? What else do you like?”
“Does it really matter?” she murmurs, subtly grinding down against me again, and I bite back a moan. It feels like we’re the only two people in the world right now, and I’m all for voyeurism, but I need this girl alone first.
“Amuse me.” Rubbing my hands on her thighs, I squeeze as I near her apex, watching as she arches her back ever so slightly. She’s so responsive, and I haven’t even started.
“I like video games and old movies. Music, any music at all, really. The ocean,” she adds, glancing over her shoulder. “Sex.” Turning back to me, her eyes hold me captive, “Lots and lots of sex. Orgasms. Cock.” Her face moves closer to mine with each word that leaves her mouth, and my grip on her tightens, loving her confidence and where her mind is heading.
“I can get behind all of those things, bubble,” I murmur in he
r ear, dragging my lips against her jaw, and she whimpers. “I could make you scream with two fingers, baby.”
Leaning back ever so slightly, a grin on her lips, she stares me down. “Why, what are you going to do? Jab me in the eyes?”
A burst of laughter rises from my belly as I pull her closer, loving her quick-witted sass. “Kiss me, bubble.” I don’t care who’s watching, especially Hunter and Xavier. Eden is mine tonight.
Her lips are barely a breath away from mine as she continues to stare deeply into my eyes. “I don’t make the first move.”
“And I don’t let consent be a question. I’ve asked you to kiss me, you know I want you too. So if—”
My words are cut off by the softness of her bright red lips meeting mine. Tantalizingly slow, her mouth takes mine as her fingers cup the back of my head, stroking my hair under my hat as I squeeze her waist.
Fuck.
She tastes so sweet, like honey, and smells like coconuts, completely intoxicating me. Keeping my hands on her waist, I stroke my thumbs against the lace material of her bodice, letting her set the pace. Fuck, she knows what she’s doing. Her back arches as she grinds down against my throbbing cock, biting my bottom lip as she does, pulling a throaty groan from my lips.
“Let me take you somewhere private, Eden. Ease some of this sexual tension from your hot body,” I whisper, slowly raising my hand to cup under her breast, desperate to drag my thumb across her peaked nipple. But I won’t until she says so.
Her eyes flicker to where my hand is, and as she bites her lip, she looks back up to me and nods, hissing as I circle her nipple.
“I’m not a rehab center for badly raised boys, you know,” she murmurs, making me grin.
“There is no fixing me, bubble. I’m like an addict. I’ll take what I want, when I want, without a care for the consequences. The question is, do you want to join me?” I ask, waiting with bated breath for her response.
