Hannah’s heart broke—partly for Cody and partly for herself. She’d been drunk tonight, but in the darkness of his truth, she’d found her own. She was unable to deny her feelings for Cody. Every time they’d kissed or touched her body responded in a way she couldn’t explain—an explosion of desperation and completion. But none of it mattered now. The secrets between them could snuff out the fiercest of bonds, let alone a vulnerable bud of fledgling love.
Hannah dragged herself to bed, her head swimming with the events of the night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Cody’s face—defeated and raw. No wonder he thought no one cared about him. The people who were supposed to always let him down. His parents, his girlfriend, his friends. But Hannah made up her mind, she wouldn’t be another disappointment to him. Maybe he couldn’t see it now, but telling the truth would set him free.
She glanced at the clock. It would be hours before she could do anything to help Cody. She pulled her pillow over her head, willing her mind to let her sleep. This mess would be waiting for her in the morning. And Hannah wanted a clear head when she told her father everything. He would know what to do.
36
Cody woke with a splitting headache and a crushing ache in his chest. He’d finally shared his dark secret. But it hadn’t changed a thing. If anything he’d only managed to push Hannah further away. Good. She’s safer this way, he thought. But then he found himself wondering, if that were true, why did it hurt so bad?
Watching her leave with Harrison hurt worse than any of the physical blows he’d taken. He couldn’t get the image out of his head. Cody took a long shower, replaying the events of the night. He wished it were as simple as washing it all down the drain. But it never was. And despite the disastrous way the night ended, Cody didn’t regret it. There had been fleeting moments with Hannah that felt real. He closed his eyes, relishing the way their bodies had fit together. Mouths, hands, skin—all molded perfectly, like two halves of a singular unit. Like there was only the two of them in the world and nothing else mattered.
It had never been easy like that with Elena. They had an inevitable chemical attraction, but they’d always been fighting to fit, like magnets of opposite charge.
The water finally ran cold, pulling Cody back to reality. He exited the shower, grimacing as he gingerly patted himself dry. His whole body hurt and his face was swollen thanks to Harrison mistaking it as a punching bag. The makings of an epic shiner had already started blooming around his blood shot eye. He looked dreadful. The last time he’d seen himself so beat up was after the car accident.
Cody’s mind flashed back to the gruesome memories that haunted him from the night that changed his life—Elena’s broken body, the weight of her motionless in his arms, the blood. There was so much blood . . .
A wave of nausea hit Cody like a tsunami. He braced himself over the toilet and heaved. But his stomach was empty. For once, he was grateful he’d filled it with nothing but Jack.
He stared his reflection down in the mirror and found himself thinking of Hannah—wondering what she saw when she looked at him. How had he let her get so close? To see under his carefully fabricated exterior? A bittersweet smile twitched the corners of his lips. Who was he kidding? He’d never been able to fool Hannah. She’d always seen him. It was Cody who’d been blindsided. He never saw her coming.
He closed his eyes, letting the image of Hannah wash over him, invading his mind—quieting it with her soft features. He pictured the concern in her eyes as she hesitated to leave him last night. She’d been worried about him. But then Harrison stepped between them, cutting off Cody’s view of the steady blue sea of Hannah’s eyes. She’d been reaching out to him, offering him a lifeline to keep him afloat. And he’d pushed her away.
Clarity seized him, and Cody made a snap decision. He wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. Not to beat Harrison in their twisted competition that had grown from childhood rivalry into something dangerous, but for Hannah. And for any chance they might have together.
Cody dressed quickly and padded his way to the kitchen to remedy his empty stomach. The cook took one look at his bruised face and left the kitchen. The staff had seen him like this before and they knew the drill—stay out of the way. He threw together a sandwich and downed a coke on his way out the door.
He needed to see Hannah. They had things to discuss.
37
Light knocking at Hannah’s door pulled her from her slumber. Sunlight filled her bedroom. Her body caved to exhaustion and she’d slept much later than she’d intended. She sat up in bed letting the groggy veil of sleep lift from her mind.
“Hannah,” her father called outside the door.
Just the person she wanted to see.
She opened the door and her face fell. Her father’s features were devoid of his normal morning cheer. He looked extraordinarily upset. “Get dressed and come down stairs, please. We need to talk.”
“Dad? What’s wrong?”
“There’s someone here to see you. I’d like you to ask him to leave, and then we need to have a serious discussion.”
“Who?”
“Cody Matthews.”
Hannah’s heart pounded to life. “What does he want?”
“He won’t say. I’ve asked him to leave and he’s refused. I’m hoping you can talk some sense into him. If not, I’ll be forced to contact the authorities.”
“Dad!”
“Be quick, Hannah.”
Her father closed the door and she leapt to action, throwing on her Brown sweatshirt and black leggings. She peered out the window but couldn’t see Cody. No car either. He must have walked. She took a quick survey of her appearance. She looked like hell. Her eyes were puffy and the ghosts of run mascara clung beneath them. She splashed cold water on her face and did her best to rub the sleep and sorrow from her eyes.
She ran downstairs and skidded to a stop in the hall. Her father stood, arms crossed, by the front door. Through the glass Hannah could see Cody’s silhouette, perched on the front steps, his shoulders slumped.
She pushed the creaking door open and Cody stood.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you . . .” he paused and looked passed Hannah to where her father had followed her out to the porch.
She turned to him. “Dad. Can I have a moment alone to speak with Cody?”
Her father spoke in hushed tones. “I don’t like this, Hannah. He looks like he’s been in brawl. I’m not comfortable leaving you alone with him.”
“Please, Dad. Just go inside. You can keep you eye on us the whole time.”
“Five minutes, Hannah. And then I want him gone. I mean it.”
Hannah waited until her father was inside, the door shut firmly behind him before walking over to Cody. She took his hand and walked him down the stairs away from the porch. She trudged silently through the spring grass to her old swing set. A skeleton of her youth, it sat rusting in the rose garden a few yards from the house. It was in perfect view of the large picture window in the living room, where Hannah was sure her father would be watching, but it would ensure their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.
Hannah perched on a swing and nodded for Cody to do the same.
“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to apologize for last night.”
“You said that already.”
Cody looked down at his shoes, scuffing them into the soft earth.
“We have five minutes until my dad calls the police so I’d advise you to say whatever you came to say and then leave.”
Cody’s head jerked up. He stared into Hannah’s eyes and she held his gaze. “Don’t go to the party tonight, Hannah.”
She laughed.
“I’m serious. I have a bad feeling about it. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“A little late for that, don’t you think?”
“I never meant to hurt you, Hannah.”
“If that�
��s all, I think you should leave,” Hannah said standing.
Cody stood too and took her hands pleadingly. “Please, Hannah. If you’re set on going let me go with you.”
“I’m going with Harrison.”
“He’s playing a game, Hannah, and it’s not going to end well.”
“Not everything is a game. I think Harrison actually cares about me.”
“You’re too smart to be that stupid, Hannah.”
Hannah ripped her hands from Cody’s. “I see. Just because you don’t want me, no one does?”
“No! That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then tell me, Cody. What are you saying?”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain it, but I know Harrison’s using you.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of him. “Of course,” she whispered. “Because it’s unthinkable that someone could actually fall for me.”
“Hannah—”
“Leave me alone, Cody.” She turned to leave, but he blocked her path.
“Fine. Keep my secret about Elena and you’ll never see me again.”
“I’m not making any promises. I don’t owe you anything.”
The front door opened and Hannah’s father walked onto the porch. His face looking like a tea kettle about to whistle. She fled back toward her house, straight into his arms. She let him fold her up like a frightened child, while he glared at Cody, who wisely kept his head down and walked down the driveway and out of their lives.
The walk home was long for Cody. The weather had turned agreeable and the sunshine and birdsongs only worsened his mood. He scowled as the world around him went merrily on while leaving him in the same insufferable spot—alone.
At least he’d tried with Hannah.
True, he hadn’t exactly had a chance to share his feelings, but there was nothing more to do. He’d screwed up again. He knew a lost cause when he saw one. He looked in the mirror often enough.
38
Hannah’s father held her tight. He stroked her hair like he used to when she was a child. He’d calmly held her hand while she spilled her guts about the last few weeks with Cody and Harrison. She told him everything, even the unflattering things. The lies, the drinking, the blackmail and upcoming party. But mostly she told him about Cody. She confided her fleeting feelings for him and her abrupt heartbreak over the gravity of his secrets and what really happened with Elena.
“What am I going to do?”
“Hannah, I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. I know growing up is inevitable, but sometimes I fear I may have sheltered you from the world too well.”
“Dad, this isn’t your fault.”
“I know.” He sighed. “I’m not happy about some of your decisions, but I am grateful that you were brave enough to tell me. I want you to know you can always trust me, baby.”
“I know, Dad.” Hannah hugged her father tighter. “But what do we do for Cody?”
“Honestly, I don’t know, Hannah. It’s not easy to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.”
Hannah saw the pain in her father’s eyes and knew he was thinking of her mother.
“But I can’t do nothing. It’s wrong to keep this all bottled up. I think it will haunt me.”
“Let me think on it for a bit. I have some friends I can ask for legal advice.”
“How long will that take?”
“Hannah, you need to understand this isn’t something we can fix overnight.”
“I know, but I feel like I’m going crazy just sitting here doing nothing.”
Her father exhaled slowly. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this but do you still want to go to the party tonight?”
“You’ll let me go?”
“Do you still want to go?”
“Yes. I know this didn’t start out right, but I think I actually might like Harrison.”
“Do you feel you can trust him and make responsible decisions?”
“Yes.”
“And Cody won’t be there.”
“No.”
“Then I think a distraction might be the best thing for you.”
Hannah squealed and hugged her father tight.
“But I want to know where you are, who you’re with and you’re to be home by ten.”
“Dad, the party doesn’t start until ten!”
He grumbled something under his breath about kids these days. “Fine, midnight. But you’re to text me every hour.”
“I will.”
“I mean it. I’m not above showing up there if you’re late.”
“I love you, Dad,” Hannah said kissing him on the cheek.
“I love you, too.”
Hannah retrieved her borrowed dress from her car, which had been safely returned as promised. There was even a delicate black mask in the bottom of the garment bag. Hannah grabbed her phone and sent Savannah a quick text to thank her.
STILL COMING TONIGHT – SAVANNAH
YES – HANNAH
IMPRESSED.
HEARD H & C GOT INTO IT LAST NIGHT – SAVANNAH
Hannah sighed. Of course the gossip was already swirling. She was honestly impressed with the way the student body at Stanton kept their fingers on the pulse of peril. It was like they could smell drama.
DEETS – SAVANNAH
ALL GOOD.
FILL U IN TONIGHT – HANNAH
U BETTER – SAVANNAH
Hannah clicked off her phone and put it on the charger. It was about dead after being left in her car all night. She headed to the shower and turned her attention to getting ready for her first and last high school party.
39
DID U REALLY DRUG HANNAH – SAVANNAH
Cody glared at his phone. It had been going off all afternoon. He was doing his best to ignore it but Savannah and her minions, wouldn’t leave him alone.
THAT’S A NEW LOW. EVEN FOR U.
NO RESPONSE FROM THE GUILTY.
WONDER WHAT HANNAH WILL SAY?
I TOLD HER NOT TO GO TO YOUR PLACE LAST NIGHT.
BUT SHE BEGGED AND BEGGED – SAVANNAH
U BROUGHT HER HERE – CODY
SHE LOVES U.
I SAW IT IN HER PATHETIC FACE.
YOU’RE SUCH A HEARTBREAKER – SAVANNAH
LEAVE HER ALONE – CODY
YOU FIRST – SAVANNAH
DO U GET OFF ON THIS – CODY
GUESS U HAVEN’T SEEN FB?
IT’S NOT JUST ME – SAVANNAH
Cody flipped open his laptop and pulled up the secret Stanton group everyone used to post the most gruesome gossip. His stomach dropped when he saw Hannah’s name lighting up the feed. She had a private social profile so no one could tag her, but that almost made it worse because people where using her first and last name. The theme of the defaming posts were mostly against Cody. Claiming he got Hannah drunk and laced her drinks with drugs so he could take advantage of her. Harrison was of course cast as the hero, swooping in and saving Hannah. And beating Cody to a pulp.
A dark picture began to work its way into Cody’s mind. Savannah had always been a jealous bitch. She’d caused trouble for him and Elena in the past. And it was a little too convenient that she brought Hannah to Cody’s house last night and Harrison just happened to show up. Then there was the way Hannah had been acting. She’d admitted to drinking some champagne but everything about her manner seemed off—over stimulated. Had he not been so drunk himself, Cody would have seen it sooner. Hannah was high. He didn’t know on what, but he’d been to enough of Savannah’s parties over the years to know she loved to play pharmacist, mixing up her own special ‘candy’ as she called it.
Cody’s blood pressure soared. He stormed into his closet and grabbed his tux. He was through letting the Goldens ruin people’s lives. He was more certain than ever that something twisted was about to go down at Harrison’s party and there was no way he was letting Hannah walk into it alone.
40
Hannah checked the address she’d been tex
ted for what felt like the hundredth time. The location of the party was only revealed a few hours before it started, per Cohl tradition. The whole family certainly had a flare for the dramatic. It wasn’t that surprising to hear the party would be hosted at the Cohl country manor house, but after driving down a wooded dirt road for nearly twenty minutes Hannah began to feel her skin prickle. And she wasn’t sure whether it was from nervous excitement to see Harrison or something more sinister. She’d never been comfortable with the idea of being far from civilization. That was always where things went wrong . . . well at least in all the books she’d read.
The GPS alerted her to turn off the dirt road onto what could only be described as a path. She’d almost decided to turn back when she came to a massive iron gate. It was wide open, inviting her in. And in the distance she could see lights.
She drove through the gate and ventured a little further up the path. The trees finally gave way, opening up to reveal a gorgeous two-story colonial brick home, complete with white pillars and climbing ivy. It was right out of a storybook. Well, except for the bumping base that spilled across the immaculate lawn that now resembled a car park.
She was in the right place all right.
Hannah drove across a small bridge and around the circle drive, where her car was valeted. She walked up the polished flagstone steps and stared at the black menacing double doors. There was no one to greet her and when she tried the handle it was locked. Immediate panic flooded her heart.
The Practice Boyfriend (The Boyfriend Series Book 1) Page 13
