The Entitled

by Cassandra Robbins

  Reed’s grip tightens even more. I’m almost positive I’m going to have a bruise. “Enough, Kitten,” he growls in my ear.

  Lexi looks like she’s been slapped. Either I hit my mark, or Reed calling me Kitten is about to do her in.

  Narrowing her eyes, she almost looks like she wants to attack me. My mouth twitches. She’s nothing to me. And since Reed has put his dick in her, he’s nothing to me. Maybe I truly am getting closure?

  Lexi shakes the Advil bottle. The pills jingle like spare change.

  “Reed, baby… I got you the ibuprofen you wanted.”

  Baby! She calls him baby? I would start laughing if this wasn’t so traumatizing.

  “He has a headache, and I know exactly how to take care of him.”

  I need to walk away while I’m ahead and never come back. Maybe Brance is right. California might be the best place for us.

  Holding my shoulders back, I can practically feel my mouth watering at the thought of telling them both to fuck off.

  Instead I smile. “Good luck.” I pray I’m getting what Brance has because I’m not feeling so good. More than likely, it’s Lexi and her repulsive perfume. That and the visual of Reed’s dick inside her.

  “Let go, Reed,” I hiss. I’m done. And if he doesn’t let me go, I may give in to my stomach issue and vomit on them both.

  “Love your hair, by the way, Tess,” Lexi interrupts my attempt at freeing myself. “We could be twins, right, Reed?”

  Please God, no, she is not going there! I look up at the blue sky, praying for divine intervention. I would even take an alien abduction over this.

  Lexi pins me with her reptilian eyes.

  I can’t help it. I back into Reed’s chest instinctively needing him. He wraps his other arm around my stomach from behind.

  Lexi’s eyes narrow on us, and she taps the Advil bottle on her lips. I have to look away, willing myself to focus on the green lawn. Even the couple making out in the middle of it is better than her.

  “Is that what you want, Reed?” She points at me. “You must have heard how he likes threesomes,” she sneers.

  “Jesus, Lexi, what’s wrong with you?” Reed snaps into action. Lacing our fingers, he pulls me around the she lizard.

  “I just want to please you. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t love it.” I can’t see his face, but she can, and she smiles at me.

  “Look at her. She will never be able to keep up with you sexually.”

  Reed turns around to her. “How would you even know what I need sexually?” His voice is cruel.

  I can’t help but wonder if she is not right. I have no idea who this new Reed is or what his needs are. And suddenly I don’t want to know.

  “Reed.” This time I do manage to free my arm. He goes to reach for me and I back away, hands up. “Don’t you dare touch me! I will make a scene none of us will live down.” Pointing at Lexi, I say, “This is your world. I neither want it nor fit into it. You said we needed to talk. Well, here it is… You are not the same boy I loved. And I need you to stay away from me.”

  He steps back like I’ve stabbed him. And maybe I have if the pain in my heart is any indication of how he feels. His hand goes to his tattoo, and tears form in my eyes. I don’t know why. I can’t stand him. Everything he has become is not something I want.

  “Go back to Jax. I need to talk to Lexi.” His hand drops. She slithers after him. I should feel victorious. Until I realize that my hand is touching my tattoo.

  REED

  I can’t stop myself from turning around to look at her. Tess is still so fucking beautiful, my chest burns. My eyes follow her incredible ass in that bikini, which I will definitely be throwing away. The vanilla smell that is hers lingers, clinging to my skin. I vaguely hear Lexi talking to me. But I can’t look away from Tess. Hating myself even more for letting Tess go, I take a step after her, then stop. I have to get my shit together. The need to go to her, grab her, lock her in my room, and mate is overwhelming.

  Tess is back!

  And we are old enough so that nobody can dictate our lives. Like a stalker, I watch her cling to my twin. Like a sleeping lion, my anger awakens. I don’t care if she lies to herself. She can claim it’s over as much as she wants. Her words float in my brain: You’re not the same boy I loved!

  Well, that may be true. But she’s changed too. My little kitten has grown some claws. Mine! I want to roar.

  “Fuck me.” I run my hands through my hair.

  What the hell was Jax thinking keeping Tess from me? I thought I was going to beat the shit out of him. Jax and I are evenly matched. But I have rage on my side, so that would give me an edge. Tess will be mine until one of us takes our last breath.

  I’m all off and wish I’d never snorted that coke. I want to go caveman on Tess. Those fucking eyes of hers, like glittering sapphires. Shaking my head at her ridiculous lips, I smirk. Only Tess can get away with pumping shit into her lips and still looking hot. My cock’s getting hard. Great! Now, all I can think of is how unbelievable her lips will feel wrapped around my shaft. Shifting uncomfortably, I’m in board shorts, so being this hard with my size is not something you can hide. Turning, I walk into the house, needing to splash water on my face and put on some jeans and a shirt. Maybe I should take a shower.

  “What are you doing?” Lexi’s voice jolts me back to the present, her skinny body following me.

  “Christ.” I had forgotten about her.

  My obsession with Tess was steamrolling over me. Speed walking into the guest room where I left my stuff, I say, “Listen, Lexi, I’m sorry.”

  I go to tell her it’s over, but she is staring at her feet.

  Gritting my teeth, I continue. “I’m going to take a shower and then we’ll talk.”

  She shakes her head. “There is nothing to talk about. I’ll wait.” She moves toward the door.

  Grabbing her arm, I stop her. “Lexi,” I say gently because she’s not getting it. “I know you saw us going somewhere. But the truth is even had Tess not come back, it never would have worked.” I let her digest what I’m saying. I don’t owe her any more than that.

  “Will you still be my master?” Her voice sounds scared, eyes still downcast. I have to take a breath. Now is not the time to lose my patience.

  “Excuse me?”

  “It’s what you are. We don’t have to stop. We haven’t been having sex anyway. I will let you dominate me.”

  Taking a step back, letting go of her arm, I’m stunned. I wonder again if Andrew had bad coke because What the hell?

  “Lexi, come here.” My tone is demanding. I pat for her to sit next to me.

  Instead she kneels. Like I’m a fucking king or something. “Look at me.”

  When she looks up, her eyes are full of tears.

  Sighing, I say, “I’m sorry, I’m not what you need or what you want. We are not the same. You want a master. That’s not me.” My thoughts stray to Tess. Did she put her dress back on? Is Jax making sure no one talks to her?

  “Why?” Lexi’s thin shoulders shake.

  “Hey… come on, Lex.” I almost lift her onto my lap. I want to comfort her. But how do I do that without giving her false hope?

  “I’m not what you need, Lexi, and you know it.”

  “You’re wrong.” Her eyes light up. “You could be great. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on you.”

  Shaking my head, I push on. “I’m trying hard not to make this unpleasant. We were friends before. Let’s go back to that.” I’m done talking, so I stand.

  “Do you honestly think she is going to forgive and forget, Reed?” she spits.

  “She will,” I say, grabbing my Fairtex boxing bag that has my clean clothes in it.

  “I’ll wait for you, Reed.” Her voice cracks.

  That stops me. “Why? Why would you even want that?” I have to bite my tongue not to tell her to get therapy.

  “Lexi.” I use my commanding voice since that seems to be the only way she listens. “I’m neve
r letting her go. I never have.”

  Suddenly I realize it’s true. I’ve been waiting for her, never letting her go in my heart. And now she’s back with blond hair and puffy lips. With a fire in her that I know will feed my addiction.

  Lexi looks at me. “She’s going to hurt you, Reed. Break you because she can. When that happens, when she does something you can’t forgive, you will need to get control back and I will be there for you. You are my master. Whether it’s now or ten years from now.” Her voice is eerily calm.

  I’m done with her crazy shit. “Lexi, go find someone who is like you and be happy. It’s not me. Now, I’m going to take a shower.” Gently I push her out, locking the door.

  I’m smiling. It’s done. And Tess is back. I need her to forgive me. The enormous void that has been present is gone. I want to breathe her light, her sweetness, her innocence. I have to convince her to trust me again. I promised all her firsts would be my firsts. I’ve ruined that one. But I’ll never stray again. She is my lifeline. My soul.

  Stripping off my board shorts, entering the shower, I let the hot water cascade over my tight muscles. My mind replays the day. As I hang my head, the water massages my neck and back. And her beautiful face comes to me. This time I don’t fight it and lean my head back, and there she is, lips parted, her naked body slick with water. Groaning, I reach for the soap. My hand fists my thick cock, stroking it up and down. Closing my eyes, I kiss Tess. She tastes like she always does. Sweet like candy. I suck on her fleshy bottom lips, and then my tongue fills her mouth. I hear her sigh and moan. My hand quickens, my breathing harsh.

  As I stroke myself, her face shows she is ready to come. She tells me she loves me. Forgives me for not sharing our first time.

  My eyes snap open, “Shit!” I’m so close, I jerk myself harder, trying to block out that I desperately want to be her first. I want it so badly. The damage is done, and my vision of Tess is gone. Closing my eyes, pumping myself roughly, all I see is her beautiful face, laughing with someone else. Her long legs wrapped around another guy. Her swollen lips sucking another’s dick. Tess’s head thrown back as she comes.

  “Fuck.” I hit the tile, feeling the burn in my hand. When I bring my fist up, it’s puffy and red. The pain reminds me of the last three years. Tilting my head back, I grab my throbbing cock with my sore hand and jerk it hard until my balls tighten. The searing pain causes me to explode; thick ropes of semen shoot out. I lean my forehead on the cool tile and let the water soothe me and calm my breathing. Turning off the water, I open the large glass doors and step out.

  That will go down as the worst masturbation session in history. I’m angry again. How am I going to get her back?

  Lexi’s right. How am I going to get her to forgive and forget about the other women? And if she is not a virgin, which is a strong possibility, how do I forgive her? Fucking someone else. Giving a stranger my first!

  Yeah, that hurts!

  I reach for my heart and massage my tattoo. Grabbing a fluffy towel, I do a quick dry off and toss it in the corner. I throw on my clothes, not wanting to waste another second without her. Even if she hates me, I will win her back. I’m done waiting.

  Once I’ve packed all my shit in my bag, I head out.

  Looking over, I see Lexi’s door open. I stop and stick my head in to tell her I’m out.

  “Lexi, I’m leaving.” Yet what I see makes me drop my bag.

  She’s on the floor, her back to me, her skinny body slightly convulsing. I grab my phone and dial 911.

  “SHIT!”

  Turning her over, I notice her lips are blueish. “Come on, Lexi. What the fuck!”

  I slap her, and she responds slightly, yellow liquid dripping from her mouth and onto her white carpet.

  I tell the operator the address and pick her up and bring her downstairs. Dimitri and Anna are dancing. In his loud voice, he sings in Russian. A few of our classmates are drinking shots of his favorite Russian vodka. Cans of Beluga caviar are strewn across the table, sitting open. “My God, Lexi!” Anna screams, breaking away from a stunned Dimitri.

  “What happened to my baby?” She is clinging to her, almost bringing us both to our knees.

  “Anna, it’s okay. The ambulance is on the way.”

  If she understands, she doesn’t let on. Her wailing is alarming. As I look around the large room, faces crowd in, everyone whispering or crying. Some even have their phones out.

  I make my way to the large couch by the window and gently lay Lexi down on her side. Fluid comes out of her mouth again. People scream in disgust.

  I hear my dad’s voice behind me. “That’s it, son. Keep her on her side. We don’t want her to choke. Is she breathing?” His calm voice is soothing; it wraps around me like a security blanket. “What happened?”

  A siren pierces the air. My body almost collapses in relief at the welcome sound of the ambulance arriving.

  “I have no idea. Maybe she took something.”

  Dimitri is wild, his anger and grief causing him to trash his living room. He’s throwing glasses at the pale blue walls. Liquid trickles down them like rain. The table with the vodka and caviar has been thrown on its side. I feel like I’m in a dream. Everything is somewhat slowed down.

  I look over at the open doorway. Jax is talking to one of the paramedics. Somehow, hands are pulling me back. Someone gives her an injection and her eyes open.

  I glance over at Anna and Dimitri. They are kneeling and praying. At least I assume they are praying since I don’t speak Russian. Suddenly a gurney lifts Lexi and they rush her inside the ambulance. Poor Dimitri and Anna trail behind trying to talk to the paramedics.

  Guests with stunned faces are talking to me. I only need one though, and I don’t see her. My mom wraps her arm around me. “Reed? Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”

  I look down at her worried face and nod.

  Dimitri and Anna get into the ambulance, and sirens blast from the driveway.

  “Jesus, I have no idea what she was thinking.” I stare at my parents.

  “I’m sure she will be fine. Come on, son, we should follow and meet them at the hospital.”

  I look at Jax. “Tess?”

  “She went home about an hour ago.”

  “Good, let’s go.”

  “Is there a Reed Saddington here?” I open my eyes. Trying to focus on sitting up, I look around. All of my family is sitting or sleeping in the uncomfortable chairs. We are in the waiting room at the nearest hospital.

  Clearing my voice, I answer, “That’s me,” and I stand, towering over the shorter man. He smiles and introduces himself as Lexi’s doctor.

  “Is she okay?” I ask.

  “Yes, thanks to you. She said you saved her.”

  I look around the waiting area. A little couple probably in their eighties sit in the corner, holding each other’s hands.

  “I happened to be there at the right time. What’s wrong with her?”

  “She OD’d on cocaine, which caused a seizure. If you hadn’t found her and called 911, she probably wouldn’t be with us.” I let out a puff of air.

  “I wanted to let you know that she is stable, and we will be releasing her in the morning.” He smiles, his brown eyes tired but kind.

  He turns to my parents. “You must be very proud of your son. I only wish my daughter’s boyfriend was like him,” he says, patting my dad on the back.

  “Reed, if you want to see her, you can. Visiting hours are almost over, so you should make it quick.”

  He nods at all of us and goes to the nurses’ station.

  I slink down in the slippery hospital chair. My parents along with Jax sit next to me. I’m tired and hungry.

  “You want some coffee? Before you go see her?” my dad asks.

  “I’m not seeing her.” My parents look at me and frown.

  “Reed, I think you should at least stop by.”

  “No.” I stand up.

  “Son, I know this is awkward, but she’s your
girlfriend.”

  “No, she’s not. She never really was, Dad.” Tired, I rub my hands across my face.

  “Truth is, I had just broken up with her. That’s why I was at her room to say goodbye. I’m not the good guy.” Leaning back, I close my weary eyes.

  “For all I know, she planned it.”

  “That’s a little harsh, Reed,” my dad says with a sigh. “Since we are all here, let’s talk.”

  I snort. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Reed, even if this was a cry for help, attention… whatever, she’s still a human being. And you were spending time with her.”

  “Dad, I’m tired. I don’t want to talk about my personal life.”

  “Okay, I can respect that, but if you broke up with her because of Tess…”

  “Did you know she was back?” I look at my parents. My mom nods yes.

  “So… my whole family knew that Tess was back. And not one of you thought I should know?”

  “Honey, we didn’t want you to be upset. You know how you are with her—look at what happened today.”

  Suddenly exhausted, I stare at my mother. “Mom, Tess had nothing to do with Lexi being a nut job!”

  “Shh, lower your voice. Someone could hear you. I’m not saying that. It’s only I wanted you to be happy. And if I had told you Tess was back…” Her voice trails off.

  “We were waiting for her to contact us before we said anything.” My dad takes my mom’s hand.

  “What?” Looking at all three of their guilty faces. “You seriously thought Tess would not come back to me?”

  Jax sighs. “Reed, it was more than—”

  “Shut up, Jax.” I stand up. “I’m tired. I need some sleep.”

  My mom looks as if she’s going to cry.

  Taking a breath, I try to get ahold of my anger. “Don’t worry. I’m not a complete ass. I’ll stop by and check on Lexi later. Hopefully she will get some help.”

  “I didn’t know she was that bad. Should I talk to Dimitri?” My dad looks genuinely surprised.

  “I think, when this happens, they make you get help. But yeah, she could use some.” Feeling slightly guilty about ratting her out, I look away for a moment and turn back to him. He frowns but nods.