Chapter 17 #2
Growing up in a criminal family definitely had its downsides.
I wasn’t expected to go to college. In fact, my father wanted to marry me off to the highest bidder.
Gary won that bid, I guess. I wonder where that old fuck is now?
Hopefully, in a grave after he was murdered.
Fucker. Although, at one point, I heard my father and Franco in talks for my hand in marriage to Hux.
Someway, somehow, my father fucked everything up.
At least, I think he did. Sometimes I’m not sure why my entire family was wiped off the map.
Why I died. Was there a real reason behind the attack?
I’m sure in their eyes there was. But for me?
There were no answers to my questions as I begged for my family’s lives.
Only betrayals, with zero remorse and death.
“So, it’s your senior year, right?” Wade asks, looking at me expectantly as I lose myself to my endless thoughts of the past.
“Yup,” I say, running a hand through my shaggy locks–something I’m not sure I’ll get used to.
I haven’t had short hair since I was seven and took the scissors to my locks.
Man, my mama freaked out, cursing me up and down the hallway.
And then, when she calmed down, Mama took me to the hairdresser she used and fixed it into a cute bob.
From then on, I swore I wouldn’t do that to myself again.
Sorry, Mama. I broke my promise.
It’s been an adjustment in the shower too, using less shampoo. Not to mention the men’s Head and Shoulders Jordy left me and insisted I use it on everything. I mean, come on. They make men’s body wash. Why am I using this 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash on every bit of my body?
Ugh.
I can’t wait for this case to be over so I can leave and forget I ever came back here. But that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?
“Me too,” Wade says, filling the silence as more students walk through the classroom doors and take their seats, talking with their friends, and laughing loudly.
“You been here all four years?” I eye him as he nods, his shaggy blond hair falling into his eyes.
“Oh, yeah. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that my mom is the Dean.” His eyes roll toward the ceiling, and he huffs.
“It may have been brought up in conversation.” I shrug.
“I’m not a snitch, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he says, leaning into me slightly. “Your secrets are safe with me, I swear to fuck.” His hands go up in surrender.
“Uh, thanks, dude. I appreciate it. Your secrets are safe with me, too.” I nod in confirmation as the teacher walks in from a doorway near his podium at the front of the classroom, fiddling with a stack of papers.
“So, are you going to the Coliseum this weekend? I’m assuming Si is dragging you along.” He smirks, popping a dimple in his left cheek.
“Uh, maybe.”
“If Si is going, he won’t give you much of a choice,” Wade chuckles. “You’re all he can talk about these last few days. He’s been insistent I introduce myself, but I haven’t had time,” he sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“So, you volunteer at a shelter?” I inquire, attempting to get a read on the guy. Everyone seems to like him around here, including Simon. Students pass by, saying hello to Wade with grins and blushes.
Wade’s eyes light up, pride shining back at me.
“Oh, yeah. The animal shelter a few blocks from here. My aunt owns the place, and I stop by to help bathe the dogs and cats before they see the vet. It’s really rewarding to get them healthy and adopt them out.
” His chest puffs out with pride. “I really love the job. I try to go there throughout the week during the school year, but it’s hard sometimes.
If you ever want to join, I’d be happy to introduce you.
” He grins more, leaning over my way, ready to say more.
“Well, well, well,” a familiar voice taunts with a haunting voice that’s been slithering through my nightmares and kicking up my heart rate.
“I’ll always love you, Livy,” he whispers in my ear, pulling me closer to the warmth of his body. “Forever and always, Buttercup.”
“Forever and always,” I murmur sleepily on the treehouse floor as the moon shines brightly and the stars illuminate the dead of night.
This is where I find my peace.
Or did.
“Fuck,” Wade grunts, pulling back with a frown and flicking his eyes to the new figure standing in front of our table. “Mack.”
My heart skips a beat at the sound of Mack’s voice.
His presence. The fucking aura emanating off him.
The hairs on my arms stand on end when I finally lift my chin and stare into the iciness of his eyes.
Being this close to the man who decimated my being makes me want to run in the opposite direction.
My fingers twitch at my sides as he looks me up and down.
“You’re that fucker.” Mack points a menacing finger at me as a demented grin twists his lips.
I tilt my head, unable to utter a word in his presence, which doesn’t do me any good.
I’m supposed to get on their good side, join their frat, and be their bestie.
But after provoking Hux on Monday, I don’t think they like Oliver very much.
Too bad, so sad. Those fuckers are going to have to put up with me whether they like it or not.
“Mack,” Wade warns in a low voice.
“What? I’m just saying hello to our newest scholarship student.
How’s my college working out for ya, huh?
” Mack’s grin widens when I purse my lips and shrug.
Concrete sits on my damn tongue as it sticks to the roof of my mouth, drying out every second he stares at me with those beady eyes and examining me.
“I wanted to drop by and give you a little lesson on who rules this fucking school.” He leans further in, and my breath catches at the scent of his cologne.
The same cologne he’s always worn. The same scent I gave him for Christmas when I was thirteen and couldn’t afford anything but that.
It was from the Dollar Tree. Cheap. But it smelled so good, I couldn’t pass it up.
Besides, I only had three dollars in my pocket.
“I am the fucking king. Along with my two brothers, JJ and Hux. You remember him, right?” His face turns deadly, hardening with every word he says.
“So, I suggest you stay in line and stop poking the fucking bears. We can make your life fucking hell.” He raises his brow for good measure.
Yeah, whatever you say, dickbag. It’s what I want to say. But I have to play it smart. I’m not Olivia Viotto. She was wronged. Murdered. Buried without tears.
I’m not her right now. I can’t be.
I’m Oliver Davenport. A man on a mission. I have to remain calm and take whatever they throw at me with a smile. All for the mission. All for the greater good of Greenwood.
I can do that, right?
Thick walls erect in my mind, cutting off the past. I toss them away. I can’t think with my heart. Or the betrayals that led me here.
I can only think with Oliver’s brain.
“Whatever you say,” I finally spit out through clenched teeth.
Yup. I’m smooth. I can tell by the way his facial features darken and his soulless eyes glaze over that he didn’t like my response very much. His lips pop open, and he leans in again, getting closer to me.
How mad would he be if I broke his nose? Probably rage-filled. Would it be worth it? Oh, yeah. I’d love to see this douchenozzle bleed. I curl my fingers into fists, ready to beat him down and show Greenwood U that I’m not some pushover. But I don’t get the chance.
“Sit the fuck down!” My head snaps to the left at the same time Mack’s does as the voice carries throughout the room.
My heart nearly drops. Wilder. I knew he went to GU.
As does Malic. I saw the proof after the party while they sat on their porch watching us.
But him in one of my classes? That surprises me.
If all these gangsters are coming to GU for an education, I assumed they were merely handed a degree without stepping foot into a classroom.
Well, I guess I was wrong on that front.
Mack straightens, frowning at the new voice interjecting in our disagreement.
Perfect timing, if you ask me. I’d rather Mack get out of my face and sit down before I do something stupid like kick him in the balls.
Then, I’d really have a problem on my hands.
But hey, this is good for my assignment, I guess.
“Or what?” Mack asks cockily, loosening his shoulders as if he were preparing for a brawl. “What are you going to do about it, huh?”
I swallow hard when Wilder stands from his seat, glaring holes through Mack’s head.
Oh, Wilder. Mack’s slightly older brother by eleven months.
His short, blond hair almost makes him look bald as he crosses his thick arms over his chest. His chest, displaying copious amounts of muscle lining his body with loads of colorful tattoos.
Wait, I shake my head. You’re Oliver now.
You can’t be checking out dudes! You’re indifferent to both sexes.
Not interested. Because the last thing I need is someone flirting with me and wanting in my pants.
They’d get a huge–or not huge–surprise when they don’t find a penis between my legs.
But ugh, he’s so beautiful. And under the fluorescent lights of the classroom, I have a way better view than last night after the party.
Just great! This is amazing. I let my vagina lead me into this situation.
I mean, okay, the booze helped, too. And fucking Malic wasn’t all bad.
It was amazing. I swear, five years of stress fell off my shoulders the moment we both came with a cry of relief.
But God, the complications it led to. Like this!
What if Wilder takes one look at me and recognizes me?
I’m fucked. Cover blown! I’m sure Malic would lock me in his closet and interrogate me about why I’m here dressed like this.