by Ruby Vincent
I took it up and got out of the car. I pulled up my messages as I strode toward the door. I had about fifty from Estelle.
“Is that your phone?”
“Yep.” I slipped it into my pocket. “I told you I had it.”
He gave me a funny look as I sidestepped him and pressed the bell.
The door blew open as thumping music poured out. Theo stood dripping wet in the entrance wearing red trunks. He threw out his hands. “Welcome, Rachel. We’ve been waiting for you to lower the sausage-to-donut ratio.”
I laughed. “Seriously, Theo. Sausage to donuts?”
He bobbed his head gravely. “It’s sad. We’d get more girls over here and make it a real party, but Mom and Dad are upstairs. We’ll just have to wait for Milton’s party this weekend.” He winked. “Then I’ll have my fill of donuts.”
We stepped inside and Theo shut the door. “Where’s your bathing suit?”
“Don’t have it. We came straight here from the park.”
“Not a problem. My older sister left half her clothes behind when she went to college. You can borrow one of hers.”
I nodded and let him lead me up a grand staircase. He showed me to his sister’s old room and let me loose on her drawers. I took out every bathing suit in there and saw I had a problem. She was about my size, but not my style. It was nothing but bikinis in here.
I sighed and pawed through them until I found one that would cover my C-section scar. It was a multi-string bikini—super cute, but one good tug would have the whole thing unraveling. I fit myself in it as best I could and padded down the stairs. Every eye turned to me when I stepped out onto the deck.
Christian was already in the hot tub as were Theo, Geo, Estelle, Ryan, Jace, and Liam.
Liam looked me up and down. “Hot Mama! Awhhooo— Ow!” Christian cut off his wolf whistle with a swift punch to the arm. “What was that for?”
The glare Christian gave him made Liam shut his mouth and drift to a safer distance as he nursed his arm.
I looked at Christian in confusion as I went to the edge of the tub. Why would he care about Liam catcalling me?
I dipped down next to Estelle and she draped her arm around me. “You are telling me everything after this,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry. I will. I have no idea what’s happening in my life anymore. Someone needs to figure this mess out.”
“Rachel, here.”
Jace leaned over the tub and brought up a beer. I glanced toward the house. “Theo, I thought your parents were upstairs.”
He shrugged. “They are. Dad’s in his office and Mom’s watching her shows. We won’t see them for the rest of the night.”
They all seemed pretty confident of that because there were beers all around. I accepted the beer and went to take a swig when Ryan put up his bottle. “To the newest members of the group, may I say, you two are way hotter than these ugly bastards.”
Laughing, we clinked bottles—even Christian. I looked around while I sipped my beer. I was not kidding when I said I didn’t understand my life anymore. Here I was with the boys I used to avoid like the plague, drinking and laughing it up like nothing ever happened. I had Madison rattled, and as for me and Christian...
I snuck a peek at him and caught him staring back. I couldn’t puzzle out what he said at the park, but I could still feel his hot breath on my ear and his hand moving up my thigh. He said it was my game now—that I was making the rules, but I didn’t know what game we were playing.
Or what would happen if I won.
I DROPPED MY FOURTH empty bottle in a pile with the rest. “Theo, where’s the”—a peal of giggles burst from my mouth—“bathroom?”
His head wobbled as he pointed through the glass. “Through the biving room, past the... stairs, down the ball, fifth door on the... something.”
My fuzzy brain tried to make sense of his drunken instructions. “Fifth door?”
Liam stood up. “I’ll show you.”
“Liam,” Christian growled. There was a hint of warning in his tone.
“What? Just being friendly.”
We got out of the hot tub and went into the house. I followed Liam through the living room and out into the hall. When we stepped out of view of the others, he slipped an arm around my waist. “So, Rachel, you’re not seeing anyone, right?”
“Seeing anyone?” I giggled. “You think I go on a lot of dates after getting knocked up?”
“But yesterday in the lunchroom, you and Christian...”
I shook my head vigorously. “There’s nothing going on with me and Christian. He’s not into me like that. That was just a... game.”
He grinned. “Good, ’cause you’re seriously hot. So if you’re not with anyone, why don’t we hook up?”
I giggled again. “You and me? Hook up?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
Liam guided me over to the wall and pressed me against it. I wasn’t so fuzzy that I didn’t know what was happening, but I couldn’t see a reason to stop it. He was right. I wasn’t seeing anyone. I had never been with someone without another motive behind it. It might be nice to see what it’s like without the games.
“Okay.”
Liam grinned and pressed his lips against mine.
Rapid footsteps were all the warning I got before his lips were ripped off of me. I snapped my eyes opened as Christian sent Liam flying into the wall.
“Ah!” he cried as he slid down onto the floor. “What the hell, Christian?!”
“You stay the fuck away from her, Liam!”
“I’m s-sorry, man. She said you weren’t going out.”
“We’re not,” he snarled, “and you’re still going to stay away from her.”
“Yeah, yeah, for sure. I got it.” Liam got to his feet and rushed off.
I watched the whole scene in disbelief. My buzz was gone. “Christian, what is wrong with you?!”
He spun on me, pinning me to the wall. “You heard what I said. Stay away from him.”
I glared. “I don’t have to listen to you. Who I kiss is none of your business.”
“Liam’s a player, Rachel. He doesn’t date. He only hooks up.”
I shrugged. “Maybe hooking up is all I want.”
His eyes flashed. “That’s bullshit. You’re not hooking up with him or anyone else.”
“Why not?” I challenged. “That’s what you do. That’s what your friends do. That’s what half the kids at school do. So why shouldn’t I?” The words were tumbling out of me too fast for me to stop. “Is it because I got pregnant? ‘Stupid Rachel got knocked up the first time she had sex and now no one can touch her. She’s bad luck. Damaged goods. A gold-digging slut!’ Why would anyone want her—”
“Stop it!”
His roar blew me back. The rest of my words died in my throat as Christian grabbed my chin in a grip gentler than the look in his eyes. “Don’t ever talk about yourself like that, Bryant. Ever! None of that shit describes you.”
Tears filled my eyes, threatening to spill down my cheeks. “How can you say that? I saw the way you used to look at me. I disgusted you.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but that was never about your kid. Yes, you got pregnant, but you also made the choice to find your kid a good family who would take care of him. My parents couldn’t be bothered to do the same for me and I know plenty of other kids telling that story. If I respect anything about you, Bryant, I respect the hell out of that.”
I didn’t know what to say. Did he mean that? He respected me?
Christian brushed a stray tear from my cheek. “Now stop being a dumbass.”
I let out a tiny laugh. That sounded more like the Christian I knew.
Christian stepped back. “Go pee, Bryant.”
I walked off without a word, rubbing the tears from my eyes. Christian had done a lot of confusing crap today and pretty much every day before, but this was the first time in a long time that he had made me smile.
ESTELLE AND I L
EFT the twins’ house and picked up fast food. It was too late for the ravine, so we went to Estelle’s house instead. I had only an hour to make curfew, but Estelle wasn’t waiting another second to find out what happened with Christian.
She locked her door and hopped in bed next to me. Her room was a disaster of strewn clothes, books everywhere, and make-up spilling off the vanity.
“Talk.”
I unwrapped my burger. “Can I eat first?”
She snatched it out of my hand. “No.”
I shot her a look, but realized it would be easier if I gave in to her demands. “Where do you want me to start? With Christian and me making out in my bathroom, or him catching me hiding in the bushes, or him flipping out on Liam when he tried to kiss me?”
She gaped at me.
“I’ll start at the beginning then.”
I told her everything that happened from our bathroom kiss to what he said to me in Theo’s hallway.
Estelle’s mouth hung open through the whole thing. “Oh. My. God.”
I sighed and flopped back onto her pillows. “Exactly. This is why I need you. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Babe, I don’t even know where to start. Here.” She handed back my burger. “You’ve earned it.”
“Thank you.” I tore off a bite.
“So he kissed you.”
“Yes.”
“Then he said it was revenge for the lunchroom.”
“Yep.”
“Then you snuck into his car like a crazy person.”
“That happened.”
“And then he freaked on Liam when he couldn’t be bothered to get that upset over him hooking up with Madison.”
I stopped chewing. “Wow. I hadn’t thought of that. So what does this mean? He says he never lies to me, but he’s been messing with my head ever since he tricked his way into my house. I can’t trust him.”
She shook her head. “You’re right, you can’t. He keeps calling it a game and that’s what it sounds like—like he’s playing you. Or else, why won’t he give you a straight answer? Why did he move in?”
I nodded. Estelle was right. It all made sense when she put it like that. The only thing I knew for sure was that Christian liked to toy with me—to hurt me. I couldn’t forget that.
Chapter Twelve
Estelle killed the engine. I couldn’t face driving to school with Christian that morning so I asked Estelle to pick me up and take me while he was still in the bathroom.
She stuck out her hand. “Hey, babe, give me your phone.”
“Why?” I asked as I handed it over.
“I found this cool phone tracker app last night. We put our info in then we’ll be able to find each other. It’ll be perfect for the next time you hide in Christian’s back seat.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I huffed. All the same, I didn’t stop her. That app definitely would have come in handy at the park.
“So are we going to Milton’s party?” Estelle asked.
I slammed the car door shut and looked at her over the hood. “I don’t know. Do you want to go?”
She shrugged. “Ryan will be there so the night will end with me getting some. That’s my kind of party.”
I laughed. “But you don’t need to go to Milton’s for that. Besides, it’s still a bit weird how different everyone is treating me.” We walked toward school. “They were more than happy to rip on me at Tracy’s party, and now everyone is acting like nothing happened.”
“I don’t think it’s them, babe.” She bumped my shoulder. “I think it’s you.”
“What do you mean?”
She sighed. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but last year you had no backbone. When people cussed you out, you said nothing. When they got in your face, you put your head down and scurried away. When they said you couldn’t sit with them, you wandered off to a table alone. You let them treat you like shit like... you thought you deserved it.
“But you’re different now. You’re standing up for yourself and taking away their favorite punching bag. You’ve moved on so now they will too.”
I thought over what she was saying. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Of course, I’m right. I’m always right.”
We laughed and joked as we climbed the steps and headed for my locker. That laughter stopped immediately when we saw who was waiting for us.
Madison stood directly in front of my locker. Behind her were Xenia and the rest of the team.
“Wow. Does this girl go anywhere without her squad? I bet they follow her into the bathroom and help her wipe her ass.”
I cracked a smile at the image. “Well, if she wants to talk. Let’s talk.”
I marched up to Madison. “Hello. Something I can do for you?”
Madison’s lips curled. “Your little friend told me you’ve been hooking up with Christian.”
Getting right to the point.
I cocked my head. “What does it have to do with you if I am or I’m not? You guys aren’t serious. Remember, he doesn’t do girlfriends.”
Her nostrils flared. “Stay away from him.”
“Why would I do that?”
“This is for your own good, Rachel. He’s not interested in you. You’ve heard the stuff he’s said to your face. You can’t imagine what he’s said behind your back.”
I didn’t lose my smile. “I’m sure I can. It’s so sweet of you to care, Madison, but I can look after myself.” A crowd started forming around us. By now everyone knew that if Madison and I were near each other, sparks would fly. “Who I sleep with isn’t your business. Who Christian sleeps with isn’t your business. I know you got this huge crush on him, but it’s not my fault you fell for a guy who told you he doesn’t want to be with you.” I flapped a hand at her. “If you’re done wasting my time; you can run along now.”
Madison made a choked noise. “You— I—”
“Madison,” Xenia hissed. “Don’t let her get away with that.”
I fixed my eyes on her. “Oh, she speaks. I thought you couldn’t do that without Madison’s hand up your ass working your mouth like a puppet.”
The crowd laughed—Estelle loudest of all—and Xenia went bright red. “Madison!”
“Aren’t you confident all of a sudden,” Madison spat. “You think because you got Christian to sleep with you this changes anything? You’re still the stupid, boyfriend-stealing slut who got maternity clothes before her first permit. And where’s that kid now, Rachel? Where’s your baby daddy? You did all that to stay on top and now look at you.”
As each hateful word from her cherry-red lips, I thought of what Estelle told me. She was right. If I had been in the spot with Madison last year, I would have bit my lip, then run off to the bathroom to cry. Not this time.
I rolled my eyes. “Give it a rest, Madison.”
She blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. This is getting boring. Yes, I got pregnant. Yes, I had to give the baby up. A lot happened in sophomore year and I did things I’m not proud of, but that was two years ago! Let it go!”
She took a step back.
“The rest of the world has moved on, Madison. Why won’t you?”
A murmur of agreement went up around us and Madison looked around in disbelief.
“Seriously,” I continued. “Let’s stop this high school movie cliché. We used to be friends. We can be friends again.”
“Maybe... she’s right.”
All eyes swiveled to the owner of that squeaky voice. Tracy shrank a little. “I’m just saying... Geo thinks she’s cool and it was a long time ago—”
“Shut up, Tracy,” Xenia snapped.
“But Geo said—”
“What?” Xenia interrupted. “What did Geo say? Maybe I should talk to him and get his thoughts on a few more things.”
Tracy hung her head. She didn’t say another word.
“Wow, Xenia,” said Estelle. “What’s your problem?”
She turned that hard gaze on E
stelle. I could see what my friend was saying. There was a harsh coldness in her eyes. “You’re my prob—”
“Out of the way. Out of the way.”
I looked over her shoulder as the twins pushed through the crowd.
“We’re going to have to break up whatever this is,” Theo announced. “We have to steal Rachel.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Christian needs to talk to you. Now. We’ll bring you to him.”
I scoffed. “No. I have to get to class, and if he wants to talk to me, he can come himself.”
The twins took one look at each other, then they stepped forward at the same time and grabbed an arm.
“Hey!”
They ignored my shouts as they carried me through the halls to an empty classroom. Christian looked up when I came inside. He nodded at the twins and they set me down in front of him and left.
I glared at him, planting my hands on my hips. “Is this what you’re doing now? Using your henchmen to drag me around?”
He chuckled. “Henchmen? You always were dramatic.”
“What do you want, Christian?”
He got up from the desk. “Today, after school, you’re going to pick Nicky up from school and take him to his ballet recital. It’s Meadow Creek Elementary. I’ll text you the address to the studio. Bring your camera. I want photos.”
He sidestepped me.
“Hold on!” I cried. “I didn’t agree to do this. Why can’t you take him?”
He turned back to me with a frown. “I have to be somewhere after school. There’s no one else to take him, so you’re going to do it.”
“You don’t tell me what to do, Christian.” I lashed out, aiming for his chest. Christian caught my hands mid-air. It seemed that little trick wouldn’t work for me anymore.
“Look.” Christian looked me in the eye, his tone serious. “Nicky has a solo. For every kid that gets a solo, they save their parents two seats in the front row. Someone is going to be in those seats, Rachel.”
I wavered. “I don’t know. I don’t have a problem helping Nicky, but you with your barking and kidnapping not so much.”
“You’re saying you’re going to leave a ten-year-old boy sitting on the school steps missing the performance he worked for months on because you want to prove something to me?”
