by A. M. Brooks
“You okay?” I whisper to her, not wanting to draw any attention to us. She nods but doesn’t speak. My heart squeezes in response to her pain. Writing turns out to be suffocating from all the tension. I’m relieved when the bell rings and we are released to lunch.
“I’m so hungry,” Shea complains as we gather our bags and head to the lockers first.
“Me too,” I say.
“Finally!” Olivia announces, arriving out of nowhere next to me. “This has been the worst day ever. I have absolutely no classes with any of you guys.” She pouts.
“That sucks about your schedule,” I tell her.
“What sucks is the lack of knowledge by the guidance office. She actually insinuated that I requested the change!” Olivia yells.
“Is your mom going to see if you can get at least into the one elective you needed?” Shea asks. Concern for her girlfriend evident.
“Yeah, she’s working on it.” Olivia puts pressure on the bridge of her nose to stop the headache she probably has by now. “But enough,” she says dramatically, holding her lunch tray, “We have a new food vendor this year, thanks to yours truly, so eat up bitches.”
Everyone laughs and I do enjoy the lunch this year. Trent joins us a minute later and is talking enthusiastically about his two gym electives he has when I feel it again. Awareness in my gut grows. I’m being watched. I know I’m not crazy as I scan the lunchroom. To my surprise, neither Elijah nor Ethan share the same lunch hour. It’s not until I glance up behind Trent that my eyes catch with angry brown ones. A girl I’ve never seen before is staring back at me. Her two friends near her whisper to her but she isn’t paying attention. She is focused on only me. Her expression is deadly and causes shivers down my spine. I glance down at my plate trying to remember her from last year, but I can’t. My body stiffens when she and her friends get up and walk past our table to get rid of their trays. I don’t look, but I can feel her icy stare as she walks past.
“Liv,” I whisper to her. “Who was that?”
“Who?” Olivia asks. Her head swiveling around to see who I’m talking about.
“Oh shit,” I hear Lily mutter.
“What?” I ask. I’m confused and still tied in knots.
“Uh,” Trent says, looking at everyone else before answering me. “That’s Camilla Turner. Cody’s sister.” Our table is silent a moment.
“Well, that explains the daggers she was shooting my way,” I state. Shit. “Wait, why wasn’t she here last year?” I ask.
“She went to the private school just outside Araminta. She’s a math genius, I guess,” Lily tells me.
“But she’s here this year,” I remark. No one says anything. I can tell they are all waiting for me to react. Wondering if I’m afraid. “This will be interesting.”
The rest of lunch passes quickly before I have to go to Chemistry. Elijah walks in two minutes before the bell rings and I keep my eyes averted. After class, I hurry to the only class I’m actually excited for, photography. After taking it last year, I wanted to continue with the next level. I had just grabbed my favorite camera when a figure in a black shirt slips in the classroom. My head snaps up as Elijah takes a seat at one of the open stations.
“Seriously?” I ask, not caring that my voice carries across the room and a few people turn to watch us.
“Hey, Sutton.” Elijah gives his Elijah smirk, his eyes twinkling. He’s enjoying this. I narrow my eyes at him.
“You don’t like pictures,” I remind him.
“I needed an art credit.” He shrugs his shoulders. I turn toward the front when the teacher arrives. Elijah chuckles behind me and I hear him talking to someone next to him.
I don’t even bother acting surprised when Elijah is also in my computer class last period. I’m unsure if it’s planned or a sick joke that I would have one of the Kings in my class all day long. Except for lunch. In lunch, I get Cody’s sister.
By the end of the day, I’m frustrated and concentrating on which books I need to bring home when I’m shoved to the side. My books and notebook slide across the floor, the impact causes others around to stop and watch. I feel my cheeks heat as I straighten back up. Ignoring the mess on the floor, I turn to face my attacker. Camilla smirks, her long nails dig into the sides of her hips as we face off. A quick flick of my eyes tells me that her girl posse flanks her. The one on the left is a little more intimidating than the other. She must be the muscle.
“Can I help you?” I ask and enjoy the way her eyes darken. I notice the change in her face from innocent to evil. This girl is either hiding some crazy in her or she is just that…pure evil.
“You need to watch yourself, bitch.” Her words are sharp, a warning. She steps closer into my space, but I hold my ground. She has an inch of height on me, but I suspect that more has to do with the wedges on her feet. “You know what they say, right?” She leans into me, lowering her voice so that only I can hear her. “Snitches end up in ditches.”
I feel my pulse race. My body is ready for my fight or flight instincts to kick in. Before I can react, I hear Ethan’s voice. “Hey now Camilla, you wouldn’t be threatening my best friend here, would you?”
“Yeah.” Trent slips up next to him. “I’m not sure ZT would approve if you take this issue into the school.”
“You know the school in Araminta. King territory,” Ethan reminds her. The minute he says those words, she pulls back from me. Her expression is blank, and she barely acknowledges the guys at all.
She brushes past me as she walks away, her words are so quiet I almost don’t catch it, but I do. I see red as I start toward her before I’m caught around the waist by Elijah. When did he get here? “Not right now,” he says to me, nodding and it’s then I notice the crowd watching. They’re always watching. Waiting for a show, waiting for the blood to spill like piranhas in too small of an aquarium.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I vent as I free myself from Elijah’s grasp. I snatch my books from Trent and flee before I say or do something I’ll regret.
“Nora,” I hear Trent call behind me, but I’m ignoring him. I ignore them all, but I hear them following me.
“This whole thing is ridiculous, you realize that, right?” I ask them. We’re in high school. This type of thing shouldn’t be happening to high school kids.
“Can we talk about it?” Ethan requests timidly.
“I mean really, what is this, Gangland?” I can hear the hysteria in my voice, and I hate it. It sounds weak.
“Well you aren’t too far off,” Elijah says before Ethan elbows him in the side.
“Dude,” he reprimands his brother.
I watch for a minute as they do their silent twin communication thing. I raise my eyebrows at Trent who just shrugs. I close my eyes in an attempt to block out the noise and frustration brewing in my chest. I know what I have to do to get the answers I need. My heart gives a painful throb because it knows what’s coming. Throwing my sunglasses on to hide the panic I know they’ll see, I turn to Ethan. “Where is he?”
Ethan drops his mouth in surprise.
“The beach,” Elijah answers for him.
“Thanks,” I reply, completely power walking my ass toward the SUV. I get in and they’re still standing where I left them, watching me. Ethan and Elijah are smiling. Trent looks pissed and I instantly feel guilty. We both know this is the last thing I need and is probably a huge mistake, but I need Darrian to explain what is going on. I need to look at his face when he tells me. I also need to warn him that I’m not the end game. He is.
Almost half an hour later, thank you traffic, I make it to the beach and park as close as possible to the walking path. The sun is starting to set, painting the sky with pinks and orange. My skin is warm through my light sweater. Removing my sandals to make the walk through the sand easier, my body moves forward on its own toward the magnetic force drawing me in. My stomach swoops as I get closer to him. His board is upright next to where he’s standing, waiting for me. I realize Et
han or Elijah must have let him know I was coming. Anxiously, I brush my hair back from my face, trying to keep my breathing calm. Our eyes meet across the distance and I try to ignore that his pupils dilate leaving only a sliver of the silvery grey I used to love. He looks me up and down, leaving a trail of heat behind.
My eyes are just as greedy. His board shorts sit low on his hips, the ends hitting just above his knee. I can see the faint pink scar right down the middle. His broad chest is bare, the muscles twitching under my gaze. New ink decorates his rib cage. By the time my eyes make it back up to his face, he’s smirking. He caught me checking him out. I groan to myself, trying to shake the complicated feelings I have right now. Darrian is an asshole who ruined me and stomped all over my heart. Even if some lustful feelings remain, I do not plan to act on them. He is a disaster in a pretty package.
For the past four months, I have agonized over this moment. Dreaded it and had nightmares about it. The memories from prom night haunt me with every step I take closer to him. In my head, I’ve imagined he’s guarded, shut off from me, or distant even. What I don’t expect is for him to reach out, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear, like it’s an everyday occurrence. My skin tingles along the path he created.
“You look beautiful,” he tells me, his voice gravelly. It warms me in a way I haven’t felt in months. I step back from him, crossing my arms in front of my chest protectively.
“You can’t say that to me,” I respond, irritated that one phrase affected me so much.
“I’m sorry, Nora,” he manages, his voice strangled as he watches me. I peer at him, taking in the clench of his jaw, the clarity in his gaze. He is sober like I had heard he was. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, causing me to take a shaky breath in.
“I’m not ready for that, Darrian,” I tell him, brushing away the wetness from my cheeks, “I want answers. You know why I’m here?”
His face falls, but he nods. “Elijah called when you left.”
“Trent talked to me like you asked him to,” I confirm because I don’t want this to be a secret way he thinks he can control everything. He doesn’t say anything, just glances out at the waves in the distance.
“You didn’t want us to talk to you,” he answers. “I was trying to be respectful of what you wanted and also trying to make sure you’re safe. I went to Trent because you trust him.”
“I get that,” I say. “But I know you only gave him the watered-down version of what is really going on. I’m not stupid. And my run-in with Camilla Turner today proved that.”
“I know you aren’t stupid,” he declares, looking at me accusingly.
“Then be honest with me for once!” I yell, without meaning to. I look around, but we’re still the only ones in our area. “Please,” I add, lowering my voice. “What is happening?”
He exhales, his hands gripping the back of his neck. I can see the indecision flash in his eyes. That jaw muscle leaps. Chills scream through my body when it clicks how bad this situation must really be. As if sensing the shift in my mood, Darrian’s gaze snaps up to my face. Concern replaces the worry that was there.
“That bad, huh?” I sort of laugh because really how did any of this make sense.
“What did Nichols tell you?” he asks, his eyes calculating as he watches me.
“About Roman and that Cody is related to apparently a bad guy named Pierce and some gang. Oh, and the fact they all blame me for what happened.”
“Pierce Turner used to run guns for the Zero-Thirteen when I was in elementary school. He was close with Roman’s brother which is how I know this. Word is now he’s playing with the cartel. He’s dangerous,” he explains.
“I thought they couldn’t operate in Araminta,” I say, trying to remember everything Trent told me.
“They shouldn’t be. After the bust last year it was out in the open that they had been,” he confirms, his head bows slightly.
“You didn’t know where the drugs were coming from that you were getting?” I watch as he shrugs his shoulders.
“When you need something that bad, it doesn’t matter where it comes from sometimes.” His voice hardens and I feel bad for having brought it up.
“Why are they able to be going through Araminta?”
“Usually my dad and law enforcement have been able to keep them out, but Araminta is a prime area. Close to Mexico’s border and just a few hours from Vegas,” he states casually as if everyone knows this.
“Why would your dad be involved?” I ask confused.
His eyes harden at the mention of the older man. “He’s a big businessman in this town. Very influential. Come on, Nora, you know that politicians and big corporations have their hands in the legal system even when they shouldn’t.”
“That’s messed up,” I say. I know he’s right, but it feels like something out of a movie. “What’s the plan then? I know you, Darrian, a threat to your family, to the King name. I know it’s more than just about me being collateral damage for what happened last year.”
“You are the most important to me,” he speaks the words so easily, as if he hadn’t stomped all over my insides a few months ago.
“I don’t believe you,” I tell him. I feel my heart swell and it pisses me off.
“I’ll always be honest with you, Nora—” he starts to say, but I cut him off.
“Only when it works in your favor though, right?” I taunt him. “Tell Nora what she wants to hear, give her little truths but not the whole truth. I’m always the last to know, Darrian, about everything.”
His head hangs down and I see him trying to contain the emotion inside. His body tightens visibly. “I need to talk to my dad to get more information. Once I have it, how about you come over. Ethan and Elijah will be there too. We will tell you everything. Good, bad, make you sick-to-your-stomach truths.”
Shocked, I have to process what he’s saying. In all the time I’ve known Darrian, he’s never been this willing to be so open. We’ve never discussed anything in front of the twins either. “I’m bringing Trent then,” I tell him. His jaw twitches when I mention Trent. He looks away from me for the first time since I arrived. I can’t explain why I need Trent there, except that being alone with the three of them feels too easy. Feels like old times. And because I don’t trust any of them. It’s self- preservation.
“Invite anyone you want. Invite Lily, Olivia, and Shea too. I don’t care.” He shrugs, looking back to me. When our eyes meet, there is an intensity I can’t look away from no matter how hard I try.
“Fine, Lily too because she knows what’s going on. I love Olivia and Shea, but they don’t need to be drug into this,” I reply for lack of having any other answer to the mind fuck he just gave me.
“Okay.” He nods. “I’ll text you tomorrow with a time.”
“Okay,” I agree. I was secretly hoping it would be tonight, but I’ll take it. I turn to leave when he speaks again.
“Nora.” He says my name in a way that sends shivers from my head to my toes. “I hope you know this” —he moves his hand back and forth between us— “means truce is over.”
I’m completely at a loss of words while he stares at me. He’s looking right into me, reading my racing thoughts, every emotion flying through my body. His pupils darken, causing the grey iris to shine brighter. I feel stupid when the only thing I can get my brain and mouth to connect is, “What?”
He laughs softly, clearly enjoying the turmoil I’m in. “We stay away from you, don’t contact you, and don’t mention the name King in your presence… that truce…is over. You sought me out today.”
“For answers!” I say too quickly.
“Doesn’t matter, baby.” He shakes his head before his lip curls in a grin. He looks sinister and sexy at the same time.
“I can’t do this right now, Darrian,” I tell him again. My voice is pleading with him to spare me right now or else I will stay and listen and hate myself tomorrow.
“That’s fine,” he answers, watching me
carefully. “But it will happen. I can’t stay away from you anymore and I won’t. We need to talk about what happened. All of it.”
I can feel the blood drain from my face as he says this. The image of him and Hannah, which is forever seared behind my eyelids, taunts me. I don’t answer him. I turn and walk away as fast as my legs can move over the sand. Ignoring when he calls my name behind me. I can only handle Darrian in small doses and today was good enough for me.
I don’t hesitate when I reach my SUV, I slide in and rock out of the parking lot. Blaring my music, I roll down the window and suck in the fresh air. That actually happened.
“You didn’t fall apart,” I praise myself quietly. That is the only good thing that came out of the whole interaction. Pretty sure my body gave him every indication that he affected me. The minute I get to the house and put the vehicle in park, I send a group message to Lily and Trent as a heads up to be free tomorrow night.
Lily: Of course!
Trent: You don’t even have to ask, you know this.
Me: Let’s leave Olivia and Shea out of this for now. They don’t need to be drug down the King rabbit hole.
Trent: I agree.
Lily: I feel bad but I get it. Lips are sealed ;)
Me: Me too. They don’t know everything though and I don’t want to set everyone in panic mode. It’s not needed.
No more bubbles pop up, so I assume we are all on the same page. I hope if Olivia and Shea ever find out that they will understand. I race in the front door, fighting the panic in my stomach when the hairs rise on the back of my neck. I try to keep my features calm when I close and lock the door behind me.
“Oh hey,” my dad says, sitting forward from the couch. “You’re home!”
“Hey,” I respond, schooling my features to smile when what I really want is to cry.