Ultimate Temptations

by K. Anne

  I pulled away from him and rolled my eyes, cursing myself for letting him get that close. “You’re impossible.”

  He leaned back and grinned. “But you like it.”

  I stood and walked to my front door. “I think you should go home now.”

  I didn’t bother to glance back until after I’d closed the door. When I glanced out of the window in the door, the swing was still swaying gently, but Cain was gone. I looked out across my yard, but he was nowhere to be seen. I had no idea how he’d moved so quietly or so fast, but it freaked me out a tiny bit. He could sneak up on me at anytime, and I’d never know it.

  I climbed the stairs and crawled into my bed. I kept playing my conversation with Cain over and over in my head. Despite his attitude, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to him than he’d let on. I’d caught a glimpse of another side of him. It was too bad he didn’t show it more often.

  I cursed out loud as I hurried to shove my books into my backpack. I’d overslept, and if I didn’t leave in the next five seconds, I was going to be late for my first class. I grabbed a marker off of my desk and quickly crossed off another day on my calendar before rushing out of my bedroom and down the stairs. I didn’t bother to stop in the kitchen to tell Uncle Jack bye. He’d left early this morning for a meeting in Huntington. If he’d been here like normal, he would’ve woken me up when I didn’t hear my alarm.

  I grabbed my keys and dashed outside to where my car was parked. I threw my bag into the passenger seat and hastily shoved my keys into the ignition. I groaned when my car refused to start. The lights on the dash came on, and the car made some kind of clicking sound, but that was it.

  “Are you kidding me?” I shouted at no one.

  I leaned against the steering wheel in defeat, knowing that I wouldn’t make it to school on time. I could walk, but I’d still be late. I slowly climbed out of the car, pulling my bag behind me. There was no point in walking. Besides, curling up in my bed sounded like a much better idea.

  When I reached the bottom step of my porch, I heard someone calling my name. I turned to see Cain…or Asher. I wasn’t sure which.

  He jogged up to me and gave me a sympathetic smile. “Car trouble?”

  “Yeah, the stupid thing won’t start,” I grumbled.

  “Come on. I’ll give you a ride to school.”

  “Um…okay,” I said, surprised by his offer. I followed him across my yard to where a silver Mustang sat. “Wow. Nice car.”

  “Thanks.” He opened his door and climbed in.

  I sat in the passenger seat, still trying to figure out which brother I was with. I finally gave up once we were almost at school. He hadn’t spoken a word since we started driving, which made me think I was with Asher. But after my conversation with Cain the night before, I wasn’t completely sure.

  “Stupid question. Asher or Cain?” I said, feeling like a moron.

  He laughed. “Asher. If Cain were driving you to school, you would’ve thrown yourself out of the car by now. He likes to talk.”

  I laughed. “I’m going to make you both wear name tags, so I can tell you apart.”

  “It’s not hard once you get to know us. I’m the nice one. He’s…Cain.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be able to eventually. Until then, I vote for name tags,” I joked.

  He pulled into the student parking lot and climbed out of the car. I followed quickly behind him, afraid that the bell had already rung. Once we made it inside, I sighed in relief when I noticed kids standing around the cafeteria. My relief quickly vanished as several students turned to stare at us. Most of them were girls, and they were openly glaring at me. It was because of Asher. It had to be. Something as simple as walking into school with him had brought more attention to me than I needed.

  Asher didn’t seem to notice as he stopped just inside the doors. I kept my eyes cast downward and pretended that I wasn’t the center of attention.

  “Did you get your math homework done?” Asher asked.

  I nodded without looking up. “Yeah. It was pretty easy.”

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, finally noticing my discomfort.

  “Nothing,” I said quietly, still refusing to look at him.

  Maybe if I pretended I wasn’t with him, people would go back to ignoring me. I stepped a few feet away from him and hoped that he wouldn’t notice.

  “Ella, what—oh,” he muttered.

  I glanced up long enough to see him staring at the sea of students, finally noticing that they were all staring back at us.

  The bell rang, and I darted down the hallway, trying to escape as fast as possible. I heard him call my name, but I ignored him. Once I was on the second floor and away from all the curious students, I relaxed slightly. I knew I was being a coward, but I couldn’t handle being the center of so many rumors again. I was tired of everyone looking down on me.

  I grabbed my notebook and history book before heading to class. I settled into my seat just as a few other students walked in. None of them paid any attention to me as they took their seats. The same group of girls who had gushed over Cain and Asher yesterday walked in and took their seats in front of me. I tried to block out their conversation, but it was impossible.

  “I don’t know who she is. I was on the other side of the cafeteria, but all I know is that Jenny is pissed,” Stacey, the leader of their group, said.

  “Why?”

  “Because Jenny laid claim to the Collins brothers yesterday. It’s bullshit, but no one is dumb enough to cross her, except for this girl. I know one thing. I wouldn’t want to be her, whoever she is.”

  “It’s not fair! Jenny can’t have both of them at once. Why not claim one and let someone else have the other?” one of her friends whined.

  “You going to tell Jenny that?” Stacey asked.

  “Um, no. Definitely not. I’ve seen the damage she can do.”

  As one, the girls in the group glanced back at me.

  I pretended not to notice as I tried to process what they’d said. Jenny had claimed both as hers. Anyone who got in her way would pay the price.

  I debated on faking sick and going home as I realized that Jenny was going to do everything in her power to make sure I suffered. I almost wished that I’d stayed home today.

  I knew one thing. There was no way I was riding home with Asher after school. I’d rather walk than add fuel to Jenny’s fire.

  By the time I made it to math class, I was in a horrible mood.

  Amanda took one look at me and frowned. “I take it you heard?” she asked.

  “Heard what?”

  “Jenny is out for blood—your blood. What did you do?”

  I sighed as I opened my book. “My car wouldn’t start, so Asher drove me to school. We walked in together, and it was like we were the main attraction at the circus. Everyone was staring. I guess Jenny had called dibs on Asher and Cain, so I’m now walking around with a target on my back.”

  Amanda shook her head. “Someone needs to put that psycho in her place.”

  “Tell me about it,” I grumbled.

  I looked up just in time to see Asher walking into the classroom. He smiled at me, but I quickly looked away. He was pretty, but he wasn’t worth being tortured for the next few months. I kept my gaze on my desk as he sat down beside me.

  I didn’t look or speak to him throughout the entire class. Instead, I turned so that my back was all he could see. Apparently, he took the hint, and he didn’t try to start a conversation with me.

  “You’re being mean,” Amanda whispered as we were packing up our stuff.

  “I don’t care. He’s nice, but he’s not worth the trouble. Maybe if Jenny sees that I’m staying away from him, she’ll leave me alone.”

  “You have to stand up for yourself! Where’s your backbone, Ella?”

  “My mother took it with her when she went to the asylum,” I spit out.

  That shut her up. Amanda didn’t say another word as we walked out of class.
/>   I mumbled, “See you later,” before heading to my locker.

  I was dreading science class more than normal. I had no idea what Jenny would have in store for me. My only hope was that she wouldn’t try anything while Asher was around. She wouldn’t want to make herself look bad around the guy she wanted.

  I took my time at my locker and made it to science class a few seconds before the bell rang. Unable to stop myself, I glanced at Jenny. She glared at me and then smirked. Her eyes slid to Asher, and the smirk instantly disappeared when she noticed him watching her. He glanced at me and then back to her, frowning the entire time. He obviously knew something was up. Hopefully, he’d be smart enough not to ask what was wrong.

  I felt Jenny glaring two holes into my back the entire time I was in class, but she never said a word to me. Instead, she focused all her attention on Asher. When the bell rang, I stopped by the second-floor restroom just to make sure my hair was spitball-free before heading down to the cafeteria.

  Amanda was waiting in our usual spot.

  “Sorry about earlier,” I muttered. “I’m just stressed.”

  She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m just tired of seeing you hide. I saw how you used to be before everything happened. You were the center of attention, and you loved it. Jenny couldn’t hold a candle to you back then. I don’t want her or anyone else making you feel like you have to hide.”

  “I do have to hide,” I said as we got in line. “Don’t you remember how bad it was after I came back? I don’t want to go through that again.”

  She sighed. “Yeah, I remember. It’s bull crap that you have to hide from them! You did nothing wrong!”

  As Amanda’s voice grew louder, I looked around and noticed a few students watching us.

  “Amanda, please be quiet,” I said.

  She glanced around and then frowned. “Sorry. I just get so mad.”

  “Don’t. I only have three more months, and then I’m out of here. I can handle it.”

  We paid for our lunches and then walked to our table. My entire body relaxed when I realized that neither Asher nor Cain was sitting there. I looked around the cafeteria, but I didn’t see either of them.

  Amanda talked about her last class as I played with the pizza on my tray. I couldn’t bring myself to eat. I kept looking over my shoulder, expecting Jenny to appear and dish out whatever form of torment she had planned. My stomach dropped when I noticed Asher walking over to our table. I turned away as he sat down in the seat next to me.

  He sighed. “Did I do something to make you mad, Ella?”

  I shook my head. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because you won’t even look at me. You didn’t say a word to me in class either.”

  I glanced up to see him watching me closely. “You didn’t do anything.”

  That was a lie. He’d done everything just by being nice to me.

  “Then, what’s wrong?” When I just shook my head, he looked at Amanda. “Will you tell me what’s going on?”

  “It’s stupid high school drama,” Amanda said.

  I shot her a glare, but she ignored me.

  “Jenny, the local cheerleader and snob, called dibs on you and your brother,” she added.

  “I’m flattered, really,” Cain said as he sat down in the chair next to Amanda.

  I frowned when he smirked at me.

  “You shouldn’t be. She’s a witch with a capital B. Anyway, I guess she saw Ella with Asher this morning, and she has declared war on Ella. They used to be best friends, but now, Jenny has made it her number one priority to make Ella miserable.”

  Asher shook his head. “No one is calling dibs on me. I don’t even know who this girl is.”

  “She sits beside you in science class,” I told him, unable to hide my grin over the fact that he didn’t even know who she was.

  “Oh…crap,” Asher muttered. He picked up his pizza and practically inhaled it. “She’s annoying.”

  I grinned. At least one other person agreed with Amanda and me.

  “If she’s bothering you, let me know, and I’ll talk to her,” Asher added once his pizza had disappeared.

  I shook my head. “That’ll only make it worse.”

  “Before I say anything, I want to ask one question. If I let this girl call dibs on me, will you get into a catfight with her over me? I wouldn’t mind watching that,” Cain said as he grinned at me.

  I picked up my fork and threw it at him.

  He laughed and ducked. The fork sailed past him and uselessly dropped to the floor.

  “I’ll take that as a no. Don’t worry. I’m not interested in any of the girls around here.” He gave me a look that could melt ice. “Well, except for one maybe.”

  I ignored him as I picked up my pizza and took a bite. Amanda and the brothers talked, but I paid no attention to them. I was too lost in my own thoughts. I hated this school with a passion. I hated this town almost as much. I couldn’t believe the same kids I’d grown up with and been friends with since kindergarten were now the ones making fun of me. Humanity as a whole sucked.

  “Hi, Cain. Hi, Asher,” a voice said from beside me.

  I didn’t even try to hide my groan as I looked up to see Jenny standing by our table. She looked flawless as usual. Her hair was tied up on top of her head in a neat arrangement of curls that the cheerleaders liked to wear. She was dressed in light-blue skinny jeans, a white T-shirt that looked like a second skin, and a pair of flats I would kill to own.

  Both Cain and Asher looked up at her, but neither said a word.

  Her megawatt smile dimmed a bit, but she didn’t give up. “Asher already knows me, but I don’t think we’ve officially met, Cain. I’m Jenny,” she said.

  Cain glanced at me before turning his attention back to her. Again, neither of the brothers said a word. I ducked my head, so she couldn’t see my smile. Asher wasn’t the type to flirt, but Cain definitely was. I assumed he hit on anything that was female. The fact that he was ignoring her gave him bonus points in my book.

  “So, um…anyway, I wanted to see if you two wanted to sit with me and my friends.” She pointed to a table across the room.

  “No, thanks. We’re good with Amanda and Ella,” Asher said politely.

  Jenny finally glanced at me and wrinkled her nose in disdain. “You don’t have to be nice because Ella is sitting here, Asher. Since you’re new and all, I’ll let you in on a little secret. No one cool associates with Ella. Actually, no one associates with Ella, even the other losers. Come hang out at my table with the popular kids. It’s where you two belong.”

  Asher frowned. “I like Ella, and I don’t plan to move anytime soon.”

  Jenny seemed surprised by his response. “Are you serious? Ella is a freak! Haven’t you heard the rumors? I promise you, they’re all true. Her mom really did go crazy and try to kill her. The only reason Ella isn’t in the crazy house with her is because her uncle felt sorry for her and managed to convince the police or whoever to let her stay with him. She’s certifiable.”

  Red-hot anger swirled inside of me. Without thinking about what I was about to do, I shoved my chair back and stood. I had every intention of showing Jenny just how crazy I was. She’d tormented me for months, and I was sick of it.

  Before I had the chance to throw myself at her like I’d planned, Cain and Asher were out of their seats. They stood in front of me, blocking me from Jenny.

  “Let me tell you something, Jenny,” Cain said, venom dripping from his voice. “Ella isn’t the psycho. You are. You think you’re cool? You are nothing. I wouldn’t spit on you if you were on fire, and I have no doubt that you will be someday.”

  “You’re not welcome at our table. You’re not welcome anywhere near Ella,” Asher added, the kindness in his voice long gone.

  “I suggest you and your groupies stay away from her, or you’ll have to deal with us. And I can promise you, it won’t be pretty. We’re a little out of your league.” Cain’s voice was pure ice.

&
nbsp; I peeked over Asher’s shoulder. Jenny’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. I couldn’t believe that Asher and Cain were defending me—especially Cain. I wasn’t even sure if he liked me.

  “You’ll regret this,” Jenny finally managed to hiss.

  “Doubtful. Now, run along,” Cain said, making a shooing motion with his hands.

  “You’re choosing that freak over me?” she shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the cafeteria.

  A hush settled around the room.

  “She’s not a freak. You though? I’m thinking you are. If I were you, I’d let everyone know that you no longer have dibs on us. I’d hate to see what it would do for your social life if we both publically embarrassed you.” Cain paused. “Oh, wait. We just did. Move along, little girl.”

  Jenny glanced around the cafeteria, finally realizing that every gaze was glued on her and the brothers. Her face turned red with anger. “Both of you have just ruined any chance of fitting in.”

  She turned and walked away, her head held high. Without a doubt, I knew that she’d just lost a few rungs on the social ladder. Every girl in school wanted Asher and Cain. Now that they’d publically embarrassed Jenny, she was no longer the top dog.

  Asher and Cain both turned to me.

  “I haven’t had that much fun in forever.” Cain grinned.

  Asher put his hand on my shoulder. “You okay?”

  I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if I was. It was nice to see Cain and Asher defending me like that, but Jenny’s words about my mom and me had stung. No one, not even her, had said those things right to my face before. I knew what everyone in this school thought of me, but hearing it was different.

  Tears clouded my eyes as I shoved Asher’s hand off of my shoulder, and I ran from the cafeteria. I pushed through the front doors of the school, not bothering to see if a teacher was nearby. I couldn’t go to the rest of my classes, not after that. Everyone would be talking about what had just happened, and the rumors about my mom would start back up again.

  I ran until I was off of school grounds. I wished that I had my car. Since it was still at home, I would have to walk all the way back to my house. I kept my head down as traffic passed beside me, Jenny’s words playing over and over in my head.