Chapter Eighteen
Charlotte
“A re you fucking Cal?” Sonya asks, her sculpted brow arched high on her forehead.
I choke on a piece of lettuce. “W-What? No.”
Her eyes roll hard, making her long, black lashes flutter.
“I’m not lying,” I say, hating that I sound defensive. “Seriously.”
I’m not telling her we’ve shared a few kisses and I gave him a blow job with my dad in the next room.
“Honey, you are blushing,” she crows, cackling. “Your face is on fire.”
“Oh my God,” I groan. “You’re such a bitch. We haven’t fucked.”
“Yet.” She grins. “It’s inevitable, isn’t it?”
I curl my lip up at her, which makes her laugh harder. She’s bubbly and loud I’ve learned this week. A total opposite to Penny’s broody, snarky self. It’s amazing they’ve become friends.
“Didn’t know the whores were having a party,” Paxton says, dropping onto the seat beside me. He slings an arm over my shoulder. “How come I wasn’t invited? I’ve never fucked a Rockford girl before.”
“And you’re not ever going to get to either. Move on before we sic our girl on you. She eats pussy boys for breakfast.” Sonya smirks at him. “Today, loser.”
Penny arrives, knocking Paxton’s ball cap off his head. “Hey, Pax, the nurse is looking for you. She said those warts on your dick are contagious. Better go get some cream.”
Several students nearby snigger.
He stands, towering over Penny’s shrimpy self. Pax may play football and be buff as hell, but Penny has more attitude than the football players and cheerleaders combined. His size and height do nothing to intimidate her.
“You think you’re tough shit, bitch,” Paxton growls.
“Is there a problem here?” Mr. Ewing asks, approaching our table.
“Yeah. It’s six feet tall and has crabs,” Penny offers. “That’s the problem here.”
Mr. Ewing grimaces at her words. “Both of you. To the office.”
“I’ll see myself,” Penny sasses. “I have to stop by the bathroom first. Girl stuff. I’ve got my period. I’m probably bleeding right through my tamp—”
Both Paxton and Mr. Ewing hiss in disgust.
“Make your way there after,” Mr. Ewing barks out. “Anderson, let’s go.”
As they walk off, Penny flips them off and sits. “You bitches miss me?”
“You’re certainly entertaining,” I agree. “We had that idiot handled.”
Penny shrugs. “Who said I was defending you? Maybe I just wanted to fuck with him.”
Someone approaches and the three of us turn to see who our new visitor could possibly be. Ugh. Heidi. That girl is going to drive me insane with her typical high school diva attitude.
“The world is not flat,” Penny says to Heidi. “I told you this, Helga. Haven’t you ever seen a globe?”
Heidi blinks at her in confusion and then scowls at her. “It’s Heidi.”
“World’s still round,” Penny replies.
“Whatever, weirdo. I came to talk to her.” Heidi points a purple fingernail at me, anger flaring in her hazel eyes. “Everyone knows you’re fucking Cal Hutton. Plus, my friend Olivia overheard you two talking.”
“Even if I was, which I’m not,” I grind out, “I wouldn’t tell you because it’s not your business.”
Heidi flicks her dark hair over her shoulder in a comical way, reminding me of every bad cliché teenage movie. “It’s my business because I rule this school. What I say goes.”
“Like the mafia?” Penny deadpans. “Are you a mob boss, Helen?”
Heidi’s face turns as purple as her nails. “It’s Heidi, dumbass. And no, I am royalty—”
“Technically, I’m the queen,” Sonya pipes up, her sleek black ponytail flinging back and forth as she lets it be known. “Fight me on this.”
“She did already claim this title,” I agree, smirking at the furious cheerleader.
“Shut up,” Heidi snarls. “You’re just a skanky has-been trying to pretend she didn’t fuck up her senior year. Newsflash, Charlotte, you’re not cool anymore. I’m the head cheerleader now. I’m the bitch in charge.”
“You got the bitch part right,” Penny says, smiling sweetly at her.
“You’ve messed with the wrong chick,” Heidi snaps at me, ignoring my sister. “When Cal gets tired of fucking your saggy vagina, he’ll wise up.”
Sonya cackles. “This cheerleader monster act is because you want to bone my cousin? No fucking way!”
Once again, Heidi frowns in confusion. “He’s not your cousin.”
“You don’t know shit, bitch,” Sonya spits, pinning her with a challenging glare.
Heidi opens and closes her mouth, looking every bit a fish out of water. Finally, she regains her composure, turning her glare to me. “Stay low, on the bottom of the food chain here, and I’ll leave you be, skanky bitch.”
“Awfully threatened by a skanky bitch,” I say, arching a brow. “It’s almost like you’re terrified I’ll take the boy you like and your position on the squad.”
Her hazel eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t dare try out. Not after how you were such a disgrace last year. The girls on the squad hate you.”
“Coach Jenner loves me, though,” I tell her with a vicious grin. “See you at practice, friend .”
“Bye, Heidi Ho,” Penny says, waving at her. “We’re done here.”
Coach Jenner studies me for a beat before sighing. “You had me worried, kiddo.”
I chew on my bottom lip, keeping all those sad emotions at bay. Now’s not the time. I swallow them down and then smile. “I had me worried, but I’m better, Coach. I know I don’t deserve to try out, but I want to.”
“Is this about Heidi?” she asks, frowning. “She stopped by after lunch and said you were bullying her.”
I raise both brows. “Do you honestly believe that?”
“No,” Coach admits. “Which is why I told her if you wanted to try out, you could. I just don’t want you doing this for the wrong reasons.”
“I mean,” I mutter, “it would feel good to see her squirm, especially after how rude she’s been to me, but that’s not it. After ruining last year, I just want to right all my wrongs. I loved being on the squad. It’s good exercise and looks good for college.”
“There’s my girl,” Coach says with a smile. “If that’s what you want, grab a change of clothes from the extras and let’s head out to the gym. Cheerleading takes continuous practice. You’ve been out of practice for a year. I’m not promising a spot, just an opportunity to try.”
I’m thankful the rehab facility not only had an awesome gym, but personal trainers as well. All of my muscle tone I may have lost during my time with Ryan was regained after a couple of months of hard work and focusing on my health again.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I agree. “My dad always taught us to work hard for what we want. I want this.”
Ten minutes later, I’m changed into a tiny pair of black shorts and yellow sports bra. I’ve pulled my hair into a black ponytail holder and threw back on my sneakers without socks. Not exactly the best outfit to try out in, but it’s all I have. We head into the gym and I spend the next twenty minutes warming up and stretching.
I mull over some of the cheers I came up with when I was on the squad, planning what I will show her. Once I scoop up some poms, I affix a grin on my face and lift my chin.
“Ready?” I call out in a loud, peppy tone, “Okay!”
The next several minutes, I run through three back to back cheers. I’m sweating and my muscles are aching, but it feels good. Like this phoenix is stretching her wings, ready to take flight.
“Excellent form,” Coach praises. “Still a big mouth, I see.”
I blush thinking about just how big my mouth is to be able to give Cal head. Gah. Not the time to be thinking about that man’s pierced dick.
“How about you show me if you can still tumble? Don’t break your neck, English.”
Laughing, I bounce, making sure to let my ponytail dance from side to side with each choreographed sway of my hips. Then, I pivot and face her, my arms in the air. Thanks to years of gymnastics in Vermont, I’m fairly bendy and athletic.
I don’t try for anything super difficult since I’m out of practice, just what feels like muscle memory. By the time I’ve flipped and twisted all over the gym, I end my sequence by falling into the splits. I can’t help but wince, because yeah, it’s been a long time since I did that.
“There’s my girl,” Coach says, a wide grin on her face. “Just what the squad is missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but now I know. It’s you. Great job, kiddo. See you at practice.”
She leaves and I stand. I make my way over to where I’d set down my bottle of water. Someone slowly claps. I swivel around expecting to see Cal. Instead, Mr. Ewing grins down at me from the top of the bleachers. I didn’t even notice he’d arrived.
Now that we’re alone and he’s coming down the steps, a wave of unease washes over me. Yesterday the way he spoke to me was strange. To be honest, it creeped me out. I was glad Cal came to my rescue, even if he was a little harsh in his delivery.
“Someone’s getting their life back together,” he says, hopping down to the gym floor from the last step.
“Yeah, I guess. Didn’t see you up there, Mr. Ewing. Been here long?”
He smirks, his eyes raking down my front for a brief moment. “It’s Wes, remember? We’re just friends outside of class.”
I cross my arms over my tits since he can’t seem to look away. “Right. Did you need something?”
His eyes lose their easy charm and panic flashes in them. He runs his fingers through his hair, letting loose a frustrated groan. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.”
“For?”
“For acting like a dick yesterday. I was out of line. It was inappropriate and I’m sorry.”
I soften at his words. “It’s fine.”
“No,” he murmurs, frowning. “It’s not. I’m your teacher. I should be more professional…”
“I’m sensing a but,” I say with a laugh.
He smirks. “But, admittedly, it’s difficult. I don’t think you realize how hot you are. I forgot my place.”
“Uh, thanks,” I mumble. “I should go.”
I start for the locker room, unnerved by the sound of his footsteps as he follows. By the time I reach my bag in the locker room, he’s followed me inside. It creeps me out to be alone with him, but I don’t let him know that.
“Bye, Mr. Ewing.”
He stares for a long beat, his eyes raking over my form once more. “Bye, Charlotte. See you in class tomorrow.”
I stare at the door, not moving a muscle until I hear the outer doors close. Forgoing a shower, I quickly change back into my clothes and grab my bag. I shoot a text to Penny to pick me up at the gym side door and then head that way.
I’ve just pocketed my phone when I shove through the doors. I walk into a cloud of cigarette smoke. Two guys are leaned up against the brick building smoking, as though they’re waiting for me. I recognize one of the guys and cringe.
Grayson.
He’s a guy who used to hang out with Ryan. A grade below. One of Ryan’s minions who kissed his ass. The other guy looks familiar too. Ignoring them both, I start for the parking lot. A firm grip around my bicep stops me.
“Where you running off to so fast?” Grayson growls.
I jerk out of his grip, spinning to face off with him. “Don’t touch me.”
His friend comes to stand beside him, choosing to also be a douchebag.
“Everyone knows you purr like a kitten if touched the right way,” Grayson says with a salacious grin. “We’ve seen the pictures. You whored yourself out, Charlotte. Don’t act all prim and proper now.”
“Fuck you,” I snap at him and then point at his laughing friend. “You too.”
“Aww,” Grayson mocks. “She hates you too, Eli.”
“What do you want?” I demand, refusing to be cowed by these fools.
Grayson’s face loses its humor and he gets right in my face, making me shriek in surprise. “I’m here to deliver a message from Ryan.”
My blood runs cold. “We broke up.”
“Tell him that.” He sneers. “Ryan says you’re his. He says his bitch is actively trying to fuck up his life, though.”
I scoff at him. “How?”
“Everyone knows you’re a slut, Charlotte. You spread your legs like it’s your job. Now you expect everyone to believe he tried to rape you? His dad is pissed you’d file such a claim.”
“Tell Ryan to forget he ever knew me,” I hiss out. “And if you ever bother me again, you’ll regret it, fuck boy. I’m a Hornet now. You do not want those boys to bring their wrath down on you.”
His eyes flash in surprise and then apprehension. That’s what I thought.
With a bitchy smile and a wriggle of my fingers, I wave to them before turning on my heel and hauling ass away from them.
It’s not until I’m home later and showered that I finally relax. Ryan is a problem I can’t seem to escape from. I hate him.
Before his creeps tried to intimidate me, though, I had a different problem.
Wes Ewing.
I think about the way he behaved and then Cal’s words yesterday about Roux. Quickly, I fire off a text to her.
Me: What’s up with Wes?
She responds immediately.
Roux: Stay away from him, Char.
I frown at my screen before typing back.
Me: Care to elaborate?
Roux: Another day. Just trust me.
I’m about to respond when a number I don’t recognize sends a text. Cold dread consumes me. Ryan won’t quit. But then I read the text. All the stress melts away.
Unknown Number: Miss my dick, loser?
Me: How did you get my number, Mr. Hutton?
I add the number to my contacts in my phone.
Chaos Hornet: Magic.
Me: My brother sucks.
Chaos Hornet: I bet he does…
Me: Gross.
Chaos Hornet: He’s not the only English who gives good head.
Me: How do YOU know if my brother gives good head? Does Roan know you’ve been letting Hollis suck you off?
Chaos Hornet: I’m spanking your ass for that comment.
Me: Such a big talker, but such a sore loser when he goes head to head with a little girl.
Chaos Hornet: Nothing little about that mouth of yours.
Me: So I’ve been told…
Chaos Hornet: By who???
Me: Coach Jenner.
The dots move and then stop. A few times, actually.
Chaos Hornet: You’re fucking with me.
I send him a bunch of thumbs-up emojis in a row.
Me: I tried out this afternoon and made the team. I’m officially a cheerleader now.
Chaos Hornet: Stupidest emoji ever fucking created, cheerleader.
Me: Hostile over a thumb.
Chaos Hornet: Keep digging that hole, English.
Me: Are my punishments adding up?
Chaos Hornet: You better damn believe it.
Me: Good. See you tomorrow.
I send him a bunch of kiss-face emojis and then end it with another thumbs-up emoji, knowing it’ll rile him up. He doesn’t respond, which makes me laugh.