21. Chapter 21
21
Punish Me
November 1st
“Seriously?” is all I hear when I step out of my room.
When I look over at Ella, she folds her arms—clearly not impressed with my Halloween costume I spent forever thinking about. The girls got to pick what we did tonight since they won game night, and they chose to go to a club in costumes.
At least we’re not matching this year .
Ella made sure of it by matching costumes with my sister—as if she wouldn’t be caught dead matching with me again. She did try to swing a bat at me last time, and she would have succeeded if I didn't stop her.
Fiery little fucking thing. I know she would’ve actually hurt me if that thing had hit me. There were nails on the end of it too.
“Is there a problem, Ella?”
“You can’t smoke in here.” She points to the vintage cigarette holder I bought.
I walk past where she stands and poke her in the face with it. “Good thing it’s not lit, then.”
I can practically feel her eyes roll as I head into the living room and see my sister pouring shots. Twelve of them, to be exact.
“Alissa, are you trying to blackout before we even leave the house?” I say as I sit down at the table.
“No. I’m pre-drinking, Leo. And so is everyone else when they get here.”
“Except Paige and Oliver. Neither of them are drinking,” Ella tells her as she grabs water from the fridge and downs it in one go.
Oh, right. Grant told me Oliver avoids alcohol, and so does Paige sometimes. Those two are usually the designated drivers, which is fine by me. I need a night to let loose. That’s the reason I picked being a gangster for my costume. Not only will it allow me to smoke for one night only to combat my stress, but I look fucking fantastic dressed like this. I look like I walked right out of Peaky Blinders , and that’s exactly what I was going for.
“Dehydrated, Ells?” my sister asks her.
“Yes.”
These two look kind of ridiculous in their costumes. “Who are you guys again?”
Alissa just smacks me over the head.
“Daphne and Velma, dumbass,” Ella tells me. Ah, I see it now.
Ella seems to be Velma, with an orange cropped shirt, a red skirt that’s way too short—not that I mind—orange socks that go to her knees, and fake glasses on her face. My sister has a red wig on, a purple dress, and pink tights or whatever.
“Cute,” I say as someone knocks on their door.
I hear Ella mutter something under her breath as she goes to answer it.
“Oh, wow,” is all she says as I hear Paige’s voice fill the room.
“You look so cute! Where’s Alissa?”
“In here, girl!” my sister yells at her.
When they come into view, I almost laugh. Oliver is wearing a bowler hat, and I wonder what Paige had to do to convince him to wear it. She’s wearing a top hat and some sort of knit coat. I know exactly who they are without asking.
“Sherlock and Watson?”
“What gave us away?” Oliver deadpans, and I laugh. “Paige, I told you the accent was stupid.”
“You have to practice! Look how good I am!”
I shrug my shoulders. She’s not that bad, but Oliver’s could use some work.
“I’m not doing it, especially in front of Leo and Alissa.” Oliver sits next to me.
“Yeah, probably for the best, dude.” I slap him on the shoulder and he smirks back at me. Though, I’m not sure if I can even call that a smirk.
“Where are Hads and Grant?” Alissa asks them.
“They should be right behind me. Oliver is driving their car with the boys and I’ve got us girls!”
“P, can you at least drive above the speed limit?” Ella asks her, taking a shot. “God, I’ve missed tequila.”
“I will drive how I best see fit.” She pinches Ella’s cheeks as I hear the door open.
“We’re here! Let the actual party begin!” Grant says from the entrance.
“Babe, don’t say that.”
“What? I was joking. Ella’s already here, you know.” Grant comes into view dressed like Jay Gatsby and when I see Hads walk in with a flapper dress on, it’s all but confirmed they’re the characters from The Great Gatsby .
“Oh, that’s fitting.” Oliver says.
“This was totally worth the wait!” Paige says as she grabs her phone and starts snapping pictures of the two of them, well, everyone else too.
“Sorry, why is it fitting?” I ask the room.
“Well, old sport, this book is the reason Hads and I are together.” Grant tells me, holding his hand out.
“Is it now?” I ask as I shake his hand.
“Why yes, Leo, it is.” Hadleigh tells me. “You see, this guy over here had no idea what the book was about and I had to tutor him.”
“Don’t forget the metaphors.” He tells her.
“And the fact that you didn't know the main character's last name.” Ella laughs as she takes another shot.
“Shit, I forgot you guys knew about that,” Grant leans on his walking stick. “Well, who cares. Now, I’m an honorary book club member, so I feel good.”
“Ella, are you really making us do shots before we go out? You know how much I hate tequila…” Hads trails off as she looks at them all laid out on the counter.
For some reason, I feel like I’m part of something with all these people here. I know Ella probably hates it, but me living in her flat has made me a lot closer with her friends. I know Grant and Oliver like me; at least, I think Oliver does. He hasn't said otherwise, but sometimes, I think he’s giving me a weird face.
I’m starting to understand that's just his face unless he’s looking at Paige.
It’s odd—becoming close to a group of people I know won’t speak to me after I move out. Or maybe they will. I don’t know how to feel. I don't have many friends over here, or even at home, I guess. I know many people, but I wouldn't consider all of them friends. Only a few people really know me to my core, and that’s just my sister and parents.
“Okay, everyone but Paige and Oliver, take one shot and let’s go,” Alissa says and I hear a few moans and groans as I grab two shots and down them immediately.
I will not go home alone tonight , I say to myself. And maybe that’ll be true, because I need all the distractions I can get right now.
Especially from the girl dressed in orange who hates my fucking guts.
Oh, how I’ve missed leaving the house to go to some sweaty pub with shitty lighting and terrible dancing.
At least there’s alcohol—and the guys, too. I haven't known Grant and Oliver for long, but I find myself enjoying their company. I much prefer them over Ella—who’s currently in the middle of the dance floor with my sister and the other two.
“So, Leo, how is everything going at work with Ella?” Grant practically screams at me.
“It's fine, I guess. Why? What has she told you?”
“Nothing, and it’s driving Grant crazy,” Oliver tells me, sipping his water.
“No! It’s driving everyone crazy. Not only do you two live together, but you also work together.” Grant looks at me. “There’s been nothing going on with you guys?”
I could tell them we had sex the other night, but I don't think that’s something I want to bring up. Plus, I’d be a hypocrite if I told them. We swore not to tell anyone it happened, and that was fine with me. If other people knew about it, they would think there’s something going on between us.
It was just sex. That’s all it ever is with me. Every girl I take to bed wants one thing and one thing only. It was fine at first, but now, it feels…unfulfilling, and I don't know what to do to counter that feeling.
I don’t see myself in a relationship, but I somehow want something more than a fling.
That’s why I’m in no mood to pick up someone tonight. I thought I would be when I got here, but it’s the furthest thing on my mind now.
Due to her proximity, Ella has been flashing through my mind, and not just because we had sex. No. Her in that skimpy fucking outfit is all I see—except in my mind, those orange socks are wrapped around my head as I get her off.
Jesus . I need to calm down.
“Leo, do you want another?” Grant asks me, and I nod.
“And a shot or two.” I hand him my card. “Or a few more.” I need to stop thinking about Ella fucking Williams immediately.
When it’s Oliver and I at the table, it gets a bit awkward, but I’m surprised when he starts a conversation. “I’m sorry if all the Ella talk makes you uncomfortable. I know you two hate each other.”
“It’s fine, mate.”
“Why do you hate one another? I’ve never gotten a full story.”
I lift my brow at him. “Too afraid to ask?”
“Yup,” he tells me as he takes another sip, his eyes drifting to the girls behind me. I can tell when he notices Paige, because his eyes soften the tiniest bit.
Disgusting.
“She judged me before she knew me,” I tell him.
“Really?” He looks surprised. “That’s not like her. Usually, she judges you after she knows you.”
I laugh at that, because I’ve seen it happen in real time. Ella had one conversation with this new coordinator at work and put him on her shit-list immediately. According to Adam, he made some sort of sexist comment.
That got him on my shit-list too.
“Yeah. Day one of our internship, she hated me as soon as I walked in the door. I have no explanation about it either.” And I don’t want one. If she made her decision in a split-second about who I was, then I don’t care to change her fucking mind.
“Huh,” is all Oliver says.
Grant returns as he says that, and as soon as he puts the drinks on our small table, Ella and my sister slide in, take one of the shots from him, and head back to the dance floor.
Typical fucking Ella.
“I can go get some more,” Grant offers as he looks at my face—clearly being able to sense my annoyance.
I take one, loving the burn that coats my throat before I turn and look at where Ella’s dancing. “It’s fine, Grant.”
“So, did Oliver tell you about the time he was arrested?”
I spin around. “What?”
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Oliver says as he downs his water. “Make sure no creepy guys touch Paige. You’re dead if someone does, Grant.”
“On it! Although, you should really stop saying things like that because of your record— And he’s walking away.” He turns to me. “It’s a great story.”
The song changes to The Walls by Chase Atlantic as Grant starts telling me the story of how Paige and Oliver ended up in the middle of an active murder investigation during their senior year.
But I’m not paying attention to him—a really fit guy is dancing with Ella, and as if she can sense me staring, she turns her head ever so slightly so my eyes now lock with hers.
It just got a thousand degrees hotter here. She may be dancing with some prick, their bodies pressed together, but her eyes are on me .
And that’s all that fucking matters.
Is she doing this to get my attention? There’s no fucking way. She’s trying to mess with my fucking head or something, and I hate to say that it’s working. If I had less self-control, I’d be on that dance floor, picking her up, spanking her in front of everybody, and taking her somewhere where I could fuck her out of my system one more time.
The guitar solo starts to play, and suddenly, all I can think about is Ella underneath me. She looked fucking fantastic with my cock in her mouth, and I wouldn't say no to it happening again.
No . I need to get it together.
But our eye contact isn't helping, and I won’t look away first. God knows Ella would hold that over my head too.
I take another shot as Grant finishes his story and Oliver gets back to the table.
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” I don’t bother waiting to hear what they say as I head toward Ella. She split off from the other girls, so it’s her and this prick in the corner of the floor.
“Leave,” I say as I reach them.
“Leo—” Ella’s voice is laced with annoyance.
“Now,” is all I say as I stare at the guy. He looks between the two of us, shakes his head, and walks away.
“That was rude. I was getting somewhere with him.” She looks up at me as if she didn't want me to come over here. Her eyes were practically fucking me, and I know she wants me to dance with her, even if she would never outright ask.
There’s always a game to be played with her, and I somehow always fall for her fucking tricks that I know aren't tricks.
“You owe me a dance for that.”
“Do I?” I question. “Do I also owe you for the sex you won’t be having tonight?” She shrugs her shoulders. “Too bad all you’re getting from me tonight is a dance, Williams.”
That earns me an eye roll. “Whatever. I guess if you’re here, you’ll do.”
Then, the girl turns around and starts to dance against my front. Jesus Christ, I’ve never seen someone move as sexy as she does. Normally, I hate dancing in situations like this. Only Ella fucking Williams could get me out here and actually force me to do this.
“You took my tequila shot earlier.” I lean down to her ear so she can hear me.
She leans her head back into me. “Did I?”
She’s acting all coy, but suddenly, I’m having a flashback to when I first met her back in college. We were in a similar situation. I had bought a drink for a hot girl, and the bartender gave it to the wrong person—Ella. She stared at me while she downed it.
I went over to her, we talked, she pissed me off, and I went home alone.
Nothing has really changed after all these years.
“You have a nasty habit of taking drinks I pay for.”
She spins around to face me, puts her hands on my shoulders, and I feel her lips near my ear. “Punish me then.”
I shake my head forward, and my forehead somehow ends up against hers. “You’d like that, wouldn't you?”
She says nothing, but her pupils are huge , her eyes practically filled with lust.
“I bet you want me to shove your panties to the side right here on this dance floor. Is that right?”
Her hands go limp against my body as we keep dancing against one another. There’s not a single inch between us, and I can barely see anyone else on this packed floor besides Ella.
This girl is driving me mad, and I don’t hate it.
“Leo,” is all she says before Paige cuts in.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Her face is all red. “But we’re heading out soon. Hads and Alissa are halfway to trashed.”
“Hads?” Ella asks her, and Paige nods. “Where is she now?”
“With Grant outside. She needed some fresh air.”
Ella grabs Paige’s hand. “Take me to her.”
“Okay. Leo, you can follow us. Oliver is by the door with all our stuff from the table.”
I nod, knowing she won’t be able to hear me over the music that somehow got louder.
The three of us make our way to the exit, and when we get outside, I breathe in the fresh air, and it puts my head back on straight.
Oliver hands me my cigarettes I left at the table, along with my hat.
“You smoke?” Oliver asks me. “Or is it just with the outfit?”
“Both, but I only smoke when I’m really stressed out, and it’s always just one,” I tell him. I don’t know why I felt the need to explain, but I couldn't stop it coming from my mouth.
“Hads, are you okay?” Ella says as she heads to Paige’s car. “Here’s some water. Grant, give her a glass when you get home and put some aspirin on her side table for the morning. It’s what I’ll be doing for Alissa.”
“Where is my sister?” I ask, a bit worried about her. She usually knows how to handle her alcohol.
“Right here!” she says as she pops her head out from the back seat. “Paigey, drive slow. You know I get travel sickness.”
“I know, Liss,” Paige laughs. “There’s water in the back for you.”
“You good?” I say as I ruffle her hair. “God, I should send our parents a picture.”
“Oh my God, you should! Better yet, send them a video of me doing the national anthem. Ready?” she asks me, and Ella tucks her head back into the car.
“Maybe another time, Liss.”
“Okay, you’re right,” she says as she slumps against the seat.
“Is everyone ready to go?” Oliver asks, and I hear a murmur of different answers.
“Old sport, your chariot awaits,” Grant says as he ushers me over to Oliver’s car.
I turn around to where Ella stands, about to get into the front seat of Paige’s car. “Am I an old sport?”
She only laughs and nods.
I turn to Grant. “You know, I may be older than you, but I’m not old.”
Oliver cracks a smile when I say that. “Oh, Leo, you have so much to learn.”