by Rina Kent
I wasn’t sure I wanted to speak to her again.
“Not really. Just hanging in different crowds.”
He eyed the paper still sitting in front of me. “Is there maybe a boy in those different crowds?”
I glanced down at Camden’s note and narrowed my eyes as if it had done something wrong.
“Her boyfriend is a dumb jock, so I guess you could say that.”
“And who’s the boy writing you poems?” He gestured in front of me.
“Also a dumb jock. It’s not a poem, it’s a line from a play and it isn’t flattery, trust me. He’s a jerk.”
“Can I read it?”
My first instinct was no, but then I realized maybe Roman knew its hidden meaning—if there was any. He was a guy, right? Maybe he could read between the lines?
I slid the paper to him and shifted uncomfortably as I waited for him to read the words Camden had scribbled down.
“What do you think it means?” I asked when more than enough time had passed.
He scooted the paper back toward me and tapped where the ink splotched. “Means he loves you.”
“What?”
“Nah, I’m playing. I have no idea. Guy’s too smart for me.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes. “I highly doubt the captain of the high school football team is too smart for you.”
“Captain? Whoa, look at you Miss Popularity.”
My stomach sank and I fought the frown that tried forcing its way on my face. He was making a joke, but he had no idea how infamous I’d become. Everyone knew my name now. People I’d never met were whispering about me.
“Did I say something?”
My gaze snapped to Roman, and I shook my head. “No, sorry, just getting tired. I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“It’s 8:30.”
I stood and pushed in my chair. “I know, but it’s been a long day. Mr. Hines is working us hard for the concert coming up.”
“Okay, well if you need to talk, you know I’m here.” He didn’t sound like he bought a word of what I just said, but I forced a smile anyway, grabbing the paper and apple juice on my way out of the kitchen.
I clicked my bedroom door shut behind me and grunted as I flopped onto my bed, note still in hand. Camden’s handwriting was familiar enough to me that I could pick it out of a lineup at that point.
I folded the paper back up and tossed it on my nightstand.
Laying on my back, I stared at the ceiling.
The game would still be going on. Was he glancing up in the stands searching for me, or did he remember he’d asked—more like told—me to go? He’d said nothing to me that day, which was frustrating because I’d been looking forward to telling him I wouldn’t be there. It was irrational and downright moronic of me, but I wanted him to be looking for me in the stands. I hoped it bothered him. He was so used to getting whatever he wanted, and for once, he’d have to be disappointed… or he didn’t care.
My frown deepened, and I grabbed my phone off the nightstand to pull up Instagram. I wasn’t much for social media, but a notification showed on my screen about a week ago saying that Cam_Knight8 was now following me. I’d rolled my eyes and ignored it at the time, but now I scrolled through his feed, searching for… what? I had no idea. Random lines of Shakespeare? A list of ways he planned to torture Easy Eden?
They were mostly pictures of him playing football, or pictures with the other jocks. Hunter was in several. I didn’t know all of their history, but I knew their families were close. Which meant Camden had spent time around Hunter’s dad… and mom.
Disgust washed through me at the thought.
Gross.
I scrolled back to the top of his feed and clicked on the picture he’d posted today. It was of him in his Panthers uniform, the black material making his eyes appear darker. He had a smile on his face and his helmet hanging from his fingertips. The caption read: Looking forward to seeing all the fans tonight.
My frown lifted into a smirk. I bet you were, Camden.
An idea came over me, and I jumped out of bed. I plucked my Kindle from my dresser and climbed under the covers, resting my back against the headboard. I pressed the plus sign to make a new post and held the camera out to snap a picture of me holding my Kindle.
My fingers shook with excitement as I typed the caption: Low-key night reading in bed. Wish there was more to do around here!
I liked Camden’s picture and followed him back to make it more likely he’d check out my profile and see my post.
There. I’d officially given Camden an F-you to going to the game. He wanted to bully me into it so he could torment me more, but it didn’t work that way. I wasn’t stupid, and I wasn’t weak. He could have his minions and the rest of the school do and say whatever he wanted, but he couldn’t break me. Next year I’d be living the dream in Boston while they’re still stuck here wishing they were in high school, and that knowledge gave me so much more strength than they could take away.
Besides, if this were a battle, tonight I’d won.
I tossed the phone back on the nightstand and picked up my Kindle, prepared to get lost in a world that wasn’t this one. I lied on my caption. There was nothing else I’d rather be doing.
Cam
Water splashed from the pool and wetted the concrete a foot away from my shoes.
“Stop being such a sourpuss and get in!”
I glanced up from my phone at Leilani propped on the side of the pool. Steam billowed from the heated water and encased her as if she were the one steaming.
“Not in the mood.”
“Come on, Knight.” This time it was Jade who spoke. She padded through the water until she was next to Leilani. “We need to celebrate the big win.”
We need to celebrate. As if Jade contributed by waving her pom poms on the sidelines. I resisted the temptation to roll my eyes and instead, went back to my phone. I’d been staring at Eden’s most recent update for the past hour, trying to determine if she was being vindictive or if she’d forgotten about the game.
Pearly white teeth flashed me in the picture, mocking me.
She hadn’t forgotten.
My hand gripped the phone until I noticed my knuckles turning white, and I tossed it down on the patio table.
“What’s up, man?”
Hunter appeared from my periphery, holding two beers in his hand. I glanced his way and held out my hand, twisting the cap off the bottle once he gave it to me. The cap clinked against the glass table after I flicked it off my thumb.
“Nothing.”
He took the chair next to mine and gazed over the pool. Jade and Leilani had taken the hint and were now begging for attention from Joshua and Austin, also in the pool. My jaw ticked from the sound of their laughter, and I had no idea why.
“You were a fuckin’ beast tonight. Thirty-five-yard pass for the winning touchdown, that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” He held out his fist and waited for me to bump it. I waited a moment, but begrudgingly reached over and knocked my knuckles against his.
“Thanks, you did good too.”
He nodded and ran a hand over his jaw. “Parents have another charity event tonight?”
My grip on the beer tightened. “Yup.”
I lifted it to my lips and took three long gulps. Hunter was staring at me with that look. The one that reeked of pity that I didn’t need nor want.
I rested the bottle on my knee and stared at the people in the pool. “Fuck ‘em.”
“Yeah,” he agreed with another nod. “I can’t wait to get out of this fucking town.”
I turned back to him and noted the sincerity in his eyes. He meant every word, and I didn’t blame him. His dad was the biggest dick I’d ever met in my life, and if I were Hunter, I’d want to be as far away as possible. Much farther than the two hour drive to Norman we’d be putting between us and this town next year.
It’d been a dream of ours since we were kids to go to OU, play college ball, get the fuck away from ou
r parents and this town. I was ready for it, but a lot had changed since I was a kid. Two hours felt a lot shorter now, and I wasn’t sure it’d be enough.
No amount of distance would be.
Hunter scooted another chair in front of him and kicked his feet up on it. His eyes were glued to Jade… or maybe Leilani. I couldn’t tell which one.
That’s one thing I didn’t understand about him. He always went with the easiest option in everything he did. He took only required non-AP classes, put in just enough effort in practice to get by, and screwed whichever girls required the least amount of attention. He was smart, athletic, and good-looking enough to do whatever he wanted, yet he was content with whatever was easiest.
I followed his gaze toward Leilani. She was the head cheerleader and the obvious first pick for homecoming queen. And prom. By movie standards, we would’ve made the perfect couple.
She giggled and splashed Joshua before turning and paddling away knowing, hoping he’d chase her. That was the type of girl Hunter was interested in. It fucking revolted me. What good was a chase if they were waiting on you to catch them? It was boring.
She was boring.
I picked my phone up off the table and pulled up Eden’s Instagram feed… again.
I scrolled through photos of her, her family, some flowers. Pretty basic stuff, but it had me glued to the screen for reasons I couldn’t fathom.
I was going to win her over tonight.
That wasn’t my initial intention when I’d asked her to come, but I’d decided it on the way home from school yesterday. She was the furthest thing from easy or basic, and I couldn’t get her out of my head. I laughed along with people telling rumors about her I knew weren’t true, and it dug its way beneath my skin and itched more every day.
I wanted them to be true. I wanted her. If only the one time. Just enough to kick her from my system and move on to the next.
The irony of it was I’d fucked my chances all on my own. I’d told them I’d slept with her before I’d actually wanted to sleep with her. She was some band geek I wouldn’t have given another glance to, but she had enough credibility to ruin me. She’d seen me with Sherry and she had no reason to lie about it until I gave her one. No one would believe a word she said about me if they knew that we’d fucked, she was a slut, and I’d been the one to destroy her reputation. They would’ve laughed in her face if she started telling people what she’d seen. Hunter would’ve laughed in her face.
I tapped on the picture she’d posted tonight. Her smile was genuine, and her face was lit up like she’d been laughing.
She was the one laughing now.
Fuck.
“What are you looking at?”
I glanced toward Hunter before going back to my phone. “Eden.”
“Easy Eden?”
How many Eden’s did we know?
“Yeah.”
“Damn, dude. I know we’re having fun and all, but don’t you think you’re obsessing a little hard? If we’re going to do something about her, let’s do it and move on.”
I didn’t bother looking up. “And what would we do?”
Hunter leaned closer to peer at her picture. “I don’t know. Fuck her, I guess… She’s kinda hot.”
“I already told you, you don’t want to sleep with her. She’s got that smell.”
“So I’ll plug my nose.”
I glared in his direction, trying to remind myself he wasn’t challenging me. He didn’t know how deep my interest went. “Why would you want to fuck her after what she said about you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t hold grudges like you do. I’m kind of over it, and jealousy can be sexy on the right girl.” He bit his lip and nodded toward my phone. “I’m thinking there’s a few ways she can make it up to me.”
Jealousy. He actually believed Eden had accused him of rape out of jealousy. That’s what I’d told him, but still. Maybe he was stupid.
I flicked my gaze toward Jade. So was she. If I didn’t know her better, I might’ve felt sorry for her.
“No,” I said with finality, scrolling through her pictures once again.
He huffed and shook his head. “Whatever.” He jerked up from the chair and pulled his shirt off before diving into the pool, off to snatch his easy-as-fuck conquest.
I brought up Paige’s feed next and scrolled past the pictures of her and Trey, pausing when I reached the one of her and Eden the night of the party.
Paige’s smile was wide while Eden’s appeared more forced. They were polar opposites in the picture and in real life. Paige’s shoulder-length blonde hair was in spirals, while Eden’s was dark brown, almost black, and straight as a board down to the middle of her back. She wore it in a ponytail too much, almost every day, but not in the picture. Paige’s face was caked in make-up while Eden had a small trace of it. She didn’t need any of it. Her olive-toned skin was flawless.
She was beautiful. She hid it well beneath plain clothes and a quiet disposition, but I’d seen it. I couldn’t stop seeing it.
My phone screen blackened as I pushed the lock button. I stood and made my way for the door without telling anyone goodbye. Hunter called my name, but I was already halfway into the house and sliding the door shut.
Sherry was in the living room, sitting on the couch with a book in her hand. She glanced up from the page when she noticed me. “Leaving already?”
I nodded. “Homework.”
“It’s Friday.”
I shrugged and continued through the living room past her.
“Cam?” she called at my back.
I paused and glanced behind me. She was eyeing me like she knew something was wrong. She always could tell when something was wrong. Problem was, I couldn’t pinpoint it. It was another victorious night, another win. People would be patting me on the back all weekend. I should’ve been happy or proud or something other than this.
She gave me a small smile. “Drive safe, okay?”
I forced myself to return the smile before continuing out the door. It was another ten minutes before I was home and slamming my own entryway door. It rattled the windows and echoed in the large, empty space.
“I’m home,” I called to no one, just because I was in a weird mood. My parents were out. They wouldn’t be home for another hour or so.
I sighed and walked to the kitchen to grab a Gatorade from the fridge before stomping up the stairs. I flung the door to my room open and kicked it shut with the heel of my foot.
I was hoping for some sense of relief to come over me from no longer being around anyone. I could be me. I could be alone. This should’ve been my sanctuary, but instead, it was just a room.
My computer chair creaked as I sat in it and turned on the power button to the modem.
While I was waiting for it to boot, I scrolled through Eden’s feed one more time. Then I’d be done with it. All the pictures of her happy family were embedded into my mind by that point, but I stared at them anyway. My teeth ground together, and my chest constricted.
She’d rejected me.
I couldn’t fucking believe she’d rejected me.
I’d wanted her there, and I didn’t even know why I’d wanted her there. I’d resorted to threatening her because I wanted her there so badly.
And she still said no.
Instead of in my bed, she’s in hers.
She probably spent the evening playing board games with her family or watching movies or whatever the hell happy Hallmark card families did on Friday nights.
Equal amounts of respect and resentment flooded me, and after my computer finished loading, I got to work.
Eden Thompson was about to learn that I don’t bluff.
Chapter Seven
Eden
Nothing exploded over the weekend. No huge developments took place on social media, and Sebastian didn’t blow up my phone over some awful rumor being spread about me—not that he would’ve. I was feeling confident and a bit proud when I got to school on Monday. I flung my bag over
my shoulder after climbing out of my car, and I allowed myself to smile as I walked up on the jocks, my gaze aimed at Camden.
He didn’t appear as solemn as I would’ve liked, but I chalked it up to him having the whole weekend to soak in the fact that I wouldn’t bend to his every whim.
As I got closer, I noticed the looks were different this morning. There was less laughter and more smirks. A few gazes that looked almost… hungry?
Joshua held a phone in his outstretched hand and a hoard of guys stared at it and then flicked their gazes to me.
Leilani and her group just glared.
Camden pushed off the bench his foot was propped on and fell into step beside me. “Morning, babe.”
Huh?
“How was the rest of your weekend?”
The guys surrounding Joshua and his phone snickered and outright laughed.
“Um, the rest of my weekend?”
He nudged me and chuckled, tossing his friends a look. “Yeah, after Friday night. You had that thing at your grandparents’ house, didn’t you?”
Too much confusion swam in my mind to respond to that. My grandparents didn’t live in this state.
He pulled the door open and waved a hand to usher me through.
I wanted to walk past him and pretend I didn’t care about whatever the hell he was pulling, but dread-filled curiosity wouldn’t allow me.
What the hell is it now?
I paused midway and leaned in, flicking my gaze toward the jocks when laughter erupted. “What did you do?”
I didn’t bother asking what this was about. We both knew he’d retaliate from my not showing up to the game, it was just a matter of how bad he’d retaliate.
Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.
He smiled and placed a hand on my arm, caressing the material of my sweater. I jerked it from him and moved further inside, bullets gunning him down with my glare.
“Have a good day.” He gave me a wink and let go of the door, the metal slamming in front of my face a moment later.
