CHAPTER EIGHT
STORM
“The Kings are hosting another one of their graveyard parties this weekend. Are you guys going?” Codie lay sprawled on her back across the sectional couch, twisting a lock of ebony hair around a finger. She craned her neck so she could see the rest of us girls.
Athena had invited me over to the apartment she and Codie shared just off campus. The opportunity to get away from my house—and from Rebel—had been welcome. I sat on the ottoman that went with the arm chair in the corner of the living room. Athena lounged on the chair behind me. Both Luna and Ripley were squeezed onto the remainder of the couch.
“As long as I don’t have to work,” Ripley said with a scowl. “My mom is charging me rent now so I’m trying to pick up some extra evening shifts at the restaurant. She expects me to do all the chores too while she sits on her ass and watches TV. I’m considering a move to the dorm. It’s got to be cheaper.”
She shoved a hand through her shoulder length blonde layers, snapping her gum. Athena had told me that Ripley and her mom didn’t get along well. Her mom treated her like shit. I didn’t know the details and wasn’t going to ask. It wasn’t my business.
“You should do it. I’m loving dorm life. The rooms are small but I’m only there to sleep. Thankfully, I got lucky and didn’t have to share a room.” Luna absently traced a finger over the letters of the “Dream” tattoo on her wrist. She seemed to do it subconsciously, like she did it a lot.
Codie feigned clearing her throat, drawing our attention back to her. “The party? Who’s going? More importantly, what are we all wearing?”
“I’m definitely going,” Athena chimed in, tossing a piece of popcorn from the bowl she held into her mouth. She nudged me with her foot. “You know I never turn down a good party. Are you coming with, Storm?”
“Isn’t that one of Rebel’s parties?” My face twisted into a grimace. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. He and I don’t really get along.”
“Even more reason to go. Don’t let him stop you from having fun.” Athena shot me a pointed look. She was the only one here who knew about my recent interaction with Rebel Kane. I told her everything.
“You should go,” Codie said. “Especially if he’s a dick to you. Wear something hot. Make him regret his choices.”
The memory of Rebel’s hard, thick cock pressed against my cheek flashed through my mind. My face warmed. I wasn’t sure wearing something sexy in front of him was a good idea. I didn’t want to encourage him.
“Rebel’s friends are just as bad as he is. I steer clear of each of them. These parties are pretty big. It’s easy to avoid them and still have a good time.” With an empty cup in hand, Luna rose and headed for the kitchen. “Anyone need anything while I’m in here?”
“Water, please,” Codie called. Letting her head hang off the side of the couch, her long hair pooled on the floor. “So I’m thinking I’ll wear the new dress I just bought. It’s green, shimmery, and makes me look like a mermaid.”
“I’m just going to wear whatever’s clean.” Ripley shrugged. “I have nobody to impress.”
Codie shook a finger at Ripley. “It’s not about impressing others. It’s about feeling like the goddess you are. Embrace your inner queen, Rip. Shave those legs and put those titties on display. You’ll be amazed at how much power you have.”
She kind of had a point. Dressing for one’s self to feel good was more important than dressing for others. Maybe I needed to keep that in mind.
The conversation turned to clothing and accessories. Fashion talk that I didn’t usually enjoy. It wasn’t so bad this time. Anything to keep my mind off Rebel. Codie had no problem leading the discussion. She enthusiastically defended her love of sequins and was quick to tell each of us what kind of attire would best suit us. She was quite the fashionista.
As it started to get later, the other girls began to leave. We all had classes in the morning. I knew I should get going too. I still had some assignments to catch up on since I’d transferred in the middle of a term.
“I guess I should take off too. You two probably want to go to bed.” I stood up from the ottoman, stretching out my legs. My left knee popped, and I groaned. Satisfying.
“Yes, I need my beauty sleep. After my facial routine of course.” Rolling off the couch, Codie yawned and gave her hair a toss. “Drive safe, Storm.”
Athena walked me to the door. “Let me know if you see Rebel again. I mean, you will at some point. Don’t be afraid to kick him right in the junk. Bastard deserves it.”
“With my luck, he would like that.” I rolled my eyes and pulled out my car keys. “See you tomorrow.”
It was after midnight when I got into my car. Holy crap. Did we really talk that long? Five women together could chat up a storm. Next time I’d have to bail out earlier on a school night.
I yawned a few times as I drove home. I couldn’t wait to wash up and crawl into bed. Briefly, I wondered what kind of face cleansing routine Codie had. I assumed she had multiple steps, lotions, and serums. I was far too lazy for all that.
The sudden rush that filled me when I turned into the driveway chased away my fatigue. Rebel was just getting out of a car as his friends dropped him off. Fuuuuck. Maybe I should sit here and wait for him to go inside.
He seemed to anticipate that since he took his sweet time saying goodbye to his friends. Once they drove away, he went to his car and popped open the trunk, digging around inside. Jerk was purposely dragging this out.
Knowing that sitting in my car only sent the message that Rebel intimidated me, I forced myself to get out. Ignoring him, I shut the door and headed straight for the house.
“Pretending not to see me, pet?” he called after me. “That’s cute. Where were you so late?”
I continued to ignore him. With every step I took, I became more hyperaware of my every move. The way I walked. The way I looked. Goddamn him.
I felt him start across the dividing line between our front lawns. That’s when I made the mistake of looking at him. Hair slightly disheveled, a wicked glint in his eyes. Rebel didn’t even have to try to get under my skin. He practically lived there.
“Get back on your own side of the line.” I pointed at the property line between our houses. “You have no business over here.”
He jerked to a stop, dramatically raising his hands. “Whoa, what’s with the attitude? I haven’t done anything. Yet.”
“Exactly. It’s only a matter of time. I’m not in the mood for your shit, Rebel.” Something white stuck out of his hoodie pocket, catching my eye. Was that a mask? “Looks like you’ve been up to no good. That’s creepy as hell.”
Rebel glanced down at the mask, pulling it from his pocket. He held it up for me to see. A creepy tragedy theatre mask. “Yeah, well, it’s generally a bad idea to let the victim see your face while you’re removing his kidney.”
I gaped at him. A shiver crept through me. “I hope that’s a sick joke.”
Rebel smiled. “Do you think I’m joking?”
“I think you need serious help. Go away, Rebel.” I didn’t want to hear this shit. Something told me that he wasn’t kidding around. The thought of him and his friends cutting out some unsuspecting person’s kidney scared me on a deep level.
He watched me with that creepy smile. Like he knew how to get to me with very little effort. He watched me flip to the house key on my keychain.
“Do you think you could make it inside before I caught you?” he asked, a strange lilt to his tone. “Should we put it to the test?”
My entire body tensed. Adrenaline sparked within me. I glanced at the door, still several feet away. Did I run for it? Did I stand my ground?
“I’m not playing this game with you,” I said, a slight tremor in my voice. Turning away, I slowly walked to the front door. It felt like turning my back on a predator about to pounce. When I glanced back, he was much closer. I hadn’t heard him move.
“You won’t always be able to escape me, Storm. Eventually, you’ll slip up. You’ll make the mistake that will have you running while I chase. I can hardly wait.” Rebel snapped his teeth together, a biting motion that would have been playful if it had been anyone else.
I jammed my key into the door lock, twisting the deadbolt open and darting inside. Closing and relocking the door, I leaned against it, my heart racing. Something was seriously wrong with Rebel. If there was a way to make him lose interest in me, I needed to figure it out. Fast.
Darting up the stairs to my room, I closed myself inside and let out the breath I’d been holding. Even after a shower, I still felt wide awake. It was getting ridiculously late. Maybe smoking a little green would help me sleep.
Gripping a joint between my fingertips, I let myself out onto my balcony. Surely Rebel would be inside his house. Or not.
I gasped when I spotted him, muffling a shriek. Sitting in a lounge chair near his pool, he wore that messed up tragedy mask. He stared right at me. I’d never been so creeped out.
Doing my best to pretend he didn’t bother me, I lit my joint and turned my back so I faced my bedroom. His piercing stare bore into me. I willed him to give up and go inside. I wasn’t rewarding him with my attention.
That didn’t stop me from feeling uncomfortable. My unease grew with every passing moment. When I finally turned back to find Rebel gone, panic gripped me. Did he jump the fence? Was he in my yard about to climb the lattice to my balcony? It was dark below. I couldn’t see a damn thing.
That thought was enough to chase me back into my bedroom. I locked the balcony door and closed the curtain. Maybe I needed to keep a weapon nearby. I wasn’t taking any chances.