The Entitled

by Cassandra Robbins

  He looks at his shoes, then straight into my eyes. “I guess I hate him because he just takes. And has no intention of giving back. An eight-year-old boy stole you from me and has never let you go. He made you weak, needy, and I hated him for that. I want so badly to look into those beautiful eyes of yours and see you. Not someone who belongs to Reed Saddington.”

  I can’t let him get away with this. If anyone makes me weak, it’s him and my mother. Reed knew me and accepted me. I will always belong to him.

  “You’re wrong!” Walking straight in front of him, close enough to smell his spicy aftershave, I continue. “Reed is my soul mate! But that doesn’t mean that our souls are destined to be together.”

  He shakes his head and looks up at the ceiling. “Tess… stand on your own two feet. You don’t need blond hair and puffy lips to do that.” Then he smiles, and I think I gasp. I don’t remember the last time I got a real smile from him.

  I want to throw myself into his strong arms. I want him to stroke my hair like he does Lana. I’m so pathetic. That small smile was all I needed to make my heart swell. No wonder I have issues!

  Fuck this. He doesn’t get to make me feel like shit anymore.

  Straightening my shoulders, I speak to him one last time. “Bye, Daddy.” I don’t look back.

  REED

  Past – eighteen years old

  The Hamptons

  I sit by the pool in the Hamptons on one of those days where you hear the seagulls and smell the salt in the air. It’s Lexi’s family’s summer home. She decided it would be fun to throw Jax and me a birthday party. Eighteen, and I’m bored. Bored with my friends, bored with drinking, and bored with Lexi! I don’t know why I let my mom guilt me into trying a relationship with her. I knew she was a stalker. A complete head case. I should have acted like a man instead of an angry child. And now, everyone thinks we’re together—including her.

  Raising my face to the warm sun, I dangle my legs in the saltwater pool and try to figure out what I want. How should I pull myself out of this funk? My eyes pop open and I rub my hands over my face, begging my brain not to conjure her up.

  I shouldn’t be like this. I’m still obsessed. I need her probably more today than I needed her a year ago. Laughter and squealing bring me back to the present.

  “Hey, Reed?” Andrew throws a volleyball at me. It misses, but he manages to get me wet.

  “Where’s Lexi? We’re almost out of ice.”

  “How the hell do I know where she is?” I snap. “Try the house.”

  “Dude, do us all a favor and have a shot.”

  I want to yell that I’m unhappy. That I hate Lexi. That if I was free of her, I would be better, but I’m not sure that’s true. There is only one person who can make me better, and she is ten hours away. Whatever. I am over being Lexi’s boyfriend. Standing up, I stretch. Everyone looks like they are having fun. Maybe Andrew’s right and some alcohol will do the trick.

  “Baby?” Gritting my teeth, I find my patience is at an all-time low today. I can’t stand her calling me that. It must be pretty obvious because she puts her hands on her hips.

  “Can you at least pretend to be happy? It’s your birthday!” Turning toward Lexi, I take in her appearance. She’s wearing the smallest string bikini I’ve ever seen. Thankfully she doesn’t have much of a chest because the bikini is nothing but a lot of straps that cross all around her. Staring at the straps I know she wore this bikini to give me the hint: she wants me to tie her up.

  I have to get rid of her.

  All her submissive shit was interesting for about a week. I got excited at the thought of completely controlling someone. Unfortunately, having someone need you to pick out her clothes, decide what she eats, and when she goes to bed gets old fast. Maybe I should have my mom’s therapist talk to her. What she needs me to do is nowhere near healthy. I dominate her, and she gets off on it. I don’t even fuck her.

  That’s how low I’ve sunk. I’m probably depressed. Lexi’s flowery perfume makes me take a step back almost gagging.

  “Andrew says the bar needs more ice.” My nose twitches.

  “Then have the help do it. Why are you telling me? And are you hiding from me?”

  Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. “Lexi, I have a headache.”

  “Poor baby.” Her skinny, oiled-up arms snake around my neck. “Why didn’t you say so? Do you need me to massage your neck?” Her sharp nails dig into my skin as she tries to rub me.

  “Thanks, I’m fine. Just tired.” I remove her hands from me. Great, now I smell like her! I have to end this today.

  I know my mom is going to be disappointed. Both she and my dad will think I’m going back to prostitutes. But Lexi’s darkness is starting to rub off on me, making me even more miserable.

  “Lexi!” Andrew yells. “Get your sweet ass in the pool. Tell your dickhead boyfriend to get us some ice.”

  “Get it yourself,” I snarl.

  He heaves himself out of the pool laughing, shaking his head like a dog, spraying us with wet drops. Lexi squeals and hides behind my back. Andrew charges at me, humming the Jaws tune. I push him back in the pool and watch him flail around, begging Lexi to save him. I almost push her in to get away from her.

  Yesterday, I got the keys to my penthouse. I thought that would make me feel excited… something!

  But I bought it with the hope that one day she would return.

  Aggravated by my thoughts, I must have some secret need to torture myself. The entire place is built for her. The master bath alone was worth the millions I spent on it.

  I’m even grateful my dad made the phone calls to get me into Columbia. Lexi is going to Yale. The bigger distance apart can only be beneficial.

  I rub the back of my neck. It’s hot and humid. I’ve been sitting by the pool for hours, the sun baking my skin. My head is pounding. Disgusted with myself, I look around. Where the hell is my twin?

  It’s our birthday. I hate half the people here. The least Jax could do is rescue me. Jamaican music is playing loudly. I need to snap out of this. I have everything going for me, so why do I want to throw myself in the ocean and swim away from it all?

  “Baby? I have a surprise for you.” I jump, lost in my thoughts. Family friend or not, I need to put an end to this farce of a relationship.

  She grabs my hand, her downcast eyes signaling she’s going submissive. I’m too tired to question what the fuck is wrong with her. Or even where she’s taking me. Truthfully, I don’t care. Maybe we’ll be alone, and I can break up with her. My pulse quickens at the thought.

  Lexi pushes my chest into one of the numerous bathrooms and locks the door. I take in the pale blue walls, only because seashells are everywhere. On the walls. The soap. Even the rug is shaped like one.

  “Lexi, I told you I have a headache.” Christ, I sound like a girl.

  “Shh.” She pokes my lip with her long pointy nail.

  “Ow… what the hell?”

  “Look, Reed.” She peels down her bikini bottoms and turns around.

  My eyes drop to her ass as she puts both hands on the sink and leans forward—giving me a complete view of a glittery gold butt plug.

  “I thought you might enjoy this tonight, or right now if you want.” My cock does a small jerk. Thank God! She’s gone to a lot of trouble. If I didn’t feel anything, I would worry about myself.

  “Lexi.” Suddenly I feel sorry for her and reach down to pull her bottoms up.

  “Come on, Reed, fuck me!” Her voice is shrill, desperate, as if she knows I’m going to break up with her.

  Taking a step back, I hold up my hands. “You don’t want me to do that.”

  “Yes… Yes, I do.” She sounds breathless.

  “I don’t have a condom.” Again lame, but whatever.

  “I’m on the pill, or you could… you know” She shakes her ass.

  “No, Lexi.” Her neediness is like a bucket of cold water being thrown on me. My cock subsides. I’m on edge today. Fucking
would help. But whatever dark shit is festering inside her, I don’t want it inside me. That’s why I have to cut her loose.

  “Listen, Lexi…” As I rub my forehead, it’s now full-on pounding, like someone is hitting me with a bat on each temple.

  “Reed?” she interrupts. “I… thought you would like this. I was hoping to please you. That we would actually… you know, have sex finally.”

  Christ, I’m an asshole. I don’t want to hurt her, and she looks hurt. Lexi’s been a constant presence since she left.

  “It’s the sun, Lexi.” I make the same stupid excuse.

  “Should I get you some Advil? What can I do to make you happy, Reed?”

  Be Tess! It almost slips out. Fear worms its way into my brain. What if I’m like this forever?

  “Advil would be nice.” I don’t trust myself to say more.

  “Be right back.” She gently shuts the door behind her.

  I can’t lock the door fast enough. Looking at my reflection, I hate the guy staring back at me. Not because I look like shit. Just the opposite—my looks have always caused people to comment about how handsome I am. But all I cared about was whether Tess liked the way I looked. I have a trust fund that’s in the millions. But the person I thought I was going to be and the person I have become are two very different men. And this shit with Lexi is not helping me. Closing my eyes, I wonder, When was the last time I was happy? Visions of puffy lips and sapphire eyes swirl in my mind. My eyes snap open. I’m pissed at myself. Pissed at her. She is the cause of all my anger. Staring at my tattoo, I snort in disgust. I should get it removed. Even so, my hand reaches to rub it, needing it.

  Finally, I grow some balls and leave the bathroom. Someone has changed the music from Jamaican to techno. Taking a breath, I wander through the large house, trying to find Jax.

  Spying Andrew in the living room, he’s in the corner with two girls I recognize from the pool. All three are snorting coke.

  “Andrew, you see Jax?” The air conditioner hums on. Cool air blows down on me, making me grateful for modern technology.

  Andrew finishes snorting, then gives me a peculiar look.

  “What?” I can’t say my tone is pleasant, and the girls look at me nervously. He snorts and wipes his nose.

  “Um… Yeah, I think I saw him over by the tiki bar talking to a blonde.”

  “Cool…” He’s giving me a weird vibe and I frown. “What man? Is something wrong?”

  “Um… I’m not sure.” Andrew looks uncomfortable, like he wants to say something, but he can’t.”

  “What the fuck, Drew? Spit it out.”

  He shrugs and rolls his neck. “I’ll go with you.”

  Holding up my hand, I stop him, my sarcasm thick. “I think I can make it alone. I’m a grown-up now.”

  “Still, you might need me.”

  “Drew, my head is killing me.”

  “Yeah, it might really start hurting… once you see Jax.”

  My eyes narrow on him, then roll. He’s on coke, I remind myself.

  It’s been over a month since I have done anything besides drink. But with my head throbbing, coke sounds like the perfect thing to help.

  “Fuck it, give me some of your blow.” I motion with my hand for his vial.

  He cocks his head. “You told me to say no if you ask, remember?” We stare at each other. Andrew sighs, unbuttoning his obnoxious Hawaiian shirt pocket. “Fine, I’m only giving you this because you might truly need it.”

  He tosses the brown vial at me.

  I catch it. “Maybe I should hold on to the this. You’re acting paranoid.”

  “Fuck off, Saddington.”

  I don’t even bother to hide and turn around and snort some into each nostril. With the rush, my head is instantly better. In fact, I haven’t felt this good in months.

  “Jesus… that helps. Thanks, brother”

  Suddenly, I’m okay. Better than okay, I’m fucking great. I find myself laughing with Andrew as I see Jax’s dark head. We’ve been distant lately. I know he doesn’t understand the whole Lexi thing. Also, he’s been gone a lot. I’ve been meaning to ask if he’s seeing someone. I guess my question is answered. He’s standing with his arm around a blonde with long killer legs. I have to hold myself back from throwing my brother’s arm off her shoulder. Taking a steadying breath, I’m surprised at my aggression.

  Jax doesn’t notice me. He seems to be enthralled by the blonde. His smile is filled with genuine affection. Which stops me like a knife has pierced me. Shaking my head, I give myself a mental lecture about wanting my brother to be happy even if I’m miserable.

  The blonde moves but not much. Just a slender arm, a toss of her long blond hair, and I freeze. I wonder for a moment if I snorted bad coke. Because that girl moves like the one person I can’t escape. The one person who has haunted me for twenty-four hours a day for three years.

  “TESS!”

  TESS

  Jax is forcing me to come to his birthday party. I’m not hiding, but I’m not sure I want to see Reed yet. Brance and I have been in New York for almost a month. Even though I still love to hate New York, I’m happy to be here. The city I used to dread welcomed me back like an old friend. The yellow cabs and rude people only make me smile. I almost hugged a girl in Starbucks when she cursed me out for taking the last croissant. The weather is hot and sticky. The smell of garbage is worse than I remember, and I saw a rat in a bar that Jax and I were watching football in. Yet I’m happy.

  Brance and I do yoga in the morning at a little studio down the street. We’re a family—that includes Jax.

  I called him as soon as we landed. He has been practically living with us. I even convinced him to take a beginner’s yoga class.

  I love that I walk down the crowded sidewalks and women do double takes. With Brance’s model face, and Jax being a full-on hottie, I’m like a celebrity.

  I’m not joking. Jax looks like a tall dark god with turquoise eyes.

  Sighing, I’m forced to come back to reality, which sucks because Brance has conveniently gotten the flu. He doesn’t feel good enough for the drive to the Hamptons and Jax and Reed’s party.

  Traitor!

  He truly is sick though. I feel a little guilty about leaving him, but he assures me he’s fine and that I must seek and conquer my revenge, whatever that means. I guess he wants Reed to combust when he sees me.

  We decide on a red bikini with cute bows on each side and one in between my breasts. Plus a black cotton tube dress and black high-heeled Prada sandals.

  I’m wearing my blond hair down and blown out straight. Although with the humidity, it will curl. And, of course, some light makeup. All right, full makeup—after all, I need to look amazing. I twirl in front of Brance and Jax, and they both simply stare. Brance smirks in his silk robe and slippers. Jax looks like he might have forgotten that he calls me sis.

  I laugh. “That good?”

  “Oh, Pretty Girl… that good and then some!”

  Winking at him, I throw Brance a kiss, which he dramatically grabs and brings to his heart.

  “Now, please don’t forget the Advil and vitamin C packs. And if the fever comes back, call me,” I say, picking up my black Audrey Hepburn Chanel sunglasses and bag.

  “Shall we go, birthday boy?”

  “Um… yeah if my feet can move. Please tell me you are wearing a one piece under that dress?” he hisses, guiding me through the concrete parking garage.

  I wave at Carlos, who whistles after me and giggle as Jax shoots him a warning glare. Even though Jax is probably a good five inches taller, Brance’s bodyguard’s nickname is Asesino. Translation: killer.

  “Don’t be absurd.” I smirk, waiting as he opens the door to his new black Ferrari. Apparently, Reed got a matching blue one.

  “You’re spoiled!” I shake my head.

  “What? Don’t all boys get Ferraris for their birthdays?” He grins, and his dimples appear. For a moment, I can’t move. My hand clutches the black leather
steering wheel. It’s like he gut punched me.

  Tess? You okay?” He eyes me.

  Taking a breath, I let go of the steering wheel. “God, sorry, I just… sometimes you look so much like Reed.” He gives me a sympathetic smile and winks.

  I roll my eyes. “Never mind.”

  He laughs. “Come on, Tess, it’s my birthday! I’m finally eighteen. We are definitely going to have fun.”

  “About that… are you sure I should come today? I want you to have a great birthday. And something tells me Reed is not going to be as happy to see me as you were.”

  He raises an eyebrow as he starts the car, then smirks, his eyes alive with mischief. The Ferrari purrs.

  “You hear that?” He presses on the gas. The car sounds as if it’s alive. As it roars with each acceleration, I shiver with anticipation.

  “You cold?” He taps the air conditioner button.

  “No, I’m fine, just nervous.”

  “Look, Tess, Reed is going to freak! He made his bed and he’ll have to lie in it. Besides, you’ve been hiding long enough. My mom and dad are going to be there, and they are dying to see you.”

  Needing to change the subject, I say, “So… Harvard? Premed—impressive. I mean, technically you don’t have to work.”

  “Yeah, I do. Since Reed lost his mind, thanks to you. My dad and Grandfather Ian are giving him the business.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “Very.”

  “Wow.” I’m stunned. Reed is going to take over the Saddington empire?

  “And stop saying I made him go crazy. He broke up with me. I can’t even begin to explain the pain I have been through.” Snapping at him, I try to watch the road. But Jax is gunning it, and the scenery is all a blur.

  “Whatever, Tess. All I know is that I had a happy brother. Then I didn’t.”

  A small smile escapes my lips. Unfortunately, Jax catches it.

  He shakes his head. “You’re happy he’s in pain. That he’s made all sorts of fucked-up decisions because of you. You know you broke him, right?”