Unspoken: A High School Bully Romance: The Longlake Duet, Book 2

by Hattie Jude

  He assesses me coolly and knocks my finger back. “Did you see for a fact what it was? Did you get evidence? A photo, the actual drugs themselves? Anything?”

  My eyes narrow on him and I swallow hard, backing up. He takes a step forward, moving until I hit the wall. “No, I didn’t. But I think someone should know.”

  “Someone knows,” he says.

  “Who, you?”

  He shifts until his nose is against mine. “Yes. Stay out of it.”

  “I can’t believe you’re willing to cover this—and for what? Because she’s a sweet fuck buddy? She’s not a good person, Raf. I’m so disgusted by you right now.”

  He smirks and his tongue reaches out and licks the seam between my lips. My heart stutters over itself. “Are you now?” His hands land on my cheeks and he kisses me hard, making my knees weak.

  But I shove him away, panting. “Stop it. I want nothing to do with you.”

  “Right. Keep telling yourself that.” He steps back in, putting his arms around my waist. “The police are questioning Heidi right now.”

  “They are? So you admit there’s something to this?”

  “I’m going to say this one more time and then I won’t ever say it again because I despise broken records. I hate that you’ve made me become one. Stay out of it.”

  This time when he kisses me, I sigh into his mouth and his tongue drives me crazy, sending sparks throughout my body and making me burn for him. He hikes my thigh up and thrusts into me, reminding me of the torture he stoked within me and sending the cravings into overdrive.

  How can I want him so bad when I detest him this much?

  Somehow I get a grasp on my dignity and push him away before he undoes my jeans, even though I want him more than my next breath.

  “You don’t get to do that anymore. We’re nothing,” I tell him. I can’t say that and look him in the eye though, and when he lifts my chin up, I close my eyes.

  “Look at me.”

  “No,” I whisper.

  “You need reminding…”

  “Of what?”

  “That you’re mine.”

  I laugh and it sounds deranged. “You can’t make up your mind enough to know who you are, let alone who you own…which is not me, by the way. No one will ever own me.”

  He chuckles and my eyes open, ready to kick him if he laughs at me again. “You’re so cute when you’re in denial.”

  I slam my foot down on his and he yelps, backing up and dropping his hands long enough for me to skirt past him.

  “This isn’t over,” he says as I leave the room.

  “Oh, it never began. Don’t forget that, Raf. We don’t have anything to continue, so just leave me alone. You’ve been acting like I’m invisible since—” I leave it hanging and swallow hard, the memory of the water just out of reach. “Stay out of my way. And if you know something about Jen, for God’s sake, do the right thing and get your dick out of the way. Heidi Serrin is not worth it.”

  “Your kiss says we’re everything. Your eyes. We’re something, at least in your mind.” He walks toward me, his lips swollen from our kiss. “We’ll never be nothing.”

  I get out of there before he can touch me again. Because he’s right. When he touches me, I lose control and the truth of my feelings comes out.

  But what I need and what is the truth are not the same things.

  It sucks that I have to ride home with Raf after my run-in with him, but thankfully, Ashton is with us. Luci got another ride. Ashton says he can walk home from our house, but Raf ignores him and drops him off in front of his place. I roll my eyes at Raf and lean over the seat to hug Ashton. Raf says something snarky under his breath, but we both ignore him.

  Neither of us speak on the drive to our houses. It’s a few blocks, but it feels like miles. When we pull onto our street, I gasp when I see a few police cars on the sidewalk in front of my house.

  “Not this again.”

  “Maybe they just have a few questions. Try not to freak out until we know what’s happening.” Raf tries to be reassuring, but I’m already running down the driveway. I stumble into the house and my mom is sitting across from three police officers, with Stefen by her side.

  She walks over and hugs me when she sees the terror on my face.

  “There were more lilies,” she says.

  I swallow hard and nod, sitting on the loveseat closest to her. Raf sits next to me and as much as I hate to find it comforting, it is.

  “Would you mind if we asked your daughter a few questions?” one of the officers asks.

  “If she’s comfortable answering, sure,” Mom says.

  “I’m Officer Bramsford. Do you mind? It won’t take long.” He seems to be the one in charge and he smiles kindly, trying to set me at ease.

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Can you tell us the significance of the red lilies?”

  “My…uh, Luke…he used to give me one every time we…” I turn to my mom. “I’m not comfortable answering this here.”

  Stefen stands up and motions for Raf to leave with him. “We’ll be back as soon as you need us,” he tells my mom. Raf gives me a strange look as he walks out, but he’s the last person I want listening while I discuss Luke.

  I’d rather my mom not be here for this either, but I’m too tired for the fight that would bring.

  When Stefen and Raf are outside, I turn back to Officer Bramsford. “Luke gave me a lily almost every time we saw each other. All but the first time we met. I was given one or more every time I had sex with him. He’d leave them for me when he wanted to see me and one when I’d go to his house. It’d be on the bed when I got there.”

  “And what do you think this means now? Do you have a place to meet?”

  “No,” I say sharply. I look at my mom to make sure she doesn’t think that either. “Not here. I was only ever with him in Vegas. I thought I saw him once here, when I was out with a friend, but I haven’t talked to him, and I’m not even sure that was him.” I hesitate before I continue. “I’ve gotten the lilies at school too.”

  “What?” my mom gasps.

  “So others know about the flowers?”

  “Just my mother…oh, and Ashton. He doesn’t know who they’re from, he’s just seen them. And my friend Luci saw the one I got in my locker.”

  My mom shakes her head. “I haven’t told anyone.”

  “And this Ashton, is he a friend of yours? Do you trust him?”

  “I trust him completely.” I try to imagine all the times he’s seen the flowers. He seemed just as shaken as I was the last time. He wasn’t nervous because he had something to do with it, was he? No, that’s crazy. Stop. “I trust Luci too.”

  I jump when Officer Bramsford speaks again. “Has anything else unusual been going on?”

  “I’ve felt like I’m being watched, but no…except when I was hit on the back of the head.”

  “Right. And did you see anyone then?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, if you think of anything else, will you let us know. Anything at all, even if you don’t think it’s important.”

  “Sure. Is he in town? And has he made some kind of deal with the police or something?”

  “I’m not sure what you’re asking, but we’re not personally working with him, no. And he’s not supposed to be within three hundred feet of you, so if you see him, call us right away. We’ll make sure he stays away.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  They leave shortly after that and I think of so many other questions I should’ve asked. If we catch him putting the flowers on my doorstep, can he get arrested? Do they know where he is now?

  They didn’t tell me anything.

  Every day has more questions than answers.

  Why haven’t they found my dad or Luke by now? Why haven’t we caught them sneaking onto our property? And while I had them, I regret not bringing up Jen and the drugs at my school. I wish I’d said something, even though the two are completely unrelated.r />
  I’m letting Jen down by keeping quiet.

  Chapter Five

  On Friday night, my mom comes dancing into my room. “Come on, get dressed. We’re going to a party.”

  She’s got on a cute maxi dress with a jean jacket and she pulls me by the hand until I’m standing.

  “No…I don’t feel like going anywhere. Isn’t it kind of late for that anyway?”

  “It’s not even nine yet.”

  “It seems like a weird time for a party. A girl from school died this week, Mom.”

  “All the more reason to embrace life more, sweetie.”

  I frown. “It just feels wrong.”

  “You’ve spent the majority of your time here doing schoolwork. You hardly go anywhere. Put on something cute. Come on, you’re acting like the old lady here. Live a little. It’s been way too morose around here for…months, not just now. Let me do your makeup. Your hair already looks great. You’re like a young Megan Fox, anyone ever tell you that? Is she still a thing?”

  “No—I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in anything in a long time. My hair’s lighter than hers.”

  My mom makes an exasperated sound with her mouth and motions for me to hurry up and let her work her magic. I groan.

  At school, they’re too busy putting ketchup and porn pictures of my mom in my locker to compliment me in any way. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her no one would ever compare me to someone pretty, but I don’t say it. She’s trying to be sweet and I need to stop shutting her down. This has been a stressful year for her too—I’m not the only one suffering after this move. And the years of stress she endured alone—before getting to her breaking point with my dad—I owe her so much for being brave enough to leave.

  I wish she’d been brave so much sooner, but…

  Stop. Give her a chance.

  She looks so hopeful. She pulls out a cute sweater and my best jeans.

  “No dress for me? I’m surprised.” I grin and she lifts a shoulder, laughing.

  “I didn’t want to push my luck.”

  “Let me wash up. I won’t get my hair wet in the shower.”

  “Hurry.”

  “What is your deal?”

  She shrugs again and I give her a deadpan stare until she laughs harder.

  I take the world’s fastest shower and when I get out, I take my hair out of the clip and give it a shake. I lotion up and put on the jeans and sweater she laid out on the bathroom counter, opening the door to let the mirror clear so she can do my makeup.

  I sit on the counter and she bites her lower lip as she applies my makeup. When she’s done, she steps back and admires her work, her cheeks lifting with her huge smile.

  “Perfect.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  She has me turn toward the mirror and my eyes widen as I take in what she’s done. She’s used less than I usually do, but it looks a thousand times better. My eyes shine like blue sapphires and my lips are plump and kissable. My skin is flawless and I reach up to touch my lashes. I don’t know how she’s made them look fuller with less mascara, but she has.

  “Look how your eyes pop.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, let’s go. I have it on good authority that the hot dogs won’t last long.”

  “Hot dogs?” I crinkle my nose in disgust and she laughs.

  “I know, not your favorite. But how long since you’ve eaten one?”

  “Uh, when I was four?”

  “Exactly. Time to try again.”

  “Yuck.” I’m still griping about it when we walk out the door. I’m walking toward the car when she grabs my arm.

  “This way,” she says, leading me out of the gate and toward the beach behind us.

  I can hear laughter nearby and the closer we get, the more crowded it becomes. What I’d started to hope was a private little bonfire with my mom and maybe Ashton’s family sounds like something entirely different. I start to ask her about Mrs. Cromwell and if they’ve worked things out yet, but I’m distracted by all the people.

  “What’s going on?” I look at her suspiciously.

  “Just a little party,” she says as we step onto the sand and into the twinkle lights of a huge gathering behind Raf’s house. There’s a massive bonfire and music playing. A long table with food and drinks sits to the side and there are people everywhere. I look around for Ashton and Luci, but I don’t spot them. A few couples are dancing and when Stefen sees us, he comes over right away.

  “Ladies, you are both especially lovely this evening,” he says. His eyes roam over my mother and she shivers, flushing as she takes his hand.

  I cringe, but it’s kind of sweet, I guess. He walks away with her and I’m left standing alone, trying to see if any of these people are ones who have ever been nice to me or…

  Yeah, there’s Heidi.

  Nope, I don’t think I want to do this tonight. Pretty certain I don’t.

  I turn around to go home and walk straight into Raf.

  “Party’s the other way.”

  “I think I’ve had enough, thanks.”

  “You haven’t even eaten yet.” He holds up a big hot dog covered with all kinds of color that can’t be natural for food. “Here, have mine.”

  “No, thank you. Not into that.”

  He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Really? Or did they just tell you that in Vegas?”

  “Both.”

  “Ha, what I thought. Try it. I dare you.”

  I glare at him and my shoulders sag. Of course he knows I can’t resist a dare. I open my mouth and he puts the hot dog in my mouth, his eyes gleaming. It’s a huge bite, but when I start chewing, the burst of flavors—as much as I hate to admit it—it’s delicious. I close my eyes so I don’t have to see the triumph on his face. And I savor my massive bite.

  “Fuck. That’s hot. Here, have some more.”

  He nudges the hot dog to my mouth again and I open my mouth. This time, I watch him while I chew. He’s staring at me with such lust I feel like I need to take a cold shower. He feeds the rest of it to me and when I eat the last bite, I’m sorry it’s gone.

  “Would you like another? I’ll make you one.”

  My cheeks feel hot and like I’ve just experienced a long round of foreplay. “Uh, no, thank you. It was good though, you were right.”

  He tilts his head and grins. “What did you say?” He tugs on his ear. “Did you just admit that I was right about something?”

  I bite on the inside of my cheek, my grin still getting too big. “So when did this party come about?”

  “Raf!” Heidi’s whiny voice screeches behind me and I watch his expression change from heated to blank.

  I turn and she’s walking over, pulling her sweatshirt over her head and revealing a bikini top. The bonfire is putting out heat but not enough for a swimsuit.

  I notice Ashton and Henry walking onto the beach then and a cheer goes up. They must have won tonight’s football game. I’m the worst friend—I forgot all about his game. I wave, moving past Raf. His fingers brush against my arm like he’s trying to stop me, but I hurry away from him, eager to get away from the heat he’s projecting.

  I hug Ashton and say hello to Henry. He’s looking past me to Heidi and Raf, his mouth tightening in…what? Jealousy? I turn just as Heidi jumps into Raf’s arms. He catches her like it’s nothing and when she starts kissing him, we all stare at them. He turns and his eyes are open as they kiss. He stares right through me, never blinking, as they tangle tongues.

  My eyes blur and I turn away before he sees me looking as desolate as I feel. Henry stalks off and I stagger into Ashton. He holds my head against his chest, lowering his lips to my hair.

  He whispers, “Do you wanna get out of here?”

  I lean back and look at him as a tear falls back into my hair. “I can’t leave yet. It’ll seem like I care.”

  “But you do. Why not show how you feel?”

  �
�Because he would just find another way to hurt me with it.”

  “Then he does not deserve your happiness or your sadness.”

  He leans down and kisses me, his lips tentative at first and then when his tongue meets mine, I’m surprised at how incredible it feels. His fingers wind through my hair and his body presses tight against mine, allowing me to feel every contour of his shape, even the way he gets hard against me.

  “Ashton?” I whisper when we pull apart.

  He grins down at me, his forehead touching mine. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time now.”

  “I thought—”

  “I did too, but that felt amazing, didn’t it?”

  “Yes, but…”

  He laughs and puts his hands on my cheeks. “I know you’re hung up on Raf, don’t worry. But damn, our lips work well together.”

  I giggle against his mouth, my earlier tears forgotten. “Yeah. Weird.”

  He grabs my hand and we walk past Heidi and Raf. Heidi’s hands are on Raf’s chest and he’s got his hands in his hair, looking like he’s going to kill someone. His eyes are ice and I don’t let my gaze stay on his for long, too keen on letting him think I’m completely unaffected by him. I’m shaky even after I’m far past him, but I don’t know if it’s because of him or Ashton’s kiss.

  I lace my fingers through Ashton’s and we start running toward the water. I take off my shoes at the last second and when our toes hit the water, I squeal and take off running.

  It doesn’t hit me until later that I was near water again and I didn’t want it to take me under.

  Chapter Six

  Raf: What the fuck was that on the beach?

  I stare at my phone. It’s almost midnight and I left the party almost half an hour ago. I told my mom I was heading back to the house and she stayed out at the bonfire with Stefen. Ashton walked me to the door and he didn’t repeat the kiss, so I’m not sure if that was entirely for Raf’s benefit or what. He did give me the biggest hug and said he’d call me tomorrow, so maybe we’ll talk about it then.