by J Bree
She doesn't seem very kind to me.
I lock my door behind me and throw my clothes on with trembling hands. It takes me a minute to realize Avery must have had the opportunity to case my room while I was in the shower, if she had my bag and my key, and I rip the loose board up to check my safe is still there untouched. Once I’m sure it hasn’t been tampered with, I spend two hours pulling everything else apart in my room until I'm sure there isn't anything missing, or a hidden camera planted. That's all I need, that girl having video of me drooling in my sleep. Or dancing around with my headphones in, listening to Blaise’s crooning. I shudder at the thought.
When I finally put my room back together, I climb between my sheets and text Matteo. I need something, anything, from someone who cares about me and, in his own twisted way, Matteo does.
Do you remember when I drank for the first time and you told me I was too good for that kind of thing? I think I'm going to go out next week, and I think I may end up in a fight.
If I see Avery while I'm drinking, she may not walk out of it alive.
You could call in a favor. There are many people that would take care of your problems for you.
I could.
But I won't.
Chapter Six
By the time I make it to breakfast on Monday, the photos—yes, photos—of my naked walk have been seen by the entire school.
The first guy to approach me about it gets ignored, but the second guy gets a bloody nose. He made the mistake of telling me how much he wanted to watch my tits bounce while he fucked me, and I take note of his name when his friend calls out to him while he slinks away. Spencer Hillsong is a dick.
I don't get approached after that. I eat breakfast in my usual spot, and there's a three-chair buffer on every side of me, like no one is willing to risk my violence.
That is until Joseph Beaumont sits across from me again.
“I hope you're not embarrassed, Mounty. I'm actually impressed with what you've got going on under the uniform. I didn't realize your rack was so big.”
I don't even glance up at him. I'm reading the last book I need to for Lit for the year, having spent the entire weekend studying like a fiend to keep myself distracted. I hadn't gone to the dining hall to eat, so I'm starving, and my plate is overflowing with eggs and bacon.
“Aww, don’t be like that, Mounty. Nudes are an everyday thing here at Hannaford. I can show you mine, if you want. I'm quite the photographer.”
I would rather gouge my eyeballs out than see Joey’s dick. I think about telling him that, but it's more appealing to ignore him until he fucks off.
“Cold shoulder, and I'm trying so hard. You're a hard girl to befriend. I could deal with Avery for you, you know. Would that win me your trust?” he coos at me.
“No.” I look up at his cold, blue eyes. The color and shape are identical to his siblings, but they don’t feel the same. Looking into Joseph Beaumont’s eyes was like staring into a void.
I get the impression that this boy tortures his siblings for the simple pleasure of it, and I have no interest in being dragged into it. Besides, I was starting to get ideas of what I would do to Avery senior year when graduation came closer and my chances of being expelled were drastically reduced.
I'd destroy that girl.
But I'd do it myself. I wouldn't hide behind her evil brother.
“She speaks! Are we talking now, or are you insisting on freezing me out?”
“What exactly would you like to talk about, Joseph?” I put down my book and fold my arms. His eyes trace over my chest, and I clench my jaw because I know he's thinking about the damned photos.
“Call me Joey; my father is Joseph. Let’s talk about my party. We're going to the edge of the school boundaries, there's a small woodland area that I've made my own. I'll pick you up after curfew and personally walk you down there, so you don’t run into any trouble.”
I didn't want to go to the damned party at all. How many of the guys would proposition me there? Would Avery and the boys be there, and would I get drunk and confront her? It was a recipe for disaster. I open my mouth to say so when Harley sits down next to me.
I glance around, but he's alone.
“What the fuck do you want, degenerate?” Joey sneers at him. Harley looks at him the same way you would look at dog shit you've just stepped in. His uniform is crisp and new, so I guess Avery finally wore him down enough for him to replace his older one. He looks hot, but then he always does.
“Lips and I have a chemistry assignment to discuss.” True, but we had already finished the assignment. Neither of us leave things to the last minute.
“Well, fuck off and talk to her about it later. We're busy.”
A slow smile works its way across Harley's face, and he starts to eat his eggs. His plate is even bigger than mine. He’s a solid guy, but I get the impression it’s all muscle, so he must spend serious time in the gym. The image of him in a tank and gym shorts flits into my head, and I lock the image down fast. I do not need to get turned on surrounded by these assholes.
“I'm good here. Lips and I are regular desk buddies. She enjoys my company, you know. I don’t have to taunt her to get her to speak to me.”
Joey scowls at him, but I refuse to speak to either of them. Instead I pick my book back up and zone their bullshit out. Joey finally gets up and storms off. Harley doesn't say a word, just eats his eggs and smells delicious.
“I don't need rescuing.” I say as I turn the page.
He snorts at me.
“Everyone needs rescuing from Joey Beaumont. You shouldn't be speaking to him. If he sits here again, get up and walk away.”
“Oh yeah, and what should I do if Avery sits here?”
Harley pauses and then puts his fork down. I watch as his face does a complicated dance before settling into what I think is an attempt at a sincere look.
“I know you won't believe me, but Avery didn't set you up, and she definitely didn't take the photos.”
It's my turn to snort. I give up on my eggs and start in on my apple instead. I kind of want to vomit thinking about how many people were looking and laughing at the photos. It's bad enough that I have to put down the apple too.
“Think about it. Plus, I haven't looked at them. If Joey actually gave a shit about your feelings, he wouldn't have looked at them either. He's a snake in the grass.”
No, he’s not in the grass. He’s a snake that’s wrapped around your throat. “You expect me to believe you care about my feelings?”
He pauses shoveling his food into his mouth and says, “Nah. I just don't find naked photos all that great without consent. I have enough sent to me from willing partners that I don't feel the need to look at yours.”
That's…really decent. Like, a really human and empathetic thing to say. I have to fight back tears. This place is making me soft.
I sniff and say, “You're not missing much. I'm just a scrawny Mounty.”
He laughs, but it's not as cruel as it usually sounds.
My go-to reaction to the gossip and whispers from other students is to stare at them like they're stupid until they get uncomfortable and leave me alone.
It works well, and by the time I get to the library for my tutoring, I've used this against a decent enough amount of people that now everywhere I walk, the other students clear a path. I think they're waiting for me to snap. I kind of am too.
I sit at my usual table and get started on my assignments. I'm now five weeks ahead of schedule in every class except choir.
Ash walks in ten minutes later and joins me, sitting at his usual seat across from me. He doesn't speak while he gets out his textbooks and notes.
“Do you need help today?” I say without looking up.
“I'll ask if I do,” he replies, and I give him a curt nod.
We work in silence, and I enjoy the time to just focus on what I need to get done. For once it doesn't feel hostile; more companionable. When the bell goes, I stay put, since I'm only
halfway through a math worksheet—and to my surprise, Ash does too. The rest of the library starts to empty and a girl from our year comes to lean against the table, twirling a strand of her long russet hair around her finger. She's gorgeous, but she was also present for my walk, so I throw her a filthy look before turning back to my work.
“Hey. You didn't come out last night, I was waiting for you,” the girl—no idea what her name is—says in a seductive tone. I try not to gag. Ash doesn't look very impressed. I try not to feel pleased about that, but I fail miserably.
“I'm sure you found an adequate replacement.”
Oooh, burn. I smile down at my equations so the girl doesn't notice. Ash’s eyes flick to my face, before he zeros back in on the girl.
She tosses her hair over her shoulder and pouts at him. “That's a bit harsh. I was forced to when you didn't show. What, am I supposed to just wait around at your beck and call? Your dick isn't that great.”
The smile he gives her is dangerous. It’s the type he would give me, not a potential fuck.
“We both know that isn't true. You're gagging for it.”
Sweet lord. He doesn't sound like he's flirting, but maybe I'm just bad at reading the signs. I have no experience to fall back on, so it's entirely possible. “If you two are going to fuck right here at my study table, please tell me so I can make other arrangements,” I say as I tap formulas into my calculator. I don’t look up, because I don’t want to see if Ash is into her and they’re just gearing up for a hate-fuck.
“Fuck off, then, Mounty,” she says, and I sigh as I go to grab my books. Ash puts his hand over mine and stops me. It’s the first time he’s ever touched me, and I feel flutters in my stomach.
“Allow me to paraphrase for you, Mounty, I wouldn't fuck Harlow if she were the last piece of pussy left at this school. Stay. I need help with my equations when you've finished yours.”
The girl, Harlow, glares down at us both. She snaps, “I thought you and Avery hated the Mounty bitch.”
“I hate my brother more. Tell me, how did his dick feel up your ass last night?”
“Sweet lord,” I murmur and try not to laugh. This just gets worse and worse. Maybe I should just leave and study in my room?
“At least he isn't a frigid little bitch like you. It's your own fault you lost me to him,” she hisses back at him.
Ash throws his head back and laughs.
The chair next to me pulls back, and I look up to see Blaise fucking Morrison slinging his bag down. He drapes himself into the chair so casually and gracefully, like the god he is. Ugh, one look at him and I’m a dripping mess.
“Is this seat taken?” Lord help me, his voice even sounds amazing when he's just talking.
How the hell do I get out of this?
I've been preparing myself for weeks for this moment.
I knew at some point I'd be faced with Blaise, and I'd have to speak to him. We share a class, I'm kind of on speaking terms with two of his best friends, and from what I'd observed from a safe distance, he's a pretty social guy. Too social for my liking.
I gesture vaguely in his general direction, and then start to move my textbooks so he has somewhere to put his stuff. He grins at me, oh god, and then opens his bag.
Ash and Harlow are still hissing jabs at each other, but I can't find it in myself to care now that Blaise is here. It's taking all my energy not to pass out.
“I've signed up for your tutoring. I haven't been given a time slot yet, but I'm hoping to just tag into Ash’s. Do you think you could do us both at once?”
I nearly faint.
He must be doing this on purpose.
“That's fine. I can—I can do that. What do you need help with?”
He grins, and I decide that the only way to get through this is to just avoid looking at him until I'm desensitized, like I did with Harley. I barely notice he's the epitome of panty-dropping gorgeousness anymore. Okay, I do notice, but I can look past it.
“Great! Are you guys working on math right now? Because I may fail math, and if I do my old man will have a stroke.”
I try to smile reassuringly, but I'm sure it looks like I’m having a stroke. He gets out his worksheets, and I see he's in the lower math class, so I learned this stuff two years ago. I focus on the sums and walk him through the first set. Harlow finally stomps off, and Ash now looks like he wants to bathe in her blood.
“I need a drink,” he says as he loosens his tie with a sharp yank.
“Oh, have you two finished arguing over which brother has the biggest dick?” Blaise grins at Ash wickedly, and I keep my eyes firmly on the page in front of me.
“We both know I win that one. She's a lousy, backstabbing whore. She sold herself to him in the hopes it'll give her a leg up in the social hierarchy.”
I move back to my own worksheet while they gossip. It's not like I can tell them to get back to work. The tutoring session has ended, and I can’t even look Blaise in the eye yet.
“What were you expecting, loyalty and devotion? She's a Roqueford. They're widely known to be double-dealing sluts. Her father has more bastards than legitimate children, and he has six of those.”
“I wasn't expecting her to be so open about it. Floss woke me up this morning with the picture, so forgive me if I’m not in the greatest mood.”
So Avery was sharing around more than just my photo? Great. What a kind girl, I think with no small amount of sarcasm. Ash glances over at me like he's forgotten I was here. His face is flushed, and he looks less like the perfect Grecian statue than I've ever seen him. He looks approachable and hot. Why did I hate him so much?
“Are you enjoying your infamy?” There it is. He always knows just what to say to make me feel like an insignificant fleck of dirt. I clench my teeth.
“Fuck you, Beaumont.” There's no heat behind my words, but I still mean them. I snatch his worksheet up and start marking it. He's gotten most of the equations right, but I enjoy the small amount of red ink I get to use. When I shove the page back at him, he's still watching me, his eyes unreadable.
“I told you not to trust Joey.” He shrugs at me like this is all justified.
I snort at him. Blaise watches us both with captive interest, twirling his pen between his long fingers. I wonder how they became friends.
“Your sister did this to me. Now the entire fucking school has photos of me naked, and I get to enjoy the privilege of being looked at by you lot, like I'm a piece of meat. Like I actually want your rich dicks, when really I'd rather fucking die.”
Ash rolls his eyes at me. “Avery doesn't use naked photos against people. She does have a line, you know.”
“Sure. Piss on all my belongings, but she draws the line at naked photos. I definitely believe you.”
Blaise’s nose wrinkles, and it's goddamn adorable. I turn away from him, so I don't humiliate myself by blushing at him or drooling.
I am in real danger of drooling.
“You don't mean actual piss, do you? I cannot imagine Floss ever handling piss.”
“Yeah, actual urine. It took me hours to fucking clean, all because I'm a scholarship student and I pissed Harley off by accident.”
Ash groans and runs his hands through his hair. He shares a look with Blaise, and then turns to me again. “Avery is very protective, and you managed to get on the bad side of one of the three humans she gives a shit about. She won't let that go, and sometimes she goes to great lengths to keep us safe.”
“Right. Which is why I don't believe you about the photos. Doesn't matter anyway, a few pictures of my tits aren't going to break me.”
Ash’s eyes dip down to my chest and then back to my face. It doesn’t feel lecherous at all, nothing like Joey’s looks. More curious. “There isn't a whole lot to see though, right? I've been sent the photos eight times and deleted them without looking.”
I raise my eyebrow at him. Blaise knocks my elbow gently with his, and I flinch away from him hard. “Whoa, sorry! I was just going to say
that we are pretty anti-revenge porn in our group. There was… an incident. No one has looked at it. I'm not saying we're friends, and Avery still wants you taken out, but you have at least four people who haven't seen your nudes.”
“Three. Avery was there when the photos were taken,” I grumble, and start to pack my bag. I'm so done with this for the night. I don't want to think about the weird, twisted triangle that is the Beaumont siblings and their friends.
Blaise scratches the back of his neck and grabs his papers.
“So, tomorrow we can meet up, right? I really do need help with my math.”
I sigh and sling my bag over my shoulder. I brace myself, and then look right at his gorgeous and alluring face. Damn, his eyes are such a beautiful, clear green that I could just lose myself in them.
“Sure. I meet with Ash during the study period. If you're here, I'll help you too.”
Chapter Seven
The one free study hall I have for the week without tutoring the boys is my haven.
Seeing Joey sitting at my desk is enough to piss me off. Seeing him sitting there with his boots on the table makes my blood boil. Of all the pompous, dickhead things to do, this guy just takes the cake.
His uniform is hanging on his frame a little loosely, like he's lost some weight in the last few months. His eyes are as manic and calculating as ever.
He smirks and waves an arm at me, like a king entertaining the petty whims of a peasant. I want to punch him. In the dick.
I manage to contain myself, but it's a close call.
“Mounty! I thought I'd find you here. I'm starting to think you're a bit of a nerd.” His smile would be called flirty by lesser folk. I saw it for what it was: a baring of teeth, like a lion would do to its prey.
“What can I do for you, Beaumont? I have homework to get to.”
He drops his feet back to the floor and then leans forward towards me as I empty out my bag. He doesn't have any of his own class work with him, so I'm hoping he'll disappear once he has what he wants. “What's your poison? I'm having some supplies sent in, and I don't know what you like to drink. Any party favors you like? I can get whatever you’d like, on me as my guest.”