He rolled to the edge of the bed and looked down, freezing when he saw what she’d pulled from under the bed frame. As she lay there, she flipped through a thick stack of papers.
“What is this?” she asked, her brow creasing in confusion.
Julian had never told anyone what he did when he was up late each night, unable to sleep. In his time away from Twin Rivers, he’d started writing, falling in love with it as much as he loved reading. But he was Julian Callahan, bad boy of Twin Rivers. If anyone knew he read romance books, let alone was writing one, they’d laugh him out of town.
“Julian,” Peyton whispered. “Did you write this?”
Panic raced through him. “Uh … no.”
“You did.” He didn’t know how she knew, but there was confidence in her tone. “Can I read it?”
He reached down, snatching the pages from her. “No. Just… Peyton, please. Don’t tell anyone. It’s nothing. I was bored and couldn’t sleep. I’m not a writer.”
She picked herself up off the floor and stood looking down at him on the bed. “I don’t know if that’s any good, Julian, but I do know that if you write you’re a writer no matter what happens next.” She studied him for a moment. “And in a weird way, it fits you. I hope you’ll let me read it someday.”
She didn’t pry any more than that. Peyton was good at knowing his boundaries. It was why they were so close. She cast one more look his way before walking out and shutting the door behind her.
Julian fell onto his back, the pages of his secret writing project still clutched in his hands. He flipped through them, wondering if he’d ever get the courage to be who he was.
Cooper would’ve shown people what he’d accomplished, knowing they’d accept it because they accepted him. Julian could just imagine Coop learning his brother was writing romance.
Are you gay, bro? he’d ask, not like he had anything against gay people.
Nope, not gay, but he couldn’t quite explain what drew him to romance. Maybe it was the fact that reading gave him the opportunity to feel the emotions he’d guarded himself against.
The emotions he’d lost when his brother died right in front of him.
Julian couldn’t save him from the rising waters, but in his writing, he was always the hero. In his worlds, there were always happy endings.
5
Addison
“Don’t worry about this party,” Meghan said. “You just sit back and have fun, and I will play hostess for you.”
“That’s okay, Meghan. I’m still on crutches, but I’m getting around a lot better now.” Addison stood to slide her uninjured foot into her red high-heeled shoe. “I can host my own party.”
“Well, if I can help with anything, just let me know. Are you seriously wearing that awful boot thing?” She frowned down at Addie’s feet.
“Yeah, I kind of have to.” Addie arched her brow at her idiot friend. “It’s protecting my foot, Meg.”
“Oh, well, if it was me, I’d squish my foot into those sexy red heels no matter what. You have pain pills, right?”
“Whatever, you girls go have fun. People are already here, but I need a minute.” Addie turned back to her makeshift vanity in the first-floor guest bedroom. Before her parents left, Addie’s dad insisted on moving her down to the first floor so she didn’t have to deal with the stairs at all. She felt much better about staying alone, but she still wasn’t feeling this party. They were all the same. Same people, same drinking games, same nonsense, and same gossip. And it all reminded her of that night. It was her party back then too. Her mom insisted she throw these legendary parties for just the most popular people in her school. Like it would buy her own popularity somehow.
Her guests were already arriving when Addison left the safety of her room, locking the door behind her. She made her way into the large living room, cleared of furniture for the night. Caterers had worked all day to set up the party per her mother’s requests. These kids came expecting a loud keg party and pizza, but her mother threw them a cocktail party with fancy Thai food appetizers and an attempt at a chic tiki bar theme. Half of them would be puking curry in the houseplants before the night was over.
Addison moved awkwardly through the growing crowd on her crutches. She recognized some faces but not all, wondering which one might be her mysterious BookBoy. She’d rather spend her night chatting with him alone than endure another party with all these people invading her home.
“Addie!” Meghan yelled over the sound of the blender and deafening music. Addison turned toward the bar in the dining room. Meghan had made herself at home with the handsome bartender. She was making her own daiquiris and grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“Playing bartender tonight?” Addison eyed her friend.
“I made you a drink.” She beamed. “Paul here helped me make it.” She bumped her hip against Paul the bartender—a man much too old for a high school senior.
“You know I don’t drink, Meghan.”
“Of course, silly. We made you a pomegranate pineapple punch with a shot of kale to make it extra healthy and cut the sweetness.” She handed Addie the fishbowl mocktail, waiting for her to take a sip.
“Hey, that’s really good,” Addison said after she took a sip. I can taste the kale, but it’s tangy like pineapple.”
“Oh wait, here.” Meghan leaned across Paul to grab a skewer of fresh fruit to top off her drink. “Come find Paul if you want another. And seriously, try to have fun tonight, girl. This is your party.”
“Thanks Meghan.” Addison left, feeling sorry for Paul. Meghan would bail on him soon. Once she realized she was actually working.
“Addison, I have a friend I want you to meet,” Ashley said, pulling her back across the dance floor.
“I don’t know, Ash. I’m not really in the mood tonight.” Ashley was always trying to hook her up with her former conquests.
“His name is Eli Hunter. His mother’s an actress and his father is a big time Hollywood producer.”
“And let me guess, he goes to Defiance Academy.” Addison rolled her eyes. She couldn’t stand those guys.
“No, he’s a freshman at Defiance University.”
“What’s he doing at a high school party?”
“I invited him for you. I know you’re dying to get into that school. Maybe Eli can give you some tips. You’re welcome.” She grinned, steering them toward the guy himself. He was beautiful. All six feet of him. But Addie knew from experience that didn’t necessarily translate to the person behind the pretty face.
“Addie, Eli. Eli, Addie.” Ashley made the introductions and vanished.
“Sorry about this,” Addison said, sipping her drink. Her face flushed as she realized how stupid she looked with the enormous fishbowl drink in her hand.
“Looks like I need to catch up.” He smiled, taking a sip of his beer. “Ashley told me about your accident.” He gestured at her crutches. “That has to be a bummer for a cheerleader.”
“Yeah, it definitely is,” she yelled over the music.
“Would you like to dance?” Eli asked.
“I can’t really dance too well with this thing.”
“We’ll improvise.” He took her hand, a brilliant smile on his face. “I won’t let you fall.”
“Sure, why not.” Addie took a last gulp of her drink and set it aside on a nearby table.
“Can you put weight on your boot or do you need the crutches?”
“I can manage a few steps without them.”
“Perfect.” Eli leaned her crutches against the wall behind a seven-foot Japanese jade tree someone already puked in. “Now just put your weight on me, and we’ve got this.”
“If you say so.” Addison glanced down at her feet, feeling silly for wearing one high heel. “How about we ditch the shoe first?” She slipped out of her heel, and Eli stuffed it behind the plant with her crutch.
“You’re going to want to get the service to clean that.”
“They’re used to it,” Addie s
aid.
“It’s always the plants, right?” He shook his head.
“Like, there’s at least ten trash cans in sight.” She laughed, feeling her spirits lift, a warm, fuzzy feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Interest.
“Okay, here we go, Addie. Hold on tight.” Eli whirled her onto the dance floor, her feet barely touching the floor as she clutched his broad shoulders.
They moved to the beat of the music, laughing and circling the dance floor together. She rested her bare foot on top of his, taking careful steps with her booted foot.
“You’re pretty good at this. You must have practiced,” Addie said.
“Nah, I’m just making it up as I go along. It bodes well you’re impressed with my dancing.” He steered them back to their original corner, and Eli had her back on her crutches before she had a chance to feel unsteady.
Taking a grateful sip of her drink, Addie’s face flushed with excitement. “My last date was an utter asshole when I told him I couldn’t dance.”
“What a jerk,” Eli said.
“Right. I tore three ligaments in my foot. Give me a freaking break.”
“These are from Meghan.” Ashley butted in between them, shoving a tray of drinks on the table. Another mocktail for Addison and a fresh beer for Eli.
“Thanks, Ash.” Addison attempted to climb up on the barstool by their table.
“Here let me help you with that.” Eli grabbed her waist and lifted her onto the stool.
“Thanks.” Addison shifted to tug her short skirt back down.
“Okay, I have a confession.” Eli leaned in close so she could hear him. “I might have seen the YouTube video of your accident.” He laughed.
“Oh no.” Addie groaned in embarrassment. “That was not my finest hour.”
“I felt I should come clean.”
“Well, at least you’re honest.”
“And don’t forget chivalrous.”
“Of course.” Addie took another sip of her drink, surprised by how much she liked Eli. He seemed sweet. They sat and talked for a while until she’d finished her second huge fishbowl drink and her bladder protested.
“Why don’t you get us another drink? Maybe water for me this time. And I’ll meet you back here in a bit. I’m just going to the ladies’ room.”
“Can I offer you an escort? Or are you good on your crutches?”
“I got it.” She slipped her foot back into her shoe and set off across the living room, a little unsteady on her feet. Her house was a nightmare of loud music and people everywhere she looked, but Eli had proven to be a nice distraction.
Addie let herself into the guest room at the back of the house, far from the noise. She could finally hear herself think. She stumbled into the bathroom, the room spinning as she relieved herself. “Kale, my ass! Freaking Meghan.” She groaned into her hands. She should have known Meghan would never give her a virgin drink of any kind. She’d spiked Addison’s drink and covered the alcohol with lots of fruit juice so she wouldn’t taste it.
From the way it was hitting her now, Addison had way more to drink than she was comfortable with—and with her medication on top of it, she was feeling more than a little woozy. Not that she’d never been drunk before. She had. Many times. But rarely since the night of the accident. When she was drunk, the memories flooded her mind, taking her back to the night she thought Cooper would finally tell her how he felt about her.
“What an idiot I was,” she whispered to her reflection. Addison washed her hands and splashed her face with cold water, hoping she would sober up before the memories came at her like an avalanche. “Maybe I should just stay in here. It’s not like anyone would really miss me.” She patted her face dry and stepped back into her room. Her heart sank like a stone in her chest when she saw what waited for her.
“What are you doing in here?” She clutched her crutches tightly in her hands.
“What? We were having a good time,” Eli said. “I thought we could use somewhere quiet to talk. Get to know each other a little better.”
“Why are you laying on my bed? I didn’t invite you in here.” She hated the way her words came out slurred.
“Just come sit with me. I brought you some water.” He sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. “I promise, I won’t bite. I’m sorry I came in without permission. I clearly didn’t think that decision through.”
Addison relaxed. She reminded herself not every guy was a total douche. Not like Cooper. Addie tentatively sat beside him, trying to recapture the mood of their earlier interactions.
“That’s better.” He flashed a smile and handed her a bottled water. “I thought you could use some downtime. I’ve hosted these parties, and it’s stressful.”
“Not when your mom is the one who plans them.” She shrugged. “All I have to do is show up and even then, sometimes I don’t think anyone would notice either way.”
“Oh, trust me, the guys would notice. At least this guy would.” He leaned in closer, pausing as if to ask her permission before his lips brushed hers.
It was a sweet kiss. Addie let herself enjoy it, reaching to place her hand on his chest. Eli pulled her close, deepening the kiss. His warm lips pulled sensations from her she hadn’t felt in years. He leaned her back against the mattress, his hands sliding from her waist down to her hips and even lower to the hem of her skirt.
And that’s when the memories came. Memories of another boy and another set of hands. Rougher hands. The sound of Cooper’s drunken laughter haunted her.
“Come on, Addie. We both know you’re in love with me,” Cooper looked down at her with those warm brown eyes she could get lost in. His kiss was urgent and demanding. Not at all the kind of kiss she’d imagined they would share.
The room swirled like a kaleidoscope behind him. “Slow down, Coop,” she whispered in his ear; the slur of her words didn’t even sound like her. She wanted this to happen but not when they were both so drunk. He was moving too fast, and she didn’t like the taste of beer on his lips. “I-I’m not sure...” She held her hands against his face, trying to focus on his gaze, but he moved, trailing his lips down her throat to her chest, his hand inching up under her dress.
“No,” she slurred, shoving his hand away, but he’d hooked his thumbs into her panties. “Coop, stop.” She tried to laugh it off, but her heart hammered in her chest, and dark spots clouded her vision. She shoved him again, her arms like Jell-O. But it was like he didn’t hear her. Or didn’t care.
She’d had way too much to drink, and the room continued to spin until she felt she might vomit. “No. St-stop,” she gasped as Cooper worked her panties down around her ankles, his body pressing her into the mattress. He hovered over her, and his brown eyes held a look she’d never seen in them before. It scared her. “No!” The alcohol fog lifted from her mind, and she shoved her hands against his chest, but he was like a rock. His laughter turned menacing as he pinned her arms to the bed.
“Stop!” she cried, slamming her fist into Eli’s chin.
“Damn it. What the hell’s the matter with you?” Eli looked down at her. His brown eyes, several shades lighter than Cooper’s, held a hint of hurt along with his surprise.
“I said stop.” She took in a gulp of air, looking for something to use as a weapon.
“Well, you didn’t have to hit me. One no is enough, just give a guy time to respond.” He ran his hand over his chin, checking for blood.
“Get out of my room!” she shrieked, reaching for the book on her nightstand, and she threw it at his head.
Eli ducked and scrambled for the door. “You gave me the green light, Addie. Don’t think you can turn this into some kind of sexual assault thing. I’ve been a perfect gentleman tonight.”
“Get out!” She clutched her hands to her chest, expecting to find her dress torn like it was that night.
“I’m sorry if someone hurt you, but you need to get help.” He turned on his heel and left.
Addison leaped off her bed and
locked the door behind him, her hands trembling as she slid the lock in place.
Tears filled her eyes as she sank to the floor. She wanted to run. To hide. But there were dozens of strangers in her home, and she had no one she could call. No one she could trust.
She thought about calling Avery St. Germaine. He moved in the same circles she did, but they weren’t exactly friends anymore. And he was there that night. He was the one plying her with drinks for Cooper. She shook her head. Not Avery. Meghan and Ashley and all their friends were already at the party, but she didn’t want them. She knew who she wanted and she wondered if she would even come. After all this time, would she even have a reason to be there for Addison?
Addie crawled back to the bathroom for her purse and retreated to the closet to hide. She didn’t think Eli would come back, but she didn’t feel safe in her own home.
She dialed the number she still knew by heart and held her breath until she picked up.
“Addie?” She sounded confused, but at the familiar concern in her voice, Addison knew she’d called the right person.
“Peyton? I need your help.” She couldn’t keep the tears from her voice. “Can you come to my house?”
“Aren’t you having a party tonight?”
Addie winced at the hurt tone in Peyton’s voice.
“Yes. But I’m in the guest room. The closet actually.”
“Why are you hiding in your closet? What’s wrong, Addie? You’re scaring me, what do you need?”
“Can you come kick all these people out of my house? It’s all just…too familiar.” And that was all she had to say.
“I’ll be there in five,” Peyton said.
“I’m in the downstairs guest room. The doors are locked. There’s a key in the kitchen drawer.”
“I remember. I’m on my way, just sit tight.”
“Thank you, Peyton. I know I don’t deserve your help.”
“Everybody deserves help, Addison.”
* * *
The C Word: Redefining Me (Book 3) Page 4