Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
Presley
E van leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. "Come over tonight," he murmured, his fingers tightening around my arm as he spoke.
For days now, he'd been pressuring me, backing me into corners, demanding more. I had to get into his house, find that notebook, and end this twisted game. It was the only way to keep Hudson safe. But just the thought of being alone with Evan made my skin crawl.
"I can’t," I said, my voice barely steady.
Evan’s grip turned to steel, and he shot me a hard glare. "You keep saying no. Maybe I should just take that video straight to the cops." His voice dripped with threat, and his eyes sparked with a sick satisfaction.
I dug my nails into his hand, trying to pry myself free. "You won’t let me forget, will you? You forced me into this," I hissed.
Evan’s jaw twitched, and he leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. "And if you keep stalling, I might just take a little field trip to the police station." He let me go with a shove, his lips twisting into a smug grin as I stumbled back.
Over his shoulder, I saw Hudson watching us. His fists were clenched, his face dark with fury as he took in the scene. His gaze locked on mine, and I felt a surge of panic; he was ready to explode.
I whispered, "Why do you have to be such an asshole?"
Evan’s smile grew, malicious and ugly. "Why do you have to be such a tease? Bet you’ve been with that little bitch, Hudson. How many times have you slept with him, huh?" His voice was low and venomous.
My heart pounded. "I haven’t been with anyone," I lied, hoping he’d believe me.
He stroked a knuckle down my cheek, savoring the way I tensed. "Good. I want to be the one to break that little rule." He licked his lips slowly. "I’ll be gentle, Presley. At least, the first time."
The bell rang, a sudden, jarring noise that broke the tension. Before I could move, Evan pressed his lips against mine, hard and possessive. "See you at lunch," he whispered, and then he was gone, leaving me frozen in place.
Hudson stormed toward me as the last of the students hurried to their classes. His jaw was tight, his eyes wild. "I’ll turn myself in," he said, voice barely above a whisper.
"No," I insisted. "We have to be smart about this."
"Bathroom. Now." He pointed across the hall at the girls' restroom. Without a second thought, I followed him inside, not caring if anyone saw us.
Hudson paced to the window, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag, his hands shaking. "I’m going to kill him, Pres. I swear I will." He blew the smoke out in a fierce gust, his shoulders tense.
"I just need to get into his house. That notebook has to be in his room," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. The notebook was the only way to end Evan’s control over us.
He turned, his expression dark and unforgiving. "But at what price, Presley? He’ll try to hurt you. And what if he records it? You’d be giving him more to hold over you."
My heart twisted painfully because he was right. Evan would expect me to give him everything, and it sickened me. But I couldn’t stand the idea of Hudson paying for my mistakes.
"I have a plan," I blurted, hoping to soothe his fury, even if it was a lie.
Hudson’s eyes narrowed. "What plan?" His voice was sharp, suspicious.
I glanced down, unable to meet his gaze. "I just... liked being with you. In your arms."
"Presley," he growled, his tone low and warning.
I glanced at my phone, catching the time. "Shit, we’re five minutes late."
Hudson shrugged, still fuming. "I’ll probably get suspended anyway, after skipping detention. My mom’s going to lose it."
I grabbed his sleeve, pulling him closer until his lips crashed against mine. The taste of cigarette smoke and coffee lingered on his breath, blending with the heat of his kiss. His hands tangled in my hair, and his mouth moved against mine with a desperation that sent a thrill through me.
When he pulled back, I was breathless, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Go to class, Presley," he muttered, his voice rough. Then, with a quick, playful smack, he sent me on my way. But as I walked away, all I could think about was Evan—and the lengths I’d go to make him pay.
Evan nudged me again, harder this time. I jerked my arm away, gritting my teeth to keep from snapping at him. My gaze drifted back to Hudson, who was at the far side of the cafeteria, laughing with two younger cheerleaders. Their eyes were glued to him as he grinned, tossing his head back at something one of them said. That easy charm of his could make anyone feel special. Anyone except me, apparently.
“Presley, did you even hear what I said?” Evan’s voice sliced through my thoughts, irritation sharp in his tone.
I tore my eyes from Hudson and forced myself to focus on Evan. “A party?” I echoed, catching the last part of his sentence.
“Yeah, a party,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “After the game. Randy’s parents are out for the weekend. His brother’s scoring a keg, so we’re crashing there.”
“Let me guess. I’m designated driver?” I asked dryly.
The number of times I'd played chauffeur while he got trashed was beyond counting. It was practically routine by now—me watching him stumble around, me rubbing his back as he vomited in the bushes, me waiting for him to sober up enough to make it home. The last thing I wanted was another night babysitting him.
Evan leaned closer, his voice lowering but still loud enough to draw attention. “No, tonight’s the night. We’re staying over, Presley.”
My stomach twisted. Reagan, sitting across from us, had her eyes trained on me, watching with barely concealed jealousy. She’d slept with Evan, and I knew it. Some best friend. But she couldn’t hide the green-eyed look of envy as she put on a sugary-sweet smile. "You two are spending the night together?"
Her voice dripped with faux innocence, but the jealousy in her eyes was unmistakable. I couldn’t help but see it now—Reagan wanted everything I had. The head cheerleader position, which I’d practically handed her. My boyfriend, though she was welcome to him. Even my life, down to the little things. She would’ve taken it all if I’d let her.
“Can I come, too?” The voice at my shoulder was my younger brother, Neil, his eyes bright with excitement.
I shook my head, forcing a stern look. “You should stay home, Neil.”
“Bullshit!” Evan clapped Neil on the back, laughing as if they’d been best friends for years. “You’re coming with us. I’ve got a game to show you.”
Neil’s eyes lit up, and he straightened, his grin stretching from ear to ear. Reagan sidled up beside him, draping her arm over his shoulders. “Don’t worry, Neil,” she cooed. “Stick with me, and I’ll teach you the ropes.”
Something twisted inside me. Neil was getting pulled under Evan’s influence, and Reagan… she was already working her way into his head. I didn’t trust either of them not to drag him down into whatever schemes they had in mind. But I couldn’t make a scene here, not with Neil’s hopeful smile tugging at my resolve.
“Fine. Do what you want,” I muttered, shoving my leftover lunch into my backpack, frustration simmering. Tonight, I’d talk to him, get him to see things clearly. But for now, he was under Evan’s spell, and I had to play along.
The cold bit through my coat as I hugged it tighter, my hood pulled low against the wind that whipped across the field. I’d drained my hot chocolate ten minutes ago, but it had barely made a dent in the chill seeping into my bones. My parents sat up in the stands, shouting their encouragement, even though Neil was just sitting on the bench. I stayed back, lurking near the edge of the field, watching, waiting.
A hand on my shoulder made me jump. I spun around to find Hudson grinning, his eyes bright with mischief as he pulled me under the bleachers. His hand cupped my face as he leaned in, pressing his nose against my cheek.
"Are you insane?" I hissed, glancing around nervously.
"Insane? No." He tilted my chin up, his eyes blazing with a quiet dare. "Insane would be me kissing you while several hundred people are busy cheering on the team."
I swallowed hard, a thrill running through me, tempered only by worry. "If anyone sees us, they’ll tell Evan."
Hudson’s smirk faded, replaced by a look that was half-defiance, half-concern. "Are you still going to Randy’s house tonight?"
Reluctantly, I nodded. "Yeah. I don’t want to, but... I don’t trust Evan around Neil. My brother thinks he’s some kind of friend."
Hudson snorted, an edge creeping into his voice. "A friend? Would a friend get someone drunk and dump them on a driveway in the rain? Evan’s a bully."
"Yeah, he is." The weight of the truth felt heavier as I said it out loud.
Hudson clasped my hands, his warm fingers brushing over my cold skin. His thumbs traced slow circles, sending shivers through me that had nothing to do with the cold. He leaned in close, his voice low. "If Neil weren’t going, I’d tell you to come to my place."
I raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at my lips. "A sleepover?"
He brushed his lips over my cheek, so close I could feel his breath against my skin. "I don’t plan on doing much sleeping."
Footsteps and voices approached, and Hudson quickly pulled me deeper into the shadows. Despite the threat of being caught, he started trailing butterfly kisses along my neck, his lips warm against my skin. I could feel my pulse hammering, half with the thrill, half with the risk.
As the voices faded, the crowd above us erupted into cheers. I gave him a gentle push. "You need to go."
In the dim light, his gaze locked onto mine, something raw flickering in his eyes. "Promise me one thing—don’t let him get close to you tonight."
I nodded, letting my hands slip from his grasp. My mind was already working through my plan. Deep in the liquor cabinet at home was a half-empty bottle of Everclear. Evan wouldn’t be able to resist a chance to show off, and a couple of shots would take him down fast. All I had to do was get Neil out of there.
"I’ll handle it," I whispered. "He’ll be drunk in no time, and I’ll leave him passed out upstairs. I’ll take Neil home."
Hudson’s eyes lit with a glimmer of hope. "If you do, text me. I’ll keep it to one beer and meet you at home. Mom and Alex are out of town for the weekend."
"I can’t stay over," I said, fighting the urge to give in.
He shook his head, his voice gentle. "I don’t need you to. I just… I need you close. Need to forget about him touching you this week."
A lump formed in my throat, emotion thickening my voice. "Hudson…”
He hesitated, his brows drawing together. "Something doesn’t add up, Presley. You’re in that video too, you know."
I looked up, the cold air suddenly feeling suffocating. "He’d just edit it. Make it look like I wasn’t there. Evan might be dumb, but he’s not that dumb."
Before he could respond, a roar from the stands broke through our conversation, and we both knew time was up. The game was nearing its end, and everyone would be heading to Randy’s by ten.
Hudson sighed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I’ll see you later."
I watched as he slipped back into the shadows, disappearing around the side of the bleachers. As I stood there, his words echoed in my mind, each one sharpening the resolve I felt building inside me. Tonight, Evan’s game would finally end.