“So, are you looking forward to tonight?” Rylie asks.
“Hell yes, but seriously you’re going to have to help me work out how the fuck you use tit tape because in all honesty it just looks painful.”
Rafe chokes on his drink as the others pause in their conversation and turn to look at me. Rylie and Darcy burst out laughing and I can’t help but join them at the completely confused looks on the guys faces.
“Tit tape?” Trick asks.
“I can’t wear a bra with my dress, so tit tape stops them from making an appearance” I chuckle.
“Shame” Riot mutters across the table.
“You want everyone at the dance to see my boobs?” I ask smirking at him my eyebrow raised.
“Fuck no!” Riot replies vehemently shaking his head.
“That’s what I thought” I chuckle, the others joining me.
“Yeah we can work it out” Rylie finally answers me.
“You’re welcome to get ready with us too Darcy?” I ask.
“Thanks, but I want to pick my date up properly and do it right” Darcy grins.
“You’ve got a winner there” I wink at Rylie grinning when her cheeks darken with a blush.
“I know” she replies.
The bell rings and we all hustle to our next classes. Me and Rylie end up ahead and I see the guys have held Darcy back, whatever they say to her has her grinning and nodding in agreement, I raise my eyebrow at Rafe in question and he just smirks.
My next couple of lessons pass without any drama and although the amount of judgey looks and glares has increased no one’s dared to actually say anything to me after the boy’s declaration in the cafeteria last week.
Of course, my luck doesn’t hold out.
Gym is quickly becoming my least favourite lesson; we haven’t been able to use the obstacle course since that first time because of some vandalism or something. So instead, we’ve been doing badminton in the gym, badminton fucking sucks but at least we’re inside. It really is as cold as fucking balls out there. As predicted the lesson was completely worthless. Me and Rylie trudge into the locker room, excitedly talking about Winter Formal.
“So, let me get this straight after Luc asked for all of them on Tuesday, they’ve each asked you individually in super cute and super romantic ways?” Rylie asks as we grab our clothes from the lockers and step towards the cubicles.
“Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Apart from Rafe, he hasn’t asked yet.”
“He’s running out of time” Rylie chuckles.
I hear the rustle of clothing as she gets changed and a weird clicking sound. I shrug it off and continue to change. Meeting her out the front of the little cubicle.
“Come on let’s get the fuck out of here, I’ve got my stuff in my car so I can just follow you guys back if that’s ok?” Rylie asks.
“Yeah of course, what time does the dance start again?”
“Seven, which doesn’t leave us long to get ready.”
“Trick’s mom Jenny, said she would help us with our hair if you wanted?”
“Awesome, that will cut some time down!”
Before we get far, Selena steps into our path.
“You think you’re such hot shit, don’t you?” she sneers.
Again, with this fucking insult? Seriously?
“What the fuck do you want now Selena, Trick has made it perfectly clear he’s not fucking interested” I growl.
“He’s simply confused that’s all. Once he knows the truth about you, he’ll come running back to me. Just you fucking wait Ever, you’re going to get what you deserve” she threatens as she shoulders past me.
“Dude you sound like the villain in a bad teen movie” I yell after her causing the people that had been not so subtly listening to the exchange to laugh.
I bow.
“You are so weird” Rylie comments amused, as we walk towards the front of the school. “What was that about anyway, do you think she’s got something planned?”
“Yeah I do but I’ve told the guys pretty much everything at this point and there’s no way she could know the other things. The guys know the worst of it” I tell her and she looks relieved.
“Don’t worry Ry, nothing is going to spoil tonight” I add threading my arm through hers as we push out the front doors of the school.
Jensen appears in front of me and takes my hands, leading me out of the flow of students although quite a few have stopped to watch this unfold anyway.
“Everleigh, I may not be the most romantic guy out there. I mess around and I joke a lot, but Angel you own me” his eyes flash as his feral darkness swirls with the mischievousness that’s always present in his eyes.
I love it when he lets both sides of him come out to play.
“I promise you Ever that I will protect you and care for you until my last breath and hell help any fucker who dares try to hurt you.” He growls and I grin up at him, “this may not be the most traditional way to ask you, but fuck knows we aren’t exactly traditional” he winks at me.
My mouth drops open in shock, he can’t mean what I think right?
“Will you go to Winter Formal with me tonight?” he asks softly his hand cupping my cheek.
“Yes, Jensen, I’d love to” I say softly.
“That’s better” he grins wide, before gently kissing me like we have all the time in the world.
When he pulls back, he rests his head on mine.
“Come on Angel, let’s go get ready.”
“We’re going to drop you off at home first Sweetheart and then we’re going to get ready at Cash’s” Trick tells me as we drive home, Jensen and Rylie following behind in their cars.
“Why?” I ask slightly confused.
“Mom said we couldn’t stay and have to pick you up like proper gentlemen.” He explains, making the guys chuckle.
“Your mom is awesome” I laugh.
“She is. We’ll pick you up at seven ok?” He asks.
“Yeah that works” I agree.
We pull into Trick’s drive and I give each of them a kiss on the cheek before hopping out and running to Jensen’s car. He winds his window down and I bend down to give him a kiss on the cheek. Of course, Jensen being Jensen, he turns his head at the last second and his lips catch mine.
“Cheeky fucker” I grin as he pulls back.
“Always” he grins before backing out of the drive.
I wave to them all as Rylie pulls in, in their spots. My feelings for them are growing every day and with Jensen saying he’s mine earlier, everything is becoming messier. In all honesty I desperately wanted to tell him I was his too and I am, but a part of me also belongs to Trick, Rafe, Riot, Cash and Luc. I belong to all of them and if I really want to be honest with myself then I need to admit that I always have, ever since we were kids. I just hope that when I do admit my feelings for everyone that they will still want to talk to me. I know that logically my dream of us being all together is a foolish one. I’m not even sure it could work in real life anyway. I just don’t want to lose them completely. That’s what I’m afraid of.
My phone vibrating in my pocket snaps me back to reality as I wait for Rylie to get all her stuff out the car. I pull it out and glance down at it, smiling as I read the message.
Rafe: Let us know if you need to go anywhere, that fucking stalker dick is still around and obviously dangerous. We would all rather you didn’t go out without us at the moment. Trick told me he warned you that we were going to be overprotective assholes. Be careful Baby.
It’s not the message itself that makes me smile, that’s actually a reminder of something pretty fucking scary. It’s the fact that Rafe has given me a nickname and that means that they all have now. I don’t know why that makes me so happy but my heart soars in my chest every time one of them uses their nicknames for me.
“You got enough stuff Ry?” I ask chuckling at Rylie as she hauls her dress bag, a shoe box and wheelie suitcase thing that looks too small to actually carry a
nything of importance. It’s a bit smaller than an overnight suitcase but looks like it has a lot of different compartments in substitute of a main compartment.
“Yeah, I don’t think I forgot anything” she smirks as I lead her and all her stuff through the front door.
“Hey girls” Jenny calls as she steps out from the entrance to the kitchen at the end of the hall. “You must be Rylie, I’m Jenny” she says smiling warmly.
“Nice to meet you” Rylie grins in return.
“I’ve made you girls something to snack on whilst you get ready. I know they’ll have some sort of buffet there but if it’s anything like when I went to school it’s not worth eating” she chuckles, “I’ll bring them up in a second, you girls go get ready” she shoos us upstairs.
“She’s awesome” Rylie comments and I nod in agreement, grinning.
She really is amazing. I know how fortunate I am that her and Rob took me in. I could’ve ended up in foster care or more likely a group home due to my age. Very few people actually want to foster teenagers. That’s just the way it works.
“Oh, fuck! I completely forgot about my shoes. The guys completely distracted me with their cute as fuck invites!”
“Well shit. Maybe they came today?”
I dump my bag and rush back out of the room, running down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Did any parcels come for me today?” I ask Jenny in a rush; I know its only shoes, but I have nothing else and I really want to look perfect for my guys. I might end up wearing my combat boots after all.
“No. Sorry Ever, what’s wrong?” Jenny asks.
“My shoes didn’t come so I have nothing to wear with my dress.”
“What size are you, maybe I have something you can borrow?” Jenny asks.
“Six.”
“Sorry sweet mine will be way to big. What about Rylie?”
“Sorry dude, I’ve got nothing that would match” Rylie says grimacing as she walks to the kitchen.
“Mall it is” I say, grabbing Rylie and pulling her towards the front door.
“Ok but be careful Ever, do you want me to get one of the guys to come with you? You do still have a stalker” Jenny warns.
I pause in putting my coat on.
“We don’t have the time to wait. I will be extra careful and besides, I can take care of myself” I grin.
“I’m not exactly a wallflower either Jenny, we will be ok” Rylie adds.
Jenny still looks worried but reluctantly nods. Me and Rylie rush out of the door and hop into her car. The drive to the mall is thankfully quick and we rush inside making our way straight to the shoe store.
“What colour are we looking for again?” Rylie asks, already searching through the rows of shoes.
“Silver.”
“What about these?”
She holds up a pair of silver shoes with tiny silver beads decorating the toe of the shoes, slowly thinning out as they go towards the heel of it where only a few of the tiny beads are. The design is similar to that of my dress. They have a thin ankle strap that is decorated in the same tiny beads and I love them.
“They’re perfect, this has to be the fastest shopping trip ever” I chuckle as I grab them and take them up to the counter to pay.
“Definitely the fastest one I’ve ever been on” Rylie chuckles. “Come on let’s get back, we’re pushed for time now.”
I nod in agreement and we rush out of the store. As we turn the corner, the exit within our sights, someone crashes into me hard and I almost go flying backwards but his hands grip my arms tightly. I’m grateful that my bruise from the stalker has faded enough that it doesn’t hurt but he is gripping me tightly, too tightly actually.
Almost as if he’s trying to restrain me not help me.
My thought is backed up further when he doesn’t immediately let go like a normal person would in this situation. What the fuck, my stomach churns uncomfortably in warning as my instincts scream at me. I glare up at the guy ready to give the asshole a piece of my mind but end up gaping up in shock at the well filled out yellow haired guy in front of me.
“Jeffery?” I ask stunned, staring at the decidedly large, yellow haired guy in front of me, shit.
“Jeremy” he grunts his eyes flashing with annoyance.
“What the fuck are you doing here Jeremy?”
I’m ridiculously suspicious right now, especially since he still has my arms in an iron grip and makes no move to let me go, even as I try to tug free.
“I came for you, Ever Rose” he grins like I’ll find the fact he’s here for me incredibly charming.
The deluded dickhead.
I see red.
“You mother fucker” I growl as I bring my knee up and slam it into his balls. He immediately lets go of my arms and I use the opportunity to jab him in the face with my fist. “That’s for Luc! Stay the fuck away from me and my guys” I threaten. Turning to Rylie I add urgently, “we need to get the fuck out of here now!”
“Let’s go” she replies wide eyed.
We run to the car as fast as we can. Breathing easier as soon as we are out of the mall parking lot and heading home. I pull my phone out and bring it to my ear as Rylie drives.
“Hello, yes this is Ever. I think I spoke to you about my stalker before?” I question as I recognise the voice on the other end, small towns you gotta love ‘em.
“Ah yes hello Ever, everything ok?” She asks concern lacing her voice.
I seriously I wish cops had been like her back in Fresno.
“Not really. I know who my stalker is, he’s called Jeremy Frome and he’s followed me up from my hometown. I’m sure you’ve looked at my file by now and know how dangerous that could be.” I ignore the curious look Rylie sends me as I continue, “I don’t think he’s with any of the people my dad worked with but it’s still concerning that he managed to find me. I took precautions on the way here so he shouldn’t have been able to. He grabbed me at the mall, I kneed him in the balls as soon as I realised he was the stalker” I explain in a rush as we pull back into Trick’s drive.
“Yes I have had a look at your file. I’ll get in contact with the detective and put an APB out on Jeremy, I need you to come down to the station and give a statement but I know the Winter Formal is on tonight so it can wait until tomorrow. I do need a description though and do not go anywhere without one of those boys to accompany you, do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now what’s his description?”
“Bright banana yellow hair, dark eyes, big but not muscled and about five foot eleven ish” I tell her.
“Well the yellow hair is going to make it easier to find him, we will probably have him by the end of the night. Don’t you worry Ever, this is a small town he’s bound to stick out” she assures me.
“Thank you” I say gratefully.
“No problem but Ever I need to warn you, the detective in charge of your case might decide it’s too risky to leave you here if there has been any developments in the case and they’ve found some of your fathers associates that haven’t been apprehended. He might insist on moving you.”
My heart slams in my chest, oh fuck no! They’re going to take me away from my guys again. My heart is breaking as I hang up, tears stream down my face and Rylie looks at me panicked as we sit in the drive.
“Oh my god Ever what’s wrong?” She questions.
“I-I and S-s-he” I sob not making any sense, I give up trying to talk.
Rylie pulls the phone out of my hands, presses a few buttons and pushes it to her ear. I’m too lost inside my own heartbreak to wonder what she’s doing but I’m vaguely aware of her side of the conversation, although the words mean nothing to me at the moment.
They’re going to move me. I know how that normally works. I won’t be able to speak to any of them ever again.
Fuck, please no, please.
“No, it’s me. Look you guys need to get here now! Ever is having a breakdown and I think it has s
omething to do with you guys, she ran into her stalker at the mall.” She pauses as yelling comes over the phone. “She is fucking fine! Fuck, don’t fucking shout at me dickheads. She rang the police and it was all fine until right before she hung up and now she can’t stop sobbing.”
“Ever’s crying?” I hear Jensen shout in the background already sounding panicked, even that isn’t enough to stop my sobs as a dark voice whispers that it’s probably the last time he will ever freak out about me crying because I’ll be gone soon.
“See you in five” Rylie says. “They’re coming Ever, I don’t know what the fuck happened, but your guys are coming.”
That just makes me sob harder, my guys, I’m going to lose my guys.
Time passes weirdly and my door is suddenly yanked open, I don’t even see who it is before I fling myself at them my arms wrapping around their neck and my face buried in their wide chest. From the flash of surfer blond hair I got. I’m guessing it’s Trick that I’ve spider monkeyed myself to.
“Whoa” he grunts from the impact. “Sweetheart you have to tell us what’s going on. We can’t help if you don’t tell us” he says softly as he carries me through his front door and up the stairs.
“What are you boys doing back here?” Jenny ask firmly, sounding like she’s getting ready to scold them. “Ever, what happened?” she asks as soon as she sees me in Trick’s arms her voice switching from firm to worried in an instant.
“We’re just trying to figure that out mom” Trick says as he continues up the stairs without stopping.
“I’ll distract her” I hear Rylie say quietly.
Trick doesn’t slow in his accent of the stairs but one of the others replies to her.
He deposits me on the edge of my bed and then crouches down in front of me.
“Did he hurt you?” He growls.
The sound is echoed by the rest of the guys, who are all pressed in close to me, concern etched into their handsome features.
“No, I kneed him in the balls and punched him in the face for Luc” I sniffle.
The guys chuckle, although the tension doesn’t leave.
“That’s my Firecracker” Luc says proudly as he presses a kiss to my forehead.
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