Shades of Sydney (Sydney West #1)

by Brittney Coon

  His eyes pierced into me, almost cutting into my soul. He demanded more to the story, but I wasn’t sharing. Tension began to build in my shoulders. I looked around and people were looking at Jason and me. They knew something strange was happening.

  “I answered. You don’t need any details. Truth or Dare?” I was thankful my voice sounded stronger than I was.

  He shook his head and exhaled. He wasn’t a fan of the game either. Good. “Truth,” he said.

  “When we met up again at the beach, did you really forget my name or were you acting like it?” I bit the inside of my cheek.

  Do I want to know if he forgot my name? It would be a kick to the stomach if he honestly didn’t remember.

  A smirk took his lips. “I did remember.” His eyes turned devilish, daring me to dive deeper.

  “Hmm,” I said, pushing a lock of hair out of my face.

  “Truth or Dare?” he asked.

  “Truth.”

  People moaned. They didn’t like us sharing truths. Dares were more interesting. To see what stupid things drunk people did got people’s rocks off. I didn’t see the fun in eating a cigarette butt or whatever they did, but maybe my IQ was too high.

  Jason rubbed his chin in thought for a heartbeat. “Did you want me to kiss you like we found our friends kissing?”

  I felt my face pale. I wanted him to want me like all the other summer boys did, but how could I explain that to him and not sound like a conceited bitch?

  He nodded at the sand slipping through the hourglass. “Tick tock.”

  I arched my back, making a show of pushing my breasts out more. I needed to turn the tables on this stupid game. “No, I didn’t want to make out with you. I did think you would’ve flirted more though.” I was honest, yet didn’t share too much info. Point for me.

  He turned his head, studying me like I was a science project he couldn’t wrap his mind around.

  “Truth or Dare?” I asked smugly.

  Jason wiped his hands on his pants. “Truth.”

  I channeled my inner Barbara Walters. “Why did you invite me to this party? Don’t say because you wanted to.”

  Jason crossed then uncrossed his legs. “You can’t tell me what to answer.”

  “Fine.” I rubbed my forehead. “Just answer the question.”

  He brushed invisible lint off his jeans. “I thought you’d like to come, but I guess I was wrong.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped, leaning in closer so I could try to read his facial expression.

  “Nothing. That’s not part of your question,” he said, mocking me.

  He played my moves back at me. He was such an asshole.

  “Truth or Dare?” he asked coldly.

  I pressed my back into the couch. I didn’t want to be honest anymore since we were getting too deep. I was afraid of what he’d dare me to do, but the fear of revealing more truths outweighed the uncertainty of being dared.

  “Dare,” I said, voice low.

  People clapped and excitement returned to the group. My stomach turned at the idea of what Jason would ask me to do.

  He smiled like he struck gold. “I dare you to chug five cups of beer.”

  I felt my eyes widen. “What?”

  People around us laughed and chanted. Someone left to get the beer. My stomach fell to my feet. I was going to be sick.

  “You can’t be serious,” I said, looking at all the excited people gathering around us.

  “I am. Do you give?” He tilted his head, tempting me to quit the game.

  “No,” I said firmly. I wanted to, but I couldn’t let him win.

  Someone handed me a red cup. It was full to the rim with amber shaded beer. I chugged it and put the cup down on the coffee table. A girl wearing a black bra and short shorts filled it and handed the cup back to me. People chanted for me to drink faster. I downed all five cups in about two minutes. My vision was hazy and a few tears ran down my face, but I did it.

  “Truth or Dare?” I queried, throwing the cup over my shoulder. The crowd clapped and someone whistled.

  Jason looked taken aback. Perhaps he thought I couldn’t handle a little watered down beer.

  “Truth.”

  I licked my lips. All I tasted was warm beer and dry blood from chewing my lip too much. “Do you like me or are you just a player?” The beer was giving me liquid courage.

  His face turned to stone. I hit a sore spot. Maybe I could finally crack Jason and see what made him tick. He opened his mouth to admit his feelings when someone shouted. “Time!”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Game is over.” Jason winked at me. He knew he didn’t have to answer my question. The asshole probably felt like Rocky when he won.

  “I hate this game,” I said, standing and storming out.

  I could feel Jason behind me. I flung myself into the crowd, trying to lose him. I wanted to leave, but wasn’t sure where the door was and the room kept spinning.

  Could the beers I chugged be spiked with something?

  “Sydney, wait!” Jason shouted.

  His voice made me go faster. I lost my footing and fell onto a girl who was making out with a guy built like a football player on the couch.

  “Bitch,” she slurred. The guy gave me a dirty look. I pressed on, desperate to find the exit.

  I spotted the door when my stomach decided to betray me. I doubled over and threw up into a potted plant.

  “That’s disgusting!” a girl screamed.

  People muttered and parted around me like the Red Sea. Jason came to my side, but I brushed him off. I grabbed my keys out of my purse and made my way to the door. Hell with Amelia. She could make Hunter bring her home.

  “You can’t drive in your condition,” Jason said in a soothing voice. It was as soft as velvet. I wanted to wrap it around me and fall asleep.

  “Fuck you,” I slurred and pushed him away.

  “Let me,” a guy said.

  I fell against the stranger. He was taller than Jason and had long limbs like a basketball player.

  “No, I’ll take her,” Jason said, trying to take me in his arms.

  I didn’t want Jason near me. “No, he can take me.” I handed my keys to the stranger.

  He wrapped his arms around me and made some gesture to Jason I couldn’t see. By the expression on Jason’s face, it wasn’t friendly.

  I let him walk me to my car. He told me his name was Derek. He had spiky, chocolate brown hair, jade green eyes, and was wearing a black shirt. I could tell he worked out by the way his muscles moved when he guided me away from the party and Jason.

  I leaned against the back of the passenger’s seat in my Charger, praying not to puke again. Derek drove in silence and kept eyeing my body. I was too sick to move. All I could do was tell him how to get to my place and hope he didn’t take advantage of me.

  At least I was free from Jason. That was the main goal. I may have put myself in a worse position, but I didn’t care. I wanted to sleep it all away. If only dreamless sleep would wash away all my sins.

  Chapter Seven

  Derek parked in front of my house. He ran his hand down my left leg and squeezed my knee. I knew what he wanted, but I wasn’t in the mood. I opened my door and tried to get out of the car. Derek ran over and helped me up the steps to the front door. He made sure his hands grazed my ass and breasts.

  “Thanks for,” I hiccupped, “taking me home. How are you going to get back?”

  My vision was fuzzy. It was like looking at the world through broken, spider-webbed glasses.

  “I was hoping to stay here for a while.” He brushed his fingertips across my breasts again, causing my nipples to harden.

  Shit, he’s going to rape me!

  The voice in my head screamed for me to fight, to run away. The only problem was my body felt like it had turned to stone. I couldn’t move the way I needed to. Plus, my head was pounding and my stomach still felt sick.

  He pushed me, pinning me to the
front door. His hands went down my body as he tried to kiss me. I fought him the best I could. My stomach felt worse and my mouth watered. Derek tried again to kiss me and I pushed him away with all my strength. He was pissed and came at me. That was when I doubled over and threw up on him. I got his jeans and boots. He swore and slapped my face, causing my ears to ring and making my cheek go numb. He threw my keys at my shoulder and stormed off into the night.

  At least I wasn’t raped.

  I opened the door and went inside faster than my heart was beating. Once a locked door was between that lunatic and me, I felt a little better. I leaned against the door and slid down it. I laid on the floor, crying. I cried until I couldn’t anymore. When I ran out of tears, I fell asleep on the cool tile.

  ***

  I wasn’t sure if I dreamed. If I did, it was in shades of gray. I was awakened by a pounding on the front door that was a foot away from my head. It made my headache worse. I opened the door without seeing who it was. Thankfully, it was Amelia. She looked bright-eyed and bushytailed.

  She clicked her tongue at the sight of me. She gathered me in her arms and walked me to the couch. I laid there like I was stabbed and bleeding to death. She kept asking me questions, but it sounded more like a fog horn going off.

  “Shh, I can’t think. My head feels like there’s a hammer trying to break my skull and steal my brain,” I said.

  “Can you get me a cold cloth for her head? A paper towel will do. The kitchen is over there.” Amelia was talking to someone, but I couldn’t open my eyes to see who.

  “Who’s here?” I whispered.

  “Just Hunter. We’re going to take care of you. When you feel better, you’re going to tell us what happened.”

  I moaned and grabbed the ugly brown, throw pillow off the couch and placed it over my face.

  “This will feel better,” Amelia said, replacing the pillow with a cool paper towel. She was right. I fell back into empty black dreams.

  ***

  The sun’s rays poured in through the window near the archway. It burned my eyes and forced me to wake up. I took the dry, limp paper towel off my forehead and scanned the room. I appeared to be alone. I slowly sat up and looked around again. There wasn’t a soul in the living room. I attempted to stand, but failed. I was stuck on the couch. On the plus side, my headache had become a dull pain.

  “You’re awake!” Amelia said. Her voice came from behind me.

  The sound of her voice made my skin ache and my head wish to split open. I was still in a drunken haze when it came to sound and she was killing me. “Please shut up or I’m going to have to cut you,” I said bitterly, sagging back into the couch.

  She walked around and kneeled in front of me. Worry sparkled in her hazel eyes. “Please tell me what happened to you. You looked like you had passed out as soon as you stepped into the door.”

  “I did,” I said dryly.

  Her eyes widened.

  “Is Hunter still here?”

  She shook her head. “No, he went home. You’ve been out all day.”

  Horror raced through my veins. “What? Are you serious? Damn it.”

  “What happened?” Amelia placed her hands on mine. She felt warm. I could tell she’d had fun with Hunter. Her lips were never that red before and her face glowed. Even as she pouted, her skin glowed.

  “Nothing really. I helped Jason with a keg and then got roped into playing Truth or Dare. After drinking a lot of tasteless, flat beer, that may or may not have been spiked, I tried to leave, only to be told I wasn’t in good condition to drive. I let a guy named Derek bring me home. Everything was going fine until he tried some moves on me.”

  “What?” She sounded horrified.

  “He didn’t. I threw up on him and he slapped me. Last I saw of him, he was stomping away into the shadows.” The memory of the slap caused me to touch my cheek. It was tender and a little swollen.

  “Sweet Jesus. Thank God you’re okay.”

  “For the most part. I was exhausted after yesterday and passed out once I felt safe.”

  She gave me a long look, a motherly look. “Why didn’t you have Jason bring you home? I think he’d be better than that Derek guy was.”

  I looked down, avoiding her eyes. “He wasn’t around and I wasn’t going to track him down. I didn’t want to seem needy.”

  Honestly, I was mad at Jason. He got me to play that asinine game and made me make a fool of myself. I didn’t want his help. Instead I took a stranger’s and almost paid dearly.

  “Oh, Syd. You would be asking a friend for a ride, nothing more,” she said, disappointed.

  “He isn’t a friend, more of an acquaintance,” I said coolly.

  She ran a hand through my sleep tousled hair. “At least he wouldn’t have thrown himself on you and tried to have sex with you.”

  “Let’s drop it. We can pretend this never happened.” I waved my hand in the air to erase this conversation.

  “You should press charges. That dude is dangerous.” She looked down at me like I was a troubled child. My swollen cheek didn’t help my case.

  “I don’t know his last name and I’d look ridiculous at the police station. I have a horrible description, a first name that could be fake, no car to describe since he drove mine, and I let him bring me home. It would seem like I wanted to have sex with him.”

  Amelia sighed, sounding defeated. “I guess you’re right. Our justice system is screwed up.”

  “Yes it is, but that’s how it works. Can we keep this between us?”

  I didn’t want Jason to learn about it. If he did, he’d probably lecture me on why he should’ve taken me. I hoped I could come up with a good story because I was sure Hunter was going to tell Jason I was passed out when he brought Amelia home.

  “This one time I’ll let it go, but don’t put yourself in that type of situation again.”

  I couldn’t meet her gaze and settled for looking at my nail beds. “Okay, I’ll be more careful.”

  Amelia got a cool cloth for my hurt cheek and sat down next to me on the couch. I rested my head on her shoulder and held the cloth to my face. How did she become strong and able to piece me back together? I thought I’d be teaching her and there she was, trying to teach me.

  I still couldn’t believe how well she got along with Hunter. Now that he’d nailed her, he may keep his distance. I’ve come to notice boys do that once they get what they want from girls. That’s why I play them at their own game. Sleeping with them and leaving before they get the chance to do it to me.

  Chapter Eight

  The sky was blood red and the fluffy white clouds mocked me. A salty ocean breeze coated the air. Inhaling it should’ve been a sweet treat, but it sickened me. I was mad at the world, or maybe I was having a midlife crisis. Never thought I could have one of those in my early twenties.

  The mark on my cheek faded a couple days after that prick slapped me. Knowing I put myself in a bad situation didn’t sit well with me, so I was avoiding the parties for a while and gathering my bearings again.

  For the past couple weeks, I drank alone and hung out with Amelia when her lips weren’t sewn to Hunter’s. The calendar said it was mid-June and my best friend and Hunter were still a couple, despite my distaste. I knew it wasn’t my place to judge, but it bothered me. Maybe because I was nursing my ego as she laughed and cuddled with her man. That was what she was calling him lately. Gag me with a spoon, please.

  I was sitting on the couch and had the intent to remain there until I became part of the black stripe pattern on the gray fabric. My well-thought-out plan was shattered by the doorbell.

  “Can you get that?” Amelia yelled from upstairs. She was getting ready and wanted me, the girl who wanted to fade away, to move and open the freaking door. Didn’t she know the pain that caused me?

  I shuffled to the door. I knew it would be Hunter and he’d be dressed up like he was going to some damn wedding or classy school dance. My heart jumped into my throat when I realized some
one was tagging along with him. It happened to be Jason.

  “Hey Syd,” Hunter said as he passed by me into the house. I didn’t reply. Instead I stared at Jason like he was a serial killer who was standing over me in my pitch-black bedroom. I hadn’t seen him since I fled that party with Derek.

  “What do you want?” I managed to ask. My voice sounded annoyed, and I was glad.

  “Can’t I hang with my best bud and see how you’re doing as well?”

  “I see no point in killing two birds with one stone when I’m nothing to you.” I stood my ground in the doorway, not letting him pass.

  He ran his hands through his thick hair. I kept my hands at my sides, resisting the urge to slip my hands into his hair to see how soft it was.

  “I see you as a friend,” he said simply.

  “Why? Because your bud and my best friend are fuck buddies?”

  “What’s wrong with you? They’re together. Don’t you think about anything else besides sex and parties?”

  I grabbed a strand of my dirty blonde hair, finding the spilt ends fascinating. “Don’t know. If I did, I still wouldn’t tell you.”

  He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes for a moment, clearly upset. “I don’t have time for this. If you want to wallow in your self-pity and drink to the bottom of liquor bottles, be my guest.” He turned to leave and I was going to let him.

  “Wait!” Amelia shouted. She was behind me, pushing me out of the way.

  Her face said it all: deep lines in her forehead, pinched lips, and her hazel eyes were glassy. For a heartbeat I thought a tear was going to run down her cheek. She was worried about me. Looking behind her to my mess of fast food wrappers and empty bottles, I could see why she’d want someone to watch over me.

  Jason stopped, turning back as if in slow motion. He stood there, waiting. Amelia looked at me with wild eyes, as if I seemed crazed. “Don’t let him go, Syd.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m afraid of leaving you alone. You’re spiraling.”

  I crossed by arms over my chest and felt like a child whose mother wouldn’t buy her a toy at the store. “You really feel like I need a babysitter?”