Nothing. I put it down and turned my back to it. Yeah that would show it.
I lasted about five minutes, I turned around and picked the phone up.
No new messages.
I put it down again and finally closed my eyes.
Despite my intense disappointment the night before, I slept well. I checked the phone first thing but there had been no more messages. I was slightly embarrassed. I’d kind of put myself out there and he hadn’t said anything.
It was frustrating, he couldn’t send messages like that and then not reciprocate when I sent a message like that in return.
Pushing the thought from my head I got up.
I went grocery shopping.
As I wandered the aisles, I thought about Jay and this party he’d invited me too. I had to come to a decision. I needed to stop with Jay. It wasn’t fair. He wasn’t who I wanted and he was a sweet guy. He shouldn’t be second choice.
I had walked to the store, so it was with a feeling of regret that I loaded up the three full bags and started the trek home.
The city was quiet but then I remembered the Buffs were playing at home today. I hadn’t been to a school game yet. I really should. It was poor school spirit.
At home I unpacked and put my groceries away. It was still unseasonably warm out for mid-October. However, they had been talking about the weather front coming in promising the onset of fall.
Proper fall. Not blistering heat as the leaves dropped.
In the afternoon, I cleaned. Then it was homework. I was a bit ahead now, but I was happy with the head start. I felt on top of things for the upcoming assignments.
My phone beeped. I reached for it.
Jay: Hey, didn’t hear back from you last night, you ok for tonight?
Oh, damn it, I had forgotten he had texted.
Me: Um, sure. Where will we be going?
Jay: Party. Do me a favour don’t tell the terrible twosome?
I felt a little bit guilty.
Me: Course not. Text me the address though, I’ll meet you there?
There was a long silence.
Jay: Sure, at work will send it later, Aaron’s eyeballing me
Growling under my breath I had a few choice words to say about Tattoo Neck. I went for my shower just before 5:00 and then made myself a nice dinner.
I used the hairdryer to style my hair and I took care with what I wanted to wear. Jeans definitely. My black skinny ones had been worn recently and I hadn’t washed them yet. I found an old pair of dark grey ones with rips in the knees and pockets. I searched for a black vest top, it was tight fitting but comfortable. I tossed it on top of the jeans.
I looked at all the clothes I had and with a pang of regret I thought of the clothes in the other house. However, I recalled the girls from the bar and what they had been wearing, I needed a grungier look if I wanted to fit in.
Gritting my teeth with determination, I dug deep into my closet. I found an old running top I used to wear in high school. It was a drop armhole, racerback shirt. It was deep purple, I’d forgotten I had it. I loved it. It was long enough to cover my ass.
I found nice black underwear, I wanted a nice bra strap to show, not my tatty old reliable bra.
The phone beeped with the address. I made the decision and forwarded the message to Corey.
Me: Please don’t tell them, but if you don’t hear from me every half hour, send Matt?
Corey instantly replied.
Corey: I don’t like it
Me: I’m overreacting. But...
Corey: If you’re worried maybe you shouldn’t go?
Me: I have to do this.
Corey: I understand. I’ll have my phone on me all night. Be safe.
Me: Thank you for understanding x
I got dressed and for once, actually applied eyeshadow, liner and mascara. I didn’t go mad, but it was more than I usually did.
The phone beeped. Jay. I was to be there in 30 minutes. Could I get him from the shop?
Ugh. That meant possibly seeing Tattoo Neck. Sighing I agreed.
I drove to the shop and waited. I looked anxiously for any sign of Jay. I sent out a quick text telling him I was outside. I looked up and Tattoo Neck was at my window. I screeched.
He was laughing. My heart was pounding.
“You scared the crap out of me,” I muttered as I opened the window.
He grinned. “Thought you and your boys were done here.”
“We are. I am just here for Jay,” I snapped.
He frowned. “Jay?” He looked confused.
“Yes. You know, your brother.”
“Why?”
I shook my head. “Why am I talking to you? Go away.”
“Arielle, why are you here for Jay?” he demanded.
“We’re going to a party,” I muttered. I looked at him. He was confusing me. He actually looked concerned. I started to pay more attention.
“Where?” He slammed his hand against my car door making me jump again. “Jesus Arielle, tell me.”
I showed him the address on my phone. His face shut down.
“Don’t tell him you spoke to me,” he called out as he walked away.
What the fuck was that about?
I watched Tattoo Neck disappear around a corner and when I looked back Jay was walking out of the yard. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt and dark torn jeans that looked like they hugged in all the right places. He had a silver chain running from the front to back pocket. He had his normal black bike boots on. His hair was loose and my fingers itched in remembrance of the feel of it.
His grin was slow and sexy. Stop it, you’re not picking him remember.
He climbed into my Mini. He reached over and brushed my lips with his.
“Man, you look hot” he commented appreciatively, I flushed.
“Whose party are we going to?” I asked as I looked at him, his smile dimmed a little and his eyes hardened slightly.
He sighed. “Does it matter? All that matters are that they are friends of mine.”
I searched his face, he looked back then that lazy smile was back and he leaned over. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to, we can go back to your place.”
“I’m good to go to the party,” I responded as I started the car. I decided not to tell him about his brother. I don’t know why but I decided to keep quiet about that.
We drove out of Boulder heading south to Superior, we weren’t that far from the city before he told me to turn off and I followed his directions to a house. There were plenty of cars out front, it was the last house on a street of identical single storey houses.
I parked a little ways down the road so I could manoeuvre safely out when I needed to leave. The street was dark even with the street lighting.
Jay tugged me into his side and we walked up to the house. We went through the front door and I entered a cloud of marijuana smoke.
I wasn’t an idiot or a prude. Colorado had legalised marijuana a few years ago, it was perfectly legal to smoke it, I just chose not to. The guys were the same, they respected the right to do so, but it wasn’t for us.
Jay greeted some guy, who instantly unnerved me with his tattoos and piercings. The guy handed his smoke to Jay who took a big hit.
This was a bad idea coming here, I needed to leave.
I started to pull away from Jay’s side, but his arm tightened around me. He handed the joint back to piercings and looked down at me.
“Calm down darling, you’re fine, I need a drink,” he slipped his arm from around my shoulders and grabbed my hand pulling me to the kitchen.
I kept my head down as we made our way there. I didn’t want to catch anyone’s eyes or attention. The party had loud music, which was fine, but it had a tense atmosphere, I was not comfortable here.
The kitchen was packed. Jay shouted out greetings to several people and a lot of fist bumps and bro hugs ensued. He never once let go of me, I think he knew I was going to run.
He glanced dow
n at me and chuckled. “Relax, no one’s going to bite you,” his eyes darkened, “except me that is,” he planted a kiss on my lips. I moved my head away. I wasn’t interested in being bitten by anyone.
“What do you want to drink?” He asked as he smirked at me.
“Water please. Bottled.”
He groaned and tugged me into his arms to face him. “Darling, what’s wrong?”
I looked around, there were more than a few people watching him, watching us. I didn’t want the attention. I smiled at him.
“Nothing, I just want water, driving remember?” I teased. He smiled and dipped his head again and I let him kiss me again.
He turned to get me a water and himself a beer when I noticed a few faces I recognised. They were glaring at me. One in particular was coloured several shades of purple and with a sinking realisation I realised this was almost certainly the guy that Colton had gotten to mid-week.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I was in trouble.
I tugged Jay’s hand and got his attention. He looked at me and I reached up to whisper to him. His eyes flicked up to the group of guys and he looked surprised to see them.
He handed me my water and then pulled me back into his side, we left the kitchen and he led me to a hallway. It was crowded and he started walking me up it to another room.
“Ok I didn’t know they were going to be here,” he started.
“I want to go,” I interrupted.
“We just got here, it’ll be fine. Trust me those guys aren’t going to do anything when I am here. Your boy got Gerry good, did you see his face?” Jay laughed out in disbelief. “God that guy can fight,” he added almost wistfully.
“You seem to appreciate Colton fighting an awful lot,” I muttered.
“He made us good money,” Jay replied sharply.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he sighed, “look if you want, we can leave.”
“Yes. I want to go,” I sighed. “You can stay, you don’t need to come with me,” I offered.
“No, I’ll come with,” he lowered his head and nuzzled my neck, “we can have some quality time alone.” My stomach lurched. Yeah, that wasn’t happening.
Just then the door from the kitchen opened and bruised face and a buddy came into the hallway. I noticed them and tensed.
Another door opened and a girl stumbled out of the toilet.
“I need the bathroom,” I murmured to Jay indicating the door.
He nodded and I disappeared inside and was relieved to find that the door locked.
I leaned my head against it and closed my eyes.
What the hell was I doing here?
I reached into my purse and grabbed my phone. I needed out.
I looked at my phone. No, I couldn’t bring them here. They had been through enough with me, it was my own fault I was here. They had told me, but oh no, I was stubborn.
Idiot.
I washed my hands. I took a few breaths, I would say goodbye and then I was out of there.
I opened the door, the hallway was still packed but I didn’t see Jay. He’d left me? Of course, he had.
Growling in frustration I headed for the other door that wasn’t the kitchen, I wasn’t going back in there. Hopefully this led to the front room where the main door was.
It didn’t, it led out back, where there were more people gathering, smoking. The tangy smell of marijuana was overpowering. Yeah, I wasn’t going out there either.
I turned back and headed to the hallway again. I saw bruised face walking along the corridor. He was easy to spot, he was massive and was coloured purple, I ducked into a nearby door. A closet.
Fantastic.
“Be quick she’s in the fucking bathroom,” Jay growled. I opened the door a crack to see him standing beside bruised face.
“Maybe she’s calling them?” The big guy suggested. What was his name? Gerry?
I heard Jay snort, “What scared he’s going to get you again? I can’t believe you spiked her drink. Fuckwit.”
“C’mon man, I told you I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to give it all to her. I fucked up, I’m sorry.”
My heart was racing, I was going to be sick. He did know, I was such an idiot. I needed to apologise to Colton.
“Well what do you think she’s doing in there? She’s taking a long time. Maybe she’s climbed out the window?’ Gerry suggested.
“Nah, she wouldn’t, I got this in the bag. She was as irritated as I was last night that they turned up. Nah, she wants to fuck, look at the way she’s dressed.”
I gasped in revulsion. Thankfully I don’t think they heard me.
“I know she’s fucking hot man, but do you really want to fuck her? That Colton guy’s fucking insane,” Gerry said.
“She is hot, and he’s absolutely hung up on her,” I heard Jay chuckle. “They cost me a lot of money not fighting this weekend or ever again. It hurt my pocket. You know I don’t like people fucking with my pocket.”
His pocket?
“I’m gonna hurt that rich prick where it hurts him. I’m going to fuck his girl. Hard. Then when I’m done with her, I’m going to break her,” I saw him smile at his buddy, Gerry. “Then when she’s breaking, and he knows I did that to her and she’s a mess, then…” Jay’s smile became twisted, “then, he’ll be hit where it hurts him.”
I backed up in horror. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was Jay?
“You think you can do it?” Gerry asked.
Jay snorted. “She’s begging for it and I’m more than happy to give it to her.”
Gerry laughed. He had an awful snorting laugh and I clutched my stomach. Shit Shit Shit. I was in deep shit.
“You’re a cold-hearted bastard Jay,” he said admiringly.
“You better believe it, c’mon, before she comes out and sees us. I have to remember to be sweet and caring,” he laughed as they walked away.
I was trembling. How could I have been so stupid? Colton had seen it, he’d told me that night in my room at their house. He’d told me that there was no way that Jay was innocent. Oh my God, I was playing into his hands continuing to see him – he wasn’t interested in me, it had all been a lie. He was only here now because Colton and the others weren’t fighting anymore. That’s why he came to the house that day, not for me – but to hurt Colton – and I, like an idiot, had fallen for it.
Good God, I needed out of here, before he saw me again. No. I wasn’t letting him win.
I opened the closet door another crack and then seeing the coast was clear, I headed back down towards the hallway. As I passed the bathroom door it opened and I was staring straight at Corey.
Corey took one look at me, grabbed my hand and pulled me in. She locked the door.
“Oh my God Corey,” I hugged her.
“What is it, what’s happened? Oh my God Ari, you’re shaking.” She hugged me tight.
“Who are you with?” I asked.
They were all here, she explained. Colton had come down to the cinema room where she, Matt and Connor had been and told them to get ready. Theo had been getting ready for a date, but Colton told him to cancel. He’d then told them they were coming here.
She admitted she wasn’t sure who told him, she swore it wasn’t her. By the time they got here, Theo and Matt looked as pissed as Colton did. Colton had told them all to stick together and not get involved with anyone.
“I don’t like it here Ari,” she confessed.
I smiled a little as she used my nickname again. It felt right. I quickly filled her in on the events of the last week between me and Jay. Corey’s eyes were saucers and then they narrowed.
“He wants to use you?” she asked.
I nodded. I was more than a little ashamed and I looked away.
She tugged my hand making me look at her again. “Hey, this is ok. We can use this,” she started pacing. “Right, well he is a complete dick with a capital D,” she looked over at me and nodded. I grinned at her.
“Well, we hit him where it hurts. In front of all his homies,” she concluded. I was pretty confident she had never said ‘homies’ before in her life.
“How?” I was sitting on the toilet seat, I felt exhausted.
“We hit him in the dick,” she replied. I looked at her incredulously.
“You want me to get close enough to punch him?” I frowned. “As much as I would love to, I don’t want to be that close to him.” I shuddered.
“No. We hit his ego. He sounds like he has a massive one. We’re going to hit his ego in front of all his boys.” She was nodding like a mad woman, as she rummaged in her purse.
“Can’t we just leave?” I asked.
She whipped her head up to me. “Stop running Ari. Stand up and fight for what you want,” she snapped.
Wow. Corey was hardcore.
“Sorry,” I muttered. She pulled me to my feet. She assessed my outfit. It received a nod of approval.
“Ok we need to sex you up.”
“What?” I took a step backwards.
“Don’t be a baby.”
Within minutes, I had more eyeliner on and my lips were glossed to within an inch of their life. Then she rolled my tight black tank top up, so it bared my skin. She asked me – out of courtesy I assume – as she didn’t wait for an answer; how attached I was to my top. Before I could answer, she ripped the front of it.
She turned me to the mirror. Ok, I thought I looked grungy before, Corey had made me hot. She had made slight changes, but because of the drop arm overshirt, my skin was now visible when I moved. The tear to the racer back top, showed off my cleavage. She mussed my hair up. My eyes were dark and smokey, making my steel grey eyes pop.
She whistled under her breath, “Yes. This will get attention.”
She typed out a message on her phone.
“Right when you go out. Find Jay, the guys are in the main room at the front, so is he, I’ve checked. I want you to walk up to Jay and then head to one of the guys,” she instructed. “Then I need you to make out with whoever you pick like your life depended on it. Not Connor…obviously.”
My eyes flicked to her in surprise. She was nodding. “Yeah, he wants to break you, he wants to boast to his friends. Well, you show him and his friends that you played him.”
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