Tricky Girls (Girls of Hazelhurst #1)

17. CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

Tilda

Besides the east tower, the St Juliana lecture theatre is my favourite place in the whole castle. It has the same vaulted ceiling as in the grand entrance hall, electric lamps swinging between the beams and casting dim, buttery light. Floating out of ornamental columns and casting sinister shadows are sculpted angels, their halos limned in gold.

No matter how pretty though, in December, the place is freezing.

Despite how large our course is, we barely fill half of the maroon velvet seats. Like the gentlewomen they are, Elly and Haz have me squished between them ensuring I don’t freeze over the next hour. I definitely have temperature regulation issues, but these two are always warm as wolves.

I like lectures. You don’t have to do much, just sit there looking in the vague direction of the projector screen with your tablet on your lap. The light in here’s so dim that no one can tell if you’re paying attention or not. And after a long week of tutorials and seminars, this Friday afternoon lecture is always one I look forward to the most.

As bored as I am waiting for it to start, Haz sits jiggling her knee, the motion jogging my chair and making me dizzy. I put my hand on her knee to stop her, but she only takes the opportunity to thread our fingers together. I roll my eyes at the smirk on her face, but don’t pull away. She’s just too warm.

Down by the stage, Tommy enters, passing in front of the projector and elongating his shadow to epic proportions. When he catches my eyes, I give him a wave but Haz slaps my hand out of the air.

‘Hey!’ I glare at her.

‘Not that asshole.’ She shakes her head.

I watch him jog up the steps our way. ‘Why is he an asshole? You’ve not had a problem with him before.’

‘Well, I have a problem with him now, so by default so do you since you’re in our club.’

‘Yeah, I don’t think it works like that.’ I shake my hand free of hers. ‘I can think for myself, thanks.’

I smile at Tommy as he reaches our row, squeezing between the chairs towards us.

‘Hey, guys,’ he greets.

‘Back up.’ Haz sticks out a leg. ‘Go find your fresher friends.’

‘Haz!’ I lean over her, beckoning the boy on. ‘Ignore her Tommy, she’s just mean. Come sit over on this side.’

‘Nope,’ Elly says. ‘This one’s taken too.’

I look between them. ‘What the fuck guys?’

‘It’s cool, Tilda.’ Tommy holds up his hands as he backs away. ‘Place has it in for me, I swear. Been fucked with here since day one.’

‘Is there something I need to know?’ I ask, unable to think of the reason for them being such utter dicks.

‘Shush, Tilda.’ Haz settles back in her chair and folds her arms. ‘Lecture’s about to start.’

There’s nothing in this lecture I can concentrate on now. They’ve pissed me off, reminding me too much of Nic in their behaviour. Not a fan of this hating on innocent people for no reason thing. Not a fan at all.

Poor Tommy. I look at the light bouncing off his shiny brown curls, his sorry head bowed. He’s not typing notes on his tablet, not paying attention to anything at all. He reminds me of a sad little kid sitting down there all on his own.

I glare over at Elly. ‘Expected better from you.’

She purses her lips, eyes sliding back to the projector screen. She’s just going along with Haz, I can see that as much. A shame. I thought she was better than that.

Halfway through the hour, she leans over to whisper, ‘We have our reasons. Just trust.’

‘Tell me and I’ll make up my own mind.’

But I know she won’t. Those lot, all three of them, are thick as fucking thieves.

‘Don’t be disappointed,’ she goes on. ‘Breaks my fucking heart.’

I send her a look, unfortunately all out of pity.

When the lecture concludes, we all file down to the stage where there’s a sign-up sheet for the Christmas meal. Natasha’s up ahead, filling it out. When she’s done, she offers me a small smile before leaving the theatre.

No doubt thinking about last year’s Christmas meal where we sat together getting drunk off bubbly and joking about how we actually hated the richest, poshest chocolate pudding we’d ever been served in our lives.

I feel Haz nudge me along the line, her solid bulk warm against my back.

So weird how things turn out.

‘Gonna play piggy in the middle with me and Elly?’ she says as I scribble down my name.

‘Seems to be my place, doesn’t it?’

‘Hell yeah,’ Elly says, deliberately ignoring my nettled tone. ‘Gonna wear my best suit for you.’

They leave me alone once we get back to the lodge, giving me a wide berth as I get ready for my final hockey practice of the week. I’m in the kitchen when Nic rocks up, dressed in shorts and a loose t-shirt, hockey stick over one shoulder.

I’ve already swapped my shorts for joggers. Too bloody cold out for less.

‘Off to hockey?’ I ask pointlessly. Dumb stuff just falls from my mouth when she’s around, desperate to break the awkward silence.

She only nods, not even bothering to call out my idiocy. She doesn’t really need to. I can feel the aversion like a slap in the face.

‘Wanna walk over together?’

Now she looks at me. ‘Still can’t find your way?’

‘No. Just a bit awkward walking the same way, isn’t it?’

She shrugs. ‘For you, maybe.’

‘Alright.’ Swiping my water bottle, I stalk past her out the door. ‘Sorry for trying.’

I feel her on my heels the whole dark walk across campus. So dumb. And so unnecessary.

We pull up to the sport’s hall just as the first team boys are finishing their session. I spot Tommy in the fray and quickly flag him down. He smiles at me gingerly, clearly still salty after this afternoon’s lecture.

Then his eyes drift over my shoulder and his smile vanishes completely.

Nic blows past us into the hall, Tommy following her with his gaze the whole way.

‘Do you know her?’ I wonder if that’s something to do with Elly’s and Haz’s animosity towards him. Because that would make so much sense. That girl seems to have a fuck tonne of enemies, and her two besties are blind with loyalty.

Tommy rubs the back of his neck as he puffs his cheeks out. ‘Kinda.’

‘What did you do?’

He looks at me blankly. ‘Why is it something I’ve done?’

A whistle sounds in the hall, momentarily drawing my attention.

‘You better get on.’ Tommy smiles thinly. ‘I’ve heard your coach is a bitch.’

‘Yeah, alright.’ I catch his sleeve just as I’m about to jog inside. ‘I’ll catch you another time, though?’

He shrugs, already wandering away. ‘Yeah, maybe.’

Turns out another time is next Wednesday night. Instead of pregaming with Elly and Haz at the lodge, I’m invited to a flat party by one of the other hockey girls. At my old digs, just one floor below. I feel weird entering through the front door, but I don’t think I have anything to worry about. Neither Ryan nor Natasha are on any teams. They don’t tend to go out Wednesday nights, instead saving themselves for the weekend.

I make a beeline for Tommy as soon as I see him. He smiles toothily, obviously drunk enough not to feel any awkwardness around me. We’ve spoken briefly at uni this week but he hadn’t seemed inclined to stick around with the other two there.

I pull out my vodka and mixer and make up a drink. ‘Hey.’

‘Hey yourself. Left your guard dogs at home?’

Ah, not that drunk then.

‘For the time being. They’ll be out at Vipers later.’

I think, anyway. Just before I left they had a bit of a tiff with Nic. I couldn’t tell what they were all going on about, only that Nic was going to go somewhere or do something they didn’t want her doing. And that it was my fault she was doing so. I definitely understood that bit. Kinda hard not to with Nic jabbing her finger at me like that.

So I’m glad I’m here alone. With another one of her enemies. Just another reason Tommy’s secretly endeared to me.

‘Better avoid the place then,’ he jokes weakly.

I hop onto the kitchen counter, careful not to spill my drink. Thing about pregaming in these flats is there’s never any comfy seating unless we all pack into someone’s bedroom.

‘What’s their problem?’ I ask. ‘I’m guessing it’s to do with Nic.’

‘Ah, just stuff,’ he murmurs, looking anywhere but at me.

I drop the subject. I don’t want to be making him uncomfortable as well. I’ll try Elly when she’s in one of her softer moods.

‘If it makes you feel better, she hates me too.’

Tommy smiles, slow and unsure. ‘What did you do?’

I blow out a long breath. ‘No idea. Still trying to figure that out.’

‘Broke her heart maybe?’

‘No,’ I huff. ‘I’m straight.’

‘Are you? Oh. I’m surprised.’

‘Why? Do I give off gay vibes or something? Not that that’s a bad thing or anything.’

‘No. Guess I just assumed with you always being around those two. Now they give off those vibes.’

I regard Tommy over the rim of my cup, wondering if he’s that way inclined himself. I’d been thinking that the other night at Vipers, wondering if that was the reason Elly and Haz enjoyed his company so much. Something tells me they don’t bother with straight guys. At least, not straight guys like Ryan.

Tommy has a peculiar softness to him, appearing years younger than his eighteen-going-on-nineteen years. I think that’s why I’m so drawn to his company. I’m sick to the back teeth of the kind of alphaholes I’m usually attracted to. Not that I’m attracted to Tommy at all. He’s goodlooking, for sure, but so, so far from my type.

Unfortunately.

He’d probably make a banging boyfriend. I can tell he’s good inside. It’s an energy thing.

It’s packed in the flat with all the hockey boys and girls. Pretty sure there’s some footballers in here with us too. I join in with some games but it takes so long for it to get to my turn that I spend most of the time just chatting with Tommy.

‘You know last week,’ I say to him, idly watching the guy opposite us down a dirty pint the colour of dehydrated piss, ‘when you said you’ve been fucked with here since you started?’

‘Oh, that.’ He draws in a breath. ‘Yeah, you know. Thought it was the guys in my flat at first. They’re kind of the macho type. I didn’t think they liked me much at first. But it was just little things—my window being egged, my posters in my room ripped down, someone sabotaging my hockey try-outs.’ He looks at me, lips twisted. ‘But it’s not them. Sooooo, yeah. Who fucking knows. I just know this place has it out for me.’ He squeezes the plastic cup in his hand, making it crackle. ‘Dunno, just heard so much about it. My brother…he used to go here. Fucking loved the place. But I think it’s cursed for me.’

I stare at him with my brow furrowed. He’s just said a lot, and all of it heavy, but the vodka’s kicking around my system and there’s only one question that comes to mind as I study his grizzled profile. ‘Tommy, are you gay?’

‘No,’ he chuckles, seemingly glad I changed the subject so rapidly. ‘Hundred percent straight.’ He nods to me. ‘But you wouldn’t be the first to ask. And the first and only time I ever went to a gay club’—he tosses his arm out in an encompassing gesture—‘ alllllllllll over me.’ He smiles a pleased smile. ‘I’m a catch.’

‘I can see it. You’re very pretty.’

He twirls an invisible strand of hair. ‘Well, thank you. You know, this is really weird but you legit look like my little sister.’

‘I do?’

‘For real. I’ll show you a picture.’

He scrolls through his phone, showing me several pictures of his younger sister, a smiley brown-haired girl of about thirteen.

‘Damn, I do.’

‘Yep. So you don’t have to worry about me being into you either. I’m not into incest.’

He goes quiet after that comment and I have to nudge him to bring him back into the room.

‘That’s good to know.’ I smile.

Later at Vipers, Elly and Haz spend no time in seeking me out. At the same time, Tommy wanders off to find his hockey guys and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

‘Couldn’t get Nic to come out?’ I ask them, noticing she’s missing and feeling relieved for it.

‘Fuck her,’ Haz says hotly into my ear.

So they’re still mad at her. I don’t know why they put up with her to be honest. She seems like too much hard work.

I spend the next few hours on the dance floor, fending off Haz’s and Elly’s advances. It’s become so common I think I’d feel put out if they suddenly stopped them.

Plus, if I’m truly being honest with myself, it’s flattering having their undivided attention. I see other girls watching them, pressing for their attention, but they’re all shrugged off, their eyes only on me.

When we’ve had our fill of the club, we head back to the lodge, all cramming into Elly’s bed with a cuppa.

They’re laughing as I set up her laptop with a Disney film.

‘Don’t know why you’re all taking the piss. A cup of tea and a Disney film is the best way to end a night out.’

‘Tilda.’ Haz cups my cheeks, her eyes wild from all the drink she’s imbibed tonight. ‘You’re too fucking cute.’ She kisses me squarely on the forehead.

I lay the laptop on the foot of the bed and settle against the headboard. Elly’s room is about as bland as Ryan’s, a typical bachelor pad with stripy blue bedding and a flat cream rug. Only the walls stuck with family photos bring any personality to the place. At least it’s not as messy as downstairs, just lived in. Cosy, like Elly herself.

She yawns widely as she sets her finished mug down, snuggling into my side with her head on my shoulder. She’s cuddlier at night. Like a cute little kid. I find I mind less the more time goes on, becoming used to her tenderness. Turns out I don’t dislike cuddling, I’m just so unused to it that it feels alien. Elly’s helping with that in a big way.

On my other side, Haz sprawls out, mug resting on her chest. Flicking her gaze my way, she reaches out for one of my hands to hold.

‘Jesus,’ she exclaims at the temperature of my fingers. ‘Are you even alive?’ She pinches my skin, making me yelp. ‘We gotta do something about this.’ She draws my hand to her lips, warming it with her breath, dark eyes twinkling. ‘I can find somewhere warm to put your hand.’

I’m too sleepy to come up with a rebuke, so I only smile and redirect my attention back to the film.

At some point, Elly takes my other hand, my eyes drooping at the sensation of her hot skin. They’re going to send me to sleep if they’re not careful, something I couldn’t ever see happening. Cuddling up in bed with two girls I’ve only known properly for a month? Let alone two lesbians who definitely want me in more than a friend way. Never.

If this was two guys, hell no, no way would this be happening. They wouldn’t be content with just a little bit of handholding and a Disney film.

Though is Haz?

I glance over, inadvertently catching her eyes. She sends me a lazy smile before looking back at the laptop, her fingertips drawing suggestive lines over the webbing between my fingers.

Probably not.

I think she’s just enjoying the thrill of it all. I can see her being a foreplay kind of girl. Giving it, that is. And maybe a bit of a masochist on her part. Though she’d probably never admit to that. I heard from Elly that she likes administering pain when it’s wanted. Sadism is probably more her game if you were to ask her.

I find I trust her more when Elly’s around. I don’t think she’d let her go too far.

Halfway through the film, I hear voices downstairs. Well, one voice. A girl’s, definitely drunk. It drifts up the stairs, then up again to Nic’s room.

‘There you are, Ells,’ Haz says. ‘No need to worry.’

Next to me, Elly only grunts in response.

‘Why would you be worrying about Nic?’ I ask.

‘I’m not,’ is all Haz replies. She squeezes my hand, telling me without words to mind my own.

I probably should have guessed that if Nic has a girl in her room, they’re probably not going to be up there cuddling like we are.

Barely fifteen minutes later, I hear the telltale squeaking of bed springs directly above my head.

‘Here we go,’ Elly murmurs.

The squeaking very quickly escalates to banging, the bed sounding like it’s about to fall through the ceiling. I hear the girl moaning now, and of course she’s a screamer.

I raise my eyebrows. I’m no mouse in bed, but holy shit.

I’m damning my active imagination right now. I’m not a hundred percent sure what girls get up to in bed together, but I’m assuming Nic’s using a strap-on. I can’t imagine fingers being the cause of all that commotion.

After a viciously loud bang, my gaze shoots to the ceiling. ‘Je -sus.’

Haz grins. ‘That’s our girl.’

Whoever Nic’s got up there’s shrieking out some kind of instruction, her words mostly unintelligible. I’m sure I hear her say no a couple of times but the banging doesn’t pause.

Beside me, Haz and Elly look at each other and simultaneously say, ‘Skylar.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘The girl me and Elly had a threesome with one time.’

‘Wow, she’s done all three of you?’

‘Times over.’ Haz nods. ‘She’s a fun time.’

But it becomes less fun the longer it goes on. Like it doesn’t stop, not even for a minute, drowning out even the sound of the film. Elly pecks at the volume button but it’s already at maximum.

She frowns up at the ceiling. ‘She’s doing that on purpose to piss us off.’

‘Yeah, no shit, Sherlock.’ With a matching frown, Haz grabs a Rubik’s Cube from Elly’s desk and lobs it at the ceiling. ‘Fucking shut up, will you!’

‘Dude! You’ve chipped the ceiling.’

They settle back down, falling quiet with twin sighs. My mind wanders, unable to concentrate on anything but what’s happening above us. It sounds rough, like super rough. Clearly this Skylar girl’s enjoying it. I think about how Nic is on the hockey field; it’s clear she’s the same in all her exertive pursuits.

Is she enjoying it too? It’s obviously not a real dick, despite her wielding it like it is. I scratch my eyebrow, a subtle attempt at banishing the image of Nic’s neat little six-pack tensing each time she slams those narrow hips.

‘Oh my god.’ I cover my face when it gets too much. ‘How is it still going on?’

‘Lesbians, baby.’ Haz grins. ‘Though this is just fucking absurd.’

I shake my head. ‘I’d be chafed to fuck by now.’

‘No, you wouldn’t.’ She claims my hand again, trailing her fingers over the sensitive skin of my inner arm. ‘I know how to make it comfortable for a long time.’

I shift, her touch shooting tingles to places south.

It’s the vodka, as always, plus the fact that I’ve been listening to two people bang for the last hour. I have a healthy sex drive and without my own needs having been met in a while…well, this is the result.

Just as I’m about to escape to my room, Nic groans loudly, jolting me back to the present.

Though, to me, it sounds more like a growl of frustration than pleasure.

Thankfully that marks the end of it all, our film as well, just the sound of the girl’s quiet laughter filtering down every so often.

‘Thank fuck,’ Haz says, hitting her head back against the headboard.

‘Well, with that happy denouement,’ I say, shifting down the bed, ‘I’m off to bed.’

‘Going to sort yourself out?’ Haz smirks. ‘I’m wet too after that.’ She puts a hand on her crotch and lifts her hips. ‘We could all sort each other out, if you want.’

Nope. Dangerous.

I slip off the bed, putting distance between us.

Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve given into sex I didn’t really want. And I know Haz is wearing her strap-on tonight, the outline clear to see.

That purple number? Did seem like the perfect size for me, to be honest. And the colour’s mint.

Stop.

I shake my head, ignoring the throbbing in my pussy at the thought of that thing filling me.

‘Night, you guys.’

‘Night, beautiful.’ Haz’s smirk follows me from the room. ‘Don’t be turning down the volume on our behalf.’

Nic

As soon as I catch sight of Skylar in my bed, I’m up and out of there.

The landing’s awash in sunlight, telling me it’s at least midmorning. I drag on a hoodie, lowering the hood to shield my eyes, and pad down to the living room.

They’re all there, sat on the sofa in their pyjamas.

Ignoring their ribbing over last night’s noises, I drop into the armchair.

‘I’ll snog anyone who’ll make me a cup of tea.’ I sigh, scrubbing my face.

‘I will,’ Tilda offers, making me blink. My eyes are blurry; I rub them more. ‘I’ve literally just boiled the kettle.’

‘Guess you owe her a snog,’ Haz titters.

I close my eyes, dropping my head against the back of the chair. That’s so not a vision I need right now.

It had been a bad night.

Well, until it wasn’t.

But then it quickly got bad again, another bag and a half down, fucked enough to bring Skylar back here.

Where she still is, sweating up my bed.

I shrug my shoulders as a shudder goes through them.

My knuckles are hurting again, having taken a detour through the forest on the way to the Vaults.

How is it they’ve become friends? Does Tilda know who Tommy is, has he told her? Does she know…all of it?

‘Here,’ Tilda says quietly.

I blink open my eyes, having nodded off.

‘Thanks,’ I mutter, making an effort not to drop the mug when our fingers brush.

Ten years. Ten years since our fingers last touched. I look up to see if that’s as significant to her but she’s already moving back to the sofa, dropping down between Haz and Elly. Haz takes her legs into her lap, stretching her out between them.

How cosy.

I huff out a breath, deliberately burning my lips on the tea.

‘Skylar still around?’ Elly asks.

As if in answer, the girl comes down the stairs, seemingly in nothing but one of my long-sleeved tops. Curling up tighter on the chair, I pull my hood over my eyes. What I can’t see can’t hurt me

‘Hey, ladies,’ she calls, far too sunnily for my liking.

‘Hey, Skylar,’ Haz and Elly intone together.

I hear Tilda offer her a mug and glare down at my own tea.

Like she has any right.

That girl needs to go.

She and Skylar both.

Light fills my vision as my hood’s suddenly pulled down. ‘Yeah, we don’t have to do the whole I’ll-call-you-thing,’ Skylar all but hisses at me, ‘but you can at least say good morning.’

‘Good morning, Skylar. Now please leave my house.’

She huffs out a breath. ‘Fucker.’

Squeezing in next to Haz, she spends some time glowering before those speculative eyes drift to Tilda.

Shit.

I tense, sensing what’s about to go down before she’s even opened her gob.

‘Hey,’ she says loudly, drawing Tilda’s attention. ‘You’re the one she was out stalking the other night.’

Tilda turns her head to me, then back to Skylar. ‘Huh?’

Skylar looks at me, eyes brimming with mischief.

So fucking shrewd this girl. I forget she has a brain behind that sex kitten act of hers.

‘Skylar, leave it,’ I say quietly.

‘I don’t want to.’ She runs her tongue over the rim of her mug. ‘I’m interested in what the deal is.’ She takes stock of Tilda lying half over Haz and Elly. ‘Are you fucking all of them?’

‘I’m fucking none of them,’ Tilda says with a frown.

‘Well, this one wants to fuck you.’ She nods over to me. ‘That’s for sure.’

That’s got Elly studying me with an inquisitive look, the last thing I bloody need.

‘Skylar, put the tea down and fuck off.’

‘Gladly.’ Banging the mug on the floor, she pushes it away, sending tea everywhere. ‘Gonna fucking hurl if I don’t eat soon and you’re not about to make me anything, are you? And for the record’—she turns back at the foot of the stairs—‘it’s not my fault you can’t fucking come!’

I close my eyes. ‘Maybe it is. Maybe you just don’t do it for me.’

Skylar scoffs. ‘Think I do. Otherwise you wouldn’t keep coming back for more. I’m a good fucking time and you know it.’

‘Sometimes I’d rather scavenge than hunt. You’re just easy.’

‘Yeah, you’re a fucking vulture alright. Go to therapy, babes, and stop eating the carrion. Fucking doesn’t cure all. Believe me, I’ve tried it.’

I groan, gathering my hair into fists. ‘Fuuuck, just get out of my house!’

Even through two floors, I hear her stomping around, banging doors as she gathers up her shit.

I don’t even know what she meant by all that. I can’t remember half the stuff I’ve said to her over the last year, most of it said when off my face. I can barely even recall last night’s adventures.

She returns wearing last night’s slutty outfit, ready for her walk of shame back to wherever the fuck she lives.

‘If you do fuck her,’ she says to Tilda on her way out, ‘just make sure you do it sober. She’s a bastard when she can’t get off.’

Without another word, she flies from the lodge.

There’s a beat before Haz starts slow clapping, the only sound in the silent room. ‘Great show, Nic. Great show.’

‘What did she mean about you stalking me?’ Tilda asks, fiddling with the handle of her mug with a frown.

Not one to shy away from risky questions, this one.

‘Dunno, Tilda.’ I put my arms in the air and stretch. ‘You’re the one living in my fucking house. Maybe you’re stalking me.’

‘I don’t have to be here,’ she says quietly.

‘Yes, you do,’ Haz counters. To me she says, ‘Nic, go fuck off until you’re in a better mood.’

I don’t need to be told twice.

Flexing my bruised knuckles, I head back upstairs to wash up, taking a pit stop at the bottle of 5-HTP Haz gifted me the last time.

I pick at the label, already the guilt clawing in.

I know they worry about me. I know I promised I wouldn’t do it again, not after last time.

It’s just with Tilda and Tommy and all these fucking memories—

Putting my head in my hands, I release a harsh breath, rocking back and forth on the edge of the bed.

I can just never escape it, no matter how fast I run.

Granted, Hazelhurst probably wasn’t the best place to do that, considering my legacy status.

Although, they’re no family of mine anymore.

If only I could tell my fucking heart that.

About Tommy and Tilda both.