Chapter Twenty-Two
Roux
K ayden’s not here.
Every school day, but especially on Mondays, after not seeing me all weekend, he’s usually waiting for me by my locker, ready to woo me. Today, he wasn’t there. There were lots of rumors going on about what Ryan did to him, but I stayed out of it like Jordy told me to. Jordy said Kayden’s okay and not dead or anything. So that alleviates some of the worry.
I make it to the top of the stairwell, headed for Wes’s class, when I see them.
Ryan and Charlotte.
The arrogant creep has her caged in against a bank of lockers, one hand above her and his body close to hers as he bitches her out. Her head is bowed, her limp hair hanging in her face. He must sense my staring because he turns, his sadistic grin making me shiver. Slowly, he raises his middle finger at me. Then, he pulls Charlotte to him, kissing her in a possessive way that makes my skin crawl. I hurry to class, hating Ryan with every fiber of my being.
Wes’s eyes brighten when I enter the classroom. I give him a small smile before heading to my desk. Quickly, I tap out a text to Hollis.
Me: One day it’ll be too late. Ryan will do something he can’t undo and Charlotte will suffer the consequences. I thought your dad was working on removing Ryan from her life. It’s taking too long.
He responds immediately.
Hollis: Thanks for letting me know. You’re a good friend, Roux.
I roll my eyes, hating how even Hollis blows me off. My phone pings.
Wes: You okay?
Glancing up, I find him watching me, his brows furrowed with worry. All weekend he tried to get me to meet up with him at the bookstore, but I spent Saturday and Sunday nursing Jordy after he got his ass beat by Rex. Roan was pissed when he’d seen how bad Jordy looked but did nothing in retaliation.
All this patience is not usually a Hornet virtue.
But here we are.
Not acting. Not reacting. Doing nothing.
I hate it, but it’s necessary because Rex is one evil sonofabitch.
Me: I’m fine.
Wes: You’re not fine. Stay after class and we’ll talk.
Me: Roan will be waiting to pick me up.
Wes: Tell him you have a ride.
His persistence is annoying today.
Me: I can’t. Sorry.
I look up to find Wes’s eyes. They flash with anger.
“I’ve decided since half of you failed last week’s quiz, I’ll do another one. This one is longer.” He tears his gaze from mine as he walks over to his desk. “It’s difficult, but you can use your book. Think of it as a pre-test. A sample of what the mid-term exam will look like.”
Anger swells up inside me.
Is he really giving us a test because I told him I couldn’t stay after?
Charlotte enters the room late and falls into her seat. Wes says something to me when he sets a test down on my desk, but I ignore him, watching her as she swipes a tear off her cheek. Seeing her hurting and deteriorating kills me. Wes doesn’t even bother giving Charlotte a test. Her head is already on her desk, her eyes closing.
Why won’t anyone do anything?
My phone buzzes in my hand.
Wes: Better tell Roan you’ll be late. We can do the test at Josie’s if you want.
Me: That was a dick move.
He doesn’t respond, simply crosses his arms over his chest and sits on the corner of his desk, his eyes pinning me. I let out a sigh of resignation and text my brother.
Me: I have to take a test after school. I’m sure I can catch a ride.
Roan: I’ll wait.
Me: You don’t have to.
Roan: I know.
Me: How’s Jordy?
Roan: Back at work. How are you?
Me: Fine.
Roan: Hollis told me about your text.
Me: They’re letting her fade into nothing.
Roan: They’re trying to get her away from him. Cuntingham’s dad is worse than him. Has the power to make everyone’s life a living hell. Plus, you know how Char is. If they forbid her to see him, she’ll find a way. Do something drastic. Just let Garrett do what he needs to do.
Me: What exactly is he doing?
Roan: That asshole can be likable apparently. Already super chummy with everyone who’s anyone in our shit town. He’s going to put pressure on Ryan’s dad. Work that angle.
Me: And if that doesn’t work?
Roan: Then Ryan’s going to get a good old-fashioned Hornet ass kicking.
Me: Thank God.
Roan: Good luck on your test. I’ll see you after.
I put away my phone to discover Wes blatantly glaring at me. He can be pissy all he wants. I’m pissy too. It was a dick move to force me to stay after with him.
The hour goes by in a hurry and before I know it, the bell is ringing. As soon as it does, Penny pushes into the classroom, her blond ponytail bouncing. Ryan is hot on her heels, his nostrils flaring. The asshole looks like he might want to push around Penny, but Penny isn’t some weak girl. She’d probably headbutt him or rip his balls off.
“Let’s go, sis,” Penny says, ignoring Ryan’s brooding presence behind her. “Hollis texted. We’re all meeting Daddy at his new office. He ordered pizza for dinner. Thought we could hang out as a family.”
This has Charlotte perking up, a rare smile on her face. “Really?”
“No,” Ryan barks out.
Penny swivels around, fury pulsating from her. “Nobody asked you, douchebag. Daddy’s on his way to pick us up.”
Ryan’s jaw clenches and he fists his hand like he might hit Penny, but she holds her own.
“Call me as soon as that shit is over,” Ryan orders Charlotte. “I’ll come get you.”
He storms out of the classroom. Penny shoots me a thankful smile before hooking her arm with Charlotte’s. The rest of the class has already bailed, so when they leave, Wes walks over to the door and closes it.
“Who were you texting?” he asks.
“My brother.” I scowl. “Why are you being an asshole?”
“Me?” he huffs out. “You’re clearly upset and need to talk. I know how you like to clam up. I’m just giving you a safe space to vent.”
“Maybe I just need space.”
He frowns, giving me one of his usual wounded looks that typically guilts me. I’m too upset today to let it affect me. I look down at my desk, waiting for him to start the test. He lets out a heavy sigh and sits in his desk chair. Slowly, he rolls it over to me until he’s right next to me, his knee brushing against my thigh.
“Roux…”
“Just give me the test.”
He’s silent for a beat. “Fuck. I’m sorry, okay?”
“It’s fine,” I say, “just give me the test. Roan is waiting for me.”
Reaching forward, he takes my hand in his. “Please don’t be mad at me. I’m sorry. I fucked up, okay?” He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckle. “Let me fix this. Fix us.”
I tug my hand from his grip. “Wes, we’re not an us. You’re my friend. But friends don’t hold each other hostage.”
His face crumples. “I fucked up. Roux, I’m sorry.”
“Just give me the test—”
“Fuck the test,” he snaps, taking my hand again. “You can have an A. I don’t give a shit. I just want to see your smile again. I don’t want you pissed at me.”
I squirm, uncomfortable with the intensity rolling off him. “Wes, can I go?”
“No,” he barks out. I flinch at his word. His gaze softens as he tenderly strokes my hand with his thumb. “I mean, please don’t leave when you’re mad.”
“You’re freaking me out,” I whisper, my heart in my throat.
“Hey,” he croons as he stands. “You never have to be afraid of me.”
I’m pulled into his arms and he squeezes me tight. I’m stiff and my heart thunders in my chest. When he nuzzles my hair, it’s not like when Jordy does it. This chills my blood. He pets my hair like I’m a kitten. Like I’m his. Teacher’s little pet, I suppose.
“Can I go now?”
“No.”
I swallow hard, blinking back tears. “Please.”
“No.” He sighs. “I feel like because I fucked up, now you’re going to shut yourself off from me. I can’t…I can’t lose you, Roux.”
I’m not yours.
“I’ll text you later,” I say, my voice shaking with my lie.
“You’re lying,” he whispers back.
I close my eyes, swallowing down a terrified sob.
“Shh,” he murmurs. “I’m sorry. I fucked up. I fucked up so bad. Let me fix it. I’m just having a bad day. Text Roan and tell him you have a ride. I’ll take you to dinner or a movie. We can just relax and hang out.” He kisses the top of my head. “Or I could take you to my place. I have more poetry books there.” He laughs. “And coffee.”
“Maybe another day,” I breathe.
“No,” he whines. “Today. Please, Roux. I feel myself losing you and I can’t. I can’t lose you.”
His fingers thread into my hair and he tightens his grip, tugging me until I’m forced to look up at him. The guy really is broken up about this. He looks seconds from crying. Guilt assaults me, but fear of his erratic behavior is driving my emotions right now. He rubs his nose against mine and then softly kisses my lips. When I start to pull away, his grip tightens. A whimper of fear escapes me—one he gently kisses away.
“I need assurance we’re not over,” he pleads, his mouth ghosting over my trembling lips.
“We’re not over,” I rush out. “I just want to go home.”
“You’ll text me later?”
I nod, more tears cascading down my cheeks. He kisses them away.
“I don’t fall for my students,” he murmurs. “You’re just different, Roux. You get me in a way no one else does.”
I don’t get this.
I don’t understand him right now.
“I’ll text you later,” I say. “I swear.”
And I will. Anything to get me out of here.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “Do you forgive me for acting like an idiot?”
“Mmhmm.”
He gives me a boyish grin. “Thank God.” He laughs. “I was freaking the fuck out.”
I force a small smile. “You can calm down now. Everything is fine.”
“It probably needed to happen,” he says with a sigh. “To take us to the next level.”
“Maybe,” I choke out.
His eyes flash as he kisses my lips again. “This weekend tell Roan you’re staying with a friend. I’ll take you someplace fun. We can have dinner and go out. Then, later, I’ll show you how much you mean to me.”
“Okay.”
“It’s a date,” he says, beaming. “Great job on the test. You aced it.”
I try not to grimace. My heart aches at the realization I’ve lost yet another friend. “Thanks.”
I manage to pull away from his arms to grab my bag and purse. He waits by the door, blocking my path.
“It’s so hard having to stare at you every day, Roux, and not obsess over you. You’re so fucking beautiful and smart and caring. If I weren’t your teacher, I would’ve publicly claimed you already.”
Forcing a smile, I dart my eyes to the door. “Roan’s waiting.”
“Bye, beautiful.”
I close my eyes as he mauls me with a kiss that tastes like a mixture of desperation and obsession. When it’s over, I flee from the classroom. Rather than go to the parking lot, I make a stop by the bathroom to fix my face. Then, I head to the office.
“Ms. Frazier?”
Charlotte’s aunt feels more like my aunt sometimes.
“What is it?” she asks, immediately sensing my distress.
“I, uh, was wondering if I could change my schedule.” I gnaw on my bottom lip. “Starting tomorrow.”
“If you’re having trouble with one of your classes, I don’t mind tutoring you like old times.” She smiles. “I’m sure it’s nothing that can’t be fixed over cookies after school.”
As much as I want to confide in her, I don’t. If Jordy or Roan gets wind about Wes, they’ll freak out. With everything going on with Rex, I can’t afford that. I just need to fix this and make it go away.
“My last class is with Charlotte. We’re not on speaking terms anymore. It’s distracting. I can’t focus.” Not a lie. “Please.”
Understanding glimmers in her eyes. “Of course, honey. I’ll make the change. You can go to Miss Peterson’s class starting tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
When I finally make it outside, Roan is sitting in his truck waiting. I all but run, eager to escape this hell hole. His brotherly stare assesses me, no doubt picking up on my distress.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just asked Ms. Frazier to switch my classes.”
“Which one?”
I swallow and level my brother with a hard stare. “My last one.”
A million emotions flash in his amber eyes. “Good. Do I need to kick anyone’s ass?”
“I took care of it myself.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yep.”
“Of course you are,” Roan says, winking. “You’re a Hornet.”
Damn right.
Hornets are tough.
We don’t take shit.
He starts to drive off and we pass a parked car. Tom is sitting in the driver’s seat, his creepy stare on us. Roan nods at him as we drive.
“You know Peeping Tom?”
Roan whips his head to the side. “ You know Tom?”
“He’s my stalker,” I deadpan.
Roan snorts. “Good. Everyone needs a stalker like Tom.”
With those words churning inside my head, I wonder where my stalker was when my teacher went possessive boyfriend on me.
“Where are we going?” I ask, shoving thoughts of Wes into the dark corners of my mind.
“To bug Jordy. Maybe he’ll hook us up with some free food.”
Getting to see Jordy erases every terrible thing that happened today.
“Roan?”
“Yeah?”
“When will our lives stop being so hard?”
He reaches over and takes my hand. “One day soon, Roux. We’ve earned it.”