by R. Linda
I could practically hear the cogs turning in his brain as his fist clenched on his knees.
Meathead looked at me and screwed his face up in disgust.
“I work with Lennon at the Coffee Pot.”
Still, he ignored me.
“I thought I told you to stay over there.” The guy pointed to the other side of the fire. “And not talk to anyone.”
“I-I had t-to go to the b-b-bathroom, and when I came b-back, my s-seat was taken.”
Meathead reached down and wrapped a giant hand around Lennon’s frail arm. I’d never really noticed how thin she was until that moment. He yanked her up out of her seat.
“What have I told you about that?” he growled at her.
Ryder sat up straighter, preparing to stand, but I reached over and placed my hand on his knee and shook my head once in warning.
He shot a glare at me.
“Good behaviour,” I reminded him. His eyes burned with anger, and his jaw clenched.
“S-sorry.”
“We’re going,” meathead snapped and dragged Lennon away.
Ryder stood, ready to charge after him, the look in his eyes a dead giveaway.
“Jones, don’t.”
“He hits her, Bailey. That’s why she always fucking bruised.”
“I know,” I sighed. I had figured it out the moment he opened his mouth and Lennon began to stutter in fear.
“He can’t get away with it.”
“But you can’t stop him. You have to watch your actions. One wrong move, and I’ll lose you.”
“But…” Ryder cursed and ran his hands through his hair.
“I’ll go,” I offered, placing my hand on his chest, just over his heart. I didn’t want Lennon getting hurt any more than he did, but I almost lost him once. I wouldn’t do it again.
“Like hell.”
He was right. If meathead beat up his own girlfriend, then there was no telling what he’d do to me.
I glanced around at the people surrounding us and spotted Jayden across the yard. “Jayden.” I nodded in his direction, and Ryder turned to face him. “Get Jayden to help.”
Ryder placed two fingers in his mouth and whistled so loud that the sound caused every head in the back yard to turn and look.
Jayden narrowed his, and Ryder lifted his head, calling Jayden over.
“What’s up?” Jayden asked.
“Go after Lennon and get her away from that dick she calls a boyfriend.”
“Why?”
“He hits her. And he’s mad as hell right now.”
Jayden’s posture shifted instantly. He handed Ryder his beer and stalked off with his fists clenched at his side.
“I hate parties.”
“Me too.” I sat back down and pulled Ryder down beside me. “Let’s just wait for Jayden to get back, and then we’ll leave,” I suggested, hoping Jayden was able to stop Lennon from being forced to leave with that guy.
Ryder gulped down what was left of Jayden’s beer and sighed. “Okay.”
Jayden returned a few minutes later, cursing as blood poured from his nose.
“What happened?” Ryder asked, just as Indie and Jack approached us, still laughing and in good spirits. At least someone was having a good time.
“He hit me. What does it look like?”
“In, can you go grab some ice and a washcloth?”
Her eyes widened as she took in Jayden’s appearance, but she nodded and ran back inside with Jack following her.
“Where’s Lennon?” I asked, pushing Jayden down into the chair.
“She left with him,” Jayden mumbled.
“What the hell?” Ryder kicked over the chair beside Jayden.
“I tried, man. I tried to stop her, but she wanted to go.”
“She didn’t want to go. She was too damn scared to disobey him,” Ryder spat, flinging his arm out in the direction Lennon had left.
“You think I don’t know that? But I couldn’t stop them.”
Indie and Jack came back then with ice for Jayden’s nose.
He flinched and hissed out a breath when I placed the cold pack on his face.
“What are we going to do?” I asked Ryder.
“I know what I want to do…”
“No.” I glared at him. He couldn’t seriously be considering it.
“I know. I know. Prison.” He rolled his eyes and cursed.
“I’ll talk to her, see if I can get her to confide in me. Help her, somehow.”
“There’s no helping someone who doesn’t want help, Bailey,” Jayden said, wincing.
“But I can try.”
“What happened?” Indie asked, her eyes flicking between us.
“I’ll explain later,” I said. “We just have to watch out for her. Let her know we’re here if she needs help.”
It sucked, but it was the only thing we could do. Without proof that he actually hit her, we couldn’t go to the police, and even if we did, if she was that scared of him, she’d likely cover for him, anyway. Just like she had been all those other times with the excuses like getting hit in the face by a ball and something falling out of her closet.
“And you, Ryder jabbed a finger in Jayden’s direction, “will watch out for her.”
“Obviously.” Jayden rolled his eyes
Ryder and Jayden were very similar in that.
Protective.
Lennon would be okay. I knew she would.
Jayden winced in pain, making me think his nose might have been broken.
“Let’s get the hell out of here. No offence, man, but your parties suck.” Ryder thumped Jayden on the shoulder, who laughed in agreement, and we left, with Jack and Indie following close behind.
“So…” Jack said once we were heading away from Jayden’s place and back toward the dorms that would soon be nothing more than a bad memory. “Another party.”
“No,” Ryder and I answered at the same time.
“Baby cakes?” he asked hopefully.
Indie made a strangled noise and bobbed her head from side to side, as though she wasn’t sure.
“Come on. I thought we were celebrating. Things are finally looking up. The nutcases have left the building, and we need a good party.”
“Jack,” Indie whined, “Jayden getting punched in the face kind of ruined the party mood.”
“You don’t even like him. Why do you care?”
“Because I’m not an asshole.”
“Sorry, Jack. I agree with Indie. I’m not really in the mood now.” My mind was racing with thoughts of Lennon and what I could do to help her.
“But—”
“Enough,” Ryder snapped, and Jack shut up, knowing when not to push Ryder any further, but I didn’t miss the pleading eyes when he looked at Indie.
“Fine. Okay. You win. I’ll go with you if you stop looking at me like I killed your cat,” Indie sighed in defeat.
“Oh, baby cakes, you know I don’t like pus—”
Indie slapped her hand over his mouth before he could finish his sentence. “Shut up.”
Jack nodded, pressing his lips together and bouncing on his feet. He wanted to talk but knew better.
Indie turned to face Ryder and me. “I’m going to go out with Jack. You guys relax and enjoy the quiet time while it lasts,” she said before adding in a singsong voice, “because we’ll all be living together soon.”
Indie and Jack waved goodbye, and Ryder threw his arm over my shoulder. Pulling me in close, he dropped a kiss to my head.
“Are we sure we want to do this?” he asked.
“Hmm?”
“Move in with them?”
I shrugged. Living with Jack and Indie was the least of my concerns.
“Hey.” Ryder stopped and pinched my chin, tilting my face up to his. “Don’t worry about Lennon, okay?”
“How can I not? We’ve been saying for months that something didn’t seem right with her, and now we know why. She’s not safe.”
“I know. Bu
t there’s not much we can do. If we interfere, we run the risk of making it worse.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but Ryder spoke first. “For her.”
“I can’t do nothing.”
“Not asking you to, love. Be her friend. Talk to her. Anything she needs. Let her know you are there for her.”
“Okay.” I smiled at him. I could do that. I wouldn’t give up until I knew she was okay.
“And under no circumstances are you to ever approach, go near, or even speak to the meathead she calls a boyfriend.”
“But—”
“No buts. Stay away, or I won’t be held responsible for my actions, and Ian Daniels might not be able to cut me a deal for murder.”
He was joking. He’d never actually murder someone, but the look in his eyes had me questioning my belief in that moment. Given the right reason, anything was possible, I guessed.
I vowed right then to stay away from the meathead and instead become the best damn friend Lennon never wanted.
“I’ll stay away.”
“Good. Everything will work out, I promise.”
I smiled softly and nodded. I was exhausted and just wanted to curl up next Ryder and do nothing for the rest of the night.
“Take me home.”
“You read my mind.”
Threading his fingers through mine, Ryder led me down the street.
“What’s the rush?” I laughed, running along behind him.
“Jack is out with Indie. We have the room to ourselves.”
I bit my lip and squeezed his hand tighter. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Peanut butter ice cream and watching a movie without Jack repeating it word for word in a British accent?”
“Yes,” I hissed. It was one of Jack’s most annoying habits. Didn’t matter what we watched, he knew it word for word. Even new release movies. It was a freaky talent, that was for sure. But the British accent he adopted when he recited the script was weird.
“Let’s go.”
I chuckled. Ryder and peanut butter ice cream fixed everything. It was the perfect way to end a bittersweet day.
Epilogue
Ryder
“I call dibs on this room!” Jack announced, running into the master bedroom.
We’d picked up the keys that morning and were finally moving our stuff in. Not that we had much. The house came partially furnished, which helped a lot. And I knew, giving Bailey and Indie time, they’d fill the house with junk and call it decorative.
Whatever. It was still junk.
But if it made them happy, who was I to complain?
I folded my arms across my chest and stared at Jack as he bounced on the bed.
“Want to share with me?” He rubbed his hands over the mattress and blew me a kiss.
I arched an eyebrow and didn’t say anything.
“Come on, handsome. We’ve shared a bed together before. Could be fun.”
“One time, Jack. And only for Bailey.”
Jack pouted. “A boy can dream.”
“Get out.” I nodded to the door.
“You get out. I was here first. This is my room.”
I took a step into the room and levelled him with my gaze.
“If you’re trying to intimidate me, it won’t work.” Jack shook his head.
I took another step.
“I’m not falling for the macho act. You’re a big sweetheart,” Jack said, placing his hands over his heart and fluttering his eyelashes.
“Last chance to get out, Jack.”
His eyes flashed, and he bit his lip. “Why? What are you going to do to me?”
I stepped again.
“I haven’t unpacked my handcuffs, but you can tie me up with my belt if you’d prefer.” Jack stood and grabbed his belt, winking at me.
He was such an idiot.
I walked over to him, standing so close that our chests touched. His eyes widened, and he gasped, moving back. I smirked. I was making him nervous.
“I, uh…you…ummm.” His skin flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck, looking over his shoulder for help as I continued moving closer and closer, forcing him back with every step, until he hit the wall.
I leaned down, wrapped my arms around his legs, and lifted him over my shoulder.
He squealed. He didn’t yell or swear or growl. He shrieked, a high-pitched noise I was sure would disturb all the dogs in the neighbourhood.
Bailey and Indie came running in. “What’s going on? We heard…Never mind.”
They covered their mouths to hide their laughter.
“Put me down.”
“I gave you plenty of chances to leave, Jack.”
“I’m sorry, okay? I should have left when you told me to.”
“Why wouldn’t he leave?” Bailey asked.
“I’m right here, angel face. Direct your questions at me.” Jack slapped my back. “Turn me around.”
I spun around so Jack could see Bailey and Indie. “Grumpypants won’t let me have this room.”
I hoisted him higher so he fell over my shoulder more and hung halfway to the ground. He screamed and grabbed my waist, digging his nails into my sides. “Omigod, omigod, omigod. I’m too young to die. Not like this. Please, for the love of God, save my face.”
I spun back around to face Bailey and Indie, who were laughing into their hands, tears streaming down their faces.
I swayed from side to side, causing Jack to thrash all over the place. “Okay, okay. Mercy. Put me do—” He stopped and fell silent.
“Jack?” He was too quiet for my liking. “You still want me to put you down?”
“Nope. Nope. I’m good. Carry on.”
I frowned, feeling his elbows dig into my lower back. “What are you doing?”
I turned so Bailey and Indie could see, but it only made them laugh hard.
“Jack?”
“Just admiring the view. You know, your ass is so much nicer up close.” His elbow disappeared from my back, only for his hand to squeeze my ass. “Whoa. Do you work your glutes, or what? That’s firm. Really firm.” He squeezed my other ass cheek, rubbing his hand in circles. “Girls, have you felt these things? They are heaven.”
“Oh, yeah, all the time,” Bailey said. “Now, get your hands off what’s mine.”
Jack took a deep breath. “Fine. Giddy up, sexy.” He tapped my side. “Take me to my room.”
I rolled my eyes and carried him down the hall to the room farthest away from mine and Bailey’s and dumped him on his bed. “This is your room.”
He sighed, looking around the room, unimpressed. “I really did like that other room.”
“Too bad.”
“I’ll always have my memories,” he replied wistfully. “Some great moments happened in that room.
“You’re an idiot.”
“And you have a great ass. What’s your point?”
I shook my head and walked out.
I made my way out to Jayden’s truck and unloaded some of the boxes. We didn’t have a lot, but what we did have would’ve taken a few trips in the car. The girls unpacked as Jack and I brought everything in.
It didn’t take too long, and Bailey, being Bailey, had made sure we had everything unpacked and in its place by nightfall. The boxes had been crushed and were stacked in a neat pile by the door, and everything was clean.
She flopped down on the sofa after putting the last of her clothes away. I had offered to help, but she insisted on doing it herself. She liked knowing where everything was.
“I’m exhausted.”
“You didn’t have to get it all done today,” Indie said.
“I did. I’d go crazy with all the mess and boxes everywhere.”
“Don’t look in my room, then.” Indie laughed.
Jack walked into the living room smelling like the cologne section of a department store. “Okay, bitches, I’m going out. Don’t wait up.”
“You’re going out?” Indie spun around on the s
ofa to look at him.
“Yes.”
“But it’s our first night in our new house.”
“Just because we all live together now doesn’t mean I have to become an old lady and sit at home with my knitting every night.” He eyed the ball of wool on the coffee table. “I save that for Sundays.”
“But…” Indie pouted. “I thought we could do something tonight to celebrate. Christina is gone. Ryder isn’t bubba’s bitch. Bailey is happy. Chace is locked in some psych ward place getting himself sorted out. And we have a house. All is right in the world.”
“The world will be right tomorrow too. Tonight, though, body shots at Hannessy’s. Want to come, baby cakes? I’m sure these two would prefer to celebrate alone.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Indie looked over her shoulder at us. “Do you mind?”
I shrugged. I didn’t care what they did. I’d prefer to live with Bailey alone, but she insisted we needed Jack and Indie to share expenses.
Whatever.
We had our own room.
With eight locks on the door. Never could be too careful with Jack living down the hall.
“It’s fine,” Bailey said. “Go. I just want to go to bed, anyway.”
“I bet you do,” Jack said, cheering himself and holding up his hand for Indie to high five.
“What do I wear?” She looked at Jack.
“Come. Come.” He led her down the hallway.
Bailey snuggled against my chest.
“Happy, love?”
“More than ever. You?”
“I’m happy as long as I have you.” I pinched her chin between my thumb and forefinger and cover her mouth with mine.
“I love you, Jones. You know that?”
I raised an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes.
“Doesn’t mean anything if you don’t say…”
“I fucking love you,” she whispered, smiling against my lips.
“I fucking love you, B.”
Jayden
Read on for the first chapter of Jayden.
Book 2 in the Scandal U Spin off Series.
Chapter One
Jayden
Coffee was nothing more than dirty water with milk. No amount of sugar, flavoured syrups, or chocolate powder sprinkled on top could make me think otherwise. Yet here I was, sipping my fourth one for the day.