“Really?” I grunt. “That’s the excuse you want to go with? You realize that I don’t give a shit if you walked here. That doesn’t mean that I’m automatically obligated to sit on your damn shoulders as you hobble back to my pool house.”
“Yeah, I know. Of course, I know that. It's just … I really miss you and I’d really, really love to drive you home.”
I meet his eyes and in a flash, he gives me his award-winning puppy dog eyes and I crumble with need, so utterly desperate to have my friend back. “Fine,” I groan, trying harder than ever to keep the annoyed tone in my voice. “But you better make it quick and no extra stops along the way.”
Sebastian salutes me and as I start walking around to the passenger’s side, he drops back through the window and makes himself comfortable. I climb in beside him and as I fasten my seat belt, I feel his heavy stare on me. “What?” I snap.
“Nothing, I just … how are you?”
I raise a brow. “How am I?” I say with a sick laugh. “My best friends all lied to me, my father was murdered, and Charles was murdered—possibly by the same guy. My father was a secret killer that sold me, I moved to a town that hated me, and now I’m possibly falling in love with a guy who has the power to destroy me. Oh, then I was raped, and nearly killed in a drive-by shooting. Not to mention all the bullshit I’ve had to put up with along the way like Colton’s bitchy mom and sisters and the dickheads at the Academy throwing acid over me. So, you tell me how I am.”
“Okaaaay,” he says slowly, hitting the gas and pulling away from the curb. “So, things haven’t been going so great? I mean, you’ve got that whole falling for Colton thing, right? That’s a positive. It’s not all bad.”
I level a heavy glare on him and he instantly swallows whatever bullshit that was about to come flying out of his mouth. “Can we just skip over all the stupid bullshit and say what needs to be said?”
Sebastian lets out a heavy breath and as he glances across at me, I see fear in his eyes and realize that he’s been working up to this moment, too afraid that I’ll push him away and risk fucking it all up even more. “Okay,” he finally says. “We fucked up. Each and every one of us, we fucked it all up, like royally fucked up. Every step along the way, we had an opportunity to come clean to you and we hid it in our selfish need to protect you when we should have known that not only were you strong enough to handle it, you would have been able to protect yourself better.”
“I don’t want to hear the same bullshit that you guys keep spouting. I don’t want to hear about you as a group. Stop apologizing for them. If they want to make things right, they can come and make the effort themselves. I want to hear about your part in all of this.”
He nods and presses his lips into a tight line as he pulls up at a red light. “I’m sorry, Ocean. You’re my best friend, my little fucking sister and I let you down. It was a matter of either coming clean or going against the boys. We all sat down and agreed that we wouldn’t say anything and then it got to the point where it had gone too far to come clean. You’ve got to know that we never intended on hurting you. That’s the last thing I ever wanted.”
“And what about the cameras. You had a million opportunities to tell me about that.”
His eyes drop and he studies his steering wheel way too closely. “I kept telling myself that it was to protect you, a way that we could watch out for you. I wasn’t on board at first and then that fucker put his hands on you and I climbed on board pretty fucking fast after that.”
“So, not one of you gave a shit about violating my privacy?”
“Of course we did, O. It felt so fucking wrong and when I realized that the threat from the Jude kid was gone, I wanted it out. I was planning on coming down here and stripping the place myself and then things got serious between you and Colton and that’s when everything took a turn. I didn’t realize what Nic had done at first but when I figured it out … fuck, babe. I’m so fucking sorry.”
I glance over at him, watching as he navigates through the streets with his heart on his sleeve. Tears begin welling in my eyes and I instantly hate myself for it. “You were a brother to me, Sebastian. You and Nic. We’ve always been the closet and all I see is a list of betrayals that just keeps getting longer and longer. Do you have any idea how bad that hurts?”
“I know.”
“Imagine if I did that to you.”
I watch as the guy that I’ve always seen as larger than life gets smaller and smaller, completely deflated until he finally pulls over on the side of the road. I stare at him, wondering what the hell he’s doing when his hand flies across the car and he unclips my seatbelt. I'm pulled up onto his lap before I even know what’s going on and then his arms curl tightly around me and my head is crushed into his strong chest. “I’m so fucking sorry, Ocean. If I knew it would end with you hating me like this, I never would have done it. I would have gone against Nic and done what was right. If I could take it all back … fuck. I love you so goddamn much. Please don’t end this. I need you in my life.”
Fuck, that’s some big words he’s saying there. Big words with big fucking consequences. Saying that he’d go against Nic’s wishes just to make things right means he’d turn his back on them for me, and that’s a shitload of weight right there.
My tears fall heavier. Sebastian has always been the softie of our group but he’s always been so strong. I’ve never seen him break down like this, never seen him so damn vulnerable and it shatters every last piece of me. “I don’t hate you, Sebastian,” I murmur over the lump in my throat. “I'm just hurt. What you guys did … it hurt. It really fucking hurt.”
“Tell me what you need, O. Tell me how to make it right.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know,” I whisper. “I just want my friend back. I want to be able to trust you again. I miss you so much.”
His arms tighten around me and he holds me so damn tight that it hurts. “I’m right here, baby. I swear, anything you need, it’s yours.”
I suck in a deep breath before slowly letting it out and trying to calm my wild emotions. We sit on the side of the road for twenty minutes, just sitting in each other's arms until the pieces of my soul finally start gluing themselves back together.
I wipe my eyes on his shirt and pull back, meeting his soft, careful stare. “Do you want to stay for dinner? We can make tacos.”
A wide beaming smile spreads across his face and I watch as the weight visibly lifts off his shoulders. He presses a rough kiss to my forehead and all but shakes me with joy. “Fuck yeah,” he exclaims, practically tossing me back over to my side and hitting the gas before I have a chance to right myself in my seat. “Let’s get you home.”
We get back to the Carrington mansion in record time and I laugh at how out of place his car looks in this driveway. He barrels out of the car and instead of going through the house, I take him around the side, not wanting to risk him bumping into Colton. I only just got him back and despite Colton declaring that he’s good with the boys, there’s definitely still bad blood between them, especially now after the whole camera bullshit.
Dropping down onto the couch in the pool house, Sebastian fills me in on everything that’s been going on back home and giving me any updates on my boys. I didn’t ask for them, but deep down he knew that I needed to know every last detail.
The hours tick by and before I know it, it’s time to make dinner and just as I knew he would, Sebastian gets up to help. He drops his phone down on the counter to free up his hands and within moments, he’s by my side, screwing everything up.
His phone dings on the counter and both our gazes drop to read over the incoming text from Nic and my brows instantly shoot up in curiosity.
Nic - Antony DeCarlo just got charged alongside his brother on drug charges and manufacturing. The fucker is going away for a long time. Lorenzo must have squealed. keep your eyes out. If he cut a deal, we could be next.
“No shit,” Sebastian laughs.
“What?” I question,
pretending to have absolutely no idea what's going on as though I didn’t just read over his private text.
“Fuck me,” he says, still stunned. “You know the DeCarlo brothers? They’re the fuckers who came in here and shot up this place. You know, after Nic …”
“I know the ones,” I snap.
“Yeah, well one of them got arrested a few days ago and now another brother did. I highly doubt Lorenzo squealed. They have to be going down some other way. Either way, they’re both fucked.”
A smile pulls at my lips, knowing damn well that this was Colton’s doing. There’s no if, what’s, or buts about it. Colton is a fucking genius and I have absolutely no idea how he’s pulling it off. I don’t think it really matters though, all that matters is that these fuckwits are going away, just as they deserve.
“Shouldn’t you be concerned?” I question. “Nic told me that you guys have deals with them.”
“Yeah, they won’t say anything. Nic is being too paranoid. Without us, their side businesses can’t operate and with two of the brothers being locked up, it’d be too risky to start making changes now. We’re good.”
“Clearly the cops are good too if they’ve got two brothers. What's to stop them from digging a little deeper and getting you guys too?”
He scrunches up his face as he starts dicing the tomatoes. “Nah, that won’t happen.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because we have too many cops on our payroll, judges, lawyers. You name it, we’ve got it. The Widows don’t operate by running scared, we’re prepared for this shit.”
Relief filters through me. I want nothing more for the DeCarlo family to go down in a blaze of fire but I don’t want my boys getting caught up in it, despite how angry I might be with them. If time is going to be done for the Widows, it’s going to be dealt by me.
With that said, we focus on getting everything ready for dinner, and just as I’m serving up, Colton and Mom come barreling through the door, continuing their discussion from the other night about this month’s party arrangements.
They both stop in their tracks when they find Sebastian taking over the kitchen. I suck in a breath and hold it, not sure how this is going to go down. Mom’s eyes flick to mine and I give her a small nod, letting her know that everything is good and within seconds, a welcoming smile spreads across her face. “Oh, Sebastian. How lovely it is to see you again.”
She strides towards him and he pulls her in for a warm hug as Colton’s eyes remain locked on mine. “Are you good?” he questions, not giving a damn that Sebastian can overhear our conversation.
I give him a smile and a nod. “Yeah,” I say, knowing he can sense the joy radiating out of me at having my friend back. “Better than good.”
He nods and walks deeper into the pool house before stopping by Sebastian and holding out a hand, ready to officially introduce himself. “I guess it’s time we clear the air,” he says. “I’m Colton.”
Sebastian takes his hand and gives it a firm shake. “Sebastian.”
And just like that, everything is fine in the world.
We sit and have dinner and I watch in amazement as the boys talk and get to know one another, closing the massive gap between my two worlds. Hell, they even seem to get along and agree on a few things.
Dinner goes by all too soon and before I know it, I’m crushed into Sebastian’s arms before he drops down into his car and takes off with a promise to stop by as soon as he can.
Colton stands by my side and instantly curls a hand around my waist. “I haven’t seen you this happy in a while.
I curl into his hold, looking and meeting his hazel eyes. “Thank you for welcoming him in,” I murmur, pushing up onto my toes and brushing a kiss over his lips. “That meant the world to me.”
Colton smiles down at me and shrugs his shoulder. “To be honest, I really wanted to hate him, but he’s actually not a bad guy. A little rough around the edges though.”
I can’t help but laugh, feeling my eyes shining with happiness. “He’s so freaking rough around the edges.”
Colton pulls me along. “Come on,” he tells me. “It’s getting cold out here. I don’t want you getting sick.”
“Yes, sir,” I laugh, allowing him to drag me along.
“I heard a rumor about you today,” he says, making me roll my eyes. I think I’ve been the center of enough rumors to last me a lifetime. What could possibly be going around about me now? “Maybe you could clear it up for me because I’m kinda confused.”
Frustration takes over me but it’s not nearly enough to sour my fantastic mood. “Go on,” I say as we start climbing the millions of steps to the front door.
“Why does Casey seem to think you and her are best friends now?”
“Oh,” I laugh, looking up at him. “About that. There’s something you need to know …”
Chapter 17
I sit out by the pool on a beautiful, sunny, Saturday afternoon with Drix by my side and Casey on the other. Jess floats in the pool on a massive blow-up lounger while Harrison glares at us from the staff kitchen, busily making more cocktails than he’s ever made in his life.
Who knew if I just said please he’d be more than happy to help out? Though, that was after attempting to make our own and making a mess of the kitchen instead. It could also have something to do with the fact that Casey, Drix, and Jess are here, but either way, I’m winning today.
Who knew it could get so good? I have Colton, Sebastian, a bunch of incredible girlfriends and I’m living the life. You know, if you pretend there isn’t a rapist locked up in the dungeon, and what’s better, these people don't give a shit that I’m practically broke with no idea what I want to do with my life. They like me for me and that’s all that matters. Well, at least I think Casey does. The jury is still out on her but for now, she’s cool to chill.
After explaining the growing friendship between me and Casey to Colton, he gave it a thumbs up and told me that she’s a lot more like him than his mother or sister, but also warned me to watch out because she can have a mean streak when she doesn’t get her way, but don’t we all? Maybe it’s a chick thing.
“WHYYYYYYYY?” Jess whines from the pool sipping on the straw of her fifth cocktail as I re-adjust the strings of my black triangle bikini. “Who just ghosts a girl like that? Milo can go and suck my dick. I want him back. He was so good and caring and nice, and I swear, no one has ever eaten my pussy quite so delicately.”
My face scrunches up. Hearing about Milo’s sex life isn’t exactly something I want to hear about, especially if it’s coming from Jess. It’s one thing to listen to Milo’s confusion about the topic, but to hear the actual details. Nope, hard pass.
Hendrix laughs, more than familiar with Jess’ topic of conversations. “What did I tell you, girl? The only way to get over a guy is by getting under another, or on top. Whatever floats your boat.”
“But no one can do it like he did.”
“Like who did?” Comes a too chirpy voice from the back door.
Our heads whip around to find Spencer, Charlie, and Milo striding through the door, grinning at us as though they just walked in on a scene out of their wildest dreams.
“YOU,” Jess shrieks from the pool, pointing at Milo and rolling in her floating lounger to glare at him. “You ruined me for other dick.” Milo’s eyes bug out and as Jess attempts to scold him a little more, she slips straight off the edge of her lounger and straight into the pool with a screechy “Oh, fuck.”
The boys howl with laughter but I don’t miss the slight twinge of guilt dancing in Milo’s bright eyes.
As Jess flounders around in the pool, desperately attempting to save what’s left of her cocktail, the boys walk over and join us. Spencer drops down at the end of Drix’s sunbed, Milo all but overtakes mine while Charlie claims Jess’ vacated sunbed as his own.
“What’s going on?” Spencer asks, leaning back on his hands as Milo eyes my cocktail.
“Not much,” Drix says
, bringing her glass to her lips and searching for the straw with her tongue. “We’re just chilling. Soaking up some rays.”
“Mind if we join?” Charlie questions, looking across at Drix and raking his eyes over her toned body. “Fucking around with you girls seems a little more exciting than playing video games in Spencer’s den all day.”
Drix laughs and grins back at him. “Mi casa es su casa.”
“The fuck?” comes Colton’s booming amused grunt from behind us as Casey scoffs. He walks up behind me and places his warm hands over my shoulders, gently squeezing. “When did your bitch ass move in? As far as I’m aware, this casa is still very much mine.”
Drix shrugs her shoulders. “Sorry, big guy. You have the best pool in Bellevue Springs and a butler dude who makes the best cocktails I’ve ever tasted. Good luck getting me out of here. You might as well admit that I live here now. It’ll be easier for us all.”
I tilt my head back and look up at Colton, meeting his warm, loving eyes. “She has a point,” I laugh. “With the way Harrison is practically pouring the cocktails straight down her throat, you can expect her things in one of your many guest bedrooms by the end of the day.”
He dips down low and brushes his lips over mine. “No way in hell. It’s bad enough having your stubborn ass taking over around here. I couldn’t handle two of you.”
“Actually,” I tease with a whisper, seductively running my tongue over my bottom lip. “I think you could handle two of us remarkably.” His brow raises and he gives me a questioning look, making me choke on my cocktail and realize that I’m all talk. “Don’t even think about it,” I laugh. “I don’t share very well.”
A grin cracks across his face. “Good,” he states. “Neither do I.”
Jess finally emerges from the pool, dripping wet with her empty glass. She meets Colton’s eyes. “Sorry, I uh … kinda spilled my cocktail in there. I’m pretty sure there’s a whole fruit platter at the bottom of your pool now.”
Barbie B*tch: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Rejects Paradise Book 3) Page 16