“I’m sorry Mom.”
Done making herself a ham and cheese sandwich she walked over to the breakfast bar and sat down across from me. “And this fight was all over Jaxson I assume?”
I nodded.
“Jaxson is who you were with all day?”
I nodded a second time, tears threatening to form in my eyes.
“We came here for a better life, but you’re already getting into fights over boys. You realize you’re lucky you weren’t charged with assault.”
“It was self-defense.” It was the best excuse I could come up with.
My mother’s eyes narrowed, and a scowl formed on her lips. “It’s only self-defense if there is no other resolution except to retaliate. With you wanting to be a lawyer you should know this.”
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have let you convince me to move here. People here aren’t the same. And I’m scared you’ve been thrown into waters you weren’t prepared for.”
“I can handle it, Mom. No more fights. Jaxson offered to have his dad fix it for me, but I told him no.”
“Why would you do a silly thing like that? Especially when it was his fault this nonsense even began in the first place.”
“Because I don’t want handouts. I can deal with this on my own. I need them at the school to know that I can be beaten down, that I’ll get back up and keep going. I can’t let them intimidate me.”
She looked down at the sandwich that she’d made herself but had yet to take a bite out of. “All right. I want you to keep up with your school work and this will never happen again. Are we clear.”
I nodded. “Yes, Mom. Crystal.”
“And you’re grounded until you go back to school. You won’t be leaving this house until that time.”
“Mom. Be reasonable.” I’d never been grounded in my life. A week seemed unnecessarily harsh.
“I am. Now go upstairs and get ready for bed.”
A part of me wanted to argue with her about it, but she was already angry and I was scared that the punishment would get worse if I pushed it. “Okay Mom.” I pushed my stool back and slid off. “I really am sorry.” Turning, my head hung in shame, I made my way from the kitchen.
I’d made it to the entryway when my mother called after me. Turning, I looked at her, catching her stare “Yes, Mom.”
“Before we moved here we were more than just mother and daughter, we were best friends and told everyone everything. I really hope this isn’t the start of the end of that between us, Keira.”
“It won’t be. I promise”
“We’ll see. Money can destroy people if you allow it.”
“I understand.” I turned away quickly, not being able to bear seeing that look in my mother’s eyes any longer and I raced from the room, down the corridor and up the stairs to my room.
Once in my room, I pulled my phone from my purse and turned it on. There was a message from Jaxson and suddenly I felt a tingle of happiness fighting to shine through the fog. Clicking onto the message a wide smile spread across my lips.
Sweet dreams, babes. Until tomorrow. ??
Chapter 12
Determined to not let myself or my mother down, I spent the entire day locked in my room with my textbooks in front of me, taking notes and memorizing key points. I was going to have the highest academic scores in the school, even if it killed me. I had to show my mother I hadn’t changed and I still had the same values and aspirations.
It wasn’t until suppertime that I ran out of steam and pushed the books away. I was mentally drained. My phone was on silent so I wouldn’t be tempted to spend the day texting. Grabbing my phone, I was about to check to see what was waiting for me when the chime of the doorbell echoed throughout the house.
Jaxson! I sprang from the bed like an Olympic athlete and took the stairs two at a time down the five flights. The bell had been rung two more times before I was able to finally twist the knob and yank the door open.
My smile faltered. It wasn’t Jaxson.
“Damien… Hi.”
Damien planted a hand on his hip and rolled his eyes. “Honey, if that’s the welcome I’m going to get then I’m just going to leave.”
Oh shit! “No, no I just thought you were someone else.” Reaching out to the only person who had really talked to me the other day at school, I pulled him into the house and closed the door. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“I may not be as pretty as your little boy toy, but hopefully I’ll do.”
“You’ll more than do. Come on in. Do you want something to drink?”
“You have any wine?”
I chewed at my bottom lip considering. “I think Mom has some wine in a box in the fridge…”
“Oh Lord. Honey you have so much to learn.”
“We’re not even of age.” I groaned inwardly. I couldn’t believe I’d said something so unsophisticated. Geez. What was wrong with me?
“And?” He gave his head a shake. “No matter. A soda will be fine then.”
“The kitchen is this way.” I’d have to get Mom to get some quality wine in the house. I’d read a glass of wine a day was good for your health, so…
“You’ve got a gorgeous house. Like, amazing. I feel like I’m in an empty museum.”
Empty museum? That didn’t sound like a compliment to me. “What do you mean?”
“I mean there’s no personality. You need to get some painting or sculptures… Or something. I can help you. Shopping is my second favorite thing.”
I looked at him with a questioning stare. “What’s the first?”
“If you don’t already know then you’re more virginal than I’ve given you credit for.”
“Oh…” Clearing my throat, I gestured toward the breakfast bar. “Take a seat, please. I’ll grab that soda and you can catch me up.”
He slid onto a stool and watched me as I grabbed two bottles of soda and sat down across from him, sliding one bottle over the counter and into his waiting hand.
“Thank you honey. Do you want the school gossip or the homework first?”
I laughed. “That’s a no-brainer. Gossip please. Did Trina have a big shiner?”
“She didn’t show up today, but I heard though the grapevine that she didn’t go because she couldn’t cover up the big bump on her face and black eye. She can’t be seen unless she’s perfect, as you may have already figured out.”
Grinning, I couldn’t help but be a little bit proud of myself—I wouldn’t tell my mom that though. Trina needed to be knocked down a notch or two.
“She’s going to be out for blood now. You’ve got a massive target on your back so be prepared next week.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I said just as much to reassure myself as to reassure him. “How did you know I was suspended for a week?”
Laughing, Damien opened his bottle of Coca-Cola. “News travels in that school. Secrets don’t last long, unless they’re well-guarded.”
That concerned me. Would they all eventually find out about my former trailer-park life? And would it be as big of a deal as Jaxson seemed to let on? I eyed Damien, unsure if I should trust him with my truth or not.
He took a drink from the bottle and sighed, giving his head a shake. “What’s your secret? I know you’re dying to tell someone.” He made a cross over his heart with his index finger. “You can trust me. I’m amazing with secrets. No one would have guessed I was gay until I came out of the closet last year.”
I gasped, my eyes widening in mock surprise. “You’re gay!”
“Bitch! You know I’m gay.” His blue eyes gleamed with humor. “I don’t hide anything anymore. It feels damned good. And in case you’re confused my father is black and my mother is white, which is why I have the blue eyes, but look black. I have a twin sister who won’t confuse you. She looks like our dad. If I decide I like you maybe I’ll introduce you.”
“Maybe?” I grinned. “You’re not sure if you like me
or not?”
“Meh, still deciding. Depends on this secret of yours.” He reached across the table and took my hand. “Serious though. You’ve got yourself in a big pile of donkey shit and you can use a friend or two on your side. I can’t stand the school hierarchy. Trina can suck my dick…. If I was into that, which I’m not. But if I was…”
“Oh my God.” I bowed my head into my hand and laughed. “Okay. Okay. Promise this doesn’t go beyond me and you.”
“Bitch, I already agreed to the secrecy thing.”
“We got our money from winning the Powerball. My mom and I come from a trailer park in Florida.”
His mouth dropped open as he stared at me in disbelief. “Get out of here! How much did you win?”
I cringed. “Almost a billion.”
“Fuck me! That’s insane!”
“Jaxson found out and says if the others in the school found out I’d never be accepted. Was he just saying that or is that true?”
“Honey, guard that secret with your life. At least until you’re the new Queen Bee. They’ll eat you up and spit you out. Greisbach Academy is about more than just money, it’s about linage and reputation. A lot of those bitches don’t have your money or live in a house close to this over-the-top near-palace, but they’re judgy assholes. DON’T TELL ANYONE ELSE!”
I picked at the plastic wrapper surrounding the bottle. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Finally, I looked up and caught his gaze. “Why aren’t you judging me?”
“You ask a lot of redundant questions.” He motioned to himself. “Gay. Half-black, half-white man with a twin that looks nothing like him. Baby, I got my own obstacles.”
“So you’re an outsider too?”
“Meh, they act like I don’t exist. Which is fine, I guess. Better to be ignored than tormented.”
“I’m in the other boat, aren’t I?”
“’Fraid so. Being with Jaxson cinched the deal for you. Even if you break up with him it won’t matter. The damage is done and the queen is out for blood. Hang onto him for dear life; he’s the only thing that’ll save you at that school at this point.”
Fuck my life, I groaned to myself. I was tempted to tell him about my arrangement with Jaxson but decided against it. There was only so much trust I was willing to unload in one day.
~*~ TT ~*~
By the time Damien had left I felt good about my friendship with him—and maybe I’d even get to be friends with his sister. By the sounds of it, I could use every ally I could get come next week. But one thing that disappointed me was that Jaxson hadn’t shown up. I’d expected to see him.
Remembering my phone was in my bedroom, I went upstairs to retrieve it. Perhaps he’d texted me wanting to get together and was waiting for me to reply. Unlocking my phone, I saw there were a few messages. A couple from old friends back in Florida and one from my mother saying she’d be home in a couple of hours; apparently she’d made a friend at work and they’d gone to a movie.
I then went to the messages I really wanted to read—those from Jaxon.
Hey, school is boring with you not here. Are you sure you don’t want my dad to make a call?
Trina wasn’t here today. You must have messed her up good, Slugger.
I rolled my eyes. God, I hope he didn’t decide to call me slugger in a regular basis, I’d have to curb that straight away.
Hey, I can’t drop in after school. You didn’t miss much work anyhow. I’ll chat with you tomorrow.
Frowning, my finger hovered over the screen unsure of how to respond. Do I reply in a nonchalant manner, or be flirty? Clucking my tongue off the roof of my mouth, I decided on nonchalant with a hint of flirty. How do I write that?
Blowing off your fake girlfriend already? :p You’re going to have to make it up to me.
I re-read the message a few times to ensure that it was the perfect mix of fun and flirty without being overbearing. I think I hit the mark. Though why it mattered so much was beyond me. We had a fun time at Coney Island. It really meant nothing.
My finger hit the send button and it was a done deal.
Looking down at the glowing screen I anticipated a response. After five minutes of waiting I realized there wasn’t going to be one any time soon.
Whatever. Doesn’t matter.
Regardless of what I told myself, deep down it did matter. I like him and I shouldn’t. He was blackmailing me, for crying out loud!
Chapter 13
Not a word from Jaxson since I texted last night. Throughout the day I kept checking my phone, because you never knew, sometimes phones broke. And there were always those odd cases where your settings would just mess up. But those weren’t the case here, Jaxson just wasn’t texting me.
Maybe I came off too odd yesterday? I thought the text was cool, but maybe not.
Plunking down in front of the television in the living room on the main floor, I grabbed the remote and began flicking through the channels, but my head wasn’t really in it.
My phone beeped and I nearly fell off the sofa attempting to grab the phone from the coffee table to see who it was. It was Damien. Dammit, I hated that it bothered me that it wasn’t Jaxson.
Your boytoy cutting class to get a little somein’ somein’ from you today?
I looked at the message a moment. Why hadn’t he gone to school?
No. He’s not in school? I typed back and waited on the reply.
Not that I’ve seen. He wasn’t in the cafeteria, but his crew was. If he was here he’d have been with them.
I tapped my newly manicured red fingernails on the top of the mahogany coffee table.
Jaxson was just across the street. He’d dropped by my place a couple of times without notice, why the hell couldn’t I make a house call as well? Fair was fair, right?
My phone beeped again.
You haven’t talked to him then? The magic is dying out already? LOL.
I laughed. What a jerk.
Bitch. The magic is in full force tyvm. I’m going over there right now. ttyl.
With my mind made up, I stuffed my phone in my back pocket as I stood. Taking a moment I did up my make-up—not a full face, just the basics to make me look like I took care of my appearance. Satisfied I looked as good as I could without seeming as though I was putting in a big effort, I left my house and ran across the street as soon as there was break in the traffic.
My heart was racing as I approached the large set of double doors.
Don’t be silly, just ring the buzzer, a voice in the back of my head urged.
“Here goes nothing,” I whispered under my breath as I pressed the buzzer. Almost immediately the door was opened to reveal a tall, lean, balding man in a butler’s uniform.
He looked down at me, his face expressionless. “Can I help you?”
Stuffing my hands into my back pockets of my jeans I rocked back on my heels. “Umm. I’m looking for Jaxson.”
“And you are?”
“Keira. Keira Rigby.” Why did I feel like I was about to be interrogated? “From across the street.”
“One moment, miss.”
The butler pulled a phone from the inside pocket of his vest and a few seconds later was talking to who I presumed to be Jaxson.
“I have a young lady at the door. Her name is Keira Rigby and she asking to see you.” There was a paused. A long, excruciating pause. “Yes. Okay. I see. I’ll let her know.”
Damn. While I didn’t hear the other end of the conversation the expression on the butler’s face didn’t seem any more friendly. He was going to send me away.
“Mr. Jaxson is feeling under the weather right now so he can’t come down to greet you.”
My heart sank. So much for that. Was he really sick or was he just blowing the girl from the trailer park off? It was a stupid, stupid idea to come over here. “I see. Thank you for checking.”
As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me. “He said if you’d like to go up to his room, he’d enjoy your company. He just won’t have a l
ot of time; he’s quite tired.”
Grinning, I nodded. “Sure. Yeah.”
“Come on in.” He backed away from the doorway and waved me in. “To your left is the elevator to take to Mr. Jaxson’s room. He’s on the fourth floor. When you exit the elevator, turn left.”
Entering the house, I removed my shoes and then went directly to the elevator—barely looking at my surroundings—and pushed the button, partially afraid that the butler would change his mind and kick me out. “Thank you,” I called over my shoulder.
“Don’t mention it miss.” And just like that he was gone.
The elevator dinged and the doors soundlessly slid open. Stepping inside, I pressed the button for the fourth floor and the doors slid closed. As the elevator made its ascent, I fussed with my hair in the interior mirror, which surrounded me on three walls. I personally didn’t need to see myself from three angles, but to each their own.
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Taking a deep breath in, I slowly released it and stepped off—immediately turning left. The hallway leading to Jaxson’s room was a deep burgundy color with pretty golden mock candles illuminating the corridor, while the floor was a mosaic look, with the tiles making intricate mandala patterns. It must have taken a long time to have the tiles arranged so beautifully.
At the end of the hallway, I came to a closed door and knocked.
“Come in,” Jaxson called out, though his voice didn’t have the force I normally expected.
Grabbing the knob, I gave it a twist and opened the door, walking in. My eyes immediately spotted Jaxon in a massive California King bed. He was under a navy colored comforter but was sitting up. His upper body was bare, with the exception of a bandage just above his abs. My mouth dropped open when I saw the bruises that spotted his chest and the large gash over his eye. I couldn’t even focus on his magnificent sculpted chest and hard, toned muscular abdominals.
Not thinking to close the door, I ran over to the bed and was about to give him a hug when he put his hands up stopping me.
“No. Please. You can hug me, but be careful; the doc said I have a fractured rib.”
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