Ugly Dark Truth

by Sapphire Knight

  “What is it?” Tristan demands, his voice serious with concern, and I move to fix myself.

  “It’s Cole. He’s back.”

  “And?

  “He won the race, but now their fighting.”

  “Who’s fighting?” Tristan shouts, jumping to his feet. I’m quick to follow, shoving my dress down over my flared hips and stand, still a bit wobbly.

  “Cole and Brent are throwing punches with some other guys in the driveway. A few of the racers are pissed he won; says it was rigged. I came looking for you as soon as the fists started flying.”

  Tristan turns to me, fury overtaking him. “Go to your room, Kresley. Lock the door until we return.” He looks to Axel and orders, “Ax, let’s take care of this. I want you to call security on our way.” They take off in a brisk pace without a backward glance.

  “Like hell,” I mutter to myself and take off in a sprint to catch up with the headstrong guys. I’m the one who got Cole to take that race for Tristan. There’s no way I’m going to stand by while he could possibly get hurt. I’m not exactly sure of how I can help, but I’ll figure something out if they need me to.

  We make it out of the mansion after what feels like takes forever and down to the wide driveway. Tristan’s and my mouth both fall open at the site that greets us. It’s like a group-sized brawl happening out here. There are people fighting everywhere, and right in the middle of it all is Cole and Brent. Scanning the crowd, I find Brandon tossing random guys back into the crowd to help out my boys. Sam’s in the mix, a chick behind her yanking her shiny curtain of dark locks while another claws at her face. The guys have no idea I followed them, so while they storm into the fray, I head for my best friend. I’m no fighter, by any means. I firmly believe in hugs, but I’ll be damned if I allow anyone important to me to get hurt.

  I holler a war cry and take off running toward the fray. “Ahhh!” I leap onto the back of the girl yanking Sam’s hair. I don’t know where the bout of courage boils up from, but I take it and use it to my advantage.

  “Bitch!” the chick screams and falls to the ground from my added pressure and the surprise of my attack. Leaping up, next I go for the other one clawing at my bestie’s face. One benefit of being somewhat tall compared to other girls is I can reach over Sam’s shoulder and smack at her assailant’s face. The girl’s arms flail in defense and Sam lays a decent punch to her nose. After my surprise smack, Sam’s gotten this one under control. Backing out of her way, I scan the bodies for the quads.

  Brent and Tristan pound through boys like it’s their purpose in life, and pride swells in my chest at watching them kick some butt. My gaze falls to Cole and Axel as they struggle a bit with their opponents. They can clearly hold their own, but when the antagonists pair up to take on my slimmer guys, they start to falter a bit. There’s no way I can sit idly by while they’re thrown into this free-for-all.

  Winding and throwing random elbows, I manage to jostle my way around people. Once I get closer, I start shoving the guys teaming up together on Cole and Axel. It’s enough to startle their flow up a bit, and they turn around to fling insults at me. Their ugly words ignite my guy’s tempers further, and next thing I know, it’s like their batteries have suddenly been recharged. They gain the upper hand, and I feel like I can breathe again. I don’t like witnessing them fight at all, but they’re boys, and this is just something they do.

  A big brute charges for Brent’s back and I see red. These challengers don’t fight fair, and they try to catch the quads at any disadvantage possible. It pisses me off more, knowing they’d hit the guys I love from behind and possibly cause serious damage. Letting out another crazy woman battle cry, I launch onto the brute’s back. He yells, tossing and turning trying to throw me off, but I cling like a rabid monkey. His body’s too meaty to get a good grip on me from behind, so he ignores me riding his back to go for Brent again. Brute guy lands a hit to Brent’s right eye, and I scream in anguish at seeing my handsome brooding man’s head fly back with the impact. I don’t really know what to do, so I lean in and latch my teeth into the guy’s shoulder. Biting down, they sink into his flesh, and he yelps with pain.

  “You bitch!” he roars, but it distracts him, which is exactly what I was shooting for.

  Brent launches a harsh punch, the sound a powerful thwack. The force is powerful enough that the brute falls to the ground, knocked unconscious.

  Brent comes for me immediately, his arms open, needing me safely enfolded in them. He helps me climb off the unmoving body and pulls me to him. He wraps his arms around my thighs and easily lifts me, closer. My legs automatically encircle his waist, and my arms surround his neck, clutching on. One of his hands holds my back tightly while the other cups the back of my head. “Sweetheart,” he sighs contentedly.

  My big guy tucks his face in my hair, breathing me in. “You’re reckless, but so damn beautiful when you’re being a fierce kitten.”

  “I don’t want any of you to get hurt.”

  “Don’t make it a habit of jumping into danger; we got it.”

  “Because I’m a female?” I get defensive, and he grumbles.

  “No. Because we care about you and don’t want you injured either.” I can’t be upset over his concern, so I squeeze him a little tighter in understanding.

  Brent steps around various bodies to get us out of the way as the de Lacharrieres’s private security team storms the area. They yank kids off the scrapping quads and tell the unwanted guests to leave the grounds immediately. I’ve never witnessed a fight of this magnitude. I rarely see any sort of beatdown, especially at Harvard Academy, but this was an all-out brawl. There was probably thirty or so fighting.

  Clutching to his muscular frame, I stare vigilantly at the crowd for the others. Brent makes me feel safe and warm wrapped in his hold. Moments pass before all of us are standing together. Sam’s there, her hair a ratted mess. She’ll be absolutely appalled when she catches a glimpse of it. Tristan’s next to her, breathing heavy. He was tossing the smaller guys into the crowd like little rag dolls. I’ve seen him on the field many times before, and all I can say is those guys are lucky he was throwing them and not tackling them.

  “Hey,” Brent acknowledges Brandon once we come face-to-face with the other big dude.

  “Yeah?” Brandon briefly trails his eyes over me in Brent’s arms before looking away. Surprisingly, it doesn’t seem to bother him. I’m glad; I miss my friend being around.

  “Thanks, man.”

  Brandon waves him off. “It was nothing.”

  “No, really,” Brent argues. “Most people wouldn’t jump in to defend my brothers and me like you did.”

  Brandon shrugs. “You mean something to my best friend.” He nods at me, and I beam widely in return. Sam joins us, and I look her over, relieved she’s unscarred.

  “Thanks, brat,” I say, and he snorts. “And who knew Sam was a ninja?” I giggle, and she bursts out laughing.

  “Yeah, right! If anyone’s a ninja, it’s you!” she argues. Another giggle escapes me, and the guys join in laughing and agreeing with her.

  “That was insane. Are you all okay? None of you are seriously injured?” I glance between each of them. It hurts my heart to think of them possibly injured.

  “We’re fine.” Cole flashes an easygoing smile as they finish directing security and come to stand with us.

  Cole’s lip’s split, and Brent’s eye is turning black already. Looking Axel over, his cheek’s red and his glasses are missing. I’m sure those are broken and lost. Licking my lips, I remember what Tristan and I were doing before all hell broke loose. He must be able to read my expression because his lips turn up, his regard fiery. His shirt’s hanging off of his bulk in a few spots, looking like he was attacked by a bear and not a bunch of heathen students. Thank God he’s only bleeding from his knuckles and nowhere else.

  “If this happens often, you guys will be the death of me,” I joke, but they all turn serious, staring at me intently before I realize wh
at I’ve said. Holding my hands up, I flash them a shaky smile and say, “Not what I meant. I’m fine, promise.”

  Brent exhales, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose.

  Axel pipes up. “It’s freezing out here. How about we all head in for a cup of coffee?”

  The quads and my two best friends nod as I reply, “I think that’s the best thing you’ve said all night.”

  He blushes, no doubt remembering how much of an ass he was earlier. I think it’s finally time I have a talk with all of them. Tonight was a wake-up call for me. There’s no way I can handle these games anymore, especially not long-term. No matter how much I try to push them away, I care too much. The quads owe me an apology, and I deserve to know how they really feel. I know Brent and Tristan love me now, but do Axel and Cole as well, or was it all just a game to them?

  The week progresses with no more drama, thankfully. Each day I grow closer to Brent, and his broodiness is still present. It’s become one of my favorite things about him. My confrontation with Tristan has unleashed so many pent-up emotions we’d both been suppressing. I’ve been on a roller coaster being around the two of them. They set my body on fire but also inflict so many conflicting thoughts. On the one hand, I want to lose myself in them—completely give in—but I don’t think I can do that while things are still unresolved with Cole and Axel.

  Whether I like it or not, making peace with each of them is long overdue. Especially if how I felt during the fight last week has anything to say about it. I couldn’t bear the thought of any of the quads getting hurt, so much so, that I ran and jumped into the middle of the brawl to help. The crazy thing is that I’d do it again in a heartbeat if the opportunity were to present itself.

  I don’t think that speaking with Cole will be an issue. He’s normally fairly easygoing, and I have a feeling he’ll make it less taxing for me to forgive him. It’s Axel that has me filled with trepidation. It’s kind of ironic that I hold back with him, considering he was the first of the quads that I gravitated toward. Axel’s betrayal has cut me the deepest. After all, he was the one who came up with the plan in the first place. I was too blind around him to see it, and my disregard bit me in the behind because of it. I thought he cared the most about me, but I tend to be foolish where these four are concerned regardless of which brother I’m dealing with.

  “Hi, Kresley!” a few girls say as they pass, and I give them a soft smile without replying back. I haven’t been in the mood to deal with everyone at school and being on the proverbial pedestal they’ve put me on. I don’t care for so much attention.

  “You okay?” Sam gazes at me worriedly. I’ve been quieter than usual today, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by my best friend. The guys haven’t brought it up if they’ve noticed it, and I’m grateful. Some things are easier to talk about with your best friend than the guys you’ve fallen for.

  With a shrug, I place my things in my locker and trade out my school supplies for my purse and jacket. I can’t wait until winter’s over, but up here, that could mean as late as June. Lord knows the groundhog never does his part in his predictions, not that I believe the ridiculous tradition or anything anyhow.

  “Nice jacket, Kres,” a passing cheerleader comments on her way out. I smile and wave in return.

  Turning to Sam, I release a sigh. “Brent and Tristan asked me to give Axel a ride home today,” I share, placing the thin strap of my Chanel crossbody purse over my head. It was a gift from one of the guys. I found it on my bed one morning, but no one will admit who it’s from.

  “Why?”

  Zipping up my jacket, I shake my head, at a loss for their reasoning. I turn the volume back up on my cell and say, “Don’t know. They said they have to take care of something. I was too focused on the part of being alone with Axel to think about asking what they’re up to.”

  “And is it too late to ask them? Or find Cole to give him a ride?”

  Nodding, I push through the back door leading out to the bleachers and sports fields. “Yeah, they took off last period. Ugh, this is going to be awkward. And Cole left with them too.”

  “You and Axel need to talk it out, especially with Brent and Tristan finally opening up to you.” I’ve been keeping her somewhat up to date on my soap-opera-worthy life. I know she doesn’t like seeing me upset, but I think she thrives on the craziness of it all. I can’t blame her; I’d be the same way probably if the roles were reversed. They’re not though, and this sucks.

  Pausing, my hands go to her wrists, lightly holding her in place. “But don’t you think it’s strange that I love them all? Isn’t it wrong or something? I should feel guilty, right?”

  She swallows, glancing everywhere but at me. “Umm, what do you mean?”

  “I told you how they broke my heart. Not just one of them, but all four.”

  She nods. “Yep, those bastards didn’t just break it; they stomped on it and drove it straight into the ground. It had to be bad to make you contemplate suicide.”

  Blanching, moisture pools in my eyes, and I groan, “Thanks for the reminder.”

  “Oh, babe,” she winces and pulls me in for a hug. “I didn’t mean to say it so carelessly like that. I was only trying to stress the severity of their effect on you. I’m sorry.”

  “I know, I’m being overly dramatic. My emotions are still slightly raw from not having Cole and Axel on the same page as the other two. I got used to the four of them consuming nearly every waking moment of my life, that the past few months have been utter hell for me. I want them back—all of them. I’m scared that Cole and Axel don’t want that though.”

  She pulls away, saying adamantly, “You have the power to make it stop. You need to wake up girly and realize you hold all the power in the palm of your hands. If it’s making you this upset, then talk to them! I’ve been saying it for months, and I’m sticking to the same advice. There’s not a doubt in my mind that those guys are crazy for you.”

  With a sniffle, I ask, “But what do I even say?”

  She throws her hands up, hair flying out behind her as she tugs me alongside. “First of all, we get out of this godforsaken cold and away from this damn school. Then you come up with a good plan and get those guys right where you want them.”

  “How about you come up with something for me, and I execute it?” I suggest, and she snorts.

  “Okay fine. How about this...” she begins, and I take in every word she says.

  Axel clears his throat, side-eyeing me at my random suggestion. I think I caught him off guard by offering for us to do something that normal people do, like stopping for a drink. Ever since I found him in the library divulging his wicked plan to his grandfather, I’ve been less than friendly or accommodating about anything where the guys are concerned. “Hot chocolate?” he asks, and I offer him a friendly smile. We’re in my cherry red Porsche, and I’d just pulled into the drive-thru. I quickly give the attendant our order and then wait for the delicious hot concoctions to be handed over.

  “I’ve been cold all day, thought it sounded good.”

  He nods, his brow rising. “Yeah, really good.”

  We get to the window, and I pay using Tristan’s credit card and the lady carefully hands me the large steaming Styrofoam cups. The yummy chocolatey scents fill my car, and my stomach rumbles loudly. I haven’t been able to eat much at lunch; it’s been a bit awkward with the argument going and the other students acting like I’m a princess or something comparable. After school, I’ve been practically starving and having the quads’ chef make grilled cheeses for me. Another employee leans out afterward and hands me the paper sack holding our chocolate croissants, and I thank them. Placing the drinks in the two cup holders, I hand the sack over to Axel and pull forward, pressing the button to raise my window back up.

  When Sam initially suggested I get a coffee or something, I wasn’t sure if Axel and I mixed with hot beverages would be such a good idea. I don’t want to lose my temper and “accidentally” throw it at him or anything. When he sat dow
n in the passenger seat, and I caught a glimpse at his healing split lip, it made me remember how helpless and upset I was inside at seeing the guys during their fight and knew we’d be safe with hot chocolate after all. I couldn’t stand it if my guys were injured, even if I was cut up into a million tiny shreds inside.

  Rather than drive us home to the mansion, I take Sam’s advice and go for a drive instead. Turning off on the next exit, we head in the general area where Cole had taken me months before with our milk shakes. I can’t go nearly as far back in the country in my tiny sports car; I can barely drive it half the time as it is. Luckily we don’t have any new snow this week; it’s just colder than a set of polar bear’s balls. Axel watches the scenery pass without mentioning the detour.

  We pull to a stop off the road at one of those little scenery spots the state has marked off and paved wider to park on the side of the road. There’s no one out here, and it makes it feel kind of romantic, just to relax here.

  Axel’s sharp steel irises watch me curiously until I finally open up. “We need to talk.”

  He sighs, the scruff on his jawline more pronounced than usual. He seems tired with dark bags under his smoky irises. I hate seeing him like this; he’s usually so upbeat when we’re alone together. “I’ve been avoiding you this week,” he admits, and I roll my eyes.

  “I had no idea,” I come back sarcastically, and his cheeks tint.

  “I-I don’t know how to do this.”

  “Do what,” I probe. “Talk?”

  “No. I don’t know how to deal with confrontation. My brother’s fight, sure, but they resolve it almost immediately.”

  “And you never argue with them?” I ask, trying to think back and remember if I’ve ever seen them at odds with each other.

  He shrugs, nudging the edge of his glasses up a millimeter onto their usual place. He needs to tighten the frames, though I’m sure he has much bigger things on his mind than something like that. “Of course, we disagree at times, but they rarely fight with me on anything. And especially not resolve it quickly; they don’t have any reason too.” He taps his fingers on his leg in an anxious habit. I’ve noticed him do it many times before when he’s working through some sort of problem or equation in his head. He did it the night I found out the truth.