SNOB: A Dark College Enemies to Lovers Romance

Chapter 13

He actually showed up.

I didn’t expect him to be here. But unlike this morning, he kept his word.

Unpredictable.

You don’t have to listen to him.

You owe him nothing.

But he’s the only thing keeping the cops at bay. Despite how unsafe he is, he’s the only thing protecting me.

My feet move towards the car, some students watching as I do.

The scent of tobacco and leather cover me as I slide into his car again. Like it’s a thing we do. Like we’re… My thoughts trail when I see who’s standing at the edge of the parking lot, next to a white Bentley.

Greta.

Her words ring through my head as her brows lower.

I told you to stay away from The Crown. Especially Mac.

Right now, The Crown is the only thing that has my back. Greta doesn’t.

“They’re all gonna talk,” I say as Mac peels out of the parking lot. “Me with you? Isn’t this more suspicious?”

“They won’t talk,” he replies, merging onto the street.

Cars passing by don”t startle me like last time. It makes me wonder if his tactics work, no matter how maniacal. Am I actually feeling comfort from Mac?

I”m losing my mind in Paradise Hill.

“How are you so sure?” I ask, settling into my seat.

“We’re changing the narrative.” His eyes hide behind those douchey shades, and I can’t tell if he’s even looking at me. It’s a different vibe from when we were against the art building wall.

I hate that I notice.

“Sounds like something Daddy McKinsley would say.”

“Daddy’s handling it.”

Mac turns up the music, grunge rock filling the air. He doesn’t offer the wheel this time. He doesn’t pull out clamps, cuffs, or other equipment I’ve only heard about in Fifty Shades.

He ignores me.

Except for music, the ride back to The Valley is quiet until we pull up to my home. Looking out the window, Uncle Jake stands there, beer in hand.

I need to be quick before he comes outside.

When my hand touches the door handle, Mac finally lowers the music. “This is the last time I’m driving here,” he says. “I’m getting you a room at the Grand Emerald. It’s close to campus. You won’t be in Hannah’s way and I’ll be able to keep an eye on you.”

“What about Uncle Jake?” I ask, climbing out of the passenger’s seat. My family is way more important than staying at a luxurious hotel.

“I took care of that.” He reaches over, closing the door. “See you tomorrow.” Then he speeds off, leaving me blinking at the six exhausts at the back of his car.

Do I have whiplash? One minute he fondles me at any chance, the next, nothing.

Coldness washes over me as his car disappears and I turn to our home.

The Grand Emerald. Without Jake?

My head spins as I step towards our trailer. Opening the creaky door to our home, my muscles tense thinking about how I”ll break the news.

“You gonna tell me what’s goin’ on, Emmy?” Uncle Jake’s question hits me as soon as I step inside, the musty smell a contrast to Mac’s car. “This all showed up about an hour ago.” Looking around the space, brown paper bags fill the room. Cereal. Milk. Pasta. Rice. Eggs. There’s like a month’s worth of groceries in here. Cases of beer stack on each other by the sofa. Enough to fill a bar. “Is this him?”

I took care of that.

It’s hard to hide the disbelief in my voice as I look around the room. “I-I guess.”

“So, what did you do for it?” Uncle Jake approaches me, booze coming off his breath. He crosses his arms in that tattered denim jacket. “Emmy, you can’t just?—”

“We’re dating.” Uncle Jake blinks. I do too. Turning around to help pick up the groceries off the ground hides my cringe. It’s the first thing I could think of to get Uncle Jake off my back.

“Dating?” He sighs, “I knew this day would come.”

“Please don’t be the overprotective Uncle,” I groan, putting the groceries into the cupboard. They”re all Uncle Jake’s favourite snacks. Barbecue chips. Crunchy peanut butter. Almond trail mix. How did he know?

“That’s my job, Emmy. We have to watch out for each other. It’s just us.”

“Is it just us?” The cupboard door slams when I close it. “Or is it me and an alcoholic?”

Silence.

Fuck.

“That’s low, man.” It is. Especially when I was in our shower with the enemy.

“Well, lucky for you, I’ll spend the rest of my time at Saint Bons in different housing.”

“Ember, what?” Uncle Jake moves in front of me. “Run that by me again?”

Those eyes make mine soften, seeing my dad in them. I always do. “It”s only for a bit.” And I can’t believe I’m saying that. Am I agreeing to Mac’s wishes?

“I don’t know, Emmy.” Uncle Jake scratches his beard. “Your dad would flip.” He laughs, but I know he doesn’t think it’s funny.

“Well, Dad’s not here.” I must be tired, my words coming with a bite. “And neither are you. Time away from The Valley will be good for me. I’ll be closer to campus and won”t have to travel hours every day.” His shoulders fall, telling me I’ve made a good point. And looking around our dusty, cluttered trailer, this looks more like the right move. “Dad would want me to take my chances. To lean into opportunity. You can’t hold me back from that.”

“Ember, I want you to be happy.” Uncle Jake puts his hands on my shoulders. “You’re acting like the adult you are and have every right to do what you want. These rich folks though? They always want something in return.”

Ever feellike someone’s watching you?

Everywhere you go. Everything you do.

I’ll be able to keep an eye on you.

I guess he meant literally because I feel like he’s there, everywhere I go. I can even smell him. Tobacco. Leather. Mint. It’s all-encompassing. Like the monster under your bed ready to pop out and grab you at any moment.

Despite his looming presence, he’s hardly said a word to me after dropping me off at The Grand Emerald a few days ago. I hardly had time to pack when Mac showed up that morning. Uncle Jake and I spent all night watching hockey highlights and I already miss him.

Unck J: Please, be careful, Emmy.

Grand in Grand Emerald is an understatement. I’ve upgraded from a mattress on milk-crates to a luxury suite with a living area, bedroom and kitchen. It”s decorated with trendy furniture and luxurious fixtures, overlooking The Hill and SBU. Hell, I’d be lying if it wasn’t the best sleep I’ve had in… ever.

It’s an easy walk to campus from my suite, making up for the times I’ve been late to class. Mac even had groceries delivered while room service is at my full disposal. It all feels surreal and I can’t help but ask myself what the catch is.

“They always want something in return.”

“Hey, Ember.” I’m surprised when Greta approaches me on the way to the rink mid-week. I haven’t seen her since this place was crawling with cops. They’re not around much anymore. I guess seeing me convulse like a psychopath made them have sympathy.

Or did Mac handle it? Whatever that means.

“Greta,” I respond. She hasn’t spoken to me since that day and it’s not that I don’t trust her. She’s the one that got me in this place. But I’m not interested in fake friends.

So what’s Mac?

Whispers have died down the further we get from Beau’s disappearance. Some say he went off the rails. Some say he got sick of Paradise Hill and left. But the ones that still say I did it? I hear that loud and clear.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distant,” Greta says, her black sweater-vest tucked into a leather skirt. “I thought I’d check-in anyway. Mostly because I keep hearing that you and Mac are hanging out. Is that true?”

“Don’t worry, keep as much distance as you’d like.” When I turn towards Greta she steps back. Is she afraid? Does she also think I have something to do with Beau? “I won’t get in your way.”

“So you are still hanging out with Mac.” She purses her lips as if she’s disappointed. “Is is true you”re shacking up at The Emerald together?”

Is that what people are saying? “So what?” It’s not true but I don’t deny it. “It’s not like I have anyone else to rely on.”

“Ember, it’s not that easy for me. You came in here and things got… weird.” You’re telling me. “I need a clear path to graduation. I can’t have distractions and, you’re a big one.”

“We’re good.”

“Are we?”

“What do you want me to say? Please be my friend because I backed you once? Thank you for covering tuition, but if you want to fit in with these idiots, be my guest.”

“I overheard one of the girls from the Posse say you and Mac were with Beau that night. Are you okay, Ember? Mac’s dangerous. I warned you to stay away and you?—”

“Funny, ‘cause Mac is the only person interested in keeping me here. Maybe Paradise Hill is what”s dangerous and he’s a victim.” I hear it. I’m standing up for Malcolm McKinsley and that makes my stomach twist.

“Really? Because I heard he made you kneel in front of him at Sun House and do some pretty humiliating things.”

“Weird, I don’t remember you being there.” Turning away, I take a deep breath. “Nothing is happening with Mac. I’ll see you around, Greta.”

Hustling towards Riviera’s class, I crave the calmness the rink brings me. It’s the only place I’m safe from leftover whispers, allegations and conversations like this.

While Mac hasn’t helped with the mural, we’re both still always there, working on our passions. I always feel his eyes on me when I’m at the rink. His rink. His slapshots match my strokes and it’s soothing. Unthreatening. We’re both too focused on our work to get on each other’s nerves for once.

This morning, he wasn’t there. And part of me missed him.

When I arrive at Professor Riviera’s class, our canvases sit circled around a single stool. I’m just in time to hear the end of her weekly introduction to the next few hours.

“Live drawing,” she says. “We’ll have our model join us shortly, but for now, take out your utensils and get ready to go.”

Settling into my stool, I reach into my bag to pull out my favourite graphite pencils. Couldn’t afford these if it wasn’t for Mac, but I know how best to use them. A deep breath helps me take in my inspiring surroundings, light cascading into the space.

My mind drifts to the Mac-less rink this morning. Maybe it’s better Mac and I stay out of each others’ way. I can focus on art. This doesn’t have to get weirder than it already has.

My eyes settle on an empty stool next to me, Beau’s smile in my head. He should be here. That only solidifies how deadly our chaos can be.

“Watch out!”

His voice still rings in my head, and as I squeeze my eyes to get it out, some laughter comes from the other side of class. Hannah. She’s quieter lately, but I know she aids in my isolation. Her posse still want to exclude me, glaring and laughing at any chance. And it still makes me want to slam a canvas over her head.

“Okay, everyone, let’s welcome today’s model,” Professor Riviera announces. “Star of the Saint Bons Bisons, and our very own Crown.”

“Malcolm McKinsley.”

My head whips to the door. You got to be fucking kidding me.

Mac

I’m goingto kill Gray.

It’s his turn to keep an eye on Ember.

If I knew I was signing up to pose nude in front of a class of SBU art nerds, and Hannah, I wouldn’t be here. But the look on Ember’s face makes it worth it.

Her cheeks redden as she squirms in her seat. When her eyes lock on mine, I smirk.

“Looks like we’re all in for a treat,” Hannah says. But I ignore her, my black silk robe hanging off my shoulders as I move to the wooden stool in the centre of the class.

“Make yourself comfortable, Malcolm.” Professor Riviera’s cheeks are as red as Ember’s as she gestures to my seat. I catch some whispers from students in the class, thrilled to see a Crown about to shed it all in their presence.

“You’re welcome,” I say, taking my seat. Propping one leg up, breeze tempers my nether as I stare right into those bloodstone eyes.

Moving Ember into The Emerald was only the beginning. She”s not an obsession, I’m protecting myself and my future. And if Ember takes one wrong step, it could ruin everything.

And I’ll ruin her.

I haven’t worked on that mural with her, but I watch her during practice. Seeing her in the rink has upped my level of performance. She’s a reminder of what’s at stake if either of us fuck this up.

“Ready, Mac?” Professor Riviera asks from behind her desk. Sunlight streams onto Ember’s face as she chews on the end of her brush, her narrow eyes boring into mine. I keep that gaze as I stand and drop my robe.

A resounding gasp comes from the class as Ember’s body stiffens, her brush dropping from her lips.

“W-wow,” Professor Riviera stutters. That’s the usual response. I’m not one of those balls of lard you see on an NHL team. I keep my shit correct. I don’t slack on this body; it keeps me going. Professor Riviera clears her throat. “I mean, great! You can all begin.”

It takes a moment for Ember to pick up her brush. My eyes don’t leave hers when she finally dips it in paint and puts it on the canvas. It’s cold in this room, but keeping my eyes on her sends heat to my skin.

That’s cause I hate her.

My heart pounds the more I stare but I’m not turning my eyes away.

She peaks around her canvas as she bites her lip. I’ve seen that look before in the rink. She’s concentrating. Cute. Annoyingly cute.

Her clothes are still a contrast to her new accommodations. A shirt with a graffiti-style word and cutoffs. Her uniform. This shirt reads “Grim,” like she’s telling everyone she’s proud of where she’s from. Idiot. That only makes her a target. I”ll do something about that.

My cock jumps when her eyes hit mine. Shifting in my seat, I’m surprised he’s alive in this cold room. But he’s only getting harder when she looks away, and back again.

Fuck it. It’s a live painting class and we’re all adults here. I don’t have control over this. I don’t have control when she purses her lips. Or shifts in her seat, those thighs spilling over the wood of the small stool as her ass fills the entire space.

Ember’s eyes drop to my hardening cock, then back up at mine. I greet her gaze with a wider smirk. A glance shows me that I’m hard as fuck. We’re not the only ones to notice as snickers come from around the class. Ember shifts in her seat again. I can’t tell if she’s uncomfortable, or as weirdly turned on by this as I am. That day in the quad rushes back to me. I can feel the blood rushing between my legs when I remember how hard she came for me.

“Keep going everyone,” Professor Riviera calls to the class. Her voice comes closer as if she’s behind me. “Are we okay over here, Mac?” She must be referring to my royal staff.

“Perfect,” I respond, my voice lower than I expect.

“Oh my god, are you hard right now, Mac?” Hannah’s voice rings through the class.

“Maybe he needs a break,” Ember pipes up. “Or a part of him does.”

“Why? You want to break me off, Everett?”

Her mouth flattens but I see those nipples harden through that shirt. Part of me wishes she was in this seat in the middle of the class. Those full tits out and those clamps back on her. It’s a shame she doesn’t get to see how pretty she looks when she’s all mine.

Hannah laughs. “He’s joking. Mac wouldn’t notice her if she wasn’t directly in front of him. Starved for attention, much?”

“You give me plenty of attention,” Ember says. “I can’t tell if you’re into me, or jealous this is the last stiff dick you’ll see in a very long while.”

My smirk grows, that fiery attitude in full display. Few people can clap back at Hannah.

“Girls, play nice,” their professor says.

Their bicker quiets, but my stiffy doesn’t nor do my eyes move from Ember. Watching her work makes time fly, her attention shifting from her canvas to me. She’s intense when she’s working, the same concentration she had when she aimed that gun at me. But that attention breaks whenever her eyes land on me. It only feels like minutes when Professor Riviera”s timer goes off.

“That’s it for today”s class,” Professor Riviera calls. “I have to head out right away so leave your canvases, sign your names and I’ll collect them when I’m back.” Ember’s prof is quick to grab her stuff and takes one last look at me, still naked. I don’t miss when her eyes drop to my cock, still hard as fuck. “Thank you, Mac. You can put your robe back on.”

I shrug, my eyes still on Ember. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“Hey, Mac,” Hannah approaches me. “Looking good today.”

Ember scoffs, “Thirsty much?”

“Not as thirsty for blood as you are.”

“Nothing’s worse than your thirst for Mac’s cock,” Ember fires back.

“You’re gonna let her talk to me like that?” Hannah asks, her hand pushing my shoulder. “You’ve been weird since she got here. We’re royalty. She’s not. Remember?”

“Maybe he’s just tired of the smell of your desperation,” Ember says.

Damn.

Hannah steps to her. Ember straightens up. “You won’t stick around. I promise.”

“Come on, Hannah,” Marisol, Hannah’s favourite follower pulls her towards the door. “We don’t want her to off you like she did Beau.”

As they leave, Ember’s hands shake as she gathers her things. “Keep your girl on a leash, will you?” She stuffs them in her tote. “In case you forgot, the only murderer here is you.”

Heat prickles my neck. “Watch your mouth, Everett.”

“Watch your girl.” The way she spits her words makes me rise from my seat.

“Don’t let Hannah get to you. You’re better than that.”

“And you’re the reason I’m in this mess in the first place. Don’t pretend to be my saviour. You’re a gutless coward.” She storms towards the door.

My jaw tightens as some students stop when they hear her words. “Now wait a goddamn, minute.” My hand comes to her arm, catching her. “I’m not done with you yet.”