by L. J. Woods
The door’s open when I get there, and with one last glance around me, I enter his office. Everything is in pristine shape, the smell of fresh linen in the air. That means the housekeepers already got to cleaning up.
Making my way over to the large oak desk, my body sinks into the leather of the massive brown chair. There’s a couple of drawers by my knee and I pull at them, but they’re locked. No key in sight.
Swivelling around to look at the shelves behind me, there’s a photo of Nancy and Eric on their wedding day. Next to that is another framed photo of them holding hands on a beach. Random nick nacks surround it. A miniature golden palm tree, golf bobblehead and an unopened book of affirmations.
Turning back around brings me face to face with Eric’s flatscreen monitor. Under his keyboard is a large calendar, most of it unused. I flap the pages like a flipbook, looking for the next spot to investigate. Tapping my chin my eyes scan the room. Where would Eric Archibald hide his secrets?
Whoosh!
Like the universe heard my cry, a paper slips out of the calendar. It lands on the floor beside the wheel of the chair. Picking it up, I scan the scribbled words in blue ink.
The Better Business Plan - Q4.
The family man persona - Brenson Toys.
Think bigger than pets.
Adopt?? Too much commitment
Foster??
The rest of the paper goes into detail about where the best place would be to foster children from. Seems to be no foster care system at all in Eden. The word "ethnic" has a dark blue circle around it. That's next to a number for “The Glendale Grove Ministry of Children and Social Services.”
Leaning back in the chair, I take it all in. Their plan unfolds as I kick my legs up on the desk but this doesn’t tell me anything I don’t already know.
It's obvious the Archibalds are only using us to get in with potential business partners. Having two “ethnic” kids around is Eric's business move to attract family-oriented companies. The Archibalds might be good at business but they're not exactly subtle.
“Mr. Archibald?” The door creaks and I shove the paper under the calendar, pulling my legs from the table. Vincent’s head peeks through and when he sees who’s sitting behind the desk, he swings the door open. A gust of wind moves through the room. “Miss Rowland! This room is off-limits to you!”
I’m already on my feet by the time he finishes his sentence, headed towards the door. When I get to where he’s standing I give him my best faux-smile. “Sorry, I was looking for Daddy Warbucks.”
“They’re at work. That’s what people do during the day.” He narrows his eyes.
His words make me yawn in his face. I'm getting way too used to everyone’s attitudes. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some fucking off to do.” Taking a move from my classmates, I knock over a painting off the wall on my way out. It goes down with a smash but I don't let Vincent see my wince. “Might want to get that. Daddy dearest might get upset. And we all know what he’s like when he’s upset.”
As I’m skipping up the stairs, my stomach twists. God, that was so bratty. I didn't have to stoop to the level of the residents in Eden, but man, did it feel good. I’d have to watch myself before I become someone’s villain but Vincent made that way too easy.
Stopping at the second floor, I take a peek down the hallway. Vincent’s muttering and I already hear the swishing sound of a broom and the clinks of broken glass. Picking up my legs, I thud harder on the wood so Vincent thinks I went upstairs. Listening out, I take one last peek down the stairs before heading towards the second-floor hallway.
Unsatisfied with what I found in Eric’s office, I’m hoping to find more clues in their bedroom. When I push on the handle to their bedroom door, my heart races but I'm relieved it opens.
The room smells like jasmine and musk. Sweet, yet masculine. Their silky ivory sheets look even more heavenly than what Willow and I have upstairs. Under the bed is spotless, hardly a speck of dust on the shiny wood floors. No clues either.
Standing in the middle of the room, my eyes scan for my next step. This room with its champagne-coloured walls is big enough to fit a sofa, fireplace and a chaise. It all makes up a small living space. The rest of the decor is basic bitch to the max. More beige coloured items, a matching furry rug.
There’s another set of white doors a couple of feet away from their bed. Pushing through brings me onto another shiny white floor. I’m in the bathroom, long circular sink on either side of a round white tub. Two massive closets are on each side of me too. His and hers.
Nancy’s is on the right. I can tell from the door, a pair of Louboutins out front, a Louis Vuitton coat sticking out on a wooden hanger.
Moving inside, the smell of fresh cotton and leather take over. Her closet is almost the size of my room, a big velvet chaise in the middle of floor to ceiling shelves. Half mesmerized, half looking for clues, my fingers kiss the fabric of what I’m sure are pieces worth thousands of dollars.
There’s a set of drawers in one corner and I make my way over. On top is a display of necklaces and bracelets. “This looks like a place someone might keep some secrets,” I mutter. Tugging on a drawer there’s a tinge of excitement in my core as it opens.
It’s not what I expect. Pieces of delicate lingerie lay inside pink tissue paper lined drawers. Victoria Secret. Stella McCartney. I only know these labels from Willow's interest in fashion.
My eyes zero in one in particular. It’s black, shiny and strappy. A one-piece that looks more badass than the rest of the dainty pieces she has in her collection. It’s new, creases in the fabric, price tag hanging off its label. I pull it out, Damien’s voice ringing through my head.
Didn’t take you for the virgin panties kinda girl.
It gives me an idea.
An idea that tells me I’ve got new plans for the evening.
It might be ridiculous. It might not work. But now that I’ve thought of it, there’s no backing down.
I’m going to that homecoming game.
“So...you’re going through with this?” Allie looks at me from the driver’s seat like I’m about to jump off a building.
And it kind of feels like I am.
Looking outside the passenger window, students file towards the school entrance. Some I recognize, others I don’t. The school looks a bit ominous at night, orange moonlight shining on the roof. It's not helping my nerves.
“Yep,” I pop the ‘p’ when I answer. With a glance at Allie, the mickey of scotch in my lap comes to my lips.
Allie didn’t question me when I texted her about coming to the game. I told her my plan and she didn’t try to convince me out of it. She just showed up to grab me from the front gate before plopping the alcohol in my lap like the legend she is.
I'm grateful for the liquid courage though. Also grateful Allie didn’t ask this question before we got here. Sitting in the school parking lot doesn't give me much time to back out.
“Well, I support this movement,” Allie smiles. It's the reassurement I need. “You got me here right beside you and Nate should be here soon.”
Willow is with Bella tonight. She was out the door before I could tell her my plan but I know she has my back too. Or she’d call me crazy.
God, this is crazy.
“Thanks, Allie.” More kids walk by the truck. With another swig, I straighten the straps on my outfit, enjoying the burn. “Time to take back the power.”
Allie follows when I get out and close the door. The minute my Docs hit the pavement, students stare. A gulp forces its way down my throat but when Allie appears by my side, linking my arm, there's a wave of confidence.
Tightening the plaid shirt I have tied at my waist, I remind myself I have Christian’s joggers in the car. But for now, along with my boots, Nancy’s strappy one-piece is the only thing I’m wearing.
“Woah!” A red-haired boy gawks as Allie and I walk by. Waving, I give him a wink as I toss my hair behind my back.
If these kids wan
t to stare, laugh and giggle at my body, I'm going to give them something to look at. I’m not going to let Lea and her crew be in charge of who gets to see my body and when. And tonight, it’s on display. No virgin panties at all.
“Skank!” I recognize a girl from one of my classes. One of Damien’s wannabe concubines.
I give her a smile before flipping her the bird. “Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me.”
Her jaw drops as whispers get louder. We’re stopping students in their paths, eyes all turning to us.
Allie leans in, her voice low, “You okay?” Her outfit is much more conservative than mine. A long green sweater and dark leggings in beige boots.
“Damn Rowland!” I hear Luca’s voice from my left, he’s with another boy from the hockey team. Both have their jerseys on, hair already damp with sweat.
The dark-haired boy next to him flips open his phone, hunger on his face. The shutter goes off and Allie shoves her hand in front of it. “Dude, are you serious?"
That’s when I notice Damien standing right outside the door to the school. Christian and Isaac are to his left in their hockey gear. Both Christian and Isaac’s jaws are as dropped as the students around me, all trying to get a peek. Damien though, his eyes are narrow, like he’s seething.
“No, it’s fine.” I strike a pose, fluffing up my hair like the girls Willow watches in music videos. “A picture lasts longer right?”
Allie steps away so I can be in the spotlight and some of the guys around hoot and holler. There’s more chatter. Questions. Answers.
“Is that Medusa?”
“Isn’t she on the blacklist?”
“What a whore - but I like that outfit.”
“Stop looking at her!” I turn to see a girl smack what I assume is her boyfriend on the arm.
Smiling, I poke my ass out to more hoots, hollers and cheers. More cameras are going off and I relish in this moment. For the first time since I moved to Eden, I’m getting attention for something I did. Self-inflicted. Not from the likes of entitled assholes. And with one look at Damien, he’s hating every bit of it.
“What is going on? Why is no one inside?” Lea pushes through the crowd, appearing in front of me in a plaid mini skirt. “Medusa?”
She looks me up and down with disgust and she’s about to speak but I cut her off, approaching her, “No, let me start.” The crowd around us quiets and I glance at Damien to make sure he’s watching. “Since you wanted a good look at my body, here you go.” I pull the plaid shirt from my waist, dropping it to the floor for dramatic effect. “Sexual harassment and slut-shaming because you feel bad about yourself is pathetic, don't you think?”
Lea scoffs, “Oh, so now you’re harassing that outfit?”
Posing I give her a smirk. “You mad because you can’t pull this off?”
Glancing at Luca, he's looking at me like some sort of celebrity pornstar. I don’t know why, blame the whiskey, but I lean into whatever non-rehearsed show I’m performing. A few steps bring me closer to him and I smile. He smirks before I pull him by the shirt and give him a long kiss. He has chapped lips and his breath tastes like stale milk, but I give him the best fucking kiss of his life.
“Woah…” Luca wobbles when we part, a hazy look on his face, one eye closed.
When I pull back, Lea’s face is like ketchup. If I look close enough I can see the steam coming from her ears. It makes my smirk wider. “Or are you mad that you won’t ever be able to do that?”
She stamps her feet like a bratty five-year-old, fists clenched at each side. “Because I’m not a fucking skank!” Lea squeals like a mouse caught in a trap and it almost hurts my ears, but I get the picture. The skank card again.
Georgina and Beth emerge from the crowd on either side of Lea. Georgina looks at Lea who looks like she’s about to burst before she turns to glare at me. She brought reinforcements but I have backup too. And it’s juicy.
Getting real close to Lea, I tower over the green and white ribbons in her curled ponytail. I’m in her space. Close enough that I can feel the heat coming off her. I say the words loud enough for everyone to hear, “Is that why you’re sleeping with your algebra teacher?”
Gasps and whispers come from the crowd. Some snickers and giggles too.
“Excuse me?” Her eyes double in size. “Oh right. You’re from The Grove. You’ve never heard of tutoring. You don't need it when you're a hooker!”
“Tutoring?” I jerk my head back, blinking my eyes with exaggeration. “Does that involve him reading you Shakespeare while you blow him under his desk?”
I’m reaching, but it seems like I hit some sort of bullseyes because she opens and closes her mouth like a fish. She's caught and I smirk, basking in her expression.
Georgina looks at her, ready to swipe her off the throne. “Ew! Mr. Trout?”
Beth snorts, trying her best to look away and the Mortal Kombat taunt comes to my head. "Finish her!”
“Speaking of fish.” I wink, pushing in the sword. “You look like one.”
Turning on my heels, I don’t stay to hear a shitty retaliation. As the crowd erupts into chatter around us, I grab Allie’s hand and push through the ‘disturbance’ I’ve created.
Headmaster Beckett would be proud.
Fourteen
My body buzzes, tingles on my skin and it's not from the whiskey.
As we pass a few students, the whispers are already different.
“Did you hear? Lea’s sleeping with Mr. Trout.”
“That new girl made out with Luca Ferraro.”
“Still a slut.”
Ignoring it all, we head towards the front entrance. Nothing will take this floating feeling away, my heart pumping with adrenaline. I can’t wait to see the look on Damien’s face. Can’t wait to show him that there’s more to me than that shook girl in her grey tattered underwear.
I’m a goddamn warrior. A sexy one in this suit. I'm like Catwoman and I want to rub it in his face. But when I approach the steps, he’s already gone, leaving his boys behind.
There's already a bit of a wobble in my step as we get closer, the whiskey settling. As we climb the steps, Isaac starts to slow clap. “Didn’t think you had that in you,” he says.
Christian claps along, giving me that charming smirk, an amused shake of his head.
“Don’t you guys have a game to play?” Allie gives them a wave of her hand, a smile on her red lips. “Shoo! The queen needs her space.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Isaac gives me another up and down. “Worth the show though. See you around Medusa.” Christian stares at me and even when Allie clears her throat, he keeps his gaze. There’s a fresh cut near his left eye and I can’t tell if it’s from practice or something else. His shoulder moves forward, propelled by Isaac’s nudge. “C’mon man,” Isaac groans. “Coach is gonna yell.”
“Uh, yeah. One second.” Christian pulls his jersey off, exposing padding and a shirt fitted to his muscles. Handing it to me he scratches the back of his head. “In case you get cold.” He doesn’t wait for a thanks before following Isaac into the school.
“You from ERA?” A couple of boys with a fancy vodka bottle stand beside us, eyeing me up and down. The one who speaks has curly blonde hair, top longer than the sides. He's cute. Dapper-looking, but the sweater over a collar style isn't my thing.
“So?” My eyebrow raises.
He smiles, auburn eyes moving around my outfit again. "Wanna sit with us?”
“Sorry, she’s already spoken for,” Nate’s voice comes from behind. His arms wrap around us in a thick colourful sweater, smoky cologne coming off him. “Excuse us. We have a first-quarter to attend to.”
“Period,” I whisper.
“Whatever.” Nate pulls us through the front door.
We make our way through the main building and out into the back garden where more students gawk and whisper.
"You look like a delicious dominatrix,” Nate says, pulling on one of my straps. “Allie filled me in and I
approve. Impressive."
They lead me through the garden and into the building with signs for the rink and pools. It's colder inside than it is outside, the temperature dropping. I pull Christian’s jersey over my head as we get closer to the ice. His jersey is a little sweaty but I can still smell his cologne and it’s intoxicating. It reminds me of being alone with him in his car.
“Hey, Jo!” Another one of the guys I recognize from Damien and Lea’s group scoots by into the rink with a smile.
Nate watches him before he speaks, “I see there’s a shift in the kingdom.”
“We should celebrate!” Allie wiggles the flask in her hand, pointing her chin towards the bleachers. “Over some whiskey that is.”
We settle into a seat in the second last row of bleachers on ERA's side. Lea and her crew are at the top and I can feel her eyes on me but I’m not spending any more time on her.
Nate and I are almost done with Allie's flask and the three of us are having a blast at this game. The Eagles are facing the Ancaster Hawks and it's a fiery one to kick off the season.
Glares are sporadic on the Home side, and guys from Ancaster keep looking over with winks and waves. This includes the one with the curly blonde hair.
Nate nods along as Allie brings him up to date on the information I dropped about Lea. “Now that's some hot tea, but why am I not surprised?” A smile spreads across his happy face. “You used that information like a true Eden native, to bring someone down. I’m proud to call you my friend, Jo Rowland.”
A true Eden native? That’s something I never desire to be, but when Nate says he considers me a friend, there’s a warmth in my chest. A smile on my face. After you’ve gone to as many schools as I’ve been in, friends are a scarcity.
It could be the flask we’ve been drinking or the adrenaline from confronting Lea. I’m not usually a touchy person but I pull both Allie and Nate in for a group hug. “Thanks, guys!” Pressing their cheeks into mine, my arms squeeze us together. I couldn’t have done this without them.