Believe In Us (Servite Academy #3)

Chapter 36

Chapter

Thirty-Six

JADE

F luorescent twinkling lights, hysterical laughter echoing in the dark, and buzzing sounds of carnival rides and games in the distance. The delectable smells of kettle corn, funnel cake, and my all-time favorite deep-fried Oreos, consume all of my heightened senses as I walk hand in hand with Sebastian through the Pleasant Hills County Fairgrounds. A large Ferris wheel sits before us, spinning in slow motion as its patrons giggle and swing themselves back and forth despite the attendant's pleas to stop.

The PH fair has always been one of my favorite places to be, some of the only happy memories I remember have been here in these one hundred plus acres. It happens twice a year, the last week of April and then again the last week of August. I first came here four years ago when we arrived at the foster house, and Grayson and Sarah brought us to celebrate Kai’s birthday. Although the fair looks exactly as it did then, and every time I’ve come l since, this visit is entirely different. All my friends may be here, but I’m not with any of them. This time I’m walking hand in hand with the father of my unborn child.

It was Sebastian’s idea to come today, a welcome distraction after the doctor's appointment and the female blue balls I got after. We were seen by his stepmother Eliza, lucky for us she didn't see us leave the office, just me about to suck off her step son. Unlucky for me, I didn’t get properly fucked. You win some you lose some right?

“Do you want funnel cake or Oreos?” Bass asks me, while we wait in line at a concession stand beside the Ferris wheel, the same one I’ve spent most of my visits waiting by. Even before carrying a tiny human inside of me, I’ve had a gluttonous appetite and an even bigger sweet tooth.

“Why do I have to choose just one?” I pout, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance.

Bass’s eyes trail down to the exposed cleavage pushed up in my V-neck tank, smiling a sexy as hell crooked smile as he reaches out to cup my chin and place a small kiss upon it. “Because the doc said you had to watch how much sugar you consumed baby, remember something about genital diabetes?”

“Gestational you idiot,” Ace calls out, smacking him upside the head, “You can’t get diabetes in your genitals moron.”

“Same shit, you know what I mean. It can be bad for her and the baby,” Bass all but yells.

I smack his hand still gripping my chin away before looking around making sure nobody heard him. “Shout it even louder, why don’t you, I don’t think the whole fairgrounds heard,” I snap, turning away from him and walking up to the counter to order.

“Hi there, what can I get you?” the man behind the window asks with a kind smile.

“I’ll have a funnel cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, topped with whipped cream and strawberries, and ,” I say, glaring at Sebastian and elongating the word to prove a point, “an order of deep-fried Oreos with frosting for dipping. ”

“Coming right up sweetheart,” he replies.

“What did you call her?” Bass shouts, slamming his fist against the counter making the old man jump in surprise.

“Cut it out Sebastian,” I sneer, “he’s old enough to be my fucking grandpa.” The old man shakes his head in disapproval.

“Let me tell you a little story son,” he mutters, leaning forward to speak to us, “I was just about your age when I met my dear Margaret. I used to bring her to this very fair when I started courting her…”

Bass scoffs beside me, his usual arrogant attitude sneaking and making an appearance. “We’re way past the stage of courting old man, so prove your point or stop talking.”

“Sebastian, stop you're being a dick,” I scowl, gripping his arm tightly and pulling him back.

“Tell me something new baby,” he growls, ignoring my demand.

“Alright son, point is I took her for granted. I assumed she would always be there, putting up with my drinking, dealing with my bad temper, and every other way I tried to control her.”

“So what you lost her, did she realize she could do better than you old man?” Bass asks mockingly.

The older man laughs, a genuine chuckle not one dripping in sarcasm like Sebastian’s. “Look at me son, you think I’d be working a street fair dealing with a bunch of trouble making punks like you if I still had her around. She left me, got tired of my sorry ass, and left. I’d hate for the same to happen to you.”

Bass’s eyes become overcome with rage, his fists tightening at his sides, his breathing turning heavy as he stares intently at him. “It won’t, she’s not going anywhere,” Bass roars, his voice quavering in anger, “I won’t fucking allow it.”

The old man laughs, loud and mocking, “Famous last words son,” he mutters, before walking away to retrieve my order.

I try my hardest to ignore the sudden look of despair that flashes over Sebastian’s eyes, but my emotions with the war against it. I turn to him, the anger I just felt now gone and in its place a newfound sense of pity. He honestly doesn’t believe he’s doing anything wrong trying to control every aspect of our relationship. This is all normal to him. His entire life he’s had someone, his father, telling him what he could and couldn’t do, planning his life out for him, every minuscule detail mapped out for the rest of his existence. This is his normal.

However, for me, I’ve been alone my entire life choosing what I do and who I do it with. No one tells me what to do, they can try, but I won’t allow it. Though with Sebastian, I find myself wanting to let him. Is that healthy, or am I too far gone, consumed with an overwhelming need for him, that I don’t care what he tells me to do as long as he’s right there with me?

He turns toward me, eyes suddenly glossy and sorrowful, his bottom lip trying its hardest to keep steady. I ache for him, for what he must be going through trying to work through all of these newfound emotions and this new sense of fear, with the baby, with me, with his father. I never stopped to think about how all of this has changed him.

I reach for him, standing on my tip toes and cupping his face in my palms. “He’s wrong Sebastian, I’m not going anywhere.” I softly touch his lips with mine, in them a promise I wasn’t allowed to make, but did nonetheless. I can’t assure him I’ll be here forever, but the least I can do is try.

I single handedly devoured the funnel cake, but despite my best efforts, I taped out on the fourth deep fried Oreo. Trust me, I’m deeply ashamed.

Ace, Scarlett, Sebastian, and I met up with the rest of the group after losing them to the carnival rides a few hours ago. First time since I started coming here that I’ve missed out on the rides too. Damn pregnancy. Stella is the first one I see, giggling and twirling her hair between her fingers, though the true sight to see, what makes me gasp out loud, is the fact that she’s cradled under the Dragon's arm, again.

I see him tense beside me before I hear him. “Why the fuck does the Dragon have his arm around my cousin?” Bass shouts, turning to me like I have an answer for him.

I shrug my shoulders trying my hardest not to laugh, “Just stay out of it Sebastian, Stella’s a big girl. The last thing she wants is you to be getting involved in her personal life, if I might be so bold as to say, one you’ve had little interest in before. I roll my eyes as he huffs and puffs out his chest, like some kind of animal trying to show his dominance .

Behind Drake and Stella, Jaxon, and Ruby walk hand in hand with Kai sulking beside them, his gaze focused on his best friend and the girl he swears isn’t for him. As if sensing my eyes on him he turns to me, his scowl slowly disappearing as he heads in my direction. “Hey sexy momma to be,” he murmurs, smiling wide as he steps up to me. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, engulfing me in a tight hug. I instinctively tuck my face in the space between his neck and shoulder blade, inhaling the sensual scent of his cologne. Bad idea.

“Alright that’s enough,” Bass groans, making Kai chuckle as he releases me.

“Lighten up Silver, you already put a baby in her, she’s yours I know that,” Kai jokes, everyone except Sebastian laughing at his remark.

Kai always has this aura about him, cool and unproblematic, making the guys feel dangerously unarmed when near him. He’s the definition of boy next door, comfortable in his own skin, and although troubled beyond repair, he does well to hide his demons behind his charismatic attitude. Only those of us closest to him can sense what he hides so well.

We spend the next couple hours walking around the fair, stopping at every booth to play games, consuming insurmountable amounts of calories, and even manage to win a few stuffed bears before coming to rest at the bench beside the Ferris Wheel.

“I don’t know how you girls do it, I swear I’m fucking stuffed,” Kai groans, sitting back and cradling his arms around his stomach.

“I could actually go for another snack,” I tease, though it may not be much of a lie. My stomach rumbles loudly, everyone turning to me with wide eyes before they erupt in roars of laughter.

“Shit, you weren’t kidding Wolfe,” Kai yells, laughing loudly, “Fuck Bass, you need to feed your woman, and I don’t think it’s food she needs.”

Sebastian turns to Kai, ready to rip him a new one, but I place my hand on his knee advising him to take a joke. “He’s kidding babe, you know Kai, suddenly the jokester. You going to let him take your place Jax?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood and notice Bass relaxes beside me.

“You know he can never compare to me honey,” Jax says, Ruby rolling her eyes in annoyance beside him.

“Well who do we have here?”

My grip on Sebastian’s thigh tightens and I feel him tense under my hold as we both realize who it is that’s shown up to ruin our night. She’s like a fucking leech, the more you try to pull her off of you, the harder she holds on, sucking the life out of you in the process.

The guys and girls go silent, everyone carefully watching me and awaiting my response before they jump in to either join me or hold me back.

“You know Win, I never thought I’d see the day our boys would be slumming it with the help. I guess they took their community service a bit too seriously,” Kinsley mocks, turning to Wynter who watches us with a bored expression.

Wynter’s gaze finds her brother with his arm protectively around Scar, watching her with an equally menacing stare. “You’re wasting your time and energy on them Kins,” she sneers, her eyes never once leaving his as she speaks, “They’re not worth the disease we’re sure to catch being this close and breathing the polluted air around them.” Her gaze trails to Stella who stands directly in front of her still tucked nicely under Drake’s arm.

“You better watch that feisty little tongue princess,” Drake snarls, releasing Stella and stepping toward Wynter. “It might get caught, you never know with us, animals . We might get a little hungry and have a bite.”

I’ve got to give Wynter some credit for not retreating or cowering down at Drake’s advance. He’s pretty intimidating though she simply watches him curiously, her gaze trailing down his body, which must look dangerously alluring in his black jeans and matching sleeveless tank, showing off all the ink covering his arms and neck. Though her glare doesn’t look aroused, more uninterested than anything. I guess the Dragon doesn’t have his usual effect on the Ice Princess.

“Oh please, you don’t know me Damon Drake. I’m not like most of the girls around here.” Wynter steps forward, perfection in her black fitted jumpsuit and matching five-inch heels, as she tucks her platinum blond hair behind her ear. Crystal clear blue eyes stare intently at him while she leans forward, her face just an inch away from his neck. It’s mesmerizing to watch, all eyes glued to them wondering what will happen next. “I bite back,” she whispers, just loud enough for all of us to hear.

“Ugh please don’t bite Wyn, you might get rabies or something,” Kins cries out, our attention moving to her.

“Fuck off Kinsley,” I shout, standing to meet her. “You can insult me all you want but leave my friends alone bitch. Besides, we don’t have the time, nor energy to listen to another one of your pathetic tantrums.

Instead of her usual pouting that happens when we diss her, a knowing smirk appears. “I’m not the one who will be throwing the tantrum darling,” she says. Her voice dripping in phony seduction. “Sebastian dear, have you told her yet?” she asks, my gaze immediately turning back to Bass who sits casually on the bench not paying any attention to us.

“Fuck off Kins, there’s nothing to fucking say,” he mutters, looking down at the ground. He’s nervous, I can tell by his posture and the way he shifts in his seat.

“Oh but there is my dear Sebastian, or have you forgotten already,” she coos.

“What the fuck are you talking about Kinsley?” I shout, though I’m not sure what I’m more pissed at, her insistence or Sebastian’s indifference.

“Prom darling, what else? Please tell me he broke the news to you.” She steps forward, stopping about a foot away, her five-inch stilettos making her just about my height, “Sebastian and I will be going to Prom together. Daddy’s already planned it all out with Daddy Silver. Dinner and drinks at Le Debutant, arriving in a brand new, limited edition Bugatti Chiron Noire, the perfect Givenchy gown fit for a princess, and to end a perfect evening, the presidential suite at The Gallant Hotel . It will be a magical night.”

Anger threatens to push me over the edge, blood coursing through my veins like molten lava pulverizing everything in its way. I can hear my heartbeat blaring loudly in my ears, as she stares smugly at me like she’s fucking won. “What the fuck is she talking about Sebastian?”

“Nothing babe, fuck off Kinsley,” Bass calls out, finally standing but not advancing toward me.

I’m beyond furious, how fucking dare he not rip the bitch apart for even insinuating that he’s going with her. I mean, we haven’t discussed it yet and he hasn’t asked me, but I’m fucking carrying his baby. He’s completely insane if he thinks I’m to let him go with someone else, despite what daddy says. “Fuck off Kinsley, is that honestly all you have to fucking say?” I turn my rage on him, as he watches me with confusion etched into the sharp edges of his face.

“What do you want me to say Jade, she’s fucking crazy,” he raises his hands in annoyance, “I never asked her to go with me. ”

“Oh no need sweetheart,” Kinsley says, moving toward him. She reaches out and places a hand on his shoulder, “Like I said Daddy has it all figured out. Your father will probably summon you later today to give you all the details.”

Her hands are on him and I see fucking red. To make matters worse, the fucking asshole doesn’t move, doesn’t push her hand away or tell her to stop. He just watches me, surely thinking it's the pregnancy that has me all fired up and overreacting . My eyes leave his for a moment as I look around at all of my friends, watching this play out before them, their stares proving I’m fucking crazy for putting up with this, with him. Scarlett’s eyes are red, about to burst into sobs. Ace is glaring at his best friend, and I know he would have put an end to this a long time ago if it were Carrington who was spewing venom like the snake she is. Stella watches me with sad, understanding eyes, while Kai and Drake both look like they're about to pounce on Sebastian if he doesn’t react.

This is never going to end. Kinsley proves she’s planning to stick around, Bass’s dad has made plenty of threats, ensuring me he has his son’s future mapped out and I don’t fit into those plans. Baby or not, he’ll find a way to get rid of me.

I can’t take it, I shouldn’t have to.

Kinsley turns back to me, her menacing eyes looking back to Wynter who stands behind me. “Oh god Wyn, she really thought he’d be going with her. Oh sweetie no, no. He’s not going to prom with the likes of you, not if daddy has anything to say about it, and you know when it comes to these boys, daddy’s word is the law.”

“Woah there slow down gorgeous,” Liam calls out, catching me as I crash into him nearly toppling us both to the ground. I’m panting out of breath, my lungs burning as I breathe hard through my mouth.

“Liam, shit, I’m sorry. I just, let me go please, I need to get out of here.” I push off of him, moving to keep running but he grabs my arm before I can get away.

“Jade, come one what’s wrong? You’re scaring me, are you in danger?” he asks, his eyes wide with worry as he looks around for the present danger I must be fleeing.

I shake my head, turning around to check if Sebastian is still following behind me. I lost him in the middle of the circus acrobats who were putting on a parade, Cirque du Soleil style, in the middle of the walkway leading this way, but I know my head start won’t last long. He’s fast, especially if he’s chasing after something he wants, or something that’s running away from him.

“I got into another fight with Bass okay, I just need to leave before he finds me.”

“Come on Jade, you’re so much better than him. He doesn’t deserve you when all he does is hurt you,” he mutters, running a hand over my cheek, wiping away the stray tears I hadn’t realized escaped. His words cut deep because of how real they are, what happened just moments ago proves that, yet I didn’t choose Sebastian. It’s out of my control. I tried to keep away, even tried spending more time with Liam, but my heart, my body, my soul wouldn’t give him up.

I pull away from him, losing my balance and almost fumbling backward. “Liam, I appreciate your worry but you don’t know anything about us okay, I’d appreciate it if you just kept your comments to yourself. Besides, I’m still pissed at you for tattle-tailing on me like if I was a fucking child. I can handle my own, thank you.”

“I’m sorry about that Jade, really I am,” he utters, a genuine apology leaving his lips.

“I know, and I promise you, I’ll forgive you if you just get out of my way.”

“Okay,” he says looking behind me. “He’s coming, why don’t you run into the fun house, and I’ll try to distract him until you make it out.” I nod my head in agreement, placing a soft kiss upon his cheek.

“Thank you Liam, you are a true friend.” He nods, as I less than subtly friend-zone him, accepting that’s all we’ll ever be.

“Go, I can only take so many punches, I’ll be sending you my hospital bill by the way.” I laugh, running off and heading toward the long line of people waiting to enter the fun house. Fuck, looks like I’m going to have to sneak my way in.