7. Soren Flint
Chapter seven
Soren Flint
4 Years after High School Age 22
M y foot helplessly taps on the gravel beneath my boots as I suck in a deep breath. The cold air and smoke sting my lungs as the fire Jace and Alec started when we first arrived an hour ago, blazes in front of me trying to chase the chill from the mid-October air.
My mind wanders to the heartbreaking news I received earlier, the email letting me know my application was denied for the spring semester at Brown University.
"Sor, did you hear what I said?"Jace's voice brings me back to reality.
My eyes slowly rise to meet his icy blue ones before tracing the look of concern etching across his pale face.
"No, I'm sorry, what was it, babe?" My voice comes out soft and sweet.
"I was telling Alec and Ben that you'll be coming to Brown with us next spring," Jace replies as he throws another log into the blazing fire, not as though it needed it with the fire being bigger than they had planned.
"Oh, yeah, about that, can we talk privately?" My thumbs twirl as I try to come up with how to break the news to my fiancé that I will not be attending next spring semester with him and our friends. My fate has other plans, and I just haven't got a clue what it is yet.
"Yeah," Jace looks at the guys nodding before stepping forward to take my hand. He pulls me up and smiles softly as we make our way back to where we parked our cars.
"What's up Sor?" His voice is a little rough, as our hands swing, matching our steps with every forward movement.
"I got some news earlier, and I've been trying to figure out the right way to bring the subject up. I didn't get into Brown. I got the letter this morning from Carla.” My voice breaks as the feeling of failure creeps back up my spine, making goose bumps rise along its path. I look at my feet as our hands get a little looser.
“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Why wait to tell me now? It’s been ten and a half hours SOREN. TEN. How am I supposed to marry a girl who withholds bad news that affects our future together?” His voice kept on rising during the last sentence, making a distant creature scurry off to leave us alone.
I stop, snatching my hand away from him, the pain of being rejected by my top school mixed with his harsh words makes my chest beg to let my shameless tears fall.
“I... I didn't know how to tell you, because I've seen how excited you've been about this since we both submitted our applications. I've been trying to figure it out, Jace.” I hiccup through the silent sobs wrecking my entire soul. “I can put off college and we can still be together, or I can try for an online college to pursue my degree.” My voice is soft and low.
I don't want to go to school online, and neither do I want to put this off but I feel like a fish out of water begging to be returned so that I can breathe freely again. Putting college off will set back my future and the life I want for the girls and me.
I keep my head down as the thought brings an uneasy feeling to reside deep in my gut, this is the life I deserve. I should just be grateful for whatever scraps are thrown my way. That going to college online won't be so bad as long as I'm with Jace. The girls can look forward to having a sister who they can look up to. I shake my head from the nonsense I'm trying to sell myself.
I deserve more. I deserve to have a choice with my future for once, and not be told how to live it. Fiance or not this is my life.
I look up just in time for our eyes to connect and the look he is giving me now makes my heart break more. His eyes trace my face like he's trying to find a hidden message in my words.
“Do what you want, Soren. You've made it clear that my voice in the matter of our future isn't a top priority.” The vein in the corner of his neck throbbing as he takes a menacing step in my direction, his eyes making it impossible to move back as his voice takes on a sinister edge. The disappointment seeped into each word as they leave his lips accomplishing the very goal he set - making me feel like a bigger piece of shit than I already did.
Sometimes it's hard to picture what our life would be like if we did get married. Would he still let his anger and disappointment rule his emotions instead of trying to see reason? Would he always take to hitting the lowest of blows to make me feel like this?
I suck in a quiet breath, trying to steady myself, blinking away the tears I've fought so hard to hold in.
"Babe.. that's not what I was trying to do. I just wanted to figure this out so I didn't disappoint you. It’s not like we didn’t apply to two other colleges together, without Alec and Ben. What if one of them accepts us? Would you go? Would you leave Alec and Ben to go to Brown by themselves, to be with me?” Our eyes meet and he looks a bit taken aback by my sudden bluntness, like I physically struck him instead of holding my ground for once.
The sound of his silence holds my heart hostage while I wait with bated breath for his reply. To see if he'd be willing to alter his future, or if this falls strictly back on me.
"You know my father would disapprove, Soren. Hell, it's not like it's a worry for you because the only family you have to run it by are your sisters. Guess that's a perk of being an orphan." His voice is low, but his eyes are no longer on my face as his last words break a small part of my heart. The blatant disrespect is not even hidden.
How fucking dare he play this card, the 'Oh your parents are no longer alive, so what they want no longer matters.' My hand snaps up and swings towards his pale cheek before my mind registers the slap until it stings my hand.
"Fuck you, Jace!" I spin on my heels and stalk back to the bonfire to grab my keys, desperate to escape him and the others after this conversation. Anger boils inside me, straining to break free as the orange and red flames dance ahead, their smoke swirling into the night sky on the cool breeze .
Alec catches sight of me before Ben, his eyes take in my current state of smeared mascara and red-tinted cheeks.
"You okay? where's JC?" The deepness of his voice shakes my cool and calm facade, his hand on my chin pulling my face up to look into his eyes, the brown glowing a slightly red hue from the fire behind me
"Don't know, don't care right now. I'm heading home." I sidestep him, his hand falling freely from my chin as he looks hurt by my harsh tone. But at this point, I couldn't care less about anyone else's feelings. Not when the one I thought wouldn't hurt me said such cruel things just five minutes ago - over something beyond my control and a simple question.
"Go find him, if you're so worried." I holler back over my shoulder as I bend to pick up my keys and phone. I slide my skull beanie over my dark black curls, covering my ears from the cold breeze, and look up just in time to see the guys looking at me with hurt expressions and timid eyes. Jace finally stepping from the wooden path I'm currently making my way back too.
"Why are you leaving Sor?" His voice clears over the crickets and crackling of the fire. “You cannot just leave because we had a slight disagreement, that's childish." His left side of his cheek shows a slight red tinting, and his eyes are almost lethal, daring me to take another step, to embarrass him in front of our friends.
“I've got to get home to Lena and Carla. They will be looking for me to bring them dinner. They've still got school tomorrow, you know they can’t miss it." My eyes flick to where Alec and Ben stand, not even hiding the look of amusement now that Jace stands before us. Standing tall with his hands balled at his side, my small handprint started to show on his pale skin.
"Sor, they're Seventeen, it's not like the twins can't fend for themselves when it comes to making something to eat.” He chuckles with no real effort behind it.
"They're still my responsibility, so like I said, I'll be going now. I'll call you later when you're in a better mood, and we can try this conversation again." I say as I step toward Ben, who pulls me tightly into a hug. Ben is more my friend than Jace's. He gives me a soft smile, whispering low enough for only my ears to hear, "Call me when you make it home, Sour Patch." I nod softly, pecking his cheek before sidestepping toward Alec, who stands closer to the fire. A slight wave in his direction has him dipping his head slightly in acknowledgment, saying a soft goodbye as I walk away.
As I get close to Jace, he reaches his hand out to pull me to him, but I don't give him a chance to get his hands on me. Avoiding him altogether, I continue past him back onto the dirt path, not giving his hurt expression another thought.
My anger remains and I can't take responsibility for the words that are itching to roll off my tongue.
I swipe my code to unlock my phone, the screen illuminating my porcelain skin as I thumb through my contacts to Lena's name. Pressing the call button, I hold the cold phone to my ear, waiting through the constant ringing until it's finally answered after twelve rings. A sleepy voice croaks a soft greeting, followed by a long, drawn-out yawn. "Hey, Len, I'm on my way home. Have you eaten yet?"
My feet crunch on the fallen leaves as I continue forward waiting for her reply, the only light from the full moon above me guiding my steps forward
"Carla did, Jason brought her a chicken salad earlier but I wasn't exactly hungry. This upcoming test kinda has my nerves everywhere." She says softly. As another yawn escapes her tired voice as she adds, “Why? I thought you weren't coming home tonight?"
Huffing an exaggerated breath from her question, and not wanting to get into why my plans suddenly changed from me staying with Jace at his apartment. "Yeah, honestly just wasn't feeling well. So I decided to come home, I can stop and grab you something. You've got to eat and we can go over the test to make sure you're ready for it .. if you want?" My voice is gentle as I finally reach my car.
I reach for the key fob and press the unlock button. I slide behind the wheel, pulling the door shut with a thud. I fumble with my keys, quickly finding the right one and shoving it into the ignition. My phone automatically connects to the stereo, and Lena's voice fills the car.
"Oh, well, yeah... as long as you're sure, since you're not feeling well. Just grab me a chicken sandwich from Little Chick, with extra pickles and mayonnaise.” I smile, flip down my visor, and readjust my makeup beneath my bright blue eyes, wiping away the black smudges from my mascara.
"Yeah, sounds like a plan Len. I'll be home in 20." With that, the call ends, and the song "Little Girl Gone" by Chinchilla starts to play, hitting my mood perfectly.
I yank off my beanie, toss it onto the passenger seat, and set my phone in the center console. Buckling my seatbelt, I shift into reverse and expertly navigate around Alec's worn Dodge Charger and Jace's Ford F-150. Tires screeching, I accelerate down the winding driveway from Ben's family's property.
As I drive through Hazelton Valley on this Thursday night, the main road stretches out, eerily empty. This small town of 3,030 is where pedigree often trumps hard work. Everyone adheres to an early bedtime, ready to rise and reign over their tiny domains.
“Talk to Myself” by Nessa Barrett turns on and I blare it through my speakers as I speed along the freeway, singing as my finger taps along the steering wheel to the beat. The moon floods the dark interior of my blood-red Camaro making it seem a bit ominous under such light .
My mind wanders over the events that turned sideways quickly tonight. I cannot believe Jace and his inappropriate behavior tonight like it was his future imploding on him. Not like this is the one good thing I was looking forward to other than our wedding next year. After tonight I honestly doubt I even want to marry him anymore. He knows the pain of losing my parents still haunts me, we had just started to mend what they'd broken.
It's been three years since the plane they were on crashed before even getting far off the coast of Jacksonville. I know the paperwork transferring the funds and the properties they owned to me should seem important but it's something I could never find myself caring for even when they were alive. It always took away the attention they should've been paying to my sisters and I, and instead taught us how to live with whatever nanny our parents hired as they chased money and small-town fame.
Even then the nannies only lasted until I turned seventeen, and they declared I was old enough to take the responsibility of caring for my sisters and myself. Me, a seventeen-year-old! In charge of caring for two young girls who were just showing interest more in boys and not their school work.
After graduation, I took on a new role: full-time caregiver. I oversee 362 properties, growing our reach from Hazelton Valley to Tennessee, with southern Georgia and the coast on the horizon. Prioritizing their education and escape from this town, I've delayed college. Jace followed suit. Attending college together was vital to him, not just as my fiancé, but as part of our plan crafted when I was seventeen and sought freedom from responsibility.
But plans can change, and things happen that are out of our control. My luck of not getting into the same college as my fiancé and our friends seems to be one of those things.
Now, I pray I get into one of the other two colleges, securing a future beyond playing mom and managing the family business I never wanted.
I approach my exit, flip on my turn signal, and prepare to leave the highway for Little Chick. But a car behind me revs its engine and speeds past. The back windshield catches my eye with the graphic image of the Four Horsemen burning at the stake. The license plate, "FkDe4TH," sends a shiver down my spine. They pull into the club down the street from Little Chick, and curiosity gets the better of me. I abandon my plans and follow them.
I pull into the only empty parking spot left in the packed parking lot, the music blaring through the brick building along with drunken laughter. I grab my keys hook them on my belt loop and slide my phone into my back pocket.
My eyes catch onto one of the gentlemen exiting the car, and my breath seems to be lodged in my throat at the sight. The only thought that seems to register in my brain is 'Fuck they'rehot.'
I dust my hands on my black ripped jeans, absently adjusting the leather halter top that hugs my ribs and pushes my breasts up. I wore it for Jace, seeing as it’s his favorite, but after how he reacted to the news tonight he can go suck a dick. I deserve a drink and maybe some dancing, depending on how the alcohol hits me. Tonight's been a cluster fuck, and I need to shake it off.
I pull out my phone, open DoorDash, and quickly order Lena's favorite chicken sandwich from Little Chick. Once the order is confirmed, I text Lena.
"Grabbing a drink or two, then heading home. Your food should arrive within 15 minutes."
The heavy metal door groans under my fingertips as I push into it, stepping into the neon-lit dance club as the music vibrates my bones making my teeth chatter. The mysterious man and his friends aren't in sight, and maybe that's a good thing. Even though I'm upset with Jace, I wouldn't want to put myself in a position to jeopardize my engagement or relationship in general.
But if I'm being honest, I'm not sure I even want that anymore, something that future me will have to deal with because present me has had enough of decision-making today. I just want to enjoy my night and forget everything.
As I move through the rowdy crowd a man tries to grind on me, but I just ignore his advances and continue forward towards the surprisingly uncrowded bar. The bartender's lip piercing glistens in the black light along with his teeth as he flashes an unwavering smile. "How are you, pretty lady? What can I get you tonight?” His voice, not matching his face, makes me crack a half smile, masking the small chuckle that slips."Jack and coke, please?" I slide onto the round bar stool and it squeaks slightly under my weight. Out of the corner of my eye, one of the men from the car steps up beside me, the scent of mahogany and vanilla aftershave fills my senses and my breath shudders ever so slightly at the perfect mix.
"Make that two," his long fingers hold up the number, as a blood-red diamond ring glistens, shining little red specs across his tanned complexion. His sage green eyes are hooded as he moves them up and down my body not caring how obvious he is.
Fuck me sideways, why did he have to come up beside me.
The bartender slides my drink to me, a flirtatious smile playing at the corner of his lips. He slides the mysterious strangers to him without a second glance.
"Well cheers to strangers, and good drinks," he smirks, lifting his drink ever so slightly tilting it to mine. I softly clink my glass with his trying to be civil and not rude.
“To strangers in bars," I reply with a slight grin before bringing the glass to my soft plush lips. The drink being more jack than coke, it ever so slightly burns as it slides down my throat .
This sexy specimen of a man shoots me a look that I’m sure would typically have women dropping their panties.
“So, Beauty, do you have a name?” His voice has a deep southern canter that sends chills down my spine.
"Yes, It's Soren, Soren Flint." I extend my hand slightly to not seem rude, and he graciously takes it. His calloused fingers rub against my jagged cuts from an accident I can no longer place.
"Beautiful name Ms. Flint," his grin almost matches the devil himself. "My nameis Radley, Radley Ashford.”
I nod, taking another drink, my hand still held tightly in his as he studies my face. I've heard of him, he was in my senior class along with his brother, Drake, and two friends, Caden and Reed. We have bumped into each other here and there. Damn, how the years since school have changed him since freshman year when I stood up to the jocks that tried to jump him in front of Drake and me during our art class. I didn't even recognize him.
"I've seen you around, where's your brother and friends?” The words slipped from my lips before I could catch them letting him know I knew them all.
"Oh, they're around." His voice dripped like honey straight from the combs itself. My hand is finally released and with a soft sigh, I nod. My eyes look for any sign of them to see if they have changed as much as he has.
"Well that's good that they're here for you, and thanks for the drink, Rad.” I turn back towards the bar, drink the rest of my alcohol, and place the empty glass down before I lift my hand to flag the bartender down to order another one.
Radley takes it upon himself to scoot into the empty stool beside me. He turns his focus to his phone and every once in a while I catch him sneaking a sideways glance my way. My fingers twist the ring on my finger, the diamond slightly glistening as I swing my legs freely in front of me. The second drink makes my body a little looser than before, my breathing evening out.
I take it as a sign that I'm ready to dance and let my problem fade while doing it. "Well, it was nice to chat with you, Radley, I hope you have a great night." Offering a gentle smile, my feet begin to carry me towards the dance floor, but a soft reply catches my attention ever so slightly and makes me pause, "I'll be seeing you again." Or so that's what I believe I hear.
The music changes to “All the Time” by Jeremiah, and my body sways as I make my way into the middle of the dance floor. My hips roll as I follow the beat, the lyrics echoing through my body making my dance a little more carefree. I bite my lip as my body melts with the lyrics.
"And the morning when I wanna fuck you…I can fuck you all the time “
A woman comes up behind me, her hands slipping to my waist as we grind against one another, the drinks now doing what I intended. Making me forget the horrible argument with Jace and the bad news from Brown. Our bodies mend together swaying and grinding as the song continues.
My eyes open to catch four sets looking back at me, the men equally as intimidating as the one next to them.
The Horsemen Of Ash. Radley front-n-center next to Reed and Caden, Drake leaning a little more behind the others. His dark brown eyes roamed over my body, making me feel as if he could be undressing me from where I stood. Out of the four, Drake has been the one I've had the most interaction with, the others only in passing. Drake and I both took psychology and art classes together. He also rents one of the properties here in Hazelton, with his brother and friends.
I stumble ever so slightly into the taller blonde.
Fuck Soren get a hold of yourself!
The guys catch sight of me, a smirk plastering their devilishly handsome faces.
Assholes.
The song ends and so does my mood for dancing and drinking. I turn towards the woman and give her a gentle smile and peck on the cheek thanking her for dancing with me as I push past the crowd towards the exit sign.
My skin tingles as I feel like I'm still being watched,the hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention. I shake the feeling and make my way through the parking lot a little faster than I normally would if I wasn't alone, or as alone as you can be in a crowded club parking lot.
Heavy footsteps echo behind me, followed by a thunderous pain shattering against my brown hair before everything goes black.
My vision slowly comes back to me as the sound of skin hitting skin jarred me back to reality.
What the actual fuck happened?
My eyes slowly track up the scuffle happening a mere 2 feet away. Now that the hitting has stopped, I see all of the Horsemen surrounding a guy on the ground. Blood drips down Rad's fingertips, falling to the dirty asphalt, his back straight and his psyche like a fallen angel exacting revenge on God himself for wronging him. At his feet in a bloody broken heap lies a man... who looks vaguely familiar.
Is that Jace crumpled up at Rad’s feet?
It couldn't be, he's with Ben and Alec. I go to push off the dirty ground. My mind is a bit foggy with what happened.
One minute I was coming to my car to leave, the next minute I was on the dirty ground and my brain was feeling like static crackling over a box TV.
“What the fuck?” I mumble quietly to myself. Slowly I find the strength to pull myself up and wobble over to see what is going on.Maybe someone can help me figure out what the fuck happened in the ten minutes I left the club doors to my car. My equilibrium is slightly unbalanced, and a throbbing headache causes my vision to dance between blurry and clear. Rad's breathing is ragged as his head snaps in my direction, the crunching of the broken glass echoing like gunfire between us. He goes to step forward but it's Drake that makes it to me before he has a chance. “Are you okay?” He looks at me from head to toe like he's trying to find damage that I might have missed.
“Yes.. what happened?” My voice was raspy like I was screaming before I woke from a drug-induced state.
Drake steps forward again, putting little to no distance between us. His words push past his luscious lips like it's a chore. “We were leaving when we saw this asshole come from the shadows and hit you across the head with that bottle.” Drake points to the broken glass around us, the liquor bottle handle and part of the bottle itself still intact.
Mindlessly, I reach up to where a slight sting is throbbing into my brain, like a thousand tiny drums are being played. My fingers touch the wetness that is slowly coating my hair, and an uneasy breath escapes my lips as I pull back my hand, looking at the evidence of being hit with that bottle left behind .
Blood covers my fingers and the urge to throw up fights for dominance of my barely conscious state. My body sways slightly and I reach out to steady myself before I collapse “I.. don't.. fe..” My sentence catches in my throat as my world slowly fades to black and all I feel is an endless tumbling through the darkness.