Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
EMERSON
A loud banging woke me the next morning, followed by a long moan, and my body heated in response. Bolting upright, I panted as every nerve ending in my body came awake. Memories of Holden touching, kissing, and licking me roared to life. His moans grew louder, almost sounding like he was in the room with me. Did the bathroom amplify the noise?
Gripping the sheets, I listened unabashedly as my brain imagined him in the shower, water running over him as he stroked his cock. Damn, he’d had a nice dick. Long and thick, he’d filled me up better than anyone before. It had, hands down, been the best night of my life, and my body hadn’t forgotten.
My nipples pebbled, and my pussy throbbed, the image of him in the shower morphing to him fucking me. Braced against the bench, his thrusts hard as he pounded me from behind, the water rolling over our slick bodies.
Before I could think better of it, I opened my nightstand and pulled out my vibrator. Shoving off my panties, I scooted under the comforter to muffle the sound and even tossed a pillow between my legs to decrease the noise. It was one thing to masturbate to him enjoying himself. It was quite another for him to know I was getting off because of him, too.
Wrenching my shirt up, I flipped on the bright pink vibrator and spread my legs wide. Holden continued to moan in the bathroom, and I closed my eyes, bringing up the image of the two of us together. He’d been so hungry for me, loving and cherishing every inch of my body. Desire pounded through my veins with each thrust, my back bowing at the intensity my mind and vibrator brought. I could almost hear the way our skin would sound against one another. My slicked pussy trembled as I pushed the vibrator deeper, my moans joining the fray. I couldn’t stop myself now if I tried.
My mind was a bevy of images, real and imagined, and my orgasm responded with might. My pussy spasmed as the most powerful orgasm I’d had in months crescendoed. Every muscle trembled while lightning raced up my back and spread through every inch of me. My chest heaved, and I struggled to catch my breath as my heart beat hard from the orgasm. Turning off the vibrator, I collapsed into a puddle under my covers, and a contented sigh left me.
It was only when the blood pounding in my ears died that I noticed his moaning had also stopped, along with the shower. My heart jumped, and my feel-good bliss faded. Had he heard me? I sat up, giving my vibrator a disgusted look. It was its fault I’d lost focus, filling me with all those feel-good vibes. Damn. Straining my ears, I listened for any sound, but it was quiet now. Too quiet.
A minute later, the door to Holden’s room closed in the hallway, and I heard his retreating steps as he crossed in front of my door. Sighing in relief, I climbed out of bed and stripped the sheets, tossing them into the hamper. Contrary to Holden’s remark last night, I’d never had anyone pick up after me. I did my laundry and cleaned up after myself. The hard part was adjusting to sharing a space with someone when I’d been an only child with my own bathroom.
Who cared if I left stuff out? No one, that’s who. It wasn’t like it was hurting him. Or that I’d suddenly become messier to taunt him. Nope.
After changing the sheets, I packed my gym bag and grabbed the clothes I’d wear to school for the tryout. Just because I felt confident auditioning didn’t mean I hadn’t learned a thing or two about avoiding being bullied. Locker rooms were a cesspool of mean comments and innuendos, not to mention the high probability of someone messing with your stuff. There were moments from freshman year I blocked out after one too many encounters with Hope and her minions in the locker room.
Shuddering, I gathered my clothes and my vibrator to wash. Hesitantly, I pushed open the bathroom door. I’d expected Holden to have some response to my gift last night, but seeing the bathroom empty of my lingerie wasn’t it. Standing slack-jawed in the doorway, it took me a few minutes to remind my feet to move. Placing my stuff on the counter, I pulled out the toy cleaner I kept under the sink and used it to clean my vibrator, leaving it to dry on a towel.
Once that was done, I opened every drawer and cabinet, searching for my stuff. I even took out every towel and washcloth, looking between them and shaking them out to see if he’d hidden them inside. Huffing, I stared around at the towels and contents of the drawers discarded where I’d tossed them and realized I’d been played.
He took them.
A thrill ran up my body, and I shivered at the delicious thought of facing off with him. I shouldn’t. Holden was dangerous and technically off-limits, considering our parents had just gotten married, but I knew I wouldn’t stop. He was too addicting and alluring, and I’d rather go back and forth with him than be ignored .
Folding the towels, I placed them back into the linen closet when an idea struck. Grinning, I took them all and stored them in my closet, leaving him only a washcloth. Giggling as I showered, I noticed how energized I felt. Revenge was a great motivator.
Why had I wasted so much time hiding from Hope? Ah, yeah, I’d believed it was easier to give in and that someday she’d grow bored and stop. Hello, delusion!
After a month of reconnaissance, Hope’s life wasn’t as great as I always believed. I’d been envious of something that held no value to me. I’d blamed her for taking things from me, but I hadn’t ever fought back. If a vending machine always gave out free soda, then you’d keep going back to the same vending machine for free soda. I’d made it so simple for her.
It didn’t excuse her behavior. What she’d done to me was wrong. I just wished I’d stood up to her sooner. Unfortunately, losing my mom and dealing with grief as a young girl hadn’t been a great combination. It might not be the healthiest motivation, but avenging my name and making Hope suffer had given me the kick in the butt I needed.
Wallowing all summer hadn’t been productive, and I’d let myself be miserable, expecting my father to fix everything. Granted, it was his mistake, but it was my life. Much as I hated to admit it, Holden was right in the sense I’d been spoiled. He’d just assumed it in the wrong way.
My dad had provided and taken care of me for my whole life to the point it felt foreign to do it on my own. But having this purpose, skewed as it was, gave me a reason to get up and do things differently. I didn’t realize how directionless I’d been until now.
Stepping out of the shower, I gasped when I spotted the message in the mirror, my face flaming with embarrassment.
“Keep telling yourself that, Wildcat. You’re welcome for the orgasm. Try not to scream my name so loud next time. You’ll wake the whole house.”
Humiliation quickly switched to rage, and I grabbed the one washcloth I’d left and wiped the mirror clear, moving over to write a new message in the steam. Grinning, I wished I could set up a camera to watch his face when he read this, but even I could admit that was crossing a boundary.
“Since you like to steal things, I’ve removed all the towels and left you a washcloth, since it’s all you need to cover yourself.”
Feeling vindicated, I dried my hair before pulling it up into a high ponytail. I dressed in leggings and a long tank top, with my dance clothes underneath. Glancing at my reflection, I recognized the confidence I’d lost. It irked me that Hope had been the catalyst to restore it, but I’d ignore that and focus on the fact it was back.
On the drive to Hayward, my phone rang, and I knew I couldn’t avoid it any longer. Hitting answer, I braced for impact at the shouting that was about to occur.
“Emerson Michelle Adams! You have a lot of explaining to do. I was this close to sending a search party.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” I sighed, turning on my blinker and parking. This was not a call I wanted to have while driving. “It’s not an excuse, but my dad told me some bad news at the beginning of the summer, and instead of being a grownup about it and finding a solution, I’ve been wallowing in self-pity.” Damn. I really hadn’t done myself any favors. No wonder Holden thought I was pampered.
“Who do I need to kill?” she asked, switching gears.
I laughed, already feeling better. I didn’t deserve Taylor, but I was glad I had her all the same.
“No one. Well, maybe.”
“Explain. Therapist Tay is here to slay.”
“You’re not a therapist, Tay, but that’s a badass slogan.”
“Right? And I’m in school to be one. Same difference.”
“Pretty sure it’s not,” I argued, laughing .
“Quit stalling. Tell. Me. Everything.”
Twenty minutes later, I’d filled her in on the night with Holden, my dad’s news, how I’d spent my summer, and then the bombshell that not only was my bully, now my step-sibling, but was the best sex of my life.
“Damn, Emmy?—”
“Er, can we not? It’s a whole thing.”
“Sure thing, Emerson. Ew. No. I can’t do the full name thing. Em? Emer? Son?”
“How about Mer?” I smiled at the reminder of Colter.
“Mer! Totally dig it. Okay, so what are you doing about school?”
I spent another ten minutes telling her about my diabolical plan to show everyone the monster Hope was while attending Hayward and finding a way back to Brighton in the spring.
“Mm ‘kay. Or, hear me out… You stay.”
“What? Why would you suggest that? I don’t want to be here! Won’t you miss me?”
“Always, boo. Our friendship isn’t conditional. I’ll always be your bestie, even if I’m halfway across the world.” Her voice softened.
“Then why?” I sniffled, her words affecting me.
“You’ve been running from Hope and the ghosts of your past for so long that I think you need to face this. It could be healing for you to stick it out. If you go through with this ‘bring down Hope’ plan and then just run away after, what was really at stake? By staying, you’re showing her and yourself that she can’t control you anymore. I think that’s worth a year at Hayward.”
“So you’re saying it’s unhealthy to explode things and then tuck my tail and hide at Brighton?”
“Do I really need to answer that?”
“No.” I pouted, hating how right she was. “Ugh, fine. I’ll think about it. But first, I need to take her down, which starts with the dance team.”
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t lose yourself on your quest for vengeance. I’m all for you standing up and showing this cow how amazing you are, but don’t stoop so low that you become someone different.”
I bit my lip, her words niggling their way into my skull. “I promise.”
“You’re the absolute best, Mer, even if you did ghost me all summer.”
I cringed. I didn’t deserve her. “I’m the worst and I’m sorry. Will you be able to find a roommate on short notice?”
“Don’t worry about that. Your stuff is safe and secure. Anything you want me to send?”
“Nah. It was all stuff I got for school, so I’ll wait until I return.”
“You can make it up to me by inviting me to stay one weekend.”
“Deal. Once I get the schedule, I’ll let you know about our home games.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait to see you shake your booty! I love how you’re manifesting all of this. And a new zip code could be just the thing for my love life. I can have lovers all over the world!”
I laughed, loving Taylor’s spirit. “All right, I better go. I need to find what dorm I’ll be in before tryouts.”
“Ew, gross. Bless you, child.”
“Haha. I doubt Dad has money for an apartment this term, so I’ll suffer in the dorms. At least they’re nice here. I just hope I don’t get a horrible roommate.”
“No one is better than me.”
“They aren’t. I’ll text you later. I promise.”
“Good luck, Mer. Wipe the smug smiles off their faces with your spirit fingers! ”
“Don’t even talk to me about spirit fingers.” I shuddered. “Bye, Tay.”
“Bye, lover!”
Laughing, I hung up the phone and restarted my car. The rest of the drive to Hayward didn’t take long, and I parked in the lot closest to the athletic building. There were more cars than last time as students moved in. I grabbed my bag and headed to the housing office. There were quite a few people with the same idea as me, and I had to wait in line. When I finally got to the booth, I wanted to poke my eyeballs out.
“What do you mean, I’m not in the system? I was told I’d have housing.”
“Like I said, there’s no Emerson Adams in any residential housing. There’s currently no vacancy, but if you’d like to be on the waitlist, I can add you.”
Gritting my teeth, I nodded and gave her my information. I doubted this blip meant my dad had gotten me an apartment. If anything, this had Hope written all over it. She didn’t want me here, so she ensured I had no place to live. Great.
Vindication surged as I marched out of the housing office and stormed across campus. I couldn’t wait to see her face.
Groups of students hung out in the grassy areas, reading, playing frisbee and tossing footballs. Noticing all the unfamiliar faces, my anxiety rose. I didn’t know anyone at Hayward who didn’t want to see me suffer. Self-consciousness grew as I walked through the quad, a sense of cold dread filling me. I tugged at my sleeve and pulled my bag in front of me, wanting to cover my body.
Don’t give them any ammunition.
“Adams! Hey, wait up!”
I stopped at the sound of my name and turned to look. When I didn’t see anyone, I was convinced I had made it up, until Colter’s smiling face came into focus. My shoulders dropped and warmth replaced the coldness I’d been feeling. At least I knew one person.
“Hey.” My cheeks flushed as he approached, his eyes traveling over me. Was that in appreciation? I still didn’t trust that a guy as gorgeous as Colter wanted to talk to me.
“Can you believe it? We’re meeting without bodily harm,” he joked. I laughed, already feeling lighter.
“Don’t jinx it. We’re not through the quad yet. Knowing my luck, I’ll be struck by a frisbee or a football.”
He slung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close to him, bringing his ocean and citrus scent closer. “I’ll protect you, cuddly koala.”
“My hero,” I teased, but secretly I swooned inside.
“Where you headed?” he asked, nodding to guys and girls who called out his name as we walked. Did he know everyone? He tilted his head toward me, and I remembered he’d asked a question.
“Oh! The athletic center. I’m, um, auditioning to be a Wolfette.”
He grinned wide, the blue in his eyes bright today. “No shit? That’s awesome.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that. My step-brother told me it was dumb.” I shrugged like it hadn’t hurt, but it had.
There was a part of me that agreed with Holden, but my pride wouldn’t let this go. Everything with Hope and I had started with dance, so it had to be this, or it wouldn’t count. I needed to show her I wasn’t a wilting flower anymore.
“Any funny stories today?” I asked after it had been quiet.
Colter laughed and told me how a freshman had come in for a book but kept getting lost, and he had to leave a trail for him to find his way out.
“Nuh-uh.”
“Okay, so it wasn’t a trail, but it felt like it.”
I giggled, enjoying the way his arm felt around my shoulders. However, I couldn’t ignore the curious eyes on me or the way girls said his name as we passed. It was clear Colter was popular. So, what was he doing with me?
We stopped at the front door, and I looked up into his eyes. “Well, I guess this is where you leave me.”
“First, you need to consult the Magic 8-ball.”
“I do, do I?” I pulled out my keychain. “What am I asking?”
“If I should give you a kiss for luck.”
I swallowed, my heart thumping loudly, and shook the 8-ball, breaking our eye contact as I glanced down to read it. “Reply hazy, try again later.” I looked up, shrugging. “The Magic 8-ball has spoken.”
Colter stepped forward, his big hand cupping my face. “It’s later.”
His lips landed on mine in the most gentle kiss ever. Despite that, fire shot through me, heating me from head to toe. He didn’t push it further; just pressed our lips together and then stepped back.
“Go and kill it, Mer.” He backed away, winking before he turned and headed off in the other direction, his hands in his pocket and strolling around like he hadn’t just shaken me inside and out.
With a smile, I pulled open the door and headed into the gym. Loud music thumped, and I could hear girls talking as I neared. A table with three girls in Wolfette uniforms sat before the doors, eyeing me as I approached.
“Wrestling tryouts are tomorrow.”
“Um, what?” I blinked.
“Wait, are you here to audition?” the brunette closest to me asked, snickering. Shit. It was Kimmy, Hope’s friend.
“Emerson Adams.” I slapped my ID onto the table and held my head high while internally shaking.
The raven-haired girl in the center hadn’t spoken yet but picked up my ID and wrote down my name and student number, then handed me a large paper number to stick on and my ID. She eyed me curiously, but didn’t say anything.
“We’re only taking two dancers out of the fifty girls here,” the redhead said at the end—the same one who’d told me to go wrestling.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“What for?” Kimmy asked, crossing her arms.
“For letting me know I only have to beat out forty-eight people.”
Wiggling my fingers over my shoulder, I strutted off, embodying my ‘fake it until you feel it’ motto with an added twist.
Time to shake it.