by Nora Cobb
Quickly, I follow Beth along the dimly lit wall. Beth gasps, and I see Anthony by a table near the bar. He looks like an emo boy reject from the nineties. Lose the trend, loser. He’s so intent on what he’s doing that he doesn’t notice us. Anthony takes a plastic bag out of his jacket pocket and shakes powder into a drink on a table.
I shake my head in disbelief and walk over. After everything that has happened, he’s trying that old trick? My fist clenches tight, and my nails bite into the palms of my hands. I’m going to string him up like a piñata and punch him around the room like a party game.
“Lange, majoring in chemistry?” I ask.
Anthony’s bent head rises as he eyes us in the dim light. Beth stands behind me with her hands on her hips, and her lips pressed together. She is ready to be my backup, and any sane person wouldn’t want Beth to drag them into a dark corner. Beth steps to the side, blocking us out of view from the dance floor.
I reach out and grab a fistful of his weird T-shirt with a laughing skull on the front. It’s a freaking bridal shower, dude. I shake him silly until he drops the plastic baggie on the table, spilling the crushed white powder on the clean tablecloth.
He grabs at my arm and tries to speak. “It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think, Lange?” I hiss. “Tell me fast.”
“It’s just sugar. I crushed up a sugar pill.”
I scowl at that craziness. “Why would you add powdered sugar to a drink? Do you think I was born under a rock?”
“Listen,” he gulps in air as I let go of his shirt, curious to hear his lame excuse. “Arielle told me to roofie Lucas. I didn’t want to do it.”
Beth swings around. “What does that even mean?” she asks. “Why are you doing Arielle’s dirty work? Why are you even here?”
Beth is feisty, because Anthony gives her a filthy look that would’ve made a lesser person slink away. But he’s messing with the A-crowd. Anthony shakes his head and turns away from her, but I want to hear an explanation. I want confirmation of the worst scenario I’m thinking of happening.
“Answer her,” I bark, “And do it fast.”
Anthony looks at me with fearful eyes. He knows I’m aching to hit him. “Arielle wants to trap Lucas,” he replies in quick breaths. “She knew I had what she needed, so she offered me a free trip. She wants sex from him.”
“You mean you want sex from her,” Beth corrects him. “I hope she put out first because you’re going to be disappointed ... again.”
I smirk as Anthony glares menacingly at Beth. I know Arielle so well, and she’ll use her credit card before she uses the sex card.
“If it’s sugar like you say, then drink it.” I demand, placing the glass directly in front of Anthony. The liquid sways around the glass as we all eye it with anticipation. “Prove to me that it’s sugar, and I won’t beat seven shades of shit out of you.”
“I’m telling you the truth!” he shouts in frustration. “It’s a sugar pill.”
“And I’m supposed to just believe you because you’re one of the good guys?”
“Wait.” We both turn our attention to Beth. “Before you make him drink that, I have a question. Why do you not want to give Lucas a roofie?”
Anthony sighs. “Out of all you pinheads at that snob school, Lucas has been one of the few people who acts decently toward me.”
That’s true. I shrug my shoulders, pick up the glass, and hand it to Anthony anyway. “Bottoms up, Lange,” I smirk.
He drinks it all down without stopping for a breath. Anthony wipes the back of his mouth on his arm and belches to prove the point. I shake my head at his lame-ass bravado.
Beth steps next to me. “How long does it take to work?”
“Not long,” I reply. “Let’s entertain ourselves with a few more questions. What is Arielle really giving you?”
The corners of Anthony’s mouth lift in a hideous grin that mimics his T-shirt. His lips are wet from the drink. “The same thing she offered you once upon a time.”
“Gross,” Beth grimaces. “What is wrong with you guys?”
We don’t answer her. I don’t want to admit that I used Arielle, and not much happened. Let Anthony figure that out on his own.
I start in on him again. “I don’t want you here fucking things up for everyone.” I mean Natalie, but I don’t want to share that with Anthony, or even Beth. My feelings for Natalie are too new, and I’m not sure where I stand with her. “If I see you loitering around here again, Lange, I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp.”
We glare at Anthony as he makes his way over to the exit doors. We watch him slinking along, and I speak to Beth. “Hey, do me a favor and don’t mention this to Natalie until after the party.”
“You’re the boss. And I agree with your thinking. Besides, I don’t want to be the messenger, or have anything to do with Anthony’s toxic aura anymore.” Beth places a hand on my arm with a gentle touch that surprises me. “You did good, Troy. Now, let’s try to have some fun.”
I thought Beth still hates me for all the crap I put Natalie through, but I guess she noticed I’ve been less of an asshole lately. I smile at her, but before I can say something kind in return, Beth’s smile fades off her face fast.
“What the fuck?” she mutters.
I turn in time to see Arielle enter the ballroom.
CHAPTER 13
Natalie
The drink almost slips out of my fingers. I only caught a glimpse of Troy, Beth, and Anthony speaking on the opposite side of the room, and then Anthony drank something down. He walks out with his chin in the air, and then Arielle walks in. They barely glance at each other, but he hands her something. I’m certain of that.
Beth disappears into the crowd on the dance floor, but a tense Troy glares in Arielle’s direction. I excuse myself from the conversation and head toward him. It’s weird; a few months ago, I’d have beaten a path through the thickest jungle to get away from Troy. Things have changed as I move quickly toward him through people elbow-to-elbow on the dance floor. Instead of seeking out Jacob or Lucas, I rush to Troy for answers.
“What just happened?” I ask him.
His expression is questioning as he stares into my eyes, long and hard. I wonder if Troy even heard me, but then he takes my hand, and we walk toward the door. In the hallway, we say nothing as we walk side by side toward the tall glass windows that face the beach. I have to skip and run to keep up with his long stride. Troy holds my hand, but I don’t mind. I don’t shrink from his touch the way I would have once. The pressure on my hand steadies my nerves as I wait for him to explain.
“Anthony was here, and he was messing with Lucas’ drink.”
I yank my hand out of his and place it against my lips in shock.
Troy reaches out and holds my shoulders, calming me the best he can with his words. “It’s okay. It was a sugar pill, and I made Anthony drink it to prove it.”
For a moment, I stare at him and his deep blue eyes turns soft as he stares back at me. His forehead creases with worry. He’s concerned about how I’ll react, but instead of anger, I start to laugh.
“You made him drink it?” I gawk.
He nods.
“That’s brilliant. Was Anthony telling the truth? Was it a sugar pill?”
Troy’s stiff stance relaxes as a broad smile breaks across his handsome face. “He downed it in one swallow, the wannabe doughboy.”
“Thank you, Troy.” On my tiptoes, I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. My feelings have changed. Instead of feeling threatened by Montlake’s bully, I feel protected.
Troy turns his head and gazes into my eyes for only a second before his mouth presses against mine. His touch is soft and questioning if I would ever accept him. Now, it feels right. Timidly, I press my lips into his further. I give him permission to turn an innocent kiss into more.
Troy’s mouth presses hard, and his mouth parts my lips as he holds me. My tongue meets his in a delicious tangle. I reach up and wrap my arms arou
nd his neck. Troy’s breath warms the side of my cheek as he nuzzles my neck.
I pull back a moment to sigh but lean in again. That electric feeling starts when Troy’s fingers glide down along my waist, stopping at my hips. I press my body against the length of his hard muscles.
“Natalie,” he sighs in my ear, “I’ll be good. I’ll treat you right this time.”
His arms wrap around my waist as he leans back against the glass wall. I doubt the glass is fragile, but it feels dangerous against the glass as our kiss intensifies. The electricity tingles through my heated body as I dare to take the plunge with him. I shrank away from those feelings when I found out and ignored the way my body responded to his, but it’s different now. The distrust and fear are gone. I want him.
“What a slut.”
The nasty words part us, and Arielle’s beside Lexi, watching us outside the ballroom doors. They both have judging looks on their faces, and Arielle’s body is moving back and forth. Her eyes are unfocused and wild with alcohol.
“She emptied out the mini-bar,” Lexi explains to Troy. “I was trying to get her back upstairs.”
Arielle glares at Lexi, as her mouth twists cruelly. Lexi takes a quick step back out of harm’s way. Arielle’s favorite follower is about to be chewed out. Though I’m indifferent toward Lexi now, I feel sorry for anyone on Arielle’s radar. Lexi takes another step back as the door opens, and Lucas steps out.
“Your girl slut has found someone new.” Arielle smiles triumphantly. “She’s out here, sucking face with your boy, Troy.”
Troy scowls at Arielle for turning something innocent into something corrupt. But Lucas shrugs his shoulders calmly.
“I’m married to you, dear,” he replies indifferently. “Please remember that. You wanted this.”
Arielle takes a step back as if she was slapped with sarcasm. “That slut has been going after all the guys that I’ve dated. This proves she’s up to something. First you, and now, Troy.”
Lexi steps close to Lucas. “She’s been drinking,” she whispers.
“Shut up, Lexi. You’re so stupid,” Arielle hisses as Lucas steps between them. Her attention is off Lexi and back on Lucas. “Now that I finally have you again, Lucas, she’ll come after you and break us apart.”
“Arielle, if I cheat on you, I lose everything.” He grabs her upper arm and holds her steady. “It’s in the clause, so calm down. Let’s go upstairs and watch television.”
“You’ll be nice to me?” she asks with pleading eyes.
“I’ll sit beside you until you fall asleep.”
Arielle wraps an arm over Lucas’ shoulder, and he guides her toward the elevator. He looks behind his shoulder, and I want to say something. I want to explain, but obviously, I must wait. I stand there with my hands clenching, desperate to communicate with him. The elevator doors open, and before he steps on, Lucas looks over. He smiles at me and mouths the words, I love you.
CHAPTER 14
Arielle
When I wake up, he’s long gone. Lucas doesn’t sleep in the same bed with me, which is ridiculous. The king-sized bed in the honeymoon suite can hold six adults comfortably, but he stays on the couch curled up tightly in a knot. I’ve given up on him consummating our marriage willingly. Last night, I had a foolproof plan that should have worked, but it failed for a list of reasons—mostly because I asked a fool to help me execute it.
Last night, Anthony passed me the empty baggie as proof that he’d slipped the roofie into Lucas’ drink. But nothing happened to Lucas. He was clearheaded and cold as usual as he helped me to bed. I made a play for him, of course, grabbing his shirt and pulling it out of his pants. But he pushed my hands away. He wouldn’t let me touch him. Not even for a blow job, and I know Lucas loves those. He loved mine in the back seat of his Camaro. They used to make his eyes roll into the back of his head.
But he isn’t even looking for them now, which is stupid. And then the other reason why it failed was my own stupid fault, I hate to admit. It kills me to admit it, but the constant rejection from a guy that once found me so hot is taking its toll on my confidence. My confidence was unshakable. I could walk into a classroom, smile, and the boys would come running. I suppose they still would, but I’m not so sure.
I reach for my phone on the bedside table to check the time. It’s after eleven in the morning. My head feels as if it’s been twisted off and glued back on with a hot-glue gun. Fuck. I toss the sheet off me and stumble toward the bathroom, reaching for my robe. The mini-bar is empty after supplying me with liquor courage last night, and the effects of drinking are plain to see on my puffy face.
I gasp as I look into the bathroom mirror at my red-rimmed eyes and tangled hair. It’s a mess. I’m a mess. I yank off my wedding ring, the one I insisted my mother buy, and fling it across the tiles. It lands under the toilet, and it can stay there for all I fucking care. I want Lucas, and Natalie Page has no business trying to steal what is rightfully mine. But Lucas had to fall for that trashy bitch. He refuses to admit that it’s a phase. It’s just a phase, trying out something new before we settle down. I did it, but I came back. It’s time for him to come back too.
Pulling the robe tight around my sore body, I go back to the bedroom and fling myself down on the bed. A sob rips out of me as images from last night scroll across my mind. Natalie, and then Cora both told me to leave.
I had more right to be there than she did. And then Cora talked to me as if I was a child. Fuck her. I should have flung the ceramic cup at her for being a bitch. Last night, I looked monstrous, but none of it was my fault. If only people knew the true Natalie. How she’s trying to take everything away from me.
“Call Daddy!” I shout at the phone, and it springs to life.
My father answers, “How’s Miami, sweetie?”
“It sucks. Lucas is still acting up.”
The line is quiet as my father organizes his thoughts, trying to figure out the right thing to say. I know what my daddy is thinking. I shouldn’t have married Lucas. At first, Daddy thought Lucas was reluctant to get married to anyone, but Lucas had a duty to marry. We all do. Daddy thought it was cold feet. He had no clue that Lucas had been seduced by a whore who still has her talons in him.
“Arielle, I’m sorry you aren’t having a better time,” says Daddy cautiously, “Perhaps, you and Lucas should move in with us.”
Daddy has to be on dope if he thinks I’m moving back into that house. Why? So, he can tell me I rushed into the wrong marriage, and I should annul it before there’s a child? I have to appeal to Daddy’s other love ... money.
“Daddy, I need to review the fidelity clause.”
Another silence. Daddy speaks, but he doesn’t dare ask any indelicate questions. “Okay, if you think that is needed, we can review it now.”
By the time we hang up, I have another plan. If I can’t tempt Lucas into bed, I’ll get him to surrender another way. It’s obvious that he agreed to the marriage to save his parents’ hide. Well, he’ll have to consummate our marriage if he wants to protect their wealth again. I’ll back him into a corner and prove that he’s cheating on me. And after I prove it, I’ll forgive him only if he gives me a child.
The aspirin is in the mini-bar, and I drink it down with tap water from the bathroom sink. The maid knocks loudly for the third time on the door. I have things to do, like look great. I don’t have time for her to clean a room. I shout through the door and tell her to go the fuck away and leave me alone. She mumbles loud enough to be heard as she rolls her squeaky cart away.
“Call AL,” I shout at the phone, and like a trained pet, Anthony’s at my door in five minutes.
“What took you so long?” I ask as he walks in. His eyes bug as he looks at my body under my skimpy silk robe. The outline of my hot pink panties is visible through the thin fabric. My matching bra is draped over the overstuffed chair where I left it. I do clean up nicely after a hot shower, and I feel his eyes on my ass as I walk toward the couch, beckoning him over
.
He’s such a horny fool. He practically trips over his feet to sit down beside me.
“What happened last night?” I ask, letting my robe fall open slightly.
Anthony fidgets beside me, and I can’t help but feel a tingle as I see a bulge rise in his dark jeans. I haven’t had that in a while. I look up sharply and focus on his eyes.
“I guess he didn’t drink it. I put it in his glass.”
“Lucas went out later last night,” I lie. “And when he came back, he had no interest in me.” I sigh, letting my chest rise up and down.
With a slack mouth, Anthony watches every move my body makes. “I don’t know why he’d have done that,” he mutters.
