Betrayal - Chapter 15
Tuesday
Matt smiled as I walked downstairs in his varsity jacket. It was one of the few things that Isabella hadn’t managed to ruin. And I’d be lying if a small part of me wasn’t excited to rub this jacket in her face at school today.
“Now it’s official,” Matt said and pulled me into his arms.
“The ring didn’t do it?” I smiled up at him. I knew he was probably still a little upset with me. But he didn’t look upset right now.
He dropped his head, letting his lips graze against mine.
“My ring on your finger and my jacket on your shoulders? Either would have been a win. But both?” He kissed me slow.
I was still getting used to his slow kisses.
I loved these kisses more than the frantic, secretive kisses he used to give me.
Because these meant more. These were real.
“Are you sure you’re up to going to school?” Matt asked.
“Yeah. I don’t want to just sit around all day again.” I pressed my lips together because we both knew I’d done a lot more than that yesterday. “And I also need to talk to Felix.” Really? That was what I thought would be good to mention right now?
Matt sighed and shook his head. “What are the odds that he’s going to propose to you in gym today?”
I laughed. “Slim to none. And I told you, James was just joking around.” I’m pretty sure.
“He’s trying to steal you away from me because he’s an ass.”
Yeah. Maybe. But James had also promised to try to fix things with Matt after our Isabella prank.
I just needed to make sure I didn’t have to meet up with the Hunters anymore in order to pull it off.
I was going to fix everything. And Matt would be happy then.
And so would James. It was a win-win for everyone.
I looked up at Matt’s face. He didn’t look upset. He looked…uneasy. Like he was worried today was going to be a disaster. But he had nothing to worry about. I slid my hand into his. “Trust me, there’s no way James could ever steal me away from you.”
“Yo,” Mason said through a bite of granola bar. “Come on, we’re gonna be late. Morning, sis,” he said and winked at me before making his way out the ornate front doors.
“Well, at least he knows you’re off-limits,” Matt said as I pulled him outside.
“I’m off-limits to everyone but you. The ring and the jacket, remember?”
“Promise not to take them off?”
“I promise. But I’ll have to take the jacket off in gym.
” I took every promise very seriously now.
And I wanted to make sure he knew it. “I don’t think Coach Carter would like it if I was running around on the track…
” my voice trailed off. I couldn’t run today.
I was wearing my thickest socks and walking still hurt a little.
“Actually, I guess I won’t be participating in gym today. ”
“You’re sure you don’t want another day to rest?”
“No, that’s ridiculous.”
“We’re good, man,” Mason said as Miller approached us. He lifted up a pair of keys. “I’ll drive them.”
“She comes with us or doesn’t leave at all,” Miller said.
Wait…Miller? Miller was waiting by a brand new SUV. Miller and the SUV were both a surprise. He’d said he was going to quit.
“I’m a good driver,” Mason said. “Most of the time I don’t even speed.”
“Miss Pruitt, let’s go,” Miller said, ignoring Mason.
“What’s going on?” I asked, letting Matt’s hand fall out of mine.
Donnelley poked his head out of the passenger window. “Like the new ride? It’s top of the line. Safest vehicle in its class. Bullet-proof windows and everything.”
Bullet-proof windows? What the fuck? Did that mean Isabella still had a gun?
“Miss Pruitt, you have to drive with us to school,” Miller said. “Your father insists.” He opened up the back door.
Mason shrugged. “Are you coming with me or going with them, Matt?”
“I’ll stay with Brooklyn,” Matt said.
“Suit yourself. See you guys at lunch.” Mason hopped into his convertible and sped off.
I couldn’t ask Miller what was going on. So I did the only thing I could do and climbed into the back seat. Maybe he just hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to my dad yet. But if my dad had sent this car…he must have had a chance. Right?
The ride was silent and awkward. Maybe only awkward for me and Miller. We’d said goodbye. I’d assumed I’d never see him again.
Matt didn’t seem to find it weird at all though. But then again, he had no idea Miller was the guy I’d been seeing.
The closer we got to school, the more uneasy I felt.
I’d been so excited to walk into school with Matt that I hadn’t thought about the fact that more had changed than just our relationship status.
A few weeks ago, James would have been driving Matt to school in his Benz.
A few weeks ago, Isabella hadn’t pointed a gun to my head.
A few weeks ago, I had been Matt’s dirty little secret.
But now everything was different. And there was a lump in my throat getting bigger by the second.
“We’ll be here waiting after school,” Miller said as he pulled up outside Empire High.
We’ll? As in him again?
“Will you need a ride after football practice, Matt?” Miller asked. “I can have someone sent for you.”
This was too weird. I unbuckled my seatbelt.
“Nah, I’ll catch a ride with Mason. Thanks for driving us,” Matt said.
“And Miss Pruitt?” Miller added. “If Isabella does anything at all to you, please notify either of us right away.”
“Like what?” My voice was so small, I wasn’t sure Miller or Donnelley had heard me.
But then Donnelley turned around to look at me.
“She’s not supposed to talk to you at all.
Mr. Pruitt and her are still negotiating the specifics, and until something is signed she’s not allowed to have any contact with you.
She understands this. So if she talks to you at all…
you text us right away and she’ll be removed from school. ”
“She’ll be expelled?” I asked.
“No. This is a family matter. One of us will come escort her out for your safety.”
My safety? I nodded. This was a good thing.
Isabella wasn’t allowed to speak to me. That was great.
Except…the knots in my stomach didn’t feel great.
Since when did Isabella ever do anything she was supposed to?
“Okay,” I said. I had a feeling I’d be texting them in no time. I followed Matt out of the SUV.
Matt threw his arm over my shoulders as we made our way up the front steps. He waved at one of his football friends and then kissed the side of my forehead. “Today is going to be a great day,” he whispered in my ear. “Don’t worry about Isabella. Let’s just enjoy this moment. No more wasting time.”
It was what I’d always wanted. For him to love me in public. What was I doing worrying about Isabella? I wouldn’t let her rob me of this moment. And Matt knew how much wasted time weighed on me. He’d said the exact right thing to get me out of my head.
He held the front door for me and the hallway hushed. Everyone was staring at us as Matt walked me to my locker. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the prostitute rumors, the fact that Isabella had tried to murder me, or that Matt was holding my hand. Probably a combination of the three.
Matt seemed to think it was the last one, because when we reached my locker, he pulled me against his chest and kissed me, showing our relationship off to the whole school.
I didn’t care about the rumors swirling around.
For the first time at Empire High, I felt safe.
As long as I had Matt - really had him - everything would be fine.
And I did. His hand slid dangerously close to my ass and I laughed.
I heard a few whistles. A few laughs. A few cheers for Matt. And then the hush was gone.
“Nothing for them to whisper about now,” he said. “By the first bell, everyone will know you’re mine. And everyone will know not to mess with you,” he said a little louder for the benefit of the passersby.
“Brooklyn!” Kennedy yelled. She almost toppled me over in a hug, but Matt was there to keep us both upright.
“What is on your hand?” she said with a gasp. “Oh my God.” She looked at Matt’s smiling face and then mine. “What is going on?”
“It’s a promise ring,” I said at the exact same time that Matt said, “We’re engaged,” loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.
I laughed and Matt smiled down at me.
“What? Well, which one is it?” Kennedy lifted up my hand to stare at the ring.
She didn’t wait for me to respond. She just threw her arms around me again.
“It doesn’t even matter. I can’t even remember the last time I saw you this happy.
And I’m so happy for you. Did you know that Matt and Mason sat with me at lunch yesterday? ” She pulled away from her hug.
“No, I didn’t know that,” I said and smiled up at Matt.
“I’m going to let you two catch up,” Matt said. “See you at lunch?”
I nodded. I couldn’t stop smiling.
He leaned down and gave me one last kiss.
I heard the flash of Kennedy’s camera capturing the moment.
Kennedy waited for him to walk away before continuing. “I’ll definitely get that one developed for you,” she said and looked up from the screen. “You guys are so adorable.”
I opened up my locker to hide my face. After what she’d been through this weekend it felt inappropriate for me to be smiling so hard. But she seemed to be in a good mood. A great one, actually. She snapped another picture as I pulled out my books for first period.
“You said they sat with you at lunch?” I asked.
“Yeah, well, obviously Cupcake doesn’t sit with us anymore.
And Felix wasn’t in school yesterday. Matt and Mason saw that I was sitting alone so they invited me over to their table.
It was really nice. But I wonder what will happen today now that the Hunters and Isabella are back in school.
Who do you think will claim the Untouchables’ table? I really hope it isn’t her.”
I lifted my gaze to where Kennedy was looking.
Isabella had just walked in. Her normal minions were nowhere to be seen.
All I could hear were her high heels echoing in the hall.
I swore people jumped out of her way, but I was probably imagining it.
She didn’t look at me at all. Her demon eyes were trained on something at the end of the hall.
A pitchfork perhaps to match her red, dress-code inappropriate, heels.
But right before she passed by us, she turned her head and smiled.
At me. A real, horrifying smile. Her smile grew as she drew a line across her throat with her index finger like she was planning on beheading me.
I gulped. Did that warrant a text to Miller? Technically Isabella hadn’t said a word.
“Wow,” Kennedy said. “Subtle much?” She laughed.
“How are you laughing right now?” I asked. “She still wants to kill me.”
“Laughing is better than curling up in a ball and crying. Trust me…I already did that all weekend.”
I winced.
Kennedy sighed and leaned her back against the lockers. “There’s no point in being scared of her. Your dad promised she wouldn’t hurt me again.”
He’d promised me the same. But he wasn’t here at school with me. I closed my locker. “But what if she…”
“Drugs us or kidnaps us? Worrying about it won’t do us any good.”
That was true. But it wasn’t as simple as worrying about a grade or something. It was life or death when it came to Isabella.
“I can’t believe how wrong I was,” Kennedy said. “When I told you boys like Matthew Caldwell don’t end up with girls like us. How did he propose?”
“It’s a promise ring. We’re not engaged. That’s crazy.”
“He’s crazy for you. But spill it.”
“I was snooping, actually. I found the ring in his nightstand. And he told me to try it on. That’s really it.”
She snapped another photo. “Sixteen and engaged. The life of the elite, I guess. Do you think you’ll have one of those elaborate engagement parties?”
“I don’t think so.” We walked toward her homeroom.
“Well if you do, make sure Justin plans it. I want to hang out with him more. And if you don’t make me your maid of honor?” She drew a line across her throat like Isabella had. “Joking,” she said and laughed on her way into class.
A chill ran down my spine, and it wasn’t from what she’d said.
I turned around. Isabella was standing on the other side of the hall.
That same horrifying smile on her face. Had she been standing there the whole time just staring at me?
I turned and ran to my homeroom despite the fact that my feet still hurt.