6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
H udson followed me up to my room. Id hurried away when I saw how his face contorted upon reading that note. I was still processing it myself. If I hadnt had it explained to me, Im not sure Id have figured it out quite as quickly as Hudson did. Id been tutoring a sophomore after class so had been in school late.
I had no idea why Hudson was still in school, but I had been so relieved to see him Id nearly cried. I needed a shower and to get changed but I couldnt do it with him hot on my heels. He was waving the piece of paper at me.
Is this shit for real?
Apparently so, I said, tossing my school bag in the corner and sitting down to take off my sneakers. He was so pissed. I was doing my best to keep my composure. I was pissed too. Warren was going to have a field day with this.
Ill kill him.
Get in line.
His hands fell to his side and he looked at me.
You were right. You said they were assholes, turns out theyre worse than that.
He rubbed his brow with his knuckles. It was clear he was torn between making sure I was okay and going after them. I was still reeling from what I had found out. And from the kid I was tutoring of all people. She about shit her pants when she realized what shed done. She didnt know it was me the older boys were talking about.
Once I got the story out of her and the name of the person running the book, I made her give me the piece of paper she found while being a litter monitor. Good for me she was a nosey little shit, otherwise I would never have found out what was going on.
A group of boys in school were running a bet on how long it would take Nick Wilkinson to take my virginity. I was affronted that they even thought I still was one. It wasnt something Id discussed with Nick in the time wed been together.
Given what they knew about all boys being kept away from me, it made sense. Not that we were together or anything, wed been on three dates and started eating lunch at the cafeteria together, we were hardly dating . But Id thought he was a decent guy, that we could keep hanging out. Id thought he was sweet.
But he was full of bullshit.
Every last fucker who put a bet on this is going to die.
Wait! I jumped up and grabbed Hudsons arm, pulling him away from the door.
What? he snapped. Theyre not getting away with this. On what fucking planet do they think they could pull this shit with you. With. You!
Hudson, take a breath, I told him. Id never seen him this angry before.
They were fucking stupid go against us in the first place, but to use you to do it. Not on. Im gonna break his fucking legs.
Just wait, we need to think about this. They dont know I know.
So? Waverley, this fucking bastard bet five hundred dollars he could fuck you by, he consulted the paper again. Friday night!
Well, dont worry yourself about it, because I was not going to fuck him on Friday night. So he would have lost that money.
That didnt appease him. Didnt make me feel any better either. What a fucking mess. Warren was right, he was so right. And Connor telling me to take a chance, if my heart was broken then it was all part of the learning curve. But this wasnt heartbreak. This was total humiliation.
I sighed heavily, turning from him. I stood in front of the bedroom window, looking down on the street, watching Emily Rochester walk her dog down the path next door. Not even the sight of Barley leaping up and down and running around in excitement could bring a smile right now.
Give me one good reason why I shouldnt go kick all of their asses right now.
Hudson was livid. His face was bright red when I glanced back at him. He wanted to go get Warren and Connor and anyone else he could rope in and then go after them all. And as much as I thought they deserved some kind of punishment for this, beating the shit out of them and getting into trouble was not the best way to do it, I didnt want him to do that. It would be us that got into trouble, the MC as usual causing shit.
Because, I stopped. I didnt know what to say.
Wave? he came and stood behind me. Look, dont blame yourself okay. Its not your fault theyre cunts.
Its not that, I said quietly, turning so my back was fully to him. I didnt want him to see my face right now. I feel stupidIts embarrassing.
Dont feel like that, he took my shoulder and turned me so I was facing him. You have nothing to feel ashamed about. This, he tossed the paper aside. Is a bunch of self-entitled twats thinking they can do whatever the fuck they want without any consequences.
I convinced you all to let me date him.
You convinced us all to let you make your own choices. It wasnt about him, or dating, it was the fact what we did was wrong. And look how it has backfired on us, Wave. If anything, this is our fault, we made youwe made those assholes think you were out of reach, made you a target, he frowned and stepped back as that realization came to him.
He wasnt wrong. But laying the blame on each other wasnt helping.
I sat down on the bed, and after a second of hesitation, he joined me.
I feel like the asshole.
Dont, this really isnt on you. But youre cracked in the head if you think Im not going to do anything about this. Fuck knows how many other girls theyve done it to. This isnt something you come up with on the fly.
He targeted me at the library, I muttered. It was the first place he got me alone, where you guys werent around.
And he had the perfect in.
Turning me against you guys by telling me the truth, I looked at him.
Did it work?
Fuck no, I shook my head. Yeah, I was pissed about what you did. I still am, but nothing could turn me against you. Warren is my twin for shits sake. Youre family too. Nothing and no one could turn me against you. Even when its the two of you being idiots.
He didnt laugh, even though I gave him a smile and nudged his arm.
What do you want to do about that? he kicked at the piece of paper on the floor.
You mean youre giving me the option to decide.
Cant say I havent learnt my lesson, he grimaced.
I ran a hand through my hair. I didnt know what to think. Right now, my head was still reeling at how easily Nick sucked me in. How desperate I was for attention I hadnt seen through him. What would you think about doing nothing, for now.
Im not sure I can do that.
Just let me think. Im not saying theyre getting away with it, absolutely not butI dont want to react. I dont want you to get in to trouble for me.
It would be worth it, he said, turning to face me. No one gets to treat you like this. Not you.
I stared at him and something in his face made me catch my breath. He wasnt looking at me like he felt sorry for me, or like he thought I was stupid for letting them fool me. It was something else. Something foreign. I dont think I breathed when his hand came up and lightly brushed some hair behind my ear, his fingers trailing over my cheekbone. His touch was like an electric shock pulsing through me.
It was Hudson, my friend, the boy I grew up with. And if I was being honest with myself, really honest, the boy I had been thinking about in a way that was much more than friends.
He wasleaning into me.
And I was not backing away.
His hand lightly touched my jaw, his fingers moving through my hair as his lips touched mine. It was tentative, gentle, exploring whether he was doing something wrong or maybe he was expecting me to stop him. Was he doing this to make me feel better about being used?
My eyes drifted shut as I put my hands on his shoulders and tilted my head to avoid bumping noses. He groaned as he kissed me. I couldnt catch my breath. He pulled back and stared at me. His eyes questioning me.
Dont stop, I whispered then pulled him back.
Hudson didnt need telling twice, he held my face with both hands and kissed me again, parting my lips gently. His tongue swept inside my mouth, tentatively teasing mine as he leaned closer and lowered me down onto the bed. Our legs were still hanging over the edge, and although his body was now hovering over me, as our lips sought each other out repeatedly, it didnt feel wrong. I couldnt believe I was actually kissing Hudson.
Shit, making out with Hudson was like nothing Id ever experienced before. I wished with all my heart this had been my first kiss because kissing Nick did not compare. I wanted him to touch me all over but this was too new, too shaky and unexpected. I kept waiting for him to pull back at some point and say it was a joke, but he didnt. I could feel his heart crashing against me where his chest was pressed to mine.
His hand moved down my throat, his fingers lightly dancing over my collarbone and moving lower. He paused and lifted his head. Is this okay? he asked.
I nodded, God yes was it okay. He smiled as he came back at my mouth, his hand moved over my breast, his touch was light, almost reverent and when I arched into it, he groaned deep in the back of his throat. His lips left mine and I almost chased after him but he trailed kisses over my jaw, my ear, down onto my neck and kissed and gently sucked my skin. I was writhing beneath him, wanting more. More than this.
My underwear grew wet as desire overwhelmed me. I didnt know what I wanted to do. To push him away because it was Hudson or to hold him close, because it was Hudson. I couldnt articulate in my own head what was happening as his mouth came back to mine, as his hips began grinding into the side of me, and I felt him. I felt what this was doing to him.
I almost begged him to move his hand lower but he held onto my breast, still gently squeezing it over my clothes. I slid my hands under his t-shirt and moved them up his back, loving the feel of his skin, the hard muscles that were shifting as he altered his grip on me. Where we really doing this?
Then we heard the sound of a bike approaching and it was like a switch flipped. He reared back and got to his feet so fast he almost fell over my legs. I was still lying on my back, staring up at him, my clothes askew, my lips tingling, he stared down at me, the most intense look on his face. He visibly shook himself and grabbed my hand to pull me up in front of him. Both of us knew what would happen if Warren caught us like this. I didnt know what to say to him. I was shocked into silence.
He glanced at the window as the sound grew louder. Fuck, Wave, he groaned. And it didnt sound at all like he regretted it, it sounded like he was pissed wed been interrupted.
You need to go, I pushed him towards the bathroom. He cant find us like this.
Hudson opened the bathroom door but paused and looked at me. I didnt want to stop.
My lips tilted upwards as the truth spilled from my lips. Me either.
Ive wanted to kiss you like that for months.
He did? I was stunned. Hudson had never given any indication he wanted to kiss me.
He came back, grabbed the nape of my neck and kissed me again, thoroughly, enough that I almost lost the use of my legs. It felt like a promise. He gave me a grin and a wink and then he was gone, the door closed, and I heard the sound of him moving through the other end of the bathroom into Warrens room. I turned and leaned back against my door, putting a hand up to my chest where it felt as if my heart was about to burst through.
Warrens bike cut out. I hurried to the mirror to look at myself.
Oh shit, I glared at my hair, which looked very much like someone had been running their hands through it. My lips were swollen and red and there was slight stubble rash around my mouth. Shit, shit, I grabbed a hair tie to pull my hair up but spotted the red mark on my neck. Oh my God.
I ran my fingers over the bruise and immediately let my hair fall. A hickey . He gave me a hickey!
I ran to my closet mentally running through my clothes. Did I even own a turtleneck? Stupid, its too hot even if I did have one. Id have to stay up here. For a week, until it went away. That was what I would do.
I heard voices downstairs. Hudson was talking to him. Shit, I hoped he was dealing with it better than me. One look at me and Warren would know I was hiding something. My panties were damp, I looked a mess and if I knew my brother at all, hed be up here soon to check on me.
I ran to the bathroom and jumped in the shower making sure not to leave my underwear in the shared hamper. Warren yelled up the stairs as I was putting concealer on the hickey and stubble rash.
Waverley! Weve got Chinese, come down and eat.
I noticed the crumpled-up piece of paper when I turned around. We hadnt come to an agreement over what to do about Nick. I shoved it into the drawer of my bedside table, then headed downstairs.
Warren and Hudson were in the living room watching Top Gun. Warren sat on the floor by the coffee table holding a carton of noodles. He was terrible at using chopsticks and kept dropping them and cursing. I glanced at Hudson, who was staring at me. He sat in dads chair, not eating but he had a soda in his hand. I wondered if he wasnt hungry or couldnt stomach eating right now, like me.
I rounded the sofa and plopped down as far away from the chair as I could. Without having to say anything, Warren passed me the salt and pepper chicken and a fried rice. He had ordered this specifically for me, because it was my favorite. I balanced it all on my knee and opened the containers, moving the food around a bit with a fork. I wasnt stupid enough to even pretend I could eat this with chopsticks.
You not hungry? Warren asked.
Not really, Hudson told him. Ill grab something in a little while.
I need a soda, I said after a few minutes of Warrens soft curses. I didnt get why he wouldnt just use a fork like a normal person. I set the food aside and got up, hurrying to the kitchen. I stood by the sink looking out over the yard, my hands resting against it as I stared out at the darkening sky.
Are you okay?
I whirled at the sound of his voice, my heart hammering. Fine, I hissed.
Wave, try not to freak out, he drawled.
How can I not freak out? What if he knows?
You acting like a weirdo will make him wonder what is wrong with you, Hudson leaned his hip against the counter by the fridge, looking at me like I was insane. He wont know.
How are you so calm about this?
He shrugged then opened the fridge, took out a coke and handed it to me. I took it, the condensation running down my hand. For a second, his hand lingered around it, our fingers touching. My lips parted slightly. This different kind of tension that sprang up between us was stressing me out.
You gave me a hickey. His brows shot up and he tilted his head as though trying to see. I covered it, I told him angrily. How could you do that?
It wasnt intentional, he held up a hand. I got caught up in the moment. Though I gotta admit, I like the thought of you being marked.
Ugh, youre gross, I rolled my eyes. I obviously didnt mean that but I was all flustered and not sure how to act around him now. Hed had my breast in his hand!
Whats up with you two? I almost dropped the coke bottle as Warren came into the kitchen looking between us. Youre acting weird.
Were not acting weird, I said turning to get a glass from the cabinet.
Yeah you are, hes not eating and now your hiding out here whispering, Warren looked between us. What arent you telling me?
My cheeks flushed as I glanced at Hudson, he was just as much against Warren knowing what we had done as I was. He looked far less flustered than me, he was still casually leaning against the counter as he looked at my brother.
We need to kick Wilkinsons ass.
Hudson!
What? he finally straightened up. I glared at him like I was going to rip his head off.
Why? Warrens head snapped from mine to Hudsons and back again. What did he do to you?
He didnt do anythingto me, I added as I folded my arms and glared at Hudson some more, even though I knew this was the best way to divert Warren off our situation. Wed discussed upstairs that I wanted to figure out what to do about Nick.
He was an asshole, Hudson said. He needs his ass kicked.
I cant believe you said that, I snapped. I asked you to give me some time to think about it.
Think about what? Warren stepped between the two of us. What did he do? We were all quiet. Waverley, Warren took another step towards me. What did he do? If someone doesnt tell me what you are talking about in the next five seconds, Im going to lose my shit.
Fine, I snapped. I was tutoring a sophomore who found a note that had some things on it.
Awesome job, Hudson snarked at my explanation. What she is trying to say is, this kid found a book. Someone was running a bet on Wilkinson he held out a hand, suddenly at a loss for words, but the anger was back on his face. We might have been distracted earlier but it was all coming back to him now. And he looked pissed.
On Wilkinson doing what?
Does he really need to say it, I groaned pouring out the coke and keeping my back to them. My cheeks were burning again. Contrary to my standing up for myself and yelling everywhere about giving out blow jobs, I was still super embarrassed to talk about any of that stuff with my brother. Not to mention now, after what I had just done upstairs with Hudson.
Bet was up to five hundred bucks on them doing it this Friday.
Warrens head snapped from me, to Hudson, then back again. A slow grin spread across his mouth. That was not the reaction I was expecting at all. And that was when I realized why.
What are you doing? I gasped. Dont you be planning something insane. Youll get into trouble, Warren.
He gave me an incredulous look, as if to say he was incapable of getting into trouble. But no matter what he thought, he wasnt infallible, if he did something really stupid he could get into serious trouble. My other concern was dad wouldnt be angry, hed be proud. Oh Jesus, I did not want dad to find out about this.
Dont worry about it, Wave.
No, I slammed the glass down and ran after him as he started out of the kitchen, tilting his head for Hudson to follow. I got between them before Hudson could move and grabbed Warrens arm. Dont do anything stupid.
I dont intend on doing anything stupid, he told me. But those assholes dont get to bet on my sister. Jesus, he looked at Hudson then. Are they fucking wrecked in the head? First they go against what we said about Wave and now theyre doing this?
Maybe they figured cos youd let it go, it meant you werent going to be all overprotective, Hudson said.
Both Warren and I turned to glare at him for that one.
Wave, Warren took my hand and squeezed it. You know they cant get away with this shit. Its not just about you, its about our reputation. Theyre shitting all over it with this crap.
I shouldnt have been surprised how much that stung, but I was and I took a step back, letting my hand fall. Warren didnt seem to notice what he just said had hurt me, but Hudson did.
Im calling Connor, well meet him at the compound. Warren left the kitchen taking out his phone.
I felt Hudson come up behind me. He stood closer than he would normally. After a second, his hand swept my hair back over my shoulder and he leaned in close to me. He doesnt mean to hurt you. You are always his first priority, but this could be seen as a dig at the club.
I hugged my arms around my stomach but didnt answer him.
Ill make sure he doesnt go overboard, I promise.
He leaned in, putting one arm around the front of my waist tugging me towards him a little, and lips touched the side of my neck. I shivered at the contact, but I didnt want to be that girl who let him touch me and Id melt and let this go. Not to mention Warren could come back at any second.
I turned so I could see his eyes. They were such an insane shade of grey blue, like a storm on a summers day. His look was intense as he tried to read me. He frowned when he saw something he wasnt expecting.
You know what, those assholes were betting on me, so whatever it is youre going to do, I want to be in on it.
He leaned back slightly, taken aback by my declaration and opened his mouth to say something but I arched a brow, and he stopped. Then a slow smile spread across his lips. You know what, youre right. Come on.
Youre letting me come? I asked in shock.
He shrugged. You make a good point. Plus, were taking a united stand if we all get involved.
Warren wont like it.
You backing down that quickly?
No, I huffed out.
Okay then. Ill have your back. Connor will too. Well talk him round.
Hudson took my hand and pulled me out of the kitchen. Warren ended his call and raised his eyes to see Hudson towing me along behind him.
What?
Shes coming with.
Dont be ridiculous.
Not being ridiculous, Hudson argued. Waverley just made a very good point that this is her life and her problem, and weve meddled enough as it is. If we hadnt made her off limits, then this wouldnt have happened. She deserves the chance to get these assholes back just as much as we do.
Warren did his staring thing again, assessing both of us. I tilted up my chin with a stubborn look on my face. I was doing this whether he liked it or not. After a lengthy staring contest my brother finally blew out a sigh as he turned and grabbed my helmet. He thrust it at me.
You do what we say. I mean it Waverley. I dont know what the plan is yet but whatever it is, you let it happen or you stay here.
I nodded quickly. Then scrunched up my face. Just dont do anything dangerous.
Warren laughed and walked out the front door. Hudson nudged me after him.
What did he mean by that laugh?
Dont worry so much, he grinned.
The look on his face told me he was loving this. They were going to get to do to Nick Wilkinson what they had wanted a few weeks back when Id stopped them. When Id said he was a good guy and to let me live my life. As he pulled the door shut and made sure it was locked, he gave Warren a quick look then turned to me.
Wish you could ride with me.
His voice was low and deep and did something to my stomach that made me all fluttery. I shook it off but watched him jump off the porch with a whoop and head over to his bike. Sometimes I forgot Hudson and my brother were just teenagers like me. Hudson seemed so boyish just then, like were off on an adventure, but one glance at Warren brought me back to reality. He was sat astride his bike waiting for me to get on, with a serious expression on his face.
As I got on to Warrens bike and watched Hudson start his behind us, I wished like hell I could be on the back of his too.