21.
Tests
Aubrey
I WAKE UP NEXT TO LANDON, his arms are wrapped tightly around me but it's not his kisses or his wandering hands that wake me, it's my phone with an incoming FaceTime call from Abi.
I slip out of Landon's embrace and he moans softly in his sleep, complaining that I’m moving.
“Hey babe, go shower, I'll make coffee while I speak to my sister and I'll shower downstairs.”
He turns onto his stomach, burying his face into the pillow with a sleepy grumble and I can't resist but smacking his toned, perfect ass with a giggle when he lifts his head and looks at me with outrage in his blue eyes.
“Hey! I was sleeping so well!”
I place a shallow kiss on his lips but jump out of his reach when he tries to grab me.
“Get ready, I'll see what Abi wants and then we need to hustle if we wanna get to school on time.”
I don't wait for his answer and I press the green button on Abi’s call.
Aubrey: Hey sis! What's up?
Abi: (giggles) It took you long enough to answer! Were you still asleep?
Aubrey: Yeah. Landon stayed the night and we were up later than intended.
She smiles knowingly but then she asks worried if I’m being safe.
Aubrey: Of course I’m being safe! Don't worry, sis!
She asks me how things are going with the guys and I tell her that despite my initial fears that they wouldn't be able to get along with one another, things have been perfect.
Aubrey: It's hard to explain but when they were competing and expecting that I choose, they were fighting constantly but since they decided to try and share my time everything has changed. They started spending more time together even without me and they're becoming friends. I'm not saying that they never fight but they solve things among them. Each of them is a great boyfriend individually but I never knew how awesome it would be to go on dates with all of them. It's like being a princess, there's always someone holding my hand, opening a door, saying something funny. There's always someone kissing me. I seriously hope this isn't just a honeymoon phase because I love them all so much that I don't think I could ever lose one of them.
Abi: All I can tell you is to be honest with your feelings and accept that in certain moments, you might feel closer to one of them and it's up to you to make sure that the other ones understand that you aren't playing favourites or choosing. You have to still treat each of them as if he were the only one but also take the others into account, and their way of being friends. How they act together. Like for example, Reece and Max have got these alpha personalities and I need to make sure that Pryce and Chaz are heard when we make a joint decision. But often enough, if Reece and Max fight, the best thing I can do is stay out of it. Pryce is the only one that can get Reece to ease off and Chaz knows how to approach Max when he's mad at Reece. Just don't ever pick a side if they're arguing.
I see Abi’s point.
Among my guys, Devon and Teague are definitely the ones with more fiery personalities, even though Teague hides his impetuous nature behind a sexy smile and his constant teasing.
Knox is quiet and brooding and he often doesn't disclose his emotions in front of the others but behind closed doors, when it's just me and him, he’s sensitive, perceptive, and generous.
Landon is like a big puppy on the outside: always smiling and eager to please.
But I’m discovering another side to him, he projects the image that he thinks others want to see because in reality he's worried to be judged if people found out that he isn't only a jock who’s into football and girls.
He's sweet, smart, and so tender, so I naturally feel protective of him because he's easily hurt by how people stop at the surface and judge him.
Abi: Anyway, sweetie, I called to give you a heads up that we finished our classes yesterday and we’ll be driving down today rather than tomorrow. The guys didn't wanna miss the Championship final, so we’ll be home tonight. I’ve told the boys about your dating situation and—
I roll my eyes and she confirms that while Chaz and Pryce didn't flinch, Max and Reece are determined to grill my boyfriends and make sure to scare the living hell out of them if they ever hurt me.
Abi: Reece says he especially wants to have a chat with Knox and Teague: they were known for sleeping around, so—
I groan and she laughs.
Abi: Don't worry, sweetie. I told him to be calm and rein it in.
Aubrey: It's Reece we're talking about. You know he has only one level of intensity.
My big sister smiles.
Abi: Yeah, I know. But remember that he loves you as fiercely as Alex does. Oh and did Alex call you? He told me that he's coming back for Thanksgiving with Ayla, Sam, and Tuna and they're flying in tonight because they don't wanna miss the game either. They're staying at Ayla’s but they wanna hang out as much as possible.
I’m equally anxious and excited about seeing my siblings: while I know that they won't judge me for the unusual relationship I have with my guys, because they found something similar and they understand me better than most, I’m still nervous about what they’ll think about my boys.
I know that they both want what's best for me but things are still so new between me and the boys that I hope we’ll pass their scrutiny.
And there's also a huge amount of tension because my mom reached out to Alex and he's accepted to see Daddy for the sake of the new baby.
None of us want our new sibling to grow up without a family or without knowing us, but whenever Daddy and Alex are in the same room sparks always fly and never in a good way.
The next couple of days are gonna be intense to say the least.
Devon
THE ATMOSPHERE AT PRACTICE is tense: there's no other way to put it.
I know that coach has a lot riding on tomorrow's game and the pressure is high because despite BHPA being a private school, attended by the rich and famous who pay handsomely for a first class education, keeping our state champions title would definitely encourage the alumni’s donations.
The first period after practice is a free one for the A-Class and Aubrey promised us all breakfast, knowing how hungry we all get after practice.
We all meet at the library: we choose a table at the very back but we’re the only ones in here.
“There you go guys, I have breakfast burritos for everyone. Eat them while they're hot.”
“You're hot, I’d rather eat you!”
Landon drags Aubrey down to his lap, nibbling at her neck and making her squeal.
They've definitely slept together: it's obvious by the way they can't keep their hands off of each other.
I meet Aubrey's dark blue gaze and wink at her, it's funny how seeing her in the other guys’ arms and thinking about her doing with them the same stuff she does with me doesn't piss me off.
It should maybe, and at the beginning I was really worried about this thing with all of us dating her not working but it's hard to explain.
Of course I’m jealous and I welcome Aubrey with open arms when she leaves Landon's lap and comes to sit on mine, but rather than seeing the others as rivals, seeing how happy they make her, makes me happy.
And that makes me care for them in a way I didn't think possible.
Plus the guys are pretty cool: Teague is teaching me how to ride his bike, Knox and Landon got me into surfing and it's like having the brothers I’ve never had.
We started talking to one another about our feelings for Aubrey and it helps when one of us gets a little insecure, it helps to know that we all feel that way from time to time.
Of course opening up completely takes time, I'm not that naive to think that we’ve become brothers and best friends overnight.
For example, Teague and Knox suspect that Landon was a virgin.
It's the fact that they partied together for a couple of years and he was always super reserved about his conquests.
Obviously there's nothing wrong to keep o
ne’s hookups private, but knowing Landon, I see how that's odd for him.
In everything else he’s an open book, he wears his heart on his sleeve.
And while he never disclosed anything, the girls did talk and it was known that he never fucked any of the cheerleaders.
There's a wall in the girls’ locker room where someone started rating the football players sexual abilities.
Apparently they get rated for kissing, size and how good a fuck they are overall, and Landon hasn't got a rating for the latter.
I don't blame him for not confiding in any of us about being a virgin, of course we’d have ribbed him mercilessly.
I'm still the laughing stock of the group for how I fucked up with Aubrey on that beach, so I understand his need for privacy.
In my case I totally deserved to be outed after how I treated Aubrey.
“Hey, you're miles away.”
She whispers in my ear and I can't help but smile, while I tuck a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear.
“I was just noticing how much more affectionate Landon is with you lately. So I guess that he finally felt safe enough that you wouldn't choose and dump him?”
We're whispering so the others can't hear our conversation.
She nods and asks me if that bothers me.
I tighten my arms around her waist and whisper into her ear, my lips barely touching her skin, inhaling her sweet scent.
“No, it doesn't. I take it went well and I see you’re happy. So if anything it turns me on a little. Am I weird?”
She giggles, dragging her lips against my jaw and then asks me if I’d like to watch.
And shit!
I'm fucking shocked that the answer is yes, that seeing her with any of the others actually sounds hot as fuck.
Only because I know that she's as much mine as she's theirs and that I can touch her, and kiss her, and love her whenever I want.
I'm so fucking elated by the lightness I feel in my heart that there's no cheating, no lies and none of the stress I felt when I was pushing Aubrey away, scared of being judged, that I almost don't hear the school comms system coming to life and blaring an announcement.
‘Miss Richmond to the principal's office. Miss Aubrey Richmond, please report to the principal’s office.’
Aubrey looks around the table at each of us, worry shadowing the beautiful smile she had just a second ago.
“I hope there isn't something wrong with my mom. I know I’m still mad at her and Daddy for that ambush with Tyler but I've been worried about her. Morning sickness has got her really bad.”
She collects her book bag and rises from my lap and without a word, we all follow her to the admin wing.
We walk behind her in the school’s empty hallways, shoulder to shoulder, ready to help our girl with whatever this is about.
When we enter the front of the office, Mrs Avery the school secretary gives us a tight smile.
“Just Miss Richmond, please.”
I'm about to open my mouth to protest, knowing full well that even if her mom were sick, or something else had happened at home, it would be confidential.
Mr McArthur opens the door to his office, peering out behind Mrs Avery.
He takes in our presence with a tired gaze, he looks kinda defeated and as if he has to do something he’d been dreading.
“I was gonna have you four called in next and Coach Benson too. But I guess we could have one big conversation rather than multiple ones. As long as Miss Richmond doesn't mind. Mrs Avery, could you notify Coach Benson that I need him here as soon as possible, please?”
Aubrey looks at the principal and then at each of us and she looks as perplexed as we all feel, especially seeing the principal's discomfort when he looks at all of us.
We file into the office one by one and Mr McArthur helps Aubrey into a chair facing his mahogany desk, before sitting back behind it.
“Gentlemen, would you please take a seat?”
There's only three extra chairs in the office, so I'm more than happy to stand up behind Aubrey, arms folded over my chest.
Knox also decides to save a chair for coach.
As Coach Benson enters the office, I notice that he looks as perturbed as the principal and I really begin to wonder what the fuck’s going on here.
It can't be about us all dating Aubrey, right?
I mean, we haven't been exactly hiding our relationship and I know that people at school love to gossip, but even so, we're all eighteen, so what we do and who we date shouldn't really concern the faculty.
Right?
The principal takes a deep breath before addressing Aubrey.
“Miss Richmond, are you dating any of these young men in the room?”
We all react at once.
“Why are you asking?”
Aubrey.
“I don't understand what concern of yours this might be.”
Landon.
“This is none of your business and an inappropriate question to boot.”
Knox.
Teague and I look at each other and we both register the furious look on coach’s face.
Fuck!
So it's no surprise what comes next.
“Answer my question, please, Miss Richmond.”
“Yes.”
“Yes you're dating one of the gentlemen in the room?”
“Uhm, no.”
The principal looks frustrated.
“Are you dating one of these guys or not, Miss Richmond?”
She sighs and faces the principal head on.
“I am.”
“Which one.”
Aubrey's voice is firm and confident when she informs the principal that she is in fact dating all of us.
“All four?”
This is coach.
“Yes, all four. May I ask why you wanna know?”
Mr McArthur’s lips thin out in a tight, severe line.
“I was hoping the rumours weren't true.”
I’ve had enough of this bullshit and I come one step forward, standing at an angle that allows me to look at both the principal and coach at the same time.
“Sir, I don't understand why we're all here. Is it against school code to date more than one person? If so, the academy would be empty of students. Granted, we're open about it but—”
The principal shakes his balding head and explains.
“Your dating status in itself isn't something the academy cares about. The problem is with the particular four students Miss Richmond is dating and with the opportunities her cheerleader position affords her.”
“I don't understand.”
Coach explains, looking straight at Aubrey.
“It has to do with the results of the latest drug tests we performed on the football team.”
Landon is the first one to talk.
“Did we test positive again?”
Aubrey protests.
“That's impossible! I’ve been guarding their drinks with my life!”
The principal's expression looks more and more grim with every word uttered by Aubrey and then coach throws us a real curveball.
“No, actually. You four were the only team members to test negative. The rest of the team tested positive to the same substances found in the first three positive tests that started this whole mess. As you know, we’ve decided to perform our own tests on the whole team when you three protested your innocence and doubted the legitimacy of the positive results. So we started testing independently from the anti-doping board, and we test everyone to make it fair and to have total certainty when it comes to you three.”
I ask if this is why we’ve been tested more and coach confirms that at the moment us three are undergoing the anti-doping tests administered by the anti-doping board and also the ones administered independently by the school.
“You three and Mr Marks are actually the only players to have tested clean on the last three occasions.”
Coach looks furious.
“The onl
y reason why our team hasn't been disqualified is that the board hasn't performed any more random tests but concentrated on you three and the tests performed by our academy remain our property and therefore private.”
It's a lot to take in but Teague voices everyone's perplexity.
“What I don't get is what does all this shit have to do with Aubrey.”
“Miss Richmond is the only difference between the players that tested positive and the ones who didn't.”
I react immediately:
“This is bullshit! Why would Aubrey—”
The principal sighs, looking tired and troubled at the same time.
“Trust me Mr Archer, I was very reluctant to have this conversation with Miss Richmond. This is why I’ve ignored all the rumours when even you were convinced that Miss Richmond interfered with your drinks.”
He must notice my tense reaction because he explains:
“You kids think that the faculty are blind and deaf but we know a lot of what happens under our roof. It's our job, Mr Archer. And despite Miss Richmond being a new student this year, her family has been attending BHPA for generations. The Richmonds have always been among our best students and our most fervent supporters and fully involved with the alumni activities ...”
I do my best not to roll my eyes: what he means is that Aubrey's family donates a shit ton of money to the academy.
“So, it’s with a very heavy heart that I called Miss Richmond here today but we’ve received an anonymous tip and after being aware of the rumours that Miss Richmond had something to do with the first positive tests, we had no choice but to investigate this matter further. And the involvement with Miss Richmond seems to be a decisive factor in the results of those drug tests. So Aubrey, is there anything you wish to tell me and Coach Benson?”
Before Aubrey can utter a word, Knox intervenes.
“That doesn't make any sense, Mr McArthur. Forgive my bluntness here, but I was the first out of us four to date Aubrey here at school and I’ve never tested positive. This must surely put a dent in your theory. And anonymous tips or not, you can't go around accusing people, you need proof.”
The Retribution: A High School Light Bully Romance (Beverly Hills Prep Academy Book 3) Page 26