by K. G. Reuss
“I’ve been waiting for you,” my voice shook. Maybe I’d misread our friendship. Maybe Lance was right, and I’d just made everything super awkward.
“What’s up?” he asked, not really sounding interested.
“Um, so I know this is weird and sort of sudden, but I was wondering if you could help me with something,” I rushed, my words falling from my lips. “I’m doing a charity drive at church—”
“Church?” he interrupted with a frown.
“Yeah,” I stammered. “I-I want to raise money for the homeless. The shelter lost their funding. So, unless something changes, they will be closing early spring. I know I can’t raise much. But I figure every little bit will help. And I want to gather hats, coats, and gloves—”
“Give them a bottle of booze,” he muttered, moving past me to his locker. “They’ll appreciate it more than ten pairs of gloves.”
“Oh,” I said softly, feeling let down and out of place. I had to get out of there. I was such an idiot. I’d totally misread our friendship. My feet shuffled backwards, moving away from him just hoping to slip off without him noticing.
“Fuck,” Brax sighed, slamming his locker closed. “What sort of help do you need?”
“I-it’s fine,” I said, my heart in my throat. I continued to back away from him. “I know you’re busy. I-I just didn’t have anyone else to ask. I-I shouldn’t have—” I turned to leave, wanting to kick myself, but his hand came out and pulled me back to him.
“Mags,” he murmured, tilting my chin up with his fingers. “What can I do?”
“I need someone to help me knit hats and maybe help with a bake sale,” I said, internally begging him to say yes. I was going to sink into the ground and disappear if he said no.
“Where’s your boyfriend? Why isn’t he helping?”
“He-he said he’s busy with work, school, and football. I mean… I know you’re busy too…” I replied awkwardly, my voice small.
“So, it’ll just be me and you?” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“Yes.” I nodded, swallowing hard.
“I’ll help you,” he finally said after a moment of agonizing silence. “I don’t do the church thing, Mags. I won’t go to one. Will that be OK?”
“Yes. We can meet at Bonnie’s house. She’s this sweet lady who goes to my church. She’s going to teach us how to knit!” He said yes! I was beside myself with happiness.
“We’ll be knitting?” He didn’t look thrilled at the idea.
“And baking,” I added, my excitement growing. I was ecstatic that he’d agreed. I wanted to spend more time with him, getting to know him, and this was perfect. I bounced up and down, excited to get started. We were going to do so many good things. And I’d gotten him to agree to help out!
“I think we can come up with some more ideas on how to raise money for the shelter,” Brax said after a moment. “We can have a fair. Kissing booths, carnival rides, petting zoo, cotton candy, the whole bit. We can have some local bands play the venue, have a talent show, have local vendors donate items as prizes. Hell, we can even crown a carnival queen. It’ll take a while to plan. But very few events are held in the winter, so we should be able to book a venue and rides and stuff pretty easily.” A small smile touched his lips as he spoke, his words falling from his mouth faster, as if he was starting to share my excitement.
“Wow,” I breathed out, amazed at his ideas. I hadn’t gone that in depth with my thinking. “I’m so glad I asked you to help!” My joy was short lived when I realized how much it would cost to host it. We didn’t have a fraction of enough to make it happen. I frowned, feeling let down.
“What’s wrong?” Brax asked.
“It’s just, where are we going to get the money to have the carnival?” I frowned deeper. “It’s not like those are free. We’d have to raise money to raise money.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He waved my worries away. “I’ll take care of that.” Something about the way he said it made me believe him. Before I realized what I was doing, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He seemed surprised at my sudden show of affection. He collected himself quickly because his arms circled around me, pulling me close to his body. He smelled amazing. I’d never get enough of his crisp, woodsy, ash-like scent. I pulled away soon after, not wanting to appear too awkward.
A blond head caught my eye. I looked over at him, my breath in my throat. My lips parted in awe. I didn’t recognize him. But he was gorgeous. Just like Brax.
And he was smiling at me.
Chapter 25
He walked toward us with confidence, a tiny, dangerous smirk on his full lips.
“Brax,” he said softly, his voice a low growl as he passed by us. They knew one another. Brax’s arm circled my waist and pulled me close to him. His eyes darkened as he watched the blond guy walk past.
“You know him?” I asked after he’d passed us. He had the same quality that Brax had. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Lost. Dangerous. Desperately in need of help.
“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth.
“He’s. . .wow,” I breathed out, trying to shake the strange feelings in my head. I felt muddled and hazy. Had I said that out loud? I backed away from Brax feeling mortified, my cheeks hot from my embarrassment.
“Stay away from him,” Brax growled at me, his eyes murky with a storm brewing in them. I flinched. His voice was commanding, tickling my brain, making me feel weak in the knees.
I wanted to know why he was so angry. But before I could ask, Lance’s arms wrapped around me, and his lips found my cheek, kissing it gently.
“How’s my favorite girl?” he asked, smiling down at me. He winced suddenly, letting me go.
“Are you OK?” I asked, worriedly. He definitely didn’t look OK. He grunted and gave his head a shake causing his dusty brown hair to fall across his forehead. As soon as it began, it ended. Lance opened his eyes and glared at Brax. He lunged forward and shoved Brax into the locker hard. He had his forearm jammed into Brax’s neck. Brax wasn’t even struggling.
“Get out of my head, Shepherd,” Lance growled at Brax. I stared at them confused.
What in heaven was happening?
“Lance?” I called out fearfully.
“Maggie, go to class,” Lance’s voice met me, his tone even and no-nonsense. And something within me told me to listen to him. I glanced at Brax who was still staring at Lance. I quickly left them, not wanting to witness them beating one another up but hoping that Lance had enough willpower to not let Brax goad him into fighting.
“Hi, there,” the blond guy I’d seen earlier said later that morning as he sat down beside me in my world history class.
“Hi,” I replied, glancing at him.
“Is this class as exciting as I think it is?”
“More.” I smiled nervously at him. He flashed me a megawatt grin and held his hand out for me to shake.
“I’m Corbin Black.”
I took his hand and immediately winced. He was hot. Really hot. Almost too hot to touch.
“I’m Maggie Westbrook,” I answered, pulling my hand away from him quickly.
“You’re a real looker.” He smiled easily at me. The blush creeped up on my face without warning. “I can see what he sees in you.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
“Your boyfriend.” He continued to smile. “What’s his name?”
“Um, Lance,” I answered, clearing my throat and opening my notebook.
“You aren’t seeing Shepherd?” He leaned forward, his eyes sweeping over me quickly. There was a slight pressure in my head that made me wince.
“N-no,” I breathed out, my head starting to hurt along with the pressure. I cradled my head, beginning to feel sick to my stomach as the pressure intensified.
“Are you not feeling well?” Corbin asked, touching me lightly on the shoulder.
“I-I’m suddenly not feeling all that good,” I mumbled, starlight dancing in my vision.
“You’re really hot,” I murmured, feeling dazed.
“You think so?” He chuckled softly. “You’re not the first girl to tell me that.”
“Not like that,” I grimaced. I didn’t want him to think I was hitting on him. “Your temperature. Your skin. You’re hot.”
“Yeah, I’m good to be with on a cold winter’s night,” he declared, helping me to sit outside the nurse’s office. He knelt down in front of me. I looked at him through my long lashes, his face a little blurry.
“I’d like to spend some time with you, Maggie Westbrook,” his voice was low, like a soft purr. My head buzzed. “Come with me. Now. Leave the school and ride with me.”
I reached out for him. A smile tilted his lips upward as he helped me to my feet. I allowed him to steer me outside. I wasn’t sure why, but it felt important to follow him. It made my heart race. I felt like I wasn’t in charge of my own decisions, yet I knew what was going on.
“Corbin.” I shook as he moved us quickly through the halls.
“Shh, it’ll be over soon,” he said, not slowing down. He took me outside and opened the door to a shiny sportscar that reminded me of Brax’s. I got inside feeling shaky and confused. He hopped into the driver’s side and started the engine. It purred to life beneath us.
“Put your seatbelt on, sweetheart,” Corbin commented, reaching across me and tugging the belt over me and clicking it into its lock. “I’d hate for something bad to happen to you.” He chuckled like he’d made a joke.
“Why do I feel so weird?” I mumbled, my eyes heavy. It was almost like I was drunk.
“Maybe you’re getting sick.”
“Why am I here? I can’t skip school. Alan will be so mad at me,” I breathed out weakly.
“You can skip school. It’ll be fun. Trust me.” He put the car in drive, and we sped out of the parking lot.
“Where are we going?”
“Where do you want to go?” he asked. “Name a place. I’ll take you there.”
“Back to school,” I answered, shaking.
“Anywhere but there, princess. The place is dead boring. Besides, I want to get to know you.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” he countered.
“I just don’t feel good,” I mumbled tiredly. “My head feels weird.”
“Take a nap. When you wake up, you’ll feel much better. I promise.”
I nodded as the pressure intensified in my head. I let out a whimper and closed my eyes. Something didn’t feel right.
Chapter 26
When I woke up, I was sitting in Corbin’s car in the parking lot of a grocery store. My head felt a million times better. I rubbed my eyes, confused about what we were doing and why I agreed to go with him despite my reservations about it. I wasn’t the type of girl that just ran off.
He came out of the store looking incredible, his blond hair in a perfect faux hawk and his eyes bright. He was every bit as gorgeous as Brax was. I sucked in a sharp breath, ashamed at thinking about either of them that way.
“Hey, girlie,” he greeted me, sliding onto his seat. He opened the bag he had and pulled out a packaged cupcake and handed it to me. “For you. I figured you might be hungry after not feeling well. And I got you a water.” He handed me the bottle of water.
“Thank you,” I murmured, taking the items from him. I glanced at the clock. I’d been out for nearly an hour.
What happened to me?
“Feel better?”
“Yes. I-I don’t know what came over me.” I fingered the package of the cupcake nervously. “Um, can you take me back to school? My stepdad will be very upset with me if he finds out I left before the school day ended.”
“Sure.” Corbin flashed me a dazzling smile. “Bit of a hard ass, huh?”
“Something like that,” I muttered. My phone buzzed in the pocket of my dress, and I pulled it out to see Lance’s name on the screen with a text message.
Where are you?
He was probably worried about me. I shot him a quick message.
I’m with Corbin. He’s new.
A moment later another message from Lance flashed on my screen.
WHERE ARE YOU? Are you with him at school?”
I frowned.
No. We left. I wasn’t feeling well. I’m much better now and headed back. I’ll see you at lunch. Xoxo.
“Trouble in paradise?” Corbin glanced over at me.
“Just my boyfriend. He’s protective,” I answered.
“Jealous type?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He’s really sweet.”
“Do you love him?” Corbin asked, glancing at me once again.
“I-I…” I stammered. Did I love him?
Of course I did. I was supposed to. He was my boyfriend.
“No?” Corbin chuckled. “That’s cool. Young hearts unable to commit and all that.”
“No,” I shook my head. “I do love him.”
“Yeah? You tell him that?”
“No,” I sighed. “Do you-I mean, should I?” I had no idea why I was asking the beautiful stranger the question.
“If you love someone you should always say it,” Corbin murmured. “Always.”
I nodded. He was right. But was I in love? Sure, I loved Lance, but love love?
“Not to pry, but do you do it with him? You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.” Corbin turned down the main road.
“I-no,” I admitted, blushing, wondering what was possessing me to answer his questions. “We don’t even kiss.”
“Good grief, princess.” Corbin shook his head in disbelief. “What gives? A pretty girl like you with a boyfriend, and you don’t put out? I’m guessing that boyfriend won’t stick around for long if you don’t throw him a bone.”
“He’s not like that,” I shot back, feeling upset. I couldn't rush this. What if it ruined our friendship? What if we did do something and I disgusted him? What if… he saw the marks on my body from my beatings? Then he'd know how damaged I was. And then maybe Alan's words would be true! I wanted it to be slow and done right. I had to ease us both into this out of my own fears and insecurities.
“Trust me, princess. We’re all like that,” he said, pulling back into the school’s parking lot. “Is it because your stepdad is a dick? I’m getting that you get the short end of the stick a lot. Daddy dearest preventing you from really letting go?”
“He’s not a nice man,” I said, admitting something to him for the second time in just a few minutes. What had gotten into me, sharing my private thoughts with a stranger?
“Want to talk about it? My old man wasn’t very friendly either.” I studied him for a moment as he parked the car. He turned to me with a sad smile on his face. “I’m all ears.”
“He’s just very strict,” I answered softly.
“Tell me, what does he do to you?”
“What?” I asked, shaking at his words. How did he know? Did I talk in my sleep?
“You’re clearly afraid of him. Don’t bullshit me. The guy is obviously a real creep. What sort of statistic are you? The kind who fights the advances or the kind who succumbs to them?”
His words were raw and painful. And he said them without flinching in the slightest.
“Both,” I whispered.
“And you want out, don’t you?” he asked gently.
“Yes,” I whispered, twisting my hands nervously in my lap. “So much.”
“What if I could offer you a way out? Would you take it?” He reached forward and thumbed my bottom lip gently, his eyes locked on mine.
“What would I have to do?” I asked, leaning into his touch for reasons I couldn’t comprehend. I wanted to pull away but couldn’t. And how had we gotten onto such a painful subject, with me willingly answering his quest
ions?
“I’ll come up with something. How does that sound?”
“Will I get into trouble?” I frowned. “I don’t want to do anything bad. I don’t want to be bad.”
“Sweetheart, you’d be a goddess,” Corbin said darkly, his voice sending a chill of foreboding up my spine. “Come on. Live while you’re alive, you know?”
“I can’t,” I sighed, finally able to pull away from him.
“You can,” he insisted. “You can do anything you want to do.”
“Like be a goddess?” I asked wryly.
“Even be a goddess .” He winked at me. “Is that your boyfriend?” His eyes were still locked on mine. I looked in the direction he tilted his head and saw Lance approaching the car, his mouth turned down into a deep frown and his eyes narrowed.
“Yes,” I replied.
“He looks mad.” Corbin grinned, turning to look at Lance.
“He does,” I murmured. His usually open, smiling face was now pinched tight, his brows furrowed, his lips drawn into a grimace. His large hands were both in fists as he stalked quickly toward the car.
Lance pulled my door open and tugged me out before I could protest. Corbin got languidly out of his side.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing with my girl?” Lance hissed through gritted teeth. His eyes swept over me quickly.
What was happening? He never behaved this way! Was this Lance as a boyfriend? Jealous and protective? He'd always been protective of me, but this was taking it to a whole other level. A level that scared and confused me.
“I thought you said your boyfriend wasn’t the jealous type?” Corbin smiled lazily at me. Lance’s arm wound around my waist, and he yanked me close to him.
“He-he’s not. Lance, it’s OK. I’m fine.” I tried to pull him away, but he wouldn’t budge.
“Stay away from my girl. I mean it,” Lance growled, his hazel eyes flashing angrily.
“Sure thing, man.” Corbin held his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t realize you two were that serious. I mean, you don’t even kiss.”
My mouth dropped open. He’d used what I’d told him against me! What a jerk.