F*ck You: Knox Academy - Term One

by Jaye Cox

  Baxter: See you at dinner. Wear something sexy ;)

  I delete our conversation and stash my phone in the bottom of my bag. This should be fun.

  I find a nice dress – one I wouldn’t choose to wear. It’s sexy enough to work, but it’s also one I know Laura will approve of. My last parting gift to her. Adding another wedge between her and Monty. Let the games begin.

  I opt for heels instead of chucks or boots. Very uncomfortable heels that scream blisters, and pair it with a pale-pink-champagne coloured dress that shows off way too much cleavage and hugs all my curves in just the right way. I'll give Laura that, she knows how to be seductive through outfit choices.

  I look in the mirror to admire the dress with thin shoulder straps. Sequins cover my breasts, and it ties around the waist with satin ribbons like you would expect to find on ballet slippers. The floaty satin skirt falls to a decent length below my knee, but a thigh high split shows when I walk or sit down. I’ll hand it to Laura; this dress makes me feel good.

  I straighten my hair and slightly curl the ends into waves. A light touch of makeup and the look is complete.

  I have to steady myself to walk down the stairs, heels are still my nemesis. As I hit the last step, I feel like a newborn foal finding its feet. I made sure to take extra time getting ready, I wanted to avoid everyone, and the loud rumble of a motor bike engine has me hurrying to the front door.

  “Expecting someone?” Kalen says from behind me, causing me to jump.

  “Yes…” I’m cut short when I turn to face him. He’s had a haircut. His long locks are gone, replaced with something so unlike him. It’s shaved. Completely gone. And then there’s the bruises...what is going on?

  The doorbell pulls me from our stare off. I turn and open the door to greet Baxter. He is dressed nicely in a pair of slacks and button up shirt. Damn he cleans up well. He leans in and places a soft kiss on my lips.

  I open my eyes in shock. “Playing a part, remember?” he whispers. I nod, still in shock. Baxter takes my hand and we face off against Kalen.

  “Nice haircut.” Baxter smirks with a laugh, and Kalen goes stiff. His fists ball at his side.

  “You’re here,” Laura says excitedly as she enters the room. “Come, we are ready to start. Amelie, you look beautiful!” she suddenly adds when she notices me.

  Kalen storms off into the dining room.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” Baxter says to Laura, moving in to give her a small hug, and kisses her cheek. Any woman alive would be affected by him. He has an allure that sucks you in. Unbeknownst to her, he is like a female praying mantis and eats his conquests. Laura laps his attention up, greedy eyes drinking in every inch of him. No matter how nicely he’s dressed, or sickeningly polite he’s being, he still reeks of sin. And Laura still loves a bad boy, no matter how content she pretends to be with Monty. She closes her eyes as Baxter pulls away, composing herself for a moment. It’s pathetic. Baxter catches my eye and smirks. He knows the effect he’s having on her, she’s free entertainment to him. I wonder if he’s appalled? I could see him seducing her just to fuck this family off a little more.

  “Guys, dinner’s getting cold,” Monty’s voice calls from the dining room. Laura’s eyes snap open and she jumps guiltily, hearing her fiancé’s voice. She turns and hurries away, leaving Baxter and I alone for a moment. I debate what to say.

  “I really fucking hate her you know,” I say quietly.

  “I guessed. I read your file. I know.”

  “I really want revenge on her, but it’s more important that I leave.”

  “Leave it to me,” he promises, holding out his hand. I take it, and together we make our grand entrance.

  The effect is instantaneous and explosive.

  “Oh hell no!”

  “What the fuck?”

  “Get the fuck out!”

  “Amelie,” Monty says with forced calmness. “What is he doing here?”

  “I invited him,” Laura pipes up before I can reply. “I said if Amelie has a boyfriend then we would have him over for tea.”

  Kalen is the first to recover, snorting at the irony of Laura’s words.

  “Boyfriend?” he scoffs.

  The current and the exes. This ought to be fun.

  “I wish you’d warned me that’s all darling. I would have taken us all out for dinner instead,” he lies smoothly. Although there’s probably some truth in the matter; Monty does not want Baxter in his house any more than the boys want him here. I don’t know how Laura is so oblivious to the tension in the room. It’s suffocating. Baxter has a polite smile on his face, but I can see his black eyes dancing with mirth. I wonder how far we can push this?

  I take my seat at the table, opposite Laura and next to Kalen, and pull Baxter into the seat beside mine. He’s opposite Monty which should be good. As I sit down, my dress parts, baring my thigh. Kalen’s heated eyes watch my every move. But when Baxter’s hand caresses my bare skin, he grinds his teeth together.

  “So how did you two meet?” Laura gushes, as we start to load up our plates. How fucking stupid is she? Has she forgotten that we all go to a school for delinquents? Is she expecting some fairy-tale romance?

  “Was it the first time when you rode on my bike, babe, and I delivered you to the house of another guy you were meeting to fuck?”

  “I think that was the second time.” I laugh.

  “Who was that guy again?”

  “No one compared to you.” I bat my eyelashes at him. “Besides, how can you forget the first time? I gave you a blowie on my knees outside the headmaster’s office.” I pretend to pout.

  “Babe, you’ve sucked me off so many places, I can’t really be expected to remember them all.” He grabs me by the back of the neck and pulls me in for a messy kiss.

  There’s a moment of stunned silence while the room digests what just happened.

  “Ahem.” Monty clears his throat loudly, before Baxter continues his reign of terror.

  “What happened to everyone’s faces?” Baxter asks, his face a pantomime of innocence.

  “MMA,” Sawyer’s gruff response comes from the head of the table. It’s the first words he’s said since we arrived, but he speaks without making eye contact.

  “Looks fun. Maybe I should try it some time. What do you think, babe, would I be any good at it?” Baxter turns to me and cracks his knuckles. That’s when I notice that they’re split and scabbed. Wait, did he do this to the boys? Why?

  “I’m not sure you can handle the discipline. There are rules,” Kalen mutters.

  “I’ve never been good at playing by the rules, have I, Sir?” Baxter smirks at Monty.

  “Oh please, call us Monty and Laura,” Laura continues to gush. Why? She’s desperate to save face and keep up appearances, I guess. Why else would you completely blank a whole conversation about how much of a slut your daughter is?

  I risk a quick glance at the twins; murderous. I wink at them, wriggling forward in my seat a little so that Baxter’s hand is forced a little higher. If I were wearing underwear, his fingers would be skimming them.

  “Excuse me, I need a drink,” Sawyer barks, getting to his feet. Huh. Interesting. Didn’t think he'd be the first to snap.

  “Get your hands off her,” Slate growls in a dangerously low tone. He’s sitting opposite Sawyer, next to Baxter at the end of the table. He looks equally appalled and livid.

  “A drink would be great!” Baxter calls after Sawyer, who pauses for a moment. His back is to us, but I can see from the tension in his shoulders how rattled he is. Baxter ignores Slate, but Kalen is less subtle.

  “That’s my little sister, you've got your filthy paws all over. Get your hands off her. You make me sick, you’re practically finger fucking her at the dinner table!”

  “Not practically,” Baxter winks, pushing his hand even higher. He brushes places I didn’t expect, and a girly squeal of surprise escapes my lips which seems to corroborate Baxter’s brag. “I know how much you love havi
ng your sister...” Baxter taunts. Kalen’s mouth snaps shut, and he glares daggers at us.

  “Enough!” Monty barks. I just smile sweetly and tuck in.

  Over dinner Laura engages Monty and Baxter into a three-way conversation, although I bet she’s wishing she was having more than just a chat with them both. She’s practically salivating, fucking Baxter with her eyes every opportunity she gets. Kalen takes advantage of their distracted state to hiss at me.

  “Whore!”

  I fake a yawn right in his face. “World’s best sister whore,” I remind him cheerfully.

  “Why him?” He actually looks wounded. Like a kicked puppy.

  “What happened to your hair?” I counter. I hate it. He looks away and won’t meet my gaze. “Tit for tat, Kalen. You want answers? So do I!”

  I’m vaguely aware of Monty’s eyes on us and I drop my voice to the lowest whisper I can manage.

  “Were you really just going to sit there and let your brothers hurt me? You know what they had planned for me. What I don’t understand is why? Haven’t I been through enough? What on earth did I do to deserve that?”

  Kalen swallows and looks away again, full of guilt. Good. He should feel guilty. I want him to choke on it, to drown in it.

  “What’s your major?” I hear Laura ask Baxter while the twins bicker in a low, heated tone.

  “Business.”

  “What do you plan to do with that? You’re in the twins’ year, right? You have another year left?”

  “Yes, Ma’am, I will be taking over my grandfather's company when I get my degree.”

  I tune out and try to eavesdrop on the twins, but Monty interrupts their fight.

  “Why are you boys being so hostile to Amelie? She’s your sister now. You need to look out for her.”

  Ugh, kill me now. Why is he pushing this issue after our conversation?

  “Drop it, Dad.”

  “I will not. Family is everything,” he says in a weird, pointed tone. At that point, Baxter joins in.

  “You’re so right. Family is everything...until it’s not.” He scowls. “Amelie, would you believe I used to have four ‘brothers’, but when I really needed them, they ditched me?”

  “Enough. Everyone! We are going to enjoy this lovely meal that Laura has prepared for us, without any bickering or fighting. If you can’t manage that, I suggest you stay silent."

  Everyone falls into a miserable, angry, awkward silence, with Baxter feeding me bits from his plate; a picture of true love. Snort. Occasionally he ‘accidentally’ drops pieces down my dress and uses his napkin to ‘clean’ me up while copping a feel right in front of everyone. Laura doesn’t have enough backbone to say anything and Monty is refusing to make eye contact. I can hear the twins gnashing their teeth together from down the table.

  Everything Baxter does sets them on edge. They loathe him. Even Monty, though he tries to hide it. And yet Laura is oblivious somehow. Maybe all the pills and booze addled what little brains she had in the first place. We continue to eat in silence.

  When the mains are over, all four sons race to their feet to clear the table. Raised voices can be heard from the kitchen shortly after.

  “Laura, you’ve made such an amazing meal for us all. Why don’t you let us serve pudding? I made some brownies earlier on.”

  “Thank you, Amelie, that would be lovely.”

  “Darling, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea…” Monty begins, clearly remembering the reason why I was brought here in the first place.

  “Relax, Monty,” I tell him. “Laura and I baked them together, didn’t we? A little mother daughter baking bonding time is good for the soul.”

  He doesn’t look happy, but he lets it go.

  “Baxter, will you help me scoop the ice cream please?”

  “Absolutely, babe, you know I love your cream. Ice cream.”

  We stumble into the kitchen like stereotypical teenagers that can’t keep their hands off one another. As soon as I’m through the door, Baxter removes his hands from my ass and slams me up against the kitchen wall. He kisses me, knowing full well that the brothers are all watching, and when I sneak a peek at Sawyer, I grasp Baxter’s hand and bring it up to my throat. He gets the message and squeezes, and I moan.

  “Get off her!” Kalen roars.

  Baxter is wrenched away from me by the twins who hold him while Kalen throws a fairly decent punch to his jawline. Baxter just laughs, a maniacal sound that thrills and terrorises me.

  “Enough,” Sawyer snaps, sounding just like Monty. All three brothers immediately obey. Without a word they leave the kitchen and head back into the dining room. Baxter grins at me. I grab my special brownies and he picks up the ice cream.

  “Don’t eat them,” I warn him. He snorts.

  “Wasn’t planning to.”

  We re-join the others around the table, and I can see how close to snapping everyone is. I serve and pass around the brownies, giving Baxter just ice cream. It would be too suspicious if I didn’t eat them, but I had planned for that too. I take the end piece which should be safe.

  “These are delicious, Amelie.” Laura smiles at me.

  “I remember how much I used to love baking with you when I was small,” I tell her softly.

  “We can do it again. It could be a regular thing; us providing Sunday dessert.”

  “I’d like that,” I lie.

  “What’s wrong, Monty? Don’t you like our dessert?” Laura pouts. Now he has to eat them. He knows how volatile she can be, he won’t want to cause a scene.

  Reluctantly, Monty and his sons tuck into their dessert. Kalen seems shocked that it’s not poisoned, but Onyx flares at me knowingly. All too soon the fun comes to an end.

  “Well, thank you for dinner, Laura,” Baxter schmoozes, and she beams. “But Amelie and I really should be going, with it being a school night and all.” I snort. He really plays the part of the perfect son-in-law a little too well. Laura, of course, has been lapping it up all evening.

  “Thank you for having us. This was way more fun than your average Sunday night!” I say with a fake smile.

  “I thought it was going to be awkward, Amelie, meeting your exes,” Baxter winks at me.

  “Excuse me?” Laura blinks.

  “It must be weird, with you guys getting engaged and all, knowing that she dated – what was it, babe? – three of your sons? Oh, no, wait, silly me. You have four sons.”

  Silence settles on the room like the split second of absolute peace before a bomb detonates.

  “What?” Laura is whiter than a sheet.

  “Oh, babe, was it a secret?” Baxter turns to me and pretends to look horrified. Sawyer looks ready to kill. I shrug with forced nonchalance.

  “I wouldn’t call what we did ‘dating’, but I guess I should save my mother all the dirty details.” I grin.

  “Monty!” Laura screeches. She looks about to pass out. “What are they on about?” There’s genuine panic and fear in her voice.

  “Nothing, darling. They’re just messing around. Baxter likes to joke.”

  “Is it true?” she begs him, desperate to remain in denial.

  We get to our feet and survey the carnage of the room.

  “I think our work here is done,” I tell Baxter.

  “Almost,” he replies.

  He turns to me and captures me into his arms, one hand planted firmly between my shoulder blades, the other curling under my thigh to lift it high on his hip. He dips me back dramatically, kissing me passionately and probably giving one half of the room an eyeful of my chest, and the other half a flash of the panties I forgot to put on.

  His kiss is demanding, intense. Everything I would expect from him. I bet lesser girls would melt under his expert touch. It does nothing for me. But when I see Onyx jumping to his feet out of the corner of my eye, I wrap my arms around Baxter’s neck and give a good moan. We pull apart and grin, then take our leave.

  As we walk out, the last thing I hear is Kalen say to Laura:
“It’s true. Every word. Your daughter’s an even bigger whore than you are, step-mummy dearest.”

  Laura screams like a banshee, before all hell breaks loose and the sound of breaking glass reaches our ears.

  Best. Sunday. Ever.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Kalen

  Watching her as she leaves with him. I think my heart breaks just a little at the knife she just shoved into it. Why him? I know we all fucked up, but she didn’t give me a chance to explain. Or apologise.

  “Boys, my office...now,” Dad demands. I’m surprised he kept his cool all through dinner. It would have been for Laura’s benefit since she declared she invited him. Dad was probably hoping that Baxter would show her what he’s really like. And although he clearly did that, she chose to ignore all of the evidence right in front of her face. And she fancied him. Gag.

  All four of us follow behind him. Sawyer looks about ready to barf and the twins seem to not care. I call bullshit on that though.

  I shut the door behind us, Dad already at his desk. He looks about ready to murder us. I’ve never seen him this mad...ever and between us we’ve done some really stupid shit to wind him up.

  “What were you thinking?” he booms, his voice laced with anger. “Sawyer? Care to share why you fucked a student, and my step-daughter?”

  “It was before I knew she was a student.”

  Dad nods. He already knew. It’s evident in his eyes and Onyx calls him out.

  “You already knew. So why the third degree, old man?”

  “Because my future wife will cause problems for us if I don’t. We need Amelie and you all just fucked it up. Baxter hasn’t complied willingly, and now Amelie won’t either, because you idiots couldn’t keep your dicks in your pants. You had to play your stupid games with her.”

  “I love her,” I blurt out and they all stare at me. “She isn’t a game to me.”

  “Then you need to fix this,” Dad snaps and I shake my head.

  “The twins fucked that up for me, Sawyer will have to. He is the only one she doesn’t actually one-hundred percent hate right now.”

  “You better work it out, we have until the new year and she has to initiate. I was hoping a family bond would be her deciding factor.”