Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Kash
Jessie Murph - Upgrade
I grimaced as I took in Briley’s battered face. Blood was trickling down her nose and mouth, making it difficult to see where the wound was. I was no stranger to violence, but I never expected that Everleigh could be capable of something to this extent. Briley whimpered, her body shaking with sobs. Tears streaked down her face, making the blood watery.
It wasn’t until the locker room door opened again, the one belonging to the women, that everything clicked into place. Lucas sauntered out, his hair disheveled, and panic flashing across his face as he took in the scene in front of him.
Jameson was holding Everleigh in the bridal position, his hand drifting through her hair in a soothing gesture as she cried against him.
“Karma’s one hell of a bitch,” Ashton said dryly, glancing over at Evie. Venom threaded through his tone, but his words contradicted the panicked look on his face. He still cared about her and was hurt that she was in the state she was in.
“What’s going on?” Lucas asked, making his way over to where Briley was still lying on the ground. Blood seeped into the cement surrounding her and she looked up at him with watery eyes.
Anger surged through me and my spine snapped straight. He was really going to come out here and pretend that none of this was because of him? Fuck that. A snarl curled the corners of my mouth as I took him in. The top few buttons of his shirt were left undone, there were wrinkles in his shirt where it was normally iron-pressed, his hair was sticking up at odd angles, and there was a flush to his cheeks.
It was pretty fucking obvious what Everleigh just walked in on. Maybe I shouldn’t give a shit. She’d put Ashton through the same damn thing years earlier. But fuck. Seeing her broken like this had my chest doing all kinds of weird things.
“You want to explain why you were in the women’s locker room?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. My hands were itching to beat him to a bloody pulp. Ash let him off easy last time. I wouldn’t be so merciful.
As if sensing this, Lucas stumbled back a step. “I was waiting on Everleigh,” he said quickly.
I snorted a humorless laugh and glanced over at Ash who just raised an eyebrow. Neither one of us was buying that bullshit.
Ash fished his pack of Marlboros out of his pocket and pulled one from the container before popping it in his mouth. “No, you weren’t,” he said simply. He grabbed his lighter and lit the cigarette, allowing the smoke to waft out in tendrils around him. Ashton didn’t smoke often. He hated how badly it messed with his ability to play soccer. But he always kept a pack around just in case. “Everleigh told you she was going straight home after we were done talking,” he reminded him, giving him a pointed look. “You assumed that she had no reason to stop by the locker room.”
Lucas swallowed thickly, confirming that what Ashton said was true. “Why do you even care?” he demanded. “You hate her, don’t you?” He paused. “Or…do you? Because I’ve seen the way you check her out. I’ve seen you kiss her.” His gaze drifted over to where Everleigh was wrapped in Jameson’s arms. Her head was against his chest, but she seemed to be better than she was. She wasn’t crying anymore at least.
Ashton scoffed and took another drag from his cigarette. He took his time acknowledging Lucas, and for a moment, I thought he might just leave him in suspense. “I’ve done more than kiss her.” He smirked. “I was balls deep in her cunt just last week.”
I sucked in a sharp breath and knelt to the ground offering a hand to Briley. Hopefully, I could distract myself with helping her. The last thing I wanted to think about was Ashton fucking Everleigh. He’s made it abundantly clear that he’s a jealous and possessive motherfucker. Meaning that even if we did get past all this bullshit, he would claim her for himself. Personally, I didn’t mind sharing. But Ashton did. He might have been fine with sharing her body with us at one point, but it would never be more than that.
Briley slipped her blood-coated hand in mine and allowed me to pull her to her feet. A pained whimper fluttered past her lips, and she nuzzled against me, making me cringe in disgust as she got more blood all over my shirt.
“You’re lying,” Lucas snapped after way too long. “She wouldn’t fucking touch you .”
A snort of amusement left me while I worked to pry Briley from my body. I wasn’t going to sit here and comfort her. She deserved what she got. Watching Everleigh pummel her face in was hot as hell if I was being honest.
“Sure.” Ashton smirked, taking another drag. “She also fucked Jameson, and I have picture evidence of that one.”
Lucas’s jaw slackened, and he glanced between all of us, probably trying to figure out whether he should call our bluff or not. “So, you’re basically telling me that my girlfriend is a whore?” he gritted out.
Another wave of anger pummeled through me. Nobody got to call her a whore or a slut but me and the guys. I lunged for him, grabbing him by the throat before he had the chance to react. My fist met his jaw, a satisfying crunch echoing through the chilled atmosphere from where my knuckles met bone. He released a loud grunt, attempting to wrench away from me, but I hit him again.
“Goddamnit. What the fuck is your deal?” he snapped, shoving me in the chest. I stumbled backwards, adrenaline pulsing through my veins.
I was half tempted to lunge for him again, but Ashton placed a firm hand on my shoulder to stop me. “It’s not worth it, Kash. Let’s just head out.” He glanced over at Everleigh, his features softening a bit. “We should probably get her home.”
“I’ll take her home,” Lucas intervened.
“I’m pretty sure that you’re the last person she wants to be around right now,” Jameson offered bitterly. “Give it a fucking rest. Talk to her tomorrow or something. Now isn’t the time.”
Everleigh lifted her head. “I’m fine to drive myself.” She pushed against Jameson’s chest, silently urging him to put her down. Reluctantly, he did, but kept his arm around her waist like she might fall over at any given moment.
“Don’t be a stupid bitch, Everleigh,” Ashton scoffed. “I’ll take you home.” His eyes flicked over to me. “You can take Briley. I don’t want that skank in my car.”
“What makes you think I want her in mine?” I countered.
Jameson snorted a laugh. “We could just make her walk.” He glanced over at the girl in question, a look of disgust flashing across his face.
Briley looked between us frantically before focusing on Lucas. “You can take me home, can’t you?” she asked in a small voice.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. The audacity of this bitch. It wasn’t bad enough that she was just caught fucking him, but now she expected him to give her a ride. I turned on my heels and crossed the parking lot where Everleigh and Jameson were standing. Her eyes were focused on the ground, and she was absentmindedly leaning into him for support. She must have been a wreck if she was letting him touch her after everything.
“How are you doing?” I asked, grabbing her hand to assess the damage. Her knuckles were split, and they were tinged red. There was no doubt in my mind that they’d bruise. It was a good thing she knew how to throw a punch, because she easily could have broken a finger.
She sucked in a sharp breath as my fingers skimmed over her knuckles. “Fine.”
I nodded. “Do you want to ride with me or Ash?”
Jameson jerked his head up in confusion. “Ash just said?—”
“I know what the fuck he said,” I snapped. “But he doesn’t control everything, and I’m sure that the last thing she wants to do is fight with him the entire way home.” I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Lucas and Briley arguing about something. Apparently, he wasn’t that eager to be her white knight either.
Everleigh’s voice drew my attention. “I said I can drive myself,” she protested.
“That’s not one of your options,” Jameson chimed in. “One of us will pick you up for school in the morning. That’s the best offer you’re getting.”
She shot him a glare and then winced, holding a few fingers to the corner of her skull. She was too tired to argue; it was written all over her face. And that was fine with me, it just meant she was more pliable.
“Then yes. I’d rather ride with you than Ashton.” She sighed.
Briley’s annoying ass voice cut through our conversation. “Seriously Lucas,” she asked in bewilderment. “I can’t walk all the way back to the North side.”
Lucas shrugged, seemingly unphased by the entire ordeal. He was a real piece of work. He was the main cause for all of this, and he couldn’t even be bothered to give his little fuck buddy a ride home. “Not my problem,” he shot back before sauntering over to his vehicle across the lot. He shot Everleigh one last lingering glance before climbing behind the wheel and taking off.
Everleigh’s shoulders dropped in relief at his departure, and her skin prickled with goosebumps as another wave of cool air blew through, whipping her long ponytail behind her shoulders. She shivered against the cold, and Jameson quickly pulled her against his chest. A sharp pang of jealousy shot through me as I watched her tense within his hold, only to relax moments later and allow him to help keep her warm.
“Come on, Everleigh,” Ashton ordered.
“She wants to ride with me,” I explained. “Looks like you’re on little slut duty.” A smirk tugged at my mouth, and I nodded in Briley’s direction for emphasis.
“I don’t want her blood all over my new ass car.” He glared at me before making his way over. Everleigh had blood on her hands, but that was about it. It wouldn’t be nearly as messy. But she made her choice.
Everleigh tipped her head up when he moved to stand in front of her. A spark of defiance flashed within her brown eyes. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
He released a scoff, narrowing his eyes at her. “I don’t remember giving you a choice.”
I blew out a breath. It was late as hell, and none of us had eaten, yet. “It’s fine,” I cut in. “I’ll just drop her off and come right back.”
Ashton hesitated, his jaw clenching as he mulled over my words. He was acting like she was his possession, and it was pissing me the hell off. “No funny business?” he finally asked, searching my gaze for any hint of a lie that he might find.
I reeled back in surprise. “No,” I gritted out.
I knew he just didn’t want a repeat of what happened between her and Jameson. He didn’t actually think I’d have sex with her, otherwise he wouldn’t even consider letting me take her—not that it was up to him, anyways. But even I could admit that if we were to go head-to-head in a fight, he’d probably beat me bloody. Not only did he have height to his advantage, but he had a lot more muscle mass, and experience. Jameson could probably beat my ass too, and we had similar body types. But he grew up on the north side and suffered through beating after beating for years by his father.
Ashton glanced over at Little E, who was still tucked in Jameson’s arms. His jaw feathered with anger as he took the two of them in, and I knew why. Everleigh and Jameson looked good together. They also had a history, maybe as much of one as her and Ash did.
Footsteps scuffed against the concrete, drawing all of our gazes. Briley was slowly making her way over, her eyes pinned to the ground in an attempt to avoid her sister’s gaze. The blood was beginning to dry around her nose and mouth, making her look like she’d just stepped out of an eighty’s horror film.
“Fine.” Ashton sighed. His lips curled with disgust as he took in the younger Knight sister. “Come on. And don’t get blood on my leather, or you’re licking it off.”
Briley nodded and followed him to his Challenger, leaving the three of us alone. It wasn’t until they drove off that Everleigh pulled away from Jameson, regardless of how cold she was.
“Here,” I said, peeling off my hoodie and offering it to her. She grabbed it and tugged it on over her head. It practically swallowed her whole, stopping around her knees.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, stuffing her hands into the pockets.
Another cold breeze swept through the air, biting at my skin. Once we got in the truck, I’d be fine, though. She needed it more than me.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Jameson asked, his question directed at the girl standing between us.
She bit her lip, allowing the silence to stretch around us for a few moments. For a minute, I thought she’d ignore his question entirely. “I don’t think Amber would like that very much,” she finally answered with a sharp bite to her tone.
Jameson flinched, running a hand through his dark brown hair. He couldn’t even argue that. His little plan of dating her best friend was backfiring on him, and he had no one else to blame but himself.
“Let’s go,” I said, fishing in the pocket of my sweats to retrieve my keys.
I led the way to my truck and unlocked the doors before hoisting myself inside. It took her a few moments of struggling, but she finally managed to haul herself into the passenger seat. A snort of amusement escaped me and she shot me a glare in return.
I blasted the heater, the warmth filling the truck instantly. My gaze snagged on the radio where the time flashed. It was only five, but it felt much later. Looked it, too. The sun had dipped behind the trees off in the distance, making it much darker than it should be this time of day.
I peeled out of the parking lot and drifted onto the main road. The steady hum of the engine reverberated through the air, which I found to be soothing. She didn’t need to tell me where she lived. I’ve picked Briley up from her house on an occasion or two at Ashton’s request.
Everleigh bit her lip, a crease forming between her brows as she allowed her thoughts to consume her. “When is this going to end?” she asked me, not bothering to look my way.
“When is what going to end?” I turned onto a secluded road, my headlights illuminating the street in front of us. Trees littered either side, giving it a more ominous appearance.
“Never mind.” She sighed. Her eyes flickered to the window, and I was half tempted to ask her what the hell she meant, but I had a feeling I already knew.
Everleigh wanted this all to stop. The bullying, the emotional turmoil, and the obstacles we’ve inserted within her life. I had to agree with her. This was becoming drawn out. I had no idea when Ashton planned on giving up on it. There was only so much we could do, and he had to know that.
My ringtone filled the car, cutting off any other forms of communication between me and the girl at my side. Reluctantly, I glanced at the screen, taking in Ashton’s contact flashing across it.
“Hello?” I asked, placing it to my ear.
“I’m not dropping Briley off at her house,” he replied.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. He wasn’t taking her home? Was he letting her stay with us? A mixture of emotions pummeled through me. I didn’t want her in our house. Briley was of no use to us anymore. Hell, she couldn’t even suck dick.
“Then where are you taking her?” I gritted out, attempting to rein in my emotions.
Everleigh looked over at me, a stitch forming between her brows. She knew who we were talking about, and by the look on her face, her train of thought was going the same direction as mine. Her jaw tightened and she turned to look out the window again.
Ashton was silent for a few moments, probably to get under my skin. “She’s moving in with her grandparents,” he finally said.
A breath of relief slipped past my lips. “Okay. That’s probably the best place for her right now.” I smirked over at Everleigh who was staring at me in confusion again, trying to figure out what the hell we were talking about.
Ashton grunted his agreement. “Yeah. How is she?”
I snorted in amusement. “What happened to not giving a shit?” I countered.
I didn’t have to see him to know he was probably scowling at the phone right now, fantasizing about all the ways he could fuck me up for making such a comment.
I turned onto Everleigh’s road at last, squinting at the variety of run-down houses littering either side. A few of them had porch lights, so that helped me see a little bit. But other than that, it was completely dark aside from my headlights. “Why don’t you call her and ask yourself?” I continued when he didn’t respond.
“Fuck off,” he muttered. The line went dead soon after, and I stuffed my phone in my pocket.
I pulled up in her driveaway, chills crawling down my spine when I took in this piss poor neighborhood she lived in. It looked even worse than Jameson’s old neighborhood, and that was saying something.
Everleigh stared out the window for a few minutes, her gaze lingering on the lonely house sitting up ahead.
“I can come in with you if you want,” I offered.
Her head whipped back to me, her eyes frantic, like that was the last thing she wanted. “No,” she said quickly. “It’s fine. Thank you for the ride.”
She turned back to the door and grabbed the handle, but my hand snapped out, latching onto her arm. She froze instantly, shooting me a quizzical look. I knew she’d been through a lot today, and maybe that made me selfish. But since our moment in the kitchen, it was all I’ve been able to think about.
I pressed the button on the center console, causing it to shift backwards to reveal a middle seat. And then I tugged her toward me. She hesitated, confusion twisting her features.
“What are you doing?” she asked softly.
I smirked, dropping a hand to her waist to force her into the middle whether she wanted to or not. “What I’ve been wanting to do for the last two weeks.”
I released her wrist, bringing my hand to cup her face instead and I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. To my surprise, she didn’t hesitate. She melted into me, the taste of her cherry lip-gloss attacking my tongue. My tongue flicked over her lips before plunging into her mouth, sliding against hers. She gasped against me, moving her hands to fist the front of my shirt. She was still wearing my hoodie, and I wanted to tear it off her. To get a good glimpse of the curvature of her breasts.
Just when the kiss started getting more heated, she tore away, gasping for breath. “I-I can’t,” she stammered. “Not with you. Not with any of you.”
“You fucked Jameson and Ashton,” I pointed out. Was she not as interested in me as I thought she was? Was she more attracted to them? The thought had me gritting my teeth.
“That was before you guys got me fired. And it was before Jameson lied to me about dating my best friend, costing me my friendship with her.” She blew out a breath. “I don’t trust any of you. Don’t touch me again, Kash.” She peeled my hoodie from her body and dropped it in the passenger seat before moving to climb out.
My throat was tight as she slammed the passenger side door and trudged through her yard. I watched as she unlocked her front door and slipped inside.
I couldn’t even say that I had nothing to do with her getting fired, because it would be a lie. I also couldn’t blame her for not trusting us. We weren’t done with her, and she knew it. But there was no way I wasn’t going to touch her again. Fuck that. I’d have her writhing beneath me as I slammed into her. She’d be screaming my name and leaving marks down my back. I didn’t care what I had to do to make it happen.