Hollow (Hollow Point #1)

by Teresa Mummert

  “I’ll never admit to that,” I warned before letting out a small laugh. “It will ruin my reputation.”

  “Why didn’t you stay in Cali?”

  “Question for a question? I didn’t have a choice. My mom…” I shook my head, forcing the memories of her to the back of my mind. “When my parents split up, it got a little crazy.”

  “I know it’s selfish of me, but I’m glad you came.” His smile was genuine, and I had to look away in the much too quiet kitchen.

  “Greta mentioned you leaving. Where are you going?”

  He blew out a heavy sigh before shaking his head. “It’s a long story.”

  “I have time.”

  “That’s the thing. I’m not sure how much I have. I need to make sure everything is right here if I do have to go.”

  “This have anything to do with your friends?”

  He shrugged, shaking his head. “I told you, I don’t have any friends.”

  “Fine. Hypothetically speaking, where would you go?”

  He shrugged. “Anywhere but here.”

  “Lame.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “Where would you go?”

  “If I was you? Maybe Vegas.”

  “Not my scene. Where would you go?”

  “I’ve always wanted to see the palace of Versailles in France. Maybe hang out on the beaches.”

  “Why don’t you go? I mean, it’s not like you can’t afford it.”

  “I might after graduation.” I reached for my bottle, knocking it over, causing the water to spill out over the marble surface.

  “Shit,” I groaned as I grabbed the bottle.

  Knox grabbed a decorative towel from the sink area and quickly began to soak up my mess. His eyebrows pulled together as I tossed the bottle into the trash.

  “What is it?”

  “You tell me.” He turned to face me, holding up a tiny plastic baggy with pills inside. “Where the hell did you get this?”

  “T-that’s not mine,” I croaked, reaching for it but he pulled his arm back before I could grab it. My face flushed with humiliation.

  “Now I know why you couldn’t sleep. I don’t think your reputation is in any danger, Princess.”

  I groaned, sinking back down on my heels. “It’s not what it looks like.” I shook my head, a nervous laugh escaping me as I thought about Ezra giving me that stupid envelope. I wanted to kill him.

  “Really? Because it looks like you dropped your baggie of party favors.”

  “No. I mean, yes. That is what it looks like, but I can explain.”

  “Don’t bother. I think I’ve had enough of story time.” He shoved the baggie in his pocket before he turned, angrily storming out of the kitchen.

  “Ezra gave it to me. I was going to bring it down to give it back to him! Wait,” I called out as he reached the stairs. He paused but didn’t bother looking back at me. “Are you going to tell Tatum?”

  “Why do you care?”

  “Because she… she actually likes me. Are you going to tell her?”

  He shook his head before looking up the dark staircase. Then his eyes locked on to me, cold and unwavering. “No need to. The deal still stands. I want you out of her life.” He continued up the steps leaving me alone in the kitchen.

  Knox

  I should have left. At least then the image I’d conjured up in my mind of Riley would have remained intact. I was thankful that for once, I didn’t just fuck her earlier and get it out of my system because she turned out to be exactly what I thought she was rebelling against. She had fooled me the same way Ezra was fooling her. But his time was coming.

  I pulled out my phone and after several rings, Ivory answered.

  “It’s late,” he groaned. “You have the money?”

  “I’m getting it. The client is coming for the bike on Monday. In the meantime, I have something that may interest you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “It’s business. Tomorrow night, meet me out at the sites. I’ll text you the time.”

  “Alright,” he replied before hanging up.

  I shoved my phone in my pocket, already regretting making the call, but I had to do what was best for me now. Riley had one night left to make good on her side of the deal. After that, I’d just have to sit back and watch her world implode.

  SEVENTEEN

  Riley

  I blinked my eyes open, focusing on the alarm clock beside my bed, before I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that it had all been a terrible nightmare.

  There was a knock at my door, and I groaned as I sat up, stretching my arms over my head before stifling a yawn.

  “Go away.”

  “Get up. We have stuff to do,” Knox replied as I flopped back onto my pillow.

  “It’s too early to deal with you,” I grumbled.

  The door opened, and Knox walked into view, flipping on the light before shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. I closed my eyes, placing my arm over my face.

  “You don’t know how to take a hint.”

  “And you don’t know how to listen.” I cracked open an eye as I heard his footsteps approach, watching him slip inside of my closet. He pulled a t-shirt from the hanger and held it up.

  “That’s cute, but I don’t think it’s your size.”

  He chuckled before tossing the shirt on the end of my bed.

  “Blue is not really my color. Get dressed. We’re in a hurry.” I rolled my eyes. I don’t think I’d seen him wear any shirts that weren’t black, white, or gray.

  “Hurry for what?” Sitting up I grabbed the shirt as a pair of jeans came flying at me.

  “We have some things to do before the party. There’s been a small change of plans.”

  “I wasn’t sure you were still going to help me.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because of last night.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’m not… worried… but I just wanted you to know those pills weren’t mine. I mean, they were, but Ezra gave them to me. I wasn’t going to take them. I don’t take anything outside of birth control and vitamins… anymore.”

  “It’s none of my business, Princess.” He replied, running his hand through his hair.

  “So, does this mean we’re cool now?”

  He shrugged, and his back stiffened. “Just trying to keep up my end of the deal.”

  My heart sank. It didn’t matter what I did or said, my past had caught up with me, and I could never change what people thought of me. “Get out.”

  His eyes narrowed as I threw off my covers and climbed from the bed. “Unless you want to watch me get undressed.”

  His gaze traveled down my body before he nodded and walked out of my bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him. I got dressed, cursing him under my breath before brushing my teeth and pulling my hair back into a low braid.

  By the time I was ready, it was nearly seven o’clock in the morning. I traipsed down the steps and stopped at the entryway to the kitchen. Knox was leaning against the island with a bottle of water in his hand.

  “Looks much better on you than it would have on me,” he joked.

  “Eh, I prefer a darker blue,” I replied before shaking my head. “I mean, thank you.”

  “Manners. I’m impressed.”

  “I’m full of surprises,” I laughed as I pulled my purse strap over my head to wear it across my body.

  “So where are we going? Party supply store? You want to get some balloons and streamers?” I joked as we walked out of the front door and down the steps.

  “Not exactly.” He grabbed the spare helmet from his bike and held it out to me.

  “Can’t we just take my car?”

  “Going on the bike is like therapy. Trust me. It’s a great way to clear your head, not that much is going on up there.”

  I smacked him on the chest before taking the helmet and putting it on my head, making sure it was the right way this time.

 
“Fast learner,” he praised as he swung his leg over the bike.

  I slid on behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I bet you only ride this thing because it’s the only way to get a decent woman to touch you.”

  The bike roared to life, and he yelled over the sound of the engine. “That’s not true. I also get women like you to touch me.”

  Before I could respond, we pulled out, heading down the driveway and out of the gate. The air was warm and the early morning sun felt great against my cheeks. I closed my eyes, angling my face up to the sky, my stomach flipping as we made our way over the hills.

  By the time we arrived at our destination I was sad the ride was over. I blinked open my eyes and looked around the swath of trees.

  “What is this place?” I took off my helmet, craning my neck from side to side.

  “Come on,” He took my helmet and put it beside his on the bike.

  “You want me to follow you into the woods?” I asked as he looked back over his shoulder, smiling.

  “Relax, if I were going to kill you, I wouldn’t do it out here.”

  I took a few steps and stopped again. “So where would you do it?”

  He laughed and continued on. “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” Glancing back over his shoulder, he winked.

  “That’s not funny.” I caught up with him, thankful I’d worn jeans.

  “Yes, it was. You just don’t have a sense of humor.”

  “Is there a point to all of this? There are bugs and animals out here.” I cringed as we stepped into a clearing with a large metal ring in the center. “What is this place?”

  “This is where we have your party.”

  “You’re joking right?”

  “See, this is what I mean. If you had a sense of humor, you would know that wasn’t a joke.”

  I groaned, letting my shoulders drop. “This party is supposed to be legendary. Haven’t you ever seen a scary movie? This is how they all begin.”

  “You’re scared?”

  “What if there are bears or something?”

  “You have nothing to worry about. Animals can sense evil. You’ll be safe.”

  “Funny.”

  His mouth opened wide as if in shock. “Very good. You’re learning.”

  I rolled my eyes, walking around the metal bin and looking up into the trees. “What is that thing?”

  “That is where the campfire will be.”

  “Shit. You really weren’t lying when you told Greta that we were going camping.”

  “I’m a lot of things, but a liar ain’t one of them, Princess.”

  ***

  After having his friends drop by and grab the keg and the rest of the alcohol, Knox left for a few hours to get things ready for tonight. Tatum and I spent that time trying to find new outfits to wear since her dress would no longer be appropriate.

  “What about this?” Tatum held up a pair of jeans with a yellow blouse.

  “Hmm…” I stepped into my closet and pulled out a white gauze sweater. “Take this. It may get a little chilly out there tonight.”

  After we had both dressed and I put the finishing touches on Tatum’s makeup, we climbed into my car and set off for the campsite.

  “Woah, forgetting someone?” Ezra asked as he climbed over the door, jumping into the back seat of my convertible.

  “I was trying to,” I groaned, but his grin was wide when I looked into my rearview mirror.

  ***

  We pulled into the grass outside of the trees alongside several other cars and Knox’s bike.

  “What the hell is this?” Ezra asked as we climbed out of the car.

  “When in Rome,” I muttered but I understood his apprehension. This wasn’t the type of party I was expecting, and the sun was already setting. It wouldn’t be long until people began to arrive. “Let’s just go see what he came up with.”

  We walked through the tree line and into the clearing, and I almost fell over as I looked around. The trees twinkled with Christmas lights hung from the branches, mimicking the night sky, and several hammocks were tied up around the edge of the clearing. A few tents were set up as well, and I bristled at the idea of sleeping outside.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d come back,” Knox called out from behind a tent. “What do you think?” He asked, waving his hand.

  “It’s… kind of cool,” I conceded.

  “Kind of?” His eyebrow rose, and I laughed.

  “This looks like a homeless camp,” Ezra groaned, walking between us and toward the fire pit that already had already been lit.

  “Ignore him. His idea of roughing it is staying in our guest house while his place is being furnished.”

  “Do I get my own tent?” Tatum asked, and Knox shook his head. “You mean so you and Bryce can sleep alone tonight? Hell no. You two will be sharing the orange and gray one over there.”

  “Where are you sleeping?” I asked, my eyes dancing over the other three tents.

  “The red one next to yours so I can make sure no wild animals … or idiots attack you in the middle of the night.”

  “I can’t even get a signal on my phone,” Ezra called from by the fire, his arm raised in the air.

  “What about Ezra?” I asked, looking back to Knox.

  “He’s one of the idiots I was referring to.”

  “He can stay with me. We can make room.”

  “Now that sounds like a party,” Tatum joked, but she quickly hid her smile when Knox glared at her.

  “No fucking way,” he shot back before he looked to me. “He can sleep in the dirt. Give the bears something to snack on. He wasn’t part of the deal,” he shrugged. Tatum’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

  Knox

  Liam poured us both a drink as I tapped out a quick text message to Ivory with the site number.

  “What’s going on with you and blondie over there?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked as I pulled a cigarette from my pack and lit it.

  “We’ve been friends, what, ten years?”

  “You want the count to continue? Choose your words carefully,” I warned.

  Liam laughed, not the least bit scared of me. “You could do a lot worse. She’s hot, she’s got a lot of money...”

  “She’s crazy. And you should never stick your -”

  “- dick in crazy.” He chuckled. “A lesson I am still trying to learn.” He took my cigarette and pulled a drag from it. “Mind if I take a shot at her?”

  I grabbed his shirt in my fist and pushed him lightly but with the alcohol, it was enough to knock him off balance and fall on his ass. “Shut up.”

  “She seems to have some history with that prick she brought along.”

  I nodded as I watched her. “After tonight, that’s exactly what it will be… history.”

  We fell silent for a moment as we people watched. “I know you think joining the club would make you like your dad, but you’re not like him. You wouldn’t just runaway.”

  My eyes cut to him and for a brief moment, I wanted to tell him that’s exactly what I had wanted to do.

  EIGHTEEN

  Riley

  Guests began to arrive shortly after nightfall, but Knox and his friends had already started to party an hour ago. I sat on a tree stump, cup of frothy beer from the keg in my hand, as I listened to the guys tell stories around the fire.

  They laughed and joked about themselves and each other. It was so different from what I was used to. Their words weren’t vindictive or cruel. Ezra was already stumbling and cursing about how bored he was under his breath. Every once in a while Knox would watch him and look at me as if it was my fault Ezra was a jackass.

  When Bryce arrived with his friends, Knox finally offered me a reprieve from his glares and his attention was now focused on Tatum.

  “You know, he’s not that bad,” I whispered as Knox took a drink of his beer.

  “Like I trust your judgment.” He looked to Ezra and back to me. />
  “I meant Bryce. You know if you tell her to leave him alone, she’ll only want him more.”

  “Not everyone wants what they can’t have. Some people are content with their lives, Princess.”

  I shrugged as I watched Tatum twist her hair around her finger as she leaned in closer to Bryce, his hand on her side. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I know exactly what the hell I’m talking about. Bryce is no good.”

  “Where’s the bathroom around this place?” Ezra asked, slurring his words.

  “It’s the fucking woods. Pick a tree,” Knox snapped as Ezra looked around before stumbling off into the dark.

  I leaned in closer to Knox to try to keep our conversation semi-private. “Why are you being such a dick to him?”

  “What kind of man has never pissed outside before?”

  Rolling my eyes, I noted that he had refilled his beer several times. “One who has indoor plumbing.”

  “Or one who sits down to pee. I don’t like him,” he shrugged.

  “You don’t have to. Just be nice. This is my party, and he’s a friend.”

  “Just remember that we had an agreement when I set up this party for you, and I’m really starting to doubt you’re going to hold up your end.”

  I stood up, brushing the dirt from my bottom as a girl with dirty-blonde hair made her way toward us with a bright grin on her face.

  “Hey, Knox,” she cooed.

  “I didn’t think you were coming,” his smile was as big as hers. “You didn’t respond to my last text.”

  “Like I’d ever miss one of your parties.” She stepped around me and sank down on Knox’s lap.

  “You mean my party.” I plastered on a fake grin as the girl looked up at me, her eyes assessing me before she smiled in return.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Cadence.”

  “Riley,” I replied before looking to Knox, who was whispering something into her ear and causing her to giggle. “I’m going to go find Ezra.”

  I stumbled back a few steps before turning around and searching the dark for Ezra. I found him surrounded by a few girls who were stroking his ego as he promised them that he could get them roles on his show. Rolling my eyes, I cut through the small crowd and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from them.