Stupid bitch! Ugh!
“Terrific,” I murmur so low she can’t hear. “Did it ever occur to you I might need to know that little tidbit of information?” My hand cinches around the top of the car door, knuckles whitening in rage.
It shouldn’t surprise me, really. Debra pulls this shit all the time. Her deception knows no bounds.
Standing there, she searches my eyes. Even with her being camera ready, I still see the level of vehemence she holds for me in her gaze. She may look put together on the outside, but on the inside, she’s nothing more than a viper that hates my goddamn guts. And it shows as it dawns on her I am about to show my ass and refuse, and she isn’t wrong, because I’m about to.
Loudly, I might add.
“Why would I do that?” she asks, quirking a brow. “To be frank, little girl …” I hate that goddamn nickname, more than anything else in my entire life. “It was none of your business. Now, shut your car door and ride with Callum to school. If a Lockridge wants to give you a lift, you take it. Heaven knows you need the boost in social status.”
I could give two fucks about my social status. But clearly, that’s all she seems to think about.
“I am not getting in the same car as this asshole,” I seethe, baring my teeth.
I don’t want to be anywhere near him, and now since he’s apparently going to my school, I’ll see enough of him in the hallways. My life will already become one endless cesspool of bullying, and I’d much rather have the five minutes of a morning to myself before I’m thrust into the middle of that chaos.
Holding up his hand, Callum regards my mother with a warm smile he hasn’t shown to me in years. The sight of it nearly takes my breath away as I hate myself for studying the soft, sensual planes of his face. It instantly makes me hate her more. She has done nothing to earn the right to receive something like that from him. All she deserves is hate.
“It’s okay, Mrs. Savoy,” he says, shooting a wink her way. When she swoons and her face heats, nausea burns the back of my throat. “But if you could give us a moment of privacy, I would sure appreciate it.”
I can’t deal with the southern twang he’s forcing into his accent. Before now, he had the dialect of a proper city boy. Something I know doesn’t appeal to any girl this side of the Mississippi. It was cute, don’t get me wrong, but it merely screams how much of an outsider he’s become in his absence.
He must have known it to, because within seconds, he changed right before my eyes, adopting our unique Georgian drawl. I abhor what it does to my insides, making them all fluffy and warm.
“Sure, darling,” she coos, and before stepping back inside, levels me with a scathing glare. It screams “shut the fuck up and do what this boy says. He’s your savior.” More like, he’s my damnation, but that’s something Debra Savoy wouldn’t know anything about. You’d have to worry about someone other than yourself to have that comprehension.
Once the door shuts behind her, I barely release the breath lodged in my chest before he’s on me. My back slams against the top of the car when he pushes forward, the cry rising in my throat getting cut off by the hand wrapping around the column of my neck. His fingers tighten in warning, and I hate to admit this, but it’s a warning I receive and submit to. No matter how much I hate the bastard ordering it.
“Let’s get something straight here, trash,” he breathes fire down at me. “I may have been absent until now, but make no mistake about it, I still ran Silver Creek. So everything you have been able to do is because of me. I own you, I own that school. And what I give, I can take away.”
“Then do it,” I challenge, meeting his cold, dead eyes.
The air cuts off a second later. My eyes round in shock, and dare I admit this, but fear enters my bloodstream. “Don’t tempt the monster, Savoy, because you won’t like what happens if you do.”
He stands, glaring at me as his body visibly shakes with untapped fury. Callum is trying to control himself and to be honest, I’d hate to see what he looks like when he loses that restraint. Even if a sick part of me relishes in the thought.
“I’m not scared of you.” Maybe I am a little in this moment, but whatever. “You’re still the same boy from way back when, and since your butthurt you think if you show a little aggression you’ll get your way. Sorry to disappoint, but it doesn’t work like that. No one can hurt me.”
He will not make me cower to him. No one ever will again. I refuse to be the pretty, broken doll from two years ago. I fuck, fight, and party to deal with all the messed-up shit that goes on inside my head. I do that to deal with the day-to-day bullshit, so I can remind myself that it is my choice; that I am the only person with a say in what goes inside my body.
“You think I give two fucks about what anyone does to you? They will fuck you, rip you apart, and all I have to do is tell them how hard and fast. You think you’ve been running things? No, you’ve just been the whore I always knew you to be under that little innocent act. And now?” He releases a chilling laugh that settles deep into my bones. “You. Are. Cut. Off. Good luck using your body to deal with the mess you created, because it isn’t happening on my watch.”
My eyes grow wide, mouth falling open in shock. How could … how did he …
No one knows the real reason I’m as free with my body as I am. So, how can he?
“That’s not—”
He snarls, pressing his face so close to mine. I can’t help the way my body betrays me and I sway into him in return. His smell swirls all around me. It’s a sweet mixture of musk and spice, causing my mouth to water. I fucking hate myself for it, but there’s nothing I can do to stop it. “I’d think twice before lying to me, you little shit! Remember, Savoy, I fucking know you better than you know yourself. You don’t spend a year with someone, sharing your deepest, darkest fucking secrets, not to know them when it’s all over.”
If that were the case, then why didn’t he see everything that happened and knew straight out the gate it was bullshit?
Why did he look into the bathroom that night, eyes blazing with fire and hurt, calling me a slut, a tramp—every goddamn name in the book? If he looked closer, he would have seen the daze in my eyes. He would have seen the guy lying there on the tile, passed out with vomit trailing down the front of his shirt.
He could have seen all of this and so much more, but he didn’t want to. He jumped to fucking conclusions.
“I will tell you for the last time, get in my fucking car, Savoy.”
“I’m not—” Before I can say anything, he reaches past me and grabs my bag. As I shout at him, he tosses me over his muscular shoulder, his forearm resting just right under the curve of my ass, then slams my door shut and walks toward his car.
“I suggest you shut the fuck up,” he warns, tightening his grip. “We will talk, and you will motherfucking listen. You’ve had free rein for two years now, and that ends today.”
“Fuck you!” I shout.
“Oh, don’t you wish you could.” His laugh is in complete contrast to the warmth of his skin under my fingers. It’s cold, frigid. It causes an involuntary tremble to race up my spine.
When we reach his car, he thrusts open the door and unceremoniously drops me into the seat. I go to make a move, but the stormy glare he shoots my way freezes me in my spot. I’ve seen Callum made before, but he’s never been this … vicious. This unhinged.
Slamming the door, I slump back in my seat, crossing my arms over my mid-section in annoyance. My gaze shifts to the side mirror, landing on one of the boys I saw in the ice cream shop with Callum last night. From what I can see, he’s pretty damn intimidating, and not to mention scorching hot. Tattoos sprawl out across his arms, collarbone, and wrap around his neck. Dirty blond, shaggy hair lays just so.
I allow my gaze to trail over him, saying to myself it’s for self-preservation rather than interest. “Quit eye fucking him, Savoy,” Callum grinds out, shifting the car in drive, then pulling out onto the street.
I dismiss his wo
rds, looking my fill. He’s got a nice body, too. If he weren’t friends with Callum, I could see myself getting lost in his pants.
When his eye meets mine, I hate myself for wishing I could see both. But the way his hair falls, only one if visible. There are many girls that would be all into the illusive mystery of him, but I’m not like other girls. I hate mystery, secrets, and bullshit that cross wires between people.
“This is how things will go, little mouse.” I wish he would shut up already. And the whole nickname thing? It’s a little redundant now, don’t you think? I don’t like him and he doesn’t like me.
Snapping my gaze to Callum, my eyes narrow in warning. “Don’t call me that.”
“Hit a nerve, did I?” He smirks.
“No,” I answer dishonestly. “You merely don’t have the right anymore.”
He stares straight ahead, jaw clenching hard. His fingers dig into the steering wheel until his hand washes with a deathly shade of white. Silence extends through the car as he stares at the road ahead of us. He can be pissed all he wants to, but it’s the truth. If he can’t handle that, then maybe he needs to give this whole thing up.
We’re about halfway to school when I jump in my seat as cool fingers dance along my shoulder. I know who it is even before my gaze catches his in the side mirror. Why the hell is he touching me?
I go to shake him off, but something, I don’t know what, stops me. Maybe because his eyes harden to a threatening glint of malice, or his muscles bulge and expand like he’s physically restraining himself. I can’t really put my finger on it, but whatever it is, it makes me stay still.
We stare at each other, my hard gaze to his, but quickly, it turns to horror. Darkness flits across his eyes as his hand snaps forward, fingers wrapping around my throat from behind. On autopilot, my hands rise to his. I hiss at the jolt of electricity that spikes through my fingers, then gasp as his grip gets tighter and tighter.
This guy’s touch sears my flesh like a branding iron. Then, he speaks, and his deep, hypnotic voice causes my insides to burn up in need. “This is how things will play out. You don’t ask questions. You don’t talk. You do exactly as we say, when we say it, or there will be repercussions. Got it?”
“You … can go to hell,” I wheeze out. My hands slap down on the middle console and door when his grip tightens even more, my back bowing off the seat as it reaches the point of pain.
“Been there, done that, little girl,” he whispers.
A sigh from my left floats through the car. “If you’re wondering, not that I give a shit, but the big guy behind you is Quinn. The other two are Ellis and Asher.”
“I don’t give a shit.” Quinn’s hand tightens marginally before he releases me with a shove. Immediately, I suck in air, and raise a hand to my bruised throat.
“I have a feeling you’ll want to,” Callum replies, smirking. “You think what happened two years ago before I left was hard, just wait, it’ll get worse if you don’t listen to what we tell you.”
He doesn’t even know what happened two years ago, is what I want to scream. I want to shout it from the rooftops, because clearly he’s still not fucking listening. Not that it should surprise me. Callum always had a hard time of accepting anything unless there was visceral proof in the matter.
Callum may think he’s running the show, but he’s not. I refuse to allow him any sway over the way I act and the things I do. He accomplished breaking me two years ago, but that won’t happen again. I don’t care if I have to take the four of them down with me, it won’t be me breaking this time.
It will be them.
I want them to hurt the same way I did.
I want them to burn in the product of their own making.
All those years ago, I didn’t get a say in how things ended, but this time—oh, this time—I will revel in their downfall.
I hope they’re ready for it, because I’m not the same girl that cowered two years ago. I’m a whole new type of beast.
Everything is silent, except the roar of Callum’s engine, as we pull into Silver Creek High. Many of the students loitering around the parking lot stop to stare, and quite a few fist bump—mostly jocks—the air when Callum swerves into his parking spot. It isn’t until I allow my eyes to fall from them to the sign in front of us I know.
He truly was in charge even in his absence.
Nothing happened unless he wanted it to.
There is a sign encased in plexiglass with his fucking name on it.
“This is only the beginning, little mouse,” Callum whispers with a lilt of laughter in his voice. “From now on, the only people you will do anything with, are in this car right now. Pick your poison, baby, because there are four dicks available to you.”
My eyes drift to his, spearing right through him with so much fire and anger I can barely sit still. “I don’t give a shit if this is the beginning, middle, or end, Callum. I don’t even care if you think you rule the school. You will find out quickly I’m not the girl from two years ago, you can’t just push me and demand results. I am the only person who calls the shots for me or my body. If I want to grab the first motherfucker I see and suck him off until he shoots down my throat, then that’s my choice.”
Grabbing my bag off the floor between my feet, I shove his door open and get out. Without waiting to see if they follow, which I’m sure they do, I make my way across the parking lot, fuming.
Guys are staring at me hard, probably wondering what I’m doing in Callum Lockridge’s car, or wondering when it will be their turn for a ride.
Girls are sneering at me, probably thinking of ways to pluck my eyeballs from my head by even thinking I am good enough to be in his presence.
I don’t give a shit what they all think. It’s not like they will believe the truth, anyway. No one does. Instead, it’s the rumor mill they all cling to. And there are probably three or four different strains starting just from the display a few seconds ago.
I’m more than likely fucking one or all four of them.
Callum is probably taking it upon himself to help the less fortunate, which is a bunch of bullshit.
I probably sucked them off for a ride.
Flashed them for an ounce of attention.
To be honest, it could be anything at the moment.
What I hate most of all, loathe more than I do this situation, is the fact my panties are saturated, and my nipples are harder than diamonds.
I’m hotter than I’ve ever been for someone in my entire goddamn life. I can practically feel my pulse each time it beats with as hard as my clit is.
And it’s all for them, not just one.
The way they handled me.
The way Quinn and Callum spoke to me, the demure silence of Asher and Ellis.
I’m a sick bitch, because I hate all four of them. Even though I haven’t introduced to Ellis or Asher, I’m still hot and bothered by their mere presence.
This is sick and twisted.
I’m sick and fucking twisted.
Why couldn’t I be one of those girls that completely shut everyone out? Why couldn’t I be the type that’s terrified of being with someone physically? I just had to be different, didn’t I? I just had to be the girl, that when something messed up happens to them, she finds her salvation through the same ugly shit that destroyed her world.
Why can’t I be normal?
Normal would be so much better than this.
Better, but not more rewarding, I think to myself. A growl rumbles in my chest as I jerk the side door to Silver Creek open, stepping inside. When it slams behind me, I find dozens of eyes peering toward me. They’re analyzing me, girls and guys, and I can see the questions lingering in all their gazes.
What does she have that I don’t?
She’s the whore of Silver Creek, what is Callum thinking?
Didn’t he get enough the first time they were together?
Wasn’t she the one that got drunk and cheated on him?
Who is she?
Breathing has become hard. Each breath I take, I have to fight to expand my lungs.
It isn’t until I see a familiar head full of bouncy curls that my shoulders sag in relief. Karma. Damn, I’ve never been so glad to see her as I am right this moment.
She comes bounding toward me, Davis hot on her tail. “Girl, what the hell is going on?”
My eyes peek up toward Davis, seeing him staring at me hard. It causes a shiver of ill ease to settle into my body, but I push that to the side, saying, “Can I borrow your girl for a minute?”
It’s like he forces the scowl to the back burner as he smiles timidly. “Sure, Jess. Anything for you.”
Giving him an odd look, I grab Karma’s hand and practically drag her to the girl’s bathroom. Once we’re inside, I let her go.
“What have you heard?” I ask, checking the stalls one by one.
Thankfully, I hear the lock sound behind me. Turning toward her, I worry my bottom lip between my teeth and cross my arms over my middle.
Karma’s eyebrows nearly touch her hairline. “What aren’t they saying?”
“Shit.”
“What did you do?” She steps toward me then, and I can see the fear in her eyes.
I laugh at that. “I exist?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “It has to be more than that. Everyone knows, Jess. Everyone.”
“Knows what?”
She freaks out at my question, her arms swinging around and eyes as big as baseballs. “They blacklisted you! Jesus Christ, no one is allowed to touch you! Guys can’t even talk to you anymore!”
“What?” My mouth falls open in shock.
This can’t be happening. No, no, no!
Nodding her head, Karma steps up to me, putting her hands on my upper arms tightly. “Davis could get in deep shit for even looking or talking to you the way he did this morning. Callum put the order out before school. If they catch a guy talking, touching, or Christ, even thinking about you, then they have to deal with him and his friends.”
Break Me, Baby: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Silver Creek High Book 1) Page 7
